- SpeedBites
- Posts
- Lamborghini's Temerario Could Soon Hit 1000hp
Lamborghini's Temerario Could Soon Hit 1000hp
Andrew Evans
December 04, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! Today’s edition is packed with intriguing stories from the automotive world, including a potential 1,000hp on the cards for future models of the Lamborghini Temerario, while F1 is looking to add more teams following Cadillac’s entry for 2026. As always, if you enjoy our daily dose of automotive excitement, consider sharing SpeedBites with friends who might appreciate it too!
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Lamborghini's R&D chief, Rouven Mohr, indicated that the new hybrid supercar, Temerario, currently producing 907 hp, has potential for increased power from both its V8 engine and electric motors, suggesting future models could reach four-digit horsepower figures. Mohr also revealed that while a V6 was briefly considered for the vehicle, the decision favored the V8 to maintain brand identity and emotional driving experience, dismissing a new V10 due to emissions regulations.
Kia's sales in November were significantly boosted by strong demand for its SUVs, particularly the Sportage and Telluride, which together accounted for 75% of total sales, with the Sportage leading at 14,051 units. Additionally, electrified models represented 16% of sales, highlighted by the EV9 and EV6, while overall year-to-date sales reached 723,185 units, putting the company on track to surpass its previous annual sales record.
Hyundai achieved its highest-ever sales month in the US, selling 76,008 vehicles in November, driven by a 77% increase in EV sales and a 104% rise in hybrid sales. The IONIQ 5 SUV set a new record with sales more than doubling compared to the previous year, contributing significantly to the company's electrified vehicle sales growth.
Stellantis is facing challenges, but its French brands, particularly Citroën, Peugeot, and the luxury spin-off DS Automobiles, are making strides with innovative hybrids and electric vehicles. The upcoming DS N°8, a fully electric sedan-crossover, features a unique design with a striking interior and aims for a range of 466 miles, while introducing a new naming convention that reflects the brand's evolution.
Vauxhall has urged the UK government to enhance support for private buyers of affordable electric vehicles, suggesting a reallocation of funds currently aimed at company car incentives. Since the removal of the £1500 Plug-in Car Grant in 2022, private EV buyers have not received any financial incentives, while company cars remain the primary source of EV sales in the UK.
The UK government is reconsidering its electric vehicle sales mandate after automakers indicated they would not meet this year's zero-emission targets, which require 22% of new cars and 10% of vans sold to be zero-emission by year-end. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced plans for consultations with manufacturers to create a more feasible approach, as the industry faces challenges such as slowing EV demand, job cuts, and the need for sustainable incentives.
The Tesla Cybertruck's leasing prices have decreased to $899 per month for the entry-level All-Wheel Drive version, though additional fees and a substantial down payment result in an effective monthly payment of $1,137. Despite a strong sales start, with fewer than 30,000 units sold in the first nine months, production challenges and a recent halt in assembly at the Austin factory raise questions about the vehicle's future demand.
Nissan is urging its U.S. dealers to remain patient as the company navigates significant challenges, with a senior official warning that it may only have 12 to 14 months to secure a new investor. In a letter to dealers, Nissan Americas Chairman Jérémie Papin outlined plans for a turnaround, emphasizing improvements in the product lineup and sales, while also acknowledging a substantial decline in vehicle sales over the past decade and the need to address missed opportunities in the hybrid market.
Aptera has reopened its crowdfunding campaign to raise an additional $60 million for the development and production of its solar-powered three-wheeled electric vehicle, following a previous successful campaign that raised $135 million from 19,000 investors. The startup is currently testing a new prototype featuring an inboard drive unit, with plans to begin production next year and an estimated price range for the vehicle set between $25,900 and $48,300.
Boreham Motorworks is set to unveil a modern recreation of the Ford Escort Mk1 on December 12, with the project officially sanctioned by Ford. The new model will feature petrol engines and manual transmissions, drawing inspiration from historical performance variants, while also emphasizing a connection between drivers and their vehicles.
General Motors announced plans to sell its stake in a Michigan battery factory to LG Energy Solution while maintaining its ownership in the Ultium Cells LLC joint venture, with the transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. Additionally, the two companies will extend their technical partnership to include prismatic battery cells, which GM is exploring to diversify its supply chain for future electric vehicles.
Volkswagen has ceased operations in China's Xinjiang region, transferring ownership of its Urumqi assembly plant amid ongoing human rights criticisms and dwindling demand for gas-powered vehicles. The company's withdrawal reflects broader challenges in the Chinese automotive market, where it faces intense competition from local electric vehicle manufacturers and must adapt to a rapidly changing landscape favoring EVs and hybrids.
New spy shots reveal the upcoming compact hatchback from Firefly, Nio's entry-level brand, set to be unveiled on December 21 during Nio Day in Guangzhou. The vehicle will feature a large infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster, and is expected to support battery swapping, with prices in China starting between ¥100,000-200,000 and European prices likely under €30,000.
