Autoesque

Following on from last year’s TZ3 Corsa , Zagato has unveiled the TZ3 Stradale. Although both models have been created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, conceptually there are some key differences. As the names imply, the one-off TZ3 Corsa was strictly a track car, whereas the TZ3 Stradale - which will have a limited production run of just nine examples - is street-legal. Underneath the carbon fibre body of the TZ3 Stradale sits a chassis and drivetrain borrowed from the defunct Dodge Viper ACR, so it gets an 8.4 litre V10 engine developing 600 bhp (447 kW / 608 PS). Unfortunately, no performance figures have been released to gauge how effective this combination is. Stylistically the striking TZ3 Stradale is defined by its prominent Kamm tail, and there’s no escaping the resemblance to the TZ3 Corsa. But are the two Zagato cars better looking than the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione? The answer has to be no. Related posts: Viper production ends Alfa Romeo...

The Renault Logan has been renamed the Mahindra Verito for the Indian market. It follows the termination in April 2010 of the joint venture that had been established by Mahindra & Mahindra and the French manufacturer to build the Logan locally in Nashik. Under the terms of the restructure, M&M bought out Renault’s 49 percent share in order to fully own the operation, and Logan production has continued in India via a licensing arrangement. However, it was also agreed that the Renault branding would eventually have to disappear. So, switching to the Mahindra badge comes as no surprise. The Verito model name is meant to allude to honest dependability, as it’s derived from the Latin word ‘veritas’ meaning ‘truth’. To go with the new name, Mahindra has taken the opportunity to introduce a few cosmetic tweaks. These include the fitment of roof rails, revised fog lights, side cladding and extra chrome decoration at the rear, while the interior gets new upholstery. Carried o...

Fiat has unveiled the 2012 North American-spec 500 Cabrio at the New York International Auto Show. Distinguishing the 500C is its powered dual-layer cloth roof that features a glass rear window and a spoiler with built-in central brake light. Retractable to multiple positions, it can even be folded fully back while driving at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h). Fiat describes the interior of the 500C as ‘airy and roomy’, although that probably depends on how many people are sat inside at the time, and the size of those people. Claimed interior space is 76.2 cubic feet (2,157 litres), while the luggage compartment is 5.4 cubic feet (152 litres). Perhaps to distract from the its petite size, Fiat is offering a myriad of colour permutations that allow 500C owners to create a potentially unique car. There are fourteen paint finishes, three roof colours, two interior colour themes and twelve seat colour and material combinations for them to choose from. Like the hatchback, only one ...

Perhaps it’s meant as an antidote to the bulk of the Countryman, but the latest addition to the Mini range is a fold-up bike. Logically called the Mini Folding Bike, when collapsed it’ll even fit into the poky 160 litre boot of the Mini Hatch. As many of the components including the frame, forks, seat post and handlebars are made from aluminium, the bike weighs only 11 kilos. Such lightness should mean it’s not too much of an effort to lug about in the supplied transport bag. The eight gears are controlled via a grip shift and, sensibly, the drive chain - coloured neon yellow - is Teflon-coated to negate the need for messy lubrication. Available only in matt black, the Mini Folding Bike goes on sale from August 2011. A UK price has yet to be set, but in the Eurozone it’ll cost €499 via the Mini website or selected Mini dealers. Related post: Smart and Mini scooters

SHARP , the UK government’s Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme, has just evaluated a further 28 motorcycle helmets. That brings the total number of different models assessed to 247, all of which have been subjected to identical impact tests that exceed the compulsory British Standard BS 6658:1985 or ECE Regulation 22.05 checks. Out of the 247 helmets rated, thirty were awarded the maximum five stars. The good news is that six of those retail for under £100, so it would appear that the correlation between price and protection can be tenuous. The results also clearly demonstrate that a particular brand name won’t necessarily ensure a certain level of quality, as some manufacturers have very large score variations within their ranges. That’s not the case for Bell, though. It has had six helmets go through the programme, from the £165 M1 to the £495 M5X Carbon, and all were given five stars. No other manufacturer with more than one SHARP-assessed helmet has achieved such...

Last November it was declared the 2011 European Car of the Year , and now the Nissan Leaf has been named 2011 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. Occupying the runners-up slots were the two other short-listed models, the BMW 5 Series and Audi A8. Nissan Leaf: 2011 World Car of the Year 2011 World Performance Car winner was the Ferrari 458 Italia, an unsurprising victory even though it was up against the talented Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porsche 911 Turbo. Another predictable (but deserved) result was that the 2011 World Car Design of the Year title went to the Aston Martin Rapide, which beat the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Ferrari 458 Italia. The Nissan Leaf was also a finalist in the 2011 World Green Car category. However, it lost out to the Chevrolet Volt which, with its range-extender technology, is undoubtedly a much more practical proposition for many drivers. Even so, the Leaf’s environmental credentials must have helped it to secure the mai...

