This 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Goute d’Eau Coupe by Figoni et Falaschi is expected to bring up to $4.45 million at the RM Sotheby’s Villa d’Este auction in Lake Como, Italy. Get all the latest auto industry news in the Executive Briefing.
Today’s headlines:
+ Members of the Porsche-Piech family that controls Volkswagen Group will no longer be eligible to serve as executives of the automaker, says Chairman Wolfgang Porsche. More at Automotive News Europe.
+ In advance of the New York Auto Show, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles officially unveiled the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which boasts a 707-hp Hellcat V8. More at Motor Authority.
+ Dave Schoch, CEO of Ford China, announced that the new Ranger midsize pickup will go on sale in China in 2018, a year before it appears in U.S. showrooms. More at Motor Trend.
+ Kreisel Electric GmbH has unveiled a battery-powered replica of the 1967 Porsche 910 Le Mans racer with a price of $1.1 million and a range of 218 miles. More at Bloomberg.
+ British Indy Lights star Jack Harvey, 23, has been signed to drive a fifth Andretti Autosport entry in the Indianapolis 500 this May with sponsorship to be announced. More at Autosport.com.
+ Acording to a new study from the American Automobile Association, one in three Americans cannot afford to pay for surprise auto repairs without taking on debt. More at the Detroit Free Press.
+ Rochester Hills, Michigan-based supplier Torsion Control Products has been acquired by Timken Co. of North Canton, Ohio for an undisclosed amount. More at Crain’s Detroit Business.
+ Stars of the 2017 RM Sotheby’s Villa d’Este auction in Lake Como, Italy on May 27 will include a a 1935 Bugatti Type 57 Atalante and a 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS Coupe. More at Sports Car Digest.
+ Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors plan to recall 1.48 million vehicles in the United States, Canada, and South Korea to inspect and replace potentially defective engines. More at Reuters.
+ Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne wants his Formula 1 team to sit down for talks with Kimi Raikkonen after his second consecutive difficult race in China. More at Autosport.
Review the previous Executive Briefing from April 7 here.
Photo by Fotohalle Unger courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.
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Do the Hellcat models sell in any real numbers? I wonder how many people are qualified to drive a 700 hp car.
Several of the high-zoot carmakers offer a company-led driving course if you buy their supercar. I’m sure that will not be true of this Jeep. There have been incidents with other Hellcats and I can’t imagine that raising the center of gravity and shortening the wheelbase will improve stability. The extra horsepower probably would be a handicap if you’re stuck in mud or snow as well.
Put this engine in an Alfa Romeo 8C, then give me a call.
My excuse for not buying a Hellcat up until now has been the lack of four wheel drive. The Trackhawk takes care of that. Since the State of Ohio says I’m qualified to drive a 700hp car, I may have to go for it.