UK’s leading high-performance automotive engineering company celebrates 40 years of engineering excellence and motorsport success
Products include an all-new track day car; a super high-performance battery pack; a Le Mans Hypercar-inspired Porsche 911-based road car; and a heritage SuperClassic Aston Martin V8
The four launches, one to mark each decade, are the first from RML Group’s four new dedicated divisions: Motorsport; Engineering; Power; and Bespoke
[source: RML Group]
Wellingborough, Northampton, UK – RML Group Ltd, the UK’s leading high-performance automotive engineering specialist, today marks its 40th year of engineering excellence with the unveiling of four new innovative products.
The first, from the Motorsport division, builds on all of the company’s multi-championship winning experience to create an all-new track day car. Codenamed P40, the ultra-lightweight, super-safe race car uses Formula 1-inspired aerodynamic technology to reach new levels of speed and handling for track-day cars.
The second, produced by RML Group’s Engineering department, is a Le Mans Hypercar-influenced Porsche 911-based project that will extend the car’s speed and handling capabilities well beyond standard, while maintaining full reliability. Known internally at RML as P39, the upgrade package is designed to work across the 911 range and includes a list of options to enhance both engine and aero performance.
Third on the list, from the company’s Power division, is RML’s high-performance VarEVolt battery module. Having proven itself around the Nurburgring, the proprietary battery technology is now being installed as a key component in a number of supercars, including a current Goodwood FoS record holder.
Rounding off the Group’s 40th anniversary product portfolio, the Bespoke department has drawn heavily on both its storied road and race history with Aston Martin to create a SuperClassic version of the original V8 Vantage. The carbon-bodied car retains all of the original’s muscular design cues but pairs them with 21st century mechanicals to create one of the world’s finest and most capable grand tourers.
“RML Group has achieved an enormous amount in the previous 40 years, we are still focused squarely on the future as these product launches show,” said third-generation CEO, Michael Mallock. “I am excited to bring all of these new high-performance products to market. They are just the beginning of a long product pipeline for us. I look forward to sharing more details on each soon.”
RML Group was founded in 1984 by Michael Mallock’s father, Ray, a successful single-seater and sportscar racer. Under his leadership the business specialised in championship-winning motorsport and precision automotive engineering.
Today, RML Group has expanded to meet the diverse needs of the automotive industry, having recently announced the appointment of former Lotus and Bentley senior executive, Paul Dickinson, to lead operations and drive growth.
From short-run manufacturing projects to continuation cars, from innovative mould-breaking racing cars to cutting-edge ultra-performance battery packs, the company has never strayed from its founding principle of Engineering Excellence.
Maserati Quattroporte Grand Finale and MC20 Iris One-Offs: two masterpieces with unique details, the epitome of Italian artisanship
[source: Maserati]
Modena, Italy – On Wednesday 31 July in Stresa, in the enchanting setting of Lake Maggiore, two special Maseratis – symbols of the Modena-based company’s most exclusive and extraordinary custom-built production – were delivered to a passionate Trident customer in the US, a significant entrepreneur in the biomedical sector.
One is the last Quattroporte –as well as the final model made with the V8 combustion engine – renamed for the grandiose Quattroporte Grand Finale farewell from the automotive scene. The other, MC20 Iris, referring to all the colours of the rainbow (iris is the Latin equivalent) that feature all over the car, inside and out.
Thanks to the fine details and complex workmanship used in both cars, designed as part of the Maserati Fuoriserie customisation programme, the House of the Trident has produced two unique creations to fulfil the requirements of a customer who has witnessed the customisation of two leading lights in the brand’s history becoming a reality: the Quattroporte luxury saloon, for six generations the perfect interpreter of Maserati excellence, and the more modern Maserati MC20, an iconic super sports car with an unmistakable style.
The exterior of the Quattroporte Grand Finale features the elegantBlu Nobile colour, with the body kit made of carbon fibre, painted in the same tone, and brake callipers in brushed aluminium. The last Quattroporte Maserati will ever make is equipped with the unforgettable, powerful 572-hpV8 engine. On the windscreen, and inside the driver door, the identification number of the car is imprinted: 999999. A custom cover has also been created to house the roaring engine, imprinted with the signatures of the Fuoriserie team and the engineers who worked on the project.
The interiors are a tribute to meticulous Italian artisanship and renowned mastery, to enhance the high-quality materials and meet the customer’s specific requests: these include the steering wheel with burl accents, door panels in tan, A-pillar in black leather, Trident logo with black stitching on the headrest, leather-lined boot and passenger door handle accents in burl. The special ‘Grand Finale’ badge on the central tunnel, and the dedicated door sill with the same wording, give the Quattroporte Grand Finale a decidedly distinctive appearance, for a car that even in its latest version is confirmed as an undisputed icon.
The MC20 Iris is another very special car, the result of the equally precise and detailed artisanship of Maserati engineers, who requested greatest experts in the industry, for a final result that would be difficult to replicate. The car’s common thread is the rainbow (iris), a motif personally chosen by the customer. The lively and futuristic AI Aqua Rainbow colour distinguishes the exterior and is reproduced on the Trident in plain sight in the centre of the hubcaps, defining this car’s strong stylistic personality.
