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Toyota Reveals Heritage Livery for Le Mans
Andrew Evans
May 12, 2025
Hello, SpeedBiters! Here's what's on the menu today:
Hammond and May back to old TG tricks
Volkswagen selling Italdesign?
Ferrari undefeated in 2025 WEC
New Toyota RAV4 teased
Colorado passes law to permit kei cars
...and more!
Join the discussion: click here to chat about today's issue!
INDUSTRY NEWS
Italdesign, a prominent Italian automotive design firm known for its influential contributions since its inception in 1968, is reportedly on the market as Volkswagen Group seeks to streamline its operations. While the future of the company remains uncertain, there is hope that a new owner will preserve its legacy of innovative car design.
Toyota is preparing to unveil a new model on May 21, although it won't be the anticipated Celica or MR2, but rather a new iteration of the RAV4 SUV. The sixth-generation RAV4 is expected to maintain its plug-in hybrid configuration, while details about its powertrain remain largely speculative until the official reveal.
General Motors' President Mark Reuss has stated that introducing a new Cadillac XLR would not fit with the brand's current strategic direction, as it would not be distinct enough from the Chevrolet Corvette. Meanwhile, the Cadillac Celestiq, which has faced delays, is anticipated to begin customer deliveries in the near future, with hopes of expanding into a line of bespoke vehicles if successful.
Daihatsu is set to unveil its latest Move model in June 2025, marking its return after a two-year hiatus prompted by a safety scandal that halted production of the previous version. The redesigned kei car features a modern aesthetic with sliding rear doors and will offer a choice of naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, maintaining its competitive edge in the affordable kei segment.
The P24 RS, an anticipated model from Donkervoort, is set to advance the features of the current F22 while also serving as a modern successor to the D8 270 RS, known for its impressive Nurburgring lap time. Although details remain limited as the vehicle is still being developed, the company has shared insights about its innovative engine and cooling system, which promise enhanced performance and efficiency.
A new contender in the realm of track-oriented sports cars has emerged from Spain, with the Baltasar Revolt R showcasing a focus on lightweight design and advanced aerodynamics. This electric vehicle, designed exclusively for racing, features a robust carbon fiber structure and a unique battery system that allows for rapid charging, although it remains in the prototype stage with no official release date announced.
Mansory has unveiled the Pugnator Tricolore, a flamboyant iteration of its previous Ferrari Purosangue modification, which boosts the SUV's power while introducing a striking tri-tone paint scheme. With only three units being produced, this extravagant vehicle features bold design elements and lavish interior details, catering to a niche market of affluent buyers.
Tesla's Austin factory has instructed assembly workers to either stay home or engage in cleaning tasks for a week, impacting the production of both the Model Y and Cybertruck. This decision reflects ongoing challenges with demand, as the company has experienced reduced overtime hours and inconsistent work schedules, raising concerns about the sales performance of its key models.
MOTORSPORT
Toyota is celebrating four decades since its initial factory-supported participation in the Le Mans 24 Hours by unveiling a special design for its #7 GR010 HYBRID, which draws inspiration from the iconic GT-One of the late 1990s. This unique livery, featuring a striking red base with dynamic white accents, will be showcased during the upcoming World Endurance Championship race on June 14/15, honoring the brand's rich history in endurance racing.
Ferrari secured its third consecutive victory in the World Endurance Championship at the Spa 6 Hours, with drivers James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi, and Alessandro Pier Guidi finishing just ahead of their teammate in a tightly contested race. Despite a strong qualifying performance, the race featured intense competition from Alpine, BMW, and Peugeot, with strategic pit stops playing a crucial role in the final outcome.
In an unusual twist for the upcoming Indianapolis 500, McLaren's team principal Tony Kanaan may find himself racing against his own drivers, as he is set to serve as a backup for Kyle Larson, who is also participating in another major event that day. This new rule allows for a replacement driver under specific conditions, and while Kanaan emphasizes his commitment to racing fairly, he acknowledges the competitive nature of the situation could lead to interesting dynamics on race day.
