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All of the Bond cars of ‘No Time To Die’ (caution for spoilers)

Note: The following overview of the cars in No Time To Die contains spoilers. Read at your own risk, or come back after seeing the film to make sure you caught everything.

No Time To Die picks up right around where Spectre leaves us. James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) are driving along in Bond’s restored and iconic DB 5 in Matera, Italy. Things don’t stay all that cheery for long in picturesque Matera, though. As is tradition in Bond films, the first car chase hits us with an explosion of action in what’s a super-long opening scene.

Fourth-gen Maserati Quattroporte: The baddies in the beginning are driving a Maserati and chasing after Bond in the DB5. Specifically, they’re in a fourth-gen Quattroporte, which feels right for a chase scene in Italy. Its squared-off looks are mean enough, and its Italian growl is a good background soundtrack to the DB5’s inline-six.

In addition to the Quattroporte, the chase scene in Matera is home to a couple of the best stunts of the entire movie, including the arch jump done with a Triumph motorcycle seen in trailers — Matera is extremely hilly.

Eventually, Bond and Swann find themselves in the DB5 again together, which is where the famous gatling gun scene from the trailer commences, but not before the bulletproof windows and body of the DB5 are thoroughly tested. RIP to the first-gen Range Rover Classics and Jaguar XFs that joined the Maserati in pursuit of Bond (here’s a list of other Bond cars over the years).

As the DB5 escape scene concludes, we catch a glimpse of what appears to be a Ferrari from the 1970s. However, the view was far enough away that we’ll need a second look to be sure of the exact model.

Land Rover Series III: Next time we see Bond, he’s fishing in Jamaica and driving around a blue Land Rover Series III. It’s yet another of the many Land Rover products featured throughout the film, and unlike most of Bond’s Aston Martins, this one doesn’t seem to have any unique features. The other intriguing vehicle out of Jamaica? An old Chevrolet Bel-Air expertly and effectively piloted by Bond newcomer, Ana de Armas.

Next up, we get a few shots of the new and still-not-for-sale Aston Martin Valhalla mid-engine supercar (also seen in trailers). Bond’s old boss M is in the scene which appears to have been shot in some secret wind tunnel of sorts. Much to our dismay, nobody ends up driving the Valhalla in the film. Could it be a teaser for what the next 007’s car is? There’s a decent chance of that, considering the Valhalla played such a small role in this Bond film.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage: Boy were we happy to see the original V8 Vantage from the late 1970s and 1980s make an appearance. In fact, it made multiple appearances throughout the film. It’s difficult to get a more badass combo than Daniel Craig behind the wheel of a blacked-out Aston Martin Mustang.

Off-road vehicles aplenty: As seen on several trailers, things take a turn to the off-road side of things with flying Land Rover Defenders — Land Rover even made special James Bond versions of the SUV. Bond wasn’t behind the wheel of any of these Defenders, though. Instead, he pilots a Toyota Land Cruiser in the Norway portion of the film as he’s pursued by Range Rover Sport SVRs and Defender V8s with double the horsepower. Plus, Triumph motorcycles are back again for the two-wheel enthusiasts in this bumpy chase scene.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera: The stunning and still relatively new DBS Superleggera rocks up to the party in Norway, too, quickly showing everybody its bonkers 715-horsepower V12 is nothing to sneeze at. This two-seat Aston is piloted by Nomi, Bond’s 007 replacement, and she’s clearly gone through the same secret agent driving training that Bond did.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where we’ll leave you without getting too spoiler-heavy. There are plenty of classic Bond gadgets and gizmos throughout the film. Plus, a bizarre plane/submarine combo vehicle makes an appearance at some point. In short, though, the cars of Daniel Craig’s last Bond film don’t disappoint, and neither do the stunts.

There is plenty for car enthusiasts to ogle at when No Time To Die opens in theaters on October 8.

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September 30, 2021 / Comments Off

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Virtually attend ‘The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering’ via our high-res photo gallery

While the description of the yearly “Motorsports Gathering” at the Quail may sound a bit odd to many of our readers at first blush — it’s basically a huge garden party for wealthy automotive enthusiasts to get a look at vintage and newly available vehicles targeted at their healthy checking accounts — there’s no arguing that the vehicles on display are worthy of attention. And since most of us either weren’t invited or couldn’t afford to attend (or both), the next best thing to being there is scrolling through our high-res gallery of live photos taken at the event.

Visitors to this year’s event were treated to the usual grade of high-end machinery that we’ve come to expect, which is to say the best, most desirable and most expensive in the world. Our gallery is filled with vintage racers from Ford, Ferrari and Jaguar, classic Trans Am competitors and even a gaggle of Volkswagen-based dune buggies. More modern machinery was also on display from Lotus, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Pininfarina and Acura.

Electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace at high-end events, and this year’s gathering at The Quail was no exception. In addition to a strong showing from Rimac and Lotus we mentioned earlier, Lucid was in attendance as was Gateway Bronco (see here for more on that). We also got shots of things you may never have heard of like the Delage D12 and Radford Type 62-2. Oh, and the return of the Lamborghini Countach, too.

For those who keep track of such things, this year’s Best of Show winner was a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K Special Roadster. You’ll see all that and more in our high-res gallery above. Enjoy!

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August 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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Prodrive to build $1.4 million street-legal rally raid supercar

U.K.-based race car builder Prodrive’s next project is a supercar described by founder and CEO David Richards as a “Ferrari of the desert.” Based on its BRX-T1 Dakar race rig, the vehicle will be powered by a Prodrive-modified Ford 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. As with the rally raider, its design will be led by Ian Callum.

