His automotive adventure started reporting on various motorsport events as a sports writer before moving onto a full-time auto career with various sites, including This Week In Motors and Autoevolution. He’s a proud member of the TopSpeed team since early 2014.
Although he’s into just about any type of vehicle, Ciprian is not your typical car enthusiast. Ask him to choose between a BMW M4 and an Audi RS5, and he’ll gladly trade both for a beat-up ’Cuda. Nothing annoys him more than car electronics, and he just hates it when performance cars lack a third pedal. Additionally, he can give you several reasons why there’s still no replacement for displacement. Don’t let his grumpiness fool you though; he’s more than excited to provide the latest news and reviews on the most interesting cars in the industry. Nuts about any form of classic motorsport and muscle cars, Ciprian’s currently working on a time machine that would take him back to the 1960s for a long vacation alongside Dan Gurney and Jim Hall.
How Do You Make the World’s Fastest Christmas Tree? Strap It on Top of a Hennessey-Tuned Jeep!
Some years ago Cadillac tied a Christmas tree to the roof of a CTS-V Wagon to perform a holiday burnout. Six years later, Hennessey Performance tied a tree to a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk to give us the world’s fastest Christmas tree. Sort of.
If you haven’t seen a Christmas tree run at 181 mph, this is the video you need to watch.
Celebrate Christmas With These Cool, Vintage Car Ads
The automotive industry has evolved dramatically over the past 50 years. Modern cars are more practical, efficient, and comfortable, and come with better technology. As the cars evolved, so did the advertising industry. Gone are the day when automakers created prints and posters to promote their latest products, now being replaced by high-resolution video ads for massive television and internet campaigns. With Christmas being one of the most important celebrations of the year, it’s around this time that most companies launch expensive publicity stunts.
This has been the case since the early days of the automobile, but instead of computer-generated footage made with big budgets, car makers used print ads to bring customers into dealerships. It might seem old-fashioned nowadays, but some of these old ads were quite inspiring and attractive. Naturally, some weren’t very good, but that’s the beauty of marketing. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you fail with a bang. For this Christmas, I selected a few of the most interesting vintage car ads for a trip down the memory lane that goes as far as the 1930s.
Check them out below and let me know which ones you like the most in the comments box. Also, feel free to post the ads that you feel I should have included in this list. Have a merry automotive Christmas!
Continue reading for the full story.
2020 SSC Tuatara
The 2020 SSC Tuatara is the production version of a supercar that SSC North American has been developing since the late 2000s. Previewed by a concept car in 2011 and a pre-production model in 2018, the 2020 Tuatara is finally ready to go into production in 2020.
Aimed at supercars like the Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg Jesko, and the Hennessey Venom F5, the 2020 Tuatara features a V-8 engine that generates up to 1,750 horsepower and promises to hit a top speed in excess of 300 mph. The supercar costs more than $2 million and is limited to only 100 units. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.
1993 McLaren F1
Update: The Spiritual Successor to the McLaren F1 - the Gordon Murrage T.50 - has launched with a similar three-seat configuration and ultra-lightweight, Cosworth-built engine, and the most impressive aerodynamic system of any supercar on the market today. Check out our full review of the Gordon Murray T.50 or all of our recent coverage of it
The McLaren F1 was unveiled in May 1992 and was the company’s first road-going production car. The idea was born in the late 1980s, when Gordon Murray, the technical director of McLaren’s Formula One, began sketching the F1 as a three-seat supercar. Appointed as head of McLaren Cars in 1991, Murray convinced Ron Dennis to build the vehicle and played a key role in the design of the F1. It was unlike any other supercar launched up to that point. It had a race-inspired design, a three-seat configuration with the driver seat in the middle, and a comfortable ride for a vehicle of its kind. It was also the first production car to use a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and the first to bring high-tech and expensive materials such as titanium, magnesium, Kevlar, and gold under the same roof.
Not only powerful and quick, the F1 was also the world’s fastest production car. Its record endured from 1992 until 2005, when Bugatti unleashed the ludicrous Veyron. The F1 spawned a couple of special-edition models such as the LM and the GT, but it was also used as a base for the GTR race car. Essentially a standard F1 with aerodynamic improvements, the GTR went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in its first year on the race track.
Some 25 years have passed since its introduction and the F1 is already considered a classic. Usually changing owners for millions of dollars, the F1 is one of the very few multi-million-dollar supercars built in the 1990s.
2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo
The 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo is a special-edition version of the 4C Spider and the final production run of the nameplate for North America. Launched in 2013, the Alfa Romeo 4C arrived on U.S. soil in 2014, marking the brand’s return to North America after almost 20 years. With the coupe model discontinued in 2018, Alfa Romeo confirmed that Spider sales are also coming to a halt in the U.S. for 2021. But the small, lightweight 4C is going into the history books with a bang through the limited-edition 33 Stradale Tributo model.
2020 Aston Martin Victor
The 2020 Aston Martin Victor is a bespoke, one-off supercar developed by the company’s Q division. Built around a carbon-fiber monocoque from the One-77, a car that Aston Martin offered from 2009 to 2012, the Victor draws styling cues from the V8 Vantage of 1970s, as well as the race-spec DBS V8 (also known as the RHAM/1) that Aston Martin built in the late 1970s for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The 2020 Victor is powered by a naturally aspirated V-12 also sourced from the One-77, but some drivetrain components come from the much newer Valkyrie supercar. Q by Aston Martin built just one, so it’s one of those supercars that you can only hope to see in the metal at a fancy auto show.
2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo
The 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo is an entry-level supercar that the Maranello-based company launched in 2019. The F8 Tributo replaced the 488 GTB, introduced in 2015, but it’s essentially a mid-cycle upgrade and not a brand-new car. The supercar replaces the 488 GTB in the same way that the 812 Superfast and GTC4Lusso replaced the F12berlinetta and FF, respectively, with the facelift accompanied by a nameplate change.
The upgrade is rather significant as far as design goes. Not only sporting new features front and rear, but the F8 Tributo also boasts more aggressive aerodynamics, which are based on the track-ready 488 Pista. The F8 also shares underpinnings with the Pista and generates the same 710 horsepower. The F8 Tributo arrives just in time for the facelifted Lamborghini Huracan Evo and the relatively new McLaren 720S. Let’s find out how they compare.
Updated 03/08/2018: We update this review with a series of new images taken during the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
The Bugatti Bolide is a Lightweight, Ludicrous, 1,800+ Horsepower Track Weapon
We’ve been hearing all sorts of rumors about Bugatti recently, including that it’s working on a new supercar and that it could be sold to Rimac. News about the new hypercar was also unclear. Some claimed it will be all-electric, while others forwarded the idea that it will be just another Chiron-based thing. Well, the new supercar is here, and it’s neither of them. It’s called Bolide, and it’s actually a brand-new idea. It’s a track-only vehicle with a new carbon monocoque and a brand-new design, but how extreme is it? Let’s find out!
