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McLaren Artura sets new supercar standards

With acceleration figures now verified, the all-new High-Performance Hybrid powertrain in the McLaren Artura sets new benchmarks for performance, building on the levels of high-performance hybrid excellence set by the pioneering McLaren P1^TM,the world’s first hybrid hypercar, and the Speedtail Hyper-GT.

The Artura’s advanced petrol-electric powertrain delivers an unrivaled combination of throttle-response, acceleration, and electric-only, zero-emissions capability. It has been engineered to ensure the all-new McLaren supercar excels across the full spectrum of driving experiences, from everyday urban journeys to track day sessions.

“The McLaren Artura’s all-new, super-lightweight electrified powertrain is at the cutting-edge of high-performance-hybrid technology, engineered to offer all of the advantages of internal combustion and electric power in one package and establish new benchmarks for combined performance and efficiency in the supercar class. The ‘clean-sheet’ design of the Artura has allowed us to focus on how to make this power accessible to the driver and deliver the levels of engagement expected from a McLaren.”
Geoff Grose, Chief Engineer, McLaren Automotive

Minimizing weight was key to the design of the all-new powertrain. This is hugely important in an electrified supercar, as well as being absolutely aligned with McLaren’s philosophy of super-lightweight engineering that is fundamental to the performance, agility, and driver engagement inherent in every McLaren.

Breaking with the V8 convention established with the first supercar from McLaren Automotive, the 12C, at the heart of the Artura is an all-new, 3.0-liter V6 internal combustion engine. The 120-degree, twin-turbocharged M630 unit not only delivers unrivaled performance, but it also allows the most compact packaging possible. A 180-degree angle was considered but dismissed because it would raise the height of the crankshaft and therefore the center of gravity of the car. The wide-angle of the V6 cylinders allows the turbochargers to sit within the banks in a ‘hot vee’ configuration, which also benefits efficiency as they sit within a straighter, and therefore less restrictive, exhaust layout. Generating 585PS and 585Nm of torque, the all-new V6 engine is 190mm shorter and 220mm narrower than McLaren’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, and also 50kg lighter.

While the configuration of the all-new engine is key to Artura’s powertrain packaging, it is the innovative technology within that provides the biggest gains in lightweight and performance. The cylinder head and block utilize 3D printed cores, allowing uncompromised precision cooling, including a micro-compact 2mm cooling passage between the cylinders. The block has directly coated parent bores rather than separate coated liners, into which fuel is injected at 350bar pressure.

The Artura’s V6 engine is designed not just for compact packaging and efficiency, but also to increase driver engagement. Shared crankpins enable a very short and stiff crankshaft that allows the M630 to redline at a thrilling 8500rpm. It’s also a very refined engine, designed with the chain drive at the rear and with ancillary noises reduced so that the occupants only hear the V6’s distinctive intake and exhaust note, routed via Gasoline Particulate Filters to reduce emissions.

The V6 engine powers the rear wheels via an all-new eight-speed seamless shift transmission that has also been designed for optimized packaging. The length of the gear cluster has been reduced by 40mm, helped by the use of a nested clutch rather than a parallel unit and also the removal of a reverse gear, this function now achieved by Artura’s E-motor spinning in the opposite direction. The ultra-compact motor is fully integrated within the transmission bell-housing, delivering torque in-fill and linear acceleration via an E-differential to the rear wheels.

The Axial Flux design of the E-motor is another Artura benchmark. It is similar in size to a McLaren brake disc and at just 15.4kg it is only a little heavier than a conventional iron rotor component, yet it can generate up to 95PS and 225Nm as well as enable journeys of up to 30 kilometers in near-silent pure EV mode, attributes that are ideal for city driving or early-morning starts.

Providing the electric-only capability is a 7.4kWh Five-module Lithium-Ion energy-dense battery pack. Fully integrated into the Artura’s McLaren Lightweight Architecture (MCLA) chassis, the battery pack is positioned low-down in the car behind the driver, incorporated into the floor, and protected on three sides by the main carbon fiber structure and from behind by the engine. This positioning also helps to optimize both center of gravity and the polar moment of inertia, benefitting dynamic agility.

The hybrid battery sits on a cooling manifold, which is shared with the new electric heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system also used to control the air temperature in the cabin. Incorporating technology first developed for the McLaren Speedtail, the batteries are thermally controlled using dielectric oil – a technology also used to keep the E-motor at operating temperatures that deliver the highest level of performance.

True to the Artura engineers’ determination to optimize packaging and weight, the battery management unit sits alongside the modules, with the power distribution unit (PDU) integrated into the battery. An integrated Power Unit (IPU) acts as a DC/DC converter for the vehicle’s 12v system, further reducing weight by removing the need for a separate alternator and onboard battery charger.

Taking just 2.5 hours to charge from zero to 80% using an EVSE socket, the battery is carefully managed so that it never truly runs out of power; there is always something in reserve for reversing or starting the engine, even when parked for extended periods. This management process also ensures that the battery remains in peak condition and accordingly the unit is warranted for 6 years or 75,000km.

An Artura driver can adjust how the electric motor is deployed to prioritize range or power or choose to shut off the internal combustion engine for silent running. Energy harvesting is achieved purely from the combustion engine in order to maintain the brake pedal feel, yet the battery can be charged from low to 80% full within minutes under normal driving conditions. This ensures that the Artura is always ready to switch to electric-only mode, an option that adds discretion and enhanced economy to the driving experience, as well as reduced CO₂ emissions at just 129 g/km.

Additionally, Artura’s High-Performance Hybrid powertrain contributes to significant ownership benefits above and beyond the performance and driving engagement it delivers: a comprehensive 5-year vehicle and 6-year hybrid battery warranty are standard for Artura customers, as is a 3-year service plan.

