GTO Engineering Squalo interior sketches revealed – new-build Ferrari 250 GTO hommage draws closer
New details, including the interior, have been revealed about the GTO Engineering Squalo
Ferrari specialist GTO Engineering is now well into the development of its new-build reimagination of the iconic Ferrari 250 SWB. Recently christened ‘Squalo’, the project aims to finely tread the line between past and present, something coming into focus with the reveal of new details like the interior.
Revealed via a set of presentation sketches, the cabin is where new-build retro models like the Squalo are often given the widest berth from historical reference. As seen in these images, that’s certainly been the case here with a simple, but distinctly contemporary dash. The Squalo’s exterior has undergone its own refinements, with production-accurate elements like the lighting and mirrors now ready to adorn the bespoke body.
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GTO Engineering has also been working on bringing its quad-cam V12 to production specification. Set to be built entirely at its UK facility, the engine itself is a new-build 4-litre, quad-cam V12 capable of revving to up to 10,000rpm, and is forecasted to produce in excess of 460bhp. GTO Engineering is targeting a sub-165kg figure for the engine, achieved through the use of obsessive lightweighting within the engine’s components.
Mark Lyon, GTO Engineering managing director and founder commented: ‘We know most V12 Ferraris inside out, and recently weighed a 1960 4.0-litre V12 engine; it was 176kg as a complete unit with the starter motor, oil and oil filler tubes too. That’s so much lighter than a modern V12, and we know we can do even better with our knowledge as well as modern advancements and techniques. Every part and configuration on our quad-cam V12 has had a complete engineering re-focus to ensure our engine for Squalo is the very best it can be.’
Instead of being derived from an original (and very valuable) chassis, each Squalo will instead feature a hybrid chassis comprising a tubular steel passenger cell with aluminium subframes to hold the powertrain and suspension at either end. Unlike the 250 SWB of the 1960s, the subframes will support modern independent suspension, as well as bigger brakes, wheels and tyres.
The body skin will be made of carbonfibre, acting as a structural part of the chassis while also reducing weight compared to the original sheet aluminium. The doors and bonnet will keep their aluminium construction though, a decision made to retain the same ‘feel’ as the original.
With GTO’s ability to build a remanufactured ‘Colombo’ V12 between early road car specification and competition-spec, it will be the customer’s choice whether the engine in their car will be biased for tractable road use or for ultimate performance. GTO Engineering has announced that it will target a sub-1000kg weight figure for its car, which is on par with the original’s circa 950kg kerb weight.
Order books are now open, but availability and pricing are yet to be determined. We’d suggest that given the nature of the build, the Squalo will be neither common nor inexpensive. Still, as with many reimagined classics at this level, compared to an original it could be considered a bargain. First deliveries will take place in 2023.
