Restomod

Chris Bumstead’s 1969 Ford Mustang Boss Gets 620+ HP Megazilla V8

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Classic American muscle meets modern performance engineering in a spectacular 1969 Ford Mustang Boss restomod commissioned by bodybuilding superstar Chris Bumstead. Unveiled at the SEMA Show, this one-of-a-kind Mustang combines classic styling with a supercharged 7.3-liter Ford Megazilla V8, upgraded suspension, modern braking technology, and carefully selected interior enhancements.

The 1969 Ford Mustang Boss is already one of the most iconic muscle cars ever produced, but Classic Recreations has found a way to make this legendary American performance machine even more outrageous. Built specifically for Canadian bodybuilding champion Chris Bumstead, the latest project combines the unmistakable character of a classic Mustang with the mechanical firepower of a modern supercharged V8.

Presented at the SEMA Show, the custom Mustang represents one of the first major projects completed by Classic Recreations since the company was rescued from bankruptcy by Velocity Restorations approximately a year ago. Rather than reinventing the original design, the restoration specialists opted for a more traditional approach, preserving the original bodywork while extensively upgrading the mechanical components underneath.

Original 1969 Mustang Boss Design With Carefully Selected Upgrades

Unlike many contemporary restomod projects that replace original body panels with lightweight carbon-fiber alternatives, Classic Recreations retained and restored the Mustang’s original bodywork. The result is a car that maintains the proportions and visual identity of the 1969 Boss while benefiting from a series of carefully executed refinements.

The exterior received fresh paint, refreshed headlights, and new hood and trunk hinges. The Mustang sits on Forgeline FL500 wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich tires, giving the classic muscle car a more purposeful stance without compromising its traditional appearance.

It is an approach that makes considerable sense for a vehicle of this heritage. The objective was not to create something that looks like a completely different car, but rather to preserve the original Mustang Boss character while introducing performance capabilities that would have been difficult to imagine in 1969.

Supercharged 7.3-Liter Ford Megazilla V8 Produces Serious Muscle

The biggest transformation takes place beneath the hood. Instead of relying on the original engine configuration, Classic Recreations installed Ford’s enormous 7.3-liter Megazilla V8 crate engine.

In standard configuration, the naturally aspirated Megazilla produces approximately 620 horsepower. The engine itself carries a price tag exceeding $25,000, making it an impressive foundation for a high-performance restomod.

However, Classic Recreations decided that even this substantial output was not enough. The company added a massive 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, transforming the naturally aspirated V8 into a forced-induction powerhouse.

Unfortunately, the builder has not disclosed the final horsepower and torque figures. Nevertheless, the combination of a 7.3-liter V8 and a large-capacity supercharger suggests that the finished Mustang should deliver considerably more power than the engine’s standard configuration.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a Suncoast 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, connected to a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The modern transmission should provide a substantially different driving experience compared with the manual gearboxes associated with classic Mustang models, while offering a wider selection of ratios to exploit the engine’s considerable performance potential.

Upgraded Suspension and Wilwood Brakes Improve Handling

Producing substantial horsepower is only part of the challenge when building a serious restomod. Classic Recreations also invested heavily in improving the Mustang’s chassis, suspension, and braking capabilities.

The suspension system features JRI shock absorbers and a Detroit Speed QuadraLink rear suspension setup, accompanied by upgraded front chassis components. These modifications are designed to give the classic Mustang greater stability, improved handling, and better control under acceleration and during cornering.

Braking performance has also received considerable attention. The front axle features six-piston Wilwood calipers working with 355-millimeter rotors, while the rear wheels use four-piston calipers and 330-millimeter rotors.

Additional mechanical upgrades include a stainless-steel exhaust system equipped with Borla mufflers, a new radiator and cooling fans, a stainless-steel fuel tank, and a Vaporworx fuel controller.

Together, these modifications turn the 1969 Mustang Boss into something considerably more sophisticated than a traditional restoration, addressing the demands of a modern high-performance drivetrain while retaining the appeal of an original American muscle car.

Modern Technology Inside a Classic Mustang Cabin

The interior follows the same philosophy as the exterior: preserve the classic atmosphere while introducing selected modern equipment.

Classic Recreations retained much of the original cabin’s appearance but upgraded several important components. The refreshed interior includes Procar sports seats, new seat belts, Focal K2 speakers, and an Alpine audio system.

The original-style instrument layout has also been modernized with Dakota Digital instrumentation, providing contemporary information and improved readability without completely changing the Mustang’s traditional character.

According to Classic Recreations, the entire project required more than 2,500 hours of work. That figure highlights the amount of craftsmanship and engineering involved in transforming a 1969 Mustang Boss into a modern high-performance machine.

