Automotive

A piece of rally racing history has hit the auction block, the 2004 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS, famously driven by the late great Ken Block and his co-driver Alex Gelsomino.This iconic vehicle, converted to Open Class rally racing specifications in 2006 by Vermont SportsCar, has seen a rich and eventful journey in the world of extreme motorsports.Initially wrapped in a striking black vinyl with a #43 Monster Energy livery, the Impreza was a dominant presence in X Games rally events. Its journey continued under the stewardship of driver Mark Fox and Jake Blattner, who co-piloted the car at the New England Forest Rally in 2009.Under the hood, the Impreza boasts a turbocharged 2.0L flat-four engine, propelling all four wheels through a sophisticated KAPS five-speed dog-box manual transmission. The...

RM Sotheby’s is set to auction off an ultra-rare 1993 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport Prototype, one 30 ever made and one of only two laboratory chassis used for mechanical development, testing and homologation -- expected to realize as much as $3,400,000 USD.The automotive gem joins other legendary cars like the 2015 McLaren P1 and 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, all set to be auctioned as part of its upcoming New York 2023 sale, which begins later today, Friday, December 8.A testament to the revival of the esteemed Bugatti brand in the late 1980s, the 1993 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport Prototype encapsulates a blend of ambitious engineering and exclusive luxury. The story of this Bugatti begins with Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli's vision to resurrect the Bugatti name -- resulting in the creation of...

New Zealand-based automotive manufacturer, Rodin Cars, has officially completed the first track test for its FZERO prototype -- a significant next step for the closed-cockpit 1,000 hp plus hypercar, since its unveiling last year.The FZERO's inaugural run on the company's dedicated test track symbolizes a major leap forward for Rodin Cars. Following the success of their FZED single-seat track car, the FZERO project stands as a testament to its escalating ambitions in the world of high-performance automobiles. Designed and built in Rodin Cars' facility near Mount Lyford, the FZERO incorporates three specially designed test circuits and a production unit.David Dicker, a technology billionaire, racing enthusiast, and the designer behind Rodin Cars, personally piloted the FZERO on its first run...

Toyota has introduced its latest concept car, the FT-Se, a two-seater electric sports car, marking a step forward in the evolution of high-performance vehicles for the objectively carbon-neutral era. First shown and teased at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 in Tokyo, encapsulates Toyota's vision of the future of driving.The FT-Se, standing for "Future Toyota Sports Electric," combines Toyota Gazoo Racing's (GR) motorsport expertise with advanced electric technology, offering a glimpse into the evolving relationship between drivers and their cars. With a sleek and smooth silhouette, the FT-Se boasts a compact height of 1,220mm and a width of 1,895mm, reminiscent of classic sports cars. Its design features aerodynamic lines, distinctive trapezoidal shapes and a striking rear spoiler.Inside, the...

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled a new entry point for its performance-driven vehicles, expressed through the all-new AMG CLE 53 Coupe, a model that it says blends the elegance of the AMG E-Class with the sportiness of the AMG C-Class.At the heart of the CLE 53 Coupe is an enhanced 3.0L inline six-cylinder engine, equipped with turbocharging and an electric auxiliary compressor that delivers 443 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque -- with an overboost function temporarily increases torque to 443 lb-ft. Adding to the engine's prowess is a 48-volt integrated starter generator that adds 23 hp and 151 lb-ft, designed for smooth power delivery at lower speeds.The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system are designed to ensure that the power is efficiently transferre...

Unplugged Performance, a self-proclaimed leader in the industry when it comes to upgrading Tesla vehicles, has often been known for the upgraded high performance Model S. Due to the proximity to Tesla's design studio in Hawthorne, California, Unplugged Performance and Tesla seem to have a special relationship. Almost immediately after Elon Musk announced the Cybertruck, Unplugged also almost immediately revealed the performance tune for the steel truck. Being that Unplugged is close to Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, the company has often produced tuner parts for various Teslas long before competitors. Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Schaffer said about the Cybertruck tune, "This is an extensively engineered and comprehensive approach to unlocking maximum potential of the beast that is Cybertruc...

Unplugged Performance, a self-proclaimed leader in the industry when it comes to upgrading Tesla vehicles, has often been known for the upgraded high performance Model S. Due to the proximity to Tesla's design studio in Hawthorne, California, Unplugged Performance and Tesla seem to have a special relationship. Almost immediately after Elon Musk announced the Cybertruck, Unplugged also almost immediately revealed the performance tune for the steel truck. Being that Unplugged is close to Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink, the company has often produced tuner parts for various Teslas long before competitors. Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Schaffer said about the Cybertruck tune, "This is an extensively engineered and comprehensive approach to unlocking maximum potential of the beast that is Cybertruc...

During the Gran Turismo World Series World Finals in Barcelona, Genesis unveiled one of its most unique concept cars yet, the X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo.The concept comes to life both as a physical model and as a digital example crafted as part of the Vision Gran Turismo series or program, a part of the Gran Turismo game franchise that challenges the world's top automotive manufacturers to create their rendition of an ideal GT vehicle.Genesis describes the vehicle as a manifestation of its "Athletic Elegance" design philosophy, capturing the essence of emotion in automotive design. Notably, the X Gran Berlinetta VGT Concept boasts a pure, muscular appearance with a focus on its wheel-centric volumes. Its unique design features a "cab backwards" proportion, integrating Genesis’ a...

Tesla Cybertrucks deliveries have recently begun, with a select few employees receiving the new car. Leading up to the delivery, Elon Musk and Tesla have continued to reveal a handful of specs for its stainless steel truck. In the latest video posted to Tesla's official X account showed the Cybertruck beating a Porsche 911 in a drag race whilst towing another 911. While the distance of the race is not clear, it does feature a graphic at the end of the race that claimed that the Cybertruck can hit a quarter of a mile under 11 seconds. Another text showed that a 0-60 time of 2.6 seconds appeared on the screen. The numbers are impressive and seem to match up with the most expensive "Cyberbeast" trim on Tesla's website. "Beast Mode" for the Cybertruck allow the tri-motor drivetrain to make a m...

RM Sotheby’s is set to host an exceptional auction, featuring the 2015 McLaren P1 and the 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder -- iconic vehicles that make up two-thirds of The Holy Trinity of Hypercars, with the only vehicle missing the LaFerrari.These automotive marvels, embodying the pinnacle of design prowess and hybrid performance, are expected to draw significant attention from car enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, with a combined estimate set at $4.7 million USD.The McLaren P1, limited to just 375 units, is a testament to McLaren's legacy, carrying the torch from the iconic F1, celebrated as one of the greatest modern automobiles. This particular P1, nicknamed "The Professor," boasts an exclusive Professor 2 Blue color, meticulously customized to the original owner's precise standards. The c...