Special Editions Car reviews

Celebrating its “defining heritage” Rolls Royce just revealed a whole collection of bespoke Ghost cars called the Silver Ghost Collection. It is an important celebration as the Silver Ghost, produced in 1906, actually was named “the best car in the world” upon completion of a nonstop endurance voyage that covered 14,371 miles. An incredible achievement in 1906. Now, with a limited edition of only 35 Rolls Royce Ghost cars designated for the Silver Ghost Collection, the British company based in Goodwood solidified its status as the ultimate in the world of cars.

Unveiled in 2017 as a replacement for the 650S, the McLaren 720S has already brought its aggressive design, luxurious interior, and beefed-up V-8 engine into showrooms. As it usually happens, McLaren began showcasing various custom models made by the MSO division, starting with the Velocity Theme unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. Come August 2018, and the Brits launched two mode special editions, one of which is the Pacific Theme.

Commissioned by McLaren Special Operations for McLaren Glasgow from Scotland, the Pacific Theme was created alongside Track Theme, a second supercar that will go the company’s dealership in Manchester. Much like all MSO-created McLaren’s, Pacific Theme boasts unique color and trim with a focus on the 720S’s "sophisticated technical luxury." Let’s find out what sets it apart in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the McLaren 720S Pacific Theme.

Exactly one year ago, Volkswagen revealed a camper dubbed the California XXL Concept. It was an early look at a production model they actually put into production just now. Scheduled for live unveiling at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon that will start later this month, the Volkswagen Grand California is a production version of the last year’s concept and it is every bit of awesome as you may imagine. Forget about the Airstream, or anything similar. This is better, but you can’t have it because Volkswagen Commercial vehicles aren’t available in the U.S.

On its own, the Lexus LC 500 is a flamboyant car. The unmistakable styling cues give it a look that’s all its own, and its 471-horsepower V-8 engine helps it straddle the line between a capable touring car and an everyday supercar. But just as the LC 500 already has its own identity, there are still ways to bring out even more of its personality. That’s what we get with the LC 500 Yellow Edition, the latest in a long line of exclusive additions to the flagship coupe’s range.

Twenty-seven years ago, in 1991, John Hennessey began modifying cars with the goal of maximizing their potential well beyond what automakers were able to, or wanted to do. Since then, Hennessey has become a household name in the auto world, and to celebrate the company’s 10,000th tuning creation, Hennessey is rolling out 19 units of the Ford Mustang Hennessey Heritage Edition.

Though it’s true that most of them are found only in Japan, there are no shortages in special edition Subaru WRX STIs in the world. We all need to remind ourselves of that because Subaru is releasing another special edition version of its power-packed performance sedan, and it’s once again exclusive to the Japanese market. It’s called the WRX STI Type RA-R, and it’s essentially a lighter and more powerful version of the WRX STI Type RA, one of the few special edition versions that made its way in the U.S. market.

The Toyota 86 is lovely little machine, offering the simple pleasure of a small, lightweight RWD coupe that’s still relatively affordable for the masses. We said as much in our Driving Impression review a few years back, and our opinion hasn’t changed - we’re still duly impressed by this car’s tossability and fun-loving attitude. Now, Toyota is offering a new limited-run TRD Special Edition, and it promises even sharper handling chops mated with an aggressive and unique aesthetic. And no - it doesn’t come with any extra power. So don’t ask.

Continue reading to learn more about Toyota 86 TRD Special Edition.

If you like to live your life 1,320 feet at a time, then Dodge has just the ride for you. Not only is it rocking a high-output all-atmosphere V-8 under the hood, but it comes with all the gear you need to dominate at the local bracket racing event - no trailer required.

Continue reading to learn what makes the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320 Special.

Bentley is turning 100 years old in 2019, and a year ahead of its centenary, the British automaker is getting the party started with the release of a new special edition Mulsanne that pays tribute to its founder, W.O. Bentley. Limited to just 100 units, the Mulsanne W.O. Edition gets plenty of exclusive features, all of which have been added by Bentley’s resident personalization savant, Mulliner.

The third-generation Lotus Exige is six years old as of 2018 and a bit long in the tooth. A brand-new model is underway, but the Brits are keeping things interesting for the current model by building all sorts of special editions. At the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Lotus paid tribute to two of its most iconic race cars with the Exige Type 49 and Exige Type 79.

Both cars celebrate the company’s past glory in Formula One. The Exige Type 49 marks 50 years since Graham Hill won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in the Type 49, while the Exige Type 49 marks 40 years since Mario Andretti did the same with the Type 79. The former race from 1967 through 1970 and won two championships, while also scoring podiums in each season. The Type 79’s career was a bit shorter, from 1978 through 1979.

Both Exige models were crafted by Lotus Exclusive, the brand’s recently established bespoke division. Let’s find out more about them below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Lotus Exige Type 49 and Type 49.

The Audi R8 has had no shortage of special editions, and like clockwork, the German automaker is presenting a new limited edition model called the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 Edition. Limited to just five models, the Sport Performance Parts R8 Edition packs plenty of upgrades spread throughout the whole car. There are new aero bits, improved suspension, and an exclusive body kit that no other R8 model, past or present, has worn. There will only 44 units of the Sport Performance Parts R8 Edition produced, including five models allocated for the U.K. market.

Marking the 60th anniversary since the unveiling of the first special edition car based on the model 500 - the 500 Jolly, known as "Spiaggina," Fiat showcased their new limited edition of the latest Fiat 500. Called the Fiat 500 Spiaggina ’58, the new model is limited to 1958 units. A number which is an homage to the year Fiat showcased the original 500 Jolly, a car adored by rich and famous of the time.

