2025 Aston Martin Valhalla Proves Five Years Is Worth The Wait
The 2025 Aston Martin Valhalla emerges from the dark after five year wait. Hybrid supercar pushes the envelope of performance and luxury.
Supercars and Track Testing News
The 2025 Aston Martin Valhalla emerges from the dark after five year wait. Hybrid supercar pushes the envelope of performance and luxury.
As much as I love the comforts of living in a beach-side urban metropolis, there are times when I find it frustrating. Sure, there’s the high cost of everything and the endless traffic in every direction, but I’m not particularly bothered by those. My frustration comes when I get a car like this: the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Rally. This is a ride inspired by rally racing and comes equipped with the types of upgrades that would suggest that it’s a rowdy good time on loose dirt surfaces—and I’m a rally fan who longs to practice those “lift, turn, …
Cadillac enters the world of Formula 1 with ground-up race entry. The new team will begin competition in 2026.
Jaguar made waves when it unveiled a bizarre teaser video that initiated a brand reset for the British luxury car company. Images of heritage, history, and performance gave way to images of abstract images, bizarre colors, and a small group of serious/sad-looking models doing strange things. So far, reactions from around the world have been negative with many critics saying that Jaguar has gone off course. That said, is this brand reset the renewed injection of vigor that Jaguar needs, and if it is, can it help Jaguar be a viable contender in the EV segment as it attempts to …
Aston Martin’s DB lineup of vehicles has become an iconic symbol of the company’s long yet complex history. Through the highs and the lows, the DB name persisted and it was always about delivering the best blend of luxury and performance to buyers looking for a distinct flavor in their GT purchase. The Aston Martin DB12 is the latest in this long line of GT coupes and Aston Martin says that this DB is the best yet even as the company made some tough changes to help the DB shine in an era where tightening fuel economy standards and changing …
Ferrari returns to form with the all-new F80 hypercar. New model debuts next evolution of Ferrari’s hybrid technology and other goodies that will define the brand’s future.
Chevrolet smashes several speed records with the Corvette ZR1. Confirms the car can reach a top speed of 233 mph.
Aston Martin packs on the glitter with all-new DB12 Goldfinger. The 60 car production run pays homage to the film and gets real gold accents.
With each new film, the James Bond brand introduces products that reflect its debonair image, from tailored suits to the latest luxury vehicles. A recent example of this cross-industry collaboration is the Triumph Scrambler 1200 Bond Edition motorcycle, which was launched alongside the latest Bond film No Time To Die (2021). Featuring 007 logos, Bond Edition badging, and gold accents, this bike embodies the blend of luxury and function that is central to the Bond universe. But beyond the expensive motorcycles, the James Bond films are best known for their stunning array of classic cars, which often take center …
Lotus is embarking on a new chapter in its history with the British automaker preparing to move on from ICE-powered models like the Emira into a future where EVs like the Eletre will become the new normal. However, the company still has a wild side and it has decided to show off that bold spirit with its latest concept the all-new Theory 1 Concept. Theory 1 highlights future Lotus design Lotus says the Theory 1 is supposed to represent the brand’s design future with reports saying that it was partially inspired by the Esprit. The concept has a bold wedge-shaped …
It has been years of rumors and speculation but Hyundai has finally confirmed that it will not only be producing the N Vision 74 supercar but the model will also be part of a broader push that will see the company debut over 20 new EV models over the next few years. N Vision 74 a sign of things to come When the original N Vision 74 concept appeared, it was a wild two-door coupe with the car being powered by an all-electric powertrain that was powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Hyundai didn’t reveal official powertrain information for the production …
The Maserati MC20 is a pretty impressive supercar with the site recently spending three days with one last year. But what if you’re a buyer that wants more power and style than what even the base MC20 can provide? The Italian company has you covered with the all-new GT2 Stradale. GT2 Stradale has track-ready looks for your friends on the street The GT12 Stradale may share some of its core underpinnings with the MC20 but Maserati prefers that you don’t call it that since it’s essentially a road-going version of the aforementioned GT2. As a result, the exterior styling is …
Monterey Car Week 2024 The annual celebration of automotive excellence known as Monterey Car Week is upon us! For the uninitiated, “Monterey Car Week” is the grand finale of events for the unofficial close out of “car show season” in North America. It is here that manufactures are known to show brand new cars, special editions and beautiful one-offs that naturally fit right in with the Monterey crowd. Motorlux On Wednesday, kicking off the festivities is MotorLux (formerly McCalls Motorworks Revival) – now a Hagerty Company event. Features vintage race cars, aircraft and high-brow culinary fare. Tickets will run you …
The Acura ZDX was seen as a redemption play of sorts from the Japanese automaker. The ZDX was Acura’s first foray into EVs but came after an ICE-powered model which was a slow seller and quietly retreated into the shadows after a brief production run. This time around, the ZDX is promoting technology, luxury, and range. However, the ZDX is not the raw performance model that some EV buyers want when compared to rivals from Tesla, Rivian, and others. Acura appears to have listened to these concerns and has unveiled an all-new EV SUV concept that might push the envelope …
Rolls Royce is always known for wowing the crowds with a special vehicle or concept every year at Monterey. The British ultra-luxury car maker is continuing this established tradition further with the unveiling of the one-of-a-kind Spectre Semaphore which is the latest in the company’s lineup of stylish one-off custom creations. Flashy exterior paint highlights the bulk of the changes on Spectre The centerpiece here on the Spectre Semaphore is the flashy yellow exterior paintwork which is called… Semaphore Yellow with Rolls Royce stating that the color was specially designed just for this custom one-off vehicle. The yellow paintwork is …
