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Gautam Sharma31 May 2007
NEWS

Dutch treat: Vandenbrink's modern-day GTO

It mightn't be possible to improve upon a classic... but this delectable creation comes close

Okay, you can stop drooling now... especially you two in the back with the Ferrari GTO fetish.

What you're looking at is, indeed, a modern interpretation of the iconic 1960s Fezza 250 GTO, but rather than emanating from Ferrari's spiritual home of Maranello, this sensual coupe is the handiwork of Dutch design firm Vandenbrink Design.

Dubbed the Vandenbrink GTO, it started life as a design study, but an enthusiastic response from the public, including a few cashed-up types, has prompted the firm to build a handful of examples.

When we say a handful, we literally mean a handful, as just five Vandenbrink GTOs will be offered for sale. Of these, three are allegedly already spoken for, which means two are still up for grabs.

The car does have genuine Ferrari heritage, as it will be built on the underpinnings of the storming 599 GTB Fiorano, which is arguably the fastest front-engined model ever offered by the prancing horse.

It retains the donor car's 6.0-litre V12, which kicks out 456kW and 607Nm, but its lighter weight (courtesy of an aluminium body) means it sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 3.6sec, while top speed is quoted at 333km/h.

Although Vandenbrink Design penned the GTO's sensual lines, fellow Dutch company Hietbrink Coachbuilding will actually build the cars.

And word has it that although an aluminium body is on the agenda, Hietbrink will be able to craft yours from carbonfibre for extra exclusivity -- and likely benefits in terms of torsional rigidity.

Although Vandenbrink's creation closely mirrors the design of the classical 250 GTO, Ferrari has not officially recognised it, which means there's still some debate as to whether it will wear 'GTO' badges.

In case you're wondering, GTO stands for 'Gran Turismo Omologata' -- Italian for 'Grand Touring Homologated', which points to a clear racing pedigree.

Why did Vandenbrink use the 250 GTO for inspiration? Well, simple really -- it's a bona fide classic that many connoisseurs rate as the finest Ferrari to date.

In fact, the prestigious Sports Car International has named the 250 GTO as the top sports car of all time, while Motor Trend Classic nominated it for the No1 slot in its list of "Greatest Ferraris Of All Time".

The modern-day GTO stays true to the original via its trio of air intakes in the bonnet, as well as the central 'power bulge'. There's also distinct similarities in its overall profile and kicked-up tail, yet the Vandenbrink's design language is thoroughly contemporary.

Form an orderly queue, gents... and have those chequebooks primed.

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Written byGautam Sharma
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