The Mercedes-AMG G 63 has become one of the most popular foundations for high-end tuning, which means standing out from the crowd is becoming increasingly difficult. LARTE Design thinks its new WINNER programme has the answer.

Developed specifically for the facelifted G 63, the package gives the iconic SUV a significantly wider and more aggressive appearance without requiring permanent modifications to the original bodywork.

Wider Without Cutting The G 63

Unlike some widebody conversions, the LARTE WINNER package does not require the factory bodywork to be cut or drilled unnecessarily.

All 16 components have been developed around the G 63’s existing mounting points, allowing the SUV to retain its original structure underneath. The individual parts are hand-laid and finished in Germany specifically for the G-Class platform.

The result is noticeably more muscular without completely changing the familiar shape of the G-Wagen.

16 New Components Transform The Exterior

The WINNER package is extensive, covering virtually every angle of the Mercedes-AMG G 63.

It includes:

• Carbon roof light bar with integrated running lights
• Full replacement carbon bonnet
• Bonnet inserts
• Carbon radiator grille with LARTE branding
• Carbon front bumper
• Integrated front running lights
• Carbon mirror caps
• Wider front wheel arches
• Front wheel arch inserts
• Side sill pads
• Side-exit exhaust finishers
• Wider rear wheel arches
• Carbon roof spoiler
• Carbon spare wheel cover
• Carbon rear bumper
• Bespoke brake lights

Customers can also order forged wheels separately, with optional carbon blade inserts available to complete the look.

The package has been designed specifically for the facelifted Mercedes-AMG G 63 and is compatible with 2024 to 2027 models.

Factory Functions Remain Intact

Despite the extensive visual changes, LARTE has worked to integrate its components with the G 63’s original electronics.

The additional lighting incorporated into the carbon roof bar works through the factory controls rather than requiring additional switches inside the cabin. Bespoke brake lights are similarly incorporated into the redesigned rear end.

LARTE has also retained the G 63’s signature side-exit exhaust layout, while the exposed-carbon spare wheel cover becomes one of the most prominent details at the rear.

Importantly, there are no performance upgrades underneath.

Titanium And Deep Black Launch Builds

LARTE is initially showing the WINNER programme in two configurations called Titanium and Deep Black (shown in the galleries below).

Both combine body-coloured paintwork with extensive exposed dry carbon. Major components including the bonnet, grille, widened arches and spare wheel cover remain exposed, creating a strong contrast against the body colour.

Rather than simply adding small carbon accents, the material becomes a major part of the G 63’s overall appearance.

Bespoke Colours Are Also Available

Owners looking for something even more individual can use LARTE Design’s Colour Programme.

Instead of leaving the carbon exposed, the various components can be finished in a bespoke colour developed specifically for the customer. The dry-carbon construction remains underneath, but the exterior can effectively be turned into one continuous colour scheme.

For completely bespoke projects, LARTE can extend the same theme into the cabin, allowing the exterior and interior to be developed around the same specification.

A More Personal Mercedes-AMG G 63

The G 63 certainly isn’t short of aftermarket options, but LARTE’s approach with the WINNER package is less about completely reinventing the SUV and more about making an already familiar shape considerably more individual.

The package forms part of LARTE Design’s Customization Level 2 programme, where personalisation extends beyond simple bolt-on accessories into major exterior components.

Customers can specify their preferred combination of colours, carbon components and other details, with LARTE saying an individual configuration proposal and projected timeline can be supplied within 24 hours.

Titanium

Deep Black

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McLaren has spent years insisting an SUV would never wear its badge. That stance is now officially history.

The British supercar manufacturer has confirmed plans to launch a high-performance SUV before the end of the decade, putting it directly into the territory occupied by the Ferrari Purosangue, Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX.

McLaren Commits £500 Million To Expansion

Confirmation comes alongside a major £500 million (approximately R10.95 billion) investment into McLaren’s UK operations.

The programme will expand the company’s manufacturing footprint and is expected to create at least 1,000 jobs across the business by 2032.