According to Autocar, the road car will likely be called the Hunter, and will hew closely to the Dakar-bred BRX-T1. However, it will feature a full interior and all the fixings to make it comfortable street car. It will also have, reportedly, a 500-horsepower version of the V6, which is more power than the 400 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque that the race car puts out. Power will be delivered through what Richards calls a “sophisticated transmission,” but he didn’t specify whether it’d be based on the six-speed sequential gearbox of the race car.

The race machine was built atop a steel tube-frame chassis draped in carbon fiber body panels. It’s not clear whether the road car will use a similar construction, but Callum, who has designed many beloved cars for Jaguar, Aston Martin, Ford and the BRX race car, will lend his hand to the body. The BRX-T1 definitely exhibits shades of the F-Type visible in the rear.

Richards told Autocar that the road car will be wider than the race car to accommodate bigger tires. In fact, having too-small tires was among the reasons Prodrive’s BRX-T1 Dakar racers didn’t have a better turnout in January. Nine-time WRC champion Sebastian Loeb logged a DNF because he kept getting punctures and eventually just ran out of tires. The other car, driven by Nani Roma, finished fifth overall. The team believes it has gained valuable experience that will help them log a better result next year.

The Hunter will likely cost £1 million ($1.83 million), but will stand in a class of its own. Richards told Autocar, “Imagine a road car capable of going across the sand dunes at 100mph – and keep doing it for 300 miles because the fuel tank is so big. It’s going to be quite exciting.”

April 1, 2021 / Comments Off

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Marc Philipp Gemballa’s 959-inspired supercar will have an engine tuned by RUF

Last year, Marc Philipp Gemballa, the eponymous supercar company started by Uwe Gemballa’s son, said it would build a heavily modified 911 Turbo S inspired by the Porsche 959 Dakar Rally cars. Based on the official render and past announcement, it will have retro-inspired body work and the ability to drive fast even on rough dirt roads. Since last year’s announcement, the company has developed a number of partnerships for development, and the latest was announced this week: RUF.

Yes, the legendary Porsche tuner and supercar builder is working with MPG to develop the engine for what the company is only calling “Project Sandbox.” It will be based on the 911 Turbo S engine, which starts with 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. MPG and RUF say that the upgraded one will make more than 750 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque. The MPG car won’t be the only car to benefit, though, as the company said that RUF’s upgrades will be available for owners of regular 911 Turbo S cars looking for more power.

Other major automotive partners helping develop the MPG Project Sandbox include KW Automotive, Michelin, Akrapovic, VELA Performance and KLK Motorsport. The finished car will be revealed this spring, and production will begin later this year. MPG will build 40 examples, and the 10 first edition models have already been sold.

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February 18, 2021 / Comments Off

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Automobili Pininfarina unveils its next vehicle (sort of)

TURIN, Italy — Today, at its headquarters near Turin, Automobili Pininfarina unveiled for an exclusive group of reporters’ eyes only, a concept that very firmly presages its next production vehicle.

The boutique electric automotive subsidiary of famed coachbuilder and design consultancy Pininfarina Spa wowed attendees at the Geneva Motor Show last year with its $2.5 million, battery-powered hypercar, the Battista, and promised, back then, that more models were forthcoming. This concept, the Pura Vision, is an ultra-luxury, ultra-potent, four- or five-passenger SUV that is meant to combine the sportiness of the Lamborghini Urus with the five-door grand-touring shooting-brake practicality of the Porsche Panamera SportTurismo at a price that slots in above both of them but below that of more extortionate high-riders like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. It thus has in its competitive SUV sights on offerings like the forthcoming Aston Martin DBX and Ferrari Purosange. Pricing wasn’t revealed, but we’re expecting something in the mid- to high- $200,000s range.

The Pininfarina’s unique selling proposition is two-fisted. First, as one would expect from an Italian company that spent many decades as the designers for Ferrari, is design. Though we were strictly forbidden from sharing images of the vehicle, we can attest to its stunning and unique shape. More than 16.5 feet long, and quite broad, the aluminum-skinned SUV features a blunt and grille-less front end, minatory slits of narrow headlamp, a surprisingly long hood given its engineless-ness, tucked-in Coke bottle flanks, rear-hinged “suicide” rear doors, extremely muscular haunches that mimic the flared and spatted rear wheels of the Battista, a fastback rear, and protruding razor thin taillights.

“We wanted to get rid of designs that are messy, and go back to basics with great proportions,” says Automobili Pininfarina head of design Luca Borgogno, referring to the elongated GT-inspired dash-to-axle ratio and short rear overhang of this sporting form. “And the SUV shape is great because, when you think of the EV platform, with the battery pack down low, it’s simpler to integrate in a higher riding vehicle. You can still be super-fast, and deliver some all-terrain capability with the ride height. It’s a perfect mixture.”

True to the second half of its name, the Pura Vision also has a fully glass roof, inspired in part by the bubble-topped Superflow concepts Pininfarina created for Alfa Romeo in the middle of the past century. Of course, in the contemporary case, the glass is ultra strong, undergridded by supports, and self-darkening. “It encloses you so much while surrounding you in this glass teardrop,” Borgogno tells us. “It links you with the environment, connecting you with the idea of sustainability.”

In fact, sustainability, or something like it, is the Pura Vision’s other significant attribute. Built on a new platform that will also underpin future Pininfarina automobiles, it hosts a battery pack large enough to produce 1,000 hp, powering what promises to be a hefty chunk of vehicle from 0-60 mph in fewer than 3 seconds on the way to a top speed of over 180 mph, whilst providing a claimed 550 km (340 miles) of range. Putting all of this power to the Pura’s Pirelli P-Zeros — mounted, to stunning effect, on gigantic 26-inch wheels — is accomplished with a quartet of torque vectoring electric motors. And, in case you were still wondering about its sporting, go-anywhere, grand touring intentions, it has carbon ceramic brakes and a 46/54 front/rear weight distribution, just like the Ferrari GTC4Lusso.