A hotter version of the Vauxhall Corsa VXR / Opel Corsa OPC is due in dealers this May. Called the Nürburgring Edition, it gets more grunt, chassis tweaks and a higher price tag. The 1.6 litre engine benefits from a revised turbocharger and management system, as well as a sports exhaust with reduced back pressure. Interestingly, though, the two GM subsidiaries are reporting different results from these modifications. Opel claims that power increases from 189 bhp (141 kW / 192 PS) to 206 bhp (154 kW / 210 PS), whereas Vauxhall reckons it only rises to 202 bhp (150 kW / 205 PS). That anomaly is possibly explained by the OPC car being optimised to run on 100 octane petrol, while the VXR has been set up for slightly tamer 98 octane fuel. What both manufacturers do agree on is the extra torque, which improves from 230 Nm (266 Nm) to 250 Nm (280 Nm). The figures in brackets apply to the turbo overboost function, which can only be used in short bursts. The effect on performance is a...

BMW is set to launch the Z4 sDrive28i later this year. Unlike the rest of the variants in the current Z4 line-up, which all have six-cylinder engines, this new addition gets a two litre, four-cylinder unit. But the loss of a couple of cylinders doesn’t mean it’s going to be an underpowered entry-level model because, thanks to twin turbochargers, the sDrive28i will have 236 bhp (176 kW / 240 PS). That’s still quite a bit down on the 254 bhp (190 kW / 258 PS) of the existing sDrive30i, which features a normally aspirated 2,996 cc in-line six. However, BMW is claiming that the sDrive28i will actually be quicker due to its extra torque. Critically, it’ll also have better fuel consumption and pump out less CO2 (although no figures have been released yet). And, in the end, that increased efficiency is why BMW is introducing the new motor. Purists might not be too keen on the idea that such a move could signal the beginning of the end for BMW’s six-cylinder engines, but the reality i...

Volkswagen is describing its 2012 Beetle, just unveiled in Shanghai, as ‘masculine’. In a word, that could sum up the shift in direction applied to the new car. Out goes the cutesy retro shtick of the previous generation model, defined for many by the presence of a flower vase stuck on the dashboard. Even Barbie had one of those Beetles, in bright pink of course. The looks of the 2012 Beetle don’t come as a huge surprise, as they were previewed by the Ragster concept of a few years ago. Longer, wider and shorter, its change in dimensions results in a squat, purposeful stance that should help to broaden the Beetle’s appeal. It’s also a more practical proposition, as the roof line extends further back which should make things less cramped for rear seat passengers. Luggage space has increased too, rising from a paltry 209 litres to a much better 310 litres. When UK sales start in early 2012, buyers will be able to choose from three trim levels - basic Beetle, Design or Sport - al...

Nissan has teamed up with Nismo, its in-house motorsport specialists, to produce a mid-motored, rear-wheel drive Racing Competition version of the Leaf. During the transformation the rear doors have gone, the interior has been stripped out and a huge driver-adjustable wing has been bolted on to the back. In fact, the bodywork is completely different, now featuring a carbon fibre monocoque with removable front and rear sections that gives a 40% weight saving. It’s also 350 mm (13.8 inches) lower, 170 mm (6.7 inches) wider and the wheelbase is 99 mm (3.9 inches) shorter. Overall length is virtually unchanged, though. Although the powertrain has moved to the middle of the car, it produces the same 107 bhp (80 kW / 108 PS) as the standard Leaf and the lithium-ion battery pack is unchanged. Although the top speed is still just over 90 mph (145 km/h), tweaks have resulted in a much reduced 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.85 seconds. The trade-off for that extra acceleration is range, ...

Roush Performance of Livonia, Michigan, has launched a Stage 3 upgrade for the Ford Mustang. Central to the conversion is an R2300 ROUSHcharger supercharger plus intercooler, which lifts power from 412 bhp (307 kW / 417 PS) to 540 bhp (402 kW / 547 PS). Torque from the 5.0 litre V8 engine is similarly increased, rising from 528 Nm (390 lb/ft) to an impressive 630 Nm (465 lb/ft). Roush doesn’t offer a choice of transmission, though. Drive to the rear wheels is via a six-speed manual gearbox, and there’s no automatic option. Costing $16,800 in the US, the Stage 3 package includes a Roush suspension system. This replaces the springs, anti-roll bars, rear dampers and front struts, while adding jounce bumpers and an anti-wheel hop kit for better traction. Additionally, 18” Roush chrome wheels with Cooper tyres are fitted, and the original exhaust is ditched in favour of a square-tip performance item. The Mustang’s appearance is beefed up by a new front valance, chin splitter, boot ...

