Aston Martin is on a tear lately. In addition to launching a luxury SUV and fielding a competitive Formula One team, the automaker is launching eight new front-engine sports cars in the near future. Judging from the multitude of spy photos and press events, it's also putting in the work, keeping the Aston Martin name at the top of the news cycle. That's why seeing the Vantage turning laps at the Nurburgring is not surprising.

We've seen lots of spy photos of the new Aston Martin Vantage recently, but this is the first time it's turned up at the track. The sounds indicate it's powered by a V8, possibly an updated 4.0-liter twin-turbo from the current car. The engine sounds muted but emits a feral growl accelerating out of turns. The F1 Edition of this motor produced 527 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque and is a good basis for estimating the new car's power.

The Vantage makes quick work of other, slower cars on the Nurburgring, passing them with a burst of its V8 soundtrack. As for the car itself, it seems very composed and neutral, never looking off balance or out of shape. Except for the occasional tire squeal, there's no drama, just fast, precise driving. We thought flinging the current Vantage around was an enjoyable experience, and the new version looks like more of the same. 

As we saw previously with the Vantage Roadster, the new coupe appears to be more of a refresh than a completely new design. Based on recent renderings, it will likely share a lot of the design with the new DB12, including the new front-end styling. Like most Aston Martins of the past quarter century, the current car's styling is handsome and timeless but could use an interior makeover starting with the infotainment system.     

More On Aston Martin:

In addition to the new Vantage, Aston Martin recently debuted the new DB12 at its Q New York location. It also plans to unveil its EV plans next week as part of its strategy for the next five years, including its first electric vehicle for 2026.   

Source: CarSpy Media via YouTube

The latest Transformers movie is here in time for the summer blockbuster season. Titled "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," it is in theaters now to take audiences on an adventure set in the 1990s. It also introduces a new faction of Transformers called the Maximals and features the Autobots, with a Porsche 911 Carrera named Mirage taking a central role. 

More specifically, Mirage is a 964 series Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 when in car form, a particularly rare model that is an unusual choice to base a hero on. However, according to Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Marketing Communications at Porsche AG, the Carrera RS 3.8 is perfect because of Mirage's character traits, describing him as "A tough character with a good heart and a bit of a rebellious streak now and again." 

Porsche only built 55 units of the Carrera RS 3.8, which are highly valuable today. Five picture cars were built to look like the original car to avoid the risk of damage and fulfill specific functions. One car was modified to go backward at high speed, while another was prepared for stunt sequences. Additional cars were built for close-ups or scenes involving the actors interacting with the car. 

The only area where a real Carrera RS 3.8 was used is sound design. “It was important to us to represent the sound of the 911 model depicted in the film,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. “It was extremely ambitious due to the number of cars needed from a limited production 911, but we are thrilled with the result and hope audiences are too.”

What makes "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" unique is the level of involvement the production team had with Porsche, which was very hands-on with the development of Mirage. According to Irene Trachtenberg, SVP of Worldwide Marketing Partnerships at Paramount, that partnership "brought our Autobot Mirage to life in a most unique, iconic, and unforgettable way."   

More Transformers:

As for Porsche, it has been actively promoting the movie on its YouTube site and through social media. The automaker is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has been very active in sponsoring exhibits and releasing videos to commemorate the milestone. 

Source: Porsche via YouTube

The Toyota GR86 and GR Supra are two sports cars with decades’ worth of heritage behind them. The Supra nameplate, of course, has been around since the early 1980s and peaked for enthusiasts with the iconic fourth generation from the mid-90s. And even though the two cars don't technically share a name, the GR86 has the Sprinter/Corolla AE86 to thank for its current 10-year run. Both cars debut for 2024 with packages honoring that long lineage.

The Supra's new 45th Anniversary Edition trim pays tribute to the nameplate as a whole, but more specifically, the MkIV with some of its unique features. A Mikan Blast paint job, which translates to orange in Japanese – the fruit, not the color – is a subtle nod to the MkIV. It's similar to the Plasma Orange Edition released overseas, and although Toyota won't admit it, designers probably looked to Paul Walker's Supra from The Fast And The Furious for inspiration.

Black 19-inch wheels, a black graphics package along the door panels, and an adjustable rear wing painted in gloss black join the orange paint. The wing is another subtle nod to the MkIV Supra, even though it dwarfs in size compared to the original.

Buyers can add the 45th Anniversary Edition package to the Supra 3.0 Premium grade with either the eight-speed automatic or the six-speed manual transmission. The turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine is still good for 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque.

The Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition throws it back to 1984 with a black-and-white, two-tone look that honors the original Sprinter Trueno – or AE86 – a car made famous thanks to its starring role in the anime Initial D. The 86 also comes with new 18-inch wheels, "Trueno" badges on the front and rear bumpers, and a matte black graphics package on the door panels to match its matte black hood.

