Porsche’s 550 J is a racing legend shrunk into an electric track-day car

Posted on 16/09/2026 by Gaurav Sood

The Porsche 550 Spyder occupies a special place in the brand’s motorsport history. Developed specifically for racing, the lightweight mid-engined sports car proved that clever engineering and low weight could challenge competitors with considerably larger engines. At the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, factory drivers Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan took their 550 Spyders to third and fourth overall while winning their class, covering the demanding 3,077-kilometre race route.

For the 75th anniversary of Porsche Motorsport, Hedley Studios has reinterpreted that racing icon as the Porsche 550 J, an officially licensed electric replica built at approximately 80 percent of the original’s size. The “J” stands for Junior, but this is not a toy. It is a handcrafted two-seater intended for collectors and enthusiasts who want to experience the character of a historic Porsche in a much smaller package. Only 250 examples will be produced.

Designer: Hedley Studios and Porsche

The compact proportions measure around 2.9 metres long and 1.2 metres wide, yet the scaled-down body still accommodates two adults. Porsche provided Hedley Studios with access to its corporate archives and an original 550 during development, helping the British company capture the proportions and details of the original without simply producing a museum-style replica. The carbon-fibre body sits over a steel space-frame chassis, while the battery pack is positioned behind the seats to recreate the weight distribution and mid-engined character of the original.

Electric power gives the 550 J a distinctly modern interpretation of the classic formula. Its 48-volt drivetrain produces 8 kW in standard form, with an RS Package increasing output to 16 kW. The standard version can reach approximately 80 km/h, while the RS version raises the top speed to around 50 mph. The RS Package also adds drilled brakes and adjustable dampers, while four drive modes—Novice, Comfort, Sport and Race—bring a contemporary interface to the otherwise vintage-inspired cockpit.

The chassis is equally important to the experience. Hedley has adapted the original 550’s trailing-arm suspension for the smaller car, combining it with Bilstein coilover dampers, Eibach springs and Brembo brakes. Custom switchgear inspired by Porsche’s modern Taycan adds another subtle connection between the 1950s original and its electric successor.

Visually, the 550 J stays close to the elegant simplicity that made the original distinctive. Buyers can choose Porsche Silver alongside heritage-inspired blue, white, yellow and red finishes, while Hedley’s Bespoke programme opens up further paint, livery and detail combinations. Every example is handcrafted at Hedley Studios in Bicester, UK.

The Porsche 550 J is not road legal, so its natural home is a private estate, closed course or suitable track environment. Pricing starts at £69,500 (approximately $93,500), with deliveries expected from spring 2027.

The post Porsche’s 550 J is a racing legend shrunk into an electric track-day car first appeared on Yanko Design.

BMW turns 2025 April Fools’ joke into a Nürburgring-bound M3 touring race car

Posted on 18/03/2026 by Gaurav Sood

What began as a playful internet prank has evolved into a genuine motorsport project. The racing version of the BMW M3 Touring 24H will compete at the legendary 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2026, turning an April Fools’ joke into a unique moment for endurance racing. Built by BMW M Motorsport, the car will take on the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife (often called the “Green Hell”), bringing a wagon body style (rarely seen in modern motorsport) to one of the world’s most demanding circuits.

The idea originated on April 1, 2025, when BMW shared images of a supposed race-ready M3 Touring on social media as part of its annual April Fools’ tradition. The concept depicted a full-blown GT-style race car based on the performance wagon, complete with aggressive aerodynamic components and racing livery. While initially intended as a joke, the reaction from fans was overwhelmingly positive. Enthusiasts embraced the idea of a high-performance wagon competing on the track, prompting BMW engineers to explore whether the concept could become reality.

Designer: BMW Group

That fan enthusiasm ultimately led to the creation of the BMW M3 Touring 24H, a competition-ready machine developed specifically for endurance racing at the Nürburgring. The car is scheduled to make its racing debut at a round of the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) before appearing at the 24-hour race itself in May 2026. The event will mark a rare sight in modern motorsport: a long-roof station wagon battling alongside purpose-built race cars in one of the world’s toughest endurance competitions.