The Alpina BMW i8 Didn’t Happen Because of Limitations in the i8’s Design
Whenever BMW unveils a cool model, Alpina usually modifies it into something even more exciting. Unfortunately, the i8 hybrid sports car was an exception from this rule.
Alpina did develop a beefed-up i8, as revealed back in 2019, but the performance hybrid never made into production. Alpina initially said that BMW didn’t agree for the project to go on, but the tuning company is now back to explain why the souped-up i8 remained just a prototype. As it turns out, turning it into a production model would have been too complicated and expensive.
2021 McLaren 620R
The 2021 McLaren 620R is the range-topping version of the Sports Series, the company’s entry-level lineage of sports cars. Essentially a road-legal version of the 570S GT4, the 2021 620R slots above the 600LT. Design-wise, the 2021 620R is almost identical to the 570S GT4. It also features the same engine, but because it’s not restricted by racing regulations, the V-8 boasts more power.
Rated at 610 horsepower, the 2021 620R is the most powerful Sports Series vehicle ever created. It’s also the quickest, but it lags behind its siblings when it comes to top speed. With production limited to 350 units, the 2021 McLaren 620R costs almost $300,000. Let’s find out more about this supercar in the review below.
The 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne Is The Coolest Car You Probably Didn’t Know About
The automotive industry had many ups and downs since the automobile became popular in the 1900s. The first major downturn happened in the late 1920s when The Great Depression hit the world. In the United States, the economic depression put many luxury carmakers out of business. In Europe, however, some low-output companies survived, although they eventually went bankrupt after World War II. One such carmaker is Voisin, which was founded by aviation pioneer Gabriel Voisin. This French company produced only a handful of automobiles in the 1920 and 1930s, with the most iconic being the C25 Aerodyne.
Ferrari Testarossa Explained - How it Was an Amazing 23-Year-Long Mistake
The Testarossa is one of the most beloved Ferrari models and that’s because of the way it looks. The increasingly wider rear fenders, the big strakes on the doors, and the cleanly cut front fascia gave it a unique look among the wedge-shaped cars of the era.
Its appearance in the Miami Vice TV series also contributed to its fame. However, the Testarossa wasn’t the car most enthusiasts thought it was. It was more of an experimental vehicle born out of customer complaints about its predecessor. It was a mistake that Ferrari promptly corrected by returning to front-engined V-12 cars in the 1990s, but it was an amazing car. The latest video from ISSIMI explains just that.
2018 Lotus Exige Type 49 and Type 79
The third-generation Lotus Exige is six years old as of 2018 and a bit long in the tooth. A brand-new model is underway, but the Brits are keeping things interesting for the current model by building all sorts of special editions. At the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lotus paid tribute to two of its most iconic race cars with the Exige Type 49 and Exige Type 79.
Both cars celebrate the company’s past glory in Formula One. The Exige Type 49 marks 50 years since Graham Hill won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the Type 49, while the Exige Type 49 marks 40 years since Mario Andretti did the same with the Type 79. The former race from 1967 through 1970 and won two championships, while also scoring podiums in each season. The Type 79’s career was a bit shorter, from 1978 through 1979.
Both Exige models were crafted by Lotus Exclusive, the brand’s recently established bespoke division. Let’s find out more about them below.
Continue reading to learn more about the Lotus Exige Type 49 and Type 49.
This Is, Probably, The Fastest Toyota MR2 In Existence
When it comes to lightweight and affordable sports cars, the Mazda MX-5 is probably the first vehicle you think about. But the Toyota MR2 is an equally interested option, mostly because it features a mid-engined layout. Unlike the Miata, the MR2 is no longer available, having been discontinued in 2007. This didn’t stop a drag racing enthusiast from turning an old MR2 into a drag strip monster. Meet the fastest and most powerful MR2 ever.
How The Porsche 959 Rally Legend Redefined The Nature of Supercars
For most of its long and illustrious career, the Porsche 911 acted as the brand’s range-topping sports car through turbocharged models like the Turbo, Turbo S, and GT2. But the 911 was at times superseded by supercars like the 959, Carrera GT, and 918 Spyder.
The 959 was Porsche’s first supercar and it’s by far the most intriguing when it comes to the reason it was designed. Unlike its spiritual successors, the 959 was born out of Porsche’s desire to join Group B rally racing. But development took longer than expected and by the time the 959 was ready for production and homologation, Group B was cancelled. Porsche eventually raced it at the Paris-Dakar Rally, winning the grueling event in 1986. It’s been almost 35 years since the 959 won the race and Porsche is celebrating with a special "Top 5 Series" video.
Here’s Why the Ferrari F50 Is Better Than the F40
The F50 is one of the greatest Ferraris ever built. Loved by purists for its naturally aspirated V-12 engine and F1-inspired technology, the F50 is already a full-fledged classic, despite being only 25 years old as of 2020. But the F50 has also been overshadowed by the F40, its spiritual predecessor. Tiff Needell thinks that is unfair and took a red F50 for a spin on the Scottish highlands to prove his point.
2020 Bugatti Centodieci
The 2020 Bugatti Centodieci is a limited-edition version of the Chiron. Just like the 2019 La Voiture Noire, the 2020 Centodieci is a significant departure from the Chiron it is based on, sporting a notably different exterior. While the La Voiture Noire is a tribute to the Type 57 SC Atlantic from the 1930s, the Centodieci pays homage to the Bugatti EB110, a supercar built from 1991 to 1995. The 2020 Centodieci is limited to only 10 units.
The Centodieci is the fifth official variant of the Bugatti Chiron. It joins the Chiron Sport, the 110 Ans Bugatti model that celebrates the company 110th anniversary, the La Voiture Noire, and the track-prepped Divo. Since Centodieci means 110 in Italian, it also celebrates 110 years since Bugatti was established by Ettore Bugatti in Molsheim, France.
2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder
The 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder is the facelifted version of the original model launched in 2016. It’s basically an upgraded variant of the rear-wheel-drive alternative to the standard Huracan, which features an AWD layout. Visual upgrades are in line with the rest of the Huracan lineup, but the RWD stands out with a unique front bumper and rear diffuser. More notably, it’s more powerful than the old model, as it now features the V-10 engine of the old AWD model. The naturally aspirated mill cranks out 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The 2020 Huracan Evo RWD Spyder hits 62 mph from a standing start in 3.5 seconds.
The List of Predecessors to the Lotus Evija That You Didn’t Know Existed
Lotus just took a big step into the future by launching the Evija, its first-ever hypercar and first fully electric vehicle. Also likely to become the world most powerful production car, the Evija is a rather unusual car for an automaker known for affordable and lightweight sports cars. But as surprising as the Evija might seem, the truth is Lotus has been working with electrified drivetrains since the late 2000s. That’s a full decade of EVs and hybrids that haven’t received the attention they deserved. Granted, they’re all concept cars that never made it into production, but their existence signalled Lotus’ intentions. Also, several automakers based a handful of electrified vehicles on Lotus platforms. Let’s have a closer look at them.
A Porsche 911 Turbo S and a McLaren 720S Roll Onto the Drag Strip - Can You Guess Who Wins?