In the cabin, the AI Aqua Rainbow colour enhances the stitching that serves as the standout feature on the armrest, on the central tunnel – both in ICE leather, the first time a tunnel has been made of this prestigious material – and on the steering wheel.
The ‘+’ and ‘-’ signs on the steering wheel paddles are also the same colour as the viewfinder on the upper rim of the steering wheel, rather than in white. The door sill is embellished with the laser-cut ‘MC20 Iris’ lettering; the AI Aqua Rainbow colour returns in the stitching, the standout feature on the engine compartment and the boot. In this specific, exclusive guise packed with refined details, the MC20 is once again a first of its kind, a car that combines Maserati tradition and the best elements that characterise the brand’s future.
Maserati S.p.A. Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars, immediately recognizable for their extraordinary personality. Thanks to their style, technology, and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a benchmark for the global automotive industry. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance, and safety, currently available in more than 70 markets internationally. Maserati line-up includes the Grecale, the “everyday exceptional” SUV, the GranTurismo, the iconic Italian grand tourer, and the GranCabrio, the new convertible of the Trident; all models characterized by the use of the highest quality materials and excellent technical solutions. A range equipped with 4-cylinder hybrid powertrains – available for Grecale – and V6 petrol, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, embodying the performance DNA of the Trident brand. The top of the range is made up of the MC20 super sports car and the MC20 Cielo spyder, powered by the ground-breaking 100% Maserati Nettuno V6 engine, which incorporates F1-derived technologies into the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. The GranTurismo is available with both the high-performance V6 petrol engine, derived from the Nettuno, and a 100% electric version: the GranTurismo Folgore, the first car in the Modena-based brand’s history to adopt this solution. Today the full-electric range includes also the Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first full-electric SUV, and the latest addition, GranCabrio Folgore. By 2025, all Maserati models will also be available in a full-electric version, and the entire Maserati range will run on electricity alone by 2028.
Lamborghini Revuelto Opera Unica Sculpted by Sardinian Seascapes: 475 hours of hand-painting craftmanship
Unique Ad Personam creation sparkles with sea-inspired creativity and innovation
Sant’Agata Bolognese/Cala Di Volpe, Italy – Lamborghini presents an Opera Unica: a sole Revuelto[1] created by the Ad Personam personalization department along with Lamborghini Centro Stile, honoring the distinctive blues and seascapes of the Italian island of Sardinia. Unveiled at an exclusive dinner in the luxury resort of Cala di Volpe adorned in blue tones for the occasion, in the heart of one of the most famous and high-end holiday destinations in Italy.
“A unique Lamborghini Opera Unica car celebrates the innovation, creativity and inherent art found within our super sports cars, which is at the heart of our brand,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO. “Our clients can explore colorways, detailing, different materials, embroidery and finishes inside and out with Ad Personam to produce a Lamborghini that is truly personalized to them: this Opera Unica takes our creativity a step further, demonstrating paint techniques and interior finishes that are reserved for Opera Unica one-offs, presenting a truly unique art-piece reflecting the distinctive seascape and emotions of Italy’s most beautiful island destination.”
In addition to the standard production time of a Lamborghini Revuelto, the exterior paint effects commanded an additional 475 hours of specialist craftmanship. The Opera Unica creation was realized by meticulously masking the car’s body to create a canvas for the paint: localized two-tone and three-tone paint fading was then enhanced by brush painting, reminding of waves hitting the cliffs. Special coating techniques were used, to personalize details such as the Start/Stop button cover and the nominal plate. The interior embroidery finish required 85 hours alone to produce the new tool required for the watery stitching effect dedicated to this Opera Unica.
The unique Revuelto employs Lamborghini Ad Personam’s specially developed paint techniques, showing off the intriguing angles and lines of the car like modern architecture. Three separate shades of blue are combined using Lamborghini’s craftmanship in utilizing brush and spatula to create special effects, reserved for this Opera Unica. Inspired by the crystalline seas of Sardinia, bubbles of water, waves and the deep blue of watery caves, the darker and lighter shades of blue are used across the various surfaces of the Revuelto, with clean definitions between different hues accenting the intriguing planes and lines of the car. The light Blu Tawaret features as the base color on the front panels of the car and roof, contrasting with the brighter Blu Cepheus used to create a fading effect, and on rear panels. Blu Okeanos is combined as the third blue to create an even deeper fading effect on bonnet and around the front splitter, set off by black Nera Bocca paint, shiny carbon splitter and sill, and Shiny Black with Diamond Polished Altanero rims with black Carbon Ceramic Brakes. The ‘dragged’ brush and spatula paint effect carries waves of the three blues across the rear from the front to sides and the rear, evoking the sparkling turquoise blues found in the refracted light of sea over sand and stones.
The complementary interior features Blu Delphinus as the main upholstery color, set off by lighter Blu Amon on seatbacks, on doors and trimming the center console, with contrasting white Bianco Leda stitching and piping. The seats, door panels, tunnel and roofline introduce a novelty to Revuelto embroidery application: using a specifically-developed tool, the three-tone stitching in Blu Amon, Blu Chepeus and Bianco Leda, that recalls the sparkling hues of the Sardinian waters. This effect is echoed on the Blu Mira carbon Opera Unica plate on the rear wall of the cabin, and on the Start/Stop button cover on the center console.