But unlike the Supra, the GR86 actually does get some performance enhancements. The Performance Pack makes its debut for 2024 atop the Trueno Edition and adds upgraded Sachs dampers and Brembo brakes. The Performance Pack is standard on the Trueno Edition, but owners of 2022 and 2023 GR86 models can also retrofit the option onto their cars.

The GR86 with the manual also adds a new Active Safety Suite for 2024, which includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and high-beam headlight assist.

These special edition sports cars will be limited, so get them while you can. Toyota says it will build just 900 examples of the Supra 45th Anniversary Edition – half in Mikan Orange and another half in Absolute Zero white – while there will be just 860 examples of the GR86 Trueno. Both of these cars will be available in the winter, but no word on pricing yet.

Toyota's GR Sports Cars:

The Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition was sort of the darling of the bunch when the hot hatch debuted last year. The base Core model didn't have enough features and the Morizo Edition, while well-equipped, was pricey and limited to just 200 examples in the US. But we have good news: The GR Corolla Circuit Edition returns for 2024 and brings with it some new features.

The first thing you notice is the paint; the Circuit Edition borrows the Blue Flame hue similar to the paint on the GR86 and the base Corolla Hatchback for 2024. The new 18-inch BBS wheels are the same shoes found on the likely discontinued Morizo Edition. As for the body, there's a forged carbon roof, a larger rear spoiler, and new black graphics on the rocker panels that extend out to meet the stamped "GR-FOUR" emblem.

The upgrades inside are subtler but still stylish. Blue stitching lines the cabin, from the door panels and steering wheel to the gear lever and seats. There's even a new blue stripe down the center of the shift knob that matches the Blue Flame exterior. And in terms of tech, the eight-speed JBL premium audio system now comes standard.

Nothing changes mechanically, meaning the GR Corolla is still a feisty performer. The Circuit Edition uses the same turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine as last year boasting 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission and an adjustable all-wheel-drive system. The front and rear limited-slip differentials remain.

No word yet on how much the 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Circuit Edition will cost when it goes on sale this winter, but last year’s model started at $36,995 with the $1,095 destination fee included, so expect a slight increase from that. And if you want one, you’ll have to move quickly; Toyota will only build 1,600 examples of the Corolla Circuit Edition this year.

The Feisty Toyota GR Corolla:

Photos: Jeff Perez For Motor1.com, Toyota

Source: Toyota

The world is littered with abandoned cars. They’re tucked away in garages, hiding in barns, and rotting in forests and fields. One such example might have been tossed aside a bit too soon, with a 1987 Land Rover Range Rover found abandoned in a forest in Wales with just 23,000 miles on the odometer.

The outside of the Land Rover is covered in a thick layer of grime, with the hood hiding under decaying leaves and icky green lesions. The cabin is now a makeshift garage packed with other forgotten belongings, but a fairly pristine interior lurks underneath the stuff. The buttons in the center console remain shiny, and the dials on the dash are still clearly visible, revealing the 23,000-mile odometer reading.

The Range Rover’s low mileage is noticeable under the hood. The engine bay is dirty from years in the woods, but the engine looks to be in good condition, as does the SUV’s underbody. A sticker shows it was last registered for the road in 2005 and has likely been sitting there since then. The tires, with still a considerable amount of tread left, are completely flat.

The Range Rover was found sitting sandwich between an old Subaru Impreza and another Land Rover. Both are in dismal condition, covered in sap, grime, and dirt, with flat tires and their wheels sunk into the ground. 

Check Out These Abandoned Cars That Weren’t Forgotten:

A check of the low-mileage Range Rover’s license plate reveals it’s a 1987 model, according to CarCheck.co.uk. The Land Rover was originally blue, which is kind of visible through the dirt. Under the hood is the automaker’s 3.5-liter V8 engine, which was rated at 165 horsepower 35 years ago and has a top speed of 107 miles per hour.

What compels someone to just abandoned a car in the woods? It’s a tad sad that a person parked it there, walked away, and never returned. The car and stuff in it mattered to someone at some point, but now it all sits rotting. The SUV might not be in excellent condition, but its low-milage status would make it a great candidate for restoration.

Source: IMSTOKZE / YouTube

Offered only in a two-door body style with a six-speed manual transmission, the 2024 Mini John Cooper Works 1to6 Edition is an analog hot hatch in a digital world. There's nothing mini about the price tag, however, which begins with a $45,300 base price. Add the mandatory $995 destination fee, and the 1to6 will ding your bank account to the tune of $46,295.

For the record, the standard Mini Cooper two-door hatch starts at $26,795 and the JCW jumps to $36,395. Mini says the 1to6 Edition includes the Iconic option package, adding all kinds of features like a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, navigation, a heads-up display, and more. The package is a $7,400 add-on, and the 1to6 Edition plugs another $2,500 into the mix. As for other options, Mini says this is a fixed-specification deal so in theory, there shouldn't be anything else to plug in.

