September 27th Throttle 🏎️💨

What’s up Throttle Heads😎. Welcome back to another edition.

Mclaren and Lockheed Martin Skunkworks Are Teaming Up To Make A Supercar

Lockheed Martin is up to some more funny business, but this time it involves McLaren. The two brands have announced they will collaborate to explore innovative supercar design methods. McLaren will work with Lockheed Martin’s Skunkworks division to utilize tech developed for top-secret defense projects like the F-117 Nighthawk to improve Supercar Design. The project, announced in late 2022, has been highly secretive with no more announcements being made.

McLaren’s Formula One team is expected to benefit highly from this partnership. They may already have been thanks to massive performance games and advanced materials they have been using such as in their rear-wing design. The technology and design practice McLaren gains from Skunkworks may be used in their upcoming electric SUV or potentially a successor to the McLaren Senna. Regardless of how the partnership is used, I can not wait to see what McLaren cooks up in Palmdale with Lockheed.

Polarizing BMW Design Boss Leaves For Rolls-Royce

Domagoj Dukec, responsible for the creation of the infamous G90 M5 and i7, is leaving BMW to take over design for Rolls Royce. Dukec has been the most polarizing automotive designer of this decade with BMW being mocked by many car enthusiasts for the massive kidney grills and other funky features. This change comes as BMW dramatically shakes up its design operations until its Desginworks operation. Warming, who previously held the head of the design role at Rolls Royce will become the global head of BMW Designworks.

BMW has split the design of its cars into two sections: one for upper mid-sized and luxury BMW models and one for smaller and mid-sized BMW cars including the M performance division. Ex-polestar designer Maximillian Missoni will take over the luxury and upper mid-sized division while Mini head designer Oliver Heilmer will take the helm of the M and small car division. Both of their designs are liked by many and refreshing so it will be awesome to see BMW designs be loved by everyone again. We will have to wait three years to see the extent of this change but I am confident BMW will welcome some sexy new cars.

Mercedes Might Be Killing Off Its Coupe SUVs

We can thank BMW for the abomination that is the coupe SUV when it introduced the X6 back in 2008. Instead of recognizing the ugliness of this car, Mercedes decided it would be a good idea to copy BMW and released the GLC and GLC coupe. Thankfully, BMW has recognized the error of its ways and is killing the X4, the X6s smaller sibling. Mercedes might be following by either ending production of the GLC and GLE Coupe or rolling them into one model according to German outlet Handelsblatt.

This move makes a lot of sense as Mercedes is making some big moves to simplify its lineup. The company killed the C-Class Coupe, E-Class Coupe, and CLS in 2023 and introduced the CLE Coupe to take their place. If Mercedes is to release a replacement, it will come in the form of the GLC in 2026 according to the report. Mercedes's move to simplify their lineup is an excellent move for the company as it will help them to decrease production costs if they can sell more cars in higher volume.

VW Teases A Very Ugly Truck Made From A Sedan and SUV

Volkswagon clearly does not know anything about trucks, despite producing both the Amarok and the Saverio. If they did know something about trucks, they would not have created this abomination of a truck as a concept car in India. You can tell the car was made by engineering students as it is essentially a Frankenstein of the Taigun crossover and Virtus sedan.

With a low budget, you can tell compromises had to be bad as the concept has the longest overhang I have ever seen. I mean this car is not usable offroad as if you attempt to give up or down a hill, it will bottom out. The break-over angle on this truck has got to be one of the worst ever. The designers were creative as they used 3D-printed parts to merge the narrowed comments. A snorkel, fender flares, plastic body cladding, and decals were added to give the car a more rugged appearance. While it is impressive what these students were able to do, I hope it does not make it to production as it truly is an abomination.