McLaren Artura Validated Performance Figures

97km/h (0-60mph)
0-100km/h (0-62mph)
0-200km/h (0-124mph)
0-300km/h (0-186mph)
¼ mile
Maximum speed (electronically limited)

3.0 seconds
3.0 seconds
8.3 seconds
21.5 seconds
10.7 seconds
330km/h (205 mph)

April 10, 2021 / Comments Off

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FV Frangivento Sorpasso

We all think about Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini when someone mentions ‘Italian supercar’, but there are many more car builders in Italy, like FV Frangivento, located in Turin, and they just introduced their latest creation, the FV Frangivento Sorpasso, and while the ‘base’ model is called the Stradale, they also have a GTXX model, and it’s this one that comes with an interesting option.

As a special customization option, you can opt for the FV Frangivento Sorpasso GTXX to come with your choice of numbers for the ‘XX’ in the name, so you could have it as GT40, or GT63, or whatever number you like, and that’s not even the best part … there is also Programma Sviluppo and Programma Ego, this will give you 30-day access to the stylists at FV Frangivento to actually design you very own Sorpasso Stradale or Sorpasso GTXX.

The car in these press renders is in fact the FV Frangivento Sorpasso Stradale, the more elegant supercar, in this case, finished in ‘Grigio Hermes’, the Sorpasso GTXX will come with a GT3 inspired, more aggressive design and boast two-tone paint finish, for the interior a combination of Alcantara and leather is possible, and FV Frangivento lists an optional Avatar Driving Assistant. Which should become an AI technology-based co-pilot or travel assistant.

The FV Frangivento Sorpasso comes with four-wheel drive and a V10 engine, while the Stradala makes do with 610 hp, the GTXX will get a supercharger installed to raise the power output to 850 hp, the latter will be able to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in 2.9 seconds and won’t run out of breath until her maximum speed of 345 km/h (215 Mph) is reached.

No pricing yet, but FV Frangivento already has orders in, and plans to have the first of their latest Sorpasso delivered to their clients by July …

April 4, 2021 / Comments Off

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Falcon F7

I have to admit, I never heard about the Falcon F7 supercar from the USA, so I had to look into this one to get the full picture. It seems Jeff Lemke founded his company, Falcon Motorsports, in Michigan, near Detroit to bring back the supercar to America, the Falcon F7 was unveiled in 2012 and came with a price tag of $250,000.

In total only 7 units of the Falcon F7 would be made, one was lost in an accident and the car seen in these photos is production number 3, made in 2014, this specific car was used at the Detroit Auto Show of that year, in March 2015 they used the same car for How it’s Made: Dream Cars season 2 on television … this car is a TV celebrity.

By using lightweight materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and even kevlar, the total weight of the Falcon F7 is around the 2,800 pounds mark, the mid-mounted V8 engine is sourced from the Corvette Z06, after a tune-up of this 7-Liter unit by Lingenfelter, the power output is 620 hp with 585 lb-ft of torque and goes to the rear wheels only via a 6-speed manual gearbox, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is listed at 3.3 seconds.

The seller states this car was bought by his father in 2014, brand new, and comes with 20-inch Forgeline wheels, a Penske coilover pushrod suspension system, leather sport seats, climate control, a removable roof panel to turn her into a convertible, and there’s even an iPad mounted on the dashboard.

After seven years, this Falcon F7, chassis #FMS08212013F7M003, only shows 3,300 miles on the odometer, comes in a nice, dark red metallic paint over a black and tan interior, the clutch and axle shafts were recently replaced, and the massive engine received a tune from Falcon Motorsport not too long ago either … do note that there are no service records with this car.

It seems this 2014 Falcon F7 is probably the rarest car ever to be listed on Cars&Bids … if you’re interested in adding it to your collection, at the time of writing the high bid sits at $81,000 …

March 11, 2021 / Comments Off

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Rimac CEO rules out SUVs, says brand will stay focused on supercars

It sometimes seems as if the entire automotive world is consigned to a future of nothing but high-riding sport utility vehicles, even among brands known for high-end sports cars. Porsche long ago gave into the craze with the Cayenne, Lamborghini has given us the Urus, we just saw Aston Martin unveil the DBX, and Ferrari has its own plans for a lifted performance family hauler. But Croatian electric vehicle maker Rimac Automobili is signaling that it’s not going down that road.

CEO and founder Mate Rimac spoke with Top Gear about plans for future models, telling the site, “We ourselves? No. We will not do a performance SUV. For sure.” He told the site he understood why automakers like Aston give in to the SUV craze, but insists Rimac will remain focused on two-seat supercars with innovative features in areas of aerodynamics and weight. “But I don’t want to make SUVs or stuff like that,” he added for good measure.

For now, Rimac has been working on homologating the C_Two, a limited-edition, 1,914-horsepower battery-electric supercar that it unveiled in 2018 in Geneva. It’s powered by four electric motors that draw from a 120-kilowatt-hour battery pack, boasts a range of 404 miles on the generous NEDC cycle, a top speed of 258 mph and adds 1,969 pound-feet of torque to the mix.

Production is set to start next year, capped at 150 examples, which have long been sold out at a base price of around $2.1 million. We’ll reportedly see the production version in March at the Geneva Motor Show.

November 30, 2019 / Comments Off

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$3.4M Pagani Huayra Roadster BC debuts with more power, more weight than the coupe

Once the Huayra Roadster BC digitally debuted in the mobile racing video game CSR2, Pagani wasted no time dropping the official photos and details on the new supercar in full. Not content with simply releasing a warmed-up topless version of the Huayra BC, Pagani reworked the design, structure, and performance of the car to create a new experience. The car is priced at about $3.4 million, and only 40 will roam the earth.

