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Lamborghini's Huracán successor revealed
Jordan Greer
August 19, 2024
Good morning, SpeedBites readers! There’s a lot to cover in today’s issue this Monday morning, so let’s get to it:
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY NEWS
Lamborghini's successor to the Huracán, the Temerario, features a 4.0-liter engine with two turbochargers and three electric motors, producing 907 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. The Temerario, which can reach 62 mph in 2.7 seconds and has a top speed of over 210 mph, also features a new aluminum spaceframe chassis, carbon ceramic brakes, and an updated interior with multiple screens and a Lamborghini Telemetry 2.0 app for tracking race course performance.
Acura is developing a new sports car, expected to launch between 2027 and 2028, that will carry the DNA of the discontinued NSX model, according to the company's global executive vice president Shinji Aoyama. Unlike its predecessor, the new model will be fully electric and is being designed to be "thin and light," potentially boasting a larger cabin while maintaining performance and driving dynamics.
A new study by iSeeCars has found that Toyota vehicles are the most likely to reach 250,000 miles, with the Toyota Tundra leading the pack with a 36.6% chance of hitting this milestone. The study, which analyzed data from 402 million vehicles, also revealed that SUVs are generally more durable than sedans, and that no European or Korean cars made it onto the list of longest-lasting vehicles.
The Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado were the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. in July, with average transaction prices (ATPs) over $60,000, but the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and Tesla Cybertruck sold for over $100,000 each. Tesla's ATPs have been increasing due to high volume sales of the Cybertruck, with estimates suggesting that between 4,000 to 6,000 Cybertrucks were sold in July, and the Model Y and Model 3 have also seen higher ATPs in recent months.
The global automotive industry has seen significant changes over the last 50 years, with China and South Korea becoming major car-producing nations, while the USA and Australia have lost their prominence in car manufacturing. The article also highlights a surprising decline in the quality, credibility, and value of German car manufacturers, including BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, which now rank lower than many other brands in the 2024 Driver Power survey, suggesting they need to improve in areas such as running and servicing costs, quality, reliability, and value for money.
Ferrari's forthcoming F250 hypercar, currently under wraps near the Maranello factory, is said to feature an aggressive stance, a low profile, and dramatic upward-opening doors, with a particular focus on aerodynamic refinements such as a retractable rear spoiler. The car's design is speculated to draw heavily from Ferrari's two-time Le Mans-winning 499P and the 2022 Vision Gran Turismo concept, with a hybrid-assisted V6 powertrain, a pinched waist, pronounced front fender peaks, and a nearly flat rear deck and tail section.
The Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series, the sportiest model in Maybach's history, was unveiled at the Monterey Car Week in California, marking the luxury brand's first foray into convertibles. The ultra-luxurious sports convertible, powered by a 577bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, features a distinctive chrome grille, a touchscreen infotainment system with Maybach-specific graphics, and an interior finished in crystal-white nappa leather, among other unique elements.
MOTORSPORT
F1 influencer Mikaela Kostaras, recently renamed "shelovesvrooms", hinted at receiving a cease and desist order from Formula 1, possibly due to her practice of giving away purchased tickets. F1 commentator Toni Cowan-Brown corroborated the speculation, stating that Formula 1 is targeting individuals who use the F1 brand for their own gain or falsely claim association with the organization.
The Gateway IndyCar oval race was characterized by a major team-mate spat, contentious steward decisions, and a rookie climbing from 18th to third. Josef Newgarden won the race, his fourth win out of the last five races at Gateway, despite a spin earlier in the race, while a late-race drama involving his Penske team-mate Will Power added to the excitement.
Fernando Alonso, having already won the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, needs to win the Indianapolis 500 to claim the Triple Crown, but has downplayed chances of returning to the race. Instead, Alonso has expressed interest in winning the Dakar rally, which he competed in for Toyota in 2020, and the Formula One World Championship with Aston Martin, emphasizing that his motivation is constant improvement.
After being dropped by Renault in 2019, Nico Hulkenberg is now preparing for a significant career move to lead the new Audi programme, rejoining Sauber, the team he drove for in 2013. Despite a three-year break from the sport, Hulkenberg's return to F1 with Haas in 2022 and his consistent performance in 2024 has secured his position as one of the most reliable drivers in the sport, leading to his recruitment by Audi.
FUN STUFF
The creator of the Gran Turismo series, Kazunori Yamauchi, has chosen a unique Lancia concept car as the winner of the Gran Turismo Trophy at the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, making it eligible to appear in future games in the series. The Stratos concept car, based on a crashed Lancia Fulvia, was a secret project by Marcello Gandini and now has the potential to be featured in a GT game sometime in the future.
The head of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has been seen driving a Tesla Cybertruck equipped with a mounted machine gun in a video posted online, despite the strained relationship between the US and Russia. While it's unclear how the vehicle arrived in Russia, Kadyrov praised the electric vehicle (EV) for its speed, power, and comfort, and suggested it would be sent to Ukraine to be tested in combat, though critics argue that the vehicle's charging requirements and lack of durability for off-roading make it impractical for such use.
The 1981 Mitsubishi Colt featured an unusual eight-speed manual transmission system called the "Super Shift," which used two gear levers to switch between 'Power' and 'Economy' modes. While it was designed to offer more acceleration and higher cruising speed, the system was considered too complex for most drivers and was discontinued by the mid-80s, replaced by the simpler 'Overdrive' switch.
Porsche unveiled a one-off 993 Speedster, built through the Porsche Sunderwunsch program, for noted collector Luca Trazzi, who provided input on the design process. The car, which took three years to transform from a 1994 Carrera Cabriolet to the two-seat Speedster, features a unique shade of yellow, 18-inch Turbo-style twist wheels, modern black accents, conical exterior mirrors, Porsche signature "four points" headlights, and Carrera RS specification running gear, chassis bracing, suspension, and brakes.
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!