Bugatti Chiron: a real Veyron succesor?

So, here it is. the long awaited successor to the car that took the world by storm and has left its mark on the automotive industry forever. It's called the Chiron, and it aims to improve on the Veyron in every way. This car promises more, in the hope that it too can make as big an impact as the Veyron.

But dont go thinking that this is a car that is a simple face-lift, or some minor improvements intended to sell a few more units. This car is completely new. Take the engine for example. It is the same W16 quad turbo as in the Veyron, and yet there is not a single part of the engine that remains the same. The introduction of more Titanium and Carbon fibre means the engine is lighter, and the revamped turbos feature two-stage activation to result in zero lag. And, thanks to improved engine parts, the Chiron manages 1479BHP, almost 500 more than the Veyron. And that's only the start of the improvements.

The body, as well as the tub, is now entirely made from carbon fibre. However, despite this the bulk of the engine and turbos mean that it will still weigh in at a podgy 1995KG. 0-124MPH takes only 6.5 seconds. For a comparison that will blow your mind, that's the same time that a Focus ST takes to get to 60!! Top speed? 261MPH. But you are only advised to remain at that speed for 6 seconds, to prevent the tyres (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2's- developed with the aerospace industry) failing and you being flung out at top speed.

And the price for all this absurdness? A mere £1.9 million. But, according to Bugatti, this is a car that promises to be more than just numbers. It promises to be more of a drivers car than the Veyron, and the styling gives the impression of a car that is more than just a miracle of physics. But I dont think it will make the same impression that the Veyron did on its launch all those years ago.

Nev

Alpine vision concept: the rebirth of Alpine?

So. After all the speculation as to whether Renault were prepared to resurrect their most nostalgic of sub-brands, here is the proof. An insight into the future of Alpine. And it looks good.

This is the first in line: a premium sports car which manages to bring the past stylings of Alpine's past (the last Alpine car was sold 21 years ago) into the present, rather like other retro companies such as Singer. this one manages to create a car which appears to take a lot of inspiration from the Alpine A110, including the bug-like fog lights. Personally I can see a lot of Porsche in the front end, along with a slight touch of Lotus Exige in the rear.

Priced at around £50,000, this car consequently places itself in the firing line of the upcoming Porsche 718 Cayman, a car that completes the transition to turbocharging in the Porsche line-up. Knowing the quality of the cars that Porsche have been coming up with recently, this looks like a tough competitor. But this won't be the only car that the Alpine will doubtlessly come across. Cars such as the Alfa Romeo 4C and the Lotus Exige spring to mind.

The car itself will probably make use of an edited Renault engine, most likely either a version of the one found in the Renaultsport Clio or the Renaultsport Megane. Although the figures are yet to be finalised, think around 250BHP and under 4.5 seconds 0-60MPH. A top speed of 160MPH isn't exactly lightning, especially compared to the 180 predicted for the new Porsche 718.

This is Brand that has not really chosen the best of times to put in a resurgence. The premium sports car market is (like most sectors nowadays) not exactly spacious. This car wil have to come out firing because in this sector a below-par product is only rescued if it has the looks of a supermodel (Cough*Alfa 4C*Cough). However, this isn't your normal brand. Alpine has sold 26,666 cars between '55 and '95, and has won numerous competitions, the most noticeable of which was their win in the Le Mans 24 hrs in '78. This experience will be crucial if Alpine are to once again dominate this sector

Nev

Renault sport F1: A future Mercedes usurper?

After all of the talks round the table and the paper contracts, Renault has finally took over the cash-strapped Lotus F1 team. (I know this isn't recent news but i'm talking to people who maybe hadn't heard.) This move, in the eyes of this Lotus fan, was good news. Under the financial muscle of Renault surely the future is good and there will be podiums and titles aplenty (although the single podium at Spa last year was very satisfying). Despite the obvious sadness that comes from the fact that Lotus are no more and wont be there on the grid, I like to think of it as a simple renaming and imbursement, rather like what is so commonplace in the football world. Indeed, the facility and staff at the Enstone plant are the same, the people who designed and run the team on a practical basis.

