Limited Edition Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 celebrates end of an era for Bentley’s iconic W12 engine
Final Speed Edition 12 cars feature unique fascia engine display and commemorative scale model of legendary W12 engine
Bentayga EWB First Edition and Continental GTC Mulliner V8 also displayed at Belgian Riviera event
[source: Bentley]
Münich, Germany – Bentley Brussels, Knokke and Antwerp will showcase one of the final vehicles to be fitted with the luxury British automotive brand’s legendary W12 engine at the Zoute Grand Prix, a week-long series of exclusive automotive activities held on the Belgian Riviera.
The full Bentley range will be displayed at the Prado, a Bentayga EWB, a Continental GTC as well as a Flying Spur Speed Edition 12. The Flying Spur Speed Edition 12 is one of the only 120 examples to be built, a supremely powerful sedan that pays homage to Bentley’s 6.0-litre W12 unit, which is due to end production in 2024 and ordering in a few weeks in Europe.
The W12 engine ensures the Flying Spur Speed 12 is one of the fastest, four-door sedans in the world. Capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h, the phenomenal W12 also produces 659 PS and 900 Nm of torque. First introduced in the original Continental GT in 2003, the engine has since become an icon of Bentley’s DNA.
A genuine collector’s car, the Flying Spur Speed 12 Edition is also afforded a range of unique commemorative features. The dashboard fascia displays a visual representation of the W12’s firing sequence, while every owner will receive a scale model of the engine, handcrafted from a genuine recycled W12 block and housed in a special presentation case. A full-size example of a W12 engine itself will be on show alongside the Flying Spur Speed Edition 12.
Bentley will also showcase the Bentayga EWB First Edition V8, in eye-catching Pale Brodgar (palebrodgar; metallic UNI; 6754 / 9560180; Bentley) over Brodgar (brodgar; metallic UNI; 6753 / 9560179; Bentley) two-tone paintwork. Inside, the luxurious SUV features a colour split interior of Portland and Burnt Oak hide, with Dark Stained Burr Walnut veneer. A Continental GT Convertible Mulliner V8 will complete the trio of Bentley models. This open-air tourer is painted in Onyx, complemented by a Cambric lightweight cotton interior in Linen, with contrasting Beluga hide, finished with a Grand Black with Diamond Milled trim.
All visitors are welcome to the Bentley stand at the Zoute Grand Prix in Knokke-Heist, Belgium, which is taking place from October 5 – 8.
Bentley is represented in Belgium by D’Ietern Luxury Performance Group and operates from Bentley Antwerp, Bentley Brussels and Bentley Knokke.
Functionality and durability over aesthetics: this is the leitmotif that led us during the development of the car.
At the same time, we’ve always felt that racing features enable that functional-look that we love and find beautiful.
We tried to put all the racing know-how of Podium Advanced Technology and the taste of BorromeoDeSilva in place in order to completely reshape the content of the Lancia Delta modified by Automobili Amos, known as “Futurista”, and take it on another level of performance and driving pleasure to satisfy the requests of our most demanding customers.
The AAmici community
Our dream has always been to create a community of different people who share the same visceral love for cars, to create a sense of belonging to the AAmici community, born jokingly through an Instagram hashtag.
From our point of view, too often cars are bought as trophies rather than as objects capable of making their owners live unforgettable experiences, and it is through this new Project that we want to create a community of like-minded people who can share the sense of adventure around the world, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The car, in this case, is the enabler that allows to share the experience but not the objective of the Project.
«no matter where, but how and with whom»
Our goal with the “Safarista” program is being able to offer to our customers a non-competitive experience to enable them to safely reach their limits and those of their car, surrounded by incredible nature contexts from Sweden ice-ring to the dunes of Arabia.
Few but good travel companions, full and hassle free logistic, astonishing scenarios and the roar of the engines: this is the way we love to enjoy our passion.
First of 24 GT coupes destined for Europe hits the road in Germany
Each car is delivered to its owner with unique extras: special wooden handover box with unique Speed 8 sculpture and booklet, Speed 8 book as well as special car cover
GT Le Mans Collection marks 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the world’s most iconic endurance race
Unique features include Bentley Rotating Display housing valve from engine of 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley #7 Speed 8
GT Le Mans Collection handcrafted in England by Mulliner – Bentley’s personal commissioning division
Münich, Germany – The first of 24 Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Collection models for Europe is hitting the continent’s roads for the first time in Dusseldorf, Germany. The full collection of 48 limited edition Continental GT and GTC cars are being handcrafted in England by Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, with just 24 coupes destined for European customers.
