GTO Engineering, a Ferrari specialist with facilities in Twyford, England, and Los Angeles, has announced its next project, codenamed Moderna, it will be a sports car “celebrating the best of Sixties motoring with modern and motorsport-derived engineering.”
GTO Engineering adds that the two-seater will be front-engined, have a double-bubble roof and weigh less than 2,200 pounds.
“The ethos of the new project by GTO Engineering is to push the boundaries of modern craftsmanship, with new materials and using the learnings the team has had building and maintaining a range of road- and race-oriented Ferraris since 1991,” the company said.
Moderna, or however the car finally is badged, will be built on a tubular steel chassis with aluminum subframes. The body will be carbon fiber with aluminum doors and hood.
“The GTO Engineeringteam also intends to give its new car a racing twist by adding motorsport-derived components to increase driver engagement, enjoyment and usability,” according to the announcement.
“Not only will the new car be bodied in carbon fiber but it will also have independent all-round suspension as well as large diameter wheels to incorporate lightweight yet powerful brakes, which will also assist with unsprung mass.”
“It’s exciting to finally talk about our new project – a car that we’ve been discussing, sketching, specifying and honing for some time,” said Mark Lyon, GTO Engineering managing director. “Now it’s in development and we’re working alongside some incredible technical partners, we’re ready to lift the cover off the design renderings and initial sketches and explain the fundamentals of what makes this new car tick.”
“We’ve learnt from building the 250 SWB Revival, and working on a range of Ferraris, that a car’s weight and engine are two of the key ingredients to make a good sports car. So, we knew that this car should be under a ton and powered by a quad-cam V12 – an engine format we are familiar with and developing in-house.
“To accomplish the desired light weight, carbon fiber will be used, which obviously wasn’t available in the Sixties, but a composite we will utilize alongside other materials. For example, the doors and bonnet feel and ‘weight’ when you open them, was something we knew we wanted to keep and that’s why they’ll be made in aluminum – they’ll be lightweight but still give that ‘reassuring’ close and feel of a classic when the driver or passenger gets in and out, as well as opening and closing the bonnet.”
GTO Engineering, which did not reveal pricing for the Moderna vehicle, added that each car will be customized with its owner in terms of paint, trim and options offered, as well as suspension and gearbox. The cars will be hand-built in the UK.
For more information, visit the GTO Engineering website.
Get ready to be sued….
Lawsuits aside I must say I like the styling of this car. I’m quite sure it will be priced well beyond my budget so the lawyers may proceed! 😁
This is why I can’t sleep.
Maybe lawsuits, maybe not. But I want this, or something like this so badly my teeth hurt.
Ditch the V12 gas engine, Tesla-fy it with batteries and motors on all four, and call it “Modzilla”.
If Porsche can make a 5k pound Taycan run a sub 4 second 0-60, then an all electric Modzilla should approach the magic sub 2’s- crotch rocket superbike performance with a lux cabin, all mod cons.
I want this.