Hertz has started to offer the Mitsubishi i-MiEV to its customers in the UK. For now, two of the all-electric cars are available to members of the ‘Connect by Hertz’ car sharing club in London, but the plan is to add more of the Mitsubishis to rental fleets across the country. To support the initiative, Hertz has set up charging stations at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, Marble Arch, Old Kent Road, Russell Square and Uxbridge. Drivers will also be able to use the Source London network of public charging points, which is currently being established across London. President of Hertz International, Michel Taride, said: “Our partnership with Mitsubishi Motors in the UK to provide i-MiEV cars to our Connect by Hertz members and Hertz customers in the UK is a vital part of our global Electric Vehicle and sustainability initiatives. We are excited that from today, our customers can experience the joy of 100% electric driving with the i-MiEVs, which offer surprising power and a s...

Radical Sportscars has launched a special edition to celebrate ten years of its SR3. Aimed directly at track-day enthusiasts, the SR3 RS Limited will have a production run of just twenty-five units. Running gear comprises a 210 bhp (156 kW / 212 PS) 1,340 cc RPE-Suzuki engine, connected to a six-speed sequential gearbox and driving through a Quaife ATB differential. Braking is taken care of by 260 mm x 25 mm ventilated discs front and rear, while a high downforce rear diffuser should help to keep the thing on the tarmac. Included in the specification is a track-day silencing kit, plus there’s a spares pack made up of different filters and a spare set of wheels shod with wet weather tyres. The UK price for the Radical SR3 RS Limited is £49,850, including VAT. Colour choice is restricted to Rosso Red, Tangerine or Spice Yellow, all of which come with unique matt vinyl graphics.

5 June 2011 Update: The FIA has revised the 2012 WRC calendar. For details, please click here . The World Motor Sport Council has agreed a calendar for the 2012 FIA World Rally Championship. Next year will see a reduction in the number of events, down from thirteen to twelve. Out go the Jordanian, Italian and Australian rallies, while rounds in Abu Dhabi and New Zealand join the series. Rally Sweden becomes a joint Sweden-Norway event, and Rally Argentina is going to be long distance. The inclusion of Great Britain and Abu Dhabi on the schedule is subject to the FIA approving those events’ business plans and rally formats. Dates have yet to be confirmed, as the series organisers sensibly want to avoid any clashes with Formula 1 races. List of 2012 World Rally Championship events, in alphabetical order: · Abu Dhabi · Argentina · Finland · France · Great Britain · Germany · Greece · Mexico · New Zealand · Portugal · Spain · Sweden - Norway

Dodge has announced a limited edition, high performance Mopar version of its 2011 Charger . Appropriately named the Mopar ’11 Charger, only 1,000 examples are going to be built. 100 of those are destined for Canada, while the rest will be for the US market. Power comes from the same 5.7 litre Hemi V8 as used in the R/T models, which means 370 bhp (275 kW / 375 PS) and 535 Nm (395 lb/ft) of torque. However, acceleration is improved thanks to a 3.91:1 final drive ratio and a recalibrated ECU. Consequently, the claimed zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time for the Mopar edition is ‘in the low five-second range’. The chassis set-up has also received attention, with the package featuring the Super Trac Pac which includes upgraded brakes, sports suspension and performance steering. Also fitted are thicker anti-roll bars, as well as cross-car braces that join the suspension turrets front and rear for extra rigidity. It shouldn’t be too hard to spot a Mopar ’11 Charger. Only available in Pitc...

The European-specification Transit Connect Electric van has made its debut at the 2011 Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham. Developed in collaboration with Azure Dynamics Corporation, it will be the first Ford electric vehicle available in Europe when sales begin later this year. Based on the existing long-wheelbase Transit Connect, its lithium-ion battery pack offers 28 kWh of power. That’s enough for a range of around 80 miles (130 km) and a top speed of 75 mph (120 km/h), while recharging takes about eight hours. By comparison, Renault claims that the electric Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. will travel 105 miles (around 170 kilometres) before the battery runs out. Significantly, that’s approximately 30% more than the Ford, even though the Kangoo’s recharging time is similar. Transit Connect Electric vans will be built in both left- and right-hand drive versions at the Ford Otosan plant in Kocaeli, Turkey. From there, they will be sent to the UK where Azure Dynamics will fit the ‘For...

