The ‘Wolf’ in Volkswagen’s pickup clothing

So, how do you think that pickup truck pictured above would look in your driveway? 

Don’t get too excited, because it’s a sketch of the next- and third-generation Volkswagen Amarok, which Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles says will be available for the global market later this year, though we’ve heard no announcement that, as with previous versions of its pickup truck, VW might expand those markets to include the US.

In its simultaneous announcement in Germany, Australia and South Africa, VW did say this next Amarok (Amarok is an Inuit word for wolf) will be equipped with “numerous driver assistance systems that are new in this segment and will make daily driving much more comfortable…  (and) even better off-road off- road characteristics than previous generations thanks to greater ground clearance.”

VW will continue to power its pickup with a turbo-diesel V6 engine.

Renault teases its concept of the future

While not showing the full vehicle, French automaker Renault has released a teaser image for a concept car it says will embody its commitments to a sustainable future. Renault said the car will have a hydrogen-fueled engine and will make extensive use of recycled and recyclable materials. The actual concept car is scheduled for reveal in May.

The hydrogen engine is just the first step, the automaker said, to its plan to got 100 percent electric by 2030.

Bugatti doing sculptures, NFTs

Automaker Bugatti and the Asprey Digital Studio are working together to create a 1-of-1 apparently full-scale sculpture based on the La Voiture Noire, plus 261 smaller sculptures, each with respective NFTs.

The original La Voiture Noire was the fourth and lost Bugatti Atlantic. It will be memorialized with the sculpture made of 24k rose gold, Bugatti said in its announcement. In addition, small versions in sterling silver will be produced, the 261 figure selected because that was the top speed in km/h of the original car.

The release begins in March. For details, visit the special aspreybugatti.com website.

Bentley sculpture unveiled in Miami

Dezer Development, which is building the Bentley Residences in Miami, has unveiled a 4-foot tall, 13-foot long and 7-foot wide “speed form” sculpture for the facility. The sculpture was designed and developed by Bentley Motors designers in Crewe and produced by Bentley Motors engineers.

The exterior color is Miami Bronze, created at the Bentley paint shop and designed “to come to life in the bright Miami climate while enhancing the form of the sculpture,” according to the unveiling announcement.

Lotus offers driving experiences

Lotus has signed partnerships with Atlanta Motorsports Park, the Radford Racing School in Arizona and with Utah Motorsports Complex to launch Lotus Track Experience programs at their facilities.

The programs begin with the Evora GT and will add future products as they become available, Lotus said. For details, Lotus suggested visiting the various track websites.

Mazda using biofuel for racing effort

Add Mazda to Porsche and other automakers working to keep internal combustion engines viable through the use of non-petroleum biofuels. The Japanese automaker says it will use biodiesel to power its Demio/Mazda2 Bio concept in the Japanese Super Taikyu endurance racing series that opens March 19 at Suzuka and includes a 24-hour race in June at Fuji.

Mazda says the fuel will be made from used cooking oil and microalgae fats.

Mini adds Brick Lane, Untold editions

Mini has added two new editions to its lineup.

The Brick Lane special reportedly is inspired by the home of street art in London’s East End. The package comes on the Cooper S hardtop in 2- and 4-door guises (with manual or automatic transmissions) and with an MSRP of $35,675 for the 2022-model-year coupe and $36,675 for the sedan.

Features include a White Silver Metallic-painted body with the roof in Soul Blue and special graphics, including those across the hood, and sport seats with cross-punch leather, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Harman/Kardon audio, and a “storage package.”

The Untold Edition is done on the John Cooper Works Clubman but with special body trim, 18-inch wheels in Jet Black and Refined Brass, and other features, as well as introducing Sage Green metallic to the Mini color spectrum. 

David Brown gets North American importer

Noting a demand for its vehicles in North America, David Brown Automotive, which produces Mini Remastered and Speedback GT models, has signed Bespoke Imports Group as its North American importer.

“Bespoke Imports was founded out of a belief that the North American markets should have the ability to appreciate and experience quality bespoke, artisan vehicles from British and European small volume, niche and exotic automotive brands, providing a gateway to one of the world’s leading performance, high-end car markets,” Bespoke chief executive Ryan Watson is quoted in the announcement. 

GTO adds Lamborghini, Maserati parts

GTO Parts, which since 1996 has specialized in producing parts for vintage and newer Ferraris, has announced it will do the same for Lamborghini and Maserati vehicles, and that in addition to facilities in the UK and Los Angeles, it will add a base this spring in Modena, Italy.