Archive for the ‘New Cars’ Category

Honda NSX to Make a Return

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Last week we blogged about just a handful of the exciting cars to look forward to this year, and today we bring you news that a new, eagerly anticipated, Honda NSX is on the way. The only problem being, who knows when? Certainly not this year, or in the next couple, but maybe in three years time if Honda stick to their timeframe.

However, regardless of that, an NSX concept was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, however, it wasn’t actually promoted as a Honda, but an Acura (the American version of Honda).

It has to be said that the concept car looks pretty impressive with stylish, angular lines making it look like the ideal futuristic supercar. Furthermore, it probably won’t be another run of the mill supercar as it will, hopefully, follow in the footsteps of the original, which only had around 270bhp.

The beauty and brilliance of the original was the way it drove, the way it cornered and the noise it made. If the new NSX can tick those boxes then it’s happy days for the Honda NSX once again. This is indeed a supercar that doesn’t need to be filled with X-trillion horsepower, all it needs is to be designed with the same attitude as the previous model and bingo, it will likely be a fantastic car that will put a very large smile on your face.

It’s been well documented that Formula One icon, Ayrton Senna, had a helping hand in the development of the original NSX as he advised Honda, who were the engine manufacturers of all three of his World Championship winning cars, that the chassis needed to be stiffened, and Honda admiring, respecting and trusting Senna’s word, did just that! And it paid off as the NSX notoriously became one of the best handling cars on the market.

Now back to this new NSX, apparently it will come with a high-revving (good stuff) V6 engine, much like the original, so it is almost certain that the noise that will come out the back of the performance exhaust system will be truly awesome, however the new NSX has a twist…it’s a hybrid. Honda’s boss is adamant though that it will not get in the way of petrol head heaven, as he says: “The NSX will enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.”

The hybrid nature of the car goes thus far: there will be two small electric motors at the front of the car which will allow independent drive to each wheel and the ability to tighten or loosen the car’s cornering line for some effective torque vectoring, whilst another electric motor will be embedded in the gearbox to enhance the V6’s power. This is one clever concept that is sure to be fuel efficient also as the car will reclaim braking energy whilst also having added performance and some thrilling cornering capabilities.

With Honda again thinking about how best to utilise their tasty V6, the new NSX is sure to be a winner!

Drifty Gallardo is one for Purists

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

It has been announced that a new rear wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo is on its way! Lamborghini bosses claim that it is for the “purists” among us. Whilst the first shots of the car look incredible, it also sounds incredible on paper. The previous rear wheel drive Lambo was the Balboni, and that was an exciting piece of machinery!

This new Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, it seems, is therefore one for the wealthy drifters out there. Lambo have decided to ditch the standard four-wheel drive setup for this model, and instead have had to tweak the car’s dynamics in order to deal with its new-found sideways lunacy. To emphasise this fact, Lamborghini have fitted the real axle with a 45% locking differential and programmed the “Corsa” setting to enable “larger drift angles” – Lamborghini themselves have said this, I kid you not!

The new Gallardo is also fitted with a very similar engine to the one in the previous Gallardo, however it is ever so slightly down on power. Still, the 5.2 litre V10 is no wimp! It kicks out 550bhp and 398 lb-ft torque, whilst simultaneously etching a very large smile across your face – it’s a clever car.

The Lambo will scream its way from 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and will continuing blaring all the way up to 198mph. That V10 is an absolutely exquisite engine, and coupled with Lamborghini’s performance exhaust system, produces one of the greatest sounds in the automotive world – if you are lucky enough to hear, or drive one, then you will indeed know exactly what I mean.

The standard six-speed manual gearbox remains in place with the option to use the paddle shifters that tempt the driver behind the wheel. Although, if this car really is meant for purists, surely the proper stick shift manual is the only way to go!

The CEO of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, has been quoted saying: “With the Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder, we are expanding the Lamborghini line-up with a purist model that adds yet another dimension of driving fun.”

He has also stated that this particular Gallardo will “appeal to a very special group of customers that enjoy a spirited driving style and also like to experience the sheer pleasure of open-air driving”. Roughly translated, that means it will get sideways and make you giggle like a small child on Christmas Eve!

