Ever since it was first added to the Porsche line-up, the Cayman has always been carefully held back to make sure it would not become a direct rival to the 911. With its superior, mid-engine layout, the potential was always there. With the hardcore GT4 model introduced a few years ago, most of the shackles had already come off and now things will get even more interesting with the soon-to-be-introduced 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Porsche traditionally reserve the Renn Sport moniker for only the most exciting models, so this Cayman should be really special. In the pictures released this week a barely camouflaged prototype is featured. No exact details have been released, but it will be lighter, better handling and more powerful than the already impressive GT4. The one concrete figure revealed already tells quite a story; it is 23.6 seconds faster around the Nürburgring than its smaller brother. More details will be available at the GT4 RS's world debut in November.
More subtle changes have been made to further refine the BMW M135i xDrive. The range-topping model retains its 302 bhp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine but modifications to the dampers and exhaust system should make for an altogether more rewarding drive.
One of the most highly anticipated new cars to make its debut this year must undoubtedly be the Corvette Z06. In no small part this is because of Chevrolet's own efforts by carefully revealing interesting tidbits ahead of the official debut scheduled for October 26. The latest of these tidbits is the fact that the V8 engine fitted to the car can rev to a startling 8,600 rpm. That is actually more than 1,000 rpm over the limit currently imposed by IMSA on the similar flat-plane V8 fitted in the C8.R competition car.

At next weekend's Automobiles sur les Champs sale, French auctioneer Artcurial will offer a pair of iconic rally cars.
The most successful of the pair is one of the first Impreza Group A cars built by Prodrive for the Subaru World Rally Team. The sophisticated Impreza replaced the Legacy during the 1993 season and the featured example was entered for Ari Vatanen at the model's debut during the 1000 Lakes Rally. Vatanen lead at one point and eventually finished second in 93-004 to score the Impreza's very first World Rally Championship points. Also raced by Colin McRae and Richard Burns, it would later be driven to three Australian Rally Championships by Possum Bourne. Now restored to its original configuration, it really is the Impreza that started it all and accordingly should sell for over €500,000.
Nowhere near as successful and legendary for all the wrong reasons is the Citroën BX 4TC. Raced at three events in 1986, this Group B machine was underpowered and too heavy to compete with the likes of Peugeot and Lancia. To wipe the embarrassing chapter from their history, the French manufacturer tried to buy back as many of the road cars as they could and had them destroyed. As a result, the BX4 TC is now very rare and ironically actually quite sought after. The consigned example is one of 20 'Evolution' rally cars built and is understood to be one of between four and seven of competition cars known to have survived. Just how sought after the BX 4TC is, is reflected by the €250,000 - €350,000 estimate.

Having sat in storage for three decades, this historically significant 962C has now been meticulously restored to its 1987 configuration by the Porsche Museum. Built to compete in the 1987 Supercup, it was also a rolling test-bed as it was equipped with the newly developed PDK dual-clutch system that is today available on all Porsche production models. The system clearly worked as Hans-Joachim Stuck won the highly competitive championship in the PDK-equipped 962C. It was later also used by the aerodynamics department before being set aside. The ground-up restoration of 962-009 started early in 2020, and it was recently reunited with Stuck. It should make several public appearances in 2022 as part of the Group C 40th anniversary celebrations.
The rear-wheel drive V10-engined Audi R8 has received a performance boost with the aptly named R8 V10 Performance RWD. The most significant upgrade is a 30 hp boost in power, raising the total output 570 hp. All of this power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed automatic gearbox that includes Audi's take on the dual-clutch system pioneered by Porsche with the aforementioned 962C. Additional novelties and options available are new bucket seats, dynamic steering, CFK stabilizers and ceramic disc brakes. The R8 V10 Performance RWD is available as both a Coupe and a Spyder.

As part of the Zoute Concours d'Elegance, Bonhams will host the official auction on Sunday. As a preview, we have taken a detailed look at three of the most fascinating lots in the sale. The first is this Ferrari F40, which is offered by its first owner, who placed it in storage nearly thirty years ago. With less than 1,800 km on the odometer, the one-owner F40 is estimated to sell for over €1 million.
Of a similar vintage is this Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo Evoluzione Group A. One of the later cars, it was raced to the 1990 Italian Superturismo Championship by Nicola Larini. In Dutch hands since 2002, it is currently in running condition and boasts a striking Martini livery.
One of four built with this style body, this XK140 Ghia Coupe is perhaps the most remarkable car in the entire sale. It was a show car when new and was then raced and rallied extensively during the 1970s as its aluminium body gave it an edge over similar cars. Requiring a complete restoration this very rare coachbuilt Jaguar has a pre-sale estimate of €200,000 - €300,000.

Going for an encore of summer, we are in Portugal this weekend for the Estoril Classics. It is the second edition of the event that was first held in the fall of last year and was spectacular despite the travel restrictions. It should be even better this year and to get you in the mood we have taken a look at three great racers that were out on track last year and will be at Estoril again this year.
The most recent of the trio is this Jaguar XJR-10. One of three built ahead of the 1989 season, it was raced in the IMSA GTP season with considerable success. This particularly example won four races outright. The current custodian was joined in 2020 by Dario Franchitti and will now race chassis 389 alongside former Jaguar works driver Martin Brundle.
Not normally part of the Peter Auto weekend, there will also be a race for Grand Prix cars at Estoril. Among the starters is this Ligier JS11. Campaigned in 1979, it was particularly successful in the first half of the season. As can be seen in our gallery, we have captured JS11/04 at a wide variety of venues.
Currently owned by a local, Portuguese racer, this Chevron B19 was first sold to South Africa. It had a period racing history of a startling ten seasons. In more recent years, chassis B19-71-30 has also been regularly campaigned in historic events.

Porsches have always been a popular base car for 'enhancers' like Techart. The German company has now reworked the latest 911 Turbo to create the GTStreet R Cabriolet. It features a more aggressive body kit and also a reworked engine that produces a staggering 788 bhp and 950 Nm of torque. The latest GTStreet R is available as a Cabriolet and a Coupe, and production will be limited to a combined 87 examples.
In the past, Porsche not only supplied complete racing cars to customers but also sold bare shells for privateer racing teams to build up to their own desired specification. One of these, is this 911 GT2, which was completed by Wieth Racing. It was then used by the father and son team of Franz and Niko Wieth in the 1999 and 2000 editions of the FIA GT Championship. Today, 0470021 is owned by a German enthusiast, who has raced the car over the last two seasons and we expect it back out at the Estoril Classics next week.
Of an altogether earlier vintage is this very rare 911 Carrera RSH 2.7. One of just 17 homologation models built, this example actually saw some period competition history in the hands of John Paul Senior and Junior. During the 1990s, it was comprehensively restored by Bruce Canepa and 911 360 1382 is now offered through RM Sotheby's Private Treaty department with an asking price of just over $1.5 million.