Andrea Kimi Antonelli got a car that he cannot drive on public roads

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a young Italian Formula 1 driver and a member of the Mercedes F1 team since the beginning of 2025. He joined the team as a replacement for one of the best of all time, Lewis Hamilton. His team recently loaned him a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe, but he will not be able to drive it for the next few years.

The 18-year-old is one of F1’s biggest talents, but despite recently getting his driving licence, he won’t be able to use his new car on public roads for the next three years. Under Italian law, which came into effect on December 14, 2024, new drivers cannot drive a car with more than 100 hp for the first three years.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe is powered by a 4.0-L V8 biturbo engine with 630 hp (470 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed sequential automatic transmission.

This is Antonelli’s first Formula 1 season. He made three starts, set 1 fastest lap and managed to score 30 points, which is more than good for a rookie. Also, at the Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix, he became the youngest driver in history to lead a Formula 1 race.

Source: Mercedes

Maserati 200S is the star of Milan Design Week

Between 1955 and 1959, Maserati produced just 28 units of the racing car Maserati 200S, as a successor to the Maserati A6GCS. One of them is on display in Milan at the Larusmiani boutique for this year’s Milan Design Week.

Development of this model began in 1952 as a response to Ferrari’s 500 Mondial racing model, which was powered by a four-cylinder engine. This engine proved so successful that Maserati decided to use the same option in the 200S. It was a 2.0 L 4CF2 DOHC I4 engine with 190 hp (140 kW) mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox.

This Maserati 200S was used for racing and was driven by many drivers, including Gilberto Cornacchia, son of the owner of the Maserati showroom in Milan at the time. It raced until 1960, when it was stored at Maserati’s facility until 1999. It then became part of the Panini Collection in Modena, and was later sold to a new owner who carried out a complete restoration of the car.

Source: Maserati

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Smart #5 Brabus has 646 HP

In August 2024, Smart launched its largest and most spacious car, the Smart #5. This mid-size SUV, whose tech-rich interior is worthy of comparison with Mercedes cars, got its tuned version, the Smart #5 Brabus.

The Smart #5 Brabus is the latest project from the German tuning company that combines modern usability and aesthetics. It is 4,705 mm long, which is similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz GLB, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. It is equipped with new bumpers and sills, as well as 21-inch Brabus wheels behind which are red brake calipers.

Inside, the heated/cooled front seats are upholstered in imitation suede, while the seat belts and other details are red. In front of the driver is a 10.3-inch digital instrument panel, as well as two 13-inch screens (one for the infotainment system and the other containing a small lion avatar named Leo, as well as a state-of-the-art generative voice AI assistant that uses various sources to accurately respond to almost all questions). Also, there is a 25.6-inch AR head-up display. Other equipment includes a 2,000W Sennheiser sound system with 20 speakers, a panoramic glass roof, and sports pedals.

#5 Brabus is the most powerful Smart car powered by two electric motors with a total power of 646 hp, which is enough to accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds (with Launch Control) with a top speed of 210 km/h. Its 800V electrical architecture uses a 100 kWh battery in the #5 Premium model and ensures a range of about 540 kilometers. Thanks to fast charging, the battery can be charged to 80 percent of its capacity in 18 minutes.

When it comes to sales, this version will be available to customers in Germany first, starting at the end of April, and will cost 60,900 euros.

Source: Brabus

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