The vehicle’s interior also shines with distinctive materials and material usage. A wooden prow surrounds occupants above and along the dash and along the tops of the doors, kind of like in a Riva speedboat. Echoing this Italian nautical heritage, the fully flat floors can also be spec’d in unvarnished wood. This trim, though probably not the floors (?) can alternately be ordered in carbon fiber for a more technical effect. The rear seat can be configured in a two-place, first-class-esque arrangement with the de rigueur recline feature, or as a more conventional bench. Either way, the passenger compartment is sealed off from the cargo area, and the seat doesn’t seem to fold flat, so don’t plan on carting home sheets of plywood. Not that you’d want to risk getting splinters in all the sustainably tanned leathers, processed with (what else?) olive oil.

Pininfarina plans to build at least three other vehicles on this same platform, and some veiled, ghost-like images in the presentation the executives showed us suggested to our eyes that these would be: a smaller SUV-like thing; a grand-touring coupe of indeterminate number of doors; and a two-door convertible. The Battista hypercar is going to be hand-assembled in an atelier, so in order to build these slightly higher-volume exclusive supercars, Pininfarina is seeking out an existing factory nearby to their headquarters in Italy’s famed Motor Valley that they can convert to a production facility. In addition to vehicle assembly, it will also host prototype, product development, purchasing, supply chain management, testing, training, customer experience, and delivery services. Fortunately, one of the areas into which the Italian design house has recently expanded has been architecture, so they’ll handle the conversion of said factory in-house.

Borgagno warns us that the concept that we saw was not precisely production ready, but that it is “very close.” He says that we should expect to see the wheels decrease in diameter to “just” 24 inches, and the rear suicide doors to be replaced with traditional front-hinged ones, but didn’t specify much else that would change. We don’t typically get too worked up about SUVs, but this one promises to be a bit different, should it retain its current form. “It’s almost romantic,” Borgogno says wistfully, glancing again at the Pura Vision’s glass bubble-top. “To look around at the sky, the sun.”

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March 2, 2020 / Comments Off

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2019 Hennessey Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk HPE1000 First Drive | Sounds like war, goes like hell

LOS ANGELES — To get our hands on Hennessey’s 1,000-horsepower Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk HPE1000, we agree to meet Vinny Russo in an alley across the street from the practice facility of the Los Angeles Clippers. Noon sharp.

We hear the Hellcat-powered SUV before we see it, its raspy idle reverberating off the concrete buildings and expanse of fence. It rounds the corner and comes into view, its thunder growing as it slowly approaches over the dirty broken asphalt. It sounds like my big-block ’69 Camaro: thump, thump, thump.

Russo climbs out. “Sorry I’m late,” he says before reaching back in and shutting down the Jeep’s blown Hemi. The silence seems to hang in the air along with the Grand Cherokee’s spent hydrocarbons. It smells like an old-school big block, too.

“This is John’s personal truck,” he says handing me the SUV’s red key. “It’s the one on the internet going 181 mph with a Christmas tree on top and all that other cool stuff. It’s got 20,000 miles on it of …”

He pauses for a second. I’m sure he wants to say abuse. That the Jeep has seen 20,000 miles of abuse. But he’s a good PR man so he stopped himself. I can see him searching for another word. Any other word. He clears his throat.

“It’s got 20,000 miles on it of R&D,” he says. “Just make sure you have it pointing straight and have a good grip on the wheel the first time you go to full throttle. It’ll shock you.”

John, of course, is John Hennessey, and his company Hennessey Performance down in Houston offers up an extensive range of 1,000-hp machines, from McLarens to supercharged Camaros, Corvettes and Hellcats. It’s a good place to drain your 401(k).

After modifying his personal Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 and driving it to a class record at Bonneville in 1991, he built his first Dodge Viper in 1992, the Venom 500, opened Hennessey Performance and paid the bills cranking out disgustingly powerful Vipers for the next decade and half. Then he built his own supercar about 10 years ago, the Venom GT. Steven Tyler famously bought one.

At some point he began turning up the wick on pickups and SUVs. Today Hennessey says it has built more than 10,000 specialty vehicles, and last year trucks and SUVs made up about 50 percent of its business. There’s the usual fare on the menu, including 600-hp Navigators, 650-hp Escalades and 800-hp Tahoes, but the company’s products can get pretty wild. Its V8-swapped Ford Raptors are popular. Or how about a Chevy Silverado with two rear axles? Not into a 6×6? Maybe I can interest you in a $225,000 1,000-hp Hellcat-powered Jeep Gladiator called the Maximus?

Last year we drove its least powerful and least expensive model, the 360-hp VelociRaptor Ranger. So this time we asked for something more extreme. Hennessey offers three versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, the HPE850, HPE1000 and the HPE1200, which the company says makes 1,200 hp and 1,000 lb-ft of torque at the crank on 109-octane fuel. We settled for the one with only 1,000 ponies.

Hennessey says the modifications it makes to the Jeep’s supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 increases its output from 707 hp at 6,000 rpm and 645 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm to 1,012 hp at 6,500 rpm and 969 lb-ft torque at 4,200 rpm. And trust me when I tell you, meeting a guy at a gas station with a new ZR1 Corvette and telling him your SUV has 245 horses more than his supercar is a hoot. You should have seen his face.

