All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Tuning

Dubai Police Ferrari 812 Superfast Gets Mansory Upgrade and 811 HP

Dubai Police has added another spectacular supercar to its tourism-oriented patrol fleet, and this time the spotlight falls on a Ferrari 812 Superfast modified by Mansory. Unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market 2026, the customized V12-powered Ferrari is the fifth collaboration between Dubai Police and the German tuning company in the past two years.

With 811 hp, a 344 km/h top speed, and a body kit that includes a huge rear wing, this is not exactly a low-key addition to the fleet. But the mission is not to chase suspects. It is to attract attention at some of Dubai’s most recognizable tourist destinations.

A Ferrari 812 Superfast With Mansory’s Signature Treatment

Mansory presented the customized Ferrari at the Dubai World Trade Center, where its white, green, black, and yellow livery immediately distinguished it from the standard 812 Superfast. The color scheme was designed to stand out against Dubai’s skyline, rather than serve any tactical purpose.

The exterior modifications are equally difficult to ignore. Mansory fitted the Ferrari with a redesigned front bumper, a deeper front splitter, new side skirts, and a substantial rear wing. The result replaces the 812 Superfast’s relatively clean factory design with a much more aggressive appearance.

The car will patrol areas including the Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and JBR—locations that regularly appear in visitors’ photographs and social media posts.

811 HP From a Naturally Aspirated V12

The Ferrari 812 Superfast was already one of the most formidable cars ever to join the Dubai Police fleet. Its naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 produces 800 hp and 719 Nm of torque in standard form, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 340 km/h.

Mansory’s version raises output to 811 hp, while the claimed 0–100 km/h acceleration time drops to 2.8 seconds. Top speed increases to 344 km/h.

Those gains are modest on paper, but the 812 Superfast’s naturally aspirated V12 remains the star of the show. Ferrari produced the model from 2017 to 2024, before the 12Cilindri became the company’s flagship V12-powered car. Dubai Police is therefore giving a discontinued Ferrari a new role—one centered on public display rather than high-speed enforcement.

A Rolling Advertisement for Dubai

A Dubai Police representative described the Ferrari as an addition intended for visibility at tourist hotspots rather than active police interventions. That distinction is important: the car’s extraordinary performance is largely secondary to its ability to draw a crowd.

Dubai’s exotic patrol cars have become a recognizable part of the emirate’s tourism image. Visitors can encounter them at major attractions, take photographs, and share the experience online. The Ferrari’s unveiling at Arabian Travel Market 2026 fits neatly into that strategy, particularly as the trade show coincided with strong tourism activity.

The car’s flashing roof lights may suggest a conventional police role, but its real assignment is considerably more theatrical. In a city where architecture, luxury, and spectacle are central to the visitor experience, a Mansory Ferrari 812 Superfast makes a remarkably effective promotional tool.

The Ferrari 812 Superfast Still Knows How to Make an Entrance

The Dubai Police Ferrari 812 Superfast may never need to demonstrate its 344 km/h top speed in pursuit of a suspect. Instead, it will spend much of its time doing what it was effectively built to do in this particular setting: turning heads.

With its naturally aspirated V12, dramatic Mansory body kit, and unmistakable Dubai Police livery, it is another reminder that the world’s most extravagant patrol fleet is as much about tourism and visibility as it is about policing.

Key specifications

SpecificationFerrari 812 SuperfastMansory version
Engine6.5-liter naturally aspirated V126.5-liter naturally aspirated V12
Power800 hp811 hp
Torque719 NmNot specified in the source
0–100 km/h2.9 seconds2.8 seconds
Top speed340 km/h344 km/h
Production2017–2024Dubai Police special project

Source: Mansory

News

BMW Regensburg Plant Produces Nine Millionth Car as Electric iX1 Marks 40 Years of Production

BMW’s Regensburg plant has reached a major production milestone, building its nine-millionth vehicle since opening in 1986. The landmark car is a fully electric BMW iX1 finished in Velvet Orchid II Metallic, produced for a customer in Sweden. The achievement also coincides with the plant’s 40th year of vehicle production, highlighting how dramatically BMW’s European manufacturing operations have evolved.

BMW’s Regensburg factory has spent four decades building everything from the E30 3 Series to today’s electrified crossovers. Now, the plant has reached nine million vehicles, and the milestone car is a particularly fitting example of BMW’s changing production strategy: an electric crossover, painted in a bespoke BMW Individual color, built on the same production line as gasoline and plug-in hybrid models.

