Bentley is hoping to stretch its reach further into the realms of luxury with the 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base. The Bentley Bentayga EWB is based on the second generation of Bentayga, extending the wheelbase and rear cabin space by an extra 180mm. The changes to the underfloor, side panels, door and roof were worked on by Bentley’s design team to ensure the sharp lines and proportions of the Bentayga remain elegant and stylish. The increased length results in the wheelbase of the car being stretched from 2995 to 3175mm brining the total length to 5322mm. All of the increase in in the rear door panel highlighting the focus in the creating an even more sumptuous rear cabin with an emphasis on comfort and wellness. This is reflected in the introduction of the world’s first auto climate and advanced postural adjustment rear seat.
The new cabin space allows for the new Bentley Airline Seat which Bentley claims to be the ‘most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22-ways of adjustment’. Having attended to the preview of the car earlier this year, I can confirm that the rear seats in this configuration are sublime, with ample room and endless adjustability.
Bentayga EWB
The front passenger seat can be pushed forward and a leather-trimmed footrest can be deployed whilst rear passenger seats sense the occupant’s temperature and determine whether to apply heat, ventilation or both simultaneously whilst the postural adjustment system automatically makes micro adjustments to the occupant’s seating position pressure points by measuring pressure across the seats surface: clever stuff! Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a more advanced stitching design, Bentley Diamond Illumination on the door sills and a total of 24 billion(!) trim combinations that can be chosen from.
Bentley predicts that the EWB model will account for 45% of Bentayga sales, but for many the two Airline Seats in the rear may not be the most desirable set up. No problem, a standard 4+1 seating layout is offered with the two outer rear seats featuring 16 ways of adjustment, heating, ventilation and five massage programmes.
Bentayga EWB
Visually the 2022 Bentley Bentayga EWB can be spotted from its new ‘Vertical Vane Grille’ design, new 22 inch 10-spoke wheel, repositioned sunroof and, of course, that elongated rear door.
Mechanically the car is identical to the V8 offering in the Bentayga range with the exception of the rear-wheel-steer system that is new to the EWB. It allows the turning radius to be reduced by up to 7% helping compensate for the additional length of the Extended Wheel Base.
Expect to see the 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base on the road soon knowing that the occupants are enjoying levels of comfort never previously experience in a Bentley SUV.
Bentayga EWB
May 10, 2022 / Comments Off on Official: 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base
This year Lamborghini partnered up with the Movember foundation to create awareness for men’s health. As part of this partnership Lamborghini owners all over the world met up for a one day drive to raise funds for this noble cause. We were there to attend the ‘bull run’ hosted by Lamborghini Munich.
About Movember
Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Movember generate the most fame by men around the world growing moustaches in the month of November.
Movember was created because men on average die much younger than women. This is in part due to more dangerous work conditions but also generally unhealthier lifestyles and lack of prevention checks play a key role. Movember raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programmes that enable men to live happier, healthier, and longer lives.
In addition to tackling key health issues faced by men, Movember is working to encourage men to stay healthy in all areas of their lives, with a focus on men staying socially connected and becoming more open to discussing their health and significant moments in their lives. The charity’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.
Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD
Lamborghini was kind enough to land us a bright orange Huracan EVO RWD to join 15 local Lamborghini owners for a drive through the German state of Bavaria. This rear-wheel drive Italian bull has a 5.2 liter V10 packing 610hp and 560Nm of torque. Thanks to a weight of only 1,389 kg the Huracan EVO RWD sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. At 325 km/h the top speed is reached.
The cockpit is very driver oriented with all relevant controles either mounted on the steering wheel or directly in reach without the need to take your eyes of the road. To add to the sense of experience you have to flip a red cover up to expose the start button and fire up the engine. Once you do the heavy base tone of the V10 fills the cabin. In Strada mode the Huracan is pretty quiet but once you switch to the sport or track modes it will become impossible to have a phone call and the V10 completely immerses you with all the emotions it has to give.
Lamborghini Munich Movember 2021
The Movember Bull Run
On this early Saturday morning in November the cold air penetrates my clothes as I walk to the Lamborghini dealership in Munich. The Lamborghini flags outside wave in the light breeze. But the sky is blue and the sun is about to pop-up from behind the surrounding buildings. The parking lot is already filled with ‘Bulls’ – from ‘my’ Huracan EVO RWD to several Huracans, Aventadors and a brand new Huracan STO that will be the lead car for today’s drive.
After a mandatory Italian coffee and short briefing the pack of 15 raging bulls sets in motion. The first part of our journey leaves the Bavarian capital behind and sees us heading west on the autobahn. Keeping the pack together goes surprisingly well and the sight of Lamborghinis front and rear traveling together is one to remember.
We leave the autobahn at Landsberg am Lech and here the first bystanders ask what the deal is with the moustaches on the front bonnet of our cars. Time to do what we came here to do and explain November in a few words. With barely time for a thumbs up and a wave we continue. Leaving the main roads behind we enter the twisty roads in the foothills of the Alps. The trees are colored in the typical pallet of fall made even brighter by the low stance of the sun this time of the year.
In the shade of the forest the roads are still damp so I have to keep taming the bull and wait with unleashing its ferocious power a little longer. Lamborghini developed a special performance traction control system for the rear-wheel drive version of the Huracan EVO to make sure it gets the power down and the opportunity to try it came sooner than expected. Due to some road works the group had to turn around after which I lost connection with the group along with another Huracan.
Clearly we missed a turn somewhere as chatter on the walky-talky disappeared. Luckily I knew the next way point so just continued down this beautiful twisty road with clear visibility and above all a dry surface. As I sprint from turn to turn and make my way through the gears I’m firmly pressed in the excellent seats. The solid click of the flappy paddles is followed by a loud scream of the V10 on every downshift. What a joy!
Soon we are reunited with the group and after a few photos continue our journey to lunch. Overlooking the Staffelsee with the German and Austrian Alps as backdrop we talk about Movember and the cause. Just like GTspirit readership the majority of the Lamborghini audience is male and all know someone who suffered from typical men’s health issues. But unlike female initiatives such as Pink Ribbon, the breast cancer awareness campaign, it is much less talked about among men.
After lunch we return to Munich once again in convoy. With the sun disappearing behind the trees the Aventador in front of me is showing flames from its exhaust regularly. It is an unusual sight on the countryside – a convoy of 15 Lamborghinis passing by. The responses from the few bystanders are mixed, some cheer and show thumbs up, others can’t help themselves but release some negative comments just at the sight of these exotic cars. Sad but true that the supercar is becoming more and more polarising.
Every year we make a Christmas donation at GTspirit and this year we have chosen Movember as our charity of choice. It was an honor to be part of over 1,500 Lamborghini drivers worldwide taking part in Bullruns organised by their local dealerships to raise awareness for Movember. For more information about Movember or to make a donation please visit movember.com.
December 7, 2021 / Comments Off on Special Report: Lamborghini Supports Movember
When it comes to cocktails, it doesn’t matter if you’re dirty three olives, un-salted rim, bourbon up or on the rocks–your cocktail of choice deserves one of the many dedicated pieces of glassware that have…
SEMA Show 2021 is here and we have found some really interesting cars this year, there is a plethora of electric car conversions but we will focus on conventional tuning and custom car creations. Enjoy the collection we made so far, check back for more!
