where people and cars meet
DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, (January 24, 2023) – Aston Martin’s multiple championship-winning Vantage begins the defense of its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD class title this weekend, as three teams (including the 2022 IMSA GTD class champions Heart of Racing) field four Vantage GT3s in North America’s most famous endurance race the season-opening Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (FL). Continue reading
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN (January 24, 2023) – Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) is giving the 5-door electric performance fastback, Polestar 2, a major update. For the 2024 model year, the premium compact EV features a new high-tech front end that reflects the design language premiered by Polestar 3, substantial performance increases with all-new electric motors, even more powerful batteries[1], sustainability improvements and, for the first time in a Polestar, rear-wheel drive. Continue reading
SEALY, TEXAS (January 23, 2023) – Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer and high-performance vehicle creator, has released a comprehensive new performance upgrade package for the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon. Hennessey’s boost in output for vehicles with the GM 6.2-liter V8 takes power from the mild 420 bhp factory rating to a wild 650 bhp – entirely transforming the acceleration and driving dynamics of GM’s full-size SUVs. Continue reading
The mid 80s were a heyday for the personal luxury coupé, led by the Germans with the BMW 6-Series and Mercedes-Benz 500/560 SEC, along with the Lincoln Mark VII and Cadillac Eldorado. No one could blame Volvo for wanting a piece of it. While they’d always had a two-door version of the previous 1- and 2-series sedans, their three-box 740 and 760 were only available as sedans or wagons.
Continuing the relationship with Italian design house Carrozzeria Bertone that brought us the 262C in the late seventies, the 780 was born. Its predecessor was more or less a stock 264 modified for two doors, richly appointed in leather and wood, and, for the sake of something different, had its top chopped hot-rod style. The 780, however, was a unique model, both designed and built by Bertone. It too went upscale to match its stylish looks (though only a centimeter chopped from its roof) with lounge-like interiors and, by 1990, a turbo motor putting out 188 horsepower. While down on its competitors on a spec sheet, real-world performance was adequate and maintained the efficient sensibility of a Volvo.
The 780 (renamed simply Coupe in its final year) wasn’t cheap. By the end of its run, its price had climbed to over $40,000 (in 1990 dollars; over $73,000 today). It is relatively rare, with roughly 5,700 copies coming to the US over a six-year span (less than 1,500 of them the Gen-3 Turbo models of 1990 and 1991). And yet, its value today places it among its far more common sedan and wagon 740/760 stablemates. With 80s- and 90s-era Swedish cars in general seeing appreciating values (see Saab 99/Classic 900 Turbo, Volvo 140/164/240/260), the 780/Coupe can’t be overlooked for much longer.
CREWE, UK (January 2023) – Mulliner and Bentley Sydney have created a pair of special Bentleys inspired by the gruelling Bathurst 12 Hour, where Bentley was victorious in 2020 with its Continental GT3 racer. The recent launch in Australia of the new Continental GT S provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate V8-powered performance, with the special edition paying tribute to the road car’s racing sibling, the Continental GT3.
Focused on driving performance and visual presence, the Continental GT S shares a number of characteristics with its track based counterpart, thereby providing the perfect foundation for the pair of specially-commissioned road cars.
The two cars in the pair both have individual specifications. The first car takes inspiration from the livery of the winning race car, with an exterior of bright Apple Green, contrasted by a Beluga black roof, wing mirrors, lower bumper and rear boot silhouette. The unique front visual also includes a number seven painted on the grille matrix, as per the racer.
The contemporary performance theme continues with the inclusion of the Blackline Specification – replacing all exterior bright chromework with polished black versions – and the Styling Specification (front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser in carbon fibre) providing a more aggressive visual stance.
The cabin is far more luxurious than the race car counterpart whilst offering a performance feel. Using a mixture of Leather and Dinamica in Beluga with Apple Green accents via micro-piping and contrast stitch, the interior complements the exterior perfectly. ‘BATHURST’ has been stitched into the headrests and ‘One of Two’ can be seen on the treadplates. A unique metal overlay depicting the track has been included in the carbon fibre technical finish fascias on the passenger side, and the names of the victorious drivers together with the winning number seven can be found on the center console.
