APEX Motors has just unveiled its new Super Sports EV concept, the APEX AP-0 and nicknamed it the Cyber Dragon.
Apex AP-0 all electric super sports car. Credit: APEX Motors
Like many other automakers, new company APEX Motors were set
to launch their new electric sports car concept at the now cancelled Geneva
Motor Show.
The re-scheduled launch of their project known as the APEX
AP-0 happened at 4pm GMT on March 13, 2020 via the company’s YouTube channel.
The company behind this fully electric sports car concept is
the Hong Kong owned APEX Motors, a company founded by brothers Jason Leung and
Gary Leung which was launched in December 2019 with a grand event at the Ritz
Carlton Hotel in Hong Kong.
Apex AP-0 EV super sports car reveal. Credit: APEX Motors
While a Hong Kong owned company, all design, development and
manufacture of the APEX cars is conducted back in the UK.
Leading the design of the AP-0 super sports EV concept is UK
designer Guy Colborne, who has previously worked as a car designer for brands
like BMW, Pininfarina and Ford. Guy Colborne was also the lead designer of car
company Elemental that produced the car concept RP1.
APEX Motors initially started by creating a character for
the AP-0, which would become the design theme of the project. The dragon was
chosen, symbolising good fortune and wealth, and so esteemed that during later
Chinese imperial history, the Emperor of China was the only one permitted to
have dragons on his house, clothing, or personal articles.
The Apex AP-0 super sports car’s scissor doors add to the sports car experience. Credit: APEX MotorsThe Apex AP-0 EV’s ‘dragon’ like face. Credit: APEX Motors
With the APEX AP-0 Guy has given the EV a ‘dragon face’ and
it is particularly evident looking into the AP-0’s headlights or ‘eyes’ which
are highlighted with a stylish halo light that seems to chase around the main
iris of the light. With the integration of technology and character APEX have
nicknamed the AP-0 the Cyber Dragon.
Moving around to the side of the car, fins or dragon like scales
subtly protrude from the front wheel arches containing the Ap-0’s rear view cameras,
eliminating the need for old world mirrors. The side of the car also reveals
the cars lightweight structured carbon fibre chassis which has then been partially
overlaid with a more free flowing shape to continue the flow of the dragon’s
body. APEX are making great progress in showing, that through great design, EV’s
can and should be exciting.
Headlights that enhance the AP-0’s dragon character. Credit: APEX Motors
Technologically speaking, APEX have centred on a core theme
of connectivity. With autonomous cars being talked of more each year APEX have placed
a LiDAR system as one of the AP-0’s primary tech for the car’s autonomy. LiDAR
stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote sensing method that uses
light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure variable distances to the car’s surrounds.
Instead of trying to hide this system, APEX have embraced it and have used it
to form part of the AP-0’s character with it leading the car’s tail like fin.
This fin trailing all the way to the rear of the car has also created an
opportunity to design a unique taillight shape in the form of a cross or sword which
has also been embraced by the company for their logo.
The Apex AP-0’s LiDAR system for autonomous driving on the roof. Credit: APEX Motors Apex AP-0 EV taillight reflects the company logo. Credit: APEX Motors
Opening the scissor doors draws you inside towards the two
seats that are designed with a feet up position much like a Formula 1 car.
Apart from heightening the driving experience this positioning also goes
towards keeping the AP-0’s centre of gravity as low as possible and helping the
car’s under floor aerodynamic design. A low centre of gravity is also helped by
floor mounting the AP-0’s 90 kWh battery pack. Looking forward, touchscreens
are used to keep the functionality simple however traditional switches and
features are found on the steering wheel to make access to the most used features
immediately available.
The Apex AP-0 instrument panel touchscreens and steering wheel. Credit: APEX MotorsAP-0 has feet up positioned seats similar to F1 cars. Credit: APEX Motors
The AP-0 produces 650bhp and with a kerb weight of 1200kg
the car is said to produce a 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) time of just 2.3 seconds with
a top speed of 190mph. The range of the AP-0 is said to be 320 miles on a
single charge and with a CCS charger you can achieve an 80% charge in under 15
minutes.
The APEX AP-0 is expected to retail for around £150,000 + local taxes.
“To us, an automobile is not just a transportation, but also a form of experience and enjoyment”.
Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Countach with a special edition LPI 800-4 model debuting at this year’s Monterey Car Week.
The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4. Credit: Lamborghini
In celebration of the Countach’s 50th anniversary, Lamborghini has unveiled a special limited edition Countach LPI 800-4 as a futuristic tribute to the poster car of the 1980s.
While sharing the same name and drawing on the visual legacy of its predecessor, the new Countach LPI 800-4 is powered by Lamborghini’s aspirated V12 engine combined with new hybrid supercapacitor technology initially developed for the Sian.
Powered by Lamborghini’s V12 engine with hybrid supercapacitor. Credit: Lamborghini
Delivering 802hp maximum combined power (rounded to 800 for the sake of its model name), the LPI 800-4 can reach 0-62mph acceleration in just 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 220mph.
