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Aston Martin has shown a V-12–powered, open-topped Vantage at Pebble Beach.The V12 Vantage roadster has 690 horsepower and a claimed 200 mph top speed.It will be limited to 249 examples worldwide, and all have already been sold.Aston Martin seems to have taken the advice of its most famous fictional brand ambassador—Britain’s leading not-very-secret agent, James Bond—and decided to never say never again. Although we were told when the V12 Vantage coupe was released that there were no plans to build a roadster version, this is very much a roadster version of the same car—one that has just been unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.

Anybody who bought a V12 Vantage coupe on the grounds of the exclusivity guaranteed by its 333-unit production run likely won’t be pleased by the arrival of the ragtop. But the rest of us should be able to forgive Aston Martin for having introduced something so good-looking. The regular V8 Vantage roadster is already an exceptionally handsome beast, and the V12 has turned up the muscularity of the design without losing any of the grace of the basic car.

Aston Martin

As with the coupe, fitting the sizable 12-cylinder engine has been a challenge. Aston insiders say it has been necessary to combine much of the underbody structure of the larger DBS with the Vantage bodyshell. The body of the V12 Roadster has been widened and incorporates heat vents in the fenders behind the front wheel arches, plus a reworked hood necessary to find packaging space for the motor. The hood, fenders, and sill extensions are all made from carbon fiber.Mechanically, the roadster is pretty much identical to the coupe. It uses a 690-hp version of Aston’s twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V-12 engine, the same motor that powers the larger DB11 and DBS. This is accompanied by 555 pound-feet of torque, and sent to the rear axle through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential. A dual exhaust sits beneath the rear diffuser and is made from lightweight stainless steel. The full exhaust system weighs a claimed 16 pounds less than the exhaust of the V8 Vantage Roadster. We are hoping it sounds better without a roof than the disappointingly muted coupe did when we drove it earlier this year.Per Aston’s claims, the V12 roadster will be one of the fastest front-engine roadsters in the world, capable of both a 3.5 second 60 mph time and a top speed of 200 mph. Those figures are slightly better than the ones the company claimed for the much more expensive windshield-less V12 Speedster that sat on the Vantage’s chassis and used the same engine.

Aston Martin

Although it doesn’t strike us as a natural track car, carbon-ceramic brakes will be standard on the V12 roadster, and it will also be offered with the option of the raised wing from the coupe. While the official images suggest that the roadster looks better without the high-level spoiler, choosing it will also allow the car to produce a claimed peak of 475 pounds of downforce. Production of the V12 roadster will be limited to just 249 examples, making it even more exclusive than the coupe, with deliveries due to start before the end of the year. There is no official word on pricing, but Aston says it has sold out the full run already, with buyers unlikely to be seeing much change from $350,000. That’s a huge amount to pay for the smallest Aston Martin, even in ultra-exclusive form, but we are promised that this really is the last time the V-12 engine will be combined with the Vantage bodyshell.
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Ford announced details of its large-scale publicity effort as it prepares to reveal the new S650-generation Mustang in Detroit on September 14.The automaker will hold an outdoor party in Hart Plaza that evening, during press days for the Detroit auto show, and is inviting “Mustang fans around the world” to attend in person and via social media channels.Ford says interested Mustang owners and fans can register online to take part. Ford announced today that it will hold an outdoor event in Detroit that it’s calling, predictably, “The Stampede,” celebrating the launch of the new S650-generation Mustang. This event will take place on the evening of September 14 in Hart Plaza, near the venue of the Detroit auto show, which will be holding press days at the same time. Ford is inviting the public to attend and will also broadcast the party on social media.

