The £335,000 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has claimed the Nurburgring production car lap record. Affalterbach’s most extreme coupe recently set a time of 6:43.616 minutes, beating the previous record holder – the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ – by more than a second.

Mercedes says the record-setting AMG GT Black Series was only fitted with components that are available from the factory. However, in an effort to give the car an edge over the Aventador, the German firm’s engineers made the most of the GT’s adjustable chassis and aerodynamic settings to optimise the car for the Green Hell.

The standard AMG GT Black Series leaves the factory with manually adjustable suspension and manually adjustable aero. So, Mercedes set the anti-roll bars to their stiffest setting and cranked the camber up to the maximum (3.8 degrees up front and 3.0 degrees at the rear) to keep the car’s tyres in contact with the undulating surface of the track.

Mercedes also set the GT’s adjustable front splitter to its most aggressive setting which, combined with a middling angle for the rear wing, promoted sharper turn-in response – important on a track littered with 170 corners. The added benefit of running a little less downforce at the rear was a significant reduction in aerodynamic drag, which can compromise a car’s top speed.

Jeep has launched a new, V8-powered version of the Wrangler called the Rubicon 392. It’ll go on sale in North America early next year, where it’ll square up to the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and the upcoming V8 version of the Land Rover Defender.

However, the new model will not be coming to Europe or the UK. As the name suggests, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 is powered by a detuned version of 6.4-litre (or 392 cubic inch) V8 engine used in the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack. In the Jeep, it develops 464bhp and 637Nm of torque, which the brand says is enough for a 0–60mph time of 4.5 seconds and a quarter mile time of around 13 seconds.

The unit is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a mechanical four-wheel-drive system, which is supported by locking differentials, knobbly 33-inch tyres, uprated Fox monotube dampers and new suspension geometry that’s around two inches taller than the standard Wrangler’s setup.

Jeep has also fiddled with the Wrangler’s chassis, strengthening its frame rails, front control arms and steering knuckles. The off-roader’s brakes have also been upgraded to deal with the more powerful engine – and there’s an electronic anti-roll bar disconnect system to allow the 4x4 to crest cross-axle bumps more easily.

Jeep says these improvements have made it the most capable Wrangler ever made. The firm says it has 10.3 inches of ground clearance, improved wheel articulation and approach, breakover and departure angles of 44.5, 22.6 and 37.5 degrees respectively. Jeep says the Rubicon 392 can also ford through 825mm of water.

Source: Hypebeast.com

Ferrari aficionados will be excited to learn that a 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona previously owned by five-time Grammy Award winner Elton John is now up for auction.

The vintage car was the Prancing Horse’s answer to Lamborghini’s mid-engine Miura in 1966, and quickly became the world’s fastest road car at the time, with a 4.4L quad-cam V12 engine pushing out 352 horsepower — an impressive amount in that era. The current one on sale was first registered on August 3, 1972, and is one of only 158 right-hand drive Daytonas supplied to the UK. Records confirm that Sir Elton John actually owned the racer between 1973-1975, and it’s rumored that he bought the vehicle with the proceeds from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”

The beautiful vintage machine has since been passed down to various owners, all of whom are members of the Ferrari Owners’ Club. Purchase of the car will come with all its original documentation including the build sheet, order forms, delivery correspondence and even every service receipt. Silverstone Auctions will also provide every MOT Certificate ever issued for this Daytona, which documents a grand mileage of just 82,000 miles.

Vintage car enthusiasts or Ferrari collectors can head over to Silverstone Auctions’ website to learn more, and bid on the Elton John-owned 1972 Daytona now. The auction house estimates a sale price between £425,000 – £475,000 GBP, which is roughly $516,230 – $576,965 USD.

source: Hypebeast.com

Amongst all the amazing rare cars that were auctioned off this past weekend by RM Sotheby’s Monterey, including the $19.8 Million USD 1994 McLaren F1 “LM-Specification,” one particular car drew an extreme amount of media attention. Unfortunately for the venerable auction house, this wasn’t the kind of press that engenders confidence amongst its millionaire bidders.

The one-of-three 1939 Porsche Type 64 — originally estimated to go for upwards of $20 million USD — was initially given an opening bid of $13 million USD. However, the auctioneer’s pronunciation of “13” was apparently misheard by the technical crew; thus, an opening bid of $30 million USD appeared on the bid counter on the rear wall. A flurry of confused bids followed, as the room of bewildered collectors began filming the ordeal. Eventually, the Type 64’s final price landed at the princely sum of $70 million USD, dwarfing the original estimate.

