Managing Composites has partnered with Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) to support the development of high-performance vehicles, combining composites expertise with GMSV’s focus on engineering and performance. This collaboration spans three of the brand’s defining supercars: the S1, S1 LM and Le Mans GTR.

The partnership follows recent activity from GMSV, including the debut of the Le Mans GTR, the continued development of the S1 LM and the unveiling of the S1 during Monterey Car Week.

The companies will also focus on technical collaboration across vehicle architecture and design, with both companies prioritizing performance and integration throughout development. Further details of the work are expected to be announced.

“Our team has helped develop some of the world’s most exclusive hypercars, but this project is taking craftsmanship and personalization to a completely new level. Every detail is being challenged, refined and tailored to create something truly unique. We’re helping define the identity of each car by pushing materials, finishes and manufacturing techniques beyond what has ever been done before. This is the kind of program where even the smallest details deserve to be extraordinary,” said Lluc Martí Fibla, CEO of Managing Composites.

In recent news, Aston Martin Valkyrie undergoes technical development test at Silverstone

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Aston Martin’s Valkyrie hypercar has completed a comprehensive test at Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit, which will host the British round of the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in April.

The Aston Martin Thor Team tested a development version of the 6.5-liter V12-powered Valkyrie Hypercar at Silverstone, with factory drivers Ross Gunn and Harry Tincknell completing the session. The team oversees Aston Martin’s WEC Hypercar and IMSA GTP programs.

Aston Martin Thor evaluated a range of technical developments during the Silverstone test, collecting data to inform the future performance development of the Valkyrie Hypercar.

“This was a significant day for Valkyrie,” said Aston Martin Thor team principal Ian James. “Some of the developments we tried today will fuel our thinking as we consider the technical direction we go next with Valkyrie. We have been able to evaluate lots of areas of performance on the car, so Silverstone has proved an interesting place to challenge ideas. There’s more to come, and I think it gives us reasons to be excited about what might be next for Valkyrie.”

The Valkyrie has shown performance improvements across its 2026 WEC and IMSA campaigns. In WEC, it secured its first double-points finish at the 6 Hours of São Paulo; in IMSA, the car has recorded six top-10 finishes from seven starts, including a second-place finish on the road at its latest event.

“We’ve been happy with Valkyrie’s performance characteristics in the first two seasons of competition,” said Aston Martin’s head of endurance motorsport, Adam Carter. “We’ve repeatedly said that we’ve entered an arena with a high level of formidable adversaries that are also several years further down the development track than us.

“So, we are now beginning to explore new areas of performance that we may gain through developing the base car, now that we understand its characteristics that much better after 18 months of racing it. We’re right at the beginning of that journey, and this was a useful and informative start to that development process.”

The test also gave Aston Martin Thor experience of the Michelin tires and Silverstone circuit characteristics ahead of the WEC’s return to the venue in 2027. The event will be the championship’s first British round since 2019.

“We very much welcome Silverstone back to the calendar,” said Carter. “It is not only the home of Aston Martin and British motorsport but also the perfect opportunity for some of the best fans in the world to experience the raw and visceral joy that is the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar. They have waited a long time to see Valkyrie competing at the highest level on British soil, and they deserve to be thoroughly entertained. We will do our best to contribute to that experience.”

Developed from the Valkyrie production car by Aston Martin and Thor, the current competition version blends a race-optimized carbon-fiber chassis with a modified 6.5-liter V12 powerplant that revs to 11,000rpm and produces over 1,000bhp in standard form, but adheres to a strict 500kW (680bhp) power limit as per hypercar regulations.

In related news, Lamborghini selects Bridgestone Potenza Race R for Revuelto SV

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The NTT IndyCar Series chassis and powertrain package for 2028 has been unveiled. Introducing a modernized look designed to provide for faster lap times and improved raceability, the IR-28 race car has been designed to encourage more “wheel-to-wheel action” while also creating the “safest car yet,” according to the racing series.

The IR-28 chassis was developed in partnership with Dallara, with the new car making its competition debut at the start of the 2028 NTT IndyCar Series championship.

IndyCar president J Douglas Boles commented, “With initial testing to begin this week, there is still plenty of work to do before 2028, but we are well on our way to showcasing a new era of IndyCar, which will include enhanced wheel-to-wheel competition, track records, standards in raceability and new benchmarks in safety.”

As part of the improved raceability, the IR-28 will weigh approximately 100 lb less than the current car.

New car design

The entire vehicle has been designed and built from the ground up.

New front and rear wings, optimized for style and efficiency, give the road and street course car an aggressive stance, while the superspeedway wing configuration provides maximum downforce with limited drag in a sleek, high-speed-looking package.

