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The Aston Martin AM-RB 003 Is the Company’s Third Mid-Engine Supercar

A Concept That Will Transition to Production

Formerly called the Project 003, the Aston Martin AM-RB 003, is the third of the mid-engine supercars Aston is working on. The company partnered with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to put together the car, much like it has with the Valkyrie.

The car still borrows a lot of technology and performance principles from Formula 1 cars. However, it will be the most roadgoing version of an Aston mid-engine car yet. It will get a roomier cockpit than the other cars, more interior storage, a larger cargo area, and doors that make it easier to get in and out of the low-slung coupe.

The vehicle gets a lightweight carbon fiber structure, carbon fiber bodywork, active aerodynamics, and Valkyrie-like styling. The powertrain for the model is a hybrid that utilizes a V6 engine and electric motors. The specifications for the output and all of the interesting details about how it works have not been released. However, the company did say it would include the Nexcel sealed oil system, which allows oil changes in as little as 90 seconds.

The interior of the car is notably more spacious, but what sets it apart from other supercar cockpits for us is its simplistic but futuristic layout. There’s not a ton going on, but there is futuristic technology and plenty of display screens. The vehicle offers gorgeous interior materials including leather, carbon fiber, and aluminum. The company took special care to perfectly align the driver’s back, steering wheel, and pedals.

Aston has yet to finish development of the car. Once it does, it will keep the vehicle exclusive by offering only 500 models for purchase.

March 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Koenigsegg’s Jesko Comes With 1,600 HP and Can Do 300 MPH

Mind-Numbingly Fast

Koenigsegg’s new Jesko hypercar, named after his father who helped him start his company, claims over 300 mph as its top speed. While Koenigsegg hasn’t proven this in the real world, in simulations, the Agera successor has achieved it and the company thinks it’s true.

There are two different versions of the car. Koenigsegg designed one for a high speed run to make the 300 mph, and one with some serious downforce for the racetrack. No matter the variant, you get a new carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, new suspension setup, redesigned engine, and a special gearbox. The car may be the successor to the Agera, but it’s all new.

The car comes with a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The company worked on the engine to make it more powerful and lighter than any other V8 it has produced. It’ll make 1,600 hp on E85 biofuel and 1,280 on regular gasoline. Torque numbers sit at 1,106 lb-ft. The car comes with a special 9-speed multi-clutch gearbox the company builds in-house.

Thanks to the huge front splitter, the big wing at the back, and the body’s overall aerodynamic shape, the car produces a whopping 2,200 pounds of downforce at 170 mph. At the vehicle’s top speed it makes over 3,000 pounds of downforce.

The interior of the car has all the accouterments befitting a luxury hypercar. The vehicle will come with the latest technology and top-notch interior materials, including plenty of carbon fiber. The G-force display on the dash is a nod to tech geeks and pilots everywhere and it just looks cool. Not to mention the gorgeous displays well-placed in the cabin.

Koenigsegg plans to build 125 Jeskos over the course of the next few years. If you’ve got your heart set on one you’ll need just under $3 million.

March 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Aston Martin Project 003 is a road-going evolution of Valkyrie

The Aston Martin Project 003 will effectively be the most road-going example of Aston’s mid-engined hypercars. It quite obviously draws heavily from the Valkyrie (aka Project 001), which is as much the result of aerodynamic requirements as it is maintaining a family resemblance. It may not appear to be as extreme in certain respects, and it isn’t, but it does feature a number of advances.

The 003 utilizes the next-generation of “aircraft morphing technology, to create a variable airfoil across the entirety of the rear wing. The technology named FlexFoil … has been validated by NASA through extensive performance and acoustic flight testing, with Aston Martin the first to implement this cutting-edge aerospace technology in the automotive industry. The system allows for the car’s downforce to be changed without changing the physical angle of the entire element.”

So yeah, fancy stuff, and in fact, the production version will feature an even further evolution of the technology.

Aston hasn’t released full details, but did indicate the 003 will be powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a new turbocharged V6 developed in-house. This is in contrast to the Mercedes-sourced engines in recent Aston Martins. It will feature a sealed oil system previously utilized in the Aston Martin Vulcan and in multiple 24-hour endurance races that allows for oil changes in 90 seconds and the refinement and reuse of the engine oil itself. The production 003 will be the first road-going car to receive this technology.

