All posts by Francis Mitterrand

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Ferrari Unveils the 296 GT3 Evo at Spa: Sharpening the Blade for GT Racing

Three years after Ferrari’s dramatic reveal of the 296 GT3 at the iconic 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the Prancing Horse returns to Belgium’s Ardennes forest with another evolutionary leap — the Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. The legendary GT endurance race, a mainstay of the global calendar, once again plays host as Ferrari debuts its upgraded GT3 challenger, refined through the crucible of international motorsport.

A Proven Pedigree, Refined

Ferrari didn’t start from scratch. The 296 GT3 Evo is built on a foundation already proven on the world stage. Since its 2022 debut, the 296 GT3 has claimed five major titles, including a dominant run in the GT World Challenge Endurance Cup’s Pro class, while also securing victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In just 343 races, it has amassed 140 wins, 405 podiums, and 56 pole positions — a staggering resume that few GT cars in history can match.

This new Evo version is the result of an intensive development process that combines customer feedback, two seasons of competition data, and the technical insights from Ferrari’s LMGT3 program in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Powertrain: Familiar Heart, Sharper Tools

Under the skin, the 3.0-liter 120° twin-turbo V6 remains untouched — and rightly so. Praised for its compactness, weight balance, and explosive torque delivery, the engine continues to be mounted lower and farther forward than in the road-going 296 GTB, contributing to a lower center of gravity and improved chassis stiffness. The unit is tilted by two degrees to enhance diffuser packaging, a critical element for aero efficiency.

Where evolution takes hold is in the gearbox. Engineers have introduced an optimized gear ratio cascade, fine-tuned for better torque delivery across a broader speed range. The changes reflect two years of racing telemetry, helping to make the Evo more versatile on diverse circuits and conditions.

Aerodynamics: Fighting in the Slipstream

The biggest leap comes in aerodynamics. While the 296 GT3 already maxed out vertical load under current GT3 regulations, Ferrari’s team zeroed in on aerodynamic stability — particularly in traffic. Endurance racing often forces cars to run in dirty air, and the Evo is better equipped to cope.

Key updates include:

  • A revised front splitter and floor, optimized vortex generators, and new bumper appendages.
  • A redesigned rear diffuser, with more efficient channeling and expansion volumes.
  • New front wheel arch louvers, improving rear intake airflow even while drafting.

Ferrari has leaned heavily on CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing, improving its ability to model complex airflow scenarios. The result is a car that holds its aerodynamic balance in the most chaotic racing conditions, offering drivers greater confidence and consistency.

Functional Changes You Can See

Visually, the Evo introduces dual front bonnet intakes, enhancing cockpit and brake cooling — now delivering 20% more airflow to the front discs. Also borrowed from the LMGT3 is a redesigned rear wing, now featuring a quick-adjust system first seen on the WEC car, allowing for tool-less angle changes during setup or in pit lane.

Other key exterior tweaks include:

  • A revised rear wheel arch, adapted to accommodate a wider variety of tire types.
  • Repositioned mirrors, now angled and mounted for better visibility and reduced vibration — a direct result of vibration frequency analysis and CFD studies.

Chassis, Suspension & Driver Focus

Mechanical changes aren’t forgotten. The Evo benefits from new suspension kinematics front and rear, aimed at reducing component loads and improving reliability. The changes also simplify setup work in the pits — a nod to Ferrari’s continued commitment to “modularity” in race operations.

Inside, the driver-centric cockpit retains its core philosophy: intuitive controls, strong ergonomics, and robust safety. However, Ferrari has addressed one key comfort issue: air conditioning performance. A new supplemental fan boosts airflow, crucial for driver stamina in endurance stints.

Future-Proofed for 2026 and Beyond

With homologation pending final aero tweaks, the 296 GT3 Evo will make its racing debut in the 2026 season. Importantly for Ferrari’s global customer base, the Evo will also be offered as a retrofit kit, ensuring current 296 GT3 teams can upgrade without investing in a whole new chassis.

Source: Ferrari

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Ferrari Unveils the 296 GT3 Evo at Spa: Sharpening the Blade for GT Racing
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Next-Gen Lexus IS Takes Shape: Hybrid and EV Options Expected

While the Lexus IS has long struggled to gain traction in the European market—overshadowed by the dominant trio of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class—the tide may soon be turning. With fresh design inspiration, an evolving drivetrain philosophy, and a strong legacy to build upon, Lexus appears poised for a compelling comeback.

The brand’s fortunes could shift dramatically if Toyota opts to retain some of its traditional powertrain offerings. Although diesel is no longer central to the conversation, a robust gasoline engine remains highly desirable. The American market has proven this with the strong reception of the IS 500, a high-performance variant equipped with a naturally aspirated V8—an offering that still resonates deeply with enthusiasts.