All GT Le Mans Collection owners will receive a unique car cover as well as a special wooden presentation box, crafted in Piano Black and Verdant – the same as the car itself. Inside, the box contains the car key, as well as an exclusive Speed 8 sculpture and booklet, detailing how the sculpture was made. A plaque inside the lid is signed by Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO, Bentley Motors, and Ansar Ali, Mulliner and Motorsport Director, Bentley Motors.
The box is complemented by a Speed 8 book, written by automotive expert Andrew Cotton. Published by Sportfahrer, the fascinating hardback reveals the full history of the Speed 8 race car project, from the first concept to Bentley’s Le Mans success. With a whole chapter dedicated to Shaun Lynn’s Speed 8 car restoration, the book features a green cover with a silver 2003 wreath, identifying it as unique to the Le Mans Collection.
The GT Le Mans Collection marks the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the world’s most iconic road race, with the Bentley #7 Speed 8 taking the chequered flag in 2003. This year is also the centenary of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, when Bentley recorded the fastest lap.
Like the coupe in Dusseldorf, each GT Le Mans Collection car is delivered with unique features. The Bentley Rotating Display on the dashboard houses a valve from the engine of the 2003 Le Mans winning #7 Speed 8, while evocative exterior styling includes Verdant green paintwork and a Moonbeam racing stripe. A No. 7 emblem on the grille also celebrates the 2003 victory.
Other bespoke details range from the six-wreath emblem inlaid into the high-gloss carbon fibre fascia, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans from 1924 to 2003, to the Bentley matrix grille, originally designed to protect the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the 1920s. Inside, a luxurious Le Mans Collection cockpit is trimmed with Beluga hide, while the standard 12-hour analogue clock is replaced with a bespoke, 24-hour dial design.
Race-inspired performance comes from Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering 659 PS (650 bhp) and an extraordinary 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque. This results in a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds).
Balazs Rooz, Regional Director of Bentley Europe, added:
“Following the recent static European debut of the GT Le Mans Collection at the Le Mans Classic event, I am delighted to see this limited edition now being delivered to our happy few customers. The brand has played a key role in Europe’s motoring history and in the W12 run out phase, it is a nice farewell and homage to the Speed 8 #7 win in 2003, the same year when the W12 was launched to the world.”
A Ferrari with a unique perspective to be auctioned for charity.
Monterey (California, USA), Aug. 19, 2023 – At an exclusive event held at Casa Ferrari during Monterey Car Week and broadcast via live streaming, the Maranello-based company unveiled a one-of-a-kind Ferrari 812 Competizione. Without precedent, this Tailor Made car was inspired by the concept of a blank sheet, which is how the Ferrari Styling Centre starts its creative research for every new model.
The car the Tailor Made concept is applied to is one of just 999 Ferrari 812 Competiziones, a limited and extremely exclusive series intended for collectors and enthusiasts of the world’s most exciting twelve-cylinder. It is distinguished by a commemorative plaque affixed to the interior as a testament to its original inspiration.
The Tailor Made 812 Competizione presented today was commissioned by Ferrari North America and will be auctioned at the Ferrari Gala to be held in New York City on October 17 at the culmination of an exclusive event aimed at celebrating the Maranello-based company’s unique community and passion for the brand. All proceeds will be donated to charity as part of the education support projects that have been the focal point of the Prancing Horse’s charitable activities.
The process of developing the craftsmanship techniques used to create such original and creative patterns took over a year of close collaboration between the Styling Centre and the Tailor Made team, which handles the most innovative personalisation projects at Ferrari. The main challenge was to seek the perfect balance between flawless technical realization and maintaining the creative spark and artistic craftsmanship that flow from Ferrari Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni’s drawings, which provided the inspiration for this model with its unique details.
The car, in fact, has been imagined as one of the now iconic yellow cards on which Maranello designers transfer their first ideas, insights and notes from mind to paper and on which – iteration after iteration, detail after detail, idea after idea – new concepts, unique stylistic features and shapes are composed that will become part of the history of Italian automotive design.
On the car, in matte Giallo Tristrato, the lines composed by the designer who imagined the elegant and sporty forms of the 812 Competizione and its most iconic details have been traced in matte Nero DS Sketch. Notable among them are the carbon fibre blade that cuts across the horizontal plane of the front bonnet acting as an air intake for the engine, the characteristic louvres on the side – a tribute to the best twelve-cylinder Ferrari tradition – as well as the vortex generators on the rear screen devoid of glass, replaced by a concealed rear-view camera.
The same concept is echoed in the interior. The new-generation Alcantara® that covers the cockpit of this 812 Competizione, composed of 65 percent recycled polyester and presented as a world premiere on Ferrari Purosangue, is embellished with design sketches that have been embroidered directly onto it using a highly innovative technique. This is a truly unique solution, as Ferrari usually employs leather for this kind of custom motif. Completing the elegant interior trim is the black trilobal Superfabric® used for the carpet and rear wall of the passenger compartment.
