Throughout racings history there have been some very iconic interpretations of warpaint… These colours have come to define the machines that they made their canvas, nostalgia comes as standard. In my eyes there are two liveries that define the breed. One is the glorious Gulf Racing paintwork, the other is Martini. Porsche dropped us an E-Mail that got us very excited this morning.
Porsche’s 918 Spyder doesn’t hit the road until next year but its development has been made very public. The 770BHP supercar will do over 199MPH and complete the dash from 0-62MPH in 3.2 seconds, all whilst achieving 94MPG! This prototype car has been splashed in the Martini colours making a very bold statement. In 2013 the 918 goes racing, all bets are off as to who their lead sponsor will be.
Lexus once upon a time ruled the luxury saloon market producing cars so tranquil that you could literally balance a pyramid of champaign glasses on the bonnet whilst the engine was running. Today the likes of Mercedes-Benz have rather stolen the firms customer base and so to “get back into the game”, as an American basketball coach might say, Lexus needs to bring something special to the table. The 2013 LS could just be what is needed.
Hoping to get even with the Germans, the new LS certainly looks sharp. It has a very definitive stance that demands attention and separates it from the crowd. Underneath the suspension has been heavily revised to make the ride as smooth as posable. Inside the cabin technology is just a touch away with the majority of the cars toys being controlled from a large 12.3 inch touchscreen. New to the LS range is an F Sport model that sits lower, adds a shot of testosterone to the exterior styling, and a limited-slip differential.
Some people say that motorsport is a huge waste of time, money and resources. Burning fuel unnecessarily, torturing tyres, what is the point? Well, the truth is that despite what these people say motorsport has brought about almost every big innovation the industry has seen over the past century. Everything from power steering, lightweight constructions, and even the seatbelt came from technological advances made in racing. These days entering and funding a season in almost any discipline is a costly affair and as a result we have seen many big teams shutting their pit lane doors. Toyota may have pulled out of Formula One a couple of years ago but now armed with their new GT86, they are going racing again.
Following up a brilliant endurance effort, the Japanese firm are entering the GT86 into the Britcar 24 Hour. The car sports a livery that echoes back to its AE86 ancestor that competed, and won twice, the British Touring Car Championship. The 197BHP boxer engine remains standard but inside this machine receives all the usual FIA safety equipment. The GT86 racers debut in this class is set for September, winning the event would be quite the boost to an already impressive cars reputation. Can the GT86 triumph over the pack whilst pounding the tarmac of Silverstone for 24 hours? We shall have to wait and see.
Supercars are the pinnacle of road going performance. With big power, big design, and even bigger price tags they are the perfect subject for a poster on a child’s bedroom wall. The only problem comes when you introduce these dream machines to the real world. Their firm suspension is great for high G corners but back shattering on British roads. They are cramped, thirsty, impractical, and you can just forget about tackling speed bumps. If only there was a car that provided all these thrills but could also overcome realities obstacle course of issues.
The Audi R8 is one such machine. I once described it as “the most complete car I have ever had the pleasure of testing.” It has a usable boot, comfortable interior, reasonable fuel consumption, oh and its blisteringly quick! This is the new 2013 R8 that introduces the cars first real facelift. Available in the usual V8 coupe/spyder and V10 coupe/spyder configurations, Audi has also added a V10 Plus option that gives an extra smattering of carbon fibre as well as 550BHP. New lights and more aggressive grills headline the visual changes but underneath the S-tronic gearbox is now 7 speed. Fear not purest’s, there is still a 6 speed manual option. The interior R8 now gets quilted seats and roof lining, but other than that previous owners should feel right at home.
The name’s Bond… James Bond. He is the worlds most famous fictional character and someone who all men can look at and think “damn, I wish I was that cool.” 007 over the years has had many four wheeled companions including a handful of Lotus’, BMW’s, and even a tank. Of late Bonds chosen mode of transportation is the delectable Aston Martin DBS. Aston’s and James Bond go together like strawberries and cream, they just belong. In the up and coming 007 flick, Skyfall, James goes back to arguably his most famous machine. The DB5.
