Pontiac Trans Am reborn

OK, not officially, but Lingenfelter Performance Engineering of Indiana has created what it thinks a modern Trans Am might have looked like had General Motors not pulled the plug on the Pontiac brand.

Called the Lingenfelter TA, the car is based on the current Chevrolet Camaro SS and takes the 1971 Trans Am as its design inspiration.

Not many of the Camaro’s panels survive the transformation intact. The front end is completely replaced, as are the rear quarter panels and all of the lights. Finishing off the exterior are 20" wheels, Nitto tyres and a Corsa exhaust system. Meanwhile, the interior is very 70s retro, and it features custom seats, centre console, door panels, carpets and a turned metal instrument panel.

Engine capacity has been increased from 6.2 litres (376 cu in) 7.5 litres (455 cu in) and, with modifications including a ported and polished cylinder head, forged aluminium pistons and a new inlet manifold, it now produces 655 bhp (488 kW / 664 PS) and 827 Nm (610 lb ft) of torque. Drive is via a six-speed manual transmission.

Cost of the V8 SS-based Lingenfelter TA is around $150,000 (about £98,000 / €118,000), including the donor car. However, if a V6 Camaro is used instead the price falls to around $85,000 (£55,000 / €67,000).

Mitsubishi i-MiEV costs

The economics of running an electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV are being questioned, incredibly, by Mitsubishi itself.

In figures that were provided to the BBC, the manufacturer seems to be warning anyone considering buying an i-MiEV that a normal petrol-powered car, such as the Fiat 500 Lounge 1.2, could actually be cheaper to own. That’s because the i-MiEV’s lower fuel and servicing costs might fail to offset the biggest cost factor: depreciation.



In fact, according to Mitsubishi, the i-MiEV only becomes a better value proposition when the expense of the London Congestion Charge is taken into account. However, with cars that emit 100 g/km or less of CO2 not having to pay the charge if changes currently under discussion are approved, the i-MiEV (and in fairness other electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf) become an expensive method to achieve free driving in London. And, of course, that is all totally irrelevant if you never drive in London.



Perhaps the point is that the depreciation characteristics of electric cars are a huge unknown. In preparing its numbers, Mitsubishi has just assumed that their car will be worth 49% of its list price after three years, the same as the Fiat 500.



It could easily be 59%, or 39%, or any other number - nobody knows. What potential customers need to consider though is that the i-MiEV and Leaf are first generation electric cars. The technology used is still in its infancy, and it can be guaranteed that the biggest issues - battery cost, life and range - will all be overcome in the coming years.



That could end up making first generation electric cars obsolete, in much the same way that the very first mobile phones are now viewed as antiques. If so, the result will be pitiful residual values.



Either Mitsubishi is being extremely honest, or it has just committed a huge public relations faux pas.



Read the BBC article here.

Lotus Evora S announced

The Europa may have been quietly dropped from the range, and the Elise / Exige line-up is facing an uncertain future in Europe due to emissions legislation, but Lotus is promising some important unveilings at September’s Paris Motor Show.



However, perhaps feeling that the wait might be too much for some, the company has decided to reveal a couple of its new products ahead of the show.



The first is the Evora S, which takes the standard Evora’s 3.5 litre V6 and adds a supercharger. As a result, power output leaps from 276 bhp (206 kW / 280 PS) to 345 bhp (257 kW / 350 PS), a significant 25% increase.

With torque also rising from 350 Nm to 400 Nm, it’s no surprise that performance is improved: 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in the S takes 4.8 seconds, while its top speed is 172 mph (276 km/h). By comparison, the normally aspirated Evora manages 5.1 seconds and 162 mph (261 km/h).



But the extra power is just one element of what makes the Evora S different. The suspension settings have also been fine tuned, there are cross-drilled brakes and a ‘sport’ button comes fitted as standard. Pressing this raises the rev limit, changes the dynamic stability control settings, improves throttle response and activates an exhaust by-pass valve. Visually, the S is distinguished by a larger rear diffuser.