This new Gallardo is on its way in the New Year and will likely set buyers back a fair wad of cash, however, with all the ingredients considered the new Lambo is, so far, looking more than worth it. Now I’ve just got to find a spare couple of hundred grand from somewhere to satisfy my “purist” needs!

New Citroën C3 to be Released

Monday, November 7th, 2011

Citroën’s brand new C3 is about to go on sale this month. It is reported to be their cleanest ever diesel, offering a fuel economy of 83.1mpg with emissions of 87g/km. These are extremely impressive figures, and if true, the C3 most certainly will be the cleanest diesel ever launched by the French manufacturer.

It starts at £15,290 and will be one of the most efficient non-electric cars on the market. The most efficient diesel is currently the Smart ForTwo with a fuel economy of 85.6mpg and efficiency of 88g/km.

The C3 e-HDI 70 Airdream EGS VTR+ was revealed at The Frankfurt Motor Show, and I doubt I am alone when I say that the cars title is quite a mouthful. Let’s hope it’s not as clumsy to drive as it is to articulate.

The C3 comes with 63bhp, which is reasonable from a small car, however Citroën believe the economic benefits will outweigh any concerns with regard to power and performance. Jules Tilstone, Marketing Director of Citroen UK has said: “With impressive fuel economy, low CO2 emissions, a BIK rate at just 13%, free VED and the benefit of no London Congestion Charge, this stylish model is a financially and environmentally attractive addition to the Citroën range.”

The C3 will benefit from micro-hybrid Stop & Start technology. This system is designed to switch the engine off while idle to save fuel before instantly rebooting when the accelerator is applied.

Clever stuff indeed, and another great, innovative way for emissions to be lowered for our small cars.

However, the C3, it seems is only really designed for city driving, much like most of the small cars these days. I’ve had the experience myself of taking a small, economical hatchback on the motorway and burning through a worrying amount of diesel because the engine just revs too high in order to do between 60 and 70mph. They say that you should take your diesel car for a run at around 2,500rpm for about half an hour every now and then in order to clear the Diesel Particulate Filter; however this will burn through diesel and your wallet and it will probably work out better to have your DPF cleaned out at regular intervals.

I have a lot of time for small cars, I’ve owned several, and they can be great fun to drive because they feel, or at least should feel, light and nippy. Whether the new C3 integrates these fun and familiar aspects is something that remains to be seen.

Mopar Unveils V10 Powerhouse at SEMA

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Here at Longlife we are big fans of large, powerful, hair raising, adrenaline pumping, and ultimately fast engines and so we thought that it was only right to bring you the news that Chrysler’s tuning parts subsidiary, Mopar, have unveiled a brand spanking new engine at the SEMA Motor Show in Las Vegas, which we have been attending.

The engine in question is an 8.4 litre V10 monster!

The Competition Series V10 features an aluminium block and cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods along with forged aluminium pistons. It will deliver a furious 800bhp and a world spinning 695 lb-ft of torque. The engine will rev to a maximum of 7000rpm, at which point the world really will be spinning backwards whilst whatever car is being powered by the Mopar unit is sent hurtling through time!

The engine is currently unavailable for your road car however as it has been specifically designed for drag racing. Nonetheless, Mopar has hinted at the idea of it being put to use in future road racing projects along with a version that could be designed for off-road use.

Another serious and impressive engine that was showcased by Mopar at SEMA was a 590bhp version of Chrysler’s HEMI V8. Now this is an engine that can be bolted into your road car, provided it fits of course! The new HEMI will be 45kg lighter thanks to its cast iron block being replaced with a lighter aluminium one.

Furthermore, we have additional Chrysler news as the new Dodge Viper is currently being developed. This is very exciting news for all petrol heads as the Viper is an iconic machine that represents so much for petrol heads across the world. The Viper signifies speed, power, passion and sheer adrenaline. Even the name gets your heart pumping and your palms sweaty! The new Viper is likely to be fitted with a 600bhp, 8.7 litre V10. That may be smaller than the aforementioned Mopar unit, however, it is still a huge engine that will get your stainless steel exhausts burbling and put a very large smile on the face of whoever may be lucky enough to take the reins!

The new Viper will also come with stability control for the first time ever…let’s hope that can be switched off however…

Chrysler have said that the car is expected to launch in late 2012, with customer cars expected to be delivered in early 2013. If you want one, then we suggest you place your order fast!

