The new, second-generation Skoda Kodiaq is larger and more advanced than its successful predecessor. It also introduces plug-in hybrid power for the first time. The new Kodiaq shares the same platform as the recently revealed Volkswagen Tiguan.
While the Kodiaq shares its platform with the Tiguan, it has its own unique design inspired by Skoda’s new-era design ethos. Skoda boss Klaus Zellmer said that the new Kodiaq offers more space, features, and efficiency, taking the Skoda features customers appreciate to the next level.
One of the standout features of the new Kodiaq is its design, which is influenced by the ‘Modern Solid’ philosophy seen in last year’s Vision 7S concept. This gives the Kodiaq a rugged and utilitarian appearance. The car features squared-off wheel arches, a hexagonal grille, a sculpted bonnet, and a new corporate font for its badging.
Skoda’s clean new logo also makes its first appearance on a production car with the new Kodiaq. Additionally, there is now an option for an LED light strip on the front end, bringing it in line with its electric Enyaq sibling.
The design principles of the second-generation Kodiaq prioritize both practicality and aerodynamics. Despite its blocky appearance, the car has achieved significant aerodynamic advancements through features such as the sloping roofline, active cooling shutters, sleek mirrors, a rear wing, and cleaner-lined bumpers. Skoda claims a drag coefficient of 0.282 for the new Kodiaq.
Alongside the design overhaul, the new Kodiaq offers an increase in overall dimensions. It is 61mm longer than its predecessor and has a wheelbase of 2791mm, providing more space for passengers and an increased boot capacity.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is not only the most valuable car in the world, but also one of the most successful race cars of its time.
Ferrari built the 250 GTO as a race car first and road cars were built for homologation purposes.
The most expensive Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $70 million.
Ferrari is known as one of the most renowned sports car manufacturers of all time with a reputation for building some of the most desirable sports cars on the planet. Special vehicles built by Ferrari are always in high demand and almost instantly increase in value for this reason. This has in turn made Ferraris not only the most desirable sports cars, but also some of the most valuable cars. But only one Ferrari can claim the title of the most valuable car in the world.
The Ferrari 250 GTO is one of those cars that will always be mentioned as one of the greatest cars of all time. Its race wins shaped Ferrari’s path in the 60s and has aided them in becoming the desired sports car brand they are today. But beyond its value, the 250 GTO was one of the most successful race cars of its time which has in turn made it the most of the most valuable cars ever.
All great vintage cars had their roots in racing which is why they are so desirable and valuable many years after they’ve won. The 250 GTO is no different as Ferrari’s main focus was racing and only made road cars to fund that passion. So the Ferrari 250 GTO was built as a racecar first and road cars were built for homologation purposes.
Ferrari built the 250 GTO as a grand tourer to race in the Group 3 GT racing. The project was headed by Giotto Bizzarrini who was Ferrari’s Chief engineer at the time. If the name Bizzarrini sounds familiar, it’s because this is the same famous engine builder responsible for the V-12 engines in Lamborghinis. The 250 GTO wasn’t built from the ground up as a completely new car but shared parts from already existing cars.
The chassis was based on the 250 SWB with minor modifications to prepare it for its intended purpose. Its design was beautiful but functional at the same time as aerodynamics was important to help it achieve higher top speeds. The car was even tested in a wind tunnel which also affected the general design of the vehicle. Most of its aero was integrated into the bodywork as seen in most Ferrari road cars of today. The final product was a beautiful aluminum lightweight race car.
The engine was also another existing part Ferrari had used previously for racing which was suitable for the new purpose. The Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine was previously used by the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa which won many championships in its racing career. 10 Championships were won with this engine which included:
Engine Specifications
Engine
NA V-12
Displacement
3.0 liters
Power
296 horsepower
Torque
217 pound-feet
Transmission
Five-speed manual
Layout
Front engine rear-wheel drive
The 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1958, 1960, and 1961
12 Hours of Sebring in 1958, 1959 and 1961
Targa Florio in 1958
1000 km Buenos Aires 1958 and 1960
4 hours of Pescara 1961
While the Testa Rossas were mid-engine cars, the 250 GTO was a front-engine car but still made similar power. The only transmission offered was a five-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels. The combination of the Ferrari’s 250 SWB chassis and race-proven V-12 led to the many successes of the 250 GTO.
