Latest news with #supercar
Motor 1
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Spied: AMG's New 4-Door Supercar Caught Testing In the Alps
Hot on the heels of the AMG GT XX concept's reveal on Tuesday , spy videographers have caught Mercedes testing the production version gliding stealthily through the Alps. Expected to share much of the concept's design, AMG's all-electric, four-door supercar wears the same sleek fastback bodylines as the GT XX, albeit heavily camouflaged in a patterned wrap. The massive grille seems to be making a return, as do the circular-pattern taillights. But the headlights are notably different, with a more production-ready tri-star design, inspired by the brand's logo. Though we never see this test mule pull off any quick corners or hard accelerations, we do get a taste of its sound. That's right, this EV isn't silent. There's a distinct engine-like idle emanating from underneath that camouflage, a feature hyped up by executives at the concept's reveal on Wednesday. There's not much to glean from the sound itself—it doesn't seem like a burbling V-8 to us—but it's also likely not finalized. So take the noise with a grain of salt, for now. As for performance, there should be a lot of it. The AMG GT XX concept is rated at 1,340 horsepower thanks to three axial-flux motors, two at the rear, and another up front. It runs on an 800-volt architecture for ultra-quick charging and uses direct-cooled cylindrical battery cells for better cooling attributes. While that power figure might not be the same, it's very likely the production car will carry this same powertrain setup when it's revealed later this year. As for pricing, the AMG GT EV will likely compete directly against its closest segment rival, the Porsche Taycan , which starts at $101,395. More on AMG's New Four-Door Weapon The First Standalone Mercedes-AMG EV Has NA Miata-Looking Fake Taillights Mercedes-AMG GT4 EV Spied For The First Time As Porsche Taycan Rival Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Motor 1
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Want Your Own Custom Supercar? This Company Will Build It
Supercars are expensive, and more often than not, you're limited to one powertrain option and one body style, with very little wiggle room for full-on customization. That is, unless you're willing to throw an obscene amount of money at a company like Ferrari or Lamborghini. But a British engineering firm wants to make that process a bit easier—and, hopefully, a bit cheaper, too. A company called Dash Bespoke—a spinoff of Dash, an engineering firm that's been working in racing since 2006—will build you a custom supercar virtually from the ground up. Using its TR01 carbon fiber monocoque chassis, which debuted in 2023, buyers will be able to pick and choose from a variety of powertrains, custom body styles, interiors, and more. Photo by: Dash Bespoke The TR01 platform, Dash notes, is lightweight, stiff, and completely Euro NCAP compliant—which means it is road legal in the UK. It works with batteries and V-8s alike, and customers can spec it to become a road-going supercar, hypercar, or a custom race car. The first customer-built supercar based on Dash's TR01 platform will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this summer. The so-called "SlipStream" will have a mid-engined V-8 built by Hartley in New Zealand (the same company responsible for the Nilu27 's engine), with bespoke carbon fibre subframes, a light alloy suspension, and hydraulic dampers from Nitron. "Bringing a bespoke or low-volume performance vehicle to life is a monumental undertaking," says Dash CEO Tim Robathan. Photo by: Dash Bespoke "Whether it's an OEM motorsport project or a niche hypercar, the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly challenges and associated risks are high. For many brands and visionaries, these obstacles can halt progress and project viability. That is why we have established Dash Bespoke." Dash doesn't say how much your dream custom supercar will cost you. We can't imagine it's cheap. But given the existing platform and Dash's engineering expertise, it's still likely a far more affordable option than going to Ferrari. And far more customizable, too. Check Out These Stories America's Beautiful, Forgotten Hypercars There Are Too Many Hypercars Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Mercedes' electric family supercar of tomorrow
