August 28, 2012

You Thought Lotus Couldn’t Get Any More Power Out The Exige? You Were wrong

Twelve years ago, a group of unshaven, plaid wearing, ale glugging blokes gave birth to the first Lotus Exige in a garage in Norfolk. Little did these men know that what they had created was a car that would leave some of the most expensive Ferraris and Astons in the dust. Over time, this small, wooden garage in Norfolk became a larger, metal garage in Norfolk and with this came the birth of some of the most exciting variants of the original Exige that left us wondering how on Earth those mentalists at Lotus were going to extract any more power from this machine.

Now in 2012, on the weekend of the Lotus Festival at Brand’s Hatch, it has been announced that a new hardcore version of the Exige is being produced. It’s being called the Exige V6 Cup and is available as a track day car and a competition car. The grunt in this thing comes from the 346 bhp 3.5-litre supercharged V6 that you can also find in the Lotus Exige S. It’s been claimed that this new model is more than capable of reaching 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 170 mph. This is all capable because the car only weighs 1080kg.

Lotus have thrown everything at this car, giving it the ‘Lotus Dynamic Performance Management’ system, a set of Piralli P-Zero Trofeo tyres, multi-adjustable suspension and an aero-optimised front splitter. Customers are also able to choose to pay extra for a roll cage, FIA-approved fire extinguisher, special sport race seats, and even a detachable steering wheel just in case you want to have a go at being Jensen Button.

Production of the V6 Cup will start in December with 15-20 cars supposedly being produced up until March 2013. If you are in the market for one of these lighting Lotuses then prepare to shell out £62,995 for the Track Day model and £74,995 for the even more terrifying Competition model which has been designed especially to compete in the Lotus Cup championships across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Toyota GT 86 Grows A Turbo With GRNM Concept

The Toyota GT 86 reignites the once explosive “affordable sports car” market for 2012. The well price low slung coupe from Japan is giving rival brands the encouragement they need to produce their own competitors. Toyota said that this car wouldn’t be getting a turbo any time soon, but try telling that to this concept.

Tuned by GRNM along with Toyota, this GT 86 called the Sport FR Concept, is equipped with said turbo and a supercharger. The result is that the 86’s 2.0 litre motor now pumps out 315BHP and 311lb-ft of torque. Other changes include a new exhaust system, stickier tyres, and a rear wing. This may just be a concept car but if it provokes enough salivation from fans we could well see something work its way onto our roads over the next few years.

Inside Lane “the podcast” Episode 48

The boys are back in town! Fresh from their latest adventures of drifting Caterhams and chasing BMW’s new Gran Coupe at the PGA championship. News of Mazda’s supercharged MX-5 as well as Aston Martin’s DBS replacement are all part of this episode, not to mention the latest from the WRC.

Enjoy!

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

Jaguar XJ Becomes Latest Nürburgring Taxi

“The green hell…” That is what triple Formula One world champion Sir Jackie Stewart described it as. Arguably the worlds most challenging track, the Nürburgring, is the benchmark for almost ever car manufacturer. Though a tyre torturing challenge, for a handful of Euro’s you yourself can take your prized possession for a lap. Don’t feel you have enough talent to keep it out of the barrier? Jaguar can oblige.

The big cat is launching a new taxi service that will put passengers in the hands of talented ‘Ring drivers that will blitz them around Germanys most belligerent. Jags weapon of choice is the all-aluminium XJ with 500BHP being produced in the heart of its 5.0 litre supercharged V8. A 174MPH trip around the Nürburgring sounds like the perfect way to round off any trip to Germany.

Jaguar Reveals Ultimate XJ

The Jaguar XJ has been with us since 1968 and remained largely unchanged. That was until late 2009 when the big cat reveled a big gamble it was to take. The new car was a styling revolution and moved away from the cold war architecture of its forefathers. It quickly became popular with diplomats and Prime Ministers wanting to show that they, like Jaguar, are willing to move into the blazing light of modern day Great Britain. Jag are now revealing what they call the ultimate XJ.