Central to those plans is a new UK assembly facility separate from McLaren’s existing Woking operation. It will be capable of producing the company’s next generation of vehicles, including what McLaren now officially describes as a performance SUV.

Specific details about the SUV remain under wraps, but its existence is no longer speculation.

Carbon Fibre Chassis Under Consideration

McLaren COO Michael Straughan has indicated that the company is evaluating whether the SUV could use a carbon fibre structure similar in principle to the tubs found beneath its supercars.

The model is expected to arrive before 2030 and could become the starting point for additional front-engined, all-wheel-drive McLarens.

Reports from dealer presentations have already provided a possible glimpse of what is coming. Dealers were previously shown an SUV said to have proportions similar to a more muscular Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, complete with enormous 24-inch wheels.

That ties in with earlier reports surrounding McLaren’s SUV programme, which has previously been linked to the internal P47 designation.

McLaren’s Attitude Towards SUVs Has Changed Dramatically

The announcement represents quite a turnaround.

During the 2010s, former McLaren management repeatedly dismissed the possibility of joining the SUV market. The company argued that larger, heavier vehicles simply did not fit with its lightweight supercar philosophy.

Times have changed.

McLaren’s leadership has also changed significantly since then, with the company increasingly looking beyond the traditional two-seat supercar market as it attempts to increase production and improve profitability.

There is a clear financial argument for doing so. McLaren produced roughly 2,000 vehicles across its entire range during 2025. Ferrari, meanwhile, is estimated to produce as many as 3,000 Purosangues annually, while Lamborghini’s Urus operates at an even greater volume.

For McLaren, one successful SUV could dramatically increase its potential customer base.

New McLaren Hybrid Engines Coming Too

The SUV isn’t the only major change taking place behind the scenes.

McLaren has also confirmed that its engines will no longer be manufactured by long-time supplier Ricardo. Future powertrains will instead be designed and produced in-house.

Two new hybrid engines and accompanying transmissions are already under development, although McLaren has not yet revealed which future models will receive them.

The timing suggests the company’s next generation of cars will represent a substantial technical shift, rather than simply replacements for today’s Artura and 750S.

A Very Different McLaren Is Coming

McLaren entering the performance SUV market would have sounded almost impossible a decade ago. Now it looks like one of the most important products in the company’s future.

The challenge will be retaining enough of McLaren’s lightweight, driver-focused character in a larger four-door package. Ferrari has already demonstrated with the Purosangue that a high-riding four-door can still deliver genuine supercar character, while Lamborghini has turned the Urus into a hugely important part of its business.

McLaren will now attempt to do the same, but in its own way.

The post McLaren Performance SUV Officially Coming Before 2030 appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

Fans of open-top BMWs have a rather special new option to consider. The Bovensiepen Spider has arrived with 429 hp (320 kW), more performance and a substantially more exclusive feel than the BMW Z4 on which it is based.

Bovensiepen is the new marque established by the family behind legendary BMW tuner Alpina, and its latest creation takes the recently discontinued Z4 and pushes it into a very different league.

A BMW Z4 With A Bovensiepen Makeover

The Spider follows Bovensiepen’s Zagato coupé and its wild 05 GT estate, but this time the focus is firmly on the traditional two-seat roadster.

Andreas Bovensiepen’s fascination with this type of car stretches back to his involvement with the BMW Z8 development programme in Munich during the late 1990s. That influence is clear here, with the Spider designed around the idea of a responsive, engaging and relatively lightweight open-top sports car.

The exterior was developed with designer Frank Stephenson, whose extensive CV includes work on the McLaren P1. Changes include a new twin-lip front splitter, a prominent ducktail rear spoiler and a redesigned rear diffuser.

Rather than completely reinventing the Z4’s shape, Bovensiepen has focused on making it look lower, sharper and more distinctive.

429 HP From The Familiar Straight-Six

Under the bonnet sits BMW’s familiar 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, but it has received some serious attention.