Pagani calls its BC models “tributes to scientific research, beauty, and uniqueness.” They enhance the already impressive Huayra supercar by reducing weight, increasing power, increasing aero, and adding unique details that set it further apart from the increasingly crowded pack of specialty performance vehicles on the market. Of course, to build a performance Roadster, adding weight is expected, as well. The Roadster BC weighs in at 2,756 pounds (1,250 kg), which is significantly less than the 2,976-pound regular Huayra coupe and 2,922-pound regular Huayra Roadster, but heavier than the 2,685-pound Huayra BC coupe.

Pagani makes up for the weight difference by adding more power to the Roadster BC with a bespoke unit developed by Mercedes-AMG that Pagani calls “completely new.” The Mercedes-AMG-sourced 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 in the BC coupe was rated at more than 750 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. The Pagani twin-turbocharged V12 in the Roadster BC is rated at 791 horsepower at 5900 rpm and 774 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. That power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed XTrac transverse automatic transmission with an electro-mechanical differential. The supercar also wears a new titanium six-pipe exhaust setup with two extra outlets from the catalytic converters.

The Roadster BC is made to carve hard corners, too. Underneath, it has a monocoque made of ultra-light and super-strong carbo-triax HP62 and carbo-titanium HP62 G2 with front and rear tubular steel subframes. The suspension is set up with forged aluminum alloy independent double wishbones, helical springs, and electronically controlled shock absorbers. It sits on forged monoblock aluminum alloy wheels (20-inch in the front, 21-inch in the back), which are wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires (265/30 in front, 355/25 in back). Pagani claims the Roadster BC can handle more than 1.9 g of lateral force during constant running, with peak readings of up to 2.2 g.

To achieve such performance, the vehicle needs to slip through the air, keep cool, and stay grounded, so Pagani gave the Roadster BC some new bodywork. It features a redesigned wing, tweaked inlets, and a new aerodynamics kit. Pagani claims it generates up to 1,102 pounds of downforce at 174 mph.

Pagani lists the price for the Roadster BC, of which only 40 examples will be built, at $3,435,934 (3,085,000 €) plus VAT. It is scheduled to make its global in-person debut at the 2019 Pebble Beach festivities.

July 31, 2019 / Comments Off

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Veneno Roadster, One:1, One-77, LaFerrari, P1, Veyron headline 25-car Bonham’s auction

Bonhams is holding a no-reserve auction in fall 2019 that includes some of the most valuable and sought-after supercars of the past decade. The lot of 25 beautiful collector items includes a Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, a Koenigsegg One:1, an Aston Martin One-77, a Ferrari LaFerrari, a McLaren P1, and a Bugatti Veyron. The collection, which was seized from a corrupt politician from Equatorial Guinea, is valued at roughly $13 million.

If selling off future classics that are still in their infancy as collector items seems strange, it’s because this is not a straightforward situation. These cars will be sold off by the State of Geneva, not a person. The collection was previously owned by the vice president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang, but the cars were seized when he was placed under investigation for money laundering and unfair management of public interests.

These 25 cars, which were located in Geneva, were first sequestered in fall 2016. A trial court ordered them sold off, and the money earned from the sales would be invested in social programs that benefit Equatorial Guinea. And so, Equatorial Guinea is about to see an influx of cash, as every vehicle is valued in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

Supercar Collection Auction

The rarest might be the Koenigsegg One:1. One of only six remaining, it has 371 miles on the dial, and is valued at roughly $1.8 million. The Lamborghini Veneno Roadster, one of nine in the world, is a close second. It has 202 miles logged, and is valued at about $5.1 million.

The Aston Martin One-77 is another rare bird. It is example No. 35 of 77, holds a 7.3-liter V12 engine, and is valued at about $1.4 million. A McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, and Bugatti Veyron 16.4 round out the top of the list. The remaining cars are not fully detailed, but they include examples from Mercedes-Maybach, Bentley, Maserati and Porsche.

The auction will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Bonmont Golf & Country Club near Lake Geneva. For more photos and information, visit Bonhams.

June 24, 2019 / Comments Off

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[2019 Edition] 11 Most Anticipated Hypercars and Supercars

2019 and 2020 are shaping up to be the best years ever in terms of the sheer number of new hypercars we will start to see on the road. Every decade or so we get a new breed of hypercars that hit the scene and it seems this year is the start of the next era.

The trio of the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 were the previous kings of the hypercar world but that was back in 2013 and six years is a long time in automotive technology, particularly at the top end of the market. We decided to take a look at the most anticipated hypercars we can expect in the coming year or so to pump ourselves up.

You have the two-seater Mercedes-AMG Project ONE that will literally transfer the latest and most efficient Formula 1 hybrid technology almost one to one from the track to the street for the first time ever. Given their success in F1 recently, this may be the fastest production car around a track we have ever seen. Of course the guys at Aston Martin and Red Bull beg to differ, telling us that their Aston Martin Valkyrie will be a pure race car and will be close to Le Mans level spec out of the gate. Ferrari of course also announced their new hypercar, a 989 hp plug-in hybrid with turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 paired to three electric motors.

It isn’t just the traditional supercar and hypercar brands that have new supercars this year either. The electric only upstarts are challenging the incumbents with their all-electric hypercars and some pretty spectacular numbers. Tesla has their absurdly fast Roadster coming out while the much smaller Rimac is readying their 1,900+ hp Concept Two hypercar also.

If you are looking for the ultimate in vehicle performance. If you want a limited edition hypercar or supercar that sits on top of the automotive world, then read on because our list of the eleven most anticipated upcoming hypercars should get you excited:

Koenigsegg Jesko

The Koenigsegg’s Jesko comes with 1,600 hp and can do 300 mph according to Koenigsegg. There are two different versions of the car. Koenigsegg designed one for a high speed run to make the 300 mph, and one with some serious downforce for the racetrack. No matter the variant, you get a new carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, new suspension setup, redesigned engine, and a special gearbox. The car may be the successor to the Agera, but it’s all new.