1. 2JZ Lamborghini Gallardo
This is a first. 2JZ swaps are quite popular on almost any car, Bryce the owner of this project stormed into SEMA 2021 with a 2JZ powered Gallardo which even comes with antilag. It’s fitted with Govad Forged wheels and has ‘lost’ most of its rear bodywork, the rear itself features a set of four X-fins and a massive wing. We will discover more about this car after SEMA so keep an eye out on our Project Exposures section.
2. Chain Smoker
Just a brilliant choice of words for this Rat Rod which is now showing at SEMA 2021.
3. Big Turbo Tractor
Who said you can’t boost at the farm? Jamo Performance is showcasing a big turbo tractor with one of their exhaust systems for the 7.3L powerstroke.
4. Divo Lady Bug
The most expensive car at SEMA 2021. Lady Bug costs more than the $5.8 million start price of other Divos due to the unique paintwork which took almost 2 years to complete.
5. Jumpacan 4×4 Huracan
B is for Build doing what they do best, this Lamborghini Huracan was collected from a salvage yard after being wrecked. They transformed it into a fully functional 4×4 Lamborghini Huracan with off-road suspension, 35 inch tires and an LS V8 motor swap. They did it first.
6. Shelby Mustang Mach E
Yes, there will be an electric Shelby Mustang, the Mach E GT. Its still in concept stage for now, and Ford has only showcased a few aerodynamic improvements over the standard Mach E. The front fascia has been redesigned, there is more carbon fiber on the body, better suspension and 20-inch one-piece forged Monoblock wheels.
7. Hoonigan 1000hp Camaro
In typical Hoonigan fashion, they brought a 1000hp ZZ632/1000 big block Camaro showcasing the latest products from Chevrolet Performance.
8. Chevy Beast
Chevy Beast
Chevrolet brought everything they had at SEMA Show this year, this here is the Chevy Beast – a heavily modified Silverado powered by the Chevrolet Performance LT4 supercharged crate engine with 650hp and can seat 4 people!
9. Tacoma Camper
Tacoma Camper
Bringing back the 70s vibes with this custom built Tacozilla Tacoma Camper, comes straight from the Toyota Motorsport Garage and is based on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup.
10. GRDLOC CJ Jeep
Just a heavily modified 1983 CJ7 Jeep, we think the owner had John Deere ideas when building it.
11. Warthog
Another one from the Hoonigans, this is a real life Halo Warthog custom built by Ken Block and his team. It has 1000hp, four wheel steering and a twin turbo Ford V8.
12. Stradman 6×6 Jeep Gladiator
Stradman and his team never fails to impress at SEMA Show, their 6×6 Jeep Gladiator with a Hellcat engine is taking up all the space in Las Vegas.
November 4, 2021 / Comments Off on SEMA 2021: See the Craziest Cars on Show this Year
Volkner Mobil specializes in motorhomes for the uber rich, the German company offers a wide variety of motorhomes with prices in the millions. They start life as ordinary buses but are then transformed thoroughly after application of high end luxury materials and equipment.
Featured here today is the Performance S model which is specially made for gearheads with extra coins in their wallets. The start price is 1,600,000 euros and can get well into the 2 million euro range after all the options have been ticked. Ideally, ordering one of these is no different than ordering a yacht from scratch. The Volkner Mobil Performance S is yacht on wheels or a road yacht if you will.
The Performance S starts life as a Volvo or Mercedes diesel bus, it measures 12 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width and 3.85 meters in height. But that’s not where the dimensions end, there is a wall-out or slide out feature that extends from the side of the motorhome by 50cm, increasing the interior space from 30 to 35 square meters.
there is a wall-out or slide out feature that extends from the side of the motorhome by 50cm
The company has patented what they call the ‘central car garage’ which is basically a garage inside the motorhome to store your favorite sports car. In our case, the 2.5 million euros Bugatti Chiron is the travel companion. Most sports car enthusiasts will usually take their cars with them on vacation but on trailers, not in this case. More so, the garage can be used as a terrace with chairs and a table for those stop-over picnics or even as a storage for your favorite water and fishing toys.
[embedded content]
The interior can be tailored to suit all needs and is fully customizable, just like a yacht. The motorhome is fitted with top of the line heating systems, air conditioners and 1830 watt solar system – engine heat, diesel engine, gas and electricity are all used as sources of energy to run all systems onboard.
October 23, 2021 / Comments Off on This $4.7 Million Bus Comes with a Bugatti Chiron Inside – Road Yacht
After 10 years of production, the Lamborghini Aventador sales have finally come to an end. This is the most successful V12 supercar from Santa’Agata Bolognese, it has spawned numerous variants culminating to the latest Aventador Ultimae which marks the end of an era.
The Aventador was launched in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show as the successor to the Murcielago. It was praised for the aggressive design and the harmonic naturally aspirated V12 engine which was an evolution of the Murcielago’s power plant. After numerous iterations including million dollar one-offs, Lamborghini has decided to finally close the order books. Deliveries will still sail through to 2022 but no more orders will be taken.
During the first rollout phase between 2011 and 2016, the Aventador LP700-4 Coupe and Roadster sold 5000 units effectively surpassing the intended 4000 units. The LP700-4 is powered by a 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 that produces 690hp and 690 nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in just 2.9s, the top speed is 350km/h.
Aventador S Roadster Korean Special
In 2016 the Aventador S LP740-4 was launched as a replacement for the Aventador LP700-4, the S variant was offered both as a coupe and roadster. A year before that, the first limited Aventador model had been introduced too – the Aventador SV limited to just 600 units and an SV Roadster limited to 500 units. Production for both variants lasted only 2 years, between 2015 and 2017.
Aventador SV
While the S variant became the entry model from 2016 onwards, Lamborghini continued to offer more limited models including one offs. A year after the SV production ended, the Aventador SVJ was introduced. The SVJ coupe was limited to 900 units while the roadster was limited to 800 units. There was also an SVJ 63 coupe and SVJ 63 roadster each limited to 63 units worldwide.
Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster
The final model to wear the Aventador name is the Ultimae. This variant was launched in 2021 with deliveries expected to extend to 2022. The Aventador Ultimae coupe is limited to 350 units while the roadster is limited to 250 units worldwide. The V12 engine now produces 769hp and 720 nm of torque.
Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae
In between production there were more limited editions that included the Pirelli Edition, 50th Anniversario edition, Aventador J and the Miura Hommage editions.
The most exclusive models based on the Aventador received new bodies entirely and the price tags were in the millions. The first one was the Veneno coupe and roadster from 2013, now retailing for $5-10 million. Only 5 coupes and 9 roadsters were built.
Lamborghini Veneno Roadster
3 years after the launch of the Veneno, a new hyper model was revealed in 2016, it was known as the Centenario. Lamborghini realized the demand for these hyper models was high and the Centenario was produced in excess of 40 units – 20 coupes and 20 roadsters.
