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The Ferrari 812 GTS tuned by NOVITEC

As is a successful tradition with Ferrari, there is also an open-top variant of the 812 series, the GTS. The twelve-cylinder front-engine sports car, equipped with a power-retractable hardtop in keeping with the times, can be customized exclusively at NOVITEC, the world’s leading refinement specialist for the powerful sports cars from Maranello.

The extensive product range includes aerodynamic-enhancement components in naked carbon, customized hi-tech forged wheels developed in cooperation with American manufacturer Vossen, a power upgrade to 618 kW / 840 hp, high-performance exhaust systems in various versions, and an interior tailored to the customer’s wishes in every detail.

The NOVITEC designers give the Spider an even sportier appearance with naked-carbon components. Of course, the development of the components did not only focus on thrilling looks: It is also based on extensive wind tunnel testing, which helped to optimize the handling stability of this sports car further.

To minimize front-axle lift, a front spoiler lip upgrades the production fascia. Its complement is a surround for the central air intake, whose two flaps extend over the side air intakes. This upgrade not only gives the 812 a more aggressive front view but also optimizes handling stability at high speeds.

A three-piece spoiler lip taking the form of a separation edge was developed as an aerodynamic counterpart at the rear, as was a strikingly contoured carbon upgrade for the bumper.

The NOVITEC rocker panels calm the airflow between the front and rear wheel arches and give the open-top sports car an even sportier look. The carbon trim for the exterior mirrors and the trim for the side air outlets behind the front wheel arches round off the modified side view. The two air outlets on the hood round off the racing looks.

The forged wheels developed specifically for the 812 models in cooperation with Vossen play of course also a crucial part in the thrilling looks of the Ferrari refined by NOVITEC. To emphasize the wedge shape of the open-top two-seater further, three tailor-made wheel/tire combinations with staggered diameters were developed for the front and rear axle. All NOVITEC forged wheels are available in a variety of colors and with three different surface finishes – standard, polished or brushed.

The Ferrari 812 GTS in the attached photos runs on NOVITEC NF 10 wheels of sizes 10Jx21 with high-performance tires of size 275/30 ZR 21 at the front and size 12.5Jx22 wheels with size 335/25 ZR 22 tires in back. The wheels with five pairs of delicate twin spokes are produced by high-end US manufacturer Vossen using state-of-the-art forging and machining technology. The NOVITEC NF 10 wheels transfer the racing legend of Ferrari to the road-going sports car with their stylized center lock.

The NOVITEC sport springs lower the ride height of the Ferrari by about 35 millimeters. The lowered center of gravity makes the handling even more agile. In order to negotiate obstacles such as speed bumpers or steep parking garage ramps on the road easily, NOVITEC offers a hydraulic height adjustment system for the front axle. At the touch of a button in the cockpit, the front end raises by about four centimeters and lowers again at another touch of the button or automatically upon reaching a speed of 80 km/h.

Not even an open-top super sports car can ever have enough power. That is why the NOVITEC powerplant engineers are working on a performance upgrade for the 6.5-liter naturally aspirated four-valve V12 engine. With the NOVITEC High Performance exhaust system, combined with sports catalysts, output jumps to 618 kW / 840 hp at 8,750 rpm. At the same time, peak torque grows to 751 Nm at 7,300 rpm. This slings the powerful open-top sports car from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds. The top speed increases to 345 km/h.

Of course, the NOVITEC high-performance exhaust systems offer not only optimized performance but also a particularly thrilling exhaust note. They can be combined with tailpipes measuring 110 millimeters in diameter, which are adapted to fit the rear contours. They are available in a version made from polished stainless steel or finished with a matte black coating. The NOVITEC exhaust systems for the 812 are available with or without sound management by means of active exhaust flap control and can also be finished with 999 fine gold plating for optimized heat dissipation.

Opting for the variant made from INCONEL, which is also used for exhaust systems in Formula 1 racing, saves up to eleven kilograms of weight over the production system.

NOVITEC also offers exclusive refinement for the cockpit. The owner of the Spider can have his interior upholstered in the finest leather and Alcantara in virtually any color imaginable.

February 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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Bentley Flying Spur named ‘Best Dream Machine’ by Motorweek

The Flying Spur W12 has been recognized in MotorWeek’s 2021 Drivers’ Choice Awards as the Best Dream Machine. Since 1981, MotorWeek judges the best in the automotive industry, looking at the buyer’s point of view and considering industry trends while looking towards the most innovative cars in the industry.

Now, with more than 40,000 examples sold since its launch in 2005, the Flying Spur continues to set the bar as the most successful luxury sports sedan in the world. Sporting details including industry-first three-dimensional leather, cutting edge Bentley Rotating Display, and a retractable, illuminated “Flying B”, each detail continues to be carefully created.

The bold exterior design of the Flying Spur is based on a new and modern vision that is unmistakably Bentley, utilizing the latest technologies in aluminum extrusions and castings. Longtime Creator, Host and Senior Executive Producer of MotorWeek, John Davis, comments:

“The Bentley Flying Spur is a car that fully lives up to our lofty automotive dreams when it comes to luxury, and then far exceeds them when it comes to performance. It effortlessly races to 60 miles per hour in well under 4.0-seconds, which is truly not enough time to enjoy the meticulously hand-crafted embrace that is the Flying Spur’s cabin.”

Bentley Americas CEO and President, Christophe Georges, comments:

“The Flying Spur has been part of Bentley since 2005 and since then has set the bar for the best of both worlds, combining limousine luxury and sports car performance, resulting in the ultimate Dream Machine. Our entire team is honored that MotorWeek has also recognized the Flying Spur as a leader in the industry.”

Effortless Luxury

Seamlessly integrating the very best in British craftsmanship with cutting-edge, innovative technology, the third-generation Flying Spur has become the new Bentley flagship.

The bold exterior design of the Flying Spur is based on a new and modern vision that is unmistakably Bentley. The latest generation Flying Spur has increased road presence from stronger, more muscular styling, which is evident in the full length of the car.

The interior of the Flying Spur showcases Bentley’s expertise in creating a modern cabin of unrivaled luxury and innovation. Stylish and unique, featuring supremely comfortable seats with Bentley’s ‘Wing’ theme across the lower console and fascia.

A sweeping horizontal veneer flows across the dashboard and into the doors, emphasizing the spacious width of the cabin. Crown Cut Walnut is offered as standard, which uses a straight cut process to provide a contemporary finish.

The Flying Spur incorporates a class-leading portfolio of intelligent and intuitive equipment tailored to the driver and passengers. An embedded SIM is provided, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection.

Other features include Apple CarPlay®, photorealistic landscapes through satellite maps, and advance warning of changing road or traffic conditions via the local hazard information service displayed on the vehicle’s infotainment system.

Through a range of optional equipment including Rear Seat Entertainment tablets, audio options up to the industry-leading Naim for Bentley system and even the luxury of an onboard two-bottle drinks cooler, the rear cabin of the Flying Spur is the ultimate place to work or relax while on the road.

All Flying Spurs are produced at Bentley’s home in Crewe – the world’s first carbon-neutral factory for luxury car production. Bentley’s unique application of cutting-edge and modern technology, seamlessly integrating the latest British craftsmanship with innovative features, pushes the existing boundaries of refinement and attention to detail to create the finest super-luxury sports sedan ever built.

From the Bentley Press Release (Reston, Va., 10 February 2021)

February 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Bugatti Valentine’s gift

February 14 is Valentine’s day, the perfect day to give the love of your life a nice gift, some will bring flowers, others might get a nice piece of jewelry … but one guy walked into H.R.Owen in London and went the extra mile. He ordered a one-off, bespoke build Bugatti Chiron Sport as a gift for his loved one, which, judging by the name found all-over this Bug, is called ‘Alice’.

