Time is running out to bid on Saddam Hussein’s Bentley

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September 16, 2025

Fancy owning this beautiful 1958 Bentley S1 Continental Drophead Coupe, formerly the property of Saddam Hussein? If so, you need to act quickly.

An online auction for the classic convertible, hosted by Bring a Trailer, ends this week and has already generated a huge amount of attention.

Bids for the Bentley, previously part of the Iraqi dictator’s car collection, had surpassed $725,000 at the time of writing – and showed no sign of slowing down.

It demonstrates the significant demand for a restored 1950s Bentley, even one associated with an infamous despot.

Seized by Saddam Hussein

Only 31 examples of the S1 Continental Drophead Coupe were made in left-hand drive. With bodywork by Park Ward, this Bentley was first delivered to Abd al-Ilah of Hejaz, the former Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq.

Following Abd al-Ilah’s death, and the subsequent Iraqi revolution in 1958, the Bentley became the property of a Baghdadi businessman.

Owned by the same person for several decades, the car even made an appearance in the 1993 movie, King Ghazi of Iraq.

Following this, the Bentley was seized by Saddam Hussein and used by the President of Iraq until he was overthrown in 2003.

Damaged by looters following the fall of Baghdad, the Bentley was later reclaimed by its previous long-term owner.

A Canadian collector on a humanitarian visit to Iraq spotted the Bentley in 2015 and agreed to purchase it.

An award-winning restoration

Subsequently imported to Canada, the Bentley was subject to a comprehensive restoration by Vantage Motorworks in Miami, FL.

This included repainting the aluminum bodywork in its original silver, and reupholstering the interior in factory-spec dark blue leather. Attention was also given to the 4.9-liter straight-six engine, with the complete overhaul thoroughly documented.

Following its restoration, the Bentley appeared at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It also won its class at the 2018 Concours d’Elegance of America.

With a comprehensive history file, a recent restoration, and a truly intriguing backstory, the bespoke Bentley could potentially sell for more than $1 million.

Bidding ends on Wednesday 17 September, leaving just enough time to stake your claim for this rare classic.

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Ram hits the brakes on its electric pickup trucks

By

John Redfern

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September 15, 2025

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Are you patiently waiting for the appearance of Ram’s full-size battery electric pickup truck? If so, best to abandon your plans.

Parent company Stellantis has officially confirmed that Ram will halt development of its 1500 REV electric truck, first revealed to the public as a futuristic concept in 2023.

In a statement issued by Ram, the truck manufacturer said: “As demand for full-size battery electric trucks slows in North America, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will discontinue development of a full-size BEV pickup”.

It comes as record sales for electric vehicles in North America were reported for August 2025, accounting for 9.9 percent of all registrations.

Pressure on consumers to use the federal EV tax credit, which expires at the end of September 2025, was likely a key driver for increased demand.

Ram unplugs its electric truck

Ram initially intended to begin building the all-electric 1500 in late 2024, before delaying this to 2026. The target then slipped to 2027, before finally culminating in a complete cancellation.

This decision will leave Ram as the only of the “Big Three” without an electric full-size pickup truck.

Ford currently offers the F-150 Lightning, while General Motors sells the Chevrolet Silverado EV and related GMC Sierra EV.

Both Ford and General Motors have seen declining enthusiasm for their electric pickup trucks.

Despite a wave of enthusiasm that saw more than 100,000 initial reservations made for the F-150 Lightning, Ford has subsequently reduced production output.

Ram will instead focus on a plug-in hybrid range-extender version of the 1500 pickup, previously known as the Ramcharger.

End of the Ramcharger name

As part of its decision to ditch the fully electric truck Ram will, confusingly, also recycle the REV name.

It means the range-extender model will drop the Ramcharger tag, and instead be branded as the Ram 1500 REV.

Production of the hybrid-assisted pickup has already been delayed numerous times. It is now expected to appear for the 2027 model year.

