March 2024 in Florida witnessed a large gathering of 400 luxury cars comprising the likes of 954/55 Mercedes-Benz “Silver Arrow” raced by Juan Manuel Fangio and the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO along with over 8,000 enthusiasts at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for the inaugural edition of the ModaMiami event, American East Coast’s ultimate automotive luxury experience. Now, ModaMiami has announced its return on March 1 and 2 for the 2025 edition at the same historic Biltmore Hotel venue. The second edition promises to be a more extravagant affair with new vehicle collections including dedication exhibits from the world’s most beautiful race, ‘The Mille Miglia’, the world’s most gruelling race ‘La Carrera Panamericana’, along with a special collection entitled “The Holy Trinity” featuring iconic cars from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. The 2nd ModaMiami event will also see Bill and Jane Warner, best known as founders of The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which the pair began in 1996, joining in as Honorary Chairman for the event. Commenting on the second edition’s announcement, Rob Myers, Chairman and CEO of RM Sotheby’s, stated “Heading into 2024, we envisioned breathing new life into the concours world, a space that has remained unchanged for some time. Our aim was to attract the next generation of enthusiasts–the families and kids who attend cars and coffees, watch Formula 1 races, and those who come for the sheer experience, whether they’re car lovers or not. We achieved that vision by hosting an event that exceeded all expectations. This year will be no different. We are gearing up for an incredible 2025 event and can’t wait to announce the next big things.”

Founded on July 11th, 1899, FIAT is one of the longest-operative automotive brands in the world and this year marks the automaker’s 125th anniversary. To commemorate the 125th anniversary, FIAT recently hosted a “Smiling to the future” event in Turin which comprised a stunning parade of classic and contemporary FIAT vehicles divided into groups—icons, city cars, compact cars, family cars and light commercial vehicles, with the most important executives of FIAT and parent company Stellantis in attendance. The celebrations further saw FIAT announce a collaboration with Giorgio Armani to create the ultimate expression of Made in Italy on four wheels – the 500e Giorgio Armani. This limited-edition all-electric hatchback will be sold in limited numbers across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Japan, and Australia from next year, featuring stylized touches such as exclusive wheels and paint schemes on the exterior and laser-cut wooden trim dashboard for interior from the fashion house. FIAT’s 125th anniversary further marked the perfect occasion for the inauguration of the new Casa FIAT museum exhibition. This exhibition traces FIAT’s history decade by decade through interactive displays and wooden models for the brand’s most important milestones. The anniversary further celebrated the arrival of the new FIAT Panda, with the all-electric trim touted to be priced under €25,000, earmarking FIAT’s return to the global mainstream market. 

Good news for Corvette fans in the Middle East! Chevrolet Middle East is now accepting pre-orders for the first-ever electrified Corvette, the 2024 Corvette E-Ray, with all-wheel drive in the Middle East. Slated to be available in limited numbers for the region, the Corvette E-Ray is the first-ever electrified Corvette. The Corvette E-Ray combines the standard Corvette’s 495hp 6.2-litre LT2 V8 engine with a 160hp electric motor to deliver a 655hp and 832Nm torque power output that ensures a 0-100kph sprint time of 2.6 seconds, making it the quickest production Corvette in history. It has a 1.9kWh battery installed within the central tunnel that allows all-electric drivability at speeds up to 70kph and even a quiet all-electric vehicle start. Vehicle orders from the local dealer are available on a first-come, first-served basis so interested customers should head to their local GM as quickly as the Corvette E-Ray.

British automaker McLaren has collaborated with the LEGO Group to unveil a literal scaled-down tribute to McLaren’s pioneering hybrid hypercar, the McLaren P1 with a special LEGO Technic McLaren P1 DIY scale model. The new LEGO Technic McLaren P1 set in a 1:8 scale will be available for buying online or via LEGO stores from August 1st for £389.99 or $449.99. LEGO Insiders purchasing the set between 1st – 7th August 2024 will also receive a special LEGO Technic McLaren P1 Logo as a gift with the purchase. It consists of 3,893 elements and each car features a unique serial number which unlocks special behind-the-scenes content. The model has a 7-speed gearbox with 2 shifter drums, suspension, a V8 piston engine, an adjustable rear wing, and opening dihedral doors with advanced mechanisms. This LEGO Technic McLaren P1 model was designed in close collaboration with the McLaren team. “We worked on multiple variations of the car to test different designs. We also faced a huge challenge with the iconic butterfly doors because they needed a new mechanism to stay open. It was a great experience to recreate the McLaren P1 and I’m hoping all supercar enthusiasts out there are ready to explore the details and intricacies of the real McLaren P1 in LEGO Technic form.” Kasper Rene Hansen, Designer, LEGO Group.