RML builds 5.5-litre V12 250 SWB | GRR
There’s a new contender in the stakes to build the most convincing homage to iconic 1960s Italian GTs of the front-engined V12 variety. After 250 SWB Revival and Squalo from GTO Engineering, say ciao to the RML Short Wheelbase. Whatever you do, don’t mention the F word…
It’s not after all a Ferrari, but like its precursors in this high-stakes, high-value replica game it does look like one. That’s the point: everyone after all loves the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, and the GTO it sired, even though values in the tens of millions have rather restricted their useability.
The RML Short Wheelbase is all about useability in the modern world, according to the UK company behind it. As a name, RML won’t win any awards for Latin flair, but as a specialist in low-profile road and racecar engineering dating back to 1984 it has won motorsport world championships. The Short Wheelbase is the first time it has put its own name on a car for sale to the public.
RML’s interpretation of the real SWB reimagines the look of the GT icon in a carbon-fibre body that attempts to capture the proportions and signature details – stacked rear lights, exposed fuel filler, chip-cutter front grille and vents behind each wheel – of the original. Mostly successfully, we feel.
One benefit of an increase in size (it is 4,264mm long and 1,954mm wide) is more room inside than Italian cars of the 1960s generally offered. RML says drivers up to 6ft 6in (2m) will fit on the electrically adjustable seat. Electric seat adjustment is not on its own in the list of 21st-century comfort and convenience features: here you also get satnav, air-conditioning, cupholders and smartphone connectivity.
Little surprise then that it tips the scales at 1,470kg. The original (and the more bespoke and authentic nature of GTO Engineering’s offerings) weighs around the tonne.
Despite that the RML car is said to offer plenty of performance from its V12 thanks to a very un-1960s-like 485PS (436kW) and 568Nm (420lb ft) of torque. The power is courtesy of the 5,474cc V12 from recent front-engined Ferrari GTs like the 550 Maranello, and thus makes no attempt to copy the real SWB’s famous Colombo V12.
Are the platform and suspension also from a modern Ferrari like the 550? Likely but unconfirmed. Certainly, the open-gate manual six-speed ‘box is. Make full use of it and you will be able to hit 60mph from standstill in 4.1 seconds says RML. The top speed is claimed to be 185mph.
RML chief exec Michael Mallock says the car was never designed to compete in the supercar stakes. “It’s certainly rapid (but) our emphasis has always been on capturing a more organic driving experience, with less intervention and more useable performance, while still making it comfortable and convenient enough for people to enjoy regularly on modern roads.”
RML says its take on the Short Wheelbase will go on sale in the last quarter of this year. Typically for this kind of car, prices are left to a discussion between client and company, but the firm does say it wants to make 30 of them – same number as GTO Engineering promised of its SWB.
More classically-inspired restomod than authentic new-build replica like GTO’s offering then – but as long as it looks this good and has a V12 in its nose why not?