All posts in “official”

Bugatti Chiron, Ram Power Wagon, Kia Stinger GT come to Forza Motorsport 7

Forza Motorsport 7‘s expansive car list is expanding yet again with the Dell Gaming car pack. The pack is available today as part of the game’s “Car Pass” which includes current and upcoming downloadable car packs. This pack also features a number of cars we quite enjoy.

The headliner is the Bugatti Chiron, which is understandable; 1,500-horsepower, $3 million cars tend to do that. But there are more common cars here that we like in real life that are finally making an appearance. The Kia Stinger GT, Kia’s super stylish sports sedan that we’ve had a blast with, even in the middle of a Michigan winter, should be a good match to many German rivals in the game. The comfy, quick and rumbling Durango SRT also shows up as a counterpart to the Grand Cherokee SRT. And for off-roading, the ultra-capable Ram 2500 Power Wagon is available, and it should allow for some interesting competition against the Ford Raptor.

[embedded content]

The rest of the pack is a little more obscure. There’s a 1968 Holden Monaro that included a Chevy 327 V8 when it was new. And for racing enthusiasts, the car pack adds a GT3-class Aston Martin Vantage and a Pikes Peak Audi TT RS.

Related Video:

February 15, 2018 / Comments Off on Bugatti Chiron, Ram Power Wagon, Kia Stinger GT come to Forza Motorsport 7
0
585

Porsche to offer new 3D-printed parts for classic models

Sourcing replacement parts for classic cars is never easy, especially when it comes to small-volume models. Porsche is trying to come up with a workaround and is now offering a limited number of 3D-printed parts for some of its classic cars, including the 959 supercar from the ’80s. In total, Porsche will offer nine 3D-printed parts and is examining the possibility of 20 more. Porsche Classic offers roughly 52,000 parts for various models.

Only 292 Porsche 959s were ever built, meaning parts were in limited supply from the start. Porsche will use selective laser melting to create the release lever for the clutch. A light beam will melt steel powder, forming the part one layer at a time. The 3D-printed parts must meet the same requirements as the original components. That means resistance to oils, fuel, acid and light. Additionally, the parts must be pressure tested. The release lever can withstand several tons of pressure. Size and fitment are determined on test vehicles.

Porsche says it will use 3D printing for parts when supplies are either low or completely gone. Parts are reproduced using the original tooling. When those tools are available, new ones are sometimes created. For models like the 959, creating all-new tooling is cost prohibitive and inefficient, leading to the 3D-printing process.

Pricing on these new parts isn’t yet available, but you can pursue currently available products on the Porsche Classic website. Info and parts are available on models from the 356 to the Carrera GT. Just last month, Bugatti announced that the Chiron’s brake calipers would be 3D-printed. Expect more 3D-printed parts in the future.

Related Video:

February 12, 2018 / Comments Off on Porsche to offer new 3D-printed parts for classic models
0
582

Rezvani Beast Alpha X Blackbird goes full afterburner with 700 horsepower

Rezvani has emerged from its Irvine, California, lair again with a beast between its teeth — the beast in question being the Beast Alpha X Blackbird. The Lotus–Elise based, carbon-fiber bodied, targa-topped, sidewinder-doored coupe channels the U.S. spy plane that inspired it with an absurdly powerful heart: a turbocharged, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 700 horsepower.

The Beast Alpha X Blackbird wears a passel of optional bits available for the 600-hp Beast Alpha X, such as the adjustable suspension, 18-inch wheels with AP Racing stoppers, and carbon rotors. Supplemental details include the green highlights, and of course the extra 100 ponies. The inline-four behind the seats comes with development help from Cosworth plus a Cosworth ECU, and CP-Carillo forged pistons, rods, cams, valve, and springs. Shifting works through a standard six-speed manual, a six-speed sequential transmission can be had for an extra $15,000. With just 2,150 pounds to move — 200 pounds more than the 600-hp Beast Alpha X — that powerplant scoots the targa from standstill to 60 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.

Rezvani’s only making five Beast Alpha X Blackbirds, all of them in black, and ex-MMA fighter Quentin “Rampage” Jackson has already claimed one. The price: $225,000 gets you in the door, how much you want to play after that is up to you. The Alpine sound system, for instance, adds $2,500 to the bottom line. If you know you don’t need a top, however, you might want to comparison shop Rezvani’s 700-hp Beast X. Still bodied in carbon fiber but based on the Ariel Atom instead of the Lotus, it’s 400 pounds lighter and 0.2 second quicker than the Blackbird, for the same money. Decisions, decisions.