Lamborghini Centenario
The Sian followed in 2019 as the first hybrid supercar from Lamborghini. The 6.5L V12 now produces 808hp thanks to a power bump by an electric motor at the rear axle powered by supercapacitors instead of batteries. Only 63 coupes and 19 roadsters were made.
Lamborghini Sian Roadster
A year after the Sian was revealed, Lamborghini announced their first hyper track only model called the Essenza SCV12. This model was limited to just 40 units worldwide. The final hyper model was revealed in 2021 as a tribute to the Countach. It’s called the Countach LPI 800-4 and shares the same powertrain with the Sian. Only 112 units will be made.
Lamborghini Countach LPI 800
The Aventador successor will be revealed in 2023, in the meantime Lamborghini will complete deliveries of the remaining orders which include the Ultimae, Countach LPI800-4 and the SCV12. We expect the Aventador successor to retain a naturally aspirated engine albeit with the incorporation of a mild hybrid setup like the Sian or a 48v system to meet new emission standards.
October 15, 2021 / Comments Off on Exclusive: Lamborghini Aventador Sales Finished – Successor Coming 2023
Hagerty just released some of the most valuable Bond cars in history due to their appearance in James Bond films.
The valuation analyst compared the value between the cars used during the production of Bond films to the prices of the standard units of the same models, the results showed that James Bond movies increased the value of the cars featured by an average over 1000 per cent.
7. 1974 AMC Hornet
1974 AMC Hornet, ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’. the model became famous after the 1974 Bond movie and sold in 2017, its standard value was £5200, the Bond car value increased to £89,105 and the Bond premium was a high record of 1614% over the standard value.
6. Bentley 41/4L ‘Never Say Never’
Bentley 41/4 L Gurney Nutting 3-Position DHC, ‘Never Say Never’. This vehicle was auctioned by Bonhams in September 2004 and sold for £188,500, six years later it was sold again by Bonhams for £221,500. The standard value of the vehicle was an estimated £133,300, the Bond Car value was £221,500, the Bond premium 66% and the year of sale was 2010.
5. 2008 Aston martin DBS V12, ‘Quantum of Solace’
2008 Aston martin DBS V12, ‘Quantum of solace’. This model sold in 2012 as a collectors item, its standard Hagerty value was £70,000, Bond car value was £241,250 and the bond premium was 245% above its standard price.
4. 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’
1969 Mercury Cougar XR7 ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. This model was driven by Tracy Bond in the film and it later sold at the Bonhams Bond Street on 16th December 2020. The standard value was estimated at £55,500, Bond car value was £365,500 and the Bond premium was 559% above the standard value.
3. 2014 Land Rover Defender 110 Double Cab SVX, ‘Spectre’
2014 Land Rover Defender 110 Double Cab SVX, ‘Spectre’. This vehicle was sold in 2018, its standard Hagerty value was estimated at £32,200, the Bond car value was £365,000 and the Bond Premium was a record of 937%.
2. 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 ‘The Spy Who Love Me’
1977 Lotus Esprit S1 ‘Wet Nellie’, from ‘The Spy Who Love Me’ is the most valuable Bond vehicle, the vehicle was sold at the RM Sotheby’s London auction in 2013. The standard Hagerty value was £12,300, the Bond car value increased to £616,000 and the Bond premium was a record of 4908% above the standard value.
1. 1965 Aston Martin DB5 ‘Thunderball and Goldfinger’
1965 Aston Martin DB5, ‘Thunderball and Goldfinger’ was once referred as the most famous vehicle in the world when offered at an auction in 2019, the standard Hagerty value of the model was £616,550, the bond car value was £4,677,850 and the Bond premium increased by 759% above the value. The value is expected to go even higher after its reprisal role in ‘No Time to Die’ 2021 film.
October 2, 2021 / Comments Off on Top 7 Most Expensive James Bond Movie Cars
BRABUS is a brand that commands respect, whether or not ‘BRABUSizing’ anything from a Smart Car to a Mercedes-AMG 6×6 is to your liking or not, you cannot argue with the reputation or success of the Bottrop based tuner. To demonstrate the breadth of ability of the company, BRABUS invited GTspirit to Dusseldorf to experience a slice of the BRABUS lifestyle for ourselves, and boy, we were in for a treat.
Arriving at the harbour side Hyatt, we could not help but notice the BRABUS x Panerai branding on everything from the shuttles to the flip-flops we were given. Why flip-flops? We had an appointment on a house boat where the alliance with the iconic Swiss watchmaker would be explained. This is the first time the two brands formed a partnership, to mark the beginning of the collaboration, Panerai debuted its first-ever skeletonized automatic movement in daring, high-end watches inspired by the design of the BRABUS “Shadow Black Ops” series of boats.
BRABUS X Panerai
Available in a limited run of only 100 pieces, the Panerai Submersible S BRABUS Black Ops Edition (PAM01240) is the product of 3 years of development, which resulted in features like a patented polarized date display, allowing a view of the date indication only through the opening at 3 o’clock, without covering the mechanics of the skeletonized movement. Wait a minute, did you say it is inspired by the design of a BRABUS boat?
BRABUS SHADOW 900
Get your snorkel on and meet the BRABUS Shadow 900. 900? Yes, 900 horsepower in a boat! We don’t know much about boats, but the Shadow 900 range benefits from Mercury Marine’s latest dual 450R Verado XL 4.6 litre V8 FourStroke engines with Joystick Piloting for easy docking and manoeuvring, and that sounds spectacular. The forces and sensations on the water are mind blowing, with unbelievable agility and crazy cornering speeds on the derestricted waters of Dusseldorf.
900 is a number that is not just special to BRABUS boats, it’s not uncommon to see that number on a badge of a BRABUS ROCKET… and there’s a new one, a crazy one. Meet the fastest SUV in the world, the BRABUS 900 ROCKET EDITION, based on the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S COUPÉ 4MATIC. Just 25 of these maniacal machines will be built, each hitting 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 330 km/h (!).
BRABUS GLE ROCKET
How? Well, the displacement has been stroked out to 4.5 litres and now produces 900 horsepower and a bonkers 1250 Nm which has to be electronically restrained to 1050 Nm. Visually, the iconic BRABUS treatment has been applied with a punchy new bodykit and spectacular 24-inch wheels with carbon-fibre aero-discs. This car is as sensational as the numbers would suggest. On the Autobahn you hit the pedal and feel the front end rise as it rides the torque and power before blasting towards the horizon with relentless brutality. Accompanied by a raucous exhaust bark, this ROCKET EDITION feels like a BRABUS, it is wild, over the top and is set on obliterating anything you could come across on the highway. If you see this in the mirrors, move aside unless you’re in anything less powerful than a Bugatti Veyron.
BRABUS demonstrated the power of its branding and quality on a fun filled day which highlighted how diverse and accomplished the company has become. There is a coherent, consistent feel and image that is applied to every project they work on. It is impressive, we look forward to see what the future has in store for BRABUS.
