The British RML Group, which deals with car modifications at the highest level, is working on a retro car that takes its appearance from the Ferrari 250 GT SWB: the ‘Short Wheelbase’. The design of the exterior of that car was already known, but now RML also shows the interior of its new creation.
The moment when RML publishes the photos of the interior of the Short Wheelbase does not seem to have been chosen entirely by chance. This morning, British GTO Engineering also showed photos of the interior of their Squalo. GTO Engineering and RML are not only compatriots, but also revert to the same Ferrari model for the Squalo and Short Wheelbase: the aforementioned 250 GT SWB.
In any case, the interior of the Short Wheelbase is directly reminiscent of the classic Ferrari, especially when it comes to the design of the clocks and the dashboard. Directly in front of the driver are the round tachometer and speedometer, with the fuel gauge in the middle. Where the original 250 GT SWB had four round bells in the center of the dashboard, the RML version has five, the outer two of which act as ventilation grilles. The middle three indicate oil temperature, time and water temperature from left to right. Below that are six toggle switches for, among other things, the fog lamps and the window controls, and further down are three round buttons for ventilation and air conditioning.
At first glance, the Short Wheelbase has a very minimalistic interior, but if you look closely, you will see that there are a few extra buttons around the shift pattern on the center console. These are for the infotainment system, which rises on command from the front part of the center console. According to RML, the system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Furthermore, the interior is decorated with leather and aluminum. RML says it has explicitly kept plastic out.
Same, but different
GTO Engineering and RML Engineering both do it in their own way. Although the Squalo and the Short Wheelbase are broadly similar, the Short Wheelbase has a larger grille and one air intake in the hood instead of three smaller ones. In addition, GTO Engineering itself is developing a V12 based on the original engine, while RML spoons a more modern Ferrari V12 into the nose of the Short Wheelbase. It is not said from which car that engine comes, but the cylinder capacity of 5,474 cc suggests that it is the engine from the 456 GT and 550 Maranello. In any case, the power source in the Short Wheelbase delivers 485 hp and 568 Nm of torque.
The first cars for customers should be ready in the first quarter of 2022. Ultimately, RML wants to build 30 units. The price does not tell RML, but count on the Short Wheelbase to be quite expensive. The company is no stranger to the car world, previously RML built the crazy Juke R for Nissan and assembled a racing version of the SLR McLaren 722: the SLR 722 GT.