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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Sponsored Article – August 01, 2026

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: 2025 Bugatti Mistral

The Bugatti Mistral is the open-air send-off to the marque's final and most extreme W16-powered chapter, a car that blends elegant design, a bespoke interior crafted without compromise, and a powerplant unlike anything else on the road. At its heart sits a sequential quad-turbo W16 producing over 1,500 horsepower, its staged turbo delivery creating a layered, evolving induction experience, one made all the more immersive by the Mistral's roadster form. Finished with the marque's iconic horseshoe grille and signature C-line, this is a car built to be felt as much as driven. Offered here in collector-grade condition and set among a 185 collector car lineup at the 13 – 14 August Broad Arrow Quail Auction, this Mistral represents a rare opportunity to own the final word on Bugatti's W16 era. Blending elegant design with a timeless bespoke interior and a remarkable powerplant, the Bugatti Mistral makes no compromises as the open-air expression of the marque's final and most extreme W16-powered chapter. Unleashing over 1500 horsepower through the use of a sequential quad-turbo configuration that makes for an induction noise experience unlike any other. Pair that with the iconic horseshoe grille and C-line, the Mistral is an unrepeatable car that, as presented here in collector-grade condition, is ready to anchor any significant collection as a bastion of modern performance motoring. Few engines have reshaped the automotive landscape quite like Bugatti's monumental 8.0-liter W16. Introduced in the Veyron in 2005, the sixteen-cylinder masterpiece has since powered some of the fastest and most elegant road cars ever built, rewriting production car performance records and propelling Bugatti to the pinnacle of the hypercar world. After more than 17 years of powering some of the fastest cars on the planet, Bugatti officially closed the books on its monstrous W16 with an exceptionally special model: the roofless W16 Mistral. Not only was the Mistral the final hurrah of Bugatti's unique motor, but it also remains the fastest recorded production roadster on the planet to date. Named after the powerful northwesterly wind that sweeps through Southern France down into the Mediterranean, the W16 Mistral served as the spiritual successor to the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. Though positioned as the roadster variant of the Chiron and featuring the same underpinnings, the Mistral wore an entirely bespoke carbon fiber body penned by Bugatti Director of Design Frank Heyl, his predecessor Achim Anscheidt, and Exterior Designer Florian Westermann. Its sculptural form drew inspiration from the majestic Bugatti Type 57 Roadster Grand Raid, while incorporating contemporary design cues from Bugatti's latest exclusive creations including the Centodieci, Divo, and La Voiture Noire. Elegant as the W16 Mistral's design was, it was in fact made in service to performance. Nearly every surface of the Mistral was contoured to optimize airflow, high-speed stability, and to help cool its titanic 8.0-liter powerplant. The Mistral's wide horseshoe grille inhaled air more efficiently, allowing the radiator to be fed only by a single intake and letting the side intakes focus on feeding air to the intercoolers. Air was further corralled with new intakes under the redesigned headlights and adjacent to each wheel, working in tandem to direct air across a set of radiators on both sides of the car, over the rear wheels, and cleverly out through the X-style tail lights—which also worked to vent the side intercoolers to further cool the engine. Bugatti recreated their signature C-line as a dramatic three-dimensional buttress that incorporated additional air intakes on the flanks of the Mistral. New carbon fiber air scoops behind each headrest simultaneously fed the engine with fresh air and served as integrated rollover protection. Unwilling to compromise in any department, Bugatti enhanced the Mistral's open-air cockpit with new door panels trimmed in woven leather. The shift knob was also brand new, made from milled aluminum trimmed in wood and housing a statue of a dancing elephant encased in amber—an homage to sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti's famous 1903 Dancing Elephant creation, which his brother Ettore further immortalized as a hood ornament on the 1927 Bugatti Type 41 Royale. The headlining 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged sixteen-cylinder motor remained in its unique “W” configuration, but now benefited from nearly two decades of top-drawer refinement. It featured the same specifications as the Chiron Super Sport 300+, producing 1,578 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque; managed by a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission that sent power to all four wheels. Unsurprisingly, this led to startling performance figures for any production car, but routine for a Bugatti-badged vehicle. The W16 Mistral sprinted from zero-to-62 mph in 2.4 seconds and could reach a top speed of 260 mph. However, the Mistral clearly had more to give. In November 2024, a specially prepared customer Mistral reached 282 mph at the ATP Automotive Testing proving grounds in Papenburg, Germany, officially becoming the fastest production roadster extant. Despite undertaking the run in damp conditions, the Mistral was so fast that the tracking vehicles included a helicopter and a camera-equipped Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. In an interview with Top Gear following the record-breaking run, 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Bugatti Pilote Officiel Andy Wallace remarked that he was impressed with the lack of vibration and wind buffeting even at the open-top Mistral's speeds—owing in large part to the array of details in the Mistral's bodywork designed to direct air away from its occupants and instead through its critical components. Bugatti produced just 99 examples of the W16 Mistral, all of which were spoken for by the time the car was revealed in August 2022. This 2025 Bugatti W16 Mistral has been extensively tailored inside and out, with nearly $650,000 worth of individualization shown on its original window sticker. Its carbon fiber bodywork is finished in an alliance of Matt Argent and Black Carbon. The two-tone theme continues into the interior in a marriage of Beluga Black and Tangerine contrasting leather trim. Bugatti Light Blue Sport accents electrify the entire vehicle—delicately covering Bugatti logos, central stripe, and Mistral badge on the underside of the wing; further extending into the cockpit as vibrant contrast stitching as well as the Dancing Elephant motifs on the headrests and in the Mistral's shift knob. According to its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report, this example was first registered in the United States in October 2025 as a corporate vehicle. The car was promptly acquired by the consignor the following March and subsequently located in Beverly Hills, California. This highly exclusive Bugatti is offered today with just 652 miles from new, and is furnished with its Owner's Metal Chest—a substantial accessory crate that attractively presents its delivery items including the Mistral's set of keys, owner's books, and branded car cover.In June 2026, the Mistral received a service and inspection from O'Gara Coach/Bugatti Beverly Hills, which included a fluid top-up plus a preemptive replacement of the drive belt and other pulleys and tensioners. Today, the Bugatti W16 Mistral stands not only as the world's fastest production roadster, but also as the definitive farewell to one of the most extraordinary engines ever fitted to a road car. It preserves Bugatti's uncompromising fusion of record-setting performance and peerless luxury, while adding a more visceral dimension: an unobstructed connection to the intricate mechanical symphony and intoxicating induction noise of its quad-turbocharged W16. Presented with collector mileage and enhanced by nearly $650,000 in bespoke appointments, this 2025 Bugatti W16 Mistral is primed to become the crown jewel for any world-class collection of landmark hypercars. Broad Arrow returns to Monterey Car Week for its debut as the official auction partner of The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering. Over two days, 13 – 14 August, more than 185 extraordinary collector cars will cross the block against the backdrop of one of the world's most celebrated automotive events. Bid in person at The Quail for the unmatched energy of a live sale, or join remotely via online, phone, or absentee bidding from anywhere in the world. View the full lineup and register to bid at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing

