The new Sony PlayStation game ‘GT Sport’ was launched at London’s Copper Box Arena, to a wheel-spinning, tyre smoking fan-fare. Inviting a host of manufacturers to bring their specially made extreme concept cars, the floor was packed with dream machines - all of which feature in the new console game. A few privileged gamers were among the first to try out the new software, which was sanctioned by the FIA and built from the ground up to make global online competitions a reality. Speaking of reality, stunt drivers were on-hand outside to give guests a taste of real world racing.
Anticipation is building in the run up to the unveiling of TVR’s first new model in more than a decade. TVR boss Les Edgar and designer Gordon Murray were at the London Motor Show to confirm Cosworth V8 power and a sub-four second 0-60 time for the new coupe which will be available with a Carbon fibre chassis. Edgar said the new TVR will go on sale in 2017 but he wasn't giving much else away – as the show car’s cover was removed to reveal.. another cover.
MG has pulled the covers off its new SUV - the GS - at the London Motor Show. The British brand’s first SUV will be powered by an 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and will be available in three different trim levels. The range-topping GS will also be available with the option of a DCT gearbox which promises to be more responsive, delivering a smoother ride. Pricing has yet to be confirmed but MG says it will be consistent with its other ‘affordable’ models.
The first London Motor Show in 8 years has been officially opened by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, at Battersea Park. With all the major carmakers under one roof, UK debuts included the new MG GS - the British brand’s first SUV - as well as the McLaren 570GT and the Infiniti Q60 coupe. TVR wheeled out the great Gordon Murray to disappoint the assembled press by seemingly lining up a world debut for its new sportscar, only to reveal, well - nothing. Order books opened for the sexy new Mexican-built supercar, the VUHL 05 with prices starting from £59,000 OTR while Riversimple presented its Hydrogen car concept, the RASA, capable of travelling 300 miles with only water vapour for emissions.
Volkswagen will be celebrating 40 years of the the Golf GTI with a special Clubsport S edition, set to debut at the 35th GTI Meet in Wörthersee, Austria. It will be joined by the whole generation of Golf GTI models, from a mark 1 to the new GTI Touring car. The legions of VW fans will be able to get up close to the 310 PS GTI Clubsport S, which earlier this week broke the Nürburgring record for a front-wheel drive production car, completing a lap in 7:49.21.
Audi has pulled the covers off its new TT RS in Beijing. The most powerful ever production TTis available as a Coupé or Roadster with both models powered by a 2.5-litre TFSI engine - with a 17 percent increase in performance. 0-62 takes just 3.7 seconds, and top speed is 174mph. The new TT RS is fitted with 19-inch alloys as standard, sits ten millimetres lower than the base model and has new 3D effect organic LED rear lights. Available to order this summer, prices have yet to be announced.
Shell has revealed an ultra efficient concept car. Based on the Gordon Murray designed T.25, the lightweight three seater comes as part of a co-engineering project where body, engine design and lubricants are all created together. Shell developed a special motor oil to enhance the overall efficiency of the vehicle by minimising friction. Independent testing showed the car would deliver a 34% reduction in energy use over its lifecycle when compared to a typical city car, and use 69% less energy that a typical SUV.
Kwik Fit has created a unique portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, made entirely out of car parts. Celebrating the monarch’s 90th birthday, Kwik Fit’s staff and artist David Parfitt used over 800 spares ranging from spark plugs and brake lights in her crown to weaved tyres for her Majesty’s hair. The artwork, which also honoured our Queen’s Second World War training as an Army mechanic in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, will be on display at Kwik Fit centres up and down the country.
Indian manufacturing giant Mahindra has entered the UK automotive market with its e2o electric car. Launched at London's Design Museum, the three-door hatchback has been created for urban commuting, and will be available in two trim levels. The city car includes 'connected’ features such as a smartphone app which allows you to control many of the cars functions remotely. With running costs from as low £10 a month for those travelling under 8,000 miles a year, prices for the e2o will start at £12,995 OTR.
