This is the first, real V12-engined RML Short Wheelbase

A British company has revealed the first pre-production model of its homage to arguably the prettiest Ferrari of all time. The ‘Short Wheelbase’ – which unsurprisingly pays homage to the Ferrari 250 GT short wheelbase – has now made the leap from digital render to an actual, Real Car.

A pretty car, too. Which makes it all the more painful when you realise this pretty car is about to go through hell, or as RML diplomatically puts it, “an intensive durability programme at the UTAC test facility in Bedfordshire”.

‘Intensive’. Ouchy. The pictures you see here were taken before it embarked on its journey to Mount Doom, and if you need a recap, we have one. RML intends to build 30 of these things, each powered by a 5.5-litre V12 from a Ferrari 550 Maranello and matched to a six-speed manual. Good engine, that.

It’ll weigh 1,470kg, and RML reckons 0-62mph will take 4.1s thanks to power and torque outputs of 478bhp and 419lb ft. Still quicker than a 550. “The Short Wheelbase was never conceived to compete, Top Trumps-style, with a typical supercar’s acceleration or top speed,” RML chief exec Michael Mallock said on the car’s reveal last year.

“Our emphasis has always been on capturing a more organic driving experience with less intervention and more usable performance,” he added. The bodywork is carbon fibre of course, and it’ll get loads of mod cons and even electric seats.

More as we have it…