Latest news with #supercar
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Review: Lamborghini's Temerario hybrid supercar
It's a big deal, 300km/h. The trees and grandstands lining Portugal's ultra-fast Estoril Grand Prix circuit are a colourful blur, and my Lamborghini Temerario's dash is displaying silly numbers. Really? 10,000rpm? That's race car revs. And my triple-ton speed matches what Senna, Schumacher and Mansell saw when F1 last came to Estoril in the Nineties. These are lunatic levels, and my brain's fizzing. In Italian, Temerario means 'fearless'. This baby supercar may be, but its driver absolutely is not: a tight second-gear corner looms and we're at plane crash speeds. Fortunately, mercifully, somebody's fitted carbon brake rotors the size of Tasmania. The launch of a new Lamborghini is special news in car enthusiast world. Not the unobtanium 'Limited Series' models (only 20 from the mega yacht set enjoy them), but the proper production ones you'll find in every Lambo showroom. Enter Temerario – the pricier, more powerful and faster replacement for the much- loved V10 Huracan, bowing out as Lamborghini's best ever selling supercar. Prepare yourself, all 'Rario numbers are big. Its 4.0L twin-turbo V8 alone packs 588kW and 730Nm, then three electric motors boast a total system output of 676kW. Yep, this thing's a self-charging or plug-in hybrid, with amusing all-electric range of 9km. Sexier, it'll reach 343km/h, with the first hundred popping up in 2.7 seconds – hypercar territory, despite weighing a not svelte 1690kg dry. Dropping anchor awakens ten (count 'em) piston calipers gripping heat-resistant 410mm discs. Rear wheels are ludicrously large at 21-inches, wrapped in grip-giving 325/30 (that's fat) tyres, with semi-slicks a cost option. I asked the man at Bridgestone – who'd helped bespoke develop these tyres for the Temerario – the cost of a replacement set, since we'd be smoking some in drift mode later. A friendly Italian shrug and 'confidential for now,' was his smiling response. If you have to ask the price …. Ah. As for that. A basic Temerario costs $613,885 before on-roads. For track fans, a lightweight Alleggerita Package adds $85,000 – think carbon interior, body and underside bits, larger rear wing, and much improved aero efficiency and downforce. But why stop there? Carbon wheels are yours for $48,650, and rest assured, myriad further options will quickly lighten your crypto wallet. Perhaps it was the Portuguese sun or last night's vinho tinto, but after track driving the Temerario for a day, the price never felt outrageous, despite being some $150k above the outgoing Huracan. Basically, for the price of a crappy unit in Paramatta or Collingwood, you could have what is unequivocally a styling and engineering masterclass. Deep diving the mechanicals, electricals and clever tech is mind-bending, so I'll report on how it translates to driving at one of Europe's fastest tracks. The hypersonic launch control, corner sucking and mad braking g-force feels like someone's trying to harvest your internal organs. But you're enjoying it. The V8's maximum power is found at 9000rpm, so you must leave the gorgeous carbon fibre paddle shifters alone – just let it sing to the redline. A solo electric motor integrated in the mid-mounted V8's housing instantly gets the acceleration party started while the turbos awaken, so there's zero break in performance delivery. It's blindingly, furiously, addictively fast. Two e-motors on the front axle handle torque vectoring and traction, which in plain English means this all-wheel-drive Lambo tucks you into a corner apex with supernatural, Verstappen-like precision. Sport mode brings a playful rear-wheel-drive feel, and easy-in, fast-out cornering allows grin-bringing skids. Overcook things and a billion electric brains and the wizard-like front end tidies up the driver's talent gaps. But Temerario's greatest trick, despite the complexity, it how easy and approachable it is to drive mega fast. In Corsa (race) mode it's ever sharper, pointier, and ready for lap records with an indicated 300km/h chaser. You can option GT racing-like telemetry (through an app) to nerd out on performance graphs, while three cameras film your exploits, including an 'emotion' one recording occupants' reactions. Great to show the rellies after Christmas lunch. But wait. This all comes at a cost, and it's raw, emotional noise. The lack of. Our Temerario doesn't sound in any way bad, giving race car and race bike flavours when tickling 10,000rpm. Lambo's problem is what came before – the soul-tingling non-turbo V10 in the retiring Huracan. But the change had to come. We're adrift in fantasy land thinking the V10 could survive with modern emissions regulations. We lament its passing, but must soldier on. Now, Lamborghini's used electrification to its performance advantage and delivered superbly and supremely. Ferrari and McLaren may do some head scratching. And if it's your bag, you can silently, electrically pootle through town or off your driveway with a simple 'EV' button twist. Saving the planet one supercar at a time … The fighter jet-inspired cockpit doesn't even feel too cramped, seats are comfy and screen size shows constraint over ostentatious. But boy, even an F1 driver would get lost in the sea of steering wheel buttons and dials. After track heroics, the final ace is enjoying the part-beauty, part-beefcake but unmistakenly Lamborghini styling. Hints of classic Countach coat its shark nose, as does leaving the rear tyres' girth on full display from behind. A masterstroke. VERDICT 4.5/5 Breathtaking to behold, bewildering mega performance on track. Endlessly thrilling, despite death of the soulful V10. LAMBORGHINI TEMERARIO VITALS ENGINE: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo petrol (588kW/730Nm) with three electric motors (220kW). EV RANGE: Approx. 9km