But the real excitement was over the idea of the driver line-up. Being already aware that Grosjean was destined for the new Haas team, and not being overly overjoyed at the idea of the lesser of the two drivers leading the team, the new driver line-up was eagerly anticipated. The promotion of Jolyon Palmer from reserve driver to his first seat was seen as a promising concept, with Palmer being the son of the famous F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, and so the hop was that he has his dad's talent.

Then came the intrigue. Rumours began to spread that Maldonado's sponsor, the Venezuelan oil company PDVSA, was late in its payment to the team. Then came the story that Renault, who apparently was not keen on retaining Maldonado anyway, and only did because of his contract, were prepared to use this late payment as a ground for the termination of his contract. The driver that was to take his seat if this was to happen would be Kevin Magnussen, who had impressed many when driving for McLaren alongside Button a couple of years ago. However the return of Alonso had pushed Magnussen into being a reserve driver. Contemplating withdrawing from F1 altogether, Magnussen's hope of continuing in F depended on the validity of these rumours. Renault themselves were not to be drawn on the issue and refused to comment. That was until last Wednesday, at the launch of the new Renault Sport F1 car. The new drivers were there to reveal the car. And they were Magnussen and Palmer. Maldonado was gone, and the Formula One community rejoiced. There is fresh hope for the future of Renault in F after all.

Nev

High-Tech cars: a vision of the future?

There was a time where cars were simply cars, a transporting vehicle. There was not even a radio. However, from the looks of the concepts that were on show at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, technology in cars is becoming ever more advanced. Manufacturers such as BMW and VW used this opportunity to show off their visions of the future. And my do they look techy.

BMW showed us their version of the future with a car called the...future vision. Well, its full title is the BMW i Vision Future Interaction Concept. And, despite looking a lot like a simple i8 Spyder, it offers us a look a the interior of future BMW's, in theory at least. This car is in theory totally autonomous, and because of this the seats face slightly inwards and the steering wheel retracts when the car is in self-driving mode, getting out of the way for you to do, well, whatever. The HD screen in the car wraps around the whole passenger side facia, and the system itself uses a more advanced version of the gesture control that is currently use by the 7-series. Very cool.

VW offered another version of the future, but this one wasn't as aesthetically pleasing. It's called the Budd-e, and serves to connect your car to your home. To achieve this it uses data services in order to realise that you are on your way home and therefore turn on the lights and heating. This concept also uses advanced gesture control, but this time it means that you can open the doors with a swipe of the hand. Also, the screen vibrates according to how hard you are pressing the buttons, meaning there is less need to take your eyes off the road. Just a shame it looks weird.

But the concept that took technology to freaky levels was the Faraday Future FFzero 1. This car definitely looks the most futuristic, but also contains some very odd tech. For starters, it has your mobile phone attached to the middle of the steering wheel, and consequently no screen. The reason for this is that Faraday Future wants an app to control all interior functions, and therefore there is no need for a screen. Another strange feature is the fact that the cockpit (which is single-seated) is in a 'low-gravity environment', requiring the driver to wear a helmet that provides oxygen and water. Freaky.

So there you are. Some of the various visions of what the future of motoring might look like, as well as the tech that will be found in them. It's now up to time to decide which vision will be the most accurate.

Nev

Lexus LC500 & Infiniti Q60: imitators or successors?

Fed up of being intimidated in the performance coupé sector by the might of the Germans, the companies of Japan have decided to join together and launch a double-assault on the heavy-weights. And these are the cars championed by Lexus and Infiniti: the LC500 and the Q50 respectively. But, since they are separate cars, its best to address them individually.

We'll start with the Infiniti Q50. The fact that most sticks out on paper is the use of an all-new 3-litre V6, complete with twin- turbochargers. this engine manages to muster 400BHP and 350lb ft of torque. this power is delivered to the road through a four-wheel drive system which is also capable of diverting all torque to the rear, if conditions require. Furthermore, due to the clever aerodynamics of the body a drag coefficient of 0.28 exists, which prompts much admiration.Also present is a system that permits many different modes and settings, dependent on preference and/or conditions. According to Infiniti the Q50 has 'best-in-class handling and agility'. We'll see when it goes on sale later on this year.