By Sponsored Article – July 31, 2026

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: 2003 Ferrari Enzo

Presented in a captivating specification of Nero D.S. over a Rosso leather interior, nearly the mirror opposite of the red exterior most associated with the model, this Enzo remains, at its core, Ferrari's turn-of-the-century technological pinnacle. It was a road-going machine so significant that Maranello named it after its founder, the only production Ferrari ever to carry his name. Drawing directly from Formula 1 development, the Enzo delivers a driving experience unlike any other road car of its era, a true technological marvel built to bring grand prix engineering to the street and now to be offered among a 185 collector car lineup at the Broad Arrow 13 – 14 August Quail Auction By the time Ferrari unveiled its new flagship at the Paris Motor Show in September 2002, the Scuderia was in the midst of the most dominant campaign in the history of Formula 1. Michael Schumacher was en route to the third of five consecutive World Drivers' Championships, the Constructors' title had not left Maranello since 1999, and the company judged the moment worthy of a gesture it had never before permitted itself. The new car had been developed under the working designation F60, the logical successor to the F40 and F50, but Maranello ultimately set the convention aside and christened it after il Commendatore himself. The Enzo was conceived as a rolling summation of everything the racing department had learned during that extraordinary era, and just 399 (+1) examples were built, with 399 offered to clients hand-selected from the ranks of existing F40 and F50 owners and a final 400th car gifted to Pope John Paul II. The Enzo's approach marked a clean break from the F50 before it. The F50 had famously transplanted racing hardware into a road car, its V12 derived from Ferrari's 1990 Formula 1 engine and bolted directly to the carbon fiber tub as a stressed member. The result was celebrated for its purity but criticized for its harshness, and its reception upon launch was notably cooler than that of the F40 before it. With the Enzo, Ferrari borrowed not the Formula 1 car's components but its methodology. Electronics, aerodynamics, materials science, and control systems, the disciplines through which the Scuderia had come to rule Grand Prix racing, were applied to a road car from the ground up, producing a machine that Ferrari itself described as the closest a client could then get to the Formula 1 experience on the public road. At its center sat the all-new Tipo F140 engine, a 65-degree, 5,998-cc V12 producing 651 horsepower at 7,800 rpm, at its debut the most powerful naturally aspirated engine ever fitted to a production road car. It revved to 8,200 rpm through a six-speed automated manual transmission operated by F1-style column-mounted paddles, executing shifts in 150 milliseconds. The chassis was a carbon fiber and Nomex honeycomb monocoque, suspended by unequal-length wishbones with pushrod-actuated dampers that were electronically adjustable from the cockpit. Carbon-ceramic brakes, developed with Brembo and fitted to a Ferrari road car for the first time, provided stopping power essentially immune to fade. Even the driver interface drew on the Scuderia single-seaters, with a small-diameter wheel carrying shift lights across its upper rim and buttons governing the traction and damper settings, foreshadowing the manettino that would spread across the entire Ferrari range. The cockpit itself was ruthlessly purposeful, its exposed carbon fiber surfaces relieved only by leather where the driver's body made contact. No stereo was offered, and the windows wound by hand. The aerodynamic program was perhaps the most sophisticated development over its predecessors. Where the F40 and F50 had relied on large fixed wings, Ferrari's engineers resolved to generate the Enzo's considerable downforce invisibly. The Pininfarina bodywork, shaped under design director Ken Okuyama with its unmistakable Formula 1-inspired nosecone, concealed a network of underbody channels, flaps, and a small rear spoiler that deployed automatically above 37 mph, the entire system actively balancing downforce and ride height as speed rose toward the factory's claimed maximum of 218 mph. The press reception was rapturous in a way the F50's had never been. Road & Track recorded a scarcely believable 3.3-second sprint to 60 mph, while John Simister, driving the car for evo magazine's September 2002 first-drive feature, found the engine glorious and identified "something Silicon Valley-precise about the throttle response." Nearly a decade later, after driving an Enzo through the night from England to the Col de Vence above Nice, evo founder Harry Metcalfe reflected that, the Bugatti Veyron aside, he could not "think of a car that builds speed quite as easily," likening its effortless progress through the air to a body coated in Teflon. Unlike its predecessor, the Enzo was the definitive supercar of its moment from the day of its launch, and its standing has only grown in the two decades since. Among the 400 examples built, the car offered here occupies particularly rarefied company. Completed by the factory in April 2003, chassis number 132652 is one of just a dozen U.S.-market Enzos finished in Nero D.S., the stealthiest and arguably most menacing color offered on the model, and among those, one of only three trimmed with a Rosso leather interior. Nero carpets, Rosso instrument dials, and XL-size Racing Seats complete a specification that inverts the familiar red-over-black formula to striking effect. The Enzo's factory warranty was initiated on 8 July 2003, and its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report records registration to its first owner in Nevada the following day, showing 108 delivery miles. The report indicates that the car remained in the Southwest through its early life, receiving attention from Ferrari of Newport Beach in California before passing in 2009, with just under 2,000 miles recorded, to a caretaker in Colorado. There, the Ferrari continued to be diligently maintained by Ferrari of Denver while being driven only sparingly, accumulating 3,540 miles by 2012, when noted Ferrari authority Joe Sackey brokered its sale to a new owner in Scottsdale, Arizona. The following decade of the CARFAX notes a string of Arizona emissions inspections punctuated by regular servicing at Scottsdale Ferrari. Upon the owner relocating himself and the car to Florida, 11,359 miles was registered at the time of the move in 2022. Under present ownership, the Enzo has been treated not merely as an object to preserve but as a car to document and perfect. It was submitted to Ferrari's Classiche program and granted certification in 2026, which verified that it retains the entirety of its original major components, including (but not limited to) drivetrain, bodywork, suspension, brakes, and exhaust as delivered new in April 2003; a digital copy of its “Red Book” certification is on file, with its physical "Red Book" awaited at the time of cataloging. The car received a major service, a rebuild of its steering rack, the replacement of its original, date-coded tires (which were preserved and remain with the car), the replacement of the dashboard, A-pillar and headliner leather, repair of its sticky buttons, and laser-refinishing of its exhaust components. The PPF was removed, revealing it’s original, blemish-free paint with trademark carbon fiber “weave” underneath. The car’s clutch was determined to show in excess of 90-percent of its life remaining, indicative of its 2020 replacement. The odometer shows just 13,268 miles at the time of cataloging. It is difficult to imagine a more appealing configuration in which to encounter Ferrari's turn-of-the-century technological pinnacle. Black Enzos are seldom seen, and Nero over Rosso examples almost never; the combination lends the car a presence entirely distinct from the sea of Rosso Corsa that dominates the model's population, while the Classiche certification, documented history from delivery, and thorough recent refinement and sorting leave little for the next caretaker to do but enjoy it. Sensibly driven, consistently serviced, and now Classiche certified, it is an example an enthusiast can use as Maranello intended, without hesitation. Twenty-three years after its debut, the Enzo remains what it was on that Paris show stand, the fullest expression of Ferrari's greatest Formula 1 era, translated for the road. This one, resplendent in its near-unrepeatable livery, is ready to prove it at 8,200 rpm. Join Broad Arrow at The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering, where the international auction house will make its debut there as official auction partner of the storied event. Across 13 – 14 August, over 185 sought-after collector cars will cross the block in an unforgettable two-day sale. Experience the thrill of live bidding in person, or bid conveniently from anywhere in the world via online, telephone, or absentee options. Discover the complete lineup and register to bid at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing

By Sponsored Article – July 30, 2026

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: Hennessey Venom F5

A completely in-house, ground-up design, the Hennessey Venom F5 set out to redefine the limits of performance from the moment it was conceived. Now in its third iteration, the track-focused F5 Revolution marks a departure from the top speed pursuit that defined the variants before it, trading outright pace for otherworldly, track-honed capability. One of only 24 produced and offered here in collector-grade condition, the Venom F5 Revolution stands as the ultimate track weapon and is now to be offered among a 185+ collector car lineup at Broad Arrow’s August 13 – 14 Quail Auction. Hennessey Performance has long pushed the boundaries of speed and unbridled performance through tuning and technology. Established in 1991 by eponymous owner John Hennessey, the Texas-based company first earned acclaim through their transformative tuning packages for American pickups and muscle cars. However, it was their increasingly ambitious Venom projects that cemented Hennessey's place on the global automotive stage. The ferocious Venom 650R transformed the second-generation Dodge Viper into one of the fastest street-legal production cars of the 1990s. Its successor, the Lotus Exige-based Venom GT, made Hennessey a household name after shattering multiple speed records including an official recorded top speed of 265.7 mph and an unofficial run exceeding a scarcely believable 270 mph. For the Venom's third act, Hennessey set their sights on the ultimate achievement: reaching 300 mph. The resulting Venom F5 was a completely clean-sheet design that officially elevated Hennessey Performance beyond the realm of bespoke hypercar manufacturer status. Hennessey worked in conjunction with trusted British technical partners TotalSim and Delta Motorsport to optimize the car's aerodynamic development and bespoke carbon fiber monocoque, respectively. Both companies boasted a strong track record in top-level motorsport and had previously worked together on the Venom GT project. Furthermore, both were based within yards of each other at the famous Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit; their physical proximity and close working relationship remained critical to the project throughout. Founder John Hennessey further enlisted two massive names to cultivate the project: former director of GM Performance John Heinricy to oversee development; and both Le Mans and Daytona winner David Donohue (and son of Mark Donohue) as chief test driver. The F5's monocoque is exquisitely constructed, with a finished weight of just 190 pounds. An aluminum sub-frame and extruded aluminum crash structure are attached to its front, and a similar style sub-frame employed at the rear. Additionally, a composite front firewall and separate front and rear floors add further strength to the already formidable structure.Elsewhere, the F5 was broadly conventional, if extravagantly specified in its construction. Suspension was via double wishbones and adjustable Penske coil spring and damper units, while huge ABS-equipped six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers operated onto no less substantial 15.5-inch carbon ceramic discs; the latter sourced from leading Formula 1 brake supplier Brembo. Finally, the car's steering was via a conventional rack and pinion system, which benefited from electrical assistance. However, it was in its powertrain and, specifically, its engine that the F5 not so much pushed the boundaries of cutting-edge technology, but rather discarded them altogether. The new car featured the debut of the company's bespoke 6.6-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 power unit, appropriately dubbed “Fury”. Boasting a water-cooled intake manifold, titanium intake valves, Inconel exhaust valves and twin fuel injectors per cylinder, Hennessey managed to extract an incredible 1,817 horsepower at 8,000 rpm from its new charge, and a no less impressive maximum torque figure of 1,193 lb-ft at just 5,000 rpm.The transmission given the unenviable task of coping with such outrageous performance statistics was a seven-speed semi-automatic unit manufactured by CIMA of Bologna, Italy; its two-wheel drive operation assisted by a limited slip differential and five different driving modes. Unsurprisingly, such savage potential was supplemented by appropriately robust Traction and Launch Control systems. Externally, the car radiated an unmistakable sense of purpose; its dramatic full carbon fiber bodywork augmented by a sizeable front splitter and an even more dramatically proportioned rear-mounted diffuser. Although the F5 incorporated active aerodynamics, this was achieved by minute computer-controlled modifications to the car's ride height rather than by any moveable devices; such alterations modifying the airflow angle and, hence, the levels of downforce according to different situations. This system was further