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

Learn more: Koenigsegg Jesko

Tesla Roadster

By now you have all heard about Tesla’s latest F**ck You to the established supercar makers with the announcement of its new Roaster, due in 2020.

It is the ultimate performance machine with insanely fast acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds, 0 to 100 mph times of only 4.2 seconds and top speed north of 250 mph. This is for real.

Pininfarina Battista

New electric hypercar is the first fruit of the contract with Rimac. Rimac is supplying the battery and drivetrain expertise and is also handling a lot of the software and hardware. The car looks like what you’d expect a hypercar from Pininfarina to look like. It’s all sweeping lines that have been aerodynamically designed and beautifully crafted. The Battista may be a brute when it comes to power, but its styling is downright elegant. The teardrop style cockpit, long sloping roof, and rear with its floating taillights is gorgeous. The Battista features an all-electric powertrain. The 120 kWh battery pack comes from Rimac, and that powers the four electric motors that have a combined output of 1,900 hp and 1,696 lb-ft of torque. It can do a 0 to 60 mph sprint in under two seconds and make it to a top speed of 217 mph. The car is also capable of traveling 280 miles per charge.

Learn more: Pininfarina Battista

Aston Martin Valkyrie

The most extreme car ever created when it is finished in 2020. It is basically an LMP1 lap time machine that works on the road too. With Red Bull Advanced Technologies begins the project and Cosworth developing the incredible V12 engine, Aston Martin has brought Rimac to supply the Valkyries high performance and lightweight hybrid battery system. Electric power will be vital to ensure drivability, but will also be called upon for a power boost, should 11,100 rpm and 6.5 liters be insufficient on their own.

Learn more: Aston Martin Valkyrie

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

It’s a stunning new hybrid supercar that offers 989 hp from a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It features a plug-in hybrid setup that utilizes a turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 paired to three electric motors.

Two of those electric motors are mounted on the front axle and one is mounted between the engine and the gearbox. This setup with the V8 and electric motors makes the Ferrari good for a 2.5-second 0-60 mph time. The powertrain is the most powerful of any Ferrari and puts the SF90 Stradale atop the Ferrari lineup.

The car also features an all-new chassis made of carbon fiber and aluminum. The sleek body panels and its aerodynamic shape help the model make a whopping 860 pounds of downforce at speed, and the whole profile of the car is extremely low so it can slash through the air at high speeds. It has a two-piece rear wing that comes from the company’s work in F1 racing.

Learn more: Ferrari SP90 Stradale

Aston Martin AM-RB 003

The Aston Martin AM-RB 003, is the third of the mid-engine supercars Aston is working on. The company partnered with Red Bull Advanced Technologies to put together the car, much like it has with the Valkyrie. The car still borrows a lot of technology and performance principles from Formula 1 cars. However, it will be the most roadgoing version of an Aston mid-engine car yet. It will get a roomier cockpit than the other cars, more interior storage, a larger cargo area, and doors that make it easier to get in and out of the low-slung coupe. The vehicle gets a lightweight carbon fiber structure, carbon fiber bodywork, active aerodynamics, and Valkyrie-like styling. The powertrain for the model is a hybrid that utilizes a V6 engine and electric motors.

Learn more: Aston Martin AM-RB 003

McLaren Speedtail

Meet the new Speedtail – an aptly-named addition to McLaren’s Ultimate Series. This limited-edition car, of which only 106 examples will be built, represents McLaren’s unyielding pursuit of top-speed. It will do 250+ mph, has over 1,000+ bhp and costs a whopping $2.2 million.

Its silhouette sweeps from the front of the car to the extended rear – a teardrop shape that is the key to its exceptional aerodynamics – with side accents that add an organic edge to its smooth profile. The front rims are enclosed – for maximum top-speed – while the rears remain exposed. The entire care oozes elegance, class, and barely-contained power that the lucky driver will be able to unleash.

McLaren has labeled the Speedtail a Hyper GT, which seems fitting given the excess of the car and its abilities. This is a car that’ll take you to 250mph.

Learn more: McLaren Speedtail

Aston Martin Vanquish

The Aston Martin Vanquish will compete in the supercar market with the Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Huracan EVO, and McLaren’s vehicles. The Vanquish is still a few years away from debuting, but when it does, it will be a force to be reckoned with. The car will feature an aluminum V6 engine paired with an electric motor. This hybrid powertrain will place it securely in the modern age and help it compete with the other big names in the supercar segment.

Gordon Murray Automotive T50

We still don’t know much about the T50 but it is probably the most exciting car on this list. According to his website, the car will use a carbon fiber tub, a naturally aspirated V12 engine, a good-old-fashioned six-speed manual transmission, and be rear-wheel drive. The car will also seat three people. The driver will be front and center with the two passengers to either side. The car will begin production in 2022. Right now the car is in advanced stages of development. The vehicle is said to cost upwards of $2.5 million. Murray plans to only build 100 versions of the car, too, meaning it will be a rare model. The model is supposed to have the most advanced aerodynamics of any car and an unmatched power-to-weight ratio.

Mercedes-AMG Project One

In case you missed the official unveiling of the new hypercar, the Project One has an F1-derived 1.6 liter V6 hybrid powertrain which gives it a total power output of over 1,000 hp and a maximum speed of over 217 mph. The hypercar also features an electric turbocharger, four electric motors and 11,000 rpm redline and an idle speed of 4000 rpm. It also gets Variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with hybrid-drive rear axle, electrically driven front axle and torque vectoring. The Mercedes-AMG promises the Project ONE will combine stunning racetrack performance and practical Formula 1 hybrid technology with exemplary efficiency. If I were to bet on which car on this list would win a race on a real circuit, this is the one I would put my money on.

