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News from The Paddock

Mack Trucks UAW workers go on strike after soundly rejecting tentative contract deal.

Lewis Hamilton’s first championship Mercedes F1 car heads on sale (rumored to be worth up to $15m!)

Tesla again cuts prices in a bid to meet year-end sales goals.

Unveilings

Alpine A424 Hypercar: Gearing Up for 2024 Racing Season

Alpine has taken the wraps off its A424 hypercar, designed to compete in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship and the North American IMSA SportsCar Championship. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with 670bhp and a redline of 9000 rpm. The car has undergone extensive testing at Circuit Paul Ricard and Motorland circuit in Aragon, Spain, with further tests planned at the Jerez circuit. Alpine aims to fine-tune the car's WEC hybrid system and aerodynamics. Check out the initial tests at the Motorland circuit of this future racing star below 👇

Skoda Enyaq vRS: A Boosted Electric Marvel

Skoda has revamped its Enyaq vRS for the 2024 model year, elevating it to the fastest car in the brand's lineup. The electric SUV now packs a punch with 335bhp, a significant 36bhp increase from its predecessor. This power boost shaves a full second off its 0-62mph time, now clocking in at just 5.5 seconds. Despite the added power, the vehicle's range has also improved to 336 miles, up by 15 miles. Charging is quicker too, with the SUV going from 10–80% battery in just 28 minutes, an 8-minute improvement. While pricing is yet to be confirmed, it's expected to surpass the £55,000 mark.

Sale of the Week

1996 Porsche 911 Gunther Werks 400R Sport Touring #1 - Sold for $1,150,000

This 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera, transformed by Gunther Werks into a 400R Sport Touring, is a masterpiece in automotive engineering and design. With only 2,400 miles on the odometer, this car is a collector's dream. It's powered by a Rothsport Racing-built 4.0L flat-six engine, mated to a Getrag G50 six-speed manual transmission with custom ratios and a limited-slip differential.

The exterior is a stunning Chelsea Grey, adorned with red "Porsche" lettering and wrapped in a protective film. It features Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes, JRZ adjustable coilovers, and bronze-finished 18" wheels. The interior is a luxurious blend of red leather and carbon fiber, complete with a Porsche Classic Radio equipped with Apple CarPlay.

This unique 911 underwent updates in 2022, including an interior refresh and rear suspension upgrades. It's offered by a dealer in Florida and comes with an accident-free Carfax report and a clean Montana title. The car was bid to a staggering $1,150,000.

Here is a video showing the cold start for this beauty…

Buying Guide

BMW M2 vs BMW M4: The Battle of The M’s

BMW's M series has long been a staple in the performance coupe market. This week, we're focusing on the 2023 BMW M2 and the BMW M4 to help you decide which M is the right fit for you.

Performance:

• BMW M2: The 2023 M2 is powered by a 3.0-liter S58 straight-six engine that churns out 453 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in a claimed 4.2 seconds. The M2 is a rear-wheel-drive car and offers a six-speed manual transmission.

• BMW M4: The M4 comes with the same 3.0-liter S58 engine but tuned to produce 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The M4 can hit 0-60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and offers an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the M2, the M4 also has an all-wheel-drive option.

Handling:

• BMW M2: The M2 has stiffer front springs and softer rear springs compared to the M4, aiming for better initial turn-in and maintaining neutrality through corners. It's more about driver enjoyment.

• BMW M4: The M4 has a more aggressive suspension setup designed for high-speed stability and cornering, making it more performance-oriented.

Interior:

• BMW M2: The M2's interior is straightforward, borrowing mostly from the standard 2-Series coupe. It offers carbon-backed adjustable bucket seats as part of a $9900 carbon package.

• BMW M4: The M4's interior is more luxurious, featuring higher-end materials and more tech features, including a larger infotainment screen and more advanced driver-assistance systems.

Pricing:

• BMW M2: Starts at $63,195, making it a competitor against cars like the Audi RS3 and the Mercedes-AMG CLA45 S.