Revuelto is the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Revuelto defines a new paradigm in terms of performance, sportiness and driving pleasure from its unprecedented new architecture; innovative design; maximum-efficiency aerodynamics; and a new carbon frame concept. An output of 1015 CV is delivered from the combined power of an entirely new combustion engine together with three electric motors, alongside a double-clutch gearbox that has made its debut on a 12-cylinder Lamborghini for the first time. The super sports car combines these attributes to deliver performance figures at the peak of its segment: acceleration from 0-100 km/h in only 2.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 350 km/h. These numbers combine with its exceptional dynamism thanks to the introduction of electric torque vectoring, and four-wheel drive available also in fully-electric drive mode, ensuring the Revuelto super sports car expresses its amplified qualities both on track and in daily driving.
[1] Consumption and emission values of Revuelto; Fuel consumption combined: 10,3 l/100km (WLTP); Power consumption combined: 78,1 kWh/100 Km (WLTP); CO2-emissions combined: 276 g/km (WLTP)
Automobili Pininfarina returns to the California festival for the fifth time with a unique coach-built masterpiece
A ‘one-of-one’ client commission for a renowned collector and existing Battista owner, it is a vision realised without compromise
Hand-crafted by the brand’s skilled artisans in Cambiano, Italy, as a celebration of timeless design
Battista Owners’ Parade being staged for the first time as part of Monterey Car Week.
[source: Automobili Pininfarina]
CAMBIANO, ITALY –The world premiere of an exquisite coach-built client masterpiece will mark the return of Automobili Pininfarina to Monterey Car Week later this month.
A unique sculptural statement, the all-new ‘one-of-one’ vehicle is the ultimate future collectable combining design and engineering integrity with bespoke artisanal craftsmanship. The clearest illustration yet of Automobili Pininfarina’s guiding philosophy and brand promise, ‘Dream Cars, Made Real’, it is a vision realised without compromise.
Developed through an intimate collaboration between Automobili Pininfarina’s design team and the client, before being hand-crafted by its skilled artisans in Cambiano, Italy, it is a celebration of purity and timeless design.
Once displayed, this design masterpiece will be transported to its owner in North America. Full details of the car will be revealed in due course, though a subtle hint of its ultra-luxury design and highly personal specification has been revealed through a single image released today.
Paolo Dellachà, Chief Executive Officer at Automobili Pininfarina, said: ”Delivering our first coach-built creation to a client is an exceptionally exciting milestone for the brand. With it, we are delivering on the promise we made in Monterey exactly 12 months ago as we unveiled the B95 Hyper Barchetta – that we have the design, engineering and artisan production skills in Cambiano, Italy to create bespoke, coach-built ‘one-of-one’ masterpieces for our clients. One year later, this amazing car gives us another chance to celebrate our ability to make their dreams come true.”
Automobili Pininfarina will also be staging a Battista Owners’ Parade for the first time as part of Monterey Car Week. With up to 10 vehicles scheduled to take part, the event illustrates how the client ownership experience is constantly evolving.
This year marks the fifth time that Automobili Pininfarina has exhibited at Monterey Car Week, testament to the venue’s prestige and quality as a showcase for the brand’s exceptional vehicles. Last year saw the debut of the B95 Hyper Barchetta, and the PURA Vision design concept, which previews the future design language of the marque.
For 2024, Automobili Pininfarina’s design team worked with the client – a renowned collector of priceless vehicles, and existing Battista owner – to inspire and create an entirely new vehicle to ensure their car stands out as a design and technical statement.
This is the latest example of the highly specialised coach-building that has been part of the brand’s proud heritage since 1930, and continues to be so, creating exquisite and priceless automotive works of art for discerning clients – the next Pininfarina icons of the future.
Series production of the MARSIEN, limited to just 40 pieces, is running at full speed
All MARSIEN sold out at launch and will be delivered to their owners in more than 16 countries around the globe
Countless test drives on the Nordschleife, in the Arabian desert, as well as on the glaciers of Sölden and Scandinavia have been carried out
More than 422 new individual components have been developed in thousands of engineering hours with industry leading partners
Inspired by the legendary Paris Dakar rally era and launched in 2021, MARSIEN created a completely new segment of all terrain capable super cars, enabling the ultimate driving experience for both on- and off-road use
The series production of the limited-edition MARSIEN by Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH (not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH) is running at full speed. The super car, limited to just 40 units, is being delivered to clients in more than sixteen countries around the globe. The MARSIEN is all terrain capable, suitable for everyday use, technology focused and futuristic in appearance designed by French Porsche aficionado Alan Derosier. It embodies the entrepreneur’s vision of creating holistic and timeless masterpieces that tell a story and go far beyond the scope of the traditional tuning business.
MADE FOR THE EXTREMES: THE MARSIEN WAS TESTED UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS – FROM THE ARABIAN DESERT, NÜRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE ALL THE WAY TO THE GLACIERS OF AUSTRIA Legendary engineers who have made vehicles competition-ready for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other races were involved in the development of the MARSIEN and the 422 specially developed components from bespoke double wishbone suspension, titanium exhaust system, along with own taillights, wiring loom, which took several thousand hours of engineering and design. The MARSIEN’s full carbon fiber body consisting of more than 80 single carbon fiber components that mastered bullet tests, the homologation of the taillights and the vehicle as a whole, to only name a few major tests passed in the process of gaining road approval.
