Latest news with #LeMans
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
The Aston Martin Valkyrie LM Is Your Ticket To A Very Exclusive Club
The Valkyrie LM is a close relation of Aston Martin's Le Mans racer, itself based on the Valkyrie ... More street car. It might not be a race winner (yet), but the Aston Martin Valkyrie was undoubtedly the people's champion at last weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans – and now you can buy one of your own. Revealed in the run-up to this year's event, the Valkyrie LM represents the chance to own a car that, Astin Martin says, is very closely related to its Le Mans racer. It's powered by the same 6.5-liter, naturally-aspirated V12 engine that undoubtedly made the best noise at this year's race, and it shares the same vehicle dynamics and technology too. Limited to just 10 examples, the Valkyrie LM is a long way from being street-legal, as the standard Valkyrie is. Instead, purchasing this car unlocks the opportunity to take part in a series of track days, organized by Aston Martin as part of an event program launching in Q2 of 2026. Just 10 examples of the track-only hypercar will be built. Aston is creating what it calls 'a dedicated driver development program that is tailored to support, harness and optimize their driving ability and provide them with the ultimate topflight motorsport experience.' The company says this will remove the stress of owners organizing their own track days and running the car without factory support. Given the obvious wealth of such customers, Aston describes the Valkyrie LM ownership experience as one delivered on a 'fly-in-and-drive' basis, with every event managed by a team of professional engineers to help owners get the most out of their cars. There's even the option for simulator driver coaching between track sessions, and Aston says cars will be transported, maintained and stored by the company itself. Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin CEO, said, 'Valkyrie LM is an exquisite opportunity to be part of the most exclusive Aston Martin owners club in the world; a group who can immerse themselves in the purest and most comparable endurance driving experience, one that would otherwise only be available to our works drivers operating at the very limit of sports car racing's highest echelon.' The car uses the same 6.5-liter, naturally-aspirated V12 engine as the car that compete at this ... More year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a bid to ensure drivers get the most out of their new toys – and, one assumes, seek to avoid costly repair bills – Aston Martin added, 'clients will gain extra preparation through detailed track walks and classroom sessions before they are unleashed under one-on-one supervision. The Valkyrie LM's engineering team will also offer data and onboard video analysis to fully optimize the driving experience.' All that said, Aston Martin will allow customers to 'take full possession of their car' if they so wish, so it can live in pride of place in their garage at home, if preferred. There are a couple of key differences between the Valkyrie LM and the pair of racers Aston took to Le Mans this summer. Race ballast and series-regulation electronics are not fitted, since there are no rules to adhere to, and the cockpit interface has been modified for track day usage instead of professional motorsport. Buying the car gains access to exclusive track days with vehicle support and expert driving tuition ... More provided by Aston Martin. Aston also says torque sensors that manage power delivery during racing have been removed, in a bid to make the driving experience more customer-friendly. Although largely unchanged, the V12 engine has been recalibrated to run on regular fuel. Unsurprisingly, Aston Martin has not publically revealed a price for the Valkyrie LM. But given the standard road car costs from around $3.5 Million, the track special is sure to cost even more.
Auto Blog
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Lanzante's McLaren F1 GTR Tribute Is Almost Here With The Perfect Name
Lanzante Selects A Meaningful Name Lanzante Limited is a fantastic company that can convert Porsche 935 racecars into road-going beasts and put real Formula 1 engines in old sports cars. But now the company wants to create something even more special. As with past projects, its latest creation will be based on an existing vehicle that will be converted into something far more special and exclusive, and the company has now selected a name for its three-seater, which will pay tribute to the Lanzante-run McLaren F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 30 years ago with the race number 59. Just 59 cars will pay tribute to that achievement in 1995, hence the name 95-59. Alongside revealing the name, Lanzante also shared a glimpse of the car, and it looks fantastic. 0:09 / 0:09 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More Lanzante Targeting 700 HP Per Ton Lanzane has revealed very little about its performance goals for the car, but we do know that a figure of 700 horsepower per ton is being targeted. With limited editions like these, the design and exclusivity are more important than world-beating performance figures, but that target suggests that weight will still be watched closely. The company says that it is focusing on making this a usable supercar, and it'll be more practical than whatever it's based on. That's because, like the F1, the 95-59 will have a three-seat layout with the driver in the center of the cockpit. That interior layout might suggest that the 95-59 is based on the McLaren Speedtail, but that's a 106-unit special edition of its own, and Lanzante would never be able to convince more than half the owners to chop up their special Mac. And although Lanzante wants to offer 'extended cruising range,' there has been no mention of a hybrid system. The final point to make in this respect is that a company capable of creating cars as exclusive as this would have little trouble remodeling an interior, especially if the base car is affordable (or as affordable as a supercar can be). So what do we think it is? McLaren Designer Penning 95-59 Lanzante's new car is designed by Paul Howse, who was directly involved in the creation of the P1, P1 GTR, and 720S, the latter of which has since been replaced by the almost identical 750S. We think the 95-59 will be based on this 740-hp V8 supercar. The cheaper and less powerful Artura hybrid can't be discounted, but a V6 just doesn't seem like the right fit for something as rare and noteworthy as this. Especially when it looks this crazy. