Audi SphereFamily – Design
Marc Lichte, Head of Design at Audi, provides some insights into the design process of the three show cars Audi grandsphere concept, Audi skysphere concept and Audi urbansphere concept.
GTS stands for Gran Turismo Sport. Ever since the creation of the Porsche 904 Carrera GTS in 1963, these three letters have held special significance for Porsche fans. Now, there is a derivative with this legendary letter combination in every Porsche model series. At the LA Auto Show (19 – 28 November 2021), the sports car manufacturer will present a new version of its electric sports car under the acronym GTS. With a range of up to 504 km (based on WLTP figures), the new sports model is the first Taycan to break the 500 km mark. The Taycan GTS is the dynamic all-rounder of the model range. With up to 440 kW (598 PS) of overboost when using Launch Control, its power is impressive. The chassis and optional rear-axle steering have also been specifically adapted to the GTS, while the exterior and interior have a distinctive look. The third body style of the first all-electric Porsche model series will also make its debut at the LA Auto Show: the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo. The newcomer shares its sporty silhouette and rearward-sloping roof line with the Taycan Cross Turismo. Another feature they have in common is the functional design of the luggage compartment, which offers more than 1,200 litres of load capacity under the tailgate. The Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo start from 131,834 and 132,786 euros (prices for Germany, including 19 per cent VAT and country-specific equipment). Both model variants will roll out to dealers in the spring of 2022. Further engine options for the Sport Turismo will follow.
Marc Lichte, Head of Design at Audi, provides some insights into the design process of the three show cars Audi grandsphere concept, Audi skysphere concept and Audi urbansphere concept.
The new Toyota GR Yaris is a pure performance car, born from Toyota's title-winning experience in the World Rally Championship. Forged from success in the heat of competition, it brings motorsport technology and design directly to the world of the road car, true to TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's ethos for making ever-better cars that are intrinsically rewarding and fun to drive. Positioned at the top of the all-new Yaris range, the GR Yaris is a unique model that benefits from the design and engineering skills of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and Tommi Mäkinen Racing, Toyota's partner in the WRC. As well as serving as the official homologation model for development of the next Yaris WRC car, it also has all the attributes required for owners looking to compete successfully in local rally competitions. Scheduled for launch in the second half of 2020, it will follow the GR Supra as Toyota's second global GR model.
The awards ceremony for the winners of the European and North American series of the Ferrari Challenge took place on Saturday evening after the victors were decided in the final round of the season at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. There were two main changes to the 2021 edition of this event. Firstly, the physical and virtual setting in which it was held allowed all the drivers to take part, either live – in compliance with social distancing rules – or from home. Secondly, the evening also included the awards to the drivers who won titles in the season’s main Prancing Horse closed-wheel car championships. Enrico Galliera, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, and Antonello Coletta, Head of Attività Sportive GT, attended the ceremony. The Ferrari Challenge Europe series honoured Emanuele Maria Tabacchi (Trofeo Pirelli), Frederik Paulsen (Trofeo Pirelli AM), Roger Grouwels (Coppa Shell), “Alex Fox” (Coppa Shell Am), Fabienne Wohlwend (Pirelli Ladies Cup) and Corinna Gostner (Shell Ladies Cup). The North American Ferrari Challenge North America series celebrated the triumphs of Cooper MacNeil (Trofeo Pirelli), Dave Musial (Trofeo Pirelli Am), Brad Horstmann (Coppa Shell), Justin Wetherill (Coppa Shell Am) and Eileen Bildman (Ladies Cup). Finally, the Ferrari Challenge UK featured category winners Lucky Khera (Trofeo Pirelli) and Jamie Thwaites (Coppa Shell). During the event, the dealers with the most points in the various national and continental series of the Prancing Horse one-make series received their respective Dealer Cups: Baron Motorsport (Ferrari Challenge Europe), Ferrari of Central Florida (Ferrari Challenge North America) and Graypaul Birmingham (Ferrari Challenge UK).
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