All posts in “Supercar News”

Porsche Riding Giddy Heights With the Wildly Successful Taycan

In the first nine months of 2021, Porsche sold 28,640 Taycan units, about 13.2% of the carmaker’s total volume and a massive year-on-year increase of over 160%. More impressive is the fact that the EV outsold Porsche’s iconic 911 for the first time over the same period.

It is worth mentioning here that the Porsche Taycan is only in its 2nd full year of production, having been launched at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales likely would have been even higher, were it not for the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the global chip shortage ravaging the automobile sector. The sales volume paints a pretty upbeat picture when you remember that the Taycan’s prices range from $81,000 to $185,000, depending on the model variant.

2020 Porsche TaycanVia Motor1.

Today, the Taycan ranks only behind the Cayenne and Macan (both SUVs) in global sales. Clearly, Porsche has hit a home run with its sole EV offering.

The Taycan’s remarkable achievement, in such a short period, perfectly sets the stage for Porsche’s electrification drive as the carmaker looks to expand its EV offering to other vehicle types in its lineup.

The Porsche Taycan: Sowing the Seeds

It is possible Porsche might not have anticipated the runaway success of what is currently the only all-electric vehicle in its lineup. However, that does not mean the carmaker did not put in the work needed to ensure the Taycan had a smooth introduction into the market. The launch of the Taycan was the result of several years of research and development rather than a quickfire ‘bandwagon’ approach.

Interestingly, you would have to go back to the roots of the carmaker’s history to establish Porsche’s connection with electrification. Ferdinand Porsche, the company’s founder, was always fascinated by electricity.

In 1893, Porsche was able to successfully install an electric system at his parent’s house. Four years later, he was Head of Testing at an electrical engineering firm called Vereinigte Elektrizitäts-AG Béla Egger in Austria, and the first vehicles he designed had electric drives.

In 1900, Porsche was responsible for the world’s first functional hybrid car, dubbed the ‘Semper Vivus,’ Latin for ‘always alive.’ a year later, the production version of the vehicle, known as the Lohner-Porsche Mixte, was ready.

Lohner Porsche Semper VivusVia Cartype.

The Mixte was far ahead of the technology at the time, which ultimately proved to be its undoing. The available infrastructure just was not ready for any form of large-scale electromobility research and development.

The dream, though, never really died. The idea of electrification was finally revived at Porsche AG, about a century later, buoyed by advancements in the development of lithium-ion batteries.

2010 Porsche Cayenne S HybridVia netcarshow.

First, there was the 2010 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, followed by the 2012 Panamera S Hybrid. Porsche also conducted tests with three all-electric Porsche 911s in 2011.

Other cars, like the 918 Spyder and 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car followed, with each breakthrough allowing Porsche to gain valuable experience to develop its first all-electric vehicle. There were no cutting corners with the Taycan. By the time the production spec was ready, Porsche had invested about $1 billion with over 1,000 employees involved during the development process at one point or the other.

From Mission E to the Porsche Taycan

Porsche Mission E ConceptVia Porsche Newsroom.

One of the highlights at the 2015 Frankfurt International Auto Show was the Mission E, a concept car showcased by Porsche. The EV concept had an 800-volt drive system, boasted more than 600-hp and a battery range in excess of 300 miles.

The Mission E was very fast too, with the ability to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds. The interior featured innovative technology with instruments controlled via eye-tracking and hand gestures. Porsche, with the board’s full support, were clear about their intentions to bring the car into production before the end of the decade.

By June 2018, the name of the planned production all-electric sports car was revealed as the Taycan. Picking the name was an elaborate process that involved whittling down a selection of over six hundred ideas.

Taycan is a blend of two Turkish terms that roughly translates to ‘soul of a spirited young horse.’ Interest continued to build up in the launch of the Porsche Taycan, and reservations hit 30,000 deposits by July 2019, forcing Porsche to revise initial production estimates of 20,000 units in the first production year.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto ShowVia Our Auto Expert.

Finally, in September 2019, after four years of hard, relentless work, the German carmaker debuted the production version of the Taycan. It was the first production all-electric vehicle to utilize a two-speed transmission and an 800-volt architecture for quicker acceleration and faster charging times.

Porsche tried as much as possible to stick to the design language of the Mission E, but there were differences—like the wider intakes and a deployable rear wing on the Taycan. The Taycan also ditched the suicide doors of the concept and adopted a flatter roofline to create more headspace for rear passengers.