The Ferrari 250 GTO made its debut in 1962 at the 12 hours of Sebring which was a Formula One championship at the time and this was a GT car. But to the surprise of everyone, it finished second overall in a race that it wasn’t intended for. This was the perfect testing ground for the new 250 GTO and started its dominance in the GT class. Ferrari won the Tour de France with the 250 GTO in 1963 and 1964 which marked their nine-year dominance in that race. Other race wins included:
The Targa Florio in 1962, 1963 and 1964
Tourist Trophy at Goodwood in 1962 and 1963
Le Mans in 1962 and 1963
Nurburgring 1000 km in 1963 and 1964.
Only a few GT cars were competitive with the 250 GTO and they were the Jaguar E-types, Aston Martin DB4s, and AC Cobras. Many independent teams also raced the 250 GTO, so it was common to see a lot of 250 GTO drivers competing against each other. The AC Cobras were the only cars that caught up with Ferrari but their dominance was certain as long as the 250 GTO was involved.
1964 was the final year of racing for Ferrari with this car and it had racked up many race wins in its career which fulfilled it’s intended purpose. Independent teams still raced it until 1967 before it was finally retired from the racing scene. The 250 GTO was the last front-engine car to remain competitive at this high level of racing which was very impressive. Surviving race cars are still being driven as vintage race cars today while others have been converted to road cars.
Road Cars Were Only Built Because Of The Race Cars
Ferrari
Win on Sunday sell on Monday, at least that was the reason most high-volume manufacturers tried to win races. Winning races meant recognition for the brand which would in turn lead to car sales, but not for Ferrari. The intent of the 250 GTO was for racing only, the road cars were only built to satisfy regulatory laws which would allow them to go racing.
In 1962, the FIA regulations required a minimum of 100 examples to be built to be homologated for Group 3 GT racing. Ferrari only made 36 examples of the Ferrari 250 GTOs which was a long way off from the minimum requirement of the FIA. There were conspiracies that Ferrari somehow cheated or bribed their way in, but in reality, the 250 GTO was based on an already existing chassis which was the 250 SWB. Since the 250 SWB was already homologated, Ferrari could simply design a new body on the existing chassis which was allowed according to the rules.
This rule was not unique to Ferrari as other manufacturers could take advantage of this which they did. It allowed Ferrari to also make mechanical changes that were different from the 250 SWB to fit the requirements of the 250 GTO. For 1964, the 250 GTO received an updated body style of which three were produced, four earlier GTO’s were also retrofitted with this new body by the factory. Ferrari also made three 330 GTO road cars which used a four-liter version of the Tipo V-12 making between 390–400 horsepower.
In 2023, a limited edition Ferrari would be around 500 units which appreciates instantly if you can get an allocation from Ferrari. Unlike other brands, Ferrari hand-picks those who are eligible to purchase their cars. For the most special cars, you had to be invited by Ferrari to buy one and they’re all sold out before the rest of the world knows they exist.
This process is not new as it was done with the Ferrari 250 GTO and buyers were approved by Enzo Ferrari himself. It was well known by everyone that if Enzo Ferrari didn’t like you, you couldn’t purchase any of his cars and it didn’t matter who you were or how much money you had. This practice still exists today, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you don’t have a good relationship with them you can’t just buy their cars.
If you want a brand new 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, it would cost you $18,000 when new which is equivalent to $183,000 in 2023. Originally these cars were seen as regular sports/race cars and were treated as such but people also knew they were special. The lowest recorded sale in history was in 1969 when a 250 GTO sold for $2,500 which was well below the market value of around $6000-$8000 at the time. Prices started to take off in the late ’70s with record prices being reached every year.
Short Summary Of The 250 GTO Price History
Year
Price
1962
$18,500
1969
$2,500
1977
$71,000
1986
$1,000,000
1989
$10,000,000
2007
$22,000,000
2016
$56,800,000
2018
$70,000,000
All 36 Ferrari 250 GTOs are accounted for and have attracted some of the most influential owners which include Ralph Lauren, who has one of the most valuable car collections in the world. Every valuable car collection would want to include a Ferrari 250 GTO but most owners aren’t willing to sell. When they do it trades for huge money which the buyers are willing to pay. The most recent sale in 2018 was for $49,405,000 million dollars which is an ungodly amount of money for a car but not the most expensive one sold.
The most expensive purchase was reported to be at $70,000,000 which was a private deal made by a US citizen David MacNeil of Chicago who is the founder of WeatherTech. The 250 GTO is no longer the most valuable car in the world as it has been surpassed by the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé which sold for a whopping $142 million. But this is a unique car as it is one of just two prototypes ever made which makes it a grand prize for whoever owns it. But the Ferrari 250 GTO still remains the most valuable production car in existence which can be driven on the road.
