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Bentley just built the 80,000th Continental GT in Crewe

The Home of Bentley in Crewe, UK has produced the 80,000^th individual, made-to-order example of the Continental GT – the world’s definitive luxury grand tourer. The 80,000^th car – a right-hand drive Continental GT V8 in Orange Flame – was handcrafted earlier this week, in the world’s first carbon neutral factory for luxury car production.

In 1952, the Bentley R-Type Continental made its debut; a Mulliner-bodied coupe with a top speed of just less than 120 mph. It was the fastest four-seater car in the world and very quickly earned a reputation as the ultimate in high-speed luxury.

In 2003, the Continental GT was launched – the first car of the modern Bentley era. Inspired by the R-Type, the first Continental GT established an entirely new market segment – the modern luxury Grand Tourer. Ever since, it has been the unchallenged benchmark for the sector that it founded, with an average of nearly 5,000 examples a year being delivered to customers around the world.

Today, eighteen years later, Bentley’s skilled craftspeople – many of whom will have worked on the very first example of the Continental GT (still owned by Bentley) – have handcrafted the 80,000^th car. Over this period the style, technology and engineering beneath the car has evolved significantly, seeing an increase of up to 27 per cent in peak power, whilst models within the range have also achieved a reduction over the original Continental GT of 48 per cent in CO₂ emissions.

Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, comments:

“At its launch in 2003, Bentley redefined the modern grand tourer with the revolutionary Continental GT. Now in 2021, the GT continues to be the ultimate luxury grand tourer, encompassing the latest technology, performance and style. This success is a testament to the skills of our designers, engineers and craftspeople here in Crewe.”

“I had the pleasure of launching the original GT in 2003 in my first stint at Bentley, and being here for the launch of the latest generation – and the iterations that have followed – has been a source of great pride for me personally. It will continue to be the iconic backbone of the Bentley business for years to come, even as we transition to the world’s leading provider of sustainable luxury mobility.”

The platform beneath the car was upgraded to a Bentley design for the third generation, allowing a totally new stance, proportions and levels of dynamic ability that raised the bar again. Wrapped in a totally new bodywork design, with sharper lines and more flowing surfaces, the Continental GT remains a stylish and thoroughly contemporary grand tourer.

A statement of true luxury, the third generation Continental GT represents the pinnacle of Bentley’s two-door design and engineering achievements. Effortlessly elegant and more sculpted and sharply defined, the body and materials combine to create truly breath-taking cars.

With a choice of powertrains, one of the most extensive colour palettes in the world and with almost limitless interior options, unique configurations can run into billions of variations. Indeed, there are currently a total of 17 billion ways in which a customer can specify a Continental GT. Beyond that, through the services of Bentley Mulliner – Bentley’s in-house bespoke division – the only limitation is the imagination of the customer. Owning a Continental GT guarantees both individuality and exclusivity, despite being part of a family now 80,000 strong.

The 80,000^th vehicle is an eye catching Continental GT V8 in Orange Flame, finished with the optional Blackline Specification and Styling Specification, both adding to the car’s presence and hinting at the GT’s performance credentials.

A Family Gathering to Celebrate
To mark the production milestone, Bentley drew on its heritage fleet to show the evolution and achievements of the Continental GT since 2003.

Marking the car through its generations were:

The very first production Continental GT, VIN 0001, still a taxed-and-tested car on Bentley’s fleet
A Continental Supersports coupe, considered by many to be the pinnacle of the first generation GT family
A second generation Continental GT V8 S coupe, finished in Jetstream
From the current press fleet, a Dragon Red Continental GT Convertible

The Continental GT has also supported Bentley’s long tradition of racing and record breaking that started in the 1920s when the Bentley Boys set the pace at European circuits. In 1922, John Duff drove his Bentley 3 Litre single handed for 24 hours, at an average speed of almost 87 mph at Brooklands to secure 39 Class D records. And in 1928, another 3 Litre driven by Dudley Froy became the first car to achieve more than 115 mph over a distance of 100 miles at the same venue.

To mark recent achievements, the line-up was joined by some of the most exciting performance-focused Continental GTs:

The first Ice Speed Record GT, driven by four-times World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen, which smashed the world ice speed record in 2007, reaching an average speed of 199.86 mph (321.65 km/h) on frozen sea off the coast of Finland.
The first-generation Continental GT3 racecar, that returned Bentley to winning ways on the racetrack in 2014 and secured victories on tracks all around the world
The 2019 Pikes Peak GT, which still holds the Production Class record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Driven by three-time champion Rhys Millen, the car took 8.4 seconds off the previous record along the 12.42-mile course, climbing 5,000 ft through 156 bends in just 10 minutes, 18.4 seconds.
The 2020 Ice Race GT, which took part in the GP Ice Race at Zell Am See in February last year on the same weekend that the final member of the line-up – the latest-generation Continental GT3 – won the Bathurst 12 Hour in Australia.

After 18 years and three generations, the Continental GT is still the quintessential grand tourer – phenomenally powerful, beautifully designed and exquisitely crafted.

January 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Rimac C_Two wind tunnel test shows a 34% improvement on aerodynamic efficiency

It has been three years since Rimac unveiled their electric hypercar, still known as the Rimac C_Two concept, and at the moment we still haven’t seen any deliveries, or even plans for a customer car yet, we’re still in the prototype stage. But things are shaping up, and Rimac has been continuously tweaking the C_Two, making it better, and more importantly, more aerodynamic.

During recent wind tunnel testing of the third generation of the C_Two prototypes, they managed an impressive 34% improvement of aerodynamic efficiency compared to the initial prototype from 2018. As this is a fully electric hypercar, aerodynamic efficiency is extremely important, not only to offer the best possible performance figures in terms of acceleration and top speed but also in terms of range … the less drag directly converts into more range from the batteries.

Rimac has been doing simulations over the last three years too, but CFD simulations only go so far, even when each simulation model holds between 120 to 180 million elements on heat transfer … only real-time testing shows the results, either expected or unexpected, but engineers can learn a lot from wind tunnel testing, or actual track testing.

Let’s not forget the Rimac C_Two comes with active aero parts, the front splitter is adjustable, there are moveable flaps on the undertray of this car, while an adaptable air brake rear wing completes the setup for pure performance.

If you are looking to add your name to the order list for the Rimac C_Two, prepare to have about $ 2,000,000 ready, as mentioned in our earlier article.

January 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Gronos 2021 – a Mansory modified Mercedes G-Class G63

Kourosh Mansory, located in Brand, Germany, is a well-known manufacturer of exclusive cars, most of which might be designed with Far-East, or Asian customers in mind, but their workmanship is at such a level you can’t resist admiring their creations, even if they aren’t always to your exact taste.

In 2013 MANSORY revealed the Gronos, a complete vehicle conversion taking Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG and completely transforming it into a beast, called the Gronos after the god Cronos who led the twelve Titans. The interior of the original Gronos didn’t have seats anymore, MANSORY calls them thrones now, upholstered in the finest leather possible, with amazing, bespoke stitching patterns. Together with perfect carbon fiber, made in-house in MANSORY’s own autoclave.

Back in 2013 MANSORY mounted 23-inch wheels with 305/35ZR23 tires, the original V8 engine is taken apart by MANSORY and gets rebuilt, together with a custom, stainless steel exhaust system, power output was 840 hp with an electronically limited torque figure of 1,000 Nm.

But MANSORY wasn’t finished with the Gronos, they also made a ‘Black Edition’ that had a full carbon fiber body, later a Gronos Facelift was released, with a carbon fiber redesigned body, wider fenders, new front hood, new front spoiler … and still with 840 hp.