With the Trackhawk’s all-wheel drive, 20-inch Pirelli Scorpion All-Season Run Flats and launch control putting the power down, the guy’s Corvette didn’t stand a chance and he knew it. Hennessey says the Jeep hits 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and blows through the quarter mile in 10.2 seconds at 133 mph — and it really does feel that quick. According to Jeep, a stocker hits 60 mph in 3.5 and runs the quarter in 11.6 seconds.

So how do you make a Grand Cherokee that weighs 5,363 pounds accelerate like a Lamborghini Huracán Evo? Hennessey basically adds boost and fuel. The size of the factory-installed IHI root-type supercharger is increased from 2.38 liters to 2.65 liters. It also spins faster than before thanks to a smaller pulley, up from 14,600 rpm, and generates a maximum of 18 psi of boost, up from 11.6 psi.

A Kenne Bell Boost-A-Pump is installed to increase fuel pressure and volume to the Fuel Injector Clinic 1,000cc injectors, which supply fuel at a rate of 110 lbs/hr. Hennessey also adds tubular headers, an open element air filter and reflashes the ECU, raising the engine’s rev limiter from 6,200 rpm to 6,500 rpm in the process.

That’s all there is to it. The SUV even looks pretty much stock under the hood, and Hennessey doesn’t touch its suspension, brakes, all-wheel drive system or its ZF-supplied 8HP90 eight-speed automatic. And it can all be yours for $34,950, not counting the cost of the Jeep, of course.

Hennessey backs the package with a one-year / 12,000-mile warranty. Unfortunately it does void the Grand Cherokee’s factory warranty, and Hennessey doesn’t guarantee any of its kits are CARB legal. So California residents may have a problem at the smog check. “The rest of the states haven’t been an issue,” Russo told us.

Around town you can’t help but feel like you’re the king of the hill in this thing. How can you not? You’re driving one of the quickest SUVs on earth. A mommymobile that runs with hypercars. And it’s a serious sleeper. Hennessey removes the Trackhawk badge from the tailgate and the Supercharged lettering from Jeep’s doors. Unlike Saleens and Roushes, which are covered in branding, he adds a single and subtle Hennessey script to the left side of the SUV’s rump. Either you know, or you think it’s a V6 with a (very loud) exhaust leak.

After driving it for a couple of days, you start getting cocky. I remember passing a guy in an SRT Grand Cherokee and thinking, “Man, what a loser. He only has 475 hp to play with. Must be frustrating.”

Quarter throttle at any speed leaves traffic in the dust. Half throttle and you’re at 100 mph before you know it. Full throttle is simply violent. Use the launch control, which unleashes the SUV at 2,800 rpm, and the thrust is so brutal it ripped my kid’s sunglasses from the top of her head, sending them from backseat into the cargo area and up against the tailgate.

And the entire time the Hemi spits a cacophonous mix of exhaust thunder and high-pitched supercharger whine. It isn’t just supercar fast, it’s supercar loud. At wide-open throttle, it sounds like the Tasmanian Devil, its eight-speed grabbing gears at 6,000 rpm, still 500 rpm below the engine’s power peak. At red lights, people in Teslas and Priuses roll up their windows in a feeble effort to escape its ruckus, sealing in their smug. One man’s noise is another man’s music, and the Jeep is playing Extreme Metal.

Unfortunately there’s a metallic resonance between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm, which is a problem when you’re putting around town. “It sounds broken,” my wife said. But above 2,000 the tone levels out and the engine is pretty quiet on the highway. At 80, the Jeep cruises like a stocker, but the big blown Hemi’s presence is always felt. Even at a steady 2,200 rpm, it sends a slight thump through the Grand Cherokee’s chassis like an elevated heartbeat.

In perfect comfort, with the family and dog onboard, we cruised this 1,000-hp beast a few hours to grandma’s, averaging 13.6 mpg on the highway and just over 12 mpg in about 400 miles of mixed driving. Honestly, we were expecting worse.

Maybe Hennessey should consider a 6×6 version.

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February 28, 2020 / Comments Off

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2020 Chicago Auto Show Editors’ Picks

Best in Show

The Chicago Auto Show usually isn’t home to the biggest and boldest debuts, but that allows other vehicles and their variants to shine. Interestingly, our top favorite vehicles this year are all variants of cars that are on sale right now.

Check out what updated models caught our attention in the next slides.

Fifth Place: 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid — 26 points

Senior Editor, Green, John Snyder: “It’s elegant and efficient. I like its U.S. specs. Give me a plug-in, though.”

Consumer Editor, Jeremy Korzeniewski: “This is the most attractive midsize sedan on the market, and the hybrid powertrain adds an extra dose of fuel-sipping practicality that will make a heck of a lot of sense for Americans looking for a nice comfortable commuter of family mobile. And even if the solar roof doesn’t add much range, it sure does look cool.”

Fourth Place: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica — 31 points

Assistant Editor, Zac Palmer: “In a small show as the Chicago Auto Show was this year, the Pacifica was the biggest surprise for me. I love the styling changes, and those quilted throw pillows … they are choice, and I’m glad to see Chrysler adding in some plush luxury to its minivan.“

Managing Editor, Greg Rasa: “A new look, nice interior and all-wheel drive for the best minivan in the business. There were wilder, sexier products in Chicago, but this one gets points for real-world appeal.”

Image Credit: Drew Phillips

Third Place: 2020 Mercedes-Benz Metris Weekender — 42 points

Senior Producer, Chris McGraw: “In May of 2018 I fell in love when I drove the VW California here in the States. In the two years since there hasn’t been a single camper van you can buy direct from the dealer until now. You wouldn’t catch me dead in an RV but a van like this is perfect, provided it doesn’t cost an outrageous amount of money, which, unfortunately it probably will.”

