Special Editions Car reviews

After more than 70 years of serving as the skeleton of Morgan models, the British automaker’s long-running steel chassis finally has an expiration date. But before that day comes, Morgan is giving the chassis a proper send-off by launching the Plus 4 70th Edition.

Yes, Morgan is celebrating the life and times of its steel chassis by taking the special edition route. The move isn’t uncommon these days among automakers — Bentley just announced the Mulsanne 6.75 Edition to celebrate the Mulsanne’s impending retirement — but Morgan’s decision to pay tribute to its decades-old steel chassis does have strong emotional ties to it, in part because of how long it was used by the automaker.

The Morgan Plus 4 70th Edition is limited to just 20 units with each unit priced at £60,995 or just a tick under $80,000 based on current exchange rates. Unfortunately for those who are looking to buy one, all 20 units are already accounted for.

Bentley is bidding adieu to the Mulsanne luxury sedan in the most fitting way possible. The British automaker is launching a special edition Mulsanne called the 6.75 Edition. Only 30 units of the Mulsanne 6.75 Edition and, in keeping with Bentley’s tradition of dressing up its special edition models to the nines, the limited-run Mulsanne comes with enough exclusive touches in the exterior and interior to justify its special edition billing.

Bentley hasn’t announced a release timetable for the Mulsanne 6.75, but with the Mulsanne’s production run ending this year, expect the 6.75 Edition to arrive within the year.

There are lot of reputed aftermarket companies these days like Hennessey, Roush, and so on, whom you can entrust to do a good job on every car they tweak. But, that’s not feasible for everyone; cost-wise. Then there are other companies that will do it for cheap, but will you trust them to do a safe job?

People are skeptical about going to them as it may void the factory warranty and who knows, maybe even mess around with insurance claims in worst-case scenarios. However, there is an option to do inexpensive mods these days at dealership level as well. One such Ford dealership which goes by the name of Long McArthur has come up with a Cattleman Edition for the F-150. This no-nonsense package has most of the stuff required for a work truck. Feels fresh to see packages for the work trucks in the slew of futuristic trucks these days, right?

Porsche is honoring Belgian racing legend Jacques Bernard “Jacky” Ickx with a special edition 911 Carrera 4S called the Belgian Legend Edition. Limited to just 75 units — one for each year of Ickx’s life — the 911 Carrera 4S Belgian Limited Edition comes with exclusive touches to the exterior and interior. It’s also the first special edition to spawn from the 992-gen Porsche 911.

The special edition model will only be available in Belgium at the initiative of Belgian Porsche importer D’leteren. No pricing details have been released, but expect the 911 Carrera 4S Belgian Limited Edition to sell for more than the €131,381 starting price of the Carrera 4S Coupe in Belgium.

Ford has introduced a new appearance package for the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that is said to harken back to the original 1965 Shelby GT350. Although the package doesn’t include any mechanical upgrades, it does come complete with a Wimbledon White exterior paint finish and Guardsman Blue racing stripes. The front and rear will benefit from official, custom badges only available with the Heritage Edition package.

The interior, on the other hand, doesn’t see much in terms up upgrades or exclusivity. There will be a unique dash badge, though, and the seats will be finished in all black with red contrast stitching. Otherwise, the interior of the GT350 should carry over unchanged. The same can be said for the powertrain, so don’t expect any power upgrades to come with the Heritage Package, either. The 5.2-liter under the GT350’s hood will continue to deliver 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque.

In this case, the racing stripes and custom badges don’t offer an increase in performance, so you’ll still get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and will top out on the north end of 155 mph. Pricing for the Heritage pacl is set at $1,965 but that is added on top of the $60,440 sticker price of the 2020 GT350 or the $73,435 price of the GT350R. There’s no word on availability, but it doesn’t appear as if the Heritage Package will be limited to a certain number of takers.