Aston Martin has revealed a new race derived Vantage GT8. Calling on all its sporting DNA, the new extreme special edition draws heavily on the V8 Vantage GTE race car, with sculpted carbon fibre bodywork and wide-bodied, race-bred aerodynamics. Powered by a revised 4.7-litre V8 with 446 PS, the Vantage GT8 will be strictly limited to just 150 examples with prices starting at £165,000 OTR.
The all-new Ford GT supercar was recently sent around a specially designed ‘Silverstone’ circuit.. in London. Loaded on the back of a Clear Idea transport truck, the World Endurance Championship race car completed the slowest lap ever at 2 hours 20 minutes as it admired landmarks on a route that started and finished at Southwark Underground station. The stunt marked the opening of order books for the ultra-high-performance GT as well as celebrating its debut season in the WEC which gets under way this weekend.
Lamborghini Aventador and Huracán owners can analyse their performance at track days thanks to a new smartphone App. Track and Play is an iOS App that ‘talks’ to the cars control unit using GPS and WiFi. With 56 preloaded tracks, or any created by the driver, Lamborghini says the App can collect and analyse all the telemetric data - recording sector and lap times, all synchronised with on board video footage.. It can’t stop you losing it through the chicane though.
Tesla has revealed its all-new electric car, the Model 3. The final step in Tesla’s master plan - a mass market, affordable car - the model 3 combines an all-electric real world driving range of at least 215 miles, with a 0-60 time of under 6 seconds. The Model 3 starts at $35 dollars in the US and will come with free access to Tesla’s Supercharging network as standard as well as Auto pilot hardware. First customer deliveries are set for 2017 and Tesla claims to have already taken over 250 thousand orders.
Geneva saw the unveiling of the world's first 1500 horsepower production car - the Bugatti Chiron. The exclusive supercar’s eight-litre turbocharged engine propels it from zero to 62 in 2.5 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 260mph. Despite a stratospheric basic net price of around £1.8 million, Bugatti claims to have already received advance orders for one third of the total planned production of 500 vehicles.
Vauxhall has revealed its vision of a future sports car with the GT Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Described as avant-garde in design the show car, sporting sister brand Opel badges, is shorn of handles and mirrors while the doors open into the front arches, using a space-saving and patented mounting. Powered by a 1.0-litre, 145PS turbocharged engine 0-62 takes less than 8 seconds, while top speed is 134mph.
Lamborghini has revealed an ultra-exclusive new model – the Centenario – at the Geneva Motor Show. The 770 horsepower, limited edition Lambo, which celebrates 100-years since the birth of company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini, can sprint to 62 in just 2.8 seconds, topping out at over 217mph. Just 20 coupe and 20 roadster versions will be produced, and all 40 have already been snapped up, despite an asking price of over £1.3 million plus tax.
Mercedes pulled the covers and the roof off its new C-Class in Geneva. The first cabriolet features a classic fabric soft top which can be opened and closed in less than 20 seconds. It's available with the AIRCAP automatic draught stop system and AIRSCARF neck-level heating. Powered by a choice of 'powerful and efficient' petrol and diesel engines, the new C-Class Cabriolet launches in time for summer this year.
Jaguar has revealed the new F-Type SVR ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut. Based on the F-Type 'R' variant, the new model becomes the first series production Jaguar to be developed by the Special Vehicle Operations department. Lighter, faster and more powerful, the 200mph super sports car is set to go on sale in the summer, in either coupe or convertible form. Further details will be released in Geneva.
F1 driver Felipe Massa played Bond villain for the day in Mexico, driving a Jaguar C-X75 stunt car from the new film SPECTRE. Jaguar partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering on the production of the C-X75 and as such, both Williams F1 cars will carry the 007 SPECTRE logo at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. Massa drove the car to celebrate F1's return to Mexico and the Americas Premiere of the new film which heavily features Mexico City in the opening scenes.
Lamborghini unveiled its new Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The convertible Lambo is powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine producing 610 bhp for a 0 to 62 time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph. The lightweight, electrohydraulic soft-top opens in 17 seconds and the Spyder also includes new features for the Huracan family such as cylinder on demand with 'stop start' and a new electronically controlled all-wheel drive set-up.
