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So much for unlucky number 13… 2013 has been, in my opinion, one of the most exciting years in the automobiles history! Once in a decade launches such as the Porsche 918, LaFerrari and McLaren P1 all came at once to create a world war of performance. Loyalists from all brands will forever argue on forums about which is the best, but one thing we can all agree upon is that they are each technologically beautiful. 2013 also saw the rebirth of an old petrol head favourite, the Porsche 911 GT3, BMW showed to the world their next-generation M3 accompanied by the M4 Coupe, Oh, and just before the year was out Lamborghini surprised us with the Gallardo’s replacement named Huracan. It wasn’t all just about supercars through, we saw many rising stars from other segments. Ford’s Fiesta ST is the hot-hatch pick of the bunch right now and won our overall “Car of the Year” award, the all-new Mazda 3 proved to be more than a match for the other established kings of hill in the family hatchback segment, as well as Mini taking to the stage to showoff their new hatchback. Those are just a few of the many great models from 2013.
For us, 2013 saw the introduction of our brand new website and all of its shiny new features. We like it and hope you do too! As always we have endeavoured to report on even more of the worlds biggest automotive stories, attend more launches and be even more daring with big features. In particular we hope you enjoyed our content generated from us getting the keys to a 1966 Jaguar E-Type and 1961 Aston Martin DB4. A lot of hard work goes into keeping Inside Lane ticking over, but us boys love what we do and shall continue throughout 2014.
Last but not least comes the moment to thank those around us. Firstly, family and friends who have supported us so well throughout both the good and some of the more trying times. A mammoth thanks to all of the car manufacturers PR teams who work so very hard behind the scenes inviting us to launches and ensuring we get the machines for you guys and girls to read about. Also we need to thank you, the readers. Without you we wouldn’t have a job and it is your enthusiasm and our shared passion for cars that gives us the drive to do what we do.
Have an excellent New Year!
Tyler Heatley
Editor-in-Chief
So, it is at last that time of year again where we crown Inside Lane’s Car of the Year. 2013 has been one of the best years for new cars in the automotive industry. We have had titanic supercar launches in the form of the McLaren P1, LaFerrari and the Porsche 918. People movers have seen Ford graduate into that class of car with the Tourneo Connect. The battle in the ever competitive hatchback market got much harder thanks to the excellent new Mazda 3. This vast amount of, to be perfectly honest, very good machinery shows that the whole industry has upped its game. Ok, enough waffle. The 2013 Car of the Year is… The Ford Fiesta ST.
This car is an absolute riot to drive! 0-62MPH in just 7 second with 197BHP available on over boost from its turbocharged engine, it is a quick little hatch. The ST handles very well and is merry to be thrown into corners at silly speeds only to cock a rear wheel and continue the fun on the other side. Visually it looks great, not too OTT but with just enough boy racer styling to let people know that this is no ordinary Fiesta. On top of these qualities it is practical. After you have finished trying to gain an ASBO this car is is still a Fiesta, meaning it will seat five and have enough room in the boot for the shopping. However, the best part about this Ford is that you can have all of that fun, styling and practicality for just £17,995. We think it is the best all-round car of this year and so it takes the top spot for 2013.
Read our road test of the 2013 Ford Fiesta HERE.
Racing drivers are very much in it to win it. Not a single one of them turns up to a race aiming for second place and so to be at the top of your game is as rewarding as an ice cold drink on a hot day. Allan McNish is one of Audi’s star drivers for their LMP1 campaign in the World Endurance Championship, but he has recently announced his retirement despite masses of success.
McNish is a true racer through and through starting out in karts and even having a spell in Formula One. A Le Mans veteran, Allan has won the prestigious race twice and finished on the podium many times. His most recent victory this year has elevated him to the pinnacle of his career. So why is he leaving? “I’ve always said I wanted to stop at the right time, when it was right for me and also when I was still fast and capable to do the job. This year was a mega successful one, it ticked all of the boxes” says McNish. It takes a lot of guts to leave the sport you love at the “right” time and I think everyone can respect his decision. McNish is looking for new challenges and it may well be the case that we see him in something else four wheeled and fast soon!