But don’t get me wrong here, each and every Bugatti Chiron Sport is custom-built for her lucky owner, none of these cars look alike when they leave the doors of ‘the Atelier’ in Molheim, but still, some are more special than others, and come with a long list of truly bespoke options, like this ‘Alice’ version.

The main shade on this specific Bugatti Chiron Sport is white, but on a Bugatti, it’s called ‘Matt Blanc’, and in this case, it has been combined with ‘Silk Rosé’, a special shade of pink, on the rear section, the lower side sills and the lower part of the front bumper. Also, note a touch of Silk Rosé on the top part of the exterior mirrors … the white on rosé two-tone makes her one-of-a-kind, no other Bugatti was even built in this specific color combination. Also note the stunning wheels on this Chiron Sport get a touch of Silk Rosé too, just to match the rest of this amazing-looking Bugatti, the brake calipers seem to be a light grey shade with white lettering.

That light grey shade makes a return on the interior too, where smooth leather and luxurious Alcantara in a color called ‘Gris Rafalé’, are combined with Silk Rosé color-coded stitching on the seats, dashboard, doors, and steering wheel. The very light grey steering wheel might require some care to keep it clean, but such a light interior does look amazing … and the ‘Alice’ script on the headrests has been embroidered for maximum contrast., while a touch of ‘Silk Rosé’ also find it’s way onto the central console … or should we call it ‘arch’?

During the process of ordering this amazing Chiron Sport, the owner went from walking into the H.R.Owen Bugatti showroom in London to flying out to Molsheim’s unique headquarter in France for Bugatti, founded in 1909, even today every customer is invited to the Molsheim Experience, where they can get behind the wheel of the car they are looking to order. And go into a meeting with the Bugatti design and sales team to go through countless options and possibilities to create ‘their’ unique car, to create the dream.

The Chiron Sport represents a different character for the Chiron. As the French luxury brand’s interpretation of the ultimate super sports car, the Chiron Sport boldly offers a firmer chassis that provides even sharper handling and exhilarating agility. This comes from the introduction of more performance-orientated lightweight components, all without compromising the Chiron’s uniquely luxurious character. The Chiron Sport retains the iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine and is produced in the Atelier in Molsheim at a unit price $3,212,290 (or €2,650,000).

February 13, 2021 / Comments Off

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Roush Performance option almost doubles the price on a 2021 Mustang

The most powerful ROUSH Performance Mustang has just been revealed, the 2021 Stage 3 option brings the total power output of the Mustang to 750 hp with 670 lb-ft torque, but still comes with a 5 year, or 60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.

It has been 25 years since the first ROUSH Mustang was made to bring track performance to the streets, this new 2021 ROUSH Stage 3 package comes with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 10-speed automatic transmission … and just in case 750 hp with 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds isn’t enough, ROUSH has an optional upgrade to 775 hp available too.

The ROUSH Stage 3 package isn’t only about power, it also comes with aerodynamic add-ons for the Mustang, like a new front splitter complete with wheel shrouds, while the front hood gets extra air vents to keep that 5.0L Coyote V8 engine cool, but Stage 3 also comes with the ROUSH Powertrain Cooling Package with additional coolers behind each of the high flow corner pockets.

The ROUSH Stage 3 comes in multiple packages, the base ‘Signature Package’ at $24,995, comes with the 750 hp Phase 2 Supercharger, the R9 aero kit, special MagneRide(r) suspension, the aforementioned Powertrain Cooling Package. At the rear you’ll get four, black tips on the performance exhaust while the interior gets a Sport Package upgrade, wheels are Jet black 20-inch Flowform with Continental Sport tires.

With the ‘Competition Package’ comes the active exhaust, some engine bay styling, a premium car cover, and special lug nuts … but things get more interesting with the ‘Podium Package’ that includes both preview packs and adds a stunning, Active Aero carbon fiber rear wing and Brembo GT brakes for the front.

And these packs don’t even list the optional power upgrade to 775 hp Power Upgrade, or an X pipe exhaust, Agata grey 20-inch Forged wheels are an option too … and just in case you prefer a convertible, ROUSH has a Convertible Style bar on the options list for you.

As standard, the interior in the Stage 3 kit comes with black leather sport seats and multiple ROUSH dials and badges, but you can opt for Black or Amaretto tinted premium-design leather and Billet pedals to complement that billet aluminum paddle shifters.

So if you really want to have a special Mustang, the ROUSH Stage 3 package will add at least $24,995 on top of the base price for a regular Ford Mustang GT Fastback that starts at $36,120 before options, but somehow I doubt many ROUSH customer will start with a base model Mustang to add this Stage 3 kit onto. If you want to create a ROUSH Stage 3 Convertible you’ll have to start with the Mustang GT Premium Convertible at $45,620.

February 12, 2021 / Comments Off

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Polestar 1 production will end this year

When the Polestar 1 was unveiled in 2017 the response was immense, and the orders started pouring in for this impressive PHEV Performance hybrid GT, first deliveries didn’t happen until 2020, but by the end of 2021 the production of this “technological tour-de-force” will be halted, so if you want to add this $155,000 to your garage you will have to secure one of the final remaining build slots as soon as possible.

The Polestar 1 might remind you of a Volvo by her looks, but Polestar is the stand-alone Performance department from Volvo, and they’ve created some really impressive cars, remember the Volvo V60 Polestar in that bespoke blue shade, a great estate to get to your destination in a hurry.

But the Polestar 1 is a car from a new breed, a high-performance Hybrid GT packing a massive 619 hp and 738 lb.-ft. of torque from the combination of two electric motors on the rear axle and a 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder, supercharged, and turbocharged petrol engine, an integrated starter generator at the front is another plus.

The Polestar 1 features a lightweight, carbon fiber body with a distinctive low roofline, that includes a fixed, panoramic glass roof stretching the full length, and width of the car. On the stylish interior of this 2+2 seater, you’ll find a Bowers & Wilkins sound system and intricate leather upholstery with handcrafted detailing.

The Polestar 1 still holds the record for the longest range in pure electric mode, thanks to a triple battery system, you can complete 60 miles on battery power alone, with two electric motors on the rear wheels, each with a power output of no less than 116 hp (85 kW), acceleration from 0 60 mph takes only 3.8 seconds, the quarter-mile is completed in 12.0 seconds, reaching a speed of 119.1 mph, despite the weight of 2,345 kg (5,155-pound).

The top speed of the Polestar 1 is 163 Mph, or just over 260 km/h, and thanks to the adjustable Öhlins dampers the ride on those massive 21-inch wheels (with 275/30 R21 for the front and 295/30 R21 for the rear) isn’t too bad in the end, it’s not a luxury car after all, but a performance GT, so expect a harder ride than usual from lesser models from Volvo. The 6-piston Akebono brakes behind the stylish wheels make sure all that acceleration and high-speed can be stopped in a hurry when needed.

The Polestar 1 is built in Chengdu, China (remember Polestar is part of the Geely-owned Volvo Car Group), and while you can still order this very special car today, time is running out, once production reached 1,500 units, it’s all over, and you can’t get one anymore, so it’s time to hurry up and visit Polestar Spaces across North America for a hands-on experience and test drive.

February 12, 2021 / Comments Off

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Lotus Evija is the world’s most premium sustainable car

The all-electric Lotus Evija hypercar has been recognized in the prestigious International Design Awards (IDAs), winning the ‘Product Design of the Year’ category.

