For the first time ever in the United States, BMW M has unveiled the new BMW M5 Touring, "a high-performance model offering a new level of utility to go with the race-bred performance, bold design, and superlative all-day comfort that are the hallmarks of an M5," according to BMW PR minions. The M Hybrid drivetrain produces 717HP and 738 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. And the plug-in hybrid powertrain enables a preliminary estimated range of up to 25 miles on a full charge. Inside, the new M5 Touring has up to 57.6 cubic feet (estimated) of flexible load-carrying capacity. BMW M first introduced a Touring variant back in 1992 alongside the second generation of the BMW M5 sedan, the E34. In 2007, the fourth generation of the high-performance sedan also gained a BMW M5 Touring sibling, the E61. And now the new edition means customers will be able to choose from two variants of the BMW M5 for only the third time in its 40-year history, and for the first time in North America. The new BMW M5 Touring made its North American debut at Pebble Beach on Thursday, August 15. It will be built at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing alongside the new BMW M5 sedan. The global market launch of the M5 Touring will commence in the fourth quarter of 2024. How much?  It has a base MSRP of $121,500 plus $1,175 destination and handling.

(Nilu27 images)

Tired of the "technological overkill" in today's ultra-performance machines? Well, Sasha Selipanov has just the answer for you. Selipanov is a celebrated sports car designer who has accumulated an impressive resume, having worked on some of the most coveted supercars of the last 20 years, including Bugatti, Koenigsegg and Lamborghini. And now he has unveiled a machine of his own design: the NILU hypercar. The NILU hypercar challenges traditional automotive industry trends by avoiding electrification, digitalization and other technological aids. The NILU is "designed to deliver a raw, unfiltered, uncensored driving experience," according to Selipanov. The hot details:

The NILU chassis features a bespoke carbon fiber monocoque with lightweight aluminum-alloy tubular subframes. In contrast to composite subframes, the designer deliberately chose a tubular approach to improve access to the drivetrain components while effortlessly facilitating heat extraction, while celebrating the mechanical aesthetic.

The NILU human/machine interface is all about manual, analog controls, inputs and feedback. The only screen is the rearview camera/mirror, which addresses the traditional weakness of mid-engined sports cars: the lack of rearward visibility.

The steering wheel’s compact size and round shape allows for incredibly detailed steering feel and input precision. The wheel is void of switches, buttons and toggles, a testament to the belief that performance driving requires full concentration with zero distractions. Gone are the driving modes, settings and options: NILU controls are both primary and intuitive. For this reason, an open-gate, seven-speed manual transmission celebrates raw, analog driving while adding a safety element with its reverse gear lock-out. Steering wheel, pedal box, headrest, door mirrors and other adjustments are deliberately manual, accessed by gratifying manual levers and switches. The tactile, haptic feedback from cold-touch, machined billet controls was deemed both more engaging and, crucially, safer than navigating through screen menus.

Nilu27 has partnered with Hartley Engines in New Zealand to produce one of the most powerful and visually striking naturally aspirated engines in the world. The NILU engine bay is fully exposed, showcasing the beautiful 6.5-liter, 80-degree V12. NILU aims to be the world’s most powerful, naturally-aspirated hypercar. To achieve this, the V12 will deliver more than 1000HP. And while its large bore and short stroke will make it rev like an electric motor, the even-fire engine will provide the driver with the perfect amount of tactile vibration.

The Hartley V12 has a refined combustion area, high-flow ports, and performance-style valve geometry: something OEMs typically cannot accommodate in their compact platforms. The engine also features 12 large, individual throttle bodies for instant throttle response. Another key differentiator for the NILU V12 is its unique “Hot V.” In this configuration, the conventional exhaust and intake positions are swapped around. The setup delivers key advantages when it comes to packaging, heat extraction and aesthetics. And it has allowed for “snakepit” 12-into-1 exhaust headers to serve as a unique highlight of the exterior design. The entire exhaust system was 3D-printed in Inconel, allowing the complex design to be realized, another unique feature when you consider its dimensions. Mated to the seven-speed CIMA manual transmission, and housed in the ceramic-coated aluminum-alloy subframe, the NILU V12 represents functional beauty at its finest.

Nelson Hartley, founder and CEO of Hartley Engines, said: “We’ve been quietly working on the design and layout of our own engine for the last few years, taking inspiration from late ’80s and early ’90s Formula 1 cars. We strove for the kind of engineering that’s raw, endearing, emotional, and sometimes a little crazy. With Sasha’s wish list for NILU, we finally found the perfect project to dedicate our time and were able to adapt our development into his Hot V configuration, designing the engine around his chassis layout. Make no mistake; this is not an OEM engine from another manufacturer converted to the Hot V; this is a bespoke, large bore, short stroke monster. It’s got aggressive cams, aggressive port flow, lightweight components and exotic materials. We want to get a cold sweat every time the V12 starts and revs. It’s fair to say, we’re very excited!" 

