When you make a success of something it is very hard to live up to the high expectations people now have. I call it “the difficult second album conundrum” and that is exactly what Mini faced with their all-new hatchback. In 2001 the Mini was reborn and once again became a cult classic. 2007 saw the second generation of the modern car and this again succeeded in wooing buyers. Can Mini really make it three in a row whilst introducing the biggest changes its best selling model has ever seen? We grabbed the keys to the new 2014 Mini Cooper S to find out.
Ok, let’s get this one out of the way. Yes, it is bigger in every dimension than the car that went before it and absolutely dwarfs the 1959 original. But before you all cry “well, that doesn’t make it a Mini then does it?” and grab your pitchforks, you have to remember that 1959 was 55 years ago and a lot has changed. As well as an almost infinite number of crash regulations that requires the car to be substantial enough to protect occupants, the Mini is no longer just one machine. It is a brand, and as a brand it has to adapt to modern times and compete with its rivals to survive. In the case of the all-new Mini Cooper S, its battlefield has become more competitive than ever.
The hot hatchback arena is a fierce place to be with such gladiators as Ford’s Fiesta ST and the new Renaultsport Clio brawling for territory. The previous Cooper S thrived here, however, the competition has evolved and will not be going down without a fight. This new car brings a 189BHP turbocharged four cylinder engine to the melee which powers the front wheels via a proper 6 speed manual gearbox, unlike the Renault’s paddle-shifter only affair. 0-62MPH is completed in 6.8 seconds, 0.1 faster than the Fiesta ST.
Initially there was a lot of controversy over the appearance of the 2014 Mini when some spy photos revealed the car early. Thankfully they happened to be taken from an unflattering angle and at a distance. Considering that a big part of the Mini’s appeal is its look, the importance of people liking the new image can not be overstated. Whilst the car does have headlights that give it the facial expression of someone dropping something heavy on their toe, our test car was a handsome little blighter in the metal. In ostentatious Volcanic Orange contrasted by a black roof and some smart 17 inch darkened alloy wheels, this Cooper S makes a statement. Detailed with chrome trim and a retro fuel filler cap, the overall appearance of this car is both new and familiar at the same time. It is a good balance of character and design evolution. S badging sits proudly on the bodywork and the centred dual exhaust pipes remind you that this is no standard Mini.
The interior has taken a huge step forward in terms of functionality and design. Its once central speedometer has been replaced by a large display that is housed by a ring of light that changes colour dependent on what setting the car is in.. Toggle switches have been retained for various functions including an ominous red one to start the engine. There is more space in this 2014 Mini Cooper S, something that many Mini owners will welcome. Head and leg room in the rear aren’t class leading, but in comparison to the outgoing model, passengers will be more comfortable. The supportive leather seats and a steering wheel at your chest is typical Mini and foreshadows an involving drive. A neat colour heads up display sit on the dashboard directly feeding the driver information on speed and navigation instructions.
Flitting around urban environments revealed that this Mini has done a lot of growing up. It is more comfortable and refined than its predecessor at low speed meaning that hitting a pothole doesn’t result in you loosing your fillings. The ride is still firm, even with optional variable damper control, but then this is a performance focused model and anyone who is complaining needs to reconsider their priorities. Refinement levels are good making this Mini a promising prospect for longterm ownership. At the base of the gearstick is a dial that dramatically alters the cars character. Turn it to the left and you enter a more environmentally friendly mode that makes trees happy and pats Johnny polar bear on the head. Turn it to the right and prepare to watch the world burn as you unlock the true potential of the 2014 Mini Cooper S. Instantly everything firms up with the steering becoming deliciously weighty and body roll almost completely exiled. Put your lead boots on and this pocket rocket takes off. In a gauze of induction noise and exhaust popping, this little car turns into a bit of a hooligan. Racing back and fourth through the gears is like conducting an orchestra except every musical component has an antisocial behaviour order. Turn-in is sharp as it pivots around bends like a Scalextric toy. Obviously this being a powerful front wheel drive car you will encounter understeer, but with high grip levels you have to be borderline suicidal to find it. In its sportiest setting the Mini’s gearbox rev-matches by blipping the throttle which serves to make you look like a hero behind the wheel. The brakes are good but at times feel like they can’t quite keep up with the intense pace of the car when pushing hard. Throttle response is lively and absent of notable turbo-lag.
