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Category Archives: performance
Chevrolet 2025 Corvette ZR1 Starts at $185,995
Chevrolet has finally announced pricing for the 2025 Corvette ZR1, the fastest, quickest and most powerful Corvette yet. With a top speed of 233 mph on the track, 0-60 in 2.3 seconds [footnote 1] and 1064 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is unmatched by any current production car priced under $1 million. The 3LZ coupe is available for a starting MSRP of $185,995 (excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees, optional equipment. Dealer sets final price) or $195,995 for the 3LZ convertible. Production of the 2025 Corvette ZR1 will begin at Bowling Green Assembly sometime during Q2.
“ZR1 is an example of design and engineering excellence, one where we push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of performance,” said Scott Bell, vice president of global Chevrolet. “It was important for us to stay true to Corvette’s promise of a vehicle whose world-class capabilities completely outmatch its price.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, engineering, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2025 Corvette ZR1, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, detroit auto show, Ken Zino, Scott Bell, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look – Elaphe Sonic.1 Performance EV Motor
Elaphe debuted a high-performance front-wheel in-wheel motor (IWM), dubbed Sonic.1, at CES 2025. Sonic 1 it’s – claimed – is a drop-in performance upgrade for ICE and BEV vehicles where it was previously not possible to fit additional drives.
“The integration of the Sonic.1 in-wheel motor (IWM) directly into the wheel not only optimizes space and weight, but also contributes to a more controllable wheel. 20-times greater wheel control enables increased vehicle performance in acceleration, stability and braking. Furthermore, Sonic.1 design enables easy integration into existing and new supercar models. It enables significant design improvement opportunities, from aerodynamics, to component placement and styling,” Elaphe said. Continue reading
Posted in concept, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, engineering, marketing, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, CES 2025, Elaphe Sonic.1 in-wheel motor, Italdesign Quintessenza, Ken Zino, X @KenAutoinformed
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Milestones – F1, Can Am and Le Mans Winner Jacky Ickx
Jacky Ickx, was born on 1 January 1945 in Brussels. His father Jacques Ickx, a motorsport journalist, no doubt awoke his interest in fast vehicles. His first successes came in motocross and Formula 2 racing – becoming Formula 2 European champion in 1967. One year later, Ferrari put him on the Formula 1 grid while he was in his early twenties. His expertise of wet-weather driving was apparent on numerous occasions, including in Rouen where he landed his first Grand Prix victory. Ickx would win eight Grands Prix for Ferrari, Brabham and Lotus. Porsche congratulated Jacky Ickx on his 80th birthday this week.
“After his career in Formula 1, Ickx shifted his focus to endurance races,” Porsche said. “In his first year at Porsche in 1976, he picked up three victories in the World Championship for Makes and four in the World Sportscar Championship. Ickx also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Ford GT40 in 1969 and repeated this triumph for Porsche in 1977, 1981 and 1982. The race in June 1977 not only saw him mount one of the best recoveries from a trailing position in motorsport history; it is also considered one of the most incredible races in his career. The sports car manufacturer from Zuffenhausen entered two Porsche 936 models. Continue reading
Posted in milestones, people, performance, racing
Tagged 24 Hours of Le Mans, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Brabham, ferrari, GT40, Henri Pescarolo, Hurley Haywood, Jacky Ickx, Ken Zino, Lotus, Porsche 936, X @KenAutoinformed
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2025 Corvette ZR1 – 2.3 Seconds 0-60 MPH
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer. At a test track in Germany in October 2024, General Motors (NYSE: GM) President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record for any current production car priced under $1 million.* The Corvette team set this two-way average speed on the northbound and southbound straightaways of the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg. Now building on the marketing campaign, Chevy said this week that a 2025 Corvette ZR1 with 1064 horsepower is the quickest Corvette ever, achieving 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds with the optional ZTK Performance Package. The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer. At a test track in Germany in October 2024, General Motors (NYSE: GM) President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record for any current production car priced under $1 million. Now building on the marketing campaign, Chevy said this week that The 2025 Corvette ZR1 with 1064 horsepower is the quickest Corvette ever, achieving 0-60 mph in 2.3 seconds with the optional ZTK Performance Package. Clearly waiting is the next event – a Nürburgring run, AutoInformed opines.* Continue reading
Posted in auto news, car sharing, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2025 Corvette ZR1, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Josh Holder, Ken Zino, mark reuss, nürburgring, X @KenAutoinformed, ZR1 with ZTK Performance Package
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Mustang GTD Laps Nürburgring in under Seven Minutes
A 2025 Ford Mustang GTD completed of the 12.9-mile at the 73-turn “Green Hell” in 6:57.685 at the Nürburgring Ford Motor (NYSE: F) said today.* This means Mustang GTD is only the sixth stock, production sports car to complete an officially certified sub-seven-minute lap and the fifth fastest in the production sports car class according to the Nürburgring’s records.