In order to put MARSIEN through its paces, Marc Philipp Gemballa and his team travelled to Scandinavia, where it was -20 degrees Celsius, drove up the glacier in Sölden, Austria and covered 3,000 km on the Nordschleife as part of the industry pool drives for homologation. The sizzling desert in the United Arab Emirates with temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius was also part of the rigorous testing. It was there, in the Al-Faya desert in the Emirate of Sharjah, that the name MARSIEN was born. The red desert sand combined with the unparalleled mountain landscape took the test team’s breath away. “We felt like we were on Mars,” Marc Philipp Gemballa recalls. The surroundings were reminiscent of the red planet, and the conditions on site made the super car feel right at home – after all, it was made precisely for such extreme conditions. Hence the name MARSIEN, derived from the French word “Martian” or “from Mars”.
CUTTING EDGE SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY As one of the key technological highlights, MARSIEN features a completely bespoke double wishbone suspension setup developed by the engineers responsible for countless rally, GT and special series’ suspensions. The suspension system consisting of more than 30 individual components milled from solid aluminum, implements extensive changes to the chassis of the base vehicle and is equipped with KW Automotive solid piston damper technology featuring an intelligent active damper control as well as an adjustable ride height system for on and off-road use. As part of the special options program, the suspension components can be anodized in gold according to the client’s wishes.
The adjustable ride height system of the MARSIEN enables an electronically controlled hydraulic lift system to increase the ground clearance to an unprecedented ride height of 250 mm. This enables the MARSIEN to deliver the ultimate on- and off-road driving experience, performing in terrain that no other super car can dream of.
An automatic tire pressure system has been integrated into the frunk of the MARSIEN, allowing the driver to adjust the tire pressure to the requirements of any given terrain on the go by inflating or deflating the tire and enhancing the off-road performance.
SPECIALLY DESIGNED FORGED ALUMINUM WHEEL SETS FOR ON- AND OFF-ROAD USE For perfect driving conditions both on- and off-road, the MARSIEN comes with two specially designed forged aluminum wheel sets with center locking system, running on Michelin Ultra High Performance (UHP) tires for on-road and Grabber AT 3 All Terrain tires for off-road use. Optionally clients can specify their MARSIEN with an even more road-focused Lightweight GT wheel set, further enhancing on-road performance. The Lightweight GT wheel set of the launch vehicle has been painted in a triple layer pearlescent white reminiscent of the exterior launch color of the MARSIEN prototype specification, while the off-road wheel set has been painted in a deep navy-blue matte finish. Both wheel sets are equipped with wheel caps in 24-carat gold featuring the G crest.
FULL CARBON FIBER EXTERIOR The MARSIEN features a full carbon fiber exterior consisting of more than 85 individual carbon fiber components including air channels, wing mirrors, wheel arch liners and a rear panel that reaches all the way from the A-pillar to the rear wing. The MARSIEN exterior has been exclusively designed for performance, light weight and cooling and achieves a total weight reduction of 50 kilograms compared to the standard Porsche 992 Turbo S base vehicle. Each body panel is manufactured by leading German carbon fiber specialists who also supply leading OEMs, sportscar manufacturers and several Formula One teams.
MARSIEN owners can specify the contrast elements of the exterior such as the lower front splitter, side skirts, wing mirrors, air channels, as well as the exhaust frame and rear diffuser in exposed carbon fiber as part of the special options program. For those that like to go beyond, there is also the option to have a fully exposed carbon fiber exterior. All exposed carbon fiber components can be specified in gloss or matte and optionally in tinted carbon finish.
EXTRAORDINARY EXTERIOR PAINTWORK The exterior paintwork is applied by a state-of-the-art and certified paint studio that is able to fulfil the most daring customer color requests. For the specification of the series launch vehicle, an elaborate one-off four- layer blue pearlescent exterior color with special metallic flakes has been created, which changes the color of the vehicle according to the direction of the light and angle of view. The color requires extensive preparation of the bodywork and was inspired by the polar caps on Mars and has therefore been named MARSIEN Glacier Blue.
BESPOKE REAR LIGHT TECHNOLOGY The MARSIEN rear design features a completely bespoke rear light that has been developed in collaboration with light specialist GERG Lighthouse. The manufacturing technology for the MARSIEN’s rear light has also been utilized for the European missile defense system Meteor and represents an integral part of the iconic design of the MARSIEN.
MAKING INTERIOR DREAMS COME TRUE The interior of the MARSIEN also features several specifically designed elements. The center console has been lifted and equipped with an aluminum gear stick inspired by the legendary CGT, allowing for a sportier, more analog driving experience. It can be optionally fitted with a gear knob in carbon or mahogany instead of leather or Alcantara. As part of the special options program, clients can specify the carbon fiber interior package, adding further exposed carbon fiber elements to the driver’s cabin. Furthermore, clients have the option to add a club sport roll bar behind the seats of their MARSIEN that can be painted in color of choice, or finished in leather, Alcantara, or exposed carbon fiber. Finally, the metal badge displaying the individual production number of the limited series of just 40 pieces is embedded in the center console – lending a special touch to the cabin.