The nine-millionth vehicle, an BMW iX1, was built to the specifications of a Swedish customer. Its Velvet Orchid II Metallic finish comes from BMW Individual, the company’s personalization program, giving the milestone car a color that is unlikely to blend into a typical dealership parking lot.

From the E30 3 Series to BMW’s Electric Crossovers

Regensburg began automobile production in 1986 with the BMW 3 Series E30. At the time, BMW’s agreement with the city called for an output of 400 vehicles per day and the creation of 3,500 jobs.

Four decades later, the scale is considerably different. In 2025, the plant was operating across three shifts, with a new vehicle leaving the assembly line approximately every 57 seconds. That production rate helped establish Regensburg as BMW’s highest-volume plant in Europe, with approximately 356,000 vehicles delivered worldwide during 2025.

The workforce has expanded alongside production. Today, approximately 9,000 employees work across the Regensburg and Wackersdorf sites, a substantial increase from the factory’s early years.

One Production Line, Multiple Powertrains

Regensburg’s current lineup is centered primarily on the BMW X1 and BMW X2 crossover models. What makes the factory particularly significant is that gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric versions are manufactured on the same production line.

That flexibility allowed BMW to produce more than 150,000 electrified vehicles at Regensburg in 2025, without requiring the plant to stop or separate production of internal combustion engine models.

The approach is increasingly important as automakers transition toward electrification. Rather than relying exclusively on dedicated electric vehicle factories, BMW is using flexible manufacturing systems that can adapt to changing customer demand across different powertrains.

In practical terms, Regensburg can build an electric iX1 alongside conventionally powered X1 models, allowing BMW to adjust production according to market conditions without completely reorganizing its manufacturing footprint.

Nine Million Cars—and a Milestone Built to Order

BMW says the Regensburg plant had surpassed 8.7 million vehicles by the end of 2025, before reaching the nine-million mark in September 2026, during its 40th year of operation.

The company has not disclosed exactly how many of those nine million vehicles were 3 Series models, although the model has played a major role in the plant’s history. The factory’s production story began with the E30, and the 3 Series continued to contribute significantly to its output over the decades.

The milestone vehicle itself reflects another important change: customers increasingly expect personalization, even from mass-produced vehicles. Through BMW Individual, the Swedish buyer was able to specify Velvet Orchid II Metallic rather than selecting from the standard color palette.

That means the nine-millionth car was not simply pulled from existing inventory. It was built according to a customer order, making the production milestone both a factory achievement and a personalized delivery.

Why the Regensburg Milestone Matters

The significance of BMW’s nine-millionth vehicle is not limited to the number itself. The iX1 represents the production philosophy BMW is increasingly applying across its manufacturing network.

Regensburg demonstrates that a modern factory does not necessarily need to be dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles to support BMW’s electrification strategy. Instead, it can manufacture different powertrains on one line while maintaining high output.

That is particularly relevant for crossovers based on front-wheel-drive architectures, which remain an important part of BMW’s global lineup. The X1 and X2 families give the company a platform for offering gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and electric variants without requiring entirely separate manufacturing systems for every version.

At the same time, BMW is introducing new architectures designed primarily around electric powertrains. Regensburg’s flexible production model provides a bridge between those approaches, allowing the company to continue building combustion-engine vehicles while expanding its electric portfolio.

BMW Regensburg Production Milestone: Key Facts

  • Plant: BMW Regensburg, Germany
  • Production began: 1986
  • First model: BMW E30 3 Series
  • Nine-millionth vehicle: BMW iX1
  • Milestone color: Velvet Orchid II Metallic
  • Customer: Sweden
  • Production milestone: September 2026
  • 2025 annual output: Approximately 356,000 vehicles
  • 2025 electrified production: More than 150,000 vehicles
  • Current lineup: Primarily BMW X1 and X2
  • Powertrains: Gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric
  • Workforce: Approximately 9,000 employees across Regensburg and Wackersdorf

Source: BMW

NEW CARS

2027 Hyundai Bayon: New Design, Different Interior and Hybrid Powertrain Rumors

Hyundai is preparing the second-generation Bayon, bringing a more rugged SUV design, a redesigned cabin and a broader range of potential powertrains to its smallest European SUV.

Hyundai is putting the finishing touches on the new-generation Bayon, a small SUV that shares its mechanical foundations with the i20 hatchback. While the current model has a distinctly crossover-inspired appearance, its successor is expected to adopt a more upright, boxy design influenced by Hyundai’s larger SUVs. Inside, however, the new Bayon will reportedly take a different approach, with a digital cockpit and a cabin layout closely related to the latest i20.