The car’s aerodynamic architecture has been purpose-built to optimize the wake from the front to the back in order to enhance overtaking opportunities. The 2028 design also delivers reduced outwash and, for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a more aerodynamically stable speedway front wing.

The new car will feature electronically controlled driver-adjustable anti-roll bars, which will enable enhanced tuning and raceability while cleaning up the cockpit by eliminating standard knobs and handles, thus also improving driver safety.

The IR-28 also introduces the Custom AXIS Inertance Control Suspension System, offering expanded spring, damper and inerter tuning within a lightweight shared damping architecture. According to the company, the system improves mechanical grip through suspension optimization while providing greater setup flexibility.

The 2028 powerplant

The power for the new 2028 NTT IndyCar Series machinery will be provided by 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engines capable of producing up to 760hp. Chevrolet and Honda have committed to participate under the new engine formula, which will deliver increased torque, power and overall performance compared to the current generation of IndyCar Series engines.

GM vice president of Global Motorsports Competition Eric Warren said, “This new car builds on more than a decade of collaboration with IndyCar.”

The low-voltage hybrid technology of the IR-28 will deliver greater power storage, more deployment options for teams and the decrease in package weight of approximately 20 lb. The significant performance advancement and deployment variability will be provided through a new partnership with UK-based Helix.

The new hybrid platform will feature the first battery-based energy storage system (ESS) in NTT IndyCar Series history, supplied by BOLD Technology and selected by IndyCar for the program. BOLD’s ESS for the IR-28 delivers approximately 14 times the energy storage capacity of the current supercapacitor-based system.

Xtrac, an exclusive supplier for IndyCar since 2000 and a Helix associate, is providing transmissions for the new chassis. Development includes a gearbox that sheds 25 lb from the current unit.

Safety evolution 

The IR-28 has also been designed to keep drivers safer. From the aeroscreen to the roll hoop to side-impact structures, the new car integrates recent safety and design advancements into its core architecture.

The chassis features wider internal dimensions to accommodate a greater range of driver heights and body types, and enhanced internal airflow and driver cooling for improved comfort and performance.

Decades worth of race and incident evaluations have created a chassis that features stronger, more efficient side-structure design providing increased energy absorption in high-impact situations, IndyCar said.

“Seeing the car for the first time made me even more excited about where IndyCar is going. The design is super cool and feels like a proper next step for the series while still looking like an IndyCar Series car,” said  Alex Palou, driver of the no. 10 Honda for DHL Chip Ganassi Racing.

“We all wanted a new, modern-day car that is lighter and looks futuristic and fast but still has all of the incredible safety advancements that IndyCar is known for,” said Alexander Rossi, driver of the no. 20 Java House Chevrolet for ECR . “There are still a lot of things to work through in terms of on-track testing and how it reacts to the different types of environments it will be exposed to, but from a visual standpoint, it’s incredible.”

Recent news, Peugeot begins next phase of 9X8 development

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Team Peugeot TotalEnergies has announced that it has started “the next chapter in the evolution of the Peugeot 9X8”, as it targets approval for the new vehicle for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

Drawing on the experience gained in the car’s debut in the Hypercar category, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies is working on a series of technical evolutions aimed at enhancing performance, efficiency and competitiveness and said that this latest step marks an important milestone in the ongoing development of the Peugeot 9X8.

“Since its debut, the Peugeot 9X8 has been a platform in constant evolution. Competing at the highest level of endurance racing means continuously learning, adapting and progressing,” said Emmanuel Esnault, team principal, Team Peugeot TotalEnergies.

“The intensity of competition at a world championship level reinforces our determination to keep evolving. Our objective is clear: to position the 9X8 consistently among the top contenders.

“As we look ahead to 2027, the team is taking the next step in its development, focused on a revised approach to performance, efficiency and design. This work is a key milestone in preparing the next chapter of the Peugeot 9X8 story and perpetuating the legacy of Peugeot in endurance racing.”

Recent news, Dunlop Geomax chosen as OE for Beta Motorcyles’ trial and motocross bikes

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Donkervoort has begun taking orders for a right-hand-drive (RHD) version of the P24 RS. This is the first time the Dutch company has engineered a right-hand-drive car, which opens up new markets in the UK, Asia, Oceania and Africa, after its expansion into the Middle East and USA.

The RHD engineering is the latest development of the P24 RS, which boasts a PTC variable-output engine and Ex-Core carbon-fiber front subframe. The 600hp P24 RS is now available in RHD markets, including the UK (via Premier GT), Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

“We are excited that we can finally show car lovers in RHD markets what Europe, the Middle East and North America have understood for a long time – that Donkervoorts prioritize driver engagement over everything else, making every drive an unforgettable event,” said managing director Denis Donkervoort.

