Autoesque

Twenty-five drivers will be taking to the grid for the 2012 British Touring Car Championship, proof that the Next Generation Touring Car formula has succeeded in attracting competitors to the series. Thankfully, the turbo / non-turbo parity issue - and its associated bickering and politics - will be absent this season, as all entrants are going to be running two-litre turbocharged engines. The majority of cars have been built to full NGTC specification (including new contenders from MG and Honda ), with the remainder being based on older S2000 designs. MG KX Momentum Racing MG6 NGTC Commenting on the entry list, BTCC Series Director Alan Gow said: “Our trackside crowd and TV viewing audience figures continue to reach new heights - Brands Hatch has advised us that ticket sales for its opening round in a fortnight are its biggest ever for a BTCC event this far in advance. “Now, here we are, ready to start another great season and with a larger grid than at the first round las...

GMC is updating its Terrain range for 2013 with the introduction a new V6 petrol engine and the creation of an upmarket Denali trim level. Replacing the current 3.0 litre unit, the all-aluminium 3.6 litre V6 features direct injection and produces 301 bhp (224 kW / 305 PS) and 369 Nm (272 lb/ft) of peak torque. Connected to a Hydra-matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission, estimated EPA highway fuel consumption is 23 mpg US with all-wheel drive, or 24 mpg US for the front-wheel drive version. Marking out the Terrain Denali are a chrome grille, body-colour bumpers, unique front and rear lights, chrome-finish exhaust pipes and 19” wheels (18” for models equipped with the 2.4 litre inline-four engine). Living up to its luxury aspirations, the Denali’s interior gets jet Black leather upholstery, mahogany wood trim, power adjustment for the front seats, illuminated front sill plates, Bluetooth connectivity and a soft-touch instrument panel. Also on the standard specification...

To celebrate the marque’s birth in 1902, Triumph has launched the Bonneville T100 110th Anniversary Edition. Although mechanically identical to the standard T100 model, this special version comes with a unique Aluminium Silver and Khaki Green paintjob, plus a chrome finish for the cam cover, grab rail and chain guard. There are also unique badges for the side covers and a plaque on the handlebar clamp that shows the build number. The Bonneville T100 110th Anniversary Edition production run will be limited to just 1,000 units. Only 75 have been allocated to the UK, with a further 25 going to Canada. Dealers in the United States meanwhile are due to receive 250 examples. Prices for those three markets have been set at £7,399, C$10,999 and US$10,499 respectively. Related posts: Steve McQueen Bonneville 2011 Kawasaki W800 price

Ducati has unveiled the special edition Monster Diesel. That’s Diesel as in the clothing brand, not diesel as in the type of fuel. Based on the existing (petrol-powered) Monster 1100EVO, the new arrival is meant to have an ‘urban military chic’ style that’s most obviously expressed via the matte Diesel Brave Green paintwork. That colour choice is complemented by a black finish for the frame, front forks, wheels, engine covers and exhaust system. For a bit of contrast, the front brake calipers are yellow. The Monster Diesel also gets some unique parts including the dashboard cover, exhaust heat shields and pillion seat cover. Completing the package are engraved Diesel ‘Mohican’ logos on the aluminium air intakes, plus a Diesel label that’s stitched into the leather-covered seat. Sales of the Ducati Monster Diesel are due to start in July, although reservations are being taken now. The UK price has been set at £10,690 (plus first registration fee, road fund licence and...

Seat has launched the Leon FR+ Supercopa special edition. Based on the regular FR+ model, the Supercopa gets 18” BBS alloy wheels, chrome-tipped twin exhausts, a larger rear tailgate spoiler and a body kit. The comprehensive standard equipment list includes touch-screen satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, rear parking sensors and bi-xenon headlights. Altogether, the extra specification is reckoned by Seat to add up to £3,000, yet UK on-the-road prices for the Supercopa are just £750 more than the standard FR+: · FR+ Supercopa TSI 211 PS - £22,690 · FR+ Supercopa TSI DSG-auto 211 PS - £23,850 · FR+ Supercopa TDI CR 170 PS - £22,530 · FR+ Supercopa TDI CR DSG-auto 170 PS - £23,705 The Seat Leon FR+ Supercopa is available at dealers now. Related posts: Seat Toledo Concept Seat launches Leon FR+ Leon Cupra R arrives

This year’s inaugural TTA - Racing Elite League will see a quartet of Saab 9-3 race cars on the grid. Developed by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö, and running under the ‘Tribute2Saab’ banner, the team will battle against BMW, Citroën and Swedish rival Volvo in the eight-event series. Of course, Saab’s recent fall into receivership and an uncertain future mean it’s not a works entry, although there is support from the newly-created Saab Parts enterprise and the Swedish Saab Dealer Network. Not that factory backing is necessarily a prerequisite for competing in the TTA, because all of the cars use a common rear-wheel drive space-frame chassis, V6 engine, kinetic energy recovery system and aerodynamic kit. Only the carbon fibre bodywork is unique. Jan “Flash” Nilsson, Managing Director of Flash Engineering and one of the Saab 9-3 TTA drivers, said: “I have longed for 40 years to see the fight between Saab and Volvo on the race tracks. It becomes reality this summer and my b...

