Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:

• Porsche updates the Macan because they like printing money

• Lamborghini reclaims Nürburgring production car record with Aventador SVJ

• Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus reveals concept for WEC hypercar class

• Toyota launches 86 TRD Special Edition for the enthusiasts

• McLaren’s new “BP23” hypercar gets a real name, will be revealed this year

• Bugatti does a thing with the Chiron and I’m only talking about it for SEO

• Sergio Marchionne passes away, FCA’s Mike Manley appointed CEO

• What’s your automotive news?

2018 Porsche Macan

Surprising no one, Porsche has launched a new and improved Macan for the 2019 model year and beyond. The compact SUV has been one of their biggest sales success stories of the decade and is consistently their top-selling model. Last year alone, Porsche sold more Macans than they did all 911s, Boxsters, Caymans, and Panameras combined. They’ve moved 350,000 units since it launched in 2014. So yeah, Porsche cares a lot about this one.
Porsche says it’s been significantly enhanced in terms of its design, comfort, connectivity, and driving dynamics and it remains the sportier offering in its dull and boring segment. Enough aspects get reworked to consider this a mid life refresh – its core design features are unchanged, the interior is about the same, and the powertrain hasn’t been touched.

The 2018 Porsche Macan can partake in various compact SUV activities, like parking next to a trailer it can’t tow. (The optional tow package is not equipped here…)

But what they did change in terms of styling is a reworked nose to make it appear wider, new LED headlights as standard, and new three-part, three-dimensional LED tail lights. You can also pick from four new colors including Miami Blue, a favorite on the 911.
The interior gets some new features like a heated windscreen, an ioniser to improve the air quality in the cabin, and a larger 11″ HD touch screen in the center stack. Behind that screen is the latest Porsche Communication Management and a standard Connect Plus module for #connected #mobility and stuff. One big new feature is Traffic Jam Assist, which is like cruise control that’s better adapted to handling some braking and even steering in slow-moving traffic.

And to highlight its authentic 911 roots, you can opt for a new GT sports steering wheel. With that you can take advantage of its updated chassis tuning with enhanced neutrality and comfort.
There’s no word yet on pricing.
[Source: Porsche]

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Claims ‘Ring Record

Production car lap records fall more frequently at the Nürburgring than just about any other record I care to search about. The top spot on the production car leader board has fallen twice this year, first by the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and this week by Lamborghini’s upcoming Aventador SVJ. The time was 6:44.97, beating the GT2 RS by 2.33 seconds.
The lap was done by works driver Marco Mapelli and the car ran on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires which is optional factory equipment. What is definitely not factory equipment is the full roll cage and all the onboard equipment running telemetry – it is unclear if Lamborghini stripped any other parts of the car to compensate for the added weight, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
The Aventador SJV (J is for Jota) is poised to be their most hardcore V12 supercar yet with every aspect optimized for track duty. It’ll be lighter, more powerful, sharper, and glued to the ground by new aerodynamic features. If you want to get an idea of how it’ll move, check out the onboard lap. ‘A handful’ is putting it lightly.
[Source: Lamborghini, YouTube]

Glickenhaus Le Mans ‘Hypercar’ Concept

Just weeks after the FIA confirmed a new ‘hypercar’ spec for its top Le Mans class was on its way, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has preemptively thrown their hat in the theoretical ring with the SCG 007 LMP1 concept.
The actual prototype regulations are not set in stone yet, but James Glickenhaus expressed interest in fielding a Le Mans prototype entry to Sportscar365, but only if the promised cost control measures were actually implemented. They’re optimistic though and its long been a goal of SCG to become the first American brand to win Le Mans outright since Ford in 1969. Their announcement even began with the tagline “this is for America”. With these new regs inbound by 2020, that dream suddenly seems attainable.
There aren’t even any technical specs yet but they’ve already announced a limited run of 25 street versions for the sole purpose of helping to fund the effort. Yeah, SCG is so ready for this and I am too.
[Source: Sportscar365, Facebook]

Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition

North America’s highest-performing and also best-looking Toyota 86 is the new TRD Special Edition, a fully-loaded go fast(ish) version of the internet’s second-favorite little sports car.
As is par the course for the 86/BRZ, that extra go fast goodness comes in the form of chassis enhancements only. The 86 TRD Special Edition gains new SACHS dampers to further sharpen steering response and refine vehicle stability, larger four-piston front, two-piston rear Brembo brakes (sized 12.8″ f/12.4″ r), and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (215/40R18 85Y ) wrapped around exclusive 18″ alloy wheels.

The special edition is available exclusively in Raven black and is accented by a classic TRD tricolor graphic which is simple but effective. It also sports a TRD body kit which includes an upgraded front bumper, side sills, rear bumper/diffuser, and spoiler. Its anemic 2.0-liter Boxer engine wheezes through new TRD exhaust with brushed stainless steel tips.
Production is limited to 1,418 units and pricing starts at $32,420.
[Source: Toyota]

McLaren’s newest hypercar gets the name Speedtail

McLaren’s super exclusive project that was formerly known as ‘BP23’ has gotten the official name of Speedtail. McLaren says it’s evocative of a “peak speed higher than any McLaren yet and flowing, highly streamlined design”. That description plus this rendering means we have something pretty neat to look forward to.
It’s known to be a “true” successor to the F1 because it’ll feature a central driving position with two passenger seats on either side and only 106 will be built – the same number of F1s sold. And yes, all spots were taken at £1.6million each. With that in mind, it’s a safe bet that this is what McLaren has in mind for the WEC’s new prototype regulations. They say we’ll see it before the end of the year.
[Source: McLaren]

Super Special Updates for Bugatti Chiron

In news that matters to absolutely nobody but is gonna be great for those #SEO clicks, the #Bugatti #Chiron has a new “Sky View” sunroof now. Yep.
[Source: Autoblog]

Sergio Marchionne, 1952-2018

The automotive industry lost a titan this week. Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automotibiles who led the brand through its toughest decade yet and undoubtedly saved two iconic names, passed away in Zurich on Wednesday following complications from shoulder surgery.
This story started to develop earlier in the week when FCA quickly named a new CEO after it became apparent that Sergio’s health had rapidly deteriorated. Mike Manley has been picked to replace him – he has served within FCA as the head of Jeep since 2009 and head of Ram since 2015.
Sergio can be credited with being the visionary leader who could make the tough decisions that were key to getting Fiat profitable within his first year as CEO and rescuing Chrysler from the depths of the last big recession. John Elkann, FCA chairman and heir to Gianni Agnelli, summed up his contributions best:

For so many, Sergio has been an enlightened leader and a matchless point of reference. For me, he has been someone with whom to share thoughts and in whom to trust, a mentor and above all a true friend. He taught us to think differently and to have the courage to change, often in unconventional ways, always acting with a sense of responsibility for the companies and their people. He taught us that the only question that’s worth asking oneself at the end of every day is whether we have been able to change something for the better, whether we have been able to make a difference. And Sergio has always made a difference, wherever his work took him and in the lives of so very many people.

Many automotive writes, including myself, have often been critical of certain decisions being made within FCA, but it’s clear that without him making that difference he was known for, there’s a big chance that Fiat and Chrysler would no longer exist today.
[Source: FCA Group, Twitter]

What’s your automotive news?

That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2018 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]