Enter the RML Short Wheelbase - the car intended to show off everything that RML is now capable of
You probably know Ray Mallock Limited for its motorsport exploits. You hear RML and picture the Nissan racers, from the Group C R90 to BTCC Primeras, or maybe the Aston Le Mans cars of the 80s, or the Chevrolet Lacettis that were so successful in both BTCC and WTCC. RML has decades of experience in racing, but motorsport only accounts for about 15 per cent of its work these days. The rest is spent helping OEMs behind the scenes, where its expertise is on show - but its name is not.
It's lower, wider and meaner than an original, made to look more modern with bespoke lights and bigger wheels - but still classically handsome. Needless to say, it doesn't look like some awkwardly rebodied 550; not that that should ever have been a concern. To these eyes, it's great - compact and cohesive, and definitely no pastiche. Like the cars made by the inspiration is clear, but there is a design identity of its own, too.
What an engine it is, too. RML tested the Ferrari V12 icons from 456 to F12 when deciding on which car to build the Short Wheelbase from; with a 599 deemed a tad too wild and a 456 presumably a little demure for seven-figure sports car, the 550 was seen as the best compromise in terms of power, torque, usability and durability. All were manual, and a decent production run of 3,000 means a reasonable supply.
Dynamically, the SWB is initially a little unsettling, if only because of the juxtaposition. You've approached what looks like an old car, but sat in one that feels quite modern . A push button start has fired a V12 that doesn't feel brand new, but doesn't have the truculent nature of an old engine, either. There's three pedals and a manual gearbox, but really punchy performance.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
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