To concluding another record-breaking auction season, will be a pair of sales hosted by RM Sotheby's and Bonham's in New York and London respectively. Using the title 'Driven by Disruption', the Canada-based auctioneers has already consigned some spectacular machines. Due to headline the auction is one of the four Ferrari 290 MMs campaigned by the works team during the 1956 season. Powered by a 3.5-litre version of the short-block, Colombo V12, the 290 MM won the Mille Miglia and the Swedish Grand Prix in 1956 and also scored a win in the Buenos Aires 1000 km early in 1956. The example on offer was originally raced by the great Juan Manuel Fangio in the Mille Miglia and was later also used to score the win in Buenos Aires. For a large part of its life, the car was part of the late Pierre Bardinon's Mas du Clos collection and now comes out of long time British ownership. While RM Sotheby's has published no estimate, a seven-figure bid will undoubtedly fall well short of the final price. Another Ferrari consigned for the Driven by Disruption sale is this 250 Europa Vignale Coupe, which is one of just two examples built.
One of the early consignments for Bonham's early December Bond Street sale is one of three Sunbeam Tiger Lister Le Mans Coupes. These machines were developed for the Rootes Group by Brian Lister to race at Le Mans in 1964. They proved quick but fragile and neither of the cars entered reached the finish. Chasssis B9499999 on offer was the original Tiger prototype and the third of three cars fitted with a slippery body designed by Lister. Beautifully restored, we have seen it being raced in historic events on both sides of the Atlantic in recent years.
One of the very first cars consigned for the new year is this Jaguar D-Type Works Long Nose, which will be offered by RM Sotheby's at the annual sale in Scottsdale, late in January. A sister car to the three-time Le Mans winning D-Types, this car was used primarily for testing in period and was only raced once. One of less than a dozen built and a proper works racer, it will nevertheless not come cheaply though.

The 2015 edition of the biennial Tokyo Motor Show kicked off today with the first of two media preview days. Needless to say, the Japanese manufacturers took centre stage and none more so than Mazda, who revealed the highly anticipated RX-Vision show car. The two-door coupe does not only stand out because of its striking lines but also because of the rotary engine found under the engine cover. We sincerely hope that the RX Vision is the first glimpse of a replacement for the legendary RX-7.
Another very interesting release was this Yamaha Sports Ride Concept, which uses Gordon Murray's innovative and very efficient iStream platform.
Most major manufacturers present revealed concept cars to showcase future design themes and the latest technology. Among them was the Mercedes-Benz Vision Tokyo, Nissan IDS Concept, Lexus LF-FC Concept and Subaru Impreza 5-Door Concept. Subaru subsidiary STI also debuted the limited production and high performance Impreza WRX STI S207 of which just 400 will be produced. Rarer still will be the NBR versions, which celebrate the Impreza's class victory in this year's Nurburgring 24 Hours.
One of the production cars that broke cover in Tokyo was the Porsche Macan GTS. Powered by a 360hp, twin-turbo V6, it fills the gap in the line-up between the Macan S and the Macan Turbo.
Yesterday, Acura revealed more details on the upcoming NSX, which will be available next year as a 2017-model. As can be seen in our detailed specifications, the high-tech sports car will have a combined maximum output of 572 bhp. We have also used this opportunity to add some more shots to our Acura NSX gallery.