By fixed specification, Mini means you can have the 1to6 in any color you want, as long as it's black. Midnight Black to be exact, and it also rides on black 18-inch wheels. There's no contrasting roof option, but a gray stripe does span the hood and top. And since it's a special model, of course you get requisite 1to6 badging saying as much. There's also a serial number on the dash identifying the model in the run of just 999 units. So while it's a bit pricey, it's also a rare, well-equipped Mini.

It may also be the end of an era for the celebrated hatchback. It's no secret that Mini is moving towards electrification, and for a short stretch, even the internal-combustion models didn't offer a manual transmission. The Mini JCW 1to6 could be the last new offering to feature a three-pedal arrangement.

More From Mini:

Those seeking a 1to6 for their garage can place a preorder now with a $500 deposit. Mini expects production to begin in the third quarter of 2023, and while 999 units are planned, that's actually a global production number. 150 will be sold in the UK, with the remaining 849 offered in North America.

Source: Mini

Cars.com has released its annual American-Made Index report listing the 100 vehicles with the most content from the United States. Tesla dominates the top of this year's ranking, but there are fascinating things deeper in the list, too. Pickups are among the most popular vehicle segments in the US, with millions of trucks selling each year. Let's see which ones are on top for 2023.

The Honda Ridgeline ranks ninth, making it the only pickup in the top ten of this year's American-Made Index. The Toyota Tundra is nearly up there by coming in twelfth place.

Cars.com determines the American-Made Index ranking through five major factors:

The researchers rank each vehicle on a 100-point scale. However, Cars.com doesn't publish this score or the calculation methodology. When there's a tie, the vehicle with the heavier curb weight earns the higher position.

These criteria explain why a vehicle like the Hyundai Santa Cruz can rank higher than the Chevrolet Silverado, which many folks would consider a quintessentially American pickup.

NHTSA publishes info on all of these criteria except for information about the manufacturing workforce. The table below combines this info with the Cars.com ranking.

Electric trucks like the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV aren't on the 2023 list because they weigh over 8,500 pounds. This means they don't have to comply with the American Automobile Labeling Act, which lists where parts and components for a vehicle come from. Rivian manufactures vehicles in Normal, Illinois, and the Hummer comes from the Factory Zero Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center in Michigan.

Previous Years Of The American-Made Index:

Source: Cars.com, NHTSA

Opel has big plans as it settles in at its new home with Stellantis. The brand's Grandland successor will become a battery-electric vehicle riding on the STLA Medium platform, coinciding with its efforts to become a fully electric brand in a few years. Before that happens, Opel will update the Combo Life van, which was recently spied wearing some camouflage. 

All the changes Opel will make are at the front of the van, but it doesn't want us to see them just yet. The Combo wears a thick wrap over the fascia and bumper, concealing the new design. Even with the cover, we can spot the restyled air intakes on the outer edges of the front bumper that also house the fog lights.

The new bumper will sit below a redesigned grille. It's difficult to tell if it'll grow or shrink, but whatever Opel decides, the automaker will surround it with revamped headlights featuring new internal graphics.

Opel left the van's rear completely exposed because it didn't change anything. The automaker isn't making any updates to the back at the moment. The rear bumper and taillights remain unchanged, and a small roof spoiler continues to add a splash of sportiness to the Combo Life.

The Combo Life rides on the PSA EMP2 platform, accommodating electrified and fully electric powertrains. However, Opel moved in 2022 to only sell the passenger version as the electric Combo-e and its rebranded variants in Europe to individual customers, offering combustion drivetrains in countries outside the European Union. The company wants to become a fully electric brand in Europe by 2028.

Here’s More Opel News:

The van's updated styling should include upgrades to the Combo-e Life's electric powertrain. Opel will likely increase the battery capacity and improve the range, which currently sits at 177 miles (285 kilometers) based on Europe's WLTP. We don't expect the brand to update the rest of the lineup's powertrain options significantly.

Opel isn't making substantial changes to the van, so we should see it debut soon. It's unclear when that will be, but we wouldn't be surprised if it happened before the end of the year. The Combo went on sale in late 2019 and is due for its mid-cycle refresh.

The brand is one of a dozen inside Stellantis, the new company formed from the PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles merger in 2021. It happened a few years after PSA Group acquired Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors. Stellantis said shortly after the merger that every brand would have an opportunity to succeed. In late 2022, the company said the merger was working well for all brands so far.

Source: Automedia

The latest film from The Grand Tour team is officially out. Called Eurocrash, it sees the iconic motoring trio of James May, Jeremy Clarkson, and Richard Hammond set off on a 1,400-mile road trip across Eastern Europe. But since we're talking about Clarkson, Hammond, and May, you know there's a bit more to it than that.