Aston Martin Project 003

There is plenty shared with Valkyrie, however, including the active suspension and various electronic systems. Aston says the chassis will be “blessed with next-level precision, control and driver connection for class-leading dynamics on road and truck.”

Also like the Valkyrie, Project 003 utilizes a lightweight carbon fiber structure with carbon fiber bodywork. It was shaped for maximum aerodynamic effect, which results in the two mid-engine hypercars sharing a common shape and general look. One noteworthy visual difference are the front and rear lighting units. Their lightweight technology are shared, however. Aston Martin says the 003’s four lighting units weigh less than one DB11 headlamp.

Inside is where the 003 most ventures away from the Valkyrie, and where it demonstrates its more road-going nature. Greater concessions have been made for usability and comfort, although that is certainly relative. LMP1-style doors bring part of the roof with them when opening, making getting in and out a bit easier. The center console has also been widened to create more space between occupants (although you’re still awfully close together), while storage areas have been added for “oddments” that Aston indicates would include a wallet or mobile phone. The console itself is also 3D printed, like other interior pieces, to reduce 50 percent of the typical mass and allow for integrated switches.

Other distinctive interior elements includes a display screen mounted to the steering column to prevent the wheel rim from impeding the driver’s view (neat, but an Infiniti G35 did that) and a wraparound band of grilling between the dash and windshield that conceals the air vents, speakers and ambient lighting. The infotainment system is your smartphone — as in there’s literally a mount for a smartphone that, as details are scarce, we’d assume can run a car-related app.

Despite being more road-going, there is no trunk, only a “terrace” behind the seats. So, if you want to take your Aston Martin someplace, a DB11 or Vantage is still the better call. The 003 will be a hypercar, not a GT.

It will also not be called the 003 when production starts in late 2021. Aston Martin indicated the name could change during the Geneva Motor Show, and we will update this story should we receive word of that change.

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March 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Bugatti La Voiture Noire is absolute elegance and the most expensive new car ever

Cars like these are why we love the Geneva Motor Show. Sure, only one lucky person will get to own this bespoke Bugatti, but man is it cool to know this is out there somewhere. It’s called the Bugatti La Voiture Noire, which literally translates to, Bugatti The Black Car. A certain elegance is lost when we move to English, so let’s just keep calling it La Voiture Noire.

Bugatti built this one-off car as a tribute to the Type 57 SC Atlantic, of which four were built between 1936 and 1938. If you spend any time at the various concours d’elegance around the world, there’s a chance you may have seen one before. Three of the four are known to still be around, and this new car pays homage to Jean Bugatti’s black car specifically.

Right off the bat, it’s easy to see this car is based on the Chiron. Bugatti plopped the Chiron W16 engine in there with all four turbos attached. It makes the exact same power as the new French speed machine with 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 pound-feet of torque. The biggest difference that we can ascertain is in the number of tailpipes. A stunning six pipes poke out between winglets in the diffuser as a tribute to the Type 57 SC Atlantic, which also featured six. The visual difference here is in the piping size and placement — the original, thin pipes from the 1930s are far classier than the massive roundels fitted on La Voiture Noire. That said, this design is still unbelievably cool, and we applaud Bugatti for going for it.

Bugatti didn’t quote a top speed for this bespoke car, but we imagine it can’t be too far off the mark from the Chiron with the amount of power it’s packing. The only glimpse into the driving character comes in this statement: “This is a coupé with the comfort of a luxury limousine and the power of a hyper sports car.” Maybe the individual who bought the car was looking for a faster and more comfortable way to get to their cottage on the weekend? We can only guess, as Bugatti hasn’t revealed the buyer’s name. But one guess is Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and ex-chairman of the Volkswagen Group.

