Two weeks ago, we all had an LOL and OMG moment at the expense of Lotus, as a member of the failing company, which we assume to be head honcho himself, Dany Bahar, went berserk on Facebook. We all rant sometimes, but it was truly a high school-style “Wah” fest about who said what and so on.
As we put it after reading said Facebook post, which is still on Lotus’s site, the company that recently inherited Lotus from Proton, DRB-Hicom, would not likely deal with this immaturity too long. It rings especially true when you take into account that Lotus never turned a profit for Proton and currently has more than $316 million in debts.
Well, guess what… Reports have emerged that DRB-Hicom is actively shopping Lotus, and its money sucking black hole, to various Chinese companies. Things are obviously getting serious, as the U.K. government even put a hold on the £10 million (about $16 million) grant that it issued to aid in Lotus’ anticipated expansion out of fear of losing the struggling sports car builder to a Chinese company.
The question that begs to be asked is who in their right mind would purchase Lotus for anything more than a few spare tires and a couple boxes of spark plugs? Of course, at this point DRB-Hicom just might find a better use for some spare tires and spark plugs than it can for Lotus.
There is likely some company in China that will pick up Lotus for just enough to cover its debts, then maybe attempt to revive its name. We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds and update you as new information comes down the pipe.
So it is official, Ford has gone absolutely crazy with the EcoBoost trend, but it’s a good crazy, as the EcoBoost both lowers emissions and sharply increases fuel economy. The latest engine to spool its way into the EcoBoost lineup is the all-new 1.0-liter inline three-cylinder version. When most people think of a 1.0-liter three-banger, they tend to picture the early-1990s Metro with its concrete massaging 49 horsepower zipping it to 60 mph sometime in the next century, while driving downhill.
Fortunately, this isn’t your Metro’s three-cylinder engine. This boosted three-banger will pump out a respectable 98 horsepower on the base level and an even more impressive 125 horsepower on the top-level engine, the latter exceeding the current 1.6-liter’s output by 5 horsepower.
FEV, the leading developer for this engine, also claims that both versions of the engine will twist out 125 pound-feet of torque, which is 13 more pound-feet than the 1.6-liter engine and it saves 20 pounds worth of weight compared to the 1.6-liter.
The press release makes it a little unclear as to whether or not this new EcoBoost will be offered in the U.S., but given the fact that it mentions the 1.6-liter in a Focus, and it being offered in the C-Max and B-Max, we can assume that it will start off in the U.K., as the B-Max and C-Max are U.K. models, and the Focus only comes with the 1.6-liter in the U.K. . Granted, the C-Max is coming to the U.S., but as a hybrid model only.
With the power output of this engine, you can expect to see it making its way over here soon. The likely host for it would be the Ford Fiesta, as it is more accepted with a smaller engine. Focus buyers would generally not accept a 1.0-liter-powered model.
We will continue to keep an eye on this and let you know if Ford makes mention of it coming to the U.S. or not.
Click past the jump to read FEV’s full press release
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In 2011, the US market received a special edition M3 "Frozen Silver" Competition Edition and now it’s the Brits turn to get in on the Frozen paint job action. BMWwill be providing UK customers with a special edition M3 Coupe Frozen Silver Edition as part of BMW M GmbH’s 40th anniversary, and while US customers only got 40 units of the special M3, British customers will get 100 units to fight over.
On the exterior, the M3 Coupe Frozen Silver Edition features a Frozen Silver metallic paint and a new set of 19" matte black alloy wheels. These features are joined by a new exhaust, side gills, and kidney surrounds in carbon fiber and Jet Black bonnet intakes. The car’s ride has also been lowered by 10mm for an even sportier look. For the interior, BMW has added Black Novillo leather with contrast stitching and Palladium leather armrests and inserts, a new steering wheel sheathed in Alcantara, and plenty of carbon fiber to finish off the look.
Under the hood, the BMW M3 keeps its usual 420 HP V8 engine with power transferred to the road via the standard seven-speed M DCT transmission.
Mazda is adding yet another special edition on the British market, this time based on the Mazda6 sedan. The new Venture Edition will be offered on both petrol and diesel models, sedan and station wagon edition and will be priced from £21,000 - or about $33,500 at the current exchange rates.
