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McLaren Customer Racing takes race-winning performance to new a level with 720S GT3X

17 Mar 2021

McLaren 720S GT3X track day model by McLaren Customer Racing unleashes full power and performance of a race car
Development of the fully-fledged 720S GT3 racing car without constraint of racing regulations or homologation
Additional power increase of over 197bhp from the standard GT3 engine, with a further 30bhp available by a push-to-pass system
Built-to-order model restricted to racetrack use only; available to order now from 11 McLaren Motorsport Retailers worldwide

McLaren Customer Racing has confirmed that an unrestricted version of its 720S GT3 race car is now available to order through McLaren Motorsport Retailers. Designed and developed in-house by the GT motorsport arm of McLaren Automotive, the GT3X is for track use only but is not homologated for any racing class or championship. Without the need to comply with competition regulations, increased levels of power and performance have allowed McLaren Customer Racing to further exploit the chassis and aerodynamic characteristics of its latest-specification, race-winning 720S GT3 to optimise circuit driving enjoyment.

The 720S GT3X features a lightweight but inherently strong carbon fibre chassis as seen at the core of every McLaren for more than 30 years, utilizing the MonoCage II chassis which underpins the current 720S range. Performance comes from the familiar 720S engine, optimized to combine features from the road and track variants. Coupled to a six-speed sequential motorsport transmission, a unique version of the hand-built 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine includes a blueprinted cylinder head, strengthened pistons, ‘Diamond Like Carbon’ (DLC) technology and a lightweight performance exhaust system. The 720S GT3X has been fitted with track-focused components and systems to produce 710bhp, with a further 30bhp boost function (Push-to-Pass System) available to the driver through a steering wheel-mounted button.

The lightweight 720S GT3X tips the scales at just 2,668lbs, making it more than 440lbs lighter than the road-going 720S supercar on which it is based. The severe weight-saving efforts have seen all non-essential or luxury items removed where possible, leaving the driver with just what they need to extract the best performance. Each of these measures combine to see the 720S GT3X boast a power-to-weight ratio of 587bhp-per-ton.

The development program has seen a focus on pure engineering, innovative aerodynamics and efficient design, taking place across thousands of track kilometers in Europe and the Middle East. The 720S GT3X is an optimized version of an already-bespoke GT3 race car, with the bodywork design and the flowing lines developed using ‘Computational Fluid Dynamics’ (CFD) and Formula 1 wind tunnel technology. The aerodynamically sculpted shape is hand-finished in metallic MSO Carbon Black paint. A refined pinstripe in heritage McLaren Orange, a subtle nod to the historic race-winning McLaren Formula 1 cars of the 1960s, accentuates the lower edges of the ground-hugging body shape and the outer rim of the gloss black center-locking wheel rims, while an ‘X’ graphic stretches across the upper canopy.

The stripped-out cabin features extensive use of lightweight carbon fibre and is designed around outright track performance and functionality. A carbon fibre and Kevlar FIA-approved race seat hugs the driver and weighs just 22lbs, while the pedal box and steering wheel adjust to ensure the perfect driving position. The ergonomically-designed race steering wheel is fitted with all key functions via intuitive rotary switches and buttons meaning everything is at the driver’s fingertips. Thrill seekers are also able to experience the speeds and exhilaration of the race track as the interior of the 720S GT3X has been designed to accommodate a fully safety-compliant passenger race seat, complete with six-point race harness. Modifications over the race track car include a revised design to the roll-cage and enhanced crash structures around the occupant safety cell.

In addition to delivering a new type of performance on the track, the 720S GT3X delivers a new level of ownership experience. As part of the purchase and ownership package, the motorsport division of McLaren Automotive provides dedicated technical support to each owner at the first running of their new 720S GT3X. This program is carried out by the customer support engineers from the in-house McLaren Customer Racing division – the team that has designed and developed the model alongside the 720S GT3 global customer race program.

