News

Maserati has unveiled a one-off GT2 Stradale in Modena that pays tribute to the MC12, built for a single collector through its Fuoriserie personalisation programme. The Leggenda livery recreates the Vitaphone Racing MC12 GT1 that won three times at the 24 Hours of Spa. Underneath is the standard GT2 Stradale with its 640 hp Nettuno V6. Only one exists, and the price was not disclosed.

Peugeot has confirmed that its 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar enters a new development phase, with a revised approach to performance, efficiency and design for the 2027 WEC season. The key message is that Peugeot is continuing rather than withdrawing, despite years of inconsistent results. Team principal Emmanuel Esnault says the goal is to position the 9X8 consistently among the top contenders.

Czech president Petr Pavel attended the Hungarian Grand Prix not as a VIP but as an accredited hobby photographer, working trackside with FIA accreditation and a full camera kit alongside Czech F1 photographer Jiri Krenek. The former NATO military chief has shot Le Mans, MotoGP, the Dakar and NASCAR, exhibited his work and raised money for charity with it. The low-key appearance went viral.

Lamborghini has not officially confirmed the Revuelto SV, but prototypes have been spied testing at the Nurburgring and heard on video, and it was reportedly shown to VIP clients in June. The Super Veloce version is expected to be lighter, more aerodynamic and more powerful than the 1,001 hp standard car, with a rumoured figure near 1,184 hp. A public reveal is expected in August 2026.

BMW's Debrecen plant in Hungary has produced its 50,000th iX3, just nine months after series production began, making it the fastest ramp-up of any new BMW Group factory. A second shift was added ahead of schedule to meet demand. The iX3 is the first series-production model of BMW's Neue Klasse electric platform, and the plant is tracking toward 100,000 customer orders.

Lamborghini and Halo have built a one-off Urus SE dressed as Master Chief to launch Halo: Campaign Evolved, with armour-green paint, 117 graphics, gold visor-tinted glass and helmet-style headlights. Underneath it is a standard 789 hp plug-in hybrid Urus SE. Xbox is giving away 1:18 scale replicas rather than the real car, with entries open until 13 September.

Ford has revealed the Bronco Desert Rising, the first edition in a new Horizon Series from its Custom Garage. It covers a four-door Bronco Outer Banks in streaks of pink and magenta inspired by the Utah desert, with berry-coloured details and a serialised badge. Just 1,000 will be built at about 13,695 dollars over the standard car, and it is a United States exclusive.

Mercedes-AMG is retiring the A 45 S after 13 years with a Final Edition, ending the hand-built four-cylinder AMG hot hatch. It keeps the 421 hp 2.0-litre turbo and adds yellow accents, forged wheels and Dark Chrome details, but no mechanical changes. The M139 engine cannot meet Euro 7, so the A 35 and A 45 S are being withdrawn, with an electric AMG A-Class expected from 2028.

BMW has revealed long-wheelbase versions of the X5 and electric iX5 built exclusively in and for China, stretched by 130 mm to a 3,165 mm wheelbase, longer than the X7. The iX5 uses sixth-generation eDrive with over 1,000 km of range on the CLTC cycle, and the rear cabin gets a ceiling Theatre Screen and Panoramic iDrive. Both go on sale in early 2027, and neither comes to Europe.