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The next stages of the Tour de France are soon to begin and teams are gearing up to compete for victory. Checking and double checking all of the equipment is essential, spare bikes are a must incase of mishaps. These bikes must be transported in tandem with the riders and for this Team Sky use a Jaguar XF Sportbrake. A practical decision, however, these up and coming sprint stages not only require fewer bikes to be transported at once, but also for it to be done quickly. Jaguar F-Type Tour de France.
Specially for these sprint stages, Jaguar has produced a one-off Jaguar F-Type Tour de France. Based upon the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, this 542BHP 5.0 litre supercharged beauty dons the Team Sky livery and matching black and blue interior. As well as being modified to carry two racing bikes, the car receives all of the teams communications equipment which has to be powered by a separate battery in the boot. The V8 is untouched meaning 0-62MPH takes just 4 seconds and the top speed is 186MPH.
Jaguar has no intentions of putting the Jaguar F-Type Tour de France into production.
When one slice is not enough, you eat the whole cake. Why buy one pizza when you can buy two? If you are of this mindset you might be looking at the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG Coupe and thinking “whilst it is all well and good, more is still more.” Welcome to the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe. The ultimate luxury coupe from the German brand.
Not content with winning the World Cup, the Germans have now unleashed the 2015 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG. Armed with muscular bulges and intakes big enough to swallow small children, the S65 is the range topper at £183,065. It is powered by 6.0 litre V12 engine that produces 621BHP and 738lb ft of torque. 0-62MPH takes a mere 4.1 seconds whilst its top speed is electronically limited to 155MPH. Mercedes new “magic body control” system also features ensuring that occupants can enjoy the lavish interior without being shaken like a martini on bad roads. AMG sport seats dominate the cabin which is beautifully detailed with aluminium. Despite possessing all of this performance potential the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Coupe is said to be capable of returning 23.7MPG.
This years Goodwood festival of speed was a buzz with some of the most interesting machines to grace tarmac. We had not one, but two, LaFerrari as well as a whole host of legendary racing cars. It really was a vintage year and one that shouldn’t have been missed! However, if like me you are a bit disheartened about missing the show (don’t feel too sorry for me as I was on holiday) we have a fantastic photo gallery coming up. One of the stars of 2014 was the all-new Ford Mustang as the Blue oval let it rip up the hill.
Driven by precision driver Paul Swift, a V8 Mustang gave those famous hay bails something to think about. Roaring past the crowd and wooing passersby whilst stationary, this taster of what will soon hit UK roads is more than enough to get us salivating. Available in the UK as a 2.3 litre 305BHP contender or an almighty 5.0 litre V8, the all-new Mustang promises to appeal to even the most sceptical European pallet. We look forward to snagging the keys and finding out for ourselves in the future.
The Martini racing colours came back to Formula One this year with the Williams team. These iconic stripes represent one of the greatest racing liveries of all time and their reintroduction is very welcome. Porsche have also had a long history with Martini, many of their Le Mans racers donned the paint. The Porsche/Martini relationship continues off track as the 918 Spyder Weissach package can be optioned with the livery. Now it is the turn of the 911. Porsche 911 Martini Racing Edition revealed.
Based upon the Porsche 911 Carrera S, the Martini Racing Edition plays homage to cars such as the 917 and 935. The instantly recognisable branding runs from nose to tale and along the door sill. A red illuminated scuff plate reading “911 Carrera S – Martini Racing Edition” welcomes you inside the cockpit. CUP aero upgrades are included but the cars 3.8 litre flat-six engine remains untouched. Still, 400HP and a 0-62MPH time of just 4.1 seconds isn’t to be turned away.
Just 80 of these Porsche 911 Martini Racing Edition cars will be produced.
For those of us who love driving, for the pleasure, for the sheer enjoyment of the interaction between man and machine, there is very little space left for us. In a world where fun behind the wheel is depicted as inefficient and having a smile upon your face will see you labeled as a public menace, there isn’t much to celebrate as a car enthusiast these days. We are taxed, charged and penalised making even owning a car in this environment difficult. So maybe we should give up? Put down our car keys and pick up an Oyster card? Thankfully there is hope… Salvation comes in the form of the Subaru BRZ.
