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Porsche 911 Sport Classic Caught Testing

Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Porsche 911 Sport Classic out for a new testing session on the public roads of Germany. As you can see the car is missing most of the camouflage which means the testing sessions are pretty much done, and all that is left is mostly fine tuning.

The prototype follows the design lines of the 911 models, but there will be a few distinctive features. First one is of course that little ducktail at the back – a signature of the Sport Classic models. The 911 Sport Classic will also feature a double bubble roof and the lines of the special hood will match perfectly the lines of the roof.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic Caught Testing Exterior Spyshots
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The only camouflage we can see on this prototype is some tape around the sides of the ducktail spoiler and in the middle of the rear light arrangement.

As for the engine, rumors suggest the 911 Sport Classic will get the same engine as the 911 GTS: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six that delivers 480 horsepower
and 420 pound-feet of torque.

Rumors suggest Porsche will only build 2,000 units of the 911 Sport Classic.

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Here’s Your First Look At The 2022 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren HDK

His post says: “Ooh what is this for??? I could not possibly say… look out 2022.” Which means of course that the new SLR McLaren will make its world debut sometime next year.

For the moment we have very limited information on the new SLR McLaren, but rumors suggest it will be called HDK – High Downforce Kit. Previous rumors suggested Mercedes will build a total of 12 units, but Khoshbin’s post suggest his car will be a “one-off.” So, it is very possible that all those 12 units will be tailored to each customer’s personal taste.

Here's Your First Look At The 2022 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren HDK
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The scale model posted by Khoshbin reveals an aggressive look, with a vented hood, a massive rear wing, a large rear diffuser, bulkier side skirts, and a single-exit exhaust pipe on each side. In fact it looks quite a lot with the SLR 722 GT – the car on which rumors suggest it will be based on. If so, expect the SLR HDK to deliver more than 617 horsepower – the power of the SLR 722 GT.

One thing is for sure, all 12 units were spoken for, so there is no hope you could get one.

Source: thesupercarblog

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The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification

Keeping the Mazda MX-5 On the Roster Won’t Be So Easy

Mazda hasn’t been nearly as aggressive as other automakers when it comes to electrifying its range. In fact, the brand’s first EV, the MX-30, isn’t even on the market yet, but is expected to launch in California sometime in the fall of 2021. We also know that the Rotary engine is supposed to serve as a range-extender (electric power generation only) for that very car, but outside of this, the brand has been rather slow to embrace electrification.

Shortly after news that the next-gen Mazda 6 would feature a new inline-six, Mazda released its electrification strategy for the next few years. That plan includes the launch of five hybrid models, five PHEVs, and three EVs between 2022 and 2025, all based on Mazda’s “Skyactive Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture.” Details beyond this were slim, and it has led some to question what will happen to the MX-5 Miata. It fights in a very tough, small niche and will be very difficult to electrify without taking away what makes it special – its lightweight, compact nature and impressive handling.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification High Resolution Exterior
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Now, a new report from Japanese outlet Kuruma-news says that Mazda Mx-5 will only live on as either a hybrid or an EV. Shortly after that report went out, Motor 1 received confirmation from Mazda via an official statement that at least hints that the company will try to keep the car as nimble and lightweight as possible:

“Mazda is seeking to electrify the MX-5 Miata in an effort to have all models feature a form of electrification by 2030. We will work hard to make it a lightweight, affordable, open two-seater sports car in order to meet the needs of customers.”

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification High Resolution Exterior
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So, while we know the Mx-5 will likely live on, we’re not sure as to what end electrification will come into play. Making the Mx-5 all-electric would encourage other automakers to do the same with their compact sports cars, with the Porsche 718 Boxster Concept being the first that comes to mind. And Electric MX-5 could also encourage Honda to bring back the S2000 as an EV, for example, or push Toyota and Subaru to electrify the GR86 and BRZ twins.

The Downside to Electrifying the Mx-5

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification High Resolution Exterior
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There’s no denying that EVs, in general, can put down some serious performance thanks to their instantaneous torque delivery. However, the big downside is that EVs are naturally heavy and generally feature a limited range. When it comes to the MX-5, that is a very crucial thing to keep in mind since it is a lightweight and nimble car that’s also affordable.

Transforming the MX-5 into an EV would be very difficult to keep its lightweight nature intact and, since it’s so small, there’s not a lot of room for battery, which means an MX-5 EV would probably mean little range – maybe even as low as 150 miles.

Of course, that could change in the years to come with advancements in battery tech, but as things sit now, batteries are very heavy and very big, two things that don’t mix well with what the MX-5 is at its core.

Hybridization Could Be The Right Move For the Next-Gen MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification High Resolution Exterior
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Mazda’s electrification plans aren’t as ambitious as that of other automakers. By 2030, the company expects only 25-perecent of its vehicles to be all-electric with the remaining 75-percent being powering by hybridized internal combustion engines. This is a big deal because going the mild hybrid route means Mazda can cut down on the weight it needs to add since the battery pack will be much smaller. There won’t be any electric range to speak of, but this setup would also open the door for even better performance since even a small electric motor can add a considerable amount of torque to a car’s bottom line – this is exactly how Mercedes is able to scall down to a four-cylinder engine, even in the range-topping AMG versions of the new C-class.