The second-generation Hyundai Bayon is expected to make its debut in India in the coming weeks, most likely with local production. From there, the model should reach several international markets, including Europe and the Middle East. North America is unlikely to be part of the plan, with the similarly sized Hyundai Venue expected to continue serving that market.

A More Rugged Look for the New Hyundai Bayon

Official design sketches released by Hyundai confirm several details previously revealed by photographs of camouflaged prototypes. The new Bayon will move away from the rounded, hatchback-like proportions of its predecessor and adopt a more substantial SUV appearance.

The design follows Hyundai’s “Art of Steel” design language, characterized by sharper surfaces, stronger geometric forms and a more pronounced sense of width. The front end features split LED lighting, while large skid plates and sculpted fenders reinforce the model’s rugged character.

A rising window line toward the rear adds visual tension to the side profile. Together with the more upright body, these elements give the new Bayon a tougher appearance than the current model.

The change is not entirely unexpected. Hyundai’s latest i20, introduced in South America several months ago, has evolved into a crossover-style hatchback. That shift reduces the space for a Bayon that looks too similar to its donor model. At the same time, the market continues to show strong demand for SUVs with a more adventurous appearance—even when most examples will spend their entire lives on urban roads.

New Hyundai Bayon Interior: Digital Screens and Physical Controls

The cabin of the new Hyundai Bayon is expected to be significantly different from the exterior. Rather than simply carrying over the current interior, Hyundai appears to be developing a dashboard inspired by the latest-generation i20.

Higher-spec versions of the new i20 feature a digital cockpit with two 12.3-inch displays, and a similar arrangement is expected to become available in the Bayon. The exact equipment and screen sizes will likely vary depending on trim level and market.

One particularly welcome detail is Hyundai’s continued use of physical controls. The center console is expected to retain three traditional rotary dials, providing a more straightforward way to operate key functions without relying entirely on touchscreen menus.

That combination of digital displays and conventional controls could give the new Bayon a more modern cabin while preserving some of the usability that has become increasingly rare in small SUVs.

Hyundai Bayon Powertrain Options: What to Expect

The second-generation Bayon is expected to use an evolution of the current model’s architecture rather than an entirely new platform. Powertrain availability will likely vary considerably between markets.

Potential options include:

  • Gasoline engines
  • CNG powertrains
  • Mild-hybrid systems

The current European Bayon is powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. However, rumors suggest that the European version of the new model could replace it with a 1.2-liter mild-hybrid engine. In India, a non-electrified 1.5-liter gasoline engine is reportedly being considered.

These specifications remain unconfirmed, and Hyundai is expected to tailor the powertrain lineup to local regulations, fuel availability and customer demand. The company has not yet provided a complete technical breakdown of the new Bayon.

Where the New Bayon Fits in Hyundai’s SUV Lineup

The new Hyundai Bayon will continue to occupy a position between the brand’s smallest electric SUV and its larger mainstream crossover.

ModelPosition in the lineup
Hyundai InsterSmaller, fully electric urban SUV
Hyundai BayonSmall B-SUV positioned between the Inster and Kona
Hyundai KonaLarger compact SUV

This positioning places the Bayon firmly in the B-SUV segment, one of the most competitive areas of the European automotive market. Its combination of compact dimensions, elevated seating position and SUV styling is intended to appeal to buyers who want the practicality of a crossover without moving into a larger vehicle.

Hyundai Bayon Production and Global Availability

The current Bayon was introduced in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024. Production takes place in Turkey, with sales primarily concentrated in European markets.

The second-generation model is expected to be unveiled first in India, where local production is reportedly likely. Hyundai could then introduce the new Bayon in additional markets around the world, including Europe and the Middle East.

However, the new Bayon is not expected to be sold in North America. Hyundai’s Venue, which occupies a similar size category, will likely remain the brand’s offering in that region.

Why Is It Called the Bayon?

The Bayon name is inspired by Bayonne, a city in the French Basque Country. Known for its medieval architecture and historic character, the city provides the name for Hyundai’s smallest SUV designed primarily for European markets.

The name also follows Hyundai’s established practice of using geographic references for several of its SUV models.

When Will the New Hyundai Bayon Be Revealed?

Hyundai is expected to unveil the second-generation Bayon in India in the coming weeks. The company has already released official design sketches, but full technical specifications, pricing and market-specific equipment details have yet to be announced.

The European launch is expected to follow the initial unveiling, although Hyundai has not confirmed an exact arrival date. More information about the engine lineup, hybrid technology and production plans should become available closer to the official debut.

Source: Hyundai