This episode of Ignition sees Motor Trend’s Carlos Lago heading to Modena to sample Horacio Pagani’s very own Huayra.
Powered by a revised version of the 6.0-litre V12 Bi-Turbo engine from the SL 65 AMG Black Series hand-built at the Mercedes-AMG factory, the Huayra produces a substantial 544 kW (730 hp) and 1,036 Nm of torque. On the road 100 km/h appears in 3.4 seconds and top speed is a rather lovely 370 km/h (230 mph).
So, is it worth all the fuss – and that €1,056,000 price tag?
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Duesseldorf-based tuning specialist DMC has released images of its Lamborghini Aventador SV (Spezial Version).
Constructed from carbon fibre, just ten examples are being manufactured with DMC hand-picking the customers – who must already own an Aventador fitted with its Molto Veloce package.
The program retains the Molto Veloce’s side skirts and raised rear wing, but the front bumper takes inspiration from Lamborghini’s sharp-nosed J Concept Roadster and features large air scoops with central fixing braces and winglets on the outer edges while the rear fascia wears a brutal diffuser with an opening beneath the custom tailpipes. Finished in Arancio Argos (bright orange), this particular vehicle sits on 20 and 21-inch Dione alloys wheels and features and a Bicolor Sportivo-upholstered cockpit.
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BMW driver Timo Glock secured his first ever DTM win following a rain-soaked season finale at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg.
Starting from fourth, the former formula One pilot connected with Augusto Farfus on the first lap, which saw the Brazilian spin off the track and Glock step up the pace to pass fellow BMW drivers Dirk Werner and Andy Priaulx and into second place behind Bruno Spengler. When Spengler pitted, Glock took the lead, but the performance of the day came from Roberto Merhi.
From 21st on the grid, the Mercedes Junior driver was investigated for a jump start before being called in for a drive-through penalty. Amazingly, he cut through the field, climbing to fourth place and then second when Daniel Juncadella spun Mattias Ekstrom on lap 28. Briefly taking the lead when Glock pitted a lap after him (lap 31), Merhi struggled to find grip following his second mandatory stop and Glock overtook young Spaniard in the hairpin just six laps from the end where the pair maintained their positions. Meanwhile, Bruno Spengler secured the third step of the podium for a BMW one-three while fighting off an advancing Mattias Ekstrom, who gave Audi its best result of the day.
2013 drivers’ champion Mike Rockenfeller had a disappointing weekend after starting from ninth and finishing a lowly 16th, but Miguel Molina’s fifth was enough to secured the crucial points in the battle for the team classification for Audi Sport Team Phoenix, while BMW top the manufacturers’ standings with 369 points ahead of Audi (347) and Mercedes-Benz (266).
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A couple of our readers recently spotted no less than eight Porsche 918 Spyders in America earlier this month.
According to Jerry, the pair were staying in Moab, Utah, when the convoy arrived in the hotel car park during the middle of the night. All wearing Georgia license plates, they took off early the next morning to continue final testing.
At the heart of this plug-in hybrid hypercar is a 453 kW (608 hp) 4.6-litre V8 engine, which is based on that of the LMP2 RS Spyder race car and is backed up by a hybrid module at the rear along with a electric motor powering the front wheels. When using electric power alone, top speed is 150 km/h (93 mph) with a range of 25 kilometres achievable – depending on driving style but, with the full 661 kW (887 hp) a its disposal, 100 km/h appears in 2.8 seconds and 200 km/h in 7.9s, while top speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).
Pricing starts at 845,000 USD (€633,000) for the base model, rising up to 929,000 USD (€696,000) if you specify the Weissach Package.
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Here’s a video from Germany’s GRIP magazine, which sees racer Sascha Bert team up with stunt driver and former Playboy playmate Miriam Höller to compare the Wiesmann GT MF4-CS with Porsche’s 911 GT3.
The hardcore 911 uses a 3.8-litre flat-six producing 350 kW (475 hp) and 440 Nm of torque to crack 100 km/h in a mere 3.5 seconds, 200 km/h in less than 12 seconds, and a 315 km/h (195 mph) top speed, while its fibreglass-bodied rival utilizes BMW’s 4.0-litre V8 engine from the M3, which develops 309 kW (420 hp) and 400 Nm, meaning 100 km/h appears in 4.4 seconds and top speed is 293 km/h (182 mph). It also costs €93,000 more than the Porsche.
Well worth watching even if you don’t speak German.
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Following yesterday’s leak, Lamborghini has revealed official images and details of its extreme Veneno Roadster which has been created to mark the company’s fiftieth anniversary.
The street-legal racing car is propelled by the same engine as its Coupe counterpart, namely a revised version of the Aventador’s 6.5-litre V12, featuring enlarged intake paths, optimized thermodynamics and a modified exhaust system with lower back pressure. Developing 552 kW (750 hp) which sends power to all four wheels via a seven-speed ISR transmission, 100 km/h appears in just 2.9 seconds with top speed working out at 355 km/h (221 mph).
Weight is kept to a minimum thanks to the carbon-fibre reinforced polymer monocoque mated to aluminum sub-frames, while all of the exterior parts are also made from CFRP, resulting in an impressive dry weight of just 1,490 kilograms (3,278 pounds) and a power-to-weight ratio of 1.99 kg/hp (4.38 lbs/hp).
Underpinned by a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units, the carbon-ceramic brake discs receive extra cooling thanks to those carbon-fibre rings running around the alloy wheels. Inside, there’s a pair of lightweight Forged Composite bucket seats, with woven carbon-fibre CarbonSkin used to clad the entire cockpit.
Just nine examples will be built at a price of €3.3 million each – before taxes. Customers won’t get the luxury of a roof panel, but Lamborghini says it will paint the car in any colour you want, including the exclusive Rosso Veneno hue pictured here.
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