Related Video:

February 5, 2018 / Comments Off on Rezvani Beast Alpha X Blackbird goes full afterburner with 700 horsepower
0
479

Toyota GR Super Sport Concept is the TS050’s prettier, friendlier cousin

Following a teaser last month, Toyota has finally revealed its mysterious sports car concept, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s called the GR Super Sport Concept, the GR standing for Toyota’s racing division Gazoo Racing, and not only does it look like a prototype endurance race car, it pretty much is one.

Under the curvy bodywork is a chassis and powertrain that Toyota says “is composed of mostly the same main parts” as the company’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) hybrid-power TS050 race car. That would also be the same race car that came painfully close to winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans two years ago. You can certainly see the race car background in the car’s carbon fiber chassis. It also has race-ready 13-inch-wide slick tires at all four corners. But the highlight is the twin-turbocharged hybrid V6 that makes 986 horsepower.

Of course the chassis is only half the story. The other is that scintillating shell around it. It’s very clearly inspired by prototype race cars with the tall, wide fenders over the wheels, the large rear wing, narrow cabin and copious vents. It’s definitely sleeker, though. It doesn’t have the bulbous headlights of prototype racers. In fact, we’re not entirely sure it has headlights, but if it does, they’re probably in those hexagons on the front fender, which would match the taillights at the back. The rear wing has also been dropped down for a sleeker profile. It also appears that the cockpit sits higher than the race cars. This may have partly been a styling decision, but also possibly to improve visibility and make it easier to drive.

Making an easy-to-drive TS050 actually is the goal of Gazoo Racing. During the press conference for the car’s unveiling, Gazoo Racing’s president, Shigeki Tomoyama, said that they’re continuing to test the GR Super Sport Concept’s chassis and tweaking it “with the aim of developing a sports car that will more directly convey the TS050’s appeal, while offering easier handling.” This also makes it sound as though Toyota and Gazoo Racing are interested in building a real, production sports car of some sort, perhaps an evolution of this concept. Further evidence to this is Tomoyama saying, “Although it will be some time before you all have the opportunity to get behind the wheel, I hope that the GR Super Sport Concept will give you a taste of what we aim to achieve with our next-generation sports cars.”

But if Toyota is going to build some sort of TS050-based super car, it could be awhile before it’s produced. Remember, it took a number of years for the LFA to finally hit production. But we think we can wait, since the GR Super Sport looks awesome, and the LFA was excellent.

Related Video:

January 12, 2018 / Comments Off on Toyota GR Super Sport Concept is the TS050’s prettier, friendlier cousin
0
556

2018 McLaren 570GT can be as sporty as the 570S

We’re getting the feeling that McLaren is not a company that likes compromise. When it introduced the 570S Spider, it had the exact same performance as the coupe, and barely weighed any more than the coupe, despite having a retractable top. Now, McLaren is bringing the 570GT up to 570S performance parity with the Sports Pack.

The Sports Pack costs an extra $5,950, which isn’t cheap, but shouldn’t scare someone willing and able to drop over $200,000 on a car. For that money, McLaren swaps in the 570S Coupe’s steering rack, shocks, and stability control and driving mode settings. And now that all 570GTs get standard carbon ceramic brakes, there shouldn’t be much of a difference in driving experience between the GT and S Coupe. Except for the fact that you’ll actually be able to bring more than a large wallet with you on the drive.

In addition to the Sports Pack, McLaren now offers an electrochromic glass roof option for the 570GT which allows the driver to pick the preferred amount of tinting. A number of new color options are also now available on the 570GT as well as the 570S Coupe. Finally, the entire 570-line now puts the rear-view camera display in the instrument cluster, when the camera option is added.

Related Video:

January 11, 2018 / Comments Off on 2018 McLaren 570GT can be as sporty as the 570S
0
657

McLaren Senna gets early reveal on social media

The long-awaited and recently-teasedMcLaren P15 hypercar has finally been revealed, but a little sooner than McLaren expected. It appears that the company hosted an early reveal party today and maybe wasn’t clear enough about how and when people could share photos from the event, since there are a whole bunch on Twitter. Or maybe McLaren’s fine with this, we’re not entirely sure.

