As part of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes-AMG has introduced the highly anticipated GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ “Motorsport Collectors Edition.” This limited-edition model, restricted to just 200 units, pays homage to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team with a series of design elements and performance upgrades that appeal to motorsport enthusiasts and car collectors alike.
Sharp has officially entered the electric vehicle (EV) market with its first concept car, the LDK+, revealed at the Sharp technology exhibition in Tokyo from 17-18 September 2024. Known for its expertise in electronics, Sharp aims to redefine electric vehicles by focusing on not just efficiency but also transforming them into entertainment hubs. The LDK+ concept boasts a futuristic design, with a notably wide rear section resembling a living room, complete with a large LCD screen—highlighting the company’s vision of merging home entertainment with mobility.
To expedite its foray into the EV space, Sharp has partnered with Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), the manufacturing giant behind companies like Apple. This collaboration is expected to accelerate both the development and mass production of Sharp’s electric vehicles in the coming years.
Nissan marks the 40th anniversary of NISMO, the company’s renowned in-house tuning, motorsports, and performance division. Established on 17th September 1984 as Nissan Motorsport International Co. Limited, NISMO has become synonymous with high performance both on the racetrack and on public roads. Over the past four decades, NISMO has embodied Nissan’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance and engineering.
Originally based in Omori, Tokyo, NISMO has played a pivotal role in creating some of Nissan’s most exhilarating vehicles and driving the brand’s motorsports ambitions. The company’s guiding principle of “Track to road” reflects its mission to take lessons from the racetrack and apply them to everyday road cars, offering customers a thrilling driving experience with a strong foundation in motorsport technology.
Maserati’s recent struggles, as highlighted in Stellantis’ half-year report, point to a sharp decline in sales, with customer deliveries plummeting from 15,300 units in the first half of 2023 to just 6,500 by June 2024. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, attributed this worrying sales drop to ineffective marketing rather than issues with Maserati’s products or pricing.
This decline is particularly concerning given Tavares’ past statements, where he warned that underperforming brands within the Stellantis group could face shutdown if they fail to generate profit. While Maserati wasn’t explicitly singled out, the warning applied to all brands under the Stellantis umbrella.
Toyota has officially announced its entry into the Supercars Championship for the 2026 season, marking a historic move for the Japanese automaker as it becomes the first non-US manufacturer to compete in the top-tier Australian touring car series since Nissan’s departure in 2019. This venture will see Toyota partnering with Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU), a team with deep ties to Australian motorsport, previously known as the Holden Racing Team.
Toyota will develop the GR Supra for Supercars’ Gen3 regulations, replacing the road car’s 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a race-tuned version of the brand’s 5.0-litre V8 from the Lexus F performance models and the Lexus LC500. This entry positions Toyota against rivals Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, which have dominated the series since the closure of the Holden brand in 2020.
Ford has officially revealed the highly anticipated 2025 Mustang GTD, marking the most advanced and powerful Mustang ever engineered. With a jaw-dropping 815hp and 900Nm of torque, the Mustang GTD is set to redefine performance in the world of street-legal sports cars. Its top speed of 325km/h makes it the fastest Mustang ever to hit the road, pushing the boundaries of what the iconic brand can achieve.
At the core of the Mustang GTD’s astonishing capabilities is its supercharged 5.2-litre V8 engine, which boasts more horsepower per litre than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. According to Greg Goodall, Mustang GTD’s Chief Program Engineer, “We’ve been laser-focused since day one to make the Mustang GTD the first-ever supercar with world-class performance and the soul of a Mustang.”
One of the key highlights of the Mustang GTD is its cutting-edge active aerodynamics, which includes a Drag Reduction System (DRS). This system adjusts the angle of the rear wing and activates flaps beneath the front of the car to optimize airflow for high-speed performance or downforce, depending on the driving conditions. This technology allows the Mustang GTD to deliver maximum stability and grip at top speeds.