It has been a long time since we saw the legendary ZR1 nameplate appear on a Corvette with the last model being based on the C7 Vette. That model was the last front-engined version made before GM and Chevrolet chose to make the C8 version a mid-engined offering a few years ago. At the time, Chevrolet said that making it a mid-engine model allowed the brand to extract higher levels of performance from the car and the 2025 Corvette ZR1 is perhaps the most potent expression of this mantra yet. The model breaks new ground for the moniker and raises …
Aston Martin has had an established habit of making limited production models that are track-ready but without losing the road legal status that make them rolling sculptures when cruising through town. The Valour was the last of these creations and the British sports car brand has followed up on it with the all-new limited-production Valiant. Aston Martin makes bold statement with Valiant The Valiant is heavily based on the Valour and as a result, the bulk of the core styling largely carries over from that car. However, this special edition gives the car numerous upgrades that put luxury on the …
Bugattis are always known for raising the bar when it comes to performance and luxury. While Ferrari and Lamborghini may have some things to say about that assertion, there’s no denying the unique appeal that a Bugatti model brings to any driveway. The brand has also proven to be resilient to market changes and has had plenty of ups and downs in its long and illustrious history. However, Bugatti knows that tightening emissions standards will force it to comply with the times, and with the Chiron hypercar already beginning to show its age, Bugatti has thrown the veil off of …
Exactly 20 years ago, Maserati went racing with the MC12 which brought the Italian brand back into motor racing after a four-decade absence. The MC12 was an extreme expression of Maserati’s performance DNA and the MC20 is the figurative successor to this legend with the twelve-cylinder being swapped out for a V6. Maserati is preparing to celebrate this anniversary with a pair of special edition models, the MC20 Icona and Leggenda. Styling tweaks give these MC20 special editions swagger Both of these special editions feature paintwork and livery that’s borrowed from the MC12. In the case of the Icona …
The 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix had the makings of a classic and the race had plenty of internal plot points that would play a big role in the outcome of the race. But while the controversial Santino Ferrucci didn;t live up to his pre-race bluster, the environment was primed for Scott Dixon to emerge as the winner in the streets of Detroit. Strategy powers Dixon to victory Scott Dixon has always been considered to be a master strategist out on the track and his knack for long-term planning proved to be key in snatching victory once again. Dixon …
The Detroit Grand Prix is less than 24 hrs away but qualifying proved to be an exciting precursor for Andretti Motorsports when driver Colton Herta managed to get the team its first pole position of the season with a scorching fast lap time of 1:00.547 in the No. 26 Honda at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix. Herta’s time places Honda in prime spot for tomorrow’s races Herta’s impressive lap time capped off a busy day of qualifying for the Grand Prix with Honda gaining control of the front row with fellow Honda driver Alex Palou in the N0. 10 Chip …
Josef Newgarden is having a strong 2024 season, and with the veteran driver coming off of back-to-back victories at the Indy 500. Newgarden is preparing to expand on this success with a new contract extension that not only locks him into Team Penske but will also see him continue to represent the team for the next few years. “Josef Newgarden is a true winner, and we are excited that he will continue as a part of Team Penske for years to come,” said team owner Roger Penske. “What he did Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 shows how Josef consistently …
The resto-modding craze has picked up steam over the past few years with modified versions of the Volvo P1800 and the Porsche 928 being a few notable examples of this trend in action. However, the folks at TWR have decided to raise the bar up a notch and have formally unveiled the TWR Supercat which will be limited to 88 units when it enters production. Supercat Shares XJ-S Hardware The Supercat is a wild beast, but it gets its DNA from a 1976 Jaguar XJ-S. The XJ-S was the controversial replacement for the Jaguar E-Type and attempted to offer …
When Lotus unveiled the 2024 Emira sports car, it represented the end of an era for the company. The Emira was designed to be a successor for the Evora GT but it could also be considered a spiritual successor for the Elise. When the U.S. last saw the Elise, it was better known for being an ultra-lightweight thrill machine that sliced flab at the cost of creature comfort and refinement. Tightening safety regulations ended its run in the U.S. with the Evora being the lone solider for Lotus in our country. But can the Emira successfully walk the proverbial tightrope …
Maserati pulled no punches when it said that it was going all in on EVs. The Folgore lineup promised to push the envelope of EV performance and range. While the Maserati MC20 supercar will eventually get a Folgore model of its own, the company is using the approaching days of summer to drop the top on its first production EV, the 2024 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore. Silence Even With The Top Down The exterior styling here is shared with the ICE version of the GranCabrio and the two look nearly identical at first glance with the EV even retaining the gas …
The old Aston Martin Vantage F1 safety car looked stylish and had a good track record of service at various F1 events. However, its performance was not up to everyone’s taste with reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen torching the car’s performance. Verstappen’s complaints (among others) prompted Aston Martin to unleash an improved Vantage F1 Safety Car which not only gets more muscle but also more technology as well. More Performance Sharpens Vantage Safety Car Vibes A key change that race fans and Aston Martin loyalists will notice is the infusion of extra power with this latest version of the safety …
It has been a long journey for the Aston Martin Valhalla with the company first unveiling it back in 2019 as the AM-RB 003. Alot has changed since that time with a pandemic and Aston’s very survival during that time taking center stage. However, the company has kept pushing forward with the Valhalla and the company has released new details about the car while also confirming that it will be entering production next year. Valhalla Sharpens Its Performance Sword With V8 Power The Valhalla is the latest in Aston’s growing lineup of exotic supercars but while it’s easy to …
