Category: Entertainment

If you jump to 22:56 in the video, you’ll hear a quote from Jay Leno that likely lives in the hearts of every car enthusiast. Truth be told, there are many mantras shared among those passionate about motoring. But this is the one most likely to bring more smiles – and more trouble – to folks behind the wheel: “There is no substitution for immaturity.”

Folks, that can be a dangerous thing to say in a 90-horsepower, three-cylinder hatchback, never mind a 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. That’s the car visiting Jay Leno’s Garage this week, complete with a guest appearance from Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis who explains the various aspects and tech features of the world’s quickest internal-combustion production vehicle. By now, you likely know all about the supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which is almost entirely new for the Demon 170. You also know about the upgraded trans brake and retuned suspension, helping this car rip an eight-second quarter-mile time at the drag strip.

What you may not know is just how big a role the Demon 170’s computer system plays in its performance capabilities. Whereas the previous Demon needed special calibration to reach its 840-hp peak, the Demon 170 detects whatever fuel is in the tank and makes necessary adjustments to use it. Provided that the fuel is E85, the driver enjoys all 1,025 hp from the screaming engine. Beyond that, the system can be manually adjusted by the driver to fine-tune power as needed for the perfect quarter-mile pass. That can be a simple adjustment to traction control, or dialing in specific power settings at various points during the run.

Kuniskis demonstrates this functionality for Leno in the garage, but since the car featured is the same one that debuted in Las Vegas, there’s just a single seat inside for the driver. As such, Leno is left to go solo for his customary end-of-video drive, and he’s plenty entertained with the Demon just as it is. Every minor stab of the throttle comes with a roar from the exhaust and a guttural laugh from Leno. The larger throttle stabs – which Leno says are still relatively light – bring excessive wheelspin.

The 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon 170 marks the end of the current-generation Challenger, as well as the end of the Hemi V8 engine option for the Challenger and Charger. 3,300 will be built all total, with production stopping at the end of the year.

Top Gear became a show that was about more than just new cars. Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond were a formidable and funny glue that held the show together and drove some of TV’s most outrageous builds throughout the series. Some cars are now in a museum, while the hosts own others. However, not every vehicle used in the show got saved.

Three such cars are the BMW 528i Touring, Subaru WRX, and Volvo 850 R from 2013’s Africa Special. The Subaru remains missing, with only rumors alleging its whereabouts, but fans have found the Ford Scorpio wagon backup car sitting alongside the discarded Volvo. The Ford is in better shape, at least from the outside.

The 850 R is missing its front bumper, and the side rear window appears smashed out. The green paint has odd lesions covering it, with May’s mismatched wheels still installed on the wagon. Dust cakes the car, and the interior is dirty, but the engine allegedly still runs. The Ford’s interior is rough, with its seats torn to shreds, and the car suffers from several electrical faults, which isn’t a surprise considering it did end up at the bottom of a river during filming. Water will do that.

The video also covers the 528i Touring, but its pedigree is not as certain as the other two. The BMW looks stock, and it’s unclear if anyone would put in the time, money, and effort to put it back together after Clarkson’s chaotic ownership. The interior looks like it was returned to stock, too.

If you’re not into hunting down former Top Gear cars, Beaulieu Motor Museum’s World of Top Gear exhibit can provide a taste of the show. The museum revamped the display over a year ago, highlighting famous challenge cars. Must-see vehicles include the indestructible Toyota Hilux truck, the ski-jumping Mini, and the bungee-jumping Rover. Top Gear has turned some very old, beat-up, and junky cars into unlikely superstars that people still seek out a decade after the episodes originally aired.

The Maserati GranTurismo has returned to the Italian automaker’s lineup. The newest version has retained much of its form that enthusiasts and fans know of, and Maserati wants them to know that it is still the GT that they love.

In a new video, Maserati heeded the talent of David Beckham to deliver that message. Entitled “GranTurismo and David Beckham – From you to a new you,” the football superstar was seen driving the new Maserati GranTurismo in two ways – one was driving as comfortably as possible, while the other was doing it spiritedly. You can watch the new ad in the video embedded atop this page.

The Nettuno V6 engine, which was first introduced with the MC20, is now utilized in the new GranTurismo. All GT models come with standard all-wheel drive but maintain a rear-wheel-drive preference. There are three trim levels for the GranTurismo, with one offering all-electric power.

In the Modena trim, the Nettuno engine produces 489 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, while in the Trofeo, it generates 550 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Meanwhile, the all-electric GranTurismo Folgore model features an 800-volt architecture, lacks a front trunk, and uses three 300-kilowatt electric motors. The maximum power output is 750 hp and 995 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle also has a T-bone-shaped battery in the center, with a capacity of 92.5 kilowatt-hours.

