All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Alfa Romeo is developing its first electric car

Alfa Romeo begins a new era in its 113-year-long history with its first electric car, known as the “Kid”. It is a small crossover that will be smaller than the current Alfa Romeo Tonale.

The company didn’t reveal many details, but it will have sporty DNA and “change things up and change the rules in the segment.” Kid is a code name, and what the car will be called is left to the fans to guess.

Previously, there were rumors that the first Alfa Romeo electric car would be called the Brenner, but that will not be the case. Some are also speculating that it could be called the Sebring, as it will reportedly represent a slightly different version of the Jeep Avenger. Whether it will be like that remains to be seen.

The car is still in the development phase, and more information should appear at the beginning of next year, when the premiere is expected. This means that, if everything goes well, the first copies should reach their owners in the middle of 2024.

Source: Alfa Romeo

Tuning

Renner Projekt 8 based on the BMW 8 Series (E31)

The American company Renner Projekts specializes in modifying German sportscars of the 1980s and 90s. Their latest work is an extraordinary car called Renner Projekt 8 based on the BMW 8 Series (E31).

The standard BMW 8 Series (E31) is powered by a 5.0L V12 engine, but after the intervention of Renner’s engineers, the car is now powered by a 4.9L V8 engine with 485 hp (357) from the 2002 BMW M5. Three additional powerplant options are also offered: E39 M5 S62 / V8 / 400 hp, E92 M3 S65 / V8 / 418 hp and E60 M5 / V10 / 500 hp. Engine power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.

The engineers reassembled the entire engine, installed ARP bearings, new camshaft pulleys, and improved air flow on the intake and exhaust sections of the compression chamber. Also, discs and brake calipers were taken from the E60 M5 (front) and E39 M5 (rear) models.

The interior has been re-upholstered in yellow leather. A new two-zone air conditioner, a ZHP gear lever was installed, while the ceiling was made of Alcantara. The “Projekt 8” plaque located between the front seats emphasizes the importance of the car.

It is interesting that the car was for sale, but despite the offered price of 227,000 dollars, it was not sold because it did not reach the reserved price.

Gallery:

Renner Projekt 8 based on the BMW 8 Series (E31)

Source: Renner Projekts

News

Jaguar E-Type Limited Edition

In 1961, the British car manufacturer introduced its sports car, the Jaguar E-Type. Its combination of aesthetics, high performance, and competitive pricing established the model as an icon of the motoring world. Now 62 years later, Jaguar pays tribute to this model with 14 modified examples.

They found inspiration in two cars driven by Graham Hill and Roy Salvadori. The cars were primarily built for racing, and with the first E-Type (registration ECD 400) Hill took victory at Oulton Park. In his honor, the body of one example is finished in Oulton Blue with a black hood and white circles. There are also chrome bumpers and the design of the original rims, spinners with the Jaguar Heritage logo.

Inside, the steering wheel is made of wood, while the interior is decorated with Hardura details reminiscent of 60s design, with seats upholstered in leather by Bridge of Weir. There’s also the golden silhouette of the car, the silhouette of the Oulton Park track and the start/finish flag, as well as Graham Hill’s quote: “In racing, my car becomes part of me, and I become part of it”.

The second car is finished in Crystal gray with special markings by Vaughtons, to be as similar as possible to the original model. The interior is upholstered in Dark Navy leather and features engravings such as the Ctystal Palace track, as well as the “King of the Airfields” inscription, which was Salvadori’s nickname.

When it comes to the powertrain, there is a 3.8L 6-cylinder engine with 265 hp (195 kW) and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Jaguar also plans to unveil a pair of F-Type ZP Edition cars inspired by the E-Type. They will be produced in pairs, and will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine.

Gallery:

Jaguar E-Type Limited Edition

Source: Jaguar