Autos

AC Schnitzer has just unveiled its latest performance-tuned BMW. Made for the track, AC Schnitzer has further developed the G80 BMW M3 Competition for added power, handling, and of course, aggressive styling. Power sees an increase in almost 80 horsepower at 582hp and 553 lb-ft of torque while handling gets bumped up via a new spring kit with RS coilovers. This setup lowers the front of the car by 15-20mm. There is also a slight reduction in weight thanks to the AC3 lightweight forged wheels. One of the more prominent upgrades can be found in the form of new aero parts for the sports car. On top of the roof spoiler and modest carbon rear wing that produce 44lbs and 154lbs of downforce, respectively, there’s also a front splitter, a four-piece front canard set, and a rear diffuser. Ma...

The Ferrari F40 is unquestionably one of the greatest and most legendary supercars of all time, and this 1989 F40 Berlinetta “Non-Cat, Non-Adjust” iteration is without fail a fine example that’s heading to auction with Bonhams. With just one owner from new, this F40 is perhaps one of the cleanest examples to ever hit the market. Finished in the factory-supplied color of “Rosso Corsa,” and being just one of the 1,315 examples ever made, the classic supercar also comes with optional extras such as wind-up windows and air conditioning — remember, this is basically a road-going F1-derived car, and is one of Ferrari‘s most visceral and hardcore models ever made, so ticking the option box for things such as this aren’t as alien as you’d expec...

The classic James Bond automotive is officially getting an electric vehicle makeover. British company Lunaz, is set to offer electric versions of the iconic Aston Martin DB4, DB5 and DB6. The price tag for the substantial shift for the DB5 and DB6 is looking into the seven-figure valuation. While there is limited information on the pricing, the DB6 is expected to be cheaper but will still “exceed $1 million USD plus local taxes.” According to Top Gear, Lunaz has specifically been programmed to allow for “brisk initial acceleration with the requirements of a classic car that is very much built in the mode of a Grand Tourer.” The electrified Db6 is said to have a range of approximately 255 miles, which is more than is expected from a non-EV DB6. Not much detail has be...

The Audi R8 has been with us since 2006, and over the past 15 years it has appeared in many variants, the most exciting of which is the R8 V10 Performance RWD, which today has been given an update for the 2022 model year. As Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, says, “The Audi R8 V10 RWD really struck a chord with customers right from the start with its rear-wheel-drive derived from the R8 LMS racecar and its unfiltered dynamics.” To add to this experience, Audi has pumped an extra 30 HP and 10 Nm of torque into the car’s naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 FSI engine, resulting in a total output of 570 HP and 550 Nm. To help the RWD car cope in all kinds of conditions, the mechanical limited-slip differential has been fettled with to make sure that the ri...

French automotive company Citroën is known in the industry for having a sense of humor, for not taking itself too seriously, and it has made an effort to prove this point once again with its customization program for the all-electric AMI city car. Six patterns have been designed in-house for those who want to add some flavor to their AMI, ranging from jungle to tutti-frutti, a British “globetrotter” theme, camouflage, “Tribe,” and finally, “Trendy.” The stickers can be applied to various areas of the AMI, and are bought individually to be applied by the owner rather than the factory. Additionally, customers can also send in their own pictures and photos to be made by Faab Fabricauto who will produce a custom sticker for your car, which can be applied in ...

Looking ahead at its 2022 Mustang model, American automaker Ford has now revealed a new Stealth Edition Appearance Package for its 310-horsepower turbocharged Mustang EcoBoost Premium variant. As its name suggests, the new package comes with a series of understated changes to give the car a subtle yet sporty makeover. Exterior changes include 19-inch “Ebony Black” painted wheels, blacked pony badges, a performance rear wing, black mirror caps and clear LED taillamp covers, while the interior also receives an updated look with a matte and gloss black instrument panel and illuminated sill plate. Along with the Stealth Edition package, Ford also announced a California Special Appearance Package for the 2022 Mustang GT Premium fastback and convertible models which pays homage to th...

