By Greg Kachadurian
Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. This week: a gorgeous one-off Ferrari, more of the attractive 2020 Hyundai Sonata, lap records, and more.
Ferrari P80/C
Sometime back in 2015, a “great connoisseur of the Ferrari world” approached Ferrari with an idea for a one-off track car. And also what I assume was a metric shit load of money. This connoisseur loved classic Ferrari sports prototypes and wanted a modern interpretation of cars like the 330 P3/P4 and Dino 206 S. It also had to hold its own on the track. After four years of development time, this incomprehensibly gorgeous race car is the result.
The Ferrari P80/C is a legitimate race car prototype. It’s built around a 488 GT3 but doesn’t conform to any series regulations. With that freedom, they made an entirely bespoke body from carbon fiber along with unique aero elements. The only body part that’s still 488 GT3 is part of the rear diffuser.
Ferrari’s Styling Center weren’t trying to make a replica of the older sports prototypes, as you can clearly tell. Instead they were “attempting to recreate the sensual shape of those iconic models through more muscular wings formed by the intersection of concave and convex surfaces”. I’d say they succeeded.
One thing that lends to the car’s “sensual shape” they were referring to is the bodywork that’s wider at the front axle than it is at the rear . In a departure from modern mid-engine Ferraris, the rear glass is concave to make way for the aluminum louvers on the engine cover. This design required an additional wing at the leading edge of the roofline to help direct airflow to the rear wing properly.
The rear diffuser area contains no painted bodywork and is extremely efficient at extracting air from the engine bay and the underbody. It also fully exposes the running gear, so that’s cool. Speaking of air, the headlights are tucked away into carved pockets that look like they could be air intakes. Additionally, the tail lights look just like air vents at first glance.
They didn’t go into specifics on the mechanical awesomeness of the car, but 488 GT3 running gear means 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8. Without BOP to adhere to, that engine could easily make over 600 horsepower. The owner seems to have every intention of using that too as they’ve specifically requested the car to come in show and race trim.
The racing setup includes the massive carbon-fiber wing and 18″ single-nut wheels while the exhibition package has 21″ wheels but removes the aero package. They don’t show the car in show trim, but the race spec looks good enough to show off any day.
In short, this is the best car Ferrari has made in a very long time. It’s perfect.
[Source: Ferrari via Autoweek]
A Better Look at the 2020 Hyundai Sonata
Shifting gears just a tad, Hyundai has released more real images of the all-new 2020 Sonata as the press drives begin. We can more clearly see the surprisingly attractive styling and the even more surprisingly upscale interior.
With these new shots, we can see more of the styling choices they made which were harder to pick up on last time. The first thing I noticed is the chrome strip that runs from the top of the headlights all the way to the A-pillar. Initially I figured that was a reflection on the body, but it’s part chrome and part daytime running light. There’s a crease about a third of the way up where it switches. I thought we were done with hood-length chrome strips a long time ago, but this seems to work rather well.
And we get further confirmation that the tail lights look almost exactly like that of the Honda Civic’s. Seriously.
But all in all, this car is looking to be a winner for Hyundai. Hopefully they don’t need to put the thing on stilts to get people to buy it.
[Source: Hyundai via Autoweek]
Porsche 911 GT2 RS Sets Road Atlanta Record
The production car lap record at the newly renamed Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta has fallen to the locals. Porsche, whose North American HQ is an hour down the road, claimed the title this week with the incredible 911 GT2 RS. Randy Pobst, another local, did the honors.
Coincidentally, Pobst also held the previous record in the Corvette ZR1 with a time of 1:26.45. Before that, the Dodge Viper ACR held that title. Both Randy Pobst and David Donohue were actually sent out in two Porsches to set times – the 911 GT3 RS and the 911 GT2 RS. The GT3 was fast enough to beat the ZR1’s time with a 1:26.24.
But the fastest time of the session and the new record belonged to Pobst who ran a ridiculously quick 1:24.88.
Both cars were equipped with road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R N0 tires and had lap times validated by Racelogic. You can see the run in its entirety above. Having driven that track in real life, the speeds he’s carrying through the Esses and on the straights is pant-wetting, even from here. I managed 150 mph on the back straight in a BMW M5. Randy does 173 mph like it’s nothing.