Design-wise, La Voiture Noire tries its best to take cues from the 57 SC Atlantic. You’ll notice a less pronounced dorsal fin running from the front of the car all the way back in an effort to match. The windshield flows seamlessly into the windows and back to the sides like a visor on a helmet. Bugatti says its intentions were to make it “all of a piece,” so there’s nothing to mess with the flowing lines down the car. Every last body component was handmade using carbon fiber with a glossy black carbon fiber finish. The wheel and tire design are especially eye-catching, with the tires done up to make it look like they don’t actually exist. It’s hard to find a line we don’t like on this car, especially gazing at it from the rear. It truly looks like one of those cars you draw on a napkin and wish somebody would make one day.

Not as though any of us will have to worry about it, but Bugatti says the price was $12,503,150, and that was before taxes. With all the taxes and delivery fees included, the price balloons all the way up to 18,795,716. That makes it the most expensive new car of all time, according to Bugatti. Surprised? We’re not either.

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March 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept Brings 528 HP to the Street

This Touring Racer Looks Like a Real Killer

Lynk & Co teamed up with Cyan Racing, which is the racing arm of Geely Group Motorsport and formerly Polestar Racing, to build the car you see in the pictures here. It’s the 03 Cyan Concept and it’s the street version of the race car the company showed off in October 2018.

The car’s styling is unique and it offers a usable but compact four-door cabin. It’s shown in a blue that’s reminiscent of the blue from Polestar. “This is a natural step for us together with Lynk & Co. To build a road version of a race car is a great way to learn more about a car and its characteristics,” said Christian Dahl, founder and owner of Cyan Racing, in a press release.

The car features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that manages to put out 528 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque. Those are impressive numbers. The engine gets a six-speed sequential gearbox, sending the power to the front wheels. Lynk & Co claims a 0 to 62 mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a 0 to 124 mph time of 10 seconds flat. The car has a 192 mph top speed.

The engine appears to be a rev-happy beast. Lynk & Co claims it can rev to 8,000 rpm. The sequential gearbox can fire off shifts in just 60 ms. The car is supposed to be able to pull 1.5 Gs in the corners. Stopping the machine are six-piston calipers and 380 mm rotors up front and two-piston calipers and 278 mm rotors in the rear. It rides on 20-inch Cyan wheels.

March 4, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ginetta supercar details: Expect 600 horsepower, price north of $500,000

We got a good picture of what the Ginetta road car would be like last month after a teaser photo was released, and even more details are making their way to us now. It’s safe to say this car looks properly wicked in the first official photos we’re seeing of it. A video of it screaming around a race track just confirms those suspicions. The wonderful, naturally aspirated V8 soundtrack is complemented by the quick shifts from the sequential transmission, making it sound like a proper race car. While it might be capable of dominating a track day, this Ginetta is designed to be streetable.

It has a trunk that will fit two golf bags, a reverse camera, parking sensors, automatic headlights, navigation and an apparently easy ingress/egress. All of this is meant to make the 2,535-pound supercar a nicer place to spend time. Exact power figures and a proper name aren’t official just yet, but we’re told to expect about 600 horsepower and 520 pound-feet of torque from the 6.0-liter V8. That engine is a Ginetta design throughout. You’ll have to remember that Ginetta is no joke of a performance and race car company. It’s been producing performance cars since 1958 and competes in various racing series now.

Ginetta shoved the engine as far back into the driver as it possibly could for a front-mid-engine layout. Weight distribution is 49/51 front to rear, so the engineers were successful in keeping the car balanced. A bespoke carbon fiber tub is used to go with the carbon fiber body panels. Big wings, an underbody diffuser and other aero elements combine to produce a ground-sucking 829 pounds of downforce at 100 mph.

The suspension is race-inspired. A double wishbone front and rear design is used, with its coilovers anchored in the middle of the car and connected by pushrods. Center-locking Ginetta wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires —275/35/ZR19s in front and 305/30/ZR20s out back. Carbon fiber discs from Alcon are provided for stopping power.

Price is still a question, but it’s supposed to be under 400,000 pounds sterling. That translates to $532,800 at today’s exchange rates. Yikes. There are more than a few supercars that can be had for much less. Ginetta says it’s already allocated 14 of the 20 cars it plans to build in the first model year, though. After this first year, it plans to build 30-50 cars per year, assuming demand is there. We’ll have more concrete specs on the engine during the car’s official reveal at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. For now, Ginetta is planning to make its first deliveries in January 2020.