“RHD was an opportunity that came with the P24 RS’s all-new PTC (Power To Choose) engine, and our own research and continuous phone calls and demands from potential customers demonstrated a clear demand for it.

“The Donkervoort philosophy is about putting the driver at the center of everything the car does; from extreme light-weight technology to forgiving suspension setups to the Power To Choose engine and adjustable traction control and suspension setups.”

The P24 RS weighs 780kg dry, using specialized construction to meet safety and emissions requirements. Its PTC engine produces up to 800Nm of torque and can switch between 400hp, 500hp and 600hp outputs.

The car accelerates from 0-200km/h in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed beyond 300km/h, with lateral cornering acceleration of more than 2.3g. It uses a hybrid chassis of welded tubes reinforced with Ex-Core carbon-fiber inserts and measures 4,000mm long with a 2,420mm wheelbase.

Recent news, Goodyear Racing’s FIA three-star environmental accreditation renewed

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Gazoo Racing will enter the DKR GR FC Hilux, a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), in the 2027 Dakar Rally.

The project represents a new challenge to demonstrate hydrogen fuel cell technology in the demanding conditions of the Dakar Rally. Based on the DKR GR Hilux, the DKR GR FC Hilux replaces its gasoline engine with Toyota’s fuel cell system. It emits no CO2 while driving, with water as its only tailpipe emission.

The Dakar Rally’s high temperatures, rough terrain and long stages make it a demanding test environment for hydrogen fuel cell technology. Toyota said that the project will focus on fuel cell downsizing, cooling performance, durability and energy management.

Lessons learned from developing and operating the DKR GR FC Hilux will contribute to the wider application of fuel cell technology in passenger cars, trucks, buses, trains, marine applications, race cars and stationary power generators. Engineers involved in the project also hope to develop problem-solving skills through hands-on, on-site experience.

Testing and tuning of the FCEV powertrain and its software, together with vehicle build-up, have begun in Belgium. A test program will be conducted progressively in the coming months.

The Dakar Rally will be held in Saudi Arabia from January 1 to January 15, 2027, with King Abdullah Economic City serving as the starting and finishing point.

The DKR GR FC Hilux will compete in the Dakar Future Mission 1000 category, which is dedicated to experimental vehicles and the demonstration of new technologies. The category follows a unique competitive format, with crews of drivers and navigators racing against the clock over 13 stages comprising a total of 1,000 competitive kilometers.

Hydrogen in motorsports

Toyota’s efforts to use hydrogen-related technologies in motorsports began in 2021, when Rookie Racing entered the Japanese Super Taikyu series with the hydrogen-engined ORC Rookie Corolla H2 Concept.

In rallying, the potential of hydrogen engines was demonstrated in 2022, when the GR Yaris H2 completed demonstration runs at the Ypres Rally in Belgium, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Further development was showcased through demonstration runs by the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept at Rally Finland in 2025 and Rallye Monte-Carlo in 2026.

In the 2024 Dakar Rally, HySE-X1, a hydrogen-engine buggy, completed the Dakar Future Mission 1000, followed in 2025 by the evolved HySE-X2. Both vehicles were entered by HySE (Hydrogen Small mobility & Engine technology Association), a technical research association in which Toyota Motor Corporation participates.

In circuit racing, the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans – a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship – featured demonstration laps by the TR LH2 Racing Prototype, which is powered by a liquid-hydrogen engine and based on the TR010 Hybrid race car. In addition, a hydrogen-engined GR Corolla equipped with superconducting technology became the first vehicle of its kind in the world to complete a race in the 2026 Super Taikyu series.

The 2027 Dakar Future Mission 1000 will be the first time Toyota has combined hydrogen and fuel cell technology in its motorsport activities.

In recent news, McLaren 788HS debuts as final chapter of 720S supercar series 

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The final model in the supercar lineage that began with the 720S (2017) and continued through the 765LT and 750S, the 788HS is the third McLaren to carry the High Sport designation, following the 2012 MP4-12C HS and 2016 MSO HS.

The 788HS uses a 788ps (777bhp) 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and has a 1,265kg dry weight, to deliver a power-to-weight ratio of 623ps per metric ton —the highest in the 720S/750S/765LT series. The car features a bespoke aerodynamic package and updated exterior design and personalization options offered through McLaren Special Operations (MSO).

“The new McLaren 788HS has been designed and engineered with a singular focus; to deliver a visceral experience and captivating drive through its precise balance of performance, sound, dynamism and individuality,” said Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, chief commercial officer, McLaren Automotive.