California on the Horizon

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Ferrari are set to release an updated version of their rather beautiful California. It has been reported that the new car will be launched in 2012 and it will be more powerful, lighter, and will also be fitted with a range of new technology.

Production for the Prancing Horse’s new model will begin in January 2012 with the first UK models set to arrive in March.

The new California will come armed with a direct-injection 4.3 litre V8 that will have 30bhp more than the previous model. The new car will therefore boast a ground shaking 483bhp. The torque figures have also climbed to 373 lb-ft.

Ferrari HQ has said that the increase in power is thanks to some new software and improved machining of the internals. An example of this is the new exhaust which is now “optimised micro cast”. Meanwhile, the ECU has been reprogrammed to deliver the power outputs across multiple types of petrol.

The new California will also weigh less, at 1705kg. This has been achieved by a lighter aluminium alloy that has been incorporated in certain parts of the chassis. The new Prancing Horse will now get from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. For a convertible of this size that is pretty quick!

The Ferrari also comes with an optional Handling Speciale pack and upgraded dampers.

Whilst writing this article, a thought occurred – will we ever see a diesel powered Ferrari? Diesel engines are being developed each and every year to race at the top level, for example the Le Mans series that goes all around the world and Audi seem to be leading the way in developing powerful diesel engines, so why have Ferrari not adopted a diesel car into their range?

Perhaps a diesel engine is indeed in the pipeline, however, would we even want to see a diesel powered Ferrari?

Surely one of the main aspects of a Ferrari is the noise it makes, yet even the diesel powered Le Mans racers are notoriously quiet. Furthermore, would Ferrari be able to develop the diesel components in order to handle all the power and fury that a Ferrari brings? How often would the diesel particulate filter have to be cleaned or changed for example? However, surely Ferrari would use their extremely clever minds to take diesels to new levels.

Diesel powered Ferrari’s are something that we may never see, and perhaps something we never want to see, or are they? As always it would be great to hear your views…

Toyota and Subaru Join Forces

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Toyota and Subaru’s joint ventures are set to be revealed at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. The Toyota FT-86 and Subaru BRZ are set to be unveiled after a long time in the pipeline.

They are both being launched in the UK next summer, and are designed in an attempt to salvage the rather dull reputations of both companies.

So far we know that they will both come equipped with a Subaru-derived flat four engine and a six speed manual gearbox, with the option of taking an automatic ‘box if preferred. The power output however will differ between the two cars. The Toyota is said to come with around 200bhp, whilst the Subaru will have an extra 100bhp or so.

The two cars will be identical underneath. They will both get limited-slip differentials and independent suspension. On the outside, however, they will look slightly different from one another thanks to the specific grills, badges and wheels of each car.

The FT-86 is said to be designed to appeal to the drifting community. The car has a very clever stability control system that will allow you to get the tail out before it then cuts in and stops you from too much sideways tomfoolery. Savvy drifters will of course know how to tinkle with such a system in order to get the most out of the car however.

The Toyota will also have some intricate suspension refinements, along with top-spec dampers and Euro-biased handling. The car will reportedly cost around £20,000, which is very reasonable for something that sounds so tasty!

The FT-86 currently looks like it could be every modifiers dream! It will be interesting to see how the drifters and modifiers out there take to the Toyota. Of course, if it is a hit, then there will be large numbers of people investing in a performance exhaust system for their shiny new motor!

Meanwhile, the details on the Subaru are, currently, a little hazier. All we know is it will not be four wheel drive, and will be a touch more expensive, around £25,000. And, it will be more powerful. So, a rear wheel drive Subaru boasting around 300bhp…perhaps the Scooby will appeal more to the drifting community then, however, this will be revealed in due course when more details are made available to us.

One thing is for sure, both cars are set to be very exciting editions to what have become rather stale production lines for the two companies.

The DeLorean is Back…in the Future

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

It has been announced this week that the legendary DeLorean that was made famous in the 1980s movie classic, “Back to the Future”, will be making a return to our roads. The DeLorean Motor Company, based in Texas, has teamed up with, the rather aptly named, Flux Power of California, in order to create a battery powered electric motor, similar to the one found in the successful Tesla Roadster.

