Innholdsfortegnelse for 02/03/2016 i Autocar

It is said to do 0-62mph in under 2.5sec and 0-124mph in under 6.5sec The formidable new Bugatti Chiron packs a colossal 1479bhp, weighs 1995kg, covers 0-62mph in less than 2.5sec and reaches a top speed limited to 261mph. The Chiron, revealed at the Geneva motor show this week, aims to occupy the same position as its highly celebrated Veyron predecessor at the very top of the supercar ladder, one rung above such revered rivals as the McLaren P1, LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. Bugatti describes the second of its modern-day models as the most powerful road car to reach series production. Just 500 will be made, each priced at €2.4 million (about £1.9m). Bugatti portrays the quad-turbocharged 8.0-litre W16-powered Chiron as an all-new car that borrows little from the…

The next Subaru XV crossover has been previewed with a thinly veiled concept at the Geneva motor show. As well as previewing the next production XV, the concept also gives an insight into the design language of future Subarus, which is dubbed ‘Dynamic X Solid’. The XV Concept is shorter and wider than the current XV but keeps the same wheelbase. It also has a far more robust and aggressive appearance than the current car, with elements including body cladding, roof rails and a chunky front bumper giving it a muscular stance. New headlight and tail-light designs also feature. The current XV has only recently received a mid-life facelift, so an all-new version is unlikely to arrive any time soon. The XV’s facelift has brought mild tweaks to the car’s…

THE FIRST ALL-electric series-production Morgan has arrived in the shape of the new EV3 at the Geneva show. Based on the successful 3 Wheeler sports car, the EV3 swaps the 3 Wheeler’s 80bhp V-twin engine for a 62bhp electric motor. It is fed by a lithium battery and promises a range of 150 miles. Despite the addition of an electric powertrain, the EV3 weighs less than 500kg. Part of that saving is thanks to new lightweight carbonfibre composite body panels. Morgan says the new car can reach 62mph in less than 9.0sec and hit a top speed of more than 90mph. By comparison, the petrol-powered 3 Wheeler reaches 62mph in 8.0sec. The interior of the EV3 features a classic ‘magneto’ switch for drive selection, a digital screen and wood, brass…

LOTUS HAS STRIPPED 70kg out of the Evora 400 to create the Evora Sport 410, which has made its debut at the Geneva motor show. It is priced from £79,990 and just 150 examples will be made each year for worldwide consumption. Sales start in June. Weight has been shed by the use of forged alloy wheels and carbonfibre components for the front splitter, roof panel, tailgate, rear diffuser and one-piece tailgate. These elements also help to improve aerodynamic downforce by 15%. Powering the Evora Sport 410 is a tuned version of the 3.5-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine from the track-bred 3-Eleven. The engine produces 453bhp and 302lb ft of torque and is mated to a manual gearbox. Alternatively, an automatic transmission with paddle shifters is available as an option.…

THE ALL-ELECTRIC Italdesign GTZero concept has been unveiled at the Geneva motor show. It is built on a monocoque carbonfibre frame and has a 311-mile range and high-tech interior. The 483bhp Lamborghini Huracán-derived concept is powered by three motors — two on the front axle and one on the rear. The maker claims its modular layout allows for several configuration and powertrain options, including a 3+1 seating layout and the use of hybrid technology. Power comes from batteries integrated into the frame and inside the central tunnel. It has 22in wheels at the front and 23in at the rear, while the air intakes and spoiler provide an active aerodynamic system. The four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-steering concept was styled under Italdesign design boss Filippo Perini, formerly of Lamborghini. The solid monocoque carbonfibre…

MERCEDES-BENZ HAS launched a convertible version of the C-Class for the first time. Based on the C-Class Coupé, the new C-Class Cabriolet made its debut at Geneva. It will go on sale in the UK this summer and rival the likes of the Audi A3 Cabriolet and BMW 3 Series Convertible. The new soft-top keeps the same basic dimensions as the coupé but is marginally taller. Its fabric roof can be opened or closed in 20sec at speeds of up to 31mph. The interior of the C-Class Cabriolet is almost identical to that of the coupé but it gets new touches such as heat-reflecting leather and a switch on the centre console to open and close the roof. The sports seats also include Mercedes’ Airscarf heating system. From launch, the…

THE FULL ALFA Romeo Giulia range has been revealed at the Geneva motor show. The flagship Quadrifoglio version of the car, which features a Ferrari-derived 3.0-litre V6 with 503bhp, made its debut last year, but this is the first time that full details of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 rival have been available. Besides the Quadrifoglio model, three engines will be available in the Giulia. The petrol range starts with a 197bhp, 243lb ft turbocharged 2.0-litre unit, which is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Next are two 2.2-litre diesels, the most powerful of which produces 178bhp and 332lb ft while being capable of emitting less than 100g/km of CO2 in its Eco specification. The other diesel comes with 148bhp and 280lb ft. Both engines can…