“Due to GT3 balance of performance requirements, the 720S GT3 car has to run with a considerably reduced power output than the road-going 720S Spider and Coupe variants. The brief for the GT3X project was to unleash the full potential of the 720S GT3 car using a massively increased power output to fully exploit the aerodynamics and chassis dynamics of the car. Additionally, the car is now able to carry passengers for the first time, thanks to the re-design of a new bespoke roll-cage and passenger seat installation. Brake cooling has also been improved to cope with the additional demands of increased speed and the mass of a passenger.

The 720S GT3X now offers a unique opportunity to experience a fully-fledged GT3 car. The lap time is significantly reduced from the GT3 benchmark through both the huge standard power increase and the additional 30bhp from the push-to-pass button. The end result is a car that offers a truly unique experience.”
Ian Morgan, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive

McLaren Automotive has enjoyed significant success with its range of pioneering sports and supercars since the start of production in 2011. Alongside its road-focused models, the company has been winning races with motorsport derivatives of key models since 2012. Based on the highly-accomplished 720S road car, the 720S GT3 debuted in 2019 with private race teams competing at the highest level – and proved immediately successful. In fact, in its first race, the 720S GT3 took pole position and went on to score its first ever race win against a field of world-class opposition, proving that McLaren had designed and developed another race-winner.

The 720S GT3X is available to order now in North America from the 6 official McLaren Motorsport Retailers: McLaren Beverly Hills, McLaren Houston, McLaren Newport Beach, McLaren Philadelphia, McLaren San Francisco and McLaren Toronto. Each McLaren Motorsport Retailer can offer technical and servicing support for the track-only model.

Discover more on the 720S GT3X here: https://cars.mclaren.com/gb-en/customer-racing/models/720s-gt3x

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Ends

Notes to editors:

A selection of high-resolution images accompanying this release is available to download from the McLaren Automotive media site – cars.mclaren.press

About McLaren Automotive:
McLaren Automotive is a creator of luxury, high-performance supercars.

Every vehicle is hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, Surrey, England.

Launched in 2010, the company is now the largest part of the McLaren Group.

The company’s product portfolio of GT, supercar, Motorsport and Ultimate models are retailed through over 85 retailers in 40 markets around the world.

McLaren is a pioneer that continuously pushes the boundaries. In 1981, it introduced lightweight and strong carbon fibre chassis into Formula 1 with the McLaren MP4/1.

Then in 1993 it designed and built the McLaren F1 road car – the company has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis since. As part of the Ultimate Series, McLaren was the first to deliver a hybrid hypercar, the McLaren P1™. In 2016, it announced a new hybrid hyper-GT would be engineering, confirming this next Ultimate Series car as the Speedtail in 2018.

2019 saw McLaren launch the 600LT Spider, the new GT and the track-only McLaren Senna GTR. It also unveiled the 620R and McLaren Elva before launching the 765LT the following year.

Most recently, the company unveiled its all-new high-performance hybrid supercar, the McLaren Artura.

The Artura is the first McLaren to benefit from the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). The MCLA is designed, developed and manufactured at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre in the Sheffield region of England using world-first process and will spearhead the brand’s electrified future.

McLaren Automotive also chooses to partner with like-minded world-leading companies and organisations who push the boundaries in their respective fields. These include AkzoNobel, Ashurst, Dell Technologies, Gulf, Pirelli, Richard Mille and Tumi.

McLaren Group:
The McLaren Group is a global leader in luxury automotive and technology and comprises three businesses: Automotive, Racing and Applied.

Further information:

Roger Ormisher
Vice President, Communications & PR | McLaren Automotive, The Americas
Phone: +1 714 501 8137
Email: roger.ormisher@mclaren.com

Laura Conrad
Public Relations Manager | McLaren Automotive, The Americas
Phone: +1(765)517-2186
Email: laura.conrad@mclaren.com

Lauren Dowdy
Press Officer– North America | McLaren Automotive, The Americas
Phone: +44 (0) 1483 241453
Mobile: +44 (0) 7818 537845
Email: lauren.dowdy@mclaren.com

Media website: cars.mclaren.press
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive
Twitter: www.twitter.com/McLarenAuto
You Tube: www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv

March 17, 2021 / Comments Off

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Taycan by TECHART

If a factory standard Porsche Taycan with options just isn’t special or impressive enough for you as a customer, fear not, get in touch with TECHART and you will end up with a completely bespoke, one-of-a-kind bespoke TECHART Taycan, and I have to admit … she looks great, both on the outside and on the inside.

