All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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The Last of Legends: Mansour Ojjeh’s Extraordinary McLaren Legacy Heads to Auction

In the world of motorsport, few names command the same reverence as Mansour Ojjeh. A quiet titan, Ojjeh’s influence transformed McLaren from a respected racing team into a powerhouse of Formula 1 and a benchmark for automotive excellence. Now, the ultimate tribute to his legacy—the famed “Last of Legends” collection—is up for sale, offering collectors and enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of automotive history.

The collection, being sold through respected dealer Tom Hartley Jnr, comprises 20 McLaren models—each one handpicked, customized, and meticulously preserved under Ojjeh’s personal vision. This isn’t just a garage of hypercars. It is the embodiment of a man’s life’s work: decades of passion, perfectionism, and an unrelenting pursuit of the extraordinary.

A Visionary Behind McLaren’s Rise

Born in Paris in 1952 to Saudi entrepreneur Akram Ojjeh, Mansour was raised with a global outlook and a business acumen sharpened by studies in California. As CEO of Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG), he invested in diverse industries—from aviation to luxury goods—but it was motorsport where he left his indelible mark.

Ojjeh’s Formula 1 journey began in 1979 as a sponsor of the Williams team, but his defining moment came in 1984, when TAG acquired a stake in McLaren. That move reshaped the sport’s landscape. TAG funded the development of the iconic TAG-Porsche turbo engines, powering McLaren to multiple world championships in the mid-1980s and laying the foundation for a golden era.

Under Ojjeh’s influence, McLaren captured seven Constructors’ and ten Drivers’ Championships, while expanding its brand into road cars and high-performance technology. His role in launching McLaren Automotive and McLaren Applied Technologies positioned the marque at the cutting edge of both competition and innovation.

From Collector to Creator

Ojjeh’s love affair with cars began long before McLaren. In his twenties, while living in North America, he amassed icons like the Lamborghini Countach and Rolls-Royce Corniche. Eventually, he assembled one of the world’s most enviable Ferrari collections, including the 250 California Spyder and 288 GTO. But his ultimate goal wasn’t just to collect greatness—it was to create it.

That dream crystalized in 1988, after a chance airport conversation with Ron Dennis and Gordon Murray. The trio committed to a singular mission: to build the greatest road car the world had ever seen. The result was the McLaren F1, a technological marvel still revered as perhaps the finest car ever produced.

Later, as McLaren Automotive took off, Ojjeh sold his Ferrari collection to focus solely on McLaren—shaping a new portfolio around the F1 and its spiritual successors. The result is the Last of Legends.

The Crown Jewel: McLaren F1 in Mansour Orange

At the heart of the collection is a truly singular specimen: the last McLaren F1 ever built, finished in a one-off shade originally dubbed Yquem, later renamed Mansour Orange in his honor. This particular car, chassis #108, has covered just 1,810 kilometers, yet its legacy includes being driven by none other than Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion.

Every car in the collection was specified with the final production chassis number of its respective model—ensuring the most refined version of each vehicle. With the exception of the track-driven P1 GTR, none of the cars have seen the road. Maintained directly by McLaren under special instruction, this level of factory involvement is unprecedented for any private collection.

Beyond Rarity: A Collector’s Masterpiece

The collection spans McLaren’s finest achievements: from longtails and Le Mans specials to rarities like the Senna GTR, Speedtail, Sabre, and Elva—the latter delivered posthumously with Ojjeh’s unique emblem replacing the standard McLaren badge.

“This collection is more than metal and carbon fiber,” says Kathy Ojjeh, Mansour’s widow. “It’s a portrait of his spirit. Every car was crafted with the same care and vision that Mansour brought to McLaren. Saying goodbye is difficult, but it’s time for a new custodian to continue the story.”

Indeed, this sale represents more than an auction. It is the passing of a torch—from a man who lived and breathed performance, elegance, and engineering perfection, to someone who recognizes what this ensemble truly represents.

A Timeless Legacy

Mansour Ojjeh passed away in June 2021, leaving behind more than trophies and titles. He left a legacy that stretched far beyond pit lanes and podiums—a legacy defined by vision, generosity, and a relentless drive to push boundaries.

The Last of Legends collection is his final chapter. Not as a businessman, not even as a car enthusiast—but as an architect of dreams, realized in carbon fiber, orange paint, and roaring engines.

And now, the story is ready to be continued—by the next visionary bold enough to preserve it.

Source: Tom Hartley Jnr.

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The Last of Legends: Mansour Ojjeh’s Extraordinary McLaren Legacy Heads to Auction
News

Daimler Truck Advances Circular Economy with Reworked High-Voltage Batteries

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is advancing its commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles with the launch of the CB400 reworked high-voltage battery, a genuine spare part now available for the first-generation eActros 300/400 and the eEconic. This initiative marks a significant step in extending battery lifecycles and reducing CO₂ emissions across Daimler Truck’s electric commercial vehicle portfolio.

Developed at the Kompetenzzentrum für emissionsfreie Mobilität (KEM) in Mannheim, the CB400 project underscores a strong push toward resource-efficient vehicle maintenance. Used batteries are collected, disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt to meet current series standards—ensuring like-new performance, verified safety, and full software compatibility.

Cost-Effective, Carbon-Conscious

Compared to producing brand-new units, each reworked CB400 battery helps cut CO₂e emissions by approximately one third, thanks to the reuse of high-quality components. Those batteries deemed unfit for refurbishment are recycled responsibly, and many are earmarked for future second-life applications, such as stationary energy storage systems.

