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Plenty of car people love Ford’s Panther platform. The Crown Victorias, Town Cars, and Grand Marquis that once served as taxis and patrol vehicles are now being scooped up by enthusiasts for tank engine swaps and track duty alike. But this particular Lincoln has lived a much different second life as a Hongqi CA7460 replica, and its origin story is super interesting.

I stumbled upon this car when Panther Magazine posted it for sale on Instagram. Curious, I reached out to the seller, whose name is Yang (@cy0208 on IG). He explained to me that, while this is a registered 2001 Town Car underneath, it wears many Chinese domestic market parts—from the grille and lighting to the unique badging you definitely won’t find at your local salvage lot.

The way Yang explained it to me, China’s state-owned FAW group sent a design and engineering team to the United States sometime around 1997. This trip and multiple follow-up conversations resulted in Ford shipping nearly complete Town Cars to China for Hongqi to outfit with its own distinguishing parts. It was even intended to become a diplomat’s car, as a long-wheelbase model was developed to serve as an inspection vehicle in the 1999 National Day Military Parade in Beijing. Plans were scrapped as political tensions swelled following the U.S. bombing of China’s embassy in Belgrade.

Still, Hongqi built an entire line of CA7460 limousines, and the car itself remained in production until 2005.

What Yang did was buy a 2001 Lincoln Town Car in the States and then fit it with Hongqi components that he imported from China. It has made its way around the internet, and as I researched the car, I was utterly unsurprised to see that Jason Torchinsky at The Autopian had already seen it in person (That guy’s too good!).

What’s new now is that the Hongqi replica is for sale, and you can buy it for $10,000. You might whiff at that, but just know that it has only 75,000 miles or so on the odometer. The interior is in way better shape than it could be, and there’s a fair chance it’s the only one around.

Like all CA7460s and Town Cars of this ilk, it’s powered by a 4.6-liter modular V8. Rear-wheel drive means it’s capable of some smoky burnouts and skids, if you’re into that type of thing, though part of me hopes someone will avoid thrashing it completely. Yang put a lot of work into assembling this car, and he’s kept it respectfully clean.

I’m afraid I won’t be the one to buy this car. Blame it on my other projects, like the 1966 Ford dump truck that’s currently parked in my driveway with two flat tires. But perhaps you’ll be interested in taking home this piece of automotive esoterica?

Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com

MINI has celebrated 25 years of modern production under BMW Group ownership.

 

The silver anniversary marks a milestone that underscores its evolution from a British icon to a globally recognised premium small-car brand.

 

The first BMW-era Mini rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford in April 2001, signalling the rebirth of the marque for the modern era.

 

Since then, more than 4.67 million Minis have been built in the UK, with production centred around BMW Group’s Oxford and Swindon facilities, supported by engine manufacturing at Hams Hall.

 

Today, the Oxford plant produces about 800 vehicles per day, with a new Mini leaving the line every 78 seconds, highlighting the scale of the brand’s global demand.

 

The milestone reflects a broader transformation of the Mini brand, which traces its origins back to 1959 when the original Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, redefined small-car packaging with its front-wheel-drive layout and compact footprint.

 

That legacy has carried through to the modern era, with Mini continuing to emphasise design individuality, agile driving dynamics, and strong links to its motorsport heritage.

 

Mini head Jean-Philippe Parain said the anniversary highlights the brand’s enduring appeal.

 

“Our unmistakable British roots, unique design and go-kart feeling have made Mini a global icon,” he said.

 

The current Mini line-up is the most diverse in its history, spanning five core models with a mix of internal combustion and fully electric powertrains.

 

Electrification is playing an increasingly important role, with battery-electric vehicles accounting for more than one-third of global Mini sales in 2025 and exceeding 50 per cent in some markets.

 

Global deliveries reached 288,290 units last year, while the performance-focused John Cooper Works sub-brand recorded a record 25,630 sales.

 

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Mini’s identity, with more than 3000 employees across its UK plants contributing to production, reinforcing the brand’s strong ties to British industry.

 

Mini continues to evolve its range with new electric models and design-led special editions simultaneously balancing heritage with innovation as it transitions further into a fully electric future.

Genesis is no longer making only quiet luxury cars – the brand released a detailed look into its latest creation, the Genesis GV60 Magma. This car is a big change for the company. It moves away from just being comfortable and steps into the world of high-performance electric cars. By mixing its classic elegant look with serious speed, Genesis wants to show that EVs can be as exciting as gas-powered sports cars.

Genesis GV60 Magma performance figures – source: Genesis

The people in charge at Hyundai Motor Group, which owns Genesis, are very proud of this project. Manfred Harrer, who leads their research and development, explained that his team worked hard to build something special. He says the car is not only fast in a straight line – it is designed to make the driver feel a real emotional connection. The goal was to create a machine that builds confidence, even when it is moving at very high speeds.

To make the Genesis GV60 Magma perform this way, the engineers had to rebuild the powertrain from the ground up. They upgraded the electric motors and changed many internal parts. These changes allow the car to reach 62 mph in only 3.4 seconds. If you keep your foot down, it will hit 124 mph in 10.9 seconds. These numbers make it the fastest vehicle Genesis has ever put on the road.

Genesis GV60 Magma performance figures – source: Genesis

The power coming from the front and rear motors is quite impressive for any modern car. The motors can spin up to 20,920 rpm, delivering 583 lb-ft of torque and a peak output of 641 horsepower. The Genesis GV60 Magma can reach a top speed of 164 mph. For a brand known for smooth rides and soft leather, these racing-style specs are quite a departure.

Genesis also wrote new software to manage all that power. Most EVs start to lose their punch once they are already moving fast. To fix this, the GV60 Magma uses a special two-stage motor control system. This helps the car keep pulling hard even when it is already at high speeds. There is also a “Boost Mode” button that gives the driver 15 seconds of maximum power for quick passing or track driving.

Genesis GV60 Magma interior – source: Genesis

Driving a car with this much power can be tricky, so Genesis added five different drive modes. Each of them changes how the GV60 Magma feels. Range Mode is all about saving energy, and Comfort Mode is for the daily commute, balancing power with a smooth ride. Sport Mode makes the car feel a bit more responsive and fun for back roads. Then there are two special modes: Sprint and GT. Sprint is for the race track, making the car very sensitive to every input. GT Mode is for long highway trips where you want a mix of luxury and speed.

One interesting detail is the accelerator pedal. Usually, pedals in electric cars feel very light, but the engineers at Genesis decided to make the pedal harder to push. Taejun Kang, a senior engineer on the test team, said they did this to give the driver more control. When you are driving slowly through town, the pedal is easy to move. But when you want to go fast, it pushes back more. This helps prevent the car from jerking forward and makes the driver feel more connected to the road.

Genesis GV60 Magma – source: Genesis

This focus on the “feel” is what Genesis hopes will set it apart from other EVs. Genesis is not chasing top speed records; it wants to make a high-performance car that is still easy to live with every day. The GV60 Magma is quite a different beast from its twin Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – it shows that the company is ready to compete with the fastest luxury brands in the world.

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