hypercar Archives

Hennessey Performance’s Project Deep Space is a 6-wheel drive Hyper GT!

John Hennessey, the founder and CEO of Texas-based Hennessey Performance, is a man who loves powerful cars and his company has been ‘making fast cars faster’ since 1991. His work covers not only musclecars but also trucks and SUVs, with notable recent models like the 700-bhp Velociraptor F250 and a ZL1 Camaro nicknamed ‘The Exorcist’ with 1,000 bhp.

In 2017, he started Hennessey Special Vehicles to develop even faster cars, with the Venom F5 being of hypercar status and the first road car capable of achieving more than 480 km/h. The Hennessey team developed an all new, twin turbo V8 engine that can deliver 1,817 bhp which sits on a lightweight chassis enclosed by an all carbonfibre body.

*The Exorcist, a Camaro ZL1 with 1,000 bhp (above) and the Venom F5 are just some of the superfast cars from Hennessey.*

The F5’s combination of light weight, low drag and massive horsepower is claimed to enable an acceleration time from 0 to 300 km/h in less than 10 seconds, making the new Venom quicker than current Formula 1 racing cars.

Project Deep Space

Now Hennessey Special Vehicles is taking things further with a strategic product plan to introduce 3 all-new vehicles over the next 10 years. Project Deep Space, the codename for one of the vehicles, will be the world’s first 6-wheel drive Hyper-GT.

During the next 10 years, electrification will be permeating through the industry and Hennessey is going with the change by making the hyper-GT run only on electric power, generated by 6 motors. With a 50% increase in surface contact over traditional 4-wheeled vehicles, the performance of the hyper-GT will be astonishing.

Fitted with dramatic gullwing doors, Project Deep Space will be constructed with an ultra-lightweight carbonfibre chassis and body panels. The car will be a unique, ultra-luxurious, Grand Tourer that can transport 4 adults in comfort along with 4 sets of golf clubs, plus luggage.

Diamond=shaped seating layout

The distinctive diamond seating arrangement places the driver in a central position and the rear offers lie-flat seating. The interior will be fitted with the highest quality materials and for the asking price, customers will be able to add whatever they want to personalize their hypercar.

“I’ve been building some of the world’s fastest accelerating vehicles for decades, yet they have always been performance-limited by mechanical grip. Six-wheeled electric propulsion is the solution. The technology is unprecedented in this segment – both forward-thinking and innovative. Our design and engineering team is excited about embracing the future,” said John Hennessey.

World’s most expensive EV

Full specifications for Project Deep Space are yet to be announced, but Hennessey has confirmed that pricing will start at US$3 million (RM12.6 million at today’s exchange rate) which will make it the world’s most expensive EV (unless Bugatti or someone else comes out with a rival model). Only 105 hypercars will be built with production planned to begin in 2026.

Production run for Bugatti Chiron coming to an end

When the Bugatti Chiron made its debut at the Geneva International Motorshow in 2016, it was announced that the production run would be limited to 500 units. Just over 4 years after the first deliveries to customers began in March 2017, over 460 units have been built and less than 40 build slots left to be allocated.

The final units being built or scheduled to be built are in Chiron Pur Sport and Chiron Super Sport form only. Joining the Chiron family in 2020, the Chiron Pur Sport built upon the exceptional Chiron foundation to offer customers a truly uncompromising hyper sports car that is optimized for dynamic agility and downforce.

With an entirely new aerodynamic, transmission and weight configuration, the Chiron Pur Sport effortlessly delivers thoroughbred performance. The model has a 50-kg weight reduction and firmer suspension, combined with a 1.90 metre rear wing and close-ratio transmission.

Ultimate Grand Tourisme
The Chiron Super Sport only appeared this year. As the quintessence of luxury and speed, the Chiron Super Sport has been designed to embrace supreme longitudinal speed without compromising luxury and comfort. It is regarded as the ultimate Grand Tourisme and defined by its longtail design, the Super Sport achieves extreme levels of aerodynamic efficiency, enabling the hyper sportscar to reach speeds of up to 440 km/h.

