By Kevin Vaughn Jr., Automotive Rhythms
Summer has wound down, but the automotive world’s headlines haven’t slowed a bit. The past few months brought some of the most exciting and some of the most questionable releases of the year. From Ferrari’s bold commitment and divisive first EV, to a stylish preview of BMW’s next M sedan, and finally, a back-to-basics approach to Porsche’s revered sports car, here’s a look back at car culture’s principal headlines of the season.
Love It or Hate It, The Ferrari Luce is Here to Stay
We all knew an electric Ferrari was inevitable; the Italian supercar powerhouse had expressed interest in the rapidly growing EV market, with CEO Benedetto Vigna promising the battery-powered model would be just as engaging and emotional as its internal combustion counterparts. However, when the 2027 Luce was revealed last May, it’s safe to say nobody expected it to draw so much controversy.
With visual styling from Sir Jony Ive, Apple’s former chief design officer, and industrial designer Marc Newson, the Luce’s looks are undoubtedly its most polarizing characteristic. Many believe it’s a top contender for the ugliest car ever made, and a disgrace to the brand’s thoroughbred history. Regardless of opinions, the visually jarring design provides substantial airflow through its aluminum body, so much so that the Luce touts the lowest drag coefficient in Ferrari history.
If the Ferrari Luce can’t please with its looks, it’s more likely to impress with its performance. A 122-kWh battery, good for a manufacturer-estimated range of roughly 330 miles, feeds four electric motors, one at each wheel, propelling the 1,035-horsepower fastback from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph, given enough tarmac.
Despite naysayers, the Luce is proving to be a hot commodity, with the first production model sold for an unfathomable $40 million at RM Sotheby’s auction at Monterey Car Week. Additionally, all 88 models slated for the Chinese market have already sold out. Only time will tell if the Ferrari Luce is better than it looks. Customer deliveries are set to begin before the end of the year, with a starting price of $640,000.
BMW Foreshadows the Electrifying Next-Gen M Sedan
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW M3, the top-of-the-line performance version of the 3-Series. The current 6th generation, known internally as the G80, is set to end production soon. Electric and gasoline-powered successors have been regularly seen testing at Nürburgring.
At the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world got its first sneak peek of the upcoming M3 with the unveiling of the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse. Like the 2027 BMW i3 shown back in March, this electric four-door adapts the Neue Klasse platform, now enhanced with the angular, aggressive design cues and race-inspired tech of BMW’s iconic M sub-brand.
Visually, the concept is a dramatic departure from BMW’s current design language. A shark-nose front end merges the illuminated kidney grille and headlights into a single unit, and the yellow lighting accents nod to GT racing livery and the BMW M Hybrid V8 Le Mans prototype. Squared-off lighting elements protrude from the front and rear bumpers, and a ducktail spoiler out back pays tribute to BMW’s motorsport heritage.
BMW has yet to reveal horsepower figures for the concept, but the automaker has confirmed a new powertrain system called “M eDrive,” which pairs four electric motors, one at each wheel, with an 800-volt battery exceeding 100 kWh. BMW M engineers say the setup is designed to combat the “numb” driving feel that plagues most EVs by building the brand’s motorsports technology directly into its mass-production performance vehicles. While we won’t see the official electric M3 for quite some time, the M Concept Neue Klasse shows that the future looks promising.
Porsche Yet Again Saves the Manual
The Porsche 911 is a sports car icon that needs no introduction. For over 60 years, the 2+2 coupe has offered some of the best driving experiences from any manufacturer, emphasizing pure driver engagement and connection to the vehicle. Staying true to these principles, Porsche announced the return of a manual transmission option for the 911 Carrera S, exclusively for North America.
“While some brands are abandoning the manual, we are proud to continue offering three pedals in a range of products that speaks to different use cases,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “Managing a clutch and shift lever isn’t for everyone, but for the drivers who want it, there really is no substitute.”
The 2027 Carrera S with the MT Package is the newest addition to the varied 911 lineup, joining the Carrera T as one of just two non-GT models available with a 6-speed manual transmission. The gearbox is the only noticeable difference from the standard PDK automatic Carrera S, sharing the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 engine with 473 hp. However, its 0-60 mph time does change, the manual model clocks in at 3.9 seconds, six-tenths slower than the automatic. No matter the metrics, the 911 Carrera S MT makes up for it with the unmatched fun of slicing through canyon roads in a stick-shift sports car.
As always, stay tuned to Automotive Rhythms for more news, test drives, and track day experiences.