If you haven't seen the latest episode, this 20-minute clip on The Grand Tour's YouTube channel can serve as both a prologue and epilogue to the recent adventure. By that, we mean there are only limited spoilers that won't hurt your viewing pleasure for those who haven't seen the episode just yet. On the other hand, there's just enough content to offer a satisfying wrap-up to those who caught the nearly two-hour special.

Obviously, Clarkson's car survived the trip and for those who have no idea what this white monstrosity is, behold the Mitsuoka Le-Seyde. At its core exists the foundation of a Nissan Silvia S13, including the naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine mounted at the front. The Le-Seyde's wheelbase is a tad stretched however, with the front wheels living in a different country from the backside. That leaves plenty of room beneath that miles-long hood for the engine, but only just enough room in the cabin for two passengers.

The video offers a bit more insight into the car, including the funny realization that Clarkson removed the Le-Seyde's normal seats for some Recaros that were bolted permanently into place. That left Hammond struggling to see over the steering wheel, never mind drive it around the Eboladrome. With a lazy lap completed, May climbs behind the wheel for his assessment of the car, candelabras clanking in the breeze. You'll be shocked to learn that neither of them are impressed.

More Grand Touring:

Apparently, Clarkson (who doesn't appear in the video) is impressed. Hammond states that after the drive, the Mitsuoka Le-Seyde is headed back to Clarkson's house where he plans to keep it. For the record, Hammond also elected to keep the Chevrolet SSR he drove in Eurocrash. As for May, he passed on keeping the tiny Crosley he drove. Apparently, he got tired of semi trucks literally blowing him off the highway.

The Grand Tour: Eurocrash is playing now on Amazon Prime. It's unclear at this time if the trio will return for another motoring special.

The new Ford Mustang will have multiple racing versions. Hot on the heels of launching the GT3 variant, the brand is now teasing the GT4 competition machine. The debut is Wednesday, June 28, at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium.

Like the GT3, the Mustang GT4 uses the high-performance Dark Horse model as a starting point. From there, Multimatic Motorsports builds it into a race car. Ford isn't yet outlining the mechanical changes for creating the competition version.

Generally, the modifications for GT4 cars include revisions to the suspension to make it adjustable for tailoring the setup for the track. The engine is usually the same as the road-going model, so this Mustang probably has a version of the 5.0-liter V8. Balance of performance for racing often limits the horsepower output to a specific range so that all of the vehicles are competitive.

For comparison, the Mustang GT3 (above) features a more aggressive body with a prominent front splitter, huge outlets on the hood, flared fenders, side-exit exhaust pipes, a swan-neck-mounted wing, and a giant diffuser. The mechanical changes include a Coyote-based 5.4-liter V8 with a carbon-fiber intake that sends the output to a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox. The suspension consists of a bespoke short-long arm setup.

Proton Competition will race the Mustang GT3 in the 2024 World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Multimatic Motorsports will compete with them in the US in the IMSA GTD Pro class. 

There are rumors that Ford might launch a road-legal version of the GT3 racer.

More Mustang News:

What Is GT4 Racing?

The GT4 racing class is a rung below the GT3. The cars are prepared explicitly for motorsport but have a lot in common with road-going machines. This makes the vehicles less expensive to purchase and run than in the higher tier.

Numerous automakers offer GT4 race cars. For example, Motor1.com has reported on the Alpine A110 GT4, BMW M4 GT4, Lotus Emira GT4, McLaren Artura GT4, Nissan Z GT4, Toyota Supra GT4, and more.

There's GT4 competition all over the world, including the GT4 Series Europe, GT4 America, and GT4 Asia.

Source: Ford

BMW is making progress on its new X2. This isn't the first time we've caught a prototype in public, but now we're seeing a bit more of the crossover's face. New spy photos show what we think is an M35i trim with some of its heavier camouflage coverings removed.

Focus your attention on the front fascia. Previously, those lower vents were partially blocked by hard covers but they're now gone. As such, it's easy to see the angled sides of the lower openings, reaching inward at the top in a manner that lines up with the bottom corners of the grille. Slim vertically-oriented vents at the sides of the fascia are also clearly visible.

The front clip looks rather aggressive. That, combined with some beefy brakes behind the front wheels and a modest spoiler at the back leads us to think this is an amped-up trim level, likely an M35i or possibly an M40i. The quad exhaust outlets further confirm that theory, but this isn't a full-fat X2 M model. Purveyors of hardcore BMW performance wanting an SUV will have to step up for an X3, or an X4 to get the coupe-like fastback styling of the X2.