September 22, 2021 / Comments Off on Special Report: Living The BRABUS Lifestyle via Land & Sea
10 years ago V12s were just as common as V8s, today the number has reduced drastically for both engines. V12s have been ‘restricted’ to million dollar hypercars while V8s are no longer available in the
7. Ferrari 812 + Aftermarket Exhaust
[embedded content]
Why aftermarket exhaust? Because of the current restrictions put on these cars. While manufacturers are forced to adhere to strict emission rules, the aftermarket world steps in with unfiltered solutions that allow these cars to bellow properly. The Ferrari 812 especially when paired with a Novitec export exhaust system sounds completely nuts and is one of the most affordable V12 supercars on the market today.
Engine: 6.5L V12 Naturally Aspirated Output: 789-820hp (Superfast, GTS and Competizione) Redline: 9,500rpm Top Speed: 340km/h+ Price: $335k – $600k+
6. Apollo IE
[embedded content]
The Apollo IE is limited to just 10 cars which were all sold out a while back. This is the first model from Apollo Automobil (formerly Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur). The car is built in collaboration with HWA AG among other partners.
Engine: 6.3L V12 N/A Output:780hp Redline: 9,000rpm Top Speed: 335km/h Price: $2.6 million
One of the last remaining V12 supercars that costs under $1 million, even cheaper if you chose trims such as the Aventador S. Due to emission restrictions one may not fully appreciate the melody that comes with these cars, but throw in an aftermarket exhaust like Gintani or Brooke Race and you have yourself a screamer!
Aston Martin’s latest hypercar, with deliveries scheduled to begin soon. The Valkyrie is one of the best sounding V12s money can buy today. The development has been overseen by both Red Bull Racing and Cosworth.
Engine: 6.5L V12 NA Hybrid Output: 1155hp Redline: 11,100rpm Top Speed: 350kmh+ Price: $3 million
3. Lamborghini Essenza SCV12
[embedded content]
One of the last purely naturally aspirated V12 from Lamborghini, its limited to 40 units and is also not road legal. It has the same engine from the Aventador SVJ but used a 6 speed sequential manual gearbox.
Engine: 6.5L V12 NA Output: 830hp Price: $2.6m+
2. Gordon Murray T.50
[embedded content]
Gordon Murray is back with his genius creations, this time a true spiritual successor to the McLaren F1. Its powered by a naturally aspiared V12 mated to a 6-speed manual and like the F1, it has a centralized driving position.
Engine: 4.0L V12 by Cosworth Output: 654hp Redline: 12,100rpm Price: $3.2 million
1. Pagani Huayra R
[embedded content]
A track only Pagani Huayra to mark the end of the road going Huayra production, and like the Zonda R, it is powered by a naturally aspirated V12. It is limited to 30 units worldwide.
It was one of those Sunday afternoons where you have a baby on the way, a couple of sports cars in the garage and a boring F1 race on TV. Then it suddenly hits you that one of your precious toys has to go in order to make room for the dreaded family minivan.
But for Sander a car tuner based in The Netherlands, this meant a new opportunity to get creative. It all began in 2019 when he acquired a BMW M3 CS which if we are being entirely honest isn’t the first choice that comes to mind when shopping for a family car. The 2018 BMW M3 CS weighs 50kg lighter than the regular M3 sedan, engine output was increased to 460hp and 601nm of torque. Production was limited to just 1,200 units worldwide.
He bought the car with a low mileage of only 5,000km at a time when they were trading above the €120,000 mark. In the car enthusiast world, a family car is defined as a vehicle that combines performance, spacious cabin and extra room for the dogs while retaining good looks or an acceptable design. So instead of acquiring a soulless minivan like regular people, Sander decided to convert his newly acquired M3 CS sedan into a wagon or Touring in BMW language.
BMW M3 CS Wagon
I recently had a quick seat down with him where he answered key questions regarding his 1 of 1 project car, below is the script.
1. What was your motivation for the project?
Sander: I have had many sport cars but when we were expecting a baby I wanted to make my ultimate family racer and that’s when i decided to build a performance wagon using my already existing M3 CS sedan.
2. When did you start the project?
Sander: I bought the M3 CS on 6-12-2019, and from that moment we have worked every spare minute on the project to where it is now.
3. What is the base car/donor car?
Sander: The Base car was a 2013 BMW F31 316d Touring. The donor car was my then newly acquired 2018 BMW F80 M3 CS. I only used the body and trunk lid from the F31, all the other parts until the last bolt has come off the M3 CS.
4. What modifications did you do.
Sander: I could list a whole notebook of parts especially since the project is evolving on a daily basis. Nonetheless, here are the key modifications. – Concaver Forged Wheels 20×9,5 and 20x11j – KW HAS spring set – Carbonworks Caron Front Lip – Carbonworks Carbon Side Skirts – Carbonworks Carbon Rear Diffuser – Custom made Rear Spoiler
All major parts are still OEM, and these were basically copy and paste from the M3 CS.
5. What are your current output numbers (hp/torque)
Sander: It’s still the stock CS engine with 460hp and 601nm torque
6. How long did it take?
Sander: 9 months or 600 hours to complete the project.
7. How much does it cost to build an F81 M3 Wagon.
Sander: Depends on how you do it. The donor M3 CS was only 6 months old and 5000km on the cluster so that was very expensive. But I have done almost all the work myself. If you would take a crashed 2015 M3 and do most work yourself you will end up spending around 50 to 60K.
8. What do you think of upcoming G81 M3 Wagon, will you get one?
Sander: I love it, I wasn’t too sure about the new front but it’s slowly growing on me. But when I compare it with the F8x front I still do think the F8x front looks better. Maybe I should built one with a custom front??
9. What did you do with the MC CS chassis?
Sander: I already sold that old iron and got 60 euro for it ?
You can follow Sander and his project on Instagram at @f81cs
June 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Project Exposure: World’s Only BMW M3 CS Wagon – The Netherlands
It’s now official! Meet the new Bugatti Chiron Super Sport which is limited to just 30 units. This is the fastest Bugatti car to date, and easily the fastest car in the world. It is after all built upon the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ which became the first car to cross the 300MPH barrier by achieving a top speed of 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h) back in 2019. The Super Sport 300+ was a prototype, the road going versions will have a speed limiter just like the Veyron Super Sport. The new (limited) top speed will be 440km/h.
The price of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport is €3.2 million euros or an equivalent of $3.9 million dollars.
Moving on to the car, the body of the new Chiron Super Sport generates immense downforce in order to counter the uplift forces exerted on the body when the vehicle is at speeds of over 440km/h as well as improve the balance.
The rear part of the vehicle has been increased by 25cm so as to hold the laminar flow for a long period of time, the diffuser cross-section has also been enlarged and as a result, the rear trailing surface is 44cm lower and the slipstream and wind resistance generated are reduced as well.
Bugatti shifted the exhaust system of the new Chiron from the central to the side with the pipes aligned vertically in order to enhance the performance of the diffuser and create more space. Additionally, the side air curtains and the air intakes at the front minimizes drag and improves the air flow from the front to the wheel arches and over the side radiators.
Each fender consists of nine exhaust air holes for releasing air pressure from the wells of the front wheels ergo streamlined downforce is generated at the front axle, the outlets at the back of the front wheel arches help balance out the aerodynamic loads.
