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Ex-Top Gear Host's BMW M5 Stolen
Andrew Evans
July 22, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Renault 5 Turbo 3E aims for Nurburgring record
LMH/LMDh classes set for possible unification
Test Drive Unlimited game’s Year 2 roadmap includes houses
Chinese brands may have faked sales figures
Circuit Zandvoort hit by deluge, disrupting operations
...and more!
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Chinese automakers Neta and Zeekr have reportedly manipulated their sales figures by insuring vehicles before actual sales occurred, allowing them to meet ambitious targets under industry practices. This tactic, which may have begun as early as 2022, has prompted the Chinese government to consider regulations that would prevent cars from being resold within six months of registration to curb such practices.
Renault is preparing to challenge the electric lap record at Nürburgring with its powerful 5 Turbo 3E, which boasts a dual rear motor setup producing 533bhp. The company aims to secure the title for the fastest rear-wheel drive electric vehicle, leveraging advanced technology and lightweight materials to enhance performance on the iconic track.
Nissan is reportedly planning to close two manufacturing plants in Mexico, including the historic Civac facility, as part of a strategy to streamline operations and reduce production capacity. This decision is aligned with the company's broader Re:Nissan initiative aimed at cutting costs and consolidating production amid ongoing challenges in the automotive market.
Stellantis, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, is expecting a $2.7bn loss for the first half of 2025, with four major factors affecting the downturn. The brand, which owns Dodge, Jeep, and Ram in the USA, as well as Citroen, FIAT, and Peugeot in Europe, cites higher industrial costs, changes in currency exchange rates, and costs from changing strategies that includes cancelling hydrogen fuel cell projects, as well as US tariffs.
A new British automotive venture, Larkin, is set to introduce the Feroxa, a limited-edition speedster based on the previous generation Aston Martin Vantage. The car will employ extensive use of carbon fiber, expected to keep the weight down to around 1,300kg, while the ten cars will be available with either the 4.3-liter V8 or a V12 engine, both paired with a manual transmission, with pricing information undisclosed.
The UK government has introduced a new Electric Car Grant aimed at enhancing the affordability of electric vehicles, allocating £650 million for grants of up to £3,750 for qualifying models. With a list of eligible vehicles not yet published, Chinese marque Great Wall Motor has pre-emptively reduced prices on its Ora 03 lineup by £3,750, making the entry-level model more competitive at £21,245.
Clearmotion has created an innovative active suspension system that can be integrated into a wide range of vehicles, expected to include upcoming models from Porsche. This technology allows for precise control of wheel movement, enhancing ride comfort and stability by independently managing the load on each tire, while being adaptable to both 12V and 48V electrical systems.
Tesla faces potential repercussions from the California DMV over allegations of misleading advertising related to its driver-assist technologies, which the agency claims exaggerate the systems' capabilities. The DMV is pursuing a temporary suspension of Tesla's car sales license in California, a move that could significantly impact the company's operations in one of its largest markets.
Lexus will no longer sell the hybrid V6 variant of the LC500 in the US for 2026, with the brand confirming that only the V8 model will be available next year, following disappointing sales figures. Although other markets may retain the hybrid model, only eight examples were sold in the US last year, resulting in it being phased out in favor of the more powerful V8 version.
MOTORSPORT
The Hypercar/GTP category in endurance racing merges two distinct technical frameworks, LMH and LMDh, leading to ongoing discussions about potential regulatory changes to enhance competitiveness. As manufacturers express their concerns over perceived disparities, the ACO and FIA are contemplating a possible convergence of these regulations, with discussions suggesting a timeline for adjustments as early as 2028.
Heavy rainfall affected several regions in the Netherlands on Monday, particularly impacting Circuit Zandvoort, which is set to host the Dutch Grand Prix in a few weeks. The deluge affected both the circuit and access roads, resulting in delays to the track schedule including F1 Academy testing, though no surface damage has been reported.
Laurent Mekies is set to face significant media scrutiny during his debut as Red Bull's team principal at the Belgian GP, following the departure of Christian Horner. With a challenging environment ahead, Mekies will need to navigate the pressures of leading a championship-winning team while fostering unity among his colleagues amidst recent upheavals.
