All posts by Francis Mitterrand

1993 Porsche 911 RS America sold for $191,000 USD

September 3, 2022 Francis Mitterrand 1 Comment

In 1992, Porsche introduced the 911 RS America, a higher-performance version of the 964. It was offered with four factory options: limited slip differential, AM/FM cassette, air conditioning and sunroof. Only 701 examples of this model were produced, and one of them, the 1993 Porsche 911 RS America, sold today for $191,000.

The car is in excellent condition. It was purchased new by Brumos Motor Cars, Florida in 1993. It is finished in Grand Prix White and has only 10,000 miles on the odometer. It is equipped with a fixed rear spoiler, integrated fog lights, manually adjustable aero mirrors, sports suspension with larger-diameter front stabilizer bar, shock absorbers taken from the 911 Turbo model, black Porsche-branded calipers over cross-drilled rotors at all four corners.

Inside, the electronically adjustable seats with red belts are upholstered in black fabric that perfectly matches the colors of the door panels, dashboard and carpets. There are red pull strips on the doors, while the four-spoke steering wheel is wrapped in black leather. In the rear part there is a luggage shelf and enclosed storage compartments in place of the rear seats.

When it comes to the powertrain, the 911 RS America is powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six engine with 247 hp (184 kW) at 6,100 rpm and 228 lb-ft (309 Nm) of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission equipped with an optional limited-slip differential. It reaches 62 mph in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 162 mph (260 km/h). It’s mounted on a set of 17-inch Cup 1 wheels wrapped in 205/50 (front) and 255/40 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport tires.

The car comes with a clean Carfax report.

Source: Bring a Trailer

EV, News

Xiaomi will produce electric cars

September 3, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

The growth in demand for electric cars is increasingly attracting companies that have never been involved in this type of business. After Apple and Huawei, another company is entering the world of electric car manufacturers. It is the Chinese company Xiaomi that will produce electric cars in its own plant.

According to a Chinese media report, the first Xiaomi electric car could hit the market soon. Engineering work has been completed, while vehicle software integration is progressing rapidly and will be completed by mid-October. Although there were rumors that the car would be manufactured at the BAIC Group facility and that the Chinese company would work with OEMs, this is not going to happen.

Xiaomi plans to invest 10 billion dollars in this project over the next ten years, so there will be no shortage of money for the factory. The new factory will have a capacity of 300,000 vehicles per year. In the first year, it is planned to produce half of the capacity, and the goal is for the first cars to reach their owners in 2024.

Last year, the company signed a contract to build a headquarters and research and development center in Yizhuang. According to some information, a plant for future cars will also be built there.

Source: Xiaomi

EV, News

Ariel Hipercar is a beast with 1,180 HP

September 3, 2022 Francis Mitterrand

One of the smallest British car companies with only 30 employees, presented its new powerful electric sports car, the Ariel Hipercar. This is not the first car from the company founded 23 years ago, but it is the first electric car. Before it, eight generations of the Ariel Atom, a road-legal high performance open-wheel car, were produced.

The body of the car is made of carbon fiber, and the design is designed to increase downforce. It is based on an aluminum monocoque chassis and is powered by four electric motors with a total output of 1,180 hp (868 kW). Ariel Hipercar is still in the prototype stage and according to the company’s claims, it will weigh 1,500 kg. The suspension consists of double wishbones at each corner and Bilstein shock absorbers. It is equipped with AP Racing brakes, with six pistons (front) and four pistons (rear). Drivers will be able to adjust the level of regenerative braking, traction control and torque vectoring systems.

The car will use a Cosworth battery with a capacity of 62 kWh, which will enable a range of 241 km. In order to increase the range, an optional 110,000 rpm Cosworth turbine engine will be offered, which will produce 47 hp.

Ariel Hipercar is the name of the prototype, and the real name will be announced later. The car will be manufactured in Somerset, England. In the same factory, Ariel produces the Nomad and Atom models. When it comes to the price, the company did not say how much its first electric car might cost.