Last year MANSORY came up with two new models based on the Mercedes G-Class, the ‘Star Trooper Pickup’, which was created in collaboration with Philipp Plein, and a ‘special protection’ version that is in line with the ‘invisible armoring’ idea from MANSORY, people that can afford this kind of exclusivity need to feel safe inside their car after all.

Now it’s time to take the Gronos into 2021 with a new evolution that takes the original design and modernizes it for the current market requirements. The entire aerodynamic program from the previous Gronos has been redesigned, a new front bumper and lower spoiler, even more exclusive, wide fenders, and a new rear diffuser. Note that all MANSORY aero parts are made from carbon fiber, and they even show special ‘Forged Carbon’ details finished in high-gloss.

While the car’s exterior is finished in a stunning, dark green shade referred to as ‘British Racing Green’, the front engine cover stays unpainted to display the perfect finish of the carbon fiber it’s made of, additional cooling vents just finish the amazing look. Additional DRL, daytime running lights, complete the aggressive look of the front and let’s not forget the extra, very bright, LED added to the roof above the windshield.

The Mercedes G-Class is one of those SUV that keeps the spare tire on the outside, on a large door, on this MANSORY Gronos 2021 the cover for this spare is made from Forged Carbon naturally, what else would you expect, and it matches numerous other parts on the exterior of the 2021 edition of the Gronos.

The factory standard Mercedes G63 AMG can’t be called underpowered with a healthy 585 hp available from the turbocharged V8 engine, still, MANSORY takes it apart and modifies the ECU, adds larges turbochargers, new downpipes, and a bespoke exhaust system. After MANSORY dials in the engine, the power output is raised to an impressive 850 hp, torque goes from 850 Nm to 1,000 Nm … acceleration is now only 3.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.

With all that power and torque, those massive 295/30R24 tires might need changing quicker than you think, but those forged YN.5 MANSORY wheels, finished in glossy black, are just a feast to admire, so who cares about four new tires on a car like this. Just be careful when exiting the rear of this Gronos 2021, the two massive, round exhaust pipes exit just ahead of the rear wheels, and they might be burning hot!

And that brings us to the interior, if you think the exterior of this Gronos 2021 looks impressive, just admire that brown leather interior, MANSORY calls it ‘Fawn Brown’. And when you think about some of the other MANSORY creations, like a yellow Lamborghini Urus with a bright yellow leather interior, or a blue Rolls Royce with … you guessed it, a blue leather interior … this Gronos 2021 actually looks rather timid.

And this shade of brown leather complements the British Racing Green exterior perfectly, and if you look closely, you’ll notice MANSORY didn’t leave anything untouched inside this Gronos 2021, a new steering wheel, naturally with visible carbon fiber, dark carbon fiber inlays all over the interior. And that bespoke stitching pattern is executed to perfection, complete with embroidered MANSORY logo on the seats and floor mats.

The carpet in the MANSORY Gronos 2021 is finished in black for a nice contrast, but they added finely made floor mats that match the leather on the seats, even the inner door panel of that large, rear door gets the MANSORY treatment, and a custom floor mat just had to be added to the luggage space … even the entire headliner is replaced with the finest ‘Fawn Brown’ leather, how’s that for attention to detail?

But now comes the bad news … and no, it isn’t the price, because customers for this kind of total conversion don’t even have to ask ‘how much’, they just sign a blank cheque. No, the really bad news is that MANSORY will only make 10 units of this Gronos 2021, and while the CO2 emissions are 312 g/km and fuel consumption is a combined 13,6 l/100km … I don’t think this will deter people from buying the MANSORY Gronos 2021 … heck, most of MANSORY’s customers have their own oil fields anyway.

January 29, 2021 / Comments Off

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You Can Buy This Freshly Built SCG 003S

It’s been five years since the debut of the 003 by Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus at the Geneva Motor Show.

Since the 003’s release, SCG has now replaced it with the 004 and is also working on the 007 hypercar to compete in the World Endurance Championship’s, Le Mans Hypercar top class.

Five years since its release in Geneva, the 003 is still up to snuff as far as performance goes, even in today’s competitive supercar market. The 003S model was built as the road-legal variation and will come packing a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 BMW engine that produces 700 horsepower at the wheels. The 3-seater 003S was built as a track car for the road and it is a thing of beauty.

According to an Instagram post made by authorized SCG dealer HK Motorcars, they have just finished a fresh build of an 003S. You can make a purchase inquiry on their website. The price tag on the 003S supercar is set at $2.5 million.

HK Motorcars’ website also includes the other SCG models that can be made to order, along with their specifications.

January 29, 2021 / Comments Off

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Manhart takes the BMW F95 X5 M Competition to the next level with the MHX5 800

Today the SUV market is crowded, there is a model for just any kind of customer, from practical, to fast, to spacious … you name it, there is an SUV that matches perfectly. But then there is the Super SUV segment, with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga which is fast and luxurious with 600 hp, or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid with 680 hp. And let’s not forget my favorite SUV, the Lamborghini Urus that dumps 640 hp onto the street … but that’s nothing compared to the massive 823 hp in the Manhart MHX5 800.

Yes, you are reading that figure correctly, German-based Manhart Performance GmbH and Co. KG takes the already impressive 625 hp from the twin-turbocharged, 4.4-Liter, V8 engine in the BMW X5 M Competition well over 800 hp. Manhart changes the factory ECU with their in-house developed MHTronik version, puts in a bespoke Manhart turbo power kit, complete with a new inter-cooler and creates the MHX5 800.

Going from 625 hp to 823 hp, and boosting torque from the standard 750 Nm to a massive 1,080 Nm, should come with some impressive sounds, so Manhart installs new rear mufflers. Valve-controlled, quadruple 100mm carbon or ceramic-coated tailpipes to cater to your needs. If you really want to go to the extreme, Manhart offers ‘Race-edition’ down-pipes that remove the catalytic converters and come with OPF-Delete pipes from stainless steel … but this option might not be street-legal … just don’t tell anyone.

Because of the 30% power increase, the 8-Speed Steptronic needs a Manhart upgrade too, while the adjustable suspension gets the Manhart treatment that allows a 30mm lowering to clearly show off those new Concave One forged wheels Manhart installs. Massively wide 10.5×22 inch wheels with 29/30ZR22 tires on them, cover the standard disk brakes, Manhart can however offer more powerful brakes if the customer requests them.

The Manhart MHX5 800 not only receives engine upgrades, or wheels, the exterior is modified too. First off with the traditional Manhart gold trim, but they add carbon fiber parts into the mix too, a new engine cover with race style air vents for instance. But also a new front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser are part of the deal from Manhart, while the interior gets some bespoke carbon fiber parts on the steering wheel and shift paddles.

Personally I wouldn’t fit the gold trim or striping on my car, but it is part of the Manhart look-and-feel …

January 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Bugatti Bolide is voted the most beautiful hyper car of the year

With the presentation of the Bugatti Bolide last autumn, the French luxury brand Bugatti unveiled its most extreme car to date. Now the Bolide has been officially voted the most beautiful and aesthetic hyper sports car in the world. The Bugatti Bolide won the “Hypercars” category at the prestigious Festival Automobile International in Paris. An expert jury voted the experimental vehicle from Molsheim the most beautiful hyper sports car of 2020 by a substantial margin from a total of four finalists.

In its 36th year, the Festival Automobile International gave awards to cars from a range of categories according to their beauty, aesthetics, form and design. The expert judging panel was made up of 14 judges, chaired by the architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and Anne Asensio, Vice President of Design Experience at Dassault Systèmes. The jury selected a winner in each of a total of 15 categories.

Since 1985, the Festival Automobile International has celebrated the automobile in its most beautiful, creative and exciting forms. The industry itself as well as the changes taking place within it are examined, and the trends analysed. The Festival is also committed to shining a spotlight on those men and women who make the car what it is each and every day, who transform it and adapt it to meet changes in society, environmental requirements, economic upheavals and geopolitical challenges. Each year, the Festival judges reward not only major innovations but also the bold ideas and talent of those involved in the automotive field.

