News

Farewell to the V8: Jaguar Ends an Era with Final F-Pace SVR 575 Ultimate Edition

In a symbolic and emotional farewell to a defining chapter in its performance legacy, Jaguar is officially retiring its iconic V8 engine. As the British marque turns a new page toward electrification, its last hurrah for the mighty eight-cylinder will come in the form of the F-Pace SVR 575 Ultimate Edition—a special, limited-production SUV destined exclusively for Australia.

The move marks the end of an era for Jaguar, whose deep ties to performance V8s span over 15 years. This transition is no surprise. Electrification has been steadily steering the brand away from traditional combustion engines, with the upcoming Type 00 electric grand tourer acting as a symbol of this bold new direction. But before fully embracing the future, Jaguar is giving its V8 a proper send-off—complete with power, exclusivity, and no small measure of nostalgia.

A Nod to Mad Max

The phrase “the last V8” might evoke scenes from George Miller’s dystopian Mad Max, where muscle cars ruled the wasteland. And while the movie’s supercharged Ford Falcon was fictional, Jaguar’s final V8 is very much the real deal.

The F-Pace SVR 575 Ultimate Edition is powered by Jaguar’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8, delivering an exhilarating 575 horsepower. It launches from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds and can reach a top speed of 286 km/h—performance numbers that ensure the V8 goes out with a bang, not a whisper.

An Australian Exclusive

In a move that echoes its cinematic inspiration, Jaguar has chosen Australia—the land of the kangaroos and, coincidentally, Mad Max’s home turf—as the exclusive market for this final V8 edition. Only 60 units of the F-Pace SVR 575 Ultimate Edition will be produced, each priced at 182,235 Australian dollars (around €103,000).

The vehicle will be available in four distinct color options: Sorrento Yellow, British Racing Green Gloss, Icy White Gloss, and Ligurian Black Satin. A Black Exterior Pack, 22-inch wheels, black roof rails, and Ultimate Edition badging round out the aggressive visual enhancements.

Inside, the SUV is equally performance-focused, featuring Ebony semi-synthetic leather sports seats and carbon fiber trim—a cockpit built for speed with a touch of elegance.

The Road Ahead: Electric Ambitions

With this final combustion-engine performance model, Jaguar closes the chapter on its V8 legacy. The brand is now fully focused on its electric future, previewed by the recent unveiling of the Type 00 concept. Expected to debut as a four-door electric GT later this year, the Type 00 hints at Jaguar’s ambitions to climb into the ultra-luxury stratosphere—directly competing with the likes of Bentley and Maybach.

This strategic pivot is more than a technological shift—it represents a redefinition of Jaguar’s identity in the 21st century.

Source: Jaguar

Gallery:

Farewell to the V8: Jaguar Ends an Era with Final F-Pace SVR 575 Ultimate Edition
Motorsport

Lettenbichler Conquers the “Iron Giant” Again: Fourth Consecutive Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Victory

Against the punishing backdrop of Central Europe’s largest iron ore mine, where only the toughest endure, Manuel Lettenbichler has once again proved he is in a league of his own. The German hard enduro phenom captured his fourth straight victory at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the world’s most unforgiving off-road motorcycle race.

Known for breaking both bikes and spirits, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is 35 kilometers of brutal terrain, littered with rock gardens, steep climbs, and near-vertical descents. Often described as the “ultimate test of physical endurance,” the 2025 edition lived up to its fearsome reputation. Of the 500 riders who qualified, only 14 reached the finish line within the four-hour time limit—a slight improvement over last year’s eight, but still a sobering statistic in a sport defined by attrition.

From the opening moments, the race delivered high drama. The Iron Road Prologue, held in slick, rainy conditions, saw five-time world enduro champion Josep Garcia set the fastest qualifying time. Sunday’s main race, however, belonged to Lettenbichler.

Launching from a strong Prologue result, Billy Bolt of the UK, took the early lead and appeared poised for a showdown. But Lettenbichler, riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, stayed patient. By checkpoint 10, just before the daunting “George Avenue” section, he made his move.

“Coming into this race as a title contender comes with a lot of pressure,” Lettenbichler reflected. “It was really hard to chase Billy during the first third of the race because the pace was very high and Theo [Kabakchiev] was between us. But I managed to pass him and I was trying to make it difficult for Billy. He was riding very well on the rocks, but I knew I should catch him when it was time for the trees.”

