This week, there was an abundance of interesting car novelties, and the fresh weekend starts with two bonkers models - the Ferrari 12Cilindri and Engler V12 quad bike. So, do you dare fancy one of them?
Usually, I reserve my overview of the week's automotive notices for Saturday or Sunday. However, my family and I are heading into Orthodox Easter with open arms and a desire for rest and good quality family time. So, I'm cutting it short… to Friday. Sorry for that and for missing the novelties over the weekend. But the kids want our undivided attention, so let's get right into the action.
This automotive week has had some pretty extreme ideas. For example, Volkswagen unleashed the 2024 ID.3 Pro S with more power, the ID.7's infotainment system, smarter features, quicker charging times, and other novelties. In the UK, the old Land Rover Defender's most work-oriented model has a worthy heir in the form of the new Ineos Grenadier Commercial variant, but it's probably going to be forgotten in a second because in America we have to talk about the fashionable Tuscadero paint color that was just added to the Gladiator palette for $895.
Oh, by the way, Tesla improved the Cybertruck in one key area because everyone was keeping their fingers right there – the company reacted to the viral banana anti-pinch protection failure, and now the sensors also react to the beloved fruit's potential smashing. GM fans might want to take a look over at Acura because the Japanese premium automaker's 2024 Acura ZDX just arrived at dealerships with rear- and all-wheel drive models plus the flagship Type S, which is the brand's most powerful vehicle ever.
Suppose you're rooting for Team Mopar; no worries. In that case, the race is on to snatch a 2024 Durango SRT 392 AlcHEMI from nationwide dealerships, and the American carmaker relaunched the Horsepower Locator feature to find them easily. If you'd rather focus on what happens around the world, the new GR Sport II leads Toyota's 2024 Hilux attempts to tackle the Ford Ranger Raptor; Renault presented the Symbioz, yet another compact crossover SUV, which could also be called a Grand Captur, complete with E-Tech Hybrid power. Over in the Land Down Under, Australia's Lake Mountain got a visit from Nissan's Z Nismo, which – believe it or not – is cheaper to order than in America (around $61k instead of more than $65k).
There were many cars that don't deserve more than a mention – the 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport takes goodies from the all-new Triton for the facelift as it launches in Australia, which also gets the second-generation BMW X2 (complete with the iX2) from $49k, while Lancia's Ypsilon is asking an arm and a leg (almost 25k euros!) in Europe, although it's nothing more than an Opel or Peugeot in a fancier suit. Over in China, two models are worthy of our attention – the 2025 Cadillac Optiq had its official premiere, and it's probably coming unchanged to America, while the Hongqi luxury brand unveils the Guoya, its ugly new flagship sedan, which doesn't look the part but feels ready to battle Rolls-Royces and Maybach limousines.
Last but not least, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe will arrive this summer in America with mild hybrid inline-six turbo muscle, the limited-edition Bentley Bentayga (is that ultra-luxury SUV still around!?) Apex Edition by Mulliner rolled out with carbon fiber wheels, Ram Trucks discontinued the 1500 Classic in Canada but still offers the series in Mexico and the US, the 2024 Cupra Formentor and Leon debuted with sharper styling and more oomph, a carbon-bodied Jaguar XJS restomod now packs over 600 supercharged ponies, and the Nissan X-Trail went rogue (wink, wink) in Europe with the adventurous N-Trek trim. Also, Toyota heated things up with the 2025 Crown as the mid-sizer showed its dark side with the new Nightshade Edition trim.
That was quite an exotic bunch, right? Well, the numerous novelties were capped with two incredible machines. One is something that everyone dreams about, and nobody is surprised by its good looks and technical prowess. I am talking about the all-new Ferrari 12Cilindri and Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider – the brand's follow-up to the Ferrari 812 Superfast and 812 GTS, and a veritable showcase of the mid-front-mounted- naturally-aspirated V12 engine. Dubbed F140, this mill has been around since 2002 when it arrived with 651 horsepower on the Ferrari Enzo, and more than two decades later, it's still going strong on models like the Ferrari Daytona SP3, the 715-hp Ferrari Purosangue crossover SUV, and the fresh Ferrari 12Cilindri. Still naturally aspirated, with no turbo and no hybrid assistance whatsoever, it celebrates the V12 with 819 horsepower!
That's a humongous achievement. Even better, the new model has great looks inspired by the Ferrari Gran Turismo models of yesteryear. However, it wasn't the most spectacular reveal this past week! Which is kind of odd, considering we're dealing with an all-new Ferrari. Alas, the week's crown goes to the Engler V12, which isn't even a car per se. Instead, this gadget just looks like a car because it has four wheels and the allure of a Bac Mono while it's actually a quad bike – notice the handlebar. Alas, it's also a monster with nearly 1,200 horsepower. More precisely, it also has a V12 engine that churns out no less than 1,184 horsepower and 885 pound-feet (1,200 Newton-meters) of torque. Now, the question is pretty simple. If you had the chance to drive/ride it, would you flash from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in just 2.5 seconds and then keep the throttle open until you hit a top speed of 250 mph (402 kph)?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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