While the engine produced 335 hp (250 kW) in the Z4 M40i, the Bovensiepen Spider delivers 429 hp (320 kW) and 580 Nm of torque.

That is enough to send the roadster from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 4.2 seconds.

Specify the optional Performance Package and top speed climbs to an impressive 294 km/h (183 mph), making this the fastest interpretation yet of BMW’s compact two-seat roadster.

Bovensiepen has modified the intake to improve airflow and fitted a new sports exhaust system. Cooling has also been upgraded, while Performance Package cars gain an aluminium rear differential cover with larger cooling fins designed to better handle sustained high-speed driving.

Unfortunately for manual gearbox fans, the six-speed transmission offered late in the Z4’s life hasn’t made the cut. The Spider uses the familiar ZF eight-speed automatic transmission instead.

Chassis Tweaks And Forged Wheels

The Spider sits on unique 20-inch forged wheels featuring ten elongated double spokes. Their lightweight construction helps reduce unsprung mass while maintaining the comfort expected from a more luxurious roadster.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres provide the grip, while the dampers have been recalibrated to work with the new wheel and tyre package.

Inside, Bovensiepen has moved the Z4 further upmarket with extensive full-grain leather and Alcantara trim.

Just 99 Bovensiepen Spiders Will Be Built

Production will be limited to just 99 cars, making the Spider considerably rarer than the BMW model underneath.

Of those, 40 are planned in Sapphire Black, 25 in Sanremo Green, 20 in Skyscraper Grey, nine in Thundernight and five in Frozen Grey II. Customers wanting something different will also be able to commission their own colour.

Pricing starts at €115,000 (approximately R2,159,430), placing the Spider firmly into serious performance-car territory.

Deliveries are expected to begin in early 2027.

With the BMW Z4 now out of production, the Bovensiepen Spider is an interesting send-off for the platform. More power, limited production and extensive chassis and design changes turn what was already an entertaining roadster into something far more exclusive.

The post Bovensiepen Spider Turns BMW Z4 Into A 429 HP (320 kW) Limited-Edition Roadster appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

The legendary Porsche 550 Spyder has been given a rather unexpected second life. Hedley Studios has teamed up with Porsche to create the 550 J, an officially licensed, fully electric interpretation of one of Stuttgart’s most important racing cars.

Created as part of Porsche’s 75 Years of Motorsport celebrations, the 550 J is considerably smaller than the original and certainly isn’t road legal, but it remains a properly driveable two-seater aimed squarely at collectors.

Inspired By A Porsche Motorsport Icon

The original 550 Spyder was developed specifically for competition and quickly established itself as a serious racing machine.

One of its defining moments came at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, where Porsche factory drivers Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan tackled the gruelling 3,077 km event in a pair of 550 Spyders.

Despite competing against cars with substantially larger engines, the Porsches finished third and fourth overall while securing a class victory. After five days of racing, just 36 seconds separated the two cars.

That success also helped establish the Carrera name, which Porsche would later apply to some of its most famous road cars.

Porsche 550 J Is An 80 Percent Scale Recreation

The 550 J, with the J standing for Junior, measures approximately 2.9 metres long and 1.2 metres wide. That makes it roughly 80 percent of the size of the original 550 Spyder.

Despite its reduced dimensions, there is space for two occupants.

Hedley Studios was given access to Porsche’s corporate archives during development, allowing the company to closely study the original while creating something that works as a modern collector’s piece.

Electric Power And Up To 80 KM/H

Instead of attempting to recreate the 550 Spyder’s combustion engine, Hedley Studios has fitted a fully electric 48-volt drivetrain.

Standard versions produce approximately 8 kW, while opting for the RS Package increases output to as much as 16 kW.

Top speed is approximately 80 km/h, which should be more than enough considering the car’s compact proportions.

Don’t expect to commute in one, though. The Porsche 550 J has not been homologated for public roads and is intended primarily as an exclusive collector’s car.