modified for practical benefit as well, offering an ingenious ride-height lifting device for use in situations where the car's ground clearance was compromised. Finally, the car offered other welcome features including a touch screen Climate Control System, dash-mounted Touch Screen Infotainment system, and Apple/Android connectivity. With a curb weight of barely 3,000 pounds and more than 1,800 horsepower, the F5's performance was, unsurprisingly, utterly spellbinding. Perhaps easier to digest is the fact that the car boasted almost exactly double the power-to-weight ratio of a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport; a car of such huge capability and performance that it remained the world's fastest production car until as recently as 2017. Perhaps the Venom F5's greatest quality, however, was its versatility as a jack-of-all-trades platform, and the Venom F5 quickly evolved into a family of highly specialized variants tailored to several distinct driving experiences. The open-air F5 Roadster soon joined the hard-top model, as did the F5-M—the most powerful manual-equipped car ever—and the track-focused F5 Revolution. Hennessey unveiled the Venom F5 Revolution at 2023 Miami Motorcar Cavalcade Concours d'Elegance. The Venom F5 Revolution traded the pursuit of top speed achievements for that of crushing lap records. Its aerodynamics were thoroughly revised with a large carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, and dive planes working in tandem to suck the Venom F5 Revolution into the tarmac, assisted by its Texas-sized rear wing capable of generating 1,400 pounds of downforce at 249 mph. Suspension geometry was stiffened, with the double wishbones receiving new Penske adjustable coil over dampers. The already-potent Fury V8 was unchanged in output, but now benefited from additional cooling thanks to the new roof-mounted air scoop. Subtle weight-saving efforts dropped the car's dry weight to just 2,998 pounds. A new digital telemetry system in the car's fighter plane-inspired cockpit unlocked the ability to record lap times, cornering g-forces, and other pertinent information for chasing personal bests and track records. In March 2024, the car set a production car lap record at the Circuit of the Americas —Hennessey's home track—of 2 minutes and 10.9 seconds; eclipsing the previously held record set by the McLaren P1 by nearly seven seconds. Production was limited to just 24 cars, mirroring that of the F5 Coupe, making the Venom F5 Revolution an exceedingly rare sight on both road and track. If the “1 of 1” insignia on the included window sticker is not enough, one glance at the stunning fade effect should indicate that this 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution is truly singular in specification. The Special Edition Series finish—a $404,000 option—covers the front of the Venom in Bullet Silver and gently melts into Cosmetic Carbon on the rear haunches. This beautiful two-tone exterior is fully protected by Paint Protection and complemented by Gloss Black forged alloy five-spoke wheels. Teal accents trace the aerodynamic components and brake calipers, and course through the Charcoal leather interior. This Venom F5 Revolution was delivered new to its sole owner in 2023, and has remained a fixture of the consignor's collection in Texas ever since. Offered today with a mere 508 miles since new, this 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution is additionally furnished with its original delivery items including Hennessey's famous Treasure Chest: a massive aluminum crate containing a number of accessories including the owner's manual, chassis number-matching GoodWool car cover, and jewelry box with leather matched to the interior that contains the spare key. This 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Coupe, presented in a striking one-of-one specification and preserved with delivery mileage, affords its next caretaker the rare luxury of choice. It is equally deserving of a place among the world's foremost collections of contemporary hypercars as it is attacking the apexes of America's greatest racing circuits for which it was engineered. Whichever path is chosen, the Venom F5 Revolution's staggering performance and presence ensure that it will leave an indelible impression on driver and onlooker alike. Broad Arrow's debut as the official auction partner of The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering, is set for 13 – 14 August. Over two remarkable days, 185+ rare and coveted collector cars will go under the hammer surrounded by the collector-focused atmosphere of one of motoring's most celebrated gatherings. Whether you're bidding from the floor at The Quail or from anywhere across the globe via online, telephone, or absentee bidding, this is your chance to add something extraordinary to your collection. Explore the full catalog and register to bid now at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing

By Sponsored Article – July 29, 2026

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: 2020 Lamborghini Sian

A magnificently angular fusion of traditional and futuristic design, the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 arrived as the marque's first foray into hybrid performance, signaling a genuine evolution for the brand. Only 63 examples were built; a figure Lamborghini has long reserved for its most exclusive limited runs, honoring the company's founding year of 1963. Having spent its life with a single caretaker, this example now emerges from that sole ownership to cross the block 13 - 14 August at Broad Arrow's Quail Auction. First unveiled in September 2019, the Sián FKP 37 represented the first production Lamborghini to incorporate any form of electrified motive power—a shift of seismic technical magnitude further reflected in the company's use of a name not associated with a legendary fighting bull for the first time in many years—instead taking its title from local Bolognese dialect, in which it translates as “flash” or “lightning”. Its subsequent “FKP 37” designation was a distinct homage to the initials of automotive engineering mastermind Ferdinand Karl Piëch, and his birth year 1937. Designed by Mitja Borkert, director of Lamborghini Centro Stile since 2016, the Sián was the production car maturation of Borkert's highly advanced Terzo Millennio concept car. The Sián pushed aerodynamic and stylistic boundaries in typical Lamborghini fashion; the car's appearance is a magnificently angular fusion of the traditional and the futuristic. In terms of the former, references to the mighty Countach abounded, not least in the trapezoidal front bodywork recess, side-mounted air intakes and extravagant triple taillights. Yet in the case of the latter, the utilization of intricate Y-beam headlights inspired by the Terzo Millennio, an electrochromic roof panel and a finned rear deck–complete with active cooling flaps–all showcased emerging technology tipped to feature on the next generation of potentially rather more modestly priced Lamborghinis. For its mechanicals, the Sián turned heavily to its track-focused Aventador SVJ sibling. Having previously drawn widespread praise for its class-leading torsional rigidity, the Aventador's carbon fiber monocoque chassis was retained, into which a revised version of Lamborghini's legendary 6.5-liter V12 engine was inserted. First seen in 2011, the Type-L539 unit benefitted from continual development throughout the Aventador's lifecycle, and the fitment of new titanium intake valves, a new exhaust system, and a re-mapped ECU further boosted power from the 759 horsepower of the Aventador SVJ to some 774 for the unit fitted to the Sián. Nevertheless, it was in the addition and operation of its hybrid element that the Sián's technical fascination lay. Ingeniously, the car incorporated a small electric motor into its seven-speed single-clutch transmission, the power for which was taken from an onboard supercapacitor rather than a conventional hybrid battery pack. However, while a supercapacitor's ability to store energy is more limited than that of a battery, it can both re-charge and deploy at a far greater rate. In the case of the Sián, this enabled the supercapacitor to be fully recharged with every brake application. Although only relatively modest in its output, the electric motor operated simultaneously with the conventional V12 engine to “torque-fill” between gearchanges, and provided an additional power boost upon acceleration at speeds up to 80 mph. In addition to augmenting the car's total power output to some 808 horsepower, making the Sián the most powerful production Lamborghini yet seen, the entire system was further distinguishable for its relative simplicity and functional weight of just 75 pounds. Unsurprisingly, such technical competence was far from restricted to the car's engine compartment. The Sián's electronically controlled Haldex four-wheel drive system featured a rear mechanical self-locking differential, while its four-wheel steering system and push-rod operated twin wishbone suspension were carried over directly from the esteemed Aventador SVJ. Braking was still provided by massive six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers, with each operating onto giant Carbon Ceramic discs, albeit with the entire system appropriately modified to accept the regenerative requirements of the supercapacitor. Predictably, such prodigious power–and a highly accomplished four-wheel drive system–afforded the car spectacular performance, with 60 mph arriving in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph. Supplemented by a finely-tuned Electronic Stability Control system and switchable driving modes of Strada, Sport, and Corsa, the car offered three distinct characters yet demonstrated excellent drivability and superb roadholding in each, not to mention an incomparable accompanying soundtrack. Such technical complexity determined the Sián as no ordinary Lamborghini, if indeed such a thing exists, and this was reflected in its minimal production run. Just 82 Siáns would be constructed, with the 19 Roadsters and 63 coupes scheduled symbolic of the year in which Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his eponymous company. Extensively tailorable through Lamborghini's bespoke Ad Personam division, no two examples are alike, and this 2020 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 is thus presented in a truly unique livery. Making tasteful use of Lamborghini's signature paint fading effect, its front-facing Bianco Asopo finish gradually transitions to a fine Grigio Liqueo ombré. Verde Lampros accents highlight the Sián's many distinct angles as well as its desirable Carbon Package 1 (which cost $105,000). These electric green highlights delicately permeate its cockpit, peeking through the Nero Cosmus Poltrona Frau leather upholstery and sea of Alcantara. In total, this example has been specified with more than $260,000 worth of options according to its original window sticker. This singularly specified Sián was delivered new in March 2021 to its sole private owner in Los Angeles according to its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report. In April 2026, Lamborghini of Newport in Irvine, California performed a comprehensive and preemptive 6th year service on the Sián, with invoices on file totaling nearly $16,000. The car has remained local since new and is offered now with just 284 miles at cataloging. Lamborghini's first hybrid model ticked all the boxes required of a cutting-edge Raging Bull; avant-garde, rowdy, and unapologetically ostentatious. This 2020 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 is a recognizable representative of those tenets from Sant'Agata, boasting a striking specification and collector mileage that make it a worthy addition to any curated stable of remarkable Lamborghini models or other top-shelf hypercars. Should its next custodian choose to release this Bull from its pen, however, the reward is a visceral and exhilarating V12 driving experience perfected by the prime benefits of hybrid technology. Broad Arrow's debut auction as the official auction partner of The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering is just around the corner. Across two days, 13 - 14 August, over 190 sought-after collector cars will cross the block. Join Broad Arrow in person at The Quail to place your bids and experience the unrepeatable thrill of a live auction, or participate conveniently from anywhere across the globe via online, telephone, or absentee bidding. Explore the complete lineup and register to bid at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing

By Khris Bharath – July 29, 2026

Unicorn Murciélago: 1-of-5 Factory-Gated Manual LP670-4 SV in One-Off Marrone Eklipsis Heads to Auction