Associate Editor Byron Hurd: “What can I say? I used to camp in a Mercedes-Benz van, so how can I not feel at least some degree of fondness for this? I like that it’s more compact than some of the big Sprinter-based builds, too. Much more practical for the average ‘Let’s drive our house’ crowd.”

Second Place: 2020 Ford GT — 43 points

Editor-in-Chief, Greg Migliore: “A refresh is typically pretty boring. Not when it comes to the GT. Now it’s making 660 hp and offers a gorgeous Gulf livery, which I prefer to the liquid carbon version. The GT is one of the most exhilarating cars I’ve ever driven. Now it’s even better. I guess I need to drive it again.“

Social Media Manager, Michael Ferrara: “Bring on the carbon, the Liquid Carbon! So glad Ford is revisiting the GT. The GT is truly is one of the best cars ever made.”

First Place: 2020 Jeep Gladiator Mojave — 55 points

Associate Editor, Joel Stocksdale: “It would have been really easy for Jeep to just roll out another paint and graphics edition, but the Mojave has significant and thoughtful mechanical upgrades that make it something special.”

Production Manager, Eddie Sabatini: “I’ve not owned a Jeep of any kind but I’m quickly becoming a Gladiator fanboy. I doubt I’ll ever spend anywhere near $45K on a vehicle but if I were to, this would be near the top of my list.”

Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore: “I like that Jeep is already looking at ways to evolve the Gladiator. The desert tuning provides awesome capability, and many of those practical enhancements, like the huge tires and lift kit, make the Gladiator look even meaner in Mojave trim. I would love to tackle the dunes in this Jeep.”

February 7, 2020 / Comments Off

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2019 SEMA Show Mega Photo Gallery | Wild West show

LAS VEGAS — Car shows across the planet are struggling, as automakers look for fresh ways to reach the buying public. But out in Las Vegas at the SEMA show (SEMA stands for Specialty Equipment Market Association, in case you didn’t know), things have seemingly never been better. This year’s show has 2,400 exhibiting companies with 3,000 products on display, filling five halls. Off-road, performance, racing, hot-rods, coolness, weirdness — there’s something different around every corner.

The show ends Friday, so unless you’re about to hop a plane, you might just miss it. But here, from the comfort of your own home or cubicle, are the highlights — 45 cars that caught our eye. So sit back, crack a Zima and SEMA it up:

2020 Acura RDX with Concept A-Spec Accessories – Acura shows off RDX accessories and 2020 NSX at SEMA

B is for Build Twin-Turbo V8 Huracan Widebody – 2015 Lamborghini Huracan is getting twin-turbo Chevy power for SEMA

Button Built Ferrari BB355TT – Toyo Tires will bring another wild catalog of rides to SEMA

2020 Chevrolet COPO Camaro John Force Edition – The Force is with you in this one-off Chevy COPO Camaro

2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Dusk Edition – 2018 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Midnight and Dusk Editions to debut at SEMA

Chevrolet Performance E-10 Concept – Chevy truck transformed from farm work to 450-horsepower electric hot rod

2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition – You’ll know the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD Carhartt Special Edition when you see it

2020 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak – 2020 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak comes solely with supercharged power

Factory Five Romulan V12 Supercar – Factory Five developing new supercar with 755-hp LS V12

Foose Jaguar E-Type – Chip Foose cooks up a custom 1974 Jaguar E-Type for SEMA

Jay Leno’s GT500-powered 1968 Ford Bronco – This classic Ford Bronco has a modern GT500 engine and a manual

Ford F-Series Customs – Ford previews custom F-150s and Mustangs for SEMA

Ford F-Series Super Duty Customs – Check out the Ford Super Duty lineup rolling into SEMA 2019

Ford Mustang Customs – Ford previews custom F-150s and Mustangs for SEMA

Ford Mustang Lithium – Lithium Mustang EV from Ford and Webasto is lightning in an bottle for SEMA

Ford Ranger Customs – 2019 Ford SEMA builds feature off-road-ready Rangers and wild Transit Vans

2020 Ford Ranger RTR – 2019 Ford SEMA builds feature off-road-ready Rangers and wild Transit Vans

Ford SUV Customs – Ford will bring more than 50 tricked-out vehicles to SEMA: Here’s a preview

Hennessey Jeep Gladiator Maximus – Hennessey Maximus turns 2020 Jeep Gladiator into a 1,000-horsepower monster

Honda Civic Si Formula Drift Car – Honda to show custom 1968 S800 Coupe, three Civic Si builds at SEMA

Honda CR-V Customs – Honda CR-V, Passport and Ridgeline highlighted at SEMA

Honda Rally Passport – Honda CR-V, Passport and Ridgeline highlighted at SEMA

Honda Ridgeline HFP Concept – Honda CR-V, Passport and Ridgeline highlighted at SEMA

Honda Vintage Vehicles – Honda to show custom 1968 S800 Coupe, three Civic Si builds at SEMA

Hyundai Kona Ultimate Concept – Hyundai Veloster N ‘Type R Killer’ and lifted Kona on their way to SEMA

Hyundai Veloster N Performance Concept – 2020 Hyundai Veloster N Performance Concept gets an aftermarket makeover

Hyundai VelosterRaptor N Concept – Hyundai Veloster N ‘Type R Killer’ and lifted Kona on their way to SEMA

Jack Roush Edition Mustang – Jack Roush Edition Mustang brings 775 horses to Ford’s pony car