One thing we are sure of is its name, and it’s not P15. McLaren ditched its usual alphanumeric naming scheme and simply called this car Senna, which you should know as the last name of McLaren-Honda F1 ace Ayrton Senna. Another thing we know for sure is that this car is extremely… distinct. We’re not sure whether we like it or not, but you won’t mistake its extremely long overhang, flying saucer-looking greenhouse, or the massive wing sitting far forward at the back. Other interesting design cues include the neat glass panels in the doors, and headlights that look extremely similar to those on the 720S.

The car will of course be limited production, and be extremely fast. One Twitter user noted that just 500 will be built. Each will also have 789 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, and will weigh just 2,641 pounds. Additionally, it will cost just over $1,000,000.

Another user posted a press release that shows the very last one will be auctioned off to benefit the Ayrton Senna Institute charity. That car can be customized however the winning bidder likes with any standard options, while custom McLaren Special Operations (MSO) additions will be extra cost. The winning bidder will also get a replica of Ayrton Senna’s helmet signed by Bruno and Viviane Senna.

The full official reveal is coming later, so stay tuned for more official photos and info soon.

Related Video:

December 9, 2017 / Comments Off on McLaren Senna gets early reveal on social media
0
600

Spyker reveals special C8 Aileron LM85 to close out model’s production

Now that Spyker is rolling out new C8 Preliators, the company is wrapping up production on its predecessor, the C8 Aileron. To commemorate the old car, Spyker will make the final three vehicles special LM85 models, a model designation that references the company’s old GT race car.

The name of the specification isn’t the only thing that references Spyker’s race cars. Each of the three final cars will have a paint scheme similar to those vehicles with contrasting “S” stripes. One car will be black with red stripes, another red with black stripes, and the third black with gold stripes. Each car will feature a matching interior.

The bodywork of these cars is even more dramatic than the usual C8 Aileron. It features wider fender flares for more wheel and tire, and the aluminum body panels are attached with exposed rivets. The grille also features unique slots that encircle the main opening.

In the middle of the car is a supercharged Audi V8 that produces the same 518 horsepower as the early C8 Preliators (newer Preliators use a Koenigsegg V8), and it makes 443 pound-feet of torque. It’s bolted to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. This combination is good for a claimed 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds. One number Spyker didn’t release was the price, which is only available on request. But you know the drill. If you have to ask …

Related Video:

December 4, 2017 / Comments Off on Spyker reveals special C8 Aileron LM85 to close out model’s production
0
659

Saleen 1 revealed | Compact, surprisingly restrained sports car features unique turbo engine

The Saleen 1 revealed at the L.A. Auto Show is a compact, elegant mid-engine sports car that looks surprisingly finished coming from such a low-volume manufacturer. The car on display is clearly a prototype, but we were surprised at just how good it looks in person slathered in a dynamic orange paint. Even its leather-swathed interior didn’t have the usual glued-together toy-like appearance expected of cars like this.

Details are a bit scarce about the Saleen 1, but here are the basics. It’s roughly the size of the Porsche 718 Cayman and weighs in at 2,685 pounds. Its construction features an aluminum tub and carbon fiber body. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is apparently a ground-up Saleen creation, boasting 450 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual will be standard and a “paddle shifted automatic” with an unknown number of gears and clutches is optional. Saleen says it’ll go from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

That’s pretty much all we know, though.

As for where the Saleen 1 comes from, it is the result of famed performance car maker and tuner Steve Saleen pairing with a Chinese corporation known as Jiangsu Saleen Automotive Technology Group. It’ll provide the capital for the car and will handle its production in China.

Originally, JSATG purchased the Artega GT to be adapted for Saleen’s use, but apparently “updating it was not feasible” so the Saleen 1 was instead designed from scratch. The dimensions are indeed different as are the front and rear fascias (they do look considerably better than the Henrik Fisker-designed Artega GT), but it’s hard not to see the visual similarities between the two cars.

Like any such low-volume sports car, all claims and even its eventual existence have to be taken with a grain of salt. But the Saleen 1 at least looks pretty good, so consider us intrigued.