The New York Times explains that due to either technical errors or the auctioneer’s British accent, the bids that followed the opener were submitted in $10 million USD increments, instead of the comparatively reasonable $1 million USD increments. Whatever the case, the $70 million USD bid ( (over $20 million USD higher than the $48 million USD 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO auction) was quickly swapped for a high bid of $17 million USD, much to the befuddlement of the crowd.

A representative from RM Sotheby’s issued a statement, explaining, “as bidding opened on the Type 64, increments were mistakenly displayed on the screen, causing unfortunate confusion in the room. We take pride in conducting our world-class auctions with integrity and we take our responsibility to our clients very seriously.”

The updated Audi A4 range is due to go on sale soon, and pricing has appeared on some company car lists.

Although it hasn't been officially announced by the brand, an industry source confirmed to Autocar that the 2019 A4 will start from £30,725 in base Technik form with the 35 TFSI petrol engine. The 188bhp diesel is automatic-only and priced from £34,480.

Those figures represent an increase of around £1500 over the previous entry-level SE spec. However, technology and kit upgrades will help justify the list price increase, as will competitive leasing costs.

The non-RS range flagship at launch will be the newly diesel-powered S4. That's priced at £47,295 in standard trim, with higher-spec Black Edition and Vorsprung models also available.

In an attempt to keep pace with rivals such as the new BMW 3 Series, the compact executive saloon has received an exterior and interior revamp to bring it in line with Audi’s current design themes. The firm says the changes are more substantial than is usual for a facelift, and include a range of hybridised engines. 

OUR VERDICT

Audi A4

The Audi A4 zeroes in on efficiency, technology and quality - but is it enough to drive compact saloon buyers away from the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

Driven this week

The revised A4 will be available with three 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines featuring a 12-volt mild hybrid system and ranging from 148bhp to 241bhp, along with two diesels: a 188bhp 2.0-litre and a 241bhp 3.0-litre. A 12-volt mild hybrid 2.0-litre diesel unit, with 134bhp or 161bhp, will follow after the launch. 

The S4, a rival to the Mercedes-AMG C43, will be offered in Europe purely as a mild-hybrid diesel, with a 3.0-litre engine mated to a 48-volt integrated starter/motor for a total output of 342bhp and 516lb ft of torque. 

The S4 will be offered with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive, with sport suspension as standard and a sport differential and suspension with damper control available as options. 

The entry-level 35 TFI and 40 TDI will be offered after launch with a manual gearbox as standard. All other models will be automatic as standard. Seven and eight-speed ’boxes will be used, with a six-speed manual following as an option. Entry-level A4s will be front-wheel drive, with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system available on higher-spec models. 

SOURCE: WWW.AUTOCAR.CO.UK

We’re now getting through the range of the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz GLE (once known as M-Class), which brings us here to the most potent diesel-powered version you can buy. 

The GLE 400d uses a 2.9-litre straight-six turbodiesel producing 325bhp and a hefty 516lb ft. You can also get a lower-powered (268bhp) version of this engine in the 350d, plus an entry-level four-cylinder in the 300d with 242bhp. Whatever version you choose, power is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. 

Elsewhere, the 400d is much the same as we already know. This new GLE is longer, wider and lower than the car before it and comes with the option of seven seats for the first time. It’s also a technological tour-de-force, with a high-tech, high-quality interior and just one trim 'option': AMG Line. 

Yet the GLE’s real party piece that we were so impressed by on its international launch, the clever E-Active suspension – which integrates a development of the Airmatic air suspension with a 48-volt electrical system and camera to scan the road ahead and individually prime each wheel – remains absent from the UK options list and therefore our test car.

What we can marvel at on the GLE, though, is that engine. It’s a really lovely thing, with actual aural character. That’s so lacking in most petrol cars these days, let alone diesels that were never known for their bark, yet the growl from the under the bonnet as you explore the wide band of torque – which is delivered with some considerable shove – will raise a smile. It’s an engine willing to be revved, and one with acceleration that feels better than the official 0-62mph time of 7.6sec suggests.

The engine is ideally suited for towing, too, our GLE coming equipped with the £1150 Towing Package that boosts capacity to a mighty 3500kg. Real-world economy hovered around 30mpg on our mixed-roads test route, which is decent if not outstanding for a big, heavy car, yet the 85-litre fuel tank at least means infrequent fill-ups, thanks to a range of close to 600 miles. 