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Amazon Is Selling a ‘Bright' $26 Cordless Work Light for 42% Off, and Shoppers Are ‘Extremely Impressed'
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Project F173M is the next mid-engine hybrid supercar from Ferrari. View post: Say Hello To The Next Ferrari SF90, Whatever It's Called View post: Walmart Is Selling a 'Powerful' $90 Cordless Weed Wacker for $44, and Shoppers Say 'It's a Winner' The Mulliner division's new colors and materials unlock a new level of creativity. The Japanese automaker says they are making progress in its restructuring efforts. Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Creating the perfect workspace is no easy feat. But it is possible with the help of a few essential products that will help you complete your DIY projects and at-home repairs in no time. Besides a dedicated workbench and proper storage, you'll also need a versatile work light. That's where the Livowalny Cordless LED Work Light comes in. The small but mighty device is now on sale at Amazon for just $15, which is 42% off its original price point. It can be used indoors and outdoors, and makes the perfect addition to any garage, basement, or driveway. Livowalny Cordless LED Work Light, $15 (was $26) at Amazon Compatible with Milwaukee 18V lithium-ion batteries (not included), this handheld work light has 48 pieces of LED beads and 7,800 lumens to illuminate even the darkest areas. The light measures 6.67 inches wide and 4.33 inches tall and has two brightness settings — low and high — that are ideal for car repairs, plumbing, appliance installation, camping, emergency lighting, and more. It also features a 120 to 140-degree beam angle to help personalize the illumination. 'Excellent spotlight,' wrote one shopper. 'This little light is amazing! Super solid build and lightweight. Fits my Milwaukee batteries perfectly.' A second reviewer said, 'Extremely impressed. Works fantastic, very portable, and bright.' The cordless device includes a 5V 2.1A USB port and type C charging port that can help power electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, speakers, and whatever else you may need. It is made of a IP67 waterproof and high temperature resistant die-cast aluminum, so you can use it in all types of weather. Plus, it has a useful handle that allows you to carry it from place to place with ease. 'Great light for the garage!' wrote a third reviewer. 'This light is incredibly bright and is wonderful for working in engine bays during repairs.' Upgrade your workspace with this $15 cordless LED light. Trust us, you'll use it for more than just your home projects and repairs. About the Author Victoria Garcia View Profile
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
MG takes on Tesla for a fraction of price with its new IM range – although some of the features look VERY familiar
I'VE seen a telly in the back of an MG before. At a car boot sale. 7 7 7 Never have I seen an MG with it's own flip-down widescreen TV. Or driven an MG with supercar acceleration and air suspension. Until today. You see MG is going all fancy with a new sub-brand called IM, which stands for Intelligence in Motion. Probably more in keeping with today's world than Morris Garages. The value-packed superminis and SUVs are here to stay — and there's more to come. But MG wants a slice of the lucrative corporate market too. So IM5 is a fully loaded electric saloon (cough, Tesla Model 3) and IM6 is the SUV version (cough, Tesla Model Y). Let's now run through the headlines . . . The fastest versions are comically fast, like 751hp with 802Nm of torques. Like, see-ya-later Lando-fast. Major car brand reveals compact £20k supermini EV will be released in UK in just two years The IM5 Long Range version has an official WLTP range of 441 miles. London to Edinburgh in one go. But it's less powerful at 407 horses. Which is still rapido. Recharging to 80 per cent takes just 17 minutes thanks to the industry-leading 800v battery tech. Like Porsche. And Kia. The cheapest? That's the IM5 Standard Range with a 304-mile battery costing £39,450. Crucially, dipping below £40k will save owners £2k in road tax in the years ahead. Both IM5 and IM6 get four-wheel steering as standard. So they'll outturn an MG4 in town. And they can self-park. Press a button and the boot lowers for the dog to jump in. But that's only on the top-spec SUV with air suspension for now. IM6 is also the first MG with massaging seats. And that optional flip-down TV. From here on out, the cabins are pretty much copy-and-paste. The dash is crowned by a 26in widescreen display and there's a second control panel in the centre console with hard controls for the things we use most. It's quiet in here. It's comfy. It's roomy. There are lots of details which remind me of other brands. But, hey, these are Chinese cars. That's what they do. I've done a checklist of familiar features elsewhere on this page. The bottom line is, MG has done an excellent job providing families with sensibly priced cars backed by a seven-year warranty. It is now a top ten manufacturer. These