NOVITEC Tuned the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider Without Touching Its V12 – and That’s Probably the Right Decision

Tuning a Ferrari with an 830-horsepower naturally aspirated V12 presents an unusual problem. What exactly are you supposed to improve?

NOVITEC’s answer for the Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider is surprisingly sensible. And leave the engine alone. At least for now.

Instead of chasing a larger horsepower figure, the German tuner has concentrated on carbon-fiber aerodynamics, wheels, suspension and one area where a convertible V12 Ferrari can always become more entertaining: the exhaust.

The starting point hardly needs assistance.

Ferrari’s 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 is the defining feature of the 12Cilindri. In an industry rapidly moving toward turbocharging, hybrid assistance and electric propulsion, the existence of a large naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder engine already feels mildly rebellious.

NOVITEC wisely hasn’t tried to fix something that isn’t broken. The visual changes begin with exposed carbon.

A new front lip and surrounds for the side air intakes alter the nose while also being designed to improve stability at high speed. The central intake, vertical bars and panel between the headlights can receive matching carbon treatment.

There are more carbon pieces around the hood vents, front wheel arches, mirrors and engine bay. At the rear, NOVITEC adds a three-piece lip spoiler together with a new diffuser.

It’s still obviously a 12Cilindri. That matters.

Some tuned Ferraris end up looking as though the designer became bored halfway through and handed the project to somebody who had just discovered carbon fiber.

NOVITEC’s car is busier than Ferrari’s original design, certainly, but it hasn’t become a different vehicle.

On the other hand, the new wheels arguably make the largest visual difference. Developed with Vossen, the NF12 forged wheel uses five Y-shaped spokes and a center-lock-style hub cover.

NOVITEC fits 21-inch wheels with 275/35 ZR21 tires at the front and 22-inch wheels wearing 325/30 ZR22 rubber at the rear.

Sports springs drop the car by approximately 30 millimeters. That doesn’t sound enormous, but on something already as low and wide as a Ferrari Spider, three centimeters is plenty.

Then we reach the part I’d want most. The exhaust.

NOVITEC has developed a valve-controlled system specifically for the 6.5-liter V12. The driver can choose between a more restrained sound and the considerably less restrained alternative.

Customers can select stainless steel or INCONEL, the lightweight heat-resistant material also associated with Formula 1 exhaust systems.

And because apparently an INCONEL Ferrari exhaust isn’t extravagant enough, NOVITEC will also sell it with 999 fine-gold plating to improve heat dissipation.

The tailpipes can receive the same treatment. Is gold plating necessary? Of course not.

But we’re discussing modifications for an open-top V12 Ferrari. Rationality left the building several hundred thousand euros ago.

The clever part is what NOVITEC hasn’t done. There’s no desperate attempt to make the specification sheet say 900 or 1,000 horsepower merely because those numbers produce better headlines.

The 12Cilindri already has enough engine. Make it lower. Sharpen the aerodynamics. Give it beautiful wheels. And most importantly, make that V12 easier to hear with the roof down.

Sometimes tuning doesn’t need to be more complicated than that.