Mustang GTD represents the pinnacle of Mustang performance. Ford said it benefits from lessons learned by the Ford Performance Motorsports and Multimatic Motorsports Mustang GT3 program, in particular around aerodynamics and setup for tracks such as the Nürburgring. However, Mustang GTD isn’t subject to the rules and regulations of GT3 racing, which prohibit much of the technology that allow a sub-seven-minute Nürburgring lap. Ford Motor is hardly the first company to use a speed run as a marketing ploy, however meaningless it is when the green flag waves in a real race, AutoInformed notes. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged Anthony Colard, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Greg Goodall, Jim Farley, Ken Zino, Larry Holt, Mustang GTD, nürburgring, The Road To The Ring, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Motorsport and Iron Dames in WEC
Porsche Motorsport said today that during 2025 with the start of the Asian Le Mans Series next weekend in Sepang (Malaysia). Four fast female drivers will compete in four top series at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R. Michelle Gatting from Denmark, Rahel Frey from Switzerland, Sarah Bovy from Belgium and Célia Martin from France will race for the Iron Dames squad in Asia, Europe and the USA. The schedule also includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Iron Dames is now in a partnership with Porsche – in essence a factory supported racing team.
“Porsche stands for a culture of equal opportunities and diversity. Encouraging women to get involved in motorsport and then supporting them in open competition is something we value highly. In this context, we’ve seen that the Iron Dames project is well-structured and was very successful in recent years,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. “Since our customer teams have already celebrated victories with the Iron Dames, we’re now taking the next logical step. We’re very confident that the collaboration in all series will reap excellent results and we can highlight our contribution to supporting female racing drivers with victories and podium finishes.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, people, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Deborah Mayer, European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship, Karen Gaillard Célia Martin, Ken Zino, LMGT3, Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey, Sarah Bovy, X @KenAutoinformed
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Bernie Ecclestone Selling His F1 Car Collection
“I have been collecting these cars for more than 50 years, and I have only ever bought the best of any example. Whilst many other collectors over the years have opted for sports cars, my passion has always been for Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars,” said Ecclestone. “A Grand Prix and in particular a Formula 1 car is far more important than any road car or other form of race car, as it is the pinnacle of the sport, and all the cars I have bought over the years have fantastic race histories and are rare works of art.”
“I love all of my cars but the time has come for me to start thinking about what will happen to them should I no longer be here, and that is why I have decided to sell them. After collecting and owning them for so long, I would like to know where they have gone and not leave them for my wife to deal with should I not be around,” said Ecclestone. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, milestones, news analysis, performance, racing, shows and events
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Bernie Ecclestone, Grand Prix and Formula 1 cars, Ken Zino, Tom Hartley Jnr Ltd, Tom Hartley Jr., X @KenAutoinformed
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General Motors via Cadillac F1 Bound in 2026
The move comes after Max Verstappen took the 2024 driver’s title driving for Red Bull at Las Vegas over the past weekend. An announcement of some sort was widely rumored in the paddock. This starts another era in F1 as Cadillac would be the first new team to join F1 since 2016 and the eleventh team on the grid. In addition to the Cadillac F1 partnership with GM, TWG Global owns and operates Andretti Global, Wayne Taylor Racing, and Spire Motorsports. [It will also open up a couple of driver’s seats in the world’s most expensive motor sports series. Seven different drivers won more than one race in 2024, which has two races remaining. Gentleman, let the driver speculation intrigue begin. Gentlewoman? – AutoCrat] Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, people, performance, racing
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Cadillac Formula 1 Team Formula One, Dan Towriss, Formula 1, Ken Zino, Mario Andretti, Mark Walter, Max Verstappen, X @KenAutoinformed
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First Look New 2025 Acura ADX Compact SUV
Acura today unveiled the Acura ADX, an all-new premium compact SUV. It’s targeting young buyers to the performance brand with ”an engaging driving experience, a feature-rich interior and top-class cabin and cargo space that supports their active lifestyles.” The new ADX will begin arriving at Acura dealers in early 2025 with a price range starting in the mid-$30,000 range at a time when performance is losing its appeal to younger shoppers, who are viewing car buying as a mathematical equation with lower prices winning.
“The all-new Acura ADX is an exciting new gateway model for the Acura brand expanding our performance SUV lineup to four exceptional models in the most popular segments,” said Mike Langel, assistant vice president, Acura National Sales. “ADX will hit the heart of the premium compact SUV segment, which has grown significantly over the past few years.” Continue reading
Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto – Formula One’s Newest Driver
The second driver for Audi’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 will be the 20-year old Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. He will drive alongside German Nico Hülkenberg (37) for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber next year, which will become the Audi F1 factory team in 2026.