The Chiron Super Sport is powered an improved 8.0 liter W16 quad turbo engine that generates a maximum power output of 1,176kW/ 1,600PS and 1,600Nm of torque accessible between 2000 rpm and 7000 rpm instead of up to 6000rpm. The rpm of the engine was increased from 6,800 rpm to 7,100 rpm in order to improve the agility and performance of the vehicle.
In addition, the Chiron is capable of accelerating from 0-200km/h in 5.8 seconds, 0-300km/h in 12.1 seconds and the acceleration from 0-400km/h is 7% faster compared to the standard Chiron. The performance improvement of the Chiron Super Sport was created by the larger turbochargers with efficient compressor wheels, therefore the seven-gear dual-clutch transmission is at full load and full speed transitions from 6th to 7th gear at 403 km/h. The 7th gear boasts a 3.6% longer transmission.
The new Chiron Super Sports features newly developed Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires which have been optimized for top speeds, offer greater rigidity and they are the only tires capable of up to 500km/h consistently. This is made possible due to the reinforced belts capable of coping with immense forces.
The interior of the Chiron Super Sport consists of a blend of leather and polished aluminium as well as hi-tech carbon fiber applications. The interior is suited to high speed continental trips. On the other hand, the exterior features carbon fibre elements, inclined headlamps and new five-Y-spoke design aluminium wheels available for the Super Sport exclusively.
Additionally, wheels in a diamond-cut design and Magnesium wheels that further reduce weight of the mass are also available as options.
The Chiron Super Sport will be limited to 30 units only featuring similar design and color elements. The first nine units are scheduled for delivery in early 2022 at a price tag of 3.2million euros each.
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport
June 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Fastest Car in the World: $3.9 Million Bugatti Chiron Super Sport Revealed
The 1 of 1 Bugatti La Voiture Noire has finally been delivered to its owner after 2 years of extensive development and testing.
La Voiture Noire meaning ‘the black car’ was named by Ettore Bugatti’s son Jean after the Type 57 SC Atlantic that disappeared shortly before World War 2. The vehicle is a minimalist coupe similar to the 57 SC Atlantic thanks to the reduced lines, reduced essentials as well as the lack of a large rear wing.
The engineers and designers of the La Voiture Noire have reimagined the historic vehicle and developed a specific shape and style including the dorsal seam down the centerline, an extended front section and the clear lines adorned on the rear. The body of the new model has been finished in visible carbon fibre with a ‘Black Carbon Glossy’ clear coat.
In addition, the finishing doesn’t generate any reflections virtually, the bumpers are gently integrated into the bodywork and the windscreen appears to merge with the side windows like a helmet visor. The attitude of the vehicle has been transformed from a hyper sports car to a grand tourer because the surface of the vehicle appears to have been cast in one piece thanks to the lack of disruptive lines.
The La Voiture Noire features extraordinary details including 25+ individually milled lights elements on each headlamp, each cell of the 3D-printed front grille has been examined to perfection, the rear light features a single-piece surround with no joints for the first time and the new parametric design at the front and rear enables the vehicle to appear sealed but they are actually air-permeable. The six individual tailpipes serve as a nod to the vehicle’s template.
The interior of the new model features grain leather in Havana Brown based on the historic model and aluminium inlays on the centre console, centre spine and the doors. The car also consists of several drive modes that can be changed through a sophisticated rosewood switch.
Bugatti engineers built the La Voiture Noire in just 2 years, each part of the vehicle had to go through extensive Bugatti tests and quality procedures before they were used. The tests took place in the wind tunnel, on test benches and on the track.
Additionally, the bodywork modifications, thermodynamics, cooling, wheels and wheelbases all require perfect coordination in order to ensure new balance. The extended wheelbase and the new bodywork result in new aerodynamics and handling worthy of a grand tourer.
The question remains, who is the mysterious buyer?
Bugatti La Voiture Noire
June 4, 2021 / Comments Off on $13.3 Million Bugatti La Voiture Noire Finally Delivered to Mysterious Buyer
Does dad’s wardrobe need a bit of a style upgrade this summer? We’ve got you covered. Sure a handmade tie and a college sweatshirt are nice, but dad deserves some garments he can feel confident…
Although streaming reigns supreme in the music world, the physical medium has returned with a vengeance. Vinyl record sales have been at an all-time high since the advent of the streaming age. And everyone from…
Finding quiet moments of calm in today’s world feels like an impossible task. Especially as the world returns to “normalcy,” it’s crucial we carve out some time for ourselves. Whether it’s a walk in the…
In 2001 Nissan showed a concept vehicle at the Tokyo Motor Show, previewing the next GT-R and this was about the same time when the R34 GT-R production was approaching its end. The R34 GT-R production only lasted 4 years, back then GT-Rs were only produced for the local market. With the new concept, Nissan envisioned a model that would be sold across the seas in the USA and Europe.
2001 Nissan GT-R Concept
That concept was refreshed once more in 2005 long after the Skyline GT-R production had ended. The new concept was closer to the production model, with Nissan insisting the production model would be 80% based on this concept.
2005 Nissan GT-R Concept
At the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan lived up to their promise and revealed a production ready Nissan GT-R. They dropped the ‘Skyline’ name and positioned the new GT-R as the flagship model, a supercar, a Japanese supercar, born and bred. The Skyline name would continue to appear on regular Nissan models starting with the V35.
The new Nissan GT-R became the first GT-R to be made available in multiple markets outside of Japan, they included the US, Canada and Europe. Japanese cars were available from December 2007, USA cars from July 2008 and European cars from March 2009. It was quite a big deal, Nissan introduced GT-R service centers in these markets with trained technicians to support new ownership. Like AMG the engines are hand built, in this case by special technicians in Yokohama, they were only four at the beginning and have a special name – Takumi Craftsmens.
2007 Nissan GT-R with mask
In Japan, pre-orders stood at 2,282 after 2 months of official announcement and over 2000 for the then new Skyline Coupe.
The Rise
Immediately after release the GT-R was both a success in the media and sales wise. Key to this success was the pricing strategy that Nissan used at the time. The R34 GT-R was a very affordable model by the time production was brought to an end, and very few markets allowed proper importation of these cars. When the new GT-R was introduced, it brought with it a new definition of ‘JDM sports car’, redefining the JDM tuning culture and most important, introducing a new exotic character to JDM sports cars. Shirō Nakamura who was head creative officer at the time insisted that the GT-R is not a copy of any European sports car, which was very true.
Using USA pricing as reference, the 2008 Nissan GT-R had a start price of $69,850 for the base model. It was praised for being the most affordable supercar at the time, it had supercar performance for a bargain. It was compared to the Porsche 911 Turbo, both cars had six cylinder turbocharged engines producing 480hp at the time. But the Porsche’s price was almost double that of the GT-R, with a MSRP of $130k.
The performance also contributed to its popularity, at this point the internet had clans of GT-R fan boys who helped drive its popularity even higher. And for a good reason, not many cars at the time did 0-100km/h in 3.8s (or less) and a top speed of 313km/h for just $69k. Sorry, let me rephrase that, not many supercars offered this kind of performance for a price of just $69k. YouTube was filled with videos of $200k+ cars getting ‘humiliated’ by this newly introduced Japanese supercar.
