The Porsche Mission X concept imagines what a future electric supercar might look like as part of the automaker's 75th-anniversary celebration. Now, the brand offers a behind-the-scenes look at the vehicle's development. Porsche's designers worked on the Mission X under the codename XS23 for about a year before the concept's debut. After coming up with the shape, the team created a full-size clay model. The crew wanted to create something that looked like it could go into production immediately. Gallery: Porsche Mission X Concept Behind The Scenes Development 9 Photos The Mission X's shape mainly takes inspiration from the 919 Hybrid race car. The brand also wants the form to evoke the classic 917 competition machine. "We basically worked on the concept car until the very last second," said Porsche Head of Design Michael Mauer. The Mission X concept wears a … [Read more...] about Porsche Worked On Mission X Concept “Until The Very Last Second”
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Two races, no points: How 2023 compares to McLaren’s worst starts to a season
McLaren have started a Formula 1 season with victory on 13 occasions, and in a further seven seasons they managed to win by the second race. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free But after two grands prix in 2023, the team have finished no higher than 15th and sit last in the constructors’ standings. Have they ever started a season this badly before? 1966 Monaco GP: DNF, Belgian GP: DNS In McLaren’s first year as a manufacturer team in F1, founder Bruce McLaren raced a single M2B and did not even enter all of that season’s races. The team’s debut came in Monaco, where McLaren put his car tenth on the grid. He only went nine laps before an oil leak ended his day, but did briefly make it up to sixth place after some thrilling wheel-to-wheel action. His short time in the race was also recorded for the ‘Grand Prix’ film that was released in cinemas later that year. Later, points finishes at the British and United States grands prix meant McLaren finished … [Read more...] about Two races, no points: How 2023 compares to McLaren’s worst starts to a season
Helmet rows, hot mics and more forgotten motorsport stories from 2022
The 2022 Formula 1 season was full of drama on track and in the paddock, some of it leftover from the previous year’s controversies. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free With all that going on, it was easy to overlook some of the strange and surprising stories of the last 12 months. Red Bull ‘launched’ a show car Formula 1 car launches always attract huge interest as they can give the first indication of how the teams will compare against each other for the season ahead with any innovative designs. That was especially the case this year as teams produced their first designs for radically new regulations. Preferring not to give the opposition an early peek at their real RB18, Red Bull instead presented a repainted show car at their launch on February 9th. The real thing, which appeared in testing two weeks later, looked very different. Red Bull presents first images of new car for 2022 F1 season Magnussen’s F1 return has big repercussions After … [Read more...] about Helmet rows, hot mics and more forgotten motorsport stories from 2022
‘We were built for racing, unlike Vegas’: COTA boss not concerned by new F1 rivals
Just this past weekend, the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas held one of its biggest events on its annual calendar: the NASCAR Cup Series. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Featuring a handful of special guest drivers including F1 champions Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen and multiple IMSA champion and Daytona 24 Hours winner Jordan Taylor, it was one of several major international motorsport events being held at the now ten-year-old circuit in 2023 – including the United States Grand Prix, which will take place in October. After a decade of the US Grand Prix at COTA – interrupted only by Covid – Formula 1 appears to have finally found a solid footing in America. Rather than fizzle out like so many other attempts to establish a US race over the decades, attendance at COTA has grown over recent years to the point where it now boasts the largest crowd of the season in terms of total attendance over the race weekend. F1’s arrival at COTA in 2012 … [Read more...] about ‘We were built for racing, unlike Vegas’: COTA boss not concerned by new F1 rivals
Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
