Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:

• Genesis virtual concept car becomes reality

• BMW wins first Bathurst 12hr since 2010

• Trump's tariffs to raise car prices

• Young Red Bull talent nears F1

• HKS Zero-R to return

...and more!

INDUSTRY NEWS

Le Mans legend Jacky Ickx has taken the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo car out for a lap of Bathurst for its dynamic debut, a year on from its unveiling as a virtual machine. While it’s not yet clear what’s powering the one-off machine, its digital equivalent - part of the Vision Gran Turismo program - sports a 1,071hp hybrid set-up, and the real thing is a flagship of the upcoming “Magma” performance range from the brand. [GTPlanet]

Porsche’s Andreas Preuninger has stated that the newly launched 911 GT3 is aiming to take the manual-gearbox record at the Nordschleife, as he emphasized the significance of retaining the manual transmission. The head of Porsche’s GT division noted that around half of the GT3 models sold in the US feature a manual gearbox, with the current ‘Ring benchmark of just over seven minutes being set by a Dodge Viper ACR in 2017. [Motor1]

Dodge has announced that the Charger Sixpack, a gasoline-powered variant, will be available at dealerships by summer 2025, following a significant decline in sales in 2024. This model aims to cater to traditional muscle car enthusiasts as the brand also introduces its electric Charger Daytona, with plans to expand the lineup to international markets by late 2025. [Autoblog]

Upcoming tariffs on goods imported to the USA from Canada and Mexico will raise car prices for consumers in the United States. Virtually every car on the market will be affected by the 25% tariff, with even those made in the USA relying on components from affected nations, and manufacturers may reduce production and limit discounts as a result, leading to higher retail prices. [The Verge - Transportation]

Jaguar Land Rover is enhancing its paint facilities at two locations in the UK and Slovakia to meet the rising demand for custom paint options from luxury clients, backed by a £65 million investment. This upgrade will introduce advanced equipment aimed at reducing carbon emissions while expanding bespoke services to accommodate a growing clientele, particularly for the Range Rover models. [Drive]

Polaris has introduced the RZR Pro Factory race car, a new UTV designed for competitive off-road racing, following its recent successes in major events like the Dakar Rally and SCORE Baja 1000. This limited-production vehicle, with only 30 units available for 2025, aims to provide racers with a high-performance machine backed by extensive factory support, paralleling established motorsports models used by brands like Porsche. [RACER]

Volkswagen has taken legal action against an online auction for a kei van modified to resemble the classic VW Bus, sparking criticism from enthusiasts over its approach. The trend for these modifications is popular in Japan, but Volkswagen has previously gone as far as having US Customs seizing a similar imported vehicle and crushing it in order to protect its trademark in the USA. [Carscoops]

Ford has announced a recall affecting nearly 150,000 Broncos manufactured between 2021 and 2024 due to potential failure of rear shock absorbers, which could detach and pose risks to both drivers and others on the road. The issue, linked to corrosion in specific shock components, currently lacks a solution, and while dealer notifications have started, owners will receive further information beginning February 3. [Motor1]

MOTORSPORT

The BMW works team has won the Bathurst 12 Hours, with Kelvin van der Linde, Sheldon van der Linde and Augusto Farfus leading a 1-2 for the brand. BMW capitalized on new rules allowing longer fuel stints and fewer mandatory pit stops to take a comfortable victory and its first since the GT3 era of the race began. [Autosport]

The FIA plans to implement stricter regulations regarding wing flexibility in Formula 1 starting with the 2025 season, following concerns raised during the previous championship. This initiative aims to ensure fair competition by introducing phased testing for rear and front wings, allowing teams to adjust without discarding existing parts. [BBC Sport F1]

Williams Racing will reveal its new FW47 car for the 2025 Formula 1 season on February 14 at Silverstone, utilizing a unique camouflage design for the unveiling. Prior to this launch, the team will conduct a test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where Carlos Sainz will participate as a full-time driver for the first time. [RacingNews365]

