This year’s 2019 Tire Rack One Lap of America Presented by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine kicks off May 4 in South Bend, Ind., and Dodge//SRT is defending the Dodge Durango SRT’s 2018 One Lap truck/SUV class title, upping its game with a new Durango SRT Pursuit concept called “Speed Trap.” Dodge Dodge early May took the wraps off of a 797-horsepower Durango SRT, complete with a police-car livery, built to compete in the famous One Lap of America. The law-enforcement-spec SUV is a bit of cheeky fun from FCA, as evidenced by its nickname, Speed Trap. The vehicle will be driven in the event by David Carr, an SRT engineer, and David Hakim, a photographer, who also competed in 2018. Speed Trap is based on a Dodge Durango SRT Pursuit of the kind usually sold only to police fleets, but more than a few modifications have been done to it. The largest one is obviously the heart transplant: a 797-horsepower supercharged V8 borrowed from the Challenger Hellcat Redeye sits underhood, now, offering a serious bump up from the 475 horsepower the truck comes with standard. The high-flow cat-back exhaust is brand-new, and the truck sits 0.6-inches lower on 20-inch wheels to improve handling. Meaty 305-section Pirelli tires help put the power down, or create a big smoke-show, if desired. One Lap of America, for those that don’t know, is exactly what it sounds like: one lap around the United States, made up of visits to several race tracks and interesting events along the way. Think of it as a sequel to the Cannonball Run of decades past, which saw people race across the U.S. as fast as they could. When Brock Yates originally started the Cannonball Run, it was, of course, highly illegal, but at least there was a good chance your car was faster than most police cruisers back in the day. Now, with Dodge building cop cars like this, we wouldn’t bet on any sort of luck in that regard. One Lap of America also keeps people from racing on the streets, trading that stuff in for timed runs on certified tracks. Dodge is a regular competitor in the event, and hopes to defend its title in the Truck/SUV class it won last year in a standard Durango
Origin: This police-spec Dodge Durango has been kitted out with a 797-hp ‘Redeye’ V8
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Confirmed: this is the just-restored Lamborghini Miura from ‘The Italian Job’
LAMBORGHINI MIURALamborghini Lamborghini has finally found, verified and restored the Miura P400 driven by Rossano Brazzi in the iconic opening scene of the classic 1969 film The Italian Job. The search lasted years, but the Kaiser Collection of Vaduz, in Liechtenstein, finally provided a light at the end of the tunnel, consulting the marque’s classic Polo Storico arm and asking it to examine the collection’s Miura to see if it was the long-lost car, and to assign a chassis number to the screen-used vehicle. Once Lamborghini specialists got their hands on it, they used documents and testimonies from former employees – including Enzo Moruzzi, who originally delivered the vehicle to the film set, and drove it as a stunt double for the actor in the film – to verify that chassis #3586 was indeed the Miura used in the movie. The Miura that Paramount Pictures pushed off the side of the mountain for the scene was an already heavily damaged vehicle the production company bought; to find a non-crashed match, Paramount went straight to Lamborghini. A P400 in exactly the same colour and with the same interior was pulled off the production line for the film. In order to keep the car in perfect shape for the car’s next owner after filming, Moruzzi requested the white seats of the car be changed to black ones. The headrests in a Miura are attached to the dividing glass between the engine and the cockpit, so when Moruzzi asked for the seats to be changed, the headrests remained in the original white—this is actually visible in some shots. On the now-restored car, the seats are in their original white colour. On the 50th anniversary of both the car and the film, the two are brought back together. Let’s just hope they avoid any tunnels on the way to the
Origin: Confirmed: this is the just-restored Lamborghini Miura from ‘The Italian Job’
The biggest Electric Vehicle Show is this weekend – in Montreal
