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Bugatti Claims Another Speed Record
Jordan Greer
November 14, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! Today, we're taking a look at the latest record-breaker from Molsheim as Bugatti sets a 282mph landmark for topless cars, while more chaos in F1 sees Liberty Media’s CEO depart — possibly opening the door for Andretti to join in 2026. As you savor these stories, consider sharing SpeedBites with fellow car enthusiasts who might enjoy our daily dose of automotive excitement.
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Bugatti's W16 Mistral has set a new world record for open-top cars, achieving a top speed of 453.91 km/h (282 mph) during a run at the ATP Automotive Testing facility in Papenburg on November 9th. This unique customer car, valued at €14 million and one of 99 to be produced, is part of The Singh Collection, which includes all previous Bugatti world record holders.
While Tesla has achieved a production milestone by manufacturing its 100 millionth 4680 battery cell, the founder of the world’s largest battery manufacturer CATL is not impressed with the cylindrical battery’s format. Robin Zeng expressed skepticism about the viability of Tesla's approach, also criticizing Musk's tendency to set overly ambitious timelines for product development.
The Ferrari Roma, introduced five years ago, has a prototype successor spotted in Maranello, suggesting it will feature a heavily facelifted design while likely adopting a new name. Although specific details remain unclear, potential updates may include revised fascias and an updated interior, with speculation that the successor could incorporate hybrid technology as Ferrari shifts toward electrification.
Chevrolet’s Corvette Z06 recently recorded an unofficial lap time of 7:10.51 at the Nurburgring, driven by Sport Auto's Christian Gebhardt, surpassing the times of competitors like the Porsche 918 Spyder and Dodge Viper ACR. The Z06, which features a 670-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 engine, was tested in its US-spec configuration with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and no particulate filter.
Polestar has introduced a more affordable, longer-range variant of its Polestar 3 electric SUV, with the 2025 Long Range Polestar 3 RWD offering up to 350 miles of range and starting at $67,500. This new model features a single rear motor producing 295hp and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, contrasting with the more powerful AWD version that has a range of 315 miles and starts at $73,400.
The Tesla Cybertruck is facing its sixth recall since deliveries began nearly a year ago, with the latest issue involving a fault in the drive inverter that may lead to a sudden loss of propulsion for 2,431 vehicles manufactured between November 2023 and July 2024. Tesla initiated this recall after a customer reported a propulsion failure, although the company has not recorded any related collisions or injuries.
The YangWang U9, BYD's fully electric supercar with 1287hp, recently achieved a top speed of 391.94 km/h, making it the fastest Chinese production car to date. However, despite extensive testing at the famed German location, its best Nurburgring lap time of 7:17.900 leaves it behind some of its key rivals — which include the record-holding Porsche Taycan.
A drag race organized by DragTimes brought together the Lucid Air Sapphire, Rimac Nevera, and Tesla Model S Plaid, with a combined output of 4,108 horsepower. While the Rimac consistently outperformed the others on the half-mile strip, the Tesla and Lucid displayed comparable speeds despite a significant horsepower difference, suggesting a need for broader competition among various EV manufacturers.
Mercedes has announced that the entry-level AMG GT43 Coupe, sporting a two-liter, four-cylinder engine derived from that of the A45, will starts at $107,050, making it one of the most expensive four-cylinder cars ever made. With the engine mounted longitudinally, rather than transversely in its compact siblings, the 416hp GT43 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
A prototype of the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, likely representing one of the last naturally aspirated models before the brand shifts to hybrid or turbocharged technology due to tightening emissions regulations. While the GT3 RS is expected to retain a similar power output and performance metrics as its predecessor, future models may see a reduction in torque and the introduction of hybrid features.
Ford's production of the Explorer Electric and the Capri reboot has been impacted by declining sales and challenging market conditions for electric vehicles, leading to reduced output at the Cologne factory and a shift to alternating work schedules for employees. The company's market share in Europe has decreased significantly, with a reported 18% drop in passenger car sales during the first nine months of 2023, and further production cuts are anticipated in early 2025.
Stellantis brand Fiat has introduced a range of "bio-hybrid" vehicles in the South American market which combine small, ethanol-compatible combustion engine with an electric motor. This setup is featured in the Fastback and Pulse SUVs for Brazil, one of the world’s largest producers of ethanol, with two types of batteries and regenerative braking helping to improve fuel efficiency by over 10% compared to their non-electrified counterparts.