For many years Ferrari thrived through the sale of GT competition cars to wealthy customers. Many of these GT cars were raced with great success as Ferraris dominated the GT class from the mid-1950s for close to a decade. The very last in the line of the great Ferrari GT racers is the 275 GTB/C, of which 12 were built in 1966. These were bought and raced by all of Ferrari's famous privateer teams like Maranello Concessionaires, NART, Ecurie Francorchamps and Scuderia Filipinetti. Success was instant as this 275 GTB/C won its class at Le Mans at what was one of the model's first outings. A growing interest in sports car racing as well as Ferrari's struggles to pass homologation requirements ultimately prompted the Italian manufacturer not to create a replacement. Since then, all of the company's GT racers have been produced by third parties, usually with and sometimes even without support from the factory. As a result, the 275 GTB/C holds the distinction of being the last GT racer produced by Ferrari themselves. We already featured the car but from today we have a images and details of all 12 examples, including chassis 09015, which was raced in period by NART and has survived in amazingly original condition.
Another last of a generation and also one of our favourite machines is the Jaguar XJR-16, which is the very last Jaguar built for the IMSA GTP championship. Raced with considerable success during the 1991 season, the two examples built were retired from active at the end of the year. One was converted to XJR-17 specification. In this guise, it remained until it was rebuilt to its original configuration by the current owner, who has both cars in his stable. At the recent Dix Mille Tours, they were brought out together for the first time since 1991. We have now added a detailed history of the two XJR-16s, with a very well stocked gallery.

More is apparently better, and so a further 40 hp has been drawn from the twin-turbo V8 engine to create the Audi RS 7 Sportback performance and the RS 6 Avant performance. In addition to the hike in engine output, the adaptive air suspension has also been fine-tuned and lowered by 20 mm. Now good for 605 hp, the V8 engine propels the two performance models to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds while the unrestricted top speed is a startling 305 km/h.
In cooperation with Williams Advance Engineering, Aston Martin has created the all-electric RapidE Concept. The technology showcase is based on the Rapide and was unveiled during a visit from Prince William and the Chinese president Xi Jinping.
At next week's Tokyo Motor Show, MINI will reveal the next generation Cooper Convertible. Available with three engines at its introduction, the range is topped by the Cooper S, which boasts a 195 hp version of the two-litre turbo engine.
The Renault design team has paid tribute to influential and also controversial French architect Le Corbusier with this Coupe Corbusier concept car. In addition to his work as an architect, Le Corbusier was also a car enthusiast, who particularly liked Voisins, which is reflected in the new show car.
This week we also received new images of the Renault Sport R.S. 01 competition car. The set also includes images of the inner workings of this sophisticated and undoubtedly very rapid machine.

During the 1930s, the Alfa Romeo production cars were thinly disguised competition cars and not surprisingly were often raced as well. Among these was this 6C 2300B MM Touring Spider, which was based on the very first new-for-1938 6C 2300B MM road car. It was created under supervision of Vittorio Jano himself and featured a lightweight and slippery Touring Spider Corsa body. Driven by Franco Cortese, it won seven of the eight rounds of the Italian Championship it competed in, while it also scored a class win in the Mille Miglia. During the War, the car was fitted with a Pinin Farina Cabriolet body. Since then it has been restored and the Italian Championship winning 6C 2300B MM was shown at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Also on the same field was a Ferrari 500 Mondial Pinin Farina Spyder that had just been restored by Ferrari Classiche. In addition to that chassis, we take today a look at four more examples in our updated article. Named for the back-to-back F1 World Championship won by Alberto Ascari for Ferrari in 1952 and 1953, the 500 Mondial was powered by the same two-litre, four cylinder engine. It was raced with some success but soon struggled against the two-litre Maseratis. The 500 Mondials are pictured in this 76-shot gallery.