Honda Racing’s all-new Civic NGTC race cars were first seen at a Brands Hatch test session last month. Then they were painted plain white, but now the colour scheme that will be worn in this year’s British Touring Car Championship has been revealed. As expected, the design is predominantly white with red and black stripes. A deal with Yuasa has also been confirmed, which will see the battery manufacturer becoming the renamed Honda Yuasa Racing Team’s title sponsor for the next three years. Commenting on the association, Andrew Taylor, Managing Director of Yuasa Battery Sales (UK) Ltd, said: “Our 2011 sponsorship of Honda Racing proved a resounding success and was extremely beneficial in raising the profile of the Yuasa brand. “Yuasa’s partnership with Honda is very strong and the new title sponsorship provides us with the perfect springboard for our ambitious UK and European automotive aftermarket plans over the next three years. “We are very pleased to add Yuasa’s name ...

The Vauxhall Ampera / Opel Ampera / Chevrolet Volt joint entry has been named as the 2012 European Car of the Year. The Chevrolet Volt... ... and the Vauxhall Ampera. Fifty-nine motoring journalists from across twenty-three countries had the task of allocating votes to a shortlist of seven models, and in the end their decision was an emphatic one. A total of 330 points were given to the Ampera / Volt range-extender, 49 more than the second-placed Volkswagen Up! city car received. Third place was taken by the Ford Focus. It was perhaps unexpected that the Range Rover Evoque and Citroën DS5 didn’t secure more support, but in this company a last place for the Toyota Yaris came as no great surprise. 2012 European Car of the Year Results Position Manufacturer Model Points 1 Vauxhall / Opel / Chevrolet Ampera / Volt 330 2 Volkswagen Up! 281 3 Ford Focus 256 4 Range Rover Evoque 186 5 Fiat Panda 156 6 Citroën DS5 144 7 Toyo...

The first images of the MG5 have been released. Looking very similar to the Concept 5 that appeared at last year’s Shanghai Motor Show, the compact hatchback will be a rival for cars such as the Vauxhall / Opel Astra, Ford Focus and Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It’ll be launched in its home market of China first, with power coming from a 1.8 litre petrol engine. European sales aren’t expected for a while though, and the version that’ll be offered here is expected to have recalibrated suspension settings, different equipment levels and a wider range of engines that should include a diesel option. Related posts: MG returns to the BTCC MG Design Centre opens MG Zero concept

Ford has unveiled the luxury-spec 2013 F-Series Super Duty Platinum. Available only with a crew cab in F-250, F-350 or F-450 guises, the Platinum gets a unique grille that features a satin chrome surround and mesh inserts, body-colour bumpers and plenty of chrome. The exterior look is completed by 20” polished aluminium wheels and a satin chrome finish for the tailgate. Among the items on the extensive interior equipment list are premium leather upholstery, 10-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel and various bits of wood trim. Also included as standard are two USB ports, an SD card slot, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, a universal garage door opener, a rear-view reversing camera and Ford’s Sync voice-control system. Although pricing has yet to be announced, sales of the 2013 Super Duty Platinum are due to begin later this year. Engine choice will be either a 6.2 litre V8 petrol or the 6.7 litre V8 Power Stroke diesel, which bo...

One of the most interesting debutants at this year’s Geneva Motor Show has been the electrically-powered Morgan Plus E concept. Developed by Morgan in collaboration with Zytek and Radshape, and funded partly by a Niche Vehicle Network Programme grant, power comes from a 94 bhp (70 kW / 95 PS) electric motor that develops 300 Nm (221 lb/ft) of torque. However, unlike most other electric cars, drive to the Morgan’s rear wheels is via a traditional five-speed manual gearbox and clutch. That unusual configuration was chosen to maximise both efficiency and driving pleasure, as described by Steve Morris, Morgan Operations Director: “We wanted to see how much fun you can have in an electric sportscar, so we have built one to help us find out. “The Plus E combines Morgan’s traditional look with high technology construction and a powertrain that delivers substantial torque instantly at any speed. With the manual gearbox to increase both touring range and driver involvement, it wil...