The arrival of the facelifted 2021 Jaguar F-Type also comes with the launch of the F-Type First Edition. Limited to the facelifted F-Type’s first-year production run, the F-Type First Edition offers a smattering of refinements that includes exclusive features inside and out, including a choice of three paint colors and plenty of premium touch-ups in the cabin. The only real downside is that the 2021 F-Type First Edition could set you back at least $90,000.

Bugatti has a new pair of special edition models under the “Chiron Noire Exclusive” name. The two models are called the Chiron Noire Sportive and the Chiron Noire Elegance. Both are inspired, partly at least, by the one-off Bugatti La Voiture Noire that Bugatti unveiled earlier this year. Both Chiron Noire Exclusive Special Edition models are dressed in all black and carry a bevy of features that are exclusive to the two models. Bugatti only plans to release 20 units of the Chiron Noire Exclusive Special Edition in these two finishes. Deliveries are expected to start in the second quarter of 2020 with each unit costing $3,305,445.

This is the Aston DBS Superleggera Concorde Edition. It’s limited to just 10 units and it pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the iconic Concorde’s first flight and the centenary of British Airways, one of the Concorde’s two operators. The DBS Superleggera Concorde isn’t your typical special edition Aston Martin, either. The automaker’s personalization division, Q by Aston Martin, was heavily involved in the development of the DBS Superleggera, right down to all the exclusive exterior and interior details that make the DBS Superleggera Concorde a special edition among special edition models. All 10 units of the DBS Superleggera Concorde will be sold through Aston Martin Bristol, which commissioned its creation. Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but if you’re looking to score one of the 10 available units, you’ll need to reach out to the dealership and express your interest. All 10 units will likely sell out as fast as it takes the Concorde to take flight.

The Dodge Challenger is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Dodge is rolling out a special treat for fans of the muscle car with the Challenger 50th Anniversary Edition. The special edition Challenger is not a traditional stand-alone SE model. Instead, it is a special edition trim package that will be available in seven different colors on four Challenger trim models: the GT RWD, R/T Shaker, R/T Scat Pack Shaker, and R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody. Only 70 units will be built in each color for each trim. That adds up to a total of 1,960 units. The cost of the 50th anniversary trim will vary depending on the Challenger trim. Prices range from $4,995 to $5,995.

The current-generation Jaguar XJ X351 is nearing the end of its decade-long run and the British automaker is commemorating the occasion by turning the last 300 units of the XJ into a special edition version called the XJ Collection. Available only for the U.S. market, the XJ Collection comes with exclusive touches befitting of a special edition model. More than that, the car is a proper swan song to Jag’s established but aging full-sized sedan. The XJ X351 has been in the market since 2010 and with rumors swirling about the next-generation XJ’s possible electric future, this could be the last chance you have of buying a pure V-8-powered, special edition XJ. The Jaguar XJ Collection starts at $85,000. There’s no word yet on when the it will be made available, though.

Maserati is ending production of the current-generation GranTurismo by rolling out the GranTurismo Zeda, a one-off creation that commemorates the model’s more-than-a-decade-long run in the market. The Maserati GranTurismo Zeda comes with a lot of exclusive touches, none more prominent than a unique paint finish that separates its aesthetics from just about every GranTurismo model that has hit the market in the last 12 years. There are currently no plans to offer the Maserati GranTurismo Zeda to the public, but a limited-production run in the future hasn’t been ruled out quite yet.

The Toyota Supra has arrived at the 2019 SEMA Auto Show, and in true form, we’re not just talking about one Supra at SEMA. Nope. There are multiple Supras in attendance at SEMA, each wearing a different alter-ego. One of these models is called the Supra Heritage Edition. It’s the most subtle of the Supras in SEMA, but it’s also the one that we identify with the most. Part of the Supra Heritage Edition’s appeal is its connection to the aftermarket tuning world. Toyota created it as an homage to the tuning scene, something that past versions of the Supra were all very familiar with. Granted, the Supra Heritage Edition doesn’t boast any of the over-the-top madness that past custom Supras could claim, but as a celebration of the relationship between the nameplate and the aftermarket tuning scene, the Supra Heritage Edition is as good as it gets.

