duPont REGISTRY August 2022

Some people can’t leave well enough alone. In the automotive world, they’re known as tuners. They look at a car from the factory as unfinished, and only they have the final piece. God bless ’em. There are a handful of tuning companies so good at what they do, they’ve been bought by the automaker they specialize in and brought in house. Names like Polestar, Alpina, and AMG. What AMG in particular did — first as a racing team and then as a boutique builder of Mercedes-Benz performance vehicles — is the blueprint for success in the tuning business. We review their history on page 14. The company’s story hit a new high this year with the final unveiling of the AMG One, a road-going interpretation of the Formula 1 car that Lewis…

In the 1960s, engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher received some terrible news. Daimler-Benz had decided to end all motorsport activities — tough luck for a duo working in the engine development department, where they’d been wrenching on a new racing engine for the 300 SE. Rather than kill the project, the engineers took the power plant to Aufrecht’s basement in Großaspach, Germany, and continued development after hours. In 1965, the engine was ready to go racing. With racing driver Manfred Schiek behind the wheel, they entered that year’s German Touring Car Championship. And the engine didn’t just race — it won 10 times, proving to Aufrecht and Melcher that they were onto something big. Aufrecht decided he was ready to branch out and enlisted Melcher to continue their racing…

In June 1967, AMG laid its foundation and started on a journey to create some of the most iconic and memorable vehicles ever produced. Since that day, the AMG brand has become much more than a creator of racing engines or modifier of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Iconic models like the CLK GTR, SLS AMG, and even the 300CE 6.0 AMG have become literal poster cars for automotive enthusiasts around the globe. Now, AMG is celebrating its 55th anniversary with its wildest creation yet: the Mercedes-AMG One. It’s been quite some time since AMG has graced us with a model that would act as a spiritual successor to the CLK GTR, but that ended with the unveiling of the AMG One. This groundbreaking hypercar blends so many facets of what AMG has to…

769 Horsepower 2.9 seconds 0-62 mph 220 mph Top Speed The end of the Lamborghini Aventador is here. More importantly, its departure marks the end of an era for the Italian carmaker. No more purely naturally aspirated V12s. From here on out, the brand’s flagship cars will either be hybrids or full EVs. Before closing that chapter, however, I’ve been driving their swan song. It’s called the Ultimae, and it is the most powerful Aventador they’ve created. I believe it’s also the best-looking and most rewarding to drive on the street. The Ultimae’s recipe is simple yet effective. Take the engine out of the fire-breathing SVJ, and drop it into something that looks more like an Aventador S. Tuned up to account for some added creature comforts in the cabin, the Ultimae’s 6.5-liter V12…

While modern-day performance cars roll off the production line with plenty of power to accompany any road or track, a majority of owners look to install aftermarket parts in pursuit of achieving the ultimate look and feel. With so many product options when it comes to modifying a car, the aftermarket industry brings together a community of passionate enthusiasts eager to share their experiences and knowledge. Whether you’re looking to enhance aerodynamics, upgrade an interior, add horsepower with tuning, or grab more traction with a better tire setup, there is a brand in the industry specializing in taking things to the next level. Lightweight aerodynamic body designs make for better cornering and faster lap times by incorporating exterior add-ons made from weight-saving materials like carbon fiber. With downforce and cooling being…

Paint-protection film, commonly known as PPF, or “clear bra,” stands as one of the easiest ways to protect your vehicle from stone chips, scratches, and overall road grime. The thermoplastic urethane film can trace its roots back to the Vietnam War. During the war, the U.S. military noticed vital aircraft parts, such as helicopter rotor blades, were heavily damaged by airborne shrapnel and other debris. At military request, 3M developed a protective film known then as “helicopter tape” — it was virtually invisible, lightweight, and easy to replace. Thanks to clever racing drivers, that military film made its way onto the track, eventually birthing PPF’s automotive sector as we know it today. In its early stages, car owners would cover high-impact zones, like wheel arches or their front bumper, with PPF.…