Related Video:

November 30, 2017 / Comments Off on Saleen 1 revealed | Compact, surprisingly restrained sports car features unique turbo engine
0
724

2019 BMW i8 Roadster revealed: More power, more range, more sun

The 2019 BMW i8 Roadster was shown to the world for the first time today at the LA Auto Show. In fact, BMW was so extremely intent on making sure everyone knows that it’s the first time in recorded human history that there has been a BMW i8 Roadster, it used the (redundant) term “first-ever” 29 times in the 10-page press release. So, although the i8 Coupe has been on sale since 2014, just so we’re crystal clear, there has never been a convertible version before. Cool? We get it? Great, moving on.

The electrically operated soft-top roof opens and closes in less than 16 seconds, folding in three segments into a vertically oriented ‘Z’ and uniquely stowing behind the passenger compartment in a perpendicular position. That, in addition to a 3.5-cubic-foot storage area takes the place of the Coupe’s +2 back seats. We can’t imagine anyone will miss them. The 4.7 cu.-ft. trunk is untouched.

Similar to the outgoing BMW 6 Series, the rear window is separate from the convertible roof, allowing it to act as a wind deflector when raised. It automatically does so by about 2 inches when the roof is lowered, but the driver can alter its height to adjust air flow as desired.

The roof itself is also noteworthy for its construction, much like the entire carbon-fiber-extensive i8. The aluminum elements that connect the roof to the body are produced using a 3D printing process. According to BMW, this breaks new ground in the automotive industry, allowing “the topologically optimized bracing to be produced in geometric form, which would not be possible using conventional casting techniques and ensures an optimal balance between component rigidity and weight.” Nifty.

In total, the i8 Roadster weighs 3,513 pounds – 132 more than the i8 Coupe.

Yet, the 2019 i8 news doesn’t end with the addition of the convertible. Both body styles have been updated with an updated lithium-ion battery pack. Battery cell capacity is up from 20 to 34 ampere hours and gross energy capacity has been raised considerably from 7.1 kilowatt hours to 11.6. The result is a bump in the electric motor’s output to 141 horsepower (up 12 hp) and the ability to more greatly rely on electric power while under way. Preliminary figures peg all-electric range at 18 miles (up from 15) and it can now reach 65 mph without the use of its gasoline three-cylinder engine.

Speaking of its old-fangled propulsion unit, that 228-hp turbo three-pot has been updated to sound a bit better and generate lower emissions. Altogether, BMW says the i8 Coupe will hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the i8 Roadster will do it in 4.4.

Other updates include new E-Copper and Donnington Grey exterior paint colors, and a new Tera World Copper interior trim (pictured above) described as a “high-end option featuring cloth/leather upholstery in an Amido/E-Copper color scheme.” You know, Amido, like “my son’s favorite color is Amido.” There’s no word if that’s the first-ever use of it in the automotive industry.

Sales of both the 2019 BMW i8 Roadster and Coupe will begin in Spring 2018, with pricing announced closer to launch.

Related Video:

November 29, 2017 / Comments Off on 2019 BMW i8 Roadster revealed: More power, more range, more sun
0
667

McLaren’s official winter tire package makes your 570S a weather beater

We’re just about to December, the temperature is dropping all around the country, and at least here in Michigan, we’ve even seen some snow flurries in the past month. That means it’s time to squirrel away the fancy expensive sports cars in favor of some safe, boring box until warm weather returns and salt departs, right? Wrong! If you have a McLaren 570S, 570GT or 570 Spider, you already have your winter car, because McLaren has a winter tire package for it.

The company partnered with Pirelli to offer a set of MC Sottozero 3 winter tires designed specifically for the Sports Series McLarens, which includes the whole 570 line in the U.S., as well as the 540C overseas. The tires come pre-mounted to a set of forged, gun-metal finish wheels for quick installation. The company says they provide substantially better performance than normal tires at temperatures under 44 degrees Fahrenheit, and the chunkier tread is better for displacing water and snow.

We’re not sure how many McLaren owners will take the company up on this new option, considering how protective people are over their supercars, but we sure hope some will. We certainly would enjoy being able to drive a McLaren all year long. It would even be a fairly smart choice for winter duty, particularly in salt-happy regions, since the carbon fiber body and chassis are naturally rust-proof.

Related Video:

November 27, 2017 / Comments Off on McLaren’s official winter tire package makes your 570S a weather beater
0
663

Elon Musk teases a flying version of Roadster supercar. Is he serious?

