RML has been working on a Ferrari 250-inspired restomod for years and it appears their hard work has paid off as the pre-production model looks simply stunning.
Known as the Short Wheelbase, the model is billed as an “epic GT car” that pays tribute to the “golden age of motoring” while also offering 21st-century comfort and convenience.
Based on the Ferrari 550 Maranello, the Short Wheelbase has a carbon composite body with soft curves and flowing surfaces. It’s joined by a 250-inspired front end that features a classic “chip-cutter” grille as well as circular lighting units.
Also Read: The Gorgeous RML Short Wheelbase Is Based On A Ferrari 550 Maranello
The standout styling continues further back as the model sports a ram air hood, flush-mounted door handles, and functional side vents. They’re joined by muscular rear haunches, stacked taillights, and a sporty four-tailpipe exhaust system that is “free-flowing” and “acoustically sonorous.”
The Short Wheelbase rides on retro-inspired 18-inch alloy wheels that were designed in-house and wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires. They’re backed up by ventilated discs which measure 13 inches (330 mm) front and 12.2 inches (310 mm) rear.
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RML only provided a brief glimpse of the interior, but they adopted a “no-plastic mantra” and this means “everything you can see and touch in the cabin is either machined aluminum, glass or leather.”
RML’s head of design, Jonathan Bowen, added “It would have been easy to save tens of thousands of pounds buying off-the-shelf dials and controls, but they would not have met our high standards. Therefore, every switch, button and clock you see in the Short Wheelbase is bespoke, and developed in-house.”
Judging by previous renderings, that’s certainly the case as the model is slated to have a retro-inspired tilt/telescoping steering wheel and watch-inspired dials on the dashboard. The minimalist cabin also sports modern conveniences such as air conditioning, power seats, cup holders, and a pop-up infotainment system that can be hidden when not needed.
Also, unlike many classic sports cars, the Short Wheelbase has been designed for tall people. In particular, the company noted the cabin can accommodate people who are up to six feet, six inches (two meters) in height.
A 5.5-Liter V12 And A Six-Speed Manual
Under the hood, there’s a 5.5-liter Ferrari V12 engine that produces 479 hp (357 kW / 486 PS) and 419 lb-ft (567 Nm) of torque. It’s connected to a six-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential. Performance specifications haven’t been finalized, but the company believes the car will accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.1 seconds and have a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).
Since the engines aren’t new, each will be stripped and examined to ensure all internal components fall within Ferrari’s “original scope of tolerance.” The engines will then be reassembled and validated on a dyno before being installed in the vehicle.
Sticking with the performance theme, the Short Wheelbase has been equipped with new inlet, cooling, oil, and exhaust systems. The company suggested the new components will enable drivers to make “full use of the car’s performance” and then withstand a traffic jam in downtown Dubai with temperatures of around 122° F (50° C).
Besides the aforementioned modifications, the suspension has been adapted to “reflect the significant changes made in the car’s design.” In particular, the model features bespoke Ohlins dampers as well as a thicker anti-roll bar and revised spring rates.
The Short Wheelbase aims to be a “fast and usable GT with classic lines, capable of swallowing large distances with a degree of comfort and convenience that wouldn’t have been dreamt of 60 years ago.” Production will be limited to approximately 30 units and each car will take around six months to complete.
The Short Wheelbase is expected to appeal to North American consumers and approximately 70% of them will be exported from the United Kingdom. The model is currently available to order and pricing starts at £1.35 ($1.83 / €1.62) million before taxes.
