Restomods, a cultural phenomenon of the last decade, represented a state of collective euphoria, especially starting in 2014, a period when the automotive market faced uncertainties, such as the fear of the end of the manual transmission and drastic changes in the strategies of brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Jaguar.
In this context of cautious optimism, Singer Vehicle Design emerged, a company founded by Rob Dickinson. Initially, Singer gained international prominence with its restomods based on the classic Porsche 911. However, Singer itself rejected the term 'restomod', preferring to describe its vehicles as 'reimagined by Singer'.
These projects went beyond simple restorations; they were complete recreations. Keeping only the original monocoque of the old 911, Singer replaced all other components with new, high-quality parts. This included hand-molded aluminum or carbon fiber bodies, premium leather or fabric seats, entirely new suspensions with updated geometry and Öhlins shock absorbers, as well as completely rebuilt boxer engines with individual throttle body injection.
Singer's approach aimed to create a hypothetical 911, as if it had appeared in a parallel universe where Porsche never abandoned the air-cooled engine, focusing on technical updates and bespoke finishing. Although there were subtle liberties—such as high horology instruments or coordinated interior finishes—each Singer vehicle was unique but followed a well-defined identity.
However, the author argues that at some point, Singer deviated from its original purpose. This reflection is not intended to demonize creativity, but rather to note that the projects ceased to be aesthetically cohesive and mechanically well-resolved to become manifestations of exaggeration, prioritizing extreme exclusivity over aesthetic harmony.
The turning point, according to the author, occurred in 2018 with the launch of the Singer DLS (Dynamic and Lightweight Study). This model was a study of dynamics and low weight, designed to meet clients with unlimited budgets. The DLS was radical because its monocoque did not come from a 911, but was built entirely from carbon fiber. The composite was present in various elements, including the body, dashboard, steering wheel, and seats.
The DLS engine was developed in collaboration with Hanz Mezger, an engineer known for his work on the Porsche 917 and street 911 engines up to 1994. The engine assembly and tuning were carried out by Williams, a Formula 1 team. Technically, the DLS is considered one of Singer's most interesting projects, but aesthetically, the excess of details—such as the 'X' design of the door trims and the yellow elements—creates visual fatigue.
This trend of boutique projects was not limited to Singer. In 2018, the Lancia Delta Integrale Futurista was launched by Automobili Amos, which modernized the Italian classic with advanced engineering. This model featured a two-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, prepared by Autotecnica to produce 330 hp, while maintaining a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Years later, HWA, led by Hans-Werner Aufrecht, created the HWA Evo, which applied the same philosophy to the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II, using carbon fiber, LED headlights and taillights, and a three-liter biturbo V6 producing over 500 hp.
Tom Walkinshaw Racing also developed the TWR Supercat, a restomod of the Jaguar XJS coupe. TWR transformed the aristocratic GT into an almost futuristic vehicle, equipped with a carbon fiber body, exaggerated fender flares, and a large front spoiler.
While recognizing the technical excellence of these vehicles, the author criticizes the emerging 'cyber-retro-luxury' style, where individually good elements end up harming the overall harmony of the set.
Singer remains active, and in 2026, two creations will be exhibited at the Monterey Car Week, including a Porsche 911 modified in partnership with Louis Vuitton. The author concludes that these cars tend to age poorly, comparing them to 80s tuning specials, citing negative examples such as Gemballa cars and Koenig Specials projects.
Mattel announced that the Ferrari F40 miniature will be available for sale on August 18th. This model is considered one of the most sought-after by Hot Wheels collector enthusiasts and is part of the exclusive Red Line Club (RLC) collection, the brand's premium segment.
The sale will take place at 1 PM Brasília time on the Mattel Creations portal, with an estimated price of R$ 259 (equivalent to US$ 50), excluding taxes and additional fees. Acquisition is restricted to club members.
This vehicle represents one of the first Ferraris to return to the RLC after Mattel renewed its licensing agreement with the Italian company. The resumption of this partnership began in 2025, featuring a set that included the 312 P and 499P Modificata miniatures, also exclusive to the club.
The high value of the piece is justified by its detailing. The miniature features functional front hood and rear lid, a feature rarely seen in 1:64 scale cars. Upon opening the rear lid, a replica of the engine can be viewed. The body is constructed from ZAMAC and features vibrant red Spectraflame paint, applied over a silver coating that covers the entire model.
Other attributes follow the standard of the club's most expensive editions: it has five-spoke Real Riders wheels with a silver rim, a fully metallic chassis in matte black, lightly smoked windows, and a black interior.
The packaging was designed by the manufacturer to also function as a display case and is housed in an outer box with a soft finish.
The selection of the F40 carries symbolic meaning, as it was conceived to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary. Mattel describes this model as the last Ferrari to receive personal approval from Enzo Ferrari, featuring a 2.9L twin-turbo V8 engine capable of reaching speeds exceeding 320 km/h.
Access to purchase depends on Red Line Club membership; non-members will not see the option to add the item to the cart when the sale begins. Furthermore, the company imposes a limit of two units per customer, a measure adopted to curb reseller activity.
Even after securing the miniature at the start of sales, buyers must wait, as Mattel has communicated that shipping processes will only begin in late November or December 2026, meaning a waiting period of three to four months after purchase. The total quantity of units to be produced has not been disclosed by the company.
Instagram announced on Thursday, the 13th, a complete overhaul of its visual identity, marking the platform's first major redesign in a decade. This update covers modifications across various aspects, such as typography, colors, graphic elements, animations, and the logo.
Adam Mosseri, Instagram's director, presented this change as part of a new phase for the social network. The stated goal is to maintain references linked to the app's creative origins while adopting a more modern and versatile aesthetic.
The redesign affects the brand's visual system, keeping the camera as the focal point of the symbol. The company emphasizes that the update aims to highlight community creativity and keep pace with the various formats and experiences offered by the application.
One of the most notable changes lies in how the name Instagram is presented. While the previous version had more elaborate strokes, the new approach employs a typographic construction perceived as cleaner and more contemporary. The camera icon has also been redesigned, preserving the association with photography, a central element since the platform's inception.
The color palette has received adjustments to increase the dynamic feel of the identity. Furthermore, the system has gained a specific language for movements and animations, along with graphic elements designed for various applications within the service.
According to Instagram, the renewal transcends just the logo's appearance, encompassing a broader range of visual resources, including colors, typography, and movement, all intended to give cohesion to the brand. The company associates this new stage with the app's strong historical creative character, seeking to recover artisanal aspects of its roots without compromising compatibility with its continuous evolution.
The transformation of greatest impact occurred in 2016, when Instagram abandoned the representation inspired by old cameras to adopt a minimalist symbol accompanied by the colorful gradient that characterized the network during the following decade. The platform was launched on October 6, 2010, by Kevin Systrom and Brazilian software engineer Mike Krieger, and in its early days, its visual directly referenced old photographic cameras.
Thus, the current reformulation once again alters the visual presentation of the service, but without completely breaking from its origin. The camera symbol remains present, now integrating into a more comprehensive and flexible brand system.
The Casa SJC project, executed by the firm Felipe Hess Arquitetos, was implemented in an already established urban condominium in the city of São José dos Campos. This lot had previous constructions, and its facade was influenced by the proximity of neighboring properties.
The conception of the project was structured based on these specific conditions, utilizing an orthogonal volume characterized by its geometry. The design opted not to use additional cladding beyond paint, with the overall reading of the set being defined through punctual subtractions in the volume.
Information about the project was provided by the development team.
