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Top Gear PCOTY, Telsa oops, Porsche saves combustion?
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2024-10-31
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Releases & Reviews
Top Gear’s Speed Week gathers high-performance cars, including the McLaren 750S and Corvette Z06, for an intense track showdown. While each contender has its merits, the final decision on the “best” of 2024 considers a mix of raw power, innovation, and handling finesse, highlighting an era of bold engineering choices.
The 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat blends family SUV utility with the power of a 710-horsepower supercharged V8, boasting a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Despite its aging design, it delivers muscle car flair with a bold stance and roaring exhaust, appealing to fans of classic American performance in a practical, if slightly dated, package.
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Technology, Market Data & Analysis
Carvana shares surged over 20% as the company reported strong Q3 earnings, exceeding Wall Street forecasts. With a 34% year-over-year increase in vehicle sales and revenue growth to $3.66 billion, Carvana’s vertically integrated model is driving optimism about its profitability, aiming for $1.2 billion in EBITDA by year’s end.
Volkswagen is requesting a 10% wage reduction from its workforce to combat a 42% drop in Q3 profits, citing weak sales and high costs. Unions resist, warning of potential strikes if plant closures remain on the table. VW’s financial woes highlight broader pressures on European automakers amid increased competition and changing market dynamics.
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Car Culture
Mopar’s “Electromod Concept” transforms a classic 1967 Plymouth GTX into an electric masterpiece with a 340-horsepower electric drive and a range of 250 miles. Styled with carbon fiber accents, 18-inch forged wheels, and a Frostbite Blue exterior, it combines retro charm with modern performance, making it an impressive showcase of future tech meeting classic muscle.
Porsche’s latest breakthrough, a patented six-stroke engine, promises to cut emissions and boost power by adding an extra compression cycle. Designed with unique scavenging ports, this engine could appear in future 911 models, showcasing Porsche’s commitment to pushing internal combustion technology amid the electric shift.
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Miscellaneous
Tesla’s Full Self-Driving tech faced scrutiny after failing to avoid a deer in a clear lane, sparking concerns about its vision-based approach lacking sensors. The incident reignites the debate over the system’s reliability and Tesla’s reliance on visual recognition in contrast to sensor-laden alternatives like GM’s SuperCruise.
Driving the NEW Aston Martin Vanquish (Twin-turbo V12!) | Henry Catchpole - The Driver’s Seat (20 minute watch)
In this gorgeously produced Hagerty video, the new Aston Martin Vanquish impresses as a grand tourer with its 824-hp twin-turbo V12, delivering 738 lb-ft of torque from just 2,500 RPM. Designed with a longer wheelbase and Bilstein adaptive dampers, it glides smoothly on the road while staying responsive on Sardinia’s tight turns. The interior is elegant yet cozy, featuring carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, and leather, though it borrows some elements from the DB12. Aston chose Pirelli tires for improved traction, helping manage the immense power in a refined, high-performance package.
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Quick Links
An exciting lineup of supercars promises jaw-dropping performance, including Alfa Romeo’s electric Giulia Quadrifoglio with 1,000 hp, BMW’s M3 EV platform promising up to 1,341 hp, and Aston Martin’s Valhalla generating nearly 1,000 hp with a mix of gasoline and electric power.
Mercedes’ plug-in GLC350e excels only if frequently charged; otherwise, it’s weighed down by its battery and lacks the efficiency benefits of plug-in power, resulting in slower performance compared to the standard GLC300.
Polestar warns that a proposed US ban on Chinese software and hardware could impact vehicles made in America, including Polestar models built in South Carolina, due to broad restrictions on Chinese tech in connected cars.
Consumer Reports shares top tire picks offering long-lasting value without the premium price tag, making them affordable options over time despite higher upfront costs.
Hyundai offers a glimpse of the Ioniq 9, a large, three-row EV SUV that builds on the brand’s aerodynamic “Aerosthetic” design and is set to debut in November, promising an expanded EV lineup.
Abu Dhabi’s CYVN Holdings acquired McLaren Automotive, marking the British brand’s latest ownership shift and potentially accelerating its EV ambitions with added capital and engineering support.
Mazda is on track to hit record US sales, largely driven by hybrid models, even as it adopts a conservative stance on full electrification compared to other automakers.
While F1’s technological advancements, like high-speed data transfer and sustainable fuel, continue to shape consumer vehicles, experts suggest this trickle-down is becoming slower and more selective amid industry changes.
Action Vehicle Engineering will build ten Batmobile replicas from Nolan’s Batman films, each costing $3 million and fully functional (minus the jet engine) but strictly for display due to lack of street legality.
An exclusive supercar collection, hoarded by the late Rudi Klein and kept secret for years, sold at auction for $29.6 million, featuring rare models like the unique black Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing and other valuable classics.
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