The 812 Competizione, dedicated to a small group of collectors and purists of the noblest Ferrari tradition, aims for maximum performance without leaving room for compromise. Innovative technological concepts have enabled it to reach new performance heights, making the model ideal for the unlimited wealth of combinations and possibilities offered by the Ferrari Tailor Made program.
On the 812 Competizione, the driver, both on the road and on the track, becomes one with the car, which guarantees immediate responsiveness to the controls and total control even in the most complex manoeuvres. Driving thrills are always at the highest level thanks to the contribution of the independent four-wheel steering system, which gives it agility and cornering precision, and the most exciting 830-hp V12 on the world automotive scene. The engine pairs impressive power with exhilarating delivery and the sound that Maranello’s 12-cylinder purists know so well.
FERRARI TAILOR MADE
Ferrari Tailor Made is Ferrari’s exclusive programme dedicated to those who wish to personalise every area of their Ferrari to create a car that thoroughly reflects their character and personal tastes. Customers who join the programme are assisted by a team of experts and guided by a personal designer who interprets their wishes while respecting the brand’s aesthetic standards.
Crewe, England – Bentley Motors brought the 20th birthday celebrations of its now-iconic Continental GT to a close with the reveal and immediate sale of a one-of-one Continental GT Speed, with a specification inspired by that of the very first production Continental GT from 2003. The muse for the project – VIN20001, the first GT off the Crewe production line – was displayed alongside the 2023 version at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, also celebrating its 20th birthday and an ongoing part of Monterey Car Week.
Having redefined the Bentley brand for the 21st century when it was launched in 2003, catalysing a ten-fold increase in sales, the Continental GT continues to be the benchmark for modern, luxury grand tourers. The first production car – the most important modern car in Bentley’s rejuvenated Heritage Collection – was finished in Cypress Green (cypressgreen; metallic UNI; 6604 / 9560119; Bentley) paint, with an interior of Saddle leather upholstery and Burr Walnut veneer. The bespoke 2023 Continental GT Speed displays a specially commissioned interior inspired by that of its illustrious forbear.
While Saddle leather and Burr Walnut veneer feature in both cabins, the third-generation model features subtle enhancements of the original model’s theme. The rich Saddle colour is complemented by an accent hide in ‘Special Green’, with contrast stitching in the same shade throughout. The fascia and waist rails feature two different veneer finishes – open pore Dark Burr Walnut over high gloss Dark Burr Walnut – separated by a painted pinstripe in Cypress, connecting the interior with the exterior.
An extensive list of features includes the Blackline, Touring and Styling Specifications – together bringing polished black exterior brightware, a suite of technical enhancements and a carbon fibre front splitter, side skirts, diffuser and subtle boot lip spoiler respectively. Self-levelling Mulliner wheel badges finished the 22” Sports Wheels in unique Dark Grey Satin. The interior features Naim for Bentley audio and the Bentley Rotating Display, while the personalised treadplates read, ’20 years of the Continental GT by Bentley Mulliner’. Outline representations of the 2003 and 2023 Continental GTs feature on the fascia, centre console and outer sill. This celebratory one-of-one car has already been sold, was handed to its new owner at The Quail, and represents the highlight of four months of activities and events to celebrate this milestone in Bentley’s history.
20 Years and three generations
The impact of the first-generation Continental GT was seismic, not only redefining Bentley as a modern luxury brand but also creating a new market sector. The first all-new Bentley with no carried-over components since the original 3 Litre of 2019, the Continental GT was designed at the Crewe studio under then Design Director Dirk van Braeckel and Head of Exterior Design Raul Pires. The sleek lines of Bentley’s new grand tourer were inspired by those of the 1952 R Type Continental, with a Bentley ‘powerline’ that starts low at the front and follows the shoulder line of the bonnet and door before meeting a muscular rear haunch. Twin round headlamps and a Bentley mesh grille gave a subtle nod to the company’s thunderous Le Mans-winning racers of the 1920s.
Under the bonnet was an all-new 6.0-litre twin-turbo 48-valve W12 engine. This compact, smooth and powerful design developed 550 bhp and 650 Nm, powering all four wheels via a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. Acceleration from 0-62 mph took 4.8 seconds and top speed was a shade under 200 mph.
During the seven years the first-generation Continental GT remained in production it sired a family of models including the Continental GT Convertible, Continental Flying Spur, Continental GT Speed and Supersports.