Tesla surprised the world last week when it revealed its Roadster on the same day it debuted its much-awaited (and much-hyped) electric-powered semi truck. Founder Elon Musk claims the car can do 0-60 in just 1.9 seconds, which would make it the fastest production car, and will have a 620-mile driving range.

Now, he’s claiming the supercar may eventually possess the ability to fly. He took to Twitter Sunday first to clarify that the 0-60 time is “the base model performance” but also to tease a “special option package that takes it to the next level.” We’ll let you read it below.

What to make of the latest Musk claim? Well, the unexpected news about the Roadster has already led many observers to wonder if Tesla is spreading itself too thin and creating more financial strains at a time when it needs to focus on fixing production bottlenecks for its Model 3 sedan, its attempt at an affordable, mass-market car, and reversing mounting financial losses. This will likely only add fuel to that fire.

Musk is also CEO of SpaceX and has frequently borrowed technologies developed by the rocket developer for Tesla, including a space-grade superalloy for Tesla’s “Ludicrous Mode,” notes Electrek. So he’d certainly have a leg up on his competitors in that regard.

Or, he could simply be joking.

Musk expressed uncommon skepticism about flying cars earlier this year in a TED Talk, saying they’d be noisy and generate high levels of wind force, according to USA Today.

“If something’s flying over your head and there’s a whole bunch of flying cars going all over the place, that is not an anxiety-reducing situation,” Musk said at the time. “You’re thinking, ‘Did they service their hubcap, or is it going to come off and guillotine me?'”

So we’ll ultimately have to wait for more details from Musk and his Twitter feed. Meanwhile, the Roadster will launch in 2020 with a Founder’s Series model priced at $250,000 and limited to just 1,000 models.

Related Video:

November 20, 2017 / Comments Off on Elon Musk teases a flying version of Roadster supercar. Is he serious?
0
634

Hennessey provides a peek at the Venom F5 hypercar’s interior

Hennessey Performance recently unveiled its upcoming Venom F5 hypercar, along with some impressive projected performance figures, including a claimed 301 mph top speed. But the unveiling only showed the exterior of the car. That will change on November 21 when the car’s insides are revealed, and the company also provided a peek at the steering wheel ahead of the debut.

What we can see is that the car has copious amounts of carbon fiber. The wheel appears to be made of carbon fiber, the dashboard is made of it, and it appears the LCD instrument panel is surrounded by it. Anything that isn’t made of exposed carbon fiber seems to be wrapped in leather or Alcantara.

The steering wheel is just covered in buttons, too, and even some toggle switches. Some of them are for usual car fare, such as the horn and turn signals, but there are some more exotic ones. There’s a button labeled “boost”, for example. It will be interesting to see if that’s for an overboost function for more pressure from the turbo for a short time. The gear selector even migrates to the steering wheel, appearing as a twist knob on the lower left of the wheel center.

We’re looking forward to seeing the full interior reveal on the 21st, but we’ll be looking forward even more to the final powertrain reveal. Though the company has announced the car will hit a top speed of 301 mph and have an original V8 design, John Hennessey has said that final powertrain details aren’t nailed down yet, and has left the door open for the engine having more than two turbos. The final car should start reaching customers around 2019 or 2020.

Related Video:

November 20, 2017 / Comments Off on Hennessey provides a peek at the Venom F5 hypercar’s interior
0
961

The Devel Sixteen hypercar, and its 5,000-hp engine, are real

Devel Motors unveiled the final concept version of its ambitious Sixteen hypercar at the Dubai Motor Show this week, a car that it claims will reach speeds of around 310 miles per hour when it finally goes into production.

That would make it the world’s fastest car if the claim can hold up, beating out the 277.9 mph mark just set by the Koenigsegg Agera RS and posing a challenge to the likes of the Bugattis and John Hennesseys of the world. The Dubai-based specialty company first announced its ambitions four years ago and has since joined forces with Italian firm Manifattura Automobile Torino, which worked on James Glickenhaus’ SCG 003 and the Apollo Intensa Emozione, and Muskegon, Mich.-based Steve Morris Engines.

The powertrain supplier, speaking of which, recently released a video of the 81-mm quad-turbo, 12.3-liter V16 engine it’s developed for the car, reaching 5,007 horsepower on a dynamometer. The screaming sound is unbelievable.