Established in 2007 by a group of leading international designers, visionaries, and entrepreneurs as a response to a lack of pure design awards in their field, the IDAs have a truly global profile. They celebrate smart and sustainable multi-disciplinary designs, promoting outstanding creativity while uncovering emerging talent.

The award was presented to Lotus after being selected by a panel jury representing each of the five diverse IDA disciplines – Architecture, Fashion, Interior, Product, and Graphic Design. The jurors evaluated entries from more than 80 countries, each exhibiting the highest standards of design. The Evija was honored for its breathtaking ability to stretch the boundaries of automotive design.

Members of the IDA jury commented that the Lotus Evija “paves a way towards a more sustainable future whilst embodying an exceptional aerodynamic aesthetic”, and that “its seductive style elevates the Evija to be the world’s most premium sustainable car”.

The Lotus Evija was built with a simple goal – to be the absolute pinnacle of world-class engineering and the most powerful performance car ‘For The Drivers’. It harnesses Lotus’ technical expertise, fine-tuned over more than seven decades, to create a masterclass of automotive excellence.

Russell Carr, Director of Design, Lotus, said: “Everyone at Lotus is honored to receive this award. The Evija is an incredibly important car for Lotus; it is inspired by our innovative past and is the ultimate statement of intent for our ambitious and exciting future. It also sets the standard for a new Lotus design language.”

To celebrate the IDA award, Lotus has released a set of new images of the Lotus Evija. Shot on the streets of London prior to the current UK lockdown restrictions, they reveal every facet of the hypercar’s stunning design.

From the Lotus Cars press release (Hethel, UK – 11 February 2021)

February 11, 2021 / Comments Off

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The first production prototype of the Bugatti Centodiece is currently being assembled

At “The Quail – A Motorsports Gathering” in California back in 2019, Bugatti unveiled an extremely special project … the Centodiece as an homage to the legendary Bugatti EB110 from the Nineties, created by Romano Artioli and Giampaolo Benedini, the EB110 was responsible for the revival of Bugatti as a hypercar manufacturer.

30 years later the Centodiece wants to evoke that same sentiment again, but in a brand-new, contemporary design … the angular styling of the EB110 just wouldn’t work today, but Bugatti only wants to build 10 units of the Centodiece and with a price tag of €8,000,000 (which is $9,700,00 at today’s exchange rate), this very exclusive car is destined for a select few customers, still, they sold all ten units in a matter of hours.

The Bugatti Centodiece is being created by the one-off and few-off projects department at Molsheim, but it has to meet very stringent requirements just like the normal (of you can call any Bugatti ‘normal’) production cars, probably the Centodiece customers even expect their car to exceed every single Bugatti known today, so the pressure is on at Bugatti to build the best EB110 tribute possible.

The time has come at Molsheim to build the first production prototype for the new Bugatti Centodiece, Andre Kullig, who was involved in cars like the Divo and La Voiture Noire, was looking forward to finally build the first Centodiece after more than a year of calculations, simulating, designing, and testing the new design.

Recently the development team at Bugatti was able to put the first rolling chassis to work in their in-house dynamometer to make sure the drivetrain is up to specs, after all, we are talking about a W16 engine that will deliver 1,600 hp in the end … the next step is to build the actual bodywork now …

The challenges are enormous: taking an 8-liter engine capable of 1,600 hp gets extremely hot, and as an homage to the EB110, the engine cover is made of glass so you can admire this powerplant, so they need a large air vent and optimized airflow to make sure the engine gets enough cooling. Inspiration from the EB110 Super Sport was taken for the five, oval air intake behind the side window, but also for the fixed rear wing.

The first customer deliveries for the Bugatti Centodiece will only happen by 2022, first, they have to complete this production prototype, and then take it to the track for many miles to perfectly finetune the engine, suspension, cooling, and chassis setup … only after every single parameter is perfected will the first owner be able to take delivery of his ‘one of ten’ Bugatti Centodiece.

February 10, 2021 / Comments Off

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Audi’s E-Tron is the EV Answer to Porsche’s Taycan

Audi released the E-Tron GT concept about three years ago. It was marketed as Audi’s all-electric touring flagship and today the long-awaited grand tourer hits the production stage.

At first glance, you notice it looks virtually identical to the concept design from years ago. This is every petrolhead’s hope when they lay eyes on a new concept for the first time. There’s nothing more exciting than envisioning a concept or prototype on the streets in its ultra-cool concept form, Audi has done just that with the E-Tron GT and RS E-Tron GT.

The E-Tron GT produces 469 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque with its dual motors, though when launch control is activated horsepower jumps to 522 HP for a short 2.5-second period. The RS model achieves a massive increase in horsepower to 590 and 612 lb-ft of torque. With the launch control switched on, the RS leaps to 636 HP. The E-Tron’s are powered by an 85 kWh battery with a predicted range of 298 miles of range on a full charge based on WLTP estimates.

While the shares a lot with the Porsche Taycan, like its 270 kW DC fast charging, Audi has developed something that assists in faster charge times. Thermal constraints can wreak havoc when attempting to charge a battery quickly. Audi has developed a preconditioning feature that works alongside the navigation system to ensure optimal battery temperatures for you when arriving at a fast-charging terminal. Both E-Tron GT models have all-wheel drive and also include the Porsche Taycan’s high-tech 2-speed automatic transmission. Audi has claimed the base model has a zero to 60 time of 4.1 seconds, while the RS gets there in just 3.3 seconds.

Handling and suspension via controlled dampers and a locking rear differential are standard on both E-Tron GT models, though the RS has the ability to control the variable lock on the differential with its multi-plate clutch. The RS’s standard three-chambered suspension can also be added to the base model as an option. Both E-Trons can be optioned with all-wheel steering in addition to carbon-ceramic brakes. The RS model includes tungsten carbide-coated discs out of the box. According to Jalopnik, the Audi E-Tron GT’s interior was reportedly manufactured using a percentage of recycled materials. This is a refreshing feature instead of Audi pouring leather, plastics, and a bunch of other materials that ultimately go against the vision of an EV evolution.

The E-Tron GT will start at 99,800 euros or roughly $120,000 and the RS model will start at 132,000 euros or $160,000. If compared to a similarly performing grand touring car like the Porsche Taycan 4S, the Audi E-Tron GT sits just below in terms of price but maintains the specs to back it up should they go head to head.

February 9, 2021 / Comments Off

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The 1973 Porsche 911 RSR tribute

Adding a genuine 1973 Porsche 911 RSR to your collection at this point in time will set you back several million, but there is another option … how about a 1973 Porsche 911 RSR Rebel Gulf Porsche tribute for less than $300,000?

Ok, I admit, it’s not a real ’73 RSR, but it’s also only about 10% of the price, and it comes with a bigger engine. The car in question is listed for sale at Ferraris Online and has chassis number 102808, it is the first of only three Porsche RSR ‘Art Cars’ built by Jon Gunderson, renowned for ground-up Ferrari 246 GT and 246 GTS rotisserie restorations.

Chassis 102808 comes in the classic 917 Gulf livery combining light blue and orange on the exterior … note that this Porsche RSR Tribute scheme is completely painted, there is no vinyl used anywhere, every detail is painstakingly painted by hand, even the famous Porsche crest on the hood, and this attention to detail is visible throughout this amazing looking 911.

Both the front and rear bumper have been formed manually, as is the new front hood that has a center-mounted fuel-filler, machined from a single metal piece, to fill up the 100-liter tank underneath.

The traditional ‘Ducktail’ rear wing on this RSR tribute has been made by hand too, and on the grille, the 3.5 badge indicates this car isn’t using the 2.8-liter engine found in the genuine 1973 RSR, but a completely rebuilt 3.5-liter version.