Arrival of the V8
The second-generation Continental GT, launched in 6.0-litre W12 form at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, also saw the arrival of a second all-new Bentley engine. The efficient and charismatic 4.0-litre V8, which made its debut in 2012, endowed the Continental GT with an eager, agile and responsive character, accompanied by a characterful V8 exhaust backbeat. In 2017 the line-up was joined by the limited edition 710PS Supersports, its conception inspired by the Team Bentley racing GT3.
2018: the third generation
Bentley’s third generation Continental GT was launched in 2018. An entirely new design, its sharper, sleeker lines took full advantage of a new, purpose-designed platform. Even its W12 engine was all-new, paired with a new dual-clutch transmission. Highlights of the new model’s specification included three-chamber air springs and 48V electric active anti-roll control, while the on-board technology took a major leap forward thanks to all-new electrical architecture. It was simultaneously faster, more comfortable, more efficient and more luxurious than its predecessors – yet unmistakably still a Continental GT.
Around the world in 20 reviews
A Bentley ‘baton’, designed and created in house to represent the key lines of the Continental GT, visited Monterey to start a global journey – travelling in a variety of Continental GT models across Europe, the Middle East, China, Asia Pacific and the US before returning to Crewe. At journey’s end at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe, the baton – which will contain 20 mementoes of the tour – will become a time capsule as a permanent reminder of a unique journey.
The first car in the Speed Six Continuation Series makes its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
‘Speed Six Car Zero’ is the engineering development car for the programme, and will be retained by Bentley
Continuation Series by Mulliner based on original drawings and mechanic’s notes drawn from the archive
1930 24 Hours of Le Mans competitor ‘Old Number 3’ and Bentley’s own Speed Six (GU409) provide real-world references
Finished design includes race improvements found between the 1929 and 1930 iterations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
600+ new components comprise 6½-litre six-cylinder race-spec engine
Initial engine tests indicate peak power of 205 bhp, within 5 bhp of original Le Mans spec engine of 1929 and 1930
One ‘Factory Works’ car and 12 pre-sold customer cars to follow, with each customer offered a personal fitting service for their car
Every single car handcrafted from scratch in the Mulliner workshop in Crewe, with each taking 10 months to complete
[source: Bentley]
Crewe, England – The first new Speed Six in 93 years will makes its global debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The most successful Bentley racing car ever, the Speed Six is regarded as one of the most important Bentleys in history. The newest Speed Six – Car Zero – will be used in a development programme consisting of real-world durability and track based testing, before being retained by Bentley ahead of the build of 12 customer cars – all of which are already sold.
So much more than a replica, a continuation car is built to the same designs, using the same processes, as the original car that inspires the series. The Speed Six is the second pre-war Continuation Series by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke and coachbuilding division, following the Blower Continuation Series which itself was the first pre-war continuation ever created.
Extensive research has been undertaken to ensure the content of the Speed Six is correct and authentic, with particular focus on the specification and setup of the original cars for the 1930 24 Hours of Le Mans. As many original drawings have been used as possible; with 80% of the originals found via the WO Bentley Memorial Foundation. The drawings have been supplemented by original mechanic’s notes that detailed the changes between the 1929 and 1930 races, alongside data taken from the 1930 Speed Six in the Bentley Heritage Collection and an original 1930 Le Mans racer, known as Old Number 3.
In excess of 600 individual new parts have been required for the creation of the new 6½-litre six-cylinder race spec engine. Initial dyno testing has shown the first engines to develop 205 bhp at their peak, within 5 bhp of that documented for the original race-tuned engines in 1930.
Many of the authentic materials used on the Blower Continuation Series have also been utilised for the Speed Six, particularly on a number of the trimmed elements. Mulliner team members revisited the archives at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire in order to offer five authentic period Parsons exterior paints. Speed Six Car Zero is finished in Parsons Napier Green, with an interior in Tan leather.
Speed Six Car Zero has been built over the last ten months by an exceptionally skilled team of Mulliner artisans and specialists. As with the Blower Continuation Series, a major driver of the Speed Six programme is the development and retention of modern and traditional coachbuilding skills, and the build has seen craftspeople with decades of experience working alongside the younger generation so that skills are passed on. The finished car is a work of art, having been built and trimmed entirely in the Mulliner workshop at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe.
Over the next six months customers will have chance to discuss their specifications in further detail in personal commissioning sessions. Customers will be offered a personal fitting service in the second development car, known as Speed Six Factory Works, to ensure each car is built to each individual customer’s comfort needs.
The validation programme for Speed Six Car Zero is comparable to that for Blower Car Zero, and will include real world mileage accumulation and two race simulations.
The History Of The Speed Six
The Speed Six became the most successful racing Bentley in history, as a high-performance version of the 6½ Litre, and won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 at the hands of Woolf Barnato, Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin and Glen Kidston.