A great engine, then, but not a great car overall. While the primary ride is as about as comfortable as they come, the secondary ride really lets your backside know you’ve been over a bump or a scar in the road surface. It’s the biggest thing that lets the 400d’s mask slip from being a complete, well-rounded, luxurious and comfortable SUV.

The biggest thing, but not the only thing: it also exhibits too much roll around corners, with steering too remote to feel you’re hanging on and the car’s taking you around a corner rather than you guiding it around yourself if you display even the tiniest bit of enthusiasm.

This dynamic performance makes it all the telling that the lacking E-Active suspension is chiefly designed to counteract body lean, as well as iron out the ride by reading the road ahead, much like the previous version of the system – Magic Body Control – used on the S-Class. It’s too expensive an option for Mercedes UK to deem worth offering here, but it would be fascinating to see just how much it could transform the GLE.

source: www.autocar.co.uk

source:hypebeast

Mercedes-Benz turned heads at CES Las Vegas when it debuted the 2020 CLA 250. The second generation CLA garnered praise from critics for its trim silhouette and sleek body, buoyed by a bevy of improved technical specs.

The 2020 CLA boasts 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, made possible by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine. Mercedes also reports that suspension and steering improvements make the CLA the best-driving compact model produced by the German behemoth, with standard front-wheel drive, though 4Matic all-wheel is an option. Mercedes also touts its improved infotainment system, which purportedly improves upon the edition debuted in 2018’s A-class CLA; the automaker demonstrated that the system can answer more complex questions (“What child-friendly Asian restaurants are nearby that are neither Chinese nor Japanese?”) and can be activated by a simple “Hey, Mercedes.”

Visit the Mercedes-Benz site for detailed information and look for the car to debut later this year.

Meanwhile, Porsche is revving up its 2020 911 Carrera Cabriolet.

Ford has just unveiled its most powerful Mustang to date at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 receives a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 motor that is matched with Ford’s newly-developed dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission — equating to 700 horsepower, all the while allowing the Shelby GT500 to sprint quarter-miles in just under 11 seconds.

Sporting the Shelby Cobra badge, the GT500 comes in various trims including a “Track Pack” which sees a number of carbon bits, Recaro seats, massive Brembo six-piston calipers, and even the removal of the rear seats for weight reduction. This is definitely going to please the American muscle crowd, as not only does the 2020 Ford Shelby GT500 get a massive boost in power, but its also receives refined interior/exterior styling, combined with quality components.

Look for more information on availability and pricing this coming fall. In other automotive news, the 2020 Toyota Supra has finally arrived.

Although production for the vehicle ended last year, a special edition Zonda HP Barchetta from Italian sportscar manufacturer Pagani is slated to release for a whopping $17.5 million USD. The price was confirmed to Top Gear, where the carmakers stated the car will sell for €15 million EUR ($17.5 mill USD), beating out the one-off Rolls-Royce Sweptail and its $13 million USD price tag for the most expensive car in the world.

There will only be three Horacio Pagani Barchettas made and one of them will belong to the company founder. The vehicle sports a 7.3-liter V12 engine with 760 horsepower and a six-speed manual.

In other auto news, Chevrolet is offering a monstrous 1,000-horsepower 2019 Corvette Grand Sport.

SOURCE: hypebeast

High-end luxury automaker Bentley will soon be unleashing a limited-edition SUV range to celebrate a recent milestone achievement. A Bentley Bentayga – driven by two-time champion Rhys Millen — took to the picturesque Pikes Peak mountain range with the aim of claiming the fastest time put forth by any and all SUV’s before it. Clocking in at a time of just 10:49.9 proved good enough to claim top spot, earning the honors of fastest production SUV at Pikes Peak.

With this win in hand, 10 W12-powered Bentayga “Pikes Peak” editions will come to the forefront, some of which will feature a “Beluga Black” paint job, while others will receive the “Radium” treatment. Both versions, however, will come equipped with black gloss fittings, a carbon fiber splitter, side skirts, diffuser and a rear spoiler, amongst others. The limited-edition Bentley Bentayga will be available for order in the U.S. and Europe later this August.

Elsewhere in the automotive world, RM Sotheby’s listed this ultra-rare McLaren F1 through its new private sales division.

SOURCE: ACQUIRE

Luxury automotive experts Aston Martin debut their new high-end car model, the 2019 DBS Superleggera. Replacing the Vanquish at the peak of the manufacturer’s range, the new model offers a gracefully streamlined body crafted from carbon fiber, with sculptural detailing leading from the elegant hood to the oversized rear fenders. Under the hood is a new iteration of Aston Martin’s 5.2-liter V12, which can rev up to 715 horsepower and 5,000 rpm, making the DBS Superleggera the most powerful vehicle in the company’s stable. The supercar reaches speeds of up to 211 mph, while going from 0 to 62 mph in about 3.4 seconds. Built-in wi-fi, navigation, bluetooth and a Mercedes-Benz infotainment center make the car as functional as it is fast.