No word on prices for the Evora S yet but, with the standard 2+2 costing £49,995 in the UK, expect a premium for the quicker version of around £8,000 - £10,000?



The second announcement is the arrival of an automatic gearbox option for the 276 bhp Evora. Called Intelligent Precision Shift (IPS for short), the six-speed transmission has been introduced to ‘broaden the appeal of the Evora and reach out to a slightly different market’ according to Dany Bahar, Lotus Chief Executive Officer. That means Lotus is hunting sales in the Middle East, Asian and North American territories, where many drivers either struggle to change gears manually or simply can’t be bothered.

IPS allows the driver to switch between manual paddle shift and automatic drive modes, although performance suffers thanks to the auto ’box and a slight weight increase from 1,382 kg to 1,436 kg. Acceleration to 62 mph will take 5.5 seconds, and top speed drops to 155 mph (250 km/h). Again, pricing for the IPS option is to be confirmed.

Citroen DS3 Racing

The Citroen DS3 Racing will cost £23,100 when UK sales start in early 2011. That’s a lot for a fancy three-door Citroen C3 but, with right hand drive production limited to just 200 units, demand should comfortably outstrip supply.

Based on the existing DS3 DSport THP 150, the Racing version has an uprated 1.6 lire turbo engine which produces 204 bhp (152 kW / 207 PS) and 275 Nm of torque. Consequently, performance is rapid with the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint taking only 6.5 seconds. Top speed is 146 mph (235 km/h).



To go with that extra power, the chassis has also been tweaked. The DS3 Racing gets bespoke dampers, wider (by 30 mm) front and rear tracks and a lower (by 15 mm) ride height, all of which is claimed to sharpen the handling and enhance control. The brakes have also been beefed up, with Citroen fitting four piston calipers and upgraded front discs.



As would be expected given the price, equipment levels are fairly generous. Standard specification includes climate control and Bluetooth connectivity, although not throwing in satellite navigation too is just being stingy.



Available to order from the beginning of September, the DS3 Racing comes in two colour schemes: Obsidian Black pearlescent body with a Sport Orange roof, or Polar White body with a Carbon Grey roof. Whichever is chosen, the roof colour is carried across to the dashboard fascia, tailgate spoiler, door mirrors, alloy wheels, Citroen chevrons and the grille surround.



Completing the look are plenty of carbon fibre bits to emphasise the Racing’s sporty credentials. On the outside these include the wheel arch extensions and rear diffuser, while inside the centre console, steering wheel and door inserts all get the carbon treatment.



The DS3 Racing is going to be up against other expensive superminis such as the equally fast £21,875 Mini John Cooper Works, or the marginally slower £19,650 Renault Clio Gordini 200. But it’s also worth considering that on price it will actually be competing with hot hatches from the segment above, for instance the £23,160 Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup and the £21,500 Seat Leon Cupra.



However, perhaps what really puts the DS3 Racing’s steep price in perspective is knowing that an extra £3,000 would buy something like a BMW 125i M Sport Coupé, with its rear-wheel drive and 215 bhp (160 kW / 218 PS) six cylinder engine.

Vans Car Modify

Vans Car Modify

UK i-MiEV prices slashed

Mitsubishi has finally realised that charging £33,699 for its electric i-MiEV was a bad joke. Even the most environmentally-conscious early adopter was going to have a problem paying that for a city car with a modest 90 mile (145 km) range.

So now the i-MiEV’s UK price has been slashed to a more palatable £28,990 which, purely coincidentally (yeah, right), is exactly what Nissan will be charging for the Leaf.

Taking off the government’s recently confirmed £5,000 OLEV Plug-in Car Grant, that means both the Mitsubishi and Nissan will effectively cost £23,990 when they go on sale at the beginning of next year.

