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Rolls-Royce Reveals Its Most Powerful Car Ever

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

  • All ten F1 cars for 2025 revealed

  • Carmageddon promo vehicle for sale

  • McLaren MCL38 Edition marks F1 title

  • Steph Curry-inspired Mansory Ford GT

  • Will mandatory two-stops make Monaco better?

...and more!

INDUSTRY NEWS

McLaren is marking its 2024 Formula One Constructors' Championship title with special edition road cars, based on the Artura and 750S supercars. These MCL38 editions are named for and inspired by the 2024 racing car, and will be produced in just 18 units, showcasing unique design elements that honor the team's recent success on the track. [Carscoops]

Rolls-Royce has introduced its powerful vehicle to date, with the Black Badge Spectre delivering up to 650hp, as well as being the first electric vehicle from the brand to bear the Black Badge branding. This model not only enhances performance with features like Infinity mode and Spirited mode for improved acceleration but also offers extensive customization options, including a new color and illuminated elements that reflect a modern aesthetic. [Autocar]

Hyundai has introduced a ruggedized variant of its Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, designed for light off-road use with enhanced ground clearance and all-terrain tires, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and those navigating challenging weather conditions. While this “XRT” model sacrifices some range compared to other trims, its performance on dirt roads showcases its potential as a practical option for drivers in snowy or rough terrains. [InsideEVs]

Ferrari is preparing to introduce its inaugural electric vehicle this year, and a prototype has recently been spotted charging in Sweden. The prototype hints at a crossover design, possibly related to the Purosangue, and features wide fender flares, staggered wheel sizes, and a potential roof-mounted charging status indicator. [Carscoops]

Ford is introducing a comprehensive security solution for its F-Series trucks, featuring a mobile app that allows owners to remotely disable their engines in response to the frequent vehicle thefts occurring in the US. This initiative, starting with the 2024 F-150, includes coverage for insurance deductibles in the event of theft and will eventually extend to additional Ford models. [The Drive]

Following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Camaro at the close of 2023, speculation about its potential return has circulated, including ideas for a new muscle car or a budget-friendly electric variant. However, recent insights indicate that plans for a seventh-generation Camaro have faced significant setbacks, as management reportedly dismissed a proposal due to insufficient business justification, leaving the future of the iconic model uncertain. [Car Throttle]

Pick-up trucks are not as popular in the UK as elsewhere, with few options for electrified variants until now, with the KGM Musso EV. Set to launch in 2025 as an electric alternative in the pick-up segment, the Musso is based on the Torres EVX SUV and promises similar comfort and efficiency while offering practical features like a towing capacity of up to 1,500kg. [AutoExpress​.co​.uk]

While the proposed merger between Honda and Nissan has officially ended, Honda remains open to negotiations in the future, seemingly contingent on the departure of Nissan's CEO Makoto Uchida. Uchida has faced criticism for not effectively addressing the company's challenges, and Nissan's apprehensions about losing control within the partnership were behind the breakdown of negotiations. [TheTruthAboutCars]

MOTORSPORT

Formula 1 hosted its inaugural collective launch event in London, where all teams showcased their 2025 cars through liveries for the new season. The cars were revealed in in reverse championship order from 2024, with highlights including the newly white Racing Bulls car, Sauber's refreshed neon green, and a new design for Williams, along with the Ferrari that will see Lewis Hamilton make his team debut. [Autosport]

Following the F1 75 launch event, Charles Leclerc has taken charge of the Ferrari SF-25 in its first official shakedown run, hitting the track at Fiorano on Wednesday. According to team principal, Fred Vasseur, the car is 99% new compared to the 2024 machine, and features a new pullrod front suspension that has allowed the team to develop new aerodynamics as it seeks to go one better than its runner-up spot last season. [The Race]

Zak Brown asserts that McLaren has achieved significant commercial success in Formula 1, particularly following the team’s first constructors' championship win in 26 years in 2024. With a substantial increase in partnerships since his appointment as CEO in 2018, Brown emphasizes a focus on maintaining stability and visibility for the team while anticipating continued growth in the sport. [Autosport]

George Russell has stated that he has no plans to engage in discussions with Max Verstappen after their conflict from the previous season, emphasizing his desire to focus on his own performance. Meanwhile, Verstappen expressed a similar lack of interest in continuing the feud, highlighting a mutual decision to move on from their past disagreements. [BBC Sport F1]

