Latest news with #automotivehistory
ArabGT
3 days ago
- Automotive
- ArabGT
BMW Is Cooking Up a G-Class Rival — And It's Coming in 2029
G claSome cars aren't just vehicles — they're legends. Over the past century, a few models have carved their names into automotive history forever. Think Ford Model T, Volkswagen Beetle… and in the world of luxury off-roaders, the unmistakable Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Having an icon like that in your lineup is a massive bragging right. So it's not hard to understand why BMW has decided it's time to build a rival worthy of the crown. According to fresh leaks, BMW is working on something big — really big. It's an all-new SUV, codenamed G74, designed specifically to go toe-to-toe with the G-Class. And if all goes according to plan, we'll see it in 2029. The Plan This won't just be an X5 with a tougher look. The G74 is expected to ride on a seriously upgraded version of the X5's platform, re-engineered for real off-road muscle. It's BMW saying, 'We can do rugged too — and make it luxurious.' Production will happen in Spartanburg, South Carolina — the same plant that builds the X5 and X7 — so BMW's already got the know-how for big, high-end SUVs. Fun fact: it's scheduled to launch just a year after the XM bows out in 2028. Luxury vs. Legend The G-Class isn't cheap — the G550 starts around $149,400 (SAR 560,250) — and BMW's XM isn't far off at $160,775 (SAR 602,906). So expect this battle to be about more than just power. It'll be a clash of style, comfort, and pure road presence. BMW's goal? Build something that can crawl up a rocky trail at dawn and roll into a five-star hotel driveway at night without missing a beat. BMW's Leap into the Wild Right now, BMW's 'xOffroad' package on the X5 is a nice extra, but it's not G-Class territory. That's why the G74 will be built from scratch to tackle rough terrain, not just muddy parking lots. Why Now? The G-Class just hit a major milestone — over 600,000 sold since it first rolled out. Clearly, people love a boxy, powerful, luxury machine that can go anywhere. BMW sees a wide-open lane and is ready to step on the gas. What We're Expecting While BMW's keeping the juicy details quiet, here's what's being whispered: A bold, square design with a 'move over' attitude. A cabin that blends luxury with BMW's latest tech — including advanced driver assistance. All-wheel-drive magic and the choice of hybrid or electric power under the hood. If BMW nails it, the G74 could be the start of a new rivalry — one that might finally give the G-Class some real competition.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Historic 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS Cannonball Winner Heads to Mecum Auction in Monterey
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector A piece of American automotive lore is set to cross the auction block as the legendary 1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS that conquered the 1975 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash will be offered at Mecum's Monterey 2025 auction on August 16. The Bianco Polo White Dino, chassis number 05984, was driven to victory by SCCA racer Jack May and co-driver Rick Cline, who blasted from New York to Los Angeles in 35 hours and 53 minutes—a world-record time at the event. Averaging 83 mph, the feat landed the duo in the pages of TIME Magazine and cemented their place in automotive history. Still owned by the May family, the car remains in highly original, unrestored condition, showing 50,819 miles. Evidence of its famed cross-country run remains intact, including handwritten trunk markings and even spark plug packaging taped to the trunk wall from the 1975 journey. May, who chose the Dino over his Ferrari Daytona for its more discreet profile, pushed the V6-powered coupe to its limits, enduring a fouled spark plug, a fuel leak, a brush with Arizona jackrabbits, and even a brief arrest in Ohio. 'That Ohio cop was a super guy,' May recalled. 'I think he was sympathetic—he even showed us the fastest way back to the Interstate.' Mechanically, the Dino remains as it was when May raced it, retaining its 2.4-liter DOHC V6, 5-speed manual transaxle, and minor Cannonball-era tweaks such as wiper flaps for high-speed downforce and a rotated tachometer for easier viewing at speed. One of just 1,274 GTS models built, the Pininfarina-designed, Scaglietti-bodied Dino remains an icon of both Italian design and American outlaw spirit. Expected to draw strong interest, it represents a rare opportunity to own not just a classic Ferrari, but a bona fide chapter of Cannonball history. This amazing Ferrari Dino is selling at Mecum's Daytime Auction in Monterey, California. There will be many amazing vehicles to choose from and you can see them here. To register to bid visit Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Auto Express
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The classic cars our experts would most love to own