The experienced Hülkenberg, who was announced in April, and the promising F1 rookie Bortoleto form a Mutt and Jeff or opposite-experience driver pairing for Audi’s Formula 1 project. Bortoleto in 2023 stood out in his debut season winning the FIA Formula 3 Championship. The São Paulo native is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Championship standings. His career began at the age of six in karting, and by twelve, he had moved to Europe with his family to pursue his Formula 1 dream. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, news analysis, people, performance, racing
Tagged 2026 Audi F1 factory team, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, formula one, Gabriel Bortoleto, Ken Zino, Nico Hülkenberg, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, X @KenAutoinformed
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Porsche Penske Motorsport Wins – Rename the 963 to 967?
The 2024 season was one of the most successful in Porsche’s long-distance racing history as the Porsche 963, won seven of eight possible titles together with the works team Porsche Penske Motorsport. Maybe it should be call 967 to honor the success in only the second year of racing the 963. The overall result of the 2024 season in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was six out of six possible titles in North America, as well as the world championship crown for the works drivers Kévin Estre from France, André Lotterer from Germany and Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium in the FIA WEC. Porsche missed the manufacturer’s title in the world championship with the 963 this year by two points.
‟ ‘Nobody’s perfect’ – we already used this slogan in 1983, when only one third-party manufacturer appeared in the top 10 of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport in a release celebrating the season today. It turns out that 41 years ago, Porsche publicized the Le Mans result under the ‘Nobody’s perfect’ on a now well-known poster. It depicted the racing cars from Stuttgart in the first eight places in the overall classification and in tenth place, with a Sauber BMW in between in the ninth spot. In AutoInformed’s view it also is just another example of Porsche’s sense of humor – counter the false stereotype on the lack of German humor. Remember the pink pig Porsche 917 endurance racer at Le Mans in 1971with the cuts of ham stenciled on the car? Continue reading
Posted in engineering, news analysis, performance, racing, results, shows and events
Tagged André Lotterer, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Dane Cameron, Felipe Nasr, fia, FIA World Endurance Championship WEC, imsa, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Jonathan Diuguid, Josef Newgarden, Ken Zino, Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, LMDh, LMH Hypercars, Porsche 963, Porsche Penske Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, X @KenAutoinformed
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AC Ace Classic electric at SEMA 2024 – Bring Money
AC Cars unveiled the AC Ace Classic electric at the SEMA 2024 show in Las Vegas today with electrified performance technologies partner TREMEC Electric GT. With 49 examples available for the launch, the new AC Ace Classic electric can be reserved exclusively at the SEMA show and by visiting here. Priced at $275,000 (£212,000) before tax and any personalization or custom options. It’s available as left- and right-hand drive and intended for US as well as UK clients. Continue reading
Honda Racing to Sell Parts to Honda and Acura Consumers
Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US), the North American racing arm for Honda and Acura, today announced it will create a new business to produce performance parts for customer use for street, track and off-road applications. Formerly known as Honda Performance Development (HPD), HRC US will offer a new line of performance parts for retail customers.
“HRC US has been winning races and championships on and off road for three decades, and we’re excited to apply this experience to new lines of performance parts for Honda and Acura enthusiasts eager to augment their performance driving experience,” said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president, HRC US. “To be an HRC genuine part, it must meet our exacting standards, while functionally improving vehicle performance and the driving experience.” Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, news analysis, performance, shows and events
Tagged 2024 SEMA automotive trade show, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, David Salters, Honda IndyCar, Honda Racing Corporation, Jon Ikeda, Ken Zino, Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 Formula 1 car, X @KenAutoinformed
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For The Record – Corvette ZR1 Hits 233 MPH
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1* is now the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer. At a test track in Germany earlier this month, General Motors (NYSE: GM) President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record for any current production car priced under $1 million. The Corvette team set this two-way average speed on the northbound and southbound straightaways of the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg.
“Setting the top-speed record in the Corvette ZR1 is a true triumph for Corvette and for Chevrolet, and also an exhilarating, surreal experience for me personally,” said Reuss. “With the current generation’s switch to mid-engine, we knew the outstanding performance and balance made this a real possibility. To go over there and get it done is a testament to the power of ZR1, and to the incredibly talented team that developed and built it.” Continue reading

First Look – 2026 Model Cadillac LYRIQ-V
Cadillac is adding a significant model to its high-performance V-Series family with the 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V – the first-ever all-electric V-Series performance vehicle. Cadillac- estimates it has 615 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft . (880 Nm) of torque, which deliver a Cadillac-estimated 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds with Velocity Max. This makes it the quickest Cadillac ever starting at $79,990. The timing is unfortunate given Trump’s emerging trade and economic policies that likely will negatively affect Lyric’s prospects in the U.S., Canada and globally. LYRIQ-V will also be sold in the Australia, New Zealand, as well as other markets to be announced. Production starts early 2025 at General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee. Continue reading →