The notion of gentleman race clubs has become more and more popular over the past few years. The idea is simple. Bring lots of money and a race prepared car to that series’ specification, turn up to each event, attempt to gain glory against fellow wealthy individuals. Maserati are in their third year of running a global event staring some rather angry GranTurismo. For 2012 these machines are faster than ever.

Claiming to be a half second faster than the 2012 cars, these new Maserati GranTurismo racers consist of a revised aerodynamic package and the loss of a bit more weight. The overall package is a much sharper racing tool that is ready to compete in the Trofeo World Series. The cost of running in this 2012 season is set at just under £100,000.

Welcome to episode 47 of the podcast! This week the boys bring you news of BMW’s hot M135i, the controversial Kia K9, and Tyler has a rant about environmentalists. (Nothing new there.) Also is all the lastest from Formula One and the WRC.

Enjoy!

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There were rumors that VW may enter Formula One when new rules come into force to downsize the V8’s to V6. The most concrete thing we ever got out of the Germans was that “it is being considered.” Alas the dream died and the Germans changed their focus to the WRC. 2013 will see VW campaign a Polo after years of preparation and using Skoda as a guinea pig. Celebrating its entrance VW is previewing a special edition.

This is the Polo WRC Street and garnished with a rally inspired livery, it looks rather impressive. Under the bonnet is a 217BHP 2.0 litre engine that rather interestingly has more power than the Golf GTI. We are big fans of those 14 spoke alloys and the interior, with its overly bolstered seats, ticks yet another box. The bodywork also gets some rally inspired tweaks with that spoiler and the odd air intake here and there.

Yes it is yet another VW Up! pun in the title… As mentioned in a previous article, the VW Up! shares its platform with other brands under the Germans vast umbrella. The Mii from Seat and Citigo from Skoda are effectively the same car with a different badge. Skoda are VW’s test bed for their entrance into the WRC next year and the Fabia S2000’s have inspired a rather mad concept car.

Named the Citigo Rally Concept, this is the end result of putting VW’s cute little Up! on steroids. 18 inch rims engulf the space within the wheel arches, the bodywork is flared to the most outrageous degree making it a truly menacing sight. There is no word on what is powering this concept but it does raise a very interesting point. Could the Citigo be seen as a viable rally car in the future?

VW’s little city car appears to be doing rather well now it is out and about in the big wide world. The Up! is indeed on the up, with sales producing very promising numbers. The well priced midget shares its platform with sister cars that all remain under the rule of the VW empire. Seats variant, the Mii, has just added a little bit of spice to the mix.

Testing the water for a potential hot hatch model, the Seat Mii FR Concept brings all the looks of the performance badge. New body work brings forth a more aggressive side of the pleasant little car. The contrasting trim as well as swollen bumpers suggests that the 1.0 litre engine may be harboring a few secrets. Unfortunately not in this concepts case. Despite the spoiler, 16 inch rims and sporty interior that leads you to believe some engineering magic may have occurred, the machine underneath is actually standard. If the Mii FR were to come to market then things might get interesting, but right not this hatchback is simply in a mask.

Hello reader and welcome to, as you would expect, yet another of my columns where I rant my heart out. Before 10 minuets ago, today was going well. I had a reasonably restful afternoon followed by a nice social trip to the cinema with some friends. “Awww isn’t that nice…” After arriving back home I proceeded to partake in my usual ritual of turning on the computer and checking up on anything I may have missed during the day. BANG! There it was in the middle of my screen, the source of something that has made me quite cross. On one of the worlds leading automotive sites was a survey and a question to the effect of asking if driving a manual car is ethical or not. An interesting question as many automatics do produce slightly better MPG, but there is one very clear answer to this question. OF COURSE IT IS BLOODY ETHICAL TO HAVE THREE PEDALS IN YOUR CAR!!!!