Thirteen. Thousand. Dollars. Since last Wednesday, that’s how much you can get in government rebates for buying a new electric car in Quebec. Want to shop for yours? Good timing: this weekend, Place Bonaventure welcomes the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show’s third edition. Can’t make it? No problem: there’s a repeat in Quebec City at the end of May. Last year, the second edition of the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show drew almost 25,000 people in a weekend. That is no less one-tenth of all the visitors the Montreal International Auto Show generally attracts… in 10 days. And last year, the MEVS – get used to it: that’s what they called the Montreal Electric Vehicle Show – was the scene of 2,000 road tests of electric and plug-in hybrid cars and other electric-powered vehicles of all types. The show would have proposed e-boat rides right in Métropole de Montréal’s biggest pool if the event would have been held at the Stade Olympique, instead of the downtown Place Bonaventure. Yeah, that’s how crazy we are in Quebec. Remember, la Belle Province is the first and still the only one in Canada with an adopted ZEV standard. Since last summer, when Ontario’s Doug Ford government cancelled its electric incentive program, Quebec is back to being the province with the most generous electric rebates, up to $8000 from the provincial level. Add the $5,000 from the federal level since May 1st and that $13,000 slashed off a $41,700 Nissan Leaf or on a $44,800 Chevrolet Bolt gives a nice little jolt. How many wheels do you want: 2, 6 or… none? MEVS, in its third year, opening today (May 3) and going until the end of Sunday (May 5) at Place Bonaventure, is a one-stop shop to learn everything about current electric options, no matter if it powers two, four, six or… no wheels at all. Indeed, beyond the cars we already know, there will be e-motorcycles, e-ATVs, e-karts, e-surf boards, e-buses, e-forklifts… even e-fat-bikes (that one could well become our favourite!). MEVS organizers claim it is the largest EV show in Canada, with 110 exhibitors ranging from solar energy equipment manufacturers to portable battery charger makers, as well as e-insurance and e-financing companies. You don’t want to miss… MEVS also features a bunch of conferences that you don’t want to miss if you are EV-Curious, EV-committed, EV-enthusiast or even EV-uncertain. CAA Quebec, one of the major partners of the event, and if you only have half an hour to sat through a (French…) exposé, you want it to be from Jesse Caron, the automobile expert from the Quebec’s Automotive Association who will Tell it like it is while presenting: EV à la portée de tous: mythe ou réalité? The two other (French, again) conferences you may want to attend are Simon-Pierre Rioux, president of the Association des véhicules électriques du Québec (AVEQ), will go back into a century of EV innovation; and Bruno Marcoux, consultant for e-Racine, will discuss about the pros and cons of buying a used EV (remember that Quebec offers provincial rebates up to $4,000 for those as well). What: Montreal Electric Vehicle Show Where: Place Bonaventure, Montreal, 800 de la Gauchetière Street W. When: Friday, May 3: 1pm – 9pm Saturday, May 4: 10am – 6pm Sunday, May 5: 10am – 5pm General Admission: $15 ($10 for CAA-Quebec members) Parking… free: Electric autonomous buses Kelios will shuttle the visitors for free between the P-10 field of Casino de Montreal and Place
Origin: The biggest Electric Vehicle Show is this weekend – in Montreal
This perfect 1994 Mazda RX-7 sold for US$70,000
A beautifully preserved 1994 Mazda RX-7 sold this week on Bring-a-Trailer for a whopping US$70,000, marking a new record for the highest prices among third-gen RX-7s. The FD-generation RX-7 is considered by many to be one of the last truly gorgeous sports cars. This example is equipped with the Touring package, featuring fog lights, a rear windshield wiper, and a sunroof. Cruise control and air conditioning are also included, because creature comforts matter. Powering this RX-7 is Mazda’s venerable twin-turbocharged 1.3-litre Wankel rotary engine, but it hasn’t spun much — just 4,600 miles (or 7,400 kilometres) have been clocked since the car was built, making it an extremely rare find. The powerplant makes 255 horsepower and 217 lb.-ft. of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. The rotary engine is known for revving high and its wonderful sounds, but it’s also a tad less reliable than a standard piston engine. This remarkably well-preserved RX-7 features absolutely no modifications — not even different wheels — which is surprising and rare, considering these cars were also popular among tuners. The beautiful Montego Blue Metallic paintwork sets off the RX-7’s elegant lines and voluptuous curves perfectly, and works to hide the pop-up headlights even more. All we wish is for the new owner to not keep it in a museum-like state for the rest of its life, but to (occasionally) take it on spirited drives, just like Mazda
Origin: This perfect 1994 Mazda RX-7 sold for US$70,000
This Chinese-market Nissan could preview the next-gen Sentra