“We are extraordinarily proud that the Festival Automobile International judges were as enthusiastic about the design of the Bugatti Bolide as Bugatti fans all around the world. The experiment to demonstrate the brute force of our W16 engine in a lightweight and high-performance car has resulted in a driving experience akin to riding on a cannonball. My thanks goes to the entire Bugatti team, who have once again demonstrated with this incredible car the full extent of their creativity and technological expertise,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. “Our focus has always been on innovation and aesthetics from the very beginning. Receiving this award is an affirmation of our work.”

With the presentation of the Bolide in October 2020, Bugatti introduced the most extreme, uncompromising, fastest and lightest vehicle concept in the company’s recent history. The French luxury car manufacturer designed an ultra-lightweight shell around the iconic 8.0-litre W16 engine with up to 1,850 PS. Weighing just 1,240 kilograms, the Bolide achieves a phenomenal weight-to-power ratio of just 0.67 kilograms per PS. The top speed has been calculated at well over 500 km/h – without sacrificing maximum handling and agility.

“The Bugatti Bolide has been both the greatest joy and the greatest challenge of my 17-year career in Bugatti Design,” says Achim Anscheidt, Design Director at Bugatti. “Combining the extreme aerodynamic and thermodynamic requirements into a complete and integral expression of Bugatti’s unique DNA is the clearest demonstration of our motto ‘Form follows performance’. The fact that this sequential iteration between technical development and design has been recognised by the jury on a stylistic level is a source of enormous pride for the Bugatti design team, and we are extremely grateful for that.”

January 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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Tesla Model S Receives Plaid+: Supercar or Family Sedan?

Tesla has been keeping the EV market on its toes for years and today is no different. In Q4, Tesla announced that there would be some major changes to an upcoming Model S. Production for that much-needed model refresh are to start production in the coming weeks.

Typically when a vehicle model update takes place, the exterior is what receives the most attention, not the case for Tesla. The new Model S interior received a lot of attention, with good reason. It will now feature a 17.0-inch display that is very similar to the one in the Model 3 and Model Y. Tesla says the new tablet display has a brighter screen with a resolution of 2200×1300 and improved responsiveness.

In the released photos of the Model S, it appears that Tesla has cut the steering wheel in half. It appears to be a larger, minimalist rendition of an F1 steering wheel. It is also missing the indicator stalks, which tells us these controls will likely be mounted on the steering wheel. The dash and ventless HVAC systems appear to be similar to the Model 3.

The images released also show an additional display where you would normally see climate controls for passengers in the rear. The rear seats also receive bolstering on both sides, giving the new Model S a welcome refresh as it has been the same for years.

As far as exterior updates are concerned, the new Model S appears to have a more aggressive look overall. The lower section of the front fascia comes with the majority of the updates, though Tesla has included new wheels for the Model S. It now looks a bit more sporty and more reflective of its performance.

A new trim level has been added to the Model S and Model X. The Long Range base models will still include dual-motors, while the performance models will be replaced with the Plaid model. This is simply just a rebranding of the performance model name. However, the Model S will have a Plaid+ option to come later this year, which will have Tesla’s new batteries incorporated into its structure. The Plaid+’s new batteries will provide 0-60 times of less than 1.99 seconds and a range of 520 miles on a single charge.

According to Motor1, Tesla has also confirmed that the Model X will receive the same interior and exterior updates as the new Model S.

January 28, 2021 / Comments Off

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One-of-a-kind 1962 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Breadvan Hommage’

Remember the 1962 Ferrari 250 GT SWB that was built specifically to attack the factory 250 GTO race cars at Le Mans? Oh wait, you might know it better by its nickname: ‘Breadvan’ … a little offensive as this was one of the fastest race cars in the early Sixties. Read about this amazing car in detail in our earlier article: ‘1962 Ferrari 250 GT Breadvan’.

Back in 1961, there was a bit of trouble at the Ferrari headquarters, Enzo’s wife had a dispute with several high placed employees, and it caused many of them to leave the company altogether, among them Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti. Both of them joined the largest Ferrari race team of the time: Scuderia Serenissima, owned by Count Giovanni Volpi of Misurata.

Scuderia SSS had two Ferrari 250 GTO on order for their 1962 racing season, a car that was developed with the help of Bizzarrini when he still worked at Ferrari … Enzo was zo angry with the latter going to work for Scuderia SSS that he canceled the order, so no race cars for the team … now what?

Giotto Bizzarrini and Carlo Chiti managed to get hold of a competition built Ferrari 250 GT SWB, chassis 2819GT, and set to work on creating a masterpiece. Adding dry-sump lubrication, lowering the engine into the chassis, and moving it 12cm to the back … but more importantly, they created a totally unique design for the body of this ‘Breadvan’.

Breadvan Hommage – photo copyright Niels van Roij Design

Piero Drogo and his coachbuilders modified the original 250 GT SWB body completely, a longer nose with aggressive air intakes, a transparent dome over the intakes, and the most distinctive feature: a roof that went all the way to the back, only to be finished in a vertical panel to the bottom of the car, taking the aerodynamic theory of Dr. Kamm to the rear of this car.

It turned out the ‘Breadvan’ would outperform the other Ferrari GTO at Le Mans consistently in 1962, rumored to be 7 km/h faster on the Le Hunaudières straight, beating not only the 250 GTO’s but also the 250 Testarossa models … sadly the ‘Breadvan’ wasn’t entered into the GT class at Le Mans, and even more unfortunate, it has to retire after four hours due to a broken driveshaft.

The ‘Breadvan’ would be entered in more races during the 1962 season, secured two GT wins and even set a track record, but Count Volpi couldn’t afford further development and ended up using her as a daily driver … all the time this car didn’t have any Ferrari badges mind you. The car would change hands several times over the next years, repainted in black at one time, restored multiple times during which the body shape got altered.

But in 2007, Dutch Coachbuilder Alwin Hietbrink took it onto himself to fully restore chassis 2819GT to her former, original glory, just the way she was made for the 1962 Le Mans race, complete with the V12 engine nr. 942/62E and refinished in original Rosso Corsa over a black interior with racing seats and multi-point seatbelt harness … today this unique car is valued at over $20,000,000.

But there is another option now … a customer of Niels van Roij Design loves this Italian one-off so much, he requested to have his very own coachbuilding project created, taking a Ferrari 550 Maranello and convert it into the Breadvan Hommage, at whatever cost … but trust me, it’s bound to be cheaper than getting the real deal into your garage.

The Ferrari 550 Maranello was built between 1996 and 2002, and little over 3,000 were built, but more importantly, the 550 was the first Ferrari V12 with the engine at the front after the 365 GTB/4 from the Seventies … every new Ferrari V12 would be a mid-engine model before the 550 was unveiled, so this was the perfect candidate for the Breadvan Hommage.

But the task of creating a modern interpretation of the 1962 race car wasn’t easy for Niels van Roij, as it involved restyling the entire donor car from front to back, including the interior, in the end, we’ve been told only the windshield remained of the original 550, and this mainly for practical reasoning in case a replacement would be needed, as the owner of this one-off intends to drive it regularly.

The entire project starts with sketches, various designs to show the customer, and goes back and forth until a final decision is made, after which that sketch gets turned into a clay model … on top of the actual donor car, that had been stripped completely by now and got a space frame skeleton to hold the clay.