By Mercedes plans to take the electric car world by storm with a new family-size supercar that combines beautiful looks with the latest tech. Gunning for Porsche's Taycan - the standout four-door performance EV on sale right now - the Concept AMG GT XX unveiled today previews a production car that promises to be a tour de force like nothing else seen in the electric car market. The AMG-developed concept is already a fully drivable vehicle - and one that boasts over 1,300bhp from cutting-edge e-motors, a radical design that includes a controversial police-inspired rear light display, and a cockpit that looks like it's been lifted from a prototype racing car. These elements combine to produce a host of jaw-dropping statistics. According to Mercedes bigwigs, it can hit 62mph in less than 2.5 seconds. The top speed is more than three times the legal speed limit in Britain. And its next-generation battery can add almost 250 miles of charge in the time it takes to fill up with petrol and pay for it at the forecourt kiosk. And these aren't pie-in-the-sky claims coming out of the Stuttgart HQ; bosses say these figures are representative of what the top-spec version of the showroom-ready EV will deliver when it arrives... next year. Monumental electric power At the beating heart of the Concept AMG GT XX is an oil‑cooled 114kWh cell‑to‑pack battery delivering energy to a trio of 'axial-flux' motors that are key to the EV's incredible performance figures. Developed by British company YASA, they are around a third of the size of existing e-motors used in production EVs - yet they are three times as power dense. In total, the three e-motors produce a staggering 1,341bhp. To put this into perspective, the £2.5million Bugatti Chiron hypercar's 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 petrol engine delivers 1,578bhp. Experts have likened the significance of axial-flux e-motor adoption for EVs to that of fuel injection of combustion engines in the late 1980s and early '90s as the replacement for carburettors. Two of these revolutionary e-motors drive the rear wheels, while a third provides power to the front-wheels, making this an all-wheel-drive model. But on demand. Under slower driving conditions, the third e-motor automatically decouples from the drivetrain to downgrade the Concept AMG GT XX to a rear-driven EV. This improves efficiency by reducing mechanical drag, meaning a little extra range from that massive battery. Pedal to the floor, it is said to be able to go up to 224mph flat out. For how long this is achievable before the battery is drained entirely is not yet revealed. The cylindrical-cell battery is also far more advanced than anything seen in existing mainstream EVs - and has been co-developed by AMG's Formula 1 powertrain division based in Brixworth, Northamptonshire. Switching from liquid to oil cooled is said to deliver more efficient heat transfer under sustained load, meaning the battery can operate at peak efficiency far longer than a conventional lithium-ion battery pack. The battery has a high voltage of 'more than 800 volts' and can support DC charging at up to 850kW - which is way beyond the capacity of any public charger in situ in the UK, or around the world. Theoretically, Mercedes claims it will be able to add 249 miles (400km) of range in a charge lasting just five minutes. Though this is likely dependent on a roll-out of faster charging points, which bosses said are on the way. Markus Schäfer, chief technology officer at Mercedes-AMG, said during the unveiling: 'Three years ago, 300kW charging on the road was unthinkable. Now it's reality. 'We're already seeing 480kW stations in China. 1000kW parks will come.' Mercedes is yet to confirm what the total driving range with a 100 per cent charged battery could be. The arrangement of the powertrain is also ground-breaking. The production car will debut the German company's new electric car platform, which sees the battery pack integrated into the chassis to boost torsional rigidity and crash protection. This will underpin most Mercedes EVs thereafter. The four-door family supercar will also incorporate double‑wishbone front and multi‑link rear suspension set‑up with adaptive air springs, active roll control, and rear‑wheel steering. Combined with all-wheel-drive system and a mooted 50:50 weight distribution, it could be unmatched in terms of EV track performance. So confident in the car's capabilities, Mercedes says it will attempt to break various records using the prototype ahead of the production car launching in 2026. 