This one is for the racers… The ones with hearts of lions and the drive of an unrelenting hurricane. To the men and women who can’t settle for second best, refuse to go quietly and absolutely will not take no for an answer. They are artists so scientific with every brush stroke that sometimes perfection isn’t enough.
Faster, fitter, more ferocious, into the arena once again where everyone is hungry for success. The laws of physics twist and buckle as mathematics, engineering and the sheer determination to win fuel this explosive spectacle. Wheel to wheel the fight is unrelenting as the racers spirit becomes part of this ever quickening engine of adrenaline.
It is so much more than just sitting in a seat lapping a track. It takes more than just bravado. You can become a driver, but you are born a racer.
In terms of the environment, cars do tend to get a bad press. With the growing number of vehicles in the world and the polar ice cubes reportedly shrinking, the motor car does look a tad guilty. Though the correlation between the two is up for debate, it would be wise if we did our bit to help preserve Fred the polar bears living room. Within Europe strict CO2 emissions laws are coming into force with manufacturers having to look at ways to reduce their output of greenhouse gasses. The current trend is one of downsizing engines but finding methods to maintain performance. Honda did a great job with the new 1.6 litre diesel engine they put in the Civic, but the question is can the same unit impress in the much larger CR-V? Previously the only diesel option for the Japanese SUV was a 2.2 litre, a good engine but in a world where we are all trying to save the environment this 1.6 litre i-DTEC has now found a new home.
Our test car is in SR specification and is front wheel drive as opposed to other CR-V models where a 4X4 option is available. Visually the car is identical to the rest of the lineup portraying a modern design architecture that has a functional nature to it. In Passion Red with these smart looking 18 inch alloy wheels the CR-V looks very grown up and premium. The roof rails and aluminium trim detail the cars silhouette nicely supporting the good proportions this model has.
Now, over the past year we have driven every CR-V engine and trim level and whilst the top spec EX car has a very comfortable cabin sporting every toy under the sun, I think that this SR option is the sweet spot. The half leather half alcantara seats are extremely comfortable and give the interior a plush feel. This car also receives a DAB radio with premium audio system, UBS and MP3 compatibility, privacy glass and heated seats for those cold winter mornings. Whilst I did miss the panoramic glass roof of the EX, the CR-V’s windows are plenty big enough to let generous amounts of natural light in. Passengers should find the seats supportive and for those in the rear head and leg room is not at a premium. Its console has a nice logical layout to it that makes its operation quick and easy. The boot is vast and looks as if it could swallow the Isle of White! Lining the floor of this area is a removable flexible plastic tray that can catch dog hair, mud, sand as well as any other unwanted mess. This CR-Vs vast storage can be extended with one pull of a leaver that flattens the rear bench revealing a loading area that might just carry Belgium give or take a few boxes of chocolate.
Starting the CR-V on a cold day it does sound a bit grumbly, as do most diesels, but once up to temperature and underway the 1.6 is quiet and refined. Whilst there is no getting away from the fact that the CR-V is a big car, driving it in an urban environment is a piece of cake. Thanks to large mirrors and big windows visibility is always good. Parking sensors and a reversing camera means you can park this car in some rather challenging spots without too much of a problem. Whilst the steering doesn’t provide bags of feedback, it is well weighted and in tandem with a good 6 speed manual gearbox this car never feels like a chore to drive. Through faster bends, as you would expect from a car of this nature, there is a noticeable amount of body roll. The new 1.6 litre i-DTEC engine offers plenty of pulling power with torque accessible from low revs whilst it happily copes with the extra weight of this CR-V over the Civic. Proceeding to join a motorway, this engine also proves to be a good all rounder with the ability to not only cruise for long distances, but also get a wiggle on when an overtaking manoeuvre is necessary. The pedal box, much like the steering could do with a bit more feel but the throttle is responsive and the brakes perfectly employable for the job of stopping the car. In terms of suspension, the CR-V is good at soaking up the often aggressive bumps and potholes found on UK roads. Fuel economy sat at an average of 48MPG after the car had been put through its paces in an array of situations.