Van Roij: “A car is a complex, three-dimensional sculpture, which has to look right from all angles and under different light circumstances. Like sketching, the clay modeling process is iterative and the Breadvan Hommage was reshaped many times, to get it spot on. After establishing the correct proportions the search for sophistication in the surfacing, or skin, started: finding the right subtleties for transitions from one element to another. It includes exterior graphics like the richly sculpted air vents on the front fenders. The body of the Breadvan Hommage was hand-beaten by coachbuilder Bas van Roomen. Bas also worked on the clay model of the Breadvan Hommage. Only the windscreen of that car remained OEM and it was painted in one of the eight specially designed reds.”

For the interior Van Roij just couldn’t leave the original 550 Maranello seats and dashboard in place, he did keep the base of the seats, as the donor 550 came with the rare, lightweight, carbon-fiber seats, but Van Roij replaced the upholstery with stunning blue Alcantara, as seen in many Ferrari 250 GTO of that era (little detail, the original Breadvan had a black leather interior…).

But he didn’t stop there … the dials were restyled with a font reminiscent of the one used on the Sixties, and the central tunnel, the lower parts of the door, and the entire headliner from the windshield down to the rear was made of black, quilted leather to recall that feeling you get in a true classic car.

That attention to detail continues on the door cards, you pull them close with a small, blue Alcantara section, but there is also a large, aluminum part on the door, left bare … no topcoat, no fine finishing, you can still see the hammer strikes to give you that raw, race car feeling … the same aluminum was used to shape the exterior by the way. Opening the door involves pulling a red cord inside this aluminum surround … back to basics for sure.

There is no word on pricing for this one-off, bespoke build, and Niels van Roij confirms there will not be a second Breadvan Hommage built, this car will remain a unique car on the road and on the track …

January 27, 2021 / Comments Off

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You Can Own Paul Walker’s 1980 BMW M1

Every car fanatic is aware of the incredible car collection of the late Paul Walker. Since Paul’s passing, we’ve seen cars from his collection changings hands via online auctions, and this is one of the best to date.

This exact 1980 BMW M1 was in a collection owned by Paul Walker and Roger Rodas before going to the current owner in 2014. Right now you can find the auction listing for this amazing M1 on Bring A Trailer’s website.

This BMW M1 received modifications in the early ’80s by an authorized BMW dealer, AHG. These goodies consisted of a Procar-style body kit, a custom BMW Motorsport colorway, and some awesome 16-inch BBS wheels.

Modifications also lead to the 3.5liter inline-six putting down about 350 brake-horsepower along with a custom exhaust system, you can almost hear it by looking at the photos.

The current owner of the M1 put just 50 miles on it in 7 years of ownership, our hats are off, the self-control involved would be insane. The odometer reads exactly 6,800 kilometers (4,225 miles) which is extremely low for a car in its 41st year. Would it surprise you if it went for over a million dollars?

January 27, 2021 / Comments Off

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The multi-million dollar Shelby 427 Cobra

We all know one of the original Shelby 427 Cobra from the Sixties is a very expensive car to park in your garage, but how does $5,940,000 sound to you? A bit expensive? Perhaps, but the 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster that fetched this high bid at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in January 2021 wasn’t a normal Cobra from the Sixties.

1965 Shelby 427 Cobra – Photo copyright Mecum Auctions

Chassis CSX3178 was in fact Carroll Shelby’s personal 427 Cobra, she was built in March 1966 and went directly to Carroll, and he kept onto this stunning dark grey metallic beauty (one of only five in this shade) for the rest of his life. The Mecum listing mentions “The Shelby American work order specifying ‘Build 427 Street Cobra CSX3178’ was opened on January 7, 1966, and closed on March 3, when it was shipped to Carroll Shelby’s Dallas home sporting a 427 with dual quads and a 4-speed Toploader transmission.”

But the car would change a lot over time, in 1972 Mike McCluskey restored the car, painted it in Guardsman Blue with a gold nose. Later the car was modified with an aluminum-head 427 side-oiler V8 coupled to an automatic gearbox, while in 2002 the car was again repainted, this time in bright red.

Legendary Motorcar Company got the task of performing a concourse level restoration after the car was sold from the Carroll Shelby estate in 2016, CSX3178 went back to wear her Charcoal painted dress, got the original 427 V8 engine back, including the four-speed transmission, just like she was finished back in March of 1966.

Carroll Shelby also owned chassis CSX2000, which was a small-block Cobra that changed hands recently for $14,000,000, but CSX3178 was the only car Carroll held onto until he passed away, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a real piece of Shelby Cobra history, the new owner just had to spend almost $6,000,000 to be able to add her to his collection, I’m sure he will have several other interesting cars in his collection.

January 26, 2021 / Comments Off

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The B45 – 450 performance upgrade from Brabus

When I first saw this Brabus B45 for the first time, the term ‘Pocket Rocket’ came to mind, this car is based on the Mercedes A-class compact hatchback model, but it packs 450 hp now thanks to a performance upgrade from Brabus. Straight from the Mercedes factory the AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ comes with 310 kW of power, but Brabus takes this up to 331 kW (450 hp) and a massive 550 Nm of torque, which is a 10% increase over the original figures.

The Brabus B45 – 450 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds (0.2 seconds faster), but what’s even more impressive is the fact Brabus does this with full TÜV approval and the exemplary three-year or 100,000-kilometer/62,000-mile BRABUS Tuning Warranty®, which is very rare in the engine tuning business altogether.

Just think about this for a second, we are looking at a 450 hp output from a turbocharged four-cylinder inside a hatchback Mercedes … only a few years ago this kind of power came from true supercars like a Ferrari F430 (2004 – 2009 with 480 hp from a V8), or the Lamborghini Gallardo that came with 500 hp (built from 2003 – 2006). But today a relatively comfortable hatchback model is getting very close to these harsh two-seater supercars with double the number of cylinders or more.

The press release stipulates: “The engine tuning comprises more than just special mapping for the A 45 S’s electronic engine management system. The conversion also includes a BRABUS PowerXtra CPC auxiliary control unit, the BRABUS BoostXtra adapter, which lets the engine produce a sporty blow-off noise like a racecar, and a special duct for the air box.”

In this case, Brabus didn’t add any aero parts or other appendages to the already potent looking Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+, but you can fit a set of adjustable lowering springs, which can bring this car down from 0mm to 30mm (1.2 inch). And you have to admit this lowered stance makes those bespoke 20 inch, monoblock Z wheels look even better. 8.5×20 inch on both axles boasting ten spokes, these black wheels with a polished lip get a set of Continental tires, 245/30ZR20 preferably.

If you really want to have your Brabus B45 – 450 look different where it matters, the interior, the Brabus upholstery shop can transform the entire cockpit of the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ to your liking. Different, high-end leather with just about any stitching pattern you like, bespoke Brabus floor mats, aluminum pedals … or how about a set of Brabus stainless steel scuff plates, complete with illuminated logo to match the 64 shades of the ambient lighting?

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ based Brabus B45 – 450 might come in a small package, but she packs a serious punch.

January 26, 2021 / Comments Off

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Mazzanti Evantra MILLECAVALLI 1,200 hp made in Italy

When you think about an Italian supercar the makes like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Pagani come to mind … but there are other out there too, like Mazzanti Automobili from Pontedera, and Luca Mazzanti wants to put his legacy into automotive history with some very impressive looking cars like the Evantra, and the Evantra Millecavalli.

Unveiled as a prototype in 2016, the Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli boasted 1,000 hp (hence the Millecavalli name) from a twin-turbo charged LS7 7.2-Liter V8 engine, but during development this was changed into 1,200 hp from an enlarged 7.3-Liter version. Mazzanti claims a top speed of 402 km/h (250 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.7 seconds … thanks to the carbon ceramic brakes the Evantra Millecavalli will stop from 300 km/h (186 mph) in only 7 seconds!

Over the last years Mazzanti engineers have been working on shifter system strategies for the bespoke six-speed sequential gearbox , a new forced heated airflow system, M.A.S. (Mazzanti Ala Soffiata), a new suspension setup, new aerodynamics add-on and exhaust system improvements. Mazzanti intends to create the most powerful street-legal hypercar ever made in Italy.