Suzuki GB is now offering an optional Sports Pack for its 2012 GSX-R1000 superbike. While the name might conjure up thoughts of engine tweaks, trick suspension or an upgraded exhaust system, the truth is somewhat more mundane. That’s because the Sports Pack actually consists of a single seat cover, protectors for the top yoke and fuel tank, a fuel cap trim piece and a smoked double-bubble GSX-R branded screen. All useful items, which Suzuki correctly points out are the kind of things that many owners buy for their bikes anyway, but hardly performance enhancing. The Sports Pack costs £199.99 including fitting, an amount that’s claimed to represent a saving of almost £80 compared to the individual parts prices. Related posts: V-Strom accessory packs 2012 Suzuki GSX-R1000

The new Polo BlueGT features a 1.4 litre, 138 bhp (103 kW / 140 PS) turbocharged petrol engine that allows it to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). Very respectable indeed, but even more impressive is the way in which the Polo manages to combine that performance with efficiency. Its average fuel consumption is a remarkable 60.1 mpg (4.7 l/100km), while CO2 emissions are 108 g/km, figures that not so long ago would have required a sluggish diesel engine to achieve. What’s more, go for the optional seven-speed DSG transmission, and the numbers improve to 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km) and 105 g/km. Key to the Polo’s abilities is a cylinder deactivation system, which is being used for the first time in a production Volkswagen. This shuts down the second and third cylinders under light throttle loads, provided that the engine is spinning at between 1,250 and 4,000 rpm. Then, as soon as the driver depresses the accelerat...

Some traditionalists might be aghast at Bentley’s plans for an SUV, not least because a production version of the EXP 9 F concept would bear out Ettore Bugatti’s assertion that “Bentley makes the world’s fastest lorries.” Of course the move should make good business sense for the marque, as there are enough people around the world who don’t believe that a Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne is quite upmarket enough. And many members of the target market are likely to be ‘new money’, a breed more often noted for its conspicuous consumption than its taste. For them, the allure of the Bentley badge will be enough to trigger that all-important buying decision. They won’t care that the EXP 9 F, which has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is - sadly - catastrophically hideous. Fair enough, the current Bentley design ethos seems to be about exuding a brutal presence rather than prettiness, but translating that to an SUV simply hasn’t worked. From just about any angle, the looks ...

The new Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Grand Edition, which is being launched to celebrate 60 years of the S-Class Coupé, is ideal for those who want the look of a CL 63 AMG but in a more relaxing package. Based on the CL 500 or CL 600, the Grand Edition features an AMG body kit that’s complemented by either five- or ten-spoke 20” alloy wheels. Colour options are all from the designo range, with buyers able to choose from Mocha Black Metallic, Platinum Black Metallic or Magno Cashmere White. Similarly, the aniline leather upholstery comes in a choice of designo shades, with Armagnac, Black and Porcelain all available. UK pricing and availability has yet to be confirmed, but in Germany the Grand Edition will attract a premium of €4,850 (excluding VAT) over the donor model. However, that rises to €6,350 if the white paintwork is selected. Related posts: Consumer Superbrands 2012 C 63 AMG coupé revealed Brabus S 350 BlueTEC

The 1st of March was significant for Audi Sport, because that date saw the homologation of its A5 DTM, the all-new challenger for this year’s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series. Although the car was originally shown at last September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, development work has continued during the period since, with a particular focus on the aerodynamics. Those changes might be hard to spot though, as for now Audi is using a camouflage colour scheme to keep its opponents - i.e. BMW and Mercedes-Benz - guessing. Commenting on the need for such secrecy, Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich explained: “More than ever before, even the minutest detail will count this year in the DTM. Obviously, you want to keep the things you’ve worked out over the past few months under wraps for as long as possible.” Related posts: Castrol Edge M3 DTM DTM Mercedes C-Coupé Audi unveils new A5 DTM

If the ‘new’ Seat Toledo Concept appears familiar, that’s because it seems to be a duplicate of the Škoda MissionL which was first unveiled at last September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, although it means the conservative Toledo Concept owes more stylistically to the Exeo (itself a rebadged previous-generation Audi A4) than more flamboyant Seat models such as the Leon. The Seat Toledo Concept... ...and last year's Škoda MissionL. Its looks apparently represent a more sober design language which, according to Seat, is characterised by ‘a powerful and solid stance, with clear and precisely executed surfaces and lines.’ The result is a handsome car, but the continued use of Audi and Škoda cast-offs arguably dilutes Seat’s brand identity and ultimately questions the marque’s future. Despite the suffix, the Toledo Concept is set to become a production reality, with sales due to begin in late 2012. At 4.48 metres (14’ 8”) long, it’s just s...