EVOLUTO AUTOMOBILI: Ferrari 348’s Second Chance?
Edited by Andrea Balti
Probably, while savagely scrolling through Instagram’s trending posts, you could have seen some of these pictures and wondered if the Ferrari 348 is about to have a second chance. Reality is half way, since it is a 348 at least in part, given that the engine unit is derived from that of the 360 Modena and the use of the most modern technologies has allowed to sharpen its behavior on the road, making this prancing horse apt to contemporary standards. What grows interest in cars-minded people, however, lies at the base of the Evoluto Automobili project, which is the intention to preserve a pure and raw driving experience, son of a manual gearbox, a naturally aspirated 500-horsepower engine and of those mechanical inputs able to turn a day of driving unforgettable and not just fast and loud. We wanted to know more, so we got in touch with Callum Davis, the man behind this project focusing on preserving the driving pleasure and the beauty of immortal lines immediately recognizable as those of Ferraris coming from the 90s. Here’s what he told us.
What is EVOLUTO AUTOMOBILI?
Evoluto restores and modifies Ferrari 348s into stunning custom vehicles by taking each model on a thorough, yet sympathetic evolutionary journey.
Tell us more about this project. How do we have to look at it? What stylistic and mechanical solutions have you applied here?
We are dedicated to enhancing and protecting the 348’s beauty, whilst injecting state of the art technology and modern usability to create a car at ‘peak analogue’.
This is an extensive and thorough project with 90% of the vehicle being updated and improved. We reduce weight significantly in the car, with extensive use of carbon fibre for exterior body panels and interior refinements.We enhance the performance and capability of the original 348 by replacing the engine with a Ferrari 360 power unit, tuned to produce 500 horsepower. This not only improves performance, but with it brings the iconic sound of the five valve per cylinder engine.
Naturally aspirated and manual gearbox. A trend or something to keep safe from engineering race to contemporary effectiveness?
Part of the unique analogue driving experience of 1990s super car is the raw, manual gearbox with power delivery from a naturally aspirated engine – we feel this is an intoxicating combination. Evoluto do not look to follow trends, but instead search and source the best options for our project and target market.
In a lap-record obsessive world, what does represent an uncompromising driving experience?
We believe that an uncompromising driving experience consists of the ability to both use and feel 100% of the vehicle. Lap records will always be beaten in time; however, we feel that the unbeatable aspects of driving are those full of emotion and memorable experiences.
What was the spark that ignited your desire to evolve this car?
The Managing Director of Evoluto is Callum Davis, who is the brains behind the Evoluto concept. Callum’s infatuation for supercars started in the 1990’s, with his first encounter of a Ferrari F355 Challenge. The initial idea of Evoluto was derived by Callum to pay homage to the styling of the iconic F355 Challenge, using the chassis of the wonderful but often overlooked Ferrari 348. After owning a Ferrari 348, Callum felt there was a huge amount of scope toreacquaint this raw yet superb car back into modern society, through careful modernisation. Evoluto offers ‘Peak Analogue’ in a digital and evermore autonomous world.
Are you planning to work on other models the same way or Ferrari’s restorations will remain your first target?
Evoluto pays homage to the Ferrari Challenge series of the 90s era– the low production, street legal racers that evolved into an essential part of Ferrari culture. The 348 was the first of the prancing horses to have a Challenge series dedicated to it, so whilst Evoluto draws significantinspiration from the F355, the 348 provides a perfect and historically significant analogue base.
What kind of car enthusiast will look at this kind of restoration upgrade for the 348?
Evoluto caters to the enthusiast seeking a ‘one of kind’ and exclusive experience, whom will appreciate the quality of finish, and attention to detail over the original Ferrari 348. The enthusiast may be looking for a car that offers the versatility to have fun on the road, whilst also delivering memorable and peak performance on the track. They will have a genuine and emotional connection with the passion of driving.
Can we say #makeanaloguegreatagain ?(We think new generations should try first-hand what is all about.)
Yes, this fits in very well with our mantra.