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Are supercars becoming less special?

There's little doubt that we are currently enjoying the golden age of automotive performance. Dozens of different models on sale today make over 500 horsepower, and seven boast output in excess of 700 hp. Not long ago, that kind of capability was exclusive to supercars – vehicles whose rarity, performance focus, and requisite expense made them aspirational objects of desire to us mortals. But more than that, supercars have historically offered a unique driving experience, one which was bespoke to a particular model and could not be replicated elsewhere. But in recent years, even the low-volume players have been forced to find the efficiencies and economies of scale that formerly hadn't been a concern for them, and in turn the concept of the supercar as a unique entity unto itself is fading fast. The blame doesn't fall on one particular manufacturer nor a specific production technique. Instead, it's a confluence of different factors that are chipping away at the distinction of these vehicles. It's not all bad news – Lamborghini's platform sharing with Audi for the Gallardo and the R8 yielded a raging bull that was more reliable and easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, and as a result it went on to become the best-selling Lambo in the company's history. But it also came at the cost of some of the Italian's exclusivity when eerily familiar sights and sounds suddenly became available wearing an Audi badge. Even low-volume players have been forced to find economies of scale. Much of this comes out of necessity, of course. Aston Martin's recent deal with Mercedes-AMG points toward German hardware going under the hood and into the cabin of the upcoming DB11, and it's safe to assume that this was not a decision made lightly by the Brits, as the brand has built a reputation for the bespoke craftsmanship of its vehicles. There's little doubt that the DB11 will be a fine automobile, but the move does jeopardize some of the characteristic "specialness" that Astons are known for. Yet the world is certainly better off with new Aston Martins spliced with DNA from Mercedes-AMG rather than no new Astons at all, and the costs of developing cutting-edge drivetrains and user interfaces is a burden that's becoming increasingly difficult for smaller manufacturers to bear. Even Ferrari is poised to make some dramatic changes in the way it designs cars.

Sebastian Vettel captures Belgian Grand Prix

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel sped away from first corner carnage to celebrate a commanding Belgian Grand Prix victory on Sunday and trim Lewis Hamilton's Formula One lead to 17 points with eight races remaining. Hamilton, last year's winner in Belgium, started from pole position but finished second for Mercedes while Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave his army of Dutch fans something to cheer with third place. In the battle of four-times world champions, Hamilton now has 231 points to Vettel's 214. "I had a great start, I'm not sure Lewis saw me as he pushed me to the left in the first lap, but after last year I ended up short, and this year it was the other way around," said Vettel of his decisive pass on Hamilton. "As soon as I was ahead I relaxed. I had a good restart after the safety car, and after that it was a very smooth race," he added. The start provided most of the afternoon's excitement, with Fernando Alonso's McLaren flying over Charles Leclerc's Sauber at the La Source hairpin after being rammed by Renault's Nico Hulkenberg. All three retired as the safety car was deployed for four laps but Leclerc had reason to thank the 'halo' head protection system -- introduced this season -- for allowing him to step away unscathed. Television close-up images after the race showed the structure heavily marked by the impact. "The Halo was a very good thing to have today. I think for him, it helped," commented Spaniard Alonso, who will be leaving Formula One at the end of the season. Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, a four times winner in Belgium, and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo also collided at the start and retired after pitting, the Finn having to wait for his 100th career podium. At the front, Vettel swiftly seized the lead from Hamilton down the Kemmel straight on the opening lap and never looked back, taking the checkered flag 11.0 seconds clear of Hamilton. "He drove past me like I wasn't even there on the straight," said Hamilton, who was quick to shake his rival's hand and offer congratulations. "They have got a few trick things going on in the car," he added. "I did what I could, we did what we could so we have to keep working." It was the German's fifth win of the campaign, matching his British rival, and 52nd of his career -- one more than the great four times champion Alain Prost managed. Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas finished fourth, and set the fastest lap, after starting 17th.

Incredible $12 million Ferrari collection up for auction

Ferraris come up for auction all the time, but in Scottsdale next month Gooding & Company will be auctioning off an entire collection of Maranello's finest projected to fetch around $12 million. The collection belongs to one Tony Shooshani, described as "a widely published and renowned Ferrari collector." He's the proprietor of a 599XX Evo, a LaFerrari, and one of only six Pininfarina Sergio roadsters made. They'll remain in his collection, along with his prized 288 GTO and his thoroughbred Arabian stallion named Enzo. But he's liquidating some other notables from his garage, giving other collectors a chance to bring them home instead. This includes a trio of supercars. There's an Enzo tipped to fetch between $2.4 and 2.8 million, an F50 ($2.5-2.9m), and an F40 ($1.3-1.6m). The more classically inclined may be more enticed by the 1960s-era 250 GT Lusso ($2.2-2.5m), 250 GT Series II Cabriolet ($2-2.3m), and Dino 206 GT ($700-800k), and there's a pair of 80s models as well in a 512 BBi ($400-475k) and 328 GTS ($125-150k). The Berlinetta Boxer was Ferrari's first mid-engined twelve-cylinder supercar, and the 512 BBi was the ultimate incarnation thereof. It was never officially sold in the United States, but some still made it over here. This particular example was once owned by racing legend AJ Foyt. Those pre-sale estimates place the value of the collection altogether at $10.3 million on the low side, and as high as $13.5 million. That's a whole lot of cash, but there's a whole lot of machinery here – in both quantity and quality. So if you've had a good six or seven figures burning a hole in your proverbial pocket and have been looking for the right place to invest it, this could be your chance. Related Video: Gooding & Company is Thrilled to Announce The Tony Shooshani Collection to be Auctioned at the Scottsdale Auctions Headlining the historic collection, a trio of rare Ferrari supercars from an astute collector – the 1990 Ferrari F40, the 1995 Ferrari F50 and the 2003 Ferrari Enzo SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 30, 2015) – Gooding & Company, the auction house acclaimed for selling the world's most significant and valuable collector cars, is pleased to announce an outstanding array of Ferraris at its annual two-day Scottsdale Auctions on January 29 and 30, 2016.