The interior specification of the launch vehicle has been finished in a navy blue Alcantara combined with interior accent elements in ice blue for the stitching, seat belts, door lashes, and instrument dials matching the MARSIEN Glacier Blue exterior paint. Matching the navy blue Alcantara, the interior is equipped with carbon fiber accents as well as an exposed carbon fiber roll bar finished in tinted blue. All badges and model designations have been finished in 24-carat gold on the launch vehicle specification.
POWERED BY INDUSTRY LEADING PARTNERS Besides the technological partnership with suspension specialist KW Automotive for the damper system, Marc Philipp Gemballa teamed up with other renown industry leading partners.
The engine upgrade powered by RUF enables the six-cylinder boxer engine to deliver over 750 horsepower and 930 Newton meters of torque. For clients that are looking for even more power, there is a second stage power upgrade that takes the horsepower up to 830 with enhanced VTG turbo chargers and a revised ECU mapping and transmission setting.
BMC, the air filter specialist based in Italy, has developed special engine air filters that are specifically for dusty desert conditions. While protecting the engine from dust and foreign particles, it maintains a sufficient flow of fresh air to allow the engine to work optimally.
For the MARSIEN sound, Marc Philipp Gemballa partnered with the leading performance exhaust manufacturer Akrapovič to exclusively develop an entirely new titanium exhaust system for the MARSIEN, focusing on a bespoke sound experience, light weight and further increasing the power output of the upgraded RUF boxer engine.
EVERY MARSIEN IS ONE-OF-ONE Every MARSIEN is a unique piece, a true one-of-one, designed and built to each client’s dream specification. MARSIEN is meticulously crafted down to the last detail, even the most daring client wishes can be realized, from creating an one-off exterior color that could be matched to their partners favorite handbag, badges and model designation finished in 24k gold, bespoke interiors with the finest selection of materials to a fully exposed carbon fiber exterior that could even be specified in a tinted carbon finish. Each MARSIEN owner has made extensive use of the special options program ensuring to create their very own one-of-one MARSIEN.
MARSIEN ON DISPLAY – FROM LAKE COMO TO THE FRENCH RIVIERA The MARSIEN series production vehicle was first presented as part of the up and coming Fuori Concorso event at Lake Como from 24-26 May for its European debut.
The French Riviera around Cap Ferrat and Monaco served as the location for the photoshoot of the MARSIEN series production vehicle captured by Oskar Bakke. “This place is special to me since I spent a lot of time here during my childhood and used to visit Monaco every year with my father for the Grand Prix and several automobile shows presenting his newest creations,” Marc Philipp Gemballa remembers.
DELIMITATION This press release is published by MARC PHILIPP GEMBALLA GmbH. MARC PHILIPP GEMBALLA GmbH is not associated in any form with Gemballa GmbH, and/or any of its subsidiaries, and/or its trademarks.
The headquarters of Audi’s in-house tailor Audi exclusive is effectively the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. On the second floor of the brand’s customer welcome center at their second largest corporate manufacturing facility is a showroom featuring some seriously creative builds. As a result, these sorts of cars tend to be highlighted by Audi Deutschland’s Facebook presence, cars like this RS 7 Sportback performance painted in Velvet Violet Pearl Effect (samtviolettperleffekt; pearl effect UNI; 092 QB7; Audi).
Also known as “Velvet Purple” this hue is a popular choice amongst those seeking Audi exclusive paint in order to make their car a little more unique. That it’s on Audi exclusive’s main palette also means it’s more affordable than say painting the car the same purple hue as your yacht or alma mater.
In this case, the car in question also has some unique interior details. These include an individually specced combination of black and diamond silver leather and stitching.
Check out the original post from Audi Deutschland on Facebook HERE.
Based on the 911 GT3 RS: elaborate customisation inside and out
Up close and personal: the Siffert family had a hand in creating this model
The right of purchase will be raffled off to interested parties in Switzerland
With the 911 GT3 RS Tribute to Jo Siffert, Porsche is paying tribute to the late Swiss racing driver while also commemorating the first victory of the legendary 917 almost 55 years ago. On 10 August 1969, Siffert and Kurt Ahrens won the first international 1,000-kilometre race at the Österreichring near Zeltweg. This was the first race win for the 917, which was initially considered difficult to drive due to the high speeds and aerodynamics. The experts at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur built the extraordinary one-off as part of the Sonderwunsch programme. The vehicle will go on display at the Swiss Porsche centres in August 2024 before going on to be one of the highlights of the “Auto Zürich” trade fair (7 to 10 November 2024). The buyer will be selected at random from all interested parties.
Stuttgart/Rotkreuz. Joseph “Jo” Siffert continues to enjoy cult status in Switzerland 50 years after his death. The Fribourg native was an extremely talented, charismatic racing driver. Siffert lived out his passion for motorsport with legendary intensity, contesting 298 races over 11 years. Sometimes he took part in several races during the same weekend. “Jo Siffert, together with Kurt Ahrens, kicked off the success story of the 917 by winning at Zeltweg in 1969. The passion with which he has pursued his dream of racing is still impressive today and fits perfectly with our brand core – Driven by Dreams,” says Michael Glinski, Chief Executive Officer of Porsche Schweiz AG.
