More than 60 years after the original Lister Knobbly first raced, a dedicated road-going version has been unveiled. Just 10 of the special Knobblys will be made, with notable changes for the road including roll over protection, indicators, the addition of number plates and a sunken fuel filler cap. Beneath its hand-beaten aluminium body is a Jaguar 3.8-litre engine almost identical to that in the D-Type. Despite the ‘old school’ technology the engine is still capable of 330bhp – for a top speed of 181mph and a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds. Prices start at £225,000 OTR.
Audi has revealed its new e-tron Sportback concept at the Shanghai Auto Show. The all-wheel drive, all-electric car is powered by three motors delivering up to 370 kW - for a 0-62mph time of just 4.5 seconds an a top speed of around 130mph. Audi claims a driving range of over 310 miles for the e-tron Sportback, which isset to enter series production in 2019.
Mercedes has revealed its first ever performance hybrid by AMG in Geneva. The four-door GT Concept is powered by a V8 petrol engine coupled with an electric motor for a total power output of 600 kW - which translates in to 805bhp - helping the GT accelerate from rest to 62mph in under 3 seconds. The concept has 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive as well as an F1 derived hybrid powerpack, ensuring that maximum electrical power is always on tap.
Ford has facelifted its Mustang for 2017. A lower, re-modeled bonnet and grille deliver a leaner look and refined aerodynamics, while LED lighting has been added front and rear. Under the skin new suspension brings increased lateral stiffness with sharper response and handling, while a new 10-speed automatic transmission is also available. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine has been recalibrate while the 5.0-litre V8 has been thoroughly reworked, says Ford, and is more powerful than ever. The facelifted Ford Mustang isn't expected in the UK until 2018.
Jaguar has revamped its F-Type for 2017, with more driver-focused technology, new front bumpers and full LED headlights. An exclusive 400 SPORT launch edition is available for one model year only, powered by a new 400PS version of the 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine. The special edition features an uprated chassis and braking system, 20-inch alloys and a unique Dark Satin Grey finish. The new Jaguar F-Type starts from £51,450 OTR while the 400 SPORT launch edition is priced at just over £70k.
The performance division of Mercedes - AMG - is kicking off its 50th anniversary celebrations with the launch of a new GT C Coupe. Unveiled at the Detroit Auto show, the GT C will initially be available exclusively as a special ‘Edition 50’ model, with plenty of black chrome and unique paint finishes including graphite grey. Power comes from a 4.0-litre V8 engine delivering 557 horse power, which translates into a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S have also been facelifted and upgraded with even more power.
Mercedes has revealed its new E-Class Coupé. Larger than the outgoing model, the sleek new Coupé features a low-slung sports grille, a long bonnet with ‘powerdomes’ and frameless side windows. A choice of petrol and diesel engines include a new 2.0-litre diesel which returns 71mpg, while the initial three petrol engines available from launch have a range of outputs - from 184 to 333 bhp. On the inside two high-resolution displays are merged under a single lens to produce a ‘floating’ Widescreen Cockpit effect. UK pricing and specification will be announced at the end of the year.
Lexus has revealed its new flagship LC coupe. The luxury 2+2 is available in either LC 500h hybrid guise - the first model to feature Lexus’s Multi Stage Hybrid System with ‘much improved’ performance - while the LC 500 is powered by a 477 PS, 5.0-litre V8 engine. Both power units are mated to a segment-first Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission. With a sporty, sweeping roofline, the LC also features sports suspension and 20-inch alloys as standard. Further specifications, and equipment details will be announced in 2017.
Infiniti has shipped its new Q60 sports coupé to Cuba, making it the first US-spec car registered there since 1958. The Q60’s arrival marks Infiniti executive design director Alfonso Albaisa’s first trip to Havana - where his great-uncle, architect Max Borges-Recio, designed many buildings in the capital including the world famous Tropicana club. The Infiniti Q60 is on sale now with prices starting at £33,990 OTR.
Featuring a wider, lower stance with improved handling and ride, the Subaru BRZ coupe has been updated for 2017. The new car comes with full-LED headlights up front, an aerodynamic spoiler at the rear and runs on new 10-spoke alloy wheels. Subaru’s Boxer engine is described as more responsive, with improved fuel efficiency, while a new TRACK mode enhances the stability of the car and allows for more refined accelerator inputs when driving on race circuits. The new Subaru BRZ goes on sale in Spring next year.