The BMW Motorrad Motorsport team achieved great success at the penultimate event of the 2023 FIM Superbike World Championship at Portimão, Portugal. Garrett Gerloff from the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team delivered exceptional results, finishing in fourth place in both main races and narrowly missing the podium by just one second in the second race. Michael van der Mark from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team also made a strong comeback after his injury break, finishing in impressive seventh place several times.
In the Superpole qualifying session, van der Mark finished as the best BMW rider in seventh place. His teammate Scott Redding secured the eleventh position, while Gerloff was right beside him in twelfth. Loris Baz from the Bonovo action BMW Racing Team concluded qualifying in sixteenth place and had to start both main races from the pit lane due to an additional engine in use on his motorcycle since the previous round.
In race one, van der Mark, Redding, and Gerloff each moved up one position on the start grid due to a penalty for a competitor. Gerloff showed impressive progress and finished in fourth place, equaling his best result of the season and claiming first place in the independent class. Van der Mark secured a seventh-place finish, while Redding struggled and crossed the finish line in 15th place. Baz fought his way up from the back and finished in 18th place.
In the Superpole race, van der Mark confirmed his seventh place, and Gerloff once again charged forward from twelfth place to finish in eighth. Baz finished in twelfth place, and Redding closely followed in thirteenth place.
In the second main race, Gerloff demonstrated his racing strength by finishing in fourth place and narrowly missing the podium. Van der Mark finished in eleventh place, while Redding was pushed off the track and finished in fourteenth position. Baz crashed while attempting a comeback from the back.
The season finale of WorldSBK 2023 will take place in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, from October 27th to 29th.
Reflecting on the Portimão round, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Marc Bongers praised the team’s performance. He acknowledged the challenges faced by Redding and Baz but expressed satisfaction with van der Mark’s strong comeback and Gerloff’s impressive results. Gerloff himself expressed happiness with his achievements and the team’s performance, hoping to end the season on a high note. Van der Mark also expressed his satisfaction with the overall weekend and his enjoyment of riding. Redding, on the other hand, admitted to struggling and expressed disappointment with his performance, but he aims to come back stronger for the season finale. Baz reflected on his battles on the track and his unfortunate crash in the second main race.
Radford Motors has made a significant impact in the field of coachbuilding with the successful introduction of its first Type 62-2 personal commission car during the prestigious Monterey Car Week. The highlight of the event was the Type 62-2, a custom project where Shashi Reddy, the car’s owner, closely collaborated with Radford’s design team. This unique creation combines contemporary aesthetics with a rich motor racing heritage.
As a tribute to the Jaguar D-type XKD 606, which won the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hours race, a deep blue finish was chosen for the exterior. The silver lower portion complements the silver-painted wheel center and rim, creating a contrast to the black brake calipers.
The interior of the car is equally impressive, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. From the satin chrome mirror for the switch bezels and jewelry to the contrasting textures of silver pearl nubuck and semi-aniline leather, every aspect exudes luxury and elegance.
Shashi’s attraction to the Radford Type 62-2 was not only based on its high-performance capabilities but also on its one-of-a-kind design. As someone with a passion for collecting exquisite cars for over twenty years, Shashi found the aesthetics of the front nose and rear clamshell particularly compelling. Each Radford Type 62-2 offers owners the opportunity to design a vehicle that reflects their personal taste, right down to the smallest detail. With no two cars ever being the same, Radford provides not only a bespoke driving experience but also a chance for each owner to make a distinct personal statement.
Kawasaki UK has announced the upcoming launch of the Kawasaki British Superteen Championship, following the successful debut of the new Ninja ZX-4RR. This racing event will be integrated into the 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship calendar, providing young riders aged between 15 and 20 years old with an opportunity to showcase their skills at top circuits across the UK.
The Kawasaki British Superteen category will feature eight double-header rounds at premier circuits in the UK, including a planned World Superbike support race. In this one-make series, all riders will compete on identical machinery, ensuring an exciting spectacle for spectators.
The Ninja ZX-4RR, with its high-revving four-cylinder 400cc engine, provides young riders with a great platform to develop their skills in one of the most competitive domestic championships in the world. The winner of the 2024 Superteen class Championship will receive a brand-new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R road bike as the grand prize.
Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing and Racing Department at Kawasaki UK, expressed his excitement for the British Superbike’s press statement, stating, “As soon as we saw this model on the production plan, we knew it was destined for the race track! To have the BSB Championship promoter MSVR on board and enabling us to have a class entirely devoted to this bike is fantastic!