Two days ago we featured a 696-mile, 1-of-4 Nero Aldebaran Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, a genuinely rare car in its own right. This one exists on another level. Chassis 4015, a 2010 Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce finished in one-off Ad Personam Marrone Eklipsis, is heading to RM Sotheby's dedicated Sealed sale in August, offered without reserve. It is widely believed to be the last manual V12 Lamborghini ever to leave Sant'Agata Bolognese, a distinction that places it among the most historically significant modern Lamborghinis ever built. Its interior plaque reads 344 of a planned 350-car run, a number that sits near the very end of production. The LP670-4 SuperVeloce was the final evolution of the Murciélago, only the third Lamborghini to wear the SV badge after the Miura SV and Diablo SV. It also marked the end of the original Giotto Bizzarrini-designed V12 architecture that had powered every flagship Lamborghini since the Miura. While the Aventador continued with a naturally aspirated V12, it introduced an entirely new engine family. What makes this car extraordinary is everything layered on top of that already exclusive foundation. Start with the transmission. Only five Murciélago LP670-4 SVs are firmly documented with Lamborghini's six-speed gated manual, though VIN records point to as many as seven, with the final two believed to exist but currently unaccounted for. Every other example used the E-Gear automated manual. That exposed metal gate has become the defining symbol of the analog Lamborghini experience, and the feature that has transformed factory-gated manual Murciélagos into seven-figure collector cars. It is the same thread running through the 1-of-26 gated-manual LP640 and the fewer-than-10 manual LP640 Roadsters we've previously covered. RM Sotheby's believes this was the final manual SV to leave the production line, making it the last manual V12 Lamborghini the company ever built. <- Gallery -> The specification only becomes more remarkable from there. Marrone Eklipsis is a deep metallic brown inspired by the limited-run Diablo VT 6.0 SE, where 11 examples were finished in the shade to symbolize the sunset. This remains the only Murciélago SV finished in the color. It is also believed to be one of three SVs equipped with the Low Drag Wing, a rare factory option that reduces drag while increasing top speed from 209 to 212 mph. Inside, the original carbon-fiber race buckets give way to the more comfortable LP640 seats, trimmed in Ad Personam Avorio Lilium leather with Grigio Phoenix stitching over Marrone Janus Alcantara. The car rides on gold multi-spoke wheels, with the odometer showing just 4,912 miles. The car's recent history has played out partly in public. Back in 2024, it was acquired by collector and YouTuber Supercar Ron, with Miami-based WeAreCurated, led by John Temerian, involved in the acquisition. Ron, who then claimed that this was a future $10,000,000 car, documented the sale and the months-long US import effort in his own video, while Ed Bolian's walkaround at the Curated showroom offers more insights into the car and its specification. RM Sotheby's describes this car as "the most important and iconic modern Lamborghini ever built." A one-off factory color, a near-unique aerodynamic package, a bespoke Ad Personam interior, and what is believed to be the final manual V12 Lamborghini ever produced all come together on a single chassis. Cars with this combination of provenance, rarity, and specification rarely reach the open market. One important caveat remains for collectors in the United States. RM Sotheby's also states that this is a European-specification Murciélago and it does not currently comply with FMVSS or EPA regulations and cannot be legally imported into or registered in the U.S. for another decade. It is currently located in Blenheim, Ontario, under a temporary import arrangement, leaving the successful bidder responsible for either exporting the car from Canada or arranging permanent Canadian registration, along with all associated costs and duties. Bidding runs from August 24 through 26 as part of RM Sotheby's Sealed auction, and unlike many blue-chip collector cars of this caliber, this one will be offered without reserve. View Listing Images: RM Sotheby's

Dutch Auto Auctions Launches A New Online Marketplace

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2026

Dutch Auto Auctions Officially Launches

The digital age has changed the way that the enthusiast community buys and sells collector cars, and a new online marketplace has emerged with a novel approach to the automotive sale and purchase experience. Called Dutch Auto Auctions, the platform has just launched, using a reverse auction format to change the strategy of purchasing. Instead of bidding against others, the system encourages strategy, patience, and proper timing, as buyers will watch vehicle prices gradually decrease, deciding exactly when to purchase. About the new marketplace, Brandon Sullivan, the founder and CEO of Dutch Auto Auctions, said, “Our mission is simple: bring the fun back to buying and selling enthusiast vehicles. We built Dutch Auto Auctions to be more transparent, more engaging, and less stressful than traditional online auctions. It’s a platform where strategy replaces bidding wars and every auction is an experience.” Offering convenience for both buyers and sellers, the vehicle listings are assisted by AI, pricing parameters can be controlled by sellers, auctions are shorter, and the platform curates an experience for enthusiasts. With Dutch Auto Auctions officially launched, users can now create an account and learn about the platform’s reverse auction system. Vehicles, both currently available and upcoming, are available to browse, and users can save favorites. <- Gallery -> As auctions begin, members of the platform will enjoy features like price predictions and live updates that cater to the exciting buying and selling experience that Dutch Auto Auctions is promising. Accounts are free to create for users who want to experience the latest approach to online collector car auctions. Visit Dutch Auto Auctions Image Source: Dutch Auto Auctions