All-in-all this new engine for the Honda CR-V builds on top of an already competent package. Great levels of comfort and practicality mean that the CR-V is an ideal family companion. Don’t forget that this is a Honda and very unlikely to let you down. At just over £27,000 our test car is a bit on the expensive side, yet in terms of equipment and trim along with the 1.6 litre diesel engine, it is the pick of the bunch.
Sometimes we all wish things were a bit more comfortable. That spring in your bed that gets on your nerves whilst you sleep, a cup of coffee that is just a bit too hot, or how about the classic item on a very high shelf that you can’t quite grasp? Life is full of little annoyances, but Citroen’s DS4 aims to remove as many as possible on your journey to and from work.
Playing bigger brother to the already successful DS3, the DS4 is the middle sibling of the luxury range and sits just below the DS5. It has to be said that our test car in Peara Nera Black looked quite smart with its chrome trim and intricate 19” alloy wheels. Its curved profile and body creases gives it a purposeful stance that is almost executive. The DS4 is based upon the C4, but you wouldn’t know it from its appearance as the whole car sits higher and the bodywork is far more rounded at the rear. As with all DS models, the exterior detailing is very impressive. The elegantly stylised rear lights and exhaust trim that becomes a single almost sculpture like feature further highlights how the DS range is unique. It comes across very strongly how much freedom the designers had and looking at the DS High Rider concept that later became the DS4, the lack of changes from idea to reality proves this.
Inside, the cabin is lavish with large body hugging seats trimmed to high standards in black and red leather. Aluminium inserts around the steering wheel and vents add another level elaborate design. This premium environment not only offers gizmos such as DAB radio and a premium sound system, but an extremely comfortable way to commute. The heated massaging seats work their magic on a frosty morning whilst rear passengers enjoy plenty of leg and head room. Another nice touch to the interior is the panoramic front windscreen with adjustable shutters that allows you to block out the sun when it glares, or let in more light on these darker winter days. The boot also offers practicality with seemingly enough space for a small elephant or at least plenty of room to accommodate a big supermarket shop. However, there is one grip I have with the interior of the DS4 and that comes in the form of its rear doors. Whilst they provide a large opening for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle, their wedged shape means the rear door window does not go down at all. Physics dictates that you can’t fit a square piece of glass vertically into a steeply raked shape. A slight hint of style over sustenance in an otherwise near faultless interior.
This DS4 is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine that produces 160BHP. Starting it up reveals a smooth and quite unit that only adds to the refinement of the interior. Paired to a 6 speed automatic gearbox, the combination of this engine and transmission makes for an effortless drive. Gear changes are so smooth and quite that you hardly notice them and unlike some automatics, this one actually makes very good decisions on gear selection around town. Sticking with that urban topic for a moment, the fantastic amount of torque of offer in the DS4 makes city driving easy as you needn’t hesitate about going for a gap in the traffic. The engine is responsive and will surge you along without hesitation. Its steering is also nicely weighted at low speeds and so snaking your way through high streets to find a parking space is no task at all. That, said a small rear window can make reversing into a space a little bit trickier than it needs to be. On a motorway the DS4 settles down and invites you to set the cruise control, relax and let the car take the strain. It really is a very comfortable place to be and long journeys needn’t be the often tediously cramp inducing experiences that they usually are. The diesel engine merrily pulls the car along and is very capable of spending prolong amounts of time in the outside lane whilst you complain about two lorries that are seemingly in combat, racing each other uphill whilst occupying the other two lanes. However, the thing that has impressed me most about this car is the biggest surprise. You see when you dive a nice comfortable luxury product that rides well, the last thing you expect is for it to be a bit of riot on country roads. The DS4 lends itself to the odd bit of Sunday morning hooliganism through nice direct steering with plenty of feel, a compliant chassis and, despite its hight, suspension that doesn’t allow too much body roll. Driving the DS4 in all of these environments yielded 42MPG combined.
