Lamborghini introduces the Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario, a spectacular Lamborghini Ad Personam Opera Unica commemorating a decade of Squadra Corse excellence and the intrinsic link between Lamborghini’s road range and the motorsport world. This special edition features a unique performance kit and a dedicated livery inspired by the Lamborghini SC63, a hybrid prototype set to grace prestigious endurance races in the 2024 season.
The two-tone livery, blending Verde Mantis (green) and Nero Noctis (black), adorned with a tricolor band spanning the “cofango” and roof, pays homage to Lamborghini’s upcoming Hypercar/GTP class contender. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Squadra Corse, both doors proudly display the “Squadra Corse 10° Anniversario” logo, highlighting the Motorsport division’s remarkable achievements.
Enhancing the Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario’s aesthetics is a full carbon fibre package with a striking Rosso Mars (red) stripe, providing a dynamic and sporty appearance. The interior, tailored for track use, boasts Nero Ade (black) Alcantara sport seats with Verde Fauns (green) stitching, four-point seat belts, and an aluminum roll bar for enhanced safety. The cabin features a carbon fibre floor covering and an exclusive plaque certifying the car’s uniqueness.
Setting a new standard for road-legal vehicles, Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse engineers have crafted a performance kit, drawing from a decade of track expertise. Aerodynamic enhancements include front carbon fibre flicks on the bonnet and a rear wing with an increased angle, significantly boosting downforce at both ends. The car’s mechanical grip is elevated with four-way adjustable racing-derived shock absorbers, providing precise control over rebound and compression at various frequencies.
Collaborating with Bridgestone, Lamborghini has developed bespoke tires with a new compound, ensuring optimal performance and durability lap after lap. Completing the package is the Akrapovic titanium exhaust, amplifying the symphony of the Sant’Agata Bolognese V10 engine. The Huracán STO SC 10° Anniversario stands as a testament to Lamborghini’s commitment to innovation, performance, and the enduring legacy of Squadra Corse.
Rolls-Royce has unveiled a special edition of the Phantom called “Phantom Inspired by Cinque Terre,” drawing inspiration from the Italian Riviera and its wines. This distinctive Phantom features a Ligurian blue exterior with Navy Blue and Jasmine double coachlines, adorned with clusters of grapes on the vehicle’s sides.
Inside, the interior showcases a combination of Grace White and Navy Blue leather with Jasmine trim, mirroring the theme of winemaking. The grape motif is intricately embroidered on the rear doors, demanding 9,215 stitches for each cluster. It is also carefully inlaid on the tray tables, which integrate stainless steel and gold plating. The custom Starlight headliner displays an embroidered map of Italy, crafted with an impressive 14,338 individual stitches.
Supercar makers love one-off builds and unique models, whether it be Bugatti, Ferrari or Porsche, there are plenty of these “art pieces” around. Lamborghini too has released quite a number of unique builds and the Italian powerhouse recently presented the “Opera Unica” Huracán Sterrato; influenced by the vivid blues of Sardinia’s seas and skies. A unique crystal-effect paint was used to create this one-off work of art.
In addition to commemorating Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary, the one-of-a-kind Huracán Sterrato also highlights the company’s extraordinary skill in developing distinctive colours and paint techniques over decades.
McLaren Automotive has unveiled a special design for the McLaren Artura hybrid supercar created in conjunction with renowned German artist Cevin Parker.
Contemporary self-taught abstract artist Parker, who lives and works in Berlin, has recently shown his work at the IncubARTor exhibition in Hamburg. It must be said that this is a unique piece of art and is not something you see every day. It will definitely be an eye-catcher at car meets.
With just a few weeks to go before Lamborghini’s first hybrid super sportscar makes its debut, the carmaker is saying farewell to its renowned naturally-aspirated V12 engine. With a history going back to the very first Lamborghini car, the V12 engine is very much a part of the brand’s DNA and success.
“The V12 engine is one of the pillars of our history and our marque’s success,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman & CEO. “As we head towards embracing a new era of hybridization at the heart of our Cor Tauri strategy, this is the Lamborghini way of celebrating the naturally aspirated V12 with two one-off vehicles that perfectly represent our concept of excellence in personalization.”
A 70-year old Bentley with the registration JAS 949 has been a special car among Bentley models. It was one of only 208 units of the R Type Continental ever built – but the car had a greater impact than the limited numbers suggest. Quoted as ‘a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances’, the R-Type Continental was the fastest 4-seat luxury sedan in the world when it debuted in 1952.
