One of the most interesting developments in racing is the unification in regulations of the DTM and Japanese GT Championship with two combined races planned for the 2019 season. The two series already had virtually identical chassis rules, and now DTM will also replace the naturally aspirated V8 with the two-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder engines used in Japan. To prepare for the new season both BMW and Audi have started testing their 2019-specification M4 DTM and RS 5 DTM respectively. While they run smaller engines, power is up to 600 bhp, which should make for a very potent racing car.
British manufacturer Aston Martin have revealed the first details of their upcoming SUV, due to make its official debut late in 2019. What is confirmed, is that the car will be the dubbed DBX just like the concept car shown in Geneva back in 2015. The pictures that have been released show a camouflaged car put through its paces that is unmistakably an Aston Martin. As such, it could very well be the best looking of all the ultra-luxury SUVs, which is not too difficult considering the current crop.
At the Los Angeles Auto Show later this month, BMW will reveal the high-performance M340i xDrive Sedan. Until the actual M3 will hit the streets, this is the range-topping model of the all-new 3-Series. It is powered by a 369bhp version of the twin-turbo, straight-six engine that drives all four wheels.

Ahead of the official launch, BMW have revealed some teaser images and details of the new M8 Coupe. The range-topping machine will be powered by a twin-turbo V8 that is good for at least 600 bhp. Like the M5, the new M8 will feature an all-wheel drive system that has a rearward bias but can also be run with rear-wheel drive only. In addition to the Coupe version, the M8 will also be available as a Cabriolet and a four-door Gran Coupe.
To mark the 70th anniversary of the introduction of the XK120, Jaguar have produced a pair of F-Type Convertible Rally Cars. They were built to celebrate the success of the XK120 in the Alpine, Tulip and RAC rallies. Based on the entry-level, 296 bhp four-cylinder model, the F-Type Rally Car complies with the FIA regulations. There are no details yet on when or even if these rally racers will be campaigned in anger but as the gallery shows, they have already been given some airtime.
The two rally cars are not the first F-Type based competition. Earlier this year, the Jaguar Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) department had already prepared a pair of GT4 specification machines for a British GT Championship campaign. Based on the SVR, the GT4s were built specifically for the Invictus Games Racing team.

In the near future a new class of 'hypercar' races looks set to headline the FIA World Endurance Championship. The regulations have yet to be finalised but specialist manufacturer Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG) have already announced their intention to build and race the 007 hypercar. In addition to the competition version, SCG will also build 25 road going versions.
On December 1st, Bonhams will stage their marquee Bond Street Sale at the company's headquarters. While the lot list is not yet complete, the cars already announced are very impressive. One of the headliners will be the controversial Jaguar XJ220C. Raced at Le Mans in 1993 by John Nielsen, David Brabham and David Coulthard, this car crossed the line first in the GT1 class only to be disqualified after the race. Chassis 002 was not raced again and is now set to sell for GBP 2.2 - 2.8 million. Tagged with the same estimate is this well known Lister Knobbly Jaguar. It was both raced extensively in period and more recently in historic events. Accordingly, BHL 103 is pictured in our 21-shot gallery at events like the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic. Also consigned is this rare second series, right-hand drive Ferrari 500 Superfast. It was delivered new to a stock broker, who would later also sponsor the Rob Walker Formula 1 team. Sold to the current owner at a 2007 Bonhams auction, 8459SF is estimated to sell for in excess of GBP 1.3 million.

Porsche is due to release the eighth generation 911 shortly and is now in the final phase of testing. To wet our appetites, the German manufacturer has released these teaser images of the camouflaged cars during test around the world. Although the design is somewhat masked, the car is still unmistakably a Porsche 911.
Porsche's Manthey Racing team, meanwhile, have reworked the fastest version of the seventh generation 911 to create the 911 GT2 RS MR. Fitted with a performance kit developed by the team, it promptly recorded the fastest ever time for a road legal car around the Nürburgring at 6:40.3 minutes.
Also tailored to use on the racing track is the Ford GT Carbon Series. It features many lightweight components like carbon-fibre composite wheels and a titanium wheel nuts, while luxury items like cup-holders have been removed. This helps bring the weight down by 18kg for the limited edition GT Carbon Series.
Ahead of the official launch in Detroit, Toyota revealed a first glimpse of information about the all-new Supra. The first example built is due to be auctioned for charity. To the single teaser images, we have added images of the camouflaged car that was seen out on the hill at Goodwood back in July.
Hot on the heels of the coupe version, BMW have revealed the new M850i xDrive Cabriolet. Although the drop-top version was expected to join the line-up, it is actually the first open 8-Series to hit series production. Like the coupe, the 8-Series Cabriolet will be headlined for now by a the M850i version that features a 523bhp version of the familiar twin-turbo V8.

This weekend we were at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the fourth Imola Classic. The undulating and largely unspoilt track served as the perfect backdrop for the 2018 season finale. All of the familiar grids were present, which meant that the three-day schedule featured anything from early 1950s GT and sports cars through to early 1990s Group C prototypes. Even though we have been following these events for quite a few years, no event goes by without a new-for-us car gets wheeled out. At the Imola Classic this included a very rare fibreglass bodied Alfa Romeo TZ and an ex-factory and Gulf Racing Porsche 917.
After two beautiful fall days, Sunday was quite wet but that by no means dampened the spirits. We were trackside all weekend have captured the highlights in this concise report, which is illustrated by a class-by-class 210-shot gallery.

This weekend's $25 million RM Sotheby's Porsche 70th Anniversary sale in Atlanta was topped by this 959 'Dakar'. It was one of three examples prepared for the 1985 Paris-Dakar rally where it won two stages before an oil-line rupture prompted a retirement. Today, it is one of just two examples of the five survivors that are in private ownership. As such, Saturday's sale offered a very rare opportunity and accordingly, the final price for the 959 'Dakar' of just shy of $6 million was nearly twice the low estimate.
The 2018 auction season has not quite ended but we can already look ahead to the new year where the Artcurial Retromobile will definitely be one of the early highlights. Not in the least because of the consignment of this formidable Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta. It is a fabulous example of one of the very first supercars. Chassis 412024 was delivered new to an Italian enthusiast and has been in the ownership of the same, Dutch family since 1976. The first opportunity to acquire this car in over four decades is estimated to bring a sale price of Euro 16 to 22 million.