Autos

Last year, Toyota‘s Research Institute (TRI) teamed up with Stanford University to create an autonomous self-driving GR Supra that would learn drivers’ behavioral habits, and now the Japanese automotive company has announced a world-first — the Supra has completed its first autonomous drift around a closed circuit. Drifting around obstacles, the test shows Toyota’s know-how in the world of vehicle control and dynamics, and by understanding this it hopes it can make cars and their drivers less likely to crash in dangerous conditions, such as when there’s black ice on the road. “At TRI, our goal is to use advanced technologies that augment and amplify humans, not replace them,” said Avinash Balachandran, senior manager of TRI’s Human Centric Driving ...

British automotive giant Aston Martin is known around the globe for its formidable supercars and GTs, but things changed when it started to produce the DBX in 2020. Now, the marque has taken the SUV to the next level, presenting the DBX707. Dubbed as the world’s most powerful luxury SUV, the DBX707 packs a twin-turbocharged four-liter V8 that offers 707PS and 900Nm of torque, equating to an increase of 157PS and 200Nm over the standard DBX. The result, when paired with a new nine-speed automatic gearbox, is 0-62 MPH in 3.3 seconds, and this speed is echoed by the car’s upgraded styling. As per the brand’s press release, “Every area of the car has been enhanced to boost performance, intensify driving pleasure and amplify its on-road presence.” Wheels now come i...

HYPEBEAST drove the Maserati MC20 back in 2021 before it launched, lauding the Italian company’s latest supercar as “a thinking man’s supercar that’s part sculpture, part engineering marvel, and entirely joyous to drive.” While we loved it, it seems that others that already have their hands on the limited-run model see the MC20 in a different light, positioning it as a good investment. While few are on the roads as of writing, a brand-new MC20 has just landed on the auction site Bring a Trailer. Showing just 86 miles the car has barely been driven, meaning the next owner will get to experience the car’s twin-turbocharged three-liter V6 in all its glory. That engine produces 621 HP and 538 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 2.9-second 0-62 MPH sprint and 202 MPH top spe...

The artist formerly known as Kanye West has reportedly sold his Ripsaw EV2 to Diesel Brothers hosts Dave “Heavy D” Sparks and David “Diesel Dave” Kiley. Speaking to TMZ, Sparks shared that he and Kiley, who is actually not his real brother, first interacted with Ye a few years ago when the rapper wanted them to do some work on his trucks. While the partnership never materialized due to poor timing, West’s team reached out to the reality TV show hosts again in October 2021 to offer them the sale of the Ripsaw EV2.  The pair decided to acquire it from from the rapper’s Wyoming ranch as the luxury tank’s waiting list supposedly stretches out to three years. Sparks did not divulge the exact price they paid for the Ripsaw EV2, but did share that Ye gave...

Sydney Pollack’s previously owned 1971 Ferrari 365 GTS is up for auction courtesy of RM Sotheby’s. The vehicle was the 31st of 121 GTS/4 Daytona Spiders produced by Scaglietti in 1971 and 1-of-14 automobiles to feature an Argento Metallizzato bodywork. The convertible was purchased by H.J. Hoff, who later sold the model to Sydney Pollack in 1975. Ferrari’s cutting-edge 365 GTS features a water-cooled, front-facing V12 engine and open-top cabin. The two-seat grand tourer houses a five-speed manual transmission that revs to 259 kW at 7500 rpm with a maximum torque of 431 N⋅m. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sydney Pollack sold the car to Alberto Amezcua of Mexico City. In 1981, Amezcua was strong-armed into selling the vehicle to a pawn shop owner loosely tied to the Mexican president ...

A Russell Built Fabrication 1991 Porsche 911 (964) Baja Prototype # 1 has just landed on the Collecting Cars auction site. Said to be the ultimate off-road 911, the Baja Prototype is powered by a Rothsport Road & Race 3.8-liter flat-six engine (360bhp and 310lb-ft of torque) and is matched with a six-speed G50 manual transmission. What started its life as a 964 Carrera 4 Cabriolet has now been modified to tackle the trickiest of dirt roads thanks to its rigid 4130 Chromoly race roll cage, full Motec electrical replacement, width increase of 15 inches, carbon fiber roof scoop, driving lamp pod, heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, lightweight doors, and custom-engineered suspension system — even with all the off-road upgrades, the Prototype is still 100 pounds lighter than its stock...