If anyone tells you an SL63 isn’t fast enough, they will probably be telling you porkies For those of you familiar with the glacial pace of Mercedes-Benz SL development, prepare to be alarmed. Just four years after it was launched, here’s the facelift. It’s okay, calm yourself. Mercedes clearly did. This is one of those mild tweaks, as befits a car that Mercedes, presumably, will be disinclined to throw vast sums of development money at because of the small numbers it sells. Britain is its second-largest market, where fewer than 1000 of them a year find owners. So mild facelift it is. Most notably, the front – the face, if you will – has been, er, lifted. It’s now a bit more reminiscent of both the rest of the current…

As soon as rain starts to fall, the Ford becomes a very different animal When was the last time you reached the end of a decent drive in a car and just sat there, listening to the metal cool down, replaying the run in your head? I’d wager that, unless you own a very special car indeed, it was some time ago. What has happened? First, there are external factors, be they social, geographic or environmental. Truth is, in the mistaken belief that it is speed rather than its inappropriate use that kills, it is increasingly frowned upon to enjoy driving quickly on suitable roads. Second, as populations expand and cities sprawl ever outwards, we need to go ever farther away to find these roads and, third, when we do,…

1 Alfa Romeo Spider (2006-2010) If you want to arrive in style, then look no further than the Spider. This two-seater can turn heads from the opposite side of Lake Como. Consider it as a car to cruise and be seen in rather an Alps-conquering sports car. The Spider is nicely damped and has a smooth ride, a well-balanced chassis, plenty of grip and quick steering. The 2.2-litre petrol engine produces 185bhp, so there’s enough power on tap to have a bit of fun. Inside, design takes precedence over functionality, making this car hard to live with at times, and there’s plenty of scuttle shake, while repair bills can be on the high side. We found a 2007 2.2 JTS with 60,000 miles for under £7300. 2 Alfa Romeo GTV…

THE PRODUCTION-READY Koenigsegg Regera hybrid hypercar has been revealed at the Geneva motor show. The Regera will be made in strictly limited numbers for around £1.23 million each, and is the first hybrid Koenigsegg model. It was introduced in concept form at the Geneva show last year. The Swedish car maker said more than 3000 changes have been made since then, including slashing its kerb weight to 1590kg. Sporting a less aggressive design than the more hardcore Agera RS, the Regera appears virtually unchanged from last year’s concept car. Powering the Regera is a twin-turbocharged 5.0-litre V8 engine the develops 1085bhp at 7800rpm. Joining the V8 engine are three electric motors — one on each rear wheel and one on the crankshaft — which produce an extra 704bhp, giving the…

LLamborghini has revealed a new 759bhp V12 supercar at the Geneva motor show. The Centenario, which has been created to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the company’s founder, Ferruccio Lamborghini, is based on the Aventador. Just 20 coupé and 20 roadster examples will be built and all have been sold, priced at close to £1.64 million each. Freed from the restrictions of a full-production model, the Centenario pushes the design of the already striking Aventador into new levels of extreme. It flaunts sharply angled carbonfibre bodywork with deep air intakes and ducts carving across the body, making even the hardcore Aventador SV look tame. Lamborghini says the Centenario has been designed with downforce in mind, and evidence comes with that ultra-low nose, which houses wide-mouthed intakes and…

The Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster has been joined the Evora Sport 410 at the Geneva show. As the name suggests, the car is an open-top version of the Exige Sport 350 coupé. With a minimum weight of 1085kg, including optional weight-saving brakes, wheels and bodywork — which includes a carbonfibre spoiler, front splitter and rear diffuser — the Exige Sport 350 Roadster is the lightest version of the current Exige available. The coupé version is 10kg heavier. The Exige Sport 350 Roadster has a 0-60mph time of 3.7sec — 0.2sec quicker than the coupé — and tops out at 145mph. Its engine is the same 345bhp V6 as the coupé’s but it has a tweaked version of the six-speed manual gearbox. Other weight-saving measures on the new Lotus include…

Two Siemens AC electric motors produce a total output of 402bhp DS has revealed a new carbonfibre-bodied electric supercar concept at the Geneva show. Called the E-Tense, it has in effect been made to production standards and everything on the concept is entirely viable, from the all-electric drivetrain to the way that pedestrian impact standards have been considered in its design. Despite this, there are no official plans to put it into production. After the Geneva show, the concept will be put to work as a technology demonstrator, proving it can deliver on DS’s claims of a 4.5sec 0-62mph time, a 155mph top speed and a 220-mile range. The E-Tense is built around a central carbonfibre tub, with aluminium subframes at each end. Suspension is by double wishbones at all…