Quarter-mile times were a big thing back in the 1960s when the big American companies were operating by the motto "win on Sunday, sell on Monday." It’s no longer used as a business model nowadays, but quarter-mile times are still a cool way to measure performance. In today’s comparison, we take a look at an exciting drag race between the Porsche 911 Turbo S and the McLaren 720S thanks to Carwow.
The First Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport to Land Stateside Is Downright Gorgeous
Bugatti introduced the Chiron Pur Sport, a handling-focused version of the Chiron, in March 2020, but it took the French company until January 2021 to deliver the first customer car. And that’s not surprising given that all Chirons are hand-built and that Bugatti’s factory is rather small. The world’s first Chiron Pur Sport was delivered in the United States and it’s downright gorgeous thanks to its two-tone exterior finish and brightly colored interior.
This Is, By Far, The Coolest Lamborghini Sian Video Ever Made
Lamborghini delivered the first Sian FKP 37 supercar to the United States in December 2020. We saw that almost live thanks to youtuber and car enthusiast TheStradman.
Come January 2021 and another customer is taking delivery of his Sian, but this one is a bit more special. Sold by a Florida dealer, this two-tone Sian was given the Prestige Imports treatment at Lamborghini Miami by means of a full paint protection film coating and a quick service check up. While this is regular business for a luxury supercar, the cool thing is that Prestige Imports documented the process and released an epic video of it.
Can Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Take Down a Ford GT Carbon Series?
When it comes to beefed-up Mustangs, no pony compares to Ken Block’s Hoonicorn. Sure, he uses the heavily modified 1965 Mustang for a lot of drifting, but it’s insanely powerful and, as a result, insanely fast too. How fast? Well, it can put a Ford GT Carbon Edition supercar to shame.
2020 McLaren Elva
The 2021 McLaren Elva is a brand-new supercar that the British firm added to its Ultimate Series lineup, alongside the Senna and the Speedtail. A two-seat open-cockpit design, it’s inspired by a series of race cars built by Bruce McLaren in the 1960s under the McLaren-Elva name. It’s McLaren’s first open-cockpit road car and its lightest road-going vehicle yet. A track-ready roadster with an aerodynamic design, the 2021 Elva features the most powerful iteration of McLaren’s twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine. Rated at 804 horsepower, it slots above the Senna in terms of power and falls behind only the Speedtail hybrid. Let’s find out more about this beast in the review below.
Nine Early Electric Cars From The 1990s That We Forgot About
As of 2020, there are around 50 different electric cars available on the market, with more than half of them built by mainstream automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Tesla, and Volkswagen. And that’s a massive number compared to the early 2010s when only a handful of EVs were available. If we roll back to the 1990s, when only a handful of companies were working on EVs, we can see that the electric car market has evolved at an impressive rate in less than three decades. But who took the world’s request to create green cars seriously and built working battery-powered vehicles in the 1990s? Let’s find out in the list below.
2019 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider joined the 488 lineup at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as a replacement for the 458 Speciale Aperta. The Ferrari 488 Pista replaced the iconic 458 Speciale, and it’s the first of its kind to hide a turbocharged engine under the hood.
Just when we thought that Ferrari settled for the Aperta name for its convertible sports car, Maranello returned to using the old Spider badge. But this is arguably a small issue here, as the Pista Aperta is just as exciting as its coupe sibling, but with extra headroom when the top is removed. The 50th drop-top model built by Ferrari since 1947, the Pista Spider made its global debut in the United States, where convertible sports cars are more popular than everywhere else in the world. Let’s have a closer look at the latest member of the 488 family in the review below..
Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider.
The Cool and Sad History Of The BMW 5 Series E60
Produced from 2003 to 2010, the fifth-generation BMW 5 Series is almost a classic now, mostly because it spawned the only M5 model with a V-10 engine, as well as one of only two station wagon M5 up until now. But upon its release in 2003, the E60 5 Series was actually hated by many BMW purists, who didn’t like the company’s new design direction.
Just like the E65-gen 7 Series launched in 2001, the fifth-gen 5 Series saw a big departure from traditional BMW styling, employing the then-new "flame surfacing" design. Chris Bangle is usually credited with the exterior styling of these cars (the rear end of the 7 Series was nicknamed "Bangle Butt"), but they were designed by someone else. And the story of the E60 5 Series is touching to say the least.
2021 Ares Design S1
The Ares Design S1 is an upcoming supercar built by Ares Design, the company led by former Lotus CEO Dany Bahar. The exotic-looking S1 is based on the C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette, borrowing the chassis, engine, gearbox, and electronic underpinnings from the American mid-engined sports car. Powered by a reworked, naturally aspirated V-8, the S1 packs 705 horsepower, some 200 horses more than the Corvette C8. Is the S1 just a beefed-up Corvette or a brand-new vehicle with Chevy underpinnings? Let’s find out in the review below.
2021 Koenigsegg Gemera
The 2021 Koenigsegg Gemera is a two-door, four-seat hypercar developed by the Swedish company that gave us the Agera, Regera, and Jesko. But unlike its siblings, and despite having only two doors, the 2021 Gemera offers seating for four. And it does so via four equally comfortable seats, so it’s not just a regular grand tourer. The 2021 Gemera boasts a hybrid drivetrain under the skin, comprising three electric motor and a three-cylinder engine. As shocking as it may sound, the three-cylinder generates 600 horsepower, making it the most powerful of its kind in production, and works on a variety of fuels, including CO2-neutral methanol. Overall, the hybrid drivetrain pumps out an amazing 1,700 horsepower and 2,581 pound-feet of torque. Let’s find out more about the world’s first practical megacar - aka Mega GT - in the review below.
Why Can’t This Tuned, 700HP BMW X3 M Give The Business to a Mercedes-AMG GT R?
There was a time when SUVs were mostly family haulers and vehicles prepped to tackle the great outdoors. But once they became extremely popular, automakers began developing high-performance versions.
Nowadays, there are loads of beefed-up crossovers available and the BMW X3 M Competition is one of the most powerful you can buy at 503 horsepower. But thanks to aftermarket tuners, the X3 M can produce notably more power. Enough to give sports cars like the Mercedes-AMG GT R a run for their money.
2020 Lamborghini Sian FKP 37
The 2020 Lamborghini Sian is a hybrid supercar that the Italian firm unveiled ahead of the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Powered by a V-12 gasoline engine and an electric motor, the Sian is Lambo’s first mass-produced hybrid. However, the supercar is limited to only 63 units, so it’s actually a preview of things to come, like an electrified successor to the Aventador.
Design-wise, the Sian stands on its own by combining a new design language with styling cues inspired by the iconic Lamborghini Countach. Its interior, on the other hand, is based on the Aventador’s, albeit it comes with bespoke elements and fancier features. The Sian also showcases innovative technology, like a state-of-the-art energy recuperating system and a supercapacitor instead of a traditional lithium-ion battery. Let’s find out more about that in the review below.
