RML Short Wheelbase Version Of  Ferrari 550 Maranello Has Been Revealed

RML Group, a British firm, has revealed further information about the Short Wheelbase special edition vehicle, created as a tribute to the classic Ferrari 250 GT SWB.

The suspension arrangement will be updated to give the car the complexity of a current performance car, but with a more natural and appealing character. The automobile will be based on a Ferrari 550 Maranello chassis.

The carbon-fiber bodywork of the Short Wheelbase, according to RML, improves rigidity and contributes to weight reduction despite sharing the same backbone chassis and wheelbase as the aluminum-bodied 550 Maranello.

A set of neutral Ohlins dampers replaces the active Bilstein dampers featured in the 550's suspension. The Short Wheelbase gets special spring rates and anti-roll bars, as well as being closer to the ground for better handling. The Pirelli P-Zero Rosso tires are mounted on the 18-inch retro-styled alloy wheels, which were chosen over a custom-made tire for ease of maintenance.

The development team was able to examine the aerodynamics of the modified body, which differ from the 550, affecting factors such as lift at high speeds, using Computational Fluid Dynamics technology. The decreased front overhang, according to Nic Rutherford, Project Lead Engineer for the Short Wheelbase, shifted the car's weight closer to the center of gravity, which improved vehicle control. The battery was also relocated from the engine bay to the boot for greater weight distribution.

The naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V12 produces 478 hp (356 kW / 485 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque beneath the hood of the RML Short Wheelbase. The power is sent to the back axle via a six-speed manual transmission. The Short Wheelbase is expected to go from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of over 185 mph (297 km/h), according to RML. 

The first car will be finished in October and shown to the media for inspection. The company will then begin manufacture of the remaining 30 client cars in the first quarter of 2022, with deliveries beginning in the second quarter. The RML Short Wheelbase isn't the only Ferrari 250-inspired model that's been presented this year; the GTO Engineering Squalo, which also has a V12 engine, is also in the final stages of development.