October 19, 2013

Aston Martin Cygnet Killed-Off, Balance is Restored

I hate it when prestigious brands go about producing a car purely to chase trends. For example, is Bentley making a 4X4 primarily to make a great car or because the current market trend says it will sell in volume? Personally I feel it degrades the brand when such companies stray from their foundations. The Aston Martin Cygnet, a small city car was not a machine that should have worn an Aston Martin badge. However, order has be restored upon news of its death.

When you think Aston martin images of elegant GT cars and winding mountain passes may enter your head, not a rebadged Toyota iQ with with Aston design features tacked onto it. Though not entirely Aston Martin’s choice thanks to average company CO2 emission laws, even today I am shocked that the British brand went down this route. It was ugly and overpriced at £30,995, but motoring enthusiasts can can now rest easy as the bells are ringing and the wicked witch is dead.

2014 Mini Details Revealed

Since its rebirth, the “new Mini” has become just as popular as its pint sized forefather. Retaining its cheeky looks and keen handling characteristics, the modern car pulled off the same trick as the original in being appealing to just about everyone. Convertibles, estates and even a crossover can be found rolling out of the Mini production plant today, but change is coming for this little car and it could be argued as the biggest in its history.

The 2014 Mini is a complete redesign from the ground up and all of these changes will soon be coming to the models that have been spawned thus far from the hatchback. Mini have revealed some details on the new car. There will be two petrol engines on offer from day one; a 1.5 litre 3 cylinder turbocharged unit with 134BHP and 162lb ft of torque, accompanied by a 2.0 litre four cylinder turbo with 189BHP and 206lb ft of torque. The only diesel shall be a 1.5 litre that produces 114BHP and 199lb ft of torque. Each model will be offered with stop/start. The chassis features an all-new suspension that includes adaptive dampers that can be altered via two modes. This Mini will be offered both as a three, and for the first time, five door model.

Inside Lane “the podcast” Episode 67

Welcome to Episode 67 of “the podcast” where 1/3 of our usual recipe that makes up our hosts comes from Spain. Tyler and Steve are joined by Matt via the wonders of the internet to bring you the latest car news. The future of Caterham is a hot topic along with fresh details on the BMW M3 and M4. Also Tyler speaks of his road testing of a Citroen DS3. All of that including WRC talk is just a click away…

Enjoy!

Download from iTunes or listen online. SEE PODCAST PAGE FOR DETAILS

New BMW M3 and M4 Spill their Secrets

With BMW dividing the coupe and saloon 3 Series into separate models, coupe is now known as the 4 Series, the next logical question on the lips of enthusiasts is when will the M division release their take on this next generation. The answer is very soon and with engines getting smaller and turbocharged, people want to know specifically about what will sit under the bonnet of these cars. BMW has now spilt the beans.

As expected the mighty 4.0 litre V8 of the previous generation his been dropped in favour of a 3.0 litre in-line six. Accompanied by two turbos, this new engine produces 424BHP and what BMW are saying is “significantly more than 369lb ft of torque.” Yes, this unit may be smaller than the one it replaces, in fact it is the smallest since the launch of the original M3, but it actually produces 10BHP more than its predecessor. The new engine is also more efficient.

Both the M3 and M4 will use this engine but also make the most of lightweight carbon roofs as well as a greater use of aluminium.

Young Driver’s Guide: The most common reasons for failing a driving test

There is no denying that the ability to drive is one of the most useful proficiencies a person can possess. Having a full, clean driver’s licence can be an asset when looking for work and having a car to go with it opens up a world of opportunities. Getting a driver’s licence can be quite a long process, involving many hours of effort, concentration and the acquisition of a whole new skill set: not surprisingly, more than half of those taking their practical driving test for the first time fail to achieve the required standard. The reasons for this failure are often confined to a few problematic areas:

Observation skills

Paying careful attention to what is happening around you is the most important aspect of driving. Without proper observation, a driver would be unable to carry out the actions necessary to avoid problems. This is why, according to the Driving Standards Agency, inadequate observation is the most common cause of failure of the practical driving test. This is most often observed at junctions, where drivers may fail to notice other road users or simply to realise how close they are.