[embedded content]

Even if the car, the design of which is inspired by a jet engine, can make good on its audacious claims, the Sixteen won’t be street legal. Devel developer Rashid Al-Attari told CNN the Sixteen is “more of a dragster” and says the company is developing two versions permissible on roads: A 2,000-hp V8 and a V16 quad-turbo that makes 3,000 hp. They’ll cost $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, though the company apparently has no plans to limit production numbers.

Car vlogger Shmee can take you on a walkaround of the car and the accompany Devel Sixty off-roader in the video below.

[embedded content]

The company expects to complete the car, including testing, “in the next 12 to 18 months,” Al-Attari said.

Related Video:

November 16, 2017 / Comments Off on The Devel Sixteen hypercar, and its 5,000-hp engine, are real
0
995

Can’t get a Ford GT? You can at least get a Ford GT watch

It’s not easy or cheap to get a Ford GT, since you have to apply and spots are in extremely short supply, but you still have a chance to own a bit of Ford GT memorabilia at a much lower price. The car company teamed up with Autodromo, a watchmaker that specializes in automotive-themed watches, to create two lines of timekeepers inspired by the GT and the GT40.

The first line is the Ford GT Endurance Chronograph. Each watch in this line is available in one of five designs. Three of them are based on the Le Mans winning race cars. There’s a black and white one to commemorate the 1966 winner, a red and white one for the 1967 winner, and a red, white and blue one for the class winner in 2016. If none of those appeal to you, there is also a simple blue one with white stripes, and a blue one with red and white hands, a tribute to the American and French flags. The cases are made of stainless steel, and the faces are covered with sapphire crystal. It also uses a Seiko mecha-quartz movement. The watches are available now for pre-order, and will run $695 a piece.

If you’re a lucky owner of a new Ford GT, you’ll be able to order an Owner’s Edition Chronograph. Each of these watches can be customized by owners to match the color of their cars. They also get the same serial numbers as the owners’ cars. The face has a “honeycomb” texture based on some of the aluminum components in the GT’s chassis, and the buttons and crown are based on the GT’s shift paddles and scroll wheels. These watches have a ceramic and stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal dial and hands, and they use a Swiss Made automatic flyback chronograph movement. They will be available next spring, and pricing hasn’t been released yet. Considering the more exclusive clientele and construction, it will probably cost quite a bit more than the Endurance Chronograph.

Related Video:

November 16, 2017 / Comments Off on Can’t get a Ford GT? You can at least get a Ford GT watch
0
598

Pope Francis gets a papal-themed Lamborghini Huracan

Lamborghini picked a special recipient for the newest and rarest version of its Huracán RWD, giving an ultra limited-edition version of the supercar to Pope Francis in a ceremony Wednesday at the Vatican attended by company executives.

The new Popemobile, it’s not. Fittingly, according to Catholic News Agency, it’s the seventh version of the Huracán, the Italian company’s entry-level model. It’s set to be auctioned at RM Sotheby’s on May 12, 2018, with orders from the Holy See to split the proceeds between three charitable causes: restoring villages on the Nineveh Plain in Iraq, helping victims of human trafficking and supporting missionary work in Africa.

The papal Huracán RWD is done in Monocerus white with Tiberio yellow stripes running along the hood, roof and body, reflecting the colors of the flag of Vatican City. It was blessed and autographed by the pontiff in the presence of Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali, board members and two employees who helped build the car.

The Huracán is the successor to the Gallardo, Lamborghini’s best-selling model of all time, with a design inspired by the hexagonal form of the carbon atom. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated, 5.2-liter V10 that makes 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Normally, the sports car starts $199,800. But a version blessed and autographed by the pope? Priceless…

Related Video:

November 15, 2017 / Comments Off on Pope Francis gets a papal-themed Lamborghini Huracan
0
740

McLaren unfurls bespoke black-and-gold inscribed 720S for Dubai

Here’s a unique regional spin on a supercar: It’s a bespoke McLaren 720S designed by McLaren Special Operations done in Zenith Black paint with satin finish and gold accents, including an inspirational quote from the company’s founder on the rear wing done in Arabic lettering stylized to echo the Dubai skyline. It’s showing at the Dubai International Motor Show, after which the unnamed new owner will take delivery.