On the exterior the new Venture Edition will be distinguished by a new set of 17" gunmetal alloy wheels, sports front grille, privacy glass and a special range of colors: Brilliant Black and optional Crystal White Pearlescent, Black Mica or Stormy Blue Mica. Only for this edition Mazda is offering a unique Dolphin Grey Mica exterior paint. The interior adds Sanyo TomTom navigation, integrated Bluetooth, half-leather seat trim and heated front seats.
"The arrival of the new Mazda6 Venture Edition models, with their unique combination of advanced technology, sports styling, a premium interior and great added value, will attract new consumers to our showrooms," said Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda UK.
Over the past few days, we’ve seen a lot of crossover products from partnerships between automakers and various other companies.
Not one to be left out in the cold, Aston Martin wants to keep our feet warm and stylish, thanks to its new collaboration with John Lobb to create the ultimate lightweight driver’s shoe.
Did we expect anything less from two of Britain’s finest?
The special Winner Sport shoe, which was co-designed by Aston Martin’s Director of Design Marek Reichman and John Lobb’s Creative Director Andrés Hernández, is as sleek and aerodynamic as it’s being billed to be. It’s made from full-grain calfskin and lined with supple sheepskin. Soft padding was added at the ankle to ensure maximum comfort while metallic eyelets that have been punched with a wheel of fine holes reflect the style and language of the British automaker. Lastly, the Winner Sport shoe also comes with a specially-engineered bonded rubber sole that wraps beneath the shoe, ensuring a style of sleekness and a sporting feel that few other shoes can match.
More than just the technology and expertise used in building the shoe, Winner Sport also comes in a wide palette of color combinations, including Graphite Grey, Winter Wheat, Frost White, and Saddle Tan, all of which are made with the Sporty Stratos White rubber sole. Likewise, Storm Black, Bitter Chocolate, Westminster Green, and Aurora Blue color schemes are made with Racy Fire Red rubber soles. Each color also comes with red and white laces.
The Winner Sport shoe is set to drop at selected John Lobb and Aston Martin stores on May 12, 2012. Leading up to that, the shoe will be previewed at the opening of the new Aston Martin W-One Store in London’s Park Lane and at John Lobb Jermyn Street this March.
Just when we thought we found our favorite customized GT-R in AMS Performance’s monster of a Nissan GT-R called the "Alpha Omega". Capable of blasting along a quarter mile in just 8.97 seconds with a ridiculous top speed of 216.9 mph, the Alpha Omega vaulted to the top of the list as far as most awesome GT-R’s are concerned. Well, now we have to reconsider because UK tuner Severn Valley Motorsport has released their own souped up GT-R, affectionately billed as "The Hulk."
One monster GT-R deserves another monster GT-R.
The Hulk, which has been painted in a metallic Imperial Green Pearlescent finish, also comes with plenty of aerodynamic carbon components, including the new front bumper, the GTC Carbon bonnet, carbon gas bonnet lifts, and a host of carbon items - the rear diffusers, side skirts, and rear arch extensions - from Wald International. The S2 Active split wing from Aeromotion was also fitted into the Hulk, as are carbon race mirrors mounted on pillars, carbon exhaust surround, front and rear side markers, LSD doors, L.E.D angle eye day light running lights, and a new set of 20" Volks Racing light weight wheels wrapped in Toyo R888 315/30/20 tires. Inside, the Hulk was treated to a full carbon interior package, Cobra front carbon ultra light race seats, Alcantara fabrics, a six-point roll cage that was custom built to SVM specs, and Takata four-point race harnesses.
All that said, the real meal ticket of the Hulk is what lies under its hood. With an extensive performance upgrade that includes fitting their own 4.2-liter SVM HULK Spec Forged Blueprinted Unit, SVM was able to boost the street-legal GT-R’s output all the way up to 1,250 horsepower with a sick top speed of 218 mph, which by the way, is a new top speed record! The record was achieved at RAF Marham military base in Norfolk, UK and was confirmed by Racelogic Vbox data.
Full specifications after the jump.
