Ultra-Rare Classic Supercars Hit the Track in Bahrain
Quartet of exotics from Porsche, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, and Maserati are joined by the new kid on the block, the Apollo IE.
McLaren F1. Maserati MC12. Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR. Porsche 993 911 GT1. All four are exotic classics, each representing the pinnacle of what their parent manufacturers are capable of delivering if given the opportunity.
Speaking of opportunities, it’s a rare opportunity to see any of these cars out and about on the track, let alone all four. But that’s what happened a few weeks ago at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, where YouTube channel Lovecars was there to witness the greatness about to take place.
“Today, we’re with Supercars Club Arabia, we’re in Bahrain, and it’s fair to say we’ve got some fairly tasty cars today,” said Lovecars host Paul Woodman. “Four of the most exotic, rare, unique, whatever you wanna call them, unicorn cars in the world… I think you’ll be quite impressed.”
All four of these machines are owned by an Instagrammer simply known as The Collection. The quartet were only introduced to the world some 25 years ago, yet “remain to this day as some of the most special and unique cars ever made,” according to Woodman.
The quartet didn’t come alone, though, for it was accompanied by “the new kid on the block,” the Apollo IE (short for ‘Intensa Emozione’). The carbon-fiber masterpiece is powered by a 6.3-liter V12 linked to a six-speed sequential gearbox, delivering 780 horses and 561 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. And like its older siblings, the IE is an ultra-rare machine, where only one batch of 10 will ever be made.
“We might normally expect to see these cars in a static collection or in a museum,” said Woodman, “[but] as night fell, we got the opportunity to experience them out on the track.”
While the four classics weren’t pushed to their limits due to reasons of rarity and value, Woodman says “seeing and hearing this incredible group of cars” on the track “was something truly special.” Of course, the Apollo IE was given a chance to put the hammer down on the circuit, drifting around the wet corners and burning through the straights, its purple carbon fiber shining like a diamond under the lights.
“But they weren’t the only impressive machines on display,” said Woodman. “Guests had the opportunity to take their own cars around the famous Bahrain grand prix track.”
Everything from Porsche 911s and Ferraris, to a Lotus Exige and a Honda NSX were all out in force to do what they do best: live fast, live well.