McLaren says achievement was a key theme behind the commission, both for the British luxury carmaker itself and the United Arab Emirates and Gulf states themselves, which form a key client and shareholder base for the company. The quote on the rear wing reads “Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone,” part of a longer quote from Bruce McLaren’s 1964 memoir “From the Cockpit.” A plaque inside the car identifies it as a “1 of 1” MSO commission.

Offsetting the satin black finish are gold accents, such as gold-colored alloy wheels, a 24-carat (!) gold engine heat shield and gold-colored interior components. Also added were carbon fiber exterior packs encompassing the front splitter and air intakes, rear bumper and roof panel. Inside, the trim is a mix of black leather and black Alcantara complemented by MSO Defined carbon fiber sill panels, fascia vents and steering wheel, plus a regular carbon fiber interior upgrade pack. The gearshift paddles are satin gold-painted, and each door inner panel gets a satin gold-colored appliqué.

The car is equipped with the 720S’s standard 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that goes 0-124 mph in 7.8 seconds and boasts a top speed of 212 mph.

McLaren says the personalization added more than 120 hours to the production process, including 30 hours alone to complete the rear wing stencil graphic.

November 14, 2017 / Comments Off on McLaren unfurls bespoke black-and-gold inscribed 720S for Dubai
0
753

McLaren sets release date for next hypercar, confirms track focus

We don’t have long before we finally get to see McLaren’s next hypercar, an addition to the Ultimate Series, meaning it will have performance comparable to the P1. Specifically, we have less than a month to wait, since the car, supposedly called P15, will be revealed on Dec. 10.

The company also released its second teaser for the car. It shows a very slender taillight with a large slatted vent above it and a mesh covered vent below it. Combined with the triple-exit exhaust we’ve previously seen, it should be quite aggressive-looking.

McLaren is staying fairly tight-lipped outside of these small details, but it did confirm one thing that was rumored. The company said that this will indeed be an extremely track-focused car, more than any previous McLaren, with “daily usability sacrificed to give the most intensive driver experience around a circuit.” This should also provide some contrast with the other hypercar in development, the BP23, which McLaren describes as being a “Hyper-GT,” which seems to imply that it will be more comfortable and practical.

Related Video:

November 14, 2017 / Comments Off on McLaren sets release date for next hypercar, confirms track focus
0
523

ATS rises from the ashes with its gorgeous GT supercar

Here’s a name we haven’t heard from in a while: Automobili Turismo e Sport is throwing its name back as an entrant in the war of the supercars with its new GT, a coupe that serves as a successor to a never-produced gran turismo car from the 1960s. True to its rarified segment, just 12 models will be produced starting at about $1.33 million, each highly customized to the purchaser’s tastes.

The coupe is a successor to the 2500 GT, which was revealed at the 1963 Paris Motor Show but never went into production before the entire company shut down in 1964. ATS was launched by Carlo Chiti and Giotto Bizzarrini after leaving Ferrari in 1961 due to a dispute with Enzo Ferrari. The initial aim was to beat Ferrari, and the company managed to produce a Formula One racer and the mid-engine 2500 GT.

Despite teasing several models in recent years, the GT will be the company’s first new production supercar in nearly half a century. Today’s version of the company is being run by ATS’s design chief, Emanuele Bomboi, and Daniele Maritan, a former race car driver turned importer and distributor of fast sports cars. The company insists this rebirth “is not a ‘nostalgia’ operation” and says it has other ideas it plans to develop beyond the GT.

Bombi formerly worked for Fiat and Bertone, and it shows in the GT’s styling. “The side silhouette of this new Gran Turismo is charged with energy, with clean lines framing arched surfaces,” the company says. “The outlines above the wheel are evocative while a clean flowing line divides the car’s upper and lower halves. As with the original car’s design, the windows provide a focus for the flanks of the car.” The new car also borrows its predecessor’s front spoiler, which runs the whole width of the car with the same blue Dragon of Bologna logo, with two stripes running along the bonnet. It gets a carbon fiber body and chassis for a curb weight of 2,866 pounds.

Powering the GT is a 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 mounted behind the cabin that does 650 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Or, buyers can upgrade to a 700-horsepower version with 553 lb-ft of torque. Either is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that drives the rear wheels. Zero to 60 time is around 3 seconds, and top speed is around 206 mph. Three driving modes are offered — Viaggio, Sport and Corsa — with each configuration changing the colors of the cockpit controls from blue, to yellow and red, respectively.