To create the new aerodynamic kit for the Porsche Taycan, TECHART combined the old with the new, the styling package was designed in virtual reality, but they still made an artisan clay model, finalizing details in state-of-the-art 3D modeling before taking the design into the wind tunnel and real-life track proving ground.

TECHART calls it their ‘Premium Individualization’ program, and while they offer their new front bumper, side sills, and rear diffuser, which alter the styling of this all-electric Porsche only mildly, their press release states the customer can specify bespoke options for the new TECHART Formula VI forged aluminum wheels.

The TECHART Formula VI wheels come in 10.0 x 22-inch (front) and 11.5 x 22-inch (rear) and boast slender spokes with low weight, they are available in a two-tone grey with polished spokes, black with polished spokes, but also any custom color the customer specifies, and in case you are wondering, there is also a TECHART Formula VI Race version … with a central locking system, but that’s not available for the Porsche Taycan.

While the aero package from TECHART has a very subtle look on the Porsche Taycan, their interior modifications lift this car into a totally different segment, the factory standard cockpit looks beautiful as is, but a TECHART interior takes it into a class of its own with special leather and Alcantara, custom stitching, special piping, and the most impressive embroidery and embossing seen on a Taycan.

This truly is a Tailor-made interior, TECHART manufactory and saddlery offers the owners of the all-electric sportscar a wide-ranging and handcrafted individualization program, with high-grade leather interior or a combination of sporty Alcantara and leather, the demo car they created comes with a stunning combination of perforated leather and Alcantara combined with contrasting piping.

But there is a fascinating ‘shimmer’ effect visible on these seats, TECHART will fit a contrast color underneath the perforated honeycomb pattern that will show through in a very impressive manner, the iconic TECHART logotype is not only embroidered on the seats in matching colors but even more impressively it’s also embossed on the door trim, in the headrest, and on the floor mats … which looks magnificent.

This demo car comes with a honeycomb perforation on an all-black upholstery, but TECHART offers an endless variety of customized perforation structures of the leather which can be specified in a plethora of different colors too, while the signature feature for the TECHART interior in the Porsche Taycan is a bespoke steering wheel.

The TECHART sports steering wheel comes with a top-center ring, the driving mode switch at the lower-right, and the fitting screws in a contrasting color, and you can still custom order any combination of painted spokes, leather on the rim combined with Alcantara. But again the option of carbon fiber is also possible, as is matching pipings and stitching on the steering wheel. To make it really stand out you can even get the perforation pattern from the seats applied to the steering wheel too, all while retaining the factory standard features such as multifunction, paddle shifts, and steering wheel heating.

March 17, 2021 / Comments Off

878

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

503

Bentley Continental GT Speed

Designed, engineered, developed, and handcrafted in Bentley’s carbon-neutral luxury automotive factory, the new third-generation Continental GT Speed is the ultimate performance-focused interpretation of the world’s benchmark luxury Grand Tourer.

With highly advanced chassis technology, and styling cues specific to Continental GT Speed, the extraordinary journey continues at 16:00 GMT, 23rd March 2021

March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

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Ferrari Announces Season 2 Of The Ferrari eSports Championship

Ferrari announced today the return of their Ferrari eSports Championship, a dedicated spec series that is raced online, for a second season. Registration opens today, March 16, 2021, with the first qualifying session in early April.

The series, open to European residents only due to flight and travel restrictions this year due to the global pandemic, is run on the well-known and well-loved Assetto Corsa simulator, produced by Kunos Simulazioni. After confirmation of registration, participants will be able to download two dedicated cars for the competition, with many hours of input from official Ferrari drivers, including Charles LeClerc.

2021 Ferrari eSports Championship Charles LeClerc — Charles LeClerc testing the cars for this years Ferrari eSports Championship

These two cars will be the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, returning from the 2020 season, and the new dedicated championship car, the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo.

