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Ferrari F80's V6 Soundtrack Fails to Impress
Jordan Greer
October 22, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! This morning we’re reading that petrolhead reaction to the Ferrari F80 hypercar remains mixed, with a muted reaction to its similarly muted soundtrack in a new video from Imola. If these stories rev your engines, why not share the thrill with friends who might enjoy our daily dose of automotive excitement?
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Response to Ferrari’s decision to use a V6 for its F80, the brand's first flagship hypercar in over a decade, has been mixed and a new video showing the car lapping Imola has revealed that few will be convinced by its soundtrack. The F80 produces around 250 more horsepower than the LaFerrari's V12, thanks to the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine aided by three electric motors, and the engine choice links it to the current SF-24 F1 car and the Le Mans-winning 499P prototype.
Tesla's Cybertruck range extender, initially promised for early 2025, has been delayed to mid-2025 and now offers a lower estimated range of 445+ miles, down from the previously advertised 470+ miles. This reduction in range and the extended timeline highlight Tesla's ongoing challenges with ambitious commitments, as the company struggles to meet the specifications initially announced by CEO Elon Musk in 2019.
Audi has unveiled the pricing for the 2025 RS6 Avant GT, which starts at $198,900 and is limited to just 660 units, with only 85 allocated for the North American market. While it features performance enhancements like carbon fiber body panels and unique suspension components, potential buyers may find better value in the standard RS6 Performance, which shares the same engine and offers many of the GT's options at a significantly lower price.
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is set to receive a facelift that includes a new XRT trim designed for off-road capabilities, featuring enhanced ground clearance and rugged design elements. This model will also offer improved range, a Tesla NACS charging port, and is expected to begin deliveries in the U.S. this fall, qualifying for a $3,750 tax credit, with potential for a full $7,500 credit once production ramps up at Hyundai's new Georgia facility.
Alcon Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, Elon Musk, and Warner Bros. Discovery, claiming that an AI image generator was fed stills from Blade Runner 2049 to create promotional art for the “We, Robot” event to create backdrops that mimicked the movie without proper authorization. The lawsuit claims that WBD and Tesla requested permission for the use of the imagery a few hours before the event, which Alcon did not grant as it does not want to be associated with Musk or Tesla, and asserts that Tesla used the images despite this refusal.
The 2025 BMW M235 has sparked criticism among automotive enthusiasts due to its new badge convention, which features the "35" in a smaller font, leading to concerns about the dilution of the M brand's identity. This backlash reflects broader dissatisfaction with BMW's recent design choices and the perceived shift away from the performance-focused ethos that has historically defined the brand.
A Lamborghini Huracan crashed in the Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany, New York, after the driver lost control while navigating a winding road at high speed, resulting in the vehicle being severely damaged and later catching fire. Fortunately, the driver emerged unhurt and escaped the wreckage before the fire consumed the car, which was left in a mangled state.
Alpine plans to launch seven electric vehicles by 2030, starting with the A290 GT in 2025, which is based on the Renault 5 E-Tech and features a single motor with 217 hp. The brand aims to maintain a sense of lightness in its new models, including the A390_β concept, through a tri-motor setup and advanced torque vectoring, despite the vehicles being larger and heavier than their predecessors.
Ford has filed a patent for a vehicle-based security system that utilizes drones to extend monitoring capabilities beyond the vehicle's immediate surroundings. The system allows vehicle owners to establish monitoring areas and employs various technologies, including radar and infrared cameras, with the potential for autonomous vehicles to communicate with the drones while patrolling designated routes.
The Audi A2 has been reimagined as a one-off electric vehicle, the A2 e-tron, created by the company's apprentice program to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original model. While retaining the original's proportions, the new design features modern elements such as slimmer LED headlights, camera-based mirrors, and updated taillights, though details about the electric powertrain remain undisclosed.
MOTORSPORT
Having recently announced that the Drag Reduction System (DRS) feature will not be part of the 2026 regulations, Formula 1 has revealed its first ever sponsored DRS zones at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix. Duracell's logos will be featured prominently, through illuminated signage, at the showpiece event in Nevada.
Lando Norris needs to consistently outscore Max Verstappen while contending with his aggressive tactics on the track, as seen in the recent race in Austin and earlier in the season in Austria. Despite Norris's speed, his current inability to deal with Verstappen’s tactics highlights a psychological battle that may require him to adapt his racing style to overcome Verstappen's dominance in order to win the 2024 title.
Kiro Race Co has introduced its new Formula E car and livery for the 2024/25 season, marking its first appearance since a complete rebrand and a technical partnership with Porsche for Gen3 powertrains. While the team has yet to announce its driver lineup, the striking black and fluorescent yellow design aims to ensure visibility on the track and in the paddock, reflecting the team's identity and aspirations.
AO by TF secured an automatic invitation to the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours after finishing second in the European Le Mans Series season finale at Portimao, where they were crowned champions. The race concluded with dramatic twists, including a drive-through penalty for United Autosports that impacted the championship standings, while other class titles were decided in similarly close finishes.
Oscar Piastri received a five-second time penalty during the sprint race for forcing Pierre Gasly off the track, a decision he felt was inconsistent given similar incidents involving other drivers - particularly one involving his team-mate Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. Other drivers expressed their views that Piastri's penalty was harsh, highlighting the challenges in interpreting racing rules consistently across different scenarios.
With 162 races under his belt, Lance Stroll has set a record for the most Formula 1 race starts without achieving a fastest lap, surpassing Johnny Herbert's previous record of 161 races. Stroll has faced a downturn in form recently, failing to score points in his last six races, while Alex Albon is the only other current driver with over 100 starts without a fastest lap.
CURIOSITIES
Jeremy Clarkson recently faced serious health issues while on vacation, ultimately requiring emergency surgery that resulted in the placement of a coronary artery stent . At 64, Clarkson has shifted his focus from "The Grand Tour" to projects like "Clarkson's Farm" and continues to write car reviews and work on a new book.
Hurricane Milton caused significant damage in Florida, including two Porsches - a 911 GT3 and a Boxster - being pushed into a homeowner's swimming pool. While some parts of the cars may be salvageable the extensive water damage, particularly to the Boxster, suggests that recovery efforts would be complex and costly, likely requiring a complete engine rebuild for the GT3.
Dunedin International Airport in New Zealand has implemented a three-minute time limit on hugs in its drop-off zone to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours, with a provision allowing free parking for up to 15 minutes. The airport's CEO explained that the three-minute duration is based on research indicating that 20 seconds is needed for the release of "happy hormones" from a hug, while longer embraces could lead to awkwardness.
The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta in Maine featured a unique event where a giant pumpkin, weighing approximately 1,000 pounds, was dropped from a crane onto a Mercury Sable, resulting in significant damage to the vehicle. After a hiatus during the pandemic, this year's festival celebrated the return of the pumpkin drop, showcasing the spectacle of a giant squash's destructive potential - though it doesn’t come off any better.
Italian movie producer Andrea Iervolino is developing a biopic about Ettore Bugatti, the founder and first CEO of the iconic automotive brand, which will explore his life from its beginnings to the company's establishment in 1909 and the challenges it faced after his son's death in 1939. Filming is scheduled to start in 2025 in France and Italy, and the film will be produced in English, following Iervolino's previous projects on Lamborghini and Ferrari.
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