Autoesque

Audi has revealed the A1 clubsport quattro, a one-off show car that will debut at the upcoming Wörtherseetour 2011. Under the bonnet is the familiar 2.5 litre, five cylinder turbocharged motor from the TT RS and RS 3 Sportback, but output has been boosted by nearly 50% to 496 bhp (370 kW / 503 PS). Maximum torque is a substantial 660 Nm (486 lb/ft). As expected, loads of power plus a small lightweight hatchback equals very rapid acceleration. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint is completed in 3.7 seconds, while the 50 - 75 mph (80 - 120 km/h) increment takes just 2.4 seconds in fourth gear. However, Audi wasn’t brave enough to ditch the speed limiter, so the A1 clubsport quattro won’t go beyond 155 mph (250 km/h). It should be able to stop okay though, thanks to carbon fibre ceramic discs with six-piston calipers up front, paired with steel discs at the rear. Those brakes sit behind bespoke 19” alloy wheels that are shod with 255/30 section tyres. Visually, there’s no mistaking th...

If a car becomes popular with a particular profession, it’s usually not too much of a problem. But ‘hairdresser’s car’ has become a pejorative term suggesting small, cutesy and not for anyone with a deluded sense of machismo. So what do hairdressers actually drive? In response to that important question, UK insurance company Diamond has reviewed its database of 18,000 stylists, and the answer seems to be… anything small and cutesy. Favourite is the Mini One, followed by the Vauxhall Tigra and Volkswagen Beetle. Completing the top five are the Ford Ka and Mini Cooper. Hairdressers' favourite: The Mini One Hatch. Doubtless certain owners of the Audi TT and Fiat 500 will be relieved that their cars didn’t make the list. Related posts: New Mini is a… bicycle Mini gets mini revamp

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster. Featuring an automatic, three-layer fabric roof that can be raised or lowered in eleven seconds, it’s claimed that the Roadster will weigh just 40 kg (88 lbs) more than the existing coupé version. That’s despite the extra chassis strengthening that has been needed to compensate for the lack of a solid roof. Such a small increase in bulk means that performance remains pretty much the same as the coupé manages. The Roadster will accelerate to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in 3.8 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 196 mph (317 km/h), thanks to its 6,208 cc V8 which produces 563 bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb/ft) of torque. Visually, the transition from coupé has worked well (just avoid the brown paint), although of course the Roadster misses out on the theatre of those gullwing doors. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster will be launched during autumn 2011, with UK sales due to begin in November. Prices f...

Volvo is to test a kinetic energy recovery system for its cars that could reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Known as Flywheel KERS, the set-up is designed to be both lightweight and cheap. Fitted to the rear axle, braking energy causes a 20 centimetre carbon fibre flywheel to spin at 60,000 rpm. The resultant stored energy can then be transferred to the rear wheels via a dedicated transmission. As the internal combustion engine is switched off during the braking phase, and Flywheel KERS will be able to get the car moving again for a short distance, dramatic reductions in fuel burn are expected. Indeed, it’s reckoned that the internal combustion engine would be idle for around half the time under New European Driving Cycle conditions. Alternatively, the system could give an acceleration boost in the same way that Formula 1 cars employ their KERS. Used in this way, Volvo estimates it could be worth an extra 80 horsepower. The testing programme is due to begin during t...

Dacia has unveiled the Duster No Limit, a one-off version of the Romanian firm’s off-roader that has been created for one purpose: to win the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Sunday, June 26. Because it will be competing in the PPIHC ‘Unlimited’ class - where there’s no minimum weight rule, no limit on engine capacity or output and anything goes regarding aerodynamics and transmissions -  the competition Dacia shares nothing with its showroom equivalent except a silhouette. Developed with the help of Renault Sport Technologies, the Duster No Limit features a mid-mounted 3.8 litre V6 engine from the Nissan GT-R beneath its glass-fibre bodywork. Built by specialists Sodemo, it pumps out around 838 bhp (625 kW / 850 PS) which is then fed to the wheels via a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox. And it’ll need all that power too, as the 12.42 mile (19.98 km) course finishes at the 14,110 foot (4,300 metre) summit of Pikes Peak. That kind of altitude is reckoned to reduce e...