“Bentley quickly became an iconic part of the Bathurst 12 Hour and a fan favourite team of most who attended.
“They ‘brought the thunder’ to the Mountain and their 2020 victory remains one of the most popular in the history of the race, creating iconic scenes that will long be replayed.
“We are proud to help Bentley celebrate that famous result with this pair of incredibly special and unique Continental GT S vehicles, much like the pair of Continental GT3 entries that were so impressive on the Mountain for many memorable years.”
Shane Rudzis, Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director
The second car is painted in Silver Tempest to reflect the introduction of the second-generation Continental GT3 that was launched in late 2017 and started competing in 2018. Car number two mirrors the first, with black chrome and the carbon fibre Styling Specification to the exterior and a bespoke cabin. Each car will be supplied with a commemorative framed artefact and a 1:18 scale model of the winning car.
The Mulliner team celebrated in 2022 a new milestone in personal commissions, after creating 500 unique Mulliner Bentley projects for customers around the world in just 12 calendar months. The team’s portfolio includes coachbuilt cars such as the Batur, heritage limited editions including the Blower, and a wide variety of stunning and unique customer projects where imagination is the only limitation.
Race Inspired V8 Performance
The new S range retains the 542 bhp (550 PS) and 770 Nm 4.0-litre V8 engine that’s proved incredibly popular with customers around the world, delivering a time of just 4.0 seconds for 0-62 mph (100 km/h). For the GT and GTC S, the engine is enhanced by the fitment as standard of a Sports Exhaust to amplify the crossplane V8 beat.
The eager, free-revving and lighter 4.0-litre V8 engine gives the Continental GT S models a responsive and agile character, and this is amplified by Bentley Dynamic Ride – the advanced 48V electric active anti-roll control system first pioneered by Bentley. By generating up 1300 Nm in 0.3 seconds, motors within the anti-roll bars actively compensate for cornering forces to minimise body roll under hard cornering, while also improving ride comfort at cruising speeds by decoupling the left- and right-hand wheels from each other.
From Road to Track
The latest generation Continental GT3 race car was developed in tandem with the Continental GT road car. It used a mostly aluminium structure to deliver a much lighter, race-ready weight of less than 1300 kg together with improved weight distribution – ideal for racing. The engine was a new development of the race-proven 4.0-litre Bentley twin-turbo V8, with a redesigned dry sump system and all-new intake and exhaust systems.
Highly optimised road car intercoolers were used in the Continental GT3 to provide optimum engine performance. Unrestricted power was in excess of 550 bhp and fuel consumption was improved. Despite reduced exhaust noise the sound was still unmistakably Bentley, and characteristically thunderous.
Exterior aerodynamic surfaces, based on the sleekly refined lines of the latest generation road car provide additional downforce. New suspension and braking systems were also bespoke to the GT3 car.
Bentley’s 2020 Bathurst Win
The Continental GT has demonstrated its extraordinary breadth of ability on the road and on the track, particularly by taking overall victory in Continental GT3 form at the Bathurst 12 Hour in 2020. The #7 Continental GT3 of Maxime Soulet (BEL), Jordan Pepper (ZAR) and Jules Gounon (FRA) dominated the opening round of the 2020 Intercontinental GT Challenge that year, sweeping to victory after starting P11.
The car moved quickly through the order into podium contention. World-class stints from Soulet, Pepper and Gounon, and strong strategy and pit stops from the team, moved the team into P1 for a total time of seven hours – with the car running flawlessly. A superb reactionary pit-stop just over an hour from the end to deal with a puncture was the final act from the team to set the car up for victory. Rain loomed while ambient temperatures exceeded 40°C, but after the half-day sprint the #7 Continental GT3 crossed the line as the winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour. As they took the chequered flag, the crew also set a new race distance record of 314 laps – before the heavens opened and the team rejoiced in the rain.