When it does finally appear, the hybrid 1500 REV is expected to deliver a combined output of 654 horsepower from its V-6 engine and electric motors. Fully charged and fuelled, it promises a range of 690 miles.

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Aston Martin Vanquish and DB12 celebrate 60 years of the Volante

By

John Redfern

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September 15, 2025

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Aston Martin has revealed bespoke versions of the Vanquish and DB12 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Volante nameplate.

The bespoke Q by Aston Martin department took the lead in creating the Volante Editions, which are said to offer the ‘ultimate open-top driving experience’.

The Volante story began in 1965 with one of the rarest Aston Martins ever made. Only 37 examples of the ‘Short Chassis Volante’ were produced during a single year. Nonetheless, the name stuck.

Aston Martin’s 60th Anniversary of Volante Editions are intended to commemorate six decades of convertible grand tourers.

Six decades of open-top driving

Both the 60th Anniversary of Volante Editions come with Pentland Green exterior paintwork, complemented by a Q Westminster Green folding roof.

Aston Martin’s classic front grille and side strakes are highlighted in anodised bronze. Bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels are finished in satin bronze, complete with diamond-turned edges.

On the inside, both Volante Editions feature a tri-tone colourway design that combines Centenary Saddle Tan, Ivory and Woven leather.

Dark Walnut open pore veneer is found on the dashboard and door panels. Owners will also discover tactile bronze touchpoints and bespoke 60th Anniversary embroidery on the seats.

An exclusive anniversary present

Aston Martin has left both cars mechanically unaltered. However with 835hp for the Vanquish Volante and 680hp for the DB12 Volante, performance was hardly in short supply.

Jolyon Nash, chief commercial officer at Aston Martin, said: “Volante is one of Aston Martin’s most evocative names, representing six decades of the ultimate open-top driving experience.

“With the 60th Anniversary of Volante Editions, we’ve created a truly exclusive celebration of that legacy – bringing together the raw power of Vanquish Volante and the refined versatility of DB12 Volante in a way that speaks directly to our most discerning customers. These cars are the embodiment of rarity, performance and craftsmanship that define Q by Aston Martin.”

Production of the 60th Anniversary of Volante Editions will be limited to 60 examples of each car. First deliveries are expected before the end of 2025.

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Nearly 4 in 5 van drivers experience abuse from other road users

By

John Redfern

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September 15, 2025

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Van drivers have opened up about the amount of negative experiences they endure while using their vehicles on UK roads.

In a new survey commissioned by Peugeot, more than three quarters (78 percent) of van drivers said they had experienced negative behaviour when behind the wheel.

More than half (53 percent) said they had been cut up on the road, with 51 percent revealing they had been sworn at.

Worryingly, one in four drivers (26 percent) also said they had been threatened with physical violence.

Van drivers are just misunderstood

Some 79 percent of van drivers believe this behaviour is due to how they are perceived by other road users, with 73 percent saying they feel misunderstood.

Van drivers also believe they are frequently stereotyped by others. Nearly half (46 percent) say they are portrayed as being aggressive, and 43 percent as having poor driving ability.

This is despite around two thirds (67 percent) of van drivers claiming they make a point of being mindful of other road users.

In fact, 53 percent of van drivers think they are actually more competent than most motorists, due to the different skills required for driving a van.

Electric vans make a better impression

This negativity has an impact on the driving behaviour of van owners, with 71 percent feeling like they must defend themselves or prove they are a good driver when behind the wheel.

Interestingly, more than half (56 percent) of electric van drivers reported being perceived positively when charging their vehicle in public. And 64 percent say they have had better experiences after swapping from a petrol or diesel van to an electric one.

Nicola Dobson, managing director at Peugeot UK, said: “It’s time for the outdated stereotypes of van drivers to be re-evaluated. At Peugeot, we know the majority of van drivers take pride in their vehicle and are among the most skilled and considerate drivers on the road.

“As a leader in the electric van market, it’s encouraging to see electric van drivers reporting a positive shift in perceptions since going electric.”