Speaking of styling, the next-gen X2 won't be an evolutionary step as we often see with new BMW models. The small crossover looks larger overall, with a wider profile and a shape more reminiscent of the X4 versus the lifted hatchback vibe of the current model. It will share its platform with the X1, effectively serving as the sleeker version of the small SUV. That also means the interior layout will likely be the same, and you can expect matching powertrains as well. For the M35i (or M40i) we suspect that's the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 306 horsepower.

Spying On BMW:

We've seen X2 prototypes testing for quite some time now. Our first sighting was in October 2022, surprising us with its size and shape to the point that we initially thought it was an updated X4. With some camo now coming off, we feel confident a full debut will happen by the end of the year, making the new X2 a 2024 model.

New spy photos have captured a heavily camouflaged Audi sedan out testing. A close inspection of the images reveals the four-door with some suspiciously wide fenders that, paired with the news that Audi will rejigger its lineup nomenclature, muddies the waters on which future model this is.

Underneath the camouflage appears to be a fairly standard Audi S6. However, the wider fenders might suggest an even sportier powertrain hides beneath the sheet metal. Our sources believe this is the next-generation RS7, but Audi only offers the current model as a liftback, and the car in the spy shots is clearly a sedan.

Audi confirmed earlier this year that it would rearrange its lineup. The A4 will become the A5, and the future A6 will become the A7, allowing the automaker to use even numbers to designate EVs and odd ones for cars with combustion engines. Audi plans to launch around 20 new cars by 2025, with over half being electric vehicles.

The next-gen Audi test vehicle also sports a unique dual exhaust system that doesn’t look like the standard pipes of any model. Audi also covered the taillights with additional camouflage, unlike the vehicle our spy photographers captured in early May. The new exterior should coincide with a revamped cabin with more screens and the latest technology and safety features.

Check Out More Audi Spy Shots:

It’s unclear what Audi has planned for the model’s powertrain. The photos show the sedan with electrification markings, and the previous test vehicle also had a visible charge port. The current RS7 packs Audi’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that makes 621 horsepower. An electrified replacement should meet and exceed that figure, but expect a range of combustion engines with electrical assist available in the non-S and non-RS variants.

It’s unclear when we will see the A4 successor debut, but the revamped and new A6/A7 should arrive before it. The current-generation A6 launched for the 2019 model year and is due for a thorough makeover. The spy photos have captured a car in the early stages of its development cycle, so it might not break cover until sometime next year or arrive in the US until 2025.

Source: SH ProShots

The Ford SuperVan is a series of high-performance vehicles that combine potent engines and the brand's commercial vans, with iterations going back to the early 1970s. The fully electric Supervan 4.2 will compete with Romain Dumas as the driver in this year's 101st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

The 4.2 moniker identifies this as a tweaked version of the Supervan from the 4.0's debut at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Ford revises the aerodynamics to increase downforce for better performance on Pikes Peak's 156 turns. The additions include a carbon-fiber front splitter and rear spoiler. Also, there's weight reduction from the chassis, but the vehicle still weighs over 4,400 pounds.

The SuperVan 4.2 is less powerful than the 4.0 because Ford removes one of the electric motors. There are now three of them rather than four. This reduces the output to over 1,400 horsepower rather than 1,972 hp from the previous iteration.

The 4.0 was capable of reaching 62 miles per hour in under 2.0 seconds. Ford didn't announce acceleration figures for the 4.2, but it's likely a bit slower due to the reduced power output.

The new powertrain setup places one motor in the front and two at the rear to maintain an all-wheel-drive layout. There are also upgraded driveshafts. The company STARD supplies the Li-polymer NMC pouch cells for the battery, and it supports 600-kilowatt regeneration.

The SuperVan 4.2 also features an updated regenerative braking system with carbon-ceramic brake discs. It rides on forged magnesium wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires.

The SuperVan 4.2 is very, very loosely based on the Ford e-Transit Custom. The rear section of the body is sculpted with large open areas for improved aerodynamics, causing the vehicle to look nothing like a commercial vehicle.

The van now wears the new Ford Performance color scheme that's a mix of blue, orange, and purple. This livery debuted on the Ford Mustang GT3.

Some exciting cars are coming to this year's Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Acura is bringing an NSX with wild aero parts. The brand Radford has a similarly crazy-looking machine. Alpine has a special version of the A110 for the event.

Check out the Supervan 4.0:

Source: Ford

The next-generation Renault Master has been under development for the last several months and we’ve already caught two prototypes during the early testing phase. Today, the French company’s workhorse returns in new shots showing some progress has been made. Also, the van now moves to the southern parts of Europe for hot weather testing.

For the uninitiated, the Master is Renault’s largest light commercial vehicle, which has been in production in its current form since 2010 and has been also available with Nissan, Opel, and Vauxhall badges. Its brand-new successor is now doing early evaluations on European roads with what appears to be a production body but, possibly, placeholder lights. The Renault Master isn’t sold in the United States but has been available in South America with local production in Brazil.