If you thought choosing a new car was difficult, try selecting the best cars from the entire back catalogue of automotive history. The best classic cars have not only stood the test of time but they've enhanced that standing, becoming more influential and coveted as the years have gone by. When we asked our editorial team to pick their all-time favourite classic cars, deliberations were long and arduous but the resulting list that you'll find below is jam-packed with absolute corkers. There are many routes to becoming recognised as one of the best classic cars in the world, none of them easy. Many of the models below broke new ground in terms of engineering or basic concept and inadvertently became trendsetters for scores of future models that would follow. Others simply seduced the world with their jaw-dropping style and desirability, while some managed to achieve an exquisite analogue driving experience that would become increasingly sought after as the car world moved to digital interfaces and electronic assistance. Advertisement - Article continues below In short, the very best classic cars all do something very, very special and each of the models in our list below tick that box in their own way. Let's get started… By Max Adams Power/engine size: 118bhp/1.8 litre Engine/gearbox: V6/four-speed manual 0-60/top speed: 11.5 seconds/115mph Price new/price now: £3,173/£750,000-£1m Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below I've had a model of the Lancia Aurelia for many years because it's quite a pretty thing. But it was only when I looked into the car's history and engineering that I discovered what an amazing classic it is. It's the first production car with a V6 engine, which is a fairly important feat in itself. Plus it has a transaxle for better weight distribution and inboard rear brakes to cut unsprung weight, so there was sophistication behind its immaculate lines. The most elegant version is the earlier Spider, which featured a wraparound windscreen. In contrast, the Convertible that followed had a flatter screen and the added luxury of wind-up side windows, enhancing usability. But this isn't a car for wet weather. This is a gorgeous classic that should be reserved for special trips with the wind in your hair, as you bask in the sun while cruising along the French Riviera. Advertisement - Article continues below And you'll want to savour it, because pricing starts from at least three-quarters of a million, with the very best examples easily relieving you of a £1m. Sadly, with those kinds of figures, I'll have to stick with the model sitting on my desk. By Alastair Crooks Power/engine size: 108bhp/1.8 litre Engine/gearbox: 4cyl/four-speed manual 0-62/top speed: 9.1 seconds/110mph Price new/price now: £6,500/from £15,000 Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The blueprint for hot hatches was well and truly laid down by the first Golf GTI. Firstly, it did all the practical stuff: it was roomy inside, easy to drive, comfortable and didn't cost a bomb to run – crucial to the car's appeal in the mid-seventies. However, the engine also had enough shove to fire the GTI to 62mph in 9.1 seconds. That might sound sluggish by modern standards, but at only 840kg, the GTI was a joy in the bends - with help from a fettled chassis and lower ride height. The GTI's balance of grip, combined with the nimble feel of its front end made it a blast to drive, and also a solid competitor in the European Touring Car Championship. It was in the sale charts where the little VW hot hatch dominated, however. Some of VW's sales staff predicted they wouldn't sell 500 GTIs, nearly half a million were produced. Advertisement - Article continues below To attract buyers, the GTI got the looks right. Based on the three-door Golf, the car has a 20mm lower stance, a 14mm wider track, iconic Pirelli 'P' wheels, red grille surrounds, colour-contrasting wheel arches, a front splitter and GTI badging. It all contributed to the GTI's unmistakable style and many of the themes have been referenced on subsequent Golf GTI models. Inside you'll find a Scirocco TS steering wheel, a typically zany golf-ball gear knob and bucket seats from Recaro, upholstered in tartan cloth. By Paul Barker Power/engine size: 76bhp/1.3 litre Engine/gearbox: 4cyl/four-speed manual 0-60/top speed: 10.5 seconds/97mph Price new/price now: £778/up to £50,000 Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Mini was voted Auto Express's best British-built car of all time, and the Cooper S is the performance cherry on the top. Admittedly not in terms of outright performance; 76bhp and a 0-60mph time of over 10 seconds are figures shamed by almost any model on sale today – but this is the car that gave birth to the 'go-kart-like handling' Minis became renowned for. From The Italian Job movie, to Paddy Hopkirk's Monte Carlo rally success, the Cooper S was a hero of the sixties. And that continues now for anyone who's seen the humble hatchback chase brash American saloons around Goodwood at the Revival or Members Meeting! The Mini is one of Britain's most cherished icons, and the Cooper S is the most loved of all. By Tom Jervis Power/engine size: 100bhp/1.8 litre Engine/gearbox: 4cyl/four-speed manual with overdrive 0-60/top speed: 11.0 secs/110mph Price new/price now: £1,500/£30,000 Advertisement - Article continues below Boasting a gorgeous body sculpted in Sweden and built in Britain by Pressed Steel and Jensen, the Volvo P1800 drove its way into the public's hearts. Those sweeping lines and grand touring comfort secured the role as Roger Moore's ride of choice in The Saint. Under the P1800's long, bulging bonnet lies a relatively modest 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine which, at first, produced just 100bhp; carburetted and subsequently fuel-injected versions came later with up to 120bhp. It sat on the same chassis as the Volvo 122 Amazon but several mechanical tweaks gave the P1800 more of a grand touring feel, with buyers able to choose from coupe or shooting brake estate body styles. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Yet while classic cars aren't exactly renowned for their reliability, the P1800 has the distinct honour of being the car with the highest mileage in history; the late Irv Gordon, bought his Volvo coupe from new back in 1966 and drove it round the world, racking up more than three million miles on the odometer. By Ellis Hyde Power/engine size: 265bhp/3.8 litre Engine/gearbox: straight six/four-speed manual 0-60/top speed: 6.5 seconds/150mph Price new/price now: £2,098/from £50,000 A picture is worth a thousand words, so the saying goes, and if there's one car that could earn its place in the history books with nothing but a single image, it's the Jaguar E-Type. Described by the godfather of the speed machine, Enzo Ferrari, as the most beautiful car ever made, the effortlessly glamorous sports car first graced us with its presence in 1961 – a time of Hillmans, Humbers and Austins. It was an immediate sensation with the press, public and the international jet set alike. Advertisement - Article continues below Yet this was not another unattainable object of desire. When it was launched, the Series 1 E-Type cost from £2,098, which was half the price of a contemporary Ferrari or Aston Martin, and around £41,000 in today's money – that's several thousand pounds less than a modern BMW 3 Series. The Jag was more powerful than the competition too, with its original 3.8-litre straight-six producing 265bhp and allowing it to reach 150mph flat-out. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below When it was launched, the E-Type was available as either a two-seater convertible or hard-top coupe, and with just the one engine. The iconic sports car steadily evolved over the next 13 years and three generations, as Jaguar made design tweaks and added a 2+2 four-seater variant. The E-Type also gained a larger 4.2-litre straight-six in 1965, before being fitted with 5.2-litre V12 in 1971 for the final Series 3 model. By Dean Gibson Power/engine size: 485bhp/7.0 litre Engine/gearbox: V8/four-speed manual 0-62/top speed: 4.0 seconds/185mph Price new/price now: £7,000/£1.2 million There have been plenty of examples of people stuffing big V8s into European machines to deliver great performance, but it's arguable that the AC Cobra was the grand master of the concept. In basic terms, the lightweight AC Ace was shipped from the UK to California, where Shelby American Inc. shoehorned a big Ford V8 under the bonnet. The end result was the Cobra, a car that accrued a fearsome reputation. Advertisement - Article continues below Most fearsome of all is the 427 SC. The 427 is the engine capacity in good ol' US cubic inches, which translates into 7.0-litres for you and me, and with that motor pumping out 485bhp in a car weighing less than a tonne, some pretty lively handling is on offer. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The SC came about when the AC Cobra racing car wasn't finished in time for the 1965 season and was subsequently mothballed in favour of the Cobra Daytona Coupe. With 31 racing cars going nowhere, Shelby decided to add a few bits and pieces to make them road legal, and the SC, or Semi Competition, was created. Today the 427 SC is one of the most desirable classic cars around, with examples easily able to fetch more than a million at auction. That makes it all the more impressive when you see race-ready versions dancing on the edge of grip in intense competition at circuits such as Goodwood and Le Mans year in, year out. By Jordan Katsianis Power/engine size: 300bhp/2.5 litre Engine/gearbox: 5cyl in-line turbo/six-speed manual 0-62/top speed: 5.9 seconds/163mph Price new/price now: £38,545/£700,000-£1,000,000 It's difficult to imagine that a car looking like the Lamborghini Countach was built all the way back in 1974, but the truth is that it's actually even older. Lamborghini's first Countach LP500 show car was dropping jaws at the Geneva Motor Show a full three years before production. In a roadscape that was occupied by cars like the Ford Cortina, Morris Marina or even 'premium' German cars like the BMW 2002, the Countach must have seemed to have come directly from outer space. