Restomods are very fashionable, and many more or less iconic classic cars are once again enjoying a second youth thanks to them. In this case, the protagonist is the Ferrari 550 Maranello, a coupé from the nineties that has not suffered the same appreciation as other contemporary Ferraris. The Ferrari 550 Maranello is the basis of a restomod that seeks to build a kind of short wheelbase Ferrari 250 Berlinetta. Classic aesthetics and modern mechanical base – and more reliable a priori – for those who seek to look at the past in a comfortable way.
This project It has nothing to do with the GTO Squalo, designed and developed by GTO Engineering. The GTO Engineering project recreates a 250 GTO from scratch, using a newly developed engine and a new chassis, but respecting the essence of the original. With the RML Short Wheelbase from the RML Group, we have a slightly different machine. A car that does not look for rabid sportsmanship, if not honor the GT character of the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta. That is why the base of the Ferrari 550 Maranello is adequate, both for philosophy and for cost.
RML Group developed the racing versions of the Chevrolet Lacetti and Cruze for the BTCC.
The RML Group has taken three years to develop the Short Wheelbase. The most complex part of development has been creating a new carbon fiber bodywork for the Italian sports car. A bodywork that almost perfectly replicates that of the 1959 classic, with its chrome grille, the upper air intake on its hood, its round headlights or its characteristic wheel arches. However, the proportions of the car change slightly: the RML is much wider, considerably longer and slightly higher than the Ferrari 250 Berlinetta.
All in all, the RML is considerably lighter than the Ferrari 550 Maranello on which it is based: weighs only 1,470 kilos, more than 200 kilos less than the donor car. The battery has been moved to improve weight distribution and the car’s active suspension has been replaced by passive shock absorbers signed by Öhlins. The engine of the 550 Maranello has not changed: it remains a bright atmospheric V12 multivalve with 5.5 liter displacement and 485 CV power, associated with a six-speed manual gearbox.
The 0 to 96 km/h will only take 4.1 seconds, and its top speed will be around 300 km/h.
The driving feel promises to be balanced and firm, with programmable traction control for drivers who want to explore their limits. The interior of the GT has also been completely redesigned: goodbye to its 90s look, and hello to a classic reinterpretation, created with great care. We especially highlight the aspect of the manual gear lever grille, analog instrumentationthe precious air vents or the metal steering wheel, in combination with leather and other high-quality noble materials.
RML only plans to build 30 units, at an estimated price of £1.3m, excluding tax.
