Skip to main content

Italian startup promises to build LaFerrari-beating Wild Twelve supercar

Italian boutique automaker ATS has introduced a brand new concept called Wild Twelve at the Parco Valentino Salone in Turin, Italy.

Developed jointly with Torino Design, the Wild Twelve boasts an aggressive, low-slung design characterized by a short sloping hood, a thin grille with mesh inserts, and four round headlights. Sculpted flanks add a muscular touch to the look, while the rear end features thin horizontal tail lamps, a massive two-piece air diffuser and a sizable oval exhaust pipe.

The concept’s dimensions are unknown at this point, but ATS promises it will tip the scale at no more than 3,300 pounds thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials like carbon fiber. Similarly, interior pictures have not been published, though the dark-tinted windows hint that the cockpit hasn’t been assembled yet.

As its name implies, the Wild Twelve is powered by a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain made up of a 3.8-liter V12 engine that spins the rear wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission and a pair of electric motors that zap the front wheels into motion. Together, these power sources generate 847 horsepower and 678 foot-pounds of torque.

This massive level of power allows the Wild Twelve to reach 62 mph in just 2.6 seconds — almost on par with the now-defunct Bugatti Veyron – and on to a jaw-dropping top speed of over 240 mph. Alternatively, the electric motors can draw juice from a lithium-ion battery pack to power the ATS by themselves for approximately 20 miles.

Surprisingly, ATS promises the Wild Twelve will spawn a production model in the not-too-distant future. Concrete details are few and far between, but company owner Piero Jacometti explains he plans on building at least 30 examples of the supercar in a former Bugatti factory located in Campogalliano, a small town in northern Italy that’s just a stone’s throw away from Modena, Ferrari’s home town.

Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but Veyron-like performance will most likely come at a Veyron-like seven-digit price tag.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more