British GTO Engineering is currently working on a modern interpretation of the Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta: the Squalo. Under the hood of the retro field, a V12 will be placed that the company develops and builds itself. More is now known about this power source, especially the maximum speed makes an impression.
GTO Engineering sets the bar fairly high when it comes to the specifications of the V12. The company has taken the original Ferrari V12 from the 1960s as its starting point and its own power unit needs to improve in almost every way. For example, the weight of the 4.0 V12 with four camshafts should be less than 165 kilos and GTO Engineering says it produces ‘more than 460 hp’. The location of the red line on the rev counter is possibly even more impressive: only at 10,000 rpm is the cake.
According to the company, the twelve-cylinder is currently undergoing the necessary tests on the test bench. The principle of redesigning and rebuilding a basically old block is somewhat reminiscent of what Singer together with Williams Advanced Engineering did with the air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine from Porsche.
GTO Engineering also announced that it is aiming for a weight distribution of 55/45 for the Squalo and that the engine will be placed low in the car to improve the center of gravity. In total, the Squalo must weigh less than 1,000 kg. As a counterweight for the engine, heavier parts such as the gearbox and the battery will be placed in the back. According to Mark Lyon, director and founder of GTO Engineering, the V12 does not share any part with the Ferrari original. The company also uses manufacturing techniques that did not exist at all at the time. For example, the housing of the motor is manufactured with a 3D printer.
The first deliveries of the Squalo are planned for 2023. The company is still keeping under wraps how many cars GTO Engineering will build and what the retro fun package should cost.