[Source: Porsche]
2019 Volkswagen Arteon Pricing
The stunning 2019 Volkswagen Arteon, the brand’s new halo sedan which replaces the Passat CC, has had its pricing finalized. Front-wheel-drive models starts at $35,845 and 4Motion AWD starts at $37,645. It arrives in dealerships next month. Neat.
[Source: Volkswagen]
Lincoln Corsair Teased
Lincoln is continuing their lineup overhaul with a new model that’s set to debut in New York. The existing MKC crossover is being reworked and rebranded as the Lincoln Corsair. The name is synonymous with two classic US Navy aircraft which fits into Lincoln’s aviation theme. Maybe it’ll be a thing of beauty like the F4U Corsair, widely regarded as one of the prettiest planes ever. Or maybe it’ll be more like the A-7 Corsair II which earned the nickname “Short Little Ugly Fucker”. But regardless of how it looks, Lincoln will do their best to make a class leader out of it. And it probably will be.
[Source: Lincoln]
Nissan RB26 is Going Back into Production
You read that right. Nismo is building the RB26 again. This is part of their effort to make replacement and restoration parts for heritage models more accessible to enthusiasts. The Skyline in particular has gotten a lot of love lately, and this takes it a massive step further.
The RB26 block, head, engine harness, and fuel pump assembly will soon be available directly from Nismo. To top it all off, prices seem very reasonable. At current conversion rates, the block is valued at $1,534 and the heads $1,688. Everything else is even less. Check out the full list of new old parts from Nismo here and start dreaming up a twin-turbo RB26 build. Most parts will be ready to ship this April.
[Source: Nismo via Autoblog]
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 © 2019 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
Jeff Glucker 
Ross Ballot
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9010b47b933004bb7555258f90a5111fc6a064babe2b95bc140a3f8e52a14b47.png
5 weeks to go! Tires mounted, brakes bled and oil changed. Insurance and renewed plate goes back on the car Monday and then I’ll be able to get Brock all the paperwork he needs for our entry to be fully ready. Getting down to the ‘nice to do’ list instead of the ‘need to do’ so if I find the time, I’ll do another coat of wax so the stickers come off easy, get all the glass cleaned, and figure out facebook live so we can keep our fans (i.e. my kids. Well, kid – the younger one still cares…almost-teen is too aloof these days) up to date.
As a bonus, before this weekend’s gray and rain hit, we had a real nice day yesterday so after work I was able to roll everything out of the garage and spend a few hours with the hose and mop to muck out the stalls.
I registered for a track day! I’m running next week at Atlanta Motorsports Park with SCCA Track Night in America. I’m taking the crowd eater to a buddy’s house so we can inspect everything and change fluids. The sessions are only 20 minutes long so I’m hoping to get by with just a heavier oil and probably DOT 4 brake fluid (it comes with DOT 4 LV already). I’m going to see how it gets by with just that and go from there.
#trackdaybro
I’m not sure about across the country but up here TNiA tries really, REALLY hard to be ‘cool’ and not the usual stick-up-the-bum-SCCA-I’ll-protest-you-to-the-letter-of-the-absurdly-thick-rulebook stereotype. To the point of it feels like they were told multiple times to make it super approachable and be friendly. It felt kind of artificial “Hey look at us, we’re super laid back! Really!” compared to other organizations that run track days with a more natural feel to them. But TNiA’s 3-4 sessions is a lot easier on the car and you than a full day/weekend and lets you get some smiles for a decent price. Have a blast, apex late, and keep the shiny side up!
Hmmm… I’ll keep an eye on that. I was mostly interested because they stressed the laid back-ness of it and because it was cheaper than anything else. As long as it isn’t over the top and off-putting I’m not too worried. But thanks! I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been on track a few times but never in my own car.
the chillness of it is a double-edged sword. I generally have a good time at the Track Night events but they don’t vet you at all when you pick your group, and there’s not a ton of active refereeing. so if you see someone driving like a doofus, keep your distance – nobody else will take care of you.
they’re fun events overall, though. the price is totally right and they pick good tracks and keep the day moving. I’m missing one this Friday but it was a higher-priced event anyway, so that they could rent out a section of the oval at Fontana.
if you want to go to the best track events, find your local PCA chapter and go to a Driver’s Ed event. four sessions per day, two days, and you keep your (in my experience fantastic) instructor with you for every session. it’d be great value for money even without the instructor.
Agreed on the lack of vetting. There’s a lot of ability over/underestimation and the relative cornering speeds can be a fair bit off. Have only done one PCA event, a long time ago at Mid-Ohio in my Mini but had a great time.