Prices Start At Over R1.5 Million

Pricing for the Porsche 550 J starts at £69,500 (approximately R1,522,634), putting this miniature Porsche firmly into serious collector territory.

Customers can choose from numerous finishes, including traditional Porsche Silver as well as heritage-inspired combinations featuring blue, white, yellow and red.

Hedley Studios also offers a Bespoke programme for customers wanting something more individual. Historic Porsche colours, modern finishes and motorsport-inspired liveries can all be incorporated into the specification.

Each Porsche 550 J is handcrafted at Hedley Studios in Bicester, UK, and orders are already being accepted.

For Porsche collectors with a soft spot for the 550 Spyder, this might be one of the more unusual ways to celebrate the company’s racing history.

The post Porsche 550 J Is An Electric Tribute To The Legendary 550 Spyder appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

The Porsche Boxster and Cayman as we knew them are gone, with production of the previous generation ending in 2025. Their replacements, however, are still very much alive, and a lightly disguised prototype has now given us one of our clearest looks yet at Porsche’s next-generation electric sports car.

New Porsche 718 Boxster EV Shows More Skin

Development of the new 718 has been dragging on for some time, with prototypes becoming a relatively rare sight recently. That changed when an electric Boxster test car was spotted wearing considerably less camouflage than previous examples.

The stickers surrounding the headlights and taillights are there to disguise their final appearance, but much of the bodywork is now exposed. It gives us a much better idea of how Porsche intends to evolve the familiar Boxster shape for the electric era.

Recent renders based on the prototype suggest the finished car could borrow details from elsewhere in Porsche’s range, including the 911 GTS, 911 Turbo and Taycan.

Up front, the bumper features prominent outer openings surrounding a central intake, while Porsche appears to have retained conventional door handles rather than adopting flush-fitting alternatives.

Familiar Boxster Shape With Some Important Changes

Viewed from the side, the new Boxster remains instantly recognisable. The proportions haven’t changed dramatically, but one detail stands out: the traditional side intakes ahead of the rear wheels are gone.

That’s hardly surprising considering the prototype doesn’t have a combustion engine sitting behind its occupants.

The rear has also been cleaned up considerably. Slimmer taillights are expected, while a small diffuser gives the bumper some extra definition. A light bar connecting the rear lamps remains possible, although the camouflage makes it difficult to determine the final lighting arrangement.

There are no exhaust outlets, and the charging connection has been positioned at the rear, leaving little doubt about the powertrain underneath this particular prototype.

Electric Power Remains Central To The New 718

Porsche originally developed the next Boxster and Cayman around battery-electric power, although its broader electrification strategy has changed significantly since the project began.

The company has been reconsidering its future model mix as demand for combustion-powered performance cars remains strong. Reports have consequently suggested that combustion-powered 718 derivatives could eventually join the electric cars.

This change in direction has contributed to uncertainty surrounding the new generation. Porsche has also reportedly spent additional development time ensuring the electric 718 delivers the sort of driving experience expected from a Boxster or Cayman.

That matters more here than outright numbers. The 718 has traditionally been praised for its balance, steering and compact mid-engined layout, so simply adding huge electric power figures was never going to be enough.

Rear-Wheel Drive And AWD Versions Expected

Entry-level versions of the electric Boxster and Cayman are expected to use a single electric motor driving the rear wheels.

More powerful models could add a second motor and all-wheel drive. If that happens, it would mark the first time a production Boxster or Cayman has been offered with AWD.

One of the more interesting engineering details concerns the battery. Rather than using the conventional skateboard-style battery layout found in many EVs, reports suggest Porsche has developed a T-shaped arrangement positioned low in the car and extending into the area behind the seats.

The idea is to concentrate mass in a similar area to the engine of a traditional mid-engined sports car, helping the electric 718 retain the balance and responses associated with its predecessors.

When Will The New Porsche 718 Boxster Arrive?

The exact launch timing remains unclear, although the electric 718 Boxster and Cayman are widely expected to reach the market before any newly developed combustion-powered versions.

