All posts by Francis Mitterrand

EV

2025 YangWang U9

The Chinese luxury electric car brand owned by BYD Auto has unveiled its new sports car, the YangWang U9. It is the second sports car from the company that was founded in 2023 when it introduced its first car, the YangWang U8.

The YangWang U9 is almost five meters long with a wheelbase of 2.9 meters. It is equipped with the DiSus-X chassis control system, which BYD claims has undergone more than 30 months and 10 million kilometers of endurance tests, an advanced active suspension system, an optional carbon fiber rear spoiler, and Lambo-style doors.

Inside, the seats are upholstered in gray fabric with red accents. Fabric also covers the dashboard, door panels and center console, while the steering wheel is wrapped in gray leather. Two small displays in front of the driver and passenger and one on the central console show a minimalist approach. There are no big screens as we can see with other manufacturers.

The U9 is powered by four electric motors with a total output of 1,300 hp (970 kW) and 944 lb-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque. That’s enough power to propel the nearly 2.5-ton car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 2 seconds with a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph). It is equipped with a 10 kWh LFP Balde battery that provides a range of 435 miles (∼700 km). It sits on 21″ wheels wrapped in 275/35 R21 front and 325/30 R21 rear tires.

YangWang will officially launch this model next week, and it is expected to cost more than $150,000 USD.

Source: YangWang

Gallery:

2025 YangWang U9
Auctions

Joe Biden’s 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan is up for auction

At the end of January, a 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster owned by former President of the United States Donald Trump was sold at auction, and now a car owned by the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, has been auctioned. It is a 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan with 15,894 miles on the odometer.

The car is finished in black over a Kona brown interior, which was Biden’s choice. Kona brown leather is not in the best ATS equipment package. However, given his status, his wish was granted, so it is actually a unique example of the ATS-V model.

Biden visited Delaware Cadillac in Wilmington in 2017 when he chose this car. At the time, he was a former vice president and had to change his security clearance to be able to drive a Cadillac ATS-V Sedan.

The car is equipped with the Luxury Package and Safety and Security Package, which include split-folding rear seats, sport alloy pedals, HID headlights with AFL and LED signature, universal home remote, navigation system, 110-volt power outlet, Bose surround sound system, head -up display, remote lock fuel filler door, locking wheel lugs, steering column lock, additional theft-deterrent alarm system, inclination/tilt sensor, rear thorax for outboard seating positions airbags, Rainsense wipers, following distance indicator, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, Intellibeam headlights, forward collision alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Additional equipment includes carbon fiber engine cover, 18-inch CT4-V Blackwing wheels finished in Tech Bronze, Rennick Performance front grille and rear bumper trim, black emblem kit, Suede microfiber steering wheel and shift knob, tinted windows, red-painted Brembo brake calipers, power-operated sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats, sapele wood trim, magnesium paddle shifters, automatic climate control, 8-inch diagonal color display, rear-view camera, adaptive remote start, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities .

When it comes to the powertrain, the ATS-V Sedan is powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The auction ends on February 21st and the highest bid at the time of writing was $46,046 USD. Cadillac ATS-V Sedan comes with owner’s manual, window sticker previously signed by President Joe Biden, copies of email correspondence with Cadillac executives, factory 18-inch polished face wheels, factory grilles, emblems, steering wheel, and shift knob, car cover, and 2 keys.

Source: Cars & Bids

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Joe Biden's 2018 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan is up for auction
Restomod

1990 Porsche 911 Targa “Sotto” is Singer’s 300th car

Singer Vehicle Design has been restoring and modifying Porsche cars since 2009, and is one of the best in the field. After many restored cars, the honor of being the 300th went to the 1990 Porsche 911 Targa Sotto.

The company is focused on making unique examples in cooperation with their owner, and this car is exactly that. Resistance Blue carbon fiber body, easily removable dark roof panel, and light strips with “Porsche” lettering on the lower part of the door, are just some of the features of this car from the 964 Series that was produced between 1989 and 1994.

Inside, the buyer opted for orange leather that covers the comfortable sports seats, door panels and the lower part of the dash, mated with black floor mats. There is also a three-spoke steering wheel wrapped in black leather.

Under the hood is a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine with 390 hp (291 kW) at 9,000 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. The car is equipped with a titanium sports exhaust and massive carbon-ceramic brakes hidden behind five-spoke Fuchs-style rims.

Singer has his hands full. Last year, they opened a new workshop in order to speed up the process of an increasingly large number of interested customers. The fact that those who want a classic sports car, restored and modified with modern technology, and assembled according to the highest quality standards, have to wait four years tells how many are interested.

In it’s workshop, Singer performs all operations, from painting and installation of spare and new parts to assembly and finishing works. Singer director Mazen Fawaz claims that the company can meet all customer requirements and increase the car’s value to seven figures except in situations of severe damage.

Source: Singer Vehicle Design

Gallery:

1990 Porsche 911 Targa "Sotto" is Singer's 300th car