Gidi ETS GT-R 3000hp
Then came the tuning culture, if there has ever been an opportune moment for tuners of the 21st century, it has been through the Nissan GT-R. Drag strips have never been the same as tuning shops began fielding heavily built GT-Rs. From 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile speed events, the GT-R has proven to be a reliable platform for speed and big power mods. ETS and AMS are some of the most popular GT-R tuning shops, with their GT-Rs featuring power mods of up to 3000hp. We have even done a post on the fastest GT-Rs in the world, the post is now outdated but it should give you a vivid idea.
Ingenuity also did play a role in the initial success. See, for most new European sports cars, early feedback is always something like “looks like a corvette”, “looks like a Ferrari and McLaren combined” or “that’s an Audi underneath”. With the GT-R, everything from design to the powertrain was proudly Japanese. And deservedly so, as this was a fate that required an intense sense of belonging, nationalism, pride and deeply rooted traditions.
So, if you wanted a cheap/affordable supercar with the performance of a Ferrari, a Nissan GT-R came to mind. Second hand prices were also very attractive, ranging between $30-40k for the early 2008-2010 models. The first facelift came in 2011, right about the time when sales started dwindling.
The Fall
Pricing of the Nissan GT-R began to change drastically after the first year. Below is a pricing table, with USA pricing as a reference.
Nissan GT-R Price History
Year
Start Price
2008 Nissan GT-R
$69,850
2009 Nissan GT-R
$76,840
2010 Nissan GT-R
$80,790
2011 Nissan GT-R
$84,060
2012 Nissan GT-R
$89,950
2013 Nissan GT-R
$96,820
2014 Nissan GT-R
$99,590
2015 Nissan GT-R
$101,770
2016 Nissan GT-R
$101,770
2017 Nissan GT-R
$109,990
2018 Nissan GT-R
$99,990
2019 Nissan GT-R
$99,990
2020 Nissan GT-R
$113,540
2021 Nissan GT-R
$113,540
Nissan GT-R prices 2008-2021
Now, there are a few obvious reasons as to why the pricing increased over the years. Key among them being car prices around the world have increased too especially among sports cars; likewise, cost of production and cost of living has increased. Nissan have also made several changes to the GT-R over the years, mainly focusing on performance and looks.
But even so, the GT-R was no longer the affordable car it used to be. Second hand prices began to shoot up too. In 2009 the price increased by almost $7,000, that’s quite a hefty price increase for a car that is virtually the same with model year being the only change. By 2015, the price had passed the $100k. The GT-R officially became a $100k car, that’s territory associated with European sports cars. Not even fan boys could explain the reason behind that strategy. To add salt to the injury, the price hit $110k 2 years later. While all this was happening, sales figures were telling a different story – and numbers don’t lie.
Nissan GT-R Sales Numbers
Year
Europe
USA
2008
1,730
2009
1,987
1,534
2010
1,078
877
2011
889
1,294
2012
738
1,188
2013
480
1,236
2014
503
1,436
2015
486
1,105
2016
618
698
2017
816
578
2018
524
538
2019
389
331
2020
301
Nissan GT-R Sales Numbers USA and Europe 2008-2020
US and EU consumer habits are different, while there is a ready market for a $100k Japanese sports car in the US, there is a hefty competition in Europe for the same price bracket. In that regard, European sales were the first to show signs of weakness over the years followed by the US sales.
At one point in 2018, Nissan did reduce the price to $99k (a moment of panic i suppose) but this had little effect, it was no longer the same $69k car. They increased the price once more after realizing the strategy was fruitless. One can only wonder if the GT-R should have remained the same 480hp sports car from 2008 with only minimal design changes, and maybe the price would still be under $80k. Solo un pensamiento…
Speaking of changes, it’s hard to imagine the Nissan GT-R has been in production for over 10 years, 14 years to be exact. I mean, for a sports car worth $100k plus, the least we expected is a new generation to match rival offerings. I know, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it , pero aún…
Original rivals were the 997 Turbo, 2 generations have come so far and the current 992 Turbo is hardly a rival given how far Porsche has pushed the limits with the 992 model. Or is it?. The sports car industry is ruthless at the moment, with mixed emotions stemming from current electrification vs ICE storm. There are new players born everyday and so many options for consumers willing to spend $100k on a car. The GT-R has had countless facelifts in both standard and Nismo guise, but facelifts come at a cost especially when the competition is steering the market towards a different direction.
Then comes the interior, you have to agree that once a product like a sports car enters the $100k price range, then a lot is required of it. Japanese interiors have never been the nicest in the industry, that’s because they focus on affordable mass produced cars. No problem in that, a $30k crossover like a Rav4 that is reliable till the end of times? The interior is least of our worries when it comes to such cars, reliability is what you want in a daily driver for that price range.
The GT-R interior has never been one to win an award either, but for the initial price it was sold at nobody cared for plastic inside a supercar. In fact, Corvettes have featured similar interiors over the years but the popularity lives on due to the pricing. The only difference is that GM doesn’t increase Corvette pricing by 10 grand every 2 years, the new C8 for example has a lower starting price than some averagely spec’d European hot hatches.
Interiors
1 of 3
Look, nobody is asking for a Maybach interior in a GT-R, but if consumers are to pay $100k plus for a sports car then we could do with a much nicer interior, there is already too much plastic in the oceans.
So What’s Next?
We expect a new generation of the GT-R in the next 2-3 years, could be more seeing that they just revealed a new facelift for the Nismo as model year 2022. The GT-R has the longest production run of any modern supercar, timing has been unfortunate too. If Nissan is to replace the current generation, they have a lot to consider including electrification to beat tight regulations on emissions. The GT-R has never lacked in the power department, and hybridization would only mean more weight for an already heavy sports car, this and other factors could be the reason Nissan has delayed it’s replacement.
But can the Godzilla get back to its former days of glory? Of course, there is always room for a new affordable supercar. Keyword being affordable, go back to the very basics used in 2008 during introduction. If GM can do it with the Corvette for decades, then Nissan can do it too. If the current pricing strategy is to be used on the successor, then we are looking at a starting price of $120-140k for a base GT-R, that would require some major improvements over the current model for consumers to consider it in large numbers.
One thing remains unchanged, the exterior design of the Nissan GT-R stays true to tradition, unique and genuine. We can only hope that the successor will not fall victim to the bland nature of current design trends.
April 30, 2021 / Comments Off on Rise and Fall of the Godzilla: Nissan GT-R and its Dimming Popularity
Sports cars built with driving pleasure as their primary purpose are few and far between these days. Yes, there are super cars available in abundance, but sports cars without six-figure price tags are becoming rarer as business cases and the green revolution begin defining the industry. As a result, the world of enthusiasts was taken aback when Renault revived the name of a 70’s rally legend. The Alpine A110 was born again at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show and journalists from across the globe salivated. Why? Well, with an 1,110 kilogram kerb weight, the A110 was the lightweight sports cars we had all been waiting for.