The engine inside this RSR tribute is built from the ground up as a fuel-injected Rothsport Racing 3.5L flat-six combined with a Type 915 5-speed manual transaxle with a Giken limited-slip differential … work started in 2017 and took three years to complete … to date this engine has little over 3,000 miles on her. Instead of the original 280 hp from the 2.8-liter engine, this new 3.5L Rothsport Racing version was dyno-tested after tuning by Sakata Motorsports at 355 hp.

The impressive black wheels on this Porsche RSR tribute are 15-inch Braid units. Michelin TB5 Racing Radial X tires are fitted, 215/55 R15 for the front wheels (9×15″) while wide 295/40 R15 was fitted to the rear wheels, which measure a massive 11×15 inches, they are almost square. The chassis is fitted with Elephant Racing suspension components including Poly bronze bushings, sway bars, shock mounts, and a matched set of torsion bars and Von shocks. Porsche 930 trailing arms have also been added. Porsche 930 finned brake calipers and cross-drilled and vented 930 rotors at all four corners haul it down from high speed. RSR tribute s/n 102808 was corner-balanced by Rothsport Racing after the engine was installed.

Autos International, a well-known shop for Porsche interiors, created the beautiful black interior for this tribute car combining black Alcantara and leather. The dashboard and door panels received black Alcantara while the steering wheel and adjustable Recaro RSR seats got leather wrapped around them.

Same with the built-in roll bar, black leather with contrasting orange stitching to match the seatbelts, while the headliner comes in black Alcantara, the dials consist of a single, white tachometer flanked by black auxiliary gauges, all rebuilt by Joe’s Speedometer. Weight saving is visible everywhere with thin side windows and a special wiring harness, if you look closely at the door handles, they are even cross-drilled to safe weight, while on the door panels, you’ll notice RSR leather door pulls.

Built as a passion project, no expense was spared and no budget was set, so the attention to detail is on par with the bespoke quality of a Singer, this car cost over $500,000 to build, but it’s now listed for a quick sale at $299,500.

February 9, 2021 / Comments Off

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The ABT RSQ8-R, taking the Audi RS Q8 to the next level

Not many SUV today can show figures like this new ABT RSQ8-R, 740 hp (544 kW) and 920 Nm, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and all that while the base Audi RS Q8 isn’t much less impressive … factory fresh you get 600 hp (441 kW), making it the most powerful SUV-coupe Audi makes, but ABT Sportline takes her to the next level.

ABT Sportline is celebrating it’s 125th anniversary in 2021, that is why they will only build 125 units of this RSQ8-R, and this customer car, finished in San Marino Blue metallic is one of those, featuring a stunning carbon fiber aero kit to accentuate the aggressive looks of the original SUV even further.

A lip is added to the front bumper, a set of special side sills are fitted, as are mirror caps off course, wheel arch vents are a very nice touch indeed, while a beautifully aggressive rear diffuser just adds that final touch to the rear together with a new wing, and let’s not forget that stainless steel ABT exhaust system with four 102-mm end pipes to hear that rumble from the 4.0-liter V8 engine.

With the power increase from ABT for this special RSQ8-R edition, the top speed can be raised to 315 km/h thanks to the ABT Engine Control unit coupled to a bespoke intercooler for maximum power and reliability, add the ABT Level Control suspension which lowers the car by 15mm to 25mm depending on the setting selected.

And ABT also offers customization for the interior, with a special steering wheel, an upgrade for the armrest and center console, but ABT can also modify the already impressive AUDI RS Q8 seats, all at the customer’s request naturally.

A stunning set of 23-inch High Performance GT Wheels are available from ABT Individual, taking 295/35 R23 performance tires.

February 8, 2021 / Comments Off

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Chris Harris Shares his Experience with Ferrari’s Fastest Road Car Ever

A few days ago Top Gear presenter, Chris Harris, took out the new Ferrari SF90 to a race track. His findings were quite surprising considering Ferrari has called the SF90 its “flagship” supercar with a price tag of just over $500,000.

The SF90 comes packing a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, 3 electric motors, and a four-wheel-drive system. Its total power output puts it at a staggering 986 horsepower, a top speed of 211mph, and a zero to 60 time of just 2.5-seconds. Impressive for being Ferrari’s first car to have an electric-only mode, even if it does only have a 15-mile range on electric only.

Harris details in a video released on Top Gear’s YouTube channel, that the SF90 is Ferrari’s fastest road car ever. At the same time, the electric-only mode is simply a “party trick” with such a horrible range, according to Harris. The SF90 is loaded with Ferrari’s latest technology, including electric driving assist modes. When Harris gave the SF90 the gears around the track with the assistance of driving modes, he felt he could confidently push the supercar to its limits. He felt the electric modes were extremely “clever” capable of making you feel like a “Driving God”.

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But when all driving-aids were disabled, he felt much differently. Harris felt Ferrari missed the mark as much of their efforts were focused on making the car perfect via technology and driving-aids. This took away from Ferrari’s roots of being an ultimate driver’s car. He isn’t sure that Ferrari “putting technology before the driver” is the best course of action for the Ferraris of tomorrow.

February 8, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Lotus Elise and Exige Final Edition cars

After being in production for more than two decades, an era in the history of Lotus Cars is about to end … the iconic Elise production will end after 25 years, while the genre-creating Exige will fade out after 21 years. But the production of these important models will not end at a low, Lotus Cars created five special, lightweight, more powerful, and better-equipped versions as their ultimate evolution.

Two new variants for the Elise and three more based on the Exige are developed for discerning customers that want to own a piece of history, these models will come with bespoke paint finish, new decals, new wheel finishes … and naturally ‘Final Edition’ badges, three of these five specials will also come with increased power.

Lotus Elise Sport 240 Final Edition

The Elise Sport 240 Final Edition gains an extra 23bhp from a revised calibration and so replaces the Sport 220. Delivering 240bhp and 244Nm of torque, the engine has been tuned to provide stunning real-world performance and class-leading efficiency. The 0-60mph sprint is completed in 4.1 seconds thanks to a power-to-weight ratio of 260bhp per tonne. CO₂ emissions of 177 g/km are extremely low for the performance on offer.

The car comes with 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels as standard (6J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear). They’re 0.5kg lighter than the wheels on the Elise Sport 220 and shod with Yokohama V105 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear).

Further weight savings can be achieved with an extensive range of optional carbon fiber panels, including sill covers and engine cover, lithium-ion battery plus a lightweight polycarbonate rear window. With all the lightweight options chosen, the mass of the Elise Sport 240 reduces further from 922kg to 898kg.

Lotus Elise Cup 250 Final Edition

Key to the Elise Cup 250’s performance is its aerodynamics and downforce linked to its power and lightweight. With aerodynamically optimized components such as the front splitter, rear wing, rear diffuser, and side floor extension, this Final Edition car produces 66kg of downforce at 100mph and 155kg of downforce at its maximum speed of 154mph.

The car is shod in new 10-spoke Diamond Cut ultra-lightweight M Sport forged wheels (7J x 16” front and 8J x 17” rear) with Yokohama A052 tires (195/50 R16 front and 225/45 R17 rear). The extensive list of standard equipment includes Bilstein sports dampers and adjustable anti-roll bars, to help maximize the aerodynamic downforce available and boost grip whilst maintaining the legendary Elise handling. Also fitted as standard is a lightweight lithium-ion battery and polycarbonate rear window.

Other lightweight carbon fiber options, as on the Elise Sport 240 Final Edition, are available reducing the mass to an unladen weight of just 931kg.

