Category Autos

bmw neue klasse electric sports car spy shots photo via baldauf 100935035 h
Potential BMW New Classé electric sports car spotted for the first time


BMW is testing a prototype of an electric sports car, though it’s unclear where the car will fit in the automaker’s lineup.

The prototype is shaped like a large coupe with a wedge-shaped profile and a relatively high ride height.

The prototype also features in-wheel motors with an integrated braking system, a technology that BMW is developing in collaboration with automotive supplier Continental and electric motor startup DeepDrive.

It is possible that this mysterious sports car is a demonstration model of new in-wheel technology. The car is not ready for production yet. It does not have any external charging ports right now, so engineers have to plug the charging cable into a port under the front hood.

Spy pictures of the BMW New Classe electric sports car – Photo: Baldauf

BMW has built such demonstration models before. The same thing happened in 2015 Which had a sports car-like design similar to the prototype here. This demonstration was for hydrogen fuel cell technology.

If production goes as planned, we could be looking at a future member of BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse family of electric vehicles. Neue Klasse, German for “new class,” is a reference to BMW’s next-generation EV family. The vehicles will be based on a dedicated EV platform, and the first one is due to arrive in 2025. It will be an electric compact crossover Possibly iX3 badgeThis will be followed by the launch of an electric compact sedan in 2026 Possibly i3 badge,

The Neue Klasse family will eventually feature a coupe to replace the current 4-Series Coupe, although the prototype seen here is too radical for a future 4-Series Coupe. Instead, the prototype may be for a Neue Klasse sports car to fill the vacant niche of the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.

The BMW M Performance division was planning a similar model a few years ago and even designed a before the project was scrapped. That design also included a wedge-like profile and thin LED strips for the taillights. Perhaps the project has been revived for a flagship model in the New Classe family, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

silverstone circuit home of the formula 1 british grand
2024 F1 British Grand Prix preview: The end of the triple-header


The 2024 Formula 1 World Championship will be held in the UK this weekend British Grand PrixThis race takes place as the 12th round. Current CalendarThis is the end of the triple-header, which also included races in Austria and Spain.

The current home of the British Grand Prix is ​​the Silverstone Circuit, an iconic circuit with many high-speed corners that get the adrenaline pumping, while the huge crowd atmosphere is always exciting. Many of the teams are based nearby, making it somewhat of a home race for many.

Silverstone hosted the first F1 race in 1950, but it wasn’t always the home of the British Grand Prix. The race has also been held at Aintree and Brands Hatch, although Silverstone is now the race’s permanent venue. The track has undergone several changes since the first race, the most notable being in 2010 when the original perimeter layout was redesigned to include a new infield section.

At 3.66 miles, Silverstone is the fifth longest track on the calendar. It was previously the fourth longest, but the 3.8-mile track built for the Las Vegas Grand Prix pushed it back one spot. Silverstone’s layout includes sweeping, high-speed corners and fast straights, making it one of the fastest laps on the calendar and a popular spot for drivers.

Silverstone Circuit, home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix

Given its high-speed nature with fast corners, there is not a lot of stress on the brakes. Teams can therefore focus on other areas such as aerodynamics rather than brake cooling. However, drivers do experience the highest lateral g-forces of the season, with up to 5.2 g experienced through Stowe (Turn 15).

The tyres need to survive all the fast turns. As a result, Pirelli has designated its stiffest compounds, C1, C2 and C3. Power unit performance is also important as around 80% of a lap is taken at full throttle.

The weather around Silverstone can be quite changeable at this time of year, so teams need to be prepared. The current weather forecast calls for some rain during Saturday’s qualifying session and light rain during Sunday’s race.

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen leads the 2024 Drivers’ Championship with 237 points heading into the weekend. McLaren’s Lando Norris is second with 156 points and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third with 150 points. Red Bull leads the Constructors’ Championship with 355 points. Ferrari is second with 291 points and McLaren is third with 268 points. The winner of last year’s British Grand Prix was Verstappen, driving for Red Bull.

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National Corvette Museum opens sinkhole exhibit after 10 years


Corvettes rescued from sinkholes at Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined exhibit

Corvettes rescued from sinkholes at Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined exhibit

  • The exhibit features five Corvettes rescued from a sinkhole that opened 10 years ago
  • The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky is located on top of a massive cave system
  • The 2001 Mallet Hammer Z06 is on display in its damaged state

On a quiet morning, before dusk National Corvette Museum In Bowling Green, Kentucky, when the sinkhole opened for business, the earth opened up and swallowed eight vintage Corvettes. A decade later, the museum has opened a three-month temporary exhibit called, “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined.”