Mopar Lowliner Concept – 1968 Dodge D200 ‘Lowliner’ adds low-down diesel torque to a lowrider

Moparized Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – Ram 1500 diesel overlander, off-road Jeep Wrangler show present and future of Mopar

Nissan Global Time Attack TT 370Z Project – Nissan Frontier 600-hp desert-runner, 370Z with 750 hp lead assault on SEMA

Nissan Frontier Desert Runner Project – Nissan Frontier 600-hp desert-runner, 370Z with 750 hp lead assault on SEMA

Nissan Kicks Street Sport Project – Nissan Frontier 600-hp desert-runner, 370Z with 750 hp lead assault on SEMA

2020 Nissan Titan with Genuine Nissan Accessories – Nissan Frontier 600-hp desert-runner, 370Z with 750 hp lead assault on SEMA

Nissan Titan XD Dually Project

1958 Plymouth Fury ‘Christine’ Tribute – 1958 Plymouth Fury ‘Christine’ tribute has a 1,000-hp Hemi crate engine

Quintin Brothers Dodge Challenger – This Dodge Challenger was stolen, used in police chases and recovered all in the week before its SEMA debut

Ram 1500 Rebel OTG – Ram 1500 diesel overlander, off-road Jeep Wrangler show present and future of Mopar

Ring Brothers 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Valkyrja – Ringbrothers 1969 Chevy Camaro ‘Valkyrja’ ready to take SEMA to Belgium

Ruffian Ford Mustang – Toyo Tires will bring another wild catalog of rides to SEMA

Russell Built Porsche 911 Baja – Toyo Tires will bring another wild catalog of rides to SEMA

Shelby GT500 Dragon Snake – Shelby brings Dragon Snake GT500, Super Snake F-150 truck to SEMA

Speedkore AWD Twin-Turbo Dodge Charger Widebody – Speedkore AWD twin-turbo Carbon Charger, best birthday gift ever

Toyota Avalon TRD Pro Concept – Toyota floods SEMA with a slew of Supra concepts

Toyota GR Supra Customs – Toyota floods SEMA with a slew of Supra concepts

November 7, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lamborghini Squadra Corsa previews 830-hp hypercar and racing Urus ST-X

At the conclusion of last year’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo series, the Sant’Agata Bolognese carmaker’s Squadra Corse division unveiled the SC18 Alstom. That was a one-off, customer-commissioned, extreme track car based on the Aventador SVJ, and the first wholesale creation from the racing department. At this year’s series finale in Jerez, Spain, it teased a limited-run hypercar and an evolution of the race-bound Urus ST-X. The hypercar proves a rumor from earlier this month, when a poster at the McLaren Life forum said he was “Going to spec next week and test drive the SVR V12 track version of AV,” that AV standing for Aventador. Lamborghini says the track-only car, designed by the company’s Centro Stile department, will debut next year.

The rumor had posited the hypercar as a ne plus ultra expression of the Aventador’s 6.5-liter V12, and that seems to be the case. Engineers extracted 830 horsepower from the naturally aspirated engine, 70 hp more than found in the SVJ. In place of the road car’s seven-speed, single-clutch ISR transmission, the unnamed hypercar uses a six-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox, and a mechanical limited-slip differential can be adjusted by the driver for preload. The standard Aventador chassis has been reworked around that powertrain for aerodynamic and safety reasons. The front structure’s made of aluminum, a more pliant — and less expensive — material to deal with in case of incidents on the track. The engine’s been wrapped in a steel cage in order to increase torsional and bending stiffness. Airflow improves thanks to dual intakes on the hood, an airscoop over the cockpit, and a stonking rear wing.

The Urus ST-X has undergone a few changes since its debut last year. The Verde Mantis SUV has been lightened by about 25 percent compared to the production version with “a lighter structure,” a vented carbon fiber hood and rear wing, and a racing exhaust. The cabin’s luxurious appointment are replaced by a roll cage, racing seats, and a fire suppression system. Scheduled to make its race debut at the end of October 2020 in Misano, Italy, the first pilots to get a chance behind the wheel will be winners of the four classes in the Super Trofeo series.

October 28, 2019 / Comments Off

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Lexus GXOR Concept

For outdoor adventures, Toyota’s Land Cruiser and other rugged models are great platforms to ride. Meanwhile, the Japanese automaker’s luxury vehicle division is the last place to browse for more elegant alternatives. However, it seems that that’s going to change soon with the introduction of the Lexus GXOR. As the name suggests, the company is taking the regular GX SUV and upgrading the heck out of it. It hopes to attract consumers who want a slice of luxury alongside a large helping of off-road reliability.

Although the GXOR is still in the concept phases, it gives us a preview of what the brand can do for overlanding enthusiasts. Making its debut at the 2019 FJ Summit, this SUV is looking already looking like a winner. Lexus understands what buyers want and hopes to meet their expectations when this finally becomes a production model later on. The one on display during the show comes with third-party upgrades. These aftermarket parts are turning an already capable transport into a more powerful off-road beast.

To prepare the Lexus GXOR for the dynamic terrain, it gets a 2.5-inch lift courtesy of shocks from Icon Vehicle Dynamics. The underside also gains protection from bumps and scrapes with an underbody armor setup alongside frame sliders from CBI. Meanwhile, the set of 18-inch F Sport wheels are equipped with General Grabber all-terrain tires for superior grip and traction. The modifications do not end there, but we want to point out the awesome addition of a Patriot Campers X1H trailer. All that’s left is for everyone to hope that this will eventually go into production with little to no changes.