Aston Martin Racing is replacing its DBRS9 racer with the brand new Vantage GT3. Based on the V12 Vantage road car, the plan is to develop and build ten customer cars in time for a competition debut next season. Target figures for the GT3’s dry-sump 6.0 litre engine are 600 bhp (447 kW / 608 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb/ft) of torque. By comparison, the standard V12 Vantage manages with 510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb/ft). But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as the extra output will be complemented by a weight reduction from 1,680 kg (3,704 lbs) to 1,250 kg (2,755 lbs). Drive will be via a semi-automatic paddle shift Xtrac transmission, and the Vantage GT3 is going to get bespoke traction control and anti-lock braking systems. John Gaw, Aston Martin Racing Managing Director, said: “The DBRS9 has been a very successful GT3 racing car and, despite being more than six years old, is still competitive today. However, the competition has moved on and we needed to create a ...

Dorna Sports, organiser of MotoGP , has announced that the new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas will be hosting a round of the championship from 2013. A ten-year contract has been agreed, which also encompasses the Moto2 and Moto3 race categories. The Hermann Tilke designed track must be impressing the right people. Still under construction, it first hit the headlines last year when Formula 1 announced it would be using the Texas venue for the United States Grand Prix. That’s also a ten-year deal, starting from next year. A key feature of the 3.4 mile long circuit is the substantial change in elevation, while the layout is said to have been inspired by various classic tracks. With a capacity of 120,000, there should be plenty of room for spectators. The Circuit of the Americas race means that the United States could have three MotoGP rounds - assuming, of course, that Laguna Seca and Indianapolis remain on the calendar beyond 2012. Related post: Building F1 circuits

The Mini WRC Team has been officially launched, ahead of a limited campaign in this year’s FIA World Rally Championship . As previously announced, the pair of Mini Countryman John Cooper Works WRC cars will be crewed by Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle and Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio. Their first outing is going to be May’s Rally d’Italia Sardegna, the fifth event in the 2011 WRC calendar. A further five rounds are due to be contested this year, before the team commits to a full WRC programme in 2012. Developed by Prodrive, customer versions of the Countryman rally car will also be made available to private teams in either S2000 or full WRC specification. Mini Countryman John Cooper Works WRC 2011 Engine Type Four-cylinder, direct injection petrol, turbocharged Capacity 1,600 cc Power Over 300 bhp (223 kW / 304 PS) Torque Over 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) Maximum turbo boost 2.5 bar (absolute) Transmission Gearbox Sequential Xtrac 6-speed Drive Permanent fo...

Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH are working on forming a joint venture to make motors for electric vehicles. The plan is for the operation to commence production in 2012, with the motors initially being used in Mercedes-Benz and Smart models. However, it’s intended that the technology will also be made available to other manufacturers. Any such sales are going to be handled by Bosch. The electrically-powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL Related post: SLS AMG E-CELL is go

Caterham has announced a track-focussed addition to its Seven range. Called the Supersport, it has been developed directly from the version used in the Caterham Supersport championship. Power comes from a 140 bhp (104 kW / 141 PS) 1.6 litre Ford Sigma engine, connected to a five-speed gearbox with ‘sprint’ ratios. A fairly modest output but, as the Supersport weighs only 520 kg (1,146 lbs), it’s enough for a zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) time of 4.9 seconds. Claimed top speed is 120 mph (193 km/h). The chassis set-up features uprated dampers and springs, a limited slip differential and 13” wheels shod with Avon CR500 tyres. Completing the race-inspired package are composite race seats, four-point harnesses, dash-mounted gear change up lights, a lightened flywheel and an aero screen. UK price for the Caterham Seven Supersport is £22,995, although those seeking the satisfaction of building their own car can order it in component form for £19,995. Related post: Caterham Seven Monaco

BMW Motorsport has tweaked its Z4 GT3 racer for the 2011 season. Following a successful competition debut last year, the modifications have focussed on improving the car’s aerodynamics. Other big changes include the fitment of an updated electronic management system for the 4.4 litre V8 engine, a new control unit for the actuators and the move to a two-paddle gearshift. Available now to privateer race teams, the Z4 GT3 costs €315,000 plus VAT (around £278,500 or US $456,250 at today’s exchange rates). There’s still no sign of a street legal version, unfortunately. Related posts: Z4 GT3 Nürburgring lap BMW Z4 GT3