All posts in “News”

Automobili Pininfarina Battista Debuts With 1,900 HP

More Power Than a Bugatti Chiron

The Pininfarina Battista was among the most highly anticipated reveals of the Geneva Motor Show, and now it’s finally here with 1,900 hp. The horsepower may be the thing that everyone is talking about, but the vehicle isn’t just a high-powered beast, it’s a legitimate design triumph, toon.

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 interior is similarly beautiful with two large screens to either side of the steering wheel and an overall driver-centric cabin. Leather, aluminum and carbon fiber materials are used throughout the cabin.

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. 

The company will launch the car next year. It plans to make only 150 Battista electric hypercars worldwide. Between 25 and 40 dealers will get the car to sell to customers. Those dealers will be in major cities like New York, Hong Kong, and London. The price of the car has not yet been announced.

March 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Automobili Pininfarina Battista Debuts With 1,900 HP
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Meet the Limited Edition Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster

There’s Finally a Drop Top Version

The only problem we had wit the Mercedes-AMG GT R was that you couldn’t get it without a roof. That changes with the Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster. However, only 750 of the drop-top car will be made. That means if you want one you’d better act fast because this is not just a roofless version of the car. It’s quite special.

The car gets a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. A dual-clutch seven-speed transmission routes power to the rear wheels. Put the top up, and you can get from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 3.5 seconds. You can also sprint to a top speed of 197 mph. 

The car’s wheels were widened by 1.8 inches at the front and 2.2 inches at the rear. The aerodynamics package added to this car reduces lift of the front end by 88 percent at 155 mph. Mercedes fitted the car with its active air system, called Airpanel, for cooling.

The carbon ceramic brake rotors (15.3 front and 14.2 rear) are paired with some striking, large yellow brake calipers. The car also gets retuned suspension and steering. It features a nine-mode traction control system, adaptive dampers, speed-sensitive steering, and rear-wheel steering.

As you might expect, the car looks amazing inside, with AMG Performance seats that have diamond-quilted leather along with plenty of leather trim. The rest of the interior features either carbon fiber or piano black material. The special drop-top, fabric, three-layer roof utilizes an aluminum, steel, and magnesium frame. Pricing for this model was not announced.

March 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Meet the Limited Edition Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster
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Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept Brings 528 HP to the Street

This Touring Racer Looks Like a Real Killer

Lynk & Co teamed up with Cyan Racing, which is the racing arm of Geely Group Motorsport and formerly Polestar Racing, to build the car you see in the pictures here. It’s the 03 Cyan Concept and it’s the street version of the race car the company showed off in October 2018.

The car’s styling is unique and it offers a usable but compact four-door cabin. It’s shown in a blue that’s reminiscent of the blue from Polestar. “This is a natural step for us together with Lynk & Co. To build a road version of a race car is a great way to learn more about a car and its characteristics,” said Christian Dahl, founder and owner of Cyan Racing, in a press release.

The car features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that manages to put out 528 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque. Those are impressive numbers. The engine gets a six-speed sequential gearbox, sending the power to the front wheels. Lynk & Co claims a 0 to 62 mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a 0 to 124 mph time of 10 seconds flat. The car has a 192 mph top speed. 

The engine appears to be a rev-happy beast. Lynk & Co claims it can rev to 8,000 rpm. The sequential gearbox can fire off shifts in just 60 ms. The car is supposed to be able to pull 1.5 Gs in the corners. Stopping the machine are six-piston calipers and 380 mm rotors up front and two-piston calipers and 278 mm rotors in the rear. It rides on 20-inch Cyan wheels.

March 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Lynk & Co 03 Cyan Concept Brings 528 HP to the Street
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Aston Martin’s Valkyrie has 1,160 hp and 664 lb-ft of Torque

A High-Revving Powerhouse

The Aston Martin Valkyrie final horsepower and torque numbers are in. The hybrid powertrain in the car features a Cosworth-built 65-degree naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 paired with a Rimac-sourced battery electric system. That powertrain is good for a whopping 1,160 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. 