Suzuki V-Strom 650A XP

Suzuki’s range of 645 cc V-twin middleweights continues to expand. Following the re-launch of the SV650S back in May, there’s now another member of the V-Strom family.



The V-Strom 650A XP - to give the new arrival its full title - is based on the existing ABS-equipped model. What makes the XP unique is all the extras that Suzuki has thrown at it, in an attempt to appeal to serious touring / adventure riders. So, standard kit includes black aluminium panniers (with a total capacity of 82 litres), a centre stand and plenty of guards (for the engine, sump and rider’s hands).

Available from the end of August in a choice of Candy Max Orange or Metallic Oort Grey, the V-Strom 650A XP has a UK retail price of £7,300, which translates to £7,425 on the road.

An obvious competitor will be the BMW F 650 GS which, with the optional centre stand and ABS specified, costs £7,210 OTR. Of course, at that price it still lacks the various guards and panniers of the V-Strom, but the BMW still has two things in its favour that may appeal to certain riders.



The first is weight, because the F 650 GS weighs 199 kg ready to ride and fully fuelled. That’s considerably lighter than the Suzuki which, in standard V-Strom 650A guise, has a ‘kerb mass’ of 220 kg. Data for the XP version has yet to be released but, given its additional equipment, expect it to be even heavier.



The second is seat height. Although both bikes have standard seat heights of 820 mm, the BMW can be ordered with a 795 mm low seat at no extra charge. Alternatively, for £165 the F 650 GS can be built with tweaked suspension that lowers it down to 765 mm.

Greetings from Holland. Images from a Cottage I visited. I will be back by the end of August ...

Corvette UK-bound?

Following the official announcement that Chevrolet is to start offering its Camaro in the UK, the latest rumour is that the Corvette will be joining it.

According to Auto Express magazine, sales are due to start next May. The Corvette hasn’t been available here since Dutch importer Kroymans went bust, an event that was also responsible for the temporary non-availability of Cadillac in Europe.



In the US, prices for the Corvette start at $48,950 for the 430 bhp (320 kW / 436 PS) Coupe with entry-level 1LT trim, rising to $111,100 for the 638 bhp (475 kW / 646 PS) ZR1 variant.

At today’s exchange rates, that would mean UK prices of around £31,380 to £71,220. However, the reality probably won’t be that simple, and potential customers should be prepared for Chevrolet to just swap the ‘$’ symbols for ‘£’ signs, leaving the US numbers pretty much unchanged.



The Corvette should be exclusive though, with predicted annual retails of just 100 units. Presumably, given that kind of volume, the steering wheel will remain firmly on the left.





All images © GM Corp.

458 Italia wrecked

If proof were needed that money can buy a Ferrari 458 Italia, but not necessarily the driving talent to go with it, this YouTube clip is it.



Apparently the video shows a customer picking up his pride and joy from the Maranello factory, only to get it very intimate with a tree the next day. Luckily there were no serious injuries, thanks to the car's crumple zone and airbags.



Should be an interesting one to explain to the insurance company.

World’s fastest saloon

A new record for the world’s fastest saloon car was established earlier this year by German tuner G-Power. Its Hurricane RS - based on the BMW M5 and boasting 739 bhp (551 kW / 750 PS) - reached 228.2 mph (367.4 km/h).



But now that record has been broken… by G-Power. This time though, it used the Hurricane RR. A development of the RS, the RR’s power is taken up to 789 bhp (588 kW / 800 PS) thanks to twin ASA T1-316 superchargers, Mahle forged pistons, redesigned connecting rods, strengthened piston pins and a remapped ECU.

With its extra 80 bhp, the Hurricane RR managed to hit 231.2 mph (372.1 km/h). The only change made to the car ahead of its record attempt was substituting the standard 20” wheels for 19” items. That was to accommodate special Michelin Sport Pilot tyres, certified for speeds over 230 mph (370 km/h).