I am sick and tired of being ridiculed by environmentalists. I can understand their plight, I really can, and yes we do need to take better care of the planet. But who are they to judge me? Stop trying to make me feel guilty because I indulge myself driving what I want to drive. You wouldn’t bully me for making a controversial choice in my life such as taking up religion just because it doesn’t fit with your views. So here is a message for the “Eco Nazi” and all its followers. I will drive a manual car BECAUSE THAT IS MY CHOICE TO DO SO, it is not a preference that you have the right to try and change. I enjoy driving and so I have a car with a gearstick and a clutch, yes I burn a bit more fuel, but I don’t moan to you how you should have a smaller T.V. whilst you enjoy watching a DVD. It is hard enough being a motorist in todays world with tax for everything and petrol costing more than water from the holy grail. We pay for the privilege of owning a motorcar, so go back to your house made from recycled materials and expel your energy of doing something worthwhile that isn’t trying to make me feel bad for simply breathing too hard.

As someone who is fond of BHP, large engines and overall performance, the way the world is changing isn’t exactly in my favor. Cylinders from engines are dropping like flies and we are forever blamed for the size our carbon footprint. The result is that many of us are slowly being forced down the “green” route like it or not. Now, I don’t mind lending Mr polar bear a hand, but I don’t feel I should compromise what I enjoy. Being green needs to be as fun as being mean to the environment. Porsche’s 918 Spyder may just be the perfect solution.

Set to enter production in September 2013, the hybrid supercar promises top of the line performance whilst keeping the owners conscious clean. How does 770BHP, a beautiful sculpture for a body and MPG that is beyond comprehension for a machine such as this sound? Sign me up! Porsche are sharing these images of a prototype just to quench the worlds thirst until the 918’s launch.

Rivalries can spark many things. War, jealousy, hate, greed are all items that are often a byproduct. However the best thing about rivalry is that it generates competition and the lust to do better than your adversary. Audi and Mercedes-Benz are both in the premium small car market and both offer, or soon will, performance orientated variants. Now the last time I spoke about the new BMW 1 Series I wasn’t very nice about it, but this M135i might just change that.

We first saw this M135i is concept guise not all that long ago promoting the notion of a 3 door 1 Series. A range of 3 door models have been launched but this 3.0 litre, 6 cylinder, twin-scroll turbo, pocket rocket is the real star of the show. Producing 316BHP and achieving the 0-62MPH dash in just 5.1 seconds (manual) or 4.9 seconds (8 speed automatic). Stopping power has been upgraded from the standard car also with the addition of larger discs both front and rear. Swollen body features further portray the intentions of this little monster.

Audi and Mercedes would be unwise to write the M135i off.

So what happened to it all? Once upon a time, here in the UK, the estate was king of the roads. It was the body style to have as it offered practicality and a level of executive class. Today the crossover has taken its place and that is a shame. We discussed this in detail on the latest episode of the podcast and concluded that the world would be a better place if things went back to how they were. But how to bring about this trend reversal? BMW’s new 3 Series Tourer might just do the trick.

What a looker! The new Tourer, in my opinion, looks even better than its saloon counterpart. Offering style, German engineering and practicality, who would by a midget 4X4 over this? The model line up consists of the 328i, 330d and 320d, meaning that everyone is happy. The 320d will even do 60MPG+. As for the petrol it gets a turbo and a 0-62MPH time of just 6 seconds.

And so the hot hatch war goes on… Renault came back from being second best with the 265 trophy and Vauxhall are set to storm the stage with the new Astra VXR. But what of Mini these days? All has been quiet since the model range expanded beyond the traditional hatchback. Bursting forth from the pack, Mini is going about getting its mojo back.

This is the Mini John Cooper Works GP, the meanest Mini to come out of Oxford. The rather angry looking bug-eyed brute has been honed on the legendary Nürburgring meaning that it should be fast right out of the box. Packing around 230BHP, thanks to a twin-scroll turbo, the GP loses the back seats and gains fully adjustable suspension as well as race spec brakes. Only 2,000 units will be produced world wide and well be sold at a yet to be announced price.