Now, on to the Lexus LC500. A car that could be the spiritual successor of the LFA (I know I said that about the RC-F too. But that didn't turn out too well so that prize is still up-for-grabs). Unfortunately here there is no new engine, instead the same 5 litre V8 as found in the RC-F. However, this engine makes the car capable of a sub-4.5 seconds 0-60MPH time. And it boasts more power than the Q50: 466BHP and 389lb ft, to be precise. But this car is rear-wheel only, instead of adaptive like the Q50. And, because it will be a rival for the BMW M6 and the 911 Carrera S, it will have improved weight-distribution (52/48), and increased mass within the car's wheelbase.

So, here we have two fairly different cars. But, despite the differences, there is a clear and unifying purpose that ties these cars together. To place Japan back at the top of the performance coupe sector, and in doing so knock Germany and Europe of their perch. It will be a tough job but these cars have potential.

Nev

Mazda RX-VISION: a new era for the Rotary Engine?

One car that was the object of huge debate at the Tokyo Motor Show was this: Mazda's RX-VISION concept, a car that demonstrates Mazda's desire to resurrect the Rotary engine, as found under the bonnet of the third-gen RX-7. However, the problems of bringing back such an unusual engine design were bountiful, with most of the problems centred on emissions and economy. 

Ever since the Volkswagon emissions scandal, legislators have been very strict on emissions, and have raised several issues, for example the amount of NOx that these engines produce. This is not so much of an issue now thanks to lower temperatures for combustion, but hydrocarbons are, as well as the low CO2 levels required for tax (Rotary engines have a large thirst for petrol). Furthermore the engines require expert maintenance, although they are generally reliable. Also the rotor-tip seals remain a problem due to their frequent wear and poor-sealing, due to high temperature differences.

Mazda have confirmed that its latest evolution Rotary engine will go by the name of Skyactiv-R, which also links to its Skyactiv Petrol and Diesel engines. By giving the Rotary engine this name it clearly wants to align it with its normal engines, and therefore address its inherent flaws. Some theories of how to improve the problems of the engine have been direct fuel injection, compression ignition (as on diesel's) and turbochargers to ensure power output is sufficient. There are also rumours of electrification, with electric power helping to eliminate the flaws.

But all of this hard work on Mazda's part should, if it succeeds, be something of a revelation in terms of responsiveness, smoothness and weight, and will resurrect one of the best engines designs ever devised. But it will take a while...

Nev 

Fiat 124 spider: a new icon or simply a rebadged MX-5?

Fiat always were good at making roadsters. The original 124 ran for 19 years, with 200,000 of them being built in that time. The only problem that these cars had is that they were always overshadowed by the Mazda MX-5, with only people brave enough buying the Fiat over the Mazda. Such was the overshadowing that it has been 10 years since fiat have offered a roadster. But now, thanks to a good business deal, the competition may be a bit more fair.

Now you may remember that way back in March I did a piece on the newest incarnation of the Mazda MX-5. It was a car that I claimed had not deviated from its roots, and was still a lightweight fun roadster. That car (as I may had said at the time) was made as a joint venture between Mazda and Fiat, meaning that the cars would be very similar. And so it is now (about a year later) that Mazda are revealing their half of the deal. What took them another year (this car won't be on sale until summer of 2016) I have no idea. The two cars will even be built on the same production line, in Hiroshima.

From the outside, with the exception of a few details, the two cars look similar. And the similarities don't end there, with the whole of the suspension system being identical in both cars. The only reason that the engines differ is due to Fiat using their own in-house one. This means that, whereas the Mazda uses a 1.5 litre four-cylinder, the Fiat uses a 1368cc turbo four-cylinder engine. This use of turbocharging on the Fiat means that it is estimated to be slightly quicker than the Mazda, with an estimated 8 seconds 0-62MPH and 130MPH top speed, compared to the Mazda's 8.3 seconds and 127MPH. However, it is estimated to be more expensive, around £22,000.

So, Fiat have re-entered the roadster market by teaming up with one of the best company's for them. But will the differences, though small, mean that the Mazda still sells more? Or wil the Fiat turn out successful? We will see when the Fiat is released in summer 2016.