A 2027 arrival has been suggested for the electric models, but Porsche has yet to confirm a final launch date.

What does seem increasingly clear is that the 718 story isn’t ending with the previous petrol generation. Porsche still appears committed to reinventing the Boxster and Cayman, even if getting there has taken considerably longer than originally planned.

The biggest question isn’t whether an electric Boxster can be quick. That’s almost guaranteed. It’s whether Porsche can make it feel like a proper 718.

The post Next Porsche 718 Boxster EV Rendering Gives Us Clearest Look Yet appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

Dubai Police has added another seriously exotic machine to its already outrageous fleet, and this time Mansory is responsible for the transformation.

The latest arrival is a Ferrari 812 Superfast wearing the unmistakable green and white colours of Dubai Police, complete with a selection of Mansory upgrades.

Mansory And Dubai Police Team Up Again

This isn’t the first time Mansory has supplied a modified vehicle to Dubai Police. The tuner has previously been involved with a Mercedes-AMG G 63, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Ferrari Purosangue and, more recently, a Lamborghini Revuelto.

The Ferrari 812 Superfast becomes the fifth Mansory creation to join the fleet.

Ferrari ended production of the 812 family in 2024, but this particular example has been given a new lease on life as one of the more dramatic police cars currently wearing a badge.

Surprisingly Restrained By Mansory Standards

Mansory isn’t exactly known for subtlety, but the modifications to this 812 Superfast are relatively restrained.

Up front, the Ferrari receives new bonnet elements, revised bumper trim and a more aggressive splitter with additional blades on either side. New side skirts continue the theme along the flanks, while a fresh set of Y-spoke wheels replaces the standard items.

The biggest visual changes are found at the rear.

A large fixed wing dominates the tail, accompanied by additional bumper trim and a four-fin diffuser incorporating a central brake light. Revised exhaust surrounds complete the look.

Yellow detailing appears across the lower bodywork, brake calipers and rear wing, contrasting with the traditional white, green and black Dubai Police colour scheme. Mansory badges and what appears to be a slightly reduced ride height add the finishing touches.

Emergency lights have also been neatly positioned along the top of the windscreen.

Mansory hasn’t revealed the interior, so it remains unclear whether the cabin has received the tuner’s usual upholstery and trim upgrades.

V12 Performance Should Be More Than Enough

There is also no confirmation of whether Mansory has extracted additional power from the naturally aspirated V12.

Even in standard form, however, the Ferrari 812 Superfast isn’t exactly lacking performance.

Its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 produces 789 hp (588 kW) and 718 Nm (530 lb-ft) of torque, with power sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The 812 Superfast can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds before continuing beyond 340 km/h (211 mph).

The open-top 812 GTS needs around 3.0 seconds for the same sprint, while the more extreme 812 Competizione and Competizione A turned the performance dial up even further.

The post Dubai Police Gets Wild Mansory Ferrari 812 Superfast appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

Mercedes-AMG is pushing ahead with its performance-car revival, and the next-generation AMG GT Black Series looks set to be one of the wildest cars to emerge from Affalterbach in years.

Fresh prototypes have been spotted attacking the Nürburgring with extreme aerodynamic hardware, while AMG’s latest flat-plane-crank V8 is expected to provide the firepower.

New AMG GT Black Series Takes Aim At The 911 GT3 RS

The current Mercedes-AMG GT was developed as a more usable 2+2 sports car, but the upcoming Black Series will sit at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Its target appears clear. Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS and potentially even the next 911 GT2 RS are firmly in its sights.

Development cars have already been running at the Nürburgring, Bilster Berg, Portimao and Monteblanco, building on the Concept AMG GT Track Sport first previewed in 2025.

AMG has since confirmed that the Black Series badge will return, with development closely connected to its next GT3 racing car.

Flat-Plane-Crank V8 Could Produce More Than 800 HP

Under the bonnet, the Black Series is expected to ditch the heavy plug-in hybrid hardware found in the GT 63 S E Performance.

