Maxxd.com

Category: Highlight

  • 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, Kia Stinger Convertible: The Week In Reverse

    We drove the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, the 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV broke cover, and there’s now a Kia Stinger convertible. It’s the Week in Reverse, right here at Motor Authority.

    We had our first seat time in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 on the track at Willow Springs Raceway and the surrounding streets. The Mach 1’s return is exciting enough that it nearly makes up for the death of the Bullitt, GT350/GT350R, and Performance Level 2 package. Nearly. With parts from all of those cars as well as the GT500 and GT Performance Package, the Mach 1 might just be the sweet spot in the Mustang performance lineup.

    The 2022 Audi A8 was caught undergoing cold-weather testing with minimal camouflage. The flagship luxury sedan is set to receive a mild facelift to bring its front and rear design more in line with the latest Q7 and Q8 crossover SUVs. The interior will be upgraded with the German automaker’s latest technology, while the powertrain options will likely carry over.

    The 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV was unveiled with up to 850 hp, 11,500 lb-ft of torque (when multiplied at the wheels), more than 300 miles of range, and a six-figure price tag for initial models. Those first models will arrive in early 2023 and feature all the same tricks as the Hummer EV pickup truck, including rear-wheel steering, Crab Walk, and Extract Mode.

    The 2021 Mercede-Benz AMG GLB35 finally found its way into one of our driveways. The turbo-4 lacks the wallop of larger AMG engines, but the small AMG crossover SUV scoots to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It delivers all the upgrades one would want over the GLB250 with a performance edge for about $10,000 more.

    A Florida Kia dealership owner commissioned a Stinger convertible. The gray car features more than just a chopped top, with a full body kit, more than 500 hp from the modified twin-turbo V-6, and a three-layer power-operated soft-top. All four doors still open, and the entire conversion only added about 70 lbs.

    Source

  • Hurley Haywood speaks of champion racing career in new Brumos video

    Racing champion Hurley Haywood reflects on his half-century career in some of the world’s greatest Porsches in the latest installment of the Brumos Collection’s “Inside the 59” video series.

    “Conversations with Hurley Haywood,” which has been posted on Brumos’ social channels, commemorates the 50th anniversary of his first championship, the 1971 IMSA title he earned with teammate Peter Gregg in a Porsche 914-6 GT.

    Hurley Haywood (left) with Peter Gregg

    Hurley Haywood (left) with Peter Gregg

    Looking fit and ageless at 72, Haywood tells of his early days when, as an inexperienced youth, he was entrusted with driving for Brumos racing and immediately met with spectacular success.

    “Racing against equipment that was much faster than ours, we won because of durability and planning,” Haywood says in the video. “This was my first year of racing, so it was quite a learning process.”

    Two years later, he was behind the wheel of a mighty Porsche 917 in Can-Am competition.

    “Switching from the 300-horsepower Porsche 914 to the 1,200-horsepower 917 was a huge leap for me, at only 24 years old and in just my third year of racing,” he says in the video, remembering the 917 for its “tremendous acceleration and huge downforce.”

    “It was like being shot out of a cannon,” he recalls.

    [embedded content]

    Haywood, who was inducted to the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005, counts among his many victories five overall wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring. He earned the 1988 Trans-Am title, two IMSA GT Championships and 23 wins, three Norelco Cup championships, a SuperCar title and 18 IndyCar starts.

    In the video, Haywood describes how his ability to master some rudimentary practices learned early on led to a historic life in motorsports.

    “The most important thing a driver can do is focus on vision; your eyes tell your hands and feet what to do,” he says. “Patience is also extremely important. Racing is like chess: every move you make is calculated to a risk/reward. You have to learn how to evaluate a condition and make the proper adjustments to be successful.”

    The iconic race cars that Haywood drove, as well as those of other Brumos drivers, are on display among the historic competition vehicles at the Brumos Collection’s huge display area, which opened to the public 14 months ago in Jacksonville, Florida.

    “There is really no other facility that allows you to get so close to the cars that you can almost smell their heritage,” Haywood says in the video. “I’ve noticed that when people come into this building, they understand why Brumos is such a revered name, a standard bearer of excellence, and so critically important to the reason we’ve won so many championships.

    This article, written by Bob Golfen, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.

    Source

  • Classic Recreations launches resto-mod Bronco builds

    Would you pay a quarter of a million bucks for a vintage but resto-mod Ford Bronco? That’s what Dallas-based Classic Recreations wants for each of the vehicles in its new series of the early model off-roaders.

    The company, known for producing custom high-performance vehicles, including Shelby continuation cars, has announced a production line to supply resto-mod Broncos based on original 1966-1977 donor bodies.

    But these Broncos will be “reimagined” with modern drivetrain components — including chassis by the Roadster Shop — and amenities while retaining the classic styling.

    “In our business, timing is everything, so we have been studying the Bronco and classic 4×4 off-road market for several years,” Classic Recreations founder and vice president of design and engineering Jason Engel is quoted in the company’s announcement.

    “We took the time to see what needs aren’t being met from a consumer standpoint,” he continued. “Now, with the introduction of the Roadster Shop chassis, which is unmatched in design and engineering, and Ford’s reentry with their late model Bronco, the timing is perfect for us to introduce our one-of-a-kind Bronco.”

    Roadster Shop chassis unpin the reimagined Broncos

    Roadster Shop chassis unpin the reimagined Broncos

    Classic Recreations noted it chose the Roadster Shop RS4 Ford Bronco chassis because of its geometrically correct engineering and optimal performance. The chassis features 5- x 2.5-inch .188 wall frame rails. Classic Recreations said the Roadster Shop chassis also increases ride height, “eliminating the need for a body lift.”

    To power the rebuilt Broncos, Classic Recreations uses fuel-injected Ford Performance Gen 3 5-liter Coyote crate engines rated at more than 460 horsepower “before included modifications.”

    Modifications include a Vaporworx fuel pump and a BeCool aluminum crossflow radiator with two electric fans. The engine’s output goes through an automatic transmission and 4×4 Atlas transfer case.

    Fox Racing 2.5 Factory Race Series coil-over shocks are tuned with RS-specific valving. Also included in the builds are RS Fast Link 1.75-inch front and rear 4-bars with X-axis sealed bearing assemblies, RS billet sway arms, Currie Rock Jock High Pinion Dana 44 front and 60 rear axles, Fox ATS steering stabilizer and Fox Factory 2.0 bump stop components.

    The updated SUVs ride on BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain tires mounted on American Racing wheels. Brakes are Roadster Shop 6-piston set ups.

    Custom TMI seats are designed to provide a stylish, comfortable ride while on the road and stability while navigating difficult off-road obstacles, Classic Recreations said.

    Broncos also are fitted with Focal FPX 5.1200 5-channel AMP audio systems.

    Paint color and other options are buyer’s choice. For more information, visit the Classic Recreations website.

    This article, written by Larry Edsall, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.

    Source