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List
Hit or miss: we rate every restomod and hypercar revealed at Monterey Car Week
California's posh motor show hosted ludicrously rare and ludicrously powerful creations. But not all of them hit the mark
Tuthill GT One: hit
We’ll kick off this list with a mighty caveat. We have not driven any of these cars and our opinions are subject to change when we do, although we’re not sure anything could change our minds about the Tuthill GT One in all honesty. Just look at the thing. It could drive like a bag of bolts and we’d probably still consider it a hit. Obviously it won’t, because this is Tuthill we’re talking about.
Advertisement - Page continues belowKalmar 9X9: miss
We like Kalmar Automotive’s work. Heck, we really like the 964-based Kalmar RS-R. Unfortunately, we’re just not sure that the new 9X9 is doing it for us. This is a 993-gen Porsche 911 clad in carbon fibre to make it look a little like a 959. It’s then fitted with a 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six and a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox to send 930bhp to all four wheels. No doubt it’ll be rapid, but compared to the Tuthill it’s not exactly a looker.
Lamborghini Temerario: hit
There are plenty of big names using Monterey Car Week for important launches these days, and the new Lamborghini Temerario is big news indeed. Gone is the Huracan’s V10 and in comes a turbocharged V8 and three electric motors. It’s a big risk for Lambo, but the slightly retro styling, a 10,000rpm redline and a 211mph+ top speed get us very excited indeed.
Advertisement - Page continues belowMercedes-Maybach SL: miss
Can somebody get the taste police over here pronto? We’ve just seen the Maybach SL’s monogrammed grille, bonnet and fabric roof. We like the wheels, but that’s about it.
Maserati GT2 Stradale: hit
The GT2 Stradale is essentially a Maserati MC20 with a little bit more power (+10bhp), a little bit less weight (-60kg) and a whole lot more downforce (+355kg at 174mph). It also gets LED shift lights on the steering wheel, and that’s enough to make it a hit in our books.
Acura Performance EV Concept: miss
Looking like a cross between a mystery McLaren SUV and a Lotus Eletre, this concept apparently previews a new Acura EV set to arrive in production form in late 2025. What’s the bet it won’t look much like the concept?
Acura Integra Type S HRC Prototype: hit
This is more like it from Acura. The HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) Prototype previews some bits that’ll hopefully make production and allow owners to make their Type S Integras that little bit more track-focussed.
Advertisement - Page continues belowBMW M5 Touring: miss
Big call, but the early signs for the big-booted M5 aren’t great. Sure it’s got lots of power and lots of boot space, but it also weighs over 2.5 tonnes and costs over £110k.
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept: hit
Proof that Cadillac still knows how to do a big luxo barge. The Opulent Velocity is a 2+2 concept with butterfly doors, stunning lighting and a moody interior.
Advertisement - Page continues belowTouring Superleggera Veloce12: hit
Restomod 550 Maranello anyone? Touring Superleggera completely reworks the big V12 Ferrari with a new carbon body, all new Brembo brakes, TracTive suspension and fancy leather inside. Oh, and said V12 is completely rebuilt and now produces just under 500bhp.
Nilu27: hit
Ex-Bugatti and Koenigsegg designer Sasha Selipanov penned this track-only hypercar. It features a 6.5-litre V12 that revs to 12,000rpm and a seven-speed manual gearbox. Good grief.
Hennessey Venom F5 Stealth: hit
Green and gold just works. Hennessey will create three ‘Stealth Series’ versions of its 1,817bhp V8-engined hypercar, and they’re all sold out. Not exactly sure what’s so stealthy about this spec, but it’s really rather lovely.
Rimac Nevera R: hit
Rimac has almost completely reworked its Nevera hypercar to create the Nevera R. There’s more power, a lighter battery, new styling and that giant rear wing. Impressive work.
Pininfarina Battista Targamerica: miss
The Battista uses the same underpinnings as the Nevera, but instead of getting all the bits that Rimac has fitted to the Nevera R, Pininfarina spent the last year chopping the roof off to create this Targamerica.
Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years: miss
The 911 Turbo is 50 years old, but instead of a new 992.2 Turbo to celebrate, Porsche is giving the world a 992.1 Turbo with fancy stickers and silver paint. Shame.
Porsche 911 (993) Speedster: hit
This is quite something, though. Porsche’s Sonderwunsch department created this one-off 993 Speedster for Italian-born industrial designer and architect Luca Trazzi. Great colour.
RUF Rodeo: hit
Off-road supercars are brilliant. There’s no getting away from that fact, not least because they also happen to be a whole lot of fun (and less of a pain) on-road too. The RUF Rodeo apparently celebrates the American West… with a 610bhp 3.6-litre flat-six.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla: hit
This is the Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla and the craftmanship is literally off the scale. Check out the ceramic finish Spirit of Ecstasy. We are not worthy.
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