Inspired by the Ferrari 308 GTB rally car, AC Motorsport has whipped the wraps off the Michelotto Gruppo 4 in Padova, Italy.
Revealed in Padova, Italy, the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo is AC Motorsport’s latest ground-up creation. As its name suggests, the Gruppo 4 Tributo pays tribute to the Ferrari 308 GTB Group 4 rally car. AC Motorsport and Michelotto Engineering share a history, and the relationship between the two companies had a large part to play in the development of the Gruppo 4 Tributo.
The Gruppo 4 Tributo shares none of the original car’s components. Indeed, rather than modifying a donor car, it is built from the ground up and features a tubular steel frame with an integrated roll cage. The exterior panels are made from lightweight materials, including carbon fibre and Lexan, a polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. The car tips the scales at around 950 kg.
The Gruppo 4 Tributo employs a 3.4-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine producing 279 kW. The peak power output is available from a howling 8 250 r/min. The full complement of 363 N.m is delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed ‘dog-leg’ manual transmission. The suspension setup includes adjustable front and rear shocks and sway bars. The braking setup comprises front and rear ventilated discs and four-piston callipers.
The interior is driver-focused. While the instrumentation is digital, the cabin foregoes infotainment screens.
AC Motorsport says the Michelotto Gruppo 4 Tributo will be limited to fewer than 50 units, with pricing expected to be more than €450 000… That translates to around R8.4 million at the current Rand-Euro exchange rate.