In the round-up: Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix In brief Ferrari PU reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Haas team principal Guenther Steiner says that concerns over the reliability of the Ferrari power unit grew after the Monaco Grand Prix. The team had to retire driver Kevin Magnussen’s car during the race due to a water leak with his car’s ERS. Two days earlier, Valtteri Bottas had missed almost the entire first practice session due to a Ferrari power unit problem in his Alfa Romeo. Steiner says that following the multiple problems in Monaco, concerns about the reliability of the Ferrari power units has grown. “Obviously we had some issues, mainly in Monte Carlo – before we didn’t have any big issue with it – but Monte Carlo, there were issues for us and Alfa [Romeo], so … [Read more...] about Ferrari power unit reliability concerns “a little bit bigger” after Monaco – Steiner
Shock as rookie wins 100th Indianapolis 500
The 100th running of the famous Indianapolis 500 saw a former Formula One driver becoming a surprise first rookie winner since 2001. Elsewhere both Super Formula and the Nurburgring 24 Hours were affected by abnormal weather conditions while the World Touring Car Championship encountered tyre dramas at the Nordschleife. Indycar Round 6 of 16: Indianapolis 500 Alexander Rossi took victory on his first attempt at the Indianapolis 500 with a brilliantly calculated fuel-saving drive. In just his first season of Indycar Rossi has had a tough start to the year but has showed signs of improvement, and eleventh in qualifying was another step forward. He never looked like a contender though until he was left out during a late caution to clear the wrecked cars of Mikhail Aleshin and Conor Daly, and despite falling out of sync with everyone else and pitting 36 laps from the end for fuel, he nursed his car to the finish. Carlos Munoz finished an equally surprising second to complete … [Read more...] about Shock as rookie wins 100th Indianapolis 500
Top ten: Unbeatable Formula One records
Few records in Formula 1 are truly unbeatable. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Ayrton Senna’s haul of 65 pole positions was once thought likely to stand the test of time, but Michael Schumacher beat it. And though Schumacher’s tally of 91 wins may seem insurmountable , the same was once said of Alain Prost’s 51 victories. As the saying goes, records are there to be broken. But there are some records which won’t be under threat any time soon. From geriatrics on the podium to sharing a single point between seven, here are ten F1 records that are in it for the long haul. Narrowest pole position winning margin 1997 European Grand Prix: 0.000s between first, second and third The 1997 European Grand Prix at Jerez is chiefly remembered for Michael Schumacher’s unsuccessful attempt to eliminate his title rival , Jacques Villeneuve , from the race. But F1 anoraks also recall the astonishing events of the previous day’s qualifying session. It saw … [Read more...] about Top ten: Unbeatable Formula One records
Aston Martin Doesn’t Want The Valkyrie To Be A Garage Queen
In the world of million-dollar supercars, there's a growing appreciation for those who do more than just park their prized possessions in climate-controlled garages. While owning an automotive masterpiece is undoubtedly a symbol of prestige and luxury, the true essence of these incredible machines lies in their ability to be driven, be it daily or as hobby cars during the weekends. It seems that Aston Martin understands this sentiment and is on a mission to encourage owners of the Valkyrie to unleash the beast on the tarmac rather than merely keeping it as a collectible. "Ultimately it’s up to the customer what they do,” says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's creative boss, in a recent interview with Top Gear . "If they want to buy a Valkyrie and stick it in a museum, great. But you want to hear and see them. You want to look at Instagram feeds of Valkyries driving through tunnels. That’s why we make them. You want people to enjoy them.” Gallery: Aston Martin Valkyrie … [Read more...] about Aston Martin Doesn’t Want The Valkyrie To Be A Garage Queen
2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness First Drive Review: Keep On Trekking
– Springdale, Utah Subaru knows its owners better than most other carmakers. The company actually spends time camping with core buyers to see exactly how their vehicles are being used and what they want going forward. And that led directly to the new 2024 Crosstrek Wilderness. As the first name implies, it's a new version of the recently redesigned Crosstrek that was so warmly received. And the Wilderness badge makes it the latest Subaru vehicle to get more serious about off-roading, following the Forester and Outback Wilderness models before it. Quick Specs 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness Engine 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Output 182 Horsepower / 178 Pound-Feet Drive Type All-Wheel Drive Trim Base Price $33,290 On-Sale Date Fall 2023 Tougher By Nature Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder boxer engine that's good for 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. That's the upgraded engine … [Read more...] about 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness First Drive Review: Keep On Trekking