“It represents the ultimate expression of our supercar series that began with the 720S and becomes only the third McLaren to wear our HS designation – a fitting finale for a much loved and critically acclaimed car.”

Assertive design 

The McLaren 788HS features what the company says is the most advanced aerodynamic package ever applied to the platform, increasing downforce by 10% over the 765LT, with “uncompromized vehicle dynamics and balance”.

The aerodynamic concept centers on an S-Duct hood, a raised active rear spoiler and an intricate Formula 1-inspired rear diffuser. Working in combination with a bespoke front splitter, these elements enhance stability, performance and driver confidence. The louvred under-wing panel further supports powertrain cooling and aerodynamic efficiency.

The driver-centric cabin layout includes a lightweight carbon-fiber center console that signifies the level of focus applied to every aspect of 788HS. The cabin also features bespoke HS branding with a unique perforation pattern for the upholstery and a dedication plaque.

Track precision meets on-road engagement

The heart of the 788HS is McLaren’s M840T 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, which revs to 8,500rpm and develops peak power at 7,500rpm. With 800Nm of torque, it delivers immediate response and sustained acceleration – from 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds and 0-200km/h in 7.0 seconds, and to a top speed of 330km/h (205mph). A unique engine mount calibration for 788HS delivers heightened engagement and connection between powertrain and driver without compromising long-distance usability.

The Proactive Chassis Control III linked-hydraulic suspension system with bespoke suspension tuning delivers even higher levels of dynamic performance. The 788HS also features a 5mm lower front ride height than the 750S, for a more dynamic and engaging driving experience.

Braking performance is enhanced through carbon ceramic discs derived from the McLaren Senna, with black six-piston forged aluminum monoblock front calipers and integrated cooling for sustained high-performance use. The 788HS also introduces the first center-lock wheel mechanism ever fitted to this supercar series, in combination with a new Super Lightweight Forged Alloy wheel.

The 788HS uses a quad-exit titanium exhaust system, which McLaren says increases exhaust intensity across the rev range, along with induction and exhaust sound symposer technology designed to enhance the V8’s engine note inside the cabin.

Related news, RUF debuts 1,000hp boxer-eight engine at Goodwood Festival of Speed

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Maserati has unveiled its Project GT4 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The vehicle is positioned as a companion to the GT2, which has competed in closed-wheel racing since 2023. It represents the car maker’s entry into the GT4 category, with a competition debut planned for 2028.

Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO, commented, “In an especially significant year, as we celebrate 100 years of the Trident logo and 100 years of Maserati in racing, the Goodwood Festival of Speed provides the ideal stage to mark these important milestones and share Maserati’s vision and values with customers, enthusiasts and stakeholders. We are proud to bring the spirit of Italian Gran Turismo to Goodwood.

“The new GranTurismo, new GranCabrio and new Grecale further strengthen our ability to combine comfort and performance, while Project GT4 underscores the strategic role of Maserati Corse as the brand’s laboratory for innovation and technological development. All of this begins in Italy, in Modena – the beating heart of Maserati – where tradition, engineering expertise, design and passion continue to shape our cars. This achievement has been made possible by the dedication of the people at Maserati, the contribution of our partners and the strength of our global dealer network, which shares the responsibility of representing and promoting the Trident every day.”

Project GT4 was developed in Modena by Maserati Corse, the company’s motorsport division. Its engine and body are derived directly from the New GranTurismo. Its close relationship with the production model is required under GT4 regulations and is intended to help keep operating and maintenance costs manageable for racing teams.

Project GT4 uses the 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6, which includes Formula 1-derived pre-chamber combustion technology and has produced over 700hp in other applications. It is rear-wheel drive, with GT Trofeo-derived suspension featuring adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, and weighs approximately 400kg less than the road-going GranTurismo. The cockpit retains some styling elements from the road car’s dashboard, alongside a roll cage, homologated racing seat and fuel tank, a dedicated braking system with additional cooling and 18in wheels compliant with GT4 regulations. The car draws on experience from the GT2 Stradale program and input from Maserati Corse and chief test driver Andrea Bertolini.

In related news, Dallara appoints Dynisma as technical partner in multi-simulator agreement

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British engineering company JCB has completed UK testing of its hydrogen-fueled Hydromax car, reaching 208mph and clearing the way for its world land speed record attempt at Bonneville, Utah, in August.

The shakedown runs at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire saw the 32ft-long vehicle driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE reach 208mph under its own hydrogen power – up from the 177mph recorded earlier in the program.