Instead, AMG is likely to use a heavily upgraded version of the M177 Evo 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 recently introduced in the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.

That engine produces 636 hp (474 kW) in the CLE, but the Black Series should comfortably exceed 720 hp (537 kW). Some reports suggest AMG could ultimately push output beyond 800 hp (597 kW).

There’s certainly potential in the architecture. A development of AMG’s previous flat-plane-crank V8 is used in the Aston Martin Valhalla, where the combustion engine produces 817 hp (609 kW) as part of a 1,064 hp (793 kW) hybrid powertrain.

A 48-volt mild-hybrid system is also expected for the new Black Series, helping AMG meet increasingly strict emissions requirements without adding the weight and complexity of a full plug-in hybrid setup.

Serious Active Aero For The Black Series

The prototypes suggest AMG isn’t holding back with the aerodynamics.

At the rear is a huge swan-neck wing incorporating a drag reduction system, sitting above an enormous diffuser. Side-exit exhausts appear beneath extended sill sections, while the front gets an adjustable splitter designed to maintain aerodynamic balance when the rear DRS is activated.

Active winglets positioned above the front wheelarches also appear to borrow inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar.

The result should be considerably more aggressive than the already track-focused AMG GT 63 Pro.

Adjustable Coilovers And Track-Focused Chassis

AMG’s multi-stage adjustable traction control system is almost guaranteed to feature, but bigger changes are expected underneath.

Rather than relying on the regular GT’s active suspension setup, the Black Series could move to manually adjustable coilovers.

The recently revealed CLE 646 uses four-way adjustable coilovers developed alongside KW Automotive, making a similar setup for the Black Series a strong possibility.

Weight reduction should also play a major role, with extensive use of carbon fibre and other lightweight materials expected throughout the body and cabin.

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Expected In 2027

The new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is expected to make its full debut in 2027.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but estimates currently point towards roughly £300,000 (R6,582,810) before options and local taxes.

Unlike the ultra-exclusive CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, which is limited to just 30 examples, the Black Series is expected to have a larger production run.

The prototype may also provide clues about an upcoming facelift for the wider AMG GT range. New three-pointed-star daytime running lights are visible beneath the camouflage, while future GT models could eventually adopt versions of AMG’s newer M177 Evo V8.

For AMG fans, the important part is much simpler: the Black Series is coming back, it will have a V8, and everything we’ve seen so far suggests it will be properly extreme.

The post Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Could Pack More Than 800 HP appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

A virtually unused Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 is heading to auction later this month, and its next owner may need close to R100 million to secure it.

Chassis 047 has covered just 62 miles (100 km) since leaving the Gordon Murray Automotive factory in 2024. It has never been registered and, aside from factory testing, has effectively never been driven.

Barely Used T.50 Could Fetch R100 Million

RM Sotheby’s will offer the car as part of its Sealed September sale, with bidding closing on 30 September 2026.

The official estimate is $5.68 million (R92 million) to $6.22 million (R101 million) which represents a massive increase over the T.50’s original $3.1 million (R51 million) price tag.

Only 100 road-going T.50s were produced, making any example difficult to come by. Chassis 047 takes things a step further thanks to its condition and specification.

The car is finished in Harrier paintwork with satin paint protection film, paired with a Luffield Tan leather and Charcoal Alcantara cabin. Satin carbon fibre features around the exterior, with gloss carbon fibre used for details including the rear-view cameras, window trim and airbox.

Since completion, it has been kept in professional storage in the UK.

T.50 Values Are Already Climbing

The collector market has wasted little time placing serious value on Gordon Murray’s analogue hypercar.

Another T.50, chassis 035, sold through RM Sotheby’s in Abu Dhabi for $5.63 million, while chassis 009 reportedly changed hands for $8.035 million (R130.61 million) earlier this year.

With just 100 road cars produced and very few appearing on the open market, chassis 047’s near-delivery mileage could make it particularly attractive to collectors.