Lotus Exige Sport 390

The new Exige Sport 390 replaces the outgoing Exige Sport 350. The power increase of 47bhp comes from a revised calibration linked to the Edelbrock supercharger with chargecooling, to produce 397bhp and 420Nm. Linked to a light weight of 1,138kg, the Exige Sport 390 accelerates to 60mph in just 3.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 172mph.

The advanced aerodynamics are carefully balanced, generating 70kg of downforce at the rear and 45kg up front for a total of 115kg at top speed. To put this power on to the road, the Exige Sport 390 has 10-spoke silver lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front and 10J x 18” rear) and Michelin PS4 tyres (205/45 ZR17 front and 265/35 ZR18 rear).

Lotus Exige Sport 420 Final Edition

The Exige Sport 420 Final Edition gains an extra 10bhp and replaces the outgoing Sport 410. It is the fastest Exige available, topping out at 180mph, with 0-60mph completed in 3.3 seconds. With its light weight of 1,110kg and 420bhp (giving a power to weight of 378bhp per tonne) and 427Nm from the supercharged and chargecooled V6 engine, coupled with a flat torque curve and maximum power available to maximum revs, the Exige is regarded as the most complete driving car of its class.

The list of standard equipment is impressive. Front and rear Eibach anti-roll bars are adjustable and the three-way adjustable Nitron dampers allow for different high and low speed compression settings. The car rides on 10-spoke Anthracite lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear) with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear). Stopping power comes from AP Racing brakes with forged, four-piston calipers and two-piece J-hook brake discs. With a higher thermal capacity and improved bite, these discs offer improved debris clearance and reduced vibration for more consistent pedal feel and greater, fade-free performance.

Lotus Exige Cup 430 Final Edition

The Cup 430 remains the range-topping Exige. Already legendary in its short lifetime, it is regarded as being one of the world’s quickest real-world sports car. It is not just suited to its driver’s favourite road, but also at home on a challenging circuit.

Chargecooled for a consistent 430bhp and capable of generating 171kg of downforce, this is the road and track car to rule them all. The radical aero package is not for show; the Exige Cup 430 generates as much downforce at 100mph as the Exige Sport 390 does at 170mph. Weighing just 1,110kg the power-to-weight ratio hits a staggering 387bhp per tonne. With 440Nm of torque from 2,600rpm, 0-60mph is completed in 3.2 seconds on the way to a top speed of 174mph. Downforce is balanced at all speeds, with the car generating 76kg at the front and a further 95kg at the rear, giving a total of 171kg.

Everything about the Exige Cup 430 is focused upon performance whether that’s driving on the road or track. Every car comes with motorsport-grade carbon fibre panels include the front splitter, front access panel, roof, diffuser surround, enlarged air-intake side pods, one-piece tailgate and race-derived rear wing. In addition to revised steering arm geometry to increase bump steer, handling characteristics can be altered via the Nitron three-way adjustable dampers (high and low speed compression plus rebound adjustment) and Eibach adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, both as standard. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (215/45 ZR17 front and 285/30 ZR18 rear) are fitted to ultra-lightweight 10 spoke diamond cut lightweight forged alloy wheels (7.5J x 17” front, 10J x 18” rear).

Braking comes via forged, four-piston AP Racing brake calipers and higher thermal capacity two-piece J-hook brake discs front and rear. The system is designed to give improved bite and reduced vibration, delivering consistent pedal feel and fade-free stopping power lap after lap.

With a high-flow titanium exhaust system as standard, the Cup 430 sounds like no other supercar at speed. Motorsport-derived variable traction control linked directly to the ECU helps maximise traction on corner exit by managing the giant surge of torque. It’s controlled via a six-position rotary switch located on the steering column. Only active with the ESP stability control switched off, the five pre-set traction levels are displayed on the instrument cluster.

When production of the Lotus Elise, Exige and Evora end later this year, the final combined production total will be in the region of 55,000 cars. Together they account for more than half of Lotus’ total road car production since the first Lotus in 1948.

February 8, 2021 / Comments Off

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The MANSORY Bentley Flying Spur W12 conversion

Kourosh Mansory always had a soft spot for premium British cars, he turned his passion into a business when he started MANSORY in 1989 with special attention to Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Aston Martin. Today MANSORY takes that same high-end attention to detail to makes like Porsche, Lotus, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Ferrari … MANSORY is at the top of the ‘individualization’ car market.

Many of us will regard a Bentley Flying Spur W12 as a top-of-the-line luxury car with performance in mind, while a Rolls-Royce is usually enjoyed from the rear seat with a ‘chauffeur’, a Bentley is mostly driven by the owner being regarded as the more sporty alternative to a Rolls … and if the standard car from Crewe just isn’t exclusive enough … just have MANSORY to create a bespoke one just for you.

MANSORY brings clear carbon fiber to the front, side, and rear of the Bentley Flying Spur, there is a distinctive lip that’s added to the front bumper, naturally, the air intakes on that bumper get some carbon fiber add-ons too while the grille surround is also replaced by MANSORY. A four-part set of side skirts are available, while not one, but two different rear diffuser options are listed, one with four massive, oval exhaust tips, while the second comes with split-oval tips.

MANSORY offers a replacement engine cover for the Bentley Flying Spur, with integrated air vents, and the option for a carbon fiber ‘bonnet bar’ as they call it. We wouldn’t be looking at a MANSORY car if the exterior rearview mirrors didn’t get a carbon fiber cover too, and just like a small, but tasteful front lip, there is a nice little rear wing available too … and as a finishing touch, you can replace the Bentley logo on the trunk lid with a MANSORY ‘M’ logo.

Some might call it blasphemy, but MANSORY can replace the Bentley exhaust system with twin sport mufflers, there’s even an X-Pipe on the options list, while a 20 to 30mm lowering suspension kit is also possible, to make those custom MANSORY forged wheels come out even better, all in a 22-inch size, 10×22 for the front with 275/35 22 tires, and 11.5×22 at the rear with massive 335/25 22 … personally I love the glossy black FS.23 wheel the best.

While the interior of a factory standard Bentley Flying Spur W12 is already at an extremely high level, MANSORY still adds some personal touches nonetheless, like a bespoke sports steering wheel combining leather and carbon fiber that matches the new shift paddles, and the new door sills, with lighted MANSORY logo naturally, and a new gearshift lever, with the ‘M’ proudly on the top.

But MANSORY also offers a bespoke interior conversion to their customers, using exclusive leather in combination with carbon fiber or wood, whichever the client prefers, MANSORY offers 3D-embossed leather, there is even a multi-piece conversion set for the instrument panel, co-driver board, middle console front 2-parts, middle console rear 2-parts, ashtray, cover front and rear, jalousie front and behind, cover for light system front, 4-parts door panels available with carbon and wood.

Finished in a deep black paint with dark carbon fiber touches, the MANSORY Flying Spur W12 gets a power increase to 710 hp (522 kW) while torque goes to 1,000 Nm … as a result, the top speed goes up to 340 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3.6 seconds in this behemoth.

February 7, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Aston Martin DBX Bowmore® Edition

Aston Martin’s SUV, the DBX, has been revealed in an exclusive ‘Q by Aston Martin’ specification to celebrate the brand’s innovative partnership with legendary single malt whisky distillery, Bowmore.

The striking Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition has been created by the marque’s personalization service, Q by Aston Martin, in celebration of the partnership between the two British luxury brands. Just 18 special edition Bowmore DBX’s will be built before they are delivered to customers at a private lifestyle experience in Scotland.

Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer said: “Aston Martin DBX has provided the perfect canvas for the highest level of Q by Aston Martin customization. The Aston Martin and Bowmore brands share the same vision of creating timeless beauty and a lasting legacy, loyal to their heritage but also embracing new methods and this is reflected in the DBX Bowmore edition. Strips from the copper whiskey stills are inlaid into the side strakes and Bowmore Tweed accents the interior, Q by Aston Martin has once again created a beautiful, limited edition, Aston Martin.”

The Bowmore DBX is enrobed in a striking paint color, named Bowmore Blue, an existing archive color that has been brought back exclusively by Q by Aston Martin for this car. Customers will have the option to choose an alternative exterior paint color should they so wish. Xenon Grey paint, which displays a blue metallic fleck throughout, will be offered as an additional exterior option. Bowmore-branded copper inlays using copper from the original whisky still have been used to accent the side strakes of the DBX, as a nod to the traditions maintained by the company.

Optional black brake calipers provide a subtlety to the smoked wheels and the overall elegance of the exterior is highlighted by both script and wing Aston Martin badges and Q by Aston Martin fender badges.

Customers can choose either the Obsidian Monotone or Copper Tan Metallic/Obsidian Duotone interior, both choices accented throughout by flashes of Bowmore Tweed, reflecting the company’s Islay ancestry. Created by the world-renowned Islay Woollen Mill, which was first established in 1883, the subtle and sophisticated design incorporates copper and blue inspired by the island’s terroir and lochs, making it inherently unique to Bowmore and its island home.

In addition, the interior holds many Q by Aston Martin design details such as polished copper cupholders, and sill plaques, made of recycled copper from the original Bowmore still. The gloss black center console trim inlay features bespoke hand-laid, copper foil detailing. Each car comes with a selection of specially designed Q by Aston Martin accessories such as a Bowmore tweed picnic blanket and leather holdall.

Launched in 2019, DBX celebrates the Aston Martin design language in a new form. With a unique body architecture engineered just for DBX, the design and proportions reflect the unmistakable style. The 5-seater SUV provides a world of luxury and features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, tuned to deliver 550PS and 700Nm of torque, providing the exhilaration of a modern GT. While it’s not a traditional Aston Martin sports car, the DBX is everything an Aston Martin should be: beautiful, hand-built, and technologically-advanced.

Each of the 18 Bowmore DBX owners will be invited to an exclusive Aston Martin Art of Living experience in Scotland. Guests will travel to Edinburgh where they will be presented with their own special edition DBX, before embarking on a 170-mile road trip through the spectacular Scottish countryside, taking in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park before driving onto the ferry bound for Islay.

Alongside a trip to Islay Woollen Mill and fine-dining throughout their three-night stay, owners will be treated to a private tour of the Bowmore Distillery. During this very special tour they will have the opportunity to hand-fill their own bottle of a 39-year-old, specially selected Bowmore straight from the cask. They will also be given exclusive access to the No 1 Vaults the oldest maturation warehouse in the world which has played host to a number of VIPs over the years, including members of the Royal Family.

Aston Martin’s unique partnership with Bowmore has already created ‘Black Bowmore DB5 1964’, bringing together an exceptional single malt and a genuine piston from the legendary Aston Martin DB5. As the two iconic brands continue to collaborate, further luxury products and incredible lifestyle experiences will follow.

Francois Bazini, Global Managing Director of Scotch at Beam Suntory, owners of Bowmore, commented: “Our partnership with Aston Martin continues to be an exciting and enthralling collaboration and the unveiling of this special edition Bowmore DBX is another exciting step on our collective journey. We cannot wait to welcome each of the owners of this beautiful car to our distillery on Islay and show them all that Bowmore and our island home have to offer. Although we make entirely different products, our shared values and passion are very much aligned so you can expect more exciting announcements in the future.”

The Q by Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition is on sale globally now and customer deliveries will take place in Q4 2021.

February 6, 2021 / Comments Off

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Mercedes-Benz AMG to deliver Project ONE This Year

Unveiled as a concept at the 2017 Frankfurt International Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One will finally ready for the streets. This anticipation comes after the car was to be released in 2019, well long story short, that didn’t happen.

After such a long wait, the company has uploaded a video of the AMG One being pushed to the limits on the racetrack. And you’re probably wondering what the car’s engine sounds like, here’s a hint, it’s out of an F1 car: It sounds eargasmic.

This hypercar uses the same engine found in the Mercedes-Benz AMG F1 racecar. It is a 1.6-liter turbocharged V-6, the same unit used to win the 2015 season championship.

MB AMG Project ONE — Mercedes-Benz AMG-W07 2016 F1 Engine

The One comes with more sophistication than just a plain ol’ turbocharged V-6. It comes with four electric motors, one powering the rear, two powering each side of the front, and one assisting the turbocharger. This gives the AMG One an all-wheel-drive system with the ability to operate on only electricity.

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This means that Mercedes-Benz AMG has been able to claim their performance hybrid, Project One “will produce over 1,000 horsepower at a maximum speed of over 350 km/h” according to their website.

As mentioned earlier, the One was to be released in 2019 however that changed after the AMG realized how difficult it was to transform a track-focused powerplant into an appropriate engine for road use. But as they have taken the time to properly convert the engine for the street, it has turned into a thing of beauty.

Mercedes-Benz AMG has limited the Project One to just 275 units and deliveries to take place in 2021.

February 5, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing beats Audi RS6, Mercedes E63S AMG and BMW M5 at only $84,990

Remember our article on the new BMW M5 CS, a limited-run, highly tuned 635 hp sedan from Germany? That was the most powerful BMW M-Series car in history, it effortlessly beats rivals like the Audi RS6 (591 hp), the Mercedes E63S AMG (603 hp), or the Bentley Flying Spur (636 hp) … but those cars are well over the $100,000 mark, so mostly aimed at the lucky few.

Cadillac is about to stir up the market of the high-power sedans with the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing, packing a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine with 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque, and for all those purest out there … a 6-speed manual transmission. You can opt for a 10-speed automatic too if you really want to while stopping power comes from a set of renowned Brembo calipers available in grey, blue, red, and bronze, hiding behind forged aluminum 19-inch wheels, 10-inch wide at the front, 11-inch wide for the rear.

Naturally, a host of carbon fiber is used on the exterior and interior of these Blackwing models, also note the steering wheel comes with a serialized plaque on each car, each of the front grilles is functional at directing cool air where it’s needed, no fake vents on this Cadillac, and they make the race car look complete for this four-door sedan.

Add the exterior carbon-fiber package for even more downforce and stability, and it also looks good too, including a rear wing and front splitter. But there are also side sill extensions, an aerodynamic rear diffuser, and even panels under the body to direct airflow and keep the car as planted to the track as possible … you can take your kids to school during the week, and go to the track on Sunday to have some fun.

And that fun continues on the inside, with impressive sport seats, with microfibre cloth details on the seats, door panels, and the dashboard, while the entire headliner is made from that same material. Optional high-performance seats can come with carbon fiber backs, while a special steering wheel is also available, on the CT5-V you can even spec a leather upholstery, while you just have to check the ‘Torch red seatbelts’ option on the order form.

To really set apart this Cadillac CT5-V from ‘normal’ sedans it comes with an integrated performance data recorder, allowing the driver to record every aspect of their driving, including real-time audio and front camera video, as well as 34 channels of performance data for detailed analysis. The dashboard cluster comes as a 12-inch, configurable display in front of the driver, while the head-up display matches the three display personas: Tour, Sport, and Track.

