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Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Evo2 gets an aggressive makeover

The Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 is the latest race car for the automaker’s one-make race series. Unveiled Wednesday, the Evo2 differs radically from the previous Super Trofeo Evo version, with bodywork that bears little resemblance to the Huracán road car.

The new bodywork was a collaboration between Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse racing division and Centro Stile design studio, and it previews styling elements that will be used on future road cars, the automaker said in a press release.

The LED headlights are much thinner than those on the current Huracán road car, with jowl-like channels along the side defining the corners of the front end. The Evo2 also gets an “omega” front lip, which Lamborghini said was inspired by the Huracán STO track car.

Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2

At the back, the Evo2 features a large carbon-fiber rear wing, stabilizing fin, and fender flares that look like part of a Liberty Walk body kit. It also gets new taillights in a shape that references the Lamborghini Countach.

The Evo2 still uses a version of the 5.2-liter V-10 from the Huracán road car, tuned to produce 620 hp. An X-Trac 6-speed sequential gearbox sends that power to the rear wheels, while larger steel brake rotors (15.4 inches, up from the previous 15 inches) and new calipers provide stopping power. The calipers were designed for new brake pads that feature a larger surface area, improving braking performance, Lamborghini said.

The Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 will make its public debut on May 28, coinciding with the second round of the European Super Trofeo division’s 2021 season. The series, which includes a North American division as well, will switch to the new car for the 2022 season. European pricing for the complete car starts at about $305,000 at current exchange rates), but kits will also be available to upgrade existing cars to Evo2 spec.

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May 26, 2021
2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Wagon spy shots: More power, fewer cylinders

Mercedes-Benz in February unveiled its redesigned 2022 C-Class and once again the nameplate will offer a high-performance C63 developed by the Mercedes-Benz AMG skunkworks.

We’ve already spotted prototypes for the C63 sedan, and now we have our first spy shots of a prototype for the wagon, or Estate as Mercedes likes to call the body style. The regular C-Class wagon has already been shown, and no, it isn’t coming to the United States.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The prototype is heavily camouflaged but from what we can see, there will be flared wheel arches, large intakes in the front fascia, a pronounced rear diffuser, and four square-shaped exhaust tips.

We can confirm that the current C63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 won’t make into the new generation. Instead, the powertrain will consist of the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 found in the latest generation of AMG’s compact cars, but with even more power than those cars’ maximum 416 hp, and it will also receive a boost from hybrid technology similar to what’s used in Formula One as well as the upcoming AMG One hypercar.

Mercedes-AMG E Performance

In the new C63, an electric-aided turbocharger will help boost output from the 2.0-liter engine to 442 hp. There will also be an electric motor integrated with the engine in mild-hybrid configuration, to power ancillary features as well as serve as a starter motor. On top of this, there will also be a much more powerful motor (up to 201 hp) at the rear axle to take combined output to a maximum 643 hp. This rear motor will be mated to its own 2-speed transmission.

The 643-hp figure will likely be reserved for a C63 S. Expect the regular C63 to have around 550 hp, which is still up significantly on the 503 hp of the outgoing C63 S.

Mercedes-AMG E Performance hybrid electric drive unit

There will be a weight penalty due to the complex powertrain, however. Expect the hybrid technology to add about 550 pounds to the car and bring its curb weight to almost 4,410 pounds. Part of the hefty load is due to a big battery that should provide a small electric range. One weight-related benefit of the system will be an ideal 50:50 weight distribution thanks to less weight over the front axle compared to the outgoing C63 due to the smaller engine.

Conventional elements like a 9-speed automatic, mechanical all-wheel-drive system, adaptive suspension and drift mode will also likely feature in the new C63.

2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Wagon spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Performance estimates include 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph. That top speed matches the outgoing C63 but acceleration is about half a second quicker.

Look for the new C63 to debut late this year or early next. A new C43, which may end up being badged a C53, is also coming. Stay tuned.

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May 26, 2021
1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6 heads to auction

A rare 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda is scheduled to cross the block at Mecum Auctions’ Tulsa, Oklahoma, sale, which runs June 11-12. No, it doesn’t have a Hemi, but this ‘Cuda is still highly collectible.

That’s because this ‘Cuda is a V-Code car, meaning it has the other legendary Mopar engine from the golden age of muscle cars. It’s a 440-cubic-inch V-8 with 6-barrel carburetion, or “440-6” in Mopar jargon. It makes a factory-rated 390 hp, and drives the rear wheels through a 3-speed automatic transmission.

This car was used as a dealer demonstrator, according to the listing. It’s also heavily optioned, boasting power steering, power brakes, a Shaker hood, and the A36 Performance Axle Package. The configuration makes it more valuable, as does the thorough documentation, including two window stickers and four binders of files, according to the listing.

1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda (Photo by Mecum Auctions)

The Plymouth Barracuda (performance versions got the shorter ‘Cuda name beginning in 1970) was a competitor for the Ford Mustang, although it actually launched just before the Ford. The Mustang made the idea stick, though, which is why we still call cars like this pony cars rather than fish cars.

The 1970 model year marked the debut of a new Barracuda/’Cuda body style, twinned with the first-generation Dodge Challenger. This was also the last generation of the Barracuda, as the car was discontinued after the 1974 model year. Rumors of a Barracuda resurrection occasionally circulate, but with the Plymouth brand now dead as well, that seems unlikely.

Today, the ‘Cuda is one of the most collectible muscle cars, with pristine examples regularly fetching millions of dollars at auction. Mecum doesn’t provide an estimate of what this car will go for, so it should be interesting to learn the final figure.

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May 24, 2021