Rimac Concept Two

It is an all-electric hypercar called the Concept Two that debuted today at the Geneva Motor Show. Rimac says it has 1,914-horsepower and a sprint from standstill to 60 mph in an absurd 1.85 seconds. That would make it the quickest accelerating car ever. Rimac says its 120 kWh battery enables over 400 miles of range too so this could be a very practical electric hypercar. Cool features include facial recognition technology that will both unlock and start the car. The company claims that it’ll get to 100 mph in 4.3 seconds and run a quarter mile in 9.1 seconds. The C Two tops out at 258 mph. If this is the future of electric supercar performance then count me in.

June 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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Somebody sideswiped Tracy Morgan’s Bugatti Veyron right after he bought it

Tracy Morgan was again involved in a headline-making car accident this week. Luckily, it was nowhere near as dangerous as his previous crash, and nobody was injured. His just-purchased Bugatti Veyron, however, sustained minor damage from a Honda CR-V sideswiping Morgan.

Nearly five years to the date after he was seriously injured from a Walmart truck crash, Morgan was forced to file another police report for a wreck. This time, however, it occurred at low speeds in New York City and was much less serious. The accident took place in Hell’s Kitchen and occurred just 15 minutes after Morgan bought the used 2012 Bugatti Veyron at Manhattan Motorcars, according to TMZ. His response was expectedly filled with anger:

Video from the scene shows Morgan banging on the other car’s window and complaining he’d just bought his new Bugatti (?: itsfraufrau via Instagram) pic.twitter.com/qtgCUmDF1U

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) June 4, 2019

Morgan is seen slapping the window of the CR-V and yelling, “B****, get out the car!” Once he cooled down, he tweeted that he was “totally fine.”

Thanks for any concern but I am totally fine. My NEW CAR? We shall see. Love you all.

— Tracy Morgan (@TracyMorgan) June 4, 2019

The reports do not specify exactly who was at fault, but the photos show the CR-V angled into Morgan’s supercar. The Veyron took most of the damage on its driver-side front quarter panel.

Because the sale was so fresh, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is still listed on the Manhattan Motorcars website. The Pearl-over-Cognac Veyron had only 1,679 miles on it at the time of purchase, and it was listed for $1,890,000. We’re not sure if that value will go up because it was owned by Morgan or down because it’s now been involved in an accident.

June 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 Hypercar Details Come to Light

The Man Behind the McLaren F1 Has a New Car

We reported a while back that Gordon Murray had a new hypercar he was working on. Details about the car were extremely scarce at the time of that writing. Now, some of those details have come to light. According to his website, the car will use a carbon fiber tub, a naturally aspirated V12 engine, a good-old-fashioned six-speed manual transmission, and be rear-wheel drive. The car will also seat three people. The driver will be front and center with the two passengers to either side.

The car will begin production in 2022. Right now the car is in advanced stages of development. The vehicle is said to cost upwards of $2.5 million. Murray plans to only build 100 versions of the car, too, meaning it will be a rare model. The model is supposed to have the most advanced aerodynamics of any car and an unmatched power-to-weight ratio.

Murray doesn’t seem too interested in what people think, which is refreshing. He’s here to build the best-driving car out there. “I have absolutely no interest in chasing records for top speed or acceleration. Our focus is instead on delivering the purest, most rewarding driving experience of any supercar ever built – but, rest assured, it will be quick,” he said.

It’s this focus on the actual driveability of the car that has us so excited. Chasing top speeds and faster acceleration times is all well and good, but if you have to ruin the driving experience to get there, then you’ve missed the point. Murray knows what it takes to build an engaging car and the T.50 should be impressive.

June 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Arrested: Former Porsche dealer who’s accused of stealing $2.2M from customers

Federal authorities have arrested the former executive at a South Florida Porsche dealership who disappeared in September after customers say he bilked them out of millions of dollars in deposits for 911 GT supercars that they never received.

U.S. marshals on Tuesday arrested Shiraaz Sookralli, 44, the former vice president of marketing for Champion Porsche in Pompano Beach, Florida, the top-selling Porsche dealer in the U.S. He’ll likely face charges of mail and wire fraud and money laundering when he’s arraigned April 16.

Much of the story was spelled out in media reports and online forums last summer, but the FBI offers some new details in an arrest affidavit. It alleges that Sookralli received more than $2.2 million from around 30 customers that he routed into a shell account named Champion Autosports. The complaint says Sookralli spent tens of thousands of dollars on luxury vehicles and jewelry, nightclubs and restaurants around Miami after initiating the scheme sometime in 2017. The customers never received their Porsches.

The affidavit further describes interviews with former co-workers and employees of high-end nightclubs and restaurants in Miami who “confirmed that Sookralli frequently enjoyed an extravagant and opulent lifestyle. Bank records analysis shows that Sookralli amassed large tabs at these night clubs and restaurants that were paid with the proceeds of his fraudulent activity.” Further, despite being VP of marketing, Sookralli was found not to be an authorized Porsche salesman at the dealership and never reported his sales transactions to the sales manager at Champion Porsche.

Further, a lawyer for Champion Porsche managed to contact Sookralli on Sept. 10, 2018, days after he disappeared, and asked him if he had taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers. “Sookralli responded something to the effect of, ‘More like millions,'” the complaint reads. He also agreed in the conversation to send over a list of the customers from whom he’d taken money for deposits. The complaint does not say where Sookralli went after he disappeared.

