Autos

For our latest installment of Essentials, we look into the everyday necessities of Ken Gushi, pro racing driver and Formula Drift competitor. Born in Japan’s tropical fantasy island of Okinawa and raised in sunny California’s San Gabriel, Ken found himself in the drifting game early on, largely from his father Tsukasa Gushi. As such, his story is not so dissimilar from the pages of famed drifting manga Initial D: he began his drifting journey at the age of 13 and started competing in Formula Drift at 16 even before passing his driving test, making him the youngest competitor in the sport at the time. Since then, Ken has found success with podium finishes, prized wins, and entry into the most grueling races, including the world renowned Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 2007. Ken now dri...

Ferrari has officially confirmed by the way of an Instagram teaser that the Purosangue is real, showing off the divisive SUV in a shadowy image. While unofficial leaks have previously shown the Purosangue in better lighting, this is the first time the Italian automotive company has confirmed that is it making the Purosangue — if it’s even called that, mind. As Ferrari stated in its caption, “You’ve heard the rumors… and we’re delighted to confirm they’re true (some of them). All will be revealed later this year.” This means that the automotive industry is right about the car existing, but perhaps there are some changes or elements that will still surprise us. For example, no word has been said on the engine that will power Ferrari’s first SUV. While it’s...

After unveiling its all-new Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, the Affalterbach-based marque is back to celebrate AMG’s 55th anniversary with a special-edition take on the G 63. Aptly titled the Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Edition 55,” this SUV combines the now-signature four-liter V8 Biturbo engine that produces 585 HP and 850 Nm of torque with its classic square design details and body shape, all while wearing a few new additions that make this “Edition 55” the special car that it is. For example, this limited offering comes in either “Obsidian Black Metallic” or “G Manufaktur Opalite White Bright” paint jobs, adorned with a unique graphic set on the lower part of the doors. Elsewhere, “55 AMG” branding adorns the steering wheel, while ...

Formula E has now confirmed that its Gen3 car will be unveiled in Monaco next month. Set to begin racing in the organization’s ninth season, the Gen3 model will be the world’s most efficient race car, with up to 40% of the power used in a race generated via regenerative braking. The design foregoes hydraulic brakes at the rear thanks to a new 250kW front powertrain that works with the existing 350kW motor to deliver 470 horsepower, allowing the car to reach a top speed of 200mph. In terms of sustainability, the car is not only net-zero carbon but also boasts a power-to-weight ratio that’s twice as efficient as an equivalent 470-horsepower vehicle using an internal combustion engine. “Formula E’s Gen3 race car represents a leap forward for motorsport and electric mob...

For automotive channel Hagerty‘s latest “Rendered” video, concept artist Khyzyl Saleem reworks the ’70s Volkswagen Beetle to resemble a 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3. While maintaining the Beetle’s classic proportions, the sleek and aggressive features from the 992 GT3 are carried over as seen through the front splitter, side mirrors, swan tail fenders, rear diffusers, and lights. The car has been noticeably lowered, and Rotiform BTL rims are installed sporting Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Interiors have also been modified to include slim bucket seats to reflect the new sporty design. Take a look at the video above, in which Saleem runs through the process behind combining two of the industry’s most iconic cars. “Sorry Porsche purists,”...

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its most powerful customer sports car ever — the GT Track Series. Not intended for road use, this track-only model bridges the gap between the incredibly sought-after GT Black Series and Mercedes-AMG’s GT3 and GT4 race cars, offering a model to customers that they can use on track days themselves. Using the four-liter V8 Biturbo engine from the Mercedes‑AMG GT Black Series, Affalterbach’s finest engineers took the powerplant and fettled with it with a motorsports lens, bringing power to 734 HP and 850 Nm of torque. Coupled to this is a sequential Hewland HLS six-speed racing gearbox with an adjustable differential, while handling comes courtesy of the Black Series’ suspension that features four-way Bilstein dampers — that of course ca...