Nev

Lamborghini Aventador SV roadster: a good old-fashioned Lambo?

Ah, a car that the majority of you will hopefully see on the road or at a car show at some point in the future. not some start-up racer. A proper Lamborghini. And, not only that but an SV too. Goody. But is this a full-blooded Lamborghini? This car is a roadster that wears the SV badge, only the 4th to in 44 years. So will this be a car that doesn't live up to it's badge? Let's see.

The engine remains the same as in the standard Aventador, the 6.5 litre V12, but the SV does benefit from a completely new exhaust system, which makes it sound like the inside of an active volcano. Other small tweaks result in a 49BHP boost on the original, with the overall power rising to 740BHP. 0-62MPH takes 2.9seconds, which may be a tenth down on the normal SV but who really notices? The top speed remains the same as the normal SV, at 217MPH.

Furthermore, by removing the entertainment system and installing carbon shell bucket seats (amongst a lot of other carbon elements), the overall weight has been reduced by 50KG on the standard Aventador, but remains 50KG heavier than the normal SV, because of the structure bolstering needed for the convertible roof.

So. A hard-core Lamborghini which definitely hasn't lost it's edge along with it's roof, but remains as focused as ever. I did mention in my review of the new Huracan that it seemed to be lacking a bit of the old Lamborghini flair. In my opinion this car serves to dissolve these comments that Audi are starting to have an effect on the cars. Even the price is typical Lamborghini: £350,000

Nev

Rezvani Beast X: just another lightweight racer?

I don't know, all these new companies coming up with lightweight racers. Just when you thought that surely there is no-one left that wants a bite of the cherry, here comes another. this here is a hardcore version of an already speedy racer from the California-based supercar company Ruzvani. it is essentially an Atom with the modesty to cover up, with the chassis of an Atom but panels to cover up the rather bare structure of the Atom. And, as a covered-up Atom, it definately beats the Atom in a beauty contest, in my opinion. So, let's dive under the bonnet...

...And what we find is no less than astounding. under the bonnet is a Honda 2.4 litre four cylinder K24 engine, which on its own is not breath-taking. But, as the 'X' version, there are also two high-powered turbochargers, which means that the power figure is 700BHP. I can only surmise that some sort of witchcraft has happened here, either that or incredible engineering. Being an Atom with clothes does mean that the Atom is lighter, but the Rezvani is still very light, at 839KG. Surely you can see where this is going. High power + lightweight=blistering pace, right? Correct. 0-60MPH in 2.5 seconds, to be exact. And Rezvani doesn't really believe in driver aids, and because of this there are none, with the exception of two carbon fibre rear wings.

However. I feel an enormous sense of deja vu here. How man times have I been here and said something like 'we'll just have to hope this company flourishes.' And, sad as it is, usually no-one hears from them again. And, with only 5 Rezvani Beast X's being made, and at a price of £215,000, this will probably be another. And that is sad.

Nev

Hyundai 2025 Vision Gran Turismo: a new direction?

 Hyundai. A manufacturer which has made a name in family cars which are affordable. But do we imagine Hyundai ever making a performance car? Not necessarily. But now, it seems, Hyundai want to. This car is the latest concept, a car which appears to be vaguely similar to the upcoming Bugatti hyper car. Despite being a concept, this car seems to convey an attitude of willingness to enter the performance sector. 

Well, for starters this car is the first to feature a mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell system, which means zero-emissions. Along with the fuel cell is 4 electric motors, one for each wheel. Combined power output (the fuel cell-and supercapacitors- and the motors) is 859BHP. Also making an appearance is regenerative braking , which alone can generate 198BHP. And through the use of a carbon monoquethe overall weight of the thing is 972KG, which is very impressive for a fuel cell car. Furthermore, this low weight plus high horsepower leads to a shocking power to weight ratio: 898BHP/tonne, to be exact.  Which leads me to think that this will never reach the road, especially looking how it does in the pictures. 

So. Is this a glimpse of a high performance future from Hyundai, or simply a vision of what they could do. The figures this car generates seems to me to suggest that a demonstration of might is all this car is. But then again I haven't been able to rid myself of the image of the Hyundai Creta while writing this. 