MOTORSPORT
Greg Maffei will step down as president and CEO of Liberty Media at the end of the year, transitioning to an advisory role, while John Malone will serve as interim CEO. Maffei played a crucial role in the acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017, which has since seen increased popularity, particularly in the US, partly due to the Netflix series "Drive To Survive".
The departure of Liberty Media’s CEO, Greg Maffei, may remove a key obstacle to Andretti Global’s entry into Formula One. Maffei was an opponent to the Andretti entry, a matter which sees Liberty Media under investigation by the US Justice Department, and his departure may lead to more favorable conditions for the Andretti-Cadillac team to join in the 2026 season.
The Monaco Grand Prix will remain on the Formula 1 calendar for an additional six years, extending its presence until 2031, with a change in race date to the first weekend of June starting in 2026 to avoid clashing with the Indianapolis 500. Despite concerns over the race's entertainment value on its narrow streets, the extension comes amid a higher sanctioning fee and improved commercial prospects following F1's partnership with LVMH and the transition of official timekeeper from Rolex to TAG Heuer.
The FIA announced the immediate removal of race director Niels Wittich, who was replaced by Rui Marques, marking the fifth change in this role within five years. Former F1 racer Christian Danner criticized the decision as misguided, highlighting the challenges of finding qualified race directors and questioning the lack of clear justification for Wittich's dismissal.
Ferrari acknowledged its delay in adopting flexi wing designs in Formula 1 due to a belief that the FIA would impose restrictions on the practice, which ultimately did not happen. Following this realization, Ferrari introduced a new flexi front wing design at the Singapore Grand Prix, contributing to a resurgence in performance, including victories in the United States and Mexico.
In response to driver complaints about extreme heat during the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, Formula 1 will mandate a "driver cooling kit" starting next season when heat hazards are declared. This system aims to reduce cockpit temperatures through various measures, including blowing cool air and enhancing cooling apertures, following encouraging test results approved by the F1 Commission.
Former F1 driver Martin Donnelly has cautioned seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton over his move to the Ferrari F1 team in 2025, concluding his long-standing association with Mercedes. Partnering with Charles Leclerc, Hamilton will face challenges if he wants to maintain the lead driver role he’s enjoyed for most of his career in a team where Leclerc has been a key figure since 2016.
Max Verstappen has the opportunity to secure his fourth consecutive Formula 1 world championship at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, following his recent victory in Brazil. Organizers are preparing for potential celebrations to mark his achievement, while ticket sales are expected to surge due to the championship still being contested, enhancing the event's appeal in the US market.
Juan Pablo Montoya has suggested that Red Bull should negotiate with Williams to acquire Carlos Sainz, especially as Sergio Perez's performances have come under scrutiny despite his contract extension. Montoya believes that if Williams is satisfied with rookie Franco Colapinto, they should consider keeping him and allowing Sainz to move to Red Bull, while also acknowledging that Perez's financial backing may keep him on the grid for another season.
Leonardo Fornaroli secured the Formula 3 championship with a last-lap overtake at Monza, despite not having won a single race during a season which has seen 12 different drivers taking the top step. Fornaroli achieved seven podium finishes throughout the season, consistently scoring points in all but two races and racking up no retirements and minimal failures to earn points, allowing him to clinch the title at the final race.
CURIOSITIES
Mike Burroughs from StanceWorks is undertaking the ambitious project of building a Ferrari F40 using an F140 V12 engine sourced from a crashed 812 Superfast. The engine, which is a more powerful variant than the original F40's V8, will undergo significant modifications, including a switch to port injection and a custom transmission, as Burroughs documents the process on his YouTube channel.
Tesla's association with Elon Musk's political shift towards the hard right has led to a decline in appeal among its traditional customer base, particularly climate-conscious consumers. As a result, a surge in anti-Musk bumper sticker sales reflects the growing discomfort among current Tesla owners, with products like "I Bought This Before We Knew Elon Was Crazy" gaining significant popularity since their launch in early 2023.
Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, faced backlash after a video showed him driving a Lamborghini Revuelto at nearly 100mph in a 35 mph zone, which he later deleted. In response to the criticism, Brownlee acknowledged his mistake, apologized, and removed the clip, emphasizing the need for responsibility in his content.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, has shifted his focus from acquiring high-end supercars to investing in art, stating that the AMG One he purchased recently will be his last supercar for the foreseeable future. He expressed a preference for classic cars over modern designs, citing their unique sound and emotional appeal, while also hinting at the possibility of acquiring vintage Ferraris as he joins the Maranello team in 2025.
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