Latest news with #FerrariEnzo
Hypebeast
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Damson Idris Is Speeding With Confidence
WhenDamson Idrislogs onto our video call, his pearly white grin glistens from cheek to cheek — and rightfully so, the guy's got a lot to be beaming about right now. Earlier this year, he launched his own fine jewelry line, DIDRIS, under which he aims to create a legacy of timeless ice with hand-selected artisans and collaborators. He performed a trophy-worthyMet Galastunt, speeding down 5th Avenue in a custom Tommy Hilfiger racecar, pulling up to the esteemed steps icongnito-mode, and ripping off his glittering driver's suit in a spectacular grand reveal moment that will no doubt inspire future Halloween costumes. The theatrical display was prime promotion forF1: The Movie, the forthcoming film-of-the-summer in which the actor stars opposite Brad Pitt. And now, he's the face of Mr. Hilfiger's bespoke APXGP collection inspired by the racing pic. That's the sweet life of a movie star. InF1: The Movie, Idris plays Joshua Pearce, a one-to-watch rookie who's determined to prove himself to Pitt's more experienced racer, Sonny Hayes, both of whom drive for the fictional Team APXGP. In quite the synergetic move, the made-up squad is sponsored by Hilfiger's brand, meaning Idris' and Pitti's characters are decked out in the American fashioner's signature red, white, and blue designs as they attempt to earn the world's most prestigious motorsport's top title. It's movie magic that makes sense: Hifliger, in real life, has beeninvolved with Formula 1 for more than 30 years. In 1991, he established his first sponsorship with TeamLotus, for whom he provided bespoke uniforms during a three-season stretch. In 1998, Hilfiger became the official clothing sponsor forFerrari, a role he maintained for another four years. During a brief break from sponsoring the sport, he remained a loyal fan and even learned how to drive his own Ferrari Enzo at his former business partner and present-day Aston Martin Formula 1 team owner Lawrence Stroll's personal track. Then, in 2018, he made a glorious return to the racetrack as a sponsor of Mercedes-AMG, which he still sponsors today. 'Since I was a kid peeking through the fences at Watkins Glen racetrack, Formula 1 has been legendary to me. As F1 has opened its doors to new worlds like entertainment and fashion, the sport has become a cultural phenomenon,' said Hilfiger. 'F1: The Moviecaptures the cultural shift, setting a benchmark in what we call 'fashiontainment', where the future is being shaped.' In the spirit of 'fashiontainment,' Hilfiger took his movie partnership one step further, creating a full-blown AXGP collection for cinemaphiles and Paddock-trotters alike. The line is filled with everything from racer-inspired garments, like vegan leather racer jackets, moto-manic shirts, and red quilted jackets modeled after those seen in the film, to trackside silhouettes, including tailored Japanese denim and merino knit polos. Idris, the beacon for motorsport's fashion clan, fronts the collection's campaign, a visual depiction of the 'limitless confidence' required to make it on the Formula 1 circuit. Here, the actor discusses his crossroads with Hilfiger, his personal style, and his secrets to acquiring such fearlessness. You easily won the best entrance at this year's Met Gala. Can you talk to me about what it was like creating that moment with Tommy? It was surreal, man. So much time and effort went into that moment, and so many things could have gone wrong. During rehearsal, all these things were going wrong. The uniform would get caught on the brooch when they pulled it off me, or it would get stuck on my hand. I was underneath the helmet just praying that they would pull it away smoothly. But so many people loved that trick, and I think it's a testament to Tommy Hilfiger's ability to create iconic cultural moments. That's one that we all know is going to last forever. I've already seen a bunch of kids recreating it, wearing red suits underneath black bags and getting their friends to pull it off. It's become a thing now. It's absolutely going to be a Halloween costume. Exactly. The dress code at this year's Met Gala was 'Tailored For You.' It's no secret that your look was about promoting your forthcoming movie, but I'm curious, did you feel a personal connection to the design, too? The first time I ever heard about the dandy was through my sister. She did a documentary on the dandies of Congo when I was a kid, so I always felt close to the idea because it was associated with Africa, which is obviously my heritage. So, when I found out that Black dandyism would be the theme at this year's Met Gala, I completely locked in. I had so many ideas. I had just launched my jewelry brand, DIDRIS, and my first