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It wasn't just the design which merited astonishment, but also its incredible 3.9-litre V12 engine, positioned in a mid-mounted layout that was still very much in its infancy at the time. The world had already been given an indication of the mid-engined format that was to become the blueprint for future supercars by the Lamborghi Muira, but the classical features and rounded haunches of that car – beautiful though they were – gave way to something far more experimental in the original LP400 Countach. The Countach's story is almost as fascinating as the car itself, as it was a testament to the innovation of youth. The team that put the Countach together was the same one that created the Miura five years before, and consisted of a chief powertrain engineer, chassis engineer, test driver and design lead that were all in their late 20s or early 30s. A certain Argentinian composites expert also joined the Lamborghini team in the era of the Countach, later creating his own car brand that still carries his name, Horatio Pagani. The Countach was a car that inspired youth, and came directly from it. It would take another generation for Ferrari to start experimenting with mid-engine layouts, and while Ferruccio Lamborghini wasn't able to hold onto his company, its spirit of challenging the status quo remained intact. By George Armitage Power/engine size: 215bhp/3.0 litre Engine/gearbox: 6cyl/four-speed manual 0-62/top speed: 8.5 seconds/155mph Price new/price now: £3,900/£1,000,000-£3,000,000 Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Mercedes 300SL (W198) is, in my eyes, one of the greatest and most beautiful cars ever made. Those iconic gullwing doors weren't a gimmick; they were there because the spaceframe chassis underneath was lifted straight from the W194 race car that in 1952 won the sports car class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mechanically, it was way ahead of its time, not only was it the first production car to use fuel injection but it was also the world's fastest production car at launch, with a claimed top speed of 155mph in the mid-1950s. But what really seals it for me is how effortlessly elegant the 300SL looks - fast, glamorous and completely timeless. It's a car that Hollywood stars like Clark Gable and Sophia Loren wanted to be seen in, and it still makes everything else feel a bit ordinary in comparison. The 300SL started as Mercedes' way to prove it was back in the racing game after World War II. The W194 race car's success inspired the road-going W198 version, combining advanced engineering with striking style. Shaped with the help of a wind tunnel, its sleek curves improved aerodynamics and high-speed stability. Mercedes wasn't always planning to turn the race car into a road car. Max Hoffman, an influential Mercedes importer in the US, played a key role by pushing Mercedes to build a road version, seeing the potential for a high-performance sports car in America. After Mercedes initially rejected his proposal, he placed an order for 1,000 examples to be produced and the board of the German brand folded and put it into production. Thanks to his vision, the 300SL wasn't just a race car, it became a global icon. Even today, it remains one of the few cars that blends racing pedigree, engineering innovation, and beautiful design effortlessly. By Shane Wilkinson Power/engine size: 160bhp/3.5 litre Engine/gearbox: V8/four-speed manual or automatic 0-62/top speed: 10.7 seconds/110mph Price new/price now: £2,000/£20,000 Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below With seats that'd be at home in a manor house drawing room, a dashboard that looks like it's straight out of a fighter plane, and previous owners that include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Rover P5B is a pinnacle of the classic car world. This British bruiser has style, power and history, so it'd be a crime not to include it in this list. While the standard Rover P5 is very desirable, the P5B takes things that step further. As well as its exquisite, more curvaceous styling, the B is powered by the renowned Rover V8. Along with a divine soundtrack, this 3.5-litre lump also churns out 160bhp, which results in a 0-60mph time of around 10.7 seconds. I'll admit that this isn't a lot by today's standards, but this is very much a car for wafting around in complete style and sumptuous comfort. Besides, racing this royalty-approved classic would simply be uncouth. By Richard Ingram Power/engine size: 165bhp/2.4 litre Engine/gearbox: 6cyl/five-speed manual 0-62/top speed: 7.9 seconds/136mph Price new/price now: £3,970/from £60,000 The Porsche 911 has been the sports-car benchmark for over six decades, meaning no list of the best classic cars would be complete without one. You only need to glance at rising used values and auction results to grasp its wide-reaching appeal. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The iconic shape has barely changed since the sixties original, but it's those early cars that, to my eyes, look the cleanest. The sleek, tear-drop shape, compact proportions, round headlights and Fuchs-style wheels are – and I'm not overstating this – utterly iconic. You don't have to be a car bore to pick out a Porsche in the street, and it's all thanks to that timeless design. Yet the 911's silhouette pales in comparison to the way it drives. While modern Porsches could be considered a little lardy, these original 911s – and right up to the 997-generation of the mid-noughties – were deft, relatively lightweight machines. That rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive chassis, sweet steering, precise manual gearbox; nothing comes close if you want to feel that pure, unadulterated connection between