News

Mercedes-AMG G63 is the best selling AMG model in Europe

According to the Global Automotive Market Research Company that provides analysis on market trends, car pricing and comparisons, JATO Dynamics, the Mercedes-AMG G63 is the best-selling AMG model in Europe, and this is the result of the increase in sales of luxury and sports models in Europe in the first eight months in 2023.

Although inflation and rising prices in Europe prevent most residents from renewing their fleet, it does not prevent those who have extra money to fulfill their dreams and buy new sports cars. In the first half of 2023, BMW sold 19,600 M sports cars in Europe. That’s a 58% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The company delivered 16,400 cars in the US, and the new XM SUV was the most popular with 1,171 units.

Another German brand, Mercedes-AMG sold 13,700 units in Europe, an increase of 57% compared to the first half of 2022. The Mercedes-AMG SL convertible was the most popular, but not enough to overtake the G63 AMG SUV. According to these statistics, one in four AMG buyers opted for the ultra-popular G63 SUV.

Source: JATO Dynamics

Auctions

Tesla Cybertruck sold for $400,000 USD

In 2019, Tesla presented its first and so far only electric full-size pickup truck, the Cybertruck. Tesla announced that it has received two million orders, and interestingly, not a single copy has been delivered to the customer, at least not yet. However, one copy of the Tesla Cybertruck was recently sold at auction.

The Cybertruck was sold at the Petersen Museum auction for $400,000. Each guest paid $1,750 for a seat, while a table cost $17,500 or $30,000 for a premier table.

In July, American media reported that they heard a little earlier that Tesla had already informed suppliers to be ready for the start of production of the Cybertruck at the end of August, while delivery would begin by the end of the year.

Each potential customer needs to pay a deposit of only 100 dollars, so there is a possibility that a large number of reservations will not be realized. It will be interesting to see if the Cybertruck will be available outside of the North American market (Europe and Asia) where customers can already pre-order the model. Because of its size and weight, selling the Cybertruck in overseas markets could pose a serious challenge. For example, in several European countries it must be classified as a commercial truck or truck.

Cybertruck will be powered by three electric motors with a total output of 805 hp (600 kW) and 1,033 lb-ft (1,400 Nm), which is enough to push the car to 62 mph in just 3 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h). It has a range of up to 500 miles.

Source: @haleykesparza and @greggertruck via Twitter

News

McLaren is returning to the WEC with the 720S GT3 Evo

Although earlier rumors said that McLaren is returning to the strongest class of the WEC, this will not happen. The British company announces that it will return to the most famous endurance races from 2024 with two 720S GT3 Evo cars but in LMGT3.

Both cars will be in the colors of the British team United Autosports, in which they have been successfully racing for years in the LMP2 class, which will no longer be present in the World Endurance Championship from next season. Thus, only the Hypercar and LMGT3 classes remain.

With the return to the World Endurance Championship in which they competed with the F1 GTR model in the LMGT1 class from 1995 to 1998, McLaren focused their special attention on the biggest race of today (24 Hours of Le Mans) in which in 1995 they were first in the general standings, and two years later first in the LMGT1 class with only a lap behind the LMP prototype TWR Porsche WSC-95.

Also, a few days ago, Aston Martin announced that it will participate in the FIA WEC (World Endurance Championship) and the IMSA Championship in the most powerful Hypercar class from the 2025 season, with a prototype based on the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

The car will be adapted to the rules of the Hypercar class (LMH – Le Mans Hypercar) and will have slightly less horsepower than the current endurance-focused Aston Martin Valkyrie. The Valkyrie is powered by a Cosworth 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 engine assisted by an electric motor totaling 1,160 hp (865 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed Ricardo single-clutch automated manual transmission. It reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.6 seconds with a top speed of 402 km/h (250 mph).

Source: McLaren

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