A 2021 Porsche Taycan has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the shortest charge time needed to cross the United States for an electric vehicle. The 2834.5-mile journey from New York to Los Angeles ended up taking just 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 48 seconds smashing the previous record held by a Kia EV6 which made the same journey requiring 7 hours 10 minutes, and 1 second of charge. Wayne Gerdes, a self-described professional long-distance traveler and Guinness Record holder for range in other vehicles, used a special “hypermiling” technique to maximize the vehicle’s efficiency while driving at normal speeds, or sometimes even faster. “Comparing charging performance from a variety of EVs I have driven to date, the Taycan sets the bar,” said Gerdes i...

The Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance has now announced its plans for electric car development through 2030. Together, the three automotive giants will be spending a staggering $25.8 billion USD to develop 35 new models over the next eight years, creating five new platforms that’ll share 80% in common usage. The five different categories will focus on budget options, compact vehicles, commercial vehicles, crossovers, and more compact cars with even lower price points and energy consumption. Batteries will also be shared across the three companies, with the Alliance aiming to reach 220 GWh capacity by the end of the decade while lowering costs by 50% by 2026 and 65% by 2028, when all-solid-state-batteries will be available. Over the next four years, the group also aims to have 25 mil...

Toyota has now unveiled its 2023 Sequoia SUV. Receiving a series of welcome upgrades, the new three-row SUV carries the same twin-turbo V6 hybrid i-FORCE MAX engine as the Tundra, capable of generating a combined 436 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque through either a two-wheel-drive system or a part-time four-wheel-drive option. The powertrain works in tandem with a brand new rack-mounted electric power steering system, an independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, and the optional Adaptive Variable Suspension and Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension configurations. With new tech installed, the Sequoia will also come with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a package that consists of a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Front and Rear Parking Assist wi...

Gooding & Company has just announced the sale of two impressive collections for its Amelia Island auction. Comprised of both the Lloyd Hawkins Collection and the late Rudy “Mr. 993” Mancinas Collection, the lots are made up of some of the rarest classic Porsches and BMWs. “Gooding & Company is excited to present these two outstanding private collections at Amelia Island,” said Gooding & Company Senior Specialist, David Brynan. “The Lloyd Hawkins Collection features a selection of important competition cars, including iconic models like the RSR and 935. The Rudy ‘Mr. 993’ Mancinas collection offers enthusiasts the opportunity to acquire some of the most sought-after modern classics from Porsche and BMW, many of which are finished in rare or on...

Gordon Murray Automotive unveils its all-new T.33 vehicle joining the T.50 and T.50s line-up. The two-seat T.33 is configured with a second-generation T.50 3.9-liter V12, a twelve-cylinder engine that powers 606 horsepower to 11,100rpm. The carbon/aluminum body is uncompromising in bespoke internal detailing but differs from the T.50 as a more accessible driver-oriented supercar. The cabin is devoid of touchscreens and column stalks, with essential amenities living on the carbon fiber steering wheel. GMA refers to the vehicle as “defiantly analog,” rebuffing the digitalization of modern-day vehicles in lieu of driver-centric controls like the aero, lights, aircon, HMI, and a manual gearbox and optional paddle shift. GMA worked closely with Cosworth and Xtrac when deriving the all-new engin...

Tesla released its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, reporting a 65% revenue growth year-over-year to $17.72 billion USD. CEO Elon Musk also discussed a “product road map” and said the company would not release any new models in 2022. The carmaker’s operating income rose to $2.6 billion USD in Q4, compared to the same period last year, while its quarter-end cash and cash equivalents increased to $17.6 billion USD. The company said its Fremont, California factory achieved record production in 2021, while its Gigafactory Texas began builds of Model Ys in late 2021. Tesla said it plans to grow its manufacturing capacity “as quickly as possible.” Still, it noted challenges that impacted its output, including a continuation of global supply chain, transportation...