Maggiore GranTurismo pays homage to Ferrari 288 GTO

While most probably haven’t heard the name Automobili Maggiore before, you will likely be familiar with the iconic Ferrari 288 GTO. And that’s the car which the Italian restomod company plans to recreate with its GranTurismO.

Based on a Ferrari 308, the GranTurismO receives an expanse of modifications to bring it into the modern age while retaining that unmistakable 80s look.

By far the biggest focus for the car is at its heart. Maggiore have taken the original 2.9-litre V8 that powers the 288 GTO and stripped it down to its bare crankcase, replacing the heads with new components, slapping eight individual throttle bodies and sequential turbochargers on in the process.

The power figure of that list comes to 441kW, vastly more than the original 288 GTO’s 294kW.

According to PistonHeads, the engine is now 30 per cent smaller and has been mounted longitudinally with a six-speed manual gearbox on the back as opposed to the transverse mounted unit in the original chassis.

To handle the added power and drivetrain changes, Maggiore have restored and reinforced the 308 chassis. New aluminium-alloy suspension and Brembo brakes are also fitted.

In terms of bodywork, modernisation and other changes have been made to transform the car into a 288 GTO look alike while still retaining the all important pop-up headlights. Body lines appear to be smoother as per the rendered images while halo tail lights stand out a the rear.

Development is in good hands too with the car being seen to by Nicola Materazzi who produced the original 288 GTO back in the day. Sadly, Materazzi passed away before he could see the car debut but his legacy lives on in what will be his final project.