Mazzanti Automobili plans to build only 25 units of the Evantra Millecavalli, at a rate of 5 cars per year, each of them tailor made for the lucky customer, and while no pricing has been published, rumor has it each one of these Italian hypercars will be over $1,200,000 … also there are no numbers on how many, if any, have been sold already.

On the design, the official press release states: “The brand new ‘Biplano’ rear wing is extremely important, not only for being a refined stylistic element, but for marking a relevant evolutionary step for the performance of Evantra Millecavalli. This rear wing has the task of balance the Hypercar at high speed, still granting an effective grip over 400 kph. Moreover, the system that extract forcedly the heat from the engine compartment, thanks to two fans specifically designed and engineered, directs the hot flux to the wing, making it working effectively also at low speed. This solutions was introduced in recent time by Formula 1 cars, and Evantra Millecavalli by Mazzanti Automobili is the first street-legal car that uses this technology.

The Biplano wing is equipped with three LED bars that can be programmed with different function, as tail lights or brake lights.”

At the rear, the Mazzanti Evantra Millecavalli comes with a red light between the exhausts … this can be used either as a fog light, or as a pit lane light during track days, while the doors are hinged at the rear and open upwards like wings, it makes the Millecavalli look like she’s ready to attack her prey … the road.

Mazzanti uses a carbon fiber body for the Evantra Millecavalli which keeps the weight down to 1,300 kg on this 2,008 mm wide, 1,225 mm tall, Italian beauty. But a customer can request the exterior of his Evantra Millecavalli to receive bespoke parts and add-ons to make his car really a one-of-a-kind.

And that level of customization is also available for the interior, where Mazzanti states “a full “all-natural leather” interiors, permit the use of precious leather refined with special aniline leather treatment that gives an incredible soft touch. The client can ask for every customization, so the imagination is the limit. Drawing from tints, special materials, including exotic leather and precious fibers. “

The customer will have to visit the Mazzanti Atelier for test fittings, so the seat inside his Evantra Millecavalli can be made to fit perfectly, and this isn’t even the end, the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel are also custom made to fit the palms of the driver, while he, or she, can also specify a different steering wheel with LED lights integrated to show when it’s time to shift gears … just like in a race car.

The performance of the Evantra Millecavalli is transferred onto the tarmac thanks to special high performance tires from Pirelli, Trofeo R, 265/35 R19 front and 335/30 R20 rear, mounted on special OZ alloy wheels. The Carbon-ceramic* braking system is specifically developed for Evantra Millecavalli and is equipped with 390mm discs in the front and 360mm discs in the rear axle, with Brembo 6 piston calipers in the front and 4 piston calipers in the back.

All these characteristics show that well-known worldwide companies participate enthusiastically in our project with partnerships; their experience and their belief in us, push us in setting our limits higher every time, always trying to offer our clients something new, high performing and top quality, but always characterized by the genuine passion of the unmistakable Italian style.

January 26, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Lamborghini Diablo could have looked like the Cizeta V16T, and that latter one is going to auction

Back in the late Eighties Lamborghini was developing the successor to their Countach, which was undoubtedly the most futuristic car on the road in the late Seventies when the LP400 was sold in 1974. Evolved into the wide fender, big rear wing, and massive 345mm wide rear tires Countach S in 1978, moving onto a 5-Liter V12 in 1982, and finally getting four valves per cylinder as the Quattrovalvole in 1985 … it was time for a replacement flagship.

Work got underway to have a brand new V12 model to celebrate 25 years of Automobili Lamborghini SpA in 1988 … but they ran out of time in Sant’Agata, and they quickly did a redesign on the Countach that created the 25th Anniversary edition, intended as a limited production model to bridge the gap until the new model would be built … it turned out this final model would stay in production for 2 years and reached 657 units, making her the most successful Countach ever.

1993 Cizeta V16T Jasen Delgado ©2020 Courtesy of RM Auctions

Remember Marcello Gandini? He designed the Lamborghini Miura at Bertone, but he also designed the Countach … so he was the perfect candidate to design the successor to the Countach too, and he did. But on April 23rd 1987 Chrysler bought Automobili Lamborghini SpA, and they deemed the Gandini design for P132, the internal development number for what would become the Diablo in 1990, wasn’t what they wanted. So the intermediate Countach 25th Anniversary was created, and designers in the United States, working for Chrysler, reworked Gandini’s proposal into what we now know of the Lamborghini Diablo from the Nineties.

In comes Claudio Zampolli, a former Lamborghini test driver and engineer, who moved to Los Angeles and setup a supercar shop, doing maintenance and upgrades on cars from the rich and famous. But he wanted more, he was dreaming about having his own car to compete with the likes from Ferrari and Lamborghini, he teamed up with Giorgio Moroder, a wealthy music producer, and they created Cizeta-Moroder V16T.

The world hadn’t seen many V16 cars, and that’s exactly why Claudio Zampolli wanted his supercar to come with this exotic engine, he actually used two V-8 engines to get a 6-Liter engine coupled to a five-speed gearbox, and while no horsepower figures were ever published, the Cizeta V16T should reach 328 km/h (204 mph) and accelerate to 60 mph in 4 seconds … naturally such an exotic car needed a bespoke body design.

And this is where Marcello Gandini’s initial Lamborghini P132 design comes into the picture … Zampolli asked Gandini for his design to be used on his new Cizeta model, he did go for normal opening doors and some impressive headlight design, but it is clearly based on Gandini’s design for the Lamborghini Diablo.

By the time the first car was built in 1991 by Claudio Zampolli he had broken up with Giorgio Moroder, so the car was now called the Cizeta V16T and came with an MSRP of $650,000 (for comparison: a Lamborghini Diablo was about $290,000 at that time). Between 1991 and 1995 only 12 cars would be built, Zampolli moved the assembly of the Cizeta in 1995, but it would take until 1999 for another Cizeta V16T to be built, and as late as 2003 the unique Cizeta V16TTJ Spyder was built, on special order for customer in Japan.

So a Cizeta V16T is a very rare car today, and they are rarely changing owners … but you now have a chance to own one of these extremely rare V16 engine cars, and to be honest, this one is even more special. Chassis ZA9V16T00MMD38101 was ordered by Hong Seh Motors in Singapore for none other than the Brunei Royal Family, the Sultan of Brunei had already ordered three Cizeta V16T, two black ones, and this blue one, but chassis 101 was special.

This specific Cizeta V16T was a RHD version, and it was the show car for the 1993 Geneva Motor Show before it was shipped to Singapore in late March 1993, one more detail, this car came with horizontal fins on the side air intakes, which only the prototype showed, the production cars came with vertical fins.

It’s unclear why, but this car never made it to Brunei, it was kept at Hong Seh Motors for the next 25 years, which turned out to be good thing, as the Sultan of Brunei had his other two Cizeta V16T converted by Pininfarina to use Ferrari flat-12 engines. In 2020 the car was sold to it’s current owner who had it restored to driving condition … there’s nothing like hearing that V16 engine just inches behind your head it seems.

This extremely rare, V16 supercar was listed at RM-Sotheby’s Arizona auction on January 22, 2021 with an estimate between $600,000 and $750,000 … the results aren’t listed yet, but I am really interested in how much this car reached when passing under the hammer.

UPDATE January 26, 2021: this Cizeta V16T sold for $665,000

January 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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The Rimac C_Two could be yours for about $2 million

Introduced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, the Rimac C_Two, also referred to as the Concept Two, boasted some really impressive figures: 1,914 hp with a top speed of 412 km/h (258 mph). Rimac calls it the new breed of hypercar, with acceleration figures of 1.85 seconds to reach 60 mph from standstill, this might be the closest thing to launching a jet fighter from an aircraft carrier on the road.