'The best minds in our global R&D network have contributed their extensive expertise – from Mercedes‑Benz in Sindelfingen and Untertürkheim to Mercedes‑AMG in Affalterbach and YASA in the UK to our Formula 1 drivetrain experts at Mercedes‑AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth,' Schäfer said. 'Together, they have developed the Concept AMG GT XX and are providing an insight into pioneering drivetrain technology and the future of performance. The technology programme pushes the boundaries even further and ventures into new ground.' He added that the car has the capacity to 'lift performance and endurance to a completely new level'. But AMG is adamant that Concept AMG GT XX should retain the emotional appeal of the big V8 petrol engine performance cars it produces en mass today - and EVs will eventually replace from 2035 onwards. To achieve this, an eight‑speaker exterior sound system – mounted in the headlight housings – mimics acceleration sounds of a combustion powertrain. Will the production version look this good? There's no denying the Concept AMG GT XX is a gorgeous piece of automotive design. It's an extremely sleek - and very low - shape that will likely be tweaked for the production four-door model to improve cabin space, especially head room. That said, Mercedes design boffins say the general silhouette will largely stay consistent, including its low-mounted grille, high shoulder lines, clean profile, massive wheels, and dramatic six ringed rear light cluster. What's unlikely to be retained are the active aero vanes in the 21-inch wheel spokes, which open at slower speeds to improve brake cooling and close to improve the aerodynamic performance around the arches when a driver puts their foot down. The LED displays in the sills - made from luminescent paint - showing the state of charge of the battery won't make it to the showroom car either. The same can be said about daring features to the rear, like the 730-LED dot-matrix panel between the brake lights, which can spell out a number of different combinations of words and characters - similar to the signs displayed in the back of traffic officer cars when they pull ahead of offenders and direct them to pull over at the side of the road. An airbrake spoiler deploying under heavy braking or at high speed, working in tandem with a large carbonfibre diffuser, will, however, be fitted to the EV that customers can buy shortly. The concept also does without a rear window, though Mercedes says this will be a traditional glass panel when the production vehicle emerges in 2026. That said, many of the concept features mentioned that won't make the showroom are said to be under ongoing development for models coming further down the line - so you might still be able to display expletives to cars behind in the future. A family model with a race-car cockpit The four-door - and four seat - coupe is dimensionally adequate for use as a family car, in the same way that the Porsche Taycan has been snapped up by eco-conscious households of late. Lotus is also targeting the same market with its Emeya EV . But don't be fooled by the suggestion of practicality, because once inside the Mercedes feels like a high-performance endurance racer rather than a school-run saloon. Dual digital displays (the instrument cluster 10.25 inches and the main dash display 14 inches) dominate the front of the cabin, while the F1-derived steering wheel is very much in the ilk of the unit used in the AMG One hypercar. The interior is also bathed in a variety of experimental materials - though some of which might not make production. This includes biotech leather reportedly made from recycled GT3 tyres, protein‑derived bio‑silk door pulls (because handles weigh too much) and an exposed carbonfibre roof with no headliner. When can I buy one? A production version of the Concept AMG GT XX will be launched in 2026, and an SUV using the same EV architecture is expected to follow a year later as a challenger to the forthcoming electric Porsche Cayenne. There's no word on when order books will open, or how much it will cost, so eager EV converts will have to wait for more details to be released in the coming months.