Does that sound a lot like the McLaren 650S to you? It does to us. That’s likely what this car is based on, although we don’t have any info at the moment about ATS’ relationship with McLaren, if there is one. We’ll know more, hopefully, when it’s closer to launch.

Related Video:

November 6, 2017 / Comments Off on ATS rises from the ashes with its gorgeous GT supercar
0
874

Ferrari FXX-K Evo sprouts wings and looks ready to fly

The winged devil you see above is the Ferrari FXX-K Evo. All those protuberances are there for a reason – from the reshaped front fascia with its carbon fiber splitters to the twin-profile rear wing and fixed fins – and that’s to produce downforce. Some of the most important aero bits are hidden where you can’t see. Vortex generators affixed to the belly of the beast and a massive rear diffuser help suck the FXX-K Evo to the track. A path of air travels from the hood, over the canopy, and ultimately to the rear wing, all in an effort to optimize flow and increase high-speed stability.

At 124 miles per hour, says Ferrari, the bits and baubles push toward the earth with 1,411 pounds of downforce. In addition to the aero tweaks, Ferrari made adjustments to the FXX-K’s suspension, fitted it with a redesigned steering wheel, and installed a larger interior display. Owners of previous FXX-K models can opt to have these upgrades added to their cars, and a limited number of new Evos will be produced.

These 1,050-horsepower hybrid gasoline-electric machines aren’t meant for the street. Instead, Ferrari arranges a nine-race schedule for owners who wish to stretch the FXX-K’s legs out on the track. And if you’re lucky enough to own one, we certainly hope you find enough time to take part in the high-speed festivities.

Related Video:

October 29, 2017 / Comments Off on Ferrari FXX-K Evo sprouts wings and looks ready to fly
0
530

Apollo Intensa Emozione is a 9,000 rpm middle finger to the turbo-hybrid establishment

German supercar builder Apollo has already shown one radical hypercar, the 1,000 horsepower Arrow, at last year’s Geneva auto show. But before that car launches, the company will sell a different hypercar with the name Intensa Emozione, IE for short, which you can probably guess translates to “intense emotion.” The IE is also a very different hypercar from both the Arrow and the establishment. It’s meant to be as raw and pure as a car can be.

One of the emblematic aspects of this idea is the powertrain. In the middle of the IE is a 6.3-liter V12 developed with Autotecnica Motori. Though its 769 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque may sound middle-of-the-road compared with many modern supercars, the IE is unique in that the engine is naturally aspirated and features no electrification whatsoever, so all you experience is a screaming internal-combustion engine. And, man, is it a screamer. It redlines at 9,000 rpm and makes peak power at 8,500 rpm.

One thing that’s a little odd considering the raw experience theme of the car is the inclusion of traction control and optional lower power settings. But the traction control can be switched all the way off.

Apollo Intensa Emozione

Also, although the engine doesn’t make record-setting power, there isn’t much car to move either. The IE uses a carbon fiber chassis and body, and curb weight is a svelte 2,756 pounds, roughly the same as a Toyota 86. The power is also channeled through a sequential six-speed manual for fast shifting. This combination allows the IE to hit 62 mph in a claimed 2.7 seconds on the way to a 208 mph top speed.

Straight-line speed is far from the only thing the IE is capable of, though. F1-style double-wishbone pushrod suspension is found at all four corners with adjustable Bilstein shocks and adjustable anti-roll bars. The various wings and splitters produce nearly 3,000 pounds of downforce at 186 mph. Apollo claims that, with the unspecified Michelin tires developed for the car, the Intensa Emozione is capable of over 2.0-g cornering. It should also stop plenty quickly, too, thanks to 15-inch rotors at each corner gripped by six-piston Brembo calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear.

There are a couple of additional perks to the Intensa Emozione. Buying one will allow the owner to participate in a time attack series hosted by Apollo for the hypercar. It will also give the owner first rights to the upcoming Apollo Arrow. Only 10 people will have access to these perks, since that’s as many IEs Apollo will build. They won’t come cheap either, with a price of €2.3 million, or $2.72 million at current exchange rates.

Related Video:

October 25, 2017 / Comments Off on Apollo Intensa Emozione is a 9,000 rpm middle finger to the turbo-hybrid establishment
0
608