Using butterfly doors Rimac avoids having wide sills, getting into the C_Two, which will not be the name used for the production version, is made a lot easier by a cut out in the roof too, this might be a very practical ultra-high-performance car when customers finally receive their cars.

And this is where things get complicated it seems, some sources state the limited production run of 150 units sold out quickly, but Rimac’s CEO and founder Mate Rimac recently put an interesting post on is social media. It seems only the first year of production is actually sold, not all 150 cars, and furthermore, most of the cars that are on the books will go to dealers, not customers.

Mate Rimac clarifies that while many people are extremely interested in this fully electric hypercar, not many are willing to commit to the $2,000,000 price that has been mentioned, before being able to actually test drive the car. That’s right, there isn’t a Rimac C_Two available at this time, a few hand-built prototypes are finished and have been going through intensive testing … but there isn’t a single car ready for possible customers to touch, feel, and drive.

And this is where according the Mate Rimac the big issue comes from, and anybody who wants to put a Rimac C_Two in his garage is still able to get his name into the order book, probably even on the pages for the first year of production, so don’t worry, it isn’t too late … yet.

January 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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Bugatti uses patented 3D-printing technology to make the Bolide

Bugatti routinely uses this innovative 3D printing technology to enhance components with complex three-dimensional structures. The French luxury manufacturer applies principles from the field of bionics to give the printed components a bone-like structure: featuring thin walls, a hollow interior, and fine branching. And this is precisely how the components obtain their remarkable rigidity despite their low weight – with wall thicknesses of up to just 0.4 millimeters. “We will continue to reduce the weight of our cars while increasing their innovative features in every conceivable area,” explains Henrik Hoppe. From conception through production to installation in the vehicle, the engineer designs and plans the individual steps and carries out all of the calculations. This also includes an evaluation of the commercial feasibility for the production of the components. “Although Bugatti demands the highest quality standards in terms of materials, manufacturing processes and components, they must be commercially viable,” he adds.

Bugatti is the technological leader in the field of metal 3D printing. Since production began of the Chiron, the hyper sports car has been fitted with the industry’s first series-produced metal 3D-printed functional component: a small, water-carrying high-pressure pump console next to the transmission fluid reservoir. In 2018, the world’s largest 3D-printed titanium component, a titanium brake caliper, was presented by Bugatti. This was followed by the world’s largest hybrid functional assembly made of 3D-printed titanium and coiled carbon. “These components are extremely lightweight, robust and durable, and therefore absolutely suitable for use in production vehicles,” says Frank Götzke, Head of New Technologies at Bugatti.

The new materials and manufacturing processes are now being used in the Bugatti Bolide² technology carrier, which celebrated its world premiere in late October 2020. “As an experimental vehicle in the form of a racing car, the Bolide is no show car; it is an uncompromisingly road-ready extract of Bugatti’s complete technological expertise. Bugatti enthusiasts will also find these cutting-edge technologies in other vehicles in the future,” says Frank Götzke.

Just like the turbofans typically used in motorsport, Bugatti has found a way of including radial compressors on ultra-lightweight magnesium forged wheels. Their appearance is similar to that of a wheel rim, but they perform multiple functions: they pump the air out of the wheel housings through the brakes and draw the warm air to the outside. In this way, the turbofans cool the brakes and minimize lift. In contrast to the well-known mono-material solutions, the Bolide components have a hybrid structure. This consists of a central bowl made of 3D-printed titanium with a thickness of 0.48 millimeters, and a 0.7-millimeter thick carbon plate with small inner blades, also made of carbon. Cross-pieces with a width of 0.48 millimeters further increase the rigidity of the central titanium bowl, which weighs just 100 grams. All of this adds up to a total weight of under 400 grams for an individual 18 ¼-inch turbofan on the rear wheels (17 ¼-inch at the front). This would not be possible with a mono-material solution due to the fact that it is not possible to achieve the specific buckling resistance and flexural rigidity.

Highly complex components from the 3D printer are also used in hidden places. A mounting bracket for the front wing, on which the front wing can be mounted at three different heights, is printed in titanium by Bugatti. With a hollow interior and a wall thickness of 0.7 millimeters, the mounting bracket can withstand an aerodynamic downforce of up to 800 kilograms – with a weight of just 600 grams. The downforce of the rear wing, which can reach up to 1.8 tonnes at 320 km/h, is introduced via the Bolide’s central carbon fin into the upper structural matrix, which forms the upper termination of the high-strength stainless steel rear frame. Inside this central fin, there is a laminated and printed titanium component for connecting the fin to the wing, for which the angle can be adjusted by means of a coupling rod. Despite its rigidity, it weighs just 325 grams. The engineers also use titanium to print the bracket for mounting the steering column, which features integrated dashboard support, the support collar for the steering column throughfeed, and the two air vents in the vehicle interior. All components are designed as lightweight hollow structures, with a uniform wall thickness of 0.5 millimeters.

The Bolide features wheel control based on double-wishbone kinematics on both the front and rear axles. On the rear axle, the spring-damper elements have a vertical configuration, while on the front axle they are arranged horizontally at right angles to the direction of travel. The springs are made of titanium, and the dampers feature an adjustment mechanism and a reservoir, which is integrated internally on the front axle dampers. In the case of the horizontal spring-damper elements on the front axle, the vertical contact forces are transmitted by means of a linkage located directly beside the swivel bearings on the lower wishbones via pushrods and rockers. The brackets that control the rockers have a wall thickness of just 0.4 millimeters and weigh only 95 grams each. The rockers weigh just under 195 grams each. Since air flows completely through the Bolide’s front axle, its kinematic components – both the 3D-printed titanium components and the high-strength stainless steel wishbones – are extremely lightweight, rigid, and aerodynamically optimized. The tensile strength of this and all other 3D-printed elements is 1,250 N/mm2. “Using a special heat treatment process developed in-house, we achieve this high tensile strength with a simultaneously high fracture strain of at least 19 percent,” explains Götzke.

The developers are particularly proud of the pushrods in the Bolide. “They transfer a force into the rockers which, depending on the driving maneuver, is equivalent to a weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. Nevertheless, thanks to the implementation of multiple ideas, they only weigh as much as a bar of chocolate, in other words, 100 grams each,” explains Henrik Hoppe. For the first time, the Bugatti developers varied the wall thickness of the thin-walled, hollow rods. They become thicker towards the center and then thinner again, meaning that they are optimally adapted to localized stress. Similar to a human bone, the component has an internal structure. This special structure was also recently registered as a patent.

In the tailpipe trim cover, a hybrid component made of 3D-printed titanium and ceramic, Bugatti reduced the weight by around half compared to the already weight-optimized titanium tailpipe trim covers well known from series production. The component, which measures more than 280 millimeters in length and has a consistent wall thickness of just 0.5 millimeters, therefore weighs less than 750 grams. Since ceramic material is a significantly less effective heat conductor than titanium, Bugatti introduced special ceramic elements that are built into the titanium housing and center the cover with respect to the carbon outer skin, so that the outer skin is not damaged even at high exhaust gas temperatures. This thermal shield is also supported by a built-in Venturi nozzle: when hot exhaust gas enters the tailpipe trim cover, fresh air is drawn in, thereby creating a jacket of cool air around the hot exhaust gas flow. In its entirety, this is an invention for which Bugatti has submitted a patent application.

With the launch of the Bolide – the track-oriented hyper sports car – a few months ago, Bugatti presented an extraordinary technological concept. The iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine, with up to 1,850 PS, powers a car weighing just 1,240 kilograms. This equates to an incredible weight-to-power ratio of 0.67 kg/PS, a top speed of over 500 km/h, perfect handling, and maximum agility. “It is the Bolide’s many technological highlights that make it so special. But these can also be transferred to production vehicles. This is what we are continuing to develop and work on because Bugatti has set itself apart with its impressive innovations for over 110 years – and will continue to do so in the future,” says Frank Götzke.