Nev

Honda project 2&4: new life to Honda?

So. As far as promises and ambition go, Honda has had a lot of Ambition but no actual delivery on its promises. At the start of the year, we had the promise of a McLaren-Honda F1 team ( which at the time I predicted could lead to dominance. Hmm. Maybe I shouldn't predict things any more) and the looming revival of the Honda NSX, a car I also looked forward to. So what happened? No one can wear a McLaren-Honda shirt without being laughed out of wherever they are, and the NSX has been delayed again into next year. It seems that Honda needs a pick-me-up. 

Now enter the Project 2&4, the concept that won the Honda Global Design Project this year, and is a collaboration between the Honda motorcycle design team and the Honda automobile design studio. Whilst there are no plans to build the thing you see here, you must admit that it is a promising proposition. There are many comparisons between this and the Ariel Atom, which also uses a Honda engine (albeit a 2-litre one). The 2&4 uses detuned RC213V V4 motorbike engine, the same as powers Marc Marquez's MotoGP bike. Now this doesn't sound particularly fast, especially when you add in only 212BHP, but this car weighs just 405KG, and is 370mm shorter and 200mm lower than the Atom. So despite only having 212BHP, it has a power-to-weight ratio of 532BHP per ton, which is staggering. And, mainly due to the bike engine, peak power arrives at a very racy 13,000RPM.

But mainly this concept really embodies all that (used) to be good about Honda. And if it was made, maybe Hondas year won't be all bad

Nev

Bentley Bentayga: the SUV to rule them all?

And so here it is: the Bentley SUV. Before its official release a the Frankfurt motor show. A car that aims to be 'the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV going'. A bold statement, and one no doubt aimed at the likes of the Range Rover sport and the Porsche Cayenne. So how does this, the newest edition to the SUV family, compare?

Well, for starters the power thing is more than addressed, with the engine in this being a new 6-litre twin-turbo W12, which manages the colossal task of propelling the 5.1 metre, 2347kg giant from 0-60MPH in 4 seconds, which I find mind-boggling. And a top speed of 187MPH doesn't do much to help.

But don't go thinking that Bentley has forgotten about the other aspects of an SUV. This car aims to have a class-leading interior, and because it is a Bentley you cant help but believe them. And the off-roading has also been addressed, with a permanent four-wheel drive system with a Torsen centre-diff, and multi-link front and rear suspension. Furthermore, air suspension which is self-levelling too.

So, another addition to another crowded sector. And this one aims to be the best. We'll see.

Nev

Mercedes AMG C63 coupe: superior to the M4?

So, In response to the new BMW M4 (a fantastic car, I must add) Mercedes have retaliated. Big time. And it is with this, the new C63 AMG. A car which looks like a (beautiful) mix of AMG GT and S-class. But for most people the main concern that they have with this car will be the absence of the old 6.2 litre naturally aspirated V8, an engine which sounded a lot like an enraged Lion. Well, that engine is not under this bonnet. What resides there in this new car is the brand-new 'hot-v' twin turbo V8. Except for the fact that, as the knowledgeable amongst you may have noticed, that the engine is the same as the one in the AMG GT, which I wrote it seems like an age ago.

Looking at the figures, and it looks as if the Merc beats the BMW. It boasts 469BHP (versus 425BHP), 4 seconds-62MPH (4.3 seconds). The only issue that I can see on paper that the BMW holds the cards for is weight; 1645KG for the Merc and 1537KG for the BMW. And I'm thinking that this may affect the sharpness of the cars on the roads. But will the superior power figures trump the extra bulk? We will find out when the Merc comes out later this year.

Nev

Lotus Evora 400: a new dawn?

During the years of upheaval at Lotus, the models were left as they were, with no refreshes to keep them cutting edge. This was none more so than the Evora, which had not seen a refresh in 6 years. However, now that things have calmed down, the Evora has been completely overhauled, so that the car you see here is very much improved. The Evora 400 is named because of the BHP of the car, which is impressive because the engine is the same as before, the Toyota V6. To squeeze this number of horsepower out of that engine,there is a new supercharger, plus a chargecooler, both of Lotuses own. 