The exhibition will run until September 15. 2001 Mallet Hammer Z06The 1 millionth and 1.5 millionth Corvettes ever built, the ZR-1 Spyder, 2009 ZR1 “Blue Devil”, Other artifacts were also destroyed in the cone-shaped 40-foot wide, 60-foot deep hole SkyDome Hall of Fame,

“From the repair of a damaged Corvette to ten years of progress in every corner of the museum, “Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined” highlights our commitment to preserving the Corvette’s history while embracing progress,” Robert Maximer, director of curatorial affairs and education, said in a statement.

Corvettes rescued from sinkholes at Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined exhibit

The sinkhole and restoration process were in global news from February 12, 2014 until 2016, when the restoration and restoration process became a permanent part of a museum that opened in 1994 on the porous land of southern Kentucky.

located across the street GM’s Corvette Assembly Plant In Bowling Green, the National Corvette Museum is perched high above karst country, about 30 miles from the Mammoth Cave National ParkThe longest known cave system in the world. Bowling Green is known for being a mining area in Kentucky, where caves and underground springs flow like veins beneath the ground, and where sediments continually shift into depressions in the earth, creating sinkholes. Five days after the Corvette sinkhole opened, an even larger sinkhole opened 15 miles away.

I got a first-hand look at the sinkhole for the Chicago Tribune. Fortunately, it opened around 5 a.m., before employees or visitors reached the most popular part of the 115,000-square-foot museum. The Skydome, with its red spindle protruding from a 100-foot glass ceiling, houses 22 of the rarest and some of the most expensive Corvettes, as well as a Hall of Fame honoring such legends as Zora Arkus-DuntovWho was the father of the first Corvette introduced in 1953.

After being filled and concreted, and the Skydome restored to original condition, the new exhibit displays the five vats listed above, which have been rarely dusted off from storage. The Mallet, which was the last vat removed from the sinkhole, is still in its damaged sinkhole position. The exhibit includes a viewing platform overlooking the sinkhole, as well as the boulder that hit the Mallet Hammer Corvette.

Corvettes rescued from sinkholes at Ground to Sky: The Sinkhole Reimagined exhibit

Visiting the Skydome and talking to the engineers responsible for the excavation and the curators responsible for keeping up with the changes was an experience somewhat similar to what the Corvette has experienced throughout its 70-year existence. C8 Corvette Launched in 2020, this car transformed the American supercar into a mid-engine monster. 2024 Corvette E-Ray This icon is electrified with AWD hybrid power. A full battery electric Corvette is expected to launch later this year.

In the meantime, the museum hopes that this limited-period exhibition will boost visitor numbers.

2027 mercedes benz amg gle 53 coupe facelift spy shots photo via baldauf 100935015 h
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe spotted with updates


Mercedes-Benz is busy developing updates for its GLE-Class range, and a prototype of an updated version of AMG’s GLE 53 Coupe has been spotted for the first time.

Earlier pictures showed its prototype Regular GLE-Class And Regular GLE-Class Coupe,

The updated range is expected to go on sale in 2026, which means they will likely arrive in the US as 2027 models

This will actually be the second update for the GLE-Class. The current range originally arrived for the 2020 model year and was given its first update for 2024.

Spy pictures of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe facelift – Photo: Baldauf

Mercedes doesn’t typically update its vehicles more than once during a product cycle, but a second update would help keep the GLE-Class newer longer, since Mercedes is now expected to keep some of its existing gas vehicles on sale longer than originally planned. Bigger GLS-Class It will also receive a second update to extend its product cycle.

That’s because of lower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles. Mercedes had been planning to go all-electric by 2030, but in February the automaker said it would keep selling vehicles with gas engines even after that date. Keeping existing gas-powered models on sale longer will give the automaker time to wait and see how the EV market evolves, and potentially prepare previously unplanned successors to some of its gas models.

For the updated GLE-Class and GLE-Class Coupe, including the GLE 53 variant, the camouflage gear on the prototype points to new designs for the headlights, grille and front fascia. Some parts of the interior were also hidden, such as the steering wheel and infotainment screen. These items should also be renewed as part of the update.

It is unclear what Mercedes has planned for the mechanical components with the update, although the automaker has already confirmed that the GLE 53 and GLE 53 Coupe will get the update. New plug-in hybrid powertrain for the 2026 model year, instead of the current mild-hybrid setup. The new powertrain will combine a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 ​​with an electric motor for a total of 536 hp. This powertrain should remain unchanged for the updated GLE 53 and GLE 53 Coupe.

