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BMW Driving Experience at Indianapolis

by | Jul 8, 2021 | 0 comments

BMW Driving Experience at Indianapolis
A BMW high-performance drives through a race course

The BMW Driving Experience at Indianapolis Motor Speedway begins  July 8 and will run through Aug. 8, 2021. (BMW)

BY MARK MAYNARD

BMW announced July 8 that it would offer new BMW Driving Experience programs at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The German carmaker said that the opportunity is a milestone expansion for Midwestern customers and enthusiasts.

The new driving experience at the IMS race track will offer a range of high-performance driving activities. Track and on-street sessions will be in BMW M vehicles, racing vehicles, and core BMW models.

The BMW’s performance driving school at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway began on July 8, 2021, and will continue on select days through August. There are two half-day sessions, the morning session is from 8:30 a.m. to noon and the afternoon session is from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $499 per session.

Driving Experience Programs

The IMS driving experience will provide owners and enthusiasts with several high-performance driving programs.  The goal for all courses will be to hone participants’ car control skills and challenge their abilities under the guidance of experienced instructors.

BMW’s M Track Experience is well known from the brand’s performance centers in Thermal, Calif., and Spartanburg, SC.

Courses offerings include:

M Track Experience. This program will be an instructional experience to familiarize participants with track driving.

M Track Days. BMW Performance Driving School instructors will teach participants to bring BMW M vehicles to the absolute limit.

M4 GT4 Experience. The full-day experience is centered around the BMW M4 GT4 racecar. The day includes classroom and track instruction.

Test Drive Experiences. A variety of BMW and BMW M vehicles will be available for on-street test drives. The test sessions will include xDrive off-road challenges in BMW’s X Series Sports Activity Vehicles.

Custom programming. An array of corporate or curated experiences will be available.

More information on the BMW Performance Driving Schools is available here.

About Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The 112-year-old Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the oldest continually operating racetrack in the United States. It is also the world’s largest sports-seating facility and has nearly 250,000 permanent seats. The speedway hosts the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500

The facility is owned and managed by Penske Entertainment.

Alfa Romeo Celebrates 111th anniversary — June 24, 1910

by | Jun 25, 2021 | 0 comments

Alfa Romeo Celebrates 111th anniversary — June 24, 1910
An exterior view of the Alfa Romeo museum

Alfa Romeo celebrated its 111th anniversary today, June 24. (Photos courtesy Alfa Romeo)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Today marks the 111th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo brand. Founded on June 24, 1910, in Milan, Italy, the company began as Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili — A.L.F.A.

Engineer and entrepreneur Nicola Romeo joined a few years later as director. And in 1918 the carmaker would be renamed Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili Romeo — Alfa Romeo.

The first car carrying the Alfa Romeo badge was the 1921 Torpedo 20/30 HP.

An interior view of cars in the Alfa Romeo museum

Inside the museum.

Red Cars

When Alfa Romeo was first established, its cars were red. Since then, the color red has become an integral part of the brand’s DNA.

The Arese Museum were tinged with red on this day to honor the journey and heritage of Alfa Romeo.

The road course at the Alfa Romeo museum

The road course at the Arese Museum in Italy. (Alfa Romeo)

Alfa Romeo GTA and GTAm

The anniversary also marks the first customer deliveries of the new high-performance Giulia GTA and GTAm. But the halo models will only be sold in Europe.

The GTAm starts at roughly $225,000 with the slightly less-extreme GTA costing $6,000 less, according to Car and Driver. Only 500 cars are being produced, which seems like a lot for a $225K sport sedan.

The GTA badge recalls the “lightened” 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA, or Gran Turismo Alleggerita.

Each of the early buyers got an exclusive experience at the Arese Museum.  Owners were given a track-ready kit of a Bell helmet in GTA red livery, a full racing set by Alpinestars (race suit, gloves and shoes) and a personalized Goodwool car cover. Included with the kit was a driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.

The tail wing of the GTm

The tail wing of the GTm.

More Power

The Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and its extreme version Giulia GTAm are based on the top-line, 505-hp Giulia Quadrifoglio, but with more power.