With an upgraded version of the Bugatti 8-litre W16 engine, the Super Sport has 1,600 ps, which is 100 ps more than the standard car. But even with 1,500 ps (and 1,600 Nm), the Chiron redefined the pinnacle of automotive engineering in the 2010s. Sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.4 seconds, it reached 200 km/ in 6.1 seconds, with the 300 km/h mark achieved in 13.1 seconds.

A world record-setter
As would be expected, Bugatti regularly set new records with the Chiron, solidifying its position in automotive history as one of the all-time greats. Its first production car record was achieved in 2017 when a Chiron went from 0 to 400 km/h to 0 within 41.96 seconds – the fastest time ever reached and officially measured at the time.

Continuing a run of unrelenting success, just 2 years later, the hypercar reached speeds once through to be unreachable by a road car. A near production prototype derivative crossed the 300 mph limit with a speed of 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h).

No shortage of customers
Even with the astronomical prices starting from US$3 million (about RM12.5 million), there has never been a shortage of customers from the first day orders were accepted. 18 months from its initial announcement, 300 of the 500 cars had been sold. This sales momentum has continued and despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Bugatti has steadily been receiving orders for the Chiron. The USA has taken the most Chirons, contributing significantly to a record-breaking quarter in Q3.

“Our discerning customer base across the world consists of true Bugatti connoisseurs. They are hard-working, self-made individuals who regard owning one or multiple Bugatti masterpieces as the realization of a dream. They understand the devotion behind the pioneering design and engineering of each Chiron model. Their appreciation for the provenance and performance of our hyper sports cars comes from a genuine passion for the brand,” said Hendrik Malinowski, Director of Sales and Operations.

First 8 units of fastest ever Bugatti ready to be delivered to customers

The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ first made headlines back in 2019 when a prototype blasted through the seemingly unbreakable 300 mph (480 km/h) barrier. Its officially recorded speed was 304.773 mph (490.484 km/h), setting a new world record.

The achievement was followed the announcement, to mark the 110th anniversary of the French marque, that 30 units of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ would be built. Thus began the 2-year development and testing program which had to be extensive given the ultra high performance of the car.

With speeds of up to 440 km/h, an abundance of power would be needed. This is provided by a modified version of Bugatti’s iconic 8-litre W16 engine that produces up to 1,600 ps – 100 ps more than the Chiron. To boosting the performance, the engineers developed a new thermal management system for the engine and gearbox, ensuring all vital components remain cool even when traveling at the top speed. Software refinements to the engine, gearbox, powertrain and turbochargers have all been necessary additions to the Chiron Super Sport 300+ as well.

Optimised to slip through the air
Visually and technically distinct from the Chiron, the Chiron Super Sport 300+’s capacity for speed is defined by its aerodynamically optimized body, enabling it to pass through the air with complete stability beyond 420 km/h. Most notably, the Longtail rear end – extending the body by 25 cm – allows the laminar flow to pass over the body for a longer period of time, therefore significantly reducing aerodynamic stall by more than 40%.

Air curtains adorning the sportscar’s front corners disperse excess air pressure towards the car’s sides. Simultaneously, air outlets at the wheelarches and behind the front wheels guide excess pressure away from each wheelarch, reducing drag by also producing a small amount of negative lift.

The streamlined bodywork is crafted using exposed jet-black carbonfibre, complemented by a Jet Orange racing stripe running through the centre of the car. The lightweight material continues to flow through into the car’s engine cover, and even the windscreen wiper.

Subtle touches including the Bugatti ‘Macaron’ logo made of genuine silver and black enamel add to the sense of exclusivity and rarity. Extremely light and strong magnesium alloy wheels are finished in a bespoke colour named ‘Nocturne’.

First 8 of 30 units
Now the two years have passed and production has also been completed for the first 8 highly exclusive vehicles which are now ready for delivery (the other 22 units also have owners waiting). Each car has a price starting from 3.5 million euros (about RM17 million) before all the customisation is included.

“It is the fastest hyper sportscar Bugatti has ever made, and is a true testament to the engineering passion, technical expertise and relentless pursuit of performance our brand is synonymous with. We are excited to deliver the first eight units of this record-setting pioneer to our customers, and for them to experience the sheer sensation of speed behind the wheel,” said Christophe Piochon, Managing Director of Production and Logistics.

Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar stars in new Forza Horizon 5 game (w/VIDEO)

At the all-digital gamescom 2021 this week, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios are showcasing an all-new Forza Horizon 5 gameplay with the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE ‘Forza Horizon Edition’ as the star. The unique Forza Horizon Edition possible has an exclusive body livery that emphasises its unique character and makes it clear that this car will not be available for purchase in the real world. In addition to the Forza Horizon Edition, the AMG hypercar can also be configured in other equipment and colours.

The virtual counterpart of the hypercar with Formula 1 drive technology is presented in extremely detailed graphics and the currently highest fidelity in the digital world. Players are immersed in a hyper-real open world in which the landscape of Mexico is recreated.

The special experience of driving the ultimate top model from the high-performance subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz is also amazingly realistic. Virtual acceleration, braking, steering and agility as well as active aerodynamics correspond to the features of the actual model which has yet to be launched.

Close cooperation between Mercedes-AMG and Microsoft’s Forza team has enabled hyper-realistic representation of the special features of the unique 2-door car. With the different ‘Track’ and ‘Road’ driving programmes, dusty tracks in Mexico can be mastered just as dynamically as asphalt highways. The active aerodynamics of the hypercar are also meticulously recreated. The gaming community can look forward to breathtaking driving performance, with more than 1,000 ps of virtual power and a digital top speed of over 350 km/h.

“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is strictly limited to 275 units in the real world. We’re delighted that there’s now a perfect digital variant exclusively in Forza Horizon 5. Thanks to our close cooperation with Microsoft, we can now virtually offer the unique driving experience of our hypercar to a large group of enthusiasts in the best and most impressive way currently available on the gaming scene,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“We have featured Mercedes-AMG vehicles in every Forza game; however, this is the first time we’ve partnered to feature a Mercedes-AMG vehicle on the cover of a Forza game. I cannot imagine a more exciting car to start with than the amazing Mercedes-AMG Project ONE,” added Alan Hartman, Vice-President of Forza Racing Franchise, Xbox Game Studios. He added that other performance vehicles from Mercedes-AMG are also available in Forza Horizon 5.

Forza Horizon 5, the follow-up the popular simulator released in 2018, the open-world Forza Horizon 4 driving, takes the Horizon Festival to the very realistic and vibrantly presented Mexico. Featuring the largest, most diverse open world ever in a Forza Horizon game, Forza Horizon 5 is set against a vibrant, ever-evolving landscape with nearly limitless driving action across living deserts, lush jungles, historic cities, hidden ruins, pristine beaches, vast canyons and a towering snow-capped volcano – the highest point ever in a Horizon game. The game will be available globally on November 9 for the current consoles of the Xbox family, including Windows PC.

Revealed in 2017, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is still under development. It will be a road-legal hypercar with only 275 units to be produced, Each one is priced from 2.28 million euros (around RM11.38 million) and all have already been booked.

Bugatti to build 40 units of Bolide experimental hypercar for sale

During the fourth quarter of 2020, Bugatti provided the answer to this question: What if the French carmaker built a radically light vehicle around the legendary 8.0-litre W16 engine? This led to a study that created the Bolide, a racetrack-oriented hyper sports car with a production-based W16 engine and minimal bodywork designed with maximum downforce in mind.

“The Bolide generated a great deal of enthusiasm and intrigue last year. Following its presentation, a significant number of enthusiasts and collectors asked us to develop the experimental Bolide as a production vehicle. I was absolutely amazed by the reactions and feedback from customers from all over the world,” recalled Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti.

“We therefore decided to make the Bolide a few-off in order to give 40 customers the opportunity to experience this incredible vehicle. Our team has now been developing a production model – the ultimate driving machine for the track,” he said. This will make the Bolide the most extreme configuration level of the W16 engine and a must-have for Bugatti collectors.

Development around the powertrain
With the very limited-edition production Bolide, Bugatti engineers and designers have created the most extreme vehicle concept ever to have been conceived around the powerful powertrain of the W16 engine with 4 turbochargers.