Obviously, though, there are other benefits from having all that horsepower: G-Power reckons the Hurricane RR will accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.35 seconds, 0-124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.5 seconds and 0-186 mph (300 km/h) in 25.8 seconds.



The RR package also includes the ‘Highline’ body kit, which is designed for high speed stability while increasing air flow to the engine to aid cooling. High performance brakes are fitted and the suspension features G-Power RS coilover suspension that is adjustable for ride height, compression and rebound. Changes to the interior are confined to plenty of carbon fibre trim, a G-Power steering wheel and a replacement speedometer that reads up to 250 mph (400 km/h).



Customers can order the Hurricane RR as a complete car, with prices starting at €252,100 (about £206,100). Alternatively, individual components can be fitted to an M5 - and that includes the touring.

Renault Koleos axed

Renault has a history of its more adventurous models - such as the Avantime and Vel Satis - not doing so well in the UK.



It’s unlikely the design of the Koleos SUV has ever been labelled daring, but nevertheless it seems that UK buyers have also ignored it in their droves. So much so, Renault has decided to pull the model from its range here, conveniently citing the credit crunch for a lack of sales.

Built in South Korea by Renault Samsung, the only version available was the £24,705 Dynamique S. Powered by a 148 bhp (110 kW / 150 PS) 2.0 diesel engine, perhaps its strongest feature was the generous equipment level. Climate control, satellite navigation, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and a Bose stereo all came as standard.



But poor dynamics and limited space in the back let it down and, in the end, it just couldn’t compete with the likes of the Land Rover Freelander and Volkswagen Tiguan. Doubtless badge snobbery influenced many buying decisions, too.



According to Renault UK they have about twenty cars left if stock and no more will be imported. The Koleos continues in other European markets, though.

Confusing Suzuki SX4

Car manufacturers are generally very careful when choosing car names, in case something is lost in translation. That’s why, for example, the Mitsubishi Pajero is known as the Montero for the Spanish market, and the Buick LaCrosse was originally renamed Allure in Canada to better appeal to French speakers.



The easy solution is to just use letters and numbers, although that didn’t work out too well for Toyota when its MR2 went on sale in France. And that strategy can also lead to a long string of nonsense, which is where Suzuki comes in.



Its SX4 has been around for nearly four years now. Sporting mini-SUV looks and that name, casual observers might be lured into thinking it has four-wheel drive - which it probably doesn’t. The latest model names just add to the confusion.

The entry-level version is known as the SZ3 (no sign of an SZ1 or SZ2), which features niceties such as four electric windows, six airbags, eight speakers but no four-wheel drive. There’s only one engine choice, a 1.6 litre petrol that produces 118 bhp (88 kW / 120 PS).



45.6 mpg (6.2 l/100km) on the combined cycle is good, as is a CO2 emissions figure of 143 g/km. However, it looks like economy has been the priority, as 0-62 mph (100 km/h) acceleration takes a leisurely 10.7 seconds and the top speed is 115 mph (185 km/h). The UK on the road price for the SZ3 is £11,750.



Next up is the SX4 SZ4. Now you’d think that with all those 4s surely it must have four-wheel drive? But no… still front-wheel drive, and still just that 1.6 litre petrol on offer, although it can be had with a performance-sapping automatic gearbox. Additional spec over the SZ3 includes 16” alloys, keyless entry and start, side body protection and fully automatic air con. The SZ4 costs £12,395, with the optional automatic £1,025 extra.



Completing the revised line-up is the SZ5. This too is available with the petrol engine, although there’s also a 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) 2.0 litre diesel on offer. The former comes with rear privacy glass, while the latter adds cruise control and a six-speed manual gearbox to the standard kit list.



The shocking news is that both have Suzuki’s i-AWD (intelligent - All Wheel Drive) system. This has three modes that the driver can switch between: 4WD-Auto, 4WD-Lock, and 2WD.