The Citroen DS4 is a car that ticks a lot of boxes and shows itself to be a good all-rounder. It is stylish, yet practical. Comfortable, yet enjoyable when the going gets twisty. With all of the toys on our test car the £27,701 price tag is costly, but for a car that is so dissimilar to what else is on offer and in tandem with a brilliant diesel engine I strongly recommend it.
There are some cars that have become a staple for us petrol heads over the years and the Lamborghini Gallardo is one of them. The mid-engined V10 howl of this supercar has been a bit of a thorn in Ferrari’s side with this Lambo being a very capable car both on and off track. All wheel drive, masses of power and a raging bull on the bonnet makes for a potent elixir. Alas the Gallardo is no more from today.
Production of the Lamborghini Gallardo has come to an end with the final car rolling off of the production line. With a life spanning a decade and several model variations, it is safe to say that the Gallardo departs as a well accomplished machine. This last Gallardo was an LP570-4 Spyder Performante and concludes the 14,022 unit run. The Gallardo is by far the most successful car Lamborghini has ever built.
A successor is expected to be revealed early next year…
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is based upon the A-Class and serves as a baby SUV in the German manufacturers product portfolio. It is a rather good looking luxury product but those slightly crazed engineers at AMG have decided that the GLA needs a bit more lunacy in its life. A new concept car making its debut at the LA Motor Show previews a future model.
This Mercedes-Benz GLA45 AMG Concept is a more hardcore performance derivative of the model it is based upon. Seen here for the first time wearing some questionable stickers, this car now has the same 2.0 litre turbocharged engine that the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG posses. That means 335BHP and 332lb ft of torque. Mercedes say that the car will sprint from 0-62MPH in under 5 seconds. Garish spoiler and stickers aside, the GLA45 AMG sound like a rather interesting cocktail.
Porsche’s move into the SUV segment with the Cayenne was a big risk for the German brand, but that gamble has very much paid off with this segment growing year on year. The performance orientated 4X4 may not be the easiest car to digest visually, but there is no doubting its capabilities. Today at the LA motor show the Cayenne gets a baby brother in the form of the Macan.
The Porsche Macan expands the model line and sits just below the Cayenne. Three V6 engines are on offer ranging from the top specification Turbo costing £59,300, an S model as well as a Diesel S. Each car has all wheel drive and the engines are mated to a 7 speed dual clutch gearbox. Similar in appearance to its sibling, the new Macan has the same family face but its squat profile and compact package certainly gives it a sporting outline. The Turbo model is the quickest of the bunch and is powered by a 3.6 litre twin-turbo V6 producing 394BHP and 405lb ft of torque. 0-62MPH is done and dusted in 4.8 seconds.
The Porsche Macan will arrive in showrooms April 2014.
When the spiritual successor to the legendary Jaguar E-Type made its debut it really caught the attention of the world. Its beautiful flowing lines gave it a simple yet elegant stance and with the shape being reinforced with a few bold design features, the overall package is quite something to look at. The F-Type was launched as a convertible as Jaguar had to made a decision as to how this new car would enter the market. With the models continuing success, a coupe has now joined the party.
Sticking close to the C-X16 concept, this Jaguar F-Type coupe is also a handsome bugger. Its short rear overhang that joins with a steeply raked rear profile gives this car a very sporty silhouette. The range appears familiar with the F-Type and F-Type S being powered by the same V6 engine, but each costing £7,285 less than the their convertible counterparts. However, there is a new top of the line car named the F-Type R. Powered by 542BHP 5.0 litre V8 that can also be found in Jaguar’s Project 7 car, it is capable of 0-62MPH in 4.0 seconds and it will go onto a top speed of 186MPH. The chassis and springs have been firmed up to create an even more involving drive.
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