The battery electric system from Rimac produces 106 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque on its own. The Cosworth V12 supplies the rest of the power. Aston Martin worked with Red Bull Advanced Technologies on the car. It noted that its partnership produced the powertrain as it is. Aston lists the high-revving F1 cars of the 1990s as a key influence.

According to Aston, the gasoline engine’s maximum horsepower is reached at a screaming 11,100 rpm and peak torque comes at 7,000 rpm. From there, the electric power system can add to the power output. The electric power system and the engine don’t operate separately, though, they augment each other and work together for maximum efficiency and maximum performance.

More Than Just a Power Mill

The V12 engine and gearbox both work as structural elements of the vehicle. This helps keep weight down and provides superb structural rigidity. Through the use of this unique construction, Aston has removed the need for an additional subframe. This highly unique feature alone would make the car special.

Vice President & Special Vehicle Operations Officer, David King seemed confident the new car would not disappoint. He said:

Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to be the ultimate hypercar in the automotive world and these performance figures underline that statement. Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Cosworth, Rimac and Integral Powertrain Ltd. have been fantastic partners in the development of this powertrain, ensuring that we have already created a hybrid system that is emissions-compliant and ready to begin fitting to our first physical prototypes. I am, as I’m sure the rest of the world is, incredibly excited to see and hear the first of these cars on track.

The British automaker said the development will continue on the car. Aston is currently building the prototypes of the car. It will be interesting to see how this project continues to progress as things move forward.

March 1, 2019 / Comments Off on Aston Martin’s Valkyrie has 1,160 hp and 664 lb-ft of Torque
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5 Awesome Things About the Ferrari F8 Tributo

Ferrari just released the new F8 Tributo. Critics say it’s too much like the 488 GTB, but we’re of the mind that this is a meaningful step forward for the mid-engine, two-door Berlinetta in Ferrari’s lineup. The car looks absolutely stunning and the engine and aerodynamic improvements are nothing to ignore. The F8 Tributo is a force to be reckoned with, and there’s plenty to like about it. Here are five things that stand out.

1. The Turbo V8 Makes 710 hp

F8 Tributo

F8 Tributo

Ferrari went with a turbocharged V8 engine in the F8 Tributo, and we can’t blame them. The engine is a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 to be exact. It manages to punch out a whopping 710 hp and a super strong 568 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to be right on par with the competition from McLaren and Lamborghini.

2. 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 Seconds, 211 mph Top Speed

F8 Tributo

F8 Tributo

Speaking of being right on par with the competition, the F8 Tributo can make the 0-60 mph sprint in as little as 2.9 seconds. It can continue on in its run and hit 124 mph in just 7.8 seconds. The car’s top speed is 211 mph, and that’s right up there with the best from McLaren and Lamborghini.

3. It’s More Aerodynamic Than Ever

F8 Tributo

F8 Tributo

The F8 Tributo takes what former Ferrari mid-engine supercars have done in terms of aerodynamics and gone a bit further. The car is more aerodynamic than ever and features what Ferrari calls an “S-Duct” on the front of the car. This directs air over the front and forces the nose of the car down. It is supposed to increase downforce by 15 percent.

4. There’s a Louvered Lexan Engine Cover

F8 Tributo

F8 Tributo

This is a feature that comes straight out of the Ferrari history books. The legendary Ferrari F40 featured a similar engine cover, and the addition of this to the new F8 Tributo is a not so subtle head nod to that car. The louvered Lexan engine cover will likely go down as one of the key standout features of the F8 Tributo, and we can’t imagine anyone not loving the look. It lets you get a peek at the engine while still keeping the car’s sleek lines.

5. The Interior Has a Classic, Driver-Focused Appeal

F8 Tributo

F8 Tributo

Too often automakers try to really pack in the technology and features, and it makes the car look rather silly on the inside. When you look at the F8 Tributo’s interior you see a simple (by contrast) interior that’s extremely attractive. It’s all black, and the instruments inside the cabin are all driver-focused. It’s not a huge departure from the 488 GTB, and that’s fine. 

Overall, the F8 Tributo is a killer car and a move forward for Ferrari. It’s a significant change from the 488 GTB while still utilizing much of what worked well in that car.