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Seat UK has unveiled a very cool Leon FR+ Supercopa edition - a model inspired by the Supercopa one-make race series. On the British market, the new model will be priced at £22,530 ( about $29,417 at the current rates) - or just £750 (about $979 at the current rates) more than the standard FR+ version.
The new Leon FR+ Supercopa features a Seat Sport designed body kit that includes extensively re-worked front and rear bumpers, smart side skirts, a more pronounced tailgate spoiler, bespoke BBS 18-inch alloy wheels, and unique chrome-tipped twin exhausts. The model will be painted in either Nevada White, Emoción Red, or Speed Blue.
The list of standard equipment will include: 18-inch alloy wheels; a new 2.2 sat-nav with five-inch color touchscreen, dynamic route guidance, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming and SD card slot; Bluetooth phone connection; bi-xenon headlights with AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System); and rear parking sensors.
The new Supercopa version will be offered with the usual diesel and petrol engines: a 2.0-liter TSI with 211 HP or a 2.0-liter TDI CR with 170 HP.
If you are over the age of 25, there’s probably a good chance you have had to rent a car at least once. Be it because of an accident that has left you without a motor vehicle or because of some fine holiday traveling, rental cars are just about everywhere these days. In Europe, the UK saw more than its fair share of rental cars in 2011, dominating the commonwealth countries and the largest European nations in international rental car sales. Somehow, a certain royal wedding would be the obvious culprit of such an influx of travelers, but Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey weren’t the only sites to see. According to Facebook - via member checkins - the top five attractions of the UK were Alton Towers, Hyde Park, London Eye, Thorpe Park, and Leicester Square.
Following the UK in the running for most popular international car hire destinations was Spain (14.1%), France (12.6%), Italy (10.5%), and Portugal (4.1%).
Check out the rest of the infographic to get more helpful information and remember to check back with us for the next installment in our Car Infographics series.
There’s been a number of stars to sit behind the wheel of Top Gear’s "Reasonably Priced Car," but this week’s celebrity may have a leg up on his competitors. On Sunday, March 18, 2012, Formula One race car driver, Kimi Raikkonen, will try to set his best lap around the Top Gear test track and get to spend some time with the Stig.
Obviously, the Stig didn’t have much to say during the whole ordeal, but Jeremy Clarkson told Raikkenon that the Stig was one of his biggest fans. To that, Raikkenon replied that the Stig had the best job because he could drive cars and not have to talk. Future Stig in the making? Maybe.
All that aside, this teaser video shows part of the interview with Kimi Raikkenon, as well as some shots of him calmly taking his lap around the track. How did he fare in a car that is nothing like the Formula One cars he is used to driving? Check out Top Gear on Sunday to find out!
The words "BMW M3" and "Special Editions" have really become synonymous with each other. So much so, in fact, that a new special edition M3 is being released in another part of the world a week before a similar special ed model was released in Singapore.
Taking the reins from the M3 Competition Edition is the M3 Limited Edition 500, a UK-exclusive release of the M3 Coupe and Convertible models that comes in three different color finishes: Imola Red, Mineral White, and Santorini Blue.
The Union Jack-inspired colors are complemented by the characteristic M-car signature details, including the kidney grille surround, side gills and twin double exhaust pipes that have been finished in dark chrome. On top of that, the models will also come with a high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim that’s further given some extra shine courtesy of a new set of 19" high-gloss black light-alloy wheels.
Inside, the M3 Limited Edition 500 comes packed with plenty of fancy trimmings, highlighted by an extended Novillo leather and contrast stitching on the sports seats and door panels. Each of the aforementioned colors will come with complementing interior stitching with the Imola Red models having Black leather and Mugello Red stitching, whereas the Mineral White models come with Fox Red leather with Black Stitching while the Santorini Blue model features Black leather with Tobago Blue stitching. Finally, each of the 500 available models will comes with a laser-cut edition designation that reads "One of 500" into the left-hand side of the inlay on the dashboard.
As for power, there aren’t any changes to the car’s 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower. Prices vary between the coupe and convertible models with the former fetching a price of £55,690 ($88,784) and the latter carrying a sticker of £59,785 ($95,317).
