Modern supercars are in many ways incredible. Huge power outputs, lashings of technology and the use of exquisite materials come together to make the pinnacle of the automotive world. Downside? They’re too powerful for their own good, take away some involvement from the driver, and arguably don’t look as good as their predecessors. Which is what makes the 355 By Evoluto particularly interesting.
In terms of design, driver engagement and engine noise, there’s an argument for supercars peaking somewhere around the mid-1990s into the early 2000s. That was rather a while ago, however, so what Evoluto has done is taken the Ferrari 355 and comprehensively reworked it to make it as good dynamically as if it had been made today, without losing what made it great in the first place. “Peak Analogue,” the company calls it.
355 by Evoluto – rear
The whole structure of the car gets a thorough going over via a “carbon fusing programme” which increases torsional stiffness by 23 per cent by beefing up key chassis hardpoints. Carbon-fibre body panels further increase the car’s rigidity, while also giving a pithy weight figure of just 1,250kg. To complement the stuffer, lighter 355, there has also been some unspecified suspension tuning.
Sticking with the chassis, there are now six-piston Brembo brake calipers at the front squeezing new slotted discs, with four-pot calipers bringing up the rear. Carbon ceramic brakes are available as an option, while all cars get new 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
355 by Evoluto – side
The 355’s 3.5-litre, naturally aspirated V8 might not strike you as needing any fettling, but regardless, Evolution has treated it to no less than 200 new components including a new ‘quill shaft’ that connects the engine to the gearbox, a revised ignition system and CNC ported cylinder heads.
To improve the already delicious flat-plane soundtrack further, there’s a new titanium exhaust system featuring equal-length headers. The changes bump the power from the original figure of 370bhp to 415bhp, which arrives at 8,500rpm. The engine drives the rear wheels via a reworked six-speed manual gearbox intended to give sweeter shifts.
355 by Evoluto – interior
You’re probably wondering how much all of this costs, aren’t you? We are too, but it’s one of those “if you have to ask” scenarios, as Evoluto isn’t divulging a figure, because each 355 will be “tailored to the owner’s specific preferences and requirements”. We can at least guarantee that these things won’t be cheap, and they’ll also be exclusive, with only 55 due to be made.