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off on 5 Awesome Things About the Ferrari F8 Tributo
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Automobili Pininfarina to Bring 3 Battista Hypercars to Geneva

A Trio of Electric Hypercars

Prepare yourself for the Geneva Motor Show. It’s going to be full of unique and crazy advanced cars. Among all of the vehicles we’ve recently reported on, Automobili Pininfarina will unveil the Battista hypercar. With that said, the company will not just bring one car to the show. It will bring three.

In a recent press release, the company shared that it would bring three of the new Battista electric hypercars to the show. The models are set to make their debut on March 4. At this time, most of the details are still shrouded in secrecy but some of the goodies were included in the company’s release.

One of the cars will come with Grigio Luserna exterior. It will feature Blu Iconica accents and anodized aluminum details. The interior for that car will be black and tan. The second car will have a Blu Iconica exterior, front and rear wings, and special carbon fiber on the hood and mirrors. The third car will come with a Bianco Sestriere exterior and include red aluminum accents. 

Automobili Pininfarina Formula EAutomobili Pininfarina Formula E
Image from Automobili Pininfarina

In addition to the three Battista hypercars, Pininfarina will showcase a Battista-inspired Formula-E car (shown above) built specifically for Mahindra Racing. The cars actually look nothing alike, but Pininfarina said that the involvement in Formula-E helped with the Battista’s development and testing.

The Battista will come with an electric powertrain capable of 1,874 hp and 1,696 lb-ft of torque. Those power numbers, and it’s overall light weight mean it’ll do 0-62 mph in fewer than two seconds. The car can then go on to hit 182 mph in less than 12 seconds. It’s supposed to be able to do 280 miles per charge. That’s one seriously fast EV with a good range.

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off on Automobili Pininfarina to Bring 3 Battista Hypercars to Geneva
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Ferrari F8 Tributo Details Released

Say Goodbye to the 488 GTB

Ferrari promised to reveal new info about its 488 GTB replacement and here it is. The car’s named the F8 Tributo and it carries on what makes the two-seater Berlinetta so good. The F8 Tributo keeps a V8 engine and some of the sexiest curves we’ve seen in a while.

At first glance, the car’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine may not seem all that impressive in the age of hybrid-powered supercars, but then you see the power numbers and smile. The engine produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Also, the peak torque comes earlier in the rev range, letting you more easily access all of that power.

This means the F8 Tributo will shoot from a standstill to 60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds. It’ll hit 124 mph in just 7.8 seconds and 211 mph flat out. The car features the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer and Side Slip Angle Control. The vehicle appears to borrow quite a lot of equipment from the 488 Pista, which isn’t a bad thing considering that car’s prowess on a racetrack.

The F8 Tributo has a similar overall shape the car it’s replacing. With that said, it doesn’t look the same. The aero kit, headlights, taillights, and the body look different, but the car utilizes the same platform as the 488 GTB. The completely redesigned interior of the car looks breathtaking, but it, too, is similar to the outgoing car. Nothing is the same, but it has a very similar overall layout with improvements where needed.

The F8 Tributo takes its place in Ferrari’s lineup as the best V8 Berlinetta yet to come from the brand. It’s a notable improvement over the 488 GTB without throwing away everything that car got right. Ferrari will bring the car to the Geneva Motor Show where you can see it in person.

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off on Ferrari F8 Tributo Details Released
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Did a $18 Bottle of Scotch Just Win One of the Biggest Awards in Whiskey?

According to Esquire, Good Housekeeping, The Evening Standard and a whole lot of UK-based sites, an $18 Scotch won the World Whiskies Awards “Best Scotch Whisky” crown. This is probably not true, but it’s still a pretty great bottle to hunt down.

Sold by Lidl, a supermarket chain based in Germany with locations scattered across the US, the Queen Margot 8-Year-Old blend claimed the title of best blended scotch whiskey under a 12-year age statement, according to the team of more than 40 industry experts (beating out whiskies of record like Johnnie Walker Black Label in the process).

