Tecnomodel Announces Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione’s in 1:18 Scale

Tecnomodel has just announced that it will be making seven new models of the iconic Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione track car. Made in high-quality resin with photo-etch parts, each model is presented on a luxury leather base and now supplied with a display case. A decision was made by Tecnomodel to include a display case as standard, this has pushed the price up slightly and has taken effect on all new models released during/after 2025. The models are also limited editions, with the specific number detailed on a plaque displayed on the base of each model.

ABOUT THE 288 GTO EVOLUZIONE

The Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione is one of Ferrari’s most significant and lesser-known cars from the 1980s. Built as a development of the standard 288 GTO, the Evoluzione served as a bridge between the world of road cars and Ferrari’s ambitions in Group B racing and, eventually, the birth of the legendary F40.

Only five examples of the 288 GTO Evoluzione were ever produced between 1986 and 1987, making it exceptionally rare. Ferrari’s aim was to develop a car that would compete in the Group B circuit racing category. However, following the tragic accidents that led to the cancellation of Group B rallying, the racing series was scrapped, leaving Ferrari’s project without a championship to enter.

Visually, the Evoluzione looks far more aggressive than the standard 288 GTO. Its bodywork is wider and heavily reworked with extensive use of fibreglass and Kevlar, giving it a stripped-back, raw appearance. The design features larger air intakes, a prominent rear wing, and a more purposeful aerodynamic package, all of which influenced the styling of the F40.

Under the bonnet, the Evoluzione retained the 2.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 found in the 288 GTO but pushed its performance to new extremes. The engine produced around 650 bhp, a considerable jump from the 400 bhp of the standard GTO. With a weight of roughly 940 kilograms, the Evoluzione achieved remarkable performance figures for its time, reportedly reaching a top speed of around 225 mph.

The interior of the Evoluzione was stripped down to the bare essentials, with lightweight racing seats, minimal trim, and few comforts. Everything about the car was focused on weight saving and track performance.

While the 288 GTO Evoluzione never saw competitive racing, its engineering and aerodynamic lessons directly shaped the development of the Ferrari F40. The F40, launched in 1987, carried forward much of the Evoluzione’s spirit, construction methods, and extreme performance ethos.

Today, the few surviving examples of the 288 GTO Evoluzione are regarded as some of Ferrari’s rarest and most valuable prototypes, offering a glimpse into an era when the marque pushed the boundaries of what a road-based racing car could be.