IM cars take MG into new territory, yet they're still a fair chunk cheaper than a similar-spec Tesla, BYD Seal or Polestar 2. Even with a TV in the back. 7 7 NOW I'M SEEING DOUBLE HERR are ten features on the IM cars which look familiar: Flip-down TV. Like a BMW i7. Just a bit smaller. Watch Netflix or YouTube. Play video games. That car-shaped key's pretty cool. Been in a Porsche recently? Steering wheel controls to adjust the wing mirror. Like a Tesla. Merc-inspired gear selector and 'cheese-grater' speakers in the doors. No door handles. Oh yeah, Fiat 500. They've got a button. Proper deep and soft carpet mats. Like a Rolls-Royce. What, what. Indicate to turn left or right and a blindspot camera pops up on the dash. You can thank Hyundai for that. Autonomous reversing tech, a la BMW. The car remembers the last 100 metres before you pulled up – then retraces it for you. Like pressing rewind on a movie. Widescreen dash. Like, er, everyone else, really. Finally, looks. Tesla vibes at the front and sides. Shades of Aston Martin at the rear with that ducktail spoiler and integrated lightbar. 7 7
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ferrari's Replacement For The SF90 Will Be Wild
The Autoblog spy photographers have been very busy of late, and their most recent submission is a new Prancing Horse, reportedly carrying the internal codename Project F173M. This Ferrari 296 GTB forms the basis of the next SF90 Stradale, which probably won't be called that. Confused yet? Well, the 986-horsepower, V8 hybrid, AWD SF90 came first in 2019, then Ferrari created the 296 GTB with 819 ponies in 2022. The gulf between the two cars in terms of outright performance figures was much closer than it was with the F8 Tributo that the 296 effectively replaced, and combining these factors with the arrival of Lamborghini's own hybrid AWD supercar, the 1,001-hp Revuelto, compels Maranello to change things. And change they will. Our spies claim the SF90 nomenclature will stick around, but that's not Ferrari's way, renaming even cars that receive only subtle updates. And what about the arrival of the SF90 XX? It has been argued that this variant was only introduced to get SF90s out the door after declining sales, and whether that's fair or not, Ferrari has traditionally only applied the nomenclature at the very end of a generation. Will The SF90 Will Lose Two Cylinders? Ferrari has been embracing what was once its least-used engine configuration, the V6 now finding itself in the halo F80, a car that many expected to be powered by twice as many cylinders – but our spies claim the V8 and triple e-motor setup will remain. On the one hand, a lighter, more compact V6 could provide performance and efficiency benefits, but on the other, leaving the Roma-replacing Amalfi as the only V8 doesn't entirely make sense. The V8 clearly still meets emissions regulations, and with electric motors, it'll be even easier to maintain cleanliness. In addition, having two V6 AWD 1,000-hp offerings in one lineup seems redundant, though Ferrari could argue the more expensive car is more capable on track. Still, there's a curious detail about this mule: it's not an SF90 with temporary bodywork – it's a 296 GTB. Look at the mirror housings and roofline, and the glasshouse in general. The ridiculous offsets of the wheels are another clue. Far Away From Fiorano Our spies caught this prototype in Germany, which means that Ferrari can't comprehensively develop Project F173M at its Fiorano test track. Ferrari's miniature circuit still offers learning opportunities, but frankly, it's too short, too slow, too flat, and too smoothly surfaced to fully explore and expand a car's capabilities – descriptors that have never been applied to the Nürburgring. Looking at the front of the car, we see more reasoning for Ferrari's foray far beyond Italian borders: the areas where headlights would normally be found appear to have become much bigger air intakes, indicating a new aerodynamic approach. The extended rear end may be indicative of a longtail design, but again, this appears to be a 296 mule (179.7 inches), so it would need some prosthetic assistance to match the bigger SF90 (185.4 inches). Nonetheless, it's tough to be sure what has been done for performance reasons and what is changing due to stylistic considerations; Ferrari's latest evolution in design embraces hidden or minimized lighting systems, and with tiny slits for eyes, these could be placed or shaped in any way. The rumor mill suggests the finished product will be revealed at a presentation in September, but early next year is also possible. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
The Italian connoisseurs keeping Lamborghinis purebred