W.O. Bentley believed that the best way to increase power was to increase capacity, as opposed to Tim Birkin’s faith in supercharging. He therefore developed a new, larger engine to succeed the 4½-litre. With a bore of 100 mm and a stroke of 140 mm, his new straight six had a capacity of almost 6.6 litres. In base form, with a single Smiths five-jet carburettor, twin magnetos and a compression ratio of 4.4:1, the 6½ Litre delivered 147 bhp at 3500 rpm. 362 examples were built at Bentley’s factory in Cricklewood, North London, on a variety of chassis of different lengths depending on the body style requirements of individual customers.
The Speed Six chassis was introduced in 1928 as a more sporting version of the 6½ Litre. The engine was modified to liberate more power, with twin SU carburettors, a higher compression ratio and a high-performance camshaft, responsible for an increase to 180 bhp. The Speed Six chassis was available to customers with wheelbases of 138 inches (3,505 mm), 140.5 inches (3,569 mm), and 152.5 inches (3,874 mm), with the short chassis being the most popular. 182 Speed Six models were built between 1928 and 1930, and the factory race cars were built on a 134 inch (11’2”) chassis frame.
The racing version of the Speed Six had a further-developed engine running a compression ratio of 6.1:1 and producing 200 bhp. Two wins at Le Mans in 1929 and 1930 cemented the Speed Six’s place in Bentley history, with the 1929 victory setting a new benchmark for dominance at the race. Driven by Woolf Barnato and Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, a Speed Six led from the first lap until the chequered flag, followed by a procession of three other Bentleys. A new lap record of 7:21 had been set by Birkin, taking 46 seconds off the previous best and requiring an average speed of 83 mph, and in covering a 2,844 km distance, a further record was also attained. Such a dominant performance by one manufacturer was not seen again at Le Mans for nearly 30 years.
Real Life Endurance
Speed Six Car Zero, which will be displayed at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, will show further instrumentation that will not be fitted to customer cars. This has been added to the car to support the validation process and record many different aspects of data during the next six months.
With the build of Car Zero now complete, a programme of real-world durability testing will begin. The test programme is designed to achieve the equivalent of 35,000 kilometres of real-world driving across 8,000 kilometres of track driving. Intervals of gradually increasing duration and speed will check functionality and durability under the most challenging conditions; giving confidence in future customer cars.
The first customer car will start build in October of this year, and the series of 12 customer cars is due to be completed by the end of 2025, with each car taking 10 months to complete.
The wraps are off the KC23, Ferrari’s latest One-Off, bespoke-designed around a brief from one of the marque’s most passionate collectors
A futuristic track car based on the architecture of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 which has triumphed on the world’s leading circuits
Two different configurations underscore its elegance and formal purity on the one hand, and its signature Ferrari sporty racing character on the other
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – Ferrari today unveiled the latest addition to its One-Off series, the Ferrari KC23. The latest in the marque’s Special Projects programme, it was commissioned by one of the Prancing Horse’s leading collectors. The KC23 one-off is a bold and extreme vision of what the closed wheel racing of the future may look like. A superlative new take on the most successful track car in Maranello’s 76-year history, the 488 GT3 in its ‘Evo 2020’ version, it pulls off the incredible feat of exuding elegance when at a standstill and thrilling the viewer once on the move, thanks to ground-breaking aerodynamic solutions, such as motorised air intake vents and an imposing rear wing.
Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre led by Flavio Manzoni, the KC23 is based on the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 platform from which it inherits its layout, chassis and engine. The base for the project was very special indeed: the 488 GT3 has been racing since 2016 and to date, it has triumphed in the world’s most prestigious endurance races, racking up over 530 victories and winning more than 119 championships, making it the most successful racing Ferrari in history.
Given the extreme nature of its engine, chassis and suspension set-up, the KC23 was designed exclusively for non-competitive track use. Its most unusual feature is its dual configuration. At a standstill, the car’s layout showcases its clean, sleek, sinuous forms, but once it hits the track its visual stance is dominated by its impressive air intakes, which open automatically, and its imposing rear wing.
From the very earliest days of the project and in agreement with the client, the Ferrari Styling Centre focused on creating a radical one-off car completely free of homologation constraints and clothed in the kind of timeless lines that would make an instant classic whilst also providing a tantalising glimpse of the future of supercars. That challenging goal demanded that every single one of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020’s lines being redesigned, glass surfaces and light clusters included.
The result is that the car has a monolithic beauty, as if it were sculpted from a single block of metal. The design also hides several of the car’s technical functions, particularly the side air intakes, which open automatically when the mid-rear V8 twin turbo is turned on. This gives the KC23 an almost lifelike look, as its shape changes depending on what it is being used for. The rear wing is also removable to underline its clean, formal lines when not on the track.