This Ruf 911 CTR "Yellowbird" On the Nurburgring is Pure Gold
If you’re a Porsche 911 fan, you’re definitely familiar with Ruf Automobile, modified 911s and the iconic CTR Yellowbird. If you haven’t heard about Ruf and the Yellowbird, it’s time to grab a seat and check this out, because you need watch and hear one of the greatest 911s built outside Porsche’s factory.
Top 10 One-Seater Cars You Should Have In Your Garage
Two-seater vehicle aren’t exactly practical, but this layout is usually associated with sports cars, so you sacrifice practicality for fun and speed. Things become even more complicated with a single-seat layout, but this means a lighter construction and more freedom to improve aerodynamics.
The fastest race cars out there are usually single-seaters, so a road-legal vehicle with just one seat is a hot dream. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Morgan 3 Wheeler, but since this car has two seats it doesn’t have a place on this list. But here’s 10 single-seat vehicles that should be fun to own either for their performance specs or compact dimensions.
The Evolution of the Porsche 911 Turbo - A Video Packed With Nostalgia
More than 50 years old as of 2020, the Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic sports cars ever built. But not just for the fact that it has been produced continuously since 1963 with pretty much the same design cues, it’s also because the modern version is as quick as a full-fledged supercar in Turbo trim. Porsche takes great pride in this version of the 911 and set up an emotional video in which seven different generations of the Turbo are being drag raced at the same time.
You Have To Hear The Pagani Huayra R’s Naturally Aspirated V-12!
The Pagani Huayra may be nine years old as of 2021, but it’s not going away anytime soon. The Italian company is preparing a new version of the V-12 supercar and it’s going to be the most extreme iteration yet. It’s called the Huayra R and it’s still somewhat of a mystery. Pagani just released a sound sample of its V-12 engine and it’s one of the best sounding supercars out there!
2021 Eagle Lightweight GT
The 2021 Eagle Lightweight GT is an aftermarket, modernized version of the iconic Jaguar E-Type produced by British specialist Eagle. The company has been creating upgraded versions of the E-Type since 1994 and it now offers no fewer than four different variants of the iconic sports car. Eagle’s take of the race-spec Lightweight E-Type, the 2021 Lightweight GT, joins the existing E-Type Speedster, E-Type Low Drag GT, and E-Type Spyder GT. All cars are based on original E-Type Series 1 cars upgraded versions of Jaguar’s iconic inline-six engine. What makes it special and what sets it apart from the original E-Type? Let’s find out in the review below.
Top Gear, The Ferrari F40, and the Jaguar XJ220 - This Is Going to Be Epic
It’s 2021 and supercars are capable of well in excess of 200 mph. Bugatti has hit the 300-mph mark with a version of the Chiron and at least three carmakers, including Koenigsegg, Hennessey, and SSC, are planning to do record runs soon. Now an achievable goal, 300 mph was the stuff of dreams in the 1980s, when automakers were still racing to hit 200 mph. I’m obviously talking about road-legal production cars, because the land speed record had already exceeded 200 mph in 1927. The Ferrari F40 and Jaguar XJ220 were among the first production cars to hit 200 mph and Top Gear brought them together to find out "which is the ultimate 200-mph pioneer."
Nothing to See Here, Just a Lamborghini Diablo SV-R Race Car on the Road
The 1990s were a difficult time for Lamborghini. The Italian company offered only two vehicles and one of them was the weird LM002 SUV, which was eventually discontinued in 1993. The other one was the Diablo, which went on to become one of the brand’s most iconic models. The supercar that made the transition between the legendary Countach and the Murcielago, the Diablo was the first Lambo to spawn an official factory-built race car. It’s called the SV-R, Lamborghini made only 31 of them, and you can buy one until February 21, 2021.
In the Right Conditions The Toyota GR Yaris Can Hold Its Own Against the Nissan GT-R Nismo
The Toyota GR Yaris is arguably the hottest subcompact hatchback available right now. Developed as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship, the GR Yaris packs well in excess of 200 horsepower and an impressive amount of race-spec tech. Some say the GR Yaris is the supercar of the subcompact market. But is it capable enough to go against full-fledged supercars? Autocar decided to find out by pitting it against the Nissan GT-R Nismo on the race track.
2022 Mercedes-AMG GT73e Hybrid
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT73e is an upcoming, hybrid version of the company’s range-topping four-door coupe. Set to become the range-topping model, the 2022 AMG GT73e will feature a hybrid drivetrain that brings together the already familiar 4.0-liter V-8 gasoline engine and a rear-mounted electric motor. The hybrid sedan is rumored to generate around 800 horsepower combined and offer an all-electric range of around 25 miles on the WLTP cycle. Will it have what it takes to compete with the mighty Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid? Let’s find out in the speculative review below.
A New Porsche 911 Is Coming But What Is It?
Remember when the folks over a Bring a Trailer teased an upcoming Porsche GT model? It happened back in September 2020, when the website started a bidding auction for the mysterious car, through which the will had the opportunity to secure a build slot. The auction has since been suspended for unknown reasons, but the ad featured a concealed car that looked a lot like a 911 with some sort of spoiler at the rear. Come February and Porsche released a statement that this "new member of the 911 GT family" will be unveiled on February 26. Is this the new-generation 911 GT3 or some sort of limited-edition model? Let’s find out!
You Can Now Cram The Honda Civic Type R’s 306HP Engine In Just About Anything
When it comes to small-displacement crate engines available for immediate purchase, nothing beats Honda’s K20C1 unit. That’s the mighty 2.0-liter turbo-four from the Civic Type R, which has been available as a crate engine since 2017. Not exactly news, yes, but Honda is now offering an HPD Controls Package with it to make the process of getting it into your car much easier. It is now a complete package so you don’t have to deal with things like ECU and engine wiring harness. It’s a drop-in replacement so you might as well start working on that car project you’ve been dreaming about.
Imagine, For A Moment, that Subaru And Toyota Built A High-Performance AWD Hatchback
Subaru and Toyota, the companies that co-developed the 86 and BRZ twins, might be working on a new high-performance car. According to a report from Japan, the two brands are jointly developing an all-wheel-drive hatchback inspired by rally-spec machines from the 1990s. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But what is it?
The Chevy C8 Corvette Z06 Will Be A Mean Naturally Aspirated Machine, But The ZR1 Will Be Downright Crazy
Rumors about new and upcoming versions of the C8-generation Corvette have been flying around for quite some time. But Chevy struggled with Corvette production and development during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 and things have slowed down. Things are still a bit uncertain right now, but it seems that Corvette Z06 is still on track for the 2022 model year, while the ZR1 could arrive for 2023. There’s also unofficial confirmation that Chevy plans to introduce two electrified Vettes for 2023 and 2024.
2021 Audi RS3 LMS
The 2021 Audi RS3 LMS is an upgraded version of the company’s customer race car for the TCR racing series. Based on the fourth-generation Audi A3, which went into production in 2020, the 2021 RS3 LMS is the brand’s first all-new design for the racing series since the LMS debuted in 2016. On top of the updated exterior design that borrows from the road car, the 2021 RS3 LMS also features a more ergonomic cockpit with improved safety, a revised four-cylinder engine, and a new transmission. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.