Enhancements to the GTA “lightened” the curb weight by 220 pounds. Weight savers included carbon fiber for the drive shaft, hood, roof, front bumper, front wheel arches and rear wheel arch inserts. Carbon fiber is also used on the seats of the GTAm, with six-point Sabelt safety belts.

A red Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA

The Giulia GTA and its extreme version Giulia GTAm are based on the top-line, 505-hp Giulia Quadrifoglio, but with more power.

Horsepower was increased to 540-hp from the 2.9-liter biturbo V-6 Bi-Turbo. The eight-speed automatic transmission is by ZF. Acceleration to 62 mph takes 3.8 seconds, the company says.

The Giulia GTAm is a two-seat configuration approved for on-road use. The GTA version, with the same power, has four seats and no rear roll-bar.

Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction June 17-19 rakes in record $48M in sales

by | Jun 23, 2021 | 0 comments

Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction June 17-19 rakes in record $48M in sales

A 2021 Ford Bronco 4-Door Badlands Raiders Edition auctioned by Barrett-JacksonThe Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas auction sold this 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands Raiders Edition for $275,000. Proceeds will benefit the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation and Raiders Foundation. (Barrett-Jackson Auctions)

The Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction, June 17-19, had a big payoff of more than $46 million for 700 vehicles, plus four trail-blazing sales of so-called NFTs.

Four vehicles auctioned for charities brought in $775,000 and 284 pieces of automobilia realized more than $884,000. There were more than 65 world-record auction sales.

NFT debut

The juggernaut purveyor of collector car auctions also tapped into a new revenue stream of digital currency, Non-Fungible Transfers (NFTs). Those sales of $67,000 pushed total auction sales over $48 million with a 100-percent sell-through rate.

NFT bidders were able to purchase a unique digital package, commemorating the previous sale of a special car. The NFTs on auction were for “VIN 001” first production examples, previously sold for charity.
Up for bidding was a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, 2021 Ford Bronco, 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition and 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1. Each sale is listed below.

The digital ownership of the special commemorative packages presents a new way for enthusiasts to purchase a unique digital package of a special car, according to a report by MSN.com. It also is rewarding for enthusiasts to make a charitable contribution.

Each one-of-one NFT commemorates the sale. The package includes one exclusive video, one illustration and three still images, all relating to the historic sale.

Barrett-Jackson has collaborated with Motoclub on the non-fungible token project. Motoclub’s digital wallet will offer winning bidders a place to store and trade their NFTs.

Winning bidders also received an exclusive Barrett-Jackson VIP Muscle Lounge ticket package for two to a 2022 auction of their choice.

“NFTs have become hot property in 2021, being used to sell everything from artwork to music, and even tweets,” according to the MSN report by John Redfern.

“An NFT is described as a unit of data, stored on a blockchain register. It identifies a digital item as being unique, and buying an NFT gives you proof of ownership. This digital record of its uniqueness creates the NFT’s value,” he said.

Frank Sinatra's 1970 Maserati Ghibli that sold at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas

Frank Sinatra’s 1970 Maserati Ghibli sold for $330,000. (Barrett-Jackson Auctions)

Barret-Jackson Las Vegas top sellers

Among the notable collector cars sold during the three-day auction were a 2015 McLaren P1 (Lot #748) which sold for $1,567,500 and a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Lot #742) that brought in $1,045,000.

The auction occupied the newly built West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The top 10 vehicles sold:

2015 McLaren P1, Lot #748: $1,567,500

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, Lot #742: $1,045,000
2019 Ford GT, Lot #749: $1,023,000

1965 AC Cobra 289 Roadster CSX 2439, Lot #462: $907,500

1994 Toyota Supra “Fast and Furious” Movie Car, Lot #744: $550,000

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Custom, Lot #763: $396,000

1970 Chevrolet Camaro Custom Coupe “The Grinch,” Lot #770: $385,000

2011 Porsche 911 Speedster, Lot #741: $385,000

Frank Sinatra’s 1970 Maserati Ghibli, Lot #740: $330,000

Henry Ford II’s 1966 Ford Mustang GT K-Code Convertible, Lot #766: $330,000

Henry Ford II's 1966 Ford Mustang GT K-Code Convertible

Henry Ford II’s 1966 Ford Mustang GT K-Code Convertible brought $330,000. (Barrett-Jackson Auctions)

