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

• Toyota's turbo engine: A game changer

• Alpina to focus on larger BMWs

• More Dakar Rally controversy

• No more Finns in F1

• 500,000-mile Bentley up for auction

...and more!

INDUSTRY NEWS

Porsche's global sales results for 2024 are officially out, revealing a 3% drop in total deliveries to 310,718 units, while combustion engine models showed an increase. The Cayenne led sales with 102,889 units, contrasting with a significant decline in Taycan deliveries, which fell by 49% to 20,836 units. [Motor1]

The BMW Group's Head of Design confirms that there won't be radical changes to the Alpina brand's modus operandi until the end of 2025, as the company aims to maintain its luxury positioning without overlapping with Rolls-Royce models. Future Alpina models are expected to focus on larger BMW vehicles and include an electric variant, despite a previous lack of customer interest in Alpina EVs. [BMW Blog]

Toyota's Chief Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima calls the new four-cylinder engine lineup a "game changer." The 2.0-liter turbo engine, which is being optimized for electrification, is expected to produce over 400 horsepower and will play a central role in Toyota's future sports car offerings. [Motor1]

The Hyundai Staria people mover is due to add electric power this year, featuring design changes such as shorter overhangs and a closed-off front for improved aerodynamics. The Staria Electric will launch early next year, sharing components with the Ioniq 5 and targeting annual sales of 15,000 to 20,000 units. [Drive]

Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis is considering the future of the Hemi V8 amid declining sales and a shrinking product portfolio. While he acknowledges the demand for the engine, he emphasizes the need to assess truck performance and the challenges of integrating the Hemi into new models before making any decisions. [The Drive]

The new Honda Prelude may not be the rousing sports car we want it to be, but it is a stylish coupe in a world where coupes are all but extinct. The Prelude will feature a hybrid powertrain and is expected to generate 200 horsepower, while also introducing Honda's "S+ Shift" programming to simulate gear changes. [Japanese Nostalgic Car]

Volkswagen has discontinued manual transmissions for the Golf GTI and Golf R as part of its refreshed 2025 Golf lineup, despite a year-over-year sales increase for manual-equipped models in 2024. The shift reflects broader trends in the automotive industry, including increasing electrification and changing consumer preferences, while the Jetta GLI remains the only manual option available in the U.S. market. [Autoblog]

The electric Mazda 6 successor will arrive in Europe this summer as the company aims to meet the EU's Zero Emission Vehicle mandates. The new Mazda 6e, unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, offers a range of nearly 350 miles and will be available with two battery options. [Electrek]

MOTORSPORT

Former Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has insisted owner Lawrence Stroll is understanding and supportive of the journey faced to reach the top of F1 despite his "impatience" for success. Krack highlighted the challenges of competing in a highly competitive field and the need for the team to be self-critical to improve its performance. [Motorsport​.com]

The director of the Dakar Rally personally made sure competitors were able to find the correct route on Stage 7 after a mistake was found in the roadbook, leading to the neutralization of a 20km section of the stage to ensure fairness. Following this incident, updated classifications were issued, allowing several drivers to improve their standings. [Autosport]

Toyota has revealed it is "gradually moving" towards a full return to F1, having recently joined forces with Haas as the team's official technical partner. The partnership also opens pathways for young drivers in Toyota's program to advance in single-seater racing. [RacingNews365]

Dacia Sandriders driver Nasser Al-Attiyah has revealed he has sent a letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem over his grievances from this year's Dakar Rally regarding a penalty and the obstruction of other competitors. Al-Attiyah expressed frustration over the event's regulations and his overall experience, emphasizing the need for fairness in the competition. [Motorsport​.com]

Esteban Ocon has been given the keys to a Ferrari 296 GTB as he transitions from Alpine to Haas. Ocon switched to the Ferrari-powered team for the 2025 season, missing the final race of 2024 with former team Alpine. [RacingNews365]

An F1 team has been tipped for a remarkable turnaround over the next few years, with former driver Juan Pablo Montoya predicting that Williams could emulate McLaren's recovery. The team has made significant investments to upgrade its equipment and has secured a strong driver pairing for the upcoming season. [RacingNews365]

2025 will be the first F1 season in almost 40 years to get underway without a Finnish driver, despite the country’s significant contributions to Formula 1's history. Although it’s never hosted a race, three world champions have hailed from Finland and the decline in Finnish representation in F1 has raised questions about the challenges facing young drivers in the sport. [Motorsport​.com]

Toyota factory driver Lucas Moraes faces severe consequences if he breaches the Dakar Rally rules again after a suspended disqualification penalty was handed down following an incident involving a mobile phone. The stewards imposed a one-hour time penalty for stage five, which significantly affected Moraes' standings, although he later won stage seven. [RacingNews365]

Al Manar Racing by Team WRT won the 20th running of the Michelin 24H Dubai, marking the debut victory for the new BMW M4 GT3 EVO. The race featured intense competition, with multiple teams leading at different points and significant strategic maneuvers influencing the outcome. [Sportscar365]

Gran Turismo world champion Igor Fraga will have a full-time drive in Super Formula for 2025 after a season as a reserve for Ponos Nakajima Racing. Fraga, who won the Toyota Racing Series in 2020 against the likes of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, previously racing in the Super Formula Lights series in 2023. [GTPlanet]

FUN STUFF

The Mustang Mach-E Rent-a-Racer is now seeing similar deals as Hertz's past Shelby Mustangs, with 66 examples currently for sale at $60,000 each. The Ford Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT-H features distinctive styling and limited production, but its performance upgrades are minimal compared to its gas-powered predecessors. [Autoblog]

An E30-generation BMW 3 Series, found abandoned in a barn for 30 years, has been brought back to life by a team of specialist detailers. The new owner of this 325i plans to continue the restoration process after successfully cleaning the vehicle, which had been neglected but remained in good condition overall. [Motor1]

The Red Bull Motorsports content production team recently showcased a drifting challenge featuring champion racer Kalle Rovanperä and his Toyota GR Corolla against various modified cars on Japan's Mount Iwaki. The video combines thrilling driving sequences with a nod to drifting culture, culminating in a playful race against the animated character Takumi Fujiwara. [The Drive]

Dashcam footage has captured the driver of a Nissan Versa crashing and flipping the sedan on a bridge in Pittsburgh after swerving aggressively through traffic. Despite the severity of the incident, the driver appeared to escape without serious injuries, raising questions about their decision to leave the scene briefly. [Carscoops]

A 2005 Bentley Continental GT with over 514,000 miles is listed for auction as a rebuildable model despite its front-end damage, while the rest of the car remains in relatively good condition. The vehicle's high mileage significantly impacts its current value, dropping it to an estimated range of $5,843 to $7,124. [The Drive]

The driver of a second-generation Toyota Prius ignored railway crossing warnings and was struck by a Brightline train in North Miami Beach, resulting in a dramatic crash captured on camera. The train was reportedly traveling at up to 79 mph at the time of the collision, but no-one seems to have been seriously injured. [Carscoops]

A motorcyclist in the US has been lucky to survive a potentially deadly incident as he slid underneath a pickup truck in the road. The incident, caught on the rider’s helmet-cam, highlights the dangers of high-speed riding and poor observation, with both parties’ actions contributing to the incident. [Carscoops]

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!