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Gordon Murray S1 LM Sets $20m Auction Record
Andrew Evans
November 24, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Mercedes “Little G” spied in testing
Both McLarens disqualified from Las Vegas GP
Porsche Sonderwunsch restores first-gen Cayenne
Horner could replace Cowell at Aston Martin
China-only AUDI sub-brand reveals E SUV Concept
...and more!
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INDUSTRY NEWS
The Mercedes-Benz 'Little G' is set to debut by 2027, serving as the new introductory model in a broader G-Class lineup, akin to the offerings from JLR's Range Rover and Defender series. Recent spy images have shown a prototype that is notably smaller in height compared to its larger counterparts, featuring a distinctive design that retains the iconic elements of the G-Class while introducing unique lighting to set it apart.
A new Chinese automotive brand, also named AUDI, has announced plans to produce its second vehicle following the debut of the AUDI E5 Sportback earlier this year. The upcoming AUDI E SUV Concept, designed specifically for the Chinese market, features a dual-motor system and a range exceeding 430 miles, with a production version expected to launch in 2026.
Chinese brand Beijing’s Off-Road division, part of the BAIC group, has revealed an unusual-looking off-road prototype designed to go up against American vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler and Rezvani Tank. The ELMT Max prototype lacks doors and a roof, although owners can bolt on polycarbonate door guards for added protection from the elements, with a high ground clearance and short overhangs that hint at its purpose.
The postponement of Ford's electric truck has significant repercussions not only for potential buyers but also for the suppliers involved who are now embroiled in legal disputes over financial losses incurred due to the delays. This situation highlights the vulnerabilities within the automotive supply chain, particularly among smaller firms that lack the financial resilience to absorb the impacts of canceled or postponed projects.
Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has partnered with well-known European contract manufacturer Magna to build its Aion V electric SUV at the company’s facility in Graz, Austria. Magna already assembles the G6 and G9 SUVs from Chinese manufacturer Xpeng, allowing the company to skirt certain tariffs, with GAC set to follow suit as it launches the Aion V in 30 territories.
General Motors is set to defend a class action lawsuit brought by a man from Illinois over the L87 V8, which the plaintiffs allege is defective due to components that GM knows are likely to fail. The issue affects multiple Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models, with the NHTSA also investigating the L87, with the new class action suit asking for $5m in compensation.
BMW has expressed concerns over the European Union's proposal to prohibit the sale of new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, noting the potential negative impact on the automotive sector. CEO Oliver Zipse advocates for a broader approach to CO2 emissions assessments that encompasses the entire production process, rather than focusing solely on tailpipe emissions, while also highlighting the company's commitment to sustainability through the use of recycled materials and alternative fuels.
The Mercedes G-Class will soon re-enter the market as a factory-built convertible, but for those eager to bypass the wait, custom options are available. Notably, Brabus has introduced its own convertible models, including the Brabus 800 and the XL 800 Cabrio, both featuring significant performance enhancements and a distinctive design, catering to those who appreciate bold automotive statements.
MOTORSPORT
After initially finishing second and fourth on the track, the McLarens of championship leaders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified for excessive skid block wear. Combined with Max Verstappen’s race win, the championship picture has now tightened significantly with Norris 24 points ahead of both Piastri and Verstappen with two races and 58 points remaining.
Christian Horner is reportedly a candidate to take over as team principal at Aston Martin, potentially succeeding Andy Cowell, who is expected to transition to a new role focused on power unit development. Alongside Horner, former McLaren leader Andreas Seidl and Audi's Mattia Binotto are also under consideration as Aston Martin undergoes significant management changes.
Concerns were raised again at the Las Vegas Grand Prix regarding the timing of marshal interventions after a multi-car collision scattered debris on the track, following a similar issue in Mexico earlier in the year. Despite the debris being located off the racing line, the decision to maintain a double yellow flag instead of deploying a virtual safety car drew criticism, particularly as marshals were still returning to safety while cars approached.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli expressed uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding his jump start during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which resulted in a five-second penalty that affected his final standing. Despite starting in 17th and facing challenges with tire management, he demonstrated impressive pace throughout the race, ultimately finishing on the podium after the disqualification of two competitors ahead of him.