“For me, being able to turn the radical thought experiment of the Bolide into reality as a production vehicle is a dream come true as it is by far the most challenging project of my 17-year Bugatti career,” said Bugatti Design Director Achim Anscheidt. “The design of the Bolide follows the minimalist approach of the Bugatti style philosophy of ‘form follows performance’ and is additionally founded on an uncompromising lightweight construction approach. It pays homage to the brand’s glorious motorsport past of the in the 1920s.”

The numerous air ducts and delicate front end are more reminiscent of aerodynamically sophisticated Formula 1 cars than a hyper sportscar, and they dominate its look. The Bolide sits very low to the ground, with an air intake scoop on the roof and an ultra-sporty seat position. In combination with the striking rear diffuser, the dominant rear wing results in high downforce and therefore also optimum traction. As with other Bugatti models, the design team opted for a colour split, although the proportion of visible carbonfibre parts is greater than in other models.

Tuned for RON98 fuel
With the W16 engine as a symbol of the brand’s technology, Bugatti boasts one of the most extraordinary engines in automotive history. In the case of the Bolide experimental car, its power output of 1,850 ps is achieved by (among other things) the 110-octane racing fuel. However, for the production model, Bugatti engineers have tuned the engine to run on RON98 petrol, readily available worldwide. This will enable the car to be driven anywhere in the world.

The use of a lower octane brings the output down to 1,600 ps with 1,600 Nm of torque generated from 2,250 rpm. The engine has been tuned for higher revs per minute for use on the racetrack, alongside the intake and exhaust system to achieve even faster, more spontaneous, and extreme responsiveness. The cooling system for the turbochargers, engine, transmission, and differential are likewise modified for optimum power development.

Meeting FIA safety standards
While some extreme cars are not constrained by regulations, Bugatti’s designers and engineers who are currently refining the aerodynamics and handling, have developed the Bolide in line with international FIA safety standards. The safety features include HANS system compatibility, an automatic fire extinguishing system, pressure refueling with a fuel bladder, central wheel locking, and a 6-point safety belt system. All these guarantee maximum safety and sufficient comfort during the pure driving experience.

“The customers’ safety is always our top priority. We therefore decided to offer exclusive track days for this extreme vehicle in order to guarantee a safe environment at all times and gradually introduce the customers to the Bolide’s breathtaking performance,” said Mr. Winkelmann.

Optimizations in the areas of design, aerodynamics, quality, and safety give the production vehicle a curb weight of just 1,450 kgs, which translates to a weight-to-power ratio of 0kgs per ps when RON98 fuel is used.

Close to technical demonstrator
Thanks to maximum weight-saving, the drivers will be able to experience the full power and torque of the engine. Bugatti has kept the production car so close to its technical demonstrator, both visually and technically, while also enhancing the design, quality, and vehicle safety.

Delivery to the 40 customers who put their money down for this hyper sportscar is scheduled for 2024 at a net unit price of 4 million euros (almost RM20 million) each.

Production-spec Pininfarina Battista hypercar cruises on roads of California

Joining the exotic and very expensive supercars and concept cars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider and Audi Skysphere in the Monterey Car Week in California is the first production-spec Pininfarina Battista. Laying claim as the world’s first pure-electric hyper GT, the Battista first road outing on California’s roads marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of the company (owned by the Mahindra Group since 2015).

Customers in the USA have a first chance to view the car which is finished in Black on exposed signature carbonfibre bodywork. The exposed bodywork and precision polished Impulso forged aluminium alloy wheels are complemented by an exquisitely tailored interior featuring optional Pilota seats finished in sustainable black leather and quilted Iconica Blu Alcantara upholstery, with Iconica Blu contrast stitching, complemented by the Interior Jewellery Pack finished in brushed aluminium anodised in black.

The Battista is claimed to be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy, with the promise of delivering a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sportscar using internal combustion engine technology. It will be quicker than a current Formula 1 car with a claimed 0 – 100 km/h time of less than 2 seconds, and with 1,900 ps/2,300 Nm output from 4 electric motors. Operating with zero emissions, the Battista’s 120 kWh battery pack is expected to provide a range of over 500 kms when fully charged.