Preceding the debut, Ford is originating a cross-country tour in Tacoma, Washington, on September 6, and “all Mustang owners and enthusiasts” are invited to participate in some or all of it. The tour will make around 12 stops on the way back to Detroit. Then a parade from Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, to the Detroit event will take place on September 14.We don’t yet have full details on the 2024 Mustang, which has so far been seen only in camouflaged form, but it’s expected to keep the same EcoBoost four-cylinder and V-8–powered GT versions, to continue to have the choice of a manual transmission, and to retail in the $30,000-and-up range. The illustration above predicts a very familiar-looking Mustang exterior, but we expect the interior to be modernized in a major way.Ford is asking Mustang owners to register if they plan to participate in some or all of the publicity bonanza it’s planning. Those who prefer to spectate online will be able to find full details, specs, and photos here once the seventh-generation pony car launches next month.
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The 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante has been revealed as a lighter and racier version of the regular Urus.Along with revised styling, the Performante gains 16 horses (657 total), loses a claimed 104 pounds, and rides on steel springs versus air springs.The $264,671 Urus Performante also has a Rally drive mode, a rear-biased center diff, and super-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are optional.As if the Lamborghini Urus wasn’t already a super ute, the newly revealed 2023 Urus Performante aims to take its street cred up another notch or two. Now, before anyone gets overexcited about its adopting the Aventador’s V-12 or the Huracán’s V-10, pump the brakes. The new Performante variant isn’t a radical transformation, but rather an enhanced version of an already incredible machine, as we learned firsthand during a prototype drive. With that said, let’s take a peek at the parts that separate the ultra Urus from the regular one.

Let Me See Your Grille

Lamborghini

Okay, so there’s still no mistaking the new Performante for anything other than a Lamborghini Urus. However, it has a restyled mug that remains dedicated to ingesting as much atmosphere as possible. Just look at how much surface area is occupied by its air intakes. It looks like a monster’s mouth. Lamborghini says the new bumper design provides increased engine cooling, and there’s now an air curtain that directs airflow over the front wheels. The hood has also been redesigned, not only to look cooler with deeper cut lines but also to be more aerodynamic and lighter. The latter comes from its new carbon-fiber construction. Updated Booty

Lamborghini

The aero improvements don’t stop at the cowl, either, as the Performante has a specially designed rear spoiler that Lamborghini claims increases downforce by 38 percent. Its rear bumper and diffuser are made of carbon fiber, too, and they surround a set of standard titanium exhaust tips. The front and rear exterior revisions make it almost 1 inch longer than the regular Urus. Horsepower Bump

Lamborghini

The Performante uses the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 as the regular Urus. While both versions produce the same 627 pound-feet of torque, the racier model has an extra 16 horsepower, giving it 657 ponies versus 641. That power continues to run to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Lamborghini claims the Performante is quicker from zero to 62 mph than the regular Urus, beating it by 0.3 second. Plus, its zero-to-124-mph time is said to be 1.3 ticks quicker, taking 11.5 seconds.Enter Rally Mode

Lamborghini

The Urus’s eight-speed gearbox has been recalibrated for Performante duty, and the all-wheel-drive system gets a different center differential that sends more torque rearward. Likewise, the drivetrain has a new calibration that works in conjunction with the addition of a Rally drive mode, which we were more than happy to try out during the prototype drive. While we indulged in a lot of power oversteer on a gravel-covered off-road handling course, we have to admit it would be less enticing if it were our own six-figure SUV. Steel Suspenders

Lamborghini

When it comes to performance vehicles, the chassis is just as important as the powertrain, if not more so. This is arguably the area where the Performante is most different from the regular Urus, which rides on an air suspension. Thanks to a set of steel springs, the Performante sits 0.8 inch lower, and its dampers have been retuned, too. Its track width also grows by about 0.6 inch, and the standard rear-axle steering is said to intervene quicker and improve turn-in response. We got to experience the Performante’s impressive high-speed performance on a racetrack during the prototype drive, but our impressions of its real-world ride quality were limited.Stickier Shoes

Lamborghini

The Urus Performante comes standard with lightweight 22-inch forged wheels; a set of 23-inch rollers are also optional. What’s even more notable is the available set of super-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber, which Lamborghini says it helped develop and are the first semi-slick tires Pirelli has designed for an SUV. With the 22s, they measure 285/40 up front and 325/35 in back, with the rears being 10mm wider than on the regular Urus.Weight-Loss Regimen