Another year, another Chevrolet COPO Camaro. That’s what we can expect at the 2019 SEMA Auto Show when the Bowtie unleashes its latest drag racing masterpiece. A total of 70 units of the 2020 Chevrolet COPO Camaro will be made, but only 69 will be unleashed to the masses. The other one — this one — is headed to the auction block, and if looks could fetch a million dollars, the one-off COPO Camaro John Force Edition will be drenched in a downpour of benjamins once it hits the auction block at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in January 2020. But before it takes the stage, the one-off Chevrolet COPO Camaro John Force Edition will be in attendance at the 2019 SEMA Auto Show. It’s probably the closest we’ll ever get to seeing it up close and personal before some deep-pocketed fellow brings it home with him next year.

Lightweight sports car manufacturer Donkervoort is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its founder, Joop Donkervoot, by releasing the D8 GTO-JD70, a limited edition version of the D8 GTO that the automaker says is capable of pulling “more than 2G of lateral acceleration in corners, even in its standard trim and on its standard tires.” As exciting as that sounds, not everyone will get the chance to own the D8 GTO-JD70. Production is limited to just 70 units with each model priced at €163,636 before taxes. That converts to around $182,000 based on current exchange rates. Those lucky enough to score one of the 70 available units will get their hands on their limited edition rides beginning in the spring of 2020.

Subaru’s 2.0-liter engine, aka the EJ20, in Subaru terms, has been around since 1989 when it was introduced in the JDM-spec Subaru Legacy. Now, after 30 years, it’s time to lay a legendary engine to rest, so Subaru has decided to produce a special edition WRX STI known as the EJ20 Final Edition. It will be limited to just 555 models, but that doesn’t matter, because this beauty is available in Japan only at the price of 4,110 million Yen – about $38,000 at current exchange rates. Subaru will stop taking orders on December 23rd, but there’s a lot more to it than that, so let me fill you in on the finer details.

Ram sure knows how to keep its product portfolio active. Lately, a lot of our attention has been on the 2020 Ram 1500, which comes with the third-gen EcoDiesel engine and also created a record of sorts by claiming the Top Safety Pick+ award. Logically, this would mean a drop in the sales for the 2019 model. However, Ram is keeping the 2019 1500 active by launching new packages and special editions of the truck. This time, we get the new Mojave Sand Package that’s offered on the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock. The truck comes with a host of aesthetic changes to distinguish it from the standard Ram 1500. But, is it worth buying?

Porsche’s a big fan of letting the world know about its motorsport roots. After all, the brand’s success on the race track is something that deserves to be put out there, and the same applies to any sort of motorsport-related Porsche anniversary.

Meet the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Sports Cup Edition, a limited special-edition model that features a motorsport-inspired design and an interior that’s been luxed-up by Porsche’s very own Exclusive Manufaktur to mark the 15th anniversary of the customer and club sport series “Porsche Sports Cup Germany.”

Once you see it, you can’t quite unsee it and for all the good reasons. This is the Ford Mustang R-Spec, a GT-based limited-edition variant built in RHD only for the Australian market that features a plethora of Ford Performance parts, a Roush supercharger, and an active exhaust. That makes it the first supercharged Mustang to be sold through Ford dealers. With all the goodies that have been crammed in the R-Spec, power goes all the way up to 700 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque or about 170 horsepower and 180 torques over the Mustang Shelby GT350. At $67,500 in Oz, this could just be a great bang for the buck if you can get your hands on one of the 500 examples that will be made.