Visit Lexus to learn more

Images courtesy of Lexus

July 21, 2019 / Comments Off

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Nikola NZT Electric UTV

For years, Nikola has been teasing an all-electric off-road boast with nothing to show for it thus far. That changes soon with its NZT Electric UTV, though. And by the looks of it, the long wait was well worth it.

After all, Nikola didn’t want to bring something to the market until they’re entirely confident about things like performance, design, and reliability. Nikola is known for its incredibly high standards, too, its name basically a sterling seal of approval. Which is why they took the NZ1, deconstructed it back to scratch, and input a ahnfdul of much-needed improvements. Now it’s here, officially called the NZT Electric NTV.

You get the same familiar platform here. But the edition is all but new and improved, with a powertrain that rears up to 590 ponies and 775 foot-pounds of torque. Those are the kind of numbers we’d expect from a beastly truck, not a flagship electric off-roader. And yet here we are.

That electric motor system lends the NZT a whopping zero to 60 acceleration of just 4 seconds, which is amazing for an electric vehicle. Apart from that, you also get a range of 150 miles on a single charge, which is aplenty.

Elsewhere, you get FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass Shocks, a 13-inch full-color touchscreen infotainment display, and all-wheel-drive. Moving outside, you’ll find the gorgeous Kevlar-reinforced tires, plus an optional hardtop trim with power windows and climate control. Pricing starts at $80,000, though, which is nothing to sneeze at. Hit the link below for more information.

https://nikolamotor.com/nzt

Photos courtesy of Nikola

April 18, 2019 / Comments Off

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1947 Willys CJ2A Jeep

Jeep is a brand you can’t question when it comes to iconic off-road rides. You’re looking at a classic model, stretching further back to Jeep’s military vehicle origins. This bears the honor of being the first mass produced military-grade vehicle in the United States. It proved to be a highly capable light duty transport not only for equipment, but for troops, as well.

The 1947 Willys CJ2A Jeep is a modest and pristine off-roader that has undergone a top-to-bottom restoration. Key to this is the number of aesthetic touches throughout. The design evinces Jeep’s storied legacy, and you’ll find it hard not to feel nostalgic for this fella.

The 1947 Willys CJ2A Jeep boasts a rope-wrapped fender, an axe carrying platform, and a jerry can mount straight of this bad boy’s era. Drive just 22,000 miles, this machine has seen only minimal use, so you have plenty of gruff left still. You’ll find underneath a L-134 Go-Devil engine. That’s paired with a three-speed transmission, which the original CJ2A unit used during its transitory period to mainstream usage.

Today, this stunning off-road vehicle stands ready to be purchased by anyone willing to own a piece of history. The green and yellow colorway is just the cherry on top. You’ll love the canvas top and the modified front grille, just to name a few highlights. Most especially, the off-kilter side-mounted spare tire will grow on you in the long run.

Head over to Hemmings if you’re ready to splurge $19,000 for this iconic Jeep.

CHECK IT OUT

Photos courtesy of Hemmings

March 4, 2019 / Comments Off

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Hunter Predator 6.6 Off-Road RV

Minden, Nevada-based Hunter RMV builds some of the biggest, most capable off-road recreational vehicles in the industry. Starting at under $200K, their solid 4×4 campers are also among the most affordable you’ll ever find (with a big difference). Case in point, the Hunter Predator 6.6 Off-Road RV.

Based on a former military Light Medium Tactical Vehicle (used to transport soldiers and cargo across rugged terrains), the Predator 6.6 is powered by a 6-cylinder 6.6L Caterpillar diesel engine. The 225-hp turbocharged and aftercooled powerplant is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels. Maximum speed is 70 mph, the tow load is at 10,362 lb, and the range offered is 400 miles.

The massive off-roader comes with all the amenities you need for a comfortable long expedition, including proper insulation, LED lights, speakers, TV antenna, water heater, fridge, cooktop, bathroom, Evergreen sleep mattress, AC, and more. It can also be fitted with an extra fuel tank that bumps the range to 800+ miles, solar system, water purification system, roof ladder & additional storage, washer/dryer combo, leather seating, and a slew of other optional upgrades.

Learn More From Hunter RMV $200,000

Photos Courtesy of Hunter RMV

July 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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AEV Recruit Ram 1500 Pickup Truck

For 21 years now, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has been the world’s premier supplier of aftermarket parts and upgrades for Ram and Jeep vehicles, with a focus on off-road recreational driving and overland adventure travel. Their latest development is the Recruit Ram 1500 Pickup Truck, outfitted with a host of upgrades that take the already capable 4X4 to new levels of performance.

Allowing Ram 1500 drivers to push their truck farther off-road while maintaining the smooth handling & towing/payload capabilities, the Recruit package features a DualSport SC Suspension which lifts the vehicle 4 inches and makes room for much larger wheels and tires (Mesa wheels wrapped in 37×12.50 BF Goodrich KM2 Mud Terrain rubber).

The kit also includes a stamped steel front bumper, a massive skid plate, heat reduction hood with raised air intake, a premium front bumper with optional 3/16” winch mount, and Vision X halogen driving lights. Optional add-ons include a snorkel, multi-purpose fully-mounted bed rack, LED light bar, and interior premium leather packages.

Buy From American Expedition Vehicles $14,950+

June 25, 2018 / Comments Off

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2019 GMC Sierra Elevation

The new generation Sierra lineup has a new bold member, one that mixes a youthful, athletic stance with inherent truck capabilities and functionality. Able to take you and your gear far off the beaten path, the 2019 GMC Sierra Elevation is a menacing vehicle that’ll make you stand out from the pack.