For the fourth generation model, the automaker is expected to bet big on electrification. However, nothing suggests that there’s some sort of hybrid support in these two prototypes as both feature exhaust pipes at the back. Even though the diesel engine is no longer synonymous with efficiency, the LCV market on the European continent is still heavily dependent on compression ignition mills, and we expect the new Master to be available with a diesel unit. The outgoing model has a 2.3-liter dCi diesel with up to 180 horsepower, and we don’t expect a brand-new development in that regard.

Next-Gen Master Spied:

An all-electric version could also be considered a must at this point, especially given the current Master’s existing zero-emissions model. It is somewhat heavily outdated with its small 55-kilowatt-hour battery pack enough for about 120 miles (190 kilometers) of range on a single charge, and a big upgrade would be a good addition to the lineup. Last but not least, there are rumors about a potential hydrogen-powered model.

Word on the street is the new Master will be ready for a market launch next year. Depending on the exact launch date, it will be introduced on the European market as either a 2024 or a 2025 model.

Source: SH Proshots

If the McMurtry Spéirling doesn’t ring a bell, it's a pint-sized electric hypercar that shattered the Goodwood Hill Climb record last year. With ex-F1 driver Max Chilton behind the wheel, the diminutive performance EV completed the course in 39.08 seconds. The cute one-seater shaved off 0.8 seconds from the old record set by Romain Dumas in the VW ID.R in 2019. Late last year, we saw it doing 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a neck-snapping 1.4 seconds.

Fast forward to June 2023, McMurtry Automotive is happy to announce the little electric beast is going into production, albeit with a limited run of only 100 cars. We'll see a validation prototype next month at the Goodwood FoS, with pre-production prototypes to follow in 2024 ahead of customer deliveries set for 2025. As to how much it costs, you'd better sit down for this one since the Spéirling Pure is available for £820,000 before taxes. That's about $1.04 million or €954,000 at current exchange rates.

For your money's worth, you'll be getting a track-only petite EV with a carbon fiber monocoque. It measures only 3.45 meters (135.8 inches) in length, 1.58 meters (62.2 inches) in width, and just 1.02 meters (40.1 inches) in height. Despite being so low, it can still accommodate drivers up to 6'7" (two meters) in height and 150 kilograms (330 pounds) in weight thanks to the adjustable pedals and steering wheel. It packs an astounding 1,000 horsepower (745 kilowatts) in a car that weighs less than 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms).

It rides on smaller 18-inch wheels that are slightly lighter than last year's 19-inch set and are wrapped around wider 270-mm front and 300-mm rear slick tires. There's also a new fan system with 15 percent improved efficiency and 14 percent less weight compared to the old setup. The 60-kWh battery pack can be charged in just 20 minutes and will last for 10 laps of Silverstone at full tilt.

McMurtry Automotive has made additional tweaks to the suspension, bodywork, and aero while adjusting the pedal box, electrical architecture, brakes, chassis, and power steering unit to cut mass. There’s now a marginally improved gearbox, a newly developed lighter battery with better thermal management, and the option for anti-lock brakes.

The 0 to 60 mph time isn't mentioned, but if it's anything like last year's car, full-throttle acceleration won't be for the faint-hearted. Flat out, it'll do 190 mph (306 km/h).

Blink And You'll Miss It:

Source: McMurtry Automotive

The Chevrolet Corvette C8 became the first generation of the sports car to get a right-hand-drive configuration straight from the factory when it made its Japanese debut two years ago. Just recently, the Corvette Z06 was also launched in the Asian country with just a single color combination. If you go for the Corvette Stingray, however, you’ll have new customization options in the country in the form of two limited edition models.

Chevrolet is introducing the Limited Racing Style Edition and Limited Sport Style Edition in Japan as a nod to the company’s rich motorsport heritage. Each of the models is limited to just 35 units and will be available in two color combos and as a coupe or a convertible. The vehicles are already available for orders but before we see the pricing, let’s talk about the visual upgrades they have received.

Starting with the Corvette Limited Racing Style Edition, it will be sold in Hypersonic Gray or Arctic White colors with blue or red interior accents, respectively. Depending on the exterior color, the two full-length racing stripes are in black or red. The side mirror caps and the rear spoiler have a naked carbon fiber finish, while the 20-spoke aluminum alloy wheels are finished in gloss black and hide red brake calipers. 

The Corvette Limited Sport Style Edition, in turn, is a more elegant and stylish take on the sports car with a focus on the interior. The exterior lacks the racing stripes and instead, comes with a striking yellow color or a more boring black alternative. The seats inside the cabin are covered with fine Nappa leather and yellow seatbelts. 

