Restomods navigate the delicate balance in the automotive world. Shops that underperform can appear overpriced, while those that overdo it risk ruining a classic. DRVN Automotive seems to have found the ideal equilibrium with its inaugural restomod, the 355 by Evoluto.
DRVN Automotive, a conglomerate based in the UK, has long collaborated with mainstream manufacturers to develop and produce vehicles. For the first time, it has ventured to create a product under its own brand: Evoluto Automobili. Modernizing the electronics and boosting power in a 30-year-old car is straightforward, but reimagining the Ferrari F355's design for contemporary times was a formidable challenge, according to DRVN CEO Iain Muir.
"All cars reflect personal preferences," Muir told Motor1. "Purists may resist any changes. We entrusted the styling to Ian Callum." Callum, a renowned automotive designer responsible for iconic models like the Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type, now leads Callum Designs. "He's one of the greatest car designers ever," Muir says. "During our design review meetings, we realized the F355 was inherently beautiful. Modern manufacturing techniques allow us to enhance its lines and sculptural elements."
The 355 by Evoluto thus emerges as an "F355 Plus" rather than a radical reinterpretation of the 1990s icon. The shape and fascias remain unchanged, with pop-up headlights and four round taillights intact. The most noticeable evolution is at the rear, where the taillight cluster and diffuser have been redesigned. New 19-inch split five-spoke wheels conceal substantial Brembo brakes. Closer inspection reveals additional vents above the headlights and on the rear haunches for enhanced airflow, larger side scoops for the engine, and a 1.5-inch wider body for a more aggressive stance.
While exterior upgrades are subtle, the under-the-skin enhancements are extensive. DRVN retains the original VIN by using a donor car, stripping it down to the bare steel chassis and correcting any flaws before adding structural carbon fiber for increased stiffness. "Our design and engineering team utilized computer-aided engineering software to identify and strengthen weaker points in the chassis," says Muir. Structural carbon fiber panels are bonded and fused to the original chassis, found in areas like the rear bulkhead, side skirts, and rear fascia. The carbon panel holding the taillights and the rear decklid cover now contribute to the chassis's structural integrity, boosting torsional stiffness by 23%.
Despite extensive use of carbon for body panels, the car is 220 pounds lighter than a standard F355, weighing 2,755 pounds. The weight reduction is largely due to the revamped interior. "There's not a single original substrate in the interior," Muir says. "It's all new, primarily carbon fiber, designed for lightness and strength, and to allow customization."
The drivetrain has also undergone significant updates. The iconic five-valve 3.5-liter V-8 remains but is essentially new, with over 200 new components, ported heads for increased airflow, and a coil-on-plug ignition system. The result is 414 horsepower, about 100 more than the factory engine, with an optional upgrade to 500 hp available. Each 355 by Evoluto comes standard with the F355's OEM-spec six-speed gated manual transmission, fully refurbished to factory-fresh condition.
With a starting price of £695,000 (approximately $922,000) plus the cost of a donor car, the 355 by Evoluto surpasses the price of most new Ferraris. Despite this, interested buyers are being directed to a waiting list for the planned production run of 50 cars. "We're oversubscribed for the program," Muir says. "Customer feedback has been excellent."