(From the official Bugatti press release)

January 22, 2021 / Comments Off

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The M1 was the first BMW Motorsport car in the Eighties

These days everybody knows the BMW M3, the BMW M5 or the smaller BMW M2 … some of these even come in upgraded Competition versions, but all of these BMW Motorsport models that we know today had their origins back in the Eighties … with the M1, the first production car from BMW’s in-house Motorsport division.

1980 BMW M1 AHG – photo copyright BringATrailer auction site

At one point BMW even had Automobili Lamborghini SpA working on their new mid-engine super car … but sadly this didn’t go beyond a few prototypes being developed at Sant’Agata, the actual production models for the BMW M1 were assembled by Baur in Stuttgart, Germany.

Back in the early Seventies, BMW wanted to create a new model to enter into FIA Group 5 racing, and regulations required 400 cars to be sold to customers for road use, the BMW M1 was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The fiberglass bodies would be made in Italy and shipped to Germany for final assembly, where both road cars and bespoke race cars would be built side by side … a total of 450 BMW M1 would be built.

And now you might have a chance to own a piece of BMW Motorsport history in the shape of a bright white, 1980 M1 with AHG upgrades. This specific M1 (chassis WBS00000094301090) was delivered as a regular street version in late 1979, as a 1980 model, but only a few years later BMW dealer AHG added their ‘Studie’ package.

The AHG modifications included a power increase to 350 hp on the factory M88, 3,454cc in-line six cylinder engine, an impressive body kit inspired by BMW’s own Procar racers, complete with flared fenders, stunning 16″ BBS multi-piece wheels (8″ at the front, 9″ at the rear), a new exhaust, a bespoke, full black leather interior, and to make the look complete, a typical BMW Motorsport livery with the red and two-tone blue stripes.

Only 10 BMW M1 would be built with the AHG Studie package, which makes this already rare car, even more interesting, this BMW M1 ended up in the United States of America probably in the Nineties, but the current owner didn’t acquire it until 2014, today she is for sale at auction through a dealer in Costa Mesa, California … she holds a Montana title.

With still 10 days to go on the BringATrailer auction, this amazing 1980 BMW M1 has been bid up to $350,000, interested in placing a bid? Just go to the auction site, register, and try to put the winning bid in at BringATrailer 1980 BMW M1 auction

January 21, 2021 / Comments Off

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One of one Isdera Commendatore 112i goes to auction

Renowned RM – Sotheby’s will host a very special auction on February 13 2021 in Paris that has some amazing super and hyper cars already listed at this moment. How about six different Lamborghini from the time when Ferruccio was still running the company from Sant’Agata, or a 2015 Spania GTA Spano, one of 12 ever made, and the only one from the 2nd series production, interested in a 2008 Gumpert Apollo? It’s entered into the auction next month too, don’t miss it.

But for me personally the most interesting car is the silver metallic, 1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i … only one was ever built, and it comes with the same V12 Mercedes-Benz M120 engine as a Pagani Zonda! But the story of the Isdera Commendatore 112i begins in the Seventies, when Eberhard Schulz joined forces with B&B in Frankfurt to develop the CW311 prototype unveiled at the local 1978 IAA.

Mercedes-Benz even allowed B&B to put the famous star on the front of their CW311, but Schulz left B&B four years later and started his own company, Isdera, an abbreviation for Ingenieurbüro fur Styling, DEsign und RAcing. His first car was the Isdera Spyder 036i in 1982, a very rare car today as only 17 would be built, but Schulz really wanted to create a road-going version of that CW311 prototype … which became the Isdera Imperator 108i in 1983.

The Isdera Imperator 108i was powered by a 5-Liter V8 engine from Mercedes, the M117, and it came with real gullwing doors just like the Mercedes 300 SL, between 1983 and 1991 only 20 units would be made, all bespoke to order … but Schulz wasn’t satisfied yet, so he continued the development of a real boutique super car.

1993 Isdera Commendatore 112i Rémi Dargegen © 2020 RM Sothebys

In 1993 Isdera unveiled the next step in design and performance … the Commendatore 112i, a car named in honor of Enzo Ferrari himself, this new model took the Imperator idea to the extreme. Installing a V12 engine underneath two gullwing-style engine covers, delivering 400 hp from its 6-Liter displacement, dual overhead camshafts and coupled to a manual gearbox through a bespoke flywheel (Mercedes only had developed an automatic gearbox for this engine). RUF delivered the Porsche gearbox for the Commendatore with an additional sixth gear … which resulted in a theoretical top speed of 340km/h (211 mph), during wind tunnel testing this one-off prototype reached the magical 200 mph speed (322 km/h) … in 1993!

Over the lightweight spaceframe chassis, Schulz mounted a body made from GRP, a Porsche 928 suspension was modified with BBS/Bilstein developed active dampers … the Commendatore would lower itself three inches at speed to reduce drag, which was only 0.306 when tested. The car came with the Isdera trademark gullwing doors, their own windshield wiper system to avoid drag, and the Commendatore didn’t even have traditional rear view mirrors on the fenders … there was a glass panel in the roof and a periscope style mirror was fitted on top of the roof.

Massive BBS racing wheels were used and Schulz had every intention to build a few road-legal cars and have a racing variant enter the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France … but in 1993 a major economic downfall occurred in Japan. And unfortunately most of Isdera’s funding came from Japan, so the company was forced into a restructuring and the Commendatore 112i project was halted. No entries into Le Mans, and the one-and-only car built was put aside, only to be unveiled again at the 1999 IAA in Frankfurt. Renamed into the ‘Silver Arrow’, a Swiss consortium had removed the BBS wheels, the periscope mirror and installed five-spoke wheels and ‘normal’ wing mirrors, have a look at those modifications in our earlier article on this car.

But things had turned around for Isdera by 2016, and they managed to buy this unique prototype back from the new owner, with only 10,500 km on the counter, it was rebuilt for road use and even had a license plate and registration now. Isdera did return their Commendatore 112i back to 1993 specs with those stunning, gold finished, multi-piece BBS Racing wheels. But also blue and black upholstered Recaro seats and the correct Porsche Arctic Silver paint.

This Commendatore 112i comes with a certificate if authenticity from Isdera themselves confirming this is the only one in existence, ever. This very special Nineties car will draw attention, even when parked next to a Koenigsegg or a Pagina from the same era … or newer, the Commendatore 112i is a very unique car that aged extremely well.

January 20, 2021 / Comments Off

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New Porsche Taycan version comes with an MSRP of only $79,900 !

It seems Porsche is going into a different market segment with their all-electric Taycan model, we already know the Taycan 4S, Taycan Turbo, and Taycan Turbo S. But those are priced between $103,800 and $185,000 … now Porsche is releasing a more entry-level version, simply called Taycan, and it will be listed at dealers for $79,900.

This new Porsche Taycan variant will come with rear-wheel drive only, and it was previously only sold in China, but it seems Porsche thinks there is also a market for a lower-priced Taycan on other markets too. Making this Taycan RWD only means Porsche removed the front-drive unit, and while you might think having no all-wheel-drive anymore is a bad thing … think about the 90 kg (200 pounds) weight saving this brings.

As with the Taycan 4s, this new version can be ordered with either the 79.2 kWh Performance battery, or the 93.4 kWh Plus battery, unfortunately, the latter is also 77 kg (170 pounds) heavier, so you’ll have to decide which is more important to you. With the Performance battery, the Taycan comes with 402 hp (300 kW) and a 344 Nm torque … on the other hand, the Plus battery rises those numbers to 469 hp (350 kW) and 357 nM.