the tyres and the tarmac. Values have risen significantly in recent years; the car you see here was shot for an Auto Express feature back in 2008, and was for sale at the time for exactly £30,000. I'd wager it's worth twice as much now – possibly more. And no 911 is immune; even the previously unloved 996-generation, which was built from 1997 to 2004, is shooting up in price as people cotton on to its engaging, relatively uncorrupted driving experience. Take it from me – if you want a safe investment and something that you can enjoy day-in, day-out, a classic Porsche 911 could be just the ticket. Our dealer network has 1,000s of great value new cars in stock and available now right across the UK. Find your new car… Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra's Terramar for under £300 a month Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra's Terramar for under £300 a month The Cupra Terramar is an appealing family SUV that looks stylish but offers plenty of practicality. It's our Deal of the Day for July 5 New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It's our Deal of the Day for 3 July
Motor Trend
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
Pinnacle Ponies: 10 of the Coolest Mustangs Ever Built
Over the course of history, American muscle has come in a ton of different flavors, but perhaps one of the most longstanding and iconic is the Ford Mustang. Introduced at the 1964 New York World's Fair, the Mustang was an immediate sales hit thanks to its affordable price and great looks. Highlighting 10 of the coolest Ford Mustangs ever built, from the original 1964.5 model to the 2024 Dark Horse. It includes iconic versions like the 1965 Shelby GT350, 1967 GT500 Super Snake, 1984 SVO, and the 2016 Shelby GT350, showcasing their unique features and historical significance. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next More than six decades later, Ford has produced countless Mustang models and variants, each unique and distinct. What's fascinating is they haven't always adhered to a consistent formula, but the execution has always been the same: to give much higher-dollar and more exotic sports cars a run for their money. That's what we call a democratization of performance and power. Below, we've made the difficult choice of narrowing down our favorite Mustangs to the 10 listed in chronological order. Did your favorites make it? Keep reading to find out. 1964.5 Ford Mustang Here's how confident Ford was in the brand-new, first-ever Mustang when it made its debut in 1964: It had journalists take the test cars on a 750-mile trip from Westchester County, New York, back to its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, for what was clearly intended to be a reliability test. Ultimately, Mustang sales quadrupled what Ford estimated them to be. Part of that, surely, was because of the sheer number of options offered. Not only were there 15 exterior paint colors to choose from, but there were also five different selections for vinyl seat upholstery. Convertibles and hardtops were available side by side, and convertible customers could have either white or black fabric roofs, while hardtops could be had with either white or black vinyl tops. Then there were the engine options. You could get the first Mustang with either a 2.8-liter inline-six with 101 hp, a 4.3-liter V-8 with 164 hp, a 4.7-liter V-8 with 210 hp, or a special, high-compression version of the 4.7-liter that kicked power up to 271. The six-cylinder and 4.3-liter V-8 came standard with a three-speed manual, and the 4.7-liter V-8 had a four-speed manual. Everything except the high-compression 4.7-liter could be fitted with Ford's three-speed automatic. 1964.5 Ford Mustang Specs Price when new: $2,368 Horsepower: 101-271 hp Torque: 156-312 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 8.2 sec (est) 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 It didn't take long for the iconic Mustang to reach a new stratosphere of iconic with the 1965 Shelby GT350. Built for the track, the first GT350s ignored comfort in favor of lap times. Turning the Mustang into a bona fide Corvette-killer proved no easy task, as the Ford Falcon platform underpinning the car wasn't exactly motorsport material. Engineers had to keep costs down, too. 'The decision to go with the live axle was OK with Ford,' we wrote in a retrospective from 2017, 'as Klaus Arning estimated the development of the [independent rear suspension] would cost upwards of $85,000. The Shelby G.T. 350 utilized the Galaxie station wagon rear end equipped with a towing package with Ford's largest rear brakes at 10 inches in diameter with 2.5-inch-wide sintered metallic brake linings. Best of all, this axle bolted right into the Mustang chassis with very little modification.' The result? Something very good: 'At Interstate speeds, the GT350 is rough and ready,' Donald Farr wrote in 2010. 'It's not a luxury car by any stretch of the imagination. The suspension is stiff, wind whooshes by the open side windows, and header heat rises off the floor pans. The car even smells fast. And did I mention that it's loud? At 65 mph and 3,000 rpm, the blown-out glasspacks drown out any attempt at passenger conversation.' 