Initial road tests hailed the Alpine as a car that redefined the sector. A couple of years later, I have the chance to see what all the fuss was about. I’ll be honest, the first impressions were not good. The Alpine wears no Renault badges, but when you get in the quality is what you would expect in a £20,000 Clio, not a halo product designed to rival a Porsche Cayman which is built to feel as good as a Panamera or 911. Some of the plastics are sub par, the infotainment screen escaped 2009 and some of the controls, such as the cruise control switch on arm rest, are frankly bizarre. The Recaro seats are brilliant but outclass the rest of the cabin – it really feels like a mix of many different automobiles.
Zaid H – A110 Colour Edition
As ever, I spent the first day with this press car doing what I do on my day-to-day routine, trundling around the city getting coffee and running errands. The A110 feels small on the road which is surprising and pleasing in equal measure at a time when a 992 911 occupies almost every millimetre of a European lane. Being the Colour Edition, the A110 I am driving features 4mm lower suspension and 50% stiffer spring and 100% stiffer anti-roll bars then the standard A110 and it did feel a touch too firm at low speeds on poor surfaces. As you may have gauged, I was not understanding what the allure of the little sports cars was. I was more annoyed that there was no cabin storage space (not even door bins), the infotainment was slow, laggy and was not intuitive, that the front boot was as deep as an over baking tray and that the rear boot would barely fit a thick coat let alone any substantial shopping. Being mid-engined, the boot gets very warm adding to the issues. The front truck release is in the passenger footwell and is a struggle to reach from the driving seat, this is borderline comical.
Day two is all about exploiting a cars dynamic capabilities, finally the Alpine A110 came into its comfort zone. Sport Mode engaged, the punchy little 4-cylinder becomes more vocal, the steering weights up and the car feels much more engaging. Hold down the wheel mounted Sport button and track mode is engaged, the entire dash layout changes to display a whole host of information from steering angle to g forces. The ESC is slackened and this is where this 288bhp pocket rocket starts to make sense. Lightness is the overriding sensation, as is feel through that fixed bucket seat. The Getrag DCT even starts to feel well suited to the engine as the shifts are quick and accompanied by giggle educing parps on shifts. With 320Nm to pelt such a light car down the road, the sensation is speed is entertaining.
Alpine A110 Colour Edition
There is a balance and connection that is encouraging and brings confidence to push harder and harder as the drive becomes all the more rewarding. The steering is quick, there is little feel but enough to understand where grip levels are. With the ESC in track, the rear end comes into play too. Remember the ride I complained about? Well, despite not having adaptive dampers, the ride becomes much more refined as the speeds build. The entire package comes together to result in one of the most satisfying and exiting cars I have driven in a long time with fabulous poise. The feeling of lightness will stay in my memory for a long time to come.
Yes, it may not be practical or cheap (£62,958 as tested) but it offers something no other car on sale today aside from a Lotus Elise can come close to matching. I tip my hat to Renault for being so dedicated in their pursuit of driver engagement. I hope that many people get behind the wheel of the A110 to understand what the engineers in Dieppe have managed to achieve, this car is magnificent.
April 22, 2021 / Comments Off on 2021 Alpine A110 Colour Edition Review
It is hard to believe that the Audi R8 is almost 15-years-old, seeing the first generation V8 on the road is still a treat – few cars have aged as well. Since its inception, the R8 has morphed from a mid-engined sports cars battling the likes of the Porsche 911 Carrera range, into a red blooded supercar with a heart shared with a Lamborghini and a price tag the makes it a very different proposition from the car Tony Stark used to daily. The current R8 range has shrunk to just three options, gone are the V8 or manual options. All powered by 5.2-litre V10 engines and available in Coupe and Spyder forms, perspective buyers can have the full fat Performance Quattro with 612bhp, the semi-skimmed 562bhp V10 Quattro or the entry level model that is the subject of this review, the V10 RWD with ‘just’ 533bhp. The difference is price between the range topper (£144,950) and the RWD (£114,435) is noteworthy and arguably makes the RWD on of the most attainable entry level supercars on the market, but does it make it any less desirable?
To me, the R8 RWD is the most compelling R8 in the current line up. The Performance variant is great, but to me it was too easy to find the limits, something I discovered just a handful of laps into my stint putting it to the test at the fearsome Ascari Race Resort in Spain in 2018. With all of the driver aids disengaged understeer would creep in earlier than expected before suddenly transitioning into snap oversteer. Admittedly, things were much better when pushing the AWD car when fitted with Cup 2 Michelins and not the PS4S.
Zaid H – R8 RWD
The first impression of the 2020 R8 Rear Wheel Drive is that the front feels more immediate and communicative than the rest of the range. That being said, the numbness of the steering has not been cured, yes, you can feel a little more of the road, but there is a distinct lack of understanding of how the rubber is interacting with the surface. But let’s be realistic, this is not a Porsche GT3, the R8 is a car with a much broader appeal. Where the GT3 with its (optional) fire extinguisher, cage and harnesses is set to drive to a track day, set immense apex speeds and then drive you home, the R8 is better focused to being the daily driver that will double as the stylish supercar that will turn heads outside your favourite restaurant. There are no adjustable dampers (optional on the AWD variants) so the ride has to be as well suited to a country road as the city centre speed humps. It is well judged but it is a touch unrefined at lower speeds. Anything above 50km/h is well damped, below that it is what I would describe as ‘jiggly’. The interior is well designed and fairly spacious. Whilst the cabin still feels modern, the MMI does feel dated, CarPlay is a bonus but the entire interface does feel a generation old.
But what is it like to push on a fast flowing road? I drove the banana yellow (technically Las Vegas Yellow) RWD for 600 miles, most of which were on some of the best roads in England. Once you learn to modulate the grabby brakes and not expect to be able to feel the surface of the road you can start to find the limits of the 2020 Audi R8 Rear Wheel Drive. The experience is dominated by that mighty 5.2-litre V10 and the transmission. With a redline at 8,500 and no turbochargers in sight (woohoo!) you really have to eke out the revs. Nothing really happens before 3,000 but then things get interesting.
As you reach 4,000 the V10 really starts to come on song. Hang on and relish the bark of the V10 as it reaches peak torque (540Nm) at 6,400rpm and peak power all the way up at 7,900. By the time you’re at 8,500 you’ll be hurtling towards the next corner having enjoyed one of the greatest automotive symphonies in production today. As you hit the brakes (ceramics are not available on the RWD) you’ll pull on the disappointingly small and plastic downshift paddle and enjoy the yelps of the engine as the 7-speed DCT makes quick work of the shifts. When left to its own devices, the transmission is overly eager and seems to constantly be shifting, but the changes are smooth and seamless. Beware of kick down in the auto modes, the gearbox, alarmingly, likes to downshift into the redline.
The Pirelli P Zeros fitted to my test car and mighty and breaking traction is easier said than done. The traction control system is very quick to cut the power and stop any hooliganism so I was forced to set the traction control to its halfway/dynamic setting which was well judged and allowed a little freedom when really pushing on. But even with all of the systems off, this mid engined layout combined with the Pirelli rubber meant that the RWD would usually fire itself out of a corner with little to no drama unless you’ve got a very open space to let the R8 off the leash. Find some space and the R8 feels fast too, 0-100 is done in 3.1 and the 2020 R8 Rear Wheel Drive will keep going until it reaches 324km/h.