Lidl’s website notes the 80 proof whisky is made “using traditional methods and only the finest ingredients” and is aged in oak casks.

In past years World Whiskies Award hasn’t awarded any one bottle “Best Scotch Whisky.” Instead, it’s broken winners into smaller categories. This means that, barring a change in the format of the World Whiskies Awards themselves, it isn’t the world’s best whisky — it’s just a damn fine value bottle.

This is the type of news that tends to trigger the masses to seek out every case of Queen Margot 8 that they can get their hands on, so act quickly.

Gear Patrol also recommends:
Aberfeldy 12-Year ($26+)
Highland Park 18-Year-Old ($90+)
Laphroiag 28 ($799+)
February 27, 2019 / Comments Off on Did a $18 Bottle of Scotch Just Win One of the Biggest Awards in Whiskey?
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The Ginetta Supercar Looks Absolutely Bonkers

An Angry-Looking Supercar

If you want a supercar that doesn’t have the elegance of a Ferrari or McLaren, then we suggest you check out Ginetta’s new Supercar. It looks like the angriest front-engine car we’ve seen in a long time. It makes the old Dodge Viper ACR look like a wuss. It’s a near perfect mashup of the company’s previous models. 

We reported on the car not long ago, and Ginetta pulled the wraps off its new car ahead of the vehicle’s scheduled launch at the Geneva Motor Show. The car looks absolutely impressive, and then you take a gander at the spec sheet and get even more excited. Ginetta has made what appears to be an amazing car.

The car has a top speed of 200 mph, a dry-sumped 90-degree 6.0-liter V8 engine, 600 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, and the engine is paired to a bespoke six-speed sequential transmission. The car only weighs around 2,500 pounds thanks to plenty of carbon fiber. Weight distribution is almost perfectly balanced, too. That’s a recipe for speed and fun, which are two things Ginetta knows about intimately.

The car is the company’s flagship road car that you should also be able to use on the track to dominate the competition. The company said Alcantara, carbon fiber, and billet aluminum will feature in the interior. The car also comes with ABS, traction control, reverse camera, parking sensors, automatic headlights, a full HVAC system with heated seats, phone connectivity, and more. It will compete right with the big names in the supercar market, and we welcome it into the fold.

February 27, 2019 / Comments Off on The Ginetta Supercar Looks Absolutely Bonkers
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Honda Will Move Civic Type R Production to the U.S.

Goodbye to the Swindon Plant

Honda recently announced it would close the Swindon plant in Southwest England. This worried a few people because the Civic Type R is built there. However, we were sure Honda wasn’t going to let a thing like a closing plant keep it from producing its killer front-wheel-drive sports car. The company will simply bring the production of the vehicle to the U.S. 

“Given our efforts to optimize production allocation and production capacity on a global scale, we have concluded that we will produce the Civic for North America in North America,” Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo told Automotive News.

The plant builds the Civic hatchback and the Civic Type R. t’s a major part of the company’s operations due to the fact that the Civic continues to be a high seller for the brand. The Swindon facility has been an important production plant for the car company for around 30 years, according to Motor Authority.

In addition to closing the Swindon plant in England, the company will close the Turkey plant that makes Civic sedans. While that’s less impactful for the enthusiast side of the market it’s still important to note. The company believes between American and Canadian facilities, it will be able to pick up the slack.

We certainly hope so. Honda’s 306-horsepower Civic Type R is a force to be reckoned with. The car is perhaps the best-driving front-wheel-drive car ever produced. The car gets rave reviews often, and Honda recently tweaked the model for 2019.

February 26, 2019 / Comments Off on Honda Will Move Civic Type R Production to the U.S.
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Bugatti Teases a New Type 57 SC Atlantic

Translating the Design Language to the Modern Age

The Type 57 SC that Bugatti teased on its Facebook Page could mean a new version of the car for the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker retold the story of the Bugatti Type 57 SC not long ago for the car’s 80th birthday, and it seems the company may have something special up its sleeve. 

With only four of the cars ever built, it would be truly amazing if Bugatti could bring the model back in some capacity. However, it’s not wildly surprising. The company returned to coachbuilding cars with the Devo, and what better vehicle to continue on with than the 57 SC? 