Model Variants: Milking the Porsche Taycan

2020 Porsche Taycan TurboVia Motor Authority.

Porsche took advantage of the strong interest surrounding the Taycan and made the car available in two variants at launch. There was the Taycan Turbo and the more potent Taycan Turbo S version.

Both variants generate a restricted 616-hp to protect the drivetrain from overheating. Still, there’s an ‘overboost’ function that can briefly push this number out to 670-hp for the Turbo and a thumping 750-hp for the Turbo S.

The Taycan Turbo S, making full use of its instant torque and all-wheel-drive, could fly to 60 mph in a scant 2.4 seconds, matching the time set by the Tesla Model S in Cheetah mode. The Turbo version wasn’t far behind, with a 0 to 60 mph sprint clocked at 3 seconds flat.

Green Porsche Taycan 4SVia Top Gear.

The launch models were quickly followed by the Taycan 4S, offered with a choice of two battery packs for different performance levels. The lower capacity 71 KwH battery pack was good for 522-hp, and the 83.7 KwH pushed up to 562-hp to all four wheels. They were not as quick as the Taycan Turbo models, but they cost less and allowed Porsche to capture more of the market.

In 2021, Porsche went further and introduced an even cheaper new base Taycan model that was rear-wheel-drive only. This one came with a standard 79.2-kWh battery and a rear permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor that made 402-hp. It cost over $20,000 less than the Taycan 4S and helped keep up the sales momentum for the Taycan brand.

Two Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo carsVia Guide Auto Web.

Today, a quick visit to the Porsche website will show that you can now purchase the Taycan in eight different model variants. In addition to the ones earlier mentioned, there is now a Taycan Cross Turismo that can be obtained in four different variants—the Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo and the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo.

Apart from introducing new models, Porsche has also continued to tweak the architecture of the existing lineup, making the Taycan an even more capable performance EV. For example, the 2022 models feature better thermal management setups, an improved operating system, and can now be parked remotely using a smartphone.

The Journey Ahead for the Porsche Taycan

Porsche’s 2021 performance for the first three quarters shows a 13% increase year on year. SUVs like the Macan drive this growth, but the Taycan has also played a significant role with a nearly three-fold increase in deliveries, even though the Taycan generally costs significantly more than rivals in the same segment.

For example, the Taycan Turbo S costs about $80,000 more than the Tesla Model S Performance. Porsche executives will be undoubtedly pleased by this as it tells them their customers are quite receptive to their EVs. It bodes well for the carmaker, especially as an all-electric Macan is expected to join the Taycan next year.

2022 Porsche Taycan GTSVia Motortrend.

The Taycan’s success is still on an upward trajectory, judging by recent happenings. There might be eight Taycan models currently available in the market, but Porsche is not done yet, and who can blame them?

The carmaker just unveiled the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show. The Taycan GTS boasts a 504km (313 miles) driving range, the first Taycan model to crack the 500km barrier. The new additions will roll out to dealers in the Spring of 2022.

2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport TurismoVia netcarshow.

Prior to the announcement of the new additions to the Taycan family, Porsche CEO Oliver Brume gave another indication of how well the Taycan was performing during a September 2021 interview with Reuters.

Brume confirmed there’s now a six-month waiting list for a new Taycan. That’s up from the usual four-month wait. He added that the planned 2021 production limit was 20,000 Taycans, but the carmaker sold that amount in the first half of the year alone.

The challenge now would be for Porsche to find a way to ramp up production in the face of the automobile sector’s current challenges. It is a ‘good’ problem to have, but resolving it will be vital for preventing the Taycan from becoming a victim of its own success.

That may yet turn out to be an extreme scenario, though, and I wouldn’t bet against the German carmaker finding a way to turn things around as far as production capacities are concerned. For now, they can continue to bask in the Taycan’s success.

Mercedes-AMG Project One: The Bumpy Path to Building a Formula One Car for the Road

In September, Mercedes-fans.de reported that customer deliveries of the long-anticipated Mercedes-AMG Project One had been delayed yet again. Handovers expected to start by the end of this year have now been pushed out until the first quarter of 2022 at the earliest.

Mercedes-AMG One driving on desert roadVia Mercedes Benz.

The German carmaker has not issued an official statement confirming or denying the report. However, it would not be too far-fetched to assume that the privileged few who secured an allocation would have to wait a little longer for their new toy to arrive.

The Mercedes-AMG Project One has been delayed before, and this latest report just lends credence to the fact that the journey from concept to full production for the hybridized hypercar has been anything but straightforward.