As expected, the SZ5 diesel is less thirsty than the petrol, achieving 51.4 mpg (5.5 l/100km) on the combined cycle. It’s marginally slower though, with a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h).



It’s quite a bit more expensive, too. Whereas the petrol SZ5 costs £14,235, the diesel version is £15,995.

Lewis Leathers Bullet

Royal Enfield has got together with Lewis Leathers to create a very stylish version of its 500 cc Bullet Classic.

The special edition features a unique paint scheme for the tank, with the design being echoed in the mudguard and side panel graphics. It also gets a black and cream two-tone solo leather seat, plus leather panniers embossed with the Lewis Leathers logo. The final touch is an upswept sports exhaust.

Available exclusively in the UK, anyone wanting one will have to be quick as only fifty are going to be produced. The on the road price of the Lewis Leathers Royal Enfield Bullet Classic is £5,695.

BBR upgrades Focus RS

How much power can you put through the front wheels of a Focus RS? Ford reckoned 345 bhp (253 kW / 350 PS) was enough when it released the RS500 earlier this year, and Mountune followed suit with its similar MP350 conversion.



But for tuners BBR of Brackley, Northamptonshire, that seems to be only the starting point. After 18 months of development work, it has just announced a range of modifications for the Focus RS as the car reaches the end of its lifecycle.

Phase One consists of a BBR StarChip ECU software upgrade. This is said to improve driveability, especially throttle response. BBR also replaces the induction hose with one made out of silicon, as it found the standard unit would distort under load and restrict airflow. Power increases from the standard car’s 300 bhp (224 kW / 305 PS) to 337 bhp (251 kW / 342 PS), while maximum torque leaps from 440 Nm to 500 Nm. The price in the UK is £595, which seems rather good value.



So, almost on a par with the RS500 / MP350 already, but that’s just the start…



Phase Two, known as the BBR RS355, adds a high-flow intercooler and more replacement hoses, in a bid to free up airflow to and from the turbocharger. The air filter is also upgraded, all of which results in 350 bhp (261 kW / 355 PS) and 512 Nm of torque. Phase Two costs £1,245, and it can be fitted by the owner. Alternatively, BBR will do the installation for an extra £195 while you wait (albeit quite a long wait of four to five hours).



BBR says Phase Three isn’t for the faint hearted! As the BBR RS380 moniker implies, that’s because there’ll be 376 bhp (281 kW / 380 PS) and 526 Nm of torque fighting its way through those poor front tyres. The additional 26 bhp over Phase Two is achieved by replacing the standard exhaust with BBR’s own stainless steel item (which retains a catalytic converter) and changing the fuel injectors to cope with the higher fuelling demands. The ‘DIY’ price is £2,495, and fitting by BBR costs £345.



Finally, there’s Phase Four. BBR swaps the standard turbocharger for its own motorsport-spec item and adds a high-flow fuel pump. The upshot is the BBR RS400, which boasts 398 bhp (297 kW / 404 PS) and a maximum torque figure of 553 Nm. That’s more than a Porsche 911 Carrera S (380 bhp / 420 Nm) or Jaguar XK (379 bhp / 515 Nm) for example, both of which are rear-wheel drive for a reason. Phase Four costs £3,895, plus £595 for fitting, although buyers might also want to budget for some fresh front tyres every month or so?



Alas, BBR hasn’t revealed any performance figures for its RS conversions, but expect anything beyond Phase One to better the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 5.6 seconds and 160 mph top speed achieved by Ford’s own RS500.



BBR is also offering spring and damper sets for the Focus RS. Surprisingly, perhaps, these have been developed with the aim of improving the ride quality of the car, while lowering it slightly. Prices are £195 and £795 respectively, plus £300 for fitting and geometry set-up.

MV Agusta sold

Back in 2008, Harley-Davidson spent around £65 million buying MV Agusta from the Castiglioni family. But now it’s selling it… back to the Castiglionis.

The disposal of the Italian firm is part of Harley-Davidson’s strategy to concentrate purely on its core brand, something the now defunct Buell fell victim to last year.



Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our decision to divest MV Agusta reflects our strategy to focus our efforts and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to long-term growth." However, he didn’t disclose what the sales proceeds were.



It’s not as if the Castiglionis will have to re-familiarise themselves with the business. Claudio Castiglioni - who along with Giovanni Castiglioni and Massimo Bordi will be running MV Agusta - remained as the company’s chairman throughout the short period of Harley-Davidson ownership.



MV Agusta also owns the Cagiva brand.

Fiat 500C by Diesel

It seems that Fiat is pumping out a special edition 500 on an almost weekly basis at the moment. Perhaps it’s trying to milk its city car cash cow before the lustre finally wears off?



Latest arrival is a collaboration between Fiat and posh jeans maker Diesel. There was previously a Diesel 500 hatch launched back in 2008, but now it’s the turn of the convertible.

The 500C by Diesel is pretty much the usual special edition fare. Buyers will be able to choose from one of three exclusive colours (Midnight Indigo Blue, Crossover Black or Diesel Green), while unique 16” alloys, a burnished metal finish for various bits of trim and - naturally - numerous Diesel badges complete the exterior look.



The interior doesn’t escape either, and the seats are covered in a denim fabric with yellow stitching. Like the 500C Lounge on which it’s based, the 500C by Diesel also gets automatic climate control and rear parking sensors as standard. That latter feature should come in handy as, judging from the picture, rearwards visibility with the hood retracted appears to be approximately nil.



Engine choice comprises the 1.3 litre MultiJet diesel or 1.2 litre and 1.4 litre petrols which, given the car’s name, should lead to some hilarious miss-fuelling accidents by the unwary. The revolutionary TwinAir two-cylinder petrol unit unfortunately isn’t available.



In the UK, the Fiat 500C by Diesel models cost exactly £1,000 more than their Lounge equivalents. That means prices start from £14,865 for the 1.2 litre version, while the 1.4 litre petrol is £16,265. Most expensive is the diesel Diesel at £17,265, which is getting rather too close to the £17,500 Abarth 500C.

Maruti Suzuki Alto-K10

For a few years now, the Maruti Suzuki Alto has been the best selling car in India. Now there is a new addition to the range, the Alto-K10.

It gets its name from its 998 cc K-series engine, a three cylinder unit that produces 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS) and 90 Nm of torque. That’s a big increase over the 46 bhp (35 kW / 47 PS) of the existing 796 cc Alto models, which incidentally remain on sale.

With the extra horsepower, performance is fairly brisk. Acceleration from rest to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 13.3 seconds, a vast improvement on the unhurried 17.7 seconds the 796 cc Alto manages. Despite the enhanced performance, fuel consumption is actually slightly better too. The Alto-K10 achieves 57 mpg (5.0 l/100km / 20.2 km/l), which Maruti Suzuki claims is best in class.

Other technical changes include an improved suspension, which retains 160 mm of ground clearance, and an upgraded braking system. There’s also a new cable type transmission that’s supposed to make changing gears easier.

Visually, the biggest difference between the Alto-K10 and other Alto models is the nose. It has been extended by 125 mm to accommodate the larger engine, and has more aggressive styling which incorporates as standard front fog lights. Around the back, the tailgate and rear lights have also been redesigned. Buyers get a choice of six colours, namely Sunlight Copper, Midnight Black, Fire Brick Red, Superior White, Ecru Beige or Silky Silver.

On the inside, the obvious changes are the two-tone upholstery and revised instruments. But there is also more knee room for rear seat passengers, plus features such as electric front windows and remote opening for the fuel filler cap and tailgate.

The introductory price (in Delhi) for the Alto-K10 is Rs. 3.16 lakh for the VXi version, while the LXi is Rs. 3.03 lakh. That’s around a 9 percent premium over the 796 cc LXi, which costs Rs. 2.77 lakh.