The image teased was a top-down shot. It showed much of the car’s key features. The split windshield is there, the large wheel flares, and the spine that runs down the center. Although you can’t tell the details, most of the important features and the overall shape and design ethos appear to be intact.

If Bugatti were to build a new version of the 57 SC, it would be built upon the Chiron’s chassis. That would blend the car’s heritage with its new models and make one of the most amazing vehicles out there. It would easily steal the show unless the other automakers have some serious surprises hidden away.

The company has confirmed it will have the 110 ans Bugatti car at the Geneva Motor show. That would have been enough for many automakers. However, if a new Type 57 SC appears, we can’t imagine anyone carrying much for the 110 ans Bugatti.

February 26, 2019 / Comments Off on Bugatti Teases a New Type 57 SC Atlantic
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McLaren Special Operations 600LT Spider to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

A Beautiful Bespoke Model

McLaren will bring the heat to the Geneva Motor Show with its McLaren Special Operations 600LT Spider. As the car enters production McLaren thought it smart to put out a special version of the car. The vehicle it created is a seriously striking one like no other 600LT Spider that will be produced.

The car features a unique Dove Grey with Napier Green accents that really stand out. The green appears on the front splitter and down the sides. It’s also on the brake calipers. According to the company, the 600LT Spider from McLaren Special Operations pays homage to the 675LT.

McLaren used a special way of applying the paint, which uses a flexible film to get perfect color consistency and finish. It’s a technique that was previously used on the McLaren 720S GT3 and 570S GT4 race cars. Other than the unique paint job, the car features McLaren Special Operations’ suite of carbon fiber upgrades.

The interior features plenty of carbon fiber, too. It also gets plenty of Alcantara material and the carbon seats originally designed for the McLaren Senna.

As far as the powertrain goes, McLaren Special Operations abstained from fiddling around. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 produces the same 592 hp as the stock car. Performance should be the same as well. This would mean a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph.

February 25, 2019 / Comments Off on McLaren Special Operations 600LT Spider to Debut at Geneva Motor Show
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A Look at What the Next-Gen Toyota 86 Could Be

Could the 86 Get a Funky Hatch?

We reported recently that the Toyota 86 will not be going away despite the fact that the Supra is here. According to the company, the vehicle will get another generation. This is good news for the well-loved coupe and sports car enthusiast everywhere. What the next generation 86 will be, however, is yet to be determined. Carscoops thinks it has the answer.

The publication shared the image above. It’s a rendering of what the next 86 could possibly look like. It’s a weird mashup of the current 86, the Supra, and a kind of funky hatchback. Carscoops points to the original Toyota AE86 as its inspiration. The AE86 was a masterpiece of a car, but the rendering from the publication doesn’t come close to its simplicity and beauty. It looks to us more like Toyota’s version of the Hyundai Veloster than the AE86.

Toyota AE86Toyota AE86
Image from Carscoops

Because Toyota has not hinted at changing the 86 coupe’s body style at all, we’d have to suggest that it won’t look much like this rendering at all. The one thing that Carscoops probably got right is the idea that it will take some styling cues from the new Supra, specifically on the front end. This rendering at least does that well.

The jury’s still out on whether or not the next 86 will have the same kind of body style as it currently does. We hope it doesn’t stray too far from its current form. There’s nothing wrong with the body style. All Toyota needs to do is update the styling a little and add a bit more power. If it can do that without cannibalizing sales from the Supra, it will have succeeded.

February 25, 2019 / Comments Off on A Look at What the Next-Gen Toyota 86 Could Be
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Sim Racing – eSports Sim Racer Enzo Bonito Defeats Former F1 Driver in a Real-life Race

Race of Champions Weekend in Mexico Highlights Sim Racing Narrative

“It’s not just a video game” – this is the ongoing narrative with regards to sim racing, and Enzo Bonito’s victory over former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi at the Race of Champions earlier this year adds further exclamation to it. For further insight into the world of sim racing itself, you can view my article here.