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Specs Price when new: $4,547 Horsepower: 306 hp Torque: 329 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 6.8 sec Once upon a time, there was a Mustang with the heart of a GT40. As the story goes, Carroll Shelby was hired to showcase some new Goodyear tires. The Super Snake that resulted was a one-off GT500 prototype that used a monstrous 427 V-8 like one found in the Ford GT40 race car. A Shelby test diver took the car 500 miles around Goodyear's oval test track and averaged 142 mph, thus showing the Goodyears were more than up to snuff. Plans to build more of the GT500 Super Snakes were scrapped, so this is the only one in existence. It might very well be the most valuable Mustang ever. Half a century later, Shelby finally created a 'continuation run' of cars built on real 1967 Mustangs and given all the GT500 Super Snake hardware. The cars are not technically from the time, but they're also not new cars, either. Regardless, when a '67 Super Snake rides again, everyone wins. 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Super Snake Specs Price when new: $8,000 (est.) Horsepower: 520 hp Torque: 550 lb-ft 0-60 mph: N/A 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR With plenty of spoilers and scoops, the GT500KR was the nastiest Mustang of its age. Knowingly, KR stood for 'King of the Road.' With just 933 fastbacks built, the GT500KR wears the beautiful, elongated lines that define '60s car design. 'The KR does its talking underhood, though,' we wrote in a 2001 comparison against a 1999 Mustang SVT Cobra. 'In mid-1968, Ford spanked the competition with a surprise of its own: the Bob Tasca Ford–inspired 428 Cobra Jet FE-series big-block in the GT500. Period road tests prove the 428 Cobra Jet could rocket the Shelby Mustang through the quarter mile in 14 seconds flat with 3.91:1 gears; with 3.50:1 cruising gears, 14.5 seconds. This makes the GT500KR a formidable competitor for the SVT Cobra. In perfect tune with a seasoned drag racer at the wheel, the KR will stay flush with the more high-tech Cobra.' We won't spoil the rest. 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR Specs Price when new: $4,473 Horsepower: 335 hp Torque: 440 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 5.4 sec (est.) 1984 Ford Mustang SVO As a response to fuel shortages and high gas prices of the '70s, the Mustang underwent some market-demanded changes but emerged to usher in the '80s with the Fox body. And one of the coolest of the Fox-bodied Mustangs was the 1984 Mustang SVO. The SVO implemented a ton of Mustang firsts, including disc brakes at all four wheels and intercooled turbocharging for its small-displacement four-cylinder. Because it saved 150 or so pounds over the 5.0-liter Mustang GT, the SVO wound up being quite the handling athlete, with us calling it 'the best-driving street Mustang the factory has ever produced' at the time. It proved you didn't need a giant engine and massive power to make a Mustang fun. Sometimes you just need lightness. Maybe that Colin Chapman guy did know a thing or two about cars. Plus, the SVO was better on gas—which, with ever-shifting fuel prices, is something that's always a plus. 1984 Ford Mustang SVO Specs Price when new: $15,585 Horsepower: 176 hp Torque: 210 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec (est.) 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R It pretty much goes without saying if you see an 'R' anywhere in a car's name, chances are it'll be awesome. The 2000 Mustang SVT Cobra R was no exception. With a quoted top speed of 170 mph, the R version of the Cobra had a 5.4-liter, 385-hp V-8, a lowered suspension setup, bigger brakes and wheels, stickier tires, exterior aero bits, and Recaro bucket seats. Oh, and it came with a manual transmission, too. Only 300 were built. 'Our acceleration tests revealed steam catapult-like launches with 60 mph arriving in just 4.4 seconds and the quarter taking 12.9 seconds at 110.8 mph,' we reported in a 2004 road test. 'That compares favorably with the Corvette's 4.8-second run to 60 and 13.3 at 108.6 through the quarter mile. To more reliably and efficiently handle the 5.4's extra muscle, Ford specified beefier axle shafts, a 3.55:1 axle ratio, and a Gerodisc hydromechanical differential with speed and torque sensitivity. But, of course, these goodies would be useless if the suspension couldn't keep the rubber on the ground most of the time.' 2000 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R Specs Price when new: $54,995 Horsepower: 385 hp Torque: 385 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 4.4 sec 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Whether you believe Steve McQueen's 1968 movie Bullitt delivers either the greatest car chase scene in cinematic history or is the most boring hyped-up movie to date, the first Mustang Bullitt deserves to be on this list simply because of how great it looks. Dark metallic green is a lovely shade on any car, but it's extra special here. We were even able to look past the fake hood scoop. 'Except for balls-to-the-wall acceleration, the Bullitt is by far the best GT ever,' we wrote in 2002. 