• BMW M4: The M4 starts at around $71,800, making it significantly more expensive. The price can go even higher with optional packages and features.

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a car that offers a balance of performance and driving enjoyment, the 2023 BMW M2 is the way to go. However, if you're after more power, luxury, and tech and are willing to pay a premium, the M4 could be your choice.

So, which "M" car suits you best? The choice is ultimately yours…

F1 Roundup

Race results:

1. Max Verstappen

2. Oscar Piastri

3. Lando Norris

One day after securing his third Formula 1 world championship in the sprint race, Max Verstappen celebrated in grand style by taking a dominant win at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Red Bull ace led all 57 laps, marking his 14th win of the season and leaving him just one victory shy of equalling his own record of 15 wins set last year. The back-to-back successes over the weekend have even further cemented Verstappen's status as one of F1's all-time greats.

Upcoming Automotive Events

SEMA Show: Las Vegas, USA, Tuesday, 31st October - Friday, November 3rd.

Central Florida International Auto Show: Florida USA, Thursday, November 2nd - Sunday, November 5th.

This Week in Automotive History

The Rotary Corvette That Never Was: A Look Back at Chevrolet's Ambitious 1973 Concept

This week, we're traveling back to October 1973, when the automotive world was captivated by the unveiling of the Chevrolet Corvette Two-Rotor concept at the Paris Motor Show. This was a time when rotary engines were capturing imaginations, and Chevrolet was no exception. They introduced the Corvette Two-Rotor concept.

The concept featured a two-rotor, 266 cubic-inch engine initially intended for the Chevrolet Vega. However, the Corvette team saw its potential and adapted it for their mid-engine concept. Not long after, a Four-Rotor version with a 390 cubic inch engine was introduced, earning high praise from Zora Arkus-Duntov, often referred to as the "Father of the Corvette."

Duntov described the design as "exceedingly beautiful," a significant endorsement from a man not known for wearing his heart on his sleeve. Despite the enthusiasm, the rotary Corvette never made it to production. Emissions regulations and the ongoing gas crisis at the time made the rotary engine a difficult proposition. Had the Two-Rotor Corvette reached production, it would have revolutionized the American sports car landscape by introducing a rotary engine, a departure from traditional piston engines. Its mid-engine layout would have also set a new standard for Corvette design much earlier, potentially influencing American sports car engineering for years to come.

The challenges of making the engine both fuel-efficient and compliant with exhaust rules ultimately led to the concept's demise. Much like the Mercury Cougar, which we revisited last week, the rotary Corvette serves as a reminder of the automotive industry's constant evolution and the challenges it faces. While the Cougar adapted to market changes over the years, the rotary Corvette stands as a testament to innovation halted by external factors, yet its allure and "what could have been" mystique make it a memorable chapter in automotive history.

Industry Insights

📈 New-Vehicle Inventory Soars Despite UAW Strike, GM Most at Risk

Despite the ongoing UAW strike affecting Detroit's Big Three automakers, new-vehicle inventory in October reached its highest level since early spring 2021, with 2.21 million units available. GM is most vulnerable due to tight supplies of its profit-generating Chevrolet and Cadillac models. Stellantis appears well-stocked, while Ford has a mixed bag of inventory levels. The strike could have been an opportunity for competitors to gain market share, but low inventory among import brands like Honda, Toyota, and Kia has prevented this. Overall, the industry's days' supply has hit the "ideal" 60-day mark.

🚗 Renault Group Unveils World's Most Powerful Immersive Simulation Center

Renault Group has invested €26 million in a state-of-the-art immersive simulation center at its Technocentre in Guyancourt, France. The center features ROADS, a groundbreaking simulation tool that allows engineers to test the digital twin of vehicles in development. The facility aims to speed up the vehicle development process, reduce costs by minimizing the need for physical prototypes, and improve design robustness. The simulation technology also supports the vehicle throughout its entire lifecycle, enabling safe development and testing of updates or new functionalities. With over 25 years of experience in digital simulation, Renault continues to be a pioneer in the field.

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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