To provide some background on how everything ties in here, I should start by describing what exactly is the Race of Champions (commonly referred to as ROC). Started in 1988, ROC is an annual event that brings together some of the biggest current, past and emerging motorsport stars. It provides an equalized platform on which drivers from different disciplines and backgrounds are pitted against each other in a mano a mano, apples to apples fashion. In essence, ROC showcases competitors driving on seperate (but identically layed out) tracks simultaneously using different (but also identically set up) cars. This eliminates factors – outside of the driver’s technical ability – which could otherwise create an undue advantage or disadvantage for the racers.

ROC has come a long way since its inception, producing many memorable moments along the way – with the proliferation of eSports and sim racing, we’re bound to see many more. In recent years, the ROC has invited some of the top names in this on-the-rise discipline of motorsport, and this is where Enzo Bonito comes in.

Sim Racing

Sim Racing

The Italian is one of the biggest names in sim racing, and has earned a spot as a driver for McLaren’s official Formula 1 eSports team known as McLaren Shadow. His victory at last year’s first ever eROC World Final (the sim racing equivalent of ROC) allowed him the chance to race at a real track and compete at the 2019 ROC in Mexico, where he produced his now famous underdog victory.

Taking on a former/retired F1 driver would be no easy feat in the first place, and it isn’t as if his opponent had gone grey and resigned himself to sipping mojitos on a beach for the better part of a calendar year (which by the way, I have nothing against…). Bonito’s opponent – Brazilian Lucas di Grassi – in fact, continues to race competitively and professionally in Formula E where his skills remain honed as ever.

While the above factors certainly make Bonito’s win an overall surprise, most of the world – even the motorsport world itself – is still coming to grips with the fact that sim racing demands, and can  produce a skill-set that is remarkably transferable to, and really not that much different than that of real-life racing. This result certainly alters the trajectory of that thinking, with future events likely to continue doing the same as sim racers continue to take the motorsport world by storm.

And if you’re still not convinced, Enzo Bonito also beat Indy 500 and IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay in a race, that same weekend.

February 24, 2019 / Comments Off on Sim Racing – eSports Sim Racer Enzo Bonito Defeats Former F1 Driver in a Real-life Race
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EV’s Hitting the Track in 2019: The Future of Motorsport

While the electric vehicle has existed in one form or another since the mid-1800’s it is only in the last 30 years that technology has made them feasible for the masses. Starting in the 90’s automakers and EV technology leaders used motorsports as a test-bed and marketing tool for their hybrid-drive technologies, the stepping stone to full electric power.

Fast forward to 2019 and massive strides have been made in the power output and range of EV racecars. These speed machines boast impressive stats and are right at the cutting edge of EV technology.

BMW iFE.18

BMW iFE.18

BMW iFE.18

Image From BMW

BMW iFE.18

BMW iFE.18

Image From BMW

The ABB FIA Formula E championship is the most recognized EV racing series, visiting exotic locales all over the world. This series serves as a proving ground and R&D lab for privateer teams and factory teams to test the latest EV tech.

The first generation car debuted in 2014 and while entertaining it lacked range and the all-out speed a lot of fans expect from formula car racing. Range was so short that drivers had to switch into full-charged cars part way through the races. For 2019, the Gen 2 car features an increased 280 kW power output, more downforce and enough power storage to last a full race length.

Check out these highlights of the 2019 Marrakesh E-Prix to see how exciting these cars can be.

Specifications

  • Power Output: 335hp (250KW)
  • Torque: Unknown
  • 0-60: 2.8s
  • Top Speed: 280km/h
  • Weight: 1984 lbs

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Image from Driven

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Image from Driven

Developed by Jaguar’s Special Vehicles Operations the I-Pace E Trophy is built on a modified version of the standard I-Pace chassis. Using much of the same driveline as the production vehicle, the E Trophy sheds almost 500lbs of weight, adds a roll cage, racing brakes, suspension and driver-selectable settings to give Jaguar a test-bed with direct roots to its production vehicles.