Kimi Antonelli is optimistic about enhancing his performance in the upcoming Formula 1 races following a strong showing in Miami, where he became the youngest driver to secure pole position in any F1 event. Despite finishing sixth in the main race after qualifying third, the 18-year-old demonstrated his ability to compete with established drivers and looks forward to leveraging his familiarity with European circuits to continue improving.
Isack Hadjar has expressed his newfound freedom to communicate more openly over the radio in Formula 1, contrasting it with his experiences in Formula 2, where he felt constrained. Despite narrowly missing points in Miami, he appreciates the intensity of sprint weekends, finding them more exhilarating due to the increased racing and pressure they offer.
Lewis Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has been marked by a challenging start, as he currently sits seventh in the championship standings and has yet to secure a podium finish in a feature race this season. Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc shares similar frustrations, expressing concerns about their car's performance and anticipating difficulties at the upcoming Monaco race after a disappointing outing in Miami.
Ford has provided an update on its collaboration with Red Bull Racing as it prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, highlighted the evolving partnership, which has expanded beyond electronics to include the development of the internal combustion engine, emphasizing the effective communication and shared resources that are driving the project forward.
At Brands Hatch, Jake Hill, Daryl DeLeon, and Charles Rainford each secured victories during an exciting round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship. The event marked a significant comeback for BMW and WSR, with DeLeon achieving his first career win and Rainford completing a clean sweep for the team.
Fabio Quartararo has received a fine and a temporary suspension from the beginning of practice at Silverstone due to reckless conduct following his crash during the French Grand Prix. Despite his efforts to regain control during the race, stewards deemed his actions unsafe, leading to a €2000 penalty and a ten-minute exclusion from the upcoming practice session.
FUN STUFF
In a recent DriveTribe video, James May and Richard Hammond revisit their Top Gear roots by staging a humorous race between a Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and a Pipistrel electric airplane. The competition, which spans from Henstridge Airfield to the Dunsfold Aerodrome, showcases the duo's playful rivalry, culminating in Hammond's victory despite the plane's potential speed advantage being hampered by necessary recharging stops.
Colorado has enacted HB25-1281, which will permit residents to register and operate kei vehicles starting July 1, 2027, addressing previous legal ambiguities surrounding these small Japanese cars. The new legislation establishes guidelines for emissions testing and road usage, allowing these vehicles to be driven on roads with speed limits up to 55 mph.
Automotive test mules serve as experimental platforms for manufacturers, often vanishing from public view after their testing phase, but occasionally one emerges to capture attention, like the EX87 Chevrolet Corvette C1 currently listed on Bring a Trailer. This particular vehicle has a rich history tied to its modifications aimed at achieving high-speed records, and after decades of ownership, it is now available for auction, complete with documentation and a clean title.
A recent study by Alinea Analytics reveals that three Xbox-owned franchises dominate the top five best-selling games on PlayStation for April, with Minecraft leading the pack and Forza Horizon 5 achieving impressive sales despite only being available for a few days that month. The report highlights that Microsoft-developed titles are generating significant revenue from PlayStation users, making a future strategy of releasing titles across all platforms a possibility.
A Ferrari F40 was involved in a collision with a stationary Volvo 850 while the latter was waiting to enter a gas station near the Nurburgring. Although the Ferrari driver was primarily at fault for the accident, the positioning of the Volvo contributed to the incident, leading to potential disputes over liability in insurance claims.
A Nissan R390, formerly used as a racing car before conversion to road use for its original driver Erik Comas, has emerged with a new retro look courtesy of a Japanese Grand Touring Car Championship wrap. The livery, created by Benoit Fraylon, BillionaireWrap, and Pitstop Monte Carlo, harks back to the Pennzoil-sponsored Nissan GT-R GT500 also racing by Comas in 1999, with which he and Satoshi Motoyama secured the series title.
Audi has issued a warning regarding the emergence of counterfeit websites that are targeting used-car buyers with enticingly low prices, which are ultimately fraudulent. The automaker has reported that some individuals in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria have already fallen prey to these scams, prompting Audi to collaborate with law enforcement to investigate the matter further.
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!