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February 27, 2019 / Comments Off

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Could the Upcoming $18 Million Bugatti be a Speedster?

A New Rumor We Can Get Behind

We recently reported on the fact that Bugatti will bring its “110 ans Bugatti” to Geneva to celebrate its 110-year anniversary. We also reported that Bugatti could build an $18 million hypercar and bring it to Geneva. That car is rumored to go to Dr. Ferdinand Piëch who’s the former Chairman of VW Group. Now the rumors and speculation about that car are seriously swirling.

Why? Well, automotive designer Rain Prisk let loose a beautiful Bugatti Speedster design. This has some people wondering if this could be Bugatti’s next move. Motor1 suggests the car looks both “plausible and amazing.” We have to agree with the publication.

No matter what you think the super-expensive Bugatti hypercar will be, there’s no denying the Bugatti Speedster design from Rain Prisk is a real stunner. It uses the Divo—which is based on the Chiron Sport—as the basis for what’s possibly the best iteration of the car yet, at least from a styling standpoint. Styling is subjective, though, so you may disagree with that.

In all probability, Bugatti will make a variation of the Divo with its 8.0-liter W16 engine. A speedster could be a way to really make the model stand out. The car will have to be seriously impressive to justify its rumored $18 million price tag. Only time will tell what Bugatti actually brings to the Geneva Motor Show. We’ll keep an eye out for what the company officially debuts. Until then, we’ll look lovingly at Rain Prisk’s vision for a Bugatti speedster.

February 18, 2019 / Comments Off

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Pagani Is Planning Something Big for Geneva

A New Zonda, or an Homage to it?

The first Pagani Zonda is 20 years old this year. That means you can expect the company to do something special to celebrate its car. According to CarBuzz, the automaker told the publication that there’s something in the works for the Geneva Motor Show that’s less than a month away at this point.

“It will be a big surprise that we know everyone will love,” Communication and PR Manager Giulia Roncarati told the publication. “But right now we’re keeping it a secret.” That’s confirmation that something will appear. However, what exactly will appear at the show will only come with time.

This cryptic statement from Roncarati has people coming up with guesses. CarBuzz says that it could be a final version of the Zonda. That would be interesting due to the fact that Pagani didn’t seem interested in making more of the cars. Despite this, some special clients have been able to convince the automaker to make special ones.

The surprise could also be a special showcase of all the Zonda variations ever produced. That would be a cool way of paying homage to the car that debuted 20 years ago. We think a special 20th-anniversary edition of the car would be appropriate, and not just a final edition like CarBuzz suggests. However, the chances of that happening are very slim.

We’ll keep an eye out for whatever Pagani debuts at the show. Hopefully, it will exceed all expectations and be something that nobody has even thought of yet.

February 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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Could Hispano Suiza Make a Comeback With Its Electric Supercar?

The Spanish Automaker’s Return Could be Coming

This year’s Geneva Motor Show is shaping up to be a blast from the past. Now, the long-dormant Hispano Suiza brand could start a comeback with an electric supercar. From the 1900s to the mid-1940s Hispano Suiza sold thousands of unique luxury cars. After that, it more or less disappeared from the luxury automotive world. That changes this year in Geneva.

Hispano Suiza recently teased an image of a new car. According to a press release from the company, its next car will be an all-electric grand touring luxury supercar. The details on the model are currently scarce, and it will be interesting to see a modern Hispano Suiza appear.

According to Top Gear, the car will be called Carmen. The name Carmen comes from the mother of the company’s current president. The great-grandson of the founder of Hispano Suiza and the company’s current president, Miguel Suqué Mateu, sounded excited in his statement to the press. He said he wants to see Hispano Suiza cars on roads around the world.

Back in 1900, when Hispano Suiza started, it built the first electric car in the world, but the prototype was never industrially manufactured. Now, 119 years later, in March 2019, Hispano Suiza has its first 100% electric car, offering great performance and manufactured in Barcelona, the realization of my great grandfather’s dream.

The rich heritage of the Hispano Suiza brand is engaging. While many people don’t have any recollection of the company’s cars, it would seem that’s about to change with the introduction of a new model. We eagerly await the Geneva Motor Show as it’s shaping up to be quite an interesting show.