The Aston Martin DB5 was recently in a survey named “the top 10 things that make Britain great.” The machine is a masterpiece and fits Bond like a tailored suit. Its first appearance was in Goldfinger back in 1964 and has since made appearances every so often. In Skyfall it is to be a crucial element of what is being dubbed “Bonds darkest hour.” Speculation also has it that Aston Martin will sneak in their new Vanquish for a short big-screen debut.
Over 12 miles of black tarmac. 73 chassis twisting corners. The most dynamic driving environment on the planet. Welcome to the Green Hell! Many have tried and failed to tame the Nürburgring that draws racing drivers and us mere mortals like a moth to a flame. It is an enduring test of man and machine, a real legend amongst those who enjoy going fast. This kingdom now has an uncertain future as we receive news that the Nürburgring has filed for bankruptcy.
The track that allows all to try their hand for a few Euros a lap has been fighting ever growing debts for years. After an investment of €215,000,000 for tourist attractions failed, many have said that the business models days were numbered. What happens now is anyones guess and the 2013 German Grand Prix hangs in the balance. The track, I have no doubt, will be saved by someone. For now, however, we can only hope that this someone already has their cheque book ready.
If you were to bring performance machines back down to their most basic level what would you be left with? I’m not just talking about getting rid of flappy-paddle gearboxes and Stephen Hawking inspired electronics. No, I’m simply talking about what the machine needs to function. An engine, some seats, a collection of pedals, steering wheel, and the ability to swop cogs. The Ariel Atom is a beautiful car not because of its appearance, but because of its simplicity. Now it is going racing.
The Atom’s key to its 0-62MPH time of 3.2 seconds is just how spartan it is. No roof, no doors, no windscreen. With handling that makes it as nimble as a mosquito, it is no surprise that there is a high demand for a race series. Ariel are now offering a Cup Spec car to compete in an FIA approved series. The modified cars include data logging systems, carbon fibre dash, rollover protection, and a stainless exhaust manifold.
The events are offered in three levels that all include the purchase of a Cup Spec Atom. Bronze costs £63,835 and covers your entrance. Silver (£71,985) includes tyres, fuel and a man to help you set up your car for each race. Gold offers all of this plus car storage, maintenance and transportation at the cost of £83,580.
It is always nice to know you are wanted. Special or limited edition cars are always sort after pieces of kit, but particularly when they are produced in very low volumes. Once the last product has left the building thats it, not one more. Well, that is unless you are Audi who have extended the run of their RS3 hot-hatch for the UK.
The 2.5 litre pocket rocket produces 335BHP and a tarmac tearing 332lb-ft of torque. 0-62MPH is banish in 4.6 seconds and with a top speed that is electronically limited to 155MPH, you wouldn’t call it sluggish. Demand for the RS3 in the UK far exceeded the initial supply of 500 units. A further 250 cars will be produced at the princely sum of £39,000 but you can be assured this really is the last batch. Well, that is unless Audi say otherwise… Again.
Hello and welcome to Episode 49 of the podcast! As we sit on the edge of the big 5-0 podcast Tyler, Matt and Steve bring you your healthy dose of the latest news on all things four wheeled. This week Matthew reveals the controversial new Renault Clio, Tyler talks Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster, and Steve announces Aston’s brand new Vanquish. All that as well as the latest from Formula One and the WRC.
Seat’s very popular Ibiza is a funky little machine that offers fantastic reliability, thanks to secretly being a VW Polo, and a very accessible price point. It’s bigger brother, the Leon, uses much the same recipe minus the edgy looks. This means it doesn’t really stand out and considering how much a part looks play when buying a car, the hatch is at a bit of a disadvantage. Seat are changing that with the all-new Leon.
Talk about cranking it up to 11! Doesn’t this look like an attractive little number? Seat’s design team have been stimulated back into life and the result is this 2013 model. Sitting on the underpinnings of the next-gen VW Golf, not a bad thing at all, the new Leon will go head to head with heavy weights such as the Ford Focus. Petrol motors consist of a 1.8 litre with 178BHP and a 1.4 with the option of 120BHP or 138BHP. Four diesels are on offer with a 1.6 TDI with 89/104BHP or a 2.0 litre TDI with 148/181BHP.
Good job Seat, oh, and we like the new badge by the way…