Chris Bumstead: A Mustang Boss Built to Reflect His Personality

For Chris Bumstead, the project represents more than simply acquiring an expensive classic American muscle car. The six-time Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion wanted a vehicle that reflected his personality and appreciation for machines with genuine character.

“I’ve always been drawn to cars that have real character, and the Boss is one of the most legendary muscle cars ever built. Classic Recreations took that icon and made it completely my own, from the supercharged Megazilla to the details in the cabin. The same discipline and attention to detail that I bring to competition went into every part of this project, and watching it all come together was incredible,” Bumstead explained.

The result is a particularly interesting interpretation of the classic Mustang Boss. Rather than following the increasingly popular trend of building lightweight carbon-fiber restomods, Classic Recreations focused on preserving the original car’s identity and combining it with modern mechanical engineering.

With its supercharged 7.3-liter Megazilla V8, 10-speed automatic transmission, upgraded suspension, and powerful Wilwood brakes, Chris Bumstead’s 1969 Ford Mustang Boss demonstrates just how far a classic American muscle car can evolve without losing the qualities that made it legendary in the first place.

Source: Classic Recreations

NEW CARS

Renault Forefront: Autonomous Electric Military Vehicle

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Renault has unveiled the Forefront Concept, a compact, fully electric unmanned ground vehicle developed in partnership with Belgian engineering company John Cockerill. Designed for military and civilian applications, the autonomous platform combines remote-controlled operation, all-wheel drive, and a payload capacity of up to one tonne, offering a new approach to operating in dangerous and inaccessible environments.

The automotive industry is increasingly expanding beyond traditional passenger cars, and Renault Group is now exploring a particularly unconventional direction. Its latest project, the Renault Forefront Concept, is a cabless electric vehicle designed to operate without a human driver, either through remote control or autonomous driving technology.

Developed in collaboration with Belgium’s John Cockerill, the Forefront represents a new generation of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) intended to support military operations, logistics, and emergency services. Rather than putting personnel directly into hazardous environments, the platform is designed to carry equipment, supplies, and potentially injured personnel while keeping operators at a safer distance.

Renault and John Cockerill Combine Automotive Engineering With Military Technology

The Forefront Concept is the result of a collaboration between Renault Group and John Cockerill, with each company contributing its particular expertise. Renault developed the vehicle itself, drawing on its automotive engineering and manufacturing capabilities, while John Cockerill was responsible for the remote-control architecture and autonomous driving functions.

The project has also benefited from input from the French military, which is preparing to evaluate the prototype during several field exercises. These trials will provide an opportunity to assess the vehicle’s performance in demanding operational conditions and identify areas requiring further development.

French media reports indicate that the Forefront is being tested within the framework of the French military’s Pendragon program, an initiative intended to establish a robotic combat unit by 2027. The Belgian military is also reportedly participating in the evaluation process.

Following these exercises, Renault plans to use the feedback gathered in the field to refine the concept and move it closer to a production-ready configuration.

Compact Dimensions, Electric All-Wheel Drive and 400 Kilometers of Range

Although Renault has not revealed detailed technical specifications, the Forefront Concept is approximately the size of a small city car. Its compact footprint is particularly important for military applications, where manoeuvrability, accessibility, and the ability to operate in confined spaces can be just as important as outright performance.

The electric platform uses two electric motors, an all-wheel-drive system, and all-wheel steering. This combination is intended to deliver traction and manoeuvrability across challenging terrain, including environments where conventional vehicles might struggle.

One of its most interesting characteristics is its near-silent operation. Unlike traditional combustion-powered military vehicles, the Forefront can move without the noise typically associated with engines and transmissions, potentially offering an operational advantage in situations where acoustic discretion matters.

Renault estimates a driving range of approximately 400 kilometers on a single charge. The company has also confirmed that a range extender could be offered to increase operational endurance.

However, battery capacity, charging specifications, and the technical details of the optional range-extending system remain undisclosed.

One-Tonne Payload Opens the Door to Multiple Military Applications

The Forefront’s ability to carry a payload of up to one tonne is arguably one of its most important characteristics.

Instead of being developed for a single military purpose, the electric platform is intended to support several different operational roles. These include transporting ammunition and equipment, military logistics, counter-drone operations, fire support, and casualty evacuation.

Its unmanned configuration could be particularly valuable in areas exposed to enemy fire, where sending conventional vehicles and their crews would involve considerable risk.

By removing the driver from the vehicle, the Forefront allows personnel to operate the platform remotely while remaining at a safer location. Autonomous driving capabilities could further reduce the need for continuous human intervention, depending on the operational environment and the level of autonomy ultimately implemented.

