This is so much more than “just” a restomod.
These days, there’s a new supercar being unveiled almost with the passing of each moon. And while new arrivals like the Ferrari 296 GTB have extraordinary technology and performance, they lack the style and class of their forebears from decades past. But what if you could merge the two? That’s the idea behind GTO Engineering’s Squalo restomod, a thoroughly modernized rebirth of the gorgeous Ferrari 250 GTO from the sixties. Over the past year, we’ve been learning more and more about this exciting new car, including the fact that it will have a glorious V12 revving to 10,000 rpm and a stunning interior. Now the firm has revealed that the Squalo will also boast a brand new and bespoke carbon fiber tub chassis, co-developed with the composites experts at DEXET Technologies.
GTO Engineering
GTO Engineering
We’ve already waxed lyrical about how impressive this car is and will be, and the announcement that the Squalo will be built around a bespoke carbon tub further reinforces our belief that this is so much more than a restomod; this is a totally new car from nose to tail. With a carbon tub, it means that GTO can build its cars without sourcing a donor vehicle. It also means that the car will be lighter and stronger than any 250 GTO that came before.
This new tub will be constructed from three separate parts. The front section will host the V12 engine and the gearbox, while the central tub will take care of the cabin and fuel cell. The rear subframe, where the rear suspension will reside, completes the package. With this new structure, the car will be registered and sold as a brand-new vehicle. As such, it can be homologated for all major markets, including ours.
GTO Engineering
GTO Engineering
GTO is aiming for the car to weigh less than 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds), which would be a remarkable achievement considering that there will be a hulking big V12 in front, not to mention the weight of the gearbox and all the luxurious touches promised for the cabin.
Alexander Aucken, chief technical officer, had the following to say: “Our goal was always to create something different and unique but keep to what we all fundamentally love about cars – the fun of driving them. By achieving the seemingly unachievable with the incredible team at DEXET Technologies, we will soon be able to offer a truly unique driver’s car. Squalo will be fully customizable to individual specifications, perfectly blending the style and atmosphere of the golden age of sports cars with ground-breaking modern technology, engineering, and stimulating engine performance. It will be the ultimate bespoke collector car and we can’t wait to show the public what we’ve been working on. Squalo could not be produced without the vital input and expertise of DEXET Technologies. Watch this space.”
GTO Engineering
GTO Engineering
GTO Engineering