The first owner of JAS 949 was a Dr. Rowland Guenin in Switzerland, who received his car in December 1953. It was ordered in Ivory with a Red interior and a manual gearbox, a specification it retains today along with the original 4.6-litre engine.
In 2001, Bentley acquired JAS 949 and made it one of the models in the company’s 43-car Heritage Collection kept at the Heritage Garage in Crewe, where Bentley has its factory. It has been well maintained with the patina preserved and the car is driven on the road on a regular basis.
One of the frustrations for engineers is that there are so many regulations they must meet when developing a model for sale. There are emission regulations and safety regulations to comply with otherwise the car cannot be registered for use on public roads.
With racing cars, it’s a bit different and while there are also regulations, they are generally focussed on safety while allowing more freedom in performance. This is why manufacturers sometimes have models which are strictly for track use (or on private roads) and then the engineers can go all out to achieve maximum performance. It’s a dream project for any engineer.
At Maserati, there’s such a dream project now in progress, codename Project24. This is going to be a super sportscar and it is based on the MC20. Besides inheriting the main specification, the V6 Nettuno 3-litre dry sump engine will have new turbochargers to raise its power out to 740 ps. The drivetrain will consist of 6-speed sequential racing transmission with a racing clutch, and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Maserati MC20
Besides suspension uprating, there will also be a carbon-ceramic braking system by Brembo and slick tyres specially chosen for racing, as well as FIA-approved safety features. The passenger’s seat will be an optional item but air-conditioning will be installed.
Based on the brand’s obsession with lightness, the target weight of the sportscar will be below 1,250 kgs. With the higher output and lower weight, a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1.69 kgs/ps will be possible.
The bodywork has also be lightened with carbonfibre cladding. Aerodynamic studies in the wind tunnel will provide guidance on how to make the body more slippery, and there will be adjustable front and rear wings.
The Project24 will not be a one-off car but will be produced in 62 copies. Each owner will have assistance in getting the car on the track and also support services. Of course, how many owners will race it on a track remains to be seen but it will certainly become an instant classic collector’s item.
Nissan started participating in the Safari Rally in 1963 and in 1966, a Bluebird entered by the team became the first Japanese car to win its class in the gruelling event. Other victories followed and by 1970, Nissan finally took top honours, winning all three prizes – overall (with a Datsun 1600 SSS), class and team. In 1971, a Datsun 240Z won to give the brand its second consecutive overall victory in the rally.
The original Datsun 240Z which won the Safari Rally.
From concept sketch to one-off model
Paying tribute to the successes in the legendary rally half a century later is the Nissan JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute. The special model has now moved to become a fully operational one-off vehicle following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the original concept images. Its unveiling previews the European introduction of the JUKE Hybrid soon.
“The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute represents our optimism and daring mindset. We are currently preparing an exciting new chapter of JUKE history in advance of the introduction of the new JUKE Hybrid in the summer. It will offer the excitement and agility customers would expect of our iconic crossover, with both improved performance and efficiency. The JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its playful character to a new level. “Speaking about the decision to bring the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute to life,” said Coralie Musy, Vice-President, Brand and Customer Experience of Nissan’s AMIEO region.
Advanced hybrid powertrain
The JUKE Hybrid powertrain consists of a new generation Nissan internal combustion engine specifically developed for working in a hybrid powertrain application. It produces 69 kW (94 ps) and 148 Nm of torque.
The main electric motor produces 36 kW (49 ps) with 205 Nm of torque, while there is a 15 kW contribution from a high voltage starter/generator, all of which is fed by a 1.2 kWh water-cooled battery. The net result is a powertrain providing 25% more power than the current petrol engine option, with a claimed fuel consumption reduction of approximately 40% in the urban cycle.
Smart automatic gearbox
Also carried over from the production version of the JUKE is an advanced low friction multi-modal gearbox that provides optimal use of the propulsive power, whether electric, petrol engine, or both. To reduce friction, this motorsport-inspired gearbox uses dog clutches instead of conventional synchroniser rings to shift the 4 ICE (internal combustion engine) gears and 2 EV (electric vehicle) gears.
Additionally, to reduce friction, this gearbox does not use a clutch. All vehicle starts are 100% electric, and the 2 EV motors are used in combination to synchronise the gears, delivering smooth, connected and responsive acceleration.