Nissan has just revealed the latest Sylphy, and while it’s a model we don’t get in North America, it’s closely related to our Sentra and it could preview the styling of the next-gen compact sedan. Compared to the outgoing Sentra, it seems as though Nissan is changing up its styling quite a bit to punch in above its weight, competing with more luxurious brands. Out with the fat, eyebrowed headlights and generic tail lights, in with slimmer bodywork and mature styling. Nissan’s V-motion’ front grille looks good here, as well as the floating C-pillar, lending to a fastback-like trunk treatment. Sculpted haunches give the Sylphy the appearance of a lower beltline, and the front lip makes it look rather sporty. Under the hood of the Sentra will likely be Nissan’s 141-horsepower, 2.0-litre inline-four from the Rogue, as well as a CVT. It doesn’t sound like much — until you take into consideration that the base 1.8-litre inline-four in the outgoing Sentra only makes 130 horsepower. The 188-horsepower, 1.6-litre turbo-four from the Sentra SR Turbo and Nismo models could also return, hooked up to a six-speed manual. Inside, the Sylphy has also grown up, with quilted leather seats and a cleaner layout. The steering wheel is also flat-bottomed for added sportiness. Don’t be surprised if these touches also make an appearance in the next Sentra. The 2020 Sentra is still likely a few months out, but Nissan has hinted we’ll know more about it before the end of the
Origin: This Chinese-market Nissan could preview the next-gen Sentra
This tuner is building 100 new GMC ‘Syclone’ trucks with 455 hp
The 2019 GMC Syclone by Specialty Vehicle EngineeringSVE A New Jersey-based tuner is bringing back one of the most hallowed names in sport truck history, Syclone, and fixing them to 100 new GMC Canyons each boasting a healthy 455 horsepower. Specialty Vehicle Engineering may be better known for its modern Yenko/SC Chevrolet Camaros, but it apparently wants to continue building its reputation on nostalgia with these new 2019 GMC Syclones. Based on a extended-car midsize Canyon, reports CNET, the trucks come in either 2WD or 4WD, and trade the stock 308-horsepower six for a supercharged 3.6-litre unit that now churns out 455 horsepower, which we’d call more than adequate. The exhaust note growls out of a new set of pipes, and the pickup’s been lowered, too, by two inches in front and five out back, for handling less akin to a work vehicle and more akin to a performance car. Front brakes have been upgraded with six-piston discs, and the suspension’s been tricked out with new sway bars, traction bars and shocks, too. The 2019 GMC Syclone by Specialty Vehicle Engineering SVE To let people know what you’re running, there’s Syclone badging on the doors and tailgate; a power bulge on the hood; rocker panel extensions; and colour-keyed grille and bumper pieces. Four 20-inch wheels round out the look, along with a set of custom-trimmed seats. While the Sonoma-based Syclone of 1991 was famous for being made available only in black – well, and for being able to pull off zero-to-100 km/h sprints under 5.0 seconds, which is good for a truck even today – the 2019 resurrection comes in any stock Canyon colour you would ask for. Though, really, you’re going to want it in black, let’s be honest. SVE will be making the 2019 GMC Syclone available through U.S. GMC dealerships, though you might not like the price. The firm is charging US$39,995 for the conversion, which means when you include the price of the donor truck, you’re looking at at least US$70,000 or so. GMC built 2,995 Syclones back in ’91, but Specialty Vehicle Engineering is limiting its production run to just
Origin: This tuner is building 100 new GMC ‘Syclone’ trucks with 455 hp
China’s Wey bringing premium SUV range to Europe this year
Chinese premium brand Wey will launch into Europe at this September’s Frankfurt motor show, with a range of SUVs designed to rival the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The SUV marque, owned by leading Chinese firm Great Wall, was established just over two years ago. It has already sold more than 250,000 cars in its home country. Wey’s entry into Europe will be one of the most intriguing yet for a Chinese car maker given that it was set up with the express intention of global exports and is trying to position itself as a maker of quality and desirable SUV models. “Yes, we do have a global strategy,” said sales and marketing boss Liu Yan. “It’s too early to say today but we will launch in September at the Frankfurt show. We’re already doing preparation for products and the business model. Our founder Wei Jianjun says to be a successful brand you need to be a global brand.” Wey launched its new VV5 SUV at the Shanghai motor show, and that model will spawn an all-electric version in 2020 that’s understood to be key to Wey’s plans in Europe. Plug-in hybrid versions of its VV6 and VV7 SUVs are also set to be launched. The brand’s models cost from £14,800 to £30,800 on the Chinese market. Wey has so far only launched SUVs but has not ruled out other bodystyles in the
