Maserati GranTurismo S, Novitec Tridente Power Boosted

It's a tuned cars release-frenzy these days, as garages around the world prepare the way for summer. After we brought you the Arden Bentley Continental GTC and the Avus tweaked Mercedes Benz C63 AMG, it is the turn of an Italian manufacturer to go under the tuning knife.

German tuner Novitec this time has taken on an Italian icon. Since is the day we see unusual vehicles get tuned, the picture wouldn't have been complete without a Maserati GranTurismo S.

The tuning kit prepared by Novitec for the GranTurismo S stands out thanks to a newly-developed supercharged engine. The 440 horsepower output of the regular engine now stands at 600 horsepower. This means the Novitec Maserati GranTurismo S jumps from naught to sixty in 4.5 seconds and tops at 315 km/hour (196 mph).

These performance levels were made possible thanks to the mechanical cogged-belt-driven charger, used to supercharge the 4.7l V8 unit. The charger is backed by a water-to-air intercooler, a modified intake system and larger injectors. Of course, the V8 was subject to remapping, so that it keeps in line with Euro IV emission limits.

The compressor conversion offered by Novitec for the Maserati GranTurismo S has a MSRP of 23,681 euros. Add to it the unspecified amount of money you will have to pay for the exterior upgrades (front spoiler, rocker panels, spoiler lips and diffusers) and the total cost of the Novitec kit may top 30,000 euros.

Three-piece alloy wheels, sport suspension and Pirelli tires are also featured in the Novitec kit, but the masterpiece of the car remains, as we said, the engine. After all, an increase of 160 horsepower is no easy feat.