The new DeLorean is set to launch in 2013, with the electric motor producing 200bhp that will propel the iconic looking car from 0-60mph in less than eight seconds. The prototype has already been tested on the road and the track, and these figures are certainly looking realistic. The DeLorean is also said to handle significantly better than the original, which was always dogged by handling issues, partly due to the four cylinder engine being mounted behind the rear wheels.

The president of DMC, Stephen Wynne, has said that he hopes to sell the electric DeLorean for around $90,000. The car will even come with iPod connectivity and satellite navigation; two things that weren’t even dreamed of back in 1985 when Doc Brown first got his hands on the stainless steel machine. With the car being powered by an electric motor, it’s doubtful that the new car will come fitted with stainless steel exhausts to match that famous body work though.

Whilst initially this is very exciting news, it leaves me with a slight twang of worry. The worry being that the iconic, and fabled reputation of the DeLorean, largely thanks to the hit film starring Michael J. Fox, will be somewhat tarnished.

Whilst the bosses over at DMC obviously see a fantastic money making opportunity, and whilst they also have an incredible marketing tool, the brand name along with the fame earned through the three “Back to the Future” films, I can’t help but think such a legend should be left how it is.

The electric DeLorean is something I am very sceptical about for this very reason. If we think about legends that have, in a sense been reborn, there are numerous examples of reputations that have been stained upon revival. Perhaps the most relevant example would be the Mini.

This was a British icon the world over, and also a very successful rally car. When the new BMW version came along it was very exciting news, and Mini’s were snapped up like the latest must buy fashion accessory, but as time has passed the new look Mini just does not compare to that legendary sixties icon. For a start it is no longer thought of as a truly British car, especially when the only place to buy them is a BMW dealership…

Furthermore, the Mini was all about how small and light it was, whereas now BMW have taken it places it was just never meant to go. For example the Mini Countryman and the Mini Coupé are just more ways for BMW to exploit that fabled name. The original Mini was voted as the second most influential car of the 20th century, I can almost guarantee the new Mini wouldn’t even be voted the second most influential car of this decade, let alone century.

My point is it would be such a shame for the DeLorean to return to criticism and disappointment. Whilst it all initially sounds great and is very exciting news, it can, provided the project isn’t a resounding success, be potentially damaging for the iconic DeLorean name.

Hopefully this is one DeLorean that will be more than welcome when it returns back to the future.

The Latest Power Trained Ford Set to Arrive

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

The latest in the line of fast Ford’s has already been announced: the 2012 Focus ST. This will be available, worldwide, at some point in the new year. The new ST was revealed as early as the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and has since toured the majority of motor shows. The Frankfurt Motor Show, however, saw the first production version of the car which is already shaping up to be a popular choice for many.

The ST will be powered by a 2.0 litre twin-cam 16-valve turbocharged engine that will produce 247bhp and 260lb-ft of torque. The car will also come with a six speed manual, or Ford’s all new six speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Ford themselves have stressed that the car will drive well, and will also sound special thanks to a specially modified performance exhaust system, similar to what was seen on the Focus RS and the exhilarating Focus RS500. Ford’s very own Jost Capito has stated: “People loved the sound of the previous Focus ST. The physics and acoustics of a five cylinder engine compared to a four cylinder are very different, but like Beethoven and Mozart – both of whom created fantastic yet very different music – we believe the engine note of the new Focus ST will delight enthusiasts in the same way.”

Ford have been producing powerful and exciting, yet affordable, cars for a number of years now. If we go as far back as the 1960s, Ford were producing the first Escort’s, and then in the 70s we saw the Escort Mexico models and further Mark II Escort’s. Of course in the 1980s we then saw the Sierra RS Cosworth, which came with fully fledged motorsport potential thanks to its race-going counterpart that was winning nearly every touring and rally car competition under the sun.

Then in the 1990s came the even more powerful, even more exciting, and my personal favourite of the affordable, iconic, performance Ford’s, the Escort RS Cosworth. It came fitted with a Cosworth YBT, turbocharged 2.0 litre engine that was highly tune-able, and produced around 220bhp. Although in most cases, owners would boost this power through various modifications.

This just gives us an example of the potential and pedigree the new ST has. With the factory model already starting with more power than the tuner-friendly Cosworth beasts of the 80s and 90s, it seems that Ford Focus ST owners may be keen to tinkle with the performance of their shiny new engine.