The 2020 Audi R8 Rear Wheel Drive is the cheapest R8 in the range, but it offers more excitement and entertainment than the other cars in the range. Day-to-day it is just as usable, practical and enjoyable as the all-wheel-drive models, aside from the jiggly ride. The engine is marvellous and that alone is a reason to seriously consider this car, after all, it seems this and the RWD Huracan are the only two-wheel-driven supercars armed with a V10 on sale. It may not be the most thrilling, driver focused supercar on sale today, but that does not mean that it is not a joy to jump into a drive.
April 9, 2021 / Comments Off on 2020 Audi R8 Rear Wheel Drive Review
The BMW M3 is one of the most important new performance cars launched this year. My personal experience with BMW’s iconic performance saloon goes back a few years so I jumped at the opportunity to test the new M3.
The all-new BMW M3 builds on the G20 BMW 3-Series Sedan launched in 2019. The 3-Series received a proper make-over from M GmbH to become a true performance limousine. The new M3 is offered in two variants; the ‘base’ M3 Sedan with manual gearbox and 480hp / 550Nm and the M3 Sedan Competition with 8-Speed M Steptronic and 510hp and 650Nm. We cheer the fact that BMW offers the M3 with a manual despite the fact it is slower (4.2 sec from 0-100 km/h vs 3.9 sec) and not offered in all markets around the world.
In this review we focus on the faster M3 Competition. Our Isle of Man Green M3 Competition came with M sport seats and all the bells and whistles BMW has to offer for the new M3, except adaptive cruise control. Optionally there are M carbon bucket seats available which give the car a very sporty look and feel. However tall people probably want to stick with the standard seats that come with a height adjustable headrest.
The M3 cockpit is very driver-oriented and all the relevant features are, still, available at the tip of a button. Again some praise is due for BMW’s conservative attitude to the interior. It may not look as sleek as the all-touch interiors from some competitors, but from a driver’s perspective it is a absolute pleasure. The software of BMW’s infotainment can do with a small user-friendly make-over but the controls itself with iDrive should stay as-is for as long as possible.
Now let’s talk about the pink elephant in the room. Design-wise the new BMW M3 and M4 are some of the most talked about new cars in recent years. This primarily due to the huge kidney grill that both cars received. I must say I wasn’t a fan from the moment I first saw this type of grill of the BMW 4 Concept at the IAA in 2019. It may not win a beauty contest but it is one of the most aggressive designs on the market at the moment and there might just be an audience for it.
Another thing that strikes me is the sheer size of the new M3. The base 3-Series is already a big car but the M3 with the wider fenders looks huge. I hope we reach a point soon where cars become slightly smaller and nimbler again. But in times where an electrified compact car weighs over 2 tonnes already, there is little hope cars will really become smaller and lighter any time soon.
Portimao Blue BMW G80 M3
Firing up the three-litre six-in-line is accompanied with a full-bodied sound inside. Outside the soundtrack is not quite as voluminous but that is due to the meanwhile well-known EU restrictions. Customers in the US should be in luck as their M3 and M4s should be significantly louder as their European counterparts. Throughout the journey the engineered tune gives a great sense of performance and speed and never feels artificial.
Performance-wise there is very little to complain about. It beats the last generation M3 CS which was the strongest M3 to date. Fans of the brand know that the Competition badge stands for that extra level of sportiness. And totally in line with that philosophy the bandwidth between comfort and sport is quite narrow. In comfort mode the suspension is still stiff and the car feels properly planted to a point where the title comfort is almost misleading.
The two M buttons on the steering wheel allow the driver to setup two preferred driving profiles. In the profile everything from steering and brake feel to gear changes and ESP can be set to the users preference and activated at the tip of a button. A new feature is the M Drift analyser, similar to the drift aid found in the McLaren 720S, which allows novices to set an invisible hand from level 0 (no traction control) to level 10 (impossible to drift). Although this is a gimmick that few customers will use frequently to drift, it does come in very handy on the race track when the course is wet.
I drove the new M3 Competition on a mixed route with unlimited German autobahn and flowing German b-roads. On the autobahn it is perfect when driven hard but a bit nervous when just cruising along. The 290 km/h top speed is reached with ease and the various sprints show just how strong this engine is. Leaving the highways behind, the car just loves the smooth sweeping bends of the hilly countryside west of Munich. It is very tail-happy accelerating out of tighter bends, just as a true M3 should be.
Overall the new BMW M3 Competition is a very good performance car. It has a great number of incredible details and the level of finishing is close to perfection. If you are looking for a performance car with aggressive styling and performance and handling to match; this is the car to get. It is very much a car to love or to hate.
Isle of Man Green – 2022 BMW M3
March 9, 2021 / Comments Off on 2022 BMW M3 Competition Review
To stay above the game on YouTube, content is everything – outstanding content. In this week’s feature of Project Exposure, we have popular car YouTuber Daily Driven Exotics who decided to convert a brand new Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder into a speedster, or Aperta as they named it. Speedsters are quite trendy now among supercar manufacturers, we have the Monza SP from Ferrari, V12 Speedster from Aston Martin, Elva from McLaren and even a one-off SC20 from Lamborghini.
Damon of DDE decided to create his own speedster using a brand new Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder he picked up from Lamborghini Vancouver. The Huracan Evo is essentially a facelift model for the Huracan range which was refreshed in 2019. Choosing a Huracan Evo Spyder as the base car meant that the DDE team only needed to do a windshield delete during the conversion. This work was done by Vancouver based SR Auto Group.
DDE Huracan Evo Aperta
The stock car comes with a 5.2L naturally aspirated V10 producing 630hp and 601nm of torque. DDE opted for more power via a new VF Engineering Supercharger and engine tune. The outcome was a 840whp RWD Huracan Evo Aperta. Being a YouTuber car, sound is everything, here they installed a Fi Valved Sport Exhaust + Sport Cats. Little of what the Huracan Evo Spyder came with was intact up to this point, the body also went through a significant amount of change.
The body changes included Vorsteiner Vincenzo Edizione Aero front fenders with integrated vents and splash carbon Matrix PP Glossy. In addition to that, they also installed Vorsteiner Vincenzo Edizione Aero side blades.
Protective Film Solutions stepped in to enhance the visual look with their 3M Fluorescent Satin Yellow and Gloss Lamination 2 layer vinyl. This was installed by Wrap Workz Vancouver.
To finish off the look, a set of Vorsteiner V-FF 109 wheels in Satin Black were fitted, wrapped in Gladiator XComp Performance tires. You can follow more of the car’s action on the DDE YouTube channel, there is talk about them recreating the same project with an SVJ Roadster!
If you would like to get your car featured on “Project Exposure”, please write us a DM on Instagram or contact me directly via Twitter.
December 19, 2020 / Comments Off on Project Exposure: YouTuber’s $500k Lamborghini Huracan Evo Aperta 840hp
