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This Ford GT is Gunning for 330
Andrew Evans
August 06, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Colapinto crashes during F1 tire test
Buick reveals futurists Electra Orbit concept car
Formula Legends release date & free console demo announced
Audi adds multiplayer gaming to its EVs
Super GT won’t abandon double-file Indy starts
...and more!
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INDUSTRY NEWS
The Buick Electra Orbit concept car represents a striking departure from the brand's recent design language, blending nostalgic elements with futuristic aesthetics. Originating from GM's China Advanced Design Studio, this vehicle features an eye-catching silhouette and innovative details, suggesting a potential new direction for Buick's future models.
Audi's newest electric vehicles, including the A6 E-Tron and Q6 E-Tron, now feature AirConsole, enabling drivers and passengers to engage in multiplayer gaming using their smartphones as controllers. This functionality allows for a variety of games like Pictionary Car Party to be played on the vehicle's screens, provided users have a myAudi account and a stable internet connection.
A group of engineers at GM showed that electric vehicles can achieve significantly better distances on a single charge than standard by applying careful driving techniques and hypermiling tricks. The attempt wasn't aimed at breaking records but to demonstrate what’s possible with teamwork as the Silverado EV managed to cover 1,059 miles in a truck rated at a 493-mile range.
The convenience of charging electric vehicles at home is a significant benefit that fossil fuel-powered cars cannot offer, yet many residents of apartments and condos still lack access to this option. In response, California has introduced a $56.5 million initiative aimed at supporting multi-family residences in installing EV chargers, particularly focusing on aiding low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
At the upcoming Munich Motor Show, MINI plans to reveal two new JCW concepts, designed to emphasize the brand's motorsport heritage. The concepts will join parent brand BMW’s iX3, which will debut new battery technology and charging capabilities and feature the Neue Klasse design, along with two concept motorbikes from BMW Motorrad.
Land Rover has introduced the Range Rover Sport SV Carbon, a performance-oriented model that features extensive use of carbon fiber as part of a weight reduction strategy. With options like the carbon fiber wheels specified, the SV Carbon can see up to 76kg shaved from its 2.5-ton curb weight, and is the most expensive vehicle in the updated Range Rover lineup, starting at £165,045.
Volkswagen is set to discontinue the Touareg by 2026, marking the end of its high-end SUV segment, with the Tayron taking its place as the brand's largest offering in the UK. Additionally, the ID.5 will also be phased out by 2027 as part of a strategy to focus on more popular models, while plans for a compact electric MPV have been deprioritized in favor of crossovers and SUVs.
Some Tesla shareholders have filed a class-action suit against the brand and its CEO, Elon Musk, alleging that the effectiveness of the autonomous driving features have been overstated. The move follows a poor initial rollout of the “Robotaxi” pilot scheme and a recent trial in which the jury found Tesla to be 33% responsible for a fatal crash and ordered the firm to pay $243m in restitution.
MOTORSPORT
Franco Colapinto’s recent woes have continued after the Argentine driver crashed his Alpine F1 car during a Pirelli tire test at the Hungaroring. Colapinto wasn’t injured in the crash at Turn 11, but the incident compounds poor performances in his eight grands prix since replacing Jack Doohan, with no finishes in the top 12 this season and what’s reported to be a rolling contract.
GTA's Masaaki Bandoh remains committed to the idea of incorporating Indy-style starts into Super GT, despite the decision to revert to traditional starting methods for the recent Fuji sprint race. He emphasized the need for improved driver familiarity and safety measures before moving forward with this initiative, indicating potential implementation as early as next year if these challenges can be addressed.
The Cadillac F1 team has faced initial resistance from established teams concerned about resource dilution, but recent comments from McLaren's Zak Brown suggest a shift in perspective, highlighting the potential for increased financial benefits. Despite the team's initial reliance on Ferrari engines and expected lack of competitiveness, Brown believes that it will ultimately enhance the sport's appeal, particularly in the American market.
