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the Porsche 964 Turbo One-Off by Ares Design Modena

When the Porsche 964 Turbo was launched in 1991, it faced an uphill battle to win its fans over: this new generation of the iconic sports car from Stuttgart had been handed the baton from the first 911 to bear the Turbo badge on its rear bonnet – the legendary 930 – a car that changed the sports GTs panorama forever.

Initially greeted with scepticism by enthusiasts, the Porsche 964 Turbo managed, over time, to carve out an important place in their hearts, in part, thanks to its exceptional design, dominated by the large whale-tail spoiler.

For ARES’s latest project, a one-off car, the luxury coachbuilder has chosen the 911 964 Turbo, interpreting and modifying it, both in the aesthetics and mechanics; ultimately imparting its DNA which imbues every one of its creations.

ARES, an expert in such projects, has over the years carried out many reimaginations aimed at giving new life to classic models: in 2018, the atelier created a stunning Corvette C2 Sting Ray, equipped with the engine of the 2017 Corvette C7.

With the Porsche 964 Turbo, ARES designers first modified the car’s rear, installing a new bonnet with ducktail spoiler and new alloy wheels with a design reminiscent of Fuchs rims – immortalised by the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of the 1970s.

The Modenese craftsmen have created a new interior upholstery in leather and tartan fabric, decorated with a houndstooth motif, a gentle nod to the German manufacturer’s racing cars from yesteryear and one that ARES had already used on its Porsche 911 Targa GT3. Special attention has also been paid to the interface between car and driver: with new gauges and a PCCM infotainment system, specifically designed for classic Porsches.

In terms of performance, although the 964 Turbo never lacked numbers, ARES has refined the 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer, which now breathes better thanks to a more powerful turbine and intercooler, topping 425 Hp after the modification.

The Porsche 911 964 Turbo by ARES is a unique creation, born from an enthusiast’s vision who wanted to realize his dream car. An object of desire, as exciting to drive as it is to look at.

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Aspark SP600

In a landmark achievement, the Aspark SP600, a production intent prototype hypercar, has become the world’s fastest electric hypercar, clocking a remarkable top speed of 438.7kph. This record-breaking feat was realized through the dedicated efforts of Manifattura Automobili Torino (M.A.T.) in collaboration with tire specialist Bridgestone and driven by professional racer Marc Basseng.

A Vision Realized

The Aspark SP600’s journey to this historic moment began with the vision of Aspark CEO Masanori Yoshida, whose company had previously set benchmarks with the Aspark Owl, renowned as the fastest accelerating electric hypercar. For this new project, Aspark once again partnered with M.A.T., entrusting them with the development and manufacturing of a hypercar capable of shattering the world top speed record for electric vehicles.

Collaboration and Innovation

To achieve this extraordinary speed, M.A.T. sought the expertise of Bridgestone to develop a custom-engineered tire. Bridgestone rose to the challenge with bespoke Potenza Race tires designed specifically for the SP600, ensuring they could handle speeds exceeding 420kph while managing the vehicle’s weight and driving dynamics.

The SP600 underwent rigorous testing at M.A.T.’s headquarters in Torino, Italy. This included extensive virtual and physical evaluations, wind tunnel validation, and numerous track testing sessions. M.A.T. meticulously handled the vehicle’s complete development, from powertrain and software integration to suspension and chassis design, as well as software calibration and the bespoke battery’s design and production.

Record-Breaking Achievement

On June 8th, during the second attempt of the day at Automotive Testing Papenburg, Marc Basseng flawlessly piloted the Aspark SP600 to its record-breaking speed of 438.7kph. This achievement was precisely measured using the certified Racelogic V-Box, a high-precision GPS-based device provided by the ATP proving ground.

The event was attended and supported by numerous marketing and premium partners, including the Supercar Owner Circle, who backed the attempt from its inception. Key executives from Aspark, M.A.T., and Bridgestone were present to witness this monumental accomplishment.

Statements from Key Figures

Masanori Yoshida, Aspark CEO: “It has been about 10 years since we started making the OWL Hypercar. We aimed for the world’s Fastest Acceleration car, and then attempted and achieved the top speed world record today. This technical capability inspires all involved to personal excellence and to challenge and grow in leaps and bounds into the future.”

Steven De Bock, Bridgestone VP EMEA Sales and Original Equipment:
“It was a big excitement on this first attempt for the record, which we immediately saw the potential of the cooperation between the car and tires. The whole team at Bridgestone worked extremely hard to deliver this project in such a short period, another testimonial of our technical capabilities and how we cooperate with our partners.”

Paolo Garella, M.A.T. CEO and Founder:
“This record represents a milestone in the continued growth of M.A.T., a company that today represents the best of the Italian tradition in the automotive industry. In 10 years, we have developed more than 11 full vehicle projects and we have demonstrated that with the right resources we are second to none. I am very proud of my team and also extremely happy to reach this milestone in the anniversary of the 10 years of foundation of M.A.T. A special thank you to Aspark’s CEO Mr. Masanori Yoshida for his vision, support, and trust in M.A.T., and to the Bridgestone team for taking on the challenge and supporting with their most advanced technology this record attempt.”

Exclusive Interview with Riccardo Garella

In an exclusive interview, Riccardo Garella, Sales and Marketing Manager at M.A.T., provided insights into the development process of the Aspark Owl. Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel here.

This historic achievement not only sets a new benchmark in the electric hypercar segment but also underscores the capabilities and potential of electric vehicles in pushing the boundaries of speed and performance.