The gearbox is controlled by an advanced algorithm, managing the shift points, battery regeneration, as well as the advanced series-parallel architecture. The powertrain can seamlessly navigate through different hybridisation combinations (series, parallel, series-parallel) according to acceleration and power requirements and without any driver input.
Rally-inspired modifications
Like the Gripz concept car that was displayed at the 2015 Frankfurt Motorshow, the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute takes its design cues from the iconic 240Z that competed so successfully in the desert rally over 50 years ago.
The most obvious modification are the enlarged wheelarches to accommodate the tailor-made off-road tyres, while the additional lights mounted on the bonnet and roof echo those of the 1970s era.
Similarly, the black of the bonnet and enlarged black wheels are a visual homage to the 1971 rallycar. To further provide period accuracy are vintage sponsor logos and the number 11, while the additional reinforced plates under the front and rear valances offer protection to the vehicle’s underside. Reinforced and long-travel suspension has been fitted all-round, while the tyres are 265/70 R16.
Inside, the cabin has been modified with the fitment of a tubular cage to stiffen the bodyshell and to offer protection in the case of an incident at speed in the challenging desert environment. The rear seats have been removed to provide space for spare wheels and 4-point harnesses have been added to secure the driver and navigator safely in their racing seats.
Other modifications to the interior include the fitment of a competition fire extinguisher, an intercom system with a pair of headphones (though the JUKE Hybrid Rally Tribute would be much quieter than the rallycar), the fitment of Alcantara trim on the steering wheel, and a hydraulic handbrake with a high-reach handle.
As part of the Juke Hybrid Rally Tribute project and in line with exploring rallying while being as eco-conscious as possible, the powertrain uses liquids and biofuels provided by Shell, Nissan’s partner for the 1971 East African Rally.
A Ferrari is already an exclusive machine when it leaves the factory but virtually none are ‘stock standard’ as every owner will want to personalise their car in some way. After all, when you have paid that much, what’s a little bit more to add something to make it unique? That’s what Ferrari’s bespoke Tailor Made department offers – an exclusive programme for those who wish to customise any element of their car.
Many of the cars that the Tailor Made department works on are not publicised as the owners may prefer the privacy, but there are also some cars that do become public and this one-of-a-kind Roma model is one of them. Crafted with exquisite traditional Japanese-inspired detailing while retaining the clean, sophisticated elegance of the original car.
This particular car’s story began when Evan Orensten and Josh Rubin, the founders of the American publication COOL HUNTING, were offered, and accepted, the opportunity of customising a Ferrari Roma. The idea was to explore how far Ferrari’s bespoke personalisation programme could go and really push the boundaries.
The project started off two years ago with the first of several research trips to Japan where they immersed themselves in the country’s traditional crafts and artisanal methods. Then they proposed bringing some of those ideas and unique materials into the Tailor Made journey as envisioned by COOL HUNTING, and conveyed this to Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer, at the Ferrari Tailor Made showroom in New York.
Manzoni and his team were inspired by the parallels between Italian and Japanese culture and design philosophy: a single-minded devotion to quality, an emotional involvement with the client, and exquisite skills in craftsmanship that have been passed down from generation to generation.
An idea formed – to create a Ferrari featuring some of the unique materials developed from traditional Japanese techniques while employing Ferrari’s customary innovation to modify them to accommodate the requirements of durability and functionality that a modern high-performance car demands.
Traditional Japanese indigo dyes inspired the Roma’s colour scheme, particularly the vivid blue exterior paint which was specially developed for this car and named Indigo Metal. This vivid colour perfectly enhances the purity of the Roma’s shape – light appears to flow over its bodywork, accentuating its lines through highlights and shade.
Indigo features prominently in Japanese design culture, and the traditional dye is produced naturally. COOL HUNTING had visited Toyama, one of only 5 remaining indigo farms in Tokushima, Japan’s traditional indigo-growing region. They learned that the dye comes from a green plant which, when harvested and fermented, becomes sukumo, traditional dried Japanese indigo that is mixed with lye, sake and limestone powder to create authentic Hon-Ai indigo dye. Because of its anti-microbial properties, it was traditionally used for linens, bedding and clothing.
The same colour palette is used to tie together the vehicle’s exterior and interior into one subtle, holistic statement. The indigo shade is also found in the sakiori fabric used for the seat trim inserts and the carpets.