2021 Ferrari eSports Championship 488 Challenge Evo — Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo

Qualification rounds last from April until the end of July, with one day per month dedicated to “The Hotlap Challenge.” Using one of the four cars available, including the two provided by Ferrari as well as the in-game Ferrari 599XX Evo and the Ferrari FXX-K, registered participants have four chances, if they attend all the hotlap challenges, to place in the top 24 times for that car.

2021 Ferrari eSports Championship cars 599XX Evo — Ferrari 599XX Evo

Those qualifiers are then put into the 488 Challenge Evo for a series of four elimination races until the 96 qualifiers are reduced to 48 finalists by mid-August.

Those 48 finalists will then take part in the actual championship series in September, with once-weekly full duration races lasting from a sprint (1 hour) to endurance (3 hours) depending on the race venue.

The top 24 drivers by points after those four rounds will qualify for the grand final, which will occur in December. The grand final consists of three races, with three different cars (the two official 488’s and the 599XX), and the driver with the most points at the end of all three is crowned the champion.

2021 Ferrari eSports Championship cars FXX-K Evo — Ferrari FXX-K

Running alongside the drivers’ qualification rounds from April to July is a new entry for 2021, namely the livery design championship. This allows creative people from across the globe to download a template, apply their own special touch to it artistically, and then submit it for review by official Ferrari representatives who will choose the 48 best liveries, and assign them to drivers for the official competition rounds.

So what’s in it for the participants, we hear you asking?

The champion driver will be invited down to Maranello, to the Ferrari factory, to join both the Ferrari Driver’s Academy and Ferrari eSports Team, and represent Ferrari at multiple online racing events. These events can include participation in the Virtual Formula 1 eSports Championship, World Virtual Endurance Championship, and other official racing series. As part of their prize, they also get to drive an actual Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo around Fiorano, to understand how the actual car handles compared to the virtual car, and carry that knowledge back into the games.

All in all, not a bad thing to race online for!

March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

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Gordon Murray’s V12-powered supercar hits the track for the first time

Gordon Murray Automotive is busily bringing what it refers to as “the greatest analog driver’s car” to production. Called T.50, it was introduced in August 2020, and completed its first test laps on a race track in March 2021.

Company founder Gordon Murray personally put the first high-speed test miles on the XP2 prototype at the Top Gear test track in Dunsfold, England. While the Cosworth-developed, 3.9-liter V12 engine has a 12,100-rpm red line, the prototype was fitted with a rev limiter that won’t be removed until later during the development process. And yet, Murray said his first laps behind the wheel of what many call the McLaren F1‘s heir left him with a good impression.

“The car was responsive, agile and rewarding to drive,” he beamed. Realistically, he added that there are “still a lot of development miles to be completed and many more prototypes to build” before production starts in 2022.

Murray is funneling into the T.50 the experience he amassed over decades developing Formula One cars and about 13 years running McLaren’s car-building division. As we previously reported, it’s about the size of a Porsche 718 Boxster, and it tips the scale at under 2,200 pounds, meaning it’s lighter than a Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s equipped with innovative fan-assisted aerodynamic technology, and its naturally-aspirated 12-cylinder engine is tuned to develop 654 horsepower at 11,500 rpm and 344 pound-feet of torque at 9,000 rpm. The T.50 is quick in a straight line, but its designers are putting a much bigger focus on handling and agility than on flat-out speed.

Like the F1, the T.50 offers a three-seater cabin that puts the driver front and center. Buyers will be invited to work with the company to modify the position of the driver’s seat and the pedals during manufacturing.

Gordon Murray Automotive will begin building the T.50 in England in 2022. Production will be limited to 100 units globally, and pricing starts at about $3 million before taxes and options enter the equation. Most of the production run is already spoken for, so you’ll need to act fast if you want to secure one of the few remaining build slots.