$19,750 – 22,500
Collector status: Buy and hold
The Mercedes-Benz SLC has always been a bit of an odd duck. It was designed to fill the spot being vacated by the W111 coupé, but rather than base it on the S-Class, as previous coupés had been it was a derivative of the R107 SL roadster. It was, and remains, the only time that Mercedes-Benz would not base its “personal luxury coupé” on its flagship sedan.
To the rear edge of its doors, it is identical to the SL but then gets stretched 14 inches to accommodate a “functional” rear seat. To eyes accustomed to the much more common roadster (over three times as many produced), the proportions seem off. But taken on its own, the design has some merit. Its more upright roofline, complemented by the lovely louvers between the C-pillar and rear quarter glass, are in keeping with the language of the late 60s and early 70s. When taken from certain angles, the width of the R107/C107 suits the larger appearance of the coupé.
Power comes from the same 4.5-liter V8 as in the roadster, rather unfortunately bogged down by US emissions to a sluggish 160 hp (down more than 50 from its RoW counterpart). This was the only motor offered in the SLC through Mercedes-Benz North America dealers. However a few gray-market examples of the much more impressive 237-hp 500 SLC (made between 1979 and 1981) turn up now and then on auction sites. With the 5.0-liter V8 under the bonnet, the SLC in fact enjoyed a brief but successful rallying stint. While it is a long way from the ancestry found in the legendary 300 SL, it demonstrated that the SLC can be capable of more sporting performance than its “personal luxury” denotes.
The idea of a four-seat hardtop 107 never really resonated with buyers, who didn’t seem to mind two-seats (or opted for the mostly unusable kinderseat) in favor of wind-in-the-hair motoring. Mercedes-Benz took note and with the 126-S-Class, returned to the big-bodied coupé that continued through to the C217 of the last generation. But that also means that they can be overlooked in the collector market as well. With their roadster counterparts regularly selling at over $25,000 and climbing (some low-mileage 560s approaching Pagoda money), the SLC lurks as a potential bargain.
Preview
This three-day test at the Daytona International Speedway in the US state of Florida is used to set up the cars and to qualify for the 24-hour race. The endurance classic will be held from 28 to 29 January at the same venue. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R will also be showcased on an international stage at this event. Seven of the GT3 vehicles, based on the 992 generation of the 911, will tackle the American endurance classic. Continue reading
Entries are open for the 2023 edition of Sorrento Roads by 1000 Miglia. The spring event scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 2 will offer a small number of participants the chance to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most envied Mediterranean landscapes.
Like last year, Sorrento will be the core of the event: from here, in fact, Friday, March 31 will kick off the “on the road” day that will take the participating cars to discover first the Royal Palace of Caserta and then the Amalfi Coast. The day of Saturday, April 1, on the other hand, will take place entirely in the center of Sorrento. Modern and classic cars built up to 1990 can be entered. Eligible cars, the entry fee and all information are available here or by writing to participants@1000miglia.it
Auburn Hills, Mich. (January 18, 2023) – Alfa Romeo today announced pricing for the all-new 2024 Tonale with a starting U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $42,995 (excluding $1,595 destination charge).
The premium automotive brand also opened pre-ordering. Customers can now build and price their Alfa Romeo Tonale through alfaromeousa.com and align with their preferred dealer to finalize the purchase. Continue reading
18 January 2023, Gaydon, UK: Long associated with cars of exquisite style and intoxicating performance, the DBS nameplate has been attached to some of Aston Martin’s finest flagships. Since 2018 the DBS has stood at the pinnacle of Aston Martin’s series production range; a Twin-Turbo V12 powerhouse blessed with ferocious performance and unmatched style. With production of this current generation DBS nearing its end, Aston Martin is proud to introduce a DBS to surpass all others; the DBS 770 Ultimate. Continue reading
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