Mercedes-AMG Project One: In the Beginning

Mercedes-AMG Project One at 2017 Frankfurt Auto ShowVia Motor Authority.

At the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Dieter Zetsche, then-head of Mercedes Benz, pulled the covers off the Mercedes-Benz AMG Project One concept. In Zetsche’s own words, ‘this vehicle will make all previous performance limits at AMG and Mercedes look small.’

The stats were all there to back up his bold statement—0 to 124 mph in less than 6 seconds and a top speed in excess of 217 mph. One of the most impressive features of the Project One is undoubtedly its powertrain. The hypercar boasts a combination of four electric motors and a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 directly derived from a Formula One car for a total output of over 1,000-hp.

Mercedes-AMG One at the 2017 Dubai International Motor Show

 Side profile of Mercedes-AMG One at the 2017 Dubai International Motor Show

I still have vivid memories of when I was fortunate enough to see the concept car in person. It was at the 2017 Dubai International Motor Show, just a couple of months after its initial reveal in Germany.

I remember the feeling of awe that washed over me as I took in the extreme aerodynamic profile of the car while it spun slowly on a slightly raised dais. The Project One features a carbon-fibre monocoque topped off by a functional roof scoop that sucks air into the engine—a powerplant now at the heart of the various challenges faced by the design and engineering team down at their Affelterbach headquarters.

A Formula One Car for the Road

Mercedes-AMG One and Formula One car on trackVia Top Gear.

It is a road-legal car powered by a high-revving Formula One engine. That is the unique draw of the Project One hypercar, and that is what the team at Mercedes-AMG is still committed to delivering. But as stated earlier, this was never going to be a ‘walk in the park.’

The typical Formula One engine revs as high as 18,000 rpm and operates at such intense levels that it must be replaced after a few races. Granted, the Project One will not be driven like a Formula One car on public roads, but that does not make the challenge of adapting the F1 engine for road use any less daunting.

The idea has always been to develop a car that seamlessly combines racetrack performance and practical Formula One hybrid technology with exemplary efficiency. The six-cylinder turbocharged engine works with two electric motors. The first one, rated at 101-hp, is integrated directly into the turbocharger and helps keep the engine permanently spooled up. The other one has a power output of 161-hp and is linked straight to the crankshaft.

Another two electric motors drive just the front wheels, giving the car an all-electric range of about 16 miles.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 engine has been tempered down from Formula One levels but still has a redline set at an astounding 11,000 rpm. Other modifications to the powertrain include a completely bespoke crankshaft, pistons and a wholly redesigned electronics package that should help make the Project One hypercar more road-friendly.

Modifications notwithstanding, the engine in every AMG One car would still have to be rebuilt entirely after about 31,000 miles. It just shows the levels of complexity involved in dreaming up a project of this magnitude.

Mercedes-AMG Project One Design & Production Challenges

There will only be 275 units of the Project One hybrid hypercar—and yes, all allocations have since been scooped up by eager customers with hefty bank balances. Each unit reportedly costs as much as $2.7 million.

The lucky few who secured a build slot were initially promised a 2019 delivery date. Fast forward to 2021, and those customers, including real estate mogul Manny Khoshbin and seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, are still waiting.

Lewis Hamilton poses with the Mercedes-AMG OneVia Top Gear.

In November 2019, the carmaker announced that the car would only go into production in 2021. The lengthy delay primarily stemmed from issues around noise levels and getting the engine to pass strict emissions tests.

It’s one thing hearing a Formula One engine scream around a race track, but quite another matter having one threaten to pop your eardrums on a public road. Then the engineers would have to figure out how to have the highly complex engine setup pass emissions requirements that have only gotten more stringent with time.

At the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, Michael Knoeller, head of product management and sales at AMG, summed up the issue nicely when he said, ‘When you make F1 technology street legal, you have to go through a journey with the customers.’ He also added, ‘We had some challenges, but now we’ve reached a tipping point.’

AMG graciously invited all 275 future owners to its headquarters and gave them a detailed report of the delays, in addition to explaining what the engineers were doing to overcome them. An early 2021 production date was set, and for a time, it looked like it would be a reality.

In February 2021, Mercedes-AMG posted a short clip on its YouTube channel that showed a barely-disguised AMG One being put through its paces around a race track. In September 2021, more images and video clips of the hypercar undergoing testing in various road conditions surfaced.

