|
Following eleven months of design and development
work, the Bavarian design
house "Unique Sportcars" has completed its first design concept: a super
sports car for the streets. Limiting the series to just eleven units, the
unique "Calavera" design is based on the Ferrari
F430, collaborating exclusively with Ferrari
specialist Novitec Rosso and airbrush artist
Knud Tiroch.
The "Calavera"
concept (in Spanish it means "skull") is the brand name of
Unique Sportcars and designation of future design
implementations. Claiming to be in touch with modern
fashion, Unique Sportcars has combined its belief of "what's
hot" with the luxurious Maranello sports car, to create the
"Calavera".
All those
involved in the project form a strong team. For more than 20
years, Novitec has been well-known on the tuning scene. In
the early 1990s, Novitec received attention and recognition
for their aftermarket turbo- and supercharged motors for
Alfa Romeo models'. 2003 was the year of the first Novitec
Rosso twin-supercharger engine for Ferrari, making a
statement to professionals worldwide.
Knud Tiroch is
one of a kind. He belongs to Europe's finest Airbrush
artists and is responsible for creating the exclusive
designs on chassis and interiors. His finesse has been of
great use to David Coulthard, ZZ Top, Arnold Schwarzenegger
and many more.
Nürnberg-based Unique Sportcars
develops exclusive designs for customers wanting more than
just off-the-shelf products. Custom-tailoring individual
ideas and customer's wishes, the firm is on the look-out for
partners to make these come to life. Idea, concept and
implementation, all from one source. Besides design
composition and project engineering, the Bavarian company
has developed a few special extras. The front of the
"Calavera" is suited with daytime lights, creating a more
aggressive look, but not impeding on it's aerodynamics.
An eye-catching
feature of this project is the illuminated engine
compartment. This non-standard 'gimmick' puts the Calavera
in spotlight, setting the tone for the brutish rear and its
707 bhp engine. The finishing
touch is given through its interior where the Calavera
design continues. Embroidered seats and a modified, and
extended middle console, leave plenty of room for
conventional functions and extensions like the new
generation Apple iPod.
The whole
procedure of tuning this project includes completely
dismantling the F430's frame with the modifications made to
the engine, aerodynamics, wheels, tyres and sports exhaust
system being done by Novitec Rosso. All custom work can be
completed within around three months leaving it right on
schedule to become the distinctive last series of the
Ferrari F430: an exclusive design and incorporation of
modern technology and truly, a "Unique Sportcar".
Technical
Details
The F430's
engine is tuned up to 707 bhp (520 kW) and 712 Nm of torque.
0 – 100 km/h is achieved in 3.5 seconds, while top speed is
348 km/h, all along with an extremely sporty and distinct
new interior. At the heart of the Calavera lies the Novitec
Rosso twin-supercharger engine in its latest evolutionary
stage. Up to now, the eight-cylinder, four-valve engine with
a displacement of 4,308 cc and mechanical Novitec Rosso twin
superchargers produced 656 bhp (482 kW).
The production
car's sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened by half a
second to 3.5 seconds through Novitec Rosso's tuning
processes. After just 10.5 seconds the car reaches 200 km/h.
The 300 km/h barrier is shattered after 29.9 seconds. In
combination with longer gear ratios available upon request
the top speed can grow from 315 km/h to 348 km/h.
There are
20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19-inch wheels: The
three-piece Novitec Rosso NF3 double-spoke wheels in sizes
8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle fill out the
F430 wheel houses perfectly. High-performance tires in sizes
235/30 ZR 20 and 325/25 ZR 20 come from technology partner
Pirelli. Like all other
body components the Novitec Rosso front spoiler was
developed in the wind tunnel. It is attached to the
underside of the production front apron. It lends the
revised car an even more aggressive frontal appearance and
reduces lift on the front axle.
Agile and safe
handling is one of the strengths of the Novitec Rosso sport
suspension for the Ferrari, optimised for everyday. Unlike
the production suspension the front end can now be raised by
40 millimetres at the push of a button to safely navigate
past curbs, driveway entries and speed bumps. Once the car
reaches a speed of 80 km/h the suspension automatically
lowers itself back to normal position, about 35 millimetres
lower than the production car. Novitec Rosso sport
stabilisers reduce body roll and provide even more direct
turn-in. To be able to safely control this enormous
performance potential at all times Novitec Rosso also
modifies aerodynamics, tyres, suspension and the brakes.
|