MSS Performance, Kawasaki Team Green Technical Partner, will be responsible for building every race bike participating in the championship. They will also offer two different package options to accommodate various budgets, ensuring fairness and competitiveness. Package prices will start at less than £12,000 (approximately $15,559 USD) plus VAT, making it an accessible choice for aspiring racers.
The series was officially launched at Brands Hatch on July 20, 2023. The event marked the debut of the first-ever Ninja ZX-4RR in the UK, specifically built to meet race specifications. Throughout the weekend, the race bike was showcased in the Pit Lane, allowing enthusiasts and spectators to get a close look at its features. Representatives from Kawasaki UK and MSS Performance were present at the event to facilitate potential participation in the Championship for the upcoming season.
Renault’s performance brand, Alpine, is experiencing a highly successful year in terms of sales. With strong demand, the company is currently operating at full capacity to meet the overwhelming customer requests. This is certainly a positive challenge to have, especially in anticipation of Alpine’s ambitious expansion plans by the end of the decade.
In June alone, Alpine received 593 registrations. Although this number may not seem significant, it is important to acknowledge that Alpine is not a mainstream brand and currently offers a limited range of products. Additionally, this figure represents a remarkable 71% increase compared to June of the previous year. Moreover, it surpasses Alpine’s previous record of 536 cars sold in March 2019, making it the most successful month in the brand’s history.
PUMA Motorsport is partnering with Porsche to release the PUMA x Porsche Legacy Turbo S collection. This collection is inspired by the enduring legacy of Porsche and embodies their rich heritage and motorsport excellence. It combines sleek design, sporty characteristics, and the power of Porsche engines, creating a high-performance and stylish wardrobe.
The collection introduces vibrant color combinations, including Lemon Chrome, PUMA Black, Bold Blue, and Sand Dune, perfect for the upcoming autumn season. The range showcases premium materials, improved graphics, and innovative designs that pay homage to Porsche’s esteemed Turbo S line of Porsche 911 models. The collection also features prominent Turbo branding and the iconic 911 car silhouette, adding a unique character to each piece.
From relaxed fit polos to statement jackets and chic pants, the PUMA x Porsche Legacy Turbo S collection offers a perfect blend of style and performance. Experience this collection by visiting the link below.
In an effort to be the most successful and stylish team, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team continues to redesign its gear collection for each race in the season. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, the team drivers, have both created personalized hat collections that feature their race numbers and logos. The new 2023 Team Driver Hat collection from Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 is now available in a range of vibrant colors in time for the Silverstone Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton’s 2023 team driver hat has a base design with an iconic houndstooth pattern and the Mercedes-Benz badge prominently stitched on the front. It also features a green print, Hamilton’s #44 racing number, and the ‘wings’ logo on the back. On the other hand, George Russell’s 2023 SE Silverstone neon green team hat has a more subtle monochrome “dad hat” style, with Russell’s #63 racing number embroidered on the peak of the brim. All official sponsor logos are incorporated throughout the design of both hats.
Show your support for your favorite Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 drivers and cheer on the team with the newest lifestyle release, the all-new Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 2023 Silverstone GP team driver hats. These hats are now available for purchase through the Mercedes-AMG F1 store. If you’re interested in purchasing a Mercedes-Benz, you can browse all currently available models on duPont REGISTRY’s website.
IRVINE, Calif. (June 30, 2023) – Mazda has announced that it will discontinue the CX-9 for the US market after the 2023 model year. The CX-9 has been a successful vehicle known for its utility, performance, design, and premium features. It has played a significant role in paving the way for Mazda’s next generation of vehicles, such as the upcoming 2024 CX-90. Mazda remains committed to providing the best human-centric experience and continues to evolve its vehicles accordingly.
Mazda North American Operations, based in Irvine, California, is responsible for sales, marketing, parts, and customer service support for Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia. They work closely with approximately 795 dealers across these regions. Mazda operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario. In Mexico, Mazda Motor de Mexico handles operations in Mexico City. In Colombia, Mazda de Colombia is responsible for operations in Bogota. For more information about Mazda vehicles, including photos and videos, please visit the online Mazda media center at News.MazdaUSA.com.
Contact: Justin Pagtalunan, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com Jake Stumph, Mazda North American Operations, media@mazdausa.com
The Honda CRF450X has proven to be the most successful off-road racer in the west, with numerous victories in events such as the SCORE Baja 1000, Baja 500, and 24 Hours of Glen Helen. However, it is not known for being a particularly fast motorcycle, and Honda doesn’t even classify it as a race bike in its stock form.