collection was filled with green pieces, so doing an oxblood suit with Tommy Hilfiger to complement my designs felt like a no-brainer. We built on those color palettes and paid homage to both the theme and Tommy's heritage, and I was super happy with the result. What has it been like building a relationship with Tommy Hilfiger, not only through the Met Gala, but also through his sponsorship of the film and your starring in this campaign? What is your favorite thing about the guy himself? The thing I love about Tommy Hilfiger, the man and his label, is that he's all about collaboration. It's not just, 'You're an actor, be a mannequin for our brand.' It's really an exploration of how we can work together so that not only are both parties happy, but the result is iconic. We're building a relationship that is anything but momentary. It's something that we can imagine in the future. Tommy Hilfiger really looks at unique ways to work with people, so my hat's off to him and his team, from the Met Gala to this new campaign, and to some of the fun we've had with Formula 1 in the past. The first time I linked up with Tommy was during Formula 1 in Miami and Las Vegas. His team told me to bring all my friends and that they wanted to make it a moment to remember. It was so insane and again, such an iconic moment. 'I love suits, of course. But I also love just being swagged off, showing up with my friends, and looking fly.' There's a red quilted jacket in this collection that is modeled after the exact silhouette that you wear in the movie. Considering Tommy's presence on the Formula 1 track in real life, did wearing his designs in the film help you get into character? It was really all about Joshua Pearce. When building his character, I knew that as a rookie, he was a cool rookie, and Tommy Hilfiger's designs felt so seamless for my role. I also just love how so many elements of the movie tie into this collection. So when people watch the film, the connection to this line will make complete sense. I'm expecting this collection to sell out like hotcakes. What's your favorite piece in the collection? My favorite piece is actually the leather jacket. I've worn it probably too many times. Summer is approaching, and I'm still rocking it. It speaks to Joshua. It speaks to F1. It also speaks to me, Damson. It interwines everything that this moment represents. How would you describe your personal style? Luxury. A friend of mine once said that. 'Damson, you're so luxury.' When I linked up with Tommy Hilfiger, I wanted the brand to move in that direction. I wanted it to feel innovative, in the sense that it could cater to different occasions. The collection really does embody my personal style. I love suits, of course. But I also love just being swagged off, showing up with my friends, and looking fly. What was it like shooting the campaign? Do you have any favorite memories from being on set? We were in Johannesburg, which was brilliant. I was filming a movie in Cape Town, so we got the plane over. We were on a South African racetrack, which was also brilliant. It was hot, and it was good to be around some heat. We were all just having fun, and I loved how they let me bring in my DIDRIS jewelry as well. It was honestly a day full of laughter. 'The biggest piece of advice I would give is to only do things if they make you happy.' The campaign is all about championing the 'limitless confidence' that it takes to make it on the Formula 1 circuit. What are some things that make you feel confident? Having people who believe in me makes me feel confident, whether they are my family, my team, or even just the people who love the art that I give to the world. They make me understand my responsibility, and they make me step into being a leader. What advice would you offer to someone who might be struggling with their confidence? Man, there are so many things. The biggest piece of advice I would give is to only do things if they make you happy. People are always trying to impress others, and in doing so, they often don't get the result that they want. That process knocks your confidence. It makes you insecure. But if you know that you are at peace with yourself, and if you know that what you are doing is true to you, you are always going to be confident. That's how I live. Final question. Can we expect to see more race-inspired Hilfiger looks on the Formula 1 press run? 100%. The movie's out in about a month, and we're traveling all around the world. We're going to be everywhere from Mexico to Abu Dhabi to London to New York, and Tommy Hilfiger's going to be there right along the way. You'll see a lot of this collection, and you're going to see a lot of new stuff that's really fly, too. Tommy Hilfiger's APXGP collection will be available to shoponlineand in the brand's stores on June 3.
