Restomod

Theon Design Turns the Porsche 964 Into a 426-HP Air-Cooled Weapon

Singer may have written the opening chapter of the modern Porsche restomod story, but the genre has evolved well beyond a one-brand show. Case in point: Theon Design’s latest take on the 964-generation 911, a car that looks politely classic until you realize it packs a better power-to-weight ratio than a modern GT3 RS. Yes, really.

From a distance, this renewed 964 doesn’t scream for attention. The lines are familiar, the stance restrained, the vibe unmistakably air-cooled 911. Look closer—or better yet, drive it—and you discover that subtlety is just camouflage. Underneath the vintage skin lives a deeply reengineered machine built by Theon Design, a UK-based outfit that’s quietly become one of the most serious players in the restomod game.

The heart of the transformation is a new air-cooled 4.0-liter flat-six, and it’s exactly the kind of engine enthusiasts fantasize about at 2 a.m. It makes 426 horsepower at a heady 7,600 rpm and 439 Nm of torque, thanks in part to independent throttle bodies that promise razor-sharp response. Open engine intakes complete the package, ensuring the soundtrack is as unfiltered as the driving experience. If you believe air-cooled engines should be heard, not muted, Theon is clearly on your side.

Power goes to the rear wheels only—because of course it does—through a six-speed manual gearbox. No paddles, no modes, no apologies. To make sure all that power doesn’t turn into expensive tire smoke, Theon fits specially calibrated TracTive semi-active dampers and brakes borrowed from the 993-generation 911 Carrera RS. The result is a chassis that blends old-school feedback with modern control. Period-correct 17-inch Fuchs wheels fill the arches, wrapped in Michelin rubber that quietly hints this car is meant to be driven hard, not parked under velvet ropes.

The build process itself is obsessive in the best possible way. The donor 964 is stripped to its bones, the chassis reinforced with additional welding, and the steel body panels replaced by lightweight composite parts. Finished in Medium Ivory with contrasting Grand Prix stripes and protected by PPF, the car manages to look both timeless and purpose-built.

All that carbon pays dividends on the scale. Theon’s 964 tips the scales at just 1,150 kilograms, giving it a power-to-weight ratio that eclipses Porsche’s current 911 GT3 RS. That’s an outrageous statistic for something that still looks like it belongs in a 1990s showroom poster.

Inside, the same level of care continues. Carbon-backed Recaro CS seats are trimmed in Tobacco nubuck leather with ivory stitching that mirrors the exterior details. Plastic switchgear is banished, replaced by machined aluminum components that feel substantial and mechanical—exactly how a 911’s controls should feel. The rear seats are gone, swapped for a carbon-fiber storage compartment, while a Focal six-speaker system with an Audison amplifier handles audio duties for the rare moments when you’re not listening to that flat-six howl.

None of this comes cheap. Prices for one-off commissions like this start at £420,000 (about €484,250), and each build takes roughly 18 months. But in the rarefied world of high-end restomods, that price isn’t just for parts or performance—it’s for patience, craftsmanship, and the idea that a classic 911 can still move the goalposts.

Singer may have started the conversation. Theon is making sure it doesn’t end there.

Source: Theon Design

News

Lamborghini Proves Horsepower Isn’t Its Only Competitive Advantage

In Sant’Agata Bolognese, Lamborghini has always been obsessed with performance. V-12s that scream to redline, wedge-shaped supercars that look like they’re doing 200 mph standing still, and a brand identity built on excess, drama, and speed. But for the thirteenth year in a row, the company has earned recognition for something far less visible—and arguably just as critical to its long-term success: how it treats the people building those cars.

Automobili Lamborghini has once again been certified as a Top Employer Italy, a streak that now runs uninterrupted since 2014. The award isn’t about flashy perks or marketing gloss; it’s based on the Top Employers Institute’s HR Best Practices Survey, which digs into everything from people strategy and work environment to learning, diversity, equity, inclusion, and overall wellbeing. In other words, this is about whether the company behind the Aventador replacement can function as smoothly on the inside as its cars do on the outside.

CEO Stephan Winkelmann puts it plainly: employee wellbeing isn’t separate from the business—it is the business. The philosophy is simple but demanding. If people feel valued, supported, and motivated, the company performs better. That belief has become a core part of Lamborghini’s operating system, not just a line in an annual report.

People First, With Measurable Results

At the center of Lamborghini’s HR strategy is a clear idea: transformation only works if employees are active participants, not passive observers. That thinking shows up in practical ways, including new working-hour structures developed through agreements with trade unions and the company’s works council. The result is a more balanced approach to work and life—an increasingly rare achievement in a high-pressure, high-performance industry.

Then there’s Feelosophy, Lamborghini’s corporate wellbeing program launched in 2021 and refined every year based on employee feedback. Built around body, mind, and purpose, it covers everything from fitness and meditation to psychological support and prevention programs. It’s not a token initiative—it’s the backbone of a company-wide wellbeing culture designed to support employees beyond the factory floor.

The brand has also doubled down on inclusion and equity. In late 2025, Lamborghini renewed its UNI/PdR 125:2022 certification for gender equality, first awarded in 2022. Concrete initiatives back it up: structured parenthood programs, work–life balance policies, inclusive language projects, and broader efforts to foster a fairer, more participatory workplace. This isn’t about optics; it’s about building a culture that can sustain growth in an industry undergoing rapid change.

Training the People Who Will Build the Future

Lamborghini’s vision doesn’t stop at wellbeing. Skills development is treated with the same seriousness as vehicle development, with continuous upskilling pathways designed to keep pace with a fast-evolving automotive landscape. Peer-to-peer learning communities, digital self-learning platforms, coaching, and mentoring all play a role, reinforcing the idea that expertise shouldn’t live in silos.