Origin: China’s Wey bringing premium SUV range to Europe this year
This gold Porsche got pulled over by German police for being way too shiny
A gold foil-wrapped Porsche Panamera stopped in Germany for being too shinyMarius Röer / Morgenpost German authorities have ordered a blinged-out golden Porsche off the road for being too shiny. Hamburg’s Morgenpost reported April 12 that the 31-year-old driver was stopped in the northern city last week and told his Porsche Panamera, sporting a reflective gold foil finish, might blind other drivers and was a danger. He was told to remove the foil and re-register the car, but police say he continued to drive it. The driver was stopped again Wednesday and police took his keys, papers and license plate, before the vehicle was towed to a garage. He was fined an unspecified amount and will have to remove the foil to make the car street-legal again. Morgenpost reports a Lamborghini owner nabbed at the same time with similar gold foil complied and removed
Origin: This gold Porsche got pulled over by German police for being way too shiny
This wild record-setting twin-turbo BMW M1 will be sold this weekend
A record-breaking BMW M1 LPG land speed racer, built by Harald ErtlCoys Auctions The builder? Harald Ertl, an ex-F1 driver who was looking for a new motorsports endeavor. The reason? When British Petroleum released Liquid Petroleum Gas (that is, propane) as an automotive fuel, Ertl jumped on the chance to set a world record with the stuff. BP sponsored the attempt along with brands such as VDO, Ronal, Blaupunkt and Sachs. And of course, the car: according to Hemmings, the starting point was a used BMW M1, which at the time was a vehicle that had not seen much action in motorsport beyond its own one-make spec race. The stock BMW M88 straight-six put out 277 horsepower, but that number would change once the car was converted to the LPG required to try for the record. The M1 was already good for 160 miles per hour (257 km/h), but it would have a hill to climb with different fuel. Once two turbochargers were added to the 3.5-litre engine, it produced an estimated 410 horsepower, but there was a knob that allowed Ertl to turn up the boost if needed. Three of the specialty cars were built with the aerodynamic bodywork, reported to be designed by ex-F1 team owner (and Canadian) Walter Wolf, who, coincidentally, also built three special Lamborghini Countachs that inspired the flared bodywork of the 1980s production models. Ertl beat the record, but unfortunately, it was never recorded by the FIA, so it remains off the books. Ertl died a few years after the attempt in a plane crash; the vehicle then sat outside at various car dealership lots until it 1993, when it was stored inside and not touched until now. This car is the actual record-breaking car that nailed the record at 301.4 km/h (187.3 mph) with Ertl at the wheel. It will come up for auction at the Techno Classica auction at Messe Essen in Essen, Germany on April
Origin: This wild record-setting twin-turbo BMW M1 will be sold this weekend
This Dutch company will electrify your vintage Porsche
A Dutch firm called Voitures Extravert wants to convert your vintage 911 into a fully electric vehicle. The company’s Quintessenza conversions were introduced last year, with the goal of a five-build run, with maybe another 12 for 2019. However, now the company is announcing it’s going to increase the number of cars converted to three per month, a total of 36 per year. The conversion involves much more than just an engine swap: Voitures Extravert is also a restoration expert and can customize your vehicle to any taste that you want. It has explicitly stated it won’t convert models from the 1960s, but it will take your ’70s and ’80s machines and backdate them to look like older models. Modern conveniences can be added to the rest of the drivetrain as well, to boost safety. Powering the conversion is an electric motor in the same place as the original engine; the running gear now makes 672 lb.-ft. of torque, which puts the car’s performance specs closer to those of a 1970s race car. The weight distribution has also been improved by way of the front-mounted batteries. Range for the electric Porsche isn’t too horrible either; the 58-kilowatt-hour battery can power the car for up to 200 miles (321 km), and fast-charging allows 100 km of range to be added in just 15 minutes. The conversions obviously aren’t cheap: they cost about US$338,000, or about $450,000 Canadian. But at least you can say you’re trying to save the planet, one classic at a
Origin: This Dutch company will electrify your vintage Porsche
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