GlasWerks DMV Elevato: The Off-Road Ferrari That Defies Logic and Gravity

 Few cars have challenged the boundaries between refinement and ruggedness quite like the GlasWerks DMV Elevato. Based on the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, a grand tourer known for its sweeping elegance and 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12, this one-of-a-kind transformation takes Ferrari’s road manners and throws them headfirst into the dirt. The Elevato is not a concept sketch or a computer render—it’s a real, lifted, off-road-ready Ferrari that debuted at the 2025 SEMA Show. GlasWerks DMV, an American tuning house based in Virginia and known for building bespoke luxury off-roaders, has created what it boldly calls the “world’s first luxury V12 Italian off-roader.” It’s an audacious claim that raises eyebrows, particularly among fans of Lamborghini’s LM002, but even skeptics can’t deny that the Elevato is a mechanical marvel. Its mission is simple: take the soul of a Ferrari and make it thrive where Ferraris have never gone before—on gravel, sand, and trail.

Engineering Madness: How to Build a Ferrari That Can Get Dirty

To turn Ferrari’s elegant GTC4 Lusso into something capable of tackling mud, sand, and mountain paths, GlasWerks DMV had to essentially rebuild the car from the ground up. More than 30 percent of the original Lusso’s components were either replaced or heavily re-engineered. The process begins with the complete disassembly of the donor Ferrari—yes, a full teardown of a car that once cost well over $300,000. From there, the chassis and underbody are strengthened, reinforced, and equipped with a completely new suspension system. Billet aluminum upper and lower control arms replace the factory parts, while the CV joints, axles, tie rods, and sway bar end links are all upgraded for durability and endurance. The result? The Elevato boasts a dramatic increase in ride height and an astounding eight inches of wheel travel. Ground clearance has also been doubled to around nine inches, transforming what was once a sleek grand tourer into a legitimate rally machine. And because off-road conditions can get messy, GlasWerks fitted replaceable underbody cladding, recovery points, and robust mudflaps to make sure this Ferrari can take a beating and keep going.

Power Unleashed: 750 Italian Horses for the Trail

Under the long, sculpted hood of the Elevato lies Ferrari’s legendary 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, now tuned to produce around 750 horsepower—up from the original 681. The power bump comes courtesy of a bespoke Inconel exhaust system, which not only improves flow and weight distribution but also delivers a spine-tingling soundtrack that roars like an unleashed symphony of chaos. Torque has been increased from 514 lb-ft to a hefty 581 lb-ft, ensuring that the car doesn’t just sound ferocious but feels it, too. All of this power is sent to all four wheels via Ferrari’s proprietary 4RM all-wheel-drive system and its stock dual-clutch transmission. GlasWerks claims the drivetrain has been tested for “endurance-style abuse,” meaning it’s capable of long runs over punishing terrain without losing composure. The GTC4 Lusso’s drivetrain was already one of Ferrari’s most versatile systems, but in the Elevato, it becomes a weapon for the wilderness. Imagine cresting dunes or powering through gravel in a screaming V12 Ferrari—it’s as absurd as it is magnificent.

Suspension Sorcery: From Asphalt to the Apex of Mountains

The suspension setup is where the Elevato truly earns its credentials as an off-road masterpiece. GlasWerks DMV fitted the car with Motion Control Suspension (MCS) dampers featuring remote reservoirs, adjustable for both high- and low-speed compression as well as rebound. Eibach helper and main springs complement this system, giving the Elevato incredible flexibility over uneven terrain. This setup allows drivers to fine-tune the car for either rugged trails or broken asphalt, depending on where they plan to unleash it. The engineering team at GlasWerks even developed two versions during the prototype phase—one focused on high-speed off-road performance and another optimized for mixed-surface driving comfort. To complete the transformation, the car rides on Forgeline wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tires, measuring 245/45 up front and 295/40 in the rear. These aren’t your typical Ferrari tires—they’re built for bite, traction, and shock absorption. The combination of durable materials and sophisticated damping gives the Elevato a balance between composure and capability that few supercars—or SUVs—can match.

Design Evolution: A Wide-Body Ferrari That Can Take a Punch

Visually, the Elevato looks like a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso that went on a mountaineering expedition and came back stronger, wilder, and far more confident. The body has been widened to accommodate the new suspension and wheel setup, while custom cladding and reinforced panels add protection without ruining Ferrari’s flowing aesthetic. GlasWerks DMV has gone to great lengths to preserve the Lusso’s recognizable profile, even as they transformed it into a rally bruiser. There’s a new billet aluminum front grille, custom headlights with 30 percent improved illumination, and rally-style fog lights integrated into the bumper. Optional rock sliders and underbody guards can be added for extra protection, while a bespoke roof rack system can hold recovery gear or even lighting arrays. Each build is tailored to the buyer’s preference—some may want a stealthy dark finish, while others might go for bold rally-inspired color schemes. Paint protection film from STEK is standard across all builds, ensuring that the paint remains pristine even after thousands of miles of dust, gravel, and adventure.