'The handling is flatter, the styling better and the braking shorter than any non-Cobra that's come before it. The interior is totally cool, and Team Mustang obviously sweat the details with the aluminum trim, red rotors, etc.' We just really, really didn't like the fact that the modified engine made just 5 hp more than stock. Ultimately, we deemed the first Bullitt Mustang had a ton to love but also needed work. 2001 Ford Mustang Bullitt Specs Price when new: $27,380 Horsepower: 265 hp Torque: 305 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 5.2 sec 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 The fifth-generation Mustang caught a lot of heat for its continued use of a solid rear axle. But before retiring the technology on the Mustang for good in favor of an independent rear suspension, Ford made it the best version of itself in the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302. In our first drive from 2011, we called it 'the best of all the current Mustangs.' Jason Cammisa wrote, 'It's the best expression of a modern muscle car and, frankly, it's the best all-around sports car to wear a Mustang badge. Unburdened with the extra weight and disproportionate thrust of the supercharged GT500, unafflicted with the GT's cushy suspension, and unfettered by the V-6's incorrect soundtrack, the Boss 302 is, to us, exactly what a Mustang should be.' The Laguna Seca version lost the rear seats and replaced them with a cross brace and added a 1.0mm larger anti-roll bar, Torsen limited-slip differential, stiffer rear springs, and 1.0-inch-wider rear wheels with R-compound Pirelli Corsa tires. Cool in concept, but unless you're tracking it often, we didn't know if the reduction in practicality was ultimately worth the $6,995 premium. 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Specs Price when new: $40,995 Horsepower: 444 hp Torque: 380 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 4.0 sec 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Perhaps this author's favorite Mustang of all time is the 2016 Shelby GT350. As a tribute to the original GT350, it's a very fitting one. From the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated flat-plane Voodoo V-8 with an 8,250-rpm redline came the music of the gods. Perfectly paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission, the 2016 GT350 was a delight both on and off track. 'The engineering effort translates into a Mustang that is ridiculously fun and easy to drive at speed,' we wrote in a first drive. 'The readiness of the chassis and suspension gives drivers confidence and a variety of driving situations. Stability, feel, and control have been taken to a new level. The body remains flat during all phases of cornering, and when braking, you'll sense virtually no nose dive or nervousness in the rear. Turn-in occurs immediately, almost as if your thoughts, rather than your hands, are connected to the wheel. The steering is the most precise we've seen from a production Mustang. Save for a touch of understeer, the balance was spot on.' 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Specs Price when new: $47,795 Horsepower: 526 hp Torque: 429 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 4.1 sec 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse The Shelby GT350 is no more, but fans of the current-generation Mustang can get their fix with the Dark Horse, which was a finalist in our recent Performance Vehicle of the Year event. Though there's the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 under this hood instead of the berserk Voodoo engine, you still get a Tremec six-speed manual if you so choose. Plus, the automatic-equipped Dark Horse currently holds MotorTrend 's shortest braking-distance record (from 60 mph to a standstill) to date at just 86 feet. This means it beat out all the Ferraris, Porsches, and other high-performance stuff we've tested. 'When you put the spurs to the Dark Horse, a tuned version of Ford's naturally aspirated Coyote V-8 pushing an even 500 horsepower howls through a standard active exhaust,' we wrote in our PVOTY review. 'In our testing, we hustled a manual-transmission-equipped model like the one we had at Chuckwalla to a 0–60-mph time of 4.1 seconds. (We got it down to 3.7 in an automatic-equipped car.)' 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Specs Price when new: $65,075 Horsepower: 500 hp Torque: 418 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 4.1 sec (manual), 3.7 sec (automatic)
Globe and Mail
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
As gas cars began to hit the streets of Toronto, the city was already an EV manufacturing hub