By Sponsored Article – July 28, 2026

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder

As one of the "Holy Trinity" hypercars, the Porsche 918 Spyder helped rewrite the rules of modern performance, setting a new standard and ushering in a new era of hybridization. This particular example, finished in a full "to Sample" specification that extends from the paint to the leather within, offers a rare and deeply personal interpretation of Porsche's most recent flagship. It will be offered among a 185+ collector car lineup at the 13 – 14 August Quail Auction. Seven years on from unveiling the breathtaking Carrera GT at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche again selected Geneva to debut its latest concept born from an endurance race car—this time powered by the 3.4-liter V8 that propelled the American Le Mans Series RS Spyder. Dubbed the 918 Spyder, the mid-engine concept hypercar was one of three Porsche models at Geneva to showcase Porsche's all-new hybrid drive technology, a milestone in the firm's stated pursuit of achieving “genuine electro-mobility” in the 21st century. Like the 959 and Carrera GT before it, Porsche continued its admirable track record of putting its concepts into production when it was announced in the summer of 2010 that series development of the 918 Spyder was underway. The production 918 Spyder's four-cam V8 had grown in displacement during development from 3.4 to 4.6 liters—its 608 horsepower surpassing the total output of the Carrera GT even before accounting for the 127 and 154 additional horsepower generated by the front and rear electric motors, respectively. That amounted to 132 horsepower per liter without the use of a turbo or supercharger, generating consistent torque and near-immediate acceleration all the way up to the 9,150-rpm rev limit thanks to the deployment of the electric motors at low revs. Working in conjunction with Porsche's race-bred seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, the 918 Spyder delivered a staggering 887 combined horsepower and 944 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Performance was, as expected, unprecedented, with Porsche announcing before deliveries had even begun that the 918 Spyder was the first road-legal vehicle to break the sub-seven-minute barrier around the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 6 minutes 57 seconds. During their testing, Car and Driver achieved zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.2 seconds (far quicker than Porsche's conservative 2.5-second factory figure)—the quickest-accelerating production car ever tested by the magazine. Even in an era of otherworldly performance demonstrated by rivals like the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1, the Porsche 918 Spyder proved to be the fastest accelerating of the three hypercar contenders. This 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder is one of just 918 examples worldwide, and one of only 300 delivered to U.S. VIP Porsche customers, made even more exclusive by its Paint to Sample non-metallic Grey Black exterior finish, first seen on the 997-generation 3.8-liter GT3 RS, with just a handful of 918 owners worldwide opting for this rare, historic hue. Even rarer is its Color to Sample white leather upholstery with grey piping and deletion of the 918's characteristic Acid Green accents. Thus configured, 918 limitation number 590 strikes a decidedly exclusive pose among the sea of expected silver and grey metallic paint finishes. Its original window sticker reveals that the 918 included numerous factory-fitted options such as Front Axle Lift System, Carbon Fiber Interior Package, Side Mirrors in Carbon Fiber, Carbon Floor Mats with Silver Piping, Seat Belts with Accent Stripe in Silver, and a separate line item recording an additional $7,000 in Custom Tailoring, often referred to as CXX. First sold through Niello Porsche (now Porsche Rocklin), its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report reveals light use under its first and second Central California owners with servicing at Niello Porsche until 2023 with approximately 4,000 miles. Under its most recent private owner, this PTS 918 Spyder has been diligently looked after by Porsche San Luis Obispo and at the time of cataloging shows just 5,635 miles. Owing to its careful stewardship by just three enthusiast owners from new, this Porsche is accompanied by delivery items that include its window sticker, books, Porsche Universal Charger, fitted indoor car cover, two keys, and more. Furthermore, a previous owner made the wise decision to equip this 918 with Porsche factory lightweight magnesium wheels, reducing the unsprung weight by 33 pounds while subtly enhancing the car's already striking presence. Distinguished by its coveted and unique full "to Sample" specification, low mileage, documented ownership, desirable factory equipment, and tasteful Porsche factory upgrades, 918 No. 590 is among the most distinctive examples of one of the defining supercars of the 21st century. As one of just 300 examples delivered new to U.S. VIP Porsche customers, it offers collectors the opportunity to acquire a highly individual interpretation of Porsche's landmark hybrid flagship. Join Broad Arrow at Monterey Car Week for the official auction of The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering, the globally attended prestigious celebration of automotive excellence. Register to bid now to secure your opportunity to acquire one or more of over 185 collector cars crossing the block during the two-day sale, 13 – 14 August 2026. View all lots and find bidder registration information at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing GALLERY-EMBED

RM Sotheby’s Offers The First Czinger 21C Hypercar To Appear At Public Auction

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 27, 2026

RM Sotheby’s Offers First Czinger 21C At Public Auction

The Czinger 21C is a unique approach to high performance, bringing forth uncompromising engineering solutions for the sake of speed, like its two-seat layout that puts the passenger behind the driver, its use of 3D printing technology, and its hybrid powertrain that musters 1,250 horsepower. Last year, the Czinger 21C broke several lap records, capturing a 1,000-mile journey across California, breaking five of those records in just five days in a documentary called California Gold Rush. Now, a new milestone has been reached for the futuristic hypercar. With only 80 units of the Czinger 21C set for production, the high-performance machine is one of the most exclusive and desirable vehicles in the automotive industry today. However, one is being offered at a public auction for the first time during this year’s Monterey Car Week. Offering the Czinger 21C for auction is legendary auction house RM Sotheby’s, and it will cross the block during the 2026 Monterey Auction. A 2025 example, the vehicle is estimated at $2,300,000–$2,500,000, featuring a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V8 engine, along with a hybrid system that gives it a total system output of 1,250 horsepower. <- Gallery -> It’s finished in Artemis Yellow, with several exposed carbon fiber details, and it’s equipped with Czinger’s High Downforce, or HDF configuration. Its six figures worth of options include carbon fiber side sills, premium wheels, and custom brake calipers, and it only has 523 miles on its odometer. An American hypercar that takes a boldly innovative approach to its performance, this Czinger 21C being offered for auction by RM Sotheby’s at the upcoming 2026 Monterey Auction is a milestone in hypercar history. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory Image Source: RM Sotheby's

Broad Arrow "The Quail Auction 2026" Preview: 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

By Sponsored Article – July 27, 2026

Broad Arrow Quail 2026 Preview: Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