The 2019 DBS Superleggera will boast an MSRP of £225,000 GBP (about $296,000 USD) when it launches later this year. Head to Aston Martin’s site for more detailed specs.

Elsewhere in the automotive world, Elon Musk recently revealed key details about the Tesla pickup truck.

In the 1960s, Shelby constructed a demonstration Mustang for Goodyear – the Shelby GT500 Super Snake. The car was powered by a lightweight 427-cubic-inch race engine taken from a Le Mans-winning Ford GT40. As a result, it is said to have produced 520 horsepower, which was a stat for its time.

In 2013, Shelby dealer Don McCain purchased the sole 1960s Shelby car for $1.3 million USD and now, Shelby will build 10 more cars for collectors. The GT500 Super Snake will be powered by a 427 V-8 550 hp engine. Both aluminum and cast-iron blocks will be available for the buyer to choose from. The car will be backed by a four-speed manual transmission and will have the famous triple stripes and disc brakes much like the original.

In addition, purchasers will also get original signature by Carroll Shelby and Don McCain. While both have already passed away, McCain promoted the idea of the Super Snake program to Shelby and they both signed ten dash plaques for the cars. Each car will be priced at $249,995 USD.

source:hypebeast

Crafted for “one of Ferrari‘s most dedicated customers,” the SP38 is in a class all its own. Crafted from the chassis and running gear of a 488 GTB, the SP38 sports design details influenced by the F40, including rear spoiler and engine cover construction influenced by the heritage car. Boasting ultra-thin headlights and a carbon fiber flip-up assembly, the SP38 was designed with speed in mind, as its owner reportedly maintains a “deep passion for racing.” According to Top Gear, stats may include a 0-62 time of approximately three seconds with a top speed of 205, if the SP38 is comparable to a standard 488 GTB. The unique car is one of Ferrari’s one-off models, never to be repeated again.

Check out the car in all its glory, and visit Italy’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 26 to see the vehicle on display for a limited time.

source:hypebeast

After a few teasers, Maserati recently unveiled the Levante Trofeo, which will debut at this week’s New York Auto Show.

Looking to combat Porsche‘s Cayenne Turbo, the Levante Trofeo features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine built by Ferrari which cranks out 538 lb-ft of torque and 590 horsepower. The powerful engine enables the road monster to go from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach speeds in excess of 300 km/h.

To match the monstrous engine is an aggressive exterior led by Full Matrix LED headlights, vertical grid grill, honeycomb mesh air intakes, ventilated hood and carbon fiber accents. While the four-tailpipe sports exhaust system and a body-color diffuser continue the aggressive look found at the front of the car.

The luxury sports aesthetic continues in the interior of the car with sculpted sports seats, matte carbon fiber trim and a unique instrument cluster with V8 badging. Set to enter production this summer, Maserati’s Levante Trofeo is set to receive an exclusive North American launch edition sometime next year.

For more automotive news, Pagani is now recalling every Huayra BC and Roadster sold in America.

SOURCE: HYPEBEAST.COM

After months of faults and delays with the production of Tesla‘s Model 3 car — reportedly due to using flawed parts — Elon Musk has now taken over control of the division in charge. Musk originally estimated that Tesla would be making 20,000 of the cars per month by December, however that was later downgraded 2,500 cars per week by the end of March. This revised target was also missed, with the real figure ending up closer to 2,000 per week.

Initial reports had claimed that Musk has taken over the duty from Doug Field, Tesla’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, although Musk said this wasn’t true. On Twitter, the entrepreneur explained that his “job as CEO is to focus on what’s most critical, which is currently Model 3 production. Doug, who I regard as one of the world’s most talented engineering execs, is focused on vehicle engineering.” Musk also went on to reveal that the move meant he was “back to sleeping at factory. Car biz is hell…”

In related news, Tesla has revealed the world’s first DJ-Drive system.

SOURCE:  HYPEBEAST.COM

SOURCE : UNCRATE / HYPEBEAST

Last week, we saw John Lennon’s 1969 Monkey Bike go up for auction; this week, another Beatles memorabilia is available to purchase: Sir Paul McCartney‘s 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 coupé. The glamorous vintage car was delivered to Paul McCartney during the height of The Beatles‘ popularity. It’s believed to be one of the four imported into the UK via air freight by British United Air Ferries and its previous owner — a well-known automobile collector — bought the car twice, selling it in 1989 only to reacquire it in 1996.