A 12,100 RPM Cosworth V12

The T.50 was created as a modern interpretation of the philosophy behind Gordon Murray’s legendary McLaren F1.

At its heart is a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre Cosworth V12 producing 661 hp (493 kW), revving all the way to 12,100 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed Xtrac manual transmission.

Perhaps even more impressive is its weight. The T.50 tips the scales at just 997 kg, an extraordinary figure for a modern road-going hypercar.

There is no turbocharging, hybrid assistance or enormous battery pack. Instead, the focus is on low mass, immediate response and driver involvement.

McLaren F1 Inspiration Is Clear

Murray’s influence from the McLaren F1 can also be seen inside.

The T.50 uses a three-seat configuration with the driver positioned centrally and slightly ahead of the two passengers. Digital distractions are kept to a minimum, reinforcing the car’s focus on the person behind the wheel.

At the rear sits its most recognisable feature, the large aerodynamic fan. Working with the car’s underbody aerodynamics and diffuser, the system can reduce drag while increasing downforce without requiring an oversized fixed rear wing.

For anyone who missed the chance to order a T.50 when new, chassis 047 represents about as close as you can get to buying a factory-fresh example today.

The only problem is that privilege could now cost around R100 million.

The post Barely Driven Gordon Murray T.50 Could Fetch Nearly Double Its Original Price appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

Ferrari has taken the already formidable 296 GT3 Evo and removed the biggest restriction standing in its way: the racing regulations.

The result is the new Ferrari 296 GT Modificata, a track-only machine created in extremely limited numbers for customers taking part in the Club Competizioni GT programme. Revealed digitally during Ferrari Racing Days in Budapest, it is effectively what happens when Maranello’s engineers are allowed to develop a GT3 car without worrying about Balance of Performance or championship regulations.

Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Packs 730 HP

At the heart of the 296 GT Modificata is Ferrari’s rear-mid-mounted 2,992 cc, 120-degree twin-turbocharged V6.

Without GT3 Balance of Performance restrictions, output climbs to 720 hp (537 kW) at 7,500 rpm, which is around 130 hp (96 kW) more than the competition-spec GT3. Maximum torque stands at 800 Nm.

Ferrari has made substantial changes to the cranktrain, camshafts, intake system, intercoolers and turbochargers, with some of the technology influenced by the wild 499P Modificata.

The result is a specific output of 244 hp per litre. Power reaches the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox and carbon clutch, with revised ratios developed specifically for the Modificata.

Ferrari claims the changes make it three seconds quicker around Fiorano than the 296 GT3 Evo.

More Aggressive Aerodynamics

The extra performance isn’t limited to the engine.

Ferrari has redesigned several areas of the bodywork, including a new slotted front splitter and a revised bonnet with a larger outlet to help manage the additional heat. Extra brake-cooling ducts have also been incorporated into the front end.

At the back is an entirely new rear wing supported by a single central pylon. It features structural endplates inspired by Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning 499P and a 5 mm Gurney flap.

Stopping power comes from 400 mm ventilated steel front discs, while the ABS calibration has been developed to make the car manageable for drivers with varying levels of track experience.

It Even Has Two Seats

Unlike many uncompromising track specials, the 296 GT Modificata isn’t strictly a solo experience.

Ferrari redesigned the roll bar to accommodate a passenger seat, complete with a dedicated footrest and intercom. That means an instructor can sit alongside the owner during coaching sessions, or a very lucky passenger can simply come along for the ride.

The standard equipment list is equally serious. The car gets a comprehensive data-acquisition system with pitot tubes and brake-temperature sensors, onboard video recording, tyre monitoring and professional racing harnesses.

Customers can also specify a rear radar system and choose from colours offered through the Ferrari Design Studio.

Continuing Ferrari’s Modificata Legacy

The Modificata name has deep roots at Ferrari, stretching back to the 512 M of 1970.

