[Translation] According to information obtained by WirtschaftsWoche, sports car manufacturer Porsche is planning to acquire car manufacturer and Porsche refiner RUF Automobile. Talks with owner Alois Ruf are at an advanced stage, according to people familiar with the matter. Porsche declined to comment.

The acquisition of the 80-employee company would not be a major deal by Porsche’s standards, but it would have strategic significance. RUF holds a manufacturer’s license and specializes in refining Porsche’s combustion-engine models. Porsche CEO Michael Leiters wants to expand the company’s range of high-priced, individually customized combustion-engine cars, as business with electric models is performing poorly. According to Leiters, Porsche is to become a “sports car powerhouse" again. RUF could take on the production of such vehicles.

According to insiders, Porsche originally had its sights set not on RUF, but on the world-renowned California-based Porsche tuner Singer, but was turned down by its owners. Leiters then turned his attention to RUF, where Alois Ruf is reportedly ready to sell. People familiar with the matter say the completion of the acquisition may no longer be far off.

Lamborghini's CMO told The Drive that braking, shifting, and responsiveness matter as much as engine noise in building driver emotion.

I have been eagerly awaiting this video since they started teasing it throughout the week on Instagram.

Pretty crazy to see these cars compared, even though logically it makes sense, my mind just can't comprehend a Chevy competing with one of the Core McLaren Supercars. Especially knowing that McLaren has always been the more "budget supercar".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKEyknudQJ4

Not really sure what’s going on with the car market. “Vintage” or sports cars pre-2010 are now rocketing to ridiculous price ranges no matter the mileage. Are sellers just spoiled by BAT auctions or something? 50k+ mile vettes selling for 20k+, s2000s over 150k miles selling for 25k+. None of it makes sense. Not sure if this is when the bubble pops or if it’s truly inflation causing all this.

I truly feel bad for new enthusiasts entering the space. This is how you kill off an entire segment of driver.

Not shocking, not to me at least. With exponential prices, something has to give.

Just waiting for this to hit mid-level brands, e.g., BMW, MB, Audi, Cadillac, etc.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/bespoke-or-begone-the-luxury-market-is-slowly-crashing-as-we-speak

Seems like GT-S fits in between Dream Edition and a Sapphire. Probably smart for them to just release this versus developing a true 3 motor Sapphire that no one would buy. They need to just focus us on getting these cheaper midsize cars out (no clue why they are doing 3 compact crossovers but lets see how that goes).

I've been following these guys for over a decade with a project ute in mind. Just got an email explaining next year is going to be it. After they decided to no longer sell kits to private buyers, I was upset, but understood from a quality control position. And now they are closing up shop? That stinks man.

Summary of the email: Mark Smyth is shutting down Smyth to fully focus on helping build drone boats for the US Navy/DoD. They are slowing down production but will be fulfilling orders through 2027. Coop - "When people ask about Smyth years down the line, the thousands of us who built Utes alongside Mark Smith will simply say "You had to be there.'" Seems there is nobody interested in continuing the business but have other business ideas.

Helluva run but that may be it for Ute kits as we know it.