Manoeuvres

The action which appears to be the most difficult for learners to master is ‘reverse parking’. Many people fail their test because of this manoeuvre and often continue to lack confidence in their ability to carry it out, even after they have passed. Reversing, in general, features heavily in the top ten reasons for driving test failure, as ‘reversing round a corner’ and the ‘turn in the road’ manoeuvre are also common problems. These tasks require constant vigilance and good positioning, which are both skills that can only be acquired with dedicated practice.

Mirrors

Whilst the use of mirrors is inextricably linked to the concept of observation, there are many faults that specifically involve neglect of the mirrors. These include forgetting to check mirrors before signalling for a manoeuvre or failing to recognise that mirrors should be used in pairs. Whilst you may have checked your rear-view mirror, it’s important to check the relevant wing mirror to ensure you have the full picture of what is happening around you.

Signalling

As it is largely through the use of signals that other road users can be aware of a driver’s intentions, their correct use is paramount to safe driving. Where learners tend to make mistakes is in the timing of signals, sometimes leaving it too late, which can force another driver to slow down, stop or change direction. Likewise, a signal that is made too early can be misleading, causing a driver to believe that you are planning to turn into a particular road, when you actually intend to take the following turn. The mantra of ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’ is one of the first things a driver learns and should be adhered to very strictly.

Speed

Perhaps unsurprisingly, new drivers are apt to be overcautious, which can cause them to drive too slowly, making them hazardous to other vehicles. It is important to drive at a speed that is suitable for the road, the traffic conditions and the weather, so observation of speed limit signs, as well as awareness of other cars, is vital.

Even if you fail your test the first time, it’s not the end of the world and you can always try again. Sometimes your nerves might get the better of you and the only sure way to deal with that is to practise driving as much as you can before you take the test. When you finally receive your driver’s licence and find a company which offers young drivers insurance at a rate you can afford, every minute of practice will have been worth it. However many hours you dedicate to becoming a safer, better driver, you should consider it to have been time well spent.

Ford Celebrates 20 Years of the Mondeo

The Mondeo nameplate is part of the bricks and water in Europe but particularly in the UK. From day one Ford went the extra mile to ensure that this new model was a winner. A class leader from the moment it hit the showroom for the first time to today where “Mondeo man” still teaches his rivals a thing or two. It has come to represent the working man, or woman, and continues to sell in vast quantities.

Happy 20th Birthday to the Ford Mondeo. Check out this video narrated by none other than Ray Winstone documenting the history of this household name.

Review: 2013 Citroen DS3 DSport e-HDI 115 Airdream

Citroen DS3 DSport profileFashion is something many of my friends would say I know nothing about. Whilst they all go chasing big brand names and wearing tight fitting shirts, I’m often found in smart/casual  sporting my notorious orange shoes. Ok, so maybe they have a point when it comes to my fashion sense but something that I know is “cool” that is currently in my possession is this Citroen DS3. I don’t think the adjective of “funky” has ever been so appropriately used! With genuinely unique styling, something that is hard to come by these days, this little supermini turns many heads especially in the eye catching red our test car was wearing.

To be more specific, this DS3 is the DSport and it is equipped with a new diesel engine for 2013. Producing 113BHP from the 1.6 litre turbocharge engine and claiming impressive MPG figures, we came up with quite the test for this car. A road trip was devised consisting of transporting five fully grown adults and their luggage along the south coast to Portsmouth and then northward bound to the urban assault course that is London. This would test not only how comfortable the DS3 was, but also how it would cope with both motorway and the densely populated city.

First impressions from my traveling companions were that the car looks great and the interior was very accommodating. The boot swallowed sleeping bags and rucksacks no problem, and though our fifth passenger in the middle seat at the rear did wish he had a bit more legroom, he was plenty comfortable. The cabin of the DS3 is just as stylistic as the exterior. This car had a carbon effect dashboard that surrounded the sat-nav and led on to the beautifully designed instrument and dials. Seating is supportive with the fronts being nicely bolstered to hold you in place. The steering wheel gave us our first clue as to the more sporting nature of this little Citroen as its flat bottom is something found on some keen handling cars.