Arvid Lindblad, a promising driver in the Red Bull junior program, is on the verge of securing a super licence after achieving his seventh win in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. With only one race weekend left, he needs just one more victory to qualify for a potential Formula 1 debut, contingent on an FIA exception due to his age. [RacingNews365]

Helmut Marko has shared insights into his strong relationship with Max Verstappen, highlighting their connection since Verstappen was just a teenager and emphasizing his role in nurturing the driver’s exceptional talent. Marko, who expressed his commitment to preserving the legacy of Red Bull and its late founder Dietrich Mateschitz, acknowledged Verstappen as a prime example of the team's philosophy of developing stars rather than acquiring them. [RacingNews365]

Carlos Sainz is already making a significant contribution to the Williams Formula 1 team, according to team principal James Vowles. Having joined Williams after a decade with several top teams, Sainz is collaborating with his new colleagues to refine their strategies and enhance performance, demonstrating a strong commitment to the team's success. [Motorsport​.com]

Piero Ferrari has revealed that Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with the Ferrari brand stretches back a decade, starting in 2014 while, still with Mercedes, he visited to purchase a LaFerrari. During that initial trip, he spent time at the factory and enjoyed dinner with Piero, son of company founder Enzo, where they bonded over their shared passion for cars. [RacingNews365]

Toyota's Formula 1 initiative is now viewed by former driver Allan McNish as a valuable engineering training ground. Although the program faced cultural challenges and financial constraints, it ultimately contributed to the development of skilled engineers who advanced the sport, even as Toyota has recently re-entered F1 through a partnership with Haas. [RacingNews365]

FUN STUFF

A rare W196 R Stromlinienwagen, one of just four remaining, was auctioned at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, achieving a final sale price of €46.5 million, including buyer's fees. This particular model, once raced by legendary drivers Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss, was sold to support restoration and acquisition projects at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. [The Guardian | Motor Sport]

Arkansas state troopers faced a unique challenge when pursuing a stolen Prevost bus that refused to stop, as traditional tactics like the PIT maneuver were impractical for such a large vehicle. Ultimately, officers resorted to shooting out the bus's tires, successfully bringing the chase to an end and leading to the suspect's arrest on multiple charges, with no injuries sustained during the incident. [Carscoops]

Recent auction results have shown a remarkable increase in the value of classic Hondas, with a 1991 CRX Si selling for $71,500 and a 2000 Civic Si Coupe reaching $66,000 at Mecum's Kissimmee event. Both vehicles, featuring exceptionally low mileage and pristine conditions, illustrate a growing trend where nostalgia for iconic models drives collectors to invest heavily, even when the prices seem excessive. [Carscoops]

A creative solution to the unexpected wintry weather has emerged from the Rad Factory YouTube channel, which demonstrated a straightforward method to transform a shifter kart into a makeshift snowmobile. While the conversion presented some operational difficulties during its initial trials, and may struggle in deep snow, it wasn’t expensive to modify. [Motor1]

Rick Hendrick has acquired the inaugural 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for $3.7 million at a Barrett-Jackson auction, marking his 20th first-production Corvette. This purchase contributes to his total investment of $12.5 million in various first-edition Corvettes since 2019, with all auction proceeds being donated to the American Red Cross. [Drive]

HKS is planning to resurrect its legendary Zero-R through its Advanced Heritage garage, realizing an idea 30 years in the making to finally produce the ultimate BNR32. The original Zero-R was produced in a short and uncertain run in the early 1990s and could not be homologated for road use at the time, with one of around 10 cars making its way into the Sultan of Brunei’s collection, but conditions are now apt to complete the project. [Speedhunters]

An example of the more performance-oriented variant of the Alpine A110, known as the A110 R, has become available for sale in the UK. The car, which boasts significant weight reductions and enhanced power, features extensive carbon fiber elements and visual changes, offering a competitively priced alternative to the Porsche Cayman GT4. [PistonHeads​.com]

The Record Runner, a compact device priced at $79.99, offers a unique way to play vinyl records by moving across the grooves, resembling a miniature Volkswagen bus. While it features modern enhancements like adjustable speed and a better audio system, it has a limited battery life of 90 minutes and is currently sold out on major retail sites. [The Drive]

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