Visually, the M3 Touring 24H transforms a practical family wagon into a striking track weapon. The bodywork incorporates wide fenders, a deep front splitter, aerodynamic side panels, and a large rear wing mounted above the tailgate. A racing diffuser and enlarged air intakes help optimize airflow and cooling during long stints on track, while the overall stance mirrors the aggressive proportions of BMW’s GT race cars. The familiar Touring silhouette remains intact, giving the car a distinctive appearance that blends practicality with pure racing performance.

Although detailed technical specifications for the race version remain limited, the project draws inspiration from the performance credentials of the road-going BMW M3 CS Touring. That high-performance wagon uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine producing around 543 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The result is a wagon capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in about 3.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of approximately 186 mph.

The Nürburgring itself has long been central to BMW M’s development and racing activities. The 12.9-mile circuit features more than 70 corners and dramatic elevation changes, making it one of the most challenging tracks in the world. BMW M vehicles have achieved numerous successes there over the years, including multiple victories in the 24-hour race, reinforcing the brand’s deep connection to the track. The debut of the BMW M3 Touring 24H represents more than just a novelty. It highlights how fan enthusiasm and digital culture can influence real-world automotive projects, especially when a playful idea resonates strongly with enthusiasts.

When the M3 Touring 24H lines up on the grid at the Nürburgring in 2026, it will stand out among the field not only for its unusual body style but also for the story behind its creation.

The post BMW turns 2025 April Fools’ joke into a Nürburgring-bound M3 touring race car first appeared on Yanko Design.

Caterham Seven HWM Edition celebrates British racing heritage with a limited-run lightweight sports car

Posted on 11/03/2026 by Gaurav Sood

Few sports cars have preserved the spirit of lightweight performance quite like the Caterham Seven. With its minimalist design and uncompromising focus on driving purity, the model has remained one of the most authentic expressions of classic British motoring. Now, the British manufacturer has introduced a special variant that celebrates a lesser-known but historically important racing story. Developed in collaboration with Hersham and Walton Motors (HWM), the Caterham Seven HWM Edition pays tribute to the small British team that once challenged Europe’s best on the Grand Prix stage.

HWM was founded in 1938 and built a reputation in the early post-war years as a determined independent racing constructor. Its most famous machine was the 1951 HWM-Alta single-seater, which achieved several international race victories and podium finishes during an era dominated by far larger teams. The car also played a role in motorsport history by giving legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss an early Formula 1 appearance. By creating the Seven HWM Edition, Caterham and HWM are celebrating that underdog spirit and the shared heritage of two British brands deeply rooted in racing culture.

Designer: Caterham and HWM

The limited-run model is inspired by the original HWM-Alta racer. Only 19 examples will be produced for the UK market, mirroring the exclusivity of historic racing specials and emphasizing the handcrafted nature of Caterham’s vehicles. Each car is finished in a distinctive HWM Green paint, a color digitally matched to the original 1951 race car. Exterior detailing reinforces the historical connection, with Alta-inspired side panel louvres, a bespoke nosecone grille, and suspension components such as the wishbones, anti-roll bar, and headlight brackets finished in Retro Grey. A centrally mounted chrome fuel filler cap and a special HWM Caterham nosecone badge further distinguish the model.

Inside the cockpit, the retro theme continues with a focus on craftsmanship and period-correct design cues. The dashboard features a hand-turned aluminum SuperSprint panel fitted with classic SMITHS chrome dials and a solid metal master cut-off switch. Drivers interact with the car through a polished wooden Moto-Lita quick-release steering wheel, while chrome-finished controls for the gear lever and handbrake add to the vintage racing aesthetic. The body-colored transmission tunnel enhances the bespoke feel, and buyers can choose between leather-trimmed seats or lightweight composite racing seats embroidered with the HWM logo. A numbered plaque on the passenger side of the dashboard marks each vehicle as “1 of 19,” underscoring its rarity.

Despite its historic inspiration, the Seven HWM Edition remains a thoroughly modern performance machine. The car is based on the Caterham Seven 420 platform and is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter Duratec four-cylinder engine producing around 210 horsepower. Paired with a five-speed manual gearbox and driving the rear wheels, the lightweight sports car delivers an impressive power-to-weight ratio of roughly 375 horsepower per ton. As a result, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of approximately 136 miles per hour.

Prices for the Caterham Seven HWM Edition start at £57,990 (approximately $78,000), positioning it as an exclusive offering for enthusiasts who value both heritage and pure driving engagement.