Japan’s 4Design has just made a chocolate mold that’s sure to please automotive enthusiasts. Made to give BBS fans a chance to experience the “joy of manufacturing,” this clean mold makes a single miniature 3D version of the BBS F1 racing wheel. Made in partnership with Takaoka City’s Fujita Corporation, this collaboration is a hometown celebration as BBS Japan’s wheels are all made in the same city. The mold joins six separate aluminum pieces together, where when assembled, create a final mold that stands 3×4 inches in size. There are two styles from 4DESIGN — a 1.4-ounce wheel and 1.8-once BBS cushion. Take a look at the molds in action in the video above. In other automotive news, check out our latest DRIVERS with Steven Victor and his 2019...

A federal jury has ordered Tesla to pay a former employee $137 million USD over a racism harassment case. Between 2015 and 2016, the African-American plaintiff Owen Diaz was contracted to work at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory as an elevator operator. At the time, Diaz reported that his supervisors and colleagues would often use racial slurs toward him. Some incidents included included telling him to “go back to Africa” and leaving racist graffiti and drawings in his workspace. In 2020, a federal judge rejected Tesla’s attempt to dismiss the claims, pushing the lawsuit forward to court. Since Diaz did not sign the arbitration agreements, the case was able to go to trial. Diaz was awarded $130 million USD for punitive damages and $6.9 million USD for emotional d...

Mini has just unveiled a new special edition version for its John Cooper Works (JCW) Hardtop 2 Door. This new trim celebrates the race car drivers that have graced the Cooper since 1961 and 60 years at the racetrack. Most of the updates are cosmetic as the car receives a British Racing Green paint job with white racing stripes, the number 74 on both doors (signifying the car’s first race, where the vehicle was given the number 74), Cooper Car Company logos at the door sills and side scuttles, and finally, the etching of all three Cooper generations’ names — John Cooper, John Michael Cooper, and Charlie Cooper — in the cockpit facia. “The Cooper name shares a storied history with MINI, and this new Anniversary Edition reflects the Cooper performance heritage, o...

DRIVERS is a series highlighting influential individuals in the HYPEBEAST sphere and their passion towards all things automotive. The approach is simple: what is car culture to you, and why do you have a passion for it? Each contributor is given a chance to shine light on their personal vehicle or vehicles, and asked to remark on how they are driving culture forward, both metaphorically and literally. The hip-hop game has always been synonymous with a deep respect for cars, as they stand as symbols of success and an elevated lifestyle. For Steven Victor, CEO of global entertainment company Victor Victor Worldwide, the grind from the beginning has lead him to the success he holds today, and with a veritable monster of a supercar to prove it. Victor Victor Worldwide is an international manag...

Paul Smith reimagines the iconic MINI Cooper SE in line with the collaboration’s theme of “Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability” — creating a sustainable approach to automotive design. For the one-off creation titled “MINI STRIP”, the British designer reduces the vehicle to its vital elements — ridding the design of any unnecessary extras with an unfinished, exposed aesthetic. Instead of colored paint, a thin transparent layer is added to protect it against corrosion. Factory marks are also left on the galvanized steel to give it a raw look as Paul Smith describes it, “The perfect imperfection.” The car’s signature black band as well as its front and rear apron inserts are crafted from 3D-printed recycled plastic with its structural basics such as it...

Japanese automaker Subaru has finally released a teaser video previewing how the company’s first-ever electric car — the Solterra 4×4 crossover — will look like. While the video itself keeps a dark veil over how the whole exterior of the car will look, it did offer shots of various closeups in different angles to show off some of the EV’s detailing. From what we can see, the Solterra largely resembles Toyota’s bZ4X concept car, albeit with a sportier and perhaps slightly less futuristic aesthetic. The similarities don’t come as a surprise, however, given that both electric cars are based on the same e-TNGA platform that the two Japanese automakers created together with the purpose of employing across numerous models. As for the interior, the Solterra has a slig...