Motoring News
08 November 2012EU tries to bolster car industry
Carmakers welcome the plan’s long-term measures to support the sector but urge the EU to take ‘real action’ immediately and marshal its resources
read moreFirst drive review: Mini John Cooper Works GP
Second generation Mini GP improves on its hardcore forebear in all aspects, but at a price
The quickest Mini ever according to BMW. The previous GP was a stripped down, run-out model for the previous generation hatchback, but it was not as finely fettled as the 2012 edition, and the manufacturer has the Nürburgring North Loop lap times to prove it.An 18-second betterment is all the more impressive when you consider that the standard 1.6-litre petrol unit’s output has only increased by 7bhp (thanks to an engine management overhaul) and 0-62mph has improved by just 0.2 seconds over the orthodox JCW.The difference, then, has come at the apexes; little wonder when you consider the seriousness of the chassis refit. The Mini’s regular components have been replaced with individually adjustable coilover suspension, permitting the ride height to descend by up to 20mm. Vastly more expensive motorsport-derived dampers have been installed all-round; at the front they’re fitted upside down to enhance longitudinal stiffness.Along with the increased camber and reduced toe-in, the 17-inch wheels have been shod in bespoke (mercifully non run-flat) rubber, developed especially for the GP by Korean manufacturer Kumho. To tie it all rigidly together, front and rear braces have been inserted, with the latter occupying the place once occupied by the Mini’s back seats.If that all sounds expensive, it is. The car’s final cost is an eyeball-raking £28,790 - only marginally less expensive than the 315bhp M135i we road tested this week.
read moreIn search of the perfect workhorse
Honest John recommends an affordable car for a buyer after a handy workhorse.
read moreSeat boss confirms new SUV
IBX concept inspired crossover gets the green light from VW Group heads
Seat will put its first SUV into production by 2015 at the latest, company president James Muir has confirmed to Autocar.The new SUV would be in the Volkswagen Tiguan and Nissan Qashqai class, and be previewed as a close-to-production concept at a European motor show “within the next two years”, according to Muir, and it would be on sale “within the next three years”. The look of the new SUV is expected to be inspired by the IBX concept Seat revealed at the 2011 motor show. That concept, said Muir, was created “to show how our new design language would look on an SUV”.But while the IBX was very much a concept car, Muir said the next Seat SUV concept would be “a production statement of intent that will inspire you that Seat can make such a car”.“We will bring an SUV as quickly as we can,” said Muir. “After the concept in the next two years, it will be a short time before it comes to market.”Muir said the SUV project had been “signed off in principle” by Volkswagen Group bosses, and “investment is already planned”.He expects annual sales of around 100,000 units for the SUV. Seat’s total sales in 2011 were 353,000 units, although that figure should improve from 2013 with an expanded Leon range.Muir believes an SUV “is a much better brand fit” for Seat than a
read moreNew Hyundai i30 3dr
Videos
9 Nov, 2012
Hyundai has released the first promo footage of the three-door version of the i30
read moreMercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series unveiled
Hardcore limited-run SLS coupé teased before LA motor show debut
Mercedes-Benz has revealed its new 622bhp 6.2-litre V8-powered SLS AMG Black Series ahead of the powered-up gullwing coupé’s debut at the Los Angeles motor show later this month.Sporting a series of aerodynamic and mechanical developments brought over from the SLS AMG GT3 race car, the headlining AMG model is the fifth in a series of limited production Black Series models.As tradition dictates, the SLS AMG Black Series is outwardly distinguished by series of exterior styling changes that serve to provide it with a distinctly brawnier appearance than the standard SLS AMG – all in keeping with its circuit bred lineage. Carbonfibre is used extensively for the more aggressive bodywork, including the deep front spoiler, bonnet and rear diffuser. An aerodynamic package is optional, which includes a lathe fixed rear wing.The rear bulkhead and centre tunnel are also fashioned from carbonfibre, changes which help shed the Black Series' kerb weight by 70kg over the standard SLS AMG to 1550kg.At the new car's heart is a heavily tuned version 6.2 V8 developing 59bhp than the standard SLS AMG and 41bhp more than the recently introduced SLS AMG GT, with 622bhp delivered at 7400rpm. Torque, on the other hand, has dropped by 11lb ft over both existing gullwing models, with 468lb ft arriving at 5500rpm.Car
read moreRare McLaren F1 sells for £3.5m+
Don your finest Jezza voice, because this is the most expensive ‘modern supercar’… in the world
read more622bhp Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series revealed
News
9 Nov, 2012
Mercedes has unleashed the fastest-ever version of its SLS supercar
read moreMercedes SLS AMG Black Series pictures
Pictures
9 Nov, 2012
read moreQoros to debut at Geneva
News
8 Nov, 2012