The family of Jo Siffert was closely involved in the construction of this very special 911 GT3 RS. In addition to his son Philippe, who drove Formula Ford and Formula 3 races between 1991 and 2003 and was a works driver at BMW, his grandson Jérémy Siffert also attended the project workshop in Zuffenhausen. “To witness the creation of this Porsche in honour of my father was extremely exciting,” says Philippe Siffert. “With painstaking attention to historical details and craftsmanship of the highest quality, the employees of the Porsche Sonderwunsch Manufaktur have transformed an already rare 911 GT3 RS into an absolutely unique piece – infused with the spirit of Jo Siffert.”
Countless nods to the Porsche 917 in both the exterior and interior “This tribute model is an inspirational car in two senses: on the one hand, its visual design is based on the design of the 917 with which Jo Siffert and Kurt Ahrens drove to victory at the Österreichring almost 55 years ago,” says Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualisation & Classic at Porsche AG. “On the other hand, the one-off shows the extensive exterior and interior customisation options that we offer as part of the Sonderwunsch programme.”
The car is predominantly painted in Pure White and, like the car that inspired it, features Viper Green contrast sections on the front wings and parts of the front end. Both colours come from the “Paint to Sample” programme. The middle section of its large rear wing is also painted in this shade of green. The start number is the same as the one used in the inaugural 1,000-kilometre race. The “29” is reprised on the doors, the front bonnet, under the rear wing and on the valve caps on the tyres. The classic Porsche lettering with striped design on the doors and side sections was also inspired by the original vehicle.
With great attention to detail and the able support of Bosch and Shell, the Porsche design experts also reproduced the contemporary sponsor decals. The Bosch decal with the spark plug is positioned on the rear wheel arches. The Shell decal with the wordmark in the shell is positioned below the rear window by the service flaps for oil and water.
The silhouette of the 917KH can be seen on the centre lock of the satin black magnesium wheels; this stylised side view also adorns the sideplates of the rear wing. A special badge in the helmet design is positioned on the B-pillars: as a personal reference, the name and signature of Jo Siffert are represented there.
The interior exudes a tasteful racing atmosphere: Race-Tex dominates in Black and Guards Red. The helmet motif is embroidered in the headrests. The door entry guards are adorned with the 917 silhouette combined with the signature. Even the vehicle key has been painstakingly customised: the side bolsters are painted in Pure White or in the modern Viper Green, with the 917 silhouette printed in the respective contrasting colour. Jo Siffert’s autograph is embossed on the cover of the centre console and in the leather key case.
About the Porsche 917 with Jo Siffert at the wheel “We owe the 1969 World Sportscar Championship in large part to Jo Siffert. He was by far the fastest man on our team,” former senior race engineer Peter Falk recalled of the Swiss in 2018. Porsche won seven out of ten races that season. Siffert took five of these victories together with the Briton Brian Redman and one with Kurt Ahrens – the one on 10 August 1969 in Zeltweg. “Our victory in Zeltweg was the start of the success story of the 917 and it was a great pleasure and honour for me to be able to share the cockpit with Jo,” says his companion Ahrens.
In 1968, the FIA had surprisingly changed the regulations of the Manufacturer’s World Championship and increased the displacement limit to five litres – and the number of units required for homologation had been reduced to 25 cars. The three-litre Porsche 908 was no longer truly competitive. A new five-litre car was called for – the 917. Today, its record of success is legendary: after taking the Sports Car World Championship title in its maiden campaign in 1969, Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood achieved the coveted triumph at Le Mans in 1970. Helmut Marko and Gijs van Lennep were able to repeat this greatest motorsport triumph for Porsche in 1971. George Follmer, in 1972, and Mark Donohue, in 1973, dominated the North American CanAm series with the over 1,000-PS turbo versions 917/10 and 917/30, further developments of the 917.
Jo Siffert would not have the chance to witness these later events: after his Porsche career, he died in a fatal accident at the age of 35 at the Formula 1 race at Brands Hatch (UK) on 24 October 1971.
About the Sonderwunsch programme Porsche is reinterpreting its legendary Sonderwunsch programme from the late 1970s, which will enable it to design individualised, one-off cars – co-created by the customer and professionally produced by Porsche. The expanded range is divided into the installation of specific colour and material requests directly during production as well as subsequent refinements and even custom vehicle concepts on customer request after delivery – regardless of the age of the vehicle.
Customers can contact their Porsche Centre for customisations on new cars. If the request is beyond the bounds of the Exclusive Manufaktur options offered in the Car Configurator, the Sonderwunsch process kicks into gear with an arranged personal customer consultation at Zuffenhausen or one of the international locations, such as Atlanta or Los Angeles. Here, the manufacturer’s experts are dedicated to the prompt assessment and technical approval of individual customer requirements.
Frontline Cars (Frontline) can confirm its celebrated, V8-powered, limited edition LE60 will make its USA debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and select events during Monterey Car Week
Established in 1991, UK-based Frontline has forged a reputation for its handcrafted restomods, which use an MGB as a basis for the analogue-focused transformation
Each Frontline creation is tailored to the client – from the driver set-up in suspension and seat customisation, to the paint and trim
Launched in October 2023, the LE60 has been driven on customer tours, unveiled at prestigious locations, and is now destined for the revered Monterey Car Week
A USA-specific, Frontline Bespoke roadster demonstrator will also be displayed, and available for pre-booked test drives and customer demonstrations
With many customers in America already, Frontline’s participation in The Quail and select Car Week events underscores its commitment to the American market
Alongside this investment is a renewed sales and aftersales function to deliver the leading customer service and experience Frontline is renowned for
Abingdon, UK – As 2024 marks the centenary of MG, esteemed MGB restomod specialist Frontline Cars (Frontline) is set to extend its legacy to enthusiasts across the United States (USA). This significant milestone will see the all-new, V8-powered Frontline LE60 make its American debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and select events during Monterey Car Week in California, USA. Taking place from 9 – 18 August, Monterey Car Week provides the perfect backdrop for Frontline to showcase some of its best analogue sports car offerings to an American audience.