You can’t help but smile when driving this car in anger. It may well be a step-up in quality, efficiency and practicality, but it is the pocket monster that lurks beneath its innocently wide-eyed expression that makes the 2014 Mini Cooper S a force to be reckoned with. You can have one for a reasonable £18,650, however, our test car with all of its kit came to a more eye watering £25,350. The Mini is back and better than ever.
Summer is indeed in the city and whilst the last of the honestly biblically bad weather Dorset has been experiencing moves on, I was delighted to find a convertible in my driveway. Blue skies, not a cloud in sight and a temperature I would describe as “toasty” presents the perfect environment to evaluate this sports car that is celebrating 25 years since the original MK1. The Mazda MX-5 has endured where other affordable sports cars have not. I actually own the original car and adore it for its purity and driver feedback, the question is, has Mazda kept that delicious recipe the same?
Our test car is a 2014 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Roadster Coupe Sport Venture Edition meaning it is yet another of this third generation MX-5’s almost endless array of special editions. The Sport Venture consists of contrasting door mirrors, heated stone leather seats, 17 inch alloy wheels, this unique “Titanium Flash” paint and the obligatory special edition badging. Fitted with the 160BHP 2.0 litre engine and retractable hardtop this car came to £22,695.
This MK3.5 car still retains its cheeky fun loving appearance that the MX-5 has possessed throughout its life. The big open grill and flared wheel arches give it character whilst the small proportions of the car foreshadows its nimble handling characteristics. With either the roof up or down the Venture Edition appears handsome, yet slightly understated as most Japanese design is. The alloy wheels, matching door mirrors and chromed door handle promote a premium quality to this model over the standard car.
The interior is far more spacious than what you would imagine from looking at it externally. Although the cockpit is packed snugly around you and your passenger, it doesn’t feel cramped with plenty of head room and good adjustment in the seat. Mazda have got the driving position spot-on with the MX-5. You sit low with the steering wheel at your chest and the gearstick just a small movement away. Its seats hug your ribs and thighs with their bolsters and on colder days their electrically heated function will keep you nice and warm. Although very function, the console is beginning to look a bit dated now as they are relatively unchanged from the MK3’s introduction in 2005. A 6.1 inch display sits flush providing access to satellite navigation, bluetooth devices and audio. This touchscreen unit is user-friendly being easy to navigate, however, with the roof down on a sunny day the direct glare makes it difficult to read. Its aforementioned roof is stowed in a cubby behind the seats taking up no more space than the traditional fabric top. Its transformation is complete in just 12 seconds.
Turn the key and bring that 2.0 litre engine to life. As with every MX-5, the power is at the top of the range which means that this petrol engine gets a good workout. Pushing the car to its redline educes a very satisfying noise that is shot out of its dual exhaust pipes. Swapping cogs is about as rewarding as it gets via its 6 speed manual gearbox. The short mechanical throws add a level of driver involvement that is missing from many cars on sale today. Acceleration is progressive but most noticeable above 4,000rpm. A responsive collection of pedals at you feet are a “must” for any sports car and the MX-5 ticks the boxes with a thickset permanent marker! Its responsive throttle and excellent brake feel work hand in hand allowing for maximum confidence when pushing the car hard. Heel and toe shifts into tight bends reveal the mosquito-like change of direction the little car harbors. Steering is sharp and well weighted making the MX-5 a joy when leaping from corner to corner like a baby deer. The car is an absolute treat to drive on country roads, something that is multiplied when the roof is down and the weather is good. Give the throttle a stab upon corner exit with traction control off and the back end is more than ready to come out and play. Drifting the car, if you are into that sort of thing, highlights the brilliant balance of the chassis. Settling down from more playful driving allows the driver to appreciate the relatively compliant suspension, remembering it is a sports car and not a Roll-Royce. At motorway speed the ride is smooth and the larger engine doesn’t need to be corralled into action as much as the smaller 1.8 litre car. Wind noise is the only complaint on long journeys as otherwise the 2014 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Roadster Coupe Sport Venture Edition is a comfortable way to get around.
