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Koenigsegg Sadair's Spear Sets New Goodwood Record
Andrew Evans
July 14, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Gamer-to-racer crashes Red Bull RB8 in demo hill climb run
Cadillac takes its first WEC win with a 1-2 at Interlagos
McLaren presents “Project Endurance” customer car
Oliver Rowland wins the Formula E title for Nissan
Classic 60 Minutes episode reveals wild 80s’ days of Lamborghini testing
...and more!
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INDUSTRY NEWS
McLaren has given a public debut to its "Project: Endurance" car, a prototype designed for customer track days, featuring a livery reminiscent of the iconic McLaren F1 GTR. This initiative aims to provide customers with a racing experience similar to that of the 2027 Le Mans competitors, with owners gaining exclusive access to McLaren's WEC racing operations.
Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear set a new record at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, becoming the fastest ever production car with a time of 47.14 seconds on the hillclimb course. While it wasn't the fastest vehicle overall, coming in behind the Ford SuperTruck, it outperformed roadgoing competitors like the Mustang GTD and Alpine A110 R Ultime.
Ford has experienced an unprecedented number of recalls in the current calendar year, with 89 in just the first half of 2025 which significantly exceeds the previous record set by General Motors in 2014. This situation has led to considerable dissatisfaction among both dealers and consumers, as many vehicles are affected by various safety concerns, including a recent recall involving over 850,000 units due to a malfunctioning fuel pump.
Rivian plans to enhance its vehicles with software updates over a span of 7 to 10 years, focusing on flexibility and modernity in its electrical architecture, which is distinct from traditional automakers. The company aims to provide ongoing improvements beyond this initial period, particularly for safety and security features, ensuring that its vehicles remain functional and relevant for years to come.
Skoda has ventured into the commercial vehicle sector with the introduction of the Enyaq Cargo, developed in collaboration with Strongs Plastic Products. This model, which retains the spacious design of the standard Enyaq while being officially classified as a light commercial vehicle, offers a significant cargo capacity and is available to fleet customers with various configurations.
Volkswagen has announced the impending closure of its joint venture factory in Nanjing, China, which has been operational for 17 years and primarily produced VW Passat and Skoda vehicles. The decision follows a trend of decreasing demand for internal combustion engine cars and low production efficiency, with the plant's utilization rate reported at only 58 percent.
In 2024, five Lexus vehicles ranked among the top ten most frequently stolen cars in the UK, with the Lexus ES 300 leading the list at a theft rate of one in 30. Conversely, the Range Rover, once a prime target for thieves, has improved its security measures and now ranks 52nd in theft likelihood, following updates to its security systems.
The Range Rover Evoque is facing a significant safety recall affecting nearly 21,000 units from 2021 to 2025 due to a potential airbag defect that could compromise passenger safety. Jaguar Land Rover plans to notify owners starting August 29, 2025, offering free replacements for the flawed airbag modules, while urging affected individuals to verify their vehicle status through official channels.
A specially modified version of the Renault Rafale Hyper Hybrid E-Tech has been revealed, with the stretched machine destined to be the official vehicle of the French president. Renault modified the car by extending the wheelbase to improve interior space along with an unspecified degree of armoring, while the car also features a unique “Bleu Presidence” color and marble interior trim.
Urban Automotive has introduced its unique carbon-fiber enhancements to the updated Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, aiming to elevate the luxury SUV's aesthetic with a more aggressive design while adhering to high build quality standards. Initially available in the UK at a starting price of £449,995, the company is also expanding its operations to the US to facilitate quicker delivery and enhance customer relations.
MOTORSPORT
Cadillac celebrated a significant milestone with its first victory in the Hypercar category during the 20th FIA World Endurance Championship race, as the Hertz Team JOTA secured a dominant 1-2 finish at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. The #12 car, driven by Alex Lynn, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato, maintained a strong lead throughout the event, finishing ahead of its stablemate #38 by a comfortable margin.
Oliver Rowland secured the 2024-25 Formula E championship after finishing fourth in Berlin, capitalizing on a disappointing race for his main competitor, Pascal Wehrlein. Rowland's consistent performance throughout the season, particularly with his strategic use of attack modes, allowed him to maintain his lead and clinch the title with two races remaining.