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The car is painted Ueno Grey, the same hue as the #59 F1 GTR mentioned at the outset, but what we can see of the design seems to look to the future more than the past. The birds-eye sketch earlier in this article shows a shape reminiscent of the Aston Martin Valhalla, while the taillight design calls to mind the new W1 hypercar (and, by extension, the P1 it references). We'll find out more when the car makes its grand debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 10, but the price likely won't be made public. If you haven't been invited to buy one by now, you've probably missed out already. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ferrari Unveils 1,200-Horsepower F80 Hypercar at Le Mans Ahead of Historic Race
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Ferrari made headlines this week at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, unveiling its new flagship hypercar—the F80—as preparations ramped up for the prestigious 2025 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With an extraordinary 1,200 horsepower, the F80 marks a groundbreaking chapter for Ferrari, drawing inspiration directly from the automaker's recent dominance in endurance racing. The F80 follows in the footsteps of Ferrari's celebrated halo supercars—such as the iconic 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari—each recognized as legendary collector cars in their own right. Powered by an advanced hybrid powertrain featuring a twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with electric motors, the F80 represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's road-going performance technology. The roots of this hybrid powerhouse run deep into motorsport. The F80 inherits extensive engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology from Ferrari's triumphant 499P hypercar, which captured back-to-back overall victories at Le Mans upon Ferrari's return to the event's top category after a 50-year hiatus. Unlike its race-bound counterpart, however, the F80 is unrestrained by racing regulations, allowing engineers to unleash its full potential. The resulting 1,200 horsepower makes it the most powerful Ferrari road car ever produced, demonstrating the brand's commitment to pushing automotive performance boundaries. Ferrari's decision to unveil the F80 at Le Mans underscores the importance of the event to the automaker's heritage and future ambitions. The Circuit de la Sarthe provided a fitting backdrop for the hypercar's official photoshoot, highlighting Ferrari's continued dedication to both performance excellence and motorsport legacy. As Ferrari seeks a third consecutive win at this year's race, the unveiling of the F80 signals an exciting new era for the storied marque, bringing the thrill and pedigree of endurance racing directly to the road in spectacular fashion. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Top Gear
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Driving Porsche's 'alien': the raw, V8-powered road-going 963 RSP
Advertisement Video Porsche paints its Le Mans car, fills it with leather and licence plates and a cupholder, lets Top Gear loose in it 9 minutes 41 seconds "It looks utterly alien without logos interrupting the lines," said Top Gear's Ollie Marriage upon first acquaintance with Porsche's one-off, road-legal 963. Yes, 'road-legal 963'. Turns out the Germans do have a sense of humour, because here is its multiple title-winning endurance car, painted in silver, filled with leather and licence plates and let loose for the roads. Well, some roads. Advertisement - Page continues below It's even got a cup holder for goodness sake. What will owner Roger Penske encounter then, in this very special 963? We strap in and find out... READ MORE Porsche 963 RSP review: road legal Le Mans prototype driven! You might like Advertisement - Page continues below Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Peugeot E-Expert Sport is a spacious, speedy modern van that's fun to drive… and it even fits in at Le Mans
THE 24 Hours of Le Mans car park. Every supercar you can think of. Plus moi, in a Advertisement 2 Not as fast as a Le Mans hypercar, obviously. But it's no slouch either Credit: DANIEL PULLEN 2025 2 Peugeot's E-Expert Sport gets bold styling and 9X8-inspired touches – but no power boost Credit: DANIEL PULLEN 2025 At least I had a top view sat on the roof. Peugeot hasn't added any performance to the new E-Expert Sport. It's the standard 136hp with a 219-mile battery. But it does get a special body kit, Y-spoke 18in alloys, and Kryptonite Green detailing inspired by Peugeot's 9X8 race car. This is the 'Crew Van' version with tons of space for you and five mates to cross the Channel with all your camping gear. Advertisement READ MORE ROAD TESTS Just one pit stop required to get from Dover to the track, sucking up 80 per cent charge in just 45 minutes. Not bad. What's it like to drive? Not as fast as a Just bang it in sports mode and pretend you're heading down the Mulsanne Straight at top speed – rather than a French autoroute. Advertisement Most read in Motors More importantly, on a road trip, it has all the creature comforts you'd expect from a modern van including a 10in touchscreen that talks to your phone, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and even a heated leather steering wheel. Which you definitely don't get in a Fernando Alonso drives to victory at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 2018 There's more of Superman's least favourite colour in here, as well as Sport logos in the 'eco-leather' seats which are colourfast, scratchproof and tear-resistant, not to mention 'moisture regulating and acid and alkali resistant'. Given how terrifying it must be driving through the night at Le Mans, it sounds like the sort of stuff they should make racesuits out of. Advertisement It didn't have a place in the race, but the new E-Expert Sport looked every bit as cool as the race-winning Ferrari, and costs a lot less at £41,295 (ex VAT).