The surface treatment is smooth and seamless, with sharp angles reduced to an absolute minimum to underscore the KC23’s spare, sinuous purity in the pursuit of an iconic, futuristic design that will stand the test of time. When the driver turns on the engine before taking it out on the track, the KC23 undergoes a radical transformation, its racing stance and aggression suddenly very much to the fore. It is impossible to ignore its imposing rear wing, which marks it out as a racing car designed to scythe through the corners and unleash every single horsepower the V8 can generate.
In terms of downforce and cooling, the designers worked hard to retain the performance of the donor car despite the fact that the KC23 has a completely different silhouette. Panels were developed with custom kinematics that activate automatically when the engine is turned on: the one behind the front wheel reveals a fence, which boosts front downforce to balance the car aerodynamically. The panel at the rear provides the correct amount of intake air to the intercoolers and auxiliary components, as well as to the engine.
The KC23’s butterfly doors open vertically on single front hinges, an architectural solution it shares with another iconic supercar, the LaFerrari. No changes were required to the greenhouse or the car structurally to incorporate this feature. The clam-shell bonnet has a simple opening system – just two pins need to be removed to allow the front to be inspected and maintenance work to be done. Both headlights and rear lights have been redesigned, with the most radical change to the rear lights where striking methacrylate light blades, inspired by the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo, spring to dazzling life when the engine is turned on.
Even the car’s glass surfaces were influenced by the design philosophy underpinning the KC23: they are seamlessly integrated with the bodywork, with no visible pillars, frames or seals, creating a clearly aeronautics-derived dome effect. Their metallic finish melds seamlessly for maximum styling continuity, creating a strikingly futuristic result.
Another distinctive feature is the KC23’s Gold Mercury livery, courtesy of a specially-developed, four-layer aluminium paint. The liquid metal in the paint gives it an astonishingly luminous gleam in sunlight and the colour itself seems to change constantly depending on the type and angle of the light striking it, giving an extraordinarily captivating effect.
The cabin has been kept as pared-back and similar to the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 as possible, with the exception of the door panels and dashboard finish on the passenger side. The KC23’s specific seats, trimmed in Alcantara® with an electro-welded logo, lend the cabin an elegance that is perfectly in tune with the exterior. Rearward visibility is ensured by a video camera system that also had a beneficial impact on the car’s aerodynamics, as the traditional wing mirrors could be removed and the line of the flanks left unsullied.
The car has two sets of specifically designed wheels: 18” wheels will allow the KC23 to dazzle on the world’s circuits while 21” wheels at the front and 22” wheels at the rear will captivate the public when it is displayed in its static configuration.
The new arrival took over three years to develop and now joins the most exclusive group in the Prancing Horse’s range: bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a client, making them the very pinnacle of Ferrari’s personalisation strategy. It will be making its first public appearance between July 13th and 16th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the UK’s most important motorsports events. From August 1st to October 2nd, it will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, much to the delight of all of the enthusiasts eager to admire its extraordinary formal and engineering solutions at first hand.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and is developed hand-in-glove with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre. Once the car’s proportion and forms have been defined, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before the manufacturing process for the new One-Off begins. The entire process takes around two years on average, during which time the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari sporting the Prancing Horse logo and engineered to the same standards of excellence that characterise all of Maranello’s cars.
Atlanta. Bringing historic Porsche paint colors into your home for the first time, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) today announced a unique collaboration with premium paint brand, Backdrop, to inspire unique interior designs. Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the very first Porsche taking to the road, the two brands, each defined by their use of color, have selected the following assortment of vibrant colors from several eras of Porsche sports cars:
Irish Green: First seen in 1964 on a 356C sports car, the dark hunter green shade is also one of the first colors to grace the Porsche 911. It’s a color as timeless as the sports car itself.
Speed Yellow: This vibrant yellow first appeared on the Porsche 911 in 1991. Not for the shy or Sunday driver, the color is distinctly tied to the sports car and the Porsche brand.
Ruby Star: Dating back to 1991 and seen on Porsche 911, 928 and 944 models over the years, Ruby Star is a deep magenta red that is distinct, bold and joyous.
Riviera Blue: An electric bright blue, the head-turning and audacious color was developed in 1994 and has been seen on the 911, 928, and 968 models.
The collection will be available exclusively at www.backdrophome.com/Porsche starting today through the end of the year.
“Individualization is at the core of Porsche. Whether it’s a custom-built Taycan or your home office, we want to inspire all to dream in full color,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of PCNA. “Together with Backdrop, we’ve curated a series of bright, saturated colors that have significance to us and are sure to bring the beloved Porsche aesthetic to your home interior design.”