February 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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McLaren’s MSO makes this 720S supercar even more super

McLaren has brought a special edition of its already stunning and supremely quick 720S supercar to this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Designed by McLaren Special Operations, this one-of-a-kind creation is finished in “Atlantic Blue” paint and comes with a tastefully understated “Saddle Tan” leather interior with contrasting grey stitching.

To drive the point home that this car is unique, McLaren’s press release offers the gentle reminder that “even the floor mats are bespoke.” So, don’t expect to find suitably stylish replacements at your local NAPA auto parts store, ladies and gentlemen.

McLaren’s MSO branch is basically the British automaker’s tailor-made service for its range of performance cars. Oftentimes the creations are true one-offs, entirely commissioned by well-heeled clientele who want their car to stand out from the masses. Not that McLaren creations are exactly clogging up parking lots, but, hey, if you have it then why not flaunt it?

MSO does occasionally build a limited series of vehicles, like the 10 race-inspired 570S sports cars finished in paint jobs similar to the liveries of McLaren F1 GTR race cars from the 1990s.

If you have to ask the price, well, then you probably shouldn’t be shopping for customized McLarens.
The standard McLaren 720S starts at approximately $288,000, putting it right in the middle of the company’s lineup. Considering the owner of the Geneva Motor Show car didn’t specify gold-flake fenders, or an interior constructed out of platinum-plated Lego blocks, it’s safe to assume this car doesn’t streak too ridiculously far into the fiscal stratosphere.

Engine power remains the same. The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 nestled in the carbon fiber chassis produces 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Punch the gas pedal, and the 720S needs less than 3.0 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour. The top speed is 212 mph.

And did we mention how incredibly fast all this feels in real life? In our review of this ballistic British supercar, Mike Austin summed up just how rapid your first impression will be. “The 720S is so fast that there’s no warming up to it. Almost immediately you’re driving at speeds that, in pretty much any other car would mean imminent calamity.”

He also praised the fact that getting the most out of the 720S demands attention and skill, not just a heavy right foot. “In our world of point-and-shoot supercars,” he summarized, “McLaren made the 720S a true driver’s car.”

So the car is special. And the one at Geneva? Just a little more special.

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March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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McLaren Senna GTR Concept

A big reveal during Geneva Motor Show was the track-focused update to the McLaren hypercar, the Senna. Revealed online last year, the Senna is anticipated to be McLaren’s most compelling model produced since the original McLaren F1.

The technical specifications speak for themselves and are able to justify the million-dollar price tag. Firstly, the Senna is powered by a 4.0-liter V-8 engine, producing 789 brake horsepower, enclosed in a carbon fiber tub with an overall curb weight of slightly over 2,400 lbs. The twin-turbo engine can launch the Senna from 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds. Now imagine all of that, but exponentially faster, with a retuned transmission, suspension tweaks, fancy decals, big wing, and slick tyres.

The track-ready Senna GTR still needs a power boost (ha). I mean, it will still have the same four-liter engine with two blowers for boost. The folks in Woking, however, have not decided how much more power the GTR will need but it’ll definitely be no slouch.

The main focus of the Senna is a high power-to-weight ratio. If you can’t add more power, lose more weight and the latter is what McLaren did. Focusing on technological advances, McLaren heavily invested in carbon fiber technology, and how to save every gram of excess weight. The aerodynamics are improved with the wing generating downforce of 1,000kg. That’s the equivalent of an American bison sitting on top of the car, keeping the Senna GTR planted.

No official data has been released yet but will be an exciting addition to an already beastly hypercar.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Concept: BMW M8 Gran Coupe

With the rise in popularity of sleek, streamlined four-door coupes, BMW responds by revealing a concept to compete in the 4-door sports luxury segment.

Sporting the ‘Gran Coupe’ moniker, the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe debuted in Geneva Motor Show with a slight glimpse of what the future holds for BMW.

With a more aggressive design language, the silhouette that the M8 has revealed a lot of where the company wants to go: masculine, very upfront almost bull-like nose, and a sleeker backside. It pulls off a sexier look than the more contemporary rivals like the Audi 7-series, or the S-Class Coupe… But with more doors.