The sound of the Battista
The physical presence of the hypercar also allows the Battista to be heard for the first time. It has a unique soundscape tuned to create an emotional reaction for occupants and onlookers. Following Automobili Pininfarina’s ‘Pure Sound’ philosophy, the soundscape has a core frequency of 54 Hz, an organic frequency that is a multiple of 432 Hz – known as ‘Verdi’s A,’ conceived by famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.

According to music theory, 432 Hz is mathematically consistent with the universe. Music tuned to 432 Hz is said to be a pure sound while providing greater clarity, and is easier on the ears. From this starting point, the frequency will rise in multiples of 54 Hz with new sound layers added as the speed of the car increases. The seamlessly responsive acoustics will reflect the pure-electric performance of Battista combining rich bass tones to create a signature sound.

Commenting on the distinctive aural signature, Rene Wollmann, Product Platform Director Sports Cars at Automobili Pininfarina, said: “Every driver has an emotional bond with a car and the sound of Battista will nurture this connection, not by replicating a familiar car sound, but with one that radiates the beauty of Battista’s design both inside and out. This way, the Battista will not only impress with its aesthetic appeal and performance, but also on a new emotional level enhanced through the sound. We look forward to the input we will receive from clients in the US as we fine-tune Battista’s sonic experience.”

Connected – from anywhere in the world
A special provision made in the car is to be able to access online services consistently and reliably when crossing different countries. Automobili Pininfarina and Deutsche Telekom have come up with a way for Battista owners to do so in more than 50 countries worldwide – a first in the world of hypercars.

Every one of the 150 Battistas (to cost no less than US$2.5 million or around RM10.3 million) will come with an embedded SIM card and roaming technology for optimised connectivity worldwide. Using these components, Deutsche Telekom’s roaming partner network and roaming traffic steering logic enables the vehicle to search for the strongest network, so owners don’t find themselves in communication blackspots even as they cross international borders.

This superior connectivity also means greater convenience for owners to receive Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, the latest thing in the industry. By sending software updates online, the vehicle’s systems or devices will always be up-to-date and perform at their best. The system will be able to remotely update 26 individual electronic control modules in the Battista across functions covering the powertrain, safety and driving dynamics systems, vehicle control, infotainment as well as digital services.

The more exclusive Anniversario edition
As for the even more exclusive Battista Anniversario, the bodywork will have one of the most complex paint finishes in the world, with the process of creating akin to a great artist completing an Old Master painting. Skilled artisans will take several weeks to paint each car, building up the finish layer-by-layer and colour-by-colour – all by hand. The body is disassembled and reassembled three times so pinstripes in the three separate colours can be hand-painted directly onto the body.

2020 Battista Anniversario — *Battista Anniversario*

The Battista Anniversario is also equipped with the ‘Furiosa’ package, comprising a revised carbonfibre front splitter, side blades and rear diffuser. Exclusively on the Anniversario, these parts are finished in a two-tone combination of exposed signature carbonfibre and carbonfibre tinted in Iconica Blu with pin stripes in Bianco Sestriere.

Besides the exclusive livery, a bespoke rear wing, rear aero fins and other bespoke details are unique to the Battista Anniversario. The aerodynamic enhancements enabled by the Furiosa exterior changes deliver increased downforce and greater stability at higher cornering speeds and a more dynamic balance to the car.

*Pininfarina has a long history of designed exotic supercars. The Ferrari F40 was one of them.*

Aston Martin takes the top off the Valkyrie for California debut

The Valkyrie, a product of the combined design and engineering talents of Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT), is one of the world’s most extreme hypercars. Only 150 units will be built (all already sold), each priced from US$3 million (about RM12.707 million). Joining the Valkyrie at a California debut is the Valkyrie Spider and only 85 units will be available – all of which are also taken.

Taking the roof of the Valkyrie promises an even more intense experience, perhaps comparable to the feeling that Formula 1 drivers have. Of course, the Valkyrie Spider is a roadgoing car and so it must meet the high standards of comfort and luxury customers (who will pay more than US$3 million) will expect.

While the 1,155 ps hybrid V12 powertrain remains the same, the Valkyrie Spider has received revisions to its carbonfibre structure, plus precise recalibration of both the active aerodynamic and active chassis systems.