Established in 1991 by Founder and Chief Engineer Tim Fenna, Frontline has pioneered the restomod space with a dedication to engineering custom-built classic MGB sports cars optimised for the present day, and high-performance MGB parts. Debuting at Monterey Car Week will be a USA-specific, Frontline Bespoke roadster demonstrator, and the Great British Grand Tourer, Frontline’s first V8, the LE60.
Proudly British-built and designed, Frontline MGB restomods honour the craftsmanship and prestige of the iconic golden era of MGB. Based in Abingdon, UK, near the original MG workshop, Frontline’s dedication to high-performance, analogue sports cars ensures the essence of the beloved British marque continues to thrive in the modern day.
Tim Fenna, Founder and Chief Engineer of Frontline, said: “Attending Monterey Car Week has been a dream for us for many years. There’s a deep appreciation for classic British sports cars in America, as well as big V8 engines, and we’re excited to bring our car to this passionate audience.
“The LE60 has never been ‘just a car’ to us – it’s a heartfelt celebration of our [Frontline’s] history and our deep connection with this iconic British brand. We can’t wait to meet enthusiasts who share our love for the MGB at Monterey Car Week, and to offer them the chance to experience the blend of tradition and modern performance that defines our vehicles.”
The LE60 is Frontline’s most powerful, brutish, and driver-focused car ever built, marking a significant milestone with the company’s first V8 engine. Built to commemorate 60 years of the MGB and 30 years of Frontline, the LE60 is limited to just 30 bespoke builds worldwide. Featuring an in-house modernised, 4.8-litre Rover V8 producing 375 bhp – almost quadruple the power of the original MGB – the LE60 boasts a widened track, a strengthened chassis, and a custom suspension set-up by Nitron.
With a near-perfect 50/50 weight distribution and weighing just 2,473 lbs, it includes a limited-slip differential and a robust braking system featuring six-piston alloy front brakes and four-piston alloy rear brakes with 320 mm vented, lightweight two-piece brake discs, all housed under larger 16-inch Dunlop-style alloy wheels. The five-speed manual gearbox rounds out the car, and combined with rear-wheel drive, elevates the driving experience of this analogue vehicle, making the LE60 everything a driver could want from a classic sports car. Building on the success of Frontline’s acclaimed LE50 and Abingdon Editions, the LE60 combines the finest qualities of both touring and sports cars.
Frontline is renowned for its bespoke approach, working closely with customers to create MGB restomods tailored to their specific preferences and driving style. Whether opting for the LE60 Factory Edition or any Bespoke versions, the experience remains unparalleled. Much like purchasing a Saville Row suit, Frontline works with each customer throughout the entire process to ensure their car is tailored specifically to them – their driving style, requirements, and dream MGB experience. While manufacturing remains in the UK, Frontline has developed a comprehensive American formula and aftersales function to ensure American customers receive the same exceptional service and support that the brand is known for worldwide.
Frontline and its team will be at the upcoming Monterey Car Week with the LE60 and its USA-ready demo car, including The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, between 9 – 18 August. Customers looking to discuss the LE60, or are interested in booking a test drive or a demonstration, should contact conner@frontline-cars.co.uk.
For more information on the LE60, any other Frontline build, or the company’s capabilities, visit the new customer-focused brand website: frontline-cars.co.uk
About Frontline Cars: Founded in 1991 initially under the name of Frontline Developments, which was rebranded as Frontline Cars (Frontline) in 2023, Frontline was established with a single mission: to elevate the foundations and driving experience of classic MG cars. Now past its 30th year, and wholly focused on bespoke, hand-made car builds, Frontline has firmly established itself as a marque specialist, uncompromising in its dedication to preserving the past while utilising the best in modern-day technology. With a passion for precision and renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, each Frontline car celebrates originality and heritage in abundance, while never losing sight of the purity of automotive interaction these cars were meant to emote in the first place.
With 2023 marking the centenary of the MG marque and 60 years of the MGB, Frontline launched a line-up of celebratory cars last year, further reaffirming its position as a market leader that pays homage to the past while accelerating into the future. The first, the LE60, was developed from the heralded LE50 and Abingdon factory Editions and is optimised for 21st-century driving, combining a radically evolved drivetrain with ultimate Grand Tourer performance and refinements. Further embracing sustainable innovation, Frontline’s second release of the year was the BEE (B [MGB] EV Edition), an electric-powered variant providing classic car owners the option to contribute to a greener future without compromising performance or driving experience. With thorough, innovative and highly effective engineering and development, BEE provides traditional Frontline dynamics with all the practicality, reliability and range needed for enjoyable electric car ownership.
If you’re looking for an F82 Comp that checks most boxes, this one could be it. Clean title, low mileage, BMW Individual color and, clean CarFax. It’s slightly modded, but this could be the ONE for a proper enthusiast.