More recently, Ferrari introduced the 488 GT Modificata in 2020 before unleashing the 499P Modificata in 2023. The latter transformed Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning prototype into an unrestricted customer track car producing 846 hp (631 kW).

The 296 GT Modificata follows the same basic philosophy: take a serious competition machine, remove the regulations and see what it can really do.

Purchasing the car also includes two years, or 12 rounds, of Ferrari’s Club Competizioni GT programme.

The 2027 calendar is scheduled to visit seven circuits, including Jerez, Misano, Fuji, Indianapolis, Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps before culminating at the Finali Mondiali.

Ferrari has not announced pricing or exactly how many examples of the 296 GT Modificata will be produced, but considering the exclusivity of its previous unrestricted track cars, getting hold of one will likely require more than simply having the money.

The post Ferrari 296 GT Modificata Packs 720 HP (537 kW) And No Racing Restrictions appeared first on Zero2Turbo | High-Performance Car News, Reviews and Videos from South Africa.

Mercedes-AMG has created what could be the ultimate version of its CLE Coupe, and crucially, there’s a V8 under the bonnet.

Called the Mercedes-AMG CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, this limited-run machine combines serious aero, extensive weight saving and rear-wheel drive with AMG’s latest twin-turbocharged V8. Just 30 examples will be built, and every one is already spoken for.

AMG’s New V8 Packs 636 HP

At the heart of the CLE 646 is a development of Mercedes’ latest 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged M177 Evo V8.

AMG has extracted 636 hp (474 kW) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft), with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator able to contribute another 23 hp (17 kW).

Importantly, the engine uses a flat-plane crankshaft and has been engineered with tougher Euro 7 emissions regulations in mind.

Performance is suitably serious. Mercedes-AMG claims 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, while top speed is 311 km/h (193 mph).

Much Wider And Far More Aggressive

Visually, there’s little chance of confusing the 646 with a regular CLE.

The body is 60 mm wider than the CLE 53, with enlarged cooling openings, vented front wings, a heavily reworked front bumper and a prominent bonnet vent helping manage the V8’s cooling requirements.

At the back sits a large adjustable wing, stacked quad exhaust outlets and a substantial diffuser. Together, the aero package can generate as much as 250 kg of downforce at maximum speed.

Carbon Fibre Helps Cut 170 KG

Despite its size, AMG has managed to remove around 170 kg compared with the CLE 53.

Carbon fibre is extensively used across the body and cabin, while polycarbonate windows contribute further savings. The finished car still tips the scales at 1,895 kg, but that’s considerably lighter than the model on which it is based.

Inside, the rear seats disappear entirely. Carbon bucket seats with six-point harnesses take centre stage, while a roll cage and harness bar turn the CLE into a strict two-seater.

Rear-Wheel Drive Only

Perhaps just as important as the V8 is AMG’s decision to ditch all-wheel drive.

The CLE 646 sends everything to the rear wheels through AMG’s nine-speed TCT transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

Four-way adjustable coilovers developed with KW Automotive are fitted, dropping the car by 22 mm at the front and 16 mm at the rear. AMG’s nine-stage traction control system also allows drivers to progressively reduce the electronic assistance.

Hollow forged 20-inch wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber measuring 305-section up front and a huge 335-section at the rear.

Stopping power comes courtesy of carbon-ceramic brakes with 420 mm front discs and six-piston calipers, while 360 mm discs feature at the rear.

Only 30 Will Ever Exist

Mercedes-AMG will produce just 30 examples of the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, making it substantially rarer than the 250-unit Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed and even the 75-example Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss.

All 30 cars have already been sold, with pricing remaining undisclosed.

The bigger story, however, is what comes next.

Much of the engineering developed for the CLE 646 is expected to filter into the upcoming Mercedes-AMG CLE 63. That means a V8-powered flagship CLE Coupe now looks increasingly certain, although the regular production model is unlikely to receive the full 636 hp output.

For AMG fans who have been waiting for the brand to rediscover its V8 roots, this could be a very good sign.

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