In the 50 years that BMW’s M brand has terrorized race tracks around the world, the performance-focused sub-brand has undergone a number of key transformations as it attempted to maximize the performance that BMW products were capable of. It can be easy to forget that this gold standard of the performance-driving world once started out as a small in-house race shop. BMW has prepared a surprise to help celebrate the occasion, the 2023 BMW M3 50 Jahre Edition which helps celebrate the M3’s history, but are new styling touches enough to help this beast stand out in a crowd? …
Lotus is preparing to make big moves in the EV vehicle segment. While the company cemented its history as an automaker that made lightweight vehicles that emphasized weight-cutting and exceptional handling, Lotus has also been on a proverbial rollercoaster in recent years with COVID-related challenges and a 2017 stock purchase by Chinese firm Geely being some of the twists and turns that have faced Lotus owners the past few decades. That said, Lotus is preparing to embark on a bold strategy and will focus all of its efforts on building a lineup of EV-only offerings with the Lotus Emira being …
Maserati is the figurative traveler who’s facing a choice at the proverbial fork in the road. The Italian luxury automaker tried to embark on a push towards enhancing its sales, but while the Grecale and the Levante have certainly made their mark in the SUV segment, the broader sales picture is mixed at best. In the meantime, Maserati is also focusing on returning to some of the core things that helped it be an icon in the luxury segment, with performance and artistic flair being two prominent pillars. One example of this in action is the Maserati MC20, which launches …
Aston Martin has recently been on a roll regarding products, with the British sports car maker launching the DB12 and the wild and extremely rare Valour sports car. However, the Valhalla supercar is one model we have not heard much about in a long time. Getting its name from the Norse word for heaven, the development of the supercar has been far from a heavenly experience for Aston. The car was first announced in 2019, with the company claiming that it would get a hybrid V6. However, COVID-19 forced the company to focus on more pressing matters before announcing in …
Maserati is looking to recharge its GT racing ambitions while creating a new chapter that can fill the pages written by the MC12, one of the most stylish and controversial cars the Italian luxury company has ever produced. The Maserati GT2 made a splash at the 24 Hrs of Spa race in Belgium last weekend, and after seeing the car briefly grace our television screen, we think Maserati is on the right track in its track-focused game plan. GT2 Brings Maserati Back To The Track Like the MC12, the GT2 is designed to comply with GT regulations and shares most …
The 2024 Lotus Emira is shifting things over at Lotus in multiple regards. The Emira is not only replacing the aging Evora in Lotus’s lineup, but it will also be the last ICE-powered Lotus to be offered before the British sports car maker fully switches over to BEV models only. We recently had a chance to spend some time with the Emira at a recent Cars & Coffee event at our local Lotus dealer, and we came away very impressed with what we saw during our brief encounter with Lotus’s newest sports car offering. Emira Has Porsche In Its …
When Ram first unveiled the Ram 1500 TRX several years ago, it was very clear that they wanted to go above and beyond in their quest to dethrone the Ford Raptor. Unlike the Raptor, the Ram had a 700-plus horsepower, a 6.2-liter, supercharged Hellcat V8, and enough performance upgrades and swagger to outshine a Silverado ZR2. This mishmash of performance insanity allowed the Ram TRX to rapidly ascend to the top of the off-road performance truck food chain. But the marketplace is evolving, and with the Raptor getting a new V8-powered “R” variant, can the 2023 TRX hang on to …
Bentley’s long-running 6.0-liter W12 engine has played a number of roles over the years. While the twin-turbocharged wonder is primarily known for its time in Bentley badged vehicles, it has also appeared in the Volkswagen Phaeton, Audi A8 and even the Spyker C12 La Turbie and Zagato models. With this diverse of a resume, it’s no wonder why the W12 has become an icon in the automotive world. Sadly, its time in the spotlight is rapidly coming to an end with Bentley confirming that it will be ending production of the bespoke engine in 2024. Before it goes away though, …
Bentley might not hit your radar when it comes to Le Mans competition but it was over 20 years ago when the brand last won the iconic racing event. To celebrate this milestone, Bentley revealed that it will be producing 48 examples of the Le Mans Collection Continental before ending production of the sleek tribute model. Le Mans Collection Hits Victory Lane In Style At first glance, these 48 cars might appear to be nothing more than a styling package with each one featuring a large “7” in the front grille as well as a coat of Verdant Green paint …
The 2023 Maserati GranTurismo is making its appearance at the 2023 Milan Design Week extravaganza. Maserati wanted to make a splash and has chosen to not only pay homage to the past, but also preview its future with the unveiling of the GranTurismo Luce and Prisma. Italian DNA But Distinct GranTurismo Personalities The GranTurismo Prisma and Luce were created by Maserati’s Fuoriserie department which is responsible for handling unique customer requests and serves largely in the same vein as Aston Martin’s Q-Division and its ability to create wild one-off models. The GranTurismo Prisma is the first of the duo …
The Cadillac V-LMDh race car is poised to make its debut at The Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 17th but the company chose to provide a sneak peek of the different liveries that will come equipped to the car while also showing us the final design elements for the race car as well. Adding A Dash of Luxury To The Racetrack When we last saw the Cadillac Project GTP racecar at GM’s design dome, it was evident that Cadillac was taking the challenge of motorsports very seriously with the prototype combining the best of modern Cadillac design with …
Following a small flurry of rumors, McLaren has confirmed that it has officially axed the current-generation 720S supercar as the British supercar maker seeks to add more hybrids and EVs to its lineup of world-class performance machines. 720S Leaves Big Shoes To Fill The 720S’s departure leaves some huge shoes to fill, especially in the performance department. We even had a chance to briefly experience the 720S during a weekend office visit. The 720S was always considered the most potent “mainstream” McLaren in the company’s supercar lineup and was only occasionally eclipsed by some of the wild limited production …