Porsche currently offers 180 shades through its Paint to Sample program, with the option to specify a totally bespoke color from a much wider pallet through Paint to Sample Plus, which requires extensive feasibility testing. These colors are in addition to the wide selection of paint choices Porsche already offers on its vehicles, including several non-metallic colors, and additional metallic colors.
“Everything we do at Backdrop centers around our love of color. Naturally, we jumped at the chance to work with an iconic brand like Porsche, which has always been synonymous with its bold, statement-making color palette,” said Natalie Ebel, Co-Founder of Backdrop. “It has been an absolute dream come true to collaborate with Porsche, especially during its 75th anniversary year, and to be inspired by its rich history. I am incredibly excited to translate our shared love of design and spirit of self-expression into a collection that will take on new life in our homes and on our walls.”
The four-piece collection will be available in a custom-designed, co-branded collectible paint can with a limited-edition Porsche 75 leather key chain. It will retail for $75 for a gallon at www.backdrophome.com/Porsche.
Backdrop Affiliate ID: Pepperjam/Skimlinks 131940
About Backdrop
Created by husband and wife duo Natalie & Caleb Ebel, Backdrop is The New Way to Paint. The company has transformed the whole process of painting from start to finish – from curating the perfect color palette to sourcing the highest quality supplies. Backdrop offers premium, Green Wise certified, and low-VOC paints that come in beautifully redesigned, award-winning paint cans, 12×12’’ removable adhesive samples, the highest quality supplies, and a perfectly curated palette of 75+ colors – all quickly delivered to your door. Since its launch in November 2018, each Backdrop sale has contributed to the International Rescue Committee, which helps displaced families in some of the most challenging places in the world, and in 2020 Backdrop became the first Climate Neutral certified paint company.
In 2021, Backdrop was acquired by renowned luxury design house F. Schumacher & Co (FSCO) and joined the company’s stable of global design brands, which includes Schumacher, the legendary textile and wallpaper brand founded in 1889; Patterson Flynn Martin, the luxury rug and carpet brand; and Frederic, Learn more at www.backdrophome.com and @backdrop.
About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA
Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. The Porsche Car Configurator can be used by anyone to customize and pre-order any vehicle in that lineup at any time. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 202 independently owned and operated Porsche dealerships in the U.S., four Porsche studios and five satellite stores in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.*
At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.
Special edition with exclusive equipment limited to 1,000 units
Contrasting exterior colours emphasise the distinctive design elements of the off-road vehicle icon
The Mercedes-AMG G 63 made its debut in the G-Class model range in 2002
[source: Mercedes-Benz]
With the Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition” (WLTP: fuel consumption combined: 16.0 l/100km, CO₂ emissions combined: 363 g/km)[1], Mercedes-Benz is highlighting the exceptional status of the performance off-roader, which has been part of the legendary off-road family’s portfolio since 2002. Limited to 1,000 units, the special model is painted in MANUFAKTUR night black magno, with gold-coloured details creating an exciting visual contrast. They emphasise the particular design elements that trace the direct lineage of the modern off-road vehicle icon to the first G model from 1979.
“The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is now also undoubtedly regarded as an automotive icon and demonstrates its unique position among performance off-road vehicles partly through its powerful drive, the AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension and the AMG-specific driving programmes. The exclusive interior and extensive equipment further underscore the singular and special nature of this strong-spirited SUV. With the expressive and limited Grand Edition, we are celebrating the success story of the G 63, which is far from over.”
Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH & Head of the Top End Vehicle (TEV) Group
For the first time, the “Grand Edition” features the AMG logo and the Mercedes star in kalaharigold magno. In addition, the Affalterbach emblem of the performance brand is emblazoned on the bonnet – also in kalaharigold magno. The inlays in the front and rear bumpers, the optical underride protection in the front, the Mercedes star in the spare wheel inlay and the spare wheel ring are also finished in this colour. The expressive special model is fitted with 22-inch AMG forged wheels with a cross-spoke design in tech gold with a matt black central locking nut and a Mercedes star also in tech gold. This colour tone is again used in the side foiling of the “Grand Edition”. Also included is a customised AMG Indoor Car Cover. With its breathable outer layer of tear-resistant synthetic fibre fabric and anti-static flannel inner fabric, it protects the vehicle from dust and scratches in the garage.
