Model T Side Marker Lantern on 2040-parts.com

McLaren 650S Sprint (2014): the gentleman racer’s Macca

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 11 August 2014 17:59 Visitors to the upmarket Pebble Beach festival this week will witness the world debut of a very special McLaren track-day special: the new 650S Sprint coupe. The clue’s in the name: the Sprint is a track-only version of the 650S, designed for wealthier fans to go on track days and race at junior levels. It slots beneath the full-blown 650S GT3 racer – this is more a My First Track Day Special for wealthy owners after an amateur race-day weapon.

BMW Concept Coupe

BMW unveiled their latest concept in the run up to the contemporary Mille Miglia, a road race for cars that competed during the original event held between 1933 and 1957. The BMW 328 that set the fastest time in 1940, averaging over 100mph, has also provided inspiration for the Coupe Concept, which mixes the older car's silhouette with surfaces closer to the Z4 on which it is based. Powered by BMW's seminal 343PS engine, the car is wrapped with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), whose form is defined by designers using plaster rather than clay "for a closer emotional experience".

Aston Martin Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S race car revealed

The new Aston Martin Rapide S was revealed in January, and now Aston Martin are taking the Rapide S racing, but with a twist – it’s going to be able to run on hydrogen. Aston Martin has been working with hydrogen experts Alset Global and have developed a twin turbo version of their 6.0 litre V12 that can run on petrol, gaseous hydrogen or a blend of both and the plan is to run the Rapide S at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring next month with at least one lap run on hydrogen alone. The hydrogen system in the Rapide S (which AM are calling a hybrid, but it’s only a hybrid in the sense it uses two fuels, not that it uses electric motors) has a hydrogen fuel rail, storage tanks and its won engine management system to control combustion.