Lettenbichler surged ahead and never looked back, finishing in 2 hours and 49 minutes, a commanding 11 minutes ahead of Bolt, who claimed second. Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev rounded out the podium, finishing in 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Adding to the challenge, a sudden weather shift midway through the race brought fresh rain, further complicating the already treacherous course. Reduced grip and slick rock surfaces forced riders to adapt instantly or bow out. As one rider after another succumbed to the terrain, Lettenbichler’s composure and experience shone through.

“This is a special event—the race that made our sport what it is,” Bolt said after the finish. “I don’t think it would be that hard if you had all day to do the course, but there’s a time limit and 50 riders start from the same line. The intensity, at least for the first hour, is incredible.”

The event wasn’t just about the elite few who conquered the Iron Giant. With over 1,000 riders from 43 countries, the Erzbergrodeo was once again a global spectacle. Rally raid stars like Seth Quintero and Dakar 2025 winner Daniel Sanders joined the action with exhibition runs, adding to the weekend’s electric atmosphere.

But it was Lettenbichler who stood tallest—again—his fourth title underscoring a rare dominance in a sport where victory is often measured simply by survival.

As the engines fell silent and the mud began to settle, one thing was clear: in the harsh world of hard enduro, Manuel Lettenbichler reigns supreme.

Source: Red Bull Motrosports via YouTube

Gallery:

Lettenbichler Conquers the “Iron Giant” Again: Fourth Consecutive Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Victory
News

Porsche Unveils One-of-a-Kind Road-Legal 963 RSP

In a stunning display of innovation and heritage, Porsche has officially revealed the 963 RSP, a unique, road-legal version of its Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) race car. The bespoke model made its public debut ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, celebrating the brand’s rich endurance racing legacy while pushing the limits of what’s road-worthy.

The 963 RSP, built on the championship-winning LMDh platform, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the commission for the original road-going Porsche 917—a machine that famously clinched Le Mans victories in 1970 and 1971. This modern tribute carries not only a nod to that heritage but also a deeply personal name: “RSP,” standing for Roger Searle Penske, the 88-year-old motorsport icon and head of Porsche Penske Motorsport.

The RSP project was born during a meeting at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, where executives from Porsche Cars North America, Porsche Motorsport, and Porsche Penske Motorsport floated the idea of ​​crafting a street-legal 963. The vision was shared with Penske himself and team manager Jonathan Diuguido, setting the wheels in motion for a feat of engineering and design rarely seen in modern motorsport.

Making a prototype LMDh racer roadworthy is no small task. The transformation involved extensive mechanical and cosmetic modifications. The 963 RSP is painted, not wrapped—a first for this car line—in a triple-layer Martini Silver, as referenced by archival Porsche Museum documents. Delicate black satin detailing, including custom-painted hinges and wing connectors, brings refinement to the racing beast’s aggressive lines.

Notable exterior changes include unique fender vents, removal of racing-specific wing skid plates, and an enamel Porsche crest affixed to the nose. Number plate mounts were added to meet legal requirements, and a 3D-printed rear badge crowns the car’s exclusivity.

The cabin, originally stripped for racing, has been luxuriously reimagined with brown leather and Alcantara adorning the seats, dashboard, headliner, and steering wheel. Porsche even 3D printed a detachable cup holder, proving that even hypercar interiors can find moments of practicality.

Mechanically, the 963 RSP underwent dramatic changes. Its Multimatic DSSV suspension was softened to improve ride comfort, and the chassis was raised to its maximum height. New Michelin tires, a functional horn, and additional bodywork around the wheel arches help meet road compliance.

Perhaps the most challenging adaptation was reconfiguring the hybrid drivetrain. Engineers reprogrammed the Motor Generator Unit (MGU) for smoother power delivery and adapted the powertrain to run on standard petrol, an effort Porsche described as a “significant undertaking.”

Despite its ability to roam public roads, the Porsche 963 RSP remains a one-off. It was driven on the streets surrounding the Circuit de la Sarthe by two-time Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard, adding another layer of legacy to this already historic vehicle.

After its Le Mans showcase, the RSP will take center stage at the Goodwood Festival of Speed ​​in July, where it will appear alongside the original Porsche 917 that inspired its creation. Eventually, it will settle into its permanent home at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, preserved as a one-of-a-kind blend of motorsport triumph and road-going ambition.

Source: Porsche

Gallery:

Porsche Unveils One-of-a-Kind Road-Legal 963 RSP

Cars and catalogues