Category: Highlight

  • Ares S1 Project, Ferrari Omologata, Toyota hypercar: This Week’s Top Photos

    Italy’s Ares Design this week revealed more photos of its S1 Project supercar based on the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and confirmed some of the specs. The new supercar will feature a full carbon-fiber body and a naturally aspirated V-8 good for 715 horsepower and 715 pound-feet of torque.

    Ferrari Omologata

    Ferrari Omologata

    Another Italian supercar in the headlines this week was the latest one-off creation from Ferrari’s Special Projects division. It’s based on the 812 Superfast and features a design that pays tribute to the great racing GTs from the 1950s and ’60s.

    Touring Superleggera Aero 3

    Touring Superleggera Aero 3

    There was yet one more Italian supercar in the headlines this week, this one from coach-builder Touring Superleggera. The car takes inspiration from a 1930s-era Alfa Romeo and is based on the bones of a donor Ferrari F12 Berlinetta.

    Infiniti QX60 Monograph concept

    Infiniti QX60 Monograph concept

    Infiniti rolled out a concept previewing its next-generation QX60. The concept hints at a very impressive redesign for Infiniti’s popular three-row crossover SUV. A redesinged version of the related Nissan Pathfinder is also coming.

    2021 BMW M3 and M4

    2021 BMW M3 and M4

    BMW’s next-generation M3 sedan and M4 coupe were revealed this week. They follow a familiar formula but have mixed things up a bit with the availability of all-wheel drive. Peak power for now is 503 horsepower.

    Toyota GR Super Sport prototype

    Toyota GR Super Sport prototype

    Toyota previewed the new hypercar based on its race car that will compete in the 2021 World Endurance Championship. It’s called the GR Super Sport, and it’s expected to pack a twin-turbocharged V-6 driving the rear wheels and an electric motor-generator driving the front pair.

    2021 Acura TLX Advance SH-AWD

    2021 Acura TLX Advance SH-AWD

    One of the cars we tested this week was Acura’s redesigned 2021 TLX. It’s based on a new platform and is bigger and more substantial than its predecessor, but it also costs more.

    2021 Volkswagen ID.4

    2021 Volkswagen ID.4

    And finally, one of the cars we look forward to testing is the new 2021 Volkswagen ID.4. The battery-electric compact SUV starts at just over $40,000 and at launch will offer up to 250 miles of range.

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  • Polestar Precept concept going into production

    When Polestar revealed the Precept concept car in April, it said the name meant a “manifesto of things to come.” Now, Polestar is making good on the promise of the name by announcing that the Precept will go into production.

    The Swedish automaker, which spun off from Volvo under the ownership of the Chinese brand Geely, announced plans for Precept production on Saturday at Auto China 2020 in Beijing.

    The Precept was the first concept car to come from Polestar; previous concept cars started as Volvos then became the Polestar 1 and Polestar 2. With that distinction, the Precept previews a new direction for the brand’s future design.

    The large electric grand touring sedan has its own face with headlights that hint at the Thor’s Hammer look of Volvos but in a unique way. As an electric car, it doesn’t need the front vents and ducts used by cars powered by internal combustion engines. Instead, Polestar concentrated on adding a “Smart Zone” that highlights the driver-assistance sensors rather than hiding them. Dark side sills visually lower the car and create a slim-looking profile, and the low roof resolves into a lean fastback shape.

    The Precept also marks the brand’s way forward in its use of sustainable materials and digital technology.

    “Consumers want to see change from this industry—not just dreams. Now, Precept becomes an even stronger statement. We are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our cars and our business. The aim has to be climate neutrality, even though I recognize that is a long-term goal,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO.

    Inside, the Precept uses sustainable materials that include recycled PET bottles, reclaimed fishing nets, recycled cork vinyl, and a flax-based composite that also is also used for some of the exterior components.

    It’s unclear how many of the Precept’s innovative features will make it to market. For instance, a lidar sensor is located at the front of the roof, a sure sign that advanced driver-assistance features including the possibility of self-driving capability will be on the docket. The suicide rear doors are likely just a concept car device to show off the interior. The roof is also inverted; it’s glass up top with a body panel where the rear window would normally be—a rear camera mirror provides the view to the rear.

    A 15-inch vertical center touchscreen for infotainment is powered by Android technology in cooperation with Google. The Android-powered infotainment system debuted in the Polestar 2, so it is sure to come in the production version of the Precept.

    We also don’t know what the name will be. It could be Precept or Polestar 4 as a Polestar 3 SUV is the next model planned from the brand. Polestar hasn’t announced when the Precept production car will hit the market or what it’s price will be, but it’s size likely makes it a competitor for the Tesla Model S, so it could cost $80,000 or more.

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  • 2022 Lotus Esprit spiritual successor spy shots: New model to fill gap between Evora and Evija

    Lotus is putting the finishing touches on its battery-electric Evija hypercar, and will then launch the final models based on the bonded and riveted aluminum platform underpinning its current lineup before switching to a new platform capable of supporting hybrid and electric powertrains.

    An early test mule for one of the final models has been spotted. The car was originally due this year but delays mean it will now arrive in 2021, likely as a 2022 model.

    2022 Lotus Esprit spiritual successor test mule spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    2022 Lotus Esprit spiritual successor test mule spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    It will be a supercar in the same vein as the Esprit, and it will help to fill the wide performance gap between the Evora and Evija. It isn’t expected to use the Esprit name, however.

    The test mule wears a makeshift Evora body but we can see that the wheel arches front and rear have been extended significantly, pointing to a widened track.

    2022 Lotus Esprit spiritual successor test mule spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    2022 Lotus Esprit spiritual successor test mule spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    Power is expected to come from the same Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter mill used in the Evora and Exige sports cars, but augmented with a hybrid system (likely a mild-hybrid system). The engine produces 416 horsepower in the latest Evora GT so with electrification we could be looking at something closer to 500 hp.

    Lotus came close to launching a modern Esprit early last decade, including rolling out a concept (shown below) at the 2010 Paris International Motor Show and developing a bespoke V-8. The project was axed in 2014 after Lotus made major reforms to prevent financial ruin.

    Lotus Esprit concept

    Lotus Esprit concept

    Lotus is on a very different footing these days thanks to the support of Geely. The Chinese auto giant is committed to rebuilding Lotus’ image after decades of malaise by renewing the lineup and taking the brand racing. We also know that future Lotus cars will source engines from fellow Geely brand Volvo.

    Before the new supercar arrives, we may see Lotus launch a redesigned Elise based on current Elise running gear. The rumored car could be the last Lotus without any electrification. An SUV is also in the pipeline and possibly a modern Elan, too.

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