Aston Martin is preparing to introduce a significant new element to its vehicle at the Belgian Grand Prix as it continues to refine its plans for the 2025 season, according to team principal Andy Cowell. Following recent upgrades that led to a successful double-points finish at the British Grand Prix, the team is eager to further enhance its car.
Pirelli's planned experiment to alter tire strategies at the Belgian Grand Prix may be jeopardized by incoming rain, following a recent heatwave in north-west Europe ending in heavy showers. As the brand seeks to create variability in race strategies by changing the hard compound from C2 to C1, unpredictable weather could hinder its efforts to encourage teams to adopt more diverse pit stop strategies.
Fred Vasseur asserts that the challenge of managing tyre temperatures has been a persistent issue in Formula 1 for over two decades, particularly intensifying since Pirelli became the exclusive tyre supplier in 2011. He notes that while McLaren currently excels in maintaining tyre performance under varying conditions, the overall competitiveness of the field remains a complex interplay of track characteristics and team strategies.
Nissan is emphasizing its commitment to electric vehicles during the ABB FIA Formula E finale in London, debuting a new teal blue design that honors the upcoming UK-manufactured Leaf. As the team competes for crucial championship points, the revamped Leaf aims to meet modern consumer demands with enhanced performance and a more appealing design, despite recent production challenges.
During the NHRA's Northwest Nationals in Seattle, Brittany Force achieved a remarkable speed of 341.85mph in her semifinal race, setting a new record for the fastest run since the series transitioned to a 1,000-foot distance in 2008. Despite this impressive feat, her vehicle experienced an engine shutdown in the final round, preventing her from clinching the championship after a strong performance throughout the event.
CURIOSITIES
Chris Harris, a former Top Gear presenter, recently alerted his Instagram followers about the theft of his beloved BMW M5, which he had owned for nearly 20 years. After a swift response from one of his followers, the car was located and returned, although it sustained some damage during the ordeal.
As Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown approaches its first anniversary, developer KT Racing is looking ahead at Year 2 which will introduce significant updates aimed at revitalizing the game after a challenging debut. Along with improvements to the underlying game engine, the second year will also bring an improved economic system, new community-driven event types, and houses, following the Season 4 introduction of the Casino.
Adrien Brody, the acclaimed actor known for films like The Pianist, has joined Porsche as a brand ambassador and recently visited its headquarters in Stuttgart for a short film titled The Intern. During his tour, he encountered intriguing design sketches from Grant Larson, which revealed alternative concepts for the Carrera GT and other models, highlighting the creative possibilities that were ultimately set aside.
A woman in Ireland recently encountered a surprising situation when she followed Google Maps to what she believed was a new Lidl supermarket, only to find herself at a filming set instead. Misled by the app's listing of a fictional store, she was directed to a real supermarket nearby after security intervened, highlighting the potential for confusion with online navigation tools.
During a federal court hearing, the driver involved in a fatal 2019 Tesla crash recounted that the vehicle's Autopilot system did not alert him to an imminent collision or activate the brakes. While navigating a dimly lit road in Florida, he became distracted while searching for his phone and failed to notice the approaching T intersection, resulting in a collision that claimed the life of a young woman and seriously injured her companion.
Ferrari occasionally endorses modifications to its vehicles, as demonstrated by a 1993 F40 LM which will come up for sale at auction next month at an estimated $8.5-$9.5m. One of just 19 racing-prepped examples, this modified example has been certified by Ferrari Classiche and boasts significant enhancements, including a 760hp engine.
Maxwell Hazan, a motorcycle customizer based in Los Angeles, has developed a unique bike featuring a V8 engine sourced from a Ferrari F355, known as the HF355. This project required Hazan to create a specialized frame and bodywork to accommodate the powerful engine and transmission, ensuring the bike remains lightweight while capable of managing its impressive output of approximately 400 horsepower.
In Canada, criminals are exploiting legitimate Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to register and sell stolen cars, with an estimated 140,000 cloned VINs currently in circulation. The ease of accessing VINs through public listings on sales platforms has raised concerns, as it may inadvertently facilitate these illicit activities.
A driver struck a crowd in East Los Angeles early in the morning, injuring over thirty individuals, with several sustaining serious injuries. Following the incident, the driver, identified as Fernando Ramirez, was shot by an unknown assailant after being pulled from his vehicle, and while he received medical attention, authorities continue to investigate both the crash and the shooting.
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