It was particularly heartwarming to see the Project One howling around the infamous Nurburgring race circuit as Mercedes-AMG carried out what was thought to be the final phase of testing at the time. That was before news of the latest delay began circulating.

Camouflaged Mercedes-AMG One speeding down roadVia Motor Authority.

Mercedes-AMG has been silent about this latest setback; at least nothing has been revealed to the public yet. However, it seems there’s still some work to be done before the car can be declared fully production-ready.

What Happens Now? The Future of Mercedes-AMG Project One

Mercedes-AMG Project OneVia Car Magazine.

The AMG One project is still a go. The latest shots of the car at the Nurburgring revealed an example with final production parts like the LED taillights and an updated front end. We even got to see the car doing some light off-roading, and unlike a previous test back in May where one of the prototypes suffered an engine failure, this one seemed to have successfully completed the testing round.

The reputation of Mercedes-AMG will undoubtedly take a massive hit if they have to cancel at this stage, not to mention potential lawsuits from pissed-off customers. So far, they have been quite dignified about how they have handled the lengthy delays, but there’s no telling if they will be as calm if Mercedes-AMG scraps the project.

In any case, that is unlikely to happen. Mercedes-AMG has the experience and resources to resolve any lingering issues and see this through. Yes, there have been delays, but It is quite safe to assume we will yet get to see a customer-driven Mercedes-AMG One (as it is now known) someday soon.

GTO Engineering Unveils ’60s Inspired V12 ‘Moderna’

Restomods are fun, funky and all the fashion. From the Singer 911, Automobili Amos Integrale and the Eagle E-Type, there is something inherently cool and edgy about taking an old school icon and updating and upgrading the visuals and mechanicals to blend the best of old and new. Ground up continuations such as the Aston Martin DB4 GT and revivals based on original chassis such as the GTO Engineering 250 SWB, which we recently drove, are in high demand.

Since the early ’80s, GTO engineering have been manufacturing parts, servicing and restoring Ferraris, now they have made the decision to take their accrued knowledge to create an all-new sports car designed to encompass the finest traits of 1960s classics. From a glance at early design sketches it is clear to that Ferraris have inspired the Moderna’s design. The traditional tubular steel chassis will be used with the addition of lightweight but high strength aluminium subframes, and the Moderna will, for the first time, incorporate carbon fibre for the car’s shell. The new car will feature motorsport derived components and utilise independent independent all-round suspension as well as large diameter wheels to incorporate lightweight yet powerful brakes.

GTO Engineering 250 SWB

“We’ve learnt from building the 250 SWB Revival, and working on a range of Ferraris, that a car’s weight and engine are two of the key ingredients to make a good sports car. So, we knew that this car should be under a tonne and powered by a quad-cam V12 – an engine format we are familiar with and developing in-house. To accomplish the desired light weight, carbon fibre will be used, which obviously wasn’t available in the Sixties but a composite we will utilise alongside other materials. For example, the doors and bonnet feel and ‘weight’ when you open them, was something we knew we wanted to keep and that’s why they’ll be made in aluminium – they’ll be lightweight but still give that ‘reassuring’ close and feel of a classic when the driver or passenger gets in and out, as well as opening and closing the bonnet”, explains GTO Engineering Managing Director Mark Lyon.

Project Moderna owners will be as personal and customisable to its owner as possible – from paint, trim and accessory options offered to more major components such as suspension and gearbox options, the new car can be tailor made to each owner’s specific requirements. From the power output to the number of ratios in the gearbox the characteristics of how the car drives will be made to suit the owners profile. We look forward to seeing how Project Moderna progresses.

De Tomaso Re-Born During 60th Anniversary Year – Debut at Goodwood!

Italian supercar manufacturer De Tomaso is set to make a return later this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019. The Italian brand went into administration in 2005. Several attempts have been made to re-launch the brand since, however, these have failed to materialise. The latest re-launch follows the purchase of the rights in the De Tomaso brand by Ideal Team Ventures.

Ideal Team Ventures are the company behind the re-birth of Apollo Automobil. They have some experience in re-launching defunct supercar brands! The company appears to be financed by Hong Kong businessman Sung Fung Choi and lawyer, Neil Baylis who was formally involved with the re-launch of the AC Cars brand.

De Tomaso has some serious history behind it. The company was founded in 1959 by the Argentine-born Alejandro de Tomaso. De Tomaso was a race car driver, competing for two years in Formula 1 with Scuderia Ferrari and OSCA. The company he founded would later go on to produce cars like the Mangusta and the iconic Pantera.