Key to superlative performance is the ultra-lightweight construction and high downforce aerodynamics package. The upper body surfaces of the teardrop-shaped cockpit and lower tub contours follow the envelope of space available between the huge full-length Venturi tunnels that run either side of the cockpit floor. Drawing huge quantities of air beneath the car to feed the rear diffuser, these tunnels are the key to generating Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider’s extraordinary levels of downforce, while keeping the upper body surfaces free from additional aerodynamic devices that would spoil the purity of the open-top styling.

There is only a marginal weight difference to the Coupe and a top speed of 330 km/h+ is claimed with the roof removed, and 350 km/h+ with the roof on). This makes it the fastest and most extreme open-top, road-legal Aston Martin ever built.

The same driver-focused cabin is provided, with F1-inspired low hip-to-heel height and near-central seat positioning, along with a 6-point safety harness to keep the occupants tightly in their seats at high cornering speeds. A centre rearview camera system along with front and rear parking sensors will aid the driver at both high and low speeds, with displays sitting just above the instrument panel.

The Valkyrie Spider, which can be ordered with lefthand or righthand drive, features a bespoke, removable lightweight roof comprising of a carbonfibre central panel, latching onto the tub at the rear and to the windscreen surround at the front, along with a pair of polycarbonate roof windows, hinged on either side. On opening the doors, the roof can simply be lifted off and stowed away.

Modifications to the carbonfibre tub have been made to support the removable roof panels and the open-top layout, as well as new doors. The now front-hinged dihedral doors, which are unique to Valkyrie Spider, have been redesigned to tilt forward.

“The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the product of incredible innovation and technology, but above all it has always been about emotion. With the Valkyrie Spider, we are taking that passion and emotion to the next level. The driving experience promises to be truly sensational. The sound of that 6.5-litre V12 engine revving to over 11,000 rpm with the roof removed is something I cannot wait to hear!” said Aston Martin CEO, Tobias Moers.

Silk-FAW to display updated Hongqi S9 PHEV hypercar at Milan Design Week next month

The S9 PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) hypercar which was first presented as a concept at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show is making steady progress towards production. The last time it made the news was in April this year when a production-ready model was shown at Auto Shanghai 2021 and orders were being taken.

Pricing starts from 1.5 million euros (about RM7.453 million) and at that price, Silk-FAW would not be looking at high volumes. It is believed that the production run will be limited to 99 units, so it will be a ‘halo car’ for the rest of the Hongqi range which will have many new fully electric models.

Styled by ex-Volkswagen designer
The S9 began life as a project for the Hongqi premium brand of FAW (First Auto Works, a state-owned carmaker in China). The original design was done by Walter de Silva, formerly design head at the Volkswagen Group whose work includes many Volkswagen, SEAT and Audi models, including the R8. He is credited with being the man who introduced the Singleframe grille design which has been used on Audis since 2004.

In February this year, FAW signed a joint venture with Silk EV, an Italian engineering company, to develop a series of ultra-luxury, high-performance, new energy sports vehicles for the China and global markets. This moved the S9 to Silk-FAW which will bring it to the market by 2023.

To be built in Italy
With an investment of 1 billion euros, the S9 (as well as another model) will be further developed and manufactured in Regione Emilia-Romagna, the heart of Italy’s ‘Motor Valley’, where Silk EV has its headquarters. As development of the Hongqi ‘S’ Series line-up continues, production will be carried out in Italy as well as Changchun, where FAW’s headquarters is located in China.

1,400 bhp with top speed over 400 km/h
Silk-FAW will display the production version of the S9 at the Milan Design Week in early September. It has been confirmed that the hypercar will have a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 4-litre V8 petrol engine with electric turbocharging, and two electric motors. Total system output is expected to be in the region of 1,400 bhp, with 880 bhp coming from the engine. A top speed of over 400 km/h is expected with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h targeted to be 1.9 seconds.

Other technical and design elements are not being revealed yet but as the pictures show, it has a long-tail design with a spaceframe underneath. Aerodynamic efficiency will obviously be superior and besides a variable geometry spoiler, there will be innovative carbonfibre air intakes, seamlessly integrated into each headlight, to bring cooling air to the engine. Air extraction will be via the rear light units.