Related video:

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March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

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Gordon Murray Automotive’s T.50 XP2 Prototype First Drive

The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 XP2 prototype with limited revs was driven for the first time at the Top Gear test track at Dunsfold, Surrey, UK, and just meters from where the T.50 will begin full production in 2022. Its first test drive was personally undertaken by Professor Gordon Murray.

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Gordon Murray Automotive’s T.50 supercar has had its first development test drive, marking a major milestone for the world’s most driver-centric supercar.

Professor Gordon Murray CBE: “The XP2 prototype is currently running at considerably less revs than its 12,100rpm limit, yet the T.50 felt fantastic on my first drive. The car was responsive, agile and rewarding to drive. It was a fantastic experience to be sitting in the centre of the car once again with great all-round visibility and I can see how much the owners will enjoy this experience. Obviously, there’s still a lot of development miles to be completed and many more prototypes to build. But the trajectory of the T.50 development is where we want it to be.”

The new T.50 supercar will be the most driver-centric supercar ever built. It will be powered by the world’s highest-revving, lightest, naturally aspirated road car V12 engine, developing 663ps. It weighs just 986kg, a third lighter than most typical supercars and features the most advanced and effective aerodynamics ever seen on a road car. Just 100 will be made and the first customer deliveries will be in 2022.

March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

692

Shelby Super Snake Speedster

The 2021 Shelby Super Snake comes with 825 hp from the supercharged 5.0-Liter Coyote V8 engine and is listed from $133,785 with a base model from Ford, the Mustang GT with a manual transmission … if you get in touch with the Shelby Sales team you can even buy a $79,995 package to fit on your existing Ford Mustang GT (from the 2018 model on), but for the Shelby 2021 edition of their Super Snake they’ve come up with something new: a limited edition ‘Speedster’ option.

If Carroll Shebly would still be alive today, he would be celebrating his 98th birthday, to celebrate this, there will be only 98 units of the Shelby Super Snake built in the United States, but only 25 Speedster versions will be available, each branded with a unique CSM number, and all of them will be included in the Official Shelby Registry.

Not only will you get a supercharged Ford 5-Liter V8 engine capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, but the modified Shelby suspension and Brembo sourced brakes allow this car to be driven at higher cornering speeds with improved stability, Shelby even offers a caster camber kit to get behind those amazing 20-inch monoblock forged wheels.

The Shelby Super Snake Speedster can be built with either a manual or an automatic gearbox, while a Borla exhaust made to Shelby specifications allows you to listen to the music while driving topless and being seated in some amazingly detailed seats, complete with ‘Super Snake’ embroidery, naturally the interior features the bespoke CMS badge.

While a factory Ford Mustang GT already looks good, after a stint from Shelby she looks amazing, thanks to aluminum front fenders, naturally in a wide-body version, a ram-air hood to keep that supercharged V8 cool, a different front bumper and air intake, new side sills and naturally the rear gets a bigger wing, a new tail panel that proudly shows ‘Shelby’, and an aggressive diffuser to suit the sound from the big-bore exhaust.

“The new Speedster is stunning, from a styling perspective, there is simply nothing like it on the road. With the widebody option, it’s a rare combination of sleek elegance and American muscle machismo. This is the automotive equivalent of a powerful heavyweight boxer fitted into a stylish, fine suit. And with only 98 available in the US, it will be ultra-rare.” Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American

To create the Shelby Super Snake Speedster limited edition you’ll need to start with a Ford Mustang GT Convertible, onto which Shelby fits their custom Speedster Tonneau, she will also come with a striping package unique to the Speedster version, and naturally the obligatory floor mats and door sill plates with the ‘Speedster Edition’ logo.

March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

746

Freshly Delivered Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Has 1,111hp after Tuning

Opus Automotive received their Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series for just a week ago and has already managed to improve the power levels upto 1,111hp.

The lap times of the AMG GT Black Series modified by Opus has not been confirmed yet but they expect it to be the fastest car in the standard and street legal category. Opus Binary editions will feature 1,111hp and 1001 hp and will be available for sale from June 2021 after intensive testing on the dynamometer and several racetracks.