Expressive special model: Golden detailing even in the interior
The interior of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition” is also defined by the contrast of black and gold. Upon entering the vehicle, occupants are greeted by “AMG” emblems on the black door sill trims, which have illuminated borders. The seats are finished in G Manufaktur black nappa leather with contrasting gold stitching. Plaques with a gold AMG logo and gold edging are set into the backrests. The floor mats are also finished in black and decorated with gold stitching. The roof grab handles are finished in nappa leather. The trim piece in the inlay of the grab handle on the passenger side is carbon with copper thread and also bears a high-quality badge with the words “Grand Edition”. Other trim parts of the interior are finished in carbon with copper thread. The AMG Performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfibre features a steering wheel clasp with a G 63 plaque.
The “Grand Edition” of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 can be ordered as of now at a price starting at 228,896.40 euros[2], including the expressive equipment package.
[1] The figures shown are the WLTP CO₂ figures measured in accordance with Art. 2 No. 3 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures.
[2] Recommended retail price in Germany, including 19% VAT., Mercedes-AMG G 63; Internal combustion engine; Displacement (cc): 3.982; Rated output: (kW [hp] 430 [585]
With the 500 GE, Mercedes-Benz presented a V8 variant of the G-Class for the first time in 1993
“Final Edition” limited to a total of 1,500 units
Exclusive equipment details including MANUFAKTUR full leather package
[source: Mercedes-Benz]
30 years ago, Mercedes-Benz equipped the G-Class with an eight-cylinder engine for the first time: the 500 GE V8 made its debut in an exclusive small series in 1993 and marked the first high point in a history of cultivated performance on and off the road. With the “Final Edition” Mercedes-Benz now celebrates the 30th birthday with a limited special model of the G 500 (WLTP: combined fuel consumption 15.7‑14.7 l/100km, combined CO₂ emissions 356 – 334 g/km[1] – V8 petrol engine, Displacement: 3.982 cc, Rated output, kW/hp: 310/421). It is available in three colour variants, each limited to 500 units. You can choose between the metallic paint obsidian black, the MANUFAKTUR paint opalith white magno and the new MANUFAKTUR paint olive magno.
“The Final Edition is our 30th birthday gift for the G 500, which in 1993 was considered the trendsetter and harbinger of the high-end off-roader in the luxury class. With its exclusive equipment details, the limited special model is also a fitting parting gift from the V8 biturbo engine in the G 500.” Dr. Emmerich Schiller, Chairman of the Managing Board of Mercedes-Benz G GmbH and Head of the Off-Road Vehicle Division at Mercedes-Benz
The “Final Edition” also features 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design, which are painted in the body colour and have a high-sheen finish in combination with the MANUFAKTUR olive magno paint finish. For the other two variants, they are black and have a high-sheen finish. In addition, the special model features “FINAL EDITION” lettering, from the outer protective strip to the insert in the spare wheel cover. As part of the MANUFAKTUR logo package, doorknobs with an embossed logo complement the high-quality appearance of the “Final Edition”. There is also a logo projector in the exterior mirrors, which projects the “G” logo and the lettering “STRONGER THAN TIME” onto the asphalt when stationary. The spare wheel ring in high-gloss chrome, plus other add-on parts in both the body colour and high-gloss chrome underline the exclusivity of the limited special model. In addition, buyers receive an exclusive indoor car cover with “STRONGER THAN TIME” lettering to protect the vehicle from dust and scratches.
Since its introduction, high-quality interior equipment has been closely associated with the G 500. The “Final Edition” continues this tradition: as soon as the occupants get in, they are greeted by illuminated “FINAL EDITION” lettering on the door sill trims. The lettering can also be found on the insert of the grab handle for passengers. A genuine silver coin in the form of an edition-specific plaque with the appropriate lettering is attached to the back of the vehicle key. In addition, the Superior Line with the Burmester® surround sound system, the Active Multicontour Seat Package Plus and the seats in two-tone MANUFAKTUR Nappa leather are part of the standard scope of the special edition.
MANUFAKTUR full leather package: exclusive equipment for the “Final Edition”
The “Final Edition” of the G 500 is exclusively equipped with the new MANUFAKTUR full leather package, which is perfectly matched to the respective exterior paintwork. The name says it all: almost the entire interior is lined with Nappa leather, from the luggage compartment to the roof lining and the panels on the seat adjustment switches. The centre section of the headliner is coloured to match the seat centre panel and features the same diamond design. In combination with the obsidian black metallic paint finish, it comes in titanium grey pearl/black. In the opalith white magno lacquered variant, the centre section is coloured in platinum white/black, and in the olive magno lacquered version in espresso brown/black.
The “Final Edition” of the G 500 can be ordered as of now at a price of 196,350 euros[2].
[1]The stated figures are the measured “WLTP CO₂ figures” in accordance with Article 2 No. 3 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated on the basis of these figures.
[2] Recommended retail price in Germany, including 19% VAT. G500, V8 petrol engine, Displacement 3.982 cc, Rated output, kW/hp: 310/421.