Top Gear
a day ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Watch the fastest accelerating car in the world do a MASSIVE burnout
Advertisement Video Top Gear gets to grips with the mad, bad Rimac Nevera R. Well, *tries* to get to grips 15 minutes 1 second Eight and a half seconds to a hundred and eighty plus. It's 1.5 seconds faster than a Koengisegg Jesko, a 3.5-second annihilation of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, and unlike most ultra-rapid EVs which run out of puff once aero drag becomes a major factor, the Nevera R keeps on tugging its sun-lounger rear wing all the way to 256mph. Welcome to the most powerful, fastest accelerating road car in the world. Now watch it do a dirty great burnout! Along with some sensible consumer testing, of course, via the medium of a massive watermelon. Take it away, Mr Kew... Advertisement - Page continues below READ MORE Rimac Nevera R review: the fastest accelerating car in the world You might like Advertisement - Page continues below Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Video Electric Supercars News
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
I Drove the 2025 Mercedes-AMG E53: Here's My Brutally Honest Review
A moment of nostalgia Staring at the misty green metallic 2025 Mercedes AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ sedan in the fading light of a summer's day in mid-state New York, I'm almost getting verklempt. You see, I own this car's father—or perhaps it's more accurate to say grandfather, the mighty 2005 E55 AMG. Exactly two decades ago, that supercharged, no-nonsense beast was the fastest sedan in the world, and with its 5.4-liter V8 engine producing 469 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it could look at a Ferrari 550 Maranello and simply smirk. The E53 is right at home in both town and country. — Source: Marco della Cava Back in its day, my 2005 E55 AMG was a world beater, so how will this E53 compare? Today, our silver E55 AMG, which we bought with 36,000 miles in 2013, has around 126,000 miles on the clock and thousands in upkeep receipts, but it is still a wonderfully capable, safe, communicative, and entertaining machine to unleash on unsuspecting supercar owners. To say our two twentysomething boys adore it would be a grand understatement. Sure, the E55's 0 to 60 dash of 4.5 seconds pales in comparison to today's 2-second EV-and-ICE-powered blasts, but it's as swift as most mortals need a car, let alone a practical four-door with a truly massive trunk, to be. In 2005, the Mercedes E55 AMG was one of the fastest cars on the planet. — Source: Marco della Cava The E53 features tech and touches that the old E55 could only dream about All that to say, this brand new AMG E53 had some big emotional shoes to fill as I slipped its black fob into my pocket and hit the keyless start button. Over the next four days, I would come to appreciate the many technological advancements inherent in any car cobbled together in 2025, while also mulling what might have been lost in the process of turning an automotive hammer into a four-wheeled spaceship. Design lines that say 'sports sedan' are marred only by one addition Parked in an empty lot just off the New York State Thruway, the AMG E53 offers a lot to take in. From a distance, let's call it 25 feet, it's a marvelous design that combines true four-passenger practicality with enough taught design lines to set itself apart from Euro-peers such as the Maserati Ghibli, Audi A6, and Porsche Panamera. The AMG E53 Hybrid 4Matic+ hits the road. — Source: Mercedes-Benz The nose is particularly arresting, with its large gaping mouth and three-pointed star emblem, and its various scoops, ducts, and spoiler cladding are a tactful balance between purposeful aero and boy-racer excess. One nit here: I could do without the small wing on the trunk, as it likely doesn't add much downforce at normal driving speeds and detracts from one of the most special aspects of many AMGs, namely their very stealthy dual nature. For example, with our E55, you're not sure if I'm in an E350 until I've mashed the pedal and vanished. That's giddy fun, and a rear spoiler just telegraphs that surprise away. A sedan with truly room for four adults is welcome these days With room for four large adults, the AMG E53 offers no compromises as a sports sedan. — Source: Marco della Cava Inside, this press car came with a rather unsubtle two-tone leather, grey with black, that also detracts from the car's multiple personalities. The seating is sporty, which means on the firmer side, perhaps perfect for track time but less so on long highway cruises. You get the belabored point here: I adore cars that confuse you a bit, whose appearances suggest understated elegance while hiding Jekyll-and-Hyde fearsomeness. But let's talk about the back seats. Praise Mercedes for not making this area an afterthought. In fact, there's more than plenty of room to host two large adults and even three medium-sized ones in a pinch. That's in contrast to, for example, another stunningly designed sedan, the Porsche Taycan, whose rear seat passengers risk bruised knees if the front passengers are six-footers. Best to spend time reading the manual before sitting behind an E53 wheel It's worth spending time with the AMG E53 manual before you take to the road, given the myriad of features. — Source: Marco della Cava For drivers, the cockpit of an AMG E53 is a serious place to be. The purposeful three-spoke steering wheel features the usual array of buttons and even touch-sensitive controls (for example, to make music louder, you slide a finger up that tab) that can seem a bit overwhelming at first glance. That goes ditto for the circular steering wheel knobs that grant control over the car's myriad suspension and performance settings. It's worth a read up on all that before hitting the road to max out on this car's serious capabilities, all of which make my E55 seem like a frighteningly fast Fred Flintstone-mobile. Obviously, it's 2025, so analog gauges of any kind are verboten. The screens front and center do all the communicating now. Yes, sorry, the sweep of a digital tach just doesn't compare with an old-school needle racing up to a painted red line, but that ship has long since sailed. Deal with it. Yes, the AMG E63 is a sedan of a different stripe and price The AMG E53 mates an inline six with electric power to deliver nearly 600 hp. — Source: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes AMG aficionados will know that for some years now, the flagship sedan has usually carried the name E63, not 53. That remains the case. The 2025 AMG E63 E Performance is a completely different beast than its little brother in many respects, from its price (loaded, it'll easily crest $220,000) to performance (a turbocharged V8 coupled with electric motors takes horsepower and torque to the 1,000 range, and 60 mph comes in 2.6 seconds). The good news here is that those who want far more than a basic Mercedes four-door can park a bona fide AMG in their garage for far less money without feeling like they're driving something that pales in comparison. For just over $100,000, the AMG E53 packs a lot of dazzle per dollar Fully charged, the AMG E53 can run on electrons only for up to 42 miles. — Source: Mercedes-Benz Our test car started out at $88,000, which includes a 3-liter in-line six cylinder – a Mercedes hallmark for decades now – that is turbocharged and augmented by a plug-in hybrid engine that combines for 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The car's electric battery can provide at full charge upwards of 42 miles of travel without waking up the gas engine, while also assisting said powerplant to an mpg efficiency of up to 59. No small thing with gas prices refusing to drop anytime soon. Also standard on this E53 was AMG Ride Control, which grants the driver access to a range of damper settings, from comfort to very firm. Additionally, it features rear axle steering to improve turn-in and the company's 4Matic+ four-wheel-drive system for enhanced security in inclement weather. True track demons have a special E53 package waiting for them The interior of the AMG E53 is both sporting and high-tech. — Source: Mercedes-Benz The usual complement of safety features is standard as well, including active brake assist and blind spot assist, as well as high beam and parking assist. However, a few items quickly drove the car's final price tag to $108,300, including the special two-tone leather interior, cross-spoke 21-inch rims, upgraded seating and trim, and the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which offers a higher top speed, Race Start mode, and an enhanced exhaust sound. This is an AMG after all, so why not load up on racing fare? The E53 is ready to deliver whatever on-road experience you want Among the many luxury touches in the AMG E53 is the Burmester stereo. — Source: Mercedes-Benz So, at about half the cost of a loaded AMG E63, is the AMG E53 half the sedan? Not by a long shot. Time behind the wheel of this car, both during hours on a highway and winding farm-country roads, reveals that the car possesses the same dual nature as my E55, and even more so. Where the old AMG from 20 years ago toggles between aggressive and angry, the AMG E53 is capable of truly deception. Keep everything in auto mode and you'll simply float to your destination accompanied by your favorite music wafting across the excellent Burmester stereo system. But dial in performance-mode settings and put your foot in it, and there is no mistaking the E53's connection to that storied AMG racing heritage. Final thoughts Parked in front of a traditional Ukrainian church in the Catskills of New York, the AMG E53 cuts a dashing figure. — Source: Marco della Cava For just over $100,000, there are a number of great four-door vehicles one could mull over, either in sedan, crossover, or SUV form. For those who still enjoy being closer to the pavement, sedans are the only way to go, and in that realm, one is hard-pressed to find a more versatile vehicle on the market. Sure, my 2005 E55 feels a tad more like a caged beast than its 2025 counterpart, and perhaps would have more genetic connections to the current E63 hypersedan. But frankly, it's just fantastic to know that for true drivers, there remains a car out there that can both satisfy the wanna-be George Russell in you while also taking the kids to school and the grandparents to that recital. So long live this Mercedes and all those wonderful wolves in sheep's clothing. All due respect to the growing legion of robocars, but machines like the AMG E53 make driving the joy that we all know it can and should be. About the Author Marco Della Cava View Profile