Don’t ask us how these segments work because we’re just as confused as you are. While these are concept cars, we hope that the car goes into production with the same dichromatic paintwork called ‘Salève Vert’. I think that means a shade of green.

What’s funny are the stock photos look to be a nighttime rendezvous on top of a frozen lake, so that means that the M8 concept is cooler than what you have? Or a nod to James Bond and Die Another Day?

What’s probably going to happen is it will definitely have a Gran-Turismo vibe so it’ll have an old-school automatic transmission rather than the jolting DSG dual-clutch, maybe XDrive, and cross fingers, working quad exhausts(!)

Here’s to hoping our prayers get answered. Are you listening, Bavaria?!

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Reveal: RUF SCR 2018

It’s been 40 years since RUF revealed a modified Porsche 911 called the ‘SCR’, with a 3.2L six-cylinder engine pushing out 217 horses. The tell-tale sign of a RUF Porsche was the whale-tail spoiler that crowned that iconic backside for aerodynamics.

It took four years of development for RUF to produce the SCR 2018 to their exact liking and specifications, updated from the first prototype appearing in the 86th Geneva Motor Show. Well, they’re back with a complete overhaul, inside and out.

Debuting this week in Geneva, the RUF SCR 2018 came into fruition, featuring a full monocoque body, active push-rod suspension, and carbon fiber everything.

With just 1250kg in weight, the RUF is out to fight with the big dogs. The figures are no laughing matter, with a top speed of 320 kph, and a very balanced, composed body layout.

The neat part is that RUF built everything in-house. RUF’s approach differs from other manufacturers, requiring a donor car to be gutted, indirectly inflating air-cooled vintage Porsche market prices. We’re looking at you, Singer! It’s the price to pay for perfection!

Finally, the RUF SCR 2018 features an integrated roll-cage within the carbon fiber chassis, so it’s race-ready, and the push-rod suspension is complex technology only seen in Formula One cars.

Inside lies a 4.0L naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine producing 510 horses. All of these details compound into something magical and the pictures speak for themselves. Unfortunately, these come with a hefty price and the RUF SCR 2018 will be quite a pricey piece of memorabilia.

With all of this technical specs laid out, we must see it being put to paces around a track.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Official: 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe

More exciting reveals came about in Geneva this week with Mercedes revealing their 4-door coupe to the world. Initially thought to be rumors, the sexy AMG GT 2-door coupe now will come with extra doors, which is good. Customers usually stuck with a Maserati Quattroporte, a Porsche Panamera, or the Aston Martin Rapide can now rejoice! There are more options for the oligarch in trouble of deciding.

It will still feature the usual Mercedes Benz accoutrements, with nice leather seats, fully-integrated instrument cluster and center console, and a V6 or a V8 engine choice. The 53 has a supercharged inline-6 while the 63 has the delectable bi-turbo V8 engine with outputs of 429 hp and 577hp, respectively. Step your game up to the GT 63S and you’ll get 639hp.

We here at Supercars.net are big fans of the AMG GT and while the SLS AMG was a pioneer in creating a Mercedes halo car, it was a bit outlandish with the gullwing doors. As we mentioned earlier, there were rumours that the original SLS AMG was going to become a four-door. There were even hilarious patent designs that perhaps, to troll the automotive community. Just look at it,

What could have been, right? Thankfully, they went with their senses and the AMG GT 63 and 63S will be a heavily awaited release for the MY2019.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Rimac Concept Two Reveal

Another reveal in Geneva Motor Show is the updated iteration of Rimac’s ‘Tesla-Slayer’, called the Concept Two. Still powered by four electric motors per wheel, it will make 1,888 horsepower and 1,696 lb/ft of torque. It almost has a 1:1 ratio of torque to horsepower, which is a tall feat to achieve. Just ask the Koenigsegg team with their 1:one concept.

With a full-electric setup, the Concept Two can provide 404 miles of driving range, through their 120-kWh battery pack. This sports coupe can reach 0-60mph in 1.85 seconds. That’s right; less than 2(!) seconds. That’s absurd and very promising for what the future holds for automobiles!