Johnny Herbert, a former Formula 1 driver, has expressed his endorsement for Tim Mayer in the upcoming FIA presidential election. With Mayer recently announcing his candidacy after being dismissed as an F1 steward by the current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the two will now engage in a five-month campaign leading up to the vote in December.
Toto Wolff has acknowledged that Mohammed Ben Sulayem's assertive leadership of the FIA has yielded some benefits, particularly regarding the recent adjustments to the controversial swearing ban and the approval of a new team for the F1 grid. While Wolff initially disagreed with Ben Sulayem on these matters, he has come to appreciate the positive outcomes, including the potential impact of a Cadillac-backed team joining the championship.
The Haas Formula 1 team has confirmed that Sho Tsuboi, the reigning Super Formula champion, will participate in a two-day test with its VF-23 at Fuji Speedway next month. This marks Tsuboi's debut in Formula 1 machinery, as he prepares to join fellow driver Ryo Hirakawa for the event, continuing the partnership between Haas and Toyota established last year.
Sergio Perez, who was runner-up in the 2023 championship, has found himself without a seat in 2025 after leaving Red Bull Racing due to a downturn in performance. Perez's management has reportedly secured an opportunity with Cadillac, whose second seat seems to be a contest between Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher.
Jonathan Wheatley is eager to harness Sauber's recent progress as the team prepares for its transition to Audi in 2026. Since joining as team principal, he has witnessed notable improvements, including a podium finish for Nico Hulkenberg, and remains focused on the challenges ahead as they aim to compete with established frontrunners in Formula 1.
Shane van Gisbergen dominated the Cup race at Sonoma Raceway, leading for the majority of the event and achieving his third consecutive victory on road and street courses. Despite facing late-race challenges, including a caution that tightened the field, van Gisbergen maintained his lead to secure the win, with Chase Briscoe and Chase Elliott completing the top three.
During the NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma, tensions escalated between drivers and pit crews when Ty Gibbs maneuvered through Brad Keselowski's pit stall, nearly colliding with a tire carrier. Following the incident, which resulted in a brief confrontation between the teams, NASCAR determined that Gibbs acted within the rules, allowing him to finish the race in seventh place.
CURIOSITIES
Red Bull rookie and esports racer Sebastian Job had a mishap at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, crashing the 2012 F1 championship-winning RB8 of Sebastian Vettel into hay bales at low speed. The car was being driven as part of a parade celebrating the 75th anniversary of F1 and appeared to suddenly become unwilling to turn right, leading to it rolling into the trackside barriers.
An old episode of 60 Minutes focusing on Lamborghini has revealed the change in attitudes and procedures since the company came under Audi ownership. The show, filmed in 1987, features some hair-raising moments which saw legendary test driver Valentino Balboni taking models like the Countach up to speeds of 180mph on public roads during the evaluation process.
The Artemis V mission, set for 2030, will feature the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), marking the first crew-operated vehicle on the Moon in over half a century. Three competing companies are advancing their designs for the LTV, which will be equipped with specialized instruments to analyze lunar resources and geology, enhancing our understanding of the Moon's surface and subsurface.
A one-owner Plymouth Road Runner with the rare A12 package is available for sale through a Facebook classified ad, with the vehicle one of just 1,412 produced. Featuring an upgraded 440 V8 engine with three two-barrel carburetors, this model developed 390h and 490lbft, and is presented in mostly original specification and good, unrestored condition with an asking price of $158,000.
An Oldsmobile Super 88, which has been in the same owner's possession since new, is now available for sale, although it may require significant restoration work. While the car features a solid body and original components, potential buyers should inspect it closely to assess its condition and determine the necessary repairs before considering a purchase.
A 1970 Plymouth Superbird, one of just 36 Hemi-equipped models, recently failed to meet its reserve at auction, attracting a high bid of $400,000. Despite its rarity and original features, including a matching Hemi engine and factory-correct paint, the vehicle fell short of the average auction price for similar models, reflecting the current volatility in the classic car market.
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