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Toyota first company to sell 100,000 hybrids



Toyota has become the first Australian importer to sell more than 100,000 hybrid electric vehicles in a year, achieving the feat in the 12 months to June 30.

A total of 100,761 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) were delivered in the 2023-24 financial year, which simply means that Toyota hybrid models attract more customers than the total sales of any other brand in the Australian new car market.

It’s no surprise that the Toyota RAV4 led hybrid sales over the past 12 months, setting a new record of 38,632 deliveries – representing 93.1 percent of all RAV4 models sold.

Toyota Australia achieved strong HEV sales across its Camry (16,872), Corolla (20,375), Corolla Cross (7876), Kluger (7311) and Yaris Cross (6077) lines.

“We always knew supply constraints were masking the true level of demand for Toyota vehicles, particularly hybrids,” Toyota Australia vice-president of sales, marketing and franchise operations Sean Hanley said.

“Due to significantly higher production this year, we have been able to deliver 121,298 vehicles by the end of June – an increase of 31.5 per cent compared to the 92,235 vehicles delivered in the same period last year.”

“The real significance of this improvement is that our dealers have been able to satisfy an additional 1117 customers per week on average by delivering their new Toyota vehicle in the first half of 2024.”

Mr Hanley said waiting times for hybrid models are now around three months for the C-HR, four months for the RAV4 and five to six months for the Corolla and Yaris Cross. Longer waiting periods of seven to eight months remain for the Kluger and Yaris.

Other models with improved waiting times include the HiLux (which is now three to four months) and the LandCruiser (which is now under six months).

Obviously, these times may vary depending on the customer’s location and the selected vehicle specification.

“Importantly, stock continues to come in, and our order receipt levels remain strong,” Mr Hanley said.

In the first half of 2024, HEV deliveries reached a record high of 56,759 units, representing 46.8 per cent of Toyota Australia’s business. The addition of the bZ4X battery electric vehicle and the Mirai fuel-cell electric vehicle will bring Toyota Australia’s electrified share to 47.3 per cent in 2024.

In June alone, Toyota Australia delivered more than 10,000 electrified vehicles, representing 48 per cent of its total of 20,903 vehicles for the month.

Thanks to improved supply, RAV4 sales are up nearly 88 percent to 25,404 vehicles, of which 23,934 (94.2 percent) are hybrids. In June alone, the RAV Hybrid’s share was 96.6 percent.

The HiLux remains the best-selling vehicle in Toyota Australia’s line-up, with 28,515 units sold in the first half of 2024 – including a record 24,980 four-wheel drive variants. The HiLux led Toyota Australia’s June results with 5630 deliveries.

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Koenigsegg finds cause of Jesco fire in Greece


Following an intensive investigation, Koenigsegg has determined the cause of the fire at one of the company’s factories. The $3 million Jesko hypercar This fire in Greece was completely burnt to ashes in mid-June.

In an instagram post In a survey conducted on June 20, Koenigsegg CEO and founder Christian von Koenigsegg said hydraulic fluid leaking onto the road surface near the wreckage of the 1,600-hp car, and a failure of a pressurized hydraulic hose on the car, were the most likely causes of the fire.

He said after the fire was extinguished, elements such as the fuel tank, oil system for the engine and transmission were found intact and had no problems, so they were unlikely to be the source of the fire.

He said no one was injured in the incident, but as a precaution the company has requested owners not to drive their cars until they can be taken to a service centre for inspection of pressurised hydraulic hoses.

Posted by Koenigsegg on Instagram on June 20, 2024

For added safety, Koenigsegg will also develop a software system that will sense a loss of pressure or a leak in the hydraulic system and shut it down if such a problem occurs in the future, von Koenigsegg said.

Customer deliveries of the Jesko will begin in late 2022 and only 125 copies are to be made. For any customer whose car is destroyed by fire, Koenigsegg has promised to build a new car.

The Jesco comes in Attack and Absolute versions, and the version that caught fire was the Jesco Attack. The Jesco Attack has a high-downforce setup designed to get top track times, while the Jesco Absolute has a low-downforce setup designed for top speed runs. Both versions have a twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8 that makes a full 1,600 hp with E85. The power rating drops to 1,280 hp when the car is filled with regular gasoline.