Suzuki has added a diesel to its Swift range. The DDiS, which is only available as a five-door with SZ3 trim, features a 1.3 litre engine that produces 73 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS) and 190 Nm (140 lb/ft) of torque. Although down on power compared to the existing 1.2 litre petrol Swift, the DDiS version has very similar performance. It’ll accelerate from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a fairly respectable 12.7 seconds, before going on to achieve a top speed of 103 mph (165 km/h). But of course efficiency is where diesel outscores petrol. Combined cycle fuel consumption for the DDiS is 67.3 mpg (4.2 l/100km), and CO2 emissions of 109 g/km mean annual Vehicle Excise Duty of £20 in the UK. Not bad figures at all, and on a par for the class. The only way to get significantly better economy from a diesel supermini is to go for a special ‘eco’ model, such as the Skoda Fabia 1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II or the closely related Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TDI 75PS BlueMotion. Both emit just 89 g/km of...

Little-known Endora Cars has released the first details of its SC-1, a coupé that the Munich firm claims ‘might be the best synergy of dynamic, elegance, individualism and lifestyle yet.’ Or perhaps not, because although some elements of the SC-1’s styling work, the overall effect is neither pretty nor cohesive. There’s a slim chance it’ll look better in the metal, but that’s more in hope than expectation. What makes the situation worse is that the coachbuilt Endora fails to be more desirable than the car it’s based on, the Chevrolet Corvette. But at least that means a decent engine line-up, including the supercharged 6.2 litre (378.3 cu.in.) V8 from the ZR1, with its 638 bhp (475 kW / 646 PS) and 818 Nm (604 lb/ft) of torque. Related post: Centennial Edition Corvette

Fashion label fans are probably going to be very excited about the 500 by Gucci, which is yet another special edition based on Fiat’s still-trendy city car. Initially available only via a dedicated Fiat website, buyers will have a choice of either black or white paintwork that’s complemented by trademark green and red Gucci stripes, contrasting 16” wheels with diamanté embellishments and the obligatory Gucci badges. The interior gets two-tone Frau leather trimmed seats, a velvet effect paint treatment for the dashboard and seatbelts that repeat the Gucci stripe theme. In the UK, the 500 by Gucci will cost either £14,565 with a 1.2 litre petrol engine, or £15,765 with the faster and more economical 0.9 litre TwinAir. That means both versions are more expensive than the desirable £14,155 Abarth 500, but the Gucci is undoubtedly aimed at a very different market. Related posts: Fiat 500C by Diesel Abarth 695 coming to UK Fiat 500 Blackjack Fiat 500 TwinAir arrives

The desirable Sportline specification is returning to Volkswagen’s Transporter range. Available on both the panel van and kombi, 2011 Sportline models get a purposeful look thanks to 18” alloy wheels, stainless steel side bars, a rear roof spoiler, revised headlights, a bespoke body-coloured front bumper and a black and chrome grille. Finishing off the effect is a choice of Deep Black pearlescent, Reflex Silver metallic or Candy White paintwork, the last of which comes with a gloss black roof. On the inside there’s two-tone leather upholstery, plus a generous equipment list that includes Bluetooth connectivity, a 7” touch screen with full European satellite navigation, electric windows and air conditioning. But the Sportline isn’t just about appearances, as under the bonnet there’s a 2.0 litre BiTDI diesel engine that features twin turbochargers and common rail direct injection. Producing 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and a very useful 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of torque, it’s powerfu...

Fifty years after the DB4GT Zagato, and following in the wheel tracks of several subsequent collaborations with the Italian design house, Aston Martin has unveiled the new V12 Zagato concept. Its debut will be at the Villa D'Este Concours on 21st May 2011, which takes place near Lake Como in Italy. Aston Martin is going to use the occasion to ‘gauge customer interest’, despite already confirming that a strictly limited run of cars will be built. But the V12 Zagato isn’t just going to be a road car. In the tradition of previous Aston Martin Zagatos a race programme is planned, starting off with the four hour VLN Nürburgring race on 28th May 2011, and then followed by a 24 hour event at the same venue on 25th and 26th June 2011. Unsurprisingly for a Zagato creation, the looks are arguably more challenging than those of a series production Aston Martin. Even Marek Reichman, Director of Design at Aston Martin, described it as ‘an elegant yet brutal design which reflects the ...