This AMG GT Black Series features an additional 57hp compared to the upcoming AMG One hypercar which has an output of 1054hp. Due to high power and the fact that it remains RWD, Opus has limited the torque to bare minimum at all power levels to improve the drive and traction. The company also guarantees suction-like characteristics like increasing performance parallel to all speed with straightforward performance for all levels. ‘Subtle’ performance levels with 825hp and 920hp will be available from mid-April.

The 825hp expansion stage will take place in the engine and transmission control unit via a software intervention. All the performance kits will contain extensive changes to the hardware including modified turbochargers and transmission reinforcements to alter the engine. The kit will consist of special forged pistons, reinforced connecting rods, modified fuel systems and machined cylinder heads.

The performance packages will also be available with super-light wheels and aerodynamics add-ons. In standard form the AMG GT Black Series is powered by an all new 4.0L flat-plane crankshaft V8 Biturbo producing 720hp and 800nm of torque.

Newly developed downpipes with sport carts which will eliminate the need for standard particle filters will be available for use on racetracks or non-European countries from April 2021. An Electronic Flap Control system called EFC that allows the standard exhaust to be controlled via remote control is readily available.

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

March 16, 2021 / Comments Off

548

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1969 Ford Mustang 428 Super Cobra Jet Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

528

1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

490

A Very Cool Restomod: 1972 Datsun 240Z With A Surprise Under The Hood

Let’s face facts: If you can successfully pull off a restomod, it automatically becomes a cool car. If the car was already popular as a tunable or moddable car, and you turn that up to 11, it becomes even cooler.

With that in mind, we found a supremely cool car on BringATrailer’s “Just Sold!” list, a 1972 Datsun 240Z that has been prepped up as a lightweight street brawler. Oh, and a Nissan Skyline GT-R32 RB26DETT 2.6 liter inline-six twin-turbo engine under the hood with the R32’s 5-speed transmission coming with it.

We don’t really know how big the shoehorn was that they used to get both the engine and transmission in, but it must have been massive. The engine barely fits with the twin turbos hanging down the sides and the piping for the intake and to the intercooler.

The body was sanded down and finished in two-tone Toyota Quicksand and Semi-Matte Black, with black painted fender flares added. Those flares cover 15″ x 9″ Rota RKR wheels with 235/50 Toyo R888R road-legal semi-slicks. Those wheels are sprung by Techno Toy Tuning coil overs and backed by aftermarket sway bars.

In the rear, an ATL fuel cell has replaced the OEM gas tank in case the car is taken to any racing events. A custom rear strut brace has also been added to improve cornering.

The RB26DETT has been tuned and modified as well, with a McKinney Motorsports exhaust header that feeds down into a ceramic-coated titanium cat-back exhaust. Excess pressure escapes through an HKS blow-off valve. The fuel delivery and motor mounts are a combination of HKS, McKinney Motorsports, and Aeromotive.

An R200 limited-slip differential from OS Giken takes the power from the tuned engine and delivers it to the rear wheels through a McKinney Motorsports reinforced driveshaft. An OS Giken twin-plate clutch makes sure there is no power wasted, while a lightened OS Giken flywheel reduces rotational resistance, letting the engine rev higher.

This is reflected in the stripped-out interior, which has had a roll cage, fixed Recaro seats, and an 11k tachometer installed. Sabelt four-point harnesses grace both the driver and passenger seat, and a readily accessible fusebox just ahead of the Nismo shift lever makes sure you can switch out anything that blows without having to dig deep into the engine bay.

While it may seem like an old 1972 car with a little modding on the outside, this little Datsun could probably blow the doors off of anything less than a Lamborghini Aventador. And for that, it deserves respect for both the money and elbow grease that has brought this firebreather to life. A full 92 image gallery, including some of the rebuild process, is available on BringATrailer.

March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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In Memoriam: Murray Walker, The Voice Of Formula 1

Many of us that love supercars and hypercars today, grew up watching the incredible machinery of various racing championships duking it out on the track. British Touring Cars, World Touring Cars, and of course, Formula 1, brought us many wheel-to-wheel battles that got our young hearts beating faster, and much of it was commentated over by one legendary voice.

