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Lamborghini Lingers on Lanzador
Andrew Evans
December 17, 2024
Welcome to today's edition of SpeedBites, with our regular dive into the wild world of motoring! Today we’re looking at the Lamborghini Lanzador, pushed back be 2029 as the marque hesitates on introducing its first battery-electric vehicle, all while a British brand is converting classic Rolls-Royce motors to electric propulsion. Meanwhile Max Verstappen attacks those who criticize his driving style, even as boss Christian Horner praises title-winning McLaren, while Shaquille O’Neal shows off his latest custom car: a Lucid Air reworked to allow the 7’1” star to get in it. If you know someone who shares your love for all things automotive, why not share SpeedBites with them? Let's keep the conversation rolling!
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Several automakers, including Lamborghini, are adjusting their electrification plans due to slowing growth, with Lamborghini delaying the launch of its first electric vehicle, the Lanzador, by a year to 2029. CEO Stephan Winkelmann indicated that the company is also exploring synthetic fuels for internal combustion engines and believes the market may not be ready for EVs until after 2026.
Ford CEO Jim Farley announced plans for a new mid-size electric pickup truck, expected to compete with Chinese models like the BYD Shark, but it won't be available until late 2027. Despite facing significant EV losses and a shifting market landscape, Ford aims to match production costs of competitors by optimizing its manufacturing processes, including in-house battery assembly.
The Ferrari 12Cilindri, a notable naturally aspirated V12 grand tourer, was involved in a crash during a press event in Luxembourg, marking the first reported incident of this model. The vehicle, part of Ferrari's press fleet, sustained significant damage, particularly to the passenger-side rear quarter panel, while details about the driver and the circumstances of the crash remain unclear.
Suzuki, which exited the US car market over a decade ago, is making a return at CES to showcase its "Small, Few, Light, Short, Beautiful" philosophy along with a Super Carry pickup and various electric mobility innovations. Among the highlights are a prototype Electric Mobility Base Unit for autonomous applications, including a snow removal drone, and an "Applied EV," a versatile vehicle designed for logistics that can be adapted with different upper bodies.
MG Motor plans to launch its first semi-solid-state battery-powered electric vehicle in 2025, with the company stating that it will be affordably priced. The new battery technology, which combines solid and liquid electrolytes, is expected to be standard on this model, as MG aims to expand its presence in the EV market amid competition from other manufacturers developing solid-state battery technologies.
Evice, a London-based company founded in 2023, is set to convert classic Rolls-Royce models into electric vehicles, with a vehicle based on the first “XP1” prototype expected to begin production in early 2025. This upgraded Silver Shadow will feature an 800-volt electrical architecture, a 77kWh battery providing over 200 miles of range, and modern interior enhancements while aiming to retain the traditional ride quality associated with Rolls-Royce.
Mika, a Warwickshire-based car manufacturer, has unveiled plans for an electric microcar priced under £15,000, designed to compete with the Citroën Ami while offering improved performance, handling, and safety. The vehicle, classified as an L7 quadricycle, features a lightweight composite ‘pultrusion’ frame, a top speed of 56mph, and an 80- to 160-mile range, with a prototype expected to be ready by 2025, pending financing and a manufacturing partner.
BYD's Seagull EV model became the best-selling vehicle in China last month, surpassing both electric and gas-powered cars with over 56,000 units sold. This surge in sales allowed the Seagull to reclaim the top spot from the Tesla Model Y, which experienced a decline in sales, selling 44,576 units in November.
Kia is set to unveil its new small SUV, the Syros, in India on December 19, as part of its "Kia 2.0 Strategy" aimed at catering to local buyer preferences. The Syros will feature a distinctive boxy design, a "lounge-like" interior with advanced technology, and will be available with two non-electrified powertrains, with a market launch anticipated in early 2025.
Bentley's Mulliner division has partnered with Bang Bang Tattoo to create a unique Bentayga EWB featuring a wrap that reveals intricate designs under UV light, unveiled at Art Basel in Miami. This collaboration allows for bespoke customization options for clients, with plans for future projects set to debut in 2025.
Tesla is reintroducing its free Supercharging offer for the Model S in an effort to boost sales as the vehicle shows signs of aging. The new program ties free charging to the owner rather than the vehicle, and while it may attract some buyers, a recent price increase and the competitive electric vehicle market pose ongoing challenges for the Model S.
MOTORSPORT
Max Verstappen stated that he will continue to push boundaries in Formula 1, asserting that those who criticize his approach lack the "world champion mentality." Despite facing penalties and backlash for his aggressive racing against Lando Norris in 2024, Verstappen expressed no regrets, emphasizing the importance of maximizing results in championship contention and suggesting that McLaren's strategy could have been more effective in competing for the drivers' title.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has given praise to the McLaren team which won its first Formula 1 constructors' title since 1998, ending a 26-year drought. While Red Bull secured the most race wins it finished third in the standings, 77 points behind, with Horner citing the team’s car and two-driver pairing as factors — and musing what tattoo Zak Brown will get to celebrate.
Franco Colapinto described his nine-race stint in Formula 1 with Williams as a "dream" despite a challenging conclusion to the 2024 season, which included costly crashes and two retirements. While he achieved notable results early on, including scoring points in Baku and Austin, Colapinto reflected on the learning experiences and mistakes he faced as a rookie, emphasizing the value of the opportunity he was given.