Exclusive ‘Albert’ Speedtail by McLaren Special Operations pays homage to first prototype

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has built a very exclusive model in the 106-car Speedtail range which pays homage to the first Speedtail attribute testing vehicle from 2018. Known as the ‘Albert’ Speedtail, its name refers to that the 1992 McLaren F1 test mules, which were named after the Albert Drive premises in England where the F1 was designed and built.

The original ‘Albert’ prototype vehicle was developed to validate the concept of the Speedtail’s central seat driving position, testing driver ergonomics and visibility and rearview camera positions. Built with the front panels from a 720S, the ‘Albert’ prototype was the first Speedtail to be driven on public roads.

“The name ‘Albert’ has a special resonance with MSO as we are the custodians of the McLaren F1 and are based at the Albert Drive premises that McLaren Cars occupied in the 1990s. The Speedtail experience has been an exciting journey for our customers, from visualising their imaginations to realising these inspirations and sharing their delight when unveiling the finished product. ‘Albert’ brings this project to a conclusion and we are thrilled to finish on a high note,” said Ansar Ali, MD of McLaren Special Operations.

When the original ’Albert’ travelled outside McLaren’s premises in public, it was camouflaged. The exterior design ‘camouflage’ was achieved by a simple 2-metre vinyl body wrap with design lines printed to represent the optimised airflow over the car.

The ‘Albert’ Speedtail carries on this legacy, which is one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO. The colours selected for the ‘Albert’ homage are Magnesium Silver – the colour used for the F1 roadcar first shown at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix – and Ueno Grey, the colour of the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The full design treatment is closely based on the 2018 vinyl ‘camouflage’ wrap.

The new ‘Albert’ was built in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) with a 1K gloss visual carbonfibre body. Due to the incredibly complex and detailed nature of the paintwork design, the MSO team completed test panels first to understand process feasibility and worked alongside the visualiser team to refine renders.

In total, ‘Albert’ would require a 12-week post-build modification at MSO’s facility to reach completion. This included 2 week’s masking, 6 weeks of painting and the remaining time to dry and reassemble the vehicle after spraying.

Referring to large-scale print-outs of the renders, the livery masking was completed by two specialist paint technicians. This had to be completed on the built car, with wheels fitted, to ensure accurate cross-panel alignment of the design as it flows around the vehicle. The masking of the livery required almost 2 kms of fine line-out tape to complete the initial design layout.

The 6-week painting process required the car to be disassembled to ensure complete accuracy and flawless finish. The paint blend effect was located on the door applique’s outer body panels with the front painted in Ueno Grey and rear in Magnesium Silver. After the first paint application, all body panels were treated and refitted to ensure perfect alignment and only after this the final clearcoat was applied.

Based on the form of a teardrop, the most aerodynamically efficient shape found in nature, the Speedtail is the ideal streamlined hypercar, a 3-seat hyper GT that became the third car in McLaren’s Ultimate Series line-up. With its 1,070 bhp hybrid powertrain, the Speedtail is claimed to be able to cover 112 metres each second when travelling at its top speed of 402 km/h, making it the fastest McLaren roadcar to date.

The 2021 ‘Albert’ Speedtail will be unveiled to the public this weekend in Los Angeles. ‘’As one of the very last Speedtails to be built at the McLaren Production Centre, it was very important to us at McLaren Beverly Hills that ‘Albert’ honours the brand’s rich heritage, particularly paying tribute to the icon that is the McLaren F1,” said Parris Mullins of McLaren Beverly Hills.

“We worked alongside MSO through every stage, including concept ideation, to produce a truly bespoke and beautifully detailed car that celebrates the innovation and design excellence behind the fastest McLaren roadcar to date. We are fortunate to have been able to procure ‘Albert’ for one of our top clients and are absolutely thrilled with the finished result,’’ he added.

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First bespoke Pininfarina Battista hypercar revealed

The Pininfarina Battista hypercar is already very exclusive to start with as only 150 units will be built. Each unit of the electric hyper GT has a starting price of US$2.5 million (about RM10.56 million) but customers are likely to pay much more as they will also want their Battista to be personalised. Naturally, Automobili Pininfarina is prepared for this and has an all-encompassing bespoke personalisation programme. It is something which the company would excel in, having its origins as a famous Italian automobile design house (it is now owned by India’s Mahindra Group).