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How to drive safely with dogs in your car

By

Motoring Research team

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September 15, 2025

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More than 1.7 million UK motorists could be risking penalty points and a fine of up to £5,000 for not securing their pet safely inside a car.

That’s according to research by comparison website Go.Compare, which discovered that 15 percent of UK dog owners don’t harness their animals or carry them inside a crate when driving.

Securing a dog inside the car while driving is a legal requirement – and as important for your own safety as that of your pet.

In a separate survey by Ford, a quarter of those who admitted to allowing their dog ride unsecured also said their four-legged friend poked its head out of the window while on the move.

Some owners even said their pet had jumped free of the car. Others confessed that having a loose animal inside the vehicle had caused an accident.

Carrying an unrestrained animal could lead to a charge of Driving Without Due Care and Attention and up to nine penalty points if it results in a crash – or you are stopped by the police.

Driving with a dog inside the car

For carrying a dog – or indeed any larger pet – the best solution is a crate or carrier in the boot. This way, the animal is safely contained and isolated from passengers inside the car.

“If you have a pet, please think of its safety in the same way you would about any other member of the family,” explained dog training expert, Graeme Hall – known as ‘The Dogfather’.

“I always carry my dog Lily in the boot in her crate. She can comfortably move around and everyone’s safe. I believe that’s the best solution.”

If your car doesn’t have a large enough boot, the other solution is a dog seatbelt harness. Most plug into a seatbelt buckle on the rear bench, then can be adjusted to suit the size of your dog. Leashes that simply attach to your dog’s collar and the belt buckle are not a safe solution.

Don’t leave pets inside your car

This should go without saying, but it would be remiss of us not to offer a timely reminder: do not leave pets in a parked car, particularly in hot weather.

Whatever the temperature outside, however, abandoning your dog for a long period of time inside a car is cruel at best. At worst, it’s animal abuse.

Carry your pets safely and only leave them inside the car for a long as is strictly necessary.

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Subaru reveals new BRZ and WRX Series Yellow limited editions

By

John Redfern

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September 12, 2025

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Subaru is set to reveal two new special editions at this weekend’s Boxerfest show, which takes place in York, Pennsylvania.

As their names suggest, the new ‘Series.Yellow’ versions of the BRZ coupe and WRX sedan introduce a rare paint color to the two Subaru models.

The Sunrise Yellow hue is often reserved for limited edition Subarus. It previously appeared on the XV Crosstrek Special Edition and WRX STI S207.

Enthusiasts can be among the first to see the new Series.Yellow cars on Sunday 14 September 2025, at the Mid-Atlantic region’s biggest Subaru celebration.

Bringing the sunshine

Based on the tS trim of the Subaru BRZ, the Series.Yellow edition comes equipped with 18-inch matt-black alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.

STI-tuned front and rear Hitachi dampers are standard, along with Brembo brakes. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available with the 228 horsepower 2.4-liter ‘Boxer’ engine.

Inside, bright yellow contrast stitching is used on the sports seats, leather steering wheel, and gear lever.

The Series.Yellow WRX also starts life as a tS model, powered by a 271 horsepower Boxer engine. Subaru’s famed asymmetrical all-wheel-drive system is controlled via a six-speed manual gearbox.

New 19-inch alloy wheels are finished in matt-black, with STI-tuned electronically controlled suspension dampers also fitted.

The WRX’s interior benefits from Recaro bucket seats with yellow stitching and yellow perforated inserts.

Drifting back to 2017

This is not the first time Subaru of America has created a yellow version of the BRZ. For the facelifted first generation of the sports coupe, Subaru launched a Series.Yellow edition for the 2017 model year.

For the original Series.Yellow BRZ, Subaru used Charlesite Yellow as the exterior hue, combined with black exterior trim, Brembo brakes, and yellow detailing throughout the cabin.

Production of the 2026 Series.Yellow BRZ and WRX will be capped at 350 examples of each. This compares to the 500 cars sold in 2017.