The neat part is that there are multiple gearboxes controlling the four electric motors to keep all four wheels producing power at the helm. That’s next-level technology, for you. On top of that, it has an active rear wing, which is also the air brake.

This is a new car, with no parts shared from the Concept One and they’re out to be the best electric car company around.

The Rimac still looks dashing, both inside and out and has active aerodynamics to keep most of us planted. Rimac is slated to produce limited examples of the Concept Two, so if something caught your eye, better put your deposit down: it’s expected to cost over $1 million.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Chiron Sport: Carbon Fiber Windshield Wipers

With a price tag over $3 million, a special edition of Bugatti Chiron debuted during the Geneva Motor Show. Meant to keep your motor juices flowing, the iconic W16 quad-turbo engine is still running the show. It’s also sports ’16’ on the front grille just in case you forgot.

It’s the track-focused version of the Chiron (as if that wasn’t nutters already), with stiffer suspension, torque vectoring, and carbon fiber windshield wipers.

This is probably something we can’t buy at your local NAPA Auto Parts but we digress. It also went into a 40 lb. diet and quad exhaust to differentiate yourself from the no-other-person that owns the Chiron in your neighborhood. The track upgrade does not compromise the GT characteristics it’s known for, as it’s still great to cruise cross-country or through an apex.

You can’t go wrong nor hate the Chiron. It’s an automotive feat to produce over 1,000 horsepower and have it available to the public. The Sport just cranks up the exclusivity just a little bit more, and the red-black motif is delicious.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Official: 2019 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder

Bologna is coming out with something crazier for 2019!

Revealed during the Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini has created a brutal, hard-core version of the Huracán, just with the ability to feel the air slice through your hair. Well, you might as well be, since this is a roof-less version called the Huracán Performante Spyder.

Lamborghini-Huracan-Performante-Spyder — Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder

While we gaze upon the beauty that is a convertible Lamborghini, let’s look at some cool tech involved with this:

Active aerodynamics called ‘Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva’, which shapes the air in favor of the car for drag reduction and increased downforce
Still has a naturally aspirated V10 engine from the Performante hardtop, producing 640 horsepower and a dual-clutch transmission
Has carbon fiber goodies everywhere, to reduce weight in comparison to the regular Spyder version (77 lbs. lighter)
Still expensive at $308,859 plus taxes

While the crew here at Supercars.Net are looking forward to this new release, we’ll just live vicariously through others. For now, let’s enjoy what Lamborghini is offering to their clientele.

March 7, 2018 / Comments Off

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Rimac C_Two electric hypercar debuts at almost 2,000 horsepower

Rimac Automobili made a name for itself with the Concept_One electric hypercar (and garnered even more attention when Richard Hammond drove one off the side of a hill). Ahead of the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Rimac began teasing its next-generation EV hypercar. Now, the Rimac C_Two, as it is called, has it has arrived in all its electric glory.

It’s powered by four electric motors providing a total of 1,914 horsepower and 1,696 pound-feet of torque. That’ll push it from 0-60 miles per hour in just 1.85 seconds, and to a top speed of 258 mph. It’ll do a quarter-mile in 9.1 seconds. If that seems extreme (and it is) be comforted by the fact that only 150 examples of this electric beast will be unleashed upon the world.

When not driving it as hard as one possibly can, its liquid-cooled 120-kWh battery pack provides about 404 miles of driving range — granted that’s on the generous NEDC cycle. It’s capable of 250-kW charging which can resupply up to 80 percent of its driving range in under 30 minutes. The C_Two has active aerodynamics, including front and rear diffusers, hood flaps, rear wing, and underbody inlets and outlets. These can be adjusted to provide more efficiency and cooling, or to sacrifice some slipperiness for downforce. It’s torque vectoring system also helps with stability.

The C_Two has a suite of sensors designed for eventual Level 4 autonomous driving. It’s equipped with eight cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, one or two lidar and six radar units. These generate eight terabytes of data every hour. Of course, that full automation will come later, though we don’t imagine customers will be super impatient to have the car take over the driving duties. Until then, the C_Two offers driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

Under that beautiful exterior is a carbon fiber monocoque with structural battery pack. The C_Two has a carbon fiber rear subframe and front and rear aluminum crash structures. Mate Rimac said that, in the name of safety, “we are going to crash many of these beautiful cars.” Mate Rimac will also personally test drive each car before they are delivered to customers to make sure they’re up to his standards. Sounds like a dull job.

