Less than two years after the DB11 has entered production, Aston Martin have already managed to improve the car to create the DB11 AMR. Superseding the original V12-engined model, the more poised AMR features a more powerful engine and a revised suspension honed with the help of former Lotus chassis guru and Aston's Chief Engineer Matt Becker. The 630 bhp DB11 AMR is available immediately and is priced at just over GBP 200,000.
Also launched during last weekend's Nurburgring 24 Hours was this Porsche 911 GT3 R. Based on the new GT3 RS, Porsche's latest racer will be available next year to compete in the GT3 class around the world. With the recently introduced GT3 RS road car, Porsche managed to homologate a more aggressive aerodynamics package, which should help improve the performance. The four-litre engine of the 911 GT3 R is tuned to produce as much of 550 bhp in unrestricted trim.
Dutch specialist manufacturer Donkervoort have celebrated their 40th anniversary. The occasion was marked by the introduction of the limited edition D8 GTO-40. The fastest Donkervoort yet, the car is even lighter than the regular production D8 GTO. Fittingly, the anniversary model will be strictly limited to 40 examples.
With the introduction of the GT S Roadster Mercedes-AMG have completed the line-up of the drop-top version of their range topping model. Powered by a 515 bhp version of the twin-turbo V8, the 'S' sits between the 'base' and 'C' models in the GT Roadster range.

One of the most prestigious events on the historic racing calendar is the biennial Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Especially for single seater racing cars, it is the blue ribband event for many of the same reasons like the annual round of the World Championship. It features the same unique and glamorous setting with a track that is actually not really suited to racing and is lined on one side by ever taller buildings and on the other by ever bigger yachts. For many, to enter in the Historic Grand Prix is already a great honour, and cars eligible for the event have become very hot properties. Competing alongside enthusiast owners themselves these days are also many professionals, who provide an insight of what it was like when these machines were raced in period. Among the highlights of the weekend were a fine selection of twelve-cylinder engined Grand Prix cars from Ferrari, BRM and Matra and also a demonstration run of the freshly restored Lamborghini Marzal show car that starred at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix in the hands of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
Having, unfortunately, missed the tenth edition due to a scheduling conflict we were back in the Principality to cover the 11th Monaco Historic Grand Prix with our concise report illustrated by an action-packed 230-shot gallery.

This weekend, we will be at Monaco for the biennial Historic Grand Prix. As a side program to the event, there will be several auctions, two of which include a fabulous selection of Grand Prix cars. At the RM Sotheby's sale on Saturday, a pair of 1990s Formula 1 cars will cross the block. The earliest is the very first Benetton B192. Designed by Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn, it debuted at Barcelona in the hands of Michael Schumacer, who qualified and finished second. The B192 is significant in being the first car that saw the dream team of Byrne, Brawn and Schumacher work together. Raced during the final year of the decade, is the Jordan 199 Mugen. With a pair of wins and numerous points finishes, this was the most successful of all Jordan Grand Prix cars. Chassis 199-03 on offer was used during the opening rounds of the 1999 season and carried Heinz-Harald Frentzen to a second and a third.
The Bohams auction on Friday features a pair of significant cars raced by the late, great Ayrton Senna. The earliest is this Toleman TG 184, which the Brazilian used during his breakthrough drive at Monaco back in 1984. In torrential conditions, he was chasing down McLaren's Alain Prost for the victory until the race was red flagged. He would go on to win the race many times and the final one was with this McLaren MP4/8 that has also been consigned to the sale. Another interesting machine on offer by Bonhams is this Ferrari F1/87. Raced during the 1987 season, it was very fast but ultimately too unreliable to really make a difference until right at the end of the year.

This weekend, the FIA WEC super season kicked off with the Six Hours of Spa Francorchamps. It was no surprise that the factory Toyotas dominated the race. Several privateer teams fought for the best of the rest position with brand new LMP1 prototypes. Fastest of all proved to be the Rebellion R-13 Gibson. Developed by Oreca, the new racer is effectively a development of the Oreca 07 LMP2 car. The Gibson engine used is also an evolution of the LMP2 unit, now displacing 4.5 litres and producing 665 bhp. The new R-13s finished third and fourth but the third placed car was disqualified due to a technicality.
During the weekend, Aston Martin Racing also revealed their plans for GT3 and GT4 version of the Vantage that made its competition debut at Spa. Like its sister car, the new racers will feature a version of the twin-turbo V8 also used in the road car. Both the GT3 and GT4 cars will be ready early next year and due for homologation in March.
Lotus have created yet another new version of the existing Exige model. Dubbed the Sport 410, it uses a 410 bhp version of the supercharged Toyota V6 engine. The very quick machine will be available as both coupe and roadster versions.
At the annual Worthersee meeting later this week, Volkswagen is due to reveal this Golf GTI TCR. It is inspired by the WTCR racing car and features a 285 bhp version of the familiar direct injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Further details will follow.

Last night, the highly anticipated Brabham BT62 supercar finally broke cover. The venue was the Australia House in London, which was a fitting reference to the company's mixed Anglo-Australian roots. The intriguing car was developed from scratch and in complete secrecy during the last two years to be ready in time to mark Brabham's 70th anniversary. A mid-engined supercar, the BT62 combines a 700bhp V8 with a dry weight of just 972kg. A sophisticated aerodynamics package develops a hefty 1,200kg of downforce. Production is strictly limited to just 70 examples and the car is priced at GBP 1 million before taxes. Each of the first 35 cars will all be finished in a livery that corresponds with one of Brabham's 35 Grand Prix victories. Accordingly, the BT62 revealed yesterday matches the Brabham BT7 which was driven to Brabham's first two Grand Prix wins by the late, great Dan Gurney. It is still actively raced by an American enthusiast who saw Gurney win Brabham's first in the French Grand Prix, and he will be back in action next week for the biennial Monaco Historic Grand Prix.
While we were in France for the Tour Auto, BMW revealed this Concept iX3 to showcase one of the future all electric models that will be added to the company's line up. Already due for production is the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. The plug-in hybrid combines a turbocharged V6 with an electric motor for a combined system output of 456 bhp. Impressively, almost all of the combined 700 Nm of torque is already available from just above idle.