The EV model can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 198 mph, while the Trofeo and Modena can accelerate to the same speed at 3.5 and 3.9 seconds, respectively.

Stellantis has recently disclosed the North American prices for the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo. The Modena trim has a starting price of $174,000, and the Trofeo model begins at $205,000 in the US. In Canada, the respective starting prices are $222,500 and $262,500. It is worth noting that the pricing for the all-electric GranTurismo Folgore has not been announced yet, but it is anticipated to be higher than the Trofeo variant.

It’s easy to think that a car enthusiast like Jay Leno has driven everything ever built. However, fellow comedian Jeff Dunham owns a vehicle that Leno has never piloted – the Bricklin SV-1. Dunham brought the car to Leno’s Garage for a full rundown.

The car was the brainchild of Malcolm Bricklin, who was responsible for bringing Subaru to the US. The SV-1 launched in 1974 but only survived for a few model years. The SV-1 put safety at the forefront, with the automaker touting the coupe’s numerous safety features when governments and consumers demanded more action from automakers on improving vehicle safety in the early 1970s.

Bricklin engineered the SV-1 with an integrated roll cage, side beams, 5-mile-per-hour bumpers, and unique safety colors. Early SV-1s featured engines from the AMC, but it’d eventually switch to Ford’s 5.8-liter Windsor V8 due to supply issues with AMC. This Ford engine powers Dunham’s model, and, like all 1975 models, this one came with an automatic transmission, which the company billed as a safety feature.

Dunham has made a few modifications to make the SV-1 easier to live with. It features modern air conditioning, a new radiator, and other upgrades that improve living with a nearly 50-year-old, limited-production, Canadian-built safety sports coupe.

Manufacturing issues plagued the vehicle, with heavy doors, leaky roofs, and other accumulating annoyances quickly leading to its demise. Dunham and Leno explore Bricklin’s Canadian origins, which might have contributed to its downfall.

Bricklin built between 2,000 and 3,000 SV-1s before closing up shop. In 2016, there were less than 420 known to exist still, putting Dunham’s example on a prestigious pedestal, even if it’s not perfect.

Even with the upgraded pneumatic struts, the driver’s door is a tad lazy. The flip-up headlights are also slow to open, but Dunham modified it so he could quickly bleed the system and close them. It’s a rare car that came and went before the public could fully appreciate it, much like the DeLorean and the Tucker.

The Fast and Furious series is among the biggest movie franchises in the world. An upcoming Bonhams auction offers a chance to own an automotive star from the films. This Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R had a major role in Fast & Furious (the fourth installment), and Paul Walker even drove it.

This example was among the GT-Rs that Kaizo Industries imported into the United States. Using a loophole, the company registered them as kit cars by bringing the vehicles to the country without engines and then making them complete.

Paul Walker had this one modified to his specifications, according to the auction listing. He allegedly requested quite a few changes like a Turbonetics front-mount intercooler, Nismo lowering springs, Nismo NE-1 exhaust, a titanium strut brace, 19-inch Volk Racing RE30 wheels, and Rotora six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

With the intercooler and exhaust upgrades, an increase in turbo boost pressure allegedly brings the engine output to around 550 horsepower. The official output from Nissan is 276 hp, but this number is underrated to fit with the gentleman’s agreement among Japanese automakers at the time.

Inside, the car received stacked screens on the center stack and head-up display. The cabin also got a Momo Sport steering wheel and Nismo V-Spec pedals. The fixed OMP racing seats allegedly haven’t moved since Walker specified the location most comfortable for him.

The car went on to appear in Fast & Furious as the hero vehicle. For crashes and stunts, the production team used the lesser Skyline GT-T trim with modifications to make them all look identical.

The video below is one example of the Skyline’s appearance in Fast & Furious.

After filming, the United States government impounded this GT-R. There was a dispute about whether Kaizo’s method of bringing these cars into the US was legal. According to the auction listing, there was a resolution to this issue in 2012, and someone imported the vehicle to Germany. At some point, it went on display at Munich Motorworld.

Bonhams notes that the GT-R runs. However, it advises that the new owner should have a mechanic inspect the car before any serious driving because of the long period of static display.

This is what Bonhams calls a “Purple Paddle Lot.” This means that only people who go through an enhanced verification process can bid on the GT-R. The company doesn’t provide an estimated sale price. The auction this car is a part of runs from April 28 to May 5 in Brussels, Belgium.