The Lamborghini Countach has a top speed of 220mph. Credit: Lamborghini
“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams.
“The Countach LPI 800-4 pays homage to this Lamborghini legacy, but it is not retrospective: it imagines how the iconic Countach of the 70s and 80s might have evolved into an elite super sports model of this decade. It upholds the Lamborghini tradition of looking forward, of exploring new design and technology avenues while celebrating the DNA of our brand. It is a Lamborghini that innately expresses the marque’s enduring and emotive power: always inspirational and thrilling to see, hear and most of all drive.”
Inspired by the Quattrovalvole edition with low rectangular headlights. Credit: Lamborghini
Inspired by the Countach’s distinctive silhouette, sharp angles, and wedge shape, the Countach LPI 800-4’s exterior inspiration was taken specifically from the Quattrovalvole edition in the bold lines of the front bonnet with long, low rectangular grille and headlights, as well as in the wheel arches with their hexagonal theme.
Futuristic hexagonal rear lights like those of the Sián. Credit: Lamborghini
Unfortunately for fans of the Wolf of Wall Street Countach, there’s no fixed rear wing on the latest model. However, there are still air scoops integrated fluidly into the car’s shoulders and the distinctive Countach slatted “gills” and famous scissor doors.
The rear of the Countach LPI 800-4 still features a distinctive inverted wedge shape, with the rear bumper featuring a lower, sleeker line and the hexagonal rear light design similar to that of the Sián.
The famous scissor doors still remain. Credit: Lamborghini
Lamborghini has revealed only 112 models of the new Countach LPI 800-4 will be produced (a number chosen in honor of the internal project name “LP 112” used for the original Countach development) with allocations already fulfilled prior to the public launch.
Only 112 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4’s will be produced. Credit: Lamborghini
Porsche Motorsport celebrates 25 years partnership with Manthey-Racing and reveals the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25.
The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25. Credit: Porsche
Porsche Motorsport is celebrating 25 years of collaboration with Manthey-Racing GmbH and has unveiled the limited edition 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 to commemorate.
Founded by racing driver Olaf Manthey in 1996, Manthey-Racing GmbH is responsible for running the Porsche 911 RSR of the factory squad in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and has made a name for itself in both the motor racing world and as a GT road car specialist.
Celebrating 25 years partnership with Manthey Racing. Credit: Porsche
The basic concept and technical ideas for the new special edition was provided by Manthey and based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport with Porsche providing the final design.
Developed specifically for track days and circuit racing, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine and produces 515 HP directed to the rear wheels through Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (PDK).
Green and yellow design accents inspired by “Grello”. Credit: Porsche
Taking inspiration from Manthey’s 911 GT3 R, known as the “Grello” because of its distinctive green and yellow livery, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 sports a similar green and yellow color scheme to highlight functional areas of the vehicle and adopts many vehicle components and elements from future Porsche racing cars.
Limited to 30 vehicles worldwide. Credit: Porsche
“The design of the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 expresses the long-standing collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Manthey,” emphasizes Grant Larson from Style Porsche. “It amalgamates the respective strengths of each partner into one racing car, and at the same time bridges the gap between the 991 and 992 model generations of the 911.”
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 is limited to 30 vehicles in total (only six are allocated for North America) with deliveries expected to begin in early 2022.
To order, customers will need to email 911GT2RSClubsport25@porsche.de directly and have a spare $620,00 on hand.
The new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta is set to make its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week and celebrates ten years of the Huayra supercar.
The new Pagani BC Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta. Credit: Pagani Automobili
This year at Monterey Car Week, Pagani celebrates ten years of the Huayra with the world premiere of the new Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.
Based on the Huayra BC, the new Pacchetto Tempesta package means the Huayra BC’s high-performance platform can be equipped with a range of “state-of-the-art technical and artisan solutions” to maximize the car’s racing abilities and achieve an 8% power increase to deliver 827 hp and 1,100 Nm torque.
Pagani has only teased several introductory images of the green carbon fiber bodied beauty ahead of the premiere, and although full details are yet to be shared, Pagani has noted that the Pacchetto Tempesta features a new front splitter, dedicated air intake, rear wing with an integrated central fin, and six-pipe exhaust system to maximize aerodynamic efficiency.
New rear wing design with an integrated central fin. Credit: Pagani Automobili
A tweaked suspension system and the addition of an all-new “Soft Driving mode” also ensure drivers are afforded maximum comfort in the aggressive Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta.
The Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will make its debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering event on Friday 13th August at Monterey Car Week 2021 and will be seen alongside the Huayra R project and an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Pagani V12-R engine, six-speed sequential gearbox.
While no prices have been revealed yet, the Pagani Huayra BC Pacchetto Tempesta will no double start above the $2.25 million price tag of the Huayra BC.
New six-exhaust design (four central and two below). Credit: Pagani Automobili