SUBLIME RESTOMOD: Evoluto Automobili 355

For many enthusiasts the '90s F355 remains a highlight of Ferrari design. Now it has been given the restomod treatment by Evoluto Automobili.

Words: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

Porsche, Jaguar, MG, Mini, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Ford, Aston Martin, Volvo, Lancia, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini. Those are a good number of the brands that have received the restoration-modification treatment by private companies. Even high-end manufacturers such as Pagani have been offering their clients the opportunity to modernise and upgrade cars like a Zonda at the factory.

One would think that a product like a Ferrari would be left untouched, but that is not the case. Swiss company Officine Fioravanti has upgraded a Ferrari Testarossa, while RML’s Short Wheelbase, a completely new build, and based on Ferrari’s 550 Maranello, is another offering for a Ferrari enthusiast. Now there is a new kid on the block and this time round it is a much more modern entrant. Evoluto Automobili recently released images and details of what they call the 355 by Evoluto. As you can immediately recognise, it is based on the Ferrari F355 but it has been given the full 21st century treatment – and the result is quite astonishing. 

Of course, the original F355 was one of the motoring highlights of the '90s. Fitted with a 3.5-litre, V8 engine (remember the 5-valve head), it developed 280 kW at 8 250 rpm and 363 N.m. It also weighed in at just 1 350 kg. While they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is generally accepted that the design is up there with the best of the era. 

The list of far-reaching upgrades shows that the company has not forgotten even the smallest details and parts, but also that some of the most obvious items, such as the headlights which now feature LEDs, were updated. The front of the car has been redesigned which improves cooling, but even along the sides and the rear it is easy to spot the modern changes that have been made to the bodywork – it looks purposeful to say the least. 

What you can’t see is the fact that the chassis is 23% stiffer than before. This has been achieved by, amongst other ways, carbon fusing. Adding to this, carbon fibre is used for the body panels. The result is that buyers can expect a weight of only 1 250 kg. 

Bringing the car up to modern standards is a completely new electronics system. Needless to say, the braking system, too, is upgraded with new discs and pads from Brembo, featuring a four-piston setup at the rear and a six-piston setup at the front. 

While it is true that larger, forged wheels are fitted, you would make a mistake if you thought Evoluto Automobili has developed the car for ultimate grip levels. Fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, the company has made it clear that the car is developed to allow for “the ability to break traction and explore the dynamics of the revised chassis in environments suitable for sliding”. That sounds like fun!

Underneath the engine cover more visual treats await. You'll obviously spot the carbon-fibre covers and parts, but of greater importance is what has been done to the engine. With more than 200 new or redeveloped parts, one can rightfully expect that performance has been improved. Upgrades also include coil-on-plug ignition, CNC ported engine head, solid cam lifters while the inlet vales are larger and there is a new inlet cam. At the back there is also a new titanium exhaust system. The result? 313 kW and a red line at 8 500 rpm. 

Move to the cabin and the complete redesign and upgrade programme of the project continues. Elements of the donor F355 remain visible, but they are few and far between in the retrimmed and updated cockpit.

These types of cars are never cheap, as a donor car needs to be sourced and supplied before it is completely stripped and rebuilt. Even so, Evoluto Automobili is said to aim for a limited build number of only 55 units. We think it is likely that those slots will easily be filled in the coming year or two.