A post-season summary of F1 teams’ driver pairings has revealed a few interesting statistics — some more unexpected than others. While Max Verstappen dominated Red Bull’s, finishing ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in all but one race, Esteban Ocon surprisingly outperformed Pierre Gasly at Alpine, with Nico Hulkenberg's strong record against Kevin Magnussen and George Russell's consistent advantage over Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes also featuring.
Red Bull Racing aims to enhance the balance of its RB21, following a challenging year where it finished third in the constructors' championship despite Max Verstappen winning the drivers' title. Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko emphasized the need for a car that maintains stability under varying conditions, while also confirming that the team's 2025 driver lineup will be announced soon, amid speculation regarding Sergio Perez's future with the team.
Flavio Briatore, Fernando Alonso's manager, disclosed that Alonso received a contract offer from Williams before his eventual move to Aston Martin, highlighting issues within Alpine's management that contributed to the driver's departure. Briatore noted that Alonso initially wanted to stay with Alpine, but communication breakdowns with former CEO Laurent Rossi prompted discussions with other teams, ultimately leading to the decision to sign with Aston Martin.
Penske Entertainment and Dallara have progressed in developing the 2027 IndyCar chassis by transitioning from virtual renderings to constructing a scale model and conducting wind tunnel tests, which began recently. While the design remains unfinalized, the timeline mirrors that of the previous DW12 chassis, allowing for significant refinement opportunities before the car's debut.
Formula E is set to introduce Pit Boost, allowing drivers to recharge their batteries by 10 percent during a 30-second pit stop at 600kW power, which aims to enhance race strategy. This feature will be implemented selectively at doubleheader events in Season 11, with the first appearance scheduled for the Jeddah E-Prix in February 2024.
Winward Racing secured the overall victory in the Fanatec GT Europe finale, the 6 Hours of Jeddah, under the Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter banner, allowing Maro Engel and Lucas Auer to clinch the continent's overall drivers' title. Despite a strong challenge from Porsche, which included a notable performance from Rutronik Racing in the Bronze Cup, Mercedes-AMG finished the season with 20,964 points, ahead of Porsche's 20,069, while Audi took third place in the standings.
CURIOSITIES
Shaquille O'Neal has customized his car collection to suit his large stature, recently adding a one-off Lucid Air coupe modified by West Coast Customs. The conversion included removing two doors for easier access and replacing the Lucid branding with his nickname "Diesel," while the wheel caps feature Superman logos.
A recent study from the University of Miami reveals that 35 buildings along Sunny Isles Beach, including the Porsche Design Tower, have sunk by up to three inches between 2016 and 2023, raising concerns about the stability of luxury condos in the area. While no structural issues have been reported and some sinking is expected due to the weight of newer constructions, experts are monitoring the situation closely following the 2021 collapse of a nearby residential tower.
Digital license plates, while intended to modernize vehicle registration and reduce costs, have been found to be vulnerable to hacking, allowing users to change their plate numbers and potentially evade fines or shift them onto other drivers. Security researcher Josep Rodriguez demonstrated that the vulnerability lies in the hardware of Reviver-brand plates, making it impossible for the company to issue a software update to fix the issue without replacing the chips in all affected units.
A 21-year-old man named Malik Patterson stole a white Rolls-Royce Cullinan from a Fort Lauderdale hotel valet and crashed it into a Checkers drive-thru, causing significant damage to both the vehicle and the restaurant, though no injuries were reported. Patterson, who had outstanding warrants in two states, was arrested nearby after attempting to flee the scene and now faces multiple charges, including vehicle theft and felony probation violation.
The TVR Cerbera played a significant role in the development of the Mercedes SLR McLaren, as engineers used modified Cerbera test mules to refine the supercharged V8 engine's placement and intake design. Despite its contributions, the Cerbera's involvement remains largely unpublicized, with limited information available about the prototypes used during the SLR's development.
A U-Haul truck has been perched atop a building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since 1978, originally part of an advertising campaign that saw trailers placed on rooftops across the country. This truck, the first of its kind to be placed on a building rather than a trailer, has become a local landmark and was refurbished in 2011, raising questions about the structural integrity of the roof that has supported it for decades.
At the Essen Motor Show, a white-on-white BNR32 Nissan Skyline GT-R, restored by Porsche specialist Markenstein Fahrzeugtechnik, caught attention for its subtle enhancements and meticulous attention to detail. Owner Phillip Berndt highlighted unique features, including custom airbag struts, rare Nismo wheels, and shared design elements with his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII, showcasing a cohesive aesthetic across both vehicles.
A Ford RS200 S, a rare variant of the 1980s Group B Rally car, is set to be auctioned with an expected price of £300,000 to £350,000. This particular model, one of only four finished in 'Ferrari Red,' features a power boost to 350bhp and has only 20,000 miles on the odometer, having been owned by the same individual since new.
The Mazda MX-5 "Kabuki Town" is a unique art car created by Belgian dealer Mazda St-Michel and Gisele Racing, featuring a vibrant graffiti-inspired design that draws from Japanese pop culture and traditions. This one-off vehicle, based on the MX-5 RF, took 510 hours to complete and is powered by a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine, with a starting price of $75,000 for potential buyers.
The Nationales Automuseum in Dietzhölztal, Germany, features a comprehensive exhibit dedicated to Ferrari, showcasing a range of iconic road and race cars, including the 'Big Five' supercars and significant models from the brand's motorsport history. Highlights include the GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari, along with notable race cars like the 1952 Mille Miglia-winning 250 S and the F2004, which contributed to Michael Schumacher's success in Formula 1.
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