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Murray Walker, whose mildly high-pitched, English-accented voice, graced our ears with excitement and brought many of the amazing parts of many races to vivid life with his color commentary. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he famously never sat down to commentated on a race, because he knew that he would make a racket knocking his chair over when he would leap to his feet when something happened.

Although his commentary career with Formula 1 lasted an incredible 23 years, from 1978 to 2001, in that time he became a household name. Coming from a background in advertisement and marketing, where he would both create slogans for products and do their voice-overs for radio and television commercials, he did in fact have a background in motorsports commentary.

With his father Graham, from 1949 through to 1962, Walker would provide the color commentary on many motorcycle hill-climb events, as well as British Motorcycle Grand Prix racing and, most notably, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) motorcycle race. He moved on from commentary as a primary focus following the death of his father in late 1962, who himself had taken part in the Isle of Man TT, winning the Lightweight class in 1931.

Murray Walker in the commentary booth — Image courtesy of Formula 1 Media

It was in 1978, however, when asked by the head of BBC Sport to fill in for a bit as their regular color commentator was having contract negotiations, that Murray Walker became the voice of Formula 1. Alongside the legendary James Hunt, who had battled Niki Lauda to win the 1976 F1 Championship, his excited, bubbly commentary underlined by Hunt’s serious, somber expert knowledge made them instantly the most loved commentary team.

It was in the 1980s when one of the most famous of his Walkerisms, as his often stutters or famous sayings became known as was born. There, you sat in front of the TV as the parade lap finished, the cars slotting into their grid boxes. And then his voice would grow more excited as he counted:

“One light… two lights… THREE LIGHTS!… FOOOOOUR LIGHTS!….. FIVE LAPS! Pause! GO GO GO!”

You could not help but jump up and cheer on your favorite driver as those three famous GO!’s were called out. And you couldn’t help but be as moved as he was when Damon Hill became the World Champion in 1996.

Murray Walker — Image courtesy of Formula 1 Media

When he retired in 2001, his commentary partner of the time, former F1 driver Martin Brundle, stated that there would be no other color commentator like him in a generation. While he did often make guest appearances and commentary on the Isle of Man TT and some Formula 1 broadcasts, he slowly withdrew from the public’s eye.

And so it was that on a quiet Saturday, his wife Elizabeth by his side, on March 13, 2021, he slipped from this Earth. He was the commentator of a generation, and we will not see his like for a while.

March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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Rimac C_Two winter testing

The Rimac C_Two is nearing the final stages of its multi-year global homologation program, meaning it can be sold all over the world, from the bitter cold of a Canadian winter to the scorching heat of a Middle Eastern summer. And to make sure it’s ready for every extreme it could face, engineers have put the C_Two’s HVAC system to the ultimate weather test.

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Using a Climatic chamber, capable of creating temperatures as high as 48C (118F) and as low as -28C (-4F), the C_Two baked in high humidity 48C air, with sun lights beating down on it until the cabin reached 70C (158F). Then the car’s compressors, pumps, and fans were called into action, cooling the interior down to just 22C (72F) without overheating any components.

At the other end of the scale, the prototype vehicle was then left overnight in -28C (-4F) temperatures, with the doors wide open, creating a thin layer of ice all over the C_Two. As fluids in the car become thicker at these sub-zero temperatures it becomes much harder for pumps to work, but all continued to work faultlessly and the car was defrosted well within global homologation targets.

Following this latest test, the pre-series prototype will go through final rounds of homologation tests, durability tests, trim experimentation, NVH tweaking, and global product evaluation, before final production-specification cars are built later this year. The C_Two will be fully revealed in just a few months.

March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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Canoo Electric Pickup Truck

With the likes of the Tesla Cybertruck, the Rivian R1T, and the Lordstown Motors Endurance, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will the king of the EV pickup truck hill. Now, Canoo wants in on…

The post Canoo Electric Pickup Truck first appeared on Cool Material.

