Autoweek in review: Sergio Pininfarina dies; ZL1 and GT500 hit the drag strip

The automotive world lost one of its most influential figures this week. Sergio Pininfarina, longtime chairman of his family's Italian design firm, died on July 2 after an undisclosed illness. He was 85 years old.

A Bentley sold for a record price at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Sir Henry Ralph Stanley “Tim” Birkin's 1929 4.5-liter Supercharged “Blower” Bentley brought the equivalent of $7 million.

Enjoy the ride from “crib to grid” in this BBC-produced short film on the life of a Formula One driver. You'll wish you'd played with cars more as a kid.

Autoweek recently got some drag-strip time with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Click here to check it out.

For those who prefer a drop-top supercar, McLaren revealed its MP4-12C Spider, a car to compete against the Ferrari 458 Spider. The 12C Spider will be displayed over the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend in August.

Because of the wildfires that have plagued Colorado, Pikes Peak organizers rescheduled the famed hillclimb for Aug. 12, “barring any further threats to safety.”

The powerful 2012 Jaguar XFR gained a few fans while in the Autoweek fleet. But it does have a few drawbacks. Take a read to see what editors had to say.

Ending a seven-year drama, Volkswagen is expected to take full control of Porsche Automobile Holding SE's carmaking business. Click here for more details.

Watch a Ford Mustang 5.0 take flight at Willow Springs after going off track and hitting a dirt berm. The driver walked away with no major injuries. His car, however, wasn't so lucky.

By David Arnouts