Beyond military applications, Renault and John Cockerill also see potential in civilian operations. Emergency responders, firefighters, and other specialist organizations could use similar vehicles to transport equipment into locations affected by fires, industrial accidents, natural disasters, or other dangerous situations.

Using Automotive Components Could Make Military Robots Up to Ten Times Cheaper

One of the most significant aspects of the Renault Forefront project is not necessarily its electric drivetrain or autonomous capabilities, but its manufacturing philosophy.

Military vehicles traditionally require specialized engineering, dedicated components, and relatively complex production processes. Renault and John Cockerill are approaching the challenge differently by relying heavily on technologies and components already used in the civilian automotive industry.

According to reports from French media, approximately 70 percent of the Forefront’s components originate from the civilian automotive sector.

This approach could significantly reduce development costs, simplify maintenance, and accelerate the transition from prototype to series production.

John Cockerill reportedly estimates that adopting this strategy could make the vehicle up to ten times cheaper than comparable military platforms developed through conventional methods.

Renault has also emphasized that the Forefront was designed with rapid industrialization in mind. The objective is to create an affordable unmanned ground vehicle that can enter production without the lengthy development cycles typically associated with specialized military equipment.

The company has not yet announced a target price, production schedule, or potential customer deliveries.

Renault Is Entering a Rapidly Growing Unmanned Military Vehicle Market

The Forefront arrives at a time when unmanned ground vehicles are becoming increasingly important in modern military planning.

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how remotely operated ground platforms can support logistics, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, and other dangerous missions. Ukrainian companies have already produced thousands of remote-controlled robotic vehicles, highlighting the growing importance of relatively affordable and rapidly deployable systems.

The United States is also investing in this technology. The U.S. Army has signed an 18-month contract with American Rheinmetall to develop a new generation of unmanned ground vehicles, reflecting the broader shift toward robotic systems that can operate alongside conventional military units.

Against this background, Renault’s involvement is particularly interesting because it brings large-scale automotive manufacturing expertise into a sector traditionally dominated by specialist defense contractors.

The ability to reuse established automotive components, production processes, and engineering solutions could become a major competitive advantage as demand for unmanned military platforms increases.

Renault Forefront Concept Could Represent a New Direction for Electric Mobility

The Renault Forefront Concept is still an experimental platform, and its final specifications, price, and production prospects remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the project demonstrates how automotive technologies are increasingly finding applications far beyond conventional transportation.

Electric propulsion, autonomous driving, remote-control systems, and modular vehicle architectures are creating opportunities in industries where safety, operational efficiency, and cost reduction are essential.

For Renault, the partnership with John Cockerill offers an opportunity to apply its automotive expertise to a rapidly evolving market. For military and civilian organizations, the Forefront could eventually provide a relatively affordable way to deploy equipment and transport supplies into environments that are too dangerous for conventional vehicles.

If the prototype successfully completes its upcoming military evaluations, this compact electric robot could become an interesting example of how mass-market automotive engineering is helping shape the future of unmanned ground mobility.

Source: Renault

News

Porsche Unveils New PCM Infotainment System With AI

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Porsche is taking another major step in the digital evolution of its sports cars and luxury vehicles, unveiling a new generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment technology. Featuring a significantly more powerful hardware platform, an overhauled user interface and expanded connectivity, the updated system promises to deliver a faster, smarter and more personalised in-car experience across the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne model ranges.

At the centre of the upgrade is a new system-on-chip architecture offering up to five times the computing power of its predecessor. Combined with Porsche Digital Interaction and an expanded digital ecosystem, the new PCM platform is designed to make everyday interactions more intuitive while providing the technological foundation for future software developments.

According to Porsche, the new infotainment generation represents more than a conventional software update. It introduces a unified digital environment across multiple model lines, bringing together vehicle functions, smartphone connectivity, third-party applications and intelligent voice assistance.

Five Times More Computing Power for Faster Performance

The biggest technical improvement comes from the new hardware architecture. Porsche says the latest PCM system delivers up to five times the processing power of the previous generation, translating into faster start-up times, shorter application loading periods and smoother overall operation.

Drivers will also benefit from improved multitasking capabilities. Multiple applications can run simultaneously, with apps remaining active in the background and becoming immediately available when switching between them. This should make the infotainment experience considerably more responsive, particularly for drivers who regularly use navigation, music streaming and connected services at the same time.

Beyond immediate performance improvements, the new hardware provides additional processing capacity for future digital features. Porsche is also expanding its over-the-air update capabilities, allowing software and selected vehicle functions to receive improvements remotely, without requiring a workshop visit.