Leadership development gets special attention through programs like Coach and Care, which blends external coaching with internal mentorship. The goal is to create leaders who don’t just manage performance, but actively contribute to healthy, motivating work environments.

On the technical side, Lamborghini marked ten years of its DESI (Dual Education System Italy) program—an initiative aimed squarely at developing the next generation of technical talent. In collaboration with local partners, DESI strengthens the link between education, industry, and the region, feeding skilled professionals directly into the company and the wider Motor Valley ecosystem.

That ecosystem includes the Motor Valley Academy, where Lamborghini helps shape training programs focused on the skills that matter now and tomorrow: electrification, battery technology, software-defined vehicles, cybersecurity, mechatronics, digital manufacturing, and advanced simulation. This is where the future engineers of Lamborghini’s hybrid and electric era are being forged.

Digital, AI, and the Road Ahead

All of this feeds into Lamborghini’s broader transformation strategy, where digitalization and artificial intelligence are becoming as essential as carbon fiber and aluminum. Employees receive training in AI fundamentals, data management, scenario simulation, and even prompt engineering for generative AI. Cross-functional teams are already experimenting with proofs of concept that rethink processes, workflows, and products—showing that innovation isn’t confined to R&D labs alone.

The takeaway is clear. Lamborghini’s evolution isn’t just about new drivetrains or sharper styling; it’s about building an organization capable of sustaining excellence in a rapidly changing world. The cars may still steal the spotlight, but behind every V-10 wail and V-12 crescendo is a company betting just as hard on its people as it does on performance.

And after thirteen straight years as a Top Employer, it’s hard to argue with the results.

Source: Lamborghini

NEW CARS

The 2026 Tata Punch Proves Cheap Cars Don’t Have to Feel Cheap

In much of the world, the idea of buying a brand-new car for less than the price of a well-optioned side-by-side UTV sounds like a fantasy. In India, it’s just called a Tata Punch. And with its latest mid-cycle update, Tata is reminding the industry—and the rest of us—that entry-level cars don’t need to be penalty boxes on wheels.

The refreshed Tata Punch arrives with tougher styling, meaningful tech upgrades, and—most importantly—a stronger engine option, all while maintaining a starting price that barely crests Rs. 5.59 lakh (about $6,200). That number alone feels like a mic drop in a global market where “affordable” has quietly crept into five-figure territory.

Small SUV, Big Attitude

The Punch’s visual update borrows liberally from Tata’s larger SUVs, particularly the Harrier, and that’s no bad thing. The front end now wears a sharper split-headlight design with LED elements, giving the Punch a more modern, more confident face. A chunkier bumper with heavy plastic cladding and a silver skid plate leans hard into the mini-SUV aesthetic—and frankly, it pulls it off better than most cars in this class.

Out back, Tata adds a full-width “Infinity Glow” LED light bar that connects the taillamps, instantly making the Punch look wider and more expensive than its price tag suggests. The rear bumper is cleaner and less busy than before, while new 16-inch alloy wheels and four fresh exterior colors help keep the design from feeling dated.

Dimensionally, nothing drastic has changed. At 3,827 mm (150.7 inches) long, the Punch remains firmly in the micro-SUV category. But ground clearance is now up to 193 mm (7.6 inches), and water-wading capability increases to a surprisingly robust 400 mm (15.8 inches). Those numbers aren’t marketing fluff—they matter on India’s uneven roads and during monsoon season.

Inside: Familiar, But Smarter

Step inside and you’ll recognize the Punch’s cabin layout, but Tata has clearly listened to feedback. The new 10.25-inch freestanding infotainment screen finally looks like it belongs in 2026, paired with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster behind a redesigned two-spoke steering wheel.

Physical buttons are giving way to touch-sensitive climate controls—always a controversial move—but Tata claims improved usability. The fabric seats have been reworked for better support, which is welcome in a segment where comfort is often sacrificed first.

What’s more impressive is the equipment list. Depending on trim, the Punch offers a 360-degree camera, a sunroof, wireless charging, and an eight-speaker sound system. Advanced driver-assistance systems are notably absent, but six airbags come standard across the lineup, which is a meaningful safety win at this price point.

The Engine It Always Needed

The real story, though, lives under the hood. For the first time, the Punch gets Tata’s turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine, borrowed from the larger Nexon. Output jumps to 118 horsepower, and while that number won’t scare hot hatches, it fundamentally changes the Punch’s personality.

This engine is paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, signaling that Tata sees this as the enthusiast—or at least the not-completely-bored—option. In a segment where performance often feels like an afterthought, that matters.

Budget-conscious buyers aren’t left out. The familiar naturally aspirated 1.2-liter engine with 87 horsepower carries over, as does the bi-fuel gasoline/CNG variant, which now adds an automatic transmission option. And for those looking ahead, Tata has confirmed that the all-electric Punch EV will also receive a facelift soon.

Still Ridiculously Affordable

The 2026 Tata Punch is already available to order in India, with pricing that remains its strongest argument. The base model starts at Rs. 5.59 lakh ($6,200), while the fully loaded Accomplished+ S tops out at Rs. 10.54 lakh ($11,700). Even at the high end, that’s less than the price of many used economy cars in Western markets.

Competition comes from familiar names like the Suzuki Ignis, Hyundai Exter, Citroën C3, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite—but the Punch’s combination of safety equipment, ground clearance, and now legitimate turbo power gives it a compelling edge.

The Tata Punch doesn’t try to be something it’s not. It’s small, inexpensive, and unapologetically practical. But with this update, it’s also proof that affordability and substance don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And honestly, the global auto market could use more reminders like that.

Source: Tata Motors

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