More Special Edition Corvettes:

The most affordable Corvette Limited Racing Style Edition starts at $105,000 (14,900,000 Japanese Yen) for a Coupe 2LT in white. Go for the black Corvette Convertible and it will set you back at least $129,600 (18,400,000 Japanese Yen). If you’d rather have the Corvette Limited Sport Style Edition, prepare to spend at least $103,585 (14,700,000 Japanese Yen) for a yellow Corvette Coupe 2LT and $128,250 (18,200,000 Japanese Yen) for a yellow Corvette Convertible.

Source: Chevrolet Japan

You know electrification is inevitable when even a carmaker tailored to purists is working on an EV of its own. The Caterham Project V is back in a fresh teaser ahead of its debut on July 12. It's a big deal not just because it does away with the combustion engine, but also because it has a proper roof. Fans of the niche brand will remember the 2016 C120 was also a coupe but the project was canceled, although the concept did spawn the Alpine A110.

Caterham doesn't go into any of the technical specifications pertaining to the electric sports car, but it does mention Project V ushers in a new design language for the British marque. Consequently, it distances itself from the traditional Seven lineup. The showcar was manufactured in Italy by Italdesign and we'll see it in the flesh at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed set to take place July 13-16.

Caterham Is Working On An Electric Coupe:

Likely a two-seater, the curvaceous coupe with prominent wheel arches and a fixed metal roof is expected to have short overhangs thanks to a dedicated electric car platform. The original teaser released at the beginning of the month hinted at a smooth and clean side profile without unnecessary creases. It kind of gave us the impression of a 1990s Caterham 21 roadster redesigned into a coupe by 2023 standards.

As much as we are interested in finding out how the car looks, we're equally eager to discover how much it weighs. Caterham is known for making some of the lightest sports cars in the world, and that should carry over in the EV era. The EV Seven Concept unveiled back in May was only 70 kilograms (154 pounds) heavier than the Seven 485, so here's hoping the weight penalty has been minimized for the Project V as well.

Several other small electric sports coupes are on the way, including a zero-emission Porsche Cayman, an Alpine A110 EV replacement, and a Lotus EV to sit alongside the Emira, Norfolk's final ICE car.

Source: Caterham

With 206,816 units delivered, the Peugeot 208 was the best-selling car in Europe last year. The B-segment hatch managed to dethrone the VW Golf and therefore end its 14-year reign. It put the company with the lion badge in the number one spot for the first time after 2007 when the car's predecessor, the 207, topped the rankings. To maintain the strong sales momentum, the French are preparing a mid-cycle update for this hugely popular supermini.

Even though the 208 was unveiled in March 2019 or a few months before the 2008, Peugeot decided to prioritize the crossover's facelift, which we saw in early May. Logic tells us the subcompact hatchback can't be far behind and should inherit just about the same updates implemented in the equivalent crossover. Seen here in these first spy shots is the e-208, complete with aerodynamic wheels curiously covered in camouflage.

At the rear, the updated taillights take after the latest 2008 and should feature the familiar three-claw motif that we assume is also hiding in the front bumper since the crossover now has three vertical strips. New alloy wheel designs and fresh colors should round off the changes on the outside. The high-riding cousin can be had with new alloys varying in size from 16 to 18 inches along with a Selenium Grey, a two-tone GT with a black roof, and black mirror caps for all trims.

Our spies also peeked inside, where evidently the 208 will receive the crossover's tweaks. All iterations of the 2008 now come with a 10-inch touchscreen while the Allure and GT boast a new 10-inch digital driver's display with a 3D effect on the latter trim. With this prototype being an EV, it obviously has an automatic transmission, but Peugeot is putting a newly designed gear shift lever on the manual-equipped 2008 that should carry over to the supermini.

The e-208 was updated in late September 2022 with Stellantis' improved electric motor featuring 156 horsepower (115 kilowatts) or 20 hp (15 kW) more than before. Torque has remained the same at 260 Newton-meters (191 pound-feet). The e-motor gets its juice from a 400V battery pack with a usable capacity of 48.1 kWh, boosting the WLTP range by 10.5 percent to 400 kilometers (249 miles) on a full charge.

These Are Some Of Its Rivals:

In the 2008's case, a newly developed hybrid with a 136-hp gasoline engine and a dual-clutch six-speed automatic transmission will be added early next year. The DCT will incorporate the electric motor, and Peugeot has promised fuel consumption will go down by 15 percent compared to the equivalent non-hybrid powertrain. It also projects the crossover will be driven in the city for more than 50 percent of the time in EV mode.

The 2008 and e-2008 facelifted models are going on sale this summer and we're expecting the revised 208 to follow by year's end or early 2024.

Source: Automedia

While we are still waiting for a confirmation on whether the Ram Rampage will make it to the United States, the truck makes its official and full debut in Brazil. Production of the model started on June 6 and finally, the automaker reveals all the details about its small pickup truck that has been designed and developed in South America.

