All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Auctions

2020 McLaren Senna GTR ‘LM 25’ up for auction

Lazante is a British automotive engineering specialist, who designs and crafts road and track automobiles for the most discerning car collectors and enthusiasts, and one of their cars is up for auction. It’s the 2020 McLaren Senna GTR ‘LM 25’ produced in honor of the McLaren F1 GTR and its famous victory at Le Mans in 1995.

The Senna GTR ‘LM 25’ was produced in just seven examples, each based on a different model or body style, making them unique. Each model is finished in the contrasting dark gray livery worn by the Tokyo Ueno Clinic F1 GTR at Le Mans combined with extensive carbon fiber visuals. There are lightweight forged aluminum and carbon fiber wheels with five spokes, fitted by a center-lock mechanism complemented by gold brake callipers featuring red McLaren lettering. It is equipped with ‘LM 25’ decals and Tokyo Ueno Clinic sponsor branding tucked behind its dihedral-opening doors on the outer carbon fiber monocoque tube.

Inside, the carbon fiber-backed seats are similar to those in the F1 GTR model with ‘LM 25’ logos on the headrest. There are also blue Willans race harnesses (used in the race car), drilled gold pedals, carbon fiber steering wheel with paddle-shift levers, and various other subtle references to the 1995 win, including a faithful rendition of the scrutineering decal on the rear bulkhead.

The McLaren Senna GTR ‘LM 25’ is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-L V-8 engine with 814 hp (607 kW). The same engine powered the F1 GTR, but this limited edition is 41 kg lighter than the original, which is achieved by using lightweight materials.

Since 2020 when it was converted by Lanzante, the car has changed several owners who have not driven it often even though it is road legal. In September 2023, when the service was performed and four tires were replaced, the odometer showed only 1,731 km. It should be noted that in 2023, this car appeared at the London Concours and took the overall winner’s prize on the event’s Supercar Award.

When it comes to price, the car is estimated at €1,400,000 – €1,600,000 EUR. Senna GTR ‘LM 25’ comes with folders containing paperwork and a flight case that includes driver and passenger intercom headsets, and centre-lock wheel removal tool.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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2020 McLaren Senna GTR 'LM 25' up for auction
News

Aston Martin will continue to offer V8 and V12 engines after 2030

At the beginning of 2024, Mercedes announced that it will continue to offer ICE and hybrid cars after 2030, it seems that Aston Martin has chosen the same path. The CEO of Aston Martin has stated that the company will continue to offer cars powered by V8 and V12 engines, at least until the middle of the next decade.

Aston Martin has planned the premiere of its first electric car for 2025, it will not happen. Although the British manufacturer already has a built platform for four previously planned models that will use only electricity, the British car company decided to delay their arrival due to weak demand.

The CEO of Aston Martin Lawrence Stroll claims that the key role in the survival of internal combustion engines is played by advanced plug-in hybrid systems that meet the new Euro 7 standards, so it is clear that the partial electrification of Aston Martin models has delayed the arrival of electric options.

Also, Aston Martin continues its partnership with the German company AMG, whose well-known and proven V8 and V12 engines supported by hybrid systems will still be used in Aston Martin models. The previously mentioned hybrid option with a V6 engine that was planned to power the Valhalla supercar will be replaced by a V8 engine.

“We are confident that there will always be more customers who want an Aston Martin with an internal combustion engine and we will make them as long as we are allowed to,” Stroll said.

Source: Aston Martin

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Aston Martin will continue to offer V8 and V12 engines after 2030
News

2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E with longer range

In 2021, Ford introduced its first all-electric crossover, the Mustang Mach-E, and now a refreshed edition of this model has arrived, bringing more torque and a longer range.

This electric crossover comes in options with one and two electric motors. The version with two electric motors has 480 hp (353 kW) and 712 lb-ft (965 Nm) of torque, which is more than the previous 612 lb-ft (830 Nm). That’s enough power to push the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds (0.2 seconds faster than its predecessor), which is better than the Tesla Y Performance and Porsche Macan 4. The range has also been increased to 320 miles (515 km), which is around 10–20 miles further than the previous model.

The version with one electric motor is equipped with a 98.7 kWh battery, which now provides a range of up to 640 kilometers on a single charge. Also, the battery is charged from 10 to 80 percent in a shorter time (- 9 minutes).

The exterior of the car has not been changed, but in addition to the improved performance of the GT version, there are also new sports front seats, Brembo front brakes and MagneRide suspension with adaptive shock absorbers.

Source: Ford

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