Final Thoughts

The Mazda MX-5 Miata Will Live On Though Electrification High Resolution Exterior
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At this point, there’s no telling when we’ll know what Mazda is going to do for sure, but at least we can say that there’s a good chance that the MX-5 will live on until at least 2030, and probably beyond. With the current model hitting the market for the 2015 model year, there’s a good chance the next-gen model will be revealed in 2023 or 2024, and I’m willing to bet it’ll be a mild hybrid. However, that’s not to say that Mazda won’t offer at least one all-electric version of the MX-5. If the R&D is done, it might be a feasible option if there’s actually enough demand for it. Then again, some would argue that Honda bringing back the S2000 as an EV would be a horrible idea, simply because a lot of what made that car special was its engine and chassis. Will the world think the same about the MX-5? Should the car be shelved instead of going electric in the future? I guess only time will tell.

Porsche’s Boxster EV Will Force Audi And BMW To Step Up Their Game

The Porsche Boxster EV Is Just the Start of Electric Sports Cars

Shortly following news that the fate of the next-gen Porsche 718 was officially on the table, a new report came to say that Porsche was working on a “Boxster EV” and that a concept is coming soon. And, even though there’s a strong case for a Porsche 911 EV – if you factor out the consideration of battery weight – going electric with the 718 makes even more sense. Especially when it’s said that an ICE version of the 718 will be sold alongside the electric model, much like Porsche is planning to do with the Macan EV. Of course, I should tell you that the Macan EV might not be a Macan, but that’s a conversation for another time. The point is that the news of the Boxster EV got me thinking, and the bottom line is that it’s going to spearhead the shift of the entire small sportscar segment.

Porsche's Boxster EV Will Force Audi And BMW To Step Up Their Game
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As of now, BMW isn’t planning to follow-up on the current BMW Z4 – once it goes out of production, that’s supposed to be it. And last we heard, Audi was completely unsure of what to do with the Audi R8 and the Audi TT, meaning neither may survive beyond their current generations or the next generation at best. With the Toyota Supra being based on the Z4, there’s a good chance it’ll be a one-and-done ordeal too, and Mazda hasn’t exactly been open about electrification plans for the MX-5, either.

Porsche's Boxster EV Will Force Audi And BMW To Step Up Their Game
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So what happens later this year when Porsche unveils a Boxster EV concept that is, reportedly, near-production ready? Will it take less than the five years it took the Mission E to morph into the Taycan and MX-5 electric too. Perhaps a couple of automakers are secretly working on their own electric compact sports cars or maybe they aren’t. If they are, then all the better for us, and if they aren’t, expect to watch them all scatter like roaches when the lights come on as they start scrambling to take their rightful pieces of the pie before Porsche comes to dominate a lightly touched segment.

Type-S (Almost) All the Things: Acura’s 2022 Product Line Leaked

Slides from an Acura dealer webinar have leaked onto the Internet, and Acura fans, take note.

While almost anything on Reddit needs to be approached with a reasonably skeptical eye – do you really think all those posts on r/relationships are real? – there are a few news nuggets to mine here.

First of all, almost all the models in the lineup, save the RDX and NSX, appear to be getting a spicier Type-S trim. That’s no shock with the NSX, since that supercar is already hot enough, but it’s mildly surprising in terms of the RDX, given the relative sportiness of Acura’s crossovers. Especially since the other crossover, the MDX, will get the Type-S treatment.

So that means the TLX and MDX will get Type-S trims, along with the “New Compact Sedan”. The MDX and New Compact Sedan will follow the TLX in the launch order. The RDX and NSX aren’t listed before 2022.

Wait, what? No ILX?

Well, we don’t know. The lack of ILX nomenclature could mean a change in name, and speculation is rampant that the Integra name could return. That could revive interest in the brand – not everyone loves alphanumeric nomenclature. Then again, whatever problems Acura may or may not have probably run deeper than just the brand’s naming convention. Too many sedans and not enough crossovers, for one thing, could be an issue. Even with the RLX now pining for the fjords.

There’s still no crossover smaller than RDX or larger than MDX on offer, you’ll notice. The webinar can be seen here.

The ILX has been mostly an afterthought over its lifetime, even though the car once offered a base powertrain that including a manual. That particular car was a blast to drive, but not luxurious enough for the brand and not as dedicated to performance as the Integra and later, the RSX.

Either name could come back, or perhaps the ILX moniker will return after all. All we know is that there will be some sort of compact sedan bearing Acura badging with a Type-S option box to check.

As for the Type-S hi-po trims, here’s the background. The Type-S concept previewed the just-shown 2021 TLX, and the Type-S version is slated to have a 3.0-liter V6 that likely makes north of 300 horsepower, along with all-wheel drive.

This lineup overall will be complete by 2022. We’ve already seen the 2021 TLX, so we know that as Jerry Seinfeld once told an unfortunate immigrant restauranteur, wheels are in motion.

We don’t have specs or other details yet. We’ve reached out to Acura for comment but have not heard back by press time.

Stay tuned. With the Detroit and New York auto shows binned for this year and L.A. an uncertainty, it’s hard to predict when the covers may lift. Virtual reveals could happen, too, thanks to COVID-19.

Either way, the Acura lineup just got a lot spicier, at least on paper. And every Integra fanboy/fangirl just fainted.

Not to deepen the vapors, but what if the new compact, or at least a version of it, ends up being an Acura version of the beloved Honda Civic Type R?

Take a breath to collect yourself.

A lineup full of Type-S trims and a strong entry in the compact class could be just the booster shot the doctor ordered.

H/t to contributor Chris Tonn

[Image: Acura]

Tag: future cars