Build upon the strong bodywork of the ongoing double cab model with chiseled fenders and a tall hood with a bigger grille than any previous Sierras, Elevation sets itself apart with unique monochromatic door handles, bumpers and grille surround. The confident design is accented by black exterior details such as the grille insert, tow hooks, side window trim and 20″ aluminum wheels.

The new truck also features new high-intensity LED headlamps all over, two- or four-wheel-drive configurations, and more interior room both front & rear. Other details include preset driving modes such as Tour mode and Terrain mode, an optional X31 Off-Road package that offers unique suspension tuning, locking rear differential, Hill Descent Control, protective underbody skid plates, and more.

The Sierra Elevation arrives standard with an all-new 2.7L turbocharged engine (310-hp and 348 lb-ft of torque) with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but can also be configured with a 5.3L V-8 or a new 3.0L turbo-diesel inline-six-cylinder engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Learn more From GMC

June 13, 2018 / Comments Off

763

OX Flat-Pack Truck

Named after its unique construction which allows it to be flat-packed within itself and transported more efficiently around the world, the OX Flat-Pack Truck is unlike any other vehicle. It offers reliable, cost-effective all-terrain mobility that’s especially needed in developing countries, and now, oil giant Shell is looking to bring it to India.

Built by world-renowned automotive engineer and designer, Professor Gordon Murray, the OX is a lightweight truck that can seat up to 13 people and carry 4,200 lb over rough terrain.

Fitted with a bespoke chassis and suspension, the durable vehicle has been designed to “perform as well as, or better than, a four-wheel drive vehicle, while offering low cost and durable mobility with two driven wheels.”

Even better, the ground-breaking truck can be disassembled; the parts fit within its own frame, while a separate crate can hold the engine and gearbox. This means that six OXs can be packed and transported in just one standard shipping container, and once at the destination, the trucks can be assembled by three trained professionals in just 12 hours!

Learn More From OX

Photos by OX Global Vehicle Trust

April 24, 2018 / Comments Off

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1973 Land Rover 88 Series III

If you’re quick enough, today you could snatch this complete frame-off restoration 1973 Land Rover 88 Series III for an estimated $30,000, as it’s being offered at an RM Sotheby’s auction.

The carefully rebuilt vintage 4×4 has had its steel chassis galvanized for extra resistance to rust, while a new canvas roof is in place of the old one. Power comes from a four-cylinder engine with manual transmission, while inside you’ll find tan-upholstered seats and door panels, tan gear lever boots, and checker plate panels flooring.

The vehicle also sports a hood-mounted spare tire, steel wheels wrapped in traditional chunky tires, and a new Land Rover Green paintwork for that glorious military look we all know and love.

Bid Here

April 6, 2018 / Comments Off

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2018 Moab Easter Jeep Safari Concepts

Just like they do every year for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab (Utah), Jeep has unveiled another great batch of mud-loving vehicles.

A total of seven cars, the 2018 Moab Easter Jeep Safari Concepts include trucks for every preference, from a Baja racing-inspired model to a lightweight Wrangler dubbed 4SPEED, or a modern Jeepster. The star of the bunch seems to be the Wagoneer Roadtrip, a restored 1965 model which now has a longer (an extra 5-inch) body and sports custom fender flares, revamped wheel wells & bumpers, and a mean razor grille.

The old-school beaut rides on new 17-inch steel wheels with BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tires and is powered by a new 5.7-liter V-8 engine. Other details include a boxed and reinforced frame, Dana 44 axles, four-link suspension, original bench seats covered in oxblood leather, wicker ceiling, and ultra cool-looking Bottle Green architectural glass. Feast your eyes on the rest of the concepts below!

Learn More From Jeep

March 22, 2018 / Comments Off

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Karlmann King Ground Stealth Fighter Armored SUV

While not to everyone’s liking, the Karlmann King Ground Stealth Fighter Armored SUV is definitely unique. The high-end, custom-made vehicle is a 2.5 M wide, six-tonne behemoth in matte black, looking like it could easily survive the Apocalypse.

Boasting a tough exterior shaped by origami lines, the massive 4×4 can operate in extreme temperatures raging from -40°C up to 90°C. Power comes from a 6.8 L V10 producing over 360-hp and 620 Nm of torque, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering a top speed of 87 mph.

The fittingly impressive interior is clad in Alcantara, with gold details & dark wood, while the rear passenger compartment can be fitted with a wide-screen TV, PS4, coffee machine, mini fridge, safe, pop-out tables, mood lighting, satellite internet, and other optional features. Each of these luxury SUVs is developed by a team of 1,800 people and takes a whopping 30,000 hours to complete.

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March 16, 2018 / Comments Off

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Zarooq SandRacer 500GT

Zarooq Motors of the United Arab Emirates first previewed their off-road supercar in 2015. Now they have announced the beginning of production on the Sandracer with a thirty-five unit special edition 500 GT model ($450K).

Much more than a dune buggy, the Sandracer, while specifically designed to triumph over the deserts of Arabia, can still be driven for a night out on the town. The engine is a Chevrolet with German modifications – a mid-mounted, naturally-aspirated 6.2 liter 525-hp V8 producing 487 lbs of torque with rear wheel drive & a racing grade Weddle 5-speed sequential gearbox.

The carbon fiber body features a forward slanting profile with wide flaring wheel wells surrounding oversized off-road tires. The rear diffuser can be removed for off-road adventuring. Inside is more carbon fiber along with leather, a digital dashboard, infotainment center, climate control, and power windows. The Zarooq Motors Sandracer is finally ready to get down and dirty in the world’s biggest and baddest sandboxes!

July 19, 2017 / Comments Off

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