The dealership filed suit in September against Sookralli, his wife, Vimla Sookralli; and the shell account it alleges he created, named Champion Autosport, to siphon off deposits. A lawyer for the dealer says it has reimbursed all of the affected customers, either by refunding their deposits or applying them to new vehicles.

Sookralli, who is married with 10 children, had credit card debt of more than $176,000 as of 2016, the Orlando Sentinel reports. He made his first appearance in federal court in Fort Lauderdale earlier this week and was to have a bond hearing Friday, according to the Miami Herald. He plans to plead not guilty.

April 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Watch the Ferrari F8 Tributo in its first official videos

The Ferrari 458 Italia has played a core role for the Italian brand since its debut all the way back in 2009 and has been in a perpetual state of improvement throughout the 10 years. It has evolved through numerous stages and earned a new name at each step, from the Speciale to the 488 GTB to the Pista to the newest model, the F8 Tributo. Although each car has the same genes, every one has a slightly different look due to numerous aerodynamic tweaks and subtle bodywork changes. The new angles are obvious in the Tributo’s first official videos released this week.

The video above premieres the car in a mountainous environment with all the curvy roads one could ever need. It flips between close-ups of the car, driving shots, and hazy smoke-filled displays of power. The only negative is the super-quick cuts don’t allow much time to stare.

The videos below put the F8 Tributo’s aerodynamics and power on display. Several parts of the Tributo’s salacious body is functional, including the front S-Duct, the front splitter, the underside vortex generators, the beefier rear spoiler, and the rear diffuser. It also has some hidden tricks using active features. Overall, Ferrari says it has 10 percent better efficiency than the 488 GTB.

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Power comes courtesy of a different 458 family member, the 488 Pista. They share Ferrari’s twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 that makes 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. It’s the most powerful V8 Ferrari has ever put in a car that wasn’t part of a special series. Get more familiar by watching all three clips.

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March 12, 2019 / Comments Off

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Will Koenigsegg’s ‘Affordable’ Supercar Get 1,050 hp Hybrid Powertrain?

That Sounds Pretty Good

We reported not long ago about the Koenigsegg partnership with NEVS, and the company’s plans to build a more affordable supercar priced at about €1 million (about $1,144,000). The vehicle was rumored to have the company’s camless engine technology. New information surfaced thanks to a Twitter user claiming the be an early investor with inside knowledge.

According to Carscoops, the Twitter user AutoPap told the world that the upcoming car would get a powertrain that makes 1,050 hp. The car would have a 2.9-liter V8 hybrid powertrain. The user also said the body would be made of carbon fiber and aluminum and the wheels would be carbon fiber.

We tried to click through to the Twitter user’s tweet but found it led to a blank page. We assume that means it was taken down. After finding the user’s profile, we noticed another tweet matching the first except for the fact that AutoPap mentioned a 3.9-liter V8 instead of a 2.9-liter as Carscoops reported.

The tweet appeared after Carscoops reported on the first, so it would seem the user took down the original and posted another revised tweet. He or she also claims the media has this wrong but doesn’t provide many details as to what was incorrect about the report.

If the Koenigsegg vehicle comes with either a 2.9-liter or 3.9-liter V8 hybrid powertrain it should be a killer car. There’s always the chance AutoPap’s information is inaccurate, but the specs would make sense for the new Koenigsegg car. Only time will tell if the tweets prove correct.

February 15, 2019 / Comments Off

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SSC dubs 2019 the ‘Year of the Tuatara,’ releases driving video

By the Chinese lunar measurements, 2019 is the Year of the Pig, but SSC North America goes by a different calendar. According to its own time, 2019 is the Year of the Tuatara.

SSC Founder and CEO Jerod Shelby and designer Jason Castriota officially unveiled (again) the Tuatara with full specs at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in impressive fashion. It peacocks an other-wordly shape, it sits lower to the ground than a vacuum cleaner, and has a twin-turbo V8 with a claimed maximum output of 1,750 horsepower on E85 Flex Fuel. But it kind of disappeared after Pebble.

We recently saw the car physically moving at a dealership, yet parking lot maneuvers only show so much. That gave a nice aural preview, but the public has been begging for video of it in action on real roads doing real driving. Two new videos direct from SSC provide that footage. Sorta.

One clip is 39 seconds and shows the Tuatara overtaking SSC’s first supercar, the Ultimate Aero. The second clip is 25 seconds, with half of that taken up by a logo and a hashtag. The second video shows the car entering an open road, as well as taking a turn on a twisty, both a low speeds.

When this car will finally make it into the hands of the public, we’re not sure, but it’s sure nice to look at.

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February 13, 2019 / Comments Off

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W Motors Fenyr Supersport

If one takes some time to reflect on the origins of the supercar as we know it Italy, Germany, France, England, and of course the United States immediately come to mind as homes. These nations have the deepest roots in creating the most sought-after, exotic and timeless automobiles in the world.

Occasionally manufacturers based outside of the big five like Sweden’s Koenigsegg quickly become the stuff of legends but this fame is rare indeed. W Motors aims to create its own legacy starting with its own interpretation of what defines a supercar.

The Wolves Den

Established in 2012 by Ralph Debbas, W Motors (the W stands for “Wolf”) is the first exotic car manufacturer from the Middle East. Initially based in Beirut Lebanon before moving to its current location in Dubai, Debbas company has taken a modern approach to its production.

Using its own expertise and leveraging partnerships with long-standing industry leaders like RUF and Magna-Steyr W Motors created the Lykan Hypersport in 2013 (Featured in Furious 7), following it up with the Fenyr Supersport in 2017.

Savage Beast

Image From W Motors

In keeping with the wolf theme, the Fenyr name is based on “Fenrir”, a mythical wolf from Norse mythology. Sporting a lightweight chassis and carbon fiber body this beast is W Motors sportiest offering with the angular surfaces, numerous vents, and imposing scoops lending it an aggressive presence.