The company attempted to re-launch in 2009 when it was bought by Gian Mario Rossignolo. That venture ended in disaster after Rossignolo and his son were convicted in Italy of fraud and embezzlement having failed to produce a single customer car.

The company has been re-born during its 60th anniversary year with the latest model set to debut at the Goodwood Motor Show 2019. It is code-named Project P for the time being and the story will unfold over coming months using the hashtage #DTprojectP. We will bring you further information as and when we know more!

£150,000 Will Buy You a Road-Legal Brabham BT62

The ultimate in money moves for any car collector is to buy a hypercar that can only be used on the race track. The LaFerrari FXX K, the McLaren P1 GTR, the Aston Martin Vulcan, these are the cars that billionaires own!

Brabham Automotive’s market launch of the Brabham BT62 confirmed that the car it intends to sell to customers will be limited to track use only. As it cost north of £1 million, the Brabham BT62 joins this group of illustrious hypercars. But what if you don’t have regular access to a racetrack? Brabham have you covered.

For an additional £150,000, Brabham will make your BT62 road-legal. The road-legal Brabham BT62 conversion will be carried out by Brabham Automotive. For now, the road-legal conversion is limited to the UK market. Brabham have confirmed that they are working on a version for the Australian market and will cater to individual requests where possible.

So what could you be driving on the roads? The BT62 was announced as a no-limits, trackday tool. The finished product should prove to be exhilarating on the road considering it has a 5.4 litre V8 engine which produces 710 hp and 667 Nm of torque.

Much work has gone into weight reduction. As a result, the Brabham BT62 weighs just 972 kg. The road-legal Brabham BT62 will be heavier as the process requires installation of items the BT62 does not have as standard. Aerodynamics should also excite. Downforce totals 1,200 kg thanks to that massive rear wing.

The conversion process will necessitate raising the ride height with a front and rear axle lift kit, increasing the steering lock range, adding air conditioning, fitting door locks and immobilisers and installing additional upholstery in the interior. The car will then be assessed by the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) through their IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test.

The first road-legal Brabham BT62’s are expected to be ready for Summer 2019.

Top 15 Supercars to Look Forward to in 2019

2018 has been a superb year for sports cars and super cars. We saw the release of cars such as the BMW 8 Series, the Bugatti Divo, the McLaren Speedtail and the Lamborghini Aventador SV J. There is plenty more to look forward to in 2019 though.

We have collated a list of the 15 biggest new releases you should be looking forward to next year.

1. Koenigsegg Ragnarok

Koenigsegg Ragnarok Teaser

Koenigsegg have been working on a replacement for the Agera. We will get to see it in 2019 with a release pencilled in for the Geneva Motor Show 2019. Ragnarok is the rumoured name for the hypercar. It originates from Norse mythology, meaning a series of events which lead to the destruction of the cosmos. While we don’t expect that Koenigsegg’s Agera replacement will be quite so destructive, we do expect it to take the fight to cars like the Bugatti Chiron…

2. Aston Martin Valkyrie

Aston Martin Valkyrie

Aston Martin are expected to start production of the Valkyrie this year. Their joint project with Red Bull racing was first announced in July 2016. Aston Martin are still teasing details of the Formula 1 inspired hypercar with customer deliveries due to begin in late 2019. We know that it will get a 1,000 hp 6.5-litre V12 engine with electric boost. It also gets a carbonfibre monocoque, bodywork and suspension inspired by Formula 1.

3. Mercedes-AMG ONE

Mercedes-AMG Project One

The Mercedes-AMG One will hit owner’s driveway slightly sooner that it’s rival if rumours are to be believed. The One is expected to be delivered during the second quarter of 2019. Powered by a 1,000 hp combustion engine, a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine in this case, the One is also electrified. The Mercedes-AMG One should feel closer to a Formula 1 car as, in essence, its engine is very similar!

4. Lamborghini LB48H

Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

Perhaps this might debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2019? Rumours suggest that this, as yet unnamed, Lamborghini project is intended to preview the technology that will underpin the replacement for the Lamborghini Aventador. That means hybrid technology. 63 copies of the Lamborghini LB48H will be up for grabs with rumours suggesting that the B48H will use a naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 789 hp coupled with a regenerating hybrid system producing an additional 49 hp.

5. Porsche Taycan

Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan is generating a huge amount of buzz on the internet. It has a waiting list of over a year already despite the fact that owners will need to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 in September to get the official details. For now, we can say that Porsche plan to target the Tesla Model S with the Taycan. It is a crossover model, previewed by the Mission E Cross Turismo concept, which blends zero emissions electronic technology with the practicality of an estate.

