Alas the king is dead… This year the UK will no longer be receiving or taking orders for the Subaru Impreza. The all wheel drive legend was born in the rough and tumble of rallying with its iconic blue paint donning truly capable machines. The Japanese company no longer feel there is enough demand for the Impreza in Great Britain to justify putting it in showroom windows. A sad day indeed. But what is this? A successor that might just return to this green and noble land! Count us in!
This is the Subaru WRX Concept car and it is an astonishing piece of kit to look at. The machine completely dominates its surroundings with bold hunches and gaping bonnet scoop. The saloon has power sent to all four wheels via “a new turbo charged engine” of unknown capacity. This car, making its debut in New York, is more of a way for Subaru to test the water before making a real commitment to the car. We hope they do as the missing Impreza has left a big hole within the enthusiasts market.
If ever one car demonstrates the complete and utter transformation of its maker, it is the Kia Soul. Less than 10 years ago, the Korean manufacture was building cars that you wouldn’t want to be seen dead in until at least the age of 80, by which time passers-by would excuse your laughable choice of vehicle, putting it down to failing eyesight and severe loss of marbles. Now in 2013, the primitive days of the Pride and the Magentis are fading memories, and Kia’s current line-up is well and truly in touch with the generation of today. Nothing epitomises this more than the Soul, launched in 2009, a car which for the first time brought Kia to the doorstep of a certain kind of audience. I’m talking about the type of person who wears a cheesecloth shirt, skinny jeans, a scarf and espadrilles, someone who enjoys watching interpretive dance and insists on eating sustainably farmed trout. In short, the Soul is funky, current and most of all desirable. That would have been unthinkable for a Kia of 10 years ago.
Fresh for the 2013 New York Auto Show, Kia have unveiled the all-new 2014 Soul which aims to be “more fun, funky and functional than ever”. In keeping with this, the next generation Soul has its roots in the 2012 Kia Track’ster concept, a 247BHP hot-hatch. For example, the lower air intake, flanked by circular fog lights, along with the reworked front grille mirror those on the Track’ster. The chassis is now stiffer, longer and wider and the interior is roomier than before. Additionally, the 2014 Soul will come with three new trim levels; Base, Plus and Exclaim. The top spec Exclaim model features 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights and front and rear LEDs as standard.
However, a more persuasive argument for opting for the Plus or Exclaim editions comes in the form of the gutsy 2.0 litre GDi power plant, an improvement on the 1.6 litre Base Soul. A 6-speed gearbox comes as standard with both engines, but manual transmission is not currently available on the Exclaim. When Kia say that they have turned the concept Track’ster in to reality with the 2014 Soul, they are being a tad economical with the truth. The 164 BHP generated by the 2.0 litre engine doesn’t exactly tally up with the 247 BHP vaunted on the original concept, but don’t be surprised to see a sportier version of the next generation Soul in the pipeline sometime soon.
At the time of writing, no specific details on European spec or trim levels are available, so do be prepared to expect some alterations to the features listed above for the new Soul’s UK release in early 2014.
So, if you’re someone who considers themselves as funky and in touch with the modern generation, you could do worse than taking a look at the new 2014 Kia Soul. If, on the other hand, you’re a sustainably farmed trout, you can come out of hiding now!
Seemingly since the invention of the wheel, American luxury manufactures have been on a never-ending quest to hop across the pond and grab themselves a tasty bite of the European luxury saloon pie. So far success has been limited with even Cadillac, a true force to be reckoned with in the US, struggling to scratch the paintwork of the mighty German goliaths. At the 2013 New York Auto Show the mission continues, with the launch of the 2014 third generation Cadillac CTS saloon.