Riding on the Small Wide 4x4 platform shared with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Renegade, the Rampage resurrects a name that was last used on a production vehicle in 1984, while a concept with that name was presented in 2006. More than 800 engineers and technicians took part in the development of the unibody truck, while the total investment in the project totals more than $270 million (1.3 billion Brazilian Real). The vehicle will arrive at Ram’s dealerships across Brazil in August this year and will be produced at Stellantis’ Goiana Pernambuco plant.

This isn’t the first time we see the exterior of the 2024 Rampage – teaser images and spy photos already showed the rugged and muscular appearance of the small truck. We would like to focus on the tech side where we find two engine options available for the Brazilian market. There’s a base 2.0-liter Multijet diesel unit with 170 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, available for the Rebel and Laramie trim levels. All three models – including the R/T – can be upgraded with the 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 turbocharged gas mill good for 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of twist, making it the most powerful production truck in South America. In the R/T, there’s a dual exhaust pipe setup at the back.

Both motors are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with the more powerful one providing a 0-62 miles per hour (0-100 kilometers per hour) acceleration in 6.9 seconds in the R/T version (7.1 seconds for the Rebel and Laramie). Ram says power is always routed to all four wheels with an electronically-controlled distribution between the two axles. 

Speaking of the R/T grade, it also comes with stiffer springs and dampers and sits 10 millimeters lower to the ground compared to the two other Rampage trim levels. The Rebel, on the other hand, has model-specific 17-inch all-terrain tires. All models come as standard with ventilated disc brakes on all four corners and an electronic parking brake with an auto hold function. As far as load capacity is concerned, diesel-powered versions can carry up to 2,238 pounds (1,015 kilograms), while the Hurrican 4 engine has a limitation at 1,653 lbs (750 kg).

At launch, the 2024 Rampage will be available in Brazil with a selection of 35 original Mopar accessories, including electric running boards. Prices start at $50,108 (239,990 Brazilian Real) for the base Rebel version with a diesel engine and go up to $56,360 (269,990 Brazilian Real) for the Rampage R/T Hurricane 4.

Ram Rampage Coming To US?

Source: Ram

Look beyond the gigantic grilles and you might just notice a pair of minivans. Jokes aside, Toyota has unveiled the fourth-generation Alphard alongside the Vellfire. These follow the recently introduced posh Lexus LM, a mechanically related vehicle based on the same TNGA-K platform. We're dealing with the first Toyota models to have steps on both left and right sliding doors, with a step emerging about 220 millimeters (8.6 inches) above ground.

The boxy minivans are 4995 mm (196.6 in) long and share a massive wheelbase stretching at 3000 mm (118.1 in). Both are 1850 mm (72.8 in) wide while height depends on the model and trim level, either 1935 mm (76.2 in) or 1945 mm (76.5 in). The Alphard and Vellfire can seat up to six people in a 2+2+2 layout with second-row captain's chairs. There's now an extra 5 mm (0.2 in) between the first two rows and an additional 10 mm (0.4 in) between the second and third rows.

Toyota's new boldly styled people movers are touted as being "luxury saloons" and share a massive overhead console stretching from front to rear. It incorporates ventilation, side lighting, and an assortment of controls. The Alphard and Vellfire use the company’s first pull-down sunshades and newly developed seats that promise to be more comfortable by reducing vibrations.

Rigidity is up by 50 percent thanks to the new architecture, while the extra sound-deadening material and specific tires reduce the noise that enters the cabin. Toyota installs a MacPherson strut front suspension and a revised double wishbone rear. Owners will be able to park the vehicle remotely by using a smartphone app.

Both can be had with front- or all-wheel drive as well as a hybrid powertrain, with a plug-in hybrid setup to be added later. The most powerful of the bunch is a turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine available in the Vellfire. "Tuned to deliver a sporty sound," it makes 275 hp (205 kilowatts) and 316 pound-feet (430 Newton-meters) of torque.

Customers can also pick a hybrid based on a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with a combined output of 250 hp (184 kW). Lesser Alphard models have a non-electrified, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter, four-cylinder unit with 180 hp (134 kW) and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm). Depending on the engine, the minivans come with a CVT, an e-CVT, or an eight-speed automatic.

Toyota projects it'll sell 8,500 units per month, with the Alphard accounting for 70 percent and Vellfire the other 30 percent. Pricing varies from 5,400,000 yen to 8,720,000 yen (about $38,000 to $61,400) for the Alphard and from 6,550,000 yen to 8,920,000 yen ($46,100 to $62,800) for the Vellfire.

The minivans can not only be purchased outright but also temporarily owned through the KINTO subscription service, from 50,490 yen ($355) a month for the Alphard and 63,800 yen ($449) for the Vellfire. The models are already available to order in Japan.

The Luxed-Up Version:

Source: Toyota