6. Toyota Supra

2019 Toyota Supra

We won’t have to wait long for the new Supra! It is due to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show 2019 during the first month of the year. The Supra is part of a joint collaboration with BMW. BMW’s new Z4 has already been revealed, the Supra remains mostly secret for now. Hopefully its only a matter of weeks before we can bring you some official detail!

7. Pininfarina Batista

Pininfarina recently received substantial investment from Indian Mahindra Group, allowing it the opportunity to forge a new identity as an EV specialist. The first part of it’s plan, before the onslaught of three electric SUV models, is to put together an electric hypercar, the Pininfarina Batista. The Batista will get its official unveil at the Geneva Motor Show 2019. The Italian design house has already announced that the Battista will get a 1,900 hp powertrain, sub-2.0 second 100 km/h sprint time and a 450 km range.

8. Corvette C8

Corvette C8

American muscle fans will be braced to learn more about the Corvette C8. It had originally been expected to debut in Detroit but we understand that it is now more likely that Chevrolet will hold a stand alone event in the summer to blow the covers off. The C8 will depart from the front-engined set-up which has become the Corvette’s trademark. Very little is known, however, you can rest assured it will have a V8 engine and will likely target cars like the Porsche 911 Turbo.

9. Cayman GT4

2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

Porsche are expected to release a new GT4 in 2019 too. The pocket supercar will retain the same formula as the last model. Bigger, 911 power plant coupled with a manual gearbox and around 430 hp. Rumours have also been circulating about a GT4 RS which might use the 4.0 litre straight six engine. Most sources suggest that a Geneva Motor Show 2019 release is most likely.

10. Ferrari 488 Successor

It seems only 10 minutes ago that we were reporting on the reveal of the Ferrari 488 GTB. Alas, the Pista has now been revealed and attention in Maranello should be focussed upon delivering the next generation model. Test mules have been spotted and rumours are already circulating that a Geneva Motor Show 2019 release might be in the offing. It should get the traditional Ferrari V8 with power at around 700 hp.

11. McLaren Sport Series

Another supercar that we know very little about, the McLaren 570S is due a successor this year. The 570S first hit the market in 2015. McLaren recently released the hardcore 600 LT and there are rumours that McLaren plans to replace the 570S next year. The rumours began at the start of this year when it was speculated that McLaren planned to use the Sport Series to release hybrid and autonomous technology into its model range. The rumours are not yet substantiated so we expect that the 570S replacement will happen later in the year. Still, keep your eyes pealed, the Sport Series is bound to be hugely desirable.

12. Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato

Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Teaser

The Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato has already been announced. Back in September, Aston Martin confirmed that it would offer a version of its new DBS, fetled by coachwork legends Zagato. The catch is that in order to get one, you would need to order a DB4 GT Zagato Continuation! Just 19 of each will be built, which matched the production run of the original DB4 GT Zagato. To own one, you will need to put up £6 million. It remains to be seen what the DBS GT Zagato will look like.

13. Porsche 992 Cabriolet

Porsche 992 Cabriolet

The above render by Aksyonov Nikita shows what the Porsche 992 Cabriolet might look like. Porsche will almost certainly release the droptop version of its 911 next year. Customers will hope this will happen in time for a summer delivery date. It is possible that Porsche might choose the Geneva Motor Show 2019 as the official reveal. In any event, it will use a fabric drop top and share the 3.0-litre twin turbocharged flat six with the Coupe. In standard Carrera spec it will produce around 420 bhp, with the Carrera S getting 444 bhp.

14. Bentley Flying Spur

2019 Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley will follow the release of the Continental GT last year with its latest Flying Spur. During its centenary year, Bentley’s Flying Spur will move further away from the Continental GT line it was previously aligned to. While we expect that it will use a variation of the same platform, it is expected to get a personality of its own. It should get a full range of engine options with a V8 and W12 petrol unit, and a plug-in hybrid based around a V6 petrol. It will compete with the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S600.

15. BMW M8

BMW M8 Concept

The final car in our list has been anticipated ever since the BMW 8 Series was announced just under two years ago. Developed alongside the production Coupe, the M8 will get a larger lip spoiler, quad exhaust tailpipes and re-profiled bumpers compared to the M850i. It will use BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 together with a reveal currently anticipated for the Geneva Motor Show 2019.