This classic Italian car has a wine red finish with beige pigskin interiors. Its 4.0L V12 engine offers a broad range of smooth torque that achieves high levels of performance “without noise, fuss, temperament or drama,” according to Autocar magazine. The storied vehicle comes with accompanying documentation such as sundry bills, a copy of the old UK V5 registration and an old-style logbook.

Check out Paul McCartney’s 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT above and head over to Bonhams’ website for more details. For more automobile eye candy, Morgan Motor Company debuted its extremely limited bespoke Aero GT sports car.

SOURCE : UNCRATE / HYPEBEAST

American automotive giant Ford is set to release a string of new options for its iconic Mustang model. None of the new updates drastically rework the classic car, with a range of new appearance packages and functional elements all available for 2019.

Some of the key upgrades include another version of the California Special appearance package with a fading side stripe across the middle of the door, stick-on fake scoops, a custom black grille and a black and red “California Special” badge. Other new features of the reworked Mustangs include a rev-matching function to smooth downshifts, an active exhaust with changeable volume and a 1,000 watt 12-speaker B&O Play soundsystem.

All of these new features can be paired with an expanded selection of exterior colorways, including the brand new “Velocity Blue” and “Need for Green.” As it stands, a pricing structure for the new Ford Mustang packages is yet to be released, but the first cars will be available this summer.

In other automotive news, Paul McCartney’s 1967 Lamborghini 400 GT is up for sale.

SOURCE : AUTOBLOG / HYPEBEAST

First revealed in January at the Detroit Motor Show, the Mercedes G-Class has been showcased in an assortment of different high-end makes, including the all-red “Night Package” and murdered-out Edition 1. Following the other drool-worthy reveals, this latest iteration is informed by stainless steel accents and enveloped in a cool-hued paint job.

Rear bumper detailing, sill protectors, door stripes, the spare tire carrier, and more are all executed in stainless steel, granting the car extra sturdiness and weather resistance. It’s not the only Mercedes-Benz model to feature the optional stainless steel treatment, but this is the first G-Class to offer the make. Fueled by a 4-liter twin turbo V8 and elevated by four-wheel drive, the SUV is friendly to both big city cruising and off-road exploration.

The G Class is already on roads now, with basic options starting at $123,600 USD. Most recently, Mercedes-Maybach revealed the safety symbol-projection feature of its 2019 S-Class.

SOURCE : CAR SCOOPS, HYPEBEAST

Oceanco has released its new super yacht, called the Tuhura. The vehicle, created in collaboration with Lobanov design studio, BMT Nigel Gee and Achille Salvagni, it looks to the past for its design inspiration. The exterior is modelled after canoes that were used by Polynesians. Igor Lobanov, from the eponymous studio, described the thinking behind the boat in a statement.“Our Tuhura is a simple idea. The thought was to take a natural shape similar to those seen in the earliest canoe-type craft and augment it multifold to a larger scale, using modern technology.”

The interior uses teak, gunmetal and bronze throughout while the engine is a hybrid Azipod CRP propulsion system. The system enables the vessel to move at speeds of up to 18 knots, an impressive speed for the 377-foot yacht. You can get more information about Oceanco’s Tuhura yacht from the company’s website.

In other yacht news, ENATA has created a “flying” yacht.

SOURCE: UNCRATE, ΗΥPEBEAST

For the latest in its XDiavel line, Ducati has handed creative control to Fred Krugger, one of the motorbiking world’s best known customizers. The resulting bike is named the Ducati ‘Thiverval’ after a small racetrack on the outskirts of Paris, and was first shown to the world at the recent 2017 Bikers’ Classics Lifestyle Village. Krugger’s twist on the bike features a full exposed engine and hidden trellis frame to simplify the bike’s lines, while the XDiavel’s superstructures have been completely rebuilt from the original. The customizer’s aim was to create a power cruiser that would be imaginative while also keeping its ties to the XDaviel and Ducati’s DNA. This is the third time that Ducati has produced a concept bike based on the XDiavel, with Roland Sands putting his spin on the bike and the DraXter by Ducati’s design team.

Ducati has recently been put up for sale by Audi, with the German automobile company apparently seeking $1 billion USD for the luxury Italian motorcycle brand.

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IMAGE CREDITDUCATI