Ayumu Iwasa, the newly crowned champion of Super Formula, is viewed by his race engineer as having greater potential for success in Formula 1 compared to Yuki Tsunoda. While he achieved a strong performance that included two pole positions and a victory at Suzuka to take the title and has experience with Red Bull's F1 teams, Iwasa's future in a race seat remains uncertain.
Igor Fraga achieved his inaugural victory in the Super Formula series at Suzuka, marking a significant highlight in his season after transitioning from the Lights category. This win not only secured him the title of rookie of the year but also represented the first triumph for the Nakajima team since 2022, illustrating Fraga's impressive rise in competitive motorsport.
Mick Schumacher, the former Formula 1 driver, will participate in the entire 2026 IndyCar season, including the prestigious Indianapolis 500, after finalizing a contract with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Transitioning from his recent stint in the World Endurance Championship, Schumacher will pilot the Honda-powered #47 Dallara DW12, with plans for an upcoming oval test to enhance his skills on high-speed tracks.
TOCA has confirmed the regulations for the BTCC Qualifying Race, which will debut in the 2026 season, establishing how Saturday's results will influence Sunday’s race grid and championship points. The Saturday schedule includes a practice session, a qualifying round divided into two groups, and a brief race, while the traditional Sunday format of three full-length races remains unchanged.
Doriane Pin has secured the F1 Academy championship in Las Vegas, finishing fifth in the season's final race, which was sufficient to clinch the title. Despite a strong performance from Maya Weug, who placed third and needed a victory to challenge for the championship, Pin concluded the season with a total of 151 points, nine ahead of Weug.
CURIOSITIES
The recent auction of Gordon Murray's S1 LM, a tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR, concluded with the sole available unit selling for $20 million in Las Vegas, marking a record for new cars sold at auction without a charitable component. This hypercar, which features a Cosworth V12 engine and a manual gearbox, offers its new owner the opportunity to collaborate directly with Murray on its final design.
Porsche's Sonderwunsch division, which began in 1978, has evolved to offer extensive customization options for both new and vintage models, allowing owners to personalize their vehicles significantly. A notable example is a 2009 Cayenne GTS that has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment, featuring a unique Blackolive paint job, a retro-inspired interior, and a rare six-speed manual transmission, making it a standout in the brand's lineup.
The Department of Motor Vehicles, which collects your information when you renew your license or register a vehicle, has made almost $300m from selling that data on to third parties. An investigation of the DMVs in 23 states revealed the scale of the data brokerage, which is legal to sell under certain circumstances.
A rare Honda NSX-R is seeing a bidding war that has pushed its price up to almost $400,000 as collectors seek to acquire this superlative version of an already desirable model. The track-focused variant of the first-generation NSX features lightweighting techniques and enhanced performance through a tuned engine and different transaxle assembly, and was produced in a small batch of just 483 cars.
Police in Eureka, California, responded to an early morning report of an attempted theft involving a Kia, linked to a vulnerability that gained attention in 2022. As officers pursued the suspect, they encountered additional stolen vehicles and have used the incident to reiterate the importance of preventive measures for Kia and Hyundai owners, including software updates and enhanced security features.
Many drivers are opposed to subscription fees for features already included in their vehicles, citing concerns over additional costs and privacy. In response, New York's Senate Bill S5708 aims to prohibit manufacturers from imposing such charges, with potential fines for violations, as highlighted by Senator James Skoufis, who argues that charging for basic features undermines consumer rights and safety.
A report from Equite Association reveals that the Toyota RAV4 and Ram 1500 are the most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada, reflecting a strong preference for trucks and SUVs among thieves. When theft rates are analyzed by frequency relative to the number of insured vehicles, the Lexus TX emerges as the most targeted model, particularly in Ontario, where its theft rate is as high as one in every four.
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