With three years of development in the books, English motorsports company RML Group finally unveils official images of its first customer car, the RML Short Wheelbase.
The purpose behind the project was to create a product that showcases the firm’s ability, and trademarks of quality and precision engineering to the whole world. “We wanted to create an emotive product and one that celebrated a simple and beautiful aesthetic and a pure and organic driving experience,” said head designer Jonathon Bowen.
For this undertaking, the auto group transforms the Ferrari 550 Maranello into a modern reboot of the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Short Wheelbase (SWB) with a completely bespoke interior and exterior.
While abiding by its “no plastic mantra,” the cabin is brought up to date with modern technologies including electrically adjustable seats and steering column, air conditioning specified to function at 50-degree weather in the Middle East, and a hidden touchscreen with smartphone connectivity and a reverse camera display.
Exteriors feature clean classic lines across its carbon fiber body with bespoke lighting designed in-house, and the car achieves a specifically engineered noise emulating a V12 road racer by simulating the airpath and creating a custom exhaust system.
The RML Short Wheelbase is powered by a front-mounted 485 horsepower Ferrari V12 mated to a six-speed manual transmission and can reach a top speed of 180 mph and running zero to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. Beyond creating something that was aesthetically stunning, RML made adjustments to ensure a pleasurable ride over long distances, “something that I could drive from England to Le Mans and get out and still be able to walk at the other end,” said Bowen, who stands at 6 foot 4.
Only 30 units will be produced over the next two and half years and the first deliveries will begin later this year. Each RML Short Wheelbase takes around 6 months to make and is priced at around $2.04 million USD. A variety of exterior trims will be available as well as period-correct graphics. Take a look at the video below for a full vehicle run-through from Bowen.