Here is a BMW Individual Grigio Telesto 2018 BMW M4 Competition with about 34,000 miles on it. Some mods include Active Autowerks Equal Length Resonated Midpipe, KW Has Lowering Springs, and Paint Protection Film on Front Bumper, Hood, Front Fenders, and Rear Quarter Panels. Bonus points for PPF, gotta protect that paint!
Seller states: “All service has been done on time. Oil changes, brake fluid flushes, brake pads, etc. Tires all have 8/32 or more of tread, zero leaks, and zero curb rash on any of the wheels. The car is bone stock engine-wise, has never been tuned, etc. It has been a weekend driver and garage kept for its entire life.” They even mention taking it to a shop in Costa Mesa for a pre-purchase inspection.
This definitely feels enthusiast-owned and you can tell the car was looked after. This is a win in our book. You can check out the Craigslist Ad HERE for more information. More photos below.
One-of-one 2025 BMW M5 is a collaboration between BMW M, BMW Individual, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®.
Unique interior and exterior finishes and details created exclusively for this special automobile.
The first 2025 BMW M5 delivered in North America (estimated delivery October 2024).
Proceeds from the sale will go to the Concours’ charitable partner, Pebble Beach Company Foundation.
The vehicle will be auctioned by Gooding & Company on Friday, August 16.
[source: BMW AG]
Woodcliff Lake, NJ – The all-new seve nth generation BMW M5 was revealed to the world earlier this month at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And now, to celebrate the arrival of the 717-hp M Hybrid-powered super sedan in the US, BMW M and BMW Individual in collaboration with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® have created a one-of-a-kind special automobile that will be auctioned during Pebble Beach Automotive Week. The 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 will be the first 2025 M5 delivered in North America, and is distinguished by exclusive paint and upholstery colors, wheels, and bespoke interior details that make this M5 entirely unique.
The 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 will be auctioned at no-reserve by Gooding & Company Friday, August 16. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, a charity that supports literacy and education programs for disadvantaged young people in Monterey County.
The only 2025 BMW M5 finished in BMW Individual Frozen Orange metallic. Taking inspiration from the spectacular orange hues of a Pebble Beach sunset, the BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 makes a strong first impression with its striking coat of BMW Individual Frozen Orange metallic (frozenorange; metallic matte; C41; BMW) paint. The stunning color was scheduled to be discontinued from BMW Plant Dingolfing prior to the start of M5 production, meaning the body of the Pebble Beach M5 had to be painted weeks in advance. This also ensured that no other 2025 M5 would be painted the same color.
The paint is complimented by hand-painted orange accents on the staggered M Dual-Spoke Bicolor wheels, Style 951M, mounted on performance tires. The 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels surround massive M Carbon Ceramic brakes with calipers finished in Matte Gold.
A dramatic interior package befitting such a distinctive vehicle. The tech-forward, driver-oriented interior has been appointed in a completely unique color scheme. The M Multi-Function seats are finished in Kyalami Orange and Silverstone Extended Merino leather – a combination created specifically for the #1/1 and unavailable on the standard production M5. The headrests of both front seats are emblazoned with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® logo, using an innovative new printing technology, just above the illuminated M5 badge.
Carbon Fiber Silver Thread High Gloss trim with Dark Silver Accent spans the dashboard and is adorned with the 2024 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® logo just to the right of the BMW Curved Display, with “#1/1” leaving no doubt about this M5’s individuality. The logo and #1/1 inscription are also present on the front doorsills.
In total, the 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 is fitted with over $57,000 worth of bespoke options. Much of the finishing was done by hand at the M works in Garching, the spiritual home of the M5 where the first two generations were largely hand-built.
Premium features and technology for the everyday drive. The 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 will spoil the winning bidder with a full complement of performance, luxury, and infotainment features.
The Driving Assistance Professional Package permits the Lane Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Protection and Distance Control to be used when travelling at highway speeds. At lower speeds up to 40 mph, the Traffic Jam Assistant can provide attentive, unlimited hands-free driving to ease the strain of especially dense traffic situations on limited access highways.
The Executive Package brings illumination to the kidney grille, a power rear sunshade and manual rear side window shades, front ventilated seats, and Parking Assistant Plus. The Carbon Package includes a CFRP roof panel, rear spoiler, and mirror caps. And M Drive Professional adds two additional, track-oriented driving modes – DYNAMIC and DYNAMIC PLUS – designed to ensure the combustion engine and electric motor are both active and the cooling system is conditioned for track driving.
Finally, the M Driver’s Package raises the M5’s top speed to 190 mph and includes a 1-day high-performance driving class at a BMW Performance Center.
It is estimated that delivery of the M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 to the winning bidder will occur in late October 2024. Gooding & Company’s auction listing can be viewed here. Interested parties can register to bid at www.goodingco.com/register.
The 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance #1/1 will be on display from 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 14, at Gooding & Company’s space at Pebble Beach Parc du Concours, located on the corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road in Pebble Beach.
BMW Group in America BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Designworks, a strategic design consultancy based in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is the BMW Group global center of competence for BMW X models and assembles the X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 Sports Activity Vehicles as well as the BMW XM. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 349 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers,146 BMW motorcycle retailers, 104 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