The 2023 Ford Raptor was already a very capable truck in its own right thanks in part to its capable platform, suspension, and the 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that lurked under the hood. However, what would happen if Ford decided to add a V8 back into the Raptor? The answer is one of the most exciting off-road trucks we have ever experienced, the 2023 Ford Raptor R and it could be the TRX rival that we have all been waiting for. Minimal Changes Hide The Beast Lurking Within Raptor R At a glance, the 2023 Raptor R might look …
The Ford GT was an enigma deep in the halls of the Ford Motor Company. When Ford announced that it was reviving the GT at a conference during the North American International Auto Show inside the now-demolished Joe Louis Arena, it was arguably one of the best-kept secrets in the industry, with the futuristic two-door grabbing the world’s attention. We had a chance to experience it both on the track and on the street where it proved to be a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sadly, the GT is going away after 2023, but Ford has prepared a final send-off model (for …
Audi’s 5.2 liter V10 has been a long running staple in the R8 supercar especially after it punted the V8 out of the engine lineup several years back. But the mighty ten cylinder is also a dinosaur from an era where fuel economy was placed in the backseat and displacement and horsepower reigned supreme in the performance car scene. That means it’s now unable to comply with pending fuel economy regulations but Audi is sending it out now with a whimper, but a bang with the all-new 2022 Audi R8 GT Familiar Name Signifies Beefier Performance While the=is version …
Dodge had plenty to talk about the past few days; from the Challenger Droptop to the recently unveiled Dodge Hornet, it’s clear that Dodge is trying to boldly transition to a new era. But what if you’re a drag racer looking to build the track-slaying monster of your dreams but want to go about things your own way? Dodge has the answer with a new wave of rolling bodies that will allow you to do just that. A Pair Of Options For Any Budget Modifying and creating a drag racer can be a very pricey and intensive headache, but …
We thought that Hyundai couldn’t possibly find a way to outdo themselves after yesterday’s unveiling of the Ioniq 6 EV concept, but the Korean car giant has managed to prove that we were once again wrong for underestimating their capabilities because N Day revealed some very interesting things about where things are headed for Hyundai’s wildest sub-brand. Hyundai RN22e On the surface, the RN22e might appear to b an Ioniq 6 at first glance, but look at some of its revisions and it’s obvious that this is a completely different breed of Hyundai. While it has retained the …
History was made on Belle Isle during the 2022 Detroit Grand Prix. Not only was it the final race on the island before the event moves to the streets of downtown Detroit, but also the place where Chevrolet recorded its 100th Detroit Grand Prix victory thanks to the help of Team Penske’s Will Power who recorded his third Belle Isle victory and finally had a chance to go for a swim in the iconic Scott Fountain. A Dominating Performance Accented By Riveting Conclusion The 70-lap race began with Josef Newgarden in the lead before Will Power took the …
Prior to their surprise victory at the Chevrolet Sports Classic on historic Belle Isle, the odds were stacked against the No. 1 Cadillac V-Performance Academy DPi and drivers Sebastian Bourdais and Renger van der Zande. Their season was anything but perfect, with the duo falling victim to various mechanical problems and even a few bad turns in fortune. Going into today’s race, there were some skeptics wondering whether Belle Isle would be the latest speedbump for their troubled car. However, thanks to a solid game plan and skilled driving, Renger van der Zande was able to pull it off in …
The evolution of Buick has seen the brand go through many twists and turns over the past few decades. GM’s Ultium fueled revolution aims to guide Buick through its latest transformation into an all-electric brand for the future. Buick reps offered a glimpse into this new reality with the all-new Buick Wildcat EV Concept that not only looks sleek in its own right but also previews some new technologies too. A Showstopper That’s Not Heading To Production The Wildcat concept first started out as a mere design sketch that happened to catch the attention of higher-ups within the company. …
A key trait of Rolls Royce over the years is that when the company updates one of its models, it prefers to do things subtly, with the car’s presence and the features it’s packing doing much of the talking. That established script has carried over to the 2023 Rolls Royce Phantom which has received a suite of new updates and an all-new Series II designation. Phantom Styling Takes Pages From Ghost When Rolls Royce execs said that the changes to the Phantom were mild, they were not kidding with the car looking much like it did when it is …
Brabus and the Mercedes G-Class go together like peanut butter and jelly on a sandwich with the German tuning company producing some wild G-Class-based creations over the past several decades. However, the firm appears to have perhaps found a way to outdo even some of its crazier creations with the all-new Brabus Crawler which pushes things into uncharted territory. Brabus Crawler Goes All Out In Rock Crawling Mission At first glance, the Brabus Crawler looks like the end result of spending too much time with a metal cutting saw, but this is more than a chopped-up G-CLass and there’s …
The Aston Martin V12 Vantage has always been the pinnacle of performance for the Vantage coupe, a fire-breathing demon in a sea of V8-powered imps. The last two generations of V12 Vantage pushed the envelope of performance despite being hobbled by the limitations of an aging platform and a laughably bad semi-automated manual transmission in the case of the Vantage S. Aston Martin knows that the days of the V12 are numbered and has revealed the third generation V12 Vantage which will be the end of the line for the legendary twelve-cylinder. V12 Vantage Is Leaner, Meaner, And Better …
The current generation Colorado mid-size pickup has been a sales success for Chevrolet and it certainly makes a good first impression when equipped in ZR2 guise. However, the current generation is on its way out, with the brand revealing that a next-generation model is waiting in the wings. Aftermarket tuner Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) is preparing a potent send-off with the all-new 2022 Chevrolet Colorado Xtreme Off-Road. Bold Graphics Eliminate Any Sleeper Notions The Xtreme Off-Road starts life as a short box equipped Colorado ZR2 but this is far from a sleeper truck, with SVE making several additions that …