Here is a machine that defies convention, a great big antiestablishment statement on wheels. Instead of us being herded into soulless cars that simply serve as a means of getting from point A to point B, the Subaru BRZ reignites our hope for an affordable sports car revolution. Power to the people cars such as the Toyota MR2, Mazda RX-7 and Honda CR-X have long since gone. However, a partnership between Toyota and Subaru to produce a well priced rear-drive sports car has resulted in something that could spark competitors into action once again.
Our test car, in that iconic blue associated with Subaru, looked stunning. Proportionally with its long bonnet and short rear overhang, it creates a flowing coupe profile that every “petrol head” can appreciate. A polite rear spoiler leads the eye onto bolder design elements around the back. Protruding LED light clusters and a sculpted boot lid housed this fantastic personalised numberplate. Top marks to the PR team! Moving downward two vast exhaust pipes, with exits larger than a fist, aim like the barrels of a cannon at passersby. This car draws plenty of attention. Parked in a local High Street whilst I sat across the road partaking in a spot of lunch, I counted six people who took pictures of the BRZ and everyone who crossed its path paid it at least a glance. It has a presence about it that demands the focus of complete strangers and automotive anoraks alike.
Slipping into the body gripping leather and Alcantara sports seats, you are immediately drawn to how driver focused this car is. The driver is seated low in a position that is so very close to perfection. The red stitched steering wheel and aluminium pedals become your interface as you acclimatise to the snug cockpit. However, it is the cockpit that is something of an Achilles heel to the BRZ. Whilst the cramped rear quarters can be forgiven due to the nature of this car, the hard plastics and flat facias do take away from its sense of occasion. The nut shaped air conditioning controls are a nice touch, but again, the material used to make them feels a bit lacklustre. That said, the Pioneer touchscreen infotainment system works well and acts as a centrepiece to the console. Considering this is an out-and-out sports car, the boot space isn’t too bad and will happily accommodate a small weekly shop. Fold flat those small rear seats and the Subaru BRZ instantly becomes more versatile. Just like its Toyota GT86 counterpart, you can carry a complete set of tyres ensuring you have plenty of rubber to burn when heading out on track.
With the keyless system in this LUX model, the fun begins as soon as you hit the starter button. The 2.0 litre Boxer engine fires into life and idles with a slight burble from the exhaust. Setting off, the first thing you notice is just how responsive the throttle pedal is. The BRZ possesses 197BHP and thanks to being naturally aspirated its reactions are instant. 0-62MPH in 7.4 seconds is not to be sniffed at… Most of that power is higher up in the rev range with the fun really beginning at about 4,000rpm. The sonorous sound of its opposing pistons at work acts as narrator as your grin begins to grow. When driving the Subaru BRZ in a spirited manner you work its delicious 6 speed gearbox which provides wonderfully positive shifts. Add some heel and toe action into the mix and you soon realise just how eager the car is to please you. With direct turn-in and well weighted steering, it is an utter joy to thread together apexes. The BRZ does have quite a stiff suspension setup which can become a bit grating on our battered British roads, but when dancing through twisty sections of tarmac the composure and lack of body roll is well worth the trade in refinement. In comparison to the GT86, the BRZ feels a more taught around the corners and less likely to kick its tail out. But hooligans fear not, the BRZ doesn’t require much persuasion to initiates some sideways motion. Visibility is good around town for this type of car with its adequately sized mirrors helping to reduce its blind spots. On a motorway in this LUX model you can set the cruise control and allow yourself to be surprised at how adaptable the BRZ can be, going from B-road basher to everyday commuter quite easily. Drive economically and 34MPG is possible in the real world.
Subaru must be applauded for creating a car that goes against todays norm of manufacturers losing interest in sports cars for the masses. At £23,995 it is not only cheaper than its Toyota sibling, but in terms of “bangs for your bucks” the ratio is pleasing. This glorious blue rebel represents a product we have been asking for since such machines went away in the 90’s. It is direct, to the point, no nonsense, uncorrupted fun on four wheels.
Peugeot have made some iconic cars throughout its history. The 205 GTI and 106 Rallye are good examples of very honest French performance models that even today are regarded as being amongst the very best in class. Fast Peugeots used to be something young guns like myself aspired to own, but for a while the company has lost its “mojo” and their quick models have been distinctly middle of the road. However, this new Peugeot RCZ R could well be the moment we have all been waiting for. A red hot Peugeot that is capable of kicking some serious backside.