However, apart from Fiat showcasing a rather cool Spiaggina ‘58 production model based on the 500C with a 1.2-liter, 69 horsepower engine, Garage Italia and Pininfarina prepared their own celebration model. It is a better one.

One year after Aston Martin rolled out the DB11 Henley Royal Regatta, the British automaker is back at it, this time with the DB11 Volante Henley Royal Regatta. The new one-off DB11 Volante is the follow-up to last year’s one-off DB11, which was created to celebrate Aston Martin’s role as the official auto partner of the Henley Royal Regatta, considered as one of the world’s most prestigious and historic sporting events. Like the DB11 from last year, the DB11 Volante gets plenty of exclusive features, all of which come by way of Q by Aston Martin.

Ram is the latest in a long line of automakers to sell a new generation model alongside the old generation model it just replaced. Don’t get confused, then, if you see the next-generation Ram 1500 sitting alongside the Ram 1500 Classic inside Ram dealerships all over the country. Unlike the next-gen model, the 1500 Classic is being packaged as a no-frills option that would-be customers can opt to get if they’re not willing to pay extra for all the new goodies that are available on the new 1500.

The Buick LaCrosse is getting some reinforcement in the form of a new trim model called Sport Touring. Officially referred to as the LaCross Sport Touring, this new trim option will slot in as the sportiest model in the entire LaCrosse lineup. It’s been developed to not only look the part but also perform like a performance-oriented sedan. Pricing for the Buick LaCrosse Sport Touring starts at $40,295, including $925 in destination fees.

BMW has introduced tons of special versions of its i cars - the i3 and the i8. Now, the BMW Czech Republic division revealed a new stunning pair of special editions- the BMW i3 and the i8 Starlight Edition, two models that show off the exceptional possibilities of BMW’s paint partners at Toplac. As the official partners of the BMW ColorSystem, Toplac employed painter Miroslav Spicak and designer Zoltan Matuska to create the unique BMW i3 and i8 drizzled in gold. Literally.

While it might be a world-class performance icon, the Nissan GT-R was never really considered “pretty.” However, that all changes with the introduction of the one-off GT-R50 prototype, a collaborative effort between Nissan and the legendary Italian design house, Italdesign. Built to commemorate the overlapping 50th anniversary of both the Skyline GT-R nameplate and the birth of Italdesign, the GT-R50 is rolling eye candy laid atop an engineering masterpiece, bringing form and function into stunning harmony.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign.

Aston Martin’s Q by Aston Martin personalization program has come up with a bespoke DB11 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Classic Driver, considered as the world’s first website for sophisticated car collectors and auto enthusiasts. The vehicle, called the Aston Martin DB11 Classic Driver Edition, is limited to just 20 units and will only be offered to a handful of customers and long-time members of the Classic Driver community.

It’s been only three months since the hardcore Ferrari 488 Pista was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, and the Maranello-based firm has already created a special edition of the supercar. Designed to celebrate the 488’s success on the race track, it’s called the 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari and made its debut ahead of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Inspired by AF Corse’s no. 51 car, with which Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado won the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles, the Pista Piloti Ferrari is available exclusively to customers involved in the company’s motorsport programs. In short, if you’re not racing a race-spec version of the 488, be it a GT3 or a GTE, you can’t buy one. That’s a bit harsh from the Italians, but let’s a have a closer look at what you’re missing if you’re not involved in this program.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari.

Introduced in 2010, the Aston Martin Rapide isn’t exactly fresh. Despite this, the British are in no hurry to replace the sedan, as no prototypes were spotted on public roads. However, Aston Martin just gave the Rapide the AMR treatment, thus creating its most extreme four-door sedan.

Previewed by a concept car displayed at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, the Rapide AMR made it into production with very few changes. Aston Martin describes it as a vehicle that’s "capable of comfortably transporting a team of race drivers to a circuit on the other side of a continent and then tackling the track when they get there," and needless to say, the sedan looks pretty cool in the AMR suit. As usual, the sedan also gained extra horsepower and will be built in limited numbers. Let’s find out more about that in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Aston Martin Rapide AMR.

Hot on the heels of unveiling the new GMC Sierra Elevation, General Motors’ resident SUV and pickup brand is giving the same love to the full-size Yukon SUV. A pair of special edition models — they’re called the Graphite and Graphite Performance Editions, respectively — are set to be offered later this year, packing across-the-board cosmetic and performance upgrades meant to give the SUV a more imposing presence in its segment.

Having just celebrated 50 years in the U.S. with a batch of limited-edition packages for eight different models at the Chicago Auto Show, Subaru unveiled two more special-edition versions of the WRX and WRX STI at the 2018 Subaru Tecnica International Boxerfest in Washington D.C.

Much like the 50th Anniversary Edition, the Series.Gray comes with a special exterior paint, a sportier interior, and extra standard equipment. Only 1,000 units of the Series.Gray cars will be produced, with 750 WRX and only 250 WRX STI models to leave the factory. Besides being produced in smaller numbers, the WRX STI also gets a revised chassis for a sportier ride. Let’s find out more about both cars in the review below.

Continue reading for the full story.

The McLaren 675LT MSO Gulf Racing Edition is a one-off creation that was designed to pay homage to the F1 GTR cars of the 1990s; with a recreation of the Gulf Racing colors that were worn by the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail race car. There aren’t any serious performance upgrades, but MSO gave this 675LT the full interior and exterior treatment.