This test drive gives a great impression of what it’s like to hustle one of these beasts around a track

Specifications

  • Power Output: 433hp (323KW)
  • Torque: 516 lb-ft
  • 0-60: 4.0
  • Top Speed: 195km/h
  • Weight: 4332 lbs

EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL

EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL

EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL
Image from ElectricGT

EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL

EPCS V2.3 Tesla P100DL

Image from ElectricGT

One of the most exciting EV race car developments was the announcement of the Electric Production Car Series modified Tesla P100DL car. Coming in at a whopping 1100 lbs lighter than a production P100DL the V2.3 is tweaked to produce 778 HP and 734 ft-lb.

Combined with racing suspension and brakes the V2.3 pumps out some impressive performance figures. After some delays, a whole series of these EPCS cars are expected to start official competition in 2019.

Tiff Needell test drives the V2.3 and gives some fun insights into the vehicles mentioned above.

Specifications

  • Power Output: 778hp (585KW)
  • Torque: 734 lb-ft
  • 0-60: 2.1
  • Top Speed: 250km/h
  • Weight: 3968 lbs (Incl. driver)
February 22, 2019 / Comments Off on EV’s Hitting the Track in 2019: The Future of Motorsport
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2020 Porsche 911 Turbo Leaked

The Images Look Straight from the Assembly Line

Here’s your first look at the 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo (992). The leak comes from an Instagram user named t_schleicher. Schleicher’s image provides what appears to be a very clear look of the upcoming car. It’s a gorgeous-looking version of the 911, and we’re more excited now than ever for it.

It’s easy to tell this is the new version of the 911, and if you compare it to the spy shots that are out there for the 911 Turbo, it looks like this could definitely be the real thing. As Carscoops notes, it has the squared-off quad exhaust tips, a unique rear bumper, and the rear wing seen in the test cars.

As far as powertrain options go, there’s not a whole lot of specific information out there. It will likely be a turbocharged version of the 3.8-liter flat-six engine. Carscoops suggests it could get as much as 600 hp, but that’s total speculation.

Past reports on the upcoming car indicated there would be electrified versions of the 911 eventually. Motor1 reported that wouldn’t come until 2022. An electrified 911 might sound like sacrilege to some, but with hybrid supercars looking to be the future, it’s really not a big shocker. Motor1 also reports the possibility of two hybrid variants. One could sit down by the Carrera while the other would sit higher in the lineup next to the 911 Turbo.

It will be interesting to see how the 911 Turbo is once Porsche officially releases photos and information about it. In the meantime, we’ll start at the image above and imagine what’s yet to come.

February 21, 2019 / Comments Off on 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo Leaked
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Piëch Automotive to Debut New Electric Sports Car

An Automotive Legacy Continues

If the Piëch name sounds familiar to you then you probably have Volkswagen Group in your head. Most people know Ferdinand Piech who was the chairman of VW Group. When you first hear of Piëch Automotive, you might think that he has made his way back into the automotive industry. Well, it is a member of his family, his son. 

Piëch Automotive plans to kick things off with a bang. The company will debut a new all-electric sports car at the Geneva Motor Show. Recent drawings and an image of the car recently surfaced on the web. According to the German publication N-TV, Piëch Automotive has a special modular platform that works with electric motors, fuel cells, hybrids, and internal combustion engines.

The company plans to use this platform to build numerous vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. The sports car, called the GT Mark Zero will appear in Geneva as the company’s first vehicle. It will have a class two-door GT style and be powered by an electric motor. The battery utilizes a new cell type that allows it to reach up to 310 miles per charge. 

Performance numbers and charge times have not yet been released. The new battery technology is intriguing. That’s what’s holding electric cars back. If the new battery cell technology is revolutionary enough, it could help speed the proliferation of electric cars across the world. Piëch Automotive promises short charge times, but it’s unclear what the company means by that. 

February 21, 2019 / Comments Off on Piëch Automotive to Debut New Electric Sports Car
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The Devel Sixteen 5,007 HP Hypercar Has a Two-Year Waiting List

How Bad Do You Want to Go 310 mph?