Charity sales

2021 Ford Bronco 4-Door Badlands Raiders Edition, Lot #3002: $275,000. Proceeds to benefit Grant a Gift Autism Foundation and Raiders Foundation

2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Hertz/Hendrick Motorsports Edition, Lot #3003: $250,000. Proceeds to benefit the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation 

2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat AWD, Lot #3000: $180,000. Proceeds to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit

1956 Chevrolet 150, Lot #3001: $70,000. Proceeds to benefit the Honor Flight Network

Barrett-Jackson NFT sales

The buyers of the four NFT charity sales, all VIN 001 sales, featured:

Ford Mustang Mach 1 VIN 001, Lot #4001: $30,000

Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition VIN 001, Lot #4002: $10,000

Ford Bronco 2-Door VIN 001, Lot #4003: $22,000

2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 VIN 001, Lot #4004: $5,000

View more vintage car features here.

Ford bolsters electric commercial division with acquisition of Electriphi

by | Jun 19, 2021 | 0 comments

Ford bolsters electric commercial division with acquisition of Electriphi
A Ford eTransit work van with a tablet showing charging capabilities

The Electriphi acquisition will accelerate electric vehicle fleet adoption by offering suite of services to commercial customers. (Ford) 

BY MARK MAYNARD

Ford Motor Co. has bolstered its commercial electric work truck division with the acquisition this week of Electriphi. The San Francisco-based company is a provider of charging management and fleet monitoring software for electric vehicles.

Charging management remains a hurdle to mass adoption as more commercial vehicle customers consider all-electric vehicles, Ford said in a release.

Electriphi’s team and services will be integrated into Ford Pro — a new global business within Ford. The foundation of Ford Pro will be to deliver a work-ready suite of vehicles, products and services.

Ford Pro and Electriphi’s team and technology will help customers make the transition.

“As commercial customers add electric vehicles to their fleets, they want depot charging options to make sure they’re powered up and ready to go to work every day,” said Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis.

Ford Pro estimates that the depot charging industry will grow to more than 600,000 full-size trucks and vans by 2030. This acquisition is in support of a target to capture more than $1 billion in revenue from charging by 2030, Cannis said in the release.

The acquisition comes as Ford prepares to launch all-electric versions of two high-volume commercial vehicles. Ford will start shipping E-Transit to customers later this year and F-150 Lightning Pro will be available in spring 2022.

“Customers have been clear — electrification of their fleets is inevitable, with significant economic and sustainability benefits. They now need solutions that enable a seamless transition to electric vehicles,” said Electriphi CEO and co-founder Muffi Ghadiali. “

Ford Pro

The multi-focused platform of Ford Pro features a range of vehicles, products and services. Among them:

Vehicles. The lineup will include combustion-engine, hybrid and electric commercial-use Ford vans and full-size pickup trucks;

Charging. Hardware and software solutions for public, depot and overnight home charging;

Intelligence. Digital services for customers to better manage and maintain their fleets;

Services Elite. Expansion of Ford’s network of commercial-vehicle centers. Additions will include 120 dedicated, large-bay service hubs across the U.S. and the introduction of 1,200 mobile service vehicles by 2025;

FinSimple. Bundled financing for vehicles, services and electric vehicle charging.

The acquisition of Electriphi is expected to close this month. Terms are not being disclosed.

Learn more at FordPro.com.

Mark Maynard

 

Toyota GR Supra A91-CF Edition

by | Jun 2, 2021 | 0 comments

Toyota GR Supra A91-CF Edition

Limited to just 600 cars, the GR Supra A91-CF Edition is the most exclusive Mark V Supra to date and only for North America

An exterior view of the Toyota GR Supra A91-CF Edition in wind-tunnel testing

The Toyota GR Supra A91-CF Edition elevates the lineup with a carbon fiber aerodynamics kit and a 382-hp 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine.  (All photos courtesy of Toyota)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Toyota teased Supra enthusiasts today with the first official images and details of the upcoming 2022 Supra A91-CF Edition.