The strategy reflects the growing importance of software-defined vehicles, where digital functionality can continue evolving throughout the ownership experience rather than remaining fixed at the moment of purchase.

Porsche Digital Interaction Brings a New Interface to Four Model Ranges

Another major element of the update is Porsche Digital Interaction, the new operating and design concept initially introduced with the Cayenne Electric.

Porsche is now extending this digital experience to the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne models equipped with combustion and hybrid powertrains. The objective is to establish a consistent operating philosophy across the brand’s different vehicle families.

The redesigned interface combines modern UX and UI elements with clearer layouts, faster responses and expanded personalisation options. The result should be a more coherent experience across the various displays inside the vehicle.

One of the most distinctive features is a high-quality, freely rotatable three-dimensional representation of the vehicle, displayed in its actual exterior colour. Rather than navigating through conventional menus, drivers can use this virtual vehicle to access selected functions and settings directly.

Porsche is also introducing five selectable interface themes and configurable widgets, allowing owners to customise the appearance and organisation of their infotainment displays according to their preferences.

This approach brings the digital environment closer to the personalisation possibilities already familiar from modern smartphones, while maintaining Porsche’s focus on a distinctive premium user experience.

AI-Powered Voice Pilot Understands Natural Conversations

Voice control is receiving a substantial upgrade as well. The new Voice Pilot uses artificial intelligence and a large language model (LLM) to understand more natural speech, including complex instructions, multi-step requests and follow-up questions.

Unlike traditional voice assistants that often require specific commands, the updated system is designed to understand conversational language more effectively.

Drivers can use voice commands to operate navigation, selected vehicle functions, media services and compatible applications. The ability to process follow-up questions should also make interactions more fluid, reducing the need to repeat commands or navigate through multiple menus.

The integration of AI-powered voice recognition is particularly relevant as manufacturers increasingly look to make vehicle interfaces less dependent on touchscreens and conventional menu structures.

Navigation Plus Gets 3D Maps and Smarter Electric Route Planning

Porsche is also upgrading its navigation technology with Navigation Plus, which introduces advanced mapping capabilities and a new three-dimensional map display.

Online map data and real-time traffic information are integrated into route guidance, helping drivers navigate more efficiently and respond to changing traffic conditions.

For fully electric Porsche models, the system also incorporates the Porsche Charging Planner. The feature calculates charging stops along a journey while taking battery preconditioning into account.

This is particularly important for electric vehicles, as preparing the battery to reach an optimal temperature before arriving at a charging station can improve charging performance and reduce waiting times.

The deeper integration between navigation and electric powertrain management demonstrates how Porsche intends to make digital services an increasingly important part of the driving experience.

Apple Music, Dolby Atmos and an Expanded App Center

Connectivity is another central focus of the new PCM generation. Porsche is further developing its blended ecosystem strategy, designed to combine the manufacturer’s own digital services with the applications and platforms customers already use on their smartphones.

The updated App Center allows Porsche and third-party applications to be integrated directly into the vehicle. Owners can select, download and update compatible apps, with the available selection covering audio and video streaming, navigation, parking and charging services.

The application catalogue will continue to expand over time.

One particularly notable addition is the availability of Apple Music directly through the Porsche App Center for the first time. This integration gives drivers access to the music streaming platform without relying exclusively on smartphone connectivity.

For vehicles equipped with the optional Bose or Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound Systems, Apple Music also supports Dolby Atmos, delivering a more immersive audio experience.

Other compatible applications can also provide Dolby Atmos playback through Apple CarPlay, provided they support the technology.

Smartphone integration is being expanded further, including the ability to display navigation maps in the instrument cluster. In selected markets, electric vehicle routing and battery preconditioning are also supported through smartphone integration.

Porsche Prepares Its Infotainment Systems for the Future

The introduction of the new PCM generation highlights Porsche’s recognition that advanced digital technology has become an increasingly important part of the premium automotive experience.

While driving dynamics, engineering and performance remain central to the brand’s identity, customers increasingly expect their vehicles to offer the same level of connectivity, responsiveness and personalisation they experience with modern consumer electronics.

By combining a significantly more powerful processor, AI-powered voice assistance, advanced navigation, expanded application support and over-the-air updates, Porsche is creating a digital platform designed to evolve throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

The new infotainment generation, including Porsche Digital Interaction, will be introduced progressively in newly produced Porsche 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne models. Availability will depend on the market, model, production date and selected equipment.

For Porsche, the latest PCM system is therefore not simply about introducing a larger number of digital features. It represents a broader shift towards a connected, software-driven ownership experience, bringing the brand’s sports cars and luxury models closer to the expectations of an increasingly digital generation of drivers.

Source: Porsche

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