We loved the all-new Acura TLX A-Spec we tested recently. Acura has been on a roll lately, and the TLX is now bigger, badder, and is the whole package when it comes to style, performance and technology. But like the Kia K5 – also a sweetheart of a sport sedan – the manufacturer waited to introduce a more powerful, more driver focused version. In this case, the TLX Type S – bringing the performance Type S moniker back after many years of hibernation. So, with Honda’s luxury division building a TLX to thrill like never before, we were excited to …
When one looks at a McLaren offering, chances are good that track-ready performance and Ferrari slaying styling will immediately leap out into mind. While the British supercar maker has primarily delivered the goods, for the most part, the firm also knows that it needs to expand its reach to appeal to a broader range of buyers. The recently unveiled Artura was McLaren’s first leap into the green vehicle market, and for GT buyers, the company has unleashed the all-new McLaren GT, but is it finally the perfect balance of supercar daring and GT elegance? Exterior Styling Looks Slick The …
When we first saw Nissan’s Ambition 2030 Plan, it represented the most ambitious EV-focused plan that Nissan ever undertook. However, the one item that was missing was an attention-grabbing halo vehicle that could gravitate eyeballs to the plan and show the full imagination of Nissan’s designers. The Japanese car giant has addressed that void and has revealed the all-new Ariya single-seat roadster concept. The Performance Car Of The Future This Ariya (not to be confused with the CUV of the same name) is designed to be a performance star and while it only exists as digital sketches for now, …
It wasn’t too long ago that Honda focused on promoting reliability, practicality, and value with its utility vehicle lineup. While this certainly catered to a wide swath of buyers, that meant putting things such as off-road capability, trail readiness, and fun on the backburner. Thankfully, the Japanese auto giant is finally changing its tune on those latter three and has put a greater emphasis on promoting them to consumers. That includes the growing TrailSport lineup, but Honda promises these models are just the first act in a broader show. We got to see a slice of this on the motorsport …
The logistics of Monterey Car Week can be excruciating. Truly the only way to do it with any style is if you can helicopter into to every hour’s event. If you can’t afford that, you at least can find interesting bips and bops while you are moving from place to place. Here are some photos of the people, places and things that were good for a quick snapshot, often times one-handed, and poorly framed.
The 2021 McLaren 720S is in a class of its own when you have the chance to look over some of the things that it brings to the table. It has styling that looks like it was sculpted by a choreographed team of artists and madmen with cleavers, performance this side of a Ferrari, and engineering that’s second to none. But while the 720S certainly has the goods in theory to make a solid first impression, we were curious to see if the 720S could translate some of those attributes into the real world and whether it could indeed live …
Lamborghini made waves when it revealed that it was reviving the legendary Countach for the 2022 model year. While the model will be an extremely limited special, it will also be a key piece of company history with the Countach being the first production Lamborghini hybrid model ever produced. The exterior styling is a welcome time warp to the past with plenty of classic Countach cues on hand including the rectangular headlights as well as the simple curves and angles that adorn the bodywork. Performance for this particular model will come from the Sian concept’s 6.5 liter V12. This engine …
Bentley brought a powerhouse fleet to their Pebble Beach Villas in 2021! We even get a look at the Bacalar concept from the concours lawn. Aside from the bubble canopy in back it looks fairly production-ready in its details. The new Flying Spurs and Conti GT’s are also very very appealing. After you enjoy this 50-photo gallery shot by JC, read some our full drive reviews of Bentleys over here. Gallery – Bentley Motors at their Pebble Beach Villa and the Concours Concept Lawn Road Test Review – 2021 Bentley Bentayga – A Nip And A Tuck For …
The urge to add more power is a tough temptation to resist for many automakers. That includes the folks at Acura who decided to answer a seemingly timeless question: What would happen if you took an Acura NSX, tinkered with it slightly, and added a bit more power to the engine? You might end up with the 2022 Type S, which rewrites the rules of what an NSX can bring to the road and the track. Sharper Styling Points Type S Towards The Track The bulk of the bodywork retains its futuristic design, and to casual observers, it might …
The annual Pikes Peak hill climb event is fast approaching, and while the COVID-19 pandemic forced contenders to sit out the 2020 event in their garages, the 2021 event promises to continue its wild ways. Bentley is one of the teams competing in this year’s event and has prepared a special Continental GT3 to try and plant their bespoke flag at the event. A Different Breed Of Continental The Continental GT3 might have originally started life as a luxury-filled coupe, but Bentley engineers have transformed the car into a potent track weapon, with the British luxury carmaker claiming that …
Getting a two-pair hand in a poker game can be a very advantageous turn of fortune in certain situations, and it also manages to add some extra angles to the game. In the case of McLaren, that means having a few new jewels for customers to choose from when they visit their local showroom. We recently had the chance to spend some brief time with both the recently unveiled McLaren Artura and the wild and delightfully insane McLaren Elva, which aims to utilize their strengths to help expand McLaren’s supercar ambitions. Artura: A Hybrid In Wolf’s Clothing The McLaren Artura …
Have you been deliberating on acquiring a new set of wheels this year? Then how would you feel about investing in a luxury car? To some people, a car isn’t just a means of transportation, it’s also an important property that represents their lifestyle and personal brand. Luxury car owners are known to turn heads wherever they go, so if you’re going to cringe at the extra attention, then you might want to reconsider your purchase, and instead go for high-performing Renault cars. Premium cars often come with sky-high prices, but their extraordinary features and turbo power are not for …