The NILU hypercar employs a double wishbone, pushrod suspension, with its extremely long wishbones visible from the rear; the length contributing to the exceptionally precise and compliant handling characteristics. A set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires were fitted, specified at 265/35 R20 front and 325/30 R21 rear. They have been mounted to 10x20” and 13x21” Nilu27 center lock wheels, which were designed in-house with intricate lightweight detailing to reduce the unsprung weight. The wheels are produced by AppTech in Italy. Carbon-ceramic braking equipment was sourced from Brembo. The Italian company’s GT | BM calipers are fitted front and rear in a custom white finish. The car also has Brembo’s highest performance CCM-R Plus rotors, which deliver outstanding performance and fade resistance.

The initial NILU prototype vehicles and first batch of customer cars will be assembled by Aria Group in Irvine, CA, allowing Nilu27 to ramp-up its own facilities overseas. Nilu27 is simultaneously developing a street homologated version. This variant will be limited to 54 units, four of which will be unique, one-off designs. Nilu27 is proud to have the support of industry leaders such as Aerotak, AppTech, Aria Group, Brembo, CIMA, Hartley Engines, Michelin, and Schroth. The car was unveiled to a select group of VIPs and the media at a private Los Angeles event on August 8. Its public debut will follow on August 15 on the ramp at Pebble Beach in Monterey, California, before appearing on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18. The NILU hypercar will also debut in CSR Racing 2, the hyper-real mobile racing game from Zynga’s NaturalMotion. Players can experience the high-octane performance and stunning in-game design this November.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: A totally analog high-performance machine created for driving in its purest form? What a sensational idea. We truly hope it comes to fruition for more than a few. - PMD

(GMC images)

The next-generation 2025 GMC Terrain has debuted with more standard technology and equipment for the compact SUV than ever before. The 2025 Terrain's grille now shares design cues with GMC’s truck lineup; it will also offer a two-tone roof option for the first time (in black or gray). The next-generation Terrain has more standard tech across all three trims, including a 15-inch-diagonal Premium GMC Infotainment System and 11-inch-diagonal driver information center. The Elevation trim — the entry to the Terrain lineup — comes standard with 17-inch wheels, all-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission at launch. All Terrains come standard with a 1.5L Turbocharged engine with 175HP and 203 lb-ft of torque and up to 1,500 pounds max trailering. All-wheel-drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission are standard on the Elevation at launch. The new Terrain will be available late this year. In 2025, GMC will launch the 2026 model year AT4 and Denali trims. 

Standard content on the AT4 includes:

Dodge has released pricing and initial specs on the 2024 Charger Daytona EV two-door. The Dodge Charger Daytona R/T two-door models launch with standard Direct Connection Stage 1 Upgrade - with 496HP and 404 lb.-ft. of torque - installed at the factory at a starting U.S. MSRP of $59,595 (all prices exclude $1,995 destination). The Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack two-door includes the Track Package and factory-installed Direct Connection Stage 2 Upgrade resulting in a total output of 670HP and 627 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds, while running the quarter-mile in an estimated 11.5 seconds, "maintaining Dodge’s throne as the world’s quickest and most powerful muscle car" according to Dodge PR minions, and with a starting U.S. MSRP of $73,190. Both versions of the EVs qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit when leased and include a choice of an at-home Level 2 charging station or $600 charge credits through Free2move Charge. Production of the two-door versions of Charger Daytona Scat Pack and Charger Daytona R/T will begin this summer; production of four-door Daytona models will begin in the first half of 2025. What will be most interesting to enthusiasts is that the gas-powered two-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK H.O. and four-door Dodge Charger SIXPACK S.O. models are scheduled to begin production in the second half of 2025. Editor-in-Chief's Note: The first official entry in 2025's "Answer To The Question That Absolutely No One Is Asking" sweepstakes? We're about to find out. I predict that the demand for the gas-powered Chargers will overwhelm demand for the EV versions. -PMD

(Honda)

Honda is celebrating 60 years since its first entry into Formula One competition this summer with its first race-winning F1 machine, the Honda RA272, attending global special events including the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on August 14-17. Renowned for its innovative engineering, the Honda RA272 shocked the world in November 1965, as the first race car of a Japanese automaker to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix, proving Honda engine and chassis technologies were world-class. Powered by a transverse-mounted 1.5-liter V12 engine capable of 13,000 rpm, the legendary Honda RA272 will perform exhibition laps around Laguna Seca with Honda heritage test driver Hikaru Miyagi behind the wheel. The RA272 ran most recently at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 (July 11-14), piloted by Miyagi-san and current F1 race driver Yuki Tsunoda.

Over the decades, Honda engines have powered four drivers to a combined eight Formula One Drivers' Championships. Engines created by Honda have twice set F1 records for the most race wins in a season, including a historic 2023 season, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez winning all but one race in dominant fashion. This beat the previous win-rate record set by McLaren Honda in 1988 with drivers Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

The mid-engine Honda RA272 won the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix with Los Angeles born driver Richie Ginther at the wheel. The victory came barely a year after the Honda team's debut at the German Grand Prix in August 1964, with the V12-powered RA271.

In 2026, Honda will enter into a works partnership to supply power units to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team. The new Honda power units will be compliant with the 2026 F1 power unit regulations, which will triple the electrical power provided by the hybrid system. Honda will hone its e-motor and battery technologies through new F1 challenges and feed the information learned in competition back to mass production.

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