With the formidable Tipo 60/61 Birdcage, Maserati had created what was arguably one of the very best front-engined sports racers of all time. Unfortunately, the mid-engine layout looked ever more competitive and Giulio Alfieri was forced to respond. The result was the Tipo 63 Birdcage. For all intents and purposes, this was a Tipo 61 with the engine and driver reversed. The multi-tubular spaceframe chassis that gave the car its nickname was carried over as was the four-cylinder engine, although a new V12 was also being prepared. The results proved that creating a mid-engined sports racer was not quite as straightforward and the Tipo 63 rarely excelled. Ultimately only a handful were built as the cash-strapped company spent most of its resources on building road cars. Today we take a look at three Tipo 63s, pictured at events all around the world in our 52-shot gallery.
Built at around the same time was the even more formidable 5000 GT road car of which this Frua Coupe is a fine example. The second of just three built, this example was originally ordered by the Aga Khan and later also owned by actress Rita Hayworth. We recently caught the striking machine at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance.
The big motorsport news that emerged from Sweden last week was that of Volvo's imminent return to the World Touring Car Championship with this S60 Polestar TC1. To be fielded by the Cyan Racing team, the new Volvo touring car is powered by a modified version of the hugely powerful turbocharged four cylinder engine that is also found in the Drive-E production cars. This choice of engine immediately brings back memories of the legendary 240 Turbo Group A. Better known as the 'Flying Brick' the unlikely racing cars dominated the European and German touring car championships during the mid 1980s. The featured example is the chassis that scored Volvo's first major touring car win and which was raced with great verve in this season's Heritage Touring Cup.

Earlier this month, at the Dix Mille Tours, two very rare Porsches made their first competitive appearance in many years. Undoubtedly the rarest of these was this 917/10, which is one of just 13 built for the Can-Am and Interserie championships during the early 1970s. Based on the all-conquering 917 Group 5 sports cars, these mighty machines were initially available with a naturally aspirated engine, while a turbocharged version would later also be used. The three 917/10s featured today are all fitted with the naturally aspirated version of the engine and were raced extensively in period on both sides of the Atlantic.
Of a slightly earlier vintage was the Porsche 908 Langheck brought by the same collector. Built early in 1968, the car that raced at the Dix Mille Tours was one of the earliest of these three-litre machines. In its original guise, it was not particularly loved by the drivers as it was unstable at high speeds. The car was rebuilt with a later body that used ingenious, suspension actuated flaps on the tail to provide more stability. While the later versions won at Spa and Monza in 1969, the 908 Langhecks' most famous outing came at Le Mans in 1969 where one came within a few metres of clinching the outright victory in what was the closest non-staged victory in the event's history. In addition to the chassis in action at Paul Ricard, our 34-shot gallery also includes images of two additional cars, both still owned by Porsche.

Ferrari has launched the highly anticipated 'hardcore' version of the F12berlinetta. It is dubbed the F12tdf in reference to the many successes scored in period by Ferrari in the Tour de France. Thoroughly reworked, the menacing machine features a more powerful, 780 hp V12 engine and is a full 110 kg lighter than the 'standard' model. The aerodynamics have also been revised to generate more downforce. As a result, the street legal racer can lap Ferrari's Fiorano test track in just 1'21". The F12tdf production is limited to 'just' 799 examples, which Ferrari will have no problems selling.
The new Tour de France is certainly not the first Ferrari to receive this moniker as it was previously used for several generations of the 250 GT competition cars during the second half of the 1950s. Closest to the new car is undoubtedly the 250 GT TdF '3-Louvre'. The latter is a reference to the three louvres in the sail panel, which are also incorporated in the new model. This particular version of the TdF was produced from the second half of 1957 through to the end of 1958 and a total of 18 were built. Like its predecessors and successors, these machines dominated the GT class in international racing even though they were primarily raced by privateers. Our updated, 84-shot gallery includes detailed images of seven different examples.
The BMW Motorsport line-up has been expanded today with the all-new M2. Based on the compact 2-Series, it is powered by a derivative of the turbocharged, three-litre six-cylinder engine. With 370 hp directed towards the rear wheels, the BMW M2 should be an absolute blast to drive.

To celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of the popular Canadian-American Challenge Cup or simply Can-Am, McLaren have created the 650S Spider Can-Am. Fittingly limited to just 50 examples, it can be ordered in three distinct colours. The launch version is inspired by the McLaren M1B raced by Bruce McLaren himself in the inaugural season. Deliveries of the 650S Can-Am will start early next year.
At the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, BMW will showcase this very hardcore M4 GTS. Capable of running a lap on the Nurburgring in under 7.30 minutes, it is equipped with a water-injected version of the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. As a result, the three-litre unit produces a startling 500 hp. The M4 GTS also features a host of other mechanical and aerodynamic upgrades.
Porsche meanwhile upgraded the four-wheel drive 911 range by adding the highly efficient turbocharged engines introduced last month. Among the upgraded models are the 911 Carrera 4S and the 911 Targa 4S.
During the finale weekend of the German ADAC Masters, Callaway revealed the new C7 generation Corvette GT3-R. Due to be delivered to customers in the new season, the menacing looking machine is powered by a 600 bhp version of the familiar small-block V8. The Corvette GT3-R is built by Callaway's German subsidiary, in Leingarten.

Run under changing conditions, this weekend's Dix Mille Tours formed the traditional season finale for most of Peter Auto's historic race series. The weather played a considerable role during the first two days, and the heavy rain even saw one two-hour race suspended after just 20 minutes. Over the weekend a variety of sports racers and touring cars took to the track, ranging from Cortinas and a Mini through to the final F1-inspired Group C. A particularly strong grid lined up for the Trofeo Nastro Rosso races. This included a pair of Ferrari 250 LMs, the unique Ferrari 250 GT SWB Breadvan, a Ferrari 330 GTO and a rare mid-engined Maserati Birdcage.
Most entrants braved the conditions and were on track throughout the weekend. We were also on hand for all sessions with this spectacular 310-shot gallery as the result. It serves to illustrate a detailed, class-by-class Dix Mille Tours Report.

At the recent Goodwood Revival, the life of Bruce McLaren was celebrated with a special parade. One of the absolute stars was the original McLaren M6GT. Very much a pet project of Bruce himself, the M6GT was due to be the first road legal McLaren production car. Unfortunately, Bruce's untimely death in 1970 effectively ended the program as the grief-stricken McLaren staff concentrated all their efforts on the competition programs. In addition to the original prototype, which Bruce used on the road himself, two further examples were produced for McLaren by Trojan. In our 41-shot gallery both the prototype and one of the two Trojan cars pictured.
Earlier in the year, at the nearby Goodwood Festival of Speed, another McLaren was one of the stars; the F1 GTR Longtail brought by BMW Classic. Chassis 26R is the eight example we have seen and one of the most successful of the bunch. After placing third overall at Le Mans, it was also driven to outright victories in two FIA GT races. At the Festival of Speed, it was reunited with period driver Steve Soper.
Even more successful was the Spice SE91P Acura that was brought out of retirement for the 2015 Monterey Motorsports Reunion. This car was part of the Comptech-run IMSA GTP Lights program that absolutely dominated its class between from 1991 through to 1993. Using a Spice chassis and a Honda NSX-sourced V6 engine, the car won the championship in its debut season with a 100-point margin. The title was successfully defended during the following two seasons. For the Motorsports Reunion, the featured Spice Acura was reunited with original driver Parker Johnstone, who placed an impressive second behind a much more powerful Porsche 962C.

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To make it up to you, we have today added two early and lovely Abarths that we spotted on the Monterey Peninsula earlier this year. At Pebble Beach, this 1100 Sport Ghia Coupe captured the attention of many. This one-off show car was originally shown at the Turin Motor Show back in 1953 and disappeared from sight not long after. Some years ago, it was acquired by the current Canadian owner. A great enthusiast and clearly a talented mechanic, he took up the daunting task of restoring the unique Abarth himself, and in his own garage. As can be seen in our 13-shot gallery, the result was spectacular. Accordingly, it was awarded best in class and the Abarth was also the only post-War nominee for best of show.
Over at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, this Abarth 207A was exercised by its new owner. One of around ten produced in 1955, the diminutive machine combined the same Fiat-sourced engine with a new platform chassis and Boano body. This particular car debuted at the 1955 Sebring 12 Hours. As can been seen in this 29-shot gallery it feels still right at home on the racing track.