Interior Craftsmanship: Bespoke Luxury Meets Rally Grit

Inside, GlasWerks DMV strikes a delicate balance between Ferrari luxury and off-road functionality. The GTC4 Lusso’s cabin is already a work of Italian artistry, but GlasWerks adds a touch of rugged practicality. Every Elevato receives refreshed leather upholstery, a custom steering wheel, and billet-machined switchgear that feels like it was lifted from a fighter jet. New controls are installed for the air suspension, onboard compressor, and off-road lighting systems. An ARB air compressor system with a 30-foot hose reel allows drivers to adjust tire pressure on the fly—crucial for shifting between asphalt and sand. While the Elevato doesn’t strip away Ferrari’s elegance, it reinforces it with functionality. The car’s four-seat layout remains intact, preserving the Lusso’s usability as a grand tourer. So yes, you can still load up your luggage, take three passengers, and drive across the continent—except now, you can take the long way through the mountains.

Off-Road Performance: The 24 Hours of Appalachia Proven

GlasWerks DMV isn’t just experimenting with outrageous conversions—it’s a company with real motorsport pedigree. The engineering team includes veterans from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Latin American rally operations and GT3 endurance programs. Their experience in competitive environments helped shape the Elevato’s mechanical philosophy. The car’s design was stress-tested in the “24 Hours of Appalachia,” an infamous 400–500-mile off-road endurance event that pushes both man and machine to their limits. GlasWerks’ co-founder Joshua Sroka notes that this experience influenced their dual-focus tuning approach—one setup for comfort and worn-out roads, and another for pure trail abuse. The Elevato’s structure, cooling, and aerodynamics have been optimized for sustained high temperatures and debris exposure, meaning it’s not just a show car—it’s a functional performance machine. Whether traversing rocky trails, sliding across desert dunes, or powering through rain-soaked gravel, the Elevato delivers confidence through power, precision, and purpose-built engineering.

The Pricing Paradox: When Exclusivity Meets Extremity

Turning a Ferrari into an off-road monster isn’t cheap. The Elevato conversion starts at $175,000, and that’s before the cost of the donor Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, which can range from $130,000 to $150,000 on the used market depending on condition. That brings the total to roughly $310,000 or more for a completed build. However, in the world of exotic off-road vehicles, this price is surprisingly reasonable. Consider that the Lamborghini LM002, Ferrari’s spiritual rival from the 1980s, now commands over half a million dollars in collector circles. For the same money—or less—you can have a modern, reliable, V12-powered machine with legitimate off-road credentials. GlasWerks also offers customers complete customization freedom, meaning your Elevato can be as minimalist or as opulent as you wish. From custom leather finishes to bespoke paint colors and rally gear, every unit is a one-off piece of mechanical art. The pricing reflects not just performance but personality—the Elevato is as unique as the adventurer who commissions it.

Controversy and Legacy: Did Ferrari or Lamborghini Do It First?

The bold claim that the Elevato is the “world’s first luxury V12 Italian off-roader” has sparked spirited debate. Enthusiasts and historians quickly pointed to Lamborghini’s LM002, the so-called “Rambo Lambo,” which stormed onto the scene in the 1980s with its Countach-derived V12 engine and tank-like posture. GlasWerks DMV isn’t denying Lamborghini’s achievement, but rather reinterpreting the phrase “luxury” for the modern era. Where the LM002 was raw, brutish, and unrefined, the Elevato combines craftsmanship, precision, and modern engineering in ways the Rambo Lambo never could. In that sense, it redefines what a luxury Italian off-roader can be—a fusion of performance and refinement rather than brute force. Moreover, it capitalizes on a new trend in the automotive world: supercar safari builds. With cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato proving that high-performance vehicles can thrive off-road, the Elevato takes the idea further by bringing a V12 grand tourer into the mix. It’s not about being first—it’s about being fearless.

The Philosophy Behind the Madness: Purpose and Passion

Joshua Sroka, co-founder of GlasWerks DMV, explains the Elevato’s purpose simply: “We wanted to build something that combines the comfort and power of a grand tourer with the capability to go anywhere.” It’s a philosophy rooted in passion for both engineering and adventure. Unlike many exotic builds that exist purely for aesthetic shock value, the Elevato was designed to be used—driven across continents, through deserts, and up mountain passes. Its blend of strength, beauty, and functionality represents a new niche in automotive culture: the luxury rally supercar. It’s not a replacement for a traditional Ferrari, nor is it a competitor to dedicated off-roaders like the Bronco Raptor. Instead, it’s a bridge—a car that unites two worlds that were never meant to meet. The Elevato’s existence challenges the idea that high-performance cars must stay clean, polished, and confined to tarmac. Instead, it invites drivers to embrace the elements, the dust, and the imperfections that make driving truly exhilarating.

Conclusion: The V12 Ferrari That Conquered the Earth

The GlasWerks DMV Elevato stands as a bold statement against convention—a symbol of what happens when audacity meets engineering brilliance. It transforms the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso from a refined Italian grand tourer into a feral, trail-ready powerhouse that laughs in the face of rough terrain. With 750 horsepower, double the ground clearance, bespoke suspension systems, and handcrafted design details, it’s more than just an off-road Ferrari—it’s a movement. For $175,000 plus the cost of the donor car, it’s a ticket to an automotive experience unlike any other. Whether you see it as a heresy or a triumph, one thing is undeniable: the Elevato redefines what a Ferrari can be. It’s not just about speed or beauty anymore—it’s about freedom. Freedom to drive anywhere, conquer anything, and experience the untamed world behind the wheel of a screaming Italian V12. In a world where luxury cars often play it safe, GlasWerks DMV has dared to go where Ferrari never did—and the result is nothing short of spectacular.