25 years on and the Mazda MX-5 has still got it. Its level of connection to the driver is what defines it and not only makes it the most involving in its class, but also puts some other much more expensive roadsters to shame. This Venture Edition is well equipped and, in the grand scheme of things, quite good value for money. So far it has been three successes in a row for Mazda and the MX-5. We can’t wait to see what they come up with next for the all-new 2015 car.
At the 2014 Geneva motor show Audi unveiled the third generation model. This from the ground up is an all-new car despite being proportionally similar to the one that preceded it, but the Germans take a lot of pride in the engineering potential on their new chassis which is based upon VW’s MQB platform. To show just what the TT is capable of Audi has shown the world an extreme concept variation of their sports car.
Named the Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept, this pumped up model produces 414BHP and 332lb ft of torque from its 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine. That turbo now achieves 1.8bar of boost. The increase in power means that the Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept can get from 0-62MPH in 3.7 second. That is supercar territory! This Quattro Sport is all wheel drive and transfers its power to the ground through a six speed dual clutch gearbox. Now with a fixed rear wing and more aggressive body, let’s see someone call it a hairdressers car.
Inside this TT mimics the 2014 model but adds alcantara for a slightly sportier flare.
Technology has advanced, and will continue to advance the human race for centuries to come. Today we can now make phone calls from anywhere in the world without carrying around a device the size of a cinderblock, we can fly to far flung countries without feathers, and you can sit at home digesting all of the information that the internet has to offer without even leaving your bed. This continuing increase in engineering capabilities is quite something to marvel at, however it has made things obsolete. How often do you read a book for example? Some people just prefer the old ways and so you can understand enthusiasts hesitation when Renault announced that their new sporty Clio will not be offered with a manual gearbox. The 2014 Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC has caused fair bit of controversy.
Having three pedals and a gearstick to swap cogs is something of an unwritten rule for all “drivers cars.” It is all about being the organic part of the machine and it’s this that makes manuals more involving to drive. This all-new Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 has dropped the manual all together in favour of a dual clutch paddle-shift gearbox. On paper it is the better option offering lightning fast shift times and allowing the driver to spend more of his concentration on pushing the car harder. Even without a manual, can this new Renaultsport Clio be as good as its highly rated forefather?
Especially in our test cars liquid yellow paint, you have to admit that the new car looks the business! That colour teamed with black alloys and trim, something of a Renaultsport trademark, can’t help help but evoke thoughts of lyrics from a Wiz Khalifa song. “Ah ha, you know what it is… Black and yellow, black and yellow.” Muscular in the right places whilst carrying some premium styling, as seen on the model it is based upon, this Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC is part sculpture, part teenage rebellion. Swollen wheel arches meet swooping lines, red brake callipers join forces with practical rear doors. Somehow it is both grownup and childish at the same time, a paradox that embodies everything we love about hot hatchbacks.
Slide into the drivers seat and let the bolsters grip you. Something Renaultsport have always been good at are supportive seats, this is no exception. The cabin is just as practical as any other Clio with good amounts of space and a decent sized boot. Its centre console is finished in a premium looking gloss black that is home the cars R-Link touchscreen infotainment system. Sporty red stitching and trim peaces detail the interior and hint quite heavily that this isn’t your regular family run-about.
