Maxxd.com

Category: Highlight

Rare 1993 Cizeta V16T headed to auction

If you’re steeped in 1990s nostalgia, but think a Ferrari or Lamborghini is too common, this 1993 Cizeta V16T is for you. Scheduled to cross the block January 22 at an RM Sotheby’s auction, it’s one of just nine built.

Cizeta was the brainchild of former Lamborghini test driver and engineer Claudio Zampolli. After leaving Lamborghini, he moved to Los Angels and started a business working on supercars of the city’s many wealthy residents. But Zampolli wanted to build his own car, and teamed up with music producer Giorgio Moroder to make that happen.

Zampolli specified a transversely-mounted 6.0-liter V-16, with a 5-speed manual transmission. The powertrain was cloaked in bodywork that resembled the contemporary Lamborghini Diablo, which makes sense, as Diablo designer Marcello Gandini also penned the V16T.

The supercar was initially marketed as the Cizeta-Moroder V16T, but the partnership between Zampolli and Moroder dissolved after the first prototype was built, so all production cars were branded solely as Cizetas.

1993 Cizeta V16T (Photo by RM Sotheby’s)

The car currently for sale—chassis 101—was ordered by Singapore’s Hong Seh Motors on behalf of the Brunei Royal Family, according to the listing. The Sultan of Brunei was legendary for extravagant taste in cars, purchasing three of the nine V16T production models, along with thousands of other exotics.

Chassis 101 was shipped from the Cizeta factory in Modena, Italy, to Singapore in March 1993, but was never delivered to the Brunei Royal Family, according to the listing. Instead, it gathered dust at Hong Seh Motors for over 25 years, before being purchased by its current owner in 2020.

As a result, it only has 611 miles on the odometer, all of which are believed to have been accumulated during testing at the factory, according to the listing. The car is righthand drive, and has horizontal slats over its side air intakes like the prototype V16T, rather than the vertical slats used on most other production cars, RM Sotheby’s noted.

History is littered with failed supercar builders, but that hasn’t stopped new generations of dreamers from trying to launch their own supercars. Some are even turning to hydrogen or battery-electric powertrains.

Source

January 18, 2021
Why the 2022 Subaru BRZ doesn’t need a turbocharger

Since the original version launched, fans have been clamoring for a more powerful version of the Subaru BRZ, i.e. one fitted with a turbocharger, a la the WRX. But Engineering Explained host Jason Fenske is glad the redesigned 2022 Subaru BRZ doesn’t have a turbocharger. Here’s why.

The second-generation BRZ gets a 2.4-liter flat-4 engine, replacing the previous generation’s 2.0-liter unit. That displacement increase did yield more power. The 2022 model produces 228 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, compared to 205 hp and 156 lb-ft for the old model.

Subaru does have a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine good for 260 hp and 277 lb-ft, which is currently used in the Ascent, Legacy, and Outback. So why isn’t the BRZ engine turbocharged as well?

2022 Subaru BRZ

One reason why the BRZ is better off without a turbocharger, according to Fenske, is gearing. The naturally aspirated engine has a higher redline (7,500 rpm) than the turbocharged engine (6,000 rpm), allowing for more aggressive gearing. Those factors should lead to a more robust seat-of-the-pants feeling of acceleration, Fenske said, despite the BRZ engine’s lower output.

Adding a turbocharger to the BRZ might also be difficult. The Ascent has a bottom-mounted turbo, Fenske noted, a configuration that would be challenging in the BRZ, where the engine is mounted very low in the chassis. That keeps the center of gravity low as well, improving handling. The turbo engine is also heavier, negating some of its power advantage, Fenske said.

Finally, a naturally aspirated engine delivers better throttle response and throttle control. Modern turbo engines don’t suffer from the dreaded “turbo lag” of old, but they will never be as responsive as naturally aspirated engines. Plus, if you really want a turbocharged 2022 BRZ, the aftermarket will likely be eager to help.

Source

January 17, 2021
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, 2022 Ford Ranger, 2022 Nio ET7: This Week’s Top Photos

Mercedes-Benz was spotted testing a redesigned GLC-Class. The popular SUV looks to be growing in size for its next generation, and new proportions should also result in a sleeker, sportier look compared to the current model.

2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL63 Roadster spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf / SB-Medien

Mercedes was also spotted testing a redesigned SL-Class. The new SL-Class will be sportier than its predecessor thanks to a lightweight soft-top roof and a chassis developed by the Mercedes-Benz AMG performance skunkworks.

2022 Ford Ranger spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Another vehicle out testing this week was a redesigned Ford Ranger. The new mid-size pickup truck is coming up shortly, and this time the U.S. is expected to receive a high-performance Raptor variant.

2022 Hyundai Kona N prototype

For performance fans on a budget, Hyundai is cooking up a Kona N. It’s coming with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and is expected to debut later this year, although its availability in the U.S. has not yet been confirmed.

2022 Nio ET7

Nio expanded its lineup with the ET7. It is the first sedan from the electric-vehicle startup, and it’s due to hit the Chinese market next year with battery options ranging up to 150 kilowatt-hours in size.

2021 Toyota GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar race car

Toyota this week unveiled its new GR010 Hybrid race car designed for the Le Mans Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship. The automaker will also have a version with even more power designed for the road, a prototype for which has also been revealed.

2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition

We also spent a week with the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser to remind ourselves why it’s the ultimate SUV for a select few and the wrong tool for the job for most consumers. Sadly, the 2021 model year is the last for the Land Cruiser in the U.S.

Cadillac Celestiq teased during General Motors’ 2021 CES presentation

And finally, Cadillac this week provided the first glimpses of its new flagship sedan, the Celestiq. The battery-electric cruiser is the true Cadillac flagship we’ve all been waiting for, though it will probably end up priced like an ultra-luxury model since Cadillac plans to hand build it in very low volumes.

Source

January 16, 2021