Dumaresq de Pencier is the exhibit and project coordinator for the Canadian Automotive Museum in Oshawa, Ont. While Tesla may be credited with popularizing modern electric vehicles, they are far from being the first to develop an EV. And I'm not talking about General Motors's EV1 from 1996. EVs appeared decades before the first gas-powered car, going back nearly 200 years. And around the time gas cars began hitting the streets of Toronto the city was already an EV manufacturing hub. From 1893 to 1913, four Canadian companies and one American company built or tried to build electric vehicles in the Greater Toronto Area. Two of these companies still exist, though most people likely wouldn't recognize them today. In an era when gasoline engines were a novelty and steam power was inconvenient for automobile use, electrics were the next big thing. British engineer William Joseph Still was an inventor of steam and electrical technologies whose patent batteries sold well on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1890s. In 1893, he approached Toronto patent lawyer Frederick Barnard Fetherstonhaugh with a new lightweight battery design. The two had already worked together for several years and Fetherstonhaugh, a tinkerer and inventor himself, thought the new battery would be perfect for an electric automobile. Fetherstonhaugh worked with Still and the Toronto-based Dixon Carriage Company at the corner of Bay and Temperance Streets to build the car. It was a 320-kilogram technological marvel that could manage an hour of driving at 24 kilometres an hour. This speed was comparable or even slightly faster than most passenger cars being introduced at the time. Fetherstonhaugh used it as his daily driver for 15 years, charging it at his home in southwest Toronto neighbourhood of Mimico and demonstrating it at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1893, 1896 and 1906. The vehicle vanished from the historical record after the 1912 Toronto Auto Show. In 1897, Still established the Canadian Motor Syndicate to build and sell his car designs. The company's first vehicle was an electric delivery tricycle, shown at the 1898 Canadian National Exhibition. By 1899, Still had invented a more efficient electric motor, better suited for large vehicles. His business was reorganized as the Still Motor Company Limited (SMC) and began selling vehicles in earnest. Its factory on Yonge Street was a hive of activity, helped by one of the City of Toronto's first commercial telephone lines. SMC generally didn't build vehicles from scratch; clients brought them commercial carriages, which the factory retrofitted with motors and batteries. Parker's Dye Works (known today as Parker's Dry Cleaning) was an early adopter and, by 1900, many of Toronto's biggest industrial and commercial concerns had at least one or two SMC vehicles in their fleets. SMC electrics were light, reasonably fast and easy to control, but almost all of them were custom jobs, resulting in high costs and low profits for the company. Financial support came in the form of a buyout from a group of British investors who renamed the company Canadian Motors Limited (CML). In late 1899, Still had developed a moderately successful line of two- and four-seater passenger electrics: the Ivanhoes and the Oxfords. The new owners wanted to sell them in England and CML became the first British-owned car company in Canada and Canada's first car exporter. The company sent dozens of vehicles to England in late 1900 and early 1901, but CML's success in British road trials didn't equate to sales. By 1904, the organization was shuttered on both sides of the Atlantic and Still had moved on to other more lucrative projects. The CML factory in Toronto didn't remain closed for long. In 1903, it was bought by bicycle manufacturing conglomerate Canadian Cycle & Motor Company, which turned it over to the manufacturer of an American electric car, also named the Ivanhoe. These vehicles never sold well and in 1905 the company dropped the brand to focus primarily on gasoline cars. A small side business making hockey equipment under the brand 'CCM' would prosper and still exists today. These Canadian manufacturers had competition. The Fischer Equipment Company of Chicago demonstrated its twin-engine Woods Electric cars and trucks in Toronto in 1898, gaining so much interest that by 1899 the whole enterprise had reorganized as the Woods Motor Vehicle Company. This company had a mostly Canadian board of directors that included representatives from Canadian General Electric, the Dominion Bank and Canadian Pacific Railways. Woods cars were planned to be built at the General Electric plant in Hamilton, which would provide Toronto with an electric taxi network. Woods shifted its focus south of the border in 1901 and kept producing electrics in the U.S. until 1918. Canadian demand for electric cars continued. In 1911, the wealthy McLaughlin Motorcar Company of Oshawa began marketing luxury electric cars on the American Rauch & Lang chassis across southern Ontario. There were plans to build the cars in 1912, but it is unclear if those plans materialized. Within a few years, McLaughlin would become General Motors Canada, though the company has yet to attempt EV production in Oshawa a second time. A smaller-scale local contender was the Peck electric, built on Jarvis Street and marketed at the 1912 Auto Show as the car that 'Keeps Pecking.' Despite cushy interiors, easy-to-use controls and lavish colour ads in the pages of Motoring Magazine, the car's whopping $4,000 sale price – more than $109,000 in today's dollars – was a deterrent, and the company folded in 1913. It would take around a century, and dramatic improvements in technology, for EVs to return to Toronto. Still, every electric car driven on our streets today forms the latest link in a chain that extends back in time more than a century to the era of steam and brass.