If the pads have any significant wear already you might want to get a spare set or even swap them out, they cop a lot of punishment in heavy cars; 20 min is plenty of time to cook a set of pads.
Not a bad idea to give brakes a cool down lap mid-session with stock pads.
My neighbor just bought a ’47 Ford. His plan is to replace the sketchiest tire and call it good. I’m inclined to agree.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/140bf86d690c6abee2a6841a93c37e915bea411d007cd261bd0e627d6f9ef780.jpg
I saw that truck on the road earlier this week! (That’s assuming there are no others with that specific salvage company name painted on the door.)
It was missing from the driveway for much of the week, so I assume he’s been using it as his daily driver. As one should.
I said it about the CT5 last week, and I think the new Sonata bears the same issue – enough of the Germans are doing the premium 5-door fastback thing that it’s time that other companies caught on, rather than sticking with a stubby little trunklid. I guess it hasn’t helped the Buick Regal much (the most mass-market option I can think of), but I don’t know if being a hatch has anything do to with that.
On that note, I look forward to be able to pick up a half-priced Arteon in 4 years or so.
The hatch is incredibly useful though, my sister shifted her bike in a Mazda 6 hatch recently and not only could you have fit 3 bikes in there but loading couldn’t have been easier
So my rubber replacement issue just got lots more expensive – I actually got serious about new GTX tires, and in doing so, realized that nobody – and I mean NOBODY – makes a 235/70/14 tire anymore. They do not exist. Closest is a 225/70/14 – but you give up close to a full inch in height and half an inch in width. I don’t want that. I like lots-o-rubber.
Now it looks like I’m going to have to go up to a 15″ wheel, and run a 235/60/15. I’ll give up my precious side-wall height, but at least keep the same diameter and width. So, instead of an easy $500 expense, it’ll be $1200.
Sorry kids, we aren’t going on vacation because Dad needs wheels and tires for the loud blue car he drives 2 times a year. Sigh.
Does Coker have something that would work? It won’t be much better on the budget, but you could at least retain the desired looks.
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styles/redline-tires/g70-14-firestone-wide-oval-redline.html
Nope – even the red letter radials I was mentioning last week only come in a 225/70/14. I could get G70 bias ply tires, but it’d be cheaper to get all new
Magnum 500Styled Road Wheels and 15″ radials.They do apparently make the redline radial in a G70 (technically GR70) 14 incher, but that’s still not cheap.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cok-55290/
Do I correctly remember that your GTX is a ’68? OEM size was F70-14. That crosses over to only a 215/70/14. You could move up to a 245/60/14 and get about the same sidewall and wider tread than OEM for about $600 plus mounting and balancing.
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=Radial+T%2FA&partnum=46SR4RADTARWL2V3&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/dealerships/DealershipDataBook/1968/68_Belvedere0026.jpg
Not much help, but looks like TireRack has a few cheap options in 215/75/14 – 3/4 in narrower, but at least only 1/4 inch shorter.
You could run a 245/60-14 (what I used to run on my AMC Spirit), but it’s almost 1.5″ shorter. You’d be spinning higher rpms (and going slower than indicated) on the highway, but it’d give you some extra torque at takeoff, which I assume you don’t need in the slightest.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9010b47b933004bb7555258f90a5111fc6a064babe2b95bc140a3f8e52a14b47.png
5 weeks to go! Tires mounted, brakes bled and oil changed. Insurance and renewed plate goes back on the car Monday and then I’ll be able to get Brock all the paperwork he needs for our entry to be fully ready. Getting down to the ‘nice to do’ list instead of the ‘need to do’ so if I find the time, I’ll do another coat of wax so the stickers come off easy, get all the glass cleaned, and figure out facebook live so we can keep our fans (i.e. my kids. Well, kid – the younger one still cares…almost-teen is too aloof these days) up to date.
As a bonus, before this weekend’s gray and rain hit, we had a real nice day yesterday so after work I was able to roll everything out of the garage and spend a few hours with the hose and mop to muck out the stalls.
The Vee-Dub has a bit of a Cheshire Cat thing going on. Looks slightly baked, too.
It’s got Picasso Face, which is a version of Picasso Bum, which is something you should never, ever search for on the internet
That is an extremely attractive looking Ferrari. Having said that, 2 things jumped out at me immediately, especially at the angle in the lede image: those bulbous rear fenders look an awful lot like a Mk.1 GT40’s, don’t they? And the chisel tip nose/front bumper looks very Pantera-ish to me…which also has some strong ties to Ford. Not that I’m complaining, far from it, just…bit ironic, that.