This Lightweight Hypercar Design Could Be The Mini Lotus Evija
In a radical but not unexpected turn of events, Lotus pulled the plug on the Elise, Exige and Evora in early 2021. The decision leaves the Evija as the company’s only vehicle right now (though it has yet to go on sale), but the Brits announced plans to built three new vehicles in the future. The next one is codenamed Type 131 and will become Lotus’ competitor for the likes of the Porsche Cayman.
We have no idea what it will look like aside from a pair of Evija-like headlamps, but it won’t be as aggressive as the all-electric hypercar. But if Lotus eventually decides to build a second supercar, we do hope it will look like this.
Here’s the Next-Generation Dodge Viper That Will Probably Never Exist
It’s been four years since Dodge discontinued the Viper and we’re still hoping that the nameplate will return soon. The Viper was unlike any other American car. It featured a sleek and powerful design, a massive V-10 engine under the hood, and delivered outstanding performance on both the road and track. Dodge isn’t planning on reviving it but the Viper is still getting a lot of love. And someone even went as far as to design a sixth-generation model from scratch. And it looks like a superb successor to Dodge’s already iconic sports car.
Watch a Modernized Toyota FJ40 Come to Life at the Hands of Chip Foose
If you haven’t been watching Hagerty’s YouTube channel recently you missed out on a cool videos featuring Chip Foose. He redesigns a few cool cars from the past and he even envisioned the old Volkswagen Beetle as a hot rod. In this latest episode of "Chip Foose Draws a Car," the American designer makes revisions to the iconic Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser.
This Mercedes 300SL Has a Supercharged AMG Monster of a Heart
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is one of the most iconic cars ever built by the German brand. It’s also one of the most beautiful too. Built in fewer than 3,500 units from 1957 to 1963, the 300SL is a rare items nowadays and well-maintained models can fetch in excess of $500,000. Definitely not a car for the average Joe. But while some rich folks would rather hunt an original 300SL down, other enthusiasts build restomod versions of them. John Sarkisyan from S-Klub is one of those people. Having built a coupe model in the past, he recently married the body of a 300SL to a modern Mercedes chassis and a supercharged V-8 engine. And the end result is quite impressive.
2021 Lotus Exige and Elise Final Edition
The 2021 Lotus Exige and Elise Final Edition are a range of limited-edition sports cars that celebrate the discontinuation of the Exige and Elise. The company’s oldest models to date, the Elise and Exige are being retired in 2021 after 25 and 21 years on the market, respectively. The Final Edition lineup includes five models, two based on the Elise and two based on the Exige. All feature updated engines, extra standard features, and are lighter than their regular counterparts. The 2021 Lotus Exige and Elise Final Editions are basically the ultimate versions of their respective nameplates. What sets them apart and how much they cost? Let’s find out below.
Ferrari’s Last Naturally Aspirated V-12 Will Bid Farewell With the Upcoming 812 GTO
Ferraris with naturally aspirated V-12 engines will become a thing of the past soon. Maranello is reportedly going to send the legendary F140 V-12 into the history books in 2021 with the 812 GTO, the final iteration of the 812 Superfast. The 812 GTO will also be Ferrari’s last V-12-powered grand tourer, ending a legacy that can be traced back to the late 1940s.
The Most Powerful BMW Engines Ever Built
Introduced in 2021, the BMW M5 CS is the most powerful production car from the German manufacturer. Rated at 627 horsepower, the 4.4-liter V-8 trumps the larger V-10 and V-12 engines from the past and enables the M5 CS to outgun all M-badged Bimmers produced thus far. But is the S63 under the sedan’s hood the most powerful engine BMW has ever built? Not quite. That honor goes to the S70, an engine from the 1990s. But there’s a catch, as this specific engine wasn’t used in a BMW. Find out more about that in our top 10 most powerful BMW engines of all time list below.
If This Is What An Electric Lamborghini Will Look Like, Then Sign Us Up
Lamborghini’s first contact with electrification goes back to 2014, when the Italian firm unveiled the Asterion, a hybrid concept car. Come 2021 and Lamborghini is offering a production hybrid supercar, the Sian FKP 37. Lamborghini has yet to develop an all-electric concept car, but it did unveil such a concept, called the Terzo Millennio, in 2017. A production EV is probably still a few years away, but if it looks like the E_X virtual concept shown here, we’re definitely excited to see what Lambo’s electric future holds.
Take A Ride in the Insanely Fast Porsche 917K at Laguna Seca
Porsche has built some of the world’s finest sports cars and continues to do so, but the company’s lineup of race-spec vehicles is even more impressive. The German carmaker has dominated the racing scene for many decades with race cars like the 917, 935, 936, and 956, winning hundreds of races and championships with them.
All these race cars are impressive in their own right, but the 917 holds a special place among them. Not only it was the most extreme race car of its era, but also because it was the first Porsche to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Most of us won’t get to see a 917 in the flesh, but this ride-along video from Canepa Motorsport will give you a taste of the car’s outstanding track capability.
If You Follow The Math, The Subaru BRZ Doesn’t Have a Torque Problem Anymore
Subaru introduced the second-generation BRZ for 2022. It features a new, sharper exterior and an updated interior, but it rides on the old BRZ platform. The new engine is larger and a bit more powerful, but some enthusiasts are still annoyed by the fact that it doesn’t have a turbo yet. But does the BRZ actually need a turbo? The old BRZ came with an annoying torque dip and you needed to rev the boxer engine like crazy to get that push, but it seems Subaru fixed that with the new a larger 2.4-liter flat-four. And the video below explains why.
Watch a Porsche Taycan Take On the Tesla Model Y In This All-Out EV Drag Race
Ever since Porsche announce the all-electric Taycan, we’ve been asking ourselves if it can beat the incredible Tesla Model S in a drag race. The video below doesn’t provide an answer to this specific question, but it still gives us an interesting Porsche vs Tesla battle. One between the Taycan and the Model Y.
Experience the Pininfarina Battista At Nardo Via Unique Camera Angles
Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and originally scheduled to go into production in 2020, the Pininfarina Battista has yet to hit public roads, but the all-electric supercar is ready to meet its first customers. Pininfarina latest testing session took place on Italy’s Nardo track, where former F1 and Formula E racer Nick Heidfeld put the Battista through its paces over a few fast laps.
We Now Have Proof the Nissan Z Proto (And The 400Z) Will Have An Infiniti V-6
It’s been some five months since Nissan unveiled the Z Proto, a near-production prototype that previews the next-generation Z car, likely called the 400Z. The successor to the 370Z will look a lot like the Z Proto and word has it power will also come from a V-6 engine. But while the 370Z sports a naturally aspirated V-6, the 400Z will feature a twin-turbo unit. And we now have proof that the mill will be shared with the Infiniti Q60.