The Honda CRF450X has enjoyed its success due to a combination of its reliable performance and good handling at high speeds, as well as the modifications made by skilled individuals who have transformed it from a trail bike into a competitive racing machine. One such person is Colton Udall, who recently teamed up with Nic Garvin and Ciaran Naran to compete in the 10-Hours of Glen Helen on a stock 2023 Honda CRF450X test bike. In order to prepare the bike for the race, Udall had to make several modifications, including adding CRF450R parts such as the intake valve springs, intake rocker arm, right side radiator, and camshaft (which required some additional machine work).
Colton Udall on the Dirt Bike Project X
Udall also incorporated aftermarket parts into the CRF450X, starting with a Vortex ECU and his own custom mapping. He also developed a coolant outlet kit, installed a Pro Circuit T4 exhaust system for weight reduction, and had the bike’s suspension modified by Brandon Peterson at AHM Racing. The modifications included revalving the forks, using stiffer springs and a DLC coating on the lower tubes, and replacing the shock shaft with a larger diameter shaft from AHM. Other additions to the bike include an IMS 2.4-gallon fuel tank, Scott steering damper, IMS footpegs, and Works Connection levers.
Colton, Nic Garvin and Ciaran Naran
The modifications made to the Honda CRF450X proved successful, with Nic Garvin reaching speeds of 109mph in a previous event with a similar setup. During the 10-Hours of Glen Helen, the team faced some challenges, including a faulty exhaust mount that required pit stops for repairs. Despite these setbacks, they were able to work their way up to fourth overall, an impressive feat considering the bike was a stock test bike just days prior to the race.
The noteworthy aspect of this project is that it is not experimental or exclusive. Anyone can build and race a similar bike. Colton Udall is happy to share his knowledge and provide information on where to obtain the necessary parts. For more details, you can contact him through Championadventures.com.
THE LAST CZ
Mike Young on the 1991 CZ 125 MX
While I may not be an expert on CZ motorcycles, I have a deep respect for the brand. Although I have never owned one myself, I did have the opportunity to test a CZ bike back in 1991 when I was a relatively new member of the Dirt Bike team. At the time, CZ had re-entered the export market with motocross bikes after the Soviet Union’s dissolution. I tested a liquid-cooled 125 two-stroke model with a case-reed, power-valve motor, which seemed to be a cutting-edge motocross bike for that year.
Unfortunately, the bike was not ready for the western market and performed poorly during the test. Many of the fuel system’s gaskets and O-rings disintegrated upon exposure to American gasoline, leading to the project’s cancellation. The bike was returned, and the test never made it to print. Two years later, CZ was purchased by Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni of Cagiva, but their plans for the brand never materialized, and CZ went out of business in 1997. As far as we know, the 1991 test bike was the only one imported to the U.S., and the photos taken during the shoot are the only evidence of its existence. I believe Chris Hultner took the photos.
SCARY PHOTO SHOOT DEPARTMENT
On another note, I stumbled upon a photo from a KTM shoot featuring Mike Young. In the photo, I can be seen after Mike refused to ride over a razorback in Ritchie Canyon, claiming it was too dangerous. The actual experience was even scarier than the photo shows. Ritchie Canyon was known for intimidating newcomers, and I was considered a local rider. After the demonstration, Mike successfully crossed the razorback and declared it easy. Chris Hultner captured both of us in the photo, and as a playful jab, I chose to use the shot of myself instead of Mike in the test. I still bring it up whenever I have the chance.
BIG RACE WEEKEND
This weekend is host to several exciting races. Firstly, it’s the Fourth of July Weekend, which means it’s time for RedBud. Notable riders like Chase Sexton and Justin Cooper will be participating in the event, and you can catch the live action on the Peacock app. Here are the broadcast details:
BROADCAST TEAM Play by Play: Jason Weigandt Analyst: James Stewart Reporter: Jason Thomas HOW TO WATCH Saturday, July 1 Pro Motocross Championship: Race Day Live Peacock @ 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET Pro Motocross Championship: RedBud National [LIVE] Peacock @ 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET Monday, July 3 Pro Motocross Championship: RedBud National Replay CNBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App 11 p.m. PT [Sunday] / 2 a.m. ET
Additionally, the 2023 World Supercross series kicks off this weekend. U.S.-based fans can watch the series live and on-demand through WSX.TV, with access to the WSX Pre Show available for free. There are three pass options available: Freemium (limited access to WSX Championship content), Pay-Per-View (direct streaming of races), and Champ Pass (access to all 2023 WSX Championship races).
Finally, the Tour de France is also starting this weekend (also available on Peacock).
That’s it for this week. See you next time!
–Ron Lawson
Unlock Your Automotive Passion and Explore the Road Ahead