Also, someone else already called it out, but I will add my own 2 cents: that new Hyundai is, indeed, very good-looking, EXCEPT for that “holy catfish Batman” grille. Kind of a similar complaint to the one I have with the G70, really — overall a very attractive car, but the maw of a front grille doesn’t feel like it works with the rest of it. Why have attractive front fascias suddenly become so difficult to do? (I don’t mean to call out Hyundai specifically for this, either — looking at you, Lexus.)
I saw Pantera at first as well. Speaks well to the styling of the nearly 50-year-old Pantera.
Except for the side intake t he overall shape looks similar to the Brabham BT62
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/42237fca0fc6ed819d4a5781850d86702c2e8b99ecb4a86de12464f23fb4035b.jpg
Daimler will let Geely build their EV-Smart in China:
That’s a bit like tapping Geely and lifting them into the ring of big boys. People are also speculating if that means a tiny Volvo is on the way. Such an EV would not be the first, after all.
http://oldconceptcars.com/wp-content/uploads/volvo_electric_car_1.jpg
The EC is a novel prototype, but I don’t see how they hoped to find a buyer simultaneously interested in an EV, a boxy microcar, and a weird Volvo.
They might have found a buyer…
https://i.imgflip.com/xco13.jpg
…but may have struggled to find buyers.
I hope the new Lincoln Corsair has more market success than previous Corsairs sold by Ford Motor Company divisions. The Edsel Corsair, the Ford (UK) Corsair, and the Ford (Australia Corsair). That last one looks like a Nissan because it is one.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/%2759_Edsel_Corsair_Coupe.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Ford_Corsair_2000E_1996cc_Jan_1969.JPG/1280px-Ford_Corsair_2000E_1996cc_Jan_1969.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/1989-1992_Ford_Corsair_%28UA%29_GL_sedan_03.jpg/800px-1989-1992_Ford_Corsair_%28UA%29_GL_sedan_03.jpg
Important news too important to leave for Two Wheel Tuesday.
Quality blinker fluid now available. As you’d expect now-a-days, suitable for both filament and LEDs and since originally developed for AMC Gremlins, OK in bikes and cars.. https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/at-last-a-reliable-source-for-blinker-fluid?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03/30/2019_CT&utm_term=Common%20Tread%20%7C%20Combined
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QTIAAOSwgkxZ25Wq/s-l300.jpg
Still waiting for good quality bolt stretchers, muffler bearings, piston return springs, and cross-drilled brake lines.
These guys have you covered, regardless of day: http://kalecoauto.com/
Hmm, good to see that elbow grease is still so cheap. But wow, Flux Capacitors are expensive aren’t they?
No wonder they had to stop at three movies.
Hmm, good to see that elbow grease is still so cheap. But wow, Flux Capacitors are expensive aren’t they?
No wonder they had to stop at three movies.
Next aisle over from the striped paint, not far from the long weights and skyhooks. Don’t forget to bring your exhaust air sample to get a discount.
Maybe you tell me where to get a replacement powerband?
I’ve had pretty good luck with DAFhobby:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/386fe074efb76c8443dc2f622fca67c2a628015efa0713d4c893aecc15caa682.jpg
http://dafhobby.nl/daf_produkt.php?idnr=2332&title=Aandrijfriemen%20DAF%2066%20%20Volvo%2066/340CVT
That’s not a powerband, that’s a belt line.
We all know that the new ones have to be bigger, never the same size.
I hope the new Lincoln Corsair has more market success than previous Corsairs sold by Ford Motor Company divisions. The Edsel Corsair, the Ford (UK) Corsair, and the Ford (Australia) Corsair. (That last one looks like a Nissan because it is one.)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/%2759_Edsel_Corsair_Coupe.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Ford_Corsair_2000E_1996cc_Jan_1969.JPG/1280px-Ford_Corsair_2000E_1996cc_Jan_1969.JPG
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/1989-1992_Ford_Corsair_%28UA%29_GL_sedan_03.jpg/800px-1989-1992_Ford_Corsair_%28UA%29_GL_sedan_03.jpg
That P80/C is simply gorgeous. That’s rare praise from me for Ferrari, a marque which I find generally ugly until you get back into the pre-Y2K models.