Following the debut of the new Series.Yellow models at Boxerfest, Subaru will confirm prices for both the BRZ and WRX closer to their launch date.

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McLaren 750S JC96 edition is created specially for Japan

By

John Redfern

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September 11, 2025

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A new limited edition JC96 version of the McLaren 750S has been revealed, aimed solely at Japanese enthusiasts.

The 750S JC96 is a tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR race cars that competed in the All Japan Grand Touring Car Championship (JGTC).

In 1996, a McLaren F1 GTR driven by John Neilsen and David Brabham won the JGTC GT500 Drivers’ Championship.

Its success eventually proved to be the inspiration for the very first limited-edition McLaren made for the Japanese market.

McLaren goes big in Japan

McLaren will cap production of the 750S JC96 to 61 examples: a reference to the racing number used by John Neilsen and David Brabham on their Team Goh F1 GTR.

Customers will be able to choose from McLaren’s extensive colour palette for the 750S JC96, including unique paint from McLaren Special Operations (MSO).

Four cars will be finished in a handpainted ‘JC96 Tribute Livery’, pictured above, with a red tiger stripe design across the bodywork.

All cars come with special exterior detailing on the front splitter, rear spoiler end-plates and door mirror casings. These will be available in Memphis Red, Titanium Silver, Ice White or Graphite Grey.

Racing-inspired JC96 design

Bespoke ultra-lightweight 15-spoke forged alloy wheels are fitted, along with an MSO High Downforce Kit. The latter is made available on the open-top 750S Spider for the first time.

The JC96’s brake calipers are painted in F1 Gold, while the central-exit exhaust for its 750hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 has a natural titanium finish.

The interior of the British supercar is trimmed in grippy Alcantara, including deep bucket seats with red stitching. A JC96 logo is embroidered onto the headrests, with a gold JC96 dedicated plaque added for good measure.

Customers can dive deeper into the MSO options catalogue to further personalise their car’s interior, including an extended red tiger stripe design.

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2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition honors retro icons

By

John Redfern

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September 10, 2025

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The new 2026 Nissan Z sports car has been revealed, complete with the option of a retro-inspired Heritage Edition package.

It forms part of a 2026 model year revision for the rear-wheel-drive coupe, which is offered in three trim levels: Sport, Performance, and Nismo.

Nissan launched the Heritage Edition at the 38th ZCON event – the International Z Car Convention hosted by the Z Car Club.

Available as an optional package for the Z Performance model, the Heritage Edition pays tribute to some of Nissan’s greatest hits.

Celebrating Z car classics

In particular, the Heritage Edition honors the Z32-generation Nissan 300ZX, which was produced between 1989 and 2000.

A set of 19-inch bronze Rays alloy wheels are fitted to the Heritage Edition, along with bronze “Twin Turbo” graphics on its body sides. The crowning glory is a carbon fiber rear spoiler, featuring another retro-look “Twin Turbo” badge.

Enhancements inside the new Nissan Z include unique door kick plates and exclusive floor mats.

As a finishing touch, Heritage Edition cars are painted in Midnight Purple – an iconic color used on the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R.

On sale later this month

Nissan Z customers who don’t want the $2,490 Heritage Edition package can instead opt for a new Boulder Gray paint color. This is combined with a black-painted roof.

Nissan has left the Z mechanically unaltered for 2026. This means a 400 horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6 for Sport and Performance models, which is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic.

Opting for the range-topping Nismo sees the V-6’s output increased to 420 horsepower along with 384 lb-ft of torque. The Nismo has a faster-shifting automatic gearbox, too.

Reaching dealerships later this month, the Nissan Z Sport costs from $42,970, with the Performance version starting at $52,970. The Nismo is priced from $65,750.

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New 1,050hp Ferrari 849 Testarossa to replace unloved SF90

By

John Redfern

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September 10, 2025

0

Ferrari has revealed a new mid-engined supercar: the 849 Testarossa, which honours one of the most famous names from the marque’s history.