The all-new CTS is the centrepiece of Cadillac’s range and therefore a worthy steed to lead the American brand in to battle. Larger than the 2013 ATS, which impressed enough to be named North American car of the year, the CTS slots in to the midsized luxury saloon segment, pitching it against such titans as the Mercedes E-class, the BMW 5-series and the Lexus GS. Despite its larger proportions, the 2014 CTS is essentially based on the winning formula that underpinned the award-winning ATS sports saloon. This means that the latest incarnation of Cadillac’s flagship model is longer, lower and leaner than its predecessor. Weight-saving features such as aluminium doors make it the lightest car in its class, even shaving 90kg off of the BMW 528i. Also retained are the signature vertical headlamps and gaping shield-shaped front grille. On higher-spec models, Cadillac even throws in active grille shutters which improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency on the motorway. Yet the design somehow lacks the razor sharp sleekness that characterises German midsized luxury saloons and their high-end Japanese counterparts.
To their credit, the boffins at Cadillac have thrown everything but the kitchen sink in to creating a powertrain that can hold its own against the European and Japanese elite. Although several options are available, the pick of the bunch is the brand new twin-turbo 3.6 litre V6 coupled to a paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, the first of its kind ever offered by Cadillac. This engine, which produces 420 BHP and 430 lb-ft of torque, will form the bases of the high performance CTS Vsport variant, a kind of M Sport with Stetson and spurs. However, Stetson or not, the Vsport’s 0-60 MPH time of 4.6 seconds is reasonably rapid, aided in no small part by the slim-line body, even if it doesn’t come close to rivalling the M5’s 3.7 second 0-60 MPH burst. AWD is also available with all but the top end twin-turbo V6 version and 18-inch aluminium wheels along with high performance Brembo brakes come as standard on the Vsport.
The ultimate luxury saloons should be as sumptuous on the inside as they are on the outside. The 2014 CTS will include a generous selection of 8 interior styles each trimmed with carbon fibre, aluminium or, for those who just can’t bear to be away from the ranch for too long, authentic wood. Leather seating is an optional extra.
Overall, this offering form Cadillac is unlikely to turn the established luxury saloon pecking order on its head. If money were no object, the 2014 CTS would be unlikely to tempt potential customers away from the shiny showrooms of BMW, Audi or Mercedes here in Europe. Nor, in truth, would it give the bigwigs at Lexus many headaches. However, money does talk, now more than ever, and even without early indications on pricing we can expect the CTS to significantly undercut most of its aforementioned rivals, which is a promising sign. Is this a step in the right direction for American luxury saloons? Certainly. Has the 2014 CTS really got what it takes to raise the star spangled banner to Mercedes and BMW rivalling heights here in Europe? That’s debatable. One thing is for sure, this is not the end but rather another instalment in the American desire to rule on ground where no American car has ruled before.
Production of the new 2014 Cadillac CTS begins in the US this autumn.
It seems the never ending Teutonic power struggle for domination in the luxury saloon arena has hit the streets of the Big Apple. With the unveiling of the all-new S3 saloon at the 2013 New York Auto show, Audi sent out a significant warning shot in the direction of their arch rivals at Mercedes and BMW. However, Mercedes have wasted no time in returning fire with their very own contender for the title of the world’s premier small luxury saloon.
Enter the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG, a four-door baby saloon which certainly seems to embody everything that is required to beat the best and be the best. For a start, taking design cues from its bigger brother the ultra-stylish CLS 63 AMG, a trendsetter for high-performance luxury saloons the world over, is not a bad thing at all. In fact, the AMG package, complete with Carbon-Fibre front splitter, side panel inserts and trim on the front and rear fascia, complemented perfectly by red brake callipers and twin-spoke AMG 18” alloys, looks even more enticing on the smaller proportions of the CLA 45 AMG.
Whilst the dazzling exterior leaves potential rivals looking like plain Janes, the CLA 45 AMG’s real party piece comes in the form of Mercedes’ 355 BHP turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the most powerful production engine of its kind. This masterpiece of engineering will deliver a sizable 332 lb-ft of torque and propel the CLA from 0-60 MPH in 4.5 seconds up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH. All that brute force is channelled in an orderly fashion to the performance-orientated AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.