Acceleration figures stay the same no matter which battery option you go for, 0 to 60 mph takes 5.1 seconds while the top speed of this Taycan is 230 km/h (or 143 mph) … strangely enough only the EURO spec Taycan gets a range rating from Porsche, 431 km (268 miles) with the Performance battery, or 484 km (301 miles) with the Plus battery … why Porsche didn’t give range figures for the US model to be available in the spring of 2021 is unclear.

January 20, 2021 / Comments Off

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10 Sales That Smashed The Hagerty Price Guide In 2020

The name Hagerty should ring a bell as one of the best classic vehicle insurer in the world, but they also have a Drivers Club with 600,000 members, a classic magazine that’s printed 800,000 times, and their YouTube channel has 1.4m subscribers, Hagerty is a world-class automotive lifestyle brand.

Hagerty also offers a Price Guide for cars, they keep track of auction results, compare those against the original estimate, but also monitor independent sale, the value at which cars are insured, and use their figures to help set prices in the automotive marketplace … however, sometimes they get it wrong, and a car goes to auction and reaches a never expected high bid … and this is their list of cars that outperformed everyone’s expectations when the hammer came down at auction in the UK:

The highest priced Lamborghini Miura ever:

Listed at the Passion of a Lifetime auction on Saturday, 05 September 2020 by Gooding and Company, our headline photo depicts the 1971 Oro Metallizzato P400 SV Speciale was estimated at $2,000,000 to $2,600,000 … the winning bid was $ 4,163,219 due to the fact it was one of a very few factory-built SV’s with Dry Sump lubrication and a limited-slip differential.

The most underestimated car on the list:

A 1972 Bentley Corniche was offered by Silverstone Auctions in July 2020 with an estimated value between $100,697 and $113,284, while Hagerty had put a value of only $78,166 on this car … it sold for a massive $199,664 at the auction, 155% more than what Hagerty deemed the car to be worth.

The 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

This R107 was made in 1989, sold by Historics at their September auction, the red roadster had only 10,000 miles on the counter with an estimate between $32,162 and $38,594 … it would sell at 146% of Hagerty’s $36,664 own evaluation … with a winning bid of $90,289.

A 1988 Porsche 928 SE

At one time the Porsche 928 was an entry-level car into the world of Porsche, values were low, but that might not be the case anymore today, as this 1988 example managed to impress buyers at the Silverstone Auctions in November by reaching a sale price of $170,684 while Hagerty listed only $90,768 for this car.

This SE, for Sport Equipment did have a mere 10,325 miles since new and being one of only 42 units made for the UK market in RHD, this specific Porsche 928 was a rare model indeed.

The 2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Another Porsche raised eyebrows when sold at $106,847 instead of the $80,202 Hagerty valuation, this 996 model was 15 years old at the time of the August Silverstone Auction venue, the auction house has set the estimate between $59,359 and $72,551 for this 18,000 mile super car.

A classic 1961 Jaguar Mk II 3.8

These beautiful Jaguar four-door sedans from the Sixties are highly sought after, especially in good condition, but this 1961 matching-numbers sample came with a pedigree: previous ownership by a celebrity, complete with comprehensive history, magazine features, and certification. The Hagerty value of $85,104 was shattered by selling for $114,000 a the May Silverstone Auction.

A 1987 BMW M3 E30 Competition Pack

I have owned a BMW E30 when I was 19 years old, but unfortunately not an M3 Competition Pack, and when I sold it in the late Eighties, it certainly didn’t get me the amount of money that was needed to buy this special M3 when it sold for $113,329 last year.

Hagerty had put a value of $88,152 on this car, which started life as a street version M3, it was later converted into a rally car, complete with a balanced and lightened 2.5-liter competition engine … but part of the high price surely came from the fact this BMW M3 came from Jay Kay’s personal collection.

1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Hardtop

These classic W121 series Mercedes have been expensive for years now, still this 1960 model sold at the Goodwood Speedweek by Bonhams for an unexpected $189,289 after it was given a high estimate of $146,310 by the auction house, and a little higher value at $154,845 by Hagerty.

A 1973 Dino 246 GTS

Over the last decades, the value for a Dino 246 has skyrocketed, back in the beginning of 2000 these would hardly reach over $75,000 … but these days a 1973 Dino 246 GTS, which is the spider version, gets an estimate between $365,776 and $426,738. This Italian beauty reached $411,497 at auction in July, still 21% more than what Hagerty valued her at, $339,927.

Another multi-million Lamborghini Miura

We end this list of top-10 unexpected sales with another milestone car, the 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, valued at $2,097,113 by Hagerty, which was considerable less than Silverstone Auctions own high estimate of $2,926,204, this rare RHD Miura SV was sold to a customer in Australia and was featured in CAR magazine, one of only 11 made in SV trim, she sold for $2,331,819.

This list is again a clear indication that value is a very subjective reference, some cars sell at auction well below their estimated value, while other sell for way more than was expected … it just shows that a car is worth what that one specific buyer is willing to pay for it … and in some cases that can be considerably more than what the car is objectively worth.

January 19, 2021 / Comments Off

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Ferrari F8 Tributo by Novitec

If a factory standard Ferrari F8 Tributo just isn’t exclusive enough for you, just give Novitec a call and have them transform your Prancing Horse into an 802 hp super car. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h only takes 2.6 seconds, and now the Ferrari doesn’t run out of breath until it reaches 340 km/h.

This increase in performance is thanks to the Novitec engineers development of a custom mapping of two plug-and-play modules, called Novitec N-Tronic, that work in harmony with the standard ECU of the twin-turbo V8. Add the Novitec high-performance exhaust system and the boost from 720 hp to 802 hp is present.

Novitec offers different exhaust options for the Ferrari F8 Tributo, but without a doubt the best one is the lightweight Inconel version, complete with electronic sound management. This Inconel version is also plated with 999 gold, not only for looks, but this material dissipates the heat better (remember the gold surround in the McLaren F1?), and you can even have the 100-cell sports catalyst gold plated to match.

Probably the best part of the Novitec Aero parts for the Ferrari F8 Tributo is the fact you can order them in clear-coated carbon fiber, to get that F1 inspired look on your road car. At the front a two-part spoiler is fitted with flaps on the air intakes, a front hood insert in carbon fiber just completes the F1 look.

Novitec side sills generate a better airflow, and thanks to the carbon fiber mirrors and air deflectors on the side air intakes, the race car looks gets even better. Naturally, you also need a rear wing, and Novitec has options there too, either a large version that offers massive downforce, or a more subtle style version. A new cover can be fitted to the rear diffuser, while a cover for models with a rear-view camera is on the list too.

If you really insist, Novitec will even ship you a complete replacement diffuser for the Ferrari F8 Tributo to fit into the factory rear bumper, add the carbon fiber trim on the engine cover to have the full kit.

The Novitec wheels are made with the service of Vossen, and these forged rims fit the F8 Tributo perfectly, Novitec offers a few different designs for the most discerning customers out there. And on top of that Novitec offers a palette of 72 shades, brushed surface, or polished surface … whichever you prefer.

If you really want to fit a special wheel, you should go for the Novitec NF10 forged wheel, with five, twin spokes and center-lock look. These would be 9×21 at the front and massive 12×22 at the rear, 255/30 ZR 21 and 335/25 ZR 22 tires are fitted, and the Ferrari sits 35mm lower to the street thanks to a set of Novitec Sports springs. if the car is fitted with the front lift system, Novitec can install their own rendition that can raise the car by 40mm when needed.

A fully bespoke interior using Alcantara and leather is no problem at all for the artisans at Novitec, they can even change the design of the factory original upholstery, naturally, some exposed carbon fiber will be possible too.

January 18, 2021 / Comments Off

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