Throwing the DS3 into a corner reveals high levels of grip and very little understeer indeed. Steering is light but direct allowing for good accuracy when placing the car on an apex. The chassis setup is good and the whole car feels as if it wants to play when the roads get twisty. Its diesel engine may not be the sportiest for this car, a rather potent petrol is available, however it does have its merits with nice amounts of low end torque to use to your advantage. At junctions the car is never hesitant with turbo lag being minimal and the aforementioned torque surging you along. On the motorway it settles down to a tranquil cruise with its soft suspension soaking up those nasty bumps. Acoustics from the premium sound system were excellent and pleased everyone, as long as my iPod wasn’t connected to it that is.

Though very well accomplished on the motorway, it is in the city where the Citroen DS3 shines. Not only does its appearance demand the attention of the general public, but in the hectic stop-go traffic of London it is a nice place to be. You can sit there, whilst others blaze their horns, being gently cool by the air conditioner. The cars stop/start system is a very effective measure of saving fuel when it takes you half an hour to cover a couple of miles. Its engine is quiet, gear changes smooth and the car nippy enough to cheekily dart into a gap in the traffic.

The Citroen DS3 DSport is a brilliantly complete package offering all-round usability in a very attractive body. We even managed to average 54MPG. It is a very hard car to fault, in fact my biggest problem with it was that the key was a bit too bulky for my liking. The suspension is much softer than that of the Mini, trading less body movement for comfort. Some people won’t like that, but then that comes down to personal preference. The truth is that the DS3 can hold its own against the highly popular Mini, both in terms of performance and as a fashion statement.

Lastest Porsche 911 is a Topless Turbo

Porsche’s new 911 Turbo and Turbo S have gone down a storm with the media singing the cars praises for being a very potent and complete super car. The 911 has always had a cult following but the models equipped with turbocharged flat-six motors have often been ones of note. As it is with every car from Porsche, the Turbo is to be offered in a variety of flavours including cabriolets.

Set to make their debut at the LA motor show, this is the Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S Cabriolet. These drop-top speed machines put the alfresco into performance motoring via a 3.8 litre flat-six producing 513BHP for the Turbo or 552BHP for the Turbo S. 0-62MPH is history in 3.5 seconds and 3.2 seconds respectively. In both cars you can feel the wind in your hair at a terminal velocity of 198MPH. The roof completes these cars transformations in 13 seconds at speeds of up to 37MPH thanks in part to a new lightweight magnesium frame.

The Future of Caterham Unleashed

Over the past 40 year the the Caterham Seven has been a most delectable recipe for those who love pure engineering and performance. The flyweight car with its bare bones construction is very popular and highly rated within the automotive world. There have been many changes to Caterham over the past few years, including new ownership and its entrance to Formula One, but what does the future hold for the British company?

The answer is the AeroSeven. Revealed at the SIngapore Grand Prix, this menacing looking machine is a concept showing the future direction of the company. Based upon a heavily modified Seven CSR platform, this carbon bodied catapult is powered by a 237BHP 2.0 litre Ford inline-four that is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. 0-62MPH is dashed in 4 seconds as a result. Traction control features for the first time in a car wearing the Caterham badge, something the purists will be hoping would come as an optional extra. Caterham’s F1 involvement has had clear influences on the AeroSeven from its sleek bodywork, lightweight construction, to its racing inspired steering wheel.

We like it… We like it a lot!

340MPH Keating Bolt Revealed

Speed. Man has been obsessed with it since the dawn of time. Be it going faster to hunt or the adrenaline rush skiing, it is craved. The supercar is possibly one of the best sources of speed modern engineering has produced. Packed into a tight aerodynamic shell are the components to facilitate your desire. The Bugatti Veyron was our last milestone car reaching speeds of 267MPH, but what if you wanted to go even faster?

Enter Keating, a small supercar firm most of you will not have heard of. However, these numbers will make you sit up and take note. Their new car “The Bolt” as it is known, is powered by a 7.0 litre LS7 V8 engine that sits in the middle. The rear wheel drive machine in its most timid form produces 505BHP but a spicier 800BHP car boasts a 0-60MPH time of just 2.0 seconds! If that wasn’t mad enough The team are working on a 1,000-2,500BHP model capable of a projected 340MPH. Impressive figures, but let us see what transpires over the next few months…