Nissan has unveiled the GT Edition, a special version of its 370Z especially for UK buyers. The obvious visual changes from the standard car are the grey side stripes, which may be a bit Halfords for some tastes, and attractive 19” Rays forged alloy wheels that have a dark anthracite finish. Paintwork choice is restricted to Pearl White, Kuro Black or Black Rose. Under the skin, the only difference is that the chassis set-up has been fine-tuned, with the dampers being revised to give a better balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling. Available from the beginning of June, the Nissan 370Z GT Edition will cost from £35,000. By comparison, the standard 370Z starts at £29,150 (and even with the optional GT Pack the price is £32,450), so perhaps the GT Edition doesn’t look like particularly brilliant value.

Superchips has launched an ECU remap for the post-March 2010 Mini Cooper S. The modification lifts power from 181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS) to 206 bhp (153 kW / 208 PS), a 14% increase that’s available from just 2,000 rpm onwards. Torque from the direct injection 1.6 litre turbo engine similarly rises from 240 Nm (177 lb/ft) to 272 Nm (200 lb/ft). Useful improvements then, and enough to almost match the outputs of the Mini John Cooper Works which boasts 208 bhp (155 kW / 211 PS) and up to 280 Nm (206 lb/ft) of torque on overboost. Unfortunately Superchips hasn’t released any performance claims, except to say that if driven normally owners won’t see any increase in their Mini’s fuel consumption. The upgrade costs £455 including VAT. That works out at a very reasonable £18 per extra horsepower, and the ECU remap can be installed at eighty Superchips centres across the UK. However, one problem with any modification like this is that the original manufacturer’s warranty is probably ...

Kawasaki has announced upgraded versions of its KX250F and KX450F off-roaders for 2012. In a world first for a production motocross bike, the KX250F’s single-cylinder engine gets dual fuel injectors. This novel system is claimed to give a smooth and instant throttle response, combined with extra power. The chassis has also received attention. Included in the specifications for 2012 is Showa’s Separate Function front Fork (SFF), which benefits the handling by separating out the shock absorption and damping actions. The rear hasn’t been forgotten either, and the Uni-Trak suspension set-up has been given some tweaks. A major innovation for the larger KX450F is its launch control feature. Similar to the system used by Kawasaki’s factory racers, it’s activated by the push of a button and works by switching to a separate engine map that’s designed to reduce wheel spin in slippery conditions. There are also three switchable engine maps for soft, standard or hard terrain. Each of th...

Developments in electric vehicle technologies continue apace, and the new Delta E-4 Coupé demonstrates that increased range and performance need not be mutually exclusive. Indeed, while the E-4 will manage 200 miles (321 kilometres) on a single charge, it’s also capable of doing the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in less than five seconds. In part, that’s down to light weight and careful attention to the aerodynamics. The body shell is made from carbon fibre and tips the scales just 85 kg (187 lbs), yet Delta claims it has been engineered to pass strict EU crash tests. To ensure that featherweight chassis is exploited to the full, power comes from direct-drive electric motors which produce over 118 bhp (88 kW / 120 PS) and 600 Nm (442 lb/ft) of torque each. Simon Dowson, co-founder of Delta Motorsport, said: "We became involved with the design of hybrid and electric vehicles because they share many of the engineering challenges associated with motorsport - light weight parts, a...

The Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP bikes of Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies are set to change colour, albeit temporarily. Replacing the usual blue and white paintjob will be a red and white design that marks Yamaha Factory Racing’s fifty years in World Championship Grand Prix racing. Fans will get a chance to see the celebratory livery at two rounds only, the Assen TT on 25th June and Laguna Seca on 24th July. Related post: Yamaha YZR-M1 livery

Moto Guzzi has launched a special edition of the 1200 Sport. Called the Corsa, it gets a red, white and gold paintjob and a two-tone saddle. The overall effect is very tasteful, and the good news for UK customers is that the Corsa costs the same as a standard 1200 Sport: £9,378 on the road. All of which helps the Moto Guzzi’s status as an interesting alternative to that other naked bike with a large capacity twin-cylinder engine and shaft drive - the £9,250 BMW R 1200 R.