At the moment you can put your name on the waiting list for this limited edition Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing as first cars will only be available towards the end of the Summer of 2021, but that will secure you an amazing car that will easily go beyond 200 mph and do 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, all while riding on a next-generation Magnetic Ride Control that measures the road 1,000 times per second for the ultimate ride.

February 4, 2021 / Comments Off

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Naran Automotive shows ‘Celare Pack’ for their hyper-coupé

Naran Automotive is a new manufacturer of luxury ultra-high performance cars, their debut model – The Naran, will be available later this years, but they already revealed a unique “Celare Pack” now.

The “Celare Pack”, derived from the Latin word for “to conceal or hide”, shows the dual personality of The Naran, customers can have this pack fitted by Naran Automotive engineers in 20-minutes. This pack will transform the four-seat hypercar from an understated luxury coupe into a track-ready aerodynamic racer.

The Naran has the engine mid-mounted at the front and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.3 seconds, 0 to 100 mph only takes 4.56 seconds while Naran Automotive expects a top speed over 230 mph thanks to optimized aerodynamics while retaining the classic, but elegant coupe silhouette.

The Celare Pack is inspired by motorsport, where adjustable parts are widespread, removing the rear wing for instance, customers receive a carbon fiber cradle to store the wing when not used. The Naran has been designed to offer invisible fixtures for the Celare Pack, the carbon composite add-ons are fixed directly to the front wishbone for improved airflow. The completely flat under-tray and a dual rear diffuser direct air onto the rear wing while intakes pull air onto the brake disks, engine intake, and cooling radiators, air vents on the front hood increase down-force.

The design for The Naran is conducted with the help of Jowyn Wong, founder of Wyn Design and visionary behind the Apollo IE and De Tomaso P72, while a bespoke 5.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine produces 1,048 bhp and 1,036Nm of torque is sourced in Germany from Racing Dynamics.

The Naran will be a limited production car, only 49 units will be made, each one of those a truly custom, bespoke build for the customer, complete with individual naming … something taken from the world of high-end superyachts.

February 3, 2021 / Comments Off

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Classic Bugatti cars achieved record results at auctions in 2020

Bugatti vehicles have always been exclusive. But as their age increases, so does their value – as shown by an analysis carried out by Classic Analytics, a company specializing in international market analysis and valuation of classic cars worldwide. “Bugattis from the Ettore and Jean Bugatti era, especially in their original condition and with a history of racing, have always been among the most expensive classic cars on the market. This trend has held steady and in fact, even increased despite the general decline in interest in pre-war vehicles,” says Frank Wilke, Managing Director of Classic Analytics. Classic Analytics belongs to the Hagerty Group, the largest classic car service provider in the USA. The top ten ranking is based on an internal auction database in which all international classic car auctions over the course of a year are observed and evaluated.

“The current situation has certainly brought about a change in the auction market, from face-to-face to online auctions. But prices for exclusive, classic vehicles remain stable at a high level,” says Frank Wilke. “Every historic Bugatti vehicle is unique. Those built between 1920 and the end of the 1930s set standards in both performance and design. But this year’s auctioned vehicles were particularly outstanding in terms of history and originality,” Wilke explains.

“This year certainly presented challenges, but it opened the door for Gooding & Company to create new opportunities to maintain our connection with our automotive community and enthusiasts around the world,” says David Gooding, Gooding & Company President and Founder. “We held our first-ever UK sale which set many new records that include selling the most expensive Bugatti at public auction and selling the top two most valuable lots of 2020; the 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports and the 1937 Bugatti Type 57S Atalante.”

“We were honored and extremely proud to have been entrusted with these exceptional and historic Molsheim masterpieces,” said James Knight, Chairman of Bonhams Group. “Both represented superb Type 55S – one a special coachbuilt convertible by Figoni, the other the iconic artistry of the Jean Bugatti Super Sport roadster. As one would expect, both cars attracted multiple bidders. Not surprisingly, the Bugattis won the accolade as the most valuable motorcars sold at their respective auctions. and both also achieved the highest results at auction during Paris Rétromobile 2020 and the 2020 Amelia Car Week respectively.”

Bugatti Type 59 Sports (Chassis 57248)

A 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports with the chassis number 57248 was auctioned for USD 12,681 million at Gooding & Company in London in September 2020. This makes it one of the most expensive Bugattis ever to come under the hammer at a public auction. The Bugatti Type 59 Sports was created as a racing car for the Bugatti Grand Prix factory team and won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, later finishing third in the Monaco Grand Prix. Some of the most famous and successful Bugatti racing drivers were at the wheel of this car – including Robert Benoist, Louis Chiron, René Dreyfus, Achille Varzi and Jean-Pierre Wimille. After the successful racing season, Bugatti converted the Type 59 into a sports car. King Leopold of Belgium purchased it in 1937. The vehicle remains in its original, unrestored condition to this day. It is powered by an 8-cylinder in-line engine with a capacity of 3.3 litres and a supercharger. The power output was around 250 PS; other engine variants reached up to 380 PS in the Type 59, which was built until 1936.

Bugatti Type 57S Atalante (Chassis 57502)

A sum of EUR 10.44 million was paid by the buyer of a rare and highly desirable 1937 Type 57S Atalante with the chassis number 57502 at the Gooding & Company auction in London. It is a genuinely distinctive model that was purchased by British racing driver and Bugatti enthusiast Earl Howe in 1937. The Bugatti Type 57S Atalante is one of only 17 cars that Jean Bugatti fitted with his sensational Atalante body. The power unit is a turbocharged 3.3-litre eight-cylinder engine that delivers an output of up to 175 PS in the Type 57S.

Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster (Chassis 55220)

A 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster with a factory body designed by Jean Bugatti fetched USD 7.1 million at Bonhams’ Amelia Island auction in March 2020. Bugatti produced a total of just 38 Type 55 Super Sport chassis up until 1935. Eleven of the 14 roadster-bodied vehicles built by Jean Bugatti are still in existence today. Victor Rothschild, later the third Baron Rothschild, purchased the Type 55 as a new car and kept it in his collection for many decades. In 1985, Boston professor Dean S. Edmonds Jr. acquired this Bugatti with the chassis number 55220 for GBP 440,000. This made it the most expensive car ever sold in Britain at the time. In Edmonds’ ownership, the Bugatti was restored and won first place in its class at Pebble Beach in 1993.

Bugatti Type 35C (Chassis 4871)

A Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix dating from 1928 fetched USD 5.23 million at a Gooding & Company auction in London – a record for the Type 35. This car with the chassis number 4871 was originally built for the Targa Florio 1928. The first private owner was Jannine Jennky, a French racing driver who drove it to overall victory in the first ever Coupe de Bourgogne in Dijon. Now more than 90 years old, the vehicle had only four owners after 1932. It remains in its original, unrestored condition. Up until 1930, Bugatti produced the Type 35C with an 8-cylinder in-line engine and a capacity of two litres. With the help of a Roots-type supercharger, the power unit delivers an output of 125 PS, enabling a top speed of over 200 km/h more than 90 years ago.

Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport (Chassis 55221)

A Bugatti enthusiast paid USD 5.07 million for a 1931 Type 55 in Paris last February. This made the vehicle with the chassis number 55221 the most expensive car to be sold at one of the Rétromobile 2020 auctions. This is an outstanding vehicle: Louis Chiron and Count Guy Bouriat-Quintart co-drove it as a factory racing car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1932. The later owner had a unique Figoni body put on the chassis. With this body, the Type 55 remained in the family for over 60 years. Its 2.3-litre 8-cylinder turbocharged engine produces an output of some 160 PS.