Debuting in Beijing, the Jaguar XJ Ultimate with its 510BHP supercharged V8 engine is no pussy cat. Though inside passengers may find it puuur-fect (Ok, I’ll stop now) with electric reclining seats, dual iPads built into the front seats, tables, chiller, T.V., LED lights and raised central console.

Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept Gets Angry

The Seat Ibiza has been a good source of income for the brand for a long time now. Sharing many components with the VW Polo, the little hatch is a reliable as its German counterpart but does lack in premium to badge snobs. However, what this car lacks in fit and finish it makes up for in character. This is the new Ibiza Cupra.

We love the Cupra badged Seats as this is where the company gets a little bit of freedom from the VW configured Polo underneath. This close to production concept previews what is to come for the recently launched 2012 Ibiza. The styling is brilliant but better yet is that the cars 1.4 litre engine is both turbo and supercharged! This makes for a hot hatch with 180BHP that also packs a class leading 7 speed DSG gearbox.

Hot Honda CR-Z Confirmed

It was on, then it was off, then people felt bad about that decision and so it was back on, but then off again. This is the story so far of the much anticipated “hard-core” variant of the Honda CR-Z. The Concept produced by Mugen has produced such a stir in the automotive ranks that Honda have now confirmed that the car will come into being.

With 197BHP being produced from its 1.5 litre supercharged engine, the Honda CR-Z iCF bursts onto the scene! To cost a reasonable £24,000 the hot-hatch still retains its eco-mode but is also capable of doing 0-62MPH in just 6.1 seconds. Mugen have done a great job and we are literally bursting with excitement to get out turn behind the wheel.

The car is expected to hit showrooms early 2012.

Jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet Ready To Pounce

Jaguar throughout its history has become a symbol of performance and British elegance. The companies offerings of luxury GT sports cars and saloons is one many manufacturers wish they had in their portfolio. However, this does not mean that the big cat isn’t capable of lunacy! The Jaguar XKR-S is a supercharged nuclear warhead of a machine and now they have cut its head off.

The Jaguar XKR-S Cabriolet is the fastest convertible the jungle predator has ever produced with a 0-62MPH time of just 4.4 seconds. The cars top speed is limited to 186MPH for fear of blowing the rag top clean off the car like a poorly constructed tent. Power comes from a 5.0 litre twin-vortex (yeah, thats just about the coolest thing we have heard a car to have!) supercharged V8 that produces 542BHP and 502lb-ft of torque.

We will take two.

2013 Shelby Mustang GT500 To Do 200MPH

Mustang. A name synonymous with legendary stories, heroics and determination. Used to talk about specific horses and fighter planes, it was when Ford put the nameplate on its car that the public could have their very own stallion. Mr Shelby made his name preparing special Mustangs and today he is still doing the very same. Shelby’s snake has slithered its way onto the 2013 model.

Now you might be thinking that the 2013 car will be just a series of minor updates that results in some extra power and a new grill… Well, you are half right. The new ‘stang doesn’t look much different to the previous model with the only real changes coming to the grill. However, lifting the bonnet reveals a 5.8 litre aluminium supercharged block that produces 650BHP as standard. Its torque figures are just as impressive sitting at 600lb-ft! Yet there is one more figure that casts a shadow upon the ones that have gone before it. From the showroom the new 2013 GT500 will do over 200MPH.

Audi Launch New S4

In the fashion world they say that a particular style never dies, it will come back at some point. The cyclical nature of designs repeating themselves appears also to be coming true in the motor industry. BMW’s new 5 Series harks back to a much squarer shape of the past as opposed to the swooping curves we have all become used to. This is also true in Audi’s new S4.

Taking the stocky stance of its 1990’s siblings, the all new S4 pulls off the harsh lines rather well. We also quite like the new form factor for the daytime running lights and subtle new bonnet creases. But beneath the uniform bodywork is something to get all excited about. How does a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 engine sound? Marked up at 328BHP and paired with its Quattro drive system, the new S4 just gets better and better.

Can it tango with 3 Series? I guess we shall just have to wait and see.