To envision what the next-generation IS might look like, independent designer Theophilus Chin—better known online as Theottle—has stepped in with a set of speculative renderings. Drawing heavily from the 2021 Lexus Electrified Sedan Concept, Chin updates the IS’s appearance using design cues from the recently refreshed Lexus ES, bringing a grounded realism to the futuristic concept.

The resulting design is both aggressive and elegant. A sharply styled front end features angular LED lighting and triangular intakes sculpted into a pronounced bumper. The iconic Spindle grille, now refined and more cohesive, anchors the face of the sedan. A subtle opening on the nose hints at a possible hybrid drivetrain—suggesting a bridge between Lexus’s combustion-engine heritage and its electrified future.

From the side, the silhouette remains faithful to the concept’s dramatic proportions, though Theottle tempers the visual drama with more realistic elements: standard door handles, production-ready mirrors, and stylish yet feasible alloy wheels. It’s a design that feels plausible—almost as if it has just exited Lexus’s final clay model evaluation.

At the rear, the design embraces sportiness with a ducktail spoiler perched above a slender, full-width LED strip. The rear window is flatter, the shoulders broader, lending the IS a more athletic, planted stance—reminiscent of performance sedans rather than executive shuttles.

However, fans shouldn’t expect these renderings to translate directly into the production model. Lexus is playing its cards close to the chest, and the camouflaged test mules spotted so far reveal little. Still, with the current IS platform dating back to 2013 (albeit refreshed in 2017 and 2020), a full redesign is inevitable—and imminent.

Hints from Lexus itself suggest the curtain may be closing on the beloved V8 engine. Special editions like the IS 500 Climax and Ultimate Edition, recently launched in Japan and the U.S., appear to be parting tributes to an era nearing its end. Toyota’s broader strategy is focused on hybridization and electrification, meaning the next-generation IS will likely arrive with hybrid options—and potentially, a fully electric variant.

As we await the official reveal, one thing is clear: the new IS has the potential to shake up the compact executive segment. With its legacy of sporty refinement and a forward-looking design philosophy, Lexus may finally be ready to mount a serious challenge to the German establishment.

Source: Lexus; Photo: Theottle

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BMW M2 CS Defies Criticism with Strong Global Demand

BMW’s latest performance offering, the 2026 M2 CS, is proving that controversy doesn’t always hurt sales. Unveiled just last month, the high-performance coupe has ignited a flurry of reactions—many from loyal enthusiasts disheartened by the model’s exclusion of a manual transmission and familiar M-specific touches such as the carbon-fiber hood, front splitter, and iconic yellow daytime running lights. These elements, once hallmarks of the CS line, have now become flashpoints for criticism.

And yet, despite these complaints—and a notably higher price tag than its predecessor—the new M2 CS is exceeding expectations in terms of demand.

In an interview with BMWBlog, Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand and Sales at BMW M, confirmed that demand has surpassed initial projections. “We’ve already increased production for certain markets by quite a few units,” she stated, hinting at global interest that has even caught the company by surprise.

The United States leads global demand, followed by Germany and, perhaps unexpectedly, China, which continues to show increased appetite for M division products. While BMW hasn’t confirmed the exact production numbers, industry insiders expect fewer than 2,000 units to be built, consistent with the brand’s one-year production cycle seen on recent CS models.

For comparison, the M4 CS—another limited-edition sibling—was capped at 1,700 units and began production in July 2024. It has since been pulled from the online configurator, underscoring how quickly these collector-grade models move. Meanwhile, a special VR46 edition M4 CS, a nod to motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi, will be even rarer, limited to just 92 cars.

Beyond production numbers, customization remains a strong pillar of the M experience. While the San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico, where the M2 is built, can’t yet match the breadth of special finishes offered in Dingolfing or Spartanburg, Neubauer shared that progress is being made.

Currently, the M2 is available in striking hues like Voodoo Blue, Java Green, Grigio Telesto, Twilight Purple, Frozen Portimao Blue, and Frozen Pure Grey. For those stepping up to the M2 CS, the exclusive Velvet Blue finish adds an extra touch of distinction.

Looking ahead, the G87-generation M2 is expected to remain in production until the end of the decade. That extended timeline opens the door to a broader customization palette and perhaps even more performance variants. Rumors are already swirling about a possible xDrive (all-wheel-drive) version, and perhaps even a CSL—BMW’s most hardcore designation.

So, while some may mourn the loss of the manual gearbox or traditional CS styling cues, the market seems to be speaking louder—with wallets wide open.

Source: BMW Blog

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BMW M2 CS Defies Criticism with Strong Global Demand