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Rare Ferrari Enzo attracts bids of £1.65m+ at online auction
One of the most iconic hypercars of the modern era is now up for grabs on UK-based auction platform Collecting Cars: a 2004 Ferrari Enzo, finished in classic Rosso Corsa and certified by Ferrari Classiche. It's a rare UK-delivered example with less than 25,000km on the clock, and it's already drawn a bid north of £1.65m (R3.8m) — with four days still to go before the hammer falls. First registered via Meridien Modena in Hampshire back in 2004, the car has remained with its current owner for nearly 20 years. It's in excellent shape, backed by a detailed service history. Power comes from the original 6.0l F140B V12, paired with Ferrari's six-speed F1-style automated manual gearbox. With 485kW on tap, it'll rocket from 0 to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed as high as 355km/h. Its most recent service was handled by Autofficina in June 2024, and it passed its latest MOT (Ministry of Transport test) the following month. The cabin features carbon-fibre racing seats trimmed in Nero leather with Rosso centre panels and embossed Cavallino logos, while the dashboard and steering wheel are accented in red leather. One rare detail is the Rosso leather finish on the steering wheel centre — a touch reportedly found on just two of the 277 Rosso Corsa Enzos ever built. Rosso dials, carbon paddle shifters, and LED shift lights round out the F1-inspired cockpit. Outside, the car sits on 19-inch BBS twin-spoke alloy wheels, refinished in a darker silver that contrasts nicely with the red paintwork. Carbon-ceramic brakes provide stopping power and the lower bodywork has been resprayed in Rosso Corsa to match the upper panels, replacing the original black finish for a cleaner, more unified look. Ferrari Classiche gave the car its seal of approval in 2016, and it comes with its original handbook pack and red certification book. While the Enzo did suffer some early damage, it was professionally repaired by Carrozzeria Zanasi, Ferrari's official body shop in Maranello. Crucially, the car remains mechanically original, with all work thoroughly documented. Unveiled in 2002, the Enzo was Ferrari's flagship — a tribute to the company's founder and a showcase for its then-dominant Formula 1 technology. It followed in the tyre tracks of the F40 and F50, but it was the last Ferrari hypercar to feature a naturally aspirated V12 without any form of hybrid tech. Built around a carbon-fibre tub with pushrod suspension, active aerodynamics, and a stripped-out interior, the Enzo was as raw and focused as road cars came in the early 2000s. Only 400 were built, with the final one presented to Pope John Paul II. Today, many live quietly in private collections, rarely surfacing — especially UK-registered examples with this level of documentation and originality. The auction wraps up on Tuesday May 13. Click here to view the listing in full.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Weird British Electric Sucker Car Is Faster Than An F1 Car Around The Top Gear Track
Just over twenty years ago Top Gear's famed Stig drove Fernando Alonso's Renault R24 Formula 1 car around the show's test track in a blistering 59 seconds. That lap was over 20 seconds clear of the Ferrari Enzo, Porsche Carrera GT, and Mercedes SLR McLaren, which had previously held the fastest times of the era. Just a few weeks ago the non-race-car record at Dunsfold was set when Stiggy took an Aston Martin Valkyrie for a rip in 1:09.6. This week, however, the outright lap record has been stolen, again by a British supercar manufacturer, but of a completely different kind. What kind of supercar could possibly be quicker than an F1 car? How about the single-seater electric sucker car from startup McMurtry Automotive, named after an Irish thunderstorm? Yeah, that one. With more than enough downforce to drive upside-down, and all the electric power needed to run a quarter mile in the sevens, McMurtry's Spéirling pretty much redefines fast when it comes to seven-figure hypercars. There's nothing else on the planet like this lilliputian face-melting high-speed mech suit, and this Top Gear track record simply extends the car's already prodigious legend status. If Formula One is the pinnacle of speed, then McMurtry has climbed to the top and planted its flag in just a few short years. If this had happened at Top Gear's peak Clarkson would have lost his tiny mind and assaulted a producer. Read more: These Are The Cheap Cars That Consumer Reports Actually Recommends Buying Nobody in 2004 could ever have predicted that the F1 car record would be surpassed, nay obliterated, by an electric car. Think back to 2004 and try to imagine what the world of electric cars looked like. There was no Tesla, no Nissan Leaf even. The idea of using electricity to make a car faster was still a long ways off. The sportiest hybrid available at the time was a Honda Accord. If you took a time machine back 21 years and told them an electric car was quicker than an F1 car around any race track, you'd be carted off to the stocks and pelted with rotten fruit in the public square. The Renault R24 was among the fastest Formula 1 cars of all time, fighting with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher in their prime and pushing Jarno Trulli to a Monaco Grand Prix victory. Its V10 scream was signature and for two decades it has reigned over the Top Gear track as its king. Today that throne is in shambles, pulverized by a tiny zippy electric machine that sounds like a weasel wearing a jet pack. We're in the golden age of performance, and the McMurtry Spéirling is the new benchmark. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati GT2 Stradale: Race-Car-Inspired Special Could Be Racier