The automaker also announced this week that the Jesko Absolute had broken the 0-400-0 kmph (0-249-0 mph) speed record. Only 27.8 seconds needed The previous record of 28.8 seconds to achieve this feat was set by another Koenigsegg, the Regera in 2023.



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Pagani built the first Huayra equipped with a manual transmission


Production of Pagani’s Huayra supercar May is officially over – successor will arrive in this form in 2022 of utopia—but the Italian company is still producing new examples.

The latest model is the Huayra Epitome, and it is the first model to be fitted with a traditional manual transmission with a third paddle.

The car was built by Pagani’s Grandi Complicatazioni special projects division and also stands out due to its unique design details at the front and rear.

The Huayra’s standard transmission is a 7-speed automated manual manufactured by Xtrac (the track-only Huayra R and Huayra R Evo use a 6-speed sequential unit), and the same unit was converted to a conventional manual with a pedal-actuated clutch. The transmission was also upgraded with a new triple-disc clutch and racing-style tripod joint system, which Pagani said helps engine response.

The engine in all road-going Huayras is a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 sourced from Mercedes-Benz AMG. For the Epitome, the engine has been tuned to deliver 851 hp. Its gases escape through a titanium exhaust system with two new outlets mounted in the rear diffusor, which Pagani says acts as a blown diffusor, helping to increase downforce. They connect to the signature four pipes mounted above.

The suspension for the Epitome has also been upgraded with new active dampers. A button on the center console lets the driver set the suspension to a “super soft” setting to handle rough roads. At speeds above 93 mph the suspension will automatically return to its firmer setting.

Other details unique to the car include revised front and rear fascias. The headlight clusters are also a new design, and are connected by a pair of daytime running light elements that line the side intakes of the front fascia. Another important detail unique to the car is the rear wing that connects to the rear fender, a design that was required by the client, Pagani said.

No title

The price of the Epitome was not mentioned, though it was likely worth several million dollars.

Although Pagani is willing to build new versions of its discontinued cars for its affluent clientele, these are usually based on existing chassis, helping to maintain the brand’s exclusivity.

This year the Epitome will be presented to the public for the first time. 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speedwhich will run from July 11-14 in the UK. Pagani will also use the event to present his Huayra Imola Roadster and a utopia with a particular format.

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2026 Genesis GV60 spotted with updates


Genesis engineers have been spotted testing a prototype of an updated version of the Korean luxury brand’s GV60 car. first electric car,

The prototype has been completely disguised, but some subtle changes have been made.

The front fascia design is new, and the headlights have new interiors with small element LEDs. The aerodynamic pattern used for the wheels is also a new design.

There appears to be no changes at the rear, although more advanced prototypes may have this change. There are no clear shots of the interior, but some changes are likely to be made there as well.

Spy photos of the 2026 Genesis GV60 facelift – Photo: Baldauf

Another significant change will likely come in the form of an 84-kwh battery that will replace the 77.4-kwh unit in the dual-motor all-wheel-drive GV60s and the 77-kwh unit in the single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions. This reflects the changes made to the updated version. Related Kia EV6 And Hyundai Ioniq 5,

Though it hasn’t been announced yet, Genesis may also launch a GV60 Magma performance variant with the update. Genesis launched it in March. Magma Performance sub-brand as an alternative to BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG, and said every vehicle in its lineup will eventually get the Magma treatment. Hot versions of the EV6 and Ioniq 5 deliver peaks of 576 and 641 hp, respectively, and something similar could be planned for the GV60 Magma.

The GV60 currently offers a maximum power of 225 hp in rear-wheel-drive form and 314 hp and 429 hp in the two available all-wheel-drive versions. The rear-wheel-drive version has the most range, with an EPA-estimated range of 264 miles.

The updated GV60 is expected to arrive next year as a 2026 model. At the same time, we will also see an updated version of the Genesis. Electrified GV70 And Electrified G80 started.

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2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition is an F1-inspired SUV


Updates 2025 Aston Martin DBX707 The first special edition of the super SUV has already been launched.

The new DBX707 AMR24 edition unveiled on Wednesday highlights Aston Martin’s involvement in the Formula 1 World Championship as the manufacturer and supplier of official security and medical vehicles. The “AMR24” in the name directly points to Aston Martin’s 2024 F1 carWhile specific design details for the special edition SUV mimic the look of the DBX707 which serves as the current F1 medical vehicle.

Those design details include Podium Green exterior paint with lime green accents, a combination also found on an F1 car and medical vehicle. Buyers can also opt for Onyx Black or Neutron White for the exterior paint and Trophy Silver for the accents. For brake calipers, buyers can choose from Aston Martin Racing Green or Lime Green. Other unique details include 23-inch Fortis-pattern wheels and an “AMR24” plaque in the engine bay.