The weight is another aspect that has been addressed in this new version, with the new car standing at 1395kg. And this impacts on the acceleration, to. 0-62MPH in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 186MPH just shows the progress that has been made. Indeed, this new car is about as quick round a track as the Exige S, and way faster than the outgoing Evora. Other improvements? The interior feels a lot more superior and well made, and the suspension is firmer.

So, there you are. The new Evora, a car that has been brought up to date in almost every respect. And a kick start for a new Lotus.

Nev

New Audi R8: just a facelift?

So, Audi just gives the R8 a facelift to help it shift some more units, right? Wrong! The car you see here is almost completely new, with a new tub and structure. Despite most of the frame remaining as aluminium, there are quite a few panels that have been replaced by carbon fibre ones. This helps the weight to be reduced to only 1555kg, which isn't much considering the V10 and the Quattro system. Another thing that has changed is the absence of a V8 option, which is because the majority of the last R8's were sold as either V10's or V10 plus's. For this reason, this new car is available as either a V10 (with 533BHP) or a V10 plus (with 603BHP), with a V8 version probably coming later. 

The engine, a 5.2 litre naturally aspirated V10, also has one of the best soundtracks. It is certainly a wake up call to some other cars with forced injection (*cough* Ferrari 488 *cough*). However, without the aid of forced injection this is a car that needs to be kept in a certain band for maximum thrust. And all the reworked aero on the cars means that it boasts figures that are definitely supercar-y. For the V10 plus, 0-62MPH is achieved in 3.2 seconds and it will go on to top out at 205MPH.

And obviously, this being an Audi, inside is everything you would expect from a typical German product. So, in conclusion, this is still very much the everyday supercar. Just vastly improved.

Nev

Alfa Romeo Giulia: a kick-start or a false-start?

So, Alfa Romeo has been reborn. Parent group FCA has decided that Alfa Romeo should be given a new lease of life. And this is the first of Alfa's new models, the Giulia, which should pave the way for seven new models in the next three years. It's a model that will square up to the Mercedes C class and the BMW 3 series in the executive salon sector. But this car will have to be quite something in order for it to out sell the well rounded C class or the 3 series. So let's have a look.

The Giulia, which will also yield a Quadrifoglio model with 503BHP to try and beat the M3 and C63, will have the longest wheelbase in its class, even longer than the C class. But despite this the Quadrifolglio model has had its engine developed by people with Ferrari knowledge, meaning that it is propelled from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, nearly half a second quicker than a manual M3. And, weighing in at 1500kg, it is 155 kg lighter than a C63. This lightness has been achieved through the use of aluminium and carbon fibre. And the long wheelbase means that the Giulia will hopefully be perfectly balanced and comfortable, as well as having a weight distribution of exactly 50:50 on all of the models available. And because of the wizardry of the steering, it will apparently not be far off the amazing steering of the Ferrari 458. The interior of the car will probably resemble a Ferrari-ish cabin, but Alfa haven't released a picture of it yet.

But the main purpose of this car will be to sell. According to the Alfa CEO the cars that the Giulia will rival have become too similar and replaceable. This car will feel decisively different to them, 'an extension of the drivers soul'. Alfa's past have always felt passionate to drive. But this one has the fate of the Make on its head as well.

Nev

Lotus 3-eleven: the lightweight car to have?

And so, my point has been proven. Just weeks after claiming that England is becoming known for its lightweight racers in my last post on the Elemental, Lotus have unveiled their new lightweight racer: the 3-Eleven. Clearly the successor of the 2-Eleven, this car can be bought in race spec or normal. And, although there is a resemblance to the exige, the car is about 90% new. All the work on this car has been to reduce weight and therefore increase acceleration. Indeed, the body itself weighs just 47kg thanks to the use of glass fibre. And a dry weight of under 900kg for the race car. Which is pretty impressive, even if the second seat isn't there in the race spec. 

All this attention to detail has resulted in some impressive performance stats. As a car it is over 3 seconds around a track than the Evora GT4 car, which is pretty mind-boggling! The horsepower is around 430 but may change, and it has 332lb ft of torque. The 0-60 mph figure has not been released yet, but will certainly be below 3.2 seconds. And a top speed of 180mph is quite frankly scary for a car with no roof!