If You Don’t Like BMW’s Bucktooth Grille, That’s Okay - You Weren’t Going to Buy One Anyway
The latest BMW M3 and M4 are the most dynamic and powerful of their kind, but they also stand out due to their polarizing exterior designs. The huge kidney grille is the main culprit. While some BMW enthusiasts find it daring, others think that the German company ruined them. Some would rather have Chris Bangle back on the design team!
BMW is well aware that many do not like the new grille, but it doesn’t have a problem with all the criticism it’s getting on social media. Design boss Domagoi Dukec explains that the oversized kidney grille was created for customers that want to stand out. In short, if you don’t like, you weren’t among BMW’s targeted customers anyway.
2022 Porsche 911 Safari
The 2022 Porsche 911 Safari is a rumored, upcoming variant of the company’s iconic sports car. Far from confirmed for production, the 911 Safari has been spotted testing on public roads a few times since late 2020, a sign that Porsche is considering some sort of 911 with a raised suspension. The Safari name isn’t official either, it’s just based on a nickname given to a handful of rally-spec cars that Porsche built in the past. The German company also created a 911 Vision Safari concept in 2012, but it kept it hidden from us until November 2020, when it unveiled numerous never-before-seen show cars and designs. Is Porsche actually working on a production 911 Safari. If so, what will it bring to the table? Let’s try and answer these questions in the speculative review below.
Dodge Prepares The World For The Death of Supercharged V-8 Performance
The days of Dodge’s supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 engine are numbered, says company CEO Tim Kuniskis, who predicts that the infamous Hellcat models won’t be around for long. But while V-8 power is slowly dying due to tightening fuel economy requirements, muscle cars won’t disappear altogether. Kuniskis predicts that electrification will bring a new "golden age of muscle cars" upon us.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Performance Rundown: How Does It Compare to The BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63?
One of Cadillac’s most iconic modern cars, the CTS-V went into the history books in 2019, leaving the American brand without a performance midsize sedan after 15 years. The supercharged V-8 four-door returned in 2021, this time around under the CT5-V Blackwing badge. It’s powered by the same 6.2-liter V-8 as its predecessor, but it packs more oomph and more modern tech, looking to take on the popular BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63. But is it powerful and quick enough to give its German competitors a run for their money? Let’s find out in the comparison below.
2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Performance Rundown: How Does It Compare to BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63
Cadillac is back in the performance game with the CT4-V Blackwing. A spiritual successor to the ATS-V, discontinued in 2019, the Blackwing marks Cadillac’s return to the high-performance compact segment. Main entries in this market include the BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Audi RS4. The latter is not available in the U.S., so the Blackwing will face competition from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Is Cadillac’s hot sedan for it? Is it powerful and quick enough to give its German competition a run for its money? Let’s find out.
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a high-performance version of the company’s midsize sedan. It’s the range-topping version of the current CT5 and slots above CT5-V in terms of power. Performance-wise, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing is the first true successor to the CTS-V, as the CT5-V doesn’t fill the bill with its V-6 engine. On top of a powerful V-8 engine rated at 668 horsepower, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing also features a more aggressive exterior and a revised interior with unique features and upgrades. Find out what to expect from this beefed-up sedan from our review below.
2021 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is a high-performance version of the company’s compact four-door sedan. A successor to the ATS-V that was discontinued in 2019, the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing sits at the top of the range, superseding the existing CT4-V. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing was unveiled alongside the CT5-V Blackwing, but unlike the midsize sedan, it doesn’t feature a supercharged V-8. Instead, the high-performance compact packs a twin-turbo V-6, just like its predecessor. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing arrives to tackle the all-popular BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. What makes it stand out over the CT4-V? Let’s find out in the review below.
2020 Ferrari Roma
The 2020 Ferrari Roma is a front-engined, 2+2 grand tourer based on the Portofino. Powered by a 3.9-liter V-8 engine, the 2020 Roma slots under the 812 Superfast and it’s the company most affordable vehicle as of 2021. Its exterior design is inspired by Ferrari 250 models from the 1960s and focused on understated elegance rather than aggressiveness. The 2020 Roma is aimed at Aston Martin and Porsche buyers and the Italian firm estimates that 70 percent of clients will be first-time Ferrari customers. Is the 2020 Roma a solid competitor for the likes of the Aston Martin DB11? Let’s find out in the review below.
BMW Now Offers A Carbon Fiber Roof on the 3 Series and 4 Series
BMW announced a series of new features and drivetrains for the 3 Series and 4 Series models, including an optional M Carbon roof. Previously offered only on the range-topping M3 and M4 models, the carbon-fiber roof is no offered on lower-tier versions of the compact. Specifically, you can order it on the gas-powered M340i xDrive and M440i xDrive, as well as on the diesel-fed M340d xDrive and M440d xDrive variants.
Jaguar Brings The Iconic C-Type Back To Life With A Continuation Series
British automaker Jaguar has just announced a new continuation series for one of its legendary classic models, the C-Type. A race car originally built from 1951 to 1953, the C-Type joins the D-Type, Lightweight E-Type, and XKSS on Jaguar’s list of classic cars revived through the company’s Continuation project.
Just like the cars before it, the C-Type Continuation will be built to original specs using data from the brand’s archive and by scanning on original model. Only eight will be built, adding to the 53 examples that Jaguar assembled in the 1950s.
This 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Was Super Cool in Jay Leno’s Garage
Jay Leno owns a massive car collections that reportedly includes well over 150 examples. He owns some of the rarest and most iconic automobiles ever built, but he’s still missing some important vehicles. The Lancia Stratos is one of them, but the former TV show host managed to borrow one for the Jay Leno’s Garage show. If you want to see a rally-spec car being driven on U.S. roads, this is your best chance yet.
Novitec’s Exhaust System Makes The Ferrari 812 GTS Sound Obtrusively Mean
The Ferrari 812 Superfast, introduced in 2017 as a replacement for the F12berlinetta, is without doubt one of the sexiest grand tourers on the market today. And while most competitors pack turbocharged engines, Ferrari remained loyal to the mighty, naturally aspirated V-12. Some say that the 812 Superfast is the perfect modern grand tourer as far as links to iconic models like the 250 GTO go, but YouTube’s Mr JWW seems to think that the Italian GT can be improved. How? By pairing the open-top layout of the GTS with a Novitec exhaust system.
This Mitsubishi Galant Is The Epitome of Sleeper Cars
Owning a supercar is cool and all, but driving a really powerful sleeper can be just as satisfying if you’re not into wild looks. Take this Mitsubishi Galant for instance. It looks like a really mundane four-door sedan from the early 1990s, but it’s actually a full-blown supercar under the hood. With an output of around 800 horsepower, it can outgun any production sedan available right now. And their drivers won’t even know what hit them.
2021 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is an upcoming, high-performance version of the company’s compact four-door sedan. A successor to the ATS-V, discontinued in 2019, the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing will sit at the top of range, superseding the existing CT4-V. The 2022 CT4-V Blackwing will be unveiled alongside the CT5-V Blackwing on February 1, 2021. Unlike the midsize sedan, the 2022 CT4-V Blackwing won’t feature a supercharged V-8. Instead, the high-performance compact will make use of a twin-turbo V-6 to tackle the all-popular BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63. What makes it stand out over the CT4-V? Let’s find out in the speculative review below.