Lamborghini

If we have any gripes about the Urus—and admittedly there are few—it’s that it would benefit from shedding some pounds. After all, how many supercars weigh more than 5000 pounds? We’ll wait. Thankfully, Lamborghini has trimmed some of the fat off the SUV with the Performante treatment. Sure, it’s only claimed to be 104 pounds, but it’s something. The Urus’s diet largely results from its new carbon-fiber hood, steel springs (saving 30 pounds alone), and reduced sound deadening. Inside Job

Lamborghini

There’s not a lot that separates the Performante’s interior from what’s inside the lesser version. Along with standard microsuede cabin materials, it introduces a new hexagonal design for the seat stitching. Other unique bits and pieces include color and trim options for places including the doors, headliner, and seatbacks. Of course, Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program allows customers to further personalize their Urus. Some neat options include matte carbon-fiber accents and red door handles. Record Breaker

Lamborghini

Before the 2023 Urus Performante was revealed to the world, a camouflaged version was busy breaking the production-SUV record at the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Finishing with a time of 10:32.064, the Lambo was almost 18 seconds quicker than the 2018 Bentley Bentayga that previously held the record with a 10:49.902 score. The record-breaking performance wasn’t during this year’s Pikes Peak event, the feat was verified by the event’s official timekeepers.What’s the Retail on One of Those?

Lamborghini

The 2023 Lamborghini Urus Performante is set to go on sale by the end of the year, and it carries a significant starting price of $264,871. That’s almost $35K more than the 2022 Urus, which had a base price of $229,495. Still, the Italian automaker expects the Performante version to account for at least half of all sales. With its impressive improvements, we can see why, and it’s the version we’d want to park in our garage—if we could afford one.
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The Koenigsegg CC850 celebrates 20 years since the delivery of the first Koenigsegg, the CC8S, and pays tribute with a faithful modernization of the sleek design.The CC850 features a unique new transmission that can act as both a nine-speed automatic and a gated six-speed manual operated with a real clutch pedal.The twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 can produce 1385 horsepower on E85 ethanol and 1020 pound-feet of torque.Since delivering its first production car in 2002, Koenigsegg has become a leader in combining sleek and stylish hypercar designs with ambitious and ground-breaking engineering triumphs. To honor the twentieth anniversary of its first model, the CC8S, Koenigsegg has created the limited edition CC850, which faithfully modernizes the clean design of the CC8S while introducing a radical new gearbox, the Engage Shift System.

Koenigsegg

A twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8—likely closely related to the same unit found in the Jesko—powers the CC850 with a whopping 1185 horsepower, which increases to an even more ludicrous 1385 ponies when you fill the tank with E85. Koenigsegg claims a curb weight of 1385 kilograms, or about 3053 pounds, replicating the one-to-one power-to-weight ratio claimed by the 2014 Koenigsegg One:1. The V-8 also churns out 1020 pound-feet of torque, and while the Swedish automaker didn’t reveal performance statistics, the CC850 should be plenty quick.

Koenigsegg

The main attraction of the CC850, however, is the new Engage Shift System (ESS), which is based on the Light Speed Transmission (LST) from the Jesko. Like the LST, the ESS is a multi-clutch nine-speed automatic that can fire off ultra-rapid shifts. Unlike the Jesko’s LST, however, the CC850’s ESS is fitted with an old-school clutch pedal next to the brake and a gated shifter, allowing the driver to operate the ESS like a traditional six-speed manual transmission. The manual shifter is not mechanically changing the gears, instead shifting entirely by wire, which also allows the ESS to adjust the gear ratios depending on the driving mode. Koenigsegg says this makes it the first manual that can change its gear ratios, although whether this gearbox can truly be considered a manual is up for debate. Founder von Koenigsegg did confirm to Road & Track that it is possible to stall the car in manual mode if you let off the clutch too quickly.

Koenigsegg

Visually, the car adheres closely to the design of its CC8S ancestor. The bodywork is smooth and features similar proportions to the CC8S, and the CC850 even has a similar scoop carved out of the side of the car. The headlights and taillights have been brought up to date with a minimalist LED design, but otherwise the CC850 remains true to its heritage. The same is true inside, which is symmetrical and stays in line with Koenigsegg’s current design language, but the CC850 does get analog gauges instead of a digital instrument cluster. As on all Koenigseggs, the CC850’s hardtop roof is removable and the “synchrohelix” doors rotate out and up.