MOTORSPORT
The FIA is proposing changes to its governance rules that would limit the accountability of its leadership regarding ethics and financial oversight, including transferring control of investigations to the FIA president and the president of the senate. These revisions come in the wake of a tumultuous year marked by investigations into allegations against FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the departure of several senior staff members, raising concerns about the potential impact on whistleblower protections and the integrity of oversight committees.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has expressed openness to expanding the Formula 1 grid beyond the recently agreed entry of Cadillac as the 11th team, highlighting that the rules allow for it. F1 previously reached 12 teams in 2010-2012, before the withdrawal of the HRT outfit.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has emphasized the significance of Cadillac's provisional admission to the F1 grid for the 2026 season, describing the process as challenging and involving discussions with the US Department of Justice regarding antitrust concerns. Despite the initial rejection of the Andretti-GM proposal, collaborative efforts between the FIA, F1, and Liberty Media ultimately led to Cadillac's entry, marking a notable expansion of the F1 paddock.
The Qatar Grand Prix highlighted growing tensions between Formula 1 drivers and the FIA, particularly following a series of controversial penalties that raised questions about the organization’s decision-making and leadership under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Amidst a backdrop of recent personnel changes and a chaotic race environment, drivers and teams are seeking clarity on the FIA's inconsistent enforcement of rules and penalties, which have sparked significant frustration within the paddock.
Liam Lawson has admitted responsibility for running Valtteri Bottas off the track during the Qatar Grand Prix, which hindered Bottas's chances of scoring his first points of the season. Despite the incident, teammate Zhou Guanyu secured Sauber's first points of the year with an eighth-place finish, while Bottas lamented his continued lack of scoring as he prepares for the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Esteban Ocon has expressed his disappointment following his departure from Alpine, which was finalized after a collision at the Qatar Grand Prix led to his exit and the announcement of Jack Doohan as his replacement for the season finale. In his farewell message on social media, Ocon thanked his team for their support over the past five years while acknowledging the challenges of the recent season, and he wished Doohan well as he prepares to take over his seat.
Sergio Perez expressed disappointment over his performance in the Qatar Grand Prix, where he retired after a spin and finished last in the sprint race, despite feeling a podium finish was possible. As he heads into the Abu Dhabi season finale, Perez acknowledges the need for a strong performance to repay Red Bull and himself after a challenging season.
Franco Colapinto replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams for the final nine races of 2024, where he showed promise by scoring points in Azerbaijan and the United States, attracting interest from Red Bull and Alpine. However, following a series of crashes in Brazil and Las Vegas, both teams have shifted their focus away from him, with Red Bull now likely to promote its junior driver Isack Hadjar instead, leaving Colapinto to serve as a reserve driver for Williams in 2025.
CURIOSITIES
Team CJ Works, an Austin-based restoration shop, has reported the theft of its Jaguar XKSS recreation, a replica of the iconic D-Type race car from the 1950s. The vehicle was taken from a locked garage in the Westlake area, and the Austin Police Department is currently investigating the incident while the shop seeks assistance from the community to recover the stolen car.
A Chevrolet Corvette C8 crashed into a pole in Irvine shortly before 1am on November 29, resulting in severe damage to the vehicle and serious injuries to the driver, who was alone at the time. While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, the presence of a handicapped license plate raises the possibility of a medical emergency affecting the driver's control of the car.
A Ferrari Portofino was recently damaged in California after its driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control and ended up in Richardson Bay. The crash resulted in significant damage to the vehicle, which will likely be sent to a scrapyard, while local authorities shared footage of the incident on social media.
The New South Wales government will trial glow-in-the-dark line markings on Bulli Pass, a mountain road with a history of near-miss accidents, particularly at night. This six-month trial aims to enhance visibility on a sharp bend where 125 near accidents were recorded in the year leading up to June 2024, with potential for future applications in other hazardous locations if successful.
Owner Dan Dozi transformed his 2005 Subaru Forester XT, featuring a Chevrolet LS V8 engine paired with both a turbocharger and a supercharger, producing approximately 1,000 horsepower at the wheels. Despite the complexity of the build, which includes a custom rear axle setup and aesthetic choices inspired by the "Mad Max" films, Dozi is now selling the car for $28,000, highlighting its distinctiveness within the Subaru community.
A unique art car by Baron Margo is currently listed on Facebook Marketplace, described as a narrow, torpedo-shaped vehicle powered by an air-cooled Volkswagen engine. While its condition could hint that it’s older than the 2018 date mentioned in the ad and it may require mechanical attention, the car has value as a piece of art alone, styled in Margo's distinctive rocketpunk aesthetic that has garnered attention on the roads of Los Angeles.
The Sbarro Super Eight, unveiled at the 1984 Geneva Motor Show, redefines the concept of a hot hatch with its mid-mounted Ferrari V8 engine and unique design, diverging from conventional front-drive setups. This one-off vehicle, built on a modified Ferrari 308 GTB frame, features a bespoke fiberglass body and a well-appointed interior, and is currently for sale through Bring a Trailer after passing through various collectors, including time spent in the Sbarro Museum.
A 1962 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, reportedly the first prototype owned by Enzo Ferrari, is currently listed for $865,000 on Facebook Marketplace alongside much less valuable items. The car has undergone $285,000 in restoration and comes with documentation, but the unusual listing raises questions about its authenticity compared to typical sales of such rare vehicles.
A high-speed crash involving a white Dodge Challenger in Nampa, Idaho, resulted in one fatality and two injuries after the car struck a dirt berm, became airborne, and collided with the roofs of two homes. The incident also caused damage to nearby powerlines, leading to widespread power outages in the area, while no occupants were present in the homes at the time of the accident.
That's all for today! We would love to hear your feedback, so just reply to this message to let us know what you thought about this issue. See you next time!