Living With The Ferrari Roma On a Daily Basis? It MIght Not Be As Good As You Think
In 2020 Ferrari added a third grand tourer to its lineup, the Roma. Slotted below the V-12-powered 812 Superfast, the Roma features a 3.9-liter V-8, just like the Portofino, but unlike the latter, it’s a coupe. Thanks to a new design language, the Roma is one of the prettiest modern Ferraris out there. But is it a performance grand tourer that you can live with on a daily basis? YouTube’s Harry’s Garage took one for a long spin to find out just that.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Wasn’t The First Hot Hatchback By A Long Shot
Introduced in 1976 and produced continuously over eight generations as of 2021, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is arguably the world’s most famous and popular hot hatchback. The Golf GTI is often regarded as the world’s first hot hatch and the car that started it all, but it’s no true. There are at least four companies that unleashed performance-oriented hatchbacks before Volkswagen and this article will set the record straight.
Top 10 Porsche cars you never knew existed
When you say Porsche, you usually think about the 911 or supercars like the 959 and 918 Spyder. If you’re a racing fan, track legends like the 917, 956, and 919 Hybrid come to mind. Needless to say, Porsche has developed tens of iconic cars since it introduced the 356 back in the late 1940s. But it also designed several prototypes that didn’t make it on the assembly line, extremely rare race cars, and even a few weird vehicles, including vans and compact family cars. Here’s 10 Porsche vehicles that you probably never knew existed.
2020 Koenigsegg Jesko
The Koenigsegg Jesko is the company’s latest supercar, third megacar, and spiritual successor to the iconic Agera. Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Jesko boasts a power-to-weight ratio greater than 1:1, which means its engine generates more horsepower than the car’s total curb weight in kilograms. Koenigsegg offered similar versions of the One:1 and Agera, but the Jesko takes things one step further with an impressive downforce rating of 2,205 pounds.
Named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the father of company founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg, the Jesko marks the debut of the firm’s latest carbon-fiber chassis and nine-speed multi-clutch transmission. It’s also supposed to hit at least 300 mph according to Koenigsegg, so it could improve the Agera RS’ 277-mph world record really soon. Let’s find out more about that in the review below.
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Cost More Than A Ferrari F8 or McLaren 720S
Mercedes-Benz just announced pricing for the range-topping AMG GT model, the Black Series, and it’s anything but affordable. At $325,000 before options, it’s the most expensive Mercedes-Benz out there, but that’s hardly surprising. Equipped with a highly efficient aerodynamic package and a beefed-up V-8 engine that packs 720 horsepower, the AMG GT Black Series is the most extreme Merc you can buy. And it’s also the lap record holder on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, so you get plenty of bang for the buck. But isn’t the AMG GT Black Series still a bit too expensive compared to what’s available on the market?
This Ferrari Showdown Will Get You Stoked For The Weekend
If you’re a fan of high-revving Ferrari sports cars (yes, I know, who isn’t?!), the folks over at Top Gear just released a compilation of Chris Harris driving four of the brand’s most exciting models. Featuring the classic 250 GT TDF, the insanely fast FXX-K, and two more modern Ferraris in between, this 12-minute Maranello showdown will get you all hyped up.
The Toyota Supra and GT86 Could Soon Be Followed By The Celica
The iconic Toyota Celica could return after almost two decades to join the Supra and the 86 in the company’s sports car lineup. Toyota has recently trademarked the Celica name in the U.S., hinting that the affordable coupe discontinued in 2006 is ready to make a comeback.
If You Want to Get One of the First Cadillac CT5-V Blackwings, You Need to Pony Up $1,000
Cadillac’s highly anticipated Blackwing sedans are almost here, with both the CT4-V and CT5-V models set to debut on February 1, 2021. If you’re anxious to get one, you’ll be happy to know that preorders for both models will open the same day they debut. However, be prepared to pay a $1,000 deposit to reserve a spot.
2021 Renault 5 Prototype - A Glimpse Into The Future
The 2021 Renault 5 Prototype is a concept car that the French automaker unveiled during the presentation of its "Renaulution" strategic plan in January 2021. A modern tribute to the iconic Renault 5 produced from 1972 to 1996, the Renault 5 Prototype previews a production model that will arrive by 2025. The modern Renault 5 will be one of seven all-electric vehicles that the French brand wants to launch over the next four years, but apparently it won’t replace the Zoe or the Clio. What makes the Renault 5 Prototype special and how much of it will go into production? Let’s find out in the review below.
Spyker Bankruptcy - Going the Way of Faraday Future in 2021?
2021 was supposed to be the year when Spyker finally introduced the production version of the B6 Venator, a concept that it first unveiled in 2013. The Dutch were also supposed to launch the D8 Peking-to-Paris SUV. Sadly, none of that will happen as Spyker filed for bankruptcy. Again. It’s been almost six years since the Dutch company resumed operations following its first bankruptcy and Spyker no longer has the financial power to continue. But it might not be the end for the brand.
This 2017 Audi R8 Widebody Has $100,000 In Upgrades, Low Mileage, And It Could Be Yours
The second-generation Audi R8 is already six years old as of 2021, but it’s still a cool and powerful sports car. But if you’re among enthusiasts who view the Audi as a softer version of the Lamborghini Huracan, this widebody and supercharged R8 might change your mind. It has $100,000 in upgrades yet it’s notably more affordable than a Huracan.
This Electric Porsche 935 Moby Dick Is Going Into Production
The iconic Porsche 935, first unveiled in 1976, made a comeback in 2019, when the German carmaker built a modern version based on the 991-generation GT2 RS. Only 77 were built and sold like hot cakes. Come 2021 and Bisimoto Engineering is working on its own tribute to the iconic 935, this time around in all-electric format and a slightly more modern design. It’s called Moby X, a reference to the old 935/78 nicknamed Moby Dick for its longtail design.
2021 Dacia Bigster Concept
The 2021 Dacia Bigster is a concept vehicle developed by Renault for the Romanian brand and unveiled in early 2021. An SUV measuring 4.6 meters (181.1 inches) long, the 2021 Bigster concept unveils a production SUV that will compete in the compact crossover segment. The Bigster will slot above the highly popular Duster in the lineup and will become Dacia’s largest offering yet. Just like the Duster, the production version of the Bigster will probably be sold as a Renault in some markets. A new joint business between Dacia and Lada, both owned by Renault, will probably spawn a rebadged Lada model for certain Easter European and Asian markets too.
2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
The 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is an upcoming, high-performance version of the company’s midsize sedan. Set to become the range-topping version of the current CT5, the Blackwing will slot above the CT5-V. Performance-wise, the 2021 CT5-V Blackwing will be the first true successor to the CTS-V, as the CT5-V doesn’t fill the bill in terms of power and torque. On top of a powerful V-8 engine with more than 600 horsepower, the 2021 CT5-V Blackwing will also feature a more aggressive exterior and a revised interior with unique features and upgrades. Find out what to expect from this beefed-up sedan from our speculative review below.