1999 VECTOR M-12

I still remember watching a movie called ‘Rising Sun’, where one of the lead characters was driving a red Vector W8, I absolutely loved it, and at that time didn’t know too much about that car, so I researched it, turns out this futuristic-looking car was the brainchild of Gerald Wiegert, who founded Vector Aeromotive Corporation and built 17 customer cars of his Vector W8 between 1989 and 1993.

Powered by a 6.0-Liter Rodeck twin-turbocharged (Garrett) V8 engine coupled to a GM 3-Speed Turbo-Hydramatic gearbox, the 625hp at 8 psi could be raised to 1,400 hp with a dial in the interior that set the psi at 14 … the prototype reached a top speed of 242 mph (389 km/h) on the Bonneville Salt Flats … and that was in the Eighties!

1999 VECTOR M-12 – photo courtesy Barrett-Jackson Auctions

Vector Aeromotive Corporation went into receivership in 1993 but emerged as Vector Motors Corporation in 1995, complete with a new car, the Vector M12, and here is where things get interesting in history. The Vector W8 used the W from Wiegert’s own name, and the 8 for the V8 engine, but by 1995 Gerald Wiegert no longer owned Vector Motors, a group called Megatech, from Indonesia, took over, they even moved the entire operation from Wilmington, California to Green Cove Springs, Florida, where Megatech also housed the US branch of Automobili Lamborghini SpA.

So the M12 name comes from Megatech and the fact there’s a V12 engine behind the occupants, severing the connection with Gerald Wiegert, and that massive V12 was sourced from none other than Lamborghini! That’s right, the Vector M12 came with a Lamborghini Diablo engine, which shouldn’t be a big surprise, because at that time Megatech also owned Automobili Lamborghini SpA, they bought the Italian supercar company from Chrysler in 1994, only to sell to Audi AG in July of 1998, who still own it today.

The Vector M12 was a redesign by Peter Stevens of the Vector AWX-3, and used mainly Lamborghini Diablo sourced mechanics, most importantly the V12 engine, 5,707cc with 492hp and 576 Nm of torque, which was the Diablo VT unit, not the more powerful Diablo SE30 or Diablo SV engine, still the Vector M12 could reach a top speed of 304 km/h (189 mph) with an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, for comparison, the 1994 Diablo VT would reach 328 km/h (204 Mph) and get to 100 km/h in 4.09 seconds.

It seems Megatech managed to ship several Diablo engines from Italy between 1995 and 1998 before they sold the company to Audi AG, so they made three pre-production prototypes for development and preparation for a production run of 14 customer cars, the car coming up for auction later this month seems to be #12 of only 14 ever made, being a 1999 model is was built when Megatech didn’t own Lamborghini anymore, so their source for V12 engines dried up and production of the Vector M12 would be halted shortly after this black on red unit was finished.

The current owner of Vector M12 chassis #1V9MB1224X1048010 states this car was ordered by none other than the Prince of Brunei, who we all know has a vast car collection, finished in an intimidating black paint combined with a bright red leather interior, it is unclear if the car was ever delivered to Brunei, but today this rare supercar is located in the United States, in late 2019 Scuderia Automotive Service performed an engine-out service on the V12, complete with an upgraded ceramic flywheel.

The listing also mentions the interior was modified to offer more room for a taller driver and passenger, while they added a more Italian supercar-style look-and-feel while still retaining the original layout and design, and while not original anymore, it does look amazing nonetheless.

With only 14 Vector M12 ever made, and the fact they rarely change hands on the open market, chances are this black US-made supercar from the late Nineties will not go cheap, if you are interested in adding this rare car to your collection, make sure to follow the Barrett-Jackson auction.

March 15, 2021 / Comments Off

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1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 14, 2021 / Comments Off

429

1967 Ford Mustang Wallpapers

We have curated the ultimate collection of the best 1967 Ford Mustang Wallpapers and HD backgrounds for you to enjoy. Our team focused on finding the top 1967 Ford Mustang Wallpapers only to keep the quality high. These 1967 Ford Mustang Wallpapers are free to download so go ahead. To download any of these pictures for use as a wallpaper, right click the picture and choose Save As…

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March 14, 2021 / Comments Off

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