Inside, the lemon colour is repeated as contrast stitching, and is complemented by black seat trim. The seat backs are made from carbon fibre, and additional carbon fibre as well as dark chrome can be specified as dash accents. Aston Martin logos are also applied to the dash and door sills.

2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition

2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition

2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition

2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition

2025 Aston Martin DBX707 AMR24 Edition

There are no changes to the mechanicals. The DBX707 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 697 hp. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. Official performance claims include 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.

The updated 2025 DBX707 is now the only DBX variant available. Aston Martin decided to drop the tamer version as most buyers were opting for the 707 performance flagship. The other main change brought to the updated model is a new interior with technology borrowed from the latest DB12 and Vantage sports cars, i.e. Aston Martin’s own infotainment system replacing the old Mercedes-Benz system used previously. A 23-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system was also made available with the update, and is included as standard in the DBX707 AMR24 Edition.

The 2025 DBX707 has been available to order since the spring, and deliveries will begin in the US later this year. However, Aston Martin has not announced US availability of the new DBX707 AMR24 Edition.

The auto manufacturer has also launched a similar product. DBX707 AMR23 Version This edition was available last year as well, and for buyers who couldn’t purchase it this year, more special editions may be available in the future.

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2025 Defender Octa launched as a powerful off-roader with 626hp power


The Defender is already one of the most reliable vehicles on rough roads, and now it can also traverse them at incredible speeds.

JLR on Wednesday unveiled the 2025 Defender Octa, a new performance flagship. Defender 110 And the first member in a potential Octa performance sub-brand. The name is a reference to the diamond shape of something in geometry known as an octahedron, and diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth.

But the Defender Octa has also evolved into a tough cookie in terms of on-road performance, helped by the advanced 6D Dynamics suspension that was first launched in 2014. 2024 Range Rover Sport SV,

This setup includes a combination of hydraulically interconnected semi-active dampers, height-adjustable air springs and pitch control, which, according to JLR, can keep the vehicle’s body in a nearly level position during hard cornering or over rough terrain by allowing better wheel articulation. The automaker said the system eliminates the need for conventional anti-roll bars.

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa

The ride height was raised by 1.1 inches compared to the standard Defender, and the stance was widened by 2.7 inches. These changes included revised suspension components including longer and stronger wishbones, as well as wider fenders to keep it in place.

One of the lead engineers on the project was Jamal Hameedi, who heads JLR’s SVO division. Before joining JLR in 2018, Hameedi was the chief engineer at Ford Performance (and its SVT predecessor), where he oversaw the development of several generations of the Ford F-150 Raptor, as well as the first-generation Ranger Raptor, which was limited to sales overseas.

Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 and mild-hybrid system. The BMW-sourced powertrain is also shared with the Range Rover Sport SV and puts out 626 hp, the highest rating ever used in a factory Defender. Power is delivered to all four wheels through the Defender’s 8-speed automatic transmission, which has high and low range gears.

Owners can expect 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph when the vehicle is specified with 22-inch wheels and all-season tires. For serious off-roaders, there are 20-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Advanced All-Terrain tires developed specifically for the Defender Octa. JLR has also developed a special off-road launch mode that optimizes acceleration on loose surfaces. The mode can also be set to deliver off-road ABS calibration to optimize braking on loose surfaces. Brembo brakes with 15.7-inch rotors are also fitted at the front.

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa

2025 Land Rover Defender Octa

As for the interior, the vehicle can be specified with heavy duty trim as an option to the standard leather. There are sports seats with extra bolstering at the front, and JLR also fits its Body and Soul seat audio technology, a first for the Defender. The system uses transducers in the seats to enable occupants to “feel” their favourite music tracks. It also offers six wellness programmes to help occupants relax.

Order books have already opened and JLR has confirmed a starting price of $153,475 for the US market. A limited-edition Defender Octa Edition One will also be offered for the first year only, featuring a number of specially curated touches including an exclusive Farrow Green paint finish. It has a starting price of $169,275. Both figures include a $1,475 destination charge.

The Defender Octa is part of an update 2025 Defender RangeThe update includes new packages that group together a number of popular individual options. Among the new packs are some that enhance driving qualities, others that improve capability in cold weather or when towing, and some that enhance comfort.

Defender Octa will make its official debut 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed It will run from July 11-14 in the U.K. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year.