The insane Devel Sixteen hypercar has a quad-turbo 12.3-liter V16 engine that makes 5,007 hp and 3,757 lb-ft of torque. It has a top speed of 310 mph. It has not entered production yet, but the company does have a production version of the car ready to go. Right now there are plenty of buyers, too. According to Cool Hunting, there’s a two-year waiting list for the car.

The base road car costs $1.6 million and the range-topping version of the car costs $2.2 million, and the company plans to be very selective with its buyers. One of the founders of the company Majid Al Attar said, “The buyers don’t pick the car. The car picks the buyers.” Basically, that means even if you have the money to buy one, you might not get one.

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Image from Devel Sixteen’s Facebook Page

It’s not that the guys behind the Devel Sixteen want to be mean and exclude people from the car’s ownership. They see the pure power of the machine as a lot of responsibility, according to Cool Hunting. They want responsible drivers to buy, own, and drive the car.

It’s interesting to see the company acting so responsible about the fact that their car is legitimately dangerous. Restricting who buys the car should be easy for the initial sale, but it will be interesting to see how the company manages for the second and third owners of the vehicle. Maybe the company will implement a contract like the buyers of the Ford GT had to sign. That could keep the cars in the hands of the right people in the eyes of Devel executives.

February 20, 2019 / Comments Off on The Devel Sixteen 5,007 HP Hypercar Has a Two-Year Waiting List
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Aston Martin Project ‘003’ Hypercar Confirmed

The Third Installment of the Valkyrie

Prepare yourself for the next Aston Martin hypercar dubbed the Project ‘003’. Sounding like some kind of MI6 code for a secret mission designated for James Bond, Aston Martin’s Project ‘003’ should be an amazing machine. According to the company, the hypercar will utilize mid-engine hypercar features and technology used on the Valkyrie.

The automaker says the car will arrive late 2021. When it does, Aston will build only 500 coupe examples globally. The company specifically says coupe examples, so that makes us think there’s a possibility of a convertible version of the car at some later point down the road.

The Project ‘003’ will be the company’s third try at a hypercar. It hit it out of the park with the Valkyrie, so this one will likely be a ringer, too. The details for the model are scarce, but Aston says the car will have a lightweight structure, which probably means a carbon fiber chassis.

The vehicle will also get a turbocharged hybrid powertrain. However, Aston neglected to mention what that powertrain would be in terms of size. We’re hoping for a turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain that makes somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,000 hp.

The car will be a road car. Aston said the vehicle will have “class-leading dynamics on both road and track.” Aston noted in its press release that special attention is being given to making the car more practical for road use, including some luggage space. Both left and right-hand drive versions of the car will be made, and it will be sold around the world. We’ll update you with more info as we get it.

February 20, 2019 / Comments Off on Aston Martin Project ‘003’ Hypercar Confirmed
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Puritalia To Debut 965 hp Hybrid Berlinetta in Geneva

A 965 hp Return to the Spotlight

The Italian automaker Puritalia made a splash with its 427 roadster a while back, and now it has a new car. The Berlinetta is coming to the Geneva Motor Show should put the automaker back in the spotlight for at least a short period of time. Why? Because it’ll make 965 hp and be a hybrid, sticking with the times.

Also, Puritalia is no slouch of an automaker. Its 427 roadster was no joke, and we don’t expect the upcoming reveal in Geneva to be either. The company builds custom vehicles by hand and makes them beautiful and exceedingly fast machines.

The details for the upcoming model were scarce. Puritalia didn’t let slip much, but it’s enough to get us interested. There are four photos of the upcoming car perfectly shadowed to intrigue you but not actually give anything away. Otherwise, the company said the car’s “SuperHybrid” powertrain would make 965 hp and be managed by an artificial intelligence system. The car will also have a total carbon fiber body. 

Puritalia will make only 150 versions of the car. Each one of them will be built to order. Just to finish the carbon fiber Puritalia says it takes 800 hours, which is more than many supercar manufacturers spend on an entire build. That likely means this car will be very expensive. What exactly that price will come in at, has yet to be determined, or rather Puritalia has not released the price.

February 19, 2019 / Comments Off on Puritalia To Debut 965 hp Hybrid Berlinetta in Geneva
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