When McLaren first got its feet wet in hybrid technology back in 2012, it did so with the P1 hypercar. While it was designed to be a limited production offering from the beginning, the P1 did help provide the British supercar maker with the insight and knowledge needed to refine its new for the period hybrid technology. Fast forward to 2021, and the company is now ready to unveil the next evolution of its hybrid lineup with the all-new 2022 Artura supercar. The Artura aims to push Mclaren into new territory in the hybrid supercar segment, and here are 4 …
The Ford Bronco is already one of the most hyped vehicles of 2021 and we had a chance to see it embrace its racing pedigree with the Bronco recently taking part in the 2020 running of the Baja 1000 race. But Ford is always up for a challenge and has its eyes set on an even bigger prize, winning the 2021 King of The Hammers off-road race. Ultra4 Bronco Aims To Slay The Trails The Dearborn auto giant is hoping to cement its place in history by entering three Bronco based entries which will compete in the Ultra4 4400 …
It might seem hard to believe, but it wasn’t too long ago that the very idea of a hyper car was considered a pure fantasy. While the supercar segment would morph into one of the most iconic parts of the 1980s and 90s, hyper cars were pure science fiction, and were relegated to being curious science experiments for automakers. However, the Oldsmobile Aerotech concept would help give the world a glimpse into a future where the hyper car would synthesize its way into modern culture especially in terms of design. Subtle similarities help paint broader picture Unlike the Aerotech …
McLaren is in the midst of completely rebooting its lineup as it prepares to enter a new era defined by tightening fuel regulations and the challenges brought by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But while some aspects of its future plans have slipped out over the past few months, it appears that the company still had a surprise up its sleeve with the unexpected debut of the McLaren Sabre. This ultra exclusive two seater talks a big game and boasts the horsepower figures to shake up the scene. Here’s 3 key things to know about the McLaren Sabre. It really was …
We have a lot of vehicles that we like. And then the manufacturers manage to tweak and massage, and Boom! You get something really special. We felt that way with the larger-engined Subaru Crosstrek we tested recently. And there was something about the latest Civic Coupe that just felt perfect. And now we’re ready to add the Lexus IS350 F SPORT to that list. Already a very good sport sedan, the changes for 2021 make it, as they say ….”just right”. Evocative Looks First impressions matter in sport sedans, and the IS350 F SPORT makes us feel all tingly. Slightly …
Rumors have been swirling about McLaren and its new hybrid supercar for the past few months. They included tantalizing tidbits such as the company ditching its long running numerical naming system, as well as the appearance of exotic technologies aimed at improving fuel economy and performance. The British supercar maker has added newfound fuel to the fire by releasing two teaser images, as well as confirming that the model will be known as the Artura. But what does it all mean for buyers Artura what goes into a name? We might as well address the big elephant in the room, …
With the end of summer now upon us, it would seem only fitting that Lamborghini is celebrating the start of fall by teasing yet another special edition supercar with the company’s racing division (Lamborghini Squadra Corsa) releasing a lone teaser image via social media that’s already making us salivate with anticipation. However, we’re not quite sure what we’re looking at here. Judging from some of the core characteristics that we see, it appears that the mystery offering is based on the current generation Aventador, but the orange hued body wrap appears to be the same one that was used to …
It certainly has been awhile since we heard from the folks at Maserati when it came to their upcoming sports car model. The idea was first sparked back in 2014, when the company unveiled the Alfieri concept. Back then, Maserati promised that a road going version of the Alfieri would appear shortly after its stint on the auto show circuit was done. However, a combination of factors forced the Italian luxury car maker to back track from this promise, and ultimately can the production Alfieri. But the core spirit of the model remained alive and well, with the company finally …
It’s not often that a supercar comes along that completely flips the script of what a proper performance icon should be. But that was indeed the case when the McLaren F1 did when it made its appearance in the 1990s. Not only did it disrupt a kingdom that was ruled by Ferrari and Lamborghini, but it also helped create a new generation of automotive enthusiasts who eagerly posted a picture of an F1 on their bedroom walls and dreamed (this author included.) The F1 also spawned a fire breathing LM variant in 1995 which paid homage to the race car …
When it comes to innovation and launching electrified supercars, the folks at McLaren are no strangers to the challenge. The recently launched P1 and Speedtail are two recent examples of this recent push towards electrification. But the British supercar maker has revealed that it’s taking things up a degree by creating an all new lightweight vehicle platform with electrification and innovative technology being the two top priorities for the new platform. McLaren also revealed that the first model to take advantage of this platform will make its appearance sometime in 2021, but stopped far short of revealing any critical information …
Just some drool-worth images and official press release on this beauty! Since driving Taycan Turbo down at Amelia Island Concours 2020 I am a huge fan and this design upgrade is sure to increase the car’s already-amazing curb appeal even more. These are just the renders and they already make me weak in the knees! Cannot wait to see the real thing. 2021 PRIOR-DESIGN Porsche Taycan Widebody PRIOR-DESIGN PRESS RELEASE: Wide body kit for the Porsche Taycan www.prior-design.de Porsche’s four-door all-electric sports car gets a ferocious appearance Tune an electric car? You can’t do that – or at least nobody would …
When Ford released its brief teaser video of the 2021 Ford GT Heritage Edition, we knew that we were going to be in for a treat. The Heritage series have always served as a compelling window into the iconic history that has always followed the GT supercar. This time, Ford designers wanted to take the public back to 1966, when Ford put the lessons learned in its failures in 1965 and 1966, and created a GT40 that was primed and ready to make a splash in the racing circuit. The end result would see a car that would be a …