However, all of this does come at quite a high price. The price of the car will be £82000, which is a lot for a car that will only really be used on track days. But I suppose the real question we should be asking is: will this be the best in it's class?

Nev 

Elemental RP1: just another light weight road racer?

As most people will already know, England is fast becoming a breeding ground for start up companies intending to make cars that are lightweight, track cars which are also road legal. There are already companies such as Ariel that have begun life this way. And here is another such company, which hopes to break into the pocket rocket market: Elemental, a company which consists of 6 people, made up of engineers, designers and business specialists. And here is the car itself: the RP1. A car that is three years in the making.

With cars like this one, normal reviewing rules do not apply. Engine size and horsepower are a lot less significant in this sector. So the RP1's 280BHP Ford ecoboost turbo four cylinder is hardly likely to get you frothing at the mouth. However, the things that do matter with these cars are things like weight. And aerodynamics. And, maybe the most important, the power to weight ratio. And in this department the RP1 looks like a much tastier prospect. The impressive new chassis, made by an ex McLaren employee, is a carbon and aluminium 60 kg job, which is very innovative. What is more impressive is the estimated 500BHP/ tonne power:weight ratio, which is very akin to that of the Ariel atom. And this car has two seats, not one. And a 580kg weight helps the RP1 a 0-60 mph time of just 3.1 seconds. As a new company, Elemental know that they won't immediately be shifting thousands of units, and that is why their sales projections are at 40 units per year, ideally. And, by having two seats as opposed to its rival the BAC mono, it is already ahead in my mind!

Nev

Glickenhaus SCG003: a millionaire's dream car?

When people like us come up with something in the car world that isn't to our taste, for example the fact that normal cars look nothing like race cars, we may grumble on to anyone that will listen for a while, but on the whole there is nothing we can do about it. When James Glickenhaus has this thought, he takes a different approach: he creates his own company in order to address this issue. Cue 'scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus' a company that seeks to minimalist the differences between his road car and his N24 racer. Both are called the SCG003, and theoretically you could change the road car into a racer by changing only the engine, gearbox and rear subframe. 

Being very close aesthetically to its racer cousin, the figures on the road car are as aggressive as the car looks. The downforce figure, for example, is 900kg. That's about 300 more than a McLaren P1 makes. And the weight is also superior to the hypercars of last year. The weight estimate is about 1100kg, considerably less than the P1 or Laferrari. The engine which will be used is still in question, with Maserati's twin turbo V8 maybe fit for the purpose. The horsepower figure is currently being given at 650bhp, but it may be more. All of these mean that the estimated Nurburgring time for the road car is about 6minutes 30seconds, which is race car fast. 

So, to sum up, a very fast car from a very rich man. Also a very large price tag for the car. Namely $2.5 million. About the same as the Koenigsegg one:1 I reviewed a while ago. So way, way out of reach for most of us. But at least it's nice to know that having money can allow you to solve your worries.

Nev

Mclaren 570s: family resemblance or cheaper twin?

So here it is: the long-awaited 'baby' McLaren, designed to sit below the 650s on the McLaren ladder. Priced at £50,000 below the 650s at £145,000, it tries to make McLaren accessible to more people while still having a family resemblance. But does it try too hard? This car has all the looks of a supercar but for less money. But with figures still definitely in supercar territory, has McLaren differentiated enough?

For starter's, its weight is about as much as a Golf GTI, with McLaren using the carbon tub chassis. This means that it weighs as much as the VW, but with A LOT more power. which obviously leads to some frightening figures. the engine is a twin-turbo 3.8 litre V8, which here produces 562BHP and 0-62MPH in 3.2 seconds. Light as a GTI with double the power? Why would you want anything else? The performance of this car puts it just faster than a 911 turbo S, but which one would you prefer? One with the looks of a sports car or one with the looks of a supercar? Hard choice, isn't it! And the engine means it will hit a 204MPH top speed.

But with figures like this, it does start to ask questions of the 650S. Is it worth £50,000 more? Have McLaren failed to distinguish their ladder? Is the 570S (I hate to say this) too good? Sales will start later in the year. I wonder how it will get on?

Nev