Ford has stated that they will be targeting the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Mazda 3, and the Honda Civic Si as competition; however, if Focus ST owners follow the path of previous fast Ford owners, then we could be seeing a number of Focus ST’s challenging automotive royalty instead.

Audi RS3 Unveiled

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Audi have launched a new pocket rocket, the RS3. At first glance it is in keeping with most other performance Audi’s: stylish and elegant, yet brutish. And that is exactly what you get, a stylish and elegant appearance, with brutish performance!

Audi have taken the standard A3, which is already a reasonably nippy car, and shoved a 2.5 litre, five-cylinder, turbocharged monster of an engine under the bonnet. The RS3, consequently, boots out an exhilarating 335bhp, and will go from 0-62mph (100kph) in just a measly 4.6 seconds before completing the 0-125mph sprint in 17.5 seconds.

Audi have also added four wheel drive, and an impressive fast-shifting seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox to help deliver that ferocious power.

It quickly becomes apparent that Audi have created a machine that harks back to the legendary Quattro of the 80s that dominated the World Rally Championship for so many years.

The RS3, when tested on challenging roads in the Austrian Alps, allowed the power to arrive smoothly whilst thrusting the driver in the back all the same. It was reported that the drive was smooth, and that the driver felt in total control at all times.

Audi have enabled the gearbox to work either manually, or if the driver prefers, automatically, although on more challenging roads the paddle shifts will give a sportier, more responsive feel, whilst also making the driver feel like Jenson Button!

The RS3 sports a subtle spoiler, a rear diffuser and a very tasty looking performance exhaust system that will no doubt burble on tick over, and scream at top revs. Just what you want from a performance car then!

The RS3 also boasts quite reasonable fuel efficiency and Audi state that it will be able to achieve a very respectable 31mpg.

Furthermore, Audi’s latest creation is a complete sell out already here in Britain with all 500 models already having been snapped up by lucky owners, and at £39,930, the Audi is somewhat a bargain when you consider that it will be able to compete with Porsche 911’s whilst carrying your kids in the back at the same time!

The latest RS model to come out of the German manufacturer’s design and make booklet is, undoubtedly, a great addition to their current line of performance vehicles, and if you ever have the chance to drive one, it is sure to leave you in a sweat!

Road-Going Volkswagen Polo R Looms Large on the Horizon

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

The team at Volkswagen are preparing to launch a high performance version of their new Polo, which is set to get its first high profile showing at the 2013 World Rally Championships.

The German manufacturers have proved very reluctant to let their performance division R work on a modified version of the popular Polo hatchback. Apparently they had difficulty when it came to justifying the development of a rapid, high cost small vehicle.

However, the rally car prototype unveiled recently came with plenty of R branding and is widely regarded as the ‘Polo R WRC’. A road-going motor might make use of an upgraded version of the Volkswagen Group’s 1.4 litre pumped up turbocharged engine. This would generate 200bhp, far in excess of the Polo GTI.

Ulrich Hackenberg, VW board member, informed Autocar that the WRC campaign has built upon the Polo and is due to be introduced in 2 years time. It is this upcoming release which makes a spin-off of the GTI seem ‘more likely’.

“You can see how the World Rally Championship programme would increase the probability of an R version of the base model [Polo].” When asked for a time-frame, he said: “It is with the rally programme, not before it. I can’t give a precise date, but it’s along those lines,” he commented.

It would probably be around 10%-15% more expensive than the GTI. However, an issue for the German team may be that the R intrudes into the market currently occupied by the VW hot hatch. A possibly improved power to weight ratio may make the R a more attractive prospect than its closest rival.

The Polo R might come with 4WD transmission, and possibly even the same kind of system as that being used for the new Audi A1. It may also be kitted out with a throaty exhaust, to allow for a real race experience.

Luca De Meo, VW Executive Director put fuel on the fire of rumours about the new R by saying, “Rally is real, the people are accessible and people can identify with the cars they see competing on the stage. These are the cars we sell and the drivers are the artists of driving.”

“I make this point because in two years, the Polo is a global brand and the WRC is a global event and this is a very important reason why, from a marketing point of view, we supported this project,” he went on.