Chassis number 12085 may be the best-known example of the world's most famous supercar, but what if something about that pristine Gallardo, Espada or 400 GT you're about to buy doesn't quite add up? Whether it's Donald Trump 's Diablo VT Roadster, the Miura from the opening scene of The Italian Job or that final Countach, the hand-written build sheet for every Lamborghini is neatly filed by model and VIN number in an air-conditioned room at Polo Storico in Sant'Agata, 40km north-west of Bologna, where the factory stands. The heavyweight glass door is usually firmly locked, but today it's open to guests celebrating the department's 10th anniversary. File boxes cover both walls from floor to ceiling, spanning the very first 350 GT launched in 1964 through the entire Lamborghini repertoire. That includes lesser-loved models such as the Jamara, Jalpa and Urraco, right up to the Murcielago launched in 2001. Authenticity The guardian angel of the Lamborghini marque, Polo Storico is divided into three divisions: a restoration section, the heritage and spare parts centre, and the specialist unit I'm visiting today that can painstakingly certify the authenticity of every Lamborghini ever built. Lamborghini's aftersales director, Alessandro Farmeschi, is in charge of Polo Storico, whose name translates as 'historical hub.' It is overseen by a Comitato dei Saggi, or Committee of Wise Men. If that sounds a bit mafioso, it isn't. The committee was created in memory of the late Paolo Stanzani, an engineer who worked with Marcello Gandini and Giampaolo Dallara to create the iconic Lamborghini Miura of 1966, often regarded as the world's first supercar and one of its most beautiful. 'Every month we meet, look at the cars we hope to certify, examine the documentation and even the legal aspects of our decision,' says Farmeschi. 'It is a detailed process because the job is very important. Guaranteeing authenticity matters both to us and to the owner.' Forensic scrutiny The certification of authenticity department is run by a highly knowledgeable team of eight, with access to that hallowed file room as well as a dedicated workshop next door. I say workshop, but it's more of a forensic laboratory where cars are examined to confirm whether they match the original paperwork. I've spent the morning peering into the deepest recesses of the final Countach, checking that the vehicle identification number (VIN), engine and paint numbers all correspond. For such a celebrated car, this might feel like an undignified process. Yet for those hoping to sell a classic Lamborghini, a Polo Storico certificate is a guarantee of authenticity that can only add value. Everything from the light grey leather to the make of radio is inspected. Polo Storico even employs former staff to offer their expert insight, including Walter Rinaldi, who knows the Countach's chassis number would have been hand stamped in 1990, so the digits may not line up perfectly. 'There was one very strong man who wielded the hammer and embossing tool, so sometimes it wasn't completely straight,' he recalls. Rinaldi began at the Sant'Agata factory on 1 October 1966 and only retired in 2010. 'I was more interested in motorbikes when I started, but the beauty of the brand got into my soul.' Increasing demand Some 30,000 documents have now been digitised for future reference, and with more Lamborghinis being built than ever before, demand for Polo Storico's services is only set to grow. Over the past decade, 200 cars have been certified, with owners paying between £7,000 and £10,000 for the service, depending on the model. Many are likely hoping to boost the value of their car, but the historic team is also helping to preserve the bloodline of Lamborghini's colourful history. According to Farmeschi, around 20 other Lamborghinis have not been approved because of 'certain issues.' It's a blow for those owners, but the department only charges for cars that are successfully certified. 'That is a difficult conversation for us to have with the owner because they have bought a Lamborghini and they love it. When I have to phone them and explain there is a problem and we cannot provide certification, it can be hard to accept.' Obviously inauthentic Among the most obvious rejects was a naturally aspirated V12 Countach that had been fitted with a turbocharger. 'We received a request to look at this nice car, but as soon as you add a modification like that, it's not a Lamborghini any more. 'Sometimes the chassis, gearbox and body are original, but of course the engine has to be too. Sure, we could restore the car back to its original, authentic state, but perhaps in this case it is not the correct thing to do.' Farmeschi explains that over the decades, many Lamborghinis have received factory-fitted replacement engines or been resprayed. However, they remain authentic because the work was carried out by Lamborghini using genuine parts. Detective work Unlike a turbocharger, other modifications are less obvious and require more detective work. 'Recently we had a car with an engine that matched the vehicle,' says Farmeschi. 'However, because of records from years ago, we knew that engine had later been fitted in another car, so the V12 we were looking at had been stamped with a false number. It was a puzzle we were able to solve.' Perhaps the most famous Lamborghini was an orange Miura P400 driven up the Great St Bernard Pass at the start of The Italian Job. Two identical cars were used for the film's opening sequence; the example unceremoniously shoved off a cliff by a bulldozer was actually a pre-damaged car. 'The surviving pristine car disappeared soon after filming but later resurfaced and was eventually presented to us. Thanks to our documentation, we knew there were some secret numbers on the chassis that confirmed it was the car driven by actor Rossano Brazzi.' Lamborghini may have expanded into the world of ubiquitous SUVs in recent years with the Urus, but the Raging Bull's back catalogue of wild scissor doors and outrageous engines remains in safe hands. For Sale – 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary. Last off the production line, £56,500 new. Optional extras include CD player, sports seats and special order Argento Metalizzato paintwork. One careful owner.
