Spyshots: 2014 BMW X7 Spotted Testing in California

BimmerBoost has posted images of what they believe to be the long-rumored 2014 BMW X7. Rivals like Mercedes-Benz and Audi both have been very successful in the large SUV market, especially in the United States. It would only make sense financially for BMW to at least make an attempt to enter and compete in the large SUV market.

The X7 is reported to be a main rival to the widely popular 7-seat variant of the Mercedes-Benz GL SUV range. The photos were snapped in the California mountains, where the car was testing. No surprise really, as California remains one of the regions of the United States with the highest year-to-year SUV sales.

The car looks markedly larger than the recently spotted next generation BMW X5, with the test driver reportedly stating the car “is a 2014 X7.” While little additional information is known beyond the realm of pure speculation, the pictures appear to show a non-M variant X7 prototype, which fits logically with BMW’s historical release schedule. No word on if a X5M-style variant will be offered.

Check out the pics and full story on BimmerBoost. We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

News source:  BimmerBoost

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Rare Ferrari 250 GT Competizione to be Sold by RM Auctions

Friday January 18, 2013 is going to be a special day in the automotive world. Not for the release of a supercar, or even a lesser car. No, January 18th is the day RM will sell lot #164; an ultra-rare, ultra-expensive 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta ‘Competizione’.

The car, just the 17th example out of 72, is expected to sell for astronomical numbers. Estimates are suggesting that 8-figures are not out of the question. The 250 GT was designed by legendary Ferrari design house Pininfarina and built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti. Nowadays, the power figures for the 250 seem nothing but antiquated. In the early ’60s, however, the 280bhp, 2,953cc single overhead-camshaft V12 engine was nothing short of remarkable. And to those of more discerning taste, it still is. Hence the double-digit millions it will undoubtedly sell for. 

The SWB racing variant of the 250 took victories at the 1960-62 Tour de France, and at the RAC Tourist Trophy classic races at Goodwood in 1960 and 1961, according to RM. A car that racing legend Sir Stirling Moss had nothing but the highest of praise for, “As a grand touring car for really serious road racing,” he later recalled of the SWB, “it was quite difficult to fault, in fact.” Strong praise.

In 2012, RM Auctions held the #2 and #3 positions for highest amount a car sold for at auction, with a 1968 Ford GT40 ($11 million) and a 1938 Horch 853A Special Roadster ($5.2 million). For more information on the car, check out RM’s listing on their website.

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Mullin Automotive Museum Has 25 Bugatti Models Covering 70 Years of Bugatti

Mullin Automotive Museum is an automotive museum owned by Peter Mullin, a car collector with a passion for French cars. Having opened the museum in 2010, he has so far collected 25 Bugatti Models ranging from the legendary Bugatti Type 23 Brescia and iconic 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic to the 1994 Bugatti EB 110 SS. The collection covers 70 years of Bugatti innovation and inspiration.

In the gallery below, you can see models such as the 1927 Bugatti Type 35C Roadster, 1929 Bugatti Type 44 Coupe Fiacre, 1939 Bugatti Type 57C Aravis, 1998 Bugatti EB 118, 1999 Bugatti 18.3 Chiron, 1928 Bugatti Type 37A and even the 2010 Bugatti 16.4 Veyron Super Sport World Record Edition.

Mullin says;

For me the French automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s represent the pinnacle of 20th Century art and design. As an avid collector, the preservation of these rolling sculptures for the enjoyment of future generations is both a responsibility and a pleasure. I relish the stewardship and preservation of their exciting histories.

The museum which is based in Oxnard, California was the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show Winner with the 1935 Voisin C25 Aerodyne a car presented for the first time in October 1934 at the 28th Paris Salon de l’Automobile.

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Rare Ferrari 330 LMB at Greenwich Concours d’Elegance

After the ultra-successful Ferrari 250 GTO was released in early 1962, Ferrari then previewed what was essentially a development of the 250 with the unveiling of the Ferrari 330 LMB.

Only four Ferrari 330 LMB’s were ever produced, with each featuring a 4.0 liter 330 engine rated at 400hp at 7,500rpm. The styling behind the 330 LMB took clear inspiration from the 250 GTO with a strikingly similar front end being featured and also carried on from the racing heritage of the 250 GTO with three competing at the 1963 Le Mans 24-hour endurance race where two ultimately retired from the race, thus marking the end of the 330 LMB competing in official racing events.

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McLaren P1 Spotted at Illinois Supercar Dealership

McLaren’s P1 was recently unveiled at a private gathering in New York City where a company spokesperson revealed that the concept car was 97 percent the same as the future production car would be. 

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For Sale: Rare 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster at RM Auctions

A very unique and rare black Porsche 356 Speedster is set to go under the hammer in January by RM Auctions as part of its Arizona sale. The car is one of just 1,233 units which ever made it to U.S. shores out of the 4,144 examples made, and is expected to fetch between $160,000 and $200,000.

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Video: Mazda2 Transformed From Stock to Racecar in 25 Hours

The 25 Hours of Thunderhill, a pro-am style endurance race held in the northern California town of Willows, isn’t a race for the faint of heart. Mazda, the self-proclaimed road-racers brand of choice, set out to compete in the event in their smallest car – the Mazda2. In and of itself, not a necessarily impressive feat. But the way they competed is what draws the imagination.

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