TUNNING

Ferrari 355 Evoluto

Evoluto Automobili, a British company specializing in the modification and restoration of high-end automobiles, has approved the production of the 355 by Evoluto, a car based on the F355 manufactured by Ferrari from 1994 to 1999 as the Berlinetta, GTS, and Spider, and equipped with a 3.5-liter V8 engine producing 380 hp (0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, top speed of 295 km/h). This proposal enhances the "prancing horse" that succeeded the F348, improving it both aesthetically and technically. 55 units have been announced, with deliveries to customers starting only at the end of the year.

The 355 by Evoluto has undergone a methodical and rigorous development program, which allowed for the claimed improvements, particularly in dynamic performance and mechanical efficiency, and the announcement of its production. The chassis, after being completely redesigned from start to finish, provides more agility and precision in driving (this intervention even resulted in an increase in track width, with 77 mm more at the front and 66 mm at the rear, which improved, for example, stability in curves). In addition, there is the adjustable suspension, which was redesigned with R53 Suspension, and features new arms (upper and lower), supports, bearings and stabilizer bars.

The suspension's anchor points to the chassis were also revised to allow the adoption of more modern wheel/tire sets. Evoluto Automobili even produced new components, an opportunity that it took advantage of to work on reducing the weight of the F355, due to the difficulties in accessing original parts from the Italian brand, some of which are already unavailable, such as bearings or the transmission shaft. And the steering gained electro-hydraulic assistance. The new car weighs no more than 1250 kg, 100 kg less than the Ferrari!

Evoluto Automobile retained the naturally aspirated V8 engine, but increased the power from 380 hp to 420 hp. And the British company optionally offers a larger (3.7 liters) and more powerful (480 hp) variant. This was achieved through changes to the camshafts, valve train, fuel system, electronics, and wiring (90% is new).

The team led by Wayne Burgess, the company's design manager, also reinterpreted the F355's cockpit, modernizing it in terms of materials (adopting carbon fiber, for example!), but maintaining the original's analog controls and instruments. Additionally, interior customization is permitted (colors, materials, etc.)

The 355 by Evoluto completed a development and validation program that included approximately 8,000 km of track driving, with the engine undergoing a 16,000 km test on a specific test bench. However, before production begins, another 30,000 km of testing under real-world conditions is announced, which will only be carried out next month. And the high-speed test took place in the Catesby Tunnel, as demonstrated in the video released by the company.

The British company does not have its own cars and, therefore, the 55 examples are based on as many original F355s – between Berlinetta (4871), GTS (2577), Spider (3717) and Challenger (108), 11,273 units of the iconic 1990s car were manufactured. And the warranty offered by Evoluto Automobili is two years/32,000 km.

Autonews