The butterfly doors provide a large opening to a spacious interior for two. It’s meant as a grand touring car, said Rimac. It has three screens to provide as much or as little information the driver and passenger want to see. Its rear trunk it customizable, or can be eschewed in order to put the electric powertrain on display.

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Aston Martin Valkyrie gets insane 1,100-horsepower AMR Pro model

We still have yet to see the final production version of the road-going Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, but that hasn’t stopped Aston from creating an even more extreme version of the already radical car. It’s called the Valkyrie AMR Pro, and it’s lighter, more powerful, has more downforce, and is only for use on the track.

Powering the Valkyrie AMR Pro is a version of the standard car’s naturally aspirated hybrid V12. In this guise, Aston says it produces 1,100 horsepower, more than the standard car. That engine won’t have much to carry around, either, since Aston is aiming to have the Valkyrie AMR Pro weight just about 1,000 kilograms, or about 2,200 pounds. To hit that weight, Aston is using lighter carbon fiber for the body, carbon fiber control arms, a lighter exhaust, polycarbonate windows, molded seats, and it has removed the HVAC fan and infotainment system. Fortunately, Aston is including heater elements in the windows so that they don’t fog up in wet or cool weather.

The Valkyrie AMR Pro’s body shape is different, too, and it has been changed to increase downforce. It has usual changes such as large front and rear wings. It also has a tall center fin like that found on prototype and F1 race cars. The body itself is wider, too. All told, Aston expects the car to produce over 2,200 pounds of downforce. The combination of all these performance enhancements means the car can achieve a claimed top speed of 225 mph, as well as cornering forces of over 3G.

Aston Martin didn’t reveal pricing, but it doesn’t matter. Aston already sold all 25 Valkyrie AMR Pros it will build. The company says that they’ll be delivered sometime in 2020.

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2019 Bugatti Chiron Sport is more hardcore with better handling

Bugatti has created a hotter version of the Chiron called the Chiron Sport. How does Bugatti make the monstrously powerful Chiron even more extreme? Well, it doesn’t have anything to do with greater power or speed. The car has the same 1,479 horsepower. Instead, Bugatti focused on improving handling by upgrading the chassis and making it lighter.

It’s not much lighter, mind you. Bugatti only shed about 40 pounds from the standard Chiron. This was done with lighter wheels, glass and more carbon fiber components. Bugatti seems to be most proud of the car’s carbon fiber windshield wipers, which Bugatti claims is a first for production cars. They are actually fairly impressive, weighing 77 percent less than the standard ones. They also use 3D-printed aluminum in the tips. They should go nicely with Bugatti’s 3D-printed titanium brake calipers.

In the handling department, Bugatti addressed the suspension and drivetrain. The shocks are now stiffer, and the steering has been retuned. The all-wheel-drive system now features torque vectoring to direct power to either side. Between the weight savings and new suspension, Bugatti claims the Chiron Sport lapped the Nardo handling track 5 seconds faster than the standard model.

The Chiron Sport also brings along visual changes to make it completely clear that this is not some run-of-the-mill Chiron. It’s available in a limited selection of colors for the front end including red, blue, silver and dark grey. These are coupled with an exposed carbon fiber finish for the tail of the car. The front color is then carried over to the big “C” design element that is finished in aluminum on normal Chirons, and to other elements such as the bottom of the rear wing and the contrasting “16” in the grille mesh (which, we must add, makes it look like it’s suiting up for a basketball team). The wheels are unique to the Sport, as are the quartet of round exhaust outlets. The interior is made darker and more serious thanks to a liberal use of black anodized aluminum switchgear, and black leather and Alcantara.

If the harder-core Chiron Sport is exactly what you’ve been looking for in a hypercar, you’d better have some serious bank, specifically $3.26 million. There won’t be too long of a wait for it, though, since Bugatti expects to deliver the first ones at the end of the year.

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