Motoring News
Yesterday, 18 June 2016Le Mans 2016: six (and a bit) hours in
Audi's forgotten mid-weight heavy hitter comes back from the gym with a 340hp punch - is it a knockout?
read moreLe Mans 2016: first few hours
Audi's forgotten mid-weight heavy hitter comes back from the gym with a 340hp punch - is it a knockout?
read moreLe Mans 2016: half an hour to go
Audi's forgotten mid-weight heavy hitter comes back from the gym with a 340hp punch - is it a knockout?
read moreBentley Continental GT long-term test review: the Conti lifestyle
Our Steve Cropley has experienced an extraordinary few days with some keen Bentley owners including the CEO, Wolfgang Dürheimer
Two important lessons we’ve learned about owning a car like the Pre-Owned 2013 Bentley Continental GT V8 we’ve been running this past five months and 7000 miles — and in two starkly different senses, they concern the special places it can take you.On one hand, you can enjoy a very special lifestyle if you choose to join others in the Bentley community — such as the group I’ve just met on a three-day owner event called Bentley Extraordinary Drive that affords numerous chances to enjoy fine cars and the things that usually go with them.On the other, the Bentley can make ordinary activities special, as colleague Allan Muir discovered while filling the Conti’s boot with plants, pots, tools and bags of compost for a garden overhaul. “Most luxurious ride to a garden centre I’ve ever had,” he reports, “although the boot could have been bigger. Everyone around me had an SUV…”For the 15 or so people who did it all, the Extraordinary Drive was a chance to see Britain from the premium seats. It started in Crewe, where, incredibly, guests dined at the home of CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer, and progressed to the famous Bentley factory, where they saw Bentayga production in full swing. Some were already owners and several others prospective buyers.Next, guests wafted down the scenic spine of England to the luxurious Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, then onward to nearby Blenheim Pala
read moreHydrogen fuel cell racing car completes laps of Le Mans circuit
The Green GT H2 driven by former F1 driver Olivier Panis laps Le Mans to demonstrate potential of hydrogen fuel cell tech in motor sport
A racing car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell has completed laps of the Le Mans circuit for the first time in history.The Green GT H2 was driven around the French track by former Formula 1 driver Olivier Panis - the project’s development driver - on Thursday during a break on Le Mans 24 Hours qualifying, with further laps scheduled today ahead of the race itself.The car has been in development for more than five years; it was awarded the ‘Innovative Car’ space on the grid for the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours but wasn’t ready in time. However, the appearance of the car at this year’s race is significant because Le Mans organisers have just opened the door for hydrogen-powered prototypes to enter endurance racing in the future.The Green GT H2 carries its hydrogen fuel in two tanks, one mounted low on each side of the cockpit. Refuelling takes around three minutes, and the car is said to be capable of racing for around 40 minutes on full tanks.The fuel cell converts the hydrogen into electricity which drives a pair of 200kW motors. The total power output is 544bhp, with maximum torque rated at a heady 2950lb ft. Drive is direct to the rear wheels and the Green GT H2 is also equipped with traction control and torque vectoring systems.Th
read moreBest used Lotus sports cars from £12k: used buying guide
Good condition second-hand Lotuses can be had from just £12k; our list considers everything up to £22k
Lotus has stayed true to its longstanding Colin Chapman formula for building lightweight, driver-focused sports cars, earning itself a reputation for creating some of the best handling cars in the world.We examine some of the car maker's finest products of yesteryear below.1. Lotus Elise Series 1 (1996)The original and lightest of all Elises. Exclusively powered by K-series Rover engines that were susceptible to head gasket failure, so make sure it’s been changed.Many have been used on track, too, so look for signs of poorly repaired crash damage and avoid all such cars.Pay from £12,000.Lotus Elise: how much has changed in 20 years?2. Elise 111S (1998) Featuring a hot engine (with variable valve timing to raise output from 118bhp to 143bhp) and a close-ratio gearbox, this was the best of the early Elises, but rarity is pushing prices up today.Still, we’d back a nice, original 111S to be one of the best long-term bets for those looking for a return on investment.Pay from around £17,000.3.
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