All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Mazda Iconic SP goes into production

At the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Mazda revealed a concept car that could now go into production. It is a sports car Iconic SP, which represents a combination of classic and modern design.

General Manager Design Division at Mazda Masashi Nakayama said that this is not just a show car, but a car created with the real intention of hitting the road one day.

This finally resolved the doubt whether Mazda will start production of the Iconic SP. It will likely be offered in two versions, as a sports car that will follow in the footsteps of the RX-7 and RX-8, but also as a smaller car closer in size to the popular MX-5 roadster. Also, with its appearance, the Iconic SP represents a review of the design of Mazda’s sports cars.

When it comes to the powertrain, the option is a hybrid system – a combination of electric and rotary engine – with a total power of 375 hp (276 kW). In this case, the rotary engine has the role of a range extender, so that the car can move even when the battery is empty. Of course, during development, it was also taken into account that the car can use several types of carbon-neutral fuel, which reduces harmful emissions by up to 90 percent.

There will be more information in the coming months.

Source: Mazda

Gallery:

Mazda Iconic SP goes into production
News

Jaguar F-Pace retires in 2026

At the 2015 International Motor Show Germany Jaguar revealed a new crossover SUV, the F-Pace, which according to JLR CEO Adrian Madrell has come to an end.

“We analyzed our offer, and five of the six models are going into history at the end of this year. Two are already in the past,” explained Mardell. The Jaguar F-Pace will remain on offer in some countries around the world until the beginning of 2026, but in smaller numbers.

Jaguar has already finished production of the XE, XF and F-Type models at its Castle Bromwich plant this summer, and the E-Pace and I-Pace models will cease production in the next month at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria.

On December 2, a new concept will arrive, which will show the appearance of the brand’s first fully electric car. It will be a four-door GT that is currently in the testing phase, and sales will begin in the summer of 2026. It is followed by luxury SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga and large luxury sedans.

Source: JLR

Auctions

1965 Porsche 356C Coupe

The demand for classic and well-preserved cars has been high for a long time, but it seems that in the last few months, buyers are no longer interested in buying such cars. One such, a 1965 Porsche 356C coupe, is offered for sale.

This Porsche that left the factory in Champagne Yellow was a project of the previous owner who sold the car in 2017 to the new owner who completed it. It has a gray Karmann body, twin engine grilles, bumpers with GT-style aluminum deco moldings, windshield washer system, an underside front tow ring, disc brakes at each corner, Bilstein shocks, and Sebring-style exhaust system with J-pipes and heater boxes.

Inside, the bucket seats are upholstered in black and black leather and tan corduroy inserts, and black leather also covers the rear bench, door panels and upper part of the dash. In front of the driver is a wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel and a five-digit odometer showing 86,477 miles. Additional equipment includes charcoal squareweave carpets and a replacement headliner.

When it comes to the powertrain, this 356C is powered by a replacement 1,720 cc flat-four with a Shasta big bore kit, 912 camshaft and twin-plug cylinder heads from an aircraft engine, mated to a four-speed manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle. Carrera four-cam-style cooling system with custom fan, generator, shroud with oil cooler, rebuilt dual Solex carburetors, custom twin distributor timing cover with a full-flow spin-on oil filter, dual Bosch distributors modified for twin plug are also installed. applications, a Super 90 flywheel, and custom ignition switches.

The car comes with a copy of the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, a copy of the Kardex, the owner’s manual, a jack and tool kit, service records, the removed engine case, and a clean Texas title.

The auction ends on November 14 and the highest bid at the time of writing was USD $48,356.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Gallery:

1965 Porsche 356C Coupe