Hit the starter button and the turbocharged 1.6 litre engine burbles into life. Without a clutch it is a simple case of selecting drive and off you go. Immediately my instinct was to select the manual shifting mode and give those infamous paddles a try. Apply a dose of my right boot, the Clio took off down some deliciously challenging country roads. The changes themselves are quick although sometimes the car does hesitate, if only for a second, before changing to your chosen gear. Putting the car into Renaultsport mode reduces this delay to a point where you are no longer thinking about what it would be like with a manual, but are instead enjoying the fast nature of this car. Threading my way from apex to apex, the 200 Turbo put a massive smile on my face. Changing down makes the gearbox blip the engine before introducing the boost from its turbo which is capable of accelerating you from 0-62MPH in 6.7 seconds. The chassis is excellent and the responsive change of direction makes it feel like the car is pivoting around your hips. Spurred on by some of the noise the engine produces, I found myself enjoying firing through the gears like a Formula One driver. With loads of grip on offer and a confidence inspiring set of brakes, this sporty Clio is still for those who love driving. However, an attribute over its predecessor is a new found comfort at lower speeds. The ride fends off the harsh bumps of our British roads in a manner that is surprising for this type of car. Put the gearbox into automatic and it instantly becomes a rather economic and a comfortable car whilst pottering around.
Whilst the 2014 Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC is not as rough and ready as the previous model, this does result it being more approachable and easier to live with day to day. Ultimately this car might not be as hardcore as its fan base would like and it is also more expensive than the excellent Fiesta ST which does have a manual gearbox, but get behind the wheel and this Clio still proves to be a pocket rocket.
The three pointed star represents a lot of things to a lot of people. Some see the badge and think success and wealth, others a symbol of comfort and reliability, but there are a few who still think “old man.” This last group have very much missed the memo when it comes to a modern Mercedes-Benz. Just a take a look at todays line-up and you shall see fresh designs that carry much of their concept car origins into the real world. Mercedes do still build their luxury palaces on wheels that are aimed at an older demographic, but much of their range has shifted focus to young aspirational types. The CLA is very much case and point when it comes to todays Mercedes-Benz.
Based upon the well received Mercedes A-Class hatchback, the CLA is a baby saloon that wields bold muscular look and heaps of class. From its blunt nose to the elegant slope of its tale, this CLA exudes character. Strong body lines draw your eyes along its profile in an almost hypnotic fashion highlighting the sculptured details that make this car very handsome indeed. Our test car is the 220 CDI AMG Sport meaning that its aesthetics are highlighted by snazzy exhausts and those seductive 18” AMG alloys it wears.
The interiors of all new Mercedes-Benz cars, both big and small, are fantastic as the quality of material and design is clear for all to see. Red stitched leather narrates a premium interior that features aluminium vents inspired by aviation. Its seats are well bolstered and very adjustable. A large screen on the console displays the cars infotainment system. It doesn’t take long before you realise that the baby Benz retains the brands luxurious core values. Unfortunately the fabulous styling of the exterior has a detrimental effect on the interior with the small side windows not letting in very much light. The low sloping roofline at the rear also reduces rear passenger headroom, and with the bench having to be set further forward, leg room also. In the front of the cabin it is near faultless, however, passengers in the rear will find it a bit cramped. Boot space is generous allowing for plenty of luggage to be stored.
Starting the 2.1 litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine in this car is as refined as reading the newspaper in bed on a Sunday morning. The cars 350Nm of torque has no problem surging the CLA along. It is in fact that torque that is the defining characteristic of this car with acceleration feeling brisk and engine response immediate. The diesel unit can be a tad noisy at full throttle but settling down to normal driving finds the experience to be relatively tranquil. Through the corners the car feels like it has plenty of front-end-grip allowing for sharp turn in and addictive use of that torque to pull you around the bend. There isn’t very much in the way of body roll, that said you do pay the price for that firmer suspension set-up in terms of ride quality. Over bumps the CLA could be described as being a bit firm and it is this that clashes a little with the luxurious Mercedes atmosphere the interior conveys. This CLA is equipped with a 7 speed DCT automatic gearbox with shifter paddles. In auto mode the cars gear shifts are almost unnoticeable as they are so quick and smooth. Mercedes have really polished their cog swapping and it pays off in this car. The paddles allow for manual shifting when the mood takes you and on country roads, when you are looking for a bit of excitement, they play their part. Down shits are quick but the up shifts are immediate! When you are done with being a hooligan, simply rejoin the motorway, somewhere the CLA feels very much at home, and sink back into those supportive seats.