Alongside speed data, the team also gained engineering insight and refined coordination that JCB says can only be developed through on-track running. The crew also worked on the JCB Hydromax’s hydrogen refueling process, a key factor in ensuring fast turnaround on the Bonneville Salt Flats, where refueling speed can determine whether a record attempt proceeds. JCB says this experience will be valuable when the team returns to Utah next month.

JCB chairman Anthony Bamford said, “The UK testing program has given us everything we had hoped for and more. We have a car that runs, a crew that knows it inside out and a wealth of real-world data that no amount of theory could ever provide. The team has done a magnificent job and our focus now turns entirely to the Salt Flats and a new world hydrogen land speed record.”

JCB engineering director Ryan Ballard, who is leading the project, said, “Reaching 208mph is a tremendous result, but the real value of these tests is what we have learned. We now understand how the car behaves under load, we have refined our hydrogen refueling, and we have built the teamwork and communication that will be decisive at Bonneville. Every refuel, run and tire change we have rehearsed here is one we won’t be doing for the first time on the salt. We will arrive fully prepared, with a car and a crew that know exactly what they are doing.”

The car is powered by two of JCB’s own production-based hydrogen digger engines producing a combined 1,600bhp. With UK testing now complete, it will now be prepared for the journey to the USA. Lord Bamford has spearheaded the company’s £100m (US$132m) investment in hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, which now power diggers rolling off production lines.

At Bonneville in 2006, Andy Green drove the JCB Dieselmax car to its Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) diesel world land speed record of 350.092mph, powered by two JCB engines. That record still stands, and JCB aims to beat it with the lighter, more powerful JCB Hydromax.

Andy Green said, “To run JCB Hydromax up to 208mph here in the UK is hugely encouraging. The car feels strong and the team has gelled brilliantly. Now comes the real challenge – Bonneville, the spiritual home of the world land speed record. I can’t wait to get out on the salt.”

In Utah, the team will compete at SpeedWeek, run by the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA), before pursuing an officially recognised record under the FIA.

Related news, JCB chases new land speed record with H2 ICE

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Genesis has showcased the Magma GT3 Concept, which it describes as a “first glimpse at one potential future project” for Genesis Magma Racing.

The concept was unveiled by Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul and Genesis chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke at the Le Mans 24 Hours earlier this month, where GMR made its debut.

Abiteboul said, “The Genesis Magma GT3 Concept is one potential future direction for Genesis Magma Racing, alongside our FIA WEC Hypercar entry, as we grow to support the entire Genesis brand.

“Since the very start, we have stated that Genesis Magma Racing is a long-term project, and here we have one possible direction we can take. Like Hypercar, GT3 is another of the recent success stories in motorsport.

“Having Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing represented there would closely link the road-going and racing sides of the brand and add further to our profile in world motorsport.”

The Genesis Magma GT3 Concept has been developed in alignment with GT3 technical regulations. Conceived as an independent study, it explores how race-driven architecture, aerodynamics and engineering principles could inform future Genesis performance vehicles, rather than being derived from an existing road-going model.

More than one potential

At the press conference at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Genesis also presented an updated Magma GT Concept – first revealed in November alongside the GV60 Magma – with a redesigned interior. The GT Concept illustrated “a parallel exploration of how race-inspired thinking could translate into a refined road-going grand tourer” the auto maker said, adding that ” the two concepts highlight one potential pathway for connecting Genesis’ motorsport ambitions with its evolving performance portfolio, without confirming specific production or racing plans.”

“The Magma GT Concept and Magma GT3 Concept represent two distinct yet connected expressions of Genesis performance,” Donckerwolke said. “The Magma GT Concept embodies our vision of luxury and athleticism on the road, while the Magma GT3 Concept translates that philosophy into the race environment, where every element is driven by performance, efficiency and purpose. Together, they demonstrate how Genesis is exploring the full spectrum of high performance – from refined grand touring to uncompromising motorsport.”

Continued expansion 

After announcing last year its expansion into new markets in Italy, France, the Netherlands and Spain, the manufacturer is now preparing for further entry into Poland, Bulgaria, Austria, Portugal and Denmark as part of its European growth strategy.

Genesis also noted how its presence at the Le Mans 24 Hours has also expanded – one year after the first European presentation of the GMR-001 Hypercar design as a show car, it had returned to the Le Mans 24 Hours as a fully operational Hypercar team.

The company also showcased two evolved X Gran Convertible Concept models – originally introduced at the 2025 Seoul Mobility Show – during the Drivers’ Parade in Le Mans city center on June 13. Building on the earlier concept, these latest iterations represent “refined and more visually striking evolution” that further align the model with the the Magma portfolio.

Related news, Toyo Tires help Subaru Forester win XC-2S Rally

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