“With the CB400 reworked concept, we offer our customers a cost-efficient and sustainable solution that reuses high-quality components, thereby reducing resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions — all while maintaining consistently high quality,” says Christian Vrbek, Team Leader for Remanufacturing Zero Emission Vehicles at Daimler Truck.

Tested, Trusted, and Backed by Warranty

Each CB400 battery is thoroughly tested for function and leaks, updated with the latest software, and backed by the Mercedes-Benz Trucks parts warranty. Compatibility across various power levels ensures a seamless fit with the installed battery packs in both the eActros and eEconic models.

Bridging Past Innovation to Future Vision

Although production of the current-generation eActros 300/400 ends later this year, demand for reliable spare parts remains high. The CB400 offering ensures that fleet operators have an economically and ecologically viable solution to support vehicle uptime and performance. Simultaneously, insights from this project are already informing the development of future batteries, including the CEB500, destined for the next-gen eActros 600.

The roots of the CB400 project stretch back to a student initiative in 2021. It has since evolved into a multi-disciplinary innovation blueprint, setting new standards in commercial vehicle battery refurbishment.

The Backbone of Battery Innovation

Mannheim plays a crucial role in Daimler Truck’s electrification strategy. The Battery Technology Center (BTC), spread over 10,000 square meters, combines development and prototyping under one roof. This facility focuses on cell manufacturing knowledge, pilot-scale production, and the creation of test batteries for validation.

The broader Mercedes-Benz Mannheim plant, founded in 1908, is now a cornerstone for electric powertrain development and production. With over 4,600 employees, it supports engine and component manufacturing, training over 11,000 apprentices to date.

As Robert Braun, Head of the KEM, notes: “Every Daimler Truck vehicle with an alternative drivetrain carries a piece of KEM expertise.” With three decades of experience and a dedicated focus on alternative powertrains, the KEM is central to shaping the future of zero-emission mobility.

Source: Daimler Truck

News

Tata Motors Doubles Down on Electrification with the Stylish New Sierra SUV

Tata Motors might not be the first name that springs to mind when global automakers are discussed, but perhaps it’s time that changed. While the Indian automotive giant has quietly sustained the legacy of British icons Jaguar and Land Rover amidst an increasingly volatile global market, its domestic efforts are now demanding attention—especially with the revival of a nameplate long missed: the Tata Sierra.

A Global Brand With Local Ambitions

Headquartered in Mumbai, Tata Motors has built a broad portfolio that spans budget-friendly hatchbacks, durable commercial vehicles, and increasingly competitive electric offerings. In recent years, it’s become one of India’s biggest EV players, offering electric vehicles with starting prices as low as $11,600—far below what most automakers in the West can manage.

But Tata isn’t stopping there. Its latest target? The red-hot compact SUV segment, dominated in India by the likes of the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, and Maruti Grand Vitara. Tata is aiming straight at these household names with a production version of the Sierra, a modern reinterpretation of a model that once defined Indian SUVs in the ’90s.

From Concept to Contender

First revealed as a concept at the 2023 Delhi Auto Expo and refined for this year’s Bharat Mobility Show, the upcoming Sierra SUV looks remarkably production-ready. Its exterior design takes cues from Land Rover’s premium DNA, which Tata owns, giving it a squared-off, upright stance, a floating roof design, and flush-fitting door handles. It’s not a stretch to call it a “baby Defender”—and that’s no bad thing.

The front fascia wears a glossy black finish, with DRLs stretching across its width, while a trapezoidal lower intake gives the Sierra a commanding presence. Muscular wheel arches and generous body cladding reinforce its go-anywhere attitude. At the rear, the design impresses with wraparound quarter windows and a full-width LED taillight integrated into a clamshell tailgate.

A Modern, Tech-Forward Interior

Inside, Tata is leaning heavily into connectivity and creature comforts. Expect a five-seat layout with a large central touchscreen, a fully digital driver’s display, and wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, and Level 2 driver assistance systems (ADAS) are also anticipated—features that are quickly becoming must-haves in this competitive space.

Dual Powertrain Strategy

According to sources, Tata will offer the Sierra on two distinct platforms: the Atlas for internal combustion variants and the Acti.EV for the fully electric version. That said, early indications suggest the company may focus predominantly on the Atlas platform, which allows for flexible powertrain integration—likely a move aimed at simplifying production and keeping costs in check.

Powertrain options could include a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine making 168 horsepower and a robust 2.0-liter diesel, both paired to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A more advanced seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is reportedly in development.

The electric Sierra, meanwhile, could offer a competitive range of up to 310 miles (500 kilometers)—a figure that would significantly raise the bar in India’s growing EV space if achieved.

Built for India—For Now

Despite the clear global appeal of its styling and spec sheet, Tata has confirmed that the Sierra is being developed with the Indian market in mind. It will go up against entrenched rivals including the Hyundai Alcazar, MG Astor, and Honda Elevate.

The production model is expected to debut officially later this year, with full specifications and pricing announced closer to launch.

A Missed Opportunity for Global Markets?

While the Sierra may not be destined for international showrooms just yet, it raises an intriguing question: Could Tata succeed with a global push for a compact SUV like the Sierra?

With its blend of premium design, emerging tech, and affordability, there’s certainly room in the market for a new challenger—especially in price-sensitive regions looking for alternatives to increasingly expensive mainstream brands.

If Tata can deliver on its promises—and build the Sierra with the same balance of style, substance, and value it’s aiming for—it might not remain under the radar much longer.

Source: Tata Motors