Immediately the RCZ R makes a statement of intent being the most powerful production Peugeot ever. The 1.6 litre turbocharged unit produces 270BHP and 243lb ft of torque which is sent to the front wheels via 6 speed manual transmission. 0-62MPH is completed in just 5.9 seconds and it will go onto a top speed of 155MPH. Make no mistake, this is not an ordinary RCZ.
The low slung coupe that we tested appeared sinister in its Mercury Grey metallic paint and black detailing. A fixed rear wing, red badging and a fantastic set of alloy wheels denote the R from a standard car, although it does retain its signature double-bubble roof which we love. It is a serious looking machine and as we found out, it’s not all show and no go…
Its not just the exterior that has had a good going over. Inside you will find a pair of chunky leather and alcantara racing seats that are sublime. They feel very substantial and take a good hold of your ribs and shoulders. Obligatory R badging highlights that this car was not just some back room project, but was actually the responsibility of the famous Peugeot Sport division. Contrasting red stitching finishes off the the cockpit.
The moment you turn the key this cars fruity exhaust note will please any ear it encounters, but potter about sensibly and you will notice that its a reasonably comfortable and refined ride. But let’s be honest, you don’t want to read about that. Mash the noisy pedal and you will be sucked back into those supportive seats charging though the gears with nice short throws. The RCZ is brisk throughout the rev range but above 2,000RPM when the turbo is completely on song, it absolutely takes off. A limited slip differential reduces torque steer allowing this machine to achieve those impressive aforementioned figures. Its not just rapid in a straight line. There is plenty of grip on offer, even in the more challenging road conditions we were faced with, which gives the driver great confidence in the cars ability. Another thing that will allow you to push the RCZ R faster are its responsive brakes that invite you to leave putting the stoppers on even later. There is very little lateral body movement as the car picks its way through sweeping corners, and the well weighted steering combined with keen turn-in means you can place it right on the apex of even the most demanding bends.
We were very impressed with the Peugeot RCZ R. This car exemplifies the turnaround from Peugeot we had been hoping for. Our car came to £32,000 which for the level of performance on offer and the handling to match isn’t too unreasonable. Peugeot even claim that it will return 44.8MPG. Conditions didn’t allow us to extract all of this cars potential on our first drive, but we hope to be back in the drivers seat for a full review at some point in the future.
Cosworth are legends amongst those who know their onions when it comes to cars. The power to the people brand brought their racing expertise from rallying and Formula One to some of the most notable road cars of the past few decades. The Ford Escort and Sierra Cosowrth, Mercedes-Benz 190 E Cosowrth and Subaru Impreza Cosworth are all biblical. Now the British team are turning their attention to the Toyota GT86. Cosworth readying Toyota GT86.
The Toyota GT86 is an excellent car, but almost every motoring journalist agrees that it has more potential and could do with a small bump in power. Cosworth may have the answer after teasing a car codenamed FA-20. This performance package has yet to be detailed but from the video an aggressive aerodynamic upgrade and what sounds like a turbocharged engine are set to be in the mix. Other revisions that we expect to make an appearance are uprated brakes, suspension and a race inspired interior.
The Nürburgring isn’t just used as a race track you know… A lot of its business comes from car manufacturers fine tuning their chassis setups on this, one of the most demanding circuits in the world. “The green hell” as it has been described has become something of a performance car battleground as big brands are using their lap times as a marketing tool. Seat currently hold the record for fastest front wheel drive car to lap the track, but Renault aim to know them clean off of their perch with the new Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy.
A followup from the astonishing Renaultsport Megane 265, of which we tested, the Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy is the ultimate in hot hatchback adolescence. Its flared wheel arches and dual stripe decal are just precursors to this cars performance potential. 271BHP and 266lb ft of torque is produced from its 2.0 litre turbocharged engine. Extra power is sourced from a new exhaust system. The Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, but in order to take the Nürburgring crown it has to beat the scorching time of 7 minutes 58.4 seconds. Inside you will find a set of Recaro bucket seats trimmed with Alcantara and leather.
Sir Malcolm Campbell certainly was an extraordinary man. This British legend conquered the laws of physics claiming speed records on both land and sea. His international acclaim was a true asset to Great Britain and his spirit exemplary of just how our little county in the middle of the sea never lacked ambition. To honour Campbell’s water speed record attempts that were powered by the company, Rolls-Royce have revealed the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed.