The new Ferrari 849 Testarossa replaces the SF90 Stradale, which itself only went on sale in 2020. With fresh styling, more power and even the use of recycled materials for its engine block, the car represents a major evolution of its predecessor.

The 849 Testarossa is also the second Ferrari to receive a comprehensive update in 2025, following the launch of the new Amalfi GT earlier this year.

Return of the Testarossa

Powering the 849 Testarossa is an enhanced version of Ferrari’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8. The mid-mounted engine produces 830hp and 621 lb ft of torque by itself, before a trio of electric motors get involved.

Using a 7.45kWh battery pack, the e-motors give the plug-in hybrid 849 Testarossa a combined output of 1,050hp – some 50hp more than the SF90 Stradale.

This allows for a 0-62mph time of less than 2.3 seconds, plus a potential top speed in excess of 205mph.

A new aerodynamic design has been influenced by classic Ferrari models such as the 512 S, 512 M and even the FXX-K.

An active rear spoiler, developed from the one found on the SF90, can flick between high- and low-downforce settings in less than one second.

A total of 415kg of downforce can be produced by the 849 Testarossa: 25kg more than its predecessor.

FIVE alive for enhanced dynamics

One of the most significant changes for the 849 Testarossa is the new FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator) system.

Using a host of sensors, FIVE can create ‘a digital twin that replicates the behaviour of the car in real time’, allowing it to predict optimal braking and steering inputs.

Changes inside the 849 Testarossa are less dramatic, but its cabin remains driver-focused. The steering wheel gains real switches, rather than haptic touch controls, including a physical start button for good measure.

Coupe and Spider from the outset

Customisation and personalisation will be a core part of the Ferrari 849 Testarossa experience, and buyers will need to add the Assetto Fiorano package for the highest performance.

With enhanced aerodynamics, Multimatic suspension and 30kg less weight, the Assetto Fiorano upgrades are intended primarily for track use.

Both the Ferrari 849 Testarossa coupe and the Spider version – the latter with a folding metal hard-top roof – will go on sale at the same time. UK prices haven’t been confirmed yet, but European models start at around £400,000 for the coupe and £435,000 for the Spider.

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Porsche EVs to get access to the Tesla Supercharger network

By

John Redfern

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September 9, 2025

0

Porsche electric car owners will soon be able to make use of the Tesla Supercharger network throughout North America.

This will mean access to more than 23,500 additional charging devices – all thanks to a simple DC charging adapter that enables a connection with a Tesla Supercharger.

“We are continually working to make every aspect of Porsche ownership as convenient as possible for our customers – and this news represents a significant step for owners of our electrified cars,” said Timo Resch, CEO of Porsche Cars North America.

“As we launch this offering, in the coming months we will add more features to make the process even more seamless.”

More Porsche charging options

All new 2026 Porsche Taycan and Macan Electric models will be supplied as standard with the bespoke NACS DC adapter.

Owners of 2025 model-year Taycans, and all existing Macan Electric owners, can request a complimentary adapter. This group of owners will receive a notification via the My Porsche app to reserve their free NACS DC adapter shortly.

Those with 2024 model-year and older Taycans can purchase a Porsche NACS DC adapter at their own expense.

Available now through the Porsche Online Shop, and at Porsche Centers, the $185 adapter works with all DC fast charging stations equipped with NACS/J3400 compatible cables, including selected Tesla Superchargers.

Software updates to follow

Porsche is planning a “soft launch” of access to the Tesla Supercharger network from Tuesday 9 September 2025.

At first, this means Porsche drivers will need to make use of the Tesla smartphone app to find and enable compatible charging devices.

In the near-future, however, Porsche intends to incorporate Tesla chargers into the My Porsche app, making features such as “Plug & Charge” available.

All 2026 model-year electric Porsches will have the locations of Tesla Superchargers integrated into their navigation software. Updates will make this possible for older models later this year.

Porsche becomes the latest auto manufacturer to offer access to the Tesla charging network, following Acura and Honda earlier in 2025.

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