Red Bull's team principal, Laurent Mekies, emphasized that the issues faced by the team cannot be resolved merely by adopting features from the more successful Racing Bulls car, as the development paths of the two vehicles are fundamentally different. Despite the challenges, Mekies highlighted the importance of Max Verstappen's extensive experience in navigating these difficulties.
McLaren celebrated a significant milestone at the Hungarian Grand Prix, achieving its 200th victory with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing in first and second place, respectively. The result equals a McLaren record of consecutive one-two finishes, set by Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1988, while Norris’s ninth win moves him alongside Kimi Raikkonen and James Hunt in McLaren’s all-time list.
Toto Wolff, the principal of Mercedes, indicated that the rear suspension update initially tested in May is likely to be discarded after the team's performance improved in Hungary by reverting to the previous setup. George Russell's strong finish in the Hungarian Grand Prix highlighted the benefits of this change, as the team aims to focus on developing their 2026 car while addressing past stability issues.
McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, believes that Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will maintain a positive relationship despite their competitive rivalry. Following Norris's collision with Piastri during the Canadian Grand Prix, Brown expressed confidence in their mutual respect and communication, anticipating further close racing as they head into the summer break after Norris's recent win in Hungary.
In a recent statement, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds suggested that advancements like solid-state batteries could soon enable direct competition with Formula 1, although current performance metrics indicate that Formula E still has significant ground to cover. While the series has made progress since its early days, a closer examination of the data reveals that it may be premature to assert that it is on the verge of matching F1’s pace.
CURIOSITIES
Johnny Bohmer plans to attempt a new speed record for street-legal vehicles in 2026, aiming for a remarkable 330mph with his modified 2006 Ford GT at the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. Having previously achieved a speed of 310.8 mph, he believes there is potential for even greater performance, as he continues to refine the vehicle while maintaining its street legality.
Upcoming racing game Formula Legends is set to launch on September 18 across multiple platforms, including PC and consoles, after undergoing significant updates since its initial reveal. A free demo has already attracted considerable interest, allowing players to experience its unique blend of nostalgic design and intricate gameplay mechanics, while offering customization options for race conditions and vehicle performance.
Zakspeed transformed the Chrysler 300C SRT8 into a competitive touring car for the Italian Superstars series, where it raced against notable models like the Audi RS-4 and Lexus IS-F. Currently, one of these modified vehicles is available for purchase, featuring extensive weight reduction and performance enhancements, although it lacks an engine, allowing potential buyers to customize it further.
While the revival of TVR appears to be faltering once more, with the company's financial statements for 2024 still pending and a recent resignation of its director, there’s now a chance to pick up a unique piece of its past. The sole production T440R, equipped with a 440hp version of the Speed Six engine, is set to be auctioned with an estimated price of £160,000-£190,000 reflecting its rarity even though TVR failed to build a racing variant.
A 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe with a rare gated manual gearbox, primarily owned in California and boasting a clean accident history, is being auctioned online. The car boasts a low odometer reading of 22,800 miles, with the current owner having added approximately 1,600 miles since acquiring it in May 2024, with a starting bid of $50,000.
Fritz Burkhard is embarking on a cross-country journey in his 1936 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante, traveling from Newport, Rhode Island, to Pebble Beach, California, to show that classic vehicles deserve to be driven rather than merely displayed. Accompanied by Sean O'Donnell and Antonio Melegari from the Audrain Automobile Museum in a modern Ford Mustang GT500KR, they are documenting this unique experience on social media for enthusiasts to follow.
San Francisco has implemented 33 speed cameras that are now actively issuing fines for speeding violations, following a successful trial that significantly reduced speeding incidents. The initiative aims to enhance road safety, with penalties starting at $50 for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph, and adjustments available for low-income offenders who may opt for community service instead of paying fines.
The Volkswagen Type 2, affectionately dubbed the hippie van, gained popularity in the 1960s as a favored transport for music enthusiasts and free spirits. A modified 1965 model is set to be auctioned in Monterey, California, with its owner anticipating a sale price between $100,000 and $125,000, reflecting its extensive upgrades and unique features.
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