Welcome Back, Car Enthusiasts to Turbo Times - your gateway to the world of cars!

News from The Paddock

Gasoline prices soar to U.S. seasonal record.

Toyota’s EV battery promises 500 miles of range by 2026.

Electric car rapid charging is cheaper than petrol and diesel as fuel prices soar.

Unveilings

Porsche Taycan Turbo GT: A First Look at the High-Performance Makeover

Porsche is gearing up to introduce the Taycan Turbo GT, an electric vehicle designed to set new performance standards. Expected to boast over 1000bhp, the car features a redesigned front apron, pointier headlights, and a front splitter for enhanced aerodynamics. At the back, a large wing, new lights, and a larger diffuser add to its aggressive stance. Interestingly, the left-hand side charging port has been removed for weight-saving purposes. The car will likely debut at Porsche's upcoming Rennsport Reunion 7 at Laguna Seca.

No video has been released as of yet, but there have been some initial photos taken…

Volkswagen ID.X Performance: Pushing the Limits of Electric Power

Volkswagen has introduced the ID.X Performance concept, a high-octane modification of its ID.7 model. The car comes with a Need for Speed-inspired body kit, a carbon fibre rear wing, and 20-inch center-lock wheels. It also features a performance-spec suspension that increases the toe by 80mm and lowers the ride height by 60mm. Under the hood, the ID.X Performance is equipped with dual e-motors that deliver 550bhp, enabling all-wheel drive. An additional asynchronous motor on the front axle enhances its performance capabilities. As of now, there is no confirmed release date for this concept vehicle.

Take a first look at the revolution here 👇

Sale of the Week

1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB - Sold for $500,365

This 1975 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB, one of only 387 ever built, recently fetched a staggering $500,365. With approximately 32k miles on the odometer, this Italian classic is a true collector's dream. Initially sold in Germany and later imported to the U.S. in 2016, it's powered by a 4.4-litre F102A flat-12 engine that produced 380 horsepower when new. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual transaxle and a limited-slip differential.

The car underwent a repaint in Verde Germoglio with satin-black lower body panels in 2022, adding to its allure. It features pop-up headlights, Carello fog lights, and Daytona-style seats upholstered in black leather. Additional amenities include a MOMO steering wheel, air conditioning, and a Sony AM/FM cassette stereo. The sale came with a report from Marcel Massini, the famous Ferrari historian, and partial service records. It now holds a clean Montana title as of September 2023.

Buying Guide

5 Golden Rules Before Buying a Car

Rule 1: Scrutinize Before You Sign

Before you commit to anything, read and understand every clause in the contract. If you're unsure about any terms, ask questions until you're clear. Make sure the contract aligns with the original quote and any verbal agreements.

Rule 2: Know Your Financial Commitment

Understand the long-term financial implications of your purchase. Assess whether you can sustain the initial deposit and monthly payments over the contract period. Don't forget to factor in additional costs like maintenance and insurance.

Rule 3: Test Drive the Exact Model

Before sealing the deal, always test-drive the specific car you intend to buy. This will help you gauge the car's comfort, visibility, and overall driving experience. If you're uncomfortable during the test drive, ask the salesperson to find a quiet road or to sit in the back seat.

Rule 4: Secure Your Commitment Before Parting with Cash

Once you're satisfied with the contract and test drive, you can think about making a payment. Never hand over a deposit unless you're fully committed and have signed a contract. Always insist on a proper receipt detailing what the payment is for.

Rule 5: Remember, There's Always Another Option

Don't hesitate to walk away if you're not completely satisfied with the car or the deal. The market is abundant with options, and another opportunity will come along. Don't fall for sales tactics claiming a special deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

By following these golden rules in this order, you'll be better prepared to purchase a wise and informed car.

F1 Roundup

Race Results:

1. Carlos Sainz

2. Lando Norris

3. Lewis Hamilton

After covering Nascar during the F1 break in our last issue of TurboTimes, we’re back this week with a bang in the Singapore GP.

Carlos Sainz took the lead right from the get-go. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, was initially behind him in P2 but faced pit delays and eventually lost positions to George Russell and Lando Norris. A late-race virtual safety car sped up the competition, but Russell crashed on the final lap, allowing Norris to finish second, followed by Lewis Hamilton in third.

This race marked the end of Max Verstappen’s incredible 10-race win streak and is Red Bull’s first finish of the 2023 season that wasn’t on the podium.

Upcoming Automotive Events

America’s Largest RV Show: Hershey, USA, Wednesday, September 13th - Sunday, 17th September

This Week in Automotive History

The BMW Z1 is introduced

This week in 1987, the BMW Z1 made its grand entrance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Overseen by Ulrich Bez and designed by Harm Lagaay, the Z1 was a groundbreaking project that began in 1985. The car reached the assembly line in 1989 with more than 3,500 pre-orders.

The Z1 is most famous for its retractable doors, which slide downward into the car's body. But that's not all; BMW designed the Z1 so that all its body panels could be removed. The idea was that owners could easily change the color of their cars by swapping out panels, although this proved to be more time-consuming than initially advertised.

The Z1 was a marvel of aerodynamics, featuring a flat plastic undertray and a rear bumper with integrated exhaust to reduce lift. Under the hood, it housed BMW's M20 2.5-liter SOHC straight-six engine, delivering 168 horsepower, a respectable number for its time.

Between March 1989 and June 1991, BMW produced exactly 8,000 Z1 convertibles. The majority found homes in Germany, Italy, and France. The "Z" in Z1 stands for "Zukunft," the German word for future—a theme that continues in BMW's later Z models like the Z3, Z4, and Z8.

The Z1 pioneered the way for future Z series cars from BMW and stands as a testament to BMW's innovative spirit, reminding us that the future is always just a drive away.

Industry Insights

Tesla's Autobidder Platform Revolutionizes Energy Trading, Rakes in $330 Million for Investors 💷

Tesla's Autobidder, a real-time trading and control platform for energy assets, has generated over $330 million in trading profits for its users. Initially reported in 2020, the platform uses machine learning to optimize Tesla's energy storage products like Powerpacks, Powerwalls, and Megapacks. The platform's portfolio has grown from 1.2 GWh in 2021 to 7 GWh, according to Rohan Ma, Tesla’s lead on Autobidder. The success of Autobidder has prompted electric utilities to invest more in energy storage products, including Tesla's Megapack, to stay competitive.

Mercedes-Benz Faces Potential Recalls Over Emission Defeat Devices in Euro 6 Cars

Mercedes-Benz is at risk of another round of recalls as German transport authority KBA has identified unauthorized defeat devices in some of the company's Euro 6 standard vehicles. A whistleblower leaked the information to the environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe. European Court of Justice rulings say such devices are illegal under certain driving conditions. Mercedes-Benz must either take corrective action or face orders to remove the affected cars from the road. The automaker stated it is fully cooperating with KBA and believes it has developed the necessary software updates to address the issue.

Thanks for tuning into this week’s TurboTimes. We’ll be back again next week to bring you all the updates on the world of cars.

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