Maserati might be thought of more as a luxury brand than a racing brand today, but for many, many years it built dedicated race cars, even competing in Formula 1 in the 1950s—its rivalry with Enzo Ferrari set up the first act in Michael Mann's Ferrari. And the 111-year-old company isn't completely done racing. It builds and sells GT2 race cars based on the MC20 for the GT2 European Series, and to celebrate this—including a series-best 12 wins in 2024—Maserati constructed the roadgoing GT2 Stradale. Limited to 914 examples worldwide, the Stradale takes some elements of the race car and applies it to the road car, but most is MC20 carryover, including the carbon-fiber tub and aluminum subframes (front and rear), suspension arms, and eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. Even the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6, with its novel prechamber ignition, is the same as the regular MC20, save a token 10-hp bump to 631 horses Chassis changes are as you'd expect with a racy model. The springs are 8 percent stiffer in front and 10 percent stiffer in the rear, and engineers recalibrated the bushings. A large part of the spring-rate increase is due to the Stradale making a lot more downforce than the MC20. What is 320 pounds at 174 mph in the MC20 is 1102 pounds of downforce at the same speed in the Stradale thanks to a carbon-fiber rear wing, extended spoiler, reworked underbody and diffuser, fender vents, and an S-duct-style front end that eliminates the regular MC20's frunk. Of course, the adjustable dampers are retuned too. Forged aluminum wheels 42 pounds lighter than the MC20's have a center-lock nut. Fun fact: The last Maserati to have center-lock wheels was the Ferrari Enzo–based 2004 MC12. Aside from the wing, the biggest visual difference is the rear fenders. The intercooler and air intakes on each hock are much larger and look like they actively grab the air passing by, rather than merely letting gravity and Bernoulli pull the air in. This was required because Maserati situated the heat exchangers more vertically to increase their efficacy by 20 percent, something it deemed necessary for track driving. Maserati also did lots of small aero tricks—such as a mesh on the front-fender vents that directs hot evacuated air away from the rear intakes—to make sure that the coefficient of drag (0.38) increases by as little as possible: a bump of 0.005, according to engineers. The carbon-fiber cocoon that is the cabin lacks carpet; instead the exposed structural tub is on display. And while there are more surfaces covered with Alcantara, Maserati used a thinner (thus lighter) version of the faux suede to keep weight down while letting the material help with interior noise abatement. Standard carbon-fiber buckets do an excellent job of keeping you in place at the expense of comfort in traffic. By comparison, Porsche's carbon seats are more comfortable day to day, but no worse at holding you in place. The standard MC20 seats can be substituted at no cost. Collectors will pursue the $13,750 Performance Pack option. It swaps Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires for Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2Rs and slightly upsizes the carbon-ceramic rotors—fronts increase 0.3 inch in diameter and 0.1 inch in thickness, but the rears grow 0.8 and 0.2, respectively. The upsized brake hardware uses the same calipers and is largely employed to take more advantage of the 2R tires, but the option's biggest feature is an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. We didn't get a chance to drive a car without the optional diff, but we can say that with it the car never struggles with grip, even in corners. The Performance Pack also includes a few more drive modes, which are set up very much like GM's Performance Traction Management. There's Wet, GT, Sport, and Corsa for all Stradales, but the Performance Pack unlocks a graduated series of Corsa Evo modes (4, 3, 2, and 1) that eventually disable all the stability nannies, leaving a track-focused ABS program on. Wonderfully, in all modes, Maserati lets the driver choose the suspension firmness independently (Soft, Mid, or Hard). You can get the GT2 Stradale in any color you want, but any outside the base color palette fall under the Fuoriserie program, which is akin to Mercedes Manufaktur or Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, meaning it'll cost you unadvertised amounts for personal flourishes. But you shouldn't look past the Matte Digital Aurora paint. It's a bright blue base coat with a translucent red applied on top before the matte finish. In low light it looks like a deep purple, but in direct sun it's bright blue, and the sharp edges where you'd normally find glare produce red spots surrounding a gradient fade back to bright blue. It's not the same color-changing tech found on a mid-'90s Ford Mustang Cobra painted Mystichrome, but the dramatic effect is similar and will certainly make people look twice. Despite the carbon-fiber construction and weight-savings measures, the GT2 Stradale is but a claimed 132 pounds lighter than the MC20, which, based on our previous test, means the GT2 Stradale weighs at least 3600 pounds (though Maserati says it weighs a few hundred pounds less). Acceleration to 60 mph should be just a hair over three seconds and should you want to, it'll go 201 mph given the room. So, a bit lighter and about the same horsepower for a roughly $80,000 premium? This is the question many a Maserati salesperson will face when trying to sell the $313,995 GT2 Stradale. When you add GT2 to the name of a car, people expect big power or greatly reduced weight. Better yet, big power and greatly reduced weight. The Stradale doesn't really check either of those boxes. It feels nimbler with the Michelins providing some mega grip in corners, but its steering is a bit numb although accurate and responsive. The brakes are powerful but touchy, and the transmission shifts with an unnecessary jolt. It's fun and lovely to look at, but it just doesn't feel as fast as something this pricey should. Full disclosure: Our exposure to the car was very limited and with a tight leash choking us from the passenger seat. Given a place to drive it without a passenger, the GT2 Stradale could come alive in the way a track-focused car should. We can think of one such place in Virginia. The last time Porsche made a GT2, it added 160 horses to a 911 Turbo. Mercedes-AMG went full ballistic missile with the 720-hp GT Black Series. Sure, the Merc didn't have a two in its name, but it might as well have. Unless you already have a garage filled with some of those trident-wearing race cars from the 1950s and 1960s, you'll be back at the dealership asking for the power that was left behind. This engine, after all, makes 724 horses in the track-only MCXtrema. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
