Don't want a Purosangue? Try a GTC4 Lusso Elevato

Ferrari already makes a V12 SUV; now US-based Glaswerks now makes a much cooler one

Impressive though the Ferrari Purosangue undoubtedly is, it remains something of a shame that the traditional two-door Ferrari V12 GT has fallen by the wayside as a result. The FF and GTC4 Lusso were fabulous cars, combining year-round usability and practicality with a thrilling powertrain. Now a company is aiming to combine the best bits of both Purosangue and GTC4 Lusso (plus a little bit of Huracan Sterrato on top) with this, the Elevato.

It’s been built by GlasWerks DMV in Virginia, specifically its Special Operations section. And they are rather more involved than just fitting lift kits and light bars; head of engineering for Special Operations is Roberto Molina, who has experience in the 24 Hours of Appalachia rally (500 miles off-road) and led Toyota Gazoo Racing Latin America. So the Elevato is a proper off-road overhaul, far more capable than a Purosangue on its 23s and surely the much lower Lamborghini as well.

GlasWerks says a GTC4Lusso is ‘disassembled and reimagined as a luxury off-road vehicle’ that’s seen here. To that end 30 per cent of the Ferrari’s parts are redone or replaced, including tougher axles and CV joints, plus an all-new suspension setup that features billet aluminium control arms as well as new links, tie rods and so on. Apparently, there’s now twice the ground clearance of standard, and nine inches (22.86cm) of wheel travel.

Alongside that, the Elevato gets body cladding and rock guards to protect it underneath, PPF to protect it on top, and an onboard system to adjust tyre pressures. GlasWerks really does seem serious about taking a V12 Ferrari properly off-road, very prominent tow hooks and all. This will be no stripped-out rally car, though, with Special Operations also able to offer bespoke switchgear, an Inconel exhaust, custom lighting and - of course - a roof rack. Can’t make an overlanding car, even if it’ll never go off-road, without a roof rack.

The Elevato really is happening, too - this isn’t a vision for a future project, or a render of what’s coming. “We’ve spent time in the off-road luxury market and want to offer something different,” said Joshua Sroka, co-founder at GlasWerks DMV. “Developing the first few Elevatos side-by-side has allowed us to build one car that’s more comfortable and capable on worn-out paved roads or gravel, while the other sees more off-road and trail use. It’s exciting to get to know these customers and help cater to the experiences they’re looking for with Elevato.” CEO and founder Adrian Malllory added that SEMA was the ideal place to show this Ferrari build off because it’s a show all about cars that are driven and used. “Elevato is more for the knowledgeable driver rather than collectors and needs to be out in the elements to really be appreciated.” Imagine this rocking up at your local green lane…

Because each Elevato will be bespoke, so will the cost of converting it, but GlasWerks suggests you’ll be looking at around $175,000 (£134,000) to make a GTC4 Lusso into one of these. Take an early example and that’s basically the purchase price again into making an off-roader of a Ferrari V12, so it’s clearly some investment. But let’s call it £300,000 - still less than a Purosangue would cost…

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

Oily76

Original Poster

236 posts

131 months