The special edition convertible is limited to just 35 examples costing £435,000 each. The paint is a unique blue derived from the waters that the Bluebird boat surged across. Usually a Phantom Drophead Coupe would feature teak decking at the rear, but for this model it has been replaced by brushed steel. The Waterspeed’s paint scheme also colours the engine block of its 6.75 litre V12, again mimicking the record machine. Power and torque is kept at the standard 453BHP and 531lb ft. Its interior features custom gauges, a two tone design and Bluebird embroidery.
This Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed was unveiled at the old Bluebird motor company site.
The driving enthusiast is a dying breed. Not only are we ferociously taxed and penalised at any opportunity, but car manufacturers are losing their appetite for driver focused machines. Look around todays showrooms and see how the manual gearbox is going the way of the dodo. Most cars now have electronic nannies telling you that your exuberant driving is killing too many baby seals. Fun behind the wheel is simply seen as inefficient by far too many engineers these days and so those who truly enjoy driving find themselves in this predicament. However, there is solace to be found in the 2014 BMW M235i.
BMW divided the 1 Series into two separate models for hatchback and coupe last year and so this car goes by the name 2 Series. But you would be foolish to think that this is simply a run of the mill BMW 2 Series coupe. It is in fact an M235i and whilst not a fully fledged M car, like its 1M stablemate, it is something quite special. This is a neat little package proportionally with a long bonnet and short rear overhang. Muscular creases run up and down the stout body creating a real presence. The iconic BMW kidney grills sit proudly on the nose of our test car that also sported some rather handsome blue paint.
Behind those grills and below the contoured bonnet sits a turbocharged 3.0 litre straight-six engine that produces 321BHP. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6 speed manual transmission and in action this package can crack 0-62MPH in just 5 seconds. To say this car is quick is something of an understatement, especially with a top speed of 155MPH. But they are just numbers. What is the 2014 BMW M235i like out in the wild?
In short… Bloody fantastic! Hit the starter button and fire all six pistons into life. From the word go this car feels like it has a pulse, one that begs to beat even faster at any opportunity. Whilst stuck behind a van, on what would otherwise be a rather delicious stretch of tarmac, I got the sense that the M235i just wanted to pick up and go. An almost impatient fizz emanates around the cabin as you are alerted to your low seating position and sporty steering wheel that is beautiful in its simplicity. At low speeds this car is well behaved and refined. Although the ride at times is a bit firm for our battered British roads, the body hugging seats and widescreen infotainment make life comfortable. The cabin feels compact but never cramped and will happily seat four in leather upholstered German tranquility. Well, it was tranquil until I spotted an opportunity to overtake the van… Kicking it down a gear and mashing the throttle results in a fantastic rush of acceleration narrated by a burley engine note. As you are sucked back into your seat and the traction control fights to put all of those ponies down on a rather greasy road, the adrenaline rush begins. Cracking through the gears like a sniper reloads a bolt action rifle, you can’t help but have a childish grin on your face. The world outside becomes blur just before the heal and toe action begins ready for the pending sequence of tight bends. Its stopping power is confidence inspiring and only serves to encourage you to brake later next time. This M235i feels light on its feet when it eagerly changes direction. Its precise steering makes short work of the apex as the car dances around the corner. Grip levels are good but you would be wise to remember that a generous prod of the throttle mid-corner will kick the back end out. Body roll is almost nonexistent in the sportiest setting that also increases throttle response. The level of driver involvement and sheer pleasure this car creates will have any petrol head cooing over it. Once you have finished smoking the tyres and acting like a complete child, the 2014 BMW M235i is very capable of settling down and getting on with the journey ahead in an almost “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” fashion. Visibility is good all around meaning that urban environments shouldn’t be much trouble. It even has a decent sized boot! Whilst BMW’s i-Drive infotainment system is still one of the worlds great enigmas and the centre console leaves much to be desired aesthetically, the cars list of shortcomings is spartan.
The engineers at BMW should be very pleased with what they have created in this machine. It is a genuinely emotive experience behind the wheel, something that all enthusiasts crave. Our test car may have come to a princely £42,000 with all of its toys, £7,700 worth, but in our eyes it is worth every penny.
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