Singer drops the top, Polestar locks in a beauty, Karma sues DeLorean
Singer drops top for the first time
Intake: Singer, the California customizer best known for its extensive, cost-no-object restomods of 964 chassis (1989–1994) Porsche 911s, is venturing into the convertible space. The example seen here is the first such customer commission—a 964 cabriolet chassis and stripped down and reimagined to the finest detail. The car pays tribute to Porsche’s 930 Turbo, with a whale tail and wide-body carbon-fiber bodywork. Under the tail sits a 510-hp twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine. A six-speed manual handles ratio-swapping duties to drive the rear wheels. Luxury-focused accouterments include a power-folding fabric top, air-conditioning, a wireless phone charger, and electronically adjustable sport seats. Singer says that future Cab clientele can spec their boosted flat-sixes from 450–510 hp and can also choose between rear- and all-wheel drive. As per usual, pricing here is dependent on client specs, but seven figures is a safe bet.
Exhaust: Singer uses the word “Study” to denote each stream of its restomod services, the other two being the Classic Study (original, naturally aspirated) and the Dynamics and Lightweighting Study (ultra-high-performance). The drop-top commission seen here falls under the Turbo Study, Singer’s at-long-last foray into forced-induction power. The possibility of a drop-top Porsche 911 modified by Singer might be just the thing the elite of monied Porschephiles were waiting for. The silhouette may not be as classic as the hardtop, but it’s hard to fault buyers wanting to better hear Singer’s custom-built turbocharged flat-six in the open air. — Nathan Petroelje
The Polestar 6 will be open-topped and emissions-free
Intake: Rejoice! Polestar is set to turn its awesome O2 concept, which debuted at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, into a production car. The remarkable roadster will be called the Polestar 6, and will feature a dual-motor electric powertrain with 884 hp that will send it from 0–62 mph in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. “With the overwhelming consumer and press response, we took the decision to put this stunning roadster into production and I am so excited to make it a reality,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar’s CEO. The first 500 cars will be LA Concept versions in sky blue with a lovely tan leather interior and 21-inch wheels—exactly like the show car. Deliveries are scheduled for 2026, and you can reserve a car right now, although no price has been set yet.
Exhaust: Once again, we can arguably thank Tesla for a revolution in electric cars. Even though there’s still no sign of the Tesla Roadster reaching the road it has prompted MG and now Polestar to put open-topped EVs into production. Kudos, Elon. —Nik Berg
Karma to Delorean: Make like a tree and get outta here
Intake: The future is slightly set back, as Karma Automotive is suing Delorean Motors Reimagined (DMI) for theft of intellectual property, according to a report from Automotive News. Aside from suing Delorean’s parent companies (DMI and Reimagined Automotive), Karma is going after DeLorean Motors CEO Joost de Vries, COO Alan Yuan, CMO Troy Beetz, and VP Neilo Harris for allegedly starting Reimagined Automotive while employed with Karma, and while Karma was working on a partnership with DMI. The lawsuit further alleges the defendants “actively concealed information from Karma to keep Karma from pursuing the project or from finding out what individual defendants were doing” and that the defendants used “trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information.”
Exhaust: Considering all the cooks and secret recipes in this lawsuit, is it any wonder why DMI’s new concepts look like any random EV design you’d see from any automaker? (Gullwing doors aside, sure.) No matter what gets proven in court, let’s imagine taking a time machine back to 1985, tracking down a freshly exonerated John Z. DeLorean as he leaves the movie theater, waving Karma Automotive’s lawsuit in his face and saying, “It’s your kids, Marty! Something’s gotta be done about your kids!” — Sajeev Mehta
Bentley goes dark with Flying Spur Blackline
Intake: Where else would Bentley reveal its new Flying Spur flagship than at Monterey Car Week? The brand, which will also take the wraps off its limited-run Batur coupe on Saturday, is introducing the sleek sedan after its Mulliner Blackline Continental GT proved popular. Blackline specification replaces all the exterior brightwork with gloss black for a more stealthy look. Optional 22-inch wheels are available in matching black or with contrasting chrome “pockets.” The interior is unaltered, and still gives buyers an unlimited choice of hues. The Flying Spur Mulliner Blackline can be fitted with Bentley’s mighty twin-turbo W-12, a twin-turbo V-8, or a V-6 hybrid.
Exhaust: A significant 20 percent of Continental GT customers are already choosing the Blackline trim, suggesting that a slightly less showy Bentley is in demand. Is this just a fleeting fashion statement or a genuine trend? Time will tell. — NB
Hot Wheels trots out 1:64-scale DeLorean Alpha5 alongside real-deal debut
Intake: Ahead of the life-sized DeLorean Alpha5’s debut tomorrow in Monterey, Hot Wheels has announced a 1:64-scale version of the high-performance luxury EV. The physical unveiling of the die-cast car will accompany the real-deal debut during a special event. “The Hot Wheels design team worked closely with DeLorean to recreate the Alpha5 as a die-cast car, carefully depicting its proportions to showcase its true lines as a Hot Wheels, while maintaining the design language that was perfectly executed by Italdesign,” said Ted Wu, VP and global head of design at Mattel, Inc. “We are excited to share this special car with fans all over the world.” Interested in getting your hands on one? Pre-orders for the 1:64-scale Alpha5 will open on Thursday, August 18 at 10:30 a.m. PT, 1:30 p.m. ET.
Exhaust: Hot Wheels cars have become collectibles in their own right, and we now live in an age where the debut of a 1:64-scale version alongside a real-life debut of a new model can be seen as a value add. The real-life Alpha5 promises a 3.4-second 0–60 time and 300 miles of range when driven economically, thanks to a 90-kWh battery pack. The revived low-volume automaker also has plans for a V-8-powered sports coupe, a battery-electric sedan, and a hydrogen-powered SUV—will we see 1:64-scale versions of each of those roll out, too? Without a time machine, we’ll have to wait and see. —NP
Take your Yamaha XSR700 back in time with this retro bodykit
Intake: The retro look is hot right now. So hot, in fact, that there’s a new kit for the Yamaha XSR700 and XSR900 models that pulls heavy on the styling cues of the 1973–75 RD350 models. Velocity Moto has announced a rather extensive kit that includes [deep inhale]: retro side-panels, tail section, new seat base and foam, a seat cover with stitching color of rider’s choice, nose cone fairing, headlight brackets, LC-style clock surround in carbon fiber, a TomTom navigation unit, sequential shift lights, rear fender, mini indicators, indicator relay, rear light mounting plate, grab rail mounting brackets. As well as all the brackets mentioned above, threaded mounts and requisite hardware to install the kit are also included.
Exhaust: Living with vintage machines only gets tougher with time, and while a sizable portion of motorcycle riders would love the sound and feel of a 350cc two-stroke firing away underneath them, there’s no denying the fact that the four-stroke XSR is a much more friendly motorcycle to ride in modern traffic. This kit likely takes a good bit of time to install, but the effort looks worth it to us. — Kyle Smith