Also thrown in to the AMG goody-bag is the sports exhaust, an SLS AMG-derived cooling system, sports suspension with multi-link front and rear axles, speed-sensitive sports steering and high-performance braking system. Inside, the cabin can be customized with an optional AMG Performance steering wheel and AMG Performance seats.
At £31,500, this is around the top end price most people would want to be paying for a small, luxury, high-performance saloon. But then again, the 2014 CLA 45 AMG is a top end small, luxury, high-performance saloon.
We will have to wait until November 2013 before the CLA 45 AMG hits the showrooms and the eternal saloon-skirmish for the pride of Germany is resumed in earnest.
The Ford Mustang is an American icon. The muscle car of the blue collar worker has been imortalised over the past 50 years it has been around. Made most famous by the late Carroll Shelby, names such as GT500 are legendary. Don’t go thinking that just because the great man has passed away that the wheels at Shelby have stopped turning, not at all. They have just produced the fastest Mustang there has ever been.
The Shelby GT S/C 1000 could be declared the ultimate American muscle car packing an incredible 1183BHP! All of those ponies come direct from a 5.8 litre supercharged V8 that lives under the bonnet. Capable of over 200MPH, the car is loaded with what is called a “big brake package.” The GT S/C also receives fully adjustable suspension.
Want one? Well write a check to the tune of $154,995 and then add on the cost of a GT500 donor car. Expensive? Sure, but can you put a price on the American dream?
Secrets are very hard to keep these days. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, and the slight stupidity of an individual, we showed you the first images of the all-new Range Rover sport just over a week ago. Now the British brand are ready to reveal the car in full at the New York motor show.
Could this be the only car you ever need to own? As lavish as a Rolls-Royce, as fast as a sports car and as capable as a Land Rover off-road. The 2013 Range Rover Sport is a very complete package. Powered by either a 3.0 litre SDV6 with 288BHP or a supercharge 5.0 litre petrol with 503BHP, the new car is the Porsche 911 of the 4X4 world. Thanks to an all-aluminium body the Sport is to handle like a sports car too. If you want the very top of the range 5.0 litre Autobiography model be prepared to shell out £81,550.
It appears the children are fighting for the worlds attention again. The German triplets of Audi, Mercedes and BMW are once again engaged in a battle of “anything you can do I can do better.” Mercedes-Benz and their handsome CLA have procured themselves a nice little niche in the small luxury saloon market, that was until today were Audi has just debuted the S3 Saloon.
This car is a direct competitor for the CLA and is based upon the A3 Saloon that is also making its debut in New York. boasting more interior space than the hatchback, this S3 is powered by a 2.0 litre TFSI engine that when coupled with Audi’s 6 speed dual clutch gearbox will do 0-62MPH in 4.9 seconds. A manual gearbox will also be made available. Power is sent to all four wheels and the car itself will hit showrooms early next year.
Jaguar is celebrating 25 years of putting the letter R on the back of their top flight sports cars. The R cars have always been the very best that Jag have had to offer and their everlasting thrust for power is most commendable. Instead of lighting a few candles and buying a cake, Jaguar has brought a limited edition car to debut at the New York auto show.
This cat does indeed have claws… Named the Jaguar XKR-S GT it is the most race cable road going car the British company has ever produced. Powered by a 542BHP 5.0 litre supercharged V8, this pussycat can propel occupants from 0-60MPH in 3.9 seconds. It has a top speed limited to 186MPH though Jaguar themselves say that the car is more than capable of doing 200MPH. There is extensive aerodynamic work on this model with dive planes making themselves at home on the front bumper and a race derived rear wing bolted to the back. It also posses carbon ceramic brakes as well as the suspension being completely revised. All this makes the XKR-S GT quite the machine. Only 30 will be produced but all are going to North America and Canada! Jaguar have said that is there is sufficient demand for a right hand drive car they will consider producing a it, so there is hope yet.