DRIVERS is a series highlighting influential individuals in the HYPEBEAST sphere and their passion towards all things automotive. The approach is simple: what is car culture to you, and why do you have a passion for it? Each contributor is given a chance to shine light on their personal vehicle or vehicles, and asked to remark on how they are driving culture forward, both metaphorically and literally. Sometimes life will hand you the sweetest deals, whether it’s a dream job opportunity or something as simple as an offer you’d been holding out for. For Vin Anatra, both seemed to have been the case. Vin is the Vice President of Business Development over at Hoonigan, the end-all location for everything you love about car culture. The brand goes deep to cover all aspects of the aut...

In February, the iconic American artist Jeff Koons partnered with BMW to release his limited-to-99 take on the M850i Gran Coupé, dubbed “The 8 X Jeff Koons.” Now, the 99th example of the production run is heading to auction with Christie’s New York, and to mark the special occasion, it will also be the only example signed by the artist. Koons is known for his dismantling of American consumerism and commentary on the visual excess that modern culture consumes and thrives upon. As a result, Americana-styled iconography in a pop art style adorns the art car, a design that reportedly takes hundred hours of professional paintwork per vehicle, and it also pays homage to Koons’ art car from 2010. Naturally, the M850i Gran Coupé packs a 4.4-liter M TwinPower Turbo V8 with 5...

In the 1970s, a very lucky selection of high-profile clients was hand-selected by Porsche to become a part of the Sonderwunsch Program, a “Special Wishes” platform that allowed clients to go wild with their custom Porsche creations. Today, the program is very rare and seldom exercised, but now the Porsche Club of America has been enlisted to create its own car alongside Porsche, dubbed the 911 Classic Club Coupe. Based on the divisive 996-generation 911 — which split opinions because of its water-cooled engine and egg-shaped headlights — this custom now comes with plenty of nods to great 911s of the past. Notably, a ducktail spoiler is reminiscent of the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7, while design details such as a double-bubble roof, 18″ “Fuchs” wheels ...

American automaker Buick is planning on joining its fellow brands under the GM umbrella including Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC, in debuting all-new electric vehicles over the next few years. Following GM’s company rebranding last year in order to reflect its new focus, Buick has now filed a trademark for a new logo design. The updated logo appears with more curves and skinner shields laid out in a horizontal formation, a switch from the circular emblem featuring cascading shield motifs. It’s yet to be determined whether the red, white, and blue hues from the current logo will carry over. What do we think of the possible new @Buick logo? pic.twitter.com/zDafl5g2lr — Jared Rosenholtz (@carbuzzjared) March 21, 2022 The rebranded logo could potentially be used for Buck’s upco...

Italian luxury automaker Maserati has debuted its second-ever SUV, the Grecale, which will arrive in several powertrains including an all-electric version coming in 2023. The vehicle marks an early step in Maserati’s mission to transition into a fully-electric brand by 2030. Meanwhile, all Maserati models will be available in electric versions by 2025, according to brand executives via CNN. The launch Grecale range will be available this year with a high-performance V6 engine — similar to that found in its MC20 supercar — producing 530 HP to become the most dynamic of the mid-sized SUV line-up. A four-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system will also be on offer ahead of the all-electric Grecale Folgore’s arrival next year. The electric Grecale, which will arrive ...

DRIVERS is a series highlighting influential individuals in the HYPEBEAST sphere and their passion towards all things automotive. The approach is simple: what is car culture to you, and why do you have a passion for it? Each contributor is given a chance to shine light on their personal vehicle or vehicles, and asked to remark on how they are driving culture forward, both metaphorically and literally. For our latest DRIVERS edition, we’re highlighting a racing professional who specializes in entering corners way too fast and sideways, while his fans and home country love him for it. Jhonnattan Castro drifts professionally for the Formula D(rift) series, where he’s competed and won multiple championships – four to be exact. Driving for Toyota and using the nimble GT86 spor...