British motorsport and engineering firm RML Group is developing a coach-built sports car on the chassis of a Ferrari 550 Maranello, the V-12 grand tourer constructed between 1996 and 2002.
RML calls its automotive the Quick Wheelbase, and the design has clearly been impressed by a basic Ferrari, particularly the 250 GT SWB of the Fifties. There’ll even be an egg-crate grille and stacked taillights.
RML confirmed a digital model of the Quick Wheelbase in July and now the corporate has supplied a take a look at the construct of the primary instance. Proper now solely the physique shell has been constructed, utilizing carbon-composite supplies to maintain weight down. The rear part, for instance, weighs simply 88 kilos, or 72 kilos lower than the comparable part on the 550 Maranello. The full dry weight is anticipated to be 3,240 kilos.
RML Quick Wheelbase
The rear part is joined by a corresponding entrance part and each connect to the donor chassis in a dry course of. RML stated the sections have been scanned and measured after being hooked up to the chassis, revealing that 99% of the construction fell inside a 2.5-millimeter tolerance, and 60% inside 1 mm. Earlier than receiving its new physique, the donor chassis was refurbished and totally sealed for cover.
“To see the primary manufacturing automotive’s bodywork on this full state, mounted to the chassis, with sound deadening and warmth insulation in place, is kind of particular after solely viewing it just about up till now,” Ben Amos, manufacturing engineer for the Quick Wheelbase program, stated in a press release.
The following levels might be portray and powertrain set up. RML plans to depart some areas of the automotive’s carbon-weave uncovered, corresponding to the inside of the doorways, the panel in entrance of the windscreen, and elements of the engine bay.
RML Quick Wheelbase
The donor 550 Maranello’s 5.5-liter V-12 will stay, although probably with some modifications. We additionally know that the engine might be mated to a 6-speed guide with a gated shifter.
RML is at present accepting orders however is but to disclose a price ticket. The corporate plans to construct simply 30 examples, and if all goes to plan the deliveries will begin in early 2022.
There’s one other British firm, GTO Engineering, which has an identical challenge within the works. GTO Engineering is engaged on a Ferrari 250 GTO-inspired model constructed from the bottom up. We’re speaking a brand new chassis, V-12 engine, and attractive physique additionally created from carbon-composite supplies.