The Peterson Automotive Museum has already snagged a number of interesting vehicle unveils for its annual Car week extravaganza. But Ford is aiming to help close out the event with a bang by unveiling an all new special edition variant of its seductive GT supercar. Ford chose to get things rolling with a short teaser video that it chose to blast across all forms of social media. The lighting is not the greatest in the video, but it appears that this particular Heritage Edition model will go in a slightly different direction. The video overlays the new model with the …
Introducing Toyota’s hot new performance vehicle – the TRD Camry. Toyota Racing Development? The in-house racing division of the big T? And Camry? Sounds like two things that don’t go together – like jumbo shrimp. But just like that crave-worthy crustacean, it comes together quite nicely. And it just might be a performance bargain to boot. Big Bold Style When the Camry was redone in 2018, we loved the new aggressive look – muscular and wide, it looked more like a European sport sedan, and had real presence. To give it the “Competition Look” the TRD adds unique piano-black front …
After years of teases, rumors, and speculation. The Gordon Murray T.50 has finally arrived, but can the T.50 be the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 that Gordon Murray Automotive founder Gordon Murray claims it will be when it makes its way to production? The exterior styling is certainly off to a good start, with the basic profile bearing an uncanny resemblance to the F1 (the last major car penned by Gordon Murray.) The front fascia in particular generates alot of this vibe, with its low slung nose, smoothed out styling, and carefully placed narrow inlets in the corners. An …
The launch rollout of the rockstar Mustang GT500 took a bit of a hiatus over the springtime for obvious reasons but it’s back on! Covid-safe wit masks, lots of cleaning, disinfectant mister guns, helmet oven sanitizer and many other precautions were in place. Meeting the 760HP, 625-pound-foot GT500 on the track really is the perfect way to stretch its legs and test its limits. Make no mistake, the rumors of #BestMustangEver are very true here. The car is so good that it even wears the famed Shelby Cobra snake logos all over — something we missed a bit on the …
When Dodge first unleashed the Challenger Redeye a few years ago, the world wondered whether the Charger would be allowed to take a bite out of the same forbidden fruit. The wait for it took longer than anticipated, but Dodge has now taken the wraps off of the 2021 Dodge Charger Redeye which aims to solidify its status in the muscle car wars. The Redeye is also out to stake Dodge’s claim of building the fastest production sedan in the entire world thanks to its 6.2 liter supercharged Hellcat V8. Like the Challenger Redeye, the Charger version produces 797 horsepower …
The Devel Sixteen has been an automotive curiosity ever since Devel Motors first laid out the groundwork for the outrageous hypercar back in 2013 when it made its debut in prototype form at the Dubai Motor Show. The idea of a 5,000 horsepower offering that could hit 320 mph seemed impossibly absurd even in a world where the Bugatti Chiron and the Ferrari LaFerrari roam the streets, but Devel has made sure to remind the world that the car is still a very real deal. When we last checked in with Devel, it was back in 2017, when the production …
Germany has such a powerful set of OEM automakers that it is easy to forget the country also has a thriving and world-leading car customization industry. Manhart Performance is part of this crew taking the hottest vehicles from Europe and the world and making them even faster, louder and sexier than stock. In typical German fashion, these customs are typically executed with a finesse and holistic approach that is much more thorough than simple part-by-part upgrades. In US tuner terms, they go right to stage two or stage three right off the bat. This new Velar SV600 is a perfect …
In every market segment there is the dominant player. Small affordable sports car? Miata. Import pickup truck? Tacoma. And when it comes to premium sport sedan, that would be the BMW 3-series. Which is not to say there isn’t competition there, in fact a bunch of wonderful sedans from the Audi A4 to the Genesis G70 to the Volvo S60 are gunning to be the quickest gun in town. But it always seemed that the BMW 3 is the benchmark. And now they went and made it incredible – welcome to the BMW M340i. M340i Exterior – Low-key flyer The …
Digital technology can be a real struggle for auto shops—curse that evil “Yelp” website for exposing your systematic overcharging of maintenance checks! Really though, there are plenty of great digital tools that can help your auto shop be more efficient and market itself better. Here are 7 digital tools you need to use at your auto repair business. 1. Social Media So far as business goes, social media is a tool that’s easy to use but difficult to master. You should definitely set up pages for your auto shop on all major social media platforms, like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. …
Novitec is consistently a favorite hypercar customizer because of the quality of their executions. Take this new widebody 720S Spider. It brings much of the new bladed design ethos from the Senna onto the 720S. The nose goes from slightly soft and rounded in the 720S to sharp and cutting with deep creases that are much more sinister. Special tweaks throughout create one of the meanest looking machines on the roads — ever! Full details below the gallery. NOVITEC McLaren 720S Spider N-Largo Widebody NOVITEC N-LARGO https://www.novitecgroup.com/ Fascinating super roadster based on the McLaren 720S Spider Spectacular widebody …
Evaya is how it is said! This stunning machine that is just six months from its first owners has a tricky name to pronounce. As noted in the video Evija means first of its kind and the pronunciation takes Latin. This smooth beauty is quite an awesome step into the future for Lotus with its all-electric 2000HP drivetrain the most potent to ever be installed on any road car – ever. Watch the vid for more info on the car – with smooth viewing thanks to shooting this on the latest GoPro Hero8. 2021 LOTUS EVIJA – Detailed Walkaround …
For hypercar fans the Apollos at this year’s Amelia Island Concours were undoubted stars of the show. The gorgeous pair that the Apollo crew brought had a packed audience all week as everyone entering or leaving the Ritz stopped to gasp and stand in awe. The design is so shockingly aggressive and gorgeous that it seriously one-upped the McLarens parked just steps away. Even the Senna looks tame beside this wild pair of painted dragons. The dragon vibes are strong in the nose and especially in the tail. You can easily imagine this machine spitting fire and hitting speeds you …