Image From W Motors

A stout 800 HP is provided by the wailing RUF-tuned 3.8L twin-turbo flat-six, feeding power to the rear wheels via a Porsche 7-speed PDK gearbox Keeping everything in check is a front MacPherson-strut suspension with a pushrod-actuated multi-link rear.

Braking is provided by massive 6-piston calipers and 15” brake rotors front and rear. 19” front and 20” rear forged Aluminium center lock wheels and massive tires complete the imposing esthetic.

Inside the Cage

The interior features a large information-filled dash along with a large center screen and a small informational screen on the passenger side of the dash.

Image from Sandpacri

Image From W Motors

With an estimated price tag of around 1.5 million USD and capped production, the would-be buyers will definitely have some level of exclusivity. Only time will tell if the Fenyr is destined to become legendary.

Impressions

There is very little video content on the Fenyr but the following videos give a good sense of what this car is all about.

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Specifications

Horsepower: 800hp
Torque: 723 lb-ft
0-60: 2.7s
Top Speed: Over 400km/h
Weight: 2,976 lbs

February 7, 2019 / Comments Off

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Koenigsegg plans a ‘CO2 neutral’ hybrid supercar

Fresh from receiving a 150 million-euro infusion from National Electric Vehicle Sweden, the Chinese-backed company that bought up Saab‘s assets out of bankruptcy, supercar maker Koenigsegg has signaled just what it plans to do under the new joint venture. Christian von Koenigsegg gave an interview to Top Gear in which he said he wants to develop an all-new supercar to sit below ultra-exclusive models like the Agera RS and Regera, priced at around €1 million (about $1.15 million) to grow sales from 20 a year into the hundreds, because “our brand has outgrown our production volumes by quite a big margin.” And it will feature a novel, “completely CO2 neutral” hybrid powrtrain using the “freevalve” camless combustion engine technology the company has been developing in concert with battery-electric power.

“Given the freevalve technology, we can actually cold-start the car on pure alcohol, down to -30 degrees Celsius, so there’s no need for any fossil fuel mix then,” he told Top Gear. “The idea is to prove to the world that even a combustion engine can be completely CO2 neutral.”

Von Koenigsegg previously hinted at the setup after talking about how his engineers were responding to Tesla‘s claims that its forthcoming next-generation Roadster would be capable of a 1.9-second 0-60 mph time. He further hints that the new hybridized supercar will look unmistakably like a Keonigsegg but be in a different segment altogether from either the Agera RS or plug-in hybrid Regera.

Consider us very much intrigued and eager to hear more. Meanwhile, Koenigsegg has said it plans to reveal the successor to the Agera RS next month at the Geneva Motor Show based on a refined version of the same supercharged V8 combustion engine.

The new joint venture with NEVS, meanwhile, sees that company take a 65 percent ownership stake, with Koenigsegg holding the rest and contributing its trove of intellectual property, technology licenses and product design. NEVS also gets a 20 percent stake in Koenigsegg itself.

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February 1, 2019 / Comments Off

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This 1987 Ferrari F40 LM is for the millionaire who dares to be different

Throughout the past decade, the Ferrari F40 has become one of the most highly regarded and highly coveted supercars ever built. When cars become so iconic, any red model no longer excites. It’s the specialty models, such as this stunning light blue Le Mans example, that catch the real attention at an auction house.

This 1987 Ferrari F40 LM is expected to go for up to perhaps $6,280,000 at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s in Paris on February 6 during Retromobile week. According to RM Sotheby’s, the Pilot exterior livery makes this one of the most recognizable F40 LMs ever built, although that pool is extremely small. Only 19 F40s were ever created by Michelotto to LM or Competizione spec.

Chassis No. ZFFGJ34B000074045 is reported to be only the third F40, not just of LM F40s, of all F40s built. It was a pre-production prototype, and the car’s insane history doesn’t stop there. It also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 and 1996, yet finished only 12th in 1995 (it did win the 1995 Anderstorp 4 Hours). That’s shocking considering the engineering and power this car is known for.

In Michelotto LM spec, the twin-turbocharged V8 was uprated to more than 700 horsepower using enlarged turbochargers, bigger intercoolers, and a better Weber-Marelli fuel injection system. Using tech learned from the Group B 288 GTO Evoluzione development, it also had a stiffer chassis, an upgraded transmission, better brakes, and altered exterior aero equipment. Rated at about 2,350 pounds, it was one of the fastest cars on the planet at the time. Wherever this car goes, we hope the owner takes advantage of its eligibility for numerous racing events.

Several other Ferraris will also roll across the auction stage, including a 1996 F50, a 1966 275 GTB/6C Alloy Berlinetta, a 2011 SP30, a 599 SA Aperta, a 2003 Enzo, and a 2006 Superamerica. Outside the Ferraris, the 1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport is catching our eye.

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January 31, 2019 / Comments Off

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Could BMW i8 Replacement Come Soon?

A New Electrified BMW Supercar? Yes Please

It seems BMW’s affinity for electrified powertrains will extend to new supercars in the future. There have been a few rumors of BMW working on a new EV supercar, but now it seems more likely. BMW R&D boss Klaus Froehlich sat down with Autocar and one of the topics he discussed is an electric supercar or at least a hybrid supercar much like the i8.

“If you are an engineer, once in your life, you want to make a super-sports car,” Fröhlich told Autocar. “I think partial electrification will enable that.”

He pointed to the fact that BMW has the ability to build high-powered electric drive units, super light carbon fiber chassis, and high-performance gasoline engines. He said those three elements could be combined to make a supercar.

What Will it be Like?