In an ambitious step forward, Lotus has revealed its latest concept car, the Theory 1, which showcases the company’s vision for the future of intelligent performance vehicles. At the heart of this innovation is Lotus’ new design philosophy, The Lotus Theory, encapsulated by three core principles: Digital, Natural, and Analogue (DNA). These guiding principles aim to shape the future of Lotus cars, blending cutting-edge technology with a refined driving experience.
The “Digital” aspect of the Theory focuses on creating an immersive, intelligent, and intuitive driving experience. “Natural” reflects the emotional, human-centred design that enhances the connection between the driver and vehicle. “Analogue” highlights Lotus’ ongoing commitment to advanced performance engineering, ensuring that every model is built for a thrilling ride. With Theory 1, Lotus has masterfully combined these elements to deliver a vehicle that not only adapts to the driver but enhances the entire driving experience.
The 2025 Mini Cooper JCW E has been revealed through a leak by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ahead of its anticipated debut later this year. This all-electric performance hatchback, previewed by the John Cooper Works E prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, promises significant upgrades in both design and performance.
The JCW E sports a bold and aggressive design, highlighted by a large blacked-out grille that mimics a massive air intake, though a closer inspection reveals a more functional two-bar horizontal opening in the lower bumper. Vertical intakes along the sides are thought to vent the front wheel arches, contributing to both aerodynamics and cooling. To improve stability at high speeds, the car features new side skirts and specially designed 18-inch aerodynamic alloy wheels.
Nissan might be preparing to give its iconic Z sports car an off-road twist, with a recent trademark filing for the “Z Warrior” nameplate in Australia. This suggests a rugged, off-road-focused version of the Nissan Z could be on the horizon, potentially following the path of high-end off-road sports cars like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato.
The concept of an off-road Z isn’t entirely new. Last year, Nissan hinted at this possibility with the Safari Rally Z Tribute, a custom build inspired by the Datsun 240Z’s victory in the 1971 East African Safari Rally. Built by Tommy Pike Customs, the Safari Rally Z featured a two-inch lift, 17-inch prototype Nismo Safari wheels, and Yokohama Geolander off-road tyres, along with extra lighting and rugged exterior modifications. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 was tuned to deliver over 400hp.
Hyundai Motorsport is stepping into the world of endurance racing, which may not sound like a big deal except that it is doing it with its luxury Genesis brand along for the ride.
The company has hinted that it is not happy be a mere also-ran, it is aiming for overall victories with an LMDh prototype, a car capable of competing in the top-tier GTP class of IMSA or the WEC Hypercar category. This move will also put Genesis in direct competition with some of the most legendary teams in motorsport history—think Porsche, Cadillac, and others.
Though Hyundai hasn’t officially confirmed whether it will race in IMSA, WEC, or both, this represents a major leap for the Genesis brand. Competing in some of the world’s toughest and most prestigious races could significantly elevate Genesis’ reputation as a premium performance marque. If the Genesis name finds itself racing alongside heavyweights like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Cadillac, and BMW, it will earn serious credibility among motorsport fans—a key goal for Hyundai.
“Genesis is proud to announce its ambitious entry into the world of endurance racing through the LMDh program,” Hyundai Motorsport and Genesis stated, as reported by the FIA. “Genesis is actively exploring programs to enhance its high-performance image, and after thoroughly evaluating several options, we determined that LMDh is the most strategic direction for us at this time.”
The LMDh class features the highest-performing prototypes, which compete for overall wins rather than just class victories. This means Genesis will need to develop a bespoke hybrid hypercar from the ground up, not just modify an existing platform.
While other racing categories allow manufacturers to race souped-up versions of their road cars, LMDh requires completely unique vehicles. The car’s chassis must come from one of four approved suppliers—Dallara, Multimatic, Ligier, or Oreca—and it must use a hybrid powertrain that produces 500 kW (671 horsepower), while weighing no less than 1030kg.
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Hyundai and Genesis haven’t disclosed an official timeline for their LMDh debut, making a 2025 entry seem unlikely. However, whenever they do hit the track, it will be thrilling to watch Genesis go head-to-head with some of the most storied manufacturers in racing history. Hyundai has certainly come a long way!
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