A new rule to improve the spectacle of the Monaco Grand Prix has been proposed, with Formula 1 bosses agreeing to increase the number of mandatory pit stops. This decision, driven by concerns over the lack of overtaking opportunities on the narrow circuit, will require drivers to make at least two stops rather than the usual one, and mandate the use of three different tire compounds, with the circuit profile not conducive to on-track position changes. [BBC Sport F1]

Yuki Tsunoda has humorously committed to avoiding fines under the FIA's new regulations regarding profanity, which will take effect in 2025. While acknowledging the importance of self-expression in racing, where Tsunoda is known for robust language, he emphasized that drivers are well-trained to manage their language during media interactions to comply with the updated rules. [RacingNews365]

The FIA has announced a series of modifications to the technical, financial, and sporting regulations set to take effect in the 2025 Formula 1 season, following discussions during the F1 Commission meeting. Key updates include enhanced front and rear wing deflection tests, adjustments to the driver cooling system, and the removal of gearbox usage limits, all pending approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council. [RacingNews365]

Former Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant has surprisingly opted out of a seat in the Genesis-backed IDEC Sport team in the European Le Mans Series to explore other interests, with a replacement driver expected to be named soon. Sargeant's departure follows a challenging F1 tenure with Williams, but the seat had been regarded as a route into a top-level endurance racing drive with the new Genesis LMDh car in 2026. [Motorsport​.com]

FUN STUFF

A unique Chevrolet C10 rat-rod made as a promotional vehicle for the 2016 release of the Carmageddon: Max Damage game is currently available for purchase in the UK through Bonhams Cars Online. This distinctive vehicle, which underwent extensive modifications and features a game-themed design, has been owned by the developer behind the game and made an appearance at a charity event at Goodwood this summer, those isn’t road legal in the UK. [GTPlanet]

This year's Goodwood Members' Meeting will honor the 40th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's inaugural Formula 1 victory, featuring his nephew Bruno Senna behind the wheel of the iconic Lotus 97T. The event will culminate in a special demonstration at Estoril on the exact date of the historic race, celebrating both Ayrton's legacy and the enduring passion of Team Lotus. [Autosport]

Tom Cruise is reportedly eager to develop a sequel to his 1990 film Days of Thunder, and NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon has expressed his enthusiasm for the project, indicating his willingness to collaborate. While the sequel remains in the conceptual stage without formal backing from Cruise or Paramount, Gordon believes there are opportunities for NASCAR to return to the cinematic spotlight, potentially through a documentary series. [The Drive]

Mansory has modified another Ford GT, this time inspired by NBA legend Steph Curry and in collaboration with his partner brand Under Armour. Called “Le Mansory”, the car is designed in a matching black and yellow color scheme to Curry’s new “Echo” sportswear sneaker that will launch in April, and features extensive use of the Under Armour logo, though the design itself is somewhat polarizing. [Car Throttle]

Mecum is set to auction now fewer than six different Plymouth Prowlers at its Glendale event in March, with the unconventional roadster starting to become a bit of a collectors’ item. While not a high-performance car even in its day, the hot-rod styling stood out from the crowd, and the cars on offer at Mecum cover different color, engine, and mileage options. [The Drive]

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay made a characteristic language slip-up at the F1 75 Live event in London, accidentally swearing live on air while talking about the FIA's controversial new swearing ban. Asked by host Jack Whitehall about the regulations, Ramsay argued that the intense pressure on drivers justifies occasional outbursts before his own faux pas, prompting his mic to be cut and laughter from the audience. [RacingNews365]

A unique three-wheeled motorcycle, originally based on a Honda Valkyrie, has been transformed with fiberglass and metal elements to resemble a classic 1969 Camaro. Currently available on Facebook Marketplace, this unconventional build requires further work, including engine repairs and interior finishing, and is priced at $9,100 in Acton, California. [The Drive]

Japanese tuner Rocket Bunny has transformed an early Lotus Elise into a 1,000hp time attack car said to be designed for Pikes Peak. The car features a turbocharged Subaru flat-four engine and a strikingly altered body designed for competitive racing, with extensive changes including a low front profile, flared wheel arches, and a prominent rear wing. [The Drive]

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