All customers are invited to have discussions with the design team as part of an in-depth collaborative process. At the production facility is a perfect environment to inspire the creative process as it houses an extensive range of colour and material samples close to the car assembly area. Every element of the hypercar can have bespoke treatment, with clients offered a 360-degree consulting service resulting in a truly unique creation.

Creating a unique collector’s piece
“The Pininfarina name has a storied heritage of individual cars, and the Battista continues this legacy as every vehicle will be truly bespoke by design. Our clients have the unique opportunity to join the Automobili Pininfarina family, immersing themselves in the design process with our talented craftspeople to ensure their vehicle authentically reflects their personality and tastes, created with a truly personal touch,” said Sara Campagnolo, Head of Colour and Materials Design of Automobili Pininfarina. “Clients have the opportunity to drive forward the development of sustainable luxury, whilst creating a unique collector’s piece.”

New York City-inspired
The first bespoke commission is inspired by New York City and features a sophisticated red, white and blue colour theme, led by Exposed Signature Carbonfibre bodywork with Iconica Blu thread, the first application of its kind in the automotive industry.

The car also has Performance Stripes and Pinstripe finished in distinctive Bianco Sestriere metallic – meticulously applied by hand due to the complex shapes of the body panels – with a red Exterior Jewellery Pack elegantly completing the exterior design with a Furiosa Carbon Accent Pack finished in Black Exposed Signature Carbon.

Advanced materials, traditional coachbuilding
Mixing advanced composite materials with traditional coachbuilding techniques, the hand-painted finish for this one-off model will take hundreds of hours of expert attention. For this first unit, the Impulso wheels are finished in Dark Matt Grey with brushed aluminium centre-lock ring anodized in black, matching the black Goccia roof, rear diffuser, rear wing and brushed aluminium headlight engraving.

The luxurious interior provides further scope for personalisation, with everything from the choice of leather and Alcantara to the contrast stitching, Interior Jewellery Pack and fine aluminium interior detailing.

A total of 128 million combinations provides opportunities for clients to reflect their individual tastes, with all clients benefitting from Automobili Pininfarina’s commitment to sustainable luxury. This is evident in the methods used to craft the exquisite materials, such as leather interior elements tanned with olive leaves, a process that reduces the need for harmful chemicals in the creation of every Battista.

The Pilota seats are finished in black leather upholstery with Iconica Blu Alcantara that have navy colour inserts. The exterior theme is carried through to the interior with Iconica Blu stitching with unique red and white cross stitch, red headrest logo and unique white seatbelts, with Iconica Blu thread on the back of the carbon seats. Brushed aluminium detailing is finished in red, subtly referencing the red Exterior Jewellery Pack, with darker details provided by the Interior Jewellery Pack finished in brushed aluminium anodized in black.

56 exterior colour choices

In addition to the selection of 56 exterior paint finishes, Battista owners also have the opportunity to choose exposed carbonfibre bodywork, bespoke paint finishes for the ‘Goccia’ roof, exterior jewellery in the form of anodised finishes or bespoke paint, or a contrasting front end in the customer’s choice of colour. Even the engravings on the Battista chassis plate, located between the seats, can be personalised, along with a custom passenger-side door plate engraving.

The Carbon Accent Pack and Furiosa Carbon Accent Pack are available with a selection of bespoke paint colours or exposed carbonfibre finishes, complemented by the precise Furiosa pinstripe around the extremities of the bodywork. In addition, the mirror caps, rear wing, brake calipers, alloy wheels – both Prezioso and Impulso designs – and centre-lock rings can all be fully customised.

Can outrun a Formula 1 car
The Battista is claimed to be the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy, with the promise of delivering a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sportscar using internal combustion engine technology. It will be quicker than a current Formula 1 car with a claimed 0 -100 km/h time of less than 2 seconds, and with 1,900 ps/2,300 Nm output from 4 electric motors. Operating with zero emissions, the Battista’s 120 kWh battery pack is expected to provide a range of over 500 kms when fully charged.

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