Vilhuer

Having driven both GT (best hour around Hannover 120mph average) and automatic GTS (close to same speeds at autobahn and through southern Sweden during night over 100mph average for 300 miles) at autobahn it really gets annoying after a while when engine is constantly revving 3-4k rpm when 2k would be enough if gears allowed. At least manual GTS should have gotten overdrive 6th but development money simply wasn't there. Manual box BMW 850i had 6th from '90 MY and just about everything got it since then.

LC500 really is modern day 928. Though many in Europe are LC500h (gearbox in this is mind-blowing) simply because taxation. In any case its as close to 928 one can get in new car. Jaguar F-Type is good second option. Apart of those two and BMW M8 big coupe is dead now.

GT6ixer

CFM928

Here's the latest on the Nardone at a public appearance:
http://www.speedhunters.com/2023/06/...e-928-is-both/

"The team is focused on creating a beautiful engine bay that complements the overall aesthetics of the Nardone 928."

"The ambitious project began in March 2019 and Nardone Automotive was officially founded in April 2021. The company is planning to execute the first eight deliveries of the Nardone 928 in 2024."

Darklands

I think the Nardone isn‘t looking right! Looks like Dr. Frankensteins high School work.

The Totem however is a real gem! Especially the electric. This car looks amazing!

https://www.totemautomobili.com/

GregBBRD

Just like the Titan Submersible, some things should never be done.
However, with enough promotion, there are enough rich people that will "toss the dice" and go for it.

Altering the classic lines of a 928 is always going to be a tough road.
The front fenders, the rear flares, the rear bumper, the front bumper, and the instrument cluster all "define" a 928.
All of these items have been radically altered.
And for me, this particular road is really, really bumpy.

It's also interesting that in the past year, there still isn't an engine, transmission, or suspension in this prototype.
It's apparently still all wishful thinking.
There's going to be several years of "learning curve" there....just having the pieces made.
And then there will need to be some serious testing and refinement.

2024 seems unlikely.

Koenig-Specials 928

Like this:- with C5-Z06 6 speed tranny. I drive my car from Canada to Florida (before winter) and back to Canada in the spring every year.
Speedo is GPS accurate (used VDO GPS to provide pulse). Easy and comfortable

vanster

I hate to weigh in on this....but I must. Living with a GB 6.5 stroked motor along with a 5 speed Borg Warner box, I don't understand the desire to spend gobs of cash to create a one off. My car is built entirely with gobs of Porsche parts along with Greg Brown bits ( 968 pistons etc) I am now doing monthly drives to Santa Barbara down Hwy 101. It's 5 hours each way. Many open stretches of hwy, but only to the stupid. in drive to the limit In CA we have 1) traffic 2) CHP with radar 3) pot holes. My car is obviously quick with big throttle response but come on...think about it. To me, reliability and comfort makes the experience a whole lot more fun. Road rash is good, dirty wheels are not.

Cheburator

You missed the most obvious successor of the 928...

I give you the Maserati GranTurismo S

1) Stunningly beautiful
2) Transaxle
3) Great V8
4) Real 2+2
5) Can be hustled along just like the 928
6) Equally **** when it comes to part prices and difficulty to work on
7) I bought one... with the F1 Automated manual 6-spd Graziano Transaxle - even the clutch is twin-plate with the same diameter 215mm as the 928

As for Nardonne - the two consultants they are employing for the engine and transaxle work really know their stuff and have played a major part in many Ferrari/Lancia/Maserati internal projects amongst others, so I will reserve judgement... But I think G Brown may be right...

Vilhuer

Of course. No one remembers those.

Every automated manual should be changed to full manual version. I think that box is part same family as in my 550.

Cheburator

The box is very similar indeed - but the Maserati is a much later car - 2013... As a matter of fact, the clutch, the actuator and all hydraulics are shared with the 599HGTB/GTO and it's allegedly the fastest shifting automated manual box - 60msec - ever made. There is a lot of very clever stuff going on behind the scenes. I do love automated manuals - have one in my E46 M3 and in my V10 M5 Touring... When they work, they are great... The German stuff was made by Williams/Getrag and it simply works. The Italian stuff was made by Magnetti Marelli - when it works, it's great, but when it doesn't it just poor... And sadly, on the Software side, MM left a lot to be desired. Being a niche product, it never got the development that BMW received...

Maserati never made a manual version of the GranTurismo, so converting one to manual would be prohibitively expensive and would take away from the nature of the car. I do like razor sharp and quick gear changes and the over-exuberant throttle blips on the way down the box...

As for the 550 - didn't know you had one. Always liked them - thought about buying one when I bought the GT3, but the Mezger won and now I cannot justify another 2 seat car, especially with the crazy rise in prices of the Prancing Donkeys... Hence the poor cousin from Modena made its way into my garage...

Vilhuer

Had E60 M5 few years ago for a while. Hated that gearbox. Though its much faster than earlier SMG's because of how selector mechanism is done. SMG3 in M5 and M6 has four separate levers which each select two gears. Earlier SMG2 in E46 M3 uses single selector setup of normal manual box. Separate can do change in 60ms. Aventador uses similar setup. Did usual V10 rod bearing fixes they all need. By they way. Someone should be shot at Munich for starter motor mounting design.

At least early Ferrari F1 as in 355 and 575 used similar manual selector replacement as SMG2 and they are fairly easy to convert. Haven't looked more closely about 599 and 612 if they just have very fast single or SMG3 style selector. Based on how 599 conversions are done now they might use single setup.

Got 550 over year ago when prices were still little more reasonable. Currently doing full cam belt etc. service and fixing usual issues. Ordered custom water hose set which takes 10 weeks to get. So no need to drive it this summer.

Cheburator

599, 612 and GranTurismo boxes use single style selector with bevelled edges, so you can select gears diagonally across the box when super fast shift mode is engaged by the transmission control unit. The clever trick is that the electronics uses the inertia of the selector rods and the detent springs to speed up the shift time.

Speaking of Ferraris - a friend who is on here and already has an amazing duo of F cars has just gotten his dirty hands on another one - an abandoned 456 GTA. The good news - it was a running car in great condition when parked up, due to owner's health issues, inside the barn where we store our cars. The bad news - it was last started 7yrs ago and it's automatic...

Wish me luck in recommissioning it