Paris saw the unveiling of some new super-sexy Grand Touring cars. Ferrari pulled the covers off its new GTC4Lusso T. Replacing its predecessor’s V12 engine with a turbo-charged 3.9-litre V8, the new model is aimed at buyers seeking a sportscar that is drivable on a daily basis, says Ferrari. Switching from four-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive has reduced weight, making it only a tenth of a second slower from 0-62mph than the V12. Porsche revealed the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid which was making its world debut at the Paris Show. The all-wheel drive super-coupé’s electric motor combines with a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine to deliver a total system torque of 700 Nm – enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds, or a 31 mile range in pure electric mode. And finally, there was a show debut for the Mercedes AMG GT R. Joining the new Roadster model, the hard-top GT R - finished in a Nurburgring-inspired ‘Green Hell’ paintwork- is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 with 585bhp for a 0-62 time of 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 198mph.
The 2016 Paris Motor Show saw the unveiling of some highly anticipated performance cars. Ferrari revealed an open top LaFerrari Aperta. Thelimited-edition Aperta is available with a carbon-fibre roof or soft top and retains the same spec as its stablemate - resulting in a sub 3 second dash to 62 and a top speed of over 217mph. Honda gave a world debut to a new Civic Type R Prototype. Previewing an aggressive design direction for the production Type R - with plenty of carbon fibre and large 20-inch alloys - previous prototypes have often proved to be almost identical to the road car, which is set for market launch in late 2017. Hyundai chose Paris to launch its new performance N sub-brand with the RN30. Based on the new i30, the concept features a limited-slip differential, a lower, wider stance thanks to a motorsport-inspired body kit and is powered by an upgraded 2.0-litre turbo engine. Japanese electric vehicle specialist GLM unveiled its new G4 concept, based on the Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS. Formally powered by a V8 petrol engine, this electric reworking has a total system output of over 540PS, with twin motors launching the G4 to 62 in less than 3.7 seconds.
The most powerful series production Audi TT ever, goes on sale later this month. Available in both Coupé and Roadster form, the new TT RS delivers a sub-four-second 0-62 time for both models and a potential top speed of 174mph. Lighter than its predecessor by 26kg, it’s powered by a newly developed 2.5-litre TFSI engine pumping out 400PS - that’s 60PS more than the outgoing model. The new Audi TT RS is priced from £51,800 OTR for the Coupé and £53,550 for the Roadster.
Audi has revealed its new, second generation A5 and S5 Sportback. The A5 continues to mix a coupé design with family car functionality but is built on a new platform and now features even more tightly wrought lines. Power comes from a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines with fuel consumption reduced by up to 22 percent. The new flagship S5 is 85kg lighter than its predecessor and features sporty styling additions finished in matt grey. The S5 is powered by a V6 turbo engine with 500Nm of torque for a 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph.
Audi has launched its all-new A5 and S5 Coupé at the company's headquarters in Ingolstadt. Lighter and more economical than the outgoing model, the new A5 Coupé is powered by a choice of petrol and diesel engines, with the highlight being the S5’s 3.0-litre TDI engine which pumps out 354PS enabling a 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds. Undergoing both a technological transformation and styling evolution, the A5 Coupé has been aerodynamically optimised, while interior space is more generous. Oder books open at the end of the summer with pricing yet to be announced.
Falken Tyres enlisted the help of a drift school to put its products through an extreme test. Among the souped-up Japanese imports, one 18-year-old car enthusiast brought along his heavily modified Morris Marina shod with Falken Sincera tyres. Underneath the fading Green paint of the 900kg car lies a Ford Mondeo Zetec engine, Sierra gearbox and uprated suspension. Drift champion and Falken team driver James Deane enjoyed a slide in the old Marina but may just stick with his 750 horsepower Nissan.
Nissan has confirmed its updated GT-R will cost from £80,000 when it goes on sale in the Autumn. And to test the performance enhancements made to the 2016 model, Nissan took it for a spin around the Spa F1 track, in Belgium. The changes include a revised chassis and more power from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre engine. A Track Edition NISMO GT-R will also be available for just under £92,000.
The new Sony PlayStation game ‘GT Sport’ was launched at London’s Copper Box Arena, to a wheel-spinning, tyre smoking fan-fare. Inviting a host of manufacturers to bring their specially made extreme concept cars, the floor was packed with dream machines - all of which feature in the new console game. A few privileged gamers were among the first to try out the new software, which was sanctioned by the FIA and built from the ground up to make global online competitions a reality. Speaking of reality, stunt drivers were on-hand outside to give guests a taste of real world racing.
Anticipation is building in the run up to the unveiling of TVR’s first new model in more than a decade. TVR boss Les Edgar and designer Gordon Murray were at the London Motor Show to confirm Cosworth V8 power and a sub-four second 0-60 time for the new coupe which will be available with a Carbon fibre chassis. Edgar said the new TVR will go on sale in 2017 but he wasn't giving much else away – as the show car’s cover was removed to reveal.. another cover.