According to Autocar, the new model could compete directly with Ferrari and McLaren. It would have a much larger gasoline engine paired with high-powered electric motors and a carbon fiber chassis much like the i8’s. The car should have 700 hp so it can edge out the M8’s 620 hp and put the car at the top of BMW’s M-Division lineup.

2011 BMW i8 Concept Gallery — An i8 replacement would be much more powerful.

That 700 hp mark sounds like a lot until you consider that Froehlich told Autocar the electric motors BMW produces should make 197 hp and 378 lb-ft of torque. Froehlich also said that BMW’s M-Division will eventually go fully electric, but that hybridization will play an important role moving forward.

With all that Froehlich said during the interview in mind, it’s clear that BMW sees electric cars as the future for high-performance vehicles. While BMW hasn’t officially released anything that explicitly says the i8 will be replaced by a much more powerful supercar, Froehlich’s interview is a clear sign of where things are heading.

January 3, 2019 / Comments Off

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Video: SSC Tuatara flexes and revs for the camera

Hennessey is not the only American car company in the 300-mph conversation. SSC North America is currently holding its finger up saying, “Hold up, don’t forget about us!” Its upcoming hypercar, the 1,750-horsepower Tuatara, was recently the focus of a walkaround video that included startup and revs of its 5.9-liter V8.

Youtube car videographer WVM3 Dream Drives recently hit the jackpot when he showed up to Miller Motor Cars in Greenwich, Connecticut. In addition to the scores of high-end luxury sedans and supercoupes, which included Bentleys, Aston Martins, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Pagani Huayra “Scozia,” the Tuatara was in attendance. According to the videographer, this was the second preproduction prototype.

SSC reentered the performance conversation this year when it showed the Tuatara at the Pebble Beach Concept Lawn. It’s a car that was first unveiled back in 2011, but that was just a concept at the time, whereas this year’s car is a prototype with years of extra research and development. We’re skeptical of any boutique supercar, but the company’s history with the Ultimate Aero and the car’s specs pique interest.

SSC claims the Tuatara’s coefficient of drag is an astounding 0.279, compared to the Koenigsegg Agera‘s 0.33 and the Bugatti Chiron’s 0.36. Pushing it through the air is a twin-turbo 366-cubic-inch (5.9-liter) V8. SSC claims the Tuatara can make 1,750 horsepower on E85 flex fuel or 1,350 horsepower on premium 91 octane fuel. With a seven-speed “computerized manual,” and an 8,800 rpm redline, it should be an absolute screamer.

Regardless of whether the car will actually be able to reach 300 mph and claim the throne as the fastest production car in the world, the bodywork itself is a display of incredible engineering. Eat it up with your eyes in the video above.

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January 2, 2019 / Comments Off

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2018 Saleen S1 Supercar

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a supercar roll off the production line from Saleen. But that’s going to change soon. There’s speculation that the manufacturer will open its books to take orders for the 2018 Saleen S1. This American-made two-seater previously revealed at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. It apparently drew enough interest to make it into production.

The supercar will reportedly carry a price tag of $100,000. It is supposedly an affordable asking price for a vehicle of its caliber. So let’s take a closer look at what makes this Coupe a drool-worthy machine.

With a body crafted mostly out of carbon fiber alongside an aluminum chassis, the S1 clocks in at a very manageable 2,685 pounds. This coupe flaunts a mid-mounted 450-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four engine with 350 lb-ft of torque that was developed in-house by Saleen.

Controlled testing conditions show that it can cover a quarter-mile in just 11.3 seconds and accelerate from 0-60mph in under four seconds. The first few models that will come with a six-speed manual transmission. Meanwhile, another trim with paddle shifters and dual-clutch will supposedly follow shortly thereafter.

We have yet to gather more details regarding the cabin, but Saleen revealed that the 2018 S1 will sport a digital instrument cluster, a three-spoke steering wheel, and an infotainment system located smack in the middle dash. We hope to see more original performance cars from the brand in the future.

Check it out from Saleen

Photos courtesy of Saleen

December 28, 2018 / Comments Off

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Bugatti speeds up testing on its 3D-printed titanium brake caliper

There are only a few manufacturers on that planet that are so important and so specialized that their production of a brake caliper would warrant any amount of attention. Bugatti is one of those few. After premiering a 3D-printed titanium caliper early in 2018, Volkswagen Group released a video of engineers putting the new design to extreme speed and heat testing. Spoiler alert: flames and sparks are involved.

Bugatti had a lot of claims and planted a lot of flags when it first showed this caliper. “World’s first brake caliper to be produced by a 3D printer. Largest brake caliper in the automotive industry as a whole. First series manufacturer to use titanium. Largest titanium functional component produced by 3D printing in the world.” Long story short, it’s a big deal, but it is not yet stamped as ready for production. That’s what the testing seen here is for.

The video, which was brought to our attention by Motor1, shows the brake caliper in action, not on a car but in a lab. VW claims it’s one of the most powerful brake test benches on the market, which we’re inclined to believe considering the groundbreaking technology that has come from its Veyron, Chiron and Divo supercars.

The test is exactly what you’d expect. They put the caliper onto a rotor, which is attached to a machine that spins the rotor and has all sorts of sensors that show the engineers the specs of the test. The video shows it spinning up to speeds in excess of 230 mph multiple times. The disc temperature skyrockets to 1,877 degrees Fahrenheit on the third spin, which elicits a light show of thermal heat, sparks, and flames. The engineers then take off the caliper and show the camera that everything is still in place and intact.

The video does not clear the caliper for production, but it certainly looks like its getting close to that point. The package will likely debut for the Chiron, the Divo, or both and will most definitely cost thousands and thousands of dollars.

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December 21, 2018 / Comments Off

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