A piece of television history is up for auction, as a Dodge Viper-based prop car from the hit 1990s show “Viper” is now up for bidding. This car is said to be one of only 14 examples of the fictional “Defender” vehicle, designed by Chrysler and built by Unique Movie Cars in Las Vegas for use as principal vehicles in the show.

Constructed on a stretched 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 chassis, this Defender prop car features custom fiberglass coupe bodywork finished in silver, giving it a sleek and futuristic appearance. Power comes from a carbureted Chrysler small-block V8 engine, which is paired with a 727 automatic transmission. The car also boasts staggered-width wheels, power-assisted disc brakes with Viper-branded calipers, coilover suspension, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, and black and gray leather interior upholstery.

Despite its impressive appearance and unique history, this Defender prop car is being sold on a bill of sale and is not titled or registered for street use. Instead, it is being offered for off-road use only, making it a perfect addition to any collection of movie or TV memorabilia.

During the filming of the show, this particular car was utilized as a principal car rather than for stunt work and was also used for public relations purposes. It features a range of design elements that give it a distinctive look, including a “double bubble” fixed roof with simulated porthole windows, removable side windows affixed via Velcro, side pods below the doors, fang-style front bumperettes, and dual rear-exit exhaust pipes with rectangular surrounds. However, it is worth noting that this example’s front bumperettes and side pods are static, and the car does not have the functioning gadgets seen in the action sequences of the show.

Inside the cabin, the car boasts bucket seats trimmed in gray leather, color-keyed trim over the console, dash, and door panels, black carpeting, a gray headliner, and a console-mounted array of three simulated monitors displaying static images of the fictional car’s system diagnostics. The car is not equipped with seat belts, an HVAC system, or a radio.

Included in the sale is a 1996 Paramount promotional booklet for the Viper TV show as well as a set of cast photos, making this a must-have for any fan of the series. The current bid as of this writing is nearly $80,000.

BMW announces a partnership with Naomi Campbell for the XM, its newest standalone M model. Campbell – a model, actress, cultural innovator, and one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry over the past four decades – will co-create the worldwide communication for the market launch of the BMW XM under the motto “Dare to be You.” The focus will be on a new dimension of self-confident presence, expressive lifestyle, and assured individuality.

According to BMW, Campbell’s strong sense of aesthetics and design will play a crucial role in the company’s upcoming projects. Specifically, a one-off version of the BMW XM designed by Campbel herself will be presented within 2023.

“The BMW M slogan ‘Dare to be You’ immediately appealed to me because it describes exactly the confident attitude that is necessary for progress and positive change,” says Campbell. 

Campbell is committed to social change and uses her presence at international fashion shows to advocate for more diversity in the fashion business. She is still considered to be a pioneer for the next generation of emerging talents in the creative and fashion scene.

Besides her career on the catwalks of haute couture, Campbell has also been successful as an actress, designer, and entrepreneur. She supports a variety of charities, including its new EMERGE initiative to promote the creative talents of tomorrow, which in 2022 focused in particular on the next generation of cultural talent on the African continent, as well as UNESCO.

The 2023 BMW XM has officially started its production in December 2022. The electrified high-performance crossover will reach dealerships in spring, with the assembly happening right in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Incorporating an electric motor into its eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2023 XM features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. The engine itself generates an impressive 483 horsepower, while the electric motor provides an additional 194 hp. When combined, this results in a rating of 644 hp, enabling the XM to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.1 seconds.

For those seeking even more power, BMW plans to introduce an XM Label Red edition boasting 738 hp, although it won’t be available until the fall of 2023.

The Bridge Hotel in Buttermere is a quaint inn in England’s Lake district. Perched roughly halfway between Manchester, England, and Glasglow, Scotland, it’s an idyllic location. The hotel itself is cozy, offering warm hospitality. That is until Richard Hammond shows up and starts roasting influencers’ cars. 

Starting with Sydney Sweeney’s vintage 1969 Ford Bronco, Hammond acknowledges that she picked the right car and that it’s tastefully done but questions if she really did all of the work. He also thinks she should have painted it baby blue as initially planned. Color aside, he’s impressed with not only the Bronco selection but also the restoration’s quality. 

Next, we have It’s Joel’s Jaguar S-Type. A 1999 model painted a hideous beige that Hammond says looks like “one of those god-awful sofas you see advertised in America.” He’s genuinely dismayed that Joel is proud of the car, which doesn’t even have “the good V8.” Even so, he invites Joel to meet up with him at a future Jaguar event. 