Along with marking two decades since Koenigsegg’s first production car, 2022 also saw its founder, Christian von Koenigsegg, turn 50 years old, and as a result only 50 units of the CC850 will be built. The CC850 will likely cost many millions of dollars for the few lucky individuals to get their hands on one.
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The McLaren Solus GT is a new limited-edition track car, taking design inspiration from the 2017 Vision GT car created for the Gran Turismo video game series.The centerpiece is a 5.2-liter V-10 developed with help from Judd Power, producing over 829 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque and revving to over 10,000 rpm.McLaren predicts a top speed of over 200 mph and a 60 mph sprint time of under 2.5 seconds, and only 25 units will be built.Since 2013, automakers have crafted dramatic, outlandish race cars for the Gran Turismo video game series under the “Vision Gran Turismo” banner. These fantasy vehicles are designed to exist solely in the virtual world, allowing the designers to stretch their imaginations beyond the limitations of budgets and real-world production processes. McLaren’s 2017 entry, the Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo, was one of the most striking concepts, and now McLaren is turning that virtual race car into a reality with the Solus GT, a single-seat, V-10–powered track car.
The Solus GT’s design remains fairly similar to that of the Vision GT, with windswept bodywork reminiscent of top-flight endurance race cars. Access to the single seat is granted by a theatrical sliding canopy, while the styling is largely dictated by aerodynamics. The Solus is glued to the asphalt thanks to ground-effect tunnels running the length of the car, fed by vents behind the large front splitter and spitting air out the back of the car via a cavernous rear diffuser. A fixed rear wing also helps the Solus stick to the track, while the front suspension and wheels are shrink-wrapped in aerodynamic pods to improve airflow. McLaren says that Solus can produce more than 2,635 pounds of downforce, while the whole car is said to weigh under 2,205 pounds, thanks to a carbon-fibre monocoque and front and rear chassis structures.Power comes from a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V-10, which will pump out more than 829 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque while revving to over 10,000 rpm. McLaren is aiming for the Solus to reach a top speed over 200 mph and sprint to 60 mph in under 2.5 seconds. That V-10 motor is unusual for a company that has used some form of twin-turbocharged V-8 in every modern road car its built besides the recently revealed V-6-powered Artura. Development help came from engine specialists Judd Power, which built Formula 1 engines in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The V-10 sucks in air via an intake mounted atop the cockpit, and the chiseled sidepods house large radiators to help keep the 5.2-liter unit cool. McLaren also says that engine’s responsiveness is boosted by the V-10’s individual throttle bodies.
The beastly engine is paired with a seven-speed sequential gearbox featuring straight-cut gears and multiplate carbon-fiber clutch. The engine is also integrated into the chassis, doing away with the need for extra subframes, reducing weight. The unequal-length control arm suspension features inboard torsion bar dampers, using pushrods up front and pullrods at the back. Anti-roll bars on each axle can be adjusted by the driver, and the Solus rides on 18-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in slick Le Mans–spec tires (a wet-weather compound will also be available). Stopping power comes via six-piston monoblock aluminum calipers and carbon brake discs and pads, with brake bias also tunable by the driver.
The cockpit is bare-bones, with a yoke-style steering wheel that looks like it came out Lando Norris’s F1 car. Each customer will have a seat fitting just like a professional racing driver, and the pedal box will be adjustable via a remote system operated from the fixed seat. McLaren says there is “halo style” cockpit protection, which is 3D printed from titanium and likely takes inspiration from the “halo” device used by F1 since 2018 to help prevent head injuries.

Along with a seat fitting, owners with get an FIA-homolgated race suit, helmet, HANS head restraint, and radio-enabled ear inserts, as well as access to a drive-development coaching program. McLaren is planning to host track events for Solus owners, and each car will come with a flight case—including tools, vehicle jacks, radio sets, and more—for owners to attend track days on their own. McLaren claims the Solus will deliver the fastest lap times of any McLaren besides their single-seater race cars. Deliveries will begin in 2023, with the Solus still undergoing track testing. There’s no word on price, but production of the Solus GT will be limited to 25 units, and, of course, they’re all already sold out.
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