Ferrari’s LaFerrari-Based FXX K is the stunningly sleek hypercar we dreamed cars in the future would look like when we were children. The track-only super exclusive Ferrari could very well be a kid’s notebook sketch come to life and, in this “making of” video, its origin isn’t too far from it.
The video released by Ferrari doesn’t really give insight into how the car is made, so much as glimpses into parts of the design process. From pencil drawing to 3D computer render, to clay model, the clip drives home the attention Ferrari gave to every detail of the FXX K when bringing it to life.
Without the need to compromise performance for the sake of road or racing regulations, the FXX K is tuned to its highest racing potential, starting with the power output. Its 6.3-liter V12 produces 848 horsepower while an electric motor supplies and additional 187 horses, giving the Ferrari a 1,035 maximum output.
The Hybrid Kinetic Energy Recovery System (HY-KERS) gets new track-specific driving modes which lets drivers prioritize that extra engine boost. “Qualify” setting is meant for short runs, allowing the battery to dump as much power as possible into the motor while “long run” rations things out for an extended stint.
Thanks to a significantly re-worked body, there’s more than 50 percent more downforce in the FXX K over the base LaFerrari. Changes like the front splitter, rear winglets, and side skirts make controlling this unshackled animal manageable as it sprints.
Those lucky enough to have one… don’t actually have them. Ferrari keeps and maintains the cars courtesy of its Corse Cliente program. Whenever an owner wants to take it for a spin, they let Ferrari know where and when, and its shipped there, ready to go.
The more we read about it, and the more we get to see it in action like in the above videos, we’re inclined to believe the name isn’t a specific designation, but rather a censored version of the expletive drivers are shouting when the FXX K is pushed to the limit.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.