Limited to just 600 cars, the GR Supra A91 Carbon Fiber Edition is the most exclusive Mark V Supra to date, Toyota said in a release. Pricing will be announced this fall. Get updates here.

A rear view of the Supra A91 CF to the show the duckbill spoiler

The functional carbon fiber body kit includes a duckbill rear spoiler.

The basic Supra

The fifth-generation 2021 GR (Gazoo Racing) Supra is sold in two turbocharged powertrains. The entry model has a 255-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the uplevel choice is a 382-hp, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder. Both engines have an eight-speed Z-F8 automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

Current 2021 Supra pricing ranges from $44,085 for the entry 2.0 to $55,990 for the A91. Add $995 for the freight charge from Graz, Austria. The Supra is built at the Magna Steyr plant, which makes the BMW Z4 that shares its foundation with the Supra.

The front aerodynamic front splitter of the Supra A91-CF

The aerodynamic front splitter of the Supra A91-CF

Elevating the lineup

The 2022 GR Supra A91-CF elevates the lineup with a carbon fiber front splitter and larger winglet-like canards. In addition, carbon fiber side rockers define the lower side edges and more carbon fiber is used at the rear duckbill spoiler and lower canards.

This aero kit isn’t just for looks, Toyota says, and was engineered and tested to improve downforce and stability.

Other notable features include unique matte-black19-inch wheels. The black treatment helps set off the optional new paint color of matte-gray Phantom. Absolute Zero White and Nitro Yellow are the other color choices for the Supra A91-CF.

A tire and wheel of the Supra A91-CF Edition

Forged 19-inch matte-black wheels have red brake calipers.

Toyota GR Supra A91-CF performance

Stock GR Supra features the 382-hp inline-six with peak torque of 368 foot-pounds from 1,800-5,000 rpm. Toyota says the 3,400-pound two-seater can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

G-Force control comes from an adaptive variable sport suspension and an active rear sport differential. Stopping force is competition-ready with large Brembo vented discs. The front rotors are 13.7 inches with four-piston red calipers and a silver Toyota Supra logo. The rear discs with single-piston calipers are 13.6 inches.

GR Supra A91-CF Edition has a red-and-black interior theme. The cabin is richly decked in Alcantara and leather with carbon fiber elements. The theme includes red stitching on 14-way power-adjustable and heated sport seats and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel.

Intelligent safety features include a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning.

The rear canard of the A91-CF.

A rear canard of the Supra A91-CF.

Driving course

New owners can learn to wring the most from their GR Supra A91-CF with a free one-year membership to the National Auto Sport Association. Included with each sale, participants will receive expert high-performance driving instruction.

 

Fabulous Fords Forever

by | May 28, 2021 | 0 comments

Fabulous Fords Forever

Fabulous Fords Forever, the largest all-Ford show on the West Coast, will be back June 13, 2021, at a new and larger venue

The poster for Fabulous Fords Forever

The Fabulous Fords Forever car show will be back June 13, 2021. The sprawling show was put on blocks last year at its longtime run at Knott’s Berry Farm ended when the park needed the space once used by the sprawling car show.

In a long search of suitable new sites, the Ford Car Club Council found the show’s new home at Irwindale Speedway.

The June 13 date will be the 35th anniversary of Fabulous Fords Forever.

The show will present 57 classes of iconic Ford Motor Co. cars and trucks. Expect 1,000 cars and trucks on display by exhibitors from eight states. And there will be anniversary displays of the Thunderbird, Bronco and others.

Also featured:

  • 2021 Ford product display and consumer drive event;
  • “Ford vs. Ferrari” display of movie cars;
  • Professional drifting in the speedway’s “drift box”

Fabulous Fords Show details:

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021

Where: Irwindale Speedway & Events Center, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale, CA 91706

Cost: $15 adults; 12 and younger admitted free.

Details: fabulousfordsforever.com

Mark Maynard