All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Toyota Gazoo Racing is WEC champion for the sixth time in a row

Another WEC (World Endurance Championship) season has ended and Toyota Gazoo Racing finished as champion, ahead of Porsche and Ferrari. It was the sixth consecutive championship title for this Japanese team.

The competition includes eight races across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and the Middle East, varying in distance from the shortest 6 Hours of Fuji to the longest 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s season record is five podiums, of which three wins and two pole positions, with 190 points won. With an incredible team effort and dominant driving, the drivers of the #8 GR010 Hybrid – Brendon Hartley, Ryo Hirakawa and Sebastien Buemi – were two points clear of the second-placed Porsche Penske Motorsport team and drivers Michael Christensen, Matt Campbell and Frederic Makowiecki.

Source: WEC; Photo: Toyota Gazoo Racing

News

Michelin shuts down tire production in France

The Michelin company is one of the most famous manufacturers of high-performance car tires, which in recent years has been struggling against cheap competition. This caused the shutdown of production in two factories in France from November 2024.

Increased competition on the European tire market, inflation and energy costs made the situation even more difficult, so some factories produced more tires than they sold. Despite the great commitment of the teams and the efforts of the Group, the viability of the two mentioned factories could not be preserved. Therefore, Michelin made the decision to stop production at both plants until November 11.

Michelin plans to completely close the factories in 2026, and until then the union and management will have time to propose collective and individual talks with employees. In these two factories, Cholet and Vannes, Michelin has 1,254 employees.

Source: Michelin

Hybrid

2025 Karma Invictus

American luxury electric vehicle company Karma Automotive, owned by Chinese conglomerate Wanxiang Group, revealed its new car, Karma Invictus. It is a variant of the Revero sedan, and only 30 units will be produced.

At first glance, the Karma Invictus resembles the Fisker Karma that was produced between 2011-2012. year. Equipped with carbon fiber components such as the hood, front fenders with vents, roof, front fascia, side skirts, rear spoiler, diffuser, and trunk lid. The suspension was improved, and Ohlins shock absorbers and Swift springs were installed.

The interior of the Invictus is a little more modest compared to the interior of the Revero model. Heated and cooled front seats with an art deco pattern inspired by the Chrysler Building in New York, “Karma Invictus” embroidered on the headrests, art deco pattern on the door panels and center console, and anodized aluminum sill plates are just some of the details that adorn the interior of the car.

When it comes to the powertrain, the Invictus is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-L engine paired with two electric motors totaling 543 hp (399 kW) and 549 lb-ft (745 Nm) of torque. That’s enough for the sedan to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 4 seconds. It is equipped with a 28 kWh battery that enables an electric range of 129 kilometers. It is mounted on 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.

Source: Karma Automotive

Gallery:

2025 Karma Invictus