It’s been five years since Australian Blue Oval fans have been mourning the loss of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), Ford Australia’s division that used to turn around the really quick Fords at the antipodes. While nothing can replace a Falcon with all of FPV’s go-fast features added to it, the R-Spec Mustang is a nice addition to the sports car’s lineup in Australia where, until now, all you had to choose from when it came to ’special’ Mustangs was the Bullitt - and only 700 of those have been made for the 2019 MY (the R-Spec is part of the 2020 MY Mustang lineup).

The 2020 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato is a limited-edition grand tourer based on the 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Part of the DBZ Centenary collection, the DBS GT Zagato is more than just a Superleggera modified by Italian coachbuilder Zagato. This grand tourer is sold as part of a package that includes the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation, a revival of the iconic car produced in the early 1960s.

Essentially a modern twin of the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation, the DBS GT Zagato boasts notable modifications inside and out, including carbon-fiber elements, bespoke features, and a beefed-up engine under the hood. The DBS GT Zagato celebrates a partnership spanning almost 60 years and follows in the footsteps of the Vanquish Zagato, based on the DBS’ predecessor. Let’s find out more about this limited-edition grand tourer in the review below.

Fiat is no stranger to building special edition versions of the Abarth 695, but there is something different about this one. It’s called the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario, and, as the name suggests, it’s a celebratory special edition model that pays homage to Abarth’s 70th anniversary. In keeping with the theme, Fiat will only build 1,949 units of the 695 70th Anniversario. It’s unclear if America will get dibs on a specific number of models, but if you live in Italy, you should get a good chunk of the 1,949 available units, each priced at €34,600. That converts to just under $38,000 based on current exchange rates.

Turns out, Lexus isn’t the only one that’s into revising recently released special edition models. Lincoln’s adopting a similar strategy with the return of the Continental Coach Door Edition, a blast-from-the-past special edition Continental that the luxury brand first launched last year in very limited — only 80 units were made — quantities.

This time, Lincoln is doubling up with 150 units of the 2020 Continental Coach Door Edition. The essential elements that defined last year’s Coach Door Edition will also be offered in this fresh batch of SEs. That includes the model’s undisputed highlight: the suicide doors.

The Ford-owned luxury brand is already accepting orders for the 2020 Continental Coach Door Edition. Best be quick about it because, judging by how fast the first batch of Coach Door Edition models sold out, this new batch of 150 units will sell out just as quick, maybe even quicker.

Eight months after dropping the 2019 Lexus IS F 300 Sport Black Line Edition, Toyota’s premium brand is dipping its toes back in that pool with the arrival of the 2020 Lexus IS F Sport Black Line Edition.

In case you’re confused, Lexus is bringing two different Black Line Edition models to the market in the same calendar year. You can’t fault Lexus for being enterprising, especially if the 2019 IS F 300 Sport Black Line Edition sold as well as we think it did. This time, the IS F Sport receives the Black Line Edition treatment, and in keeping with tradition, this new SE benefits from a host of exterior and interior upgrades to go along with its limited availability. Only 900 units of the 2020 Lexus IS F 300 Sport Black Line Edition will be available in the U.S. market at a starting price of $46,225.

Ten years ago, Porsche launched a model that was derided far and wide for running counter to the German automaker’s spirit and ethos. Like the Cayenne SUV, the Porsche Panamera upset a lot of people, not the least of which were the so-called purists who scoffed at the idea of Porsche broadening its appeal beyond its two-door, mid-engined sports cars. The Cayenne was a big enough departure from tradition on its own and the Panamera was looked at with the same level of disdain. It’s funny how things have turned out, right? Today, the Porsche Panamera is one of the most popular models Porsche has in its lineup, lasting long enough to earn a special edition model that’s dedicated solely on its 10th anniversary. This, folks, is the Porsche Panamera 10 Year Edition, and, if for nothing else, it’s a symbol of validation for Porsche to show to those who scoffed at the idea of a luxury four-door sedan wearing a Porsche badge. The Porsche Panamera 10 Year Edition hits the market in the first quarter of 2010 at a starting price of $104,650.