Author: Olly

  • ST SUSPENSIONS HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SPRINGS

    We don’t have to tell you that the humble lowering spring is a real bread and butter mod. But that doesn’t mean that, after over half a century on the streets, it can’t evolve. And here’s the proof: lowering springs 2.0 – bona fide, height-adjustable jobs. Flash McFlash or what?

    Basically, these are a kind of coilover conversion, but what’s even more important is that they’re bringing cost-effective height tweakability to a whole new range of cars. Most commonly the models that already have performance-tuned dampers from the factory, along with modern motors where the OEM shocks are still in great nick. And even the most up-to-date stuff where retaining the electronically-adjustable dampers is a key priority.

    As for the actual quality? Well, they’re from German legends ST Suspensions, so you just know these cold-wound chrome-silicon-steel puppies are engineered with handling performance in mind… the ultimate in altitude adjustment is actually something of a bonus.

    These are already available for a great selection of motors, and they tell us that there’s plenty more fitments on the way. So, no more guessing whether to go for the -50mm springs for the shows or the -20mm drop for fast road performance. Now you really can have it all.

    Priced from £474

    For more info see ST Suspensions

    Source

  • There’s a $443,400 option on the Koenigsegg Jesko

    The Koenigsegg Jesko is already destined to be a one of the rarest cars in existence, with just 125 planned. But if you want your Jesko to stand out even from that exclusive crowd, it’s going to cost a lot. The Jesko is available with a naked carbon-fiber body, but that single option costs $443,400, Motor1 has discovered.

    The fact that Koenigsegg charges roughly as much as a Lamborghini Aventador S to not paint a car was first unearthed by Manny Khoshbin, one of the handful of customers selected to get a Jesko. Only confirmed buyers are allowed to play with the car’s online configurator, an experience Khoshbin documented on his YouTube channel.

    Koenigsegg also offers exposed carbon-fiber bodywork with a green, blue, red, or purple tint for $346,100, and a clear carbon option for $292,000. Paint options are less expensive, at $63,300 for Apple Red or Sweet Mandarin candy finishes, $24,800 for pearl finishes, or $13,900 for metallic finishes. There are also some standard paint colors.

    Koenigsegg Jesko Cherry Red edition

    Koenigsegg Jesko Cherry Red edition

    Exterior finish isn’t the only way to drive up the price of an already-expensive (base price is $3 million) hypercar. Carbon-fiber wheels with Michelin Cup 2R tires cost $110,700.

    After playing around with the configurator, Khoshbin wound up with a $3,419,000 price tag for the standard Jesko, and a $4,081,050 price for the Jesko Absolut. The latter was designed to beat the top-speed record currently held by the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport+, and Koenigsegg has said it will never make a faster car.

    The Jesko is powered by a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 1,600 horsepower on E85. It’s coupled to a 9-speed automatic that Koenigsegg dubbed the Light Speed Transmission, so-named as it’s incredibly quick. This is because if doesn’t need to shift through multiple gears when upshifting or downshifting. For example, if the transmission is in seventh, but decides fourth is needed, it can bypass fifth and sixth gears.

    Source

  • 2021 Ford GT, 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, Mercedes-AMG One: This Week’s Top Photos

    Ford unveiled new Collection and Heritage Edition options for its GT supercar this week, the latter in honor of the GT40 Mk II driven by Ken Miles to victory in the 1966 24 Hours of Daytona.

    2021 Ford Bronco Sport first ride

    2021 Ford Bronco Sport first ride

    We were also treated by Ford with a ride in its 2021 Bronco Sport. It may be related to the Escape, but the baby Bronco can hold its own on rough terrain.

    2020 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0

    2020 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0

    One of the cars we tested this week was the 2020 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0. Yes, Porsche’s 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman are now available with the 4.0-liter flat-6 previously only available in the exclusive Boxster Spyder and Cayman GT4 variants.

    2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    One of the cars we spied this week was also a Porsche, specifically the Taycan Cross Turismo battery-electric wagon. It’s due out later this year but hasn’t been confirmed for local sale.

    2022 Genesis electric hatch (JW) spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    2022 Genesis electric hatch (JW) spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    Another vehicle we spied was an upcoming EV from Genesis. It’s one of two EVs the Korean luxury brand is out testing; the other is an electric version of the G80.

    Mercedes-AMG One prototype

    Mercedes-AMG One prototype

    Mercedes-AMG gave us an update on the development of its One. Powertrain calibrations for the Formula One-powered hypercar are finally complete, meaning the development team can now focus on track testing. The car is due out next year.

    Delage D12

    Delage D12

    There was another hypercar in the headlines this week. Historic French marque Delage made a revival with a V-12-powered hypercar called the D12. It comes with a central driving position and an 1,100-horsepower hybrid powertrain, and the people behind it want to make an attempt on the Nürburgring lap record.

    2021 Ram 1500 TRX

    2021 Ram 1500 TRX

    And finally, Ford’s F-150 Raptor had better watch out as Ram rolled out its 2021 1500 TRX this week, and the truck is packing a supercharged V-8 good for 702 horsepower. A Launch Edition was also revealed and all build slots for this special version managed to sell out within hours.

    Source