Officially capable of 62.8MPG, this CLA is a good choice for someone who has to commute a fair distance. It will whisk you along in style and comfort with that German reliability making the ownership experience peaceful. Our specific car loaded with all of the toys comes to an eye watering £39,415. Remembering that the options list is the real bank buster in any German car, its standard price is a much more reasonable £31,555. Though this car does have its faults, the 143MPH CLA 220 CDI has character and it is this that will entice its buyers the most.
The Audi Quattro is a very important car in the history of automobiles. Bringing all wheel drive to the masses and then using it to transform the world of rallying, this machine is quite the landmark. A symbol of 80’s cool, Audi first introduced a modern-day interpretation of the Quattro in concept form in 2010, but today that concept comes another step closer to reality.
The rebirth of the Quattro is something fans, and myself, have been crying out for and now our calls are answered in the Audi Sport Quattro. The menacing looking car may still be a concept, but what you see here is a model not too far from a production variant that will sit even above the R8 supercar. How so? Well I think it has something to do with 690BHP being produced by its twin-turbo 4.0 litre engine and an electric motor. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8 speed transmission. Packing 590lb ft of torque the new Quattro will dart from 0-62MPH in 3.7 seconds. Not only does it impress in terms of speed but other performance benchmarks such as economy. 113MPG is possible, not to mention the capability of running for 30 miles on pure electric power. Not bad for a 190MPH supercar.
With strict Euro emission laws lurking in the not too distant future, car manufacturers are having to do everything they can to reduce the CO2 output across their range. Even brands such as Range Rover must comply and hence we see the announcement of production hybrids for the first time in the companies history.
From 10th of September you can walk into your local dealership and place an order for either a Sport hybrid or a full fat Range Rover hybrid. Utilising a TDV6 diesel as well as an electric motor, the new cars output 335BHP and 516lb ft of torque. Despite the added weight of a battery pack, these cars will out accelerate their standard models. 44.1MPG has been quoted for both the Sport and Range Rover with both cars also capable of running on an all-electric mode up to 30MPH.
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.
The new Range Rover Sport is something that is very eagerly awaited by the automotive community. The latest car to join along side the new Range Rover has been teased by the company for a series of promotional pieces in its lead up to a debut in New York. They had been doing a very good job of keeping its appearance a secret up until someone made the biggest mistake of their career.
Imagine that you are a window tinting firm over in America. You have just gladly accepted a top secret contract with Range Rover for a car that is set to go on a video shoot. What would you do? Probably not put pictures of it up on a window tinting forum boasting of your work. Found on tintdude.com the image reveals in full the fastest Range Rover to date. “D’oh!” We are guessing this man is now in a lot of trouble.
The car builds on the bold architecture of the new Range Rover adding a sloping roofline and flared wheel arches.
The new Range Rover is an absolute mechanical master piece. On the surface it is a majestic luxury machine that today comes very close to Rolls-Royce standards of interior quality. Yet, the car is also capable of astonishing off-road aptitude. The Sport model of this generation has made a brief and rather blurry appearance in an image that the company has released.
The new Sport is to offer the same high quality interior we have come to know in the Range Rover but in tandem with a true sensation of speed thanks to a supercharged Jaguar engine. Little is know about the car at this point but from the image we can at least tell it will feature a raked roof and slightly angled bonnet, oh and it will likely debut in orange. Our first encounter of the 2013 Range Rover sport will be at this month New York motor show.