Moving on, we have a classic Mini. There’s nothing controversial about the Mini, which is painted a classic red with a white top. The Mini’s owner, however, is a bit controversial because it’s Hammond’s long-time cohost, Jeremy Clarkson. Hammond can’t fault the vehicle itself but wonders what “eight and a half feet of Northern lad, who learned to drive in the 1800s” is doing with such a small car. 

At the opposite end of the spectrum from the modest Mini, we go to the Bugatti Chiron of Steve Hamilton. Wrapped in pink and chrome, Hammond is incredulous that anyone would spend the money to buy a Bugatti and then wrap it. He suggests Hamilton save his money next time and buy a t-shirt announcing he’s stupid. 

The final car is the Drift HQ green C4 Corvette owned by Adam LZ. Hammond appreciates the selection of a C4 Corvette as a cool, retro car, as long as it’s in any other color without the body kit. As the “Resident American” on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, Hammond has a well-documented appreciation of American V8s and admonishes Adam LZ for ruining an original, bone stock, low mileage 80s Corvette.    

It’s fair to say the classic Volvo 740 has a devoted following, and Hollywood legend Paul Newman was part of that. This was his car, purchased brand new back in 1988 according to the Bring A Trailer auction where it’s currently up for sale. Of course, Newman was also a racer and a big fan of motorsports. And thanks to all that, we have one of the coolest, sneakiest sleeper station wagons we’ve seen in a long time.

On the outside, this looks (more or less) like a well-kept 1988 Volvo 740 wagon, albeit sitting a bit lower than normal. There are multiple reasons for that, starting with a set of lowering springs that are part of the suspension changes. There are also Bilstein struts and shocks, along with upgraded sway bars, and those five-spoke 16-inch aluminum wheels are shod with BFGoodrich g-Force tires. Further enhancing the low look is a modest body kit that features side skirts, a front valence, and a different rear bumper cover. But you didn’t click this article to read about a Volvo with a body kit.

You clicked because you saw Turbo V6 and Paul Newman and had to know more. Per the auction description, Mr. Newman had a shop in Alabama swap in a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 sourced from a Buick Grand National. It’s paired with a five-speed manual transmission pulled from a Pontiac Firebird, sending power to the rear wheels.

There are a plethora of other upgrades to make the engine/transmission swap work in harmony with the Volvo’s brick body. A custom exhaust system was fabricated for the car, and cooling is enhanced with a big oil cooler and an electric radiator cooling fan. There is no mention of horsepower, but the auction comes with several engine tunings on various computer chips. Back in the 1980s, the Grand National made 245 horsepower dead stock, while the GNX upped that to 276 hp.

The auction notes some wear and tear both inside and out, but on the whole, it doesn’t look bad for a 35-year-old vehicle that was apparently Newman’s daily driver for at least a little while. The odometer shows 76,000 miles, and paperwork is listed with the auction showing his ownership. Newman passed away in 2008, so in addition to having a very cool, fun-to-drive wagon, the new owner of this Volvo will gain a legit piece of celebrity history.

Jay Leno welcomes a very special Duesenberg into his garage. The so-called 20 Grand is a reference to the asking price in 1933. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, that amount is equivalent to $471,133.86 in 2023. During the Great Depression when plenty of people were out of work, that amount of money was an even more eye-popping figure.

Duesenberg built this car for the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago. It wore a unique body from the coachbuilder Rollston. Under the very long hood, a supercharged straight-eight engine made 320 horsepower. While that’s a modest figure by modern standards, Leno compares the output to a Bugatti Veyron for that time.

Duesenberg wasn’t able to sell the 20 Grand in 1933. However, it found a buyer in 1934 who paid the full asking price.

Jay’s guest is Cameron Richards. His great-grandfather J.B. Nethercutt paid $130,000 to buy the 20 Grand in 1979, which was quite a bit of money at that time. He restored it back to the original appearance because the car was black at the time. Since then, it has been part of the family collection of impressive vehicles.

The Duesenberg is full of intriguing details. For example, rear passengers have their own instrument display to look at. Up front, the dials include an altimeter. According to Leno, this is because of aviation’s role as cutting-edge technology at the time. Charles Lindbergh only flew across the Atlantic Ocean a few years before this car’s introduction.

Despite the immense size and hefty weight of over 7,000 pounds, the cabin is surprisingly tight. Also, the trunk is tiny, but there’s a fold-out platform back there for additional storage.

Leno also gets the opportunity to drive the 20 Grand. Since it’s unregistered for use on public roads, he takes the car to an airport to drive along the private streets there. Despite being 90 years old, the Duesenberg still has plenty of performance to keep up with modern traffic.