Page 33 - June 2022

And now for Something
Completely New- RML Unveils Its
Short Wheelbase, a Grand Tourer

R M L , an UK based automotive and motorsports
engineering company founded in 1984, has released,,
after a three year development, the pre-production
photos of its first passenger car. Called The Short
Wheelbase, the RML 's version of a grand touring car
is not for the general market. It will have a limited
production of 30 cars, with prices starting at $2
million dollars. RML says it can produce a Short
Wheelbase in six months and will be able to have up
to six builds in progress at a time.

Photos at right show a vehicle that has a more than
a passing resemblance to a Ferrari and no wonder.
The model, according to RML, features Ferrari 550M
underpinnings as well as a naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter
65-degree V12 Ferrari engine with a factory-rated 479
horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 419
pounds-feet-of-torque.
The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual
transmission and limited-slip differential. With a top
speed of 180 mph, and at a 0-60 speed of 4.1 seconds
the car will be fast but not stupid fast.

Lead RML Project engineer Nick Rutherford has been
r
quoted as saying, " We?e using the platform and
chassis from the Ferrari 550 Maranello, which from
the start struck the right balance with a broad level of
Sold for $313,000 not so highly-strung to be out
dynamic excellence, but
of kilter with the Short Wheelbase?s character."

The car is presently under development at UTAC test
facility in Bedforshire, U.K.
The chassis will be modified to reflect "significant
changes in the RML version's design from its Ferrari
relative. The front and rear double wishbone and coil
suspension retains the 550?s dimension and
suspension pickup points. But the 550?s active Bilstein
shocks have been upgraded with bespoke passive
Ohlins units, while spring rates and anti-roll bar
dimensions were developed for the Short Wheelbase?s
lower weight and reduced height. ( Here' shoping RML
comes up with a cracking good name for their new
show stopper.)
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