Qoros will debut three cars at the Geneva Motor Show, including a saloon for the European market
read moreQoros teaser pictures
Pictures
8 Nov, 2012
read moreFirst drive review: Toyota GT86 Evolution
Making the Toyota GT86 'better' is a tricky path. More grip and speed isn't necessarily more fun
It's our current favourite driver's car. But, great as it is, inevitably the Toyota GT86 will evolve during its production life. More power? Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada hints at a supercharged version, pointing out there's no room for a turbo because the flat-four engine sits too low.Much more imminent, though, are the various options offered by Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), due in the UK early next year, and a possible harder-edged production GT86 with chassis and aerodynamics changes.That's the dark blue car, unofficially called Evolution, you see here, which we've sampled at the scenic ParcMotor track outside Barcelona. An orange TRD car, specced-up with some expensive chassis modifications, made an intriguing comparison.In all, that TRD car had around £16,000-worth of kit including KYB dampers adjustable for ride height and damping force, a 15mm-power ride height on springs stiffened by 20 per cent, an extra carbonfibre front brace for the suspension towers, bigger brakes clamped by Brembo monobloc calipers, a four-tailpipe exhaust system, 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sports on 18in wheels and a racier interior with extra gauges and a concave-topped gearlever knob. Revised spoilers and valances finished the job.Result? It sounds deeper, revs a little better, stops with firm-pedalled authority and goes round corners faster, with sharper steering and a flat, planted feel. Which may be what some owners will like, but the standard GT86's delightfully accessible
read moreFirst drive review: Toyota GT86 Evolution
Making the Toyota GT86 'better' is a tricky path. More grip and speed isn't necessarily more fun
It's our current favourite driver's car. But, great as it is, inevitably the Toyota GT86 will evolve during its production life. More power? Chief engineer Tetsuya Tada hints at a supercharged version, pointing out there's no room for a turbo because the flat-four engine sits too low.Much more imminent, though, are the various options offered by Toyota Racing Developments (TRD), due in the UK early next year, and a possible harder-edged production GT86 with chassis and aerodynamics changes.That's the dark blue car, unofficially called Evolution, you see here, which we've sampled at the scenic ParcMotor track outside Barcelona. An orange TRD car, specced-up with some expensive chassis modifications, made an intriguing comparison.In all, that TRD car had around £16,000-worth of kit including KYB dampers adjustable for ride height and damping force, a 15mm-power ride height on springs stiffened by 20 per cent, an extra carbonfibre front brace for the suspension towers, bigger brakes clamped by Brembo monobloc calipers, a four-tailpipe exhaust system, 225/40 Michelin Pilot Sports on 18in wheels and a racier interior with extra gauges and a concave-topped gearlever knob. Revised spoilers and valances finished the job.Result? It sounds deeper, revs a little better, stops with firm-pedalled authority and goes round corners faster, with sharper steering and a flat, planted feel. Which may be what some owners will like, but the standard GT86's
read moreVideo: 1,074bhp Audi S3 on track
TS Racing takes lightly tuned hatchback onto the track. And by lightly tuned, we mean…
read moreFirst drive review: Mini Paceman
The Mini Paceman is competent enough, but it just doesn’t make enough sense - especially to look at
The production version of the Mini Paceman - the three-door offspring of the Countryman we’ve only previously driven in development form. Dubbed, optimistically, a Sports Activity Coupé, BMW insists this is the car to bridge the gap between its family-focused crossover and the now ageing hatchback.A new design has been penned around the deletion of the Countryman’s rear doors, which necessitates a retooled rear end, including a lowered roof line and altered tailgate. The subtraction continues inside where the standard rear bench has been replaced by Mini’s individual rear seats (formerly an option on the five-door).Despite sharing all of its running gear with the Countryman, the Paceman’s racier brief means it gets Mini’s sports suspension, dropping the car a further 10mm closer to terra firma. The engines and transmissions are all direct carryovers: the familiar 1.6-litre petrol unit comes in both 121bhp Cooper guise and 181bhp Cooper S format (driven here). Similarly, the diesel options are split between the 110bhp 1.6-litre Cooper D and the 141bhp 2.0-litre Cooper SD. Every powerplant (with the exception of the entry-level Cooper) can be mated to Mini’s ALL4 four-wheel-drive system for a premium, although front-wheel-drive variants will form the bulk of sales.
read moreVauxhall's funky new Adam reviewed
The new Vauxhall Adam is a worthy rival for the likes of the Mini and Fiat 500. It's a much more modern desgn than its most obvious rivals and has almost infinite scope for buyers to personalise it.
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