Sakiori is one of the world’s oldest examples of upcycling, dating from the 1700s when cotton and silk were available only to Japan’s nobility and the very wealthy. Worn-out kimonos were disassembled, their fabric cut into strands and rewoven with new fibres, creating a material that was both warm, comfortable and durable. The word comes from the Japanese saku (to rip up) and oru (to weave).
An innovative solution was identified in making sakiori a viable material. Two vintage kimonos originally made in Amami Oshima, an island in Japan’s southern archipelago were used — an indigo-dyed kimono approximately 75 years old and one approximately 45 years old, dyed in both indigo and the island’s celebrated Amami Oshima Tsumugi mud-based dye.
The indigo theme is carried through to the Roma’s headlining – a beautifully detailed piece of craftsmanship and design which is exclusively experienced by those sitting in the car. It is made up of two indigo-dyed hides made – one with a unique solid colour crafted to match the car’s colour scheme, and a hand-painted hide using a method which can be traced back to the 8th century.
The hides were then sent to Italy, where they were cut into strips and hand-woven by Italian artisans in a process called intreccio, forming an elegant one-of-a-kind work of art.
The Roma’s interior door handles also take their inspiration from Japan – they are enclosed in tightly hand-woven strips of black leather in an homage to tsukami, the ancient art of wrapping the grips of Katana swords.
The COOL HUNTING team were further inspired by a visit to Kaikado, a Kyoto-based family business known for its iconic copper tea canisters. Now made by the fifth and sixth generations of the family, the canisters are so skilfully crafted that they form a vacuum seal as the lid gently falls onto the body. The copper also adopts a unique natural patina with use.
Inspired by this, copper plating is found in details on the Roma’s gearshift gate surround and levers, which were plated in Japan. The outline of the dual cockpits, the wheel rims and the kamon are also made in this colour.
The unique crest on the car’s dedication plate on the central armrest and door sills is a custom-made ‘kamon’, a symbol passed down from generation to generation in Japan. Designed by Kyogen, it represents a wheel from an ox-drawn carriage (popular transportation among aristocrats during the Heian period between 794 and 1185) combined with the 8 pistons of the Roma’s V8 engine forming its spokes. The numeric theme is continued in the eight wave crests that encircle the wheel – symbols of good luck, power and resilience.
will.i.am, well known for his association with the Black Eyed Peas which he also founded, is more than just a singer and musician. Today, he’s a tech entrepreneur, philanthropist and was even chosen as the TIME 100 IMPACT Award winner. Recently, he’s been working on a special project with Mercedes-AMG under strict secrecy which will culminate with the presentation of the WILL.I.AMG at the Miami F1 Grand Prix this weekend.
It’s also the sixth collaboration that he is having with West Coast Customs, a customisation outfit in California, to create the one-off vehicle for the project which is known as ‘The Flip – – Innovation for Purpose’. The Flip is intended to give more students from disadvantaged communities access to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) education in order to be equipped with the skills required for future-focused jobs and to invent new technologies.
“I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip hop. I watched legendary hip hop artist rap about Mercedes, so it was always a dream to own a Mercedes. For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle,” explained will.i.am. “Now I’ve reached my goal and pushed even higher by re-imagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model. But I didn’t touch the engine, because AMG really does make the best engines. The story of the founders of AMG truly inspires me and it is energizing to collaborate with like-minded people who also seek continuous improvement.”
Inspired by the Mercedes star logo and the vehicle sound, will.i.am created a bear-like face icon, which has been dubbed ‘BEAR WITNESS’. This icon is also the focal point of the BEAR WITNESS collection that features limited-edition apparel and accessories available at the Mercedes-AMG Experience Centre in Miami and online.
The elaborate conversion and construction of this car, based on Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, has been captured in an extensive 6‑part documentary series, ‘DRIVE’ that will sneak preview at the May 5 reveal event.
All the activities surrounding this one-of-a-kind vehicle influenced by design elements of the G-Class and the legendary SLS Gullwing will benefit will.i.am’s i.am/Angel Foundation to help build a STEAM-ready talent pool that will lift families and communities out of poverty.
Mercedes-AMG is supporting this project because it also fulfils a lifelong dream of 47-year old will.i.am: he is a car guy through and through and a Mercedes-AMG enthusiast who has always dreamed of making his personal Mercedes-AMG vehicle a reality.