Quad-turbochargers running in parallel feed an 8.0-liter, 16-cylinder engine in a "W" configuration, delivering performance that reset expectations and launched an entirely new generation of poster cars. But the Veyron's legacy isn't built on numbers alone. Hand-stitched materials and a cabin crafted with real precision, encapsulated in an elegant shape that honors the marque's history, make it a masterclass in automotive design as much as engineering. A modern classic now realizing the same increase in collectability as many of its contemporaries, this targa-topped example will be offered among a 185+ collector car lineup at Broad Arrow's 13 - 14 August Quail Auction, the official auction of The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering. If the original Bugatti Veyron redefined the limits of the modern hypercar, the next logical step was to remove the roof. Introduced in 2008, the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport debuted with a targa-top and an array of subtle but meaningful mechanical enhancements that brought a new level of open-air enjoyment to Bugatti’s genre-defining, record-breaking masterpiece. First launched in 2005 in hard-top configuration, the Bugatti Veyron was the marque’s first model of the new century and quickly established itself at the apex of speed, engineering, and opulence. The Veyron was styled under Volkswagen Head of Design Hartmut Warkuss with exterior design by Jozef Kabán, but underneath its flowing bodywork lay the crown jewel of Ferdinand Piech’s creation: an 8.0-liter, quad-turbocharged W16 delivering 987 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and permanent all-wheel drive. Ten radiators cooled the powertrain and auxiliaries, bespoke Michelin tires kept the car glued to the road at unprecedented speeds, and carbon-ceramic brakes with massive AP Racing calipers ensured equally staggering stopping power. In standard form the Veyron launched from zero to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds on the way to a 213 mph max speed, but its included Speed Key unlocked a mode capable of exceeding 253 mph—figures previously unimaginable in a road-legal automobile. Its mettle was quickly proven under official scrutiny. In the same year it debuted, the Veyron achieved its quoted top speed at Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track, a new world record for a production car. Yet the Veyron was as much a grand tourer as it was an uncompromised speed hunter. Its cabin enveloped occupants in hand-stitched leather, brushed aluminum, and carbon fiber, delivering an atmosphere of artisanal luxury befitting the Bugatti name. It was, in effect, a stealth fighter moonlighting as a private jet. Bugatti unveiled the targa-top Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance; an appropriately prestigious stage for the open-top evolution of its 21st Century masterstroke. Reviving the historic Grand Sport designation first worn by Bugatti’s celebrate Type 40 and Type 43 roadsters, the new model was far more complex and ingenious than simply a Veyron with a removable roof panel. In order to preserve the car’s structural integrity at 250-plus mph, Bugatti first reinforced the Veyron’s carbon fiber monocoque through the sills and transmission tunnel. The redesigned air scoops flanking the engine bay served a dual purpose: improving cooling to the monstrous W16 while acting as elegantly integrated rollover structures. The Veyron Grand Sport’s performance was reported to be identical to the record-breaking hard-top model, and could reach a remarkable 229 mph even with the roof stowed. This 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is one of just 150 examples produced and is elegantly finished in White. This subtle, single-tone finish is delightfully complemented by a Saddle brown interior, which covers its trim, Nappa leather seats, and seatbelts; gracefully contrasting with the Veyron’s brushed aluminum surfaces.According to its clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report, this example delivered new to Luxury Cars Los Gatos in California. It was initially used sparingly in New York and Florida before it was purchased by its first private owner in Tilden, Texas. Subsequent ownership is reported in Florida c. March 2021 before the Veyron was acquired by the seller in June 2026. Offered now with only 8,595 miles at cataloging, this 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport embodies the extraordinary breadth of the Bugatti philosophy: uncompromising performance balanced with detailed refinement and peerless luxury. Elegantly specified in a rare single-tone finish, it forgoes flamboyance in favor of understated confidence yet is still easily able to command attention at the finest automotive gatherings as one of the most respected and fastest open-top automobiles ever made. Join Broad Arrow during Monterey Car Week as over 185 collector cars—showcasing the breadth and quality of today’s collector car market—will be brought to market surrounded by the enthusiast-focused atmosphere of The Quail. Each offering represents an opportunity to acquire a meaningful piece of automotive history, spanning eras, marques, and milestones in performance, design, and innovation. Explore the complete lineup and register to bid at broadarrowauctions.com. View Listing GALLERY-EMBED

By Khris Bharath – July 21, 2026

227-Mile Ferrari Daytona SP3 Heads to Monterey With a $12 Million Estimate

We're less than a month away from this year's Monterey Car Week, and the roster of automobiles coming to market continues to heat up. Yesterday, we featured Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason's McLaren F1 GTR, chassis 10R, heading to the same sale at RM Sotheby's with an estimate north of $35 million. Today another headline lot from the same house: a 2023 Ferrari Daytona SP3 from The Driver’s Philosophy Collection. Finished in a striking Giallo Triplo Strato with Nero racing stripes and just 227 miles on the odometer, this stunning example carries an estimate of $10 million to $12 million. The Daytona SP3 is the third model in Ferrari’s Icona series, following the Monza SP1 and SP2, and the one that reaches furthest into the company’s racing history. Its name commemorates the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona, where Ferrari’s factory-entered 330 P3/4 and 330 P4 led the NART-entered 412P across the finish line three abreast. The Daytona SP3’s styling draws from that glorious era of motorsport, and at its launch, Ferrari described it as the most aerodynamically efficient road car it had developed without active aero. While Ferrari’s Tailor Made program allowed buyers to pursue near-limitless personalization for the Daytona SP3, the example seen here takes a more traditional route. Giallo Triplo Strato, which translates to ‘Triple layer’, is among the most expensive special finishes in Ferrari’s catalog. Its triple-layer composition creates a luminous effect, shifting from yellow toward shades of orange as the light changes. Configured through Ferrari’s Atelier program and completed in July 2023, the car pairs its striking exterior and Italian-flag motif with a Nero interior with yellow accents. Cavallino Rampante emblems are stitched into the headrests, while Giallo seatbelts continue the exterior color inside. Options include a carbon-fiber hardtop, lower bodywork, and mirrors; matte-black wheels with gloss-black brake calipers; airbrushed Scuderia Ferrari shields; and a suspension-lift system. Color can matter far more in the collector-car market than a specification sheet might suggest, as we saw with the one-off Rosso Dino Ferrari Enzo that went under the hammer recently on duPont REGISTRY Live, setting the all-time online auction record at $13 million. <- Gallery -> Coming back to the SP3, Ferrari only built 599 customer examples (~150-180 delivered to the US), followed by a single one-off, and that fixed production run is becoming increasingly meaningful as the company moves deeper into hybrid and electric powertrains. At last year’s Monterey Car Week, that one-off Tailor Made Daytona SP3, the final car of the run, also prominently featured yellow and crossed the auction block for $26 million at RM Sotheby’s. We later identified its buyer as a reclusive billionaire collector. That result came from a charity sale and reflected a unique specification, final-car status, and a compelling closing-chapter narrative. This example is one of the 599 customer cars, making its $10 million to $12 million estimate the more useful market signal. The SP3 may sit outside Ferrari’s ‘Big Six’, but it carries the defining qualities of Maranello’s halo cars: theatrical bodywork, a naturally aspirated V12, and an evocative soundtrack that does much of the emotional work on its own. Nearly five years after its debut, it still commands attention in a way few of its contemporaries can. View Listing Images: RM Sotheby's

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