The prices paid in 2020 are not surprising to experts. Bugattis are considered the most valuable cars of all time anyway. Between 1936 and 1938, only four of the Type 57 SC Atlantic were produced, three of which still exist after more than 80 years. The fourth Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic is considered the Amber Room of the automotive world and is still missing today.. If it were found, its speculative value would probably be much higher.

February 2, 2021 / Comments Off

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The McLaren 765LT, longtail, tuned by Novitec

In 1997, the McLaren F1 GTR Longtail won the GT1 class at the world’s most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the McLaren 765LT, the UK based sports car manufacturer takes the longtail principle to the road once more, and NOVITEC takes the already impressive base to the next level with an uprated engine reaching 855 hp.

The McLaren 765LT is already a very potent car when it leaves the factory doors, with a twin-turbo, 4-Liter, V8 engine, but NOVITEC offers three versions of their professional engine tuning for this car from Woking. These kits are based on the NOVITEC N-TRONIC add-on control unit, which allows ‘plug-and-play’ performance upgrades.

The top of the line upgrade is called the Performance Stage 2 kit, complete with RACE exhaust system, ceramic coated turbo inlets, and the N-TRONIC box … the result is a 90 hp boost, torque peaks at 898 Nm at 6,300 rpm with a maximum power of 629 kW or 855 p at 7,400 rpm. Going from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.5 seconds now, reaching 200 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, with a top speed over 330 km/h, also thanks to the low weight of only 1,350 kg.

The high-performance exhaust upgrade from NOVITEC is made from Inconel, straight from the Formula One scene, weighing even less than titanium, it comes with full thermal insulation to keep the heat down in the engine bay … NOVITEC even offers 999 gold plating, and this includes the quartet of exhaust tips at the rear. Or you can opt for carbon fiber tips, or go for a more subtle matt black finish … to make the exhaust system conversion complete a 100-cell sports metal catalyst is also on the options list.

Novitec tuning wouldn’t be complete without a set of stunning wheels, again from Vossen, these machined NOVITEC MC3 forged wheels show seven double spokes and a track-derived center lock. 20 inches and 21 inches give that staggered look, 9×20 inches with 255/30 ZR 20 for the front, massive 12×21 inches with 325/25 ZR 21 high-performance tires to keep the rear on track. As usual, a 20mm lowering set of NOVITEC sports springs are the final touch you just need to add.

But you’ll want to have your McLaren 765LT by NOVITEC to look good standing still too, and while the wheels do help in that respect, the clear carbon fiber parts from NOVITEC are the cherry on the cake here. A pair of inserts for the headlights, the N-LARGO trunk lid, and let’s not forget the impressive air scoop on the roof … all available in ‘naked carbon fiber’ as NOVITEC likes to call it. Inserts for the side sills and air intakes on either side of the hood come in the same lightweight material.

More images of this amazing looking NOVITEC McLaren 765LT LongTail

February 1, 2021 / Comments Off

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The most powerful BMW M is the four-door, four-seat M5 CS

We all love those BMW M models, from the smallest, right up to the largest, they are all masterpieces of German Engineering, and the CS models mark the most sporty of them all, with bespoke, lightweight modifications to create the ultimate M-series version … now BMW took the already impressive M5 to the next level … the BMW M5 CS limited run, exclusive special-edition. To be launched in the spring of 2021 in Germany at a base price of €180,400.

The new BMW M5 CS will come with the most powerful engine of any M-Series model in history, 635 hp, which is a 10 hp increase over the BMW M5 Competition … this is really supercar territory, in a four-door sedan. To put that into perspective, the amazing 2021 Audi RS6 comes with 591 hp, the 2021 Mercedes E63S AMG packs 603 hp … even a Bentley Flying Spur with her 6-Liter engine only has 626 hp … so this new BMW M5 CS beats them all.

In fact, this new BMW M5 CS even narrowly beats the V10, 630 hp Lamborghini Huracán EVO, and this German comes with two more seats and decent luggage space! Yes, you are reading that correctly, the BMW M5 CS is a four-door sedan, with four seats, unlike the regular M5 or the M5 Competition which are technically five-seat models. The BMW M5 CS ditches the rear seats of these ‘lesser’ models and replaces it with a pair of body-hugging sport buckets .. and they match the absolutely stunning, carbon fiber front seats perfectly.

The leather used on the interior of the BMW M5 CS is a fine-grain Merino, on the press release car finished in black with Mugello Red contrast sections and stitching. Naturally an illuminated M5 logo is displayed on the backrest of the front seats, but probably the most attention to detail is that embossed outline of the famous Nürburgring track on all four headrests.

The BMW M5 CS also went on a diet … loosing 70 kg compared to the M5 Competition, the M5 CS comes with a bespoke chassis tuning and custom M xDrive setup. The engine cover on the M5 CS is made from CRFP and includes exclusive air vents, the front splitter, the mirror covers, the special rear wing, the rear diffuser … all made from CRFP too … even the roof shows exposed carbon fiber on this car. For the CS version, BMW even changed the exhaust tips, and yes, there are still four of them.

The BMW M5 CS comes with bespoke Goldbronze details, like the typical BMW kidney surround, the “M5 CS” badges at the front and the rear, the air vents on the fenders, and the 20-inch M Forged Y-spoke wheels … all finished in this special shade of gold for CS only. The BMW M5 CS comes standard with BMW Laserlight, and just to match the Goldbronze details, the L-shapes running lights are switching to yellow when low or high beam is activated, just to set this car apart from the other M5 models.

The body of the BMW M5 CS can be finished in some special shades too, like Brands Hatch Grey metallic for instance, or a more distinctive matt paint from the BMW Individual option list, Frozen Brands Hatch Grey metallic or an absolutely stunning Frozen Deep Green metallic as seen on the photos of the M5 CS in this article.

Going back to the interior, the steering wheel comes in Alcantara with a bright red ring at the top, behind it you’ll find a pair of shifting paddles made from carbon fiber, while black Alcantara is also used for the headliner, note that there is no more storage under the arm rest on the central console … on the M5 CS this is a fixed arm rest … all in the name of weight reduction.

Naturally the seat belts come with the M style red and blue stitching, while re CS badges can be found on multiple places inside the BMW M5 CS cockpit, even the floor mats come with M5 badges, most of the stitching on the interior is finished in double line red …

And let’s talk about driving the BMW M5 CS, 635 hp might sound a bit frightening at first glance, but this special-edition model comes with it’s bespoke M xDrive all-wheel-drive mode … only for those fearless drivers that really insist, you can get those special track tires to really come loose when you go into 2WD mode without DSC help.

For the BMW M5 CS the engineers went back to work on the already impressive suspension of the M5 Competition, adding dampers developed for the M8 Gran Coupé, modified springs and anti-roll bars … the M5 CS offers an 7 mm lowered ride height. The BMW M specialists have retuned the bearing springs at the front and rear axle of the BMW M5 CS and also refined damper control.

The wheels for this limited-edition BMW M5 CS are 9.5×20 at the front with 275/35R20 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires, for the rear axle BMW went with 10.5×20 with 285/35R30 tires, naturally only a set of M Carbon ceramic disk brakes would match this much power, these brakes are 23 kg lighter than the M Compound brakes on the M5 Competition, and car be finished in either red, or optionally in gold to match the wheels.

With the reduction in weight compared to the BMW M5 Competition, and the slight increase in power, it is no surprise the CS evolution beats the M5 Competition in acceleration, 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3 seconds (compared to 3.3 sec for the M5 Competition), reaching 200 km/h is achieved in a mere 10. seconds (the M5 Competition needs 0.5 seconds more) … BMW did limit the top speed of this M5 CS to 305 km/h (189 mph).

January 31, 2021 / Comments Off

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