In this job I drive more cars in a year than most people do in their entire life. That is a lot of cars in the 4 years I have been a motoring journalist… They have varied from supercars to super-mini’s and on the whole I have come to one generalisation about most of them. Cars today aren’t as much fun to drive as what they could be. The ever tightening safety regulations of this and that adds weight and emission standards often leading to a car not being quite as powerful as what the manufacturer would have liked. Though these things help Fred the polar bear and keep you from looking like an extra off of casualty, they don’t help you achieve that real buzz you get when you are bombing down a B-road hooking up one corner after another. If you have no idea what I am talking about then I feel sorry for you as you have never experienced the best sensation driving has to offer. So, if I am telling you that many new cars are not as fun as they should be, what am I telling you to buy? Well, something that is all about the sensation of driving, not just putting shopping in the boot.
In 1989 Mazda sparked a revolution with their new MX-5 sports car. Starting life as a pure experiment, it takes its name from Mazda eXperimental number 5, this little scamp was so successful that it killed off its British rivals to the point where 24 years later the MX-5 is still being sold in showrooms today and the likes of MG, Triumph and Marcos are out of the sports car game. Over in America the car caused such a sensation that it is reported that dealers were putting a $3,000 premium on the car and still the waiting list grew.
Why did the MX-5 take the automotive industry by storm? Simple. It was very affordable, great on fuel and had bullet proof Japanese reliability. However, the MX-5’s best trait is how it moves. The MK1 weighs in at less than a ton and though it only has 115BHP (in its preferred 1.6 format), that makes for a power to weight ratio of 121BHP/ton. To put that into context its almost the same as a modern Golf GTi but in a package smaller than a shoe! Though it is an old car now, it can still put many brand new motors to shame. The cars balance is perfect as it leaps from corner to corner. The steering is incredibly communicative and accurate allowing you to place the car exactly where you want it. The gearbox is delicious… Short sharp throws clicks new cogs in place with immense levels of satisfaction. With the roof down in the summer whilst the car seemingly pivots around your hips, there is no greater joy. The engine note over 4,000rpm is angry and oh so intoxicating, its inline four cylinder dual overhead cam simply encourages you to push harder. A little mention for the hooligans out there, it drifts like a dream.
Don’t go thinking I can’t take my own advice, I bought one last year for these very reasons. It really does do 35MPG+! In a sports car! The boot is perfectly fine to live with day to day and replacement parts are cheap and plentiful. Sure, I get the odd “hair dresser” comment from my friends but at that point you simply pop the lights up and smile, everyone falls in love with this car once they have driven it. It is a machine you will find yourself driving just for the sake of it because it is that enjoyable. A mundane trip to pick someone up instantly becomes an adventure in this little car and considering how much they are on the second hand market, they could just be the biggest automotive bargain out there.
Well, explosive doesn’t even come close to describing todays Formula One race in Malaysia. Amidst the humidity tempers boiled over for some, others made bad calls and many were left eating humble pie.
The Red Bull’s today were out and out fastest again this race whilst the Lotus car appeared to struggle in the heat. Ferrari’s Alonso suffered damage to his from wing on lap one and when told to stay out it led to the wing collapsing on lap two That then resulted in the prancing horse skipping across the gravel and out of the race. The changes from intermediate tyres to slicks caused a shuffling of the order that set the stage for the drama to come. Lewis Hamilton, who comically stopped in his old McLaren pit box by accident, was ahead of his team mate when he was told to put the car into a fuel saving mode. Rosberg was told to slow down and not to over take Hamilton. Gracefully Nico did as was asked of him saying “I am a Mercedes employee.” In contrast with Mark Webber leading the race, Sebastian Vettel battled with his team mate in a spectacular wheel-to-wheel dual. Mindful of their coming together in Turkey in 2010, Vettel was ordered to stop with comments of “come on Seb,this is getting silly now…” In a moment where Red Bull could have lost both cars Vettel squeezed through regardless of what his orders were. Considering the amount of times Mark has stepped aside for Sebastian, you can imagine the bitter atmosphere on the podium. The McLaren’s were again distinctly midfield but with the added insult of Jenson Button scoring a DNF.