2020 Citroen Ami
The 2020 Citroen Ami is an all-electric vehicle based on the Ami One concept that the French company unveiled in 2019. Only 95 inches long and 55 inches wide, the Ami is in fact an elecric quadricycle rather than a full-blown car and it can be driven without a driver’s license.
This makes it accessible to people as young as 16 in most European countries (and 14 in France). Developed as a solution for city commuting over relatively short distances, the Ami is named after the original Citroen Ami, an economy car that the French firm produced from 1961 to 1978. What’s it all about and should you buy one? Find out in our review below.
If You’re Upset About The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Just Wait Until You See What Chevy Does With the Corvette
When Ford announced that its first electric crossover will be called the Mustang Mach-E, die-hard Mustang fans lost it and started complaining about how FoMoCo diluted the iconic nameplate. If you’re a Chevy Corvette fan, get ready to see your beloved badge on an electric crossover too, because GM is reportedly considering an all-electric Corvette SUV. A new report says that GM already "has designers working on several Corvette-brand concept vehicles" and that a Corvette crossover could go on sale as early as 2025.
2021 BMW M3 CS
The 2021 BMW M3 CS is an upcoming, higher performance version of the company’s four-door sedan. A successor to the F80-generation M3 CS that BMW produced in 2018, the 2021 M3 CS will boast similar upgrades over the current M3. It will feature a more powerful engine, a range of aero-enhancing features on the outside, some exclusive trim on the inside, and it will be built in limited numbers. Find out what will set it apart from the current M3 in the speculative review below.
2021 Porsche Boxster 25 Years
The 2021 Porsche Boxster 25 Years is a limited-edition version of the company’s entry-level sports car. As the name suggests, it celebrates 25 years since the Boxster went into production back in 1996. Limited to 1,250 units globally, the 2021 Boxster 25 Years is based on the sporty 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 and it pays tribute to the Boxster Concept, which Porsche unveiled in 1993 at the Detroit Auto Show. What sets it apart from the more regular Boxster GTS 4.0? Let’s find out in the review below.
Alpine Becomes An EV Brand And Something Even Bigger Is Brewing
Rumors claiming that Renault will turn Alpine into an all-electric brand have been confirmed today. The French automaker announced that the marque most famous for the A110 sports will focus on EV vehicles for the future. Renault also released a teaser image that previews three upcoming Alpine models, a small hatchback, a compact crossover, and a brand-new sports car. All are connected to charging stations, so all three will feature battery-powered electric motors. But the French also announced that the sports car will be co-developed with Lotus.
Sony’s Car IS Actually On Public Roads, And Automakers Should Be Worried
Sony took the automotive world by surprise by unveiling a production version of its first car, the Vision-S, at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2020. The Japanese corporation had little to say about it throughout the year, but come 2021 and the Vision-S is being tested on public roads in Austria. Is the Vision-S finally going into production? It might and based on the way it looks and the advanced technology it features, automakers should be worried.
2021 Hyundai Kona N
The 2021 Hyundai Kona N is an upcoming high-performance version of the company’s subcompact SUV. Launched in 2017, the Kona has become so popular in just three years that Hyundai is pushing it into high-performance territory. The Kona is the brand’s first SUV to feature an "N" badge, joining cars like the i20, i30, Veloster, and Elantra. Is the 2021 Kona N just as powerful as Hyundai’s N-badged cars and will it come to the U.S.? Let’s find out in the review below.
2021 Ferrari Omologata
The 2021 Ferrari Omologata is a one-off grand tourer based on the 812 Superfast. Commissioned by an European customer, the 2020 Omologata is the 10th front-engined, V-12 one-off Ferrari built since the 2009 P540 Superfast Aperta. A tribute to Ferrari GT race cars from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as their homologation-spec, road-legal counterparts, the Omolagata was designed and built in a little more than two years. Find out what sets it apart from the 812 Superfast in the review below.
Honda Previews Insanely Cool E Drag Racer and N-One Hill Climber for Tokyo Auto Salon
The 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon, the year’s first major car event, is just around the corner and Honda just previewed a couple of really cool concept cars for the show. But they’re not what you’d usually expect from the Japanese carmaker. Instead of beefed-up Civics and funky kei cars, Honda created a couple of race cars based on the tiny E and N-One. To make things that much more ridiculous, the Honda E in question is a drag racer.
BMW debuts new iDrive system at CES 2021, but Mercedes’ Hyperscreen MBUX still reigns supreme
Some 20 years ago most cars didn’t have infotainment displays and their dashboards were crowded with buttons and knobs. Come 2021 and almost every car out there comes with a display, usually ranging from seven to 12.3 inches (so companies offer larger screens). But things are about to go wild, as Mercedes-Benz just unveiled the Hyperscreen, a massive 56-inch infotainment display that’s basically stretches over the entire dashboard. Needless to say, Mercedes stole the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show with it, but BMW also gets a piece of the action with a new-generation iDrive system.
Here’s What a Modern DeLorean DMC-12 Could Look Like
The DeLorean DMC is one of the famous cars of the 1980s, but that’s mostly because it was featured in the Back to the Future movie franchise as Doc Brown’s time machine.
The DMC was supposed to be an affordable, innovative sports car, but it came out as a dated, underpowered and expensive vehicle and the company went under. DeLorean was revived in Texas in 1995 and word has it production of the DMC will restart by the end of 2021. But how would a modern DeLorean look? Famous car designer Chip Foose took matter in his own hands and penned a more modern version of the gullwinged coupe.
This Rare 1995 Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II Could Be Yours
Since 2017, Lancia has been selling just one car, the Ypsilon, in Italy. The iconic brand is pretty much dead outside its home country and its future remains uncertain. But even though Lancia has been struggling in recent years, its heritage is still remembered thanks to nameplates like the Delta.
Famous for its rallying success and its high-performance Integrale street versions, the Delta is arguably the most legendary vehicle Lancia has built in since the 1980s. And now you can own an incredible and rare Delta HF Integrale Evo II version for just $100,000.
See How Mercedes Set A New Nurburgring Record With The AMG GT Black Series
In October 2020, Mercedes-Benz took the brand-new AMG GT Black Series onto the Nurburgring to set a new lap record for production cars. In November, the Germans confirmed the record at 6:43.616 by releasing a video of the run. Almost two months have passed since then and the German firm is giving us a "behind the scenes" look at the record run and how the AMG GT Black Series was prepared for its impressively fast lap.
Get Your Lotus Evija Fix From Non Other Than James May
The Lotus Evija was unveiled back in November 2019 as the company’s first all-electric production car. But the massively powerful EV has yet to hit public roads, as full-scale production is scheduled to commence later in 2021. This didn’t stop former Top Gear host and current Drivetribe member James May from getting his hands on one for a closer look. Sadly, there’s no driving footage, which suggests that the yellow Evija is not yet ready for that, but May gives us an in-depth look at the supercars features, interior, and technology.