It has been awhile since we heard from Ford and its iconic GT supercar. When we last spent some time with it, it was on the mean streets of Woodward Avenue where the company allowed a select group of journalists (us included) to experience its charms during the lead up to the Woodward Dream Cruise. But while GT production may be reaching the home stretch, the company is still doing its part to sensure that each model is distinct and special. On that note, Ford has chosen to turn up the flames for 2020 with several performance upgrades as well …
For a long time, Lexus has stood for really wonderful cars. Beautifully built, wonderfully smooth, but it’s been the rare Lexus model that could turn the heads of buyers who pony up serious dough for Mercedes’ AMG, BMW’s M Division, and Porsche. Well, there was the Lexus LFA. And it was sensational, but priced new at $400,000 and going for mid-400’s to 600’s (yes, thousands) now, it was always a halo car that was going to be out of reach of almost all of us. (We do still buy Lottery tickets and dream, though). For the rest of us, Lexus …
McLaren is typically very predictable when it comes to the way it unveils its Ulitmate series of supercar offerings. For those that need a brief recap, the Ultimate series is designed to push the envelope of performance, and the models in this series often incorporate many race proven technologies into their designs. The first of these offerings was the legendary McLaren F1 which helped define the 1990s, and it gave birth to the track only McLaren F1 GTR. Per racing regulations at the time, that beast spawned the road legal McLaren F1 LM. This continued with the P1, with McLaren …
What is it like spending a week behind the wheel of the new M850i? There are barely words to capture how amazing it is, but we will try. This reborn 8 series continues the essence of that original shark-nosed executive supercoupe perfectly — updating and evolving it into the present and future. How well? After a few days behind the wheel, this M850i will make you feel ridiculously rich. Tax haven rich. City, beach and Tahoe ski house rich. Capital gains tax rich. So rich you stop calling it money and start calling it wealth. So rich you can barely …
The Jaguar F-Type made quite a splash when it first appeared in the first half of the decade. With an all new design language that was a visceral injection of freshness not only into the segment, but also into Jaguar itself, the F-Type rode on a massive rocket that shot it into the stratosphere of sales success (taking the bigger and aging XK convertible out of its misery in the process.) But like all good things, even this stylish feline is in need of a comprehensive update, and Jaguar has finally delivered the goods with the unveiling of the revamped …
McLaren‘s Ultimate Series typically focuses on a distinct theme, with each model being a wild interpretation of earth shattering performance and spine tingling styling. While the Senna showcased the futuristic extremes that McLaren stylists were willing to go to please their customers, this time, McLaren chose to take its inspiration from the past, with the unveiling of the all new Elva roadster. The Elva nameplate itself is a thoughtful nod to the original McLaren -Elva M1A of the 1960’s which proved to be a worthy contender in many European track races. Like the car that it’s based on, the revived …
The Alfa Romeo 4C wowed us several years ago with its bold Italian charms and a driving character that made us eager to come back for more. But those two traits (as well as a whole heaping helping of spunk) were not enough to help the 4C avoid the axe, with Alfa Romeo revealing that it has killed the 4C for 2020 thus ending the 4C’s brief but exciting time in the marketplace. In some ways, the 4C was already living on borrowed time, with the coupe version being discontinued in the U.S. back in 2018. The droptop Spider …
Ford is still very keen on keeping the wraps firmly tightened around the production Ford Bronco, but the company has given eager fans of the iconic nameplate something extra to chew on with the unveiling of the Bronco R Baja racer. Designed to tackle the upcoming Baja 1000 desert race, the revived model will also help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rob Hall’s Baja 1000 victory in a first gen Bronco based entry. As another nod to the past, Hall’s granddaughter Shelby Hall will drive it during portions of the grueling race. Before all that happens though, Ford will take …
The Raptor Returns! Raptor in summertime seems to be a tradition here at CRD and we’re not taking one minute for granted this time! Last year we were too busy to take the beast into its off-road element and (gasp) barely discovered its drive modes until the last day or so. Not happening this time. The 2019 refresh of the coolest and most capable factory off-roader ever made got a thorough test and a great drive video too! We savored every moment during this Raptor visit and have some awesome insights, highs and lows to share with you, loyal readers. …
When Ford first revealed the 2017 Ford GT at the North American International Auto Show, it was arguably one of the best kept secrets at the show that year. It was also the best kept secret at Ford, with only a scant few knowing of its meager origins until the very end of its development cycle. Since then, the GT has been a very potent marketing tool for the company, and it has proven to be a very compelling piece of eye candy for millions of enthusiasts around the world. We first had our taste of GT infused bliss when …
For awhile, rumors swirled that McLaren was working on something distinctly special, a speedster that would reignite the fires of desire in the hearts of McLaren enthusiasts. We are pleased to report that the rumors are indeed true, and the British supercar maker has formally released the first teaser image of this roofless wonder ahead of its debut at Monterey Car Week. The lone teaser image is as you would expect, darkened to hide crucial details of its design, but despite McLaren’s best efforts, some elements do make themselves apparent. For instance, the speedster features a very striking design …
Using the dynamic backdrop of the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise as an enviable world stage, Ford Performance took the veil of secrecy off of its updated Xfinity Series racing Mustang, which aims to continue the impressive success that the Mustang has had in NASCAR since it made its return to that sport in 2011. While the rules governing NASCAR prevent the updated racer from adopting radically altered body work, Ford designers still managed to make the new racer stand out from its predecessors. The graphics work for example has been updated to better reflect the current Mustang, with familiar cues …