ROLLS-ROYCE WILL offer a new range of upgrades for its Ghost and Wraith models that are intended to appeal to a younger generation of buyers. The Black Badge models retain their original engines but power for the Ghost Black Badge’s 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 has been increased to 595bhp and torque is up to 620lb ft. The eight-speed automatic transmission, steering and suspension gain a more sporting set-up, too. The Wraith Black Badge keeps a 624bhp output from its V12 but gets an increase in torque to 642lb ft. It features redesigned air suspension, new driveshafts and performance-inspired transmission updates. The brakes of both Black Badge models have been upgraded, with larger front brake discs. The Spirit of Ecstasy figurine is coloured with black gloss. Other exterior trim elements are also…

The Competition Pack’s £3k premium is a no-brainer. BMW expects 80% of UK buyers to take it Although the introduction of a Competition Package has become a traditional part of the M3 (and now M4) lifecycle, you could be forgiven for not having fully absorbed the fact. That’s because the earliest E46 edition was badged CS in the UK (a clever wheeze intended to highlight the model’s similarities with the low-weight, very low-volume and therefore highly sought-after CSL), while the follow-up E90/E92 version – limited to shorter springs and a set of forged wheels – lacked the kind of consequential alterations that might have made it more memorable. With the current F80/F82 version, BMW M has endeavoured not to repeat the mistake. Notably, it has opted to make increased output…

‘Comfort’ is a word that’s probably going to crop up a lot in future updates on this car’ Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to introduce the Discovery Sport last year with the old, Ford-sourced 2.2-litre diesel engine under its bonnet may have seemed a little strange at the time, given that the firm had already opened a new facility in Wolverhampton to build its own powerplants, but we always knew we wouldn’t have to wait too long for the existing unit to be replaced. Besides, it has hardly held the car back in its first year on sale. The Freelander-replacing compact SUV has gone on to become Land Rover’s second best-selling model after the Range Rover Evoque, shifting about 10,000 units a month on average, and it’s a car that, with…

Super-GTs 1 Ferrari F12 Berlinetta From £240,000 Thrilling in a way that only a front-engined V12 Ferrari could be. Crushing performance and unparalleled drama. 2 Aston Martin Vanquish From £190,000 If your money is only intended to buy dazzling exterior beauty, it is best invested in Aston Martin’s flagship. 3 Bentley Continental GT V8 From £140,000 It may have lost four cylinders, but the new Audi-sourced V8 is so good that it completely reinvigorates the Conti. 4 Ferrari FF From £227,000 A mighty engine, and the drivetrain to handle it. Not the purist’s Ferrari by definition — but a more usable one for it. 5 Mercedes S63 AMG Coupé From £125,000 So long in the legs that continents flash by mid-stride. Has a business-like opulence. Not as evocative as some.…

Porsche 911 R Spring Designed to be a ‘pure’ 911, the new R pays tribute to the original by trading outright performance for driver thrills. Narrower tyres and a naturally aspirated engine are expected, contrasting with the specifications of the new, turbocharged 911 Carrera. Price £100,000 (est) SPRING 2016 Abarth 595 facelift, Alpina B7, Ariel Nomad Supercharged, Audi S8 Plus, S4, RS6/RS7 Performance, R8 Spyder, SQ7, SQ5, BMW M2, M4 GTS, 225xe Active Tourer, 330e, 3 Series GT facelift, X4 M40i, Bugatti Chiron, Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Camaro, Detroit Electric SP:01, Elemental RP1, Ferrari 488 Spider, Fiat Tipo, Ford Focus RS, Kuga, Ranger, Mustang, Infiniti Q30, Hyundai i20 Active, i20 1.0, Jaguar F-Pace, XE AWD, XF AWD, Kia Sportage, Optima, Kahn Speed 7, Koenigsegg Agera RS, Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster, Huracán…

This is the new Aston Martin DB11, hailed by its maker as “the most powerful, efficient and dynamically gifted DB model” in the firm’s 103-year history. The first product from Aston’s ‘second century’ expansion plan, the DB11 features a new engine and body structure, fresh styling, improved packaging and motorsport-derived aerodynamic features. Following its public unveiling at this week’s Geneva motor show, the front-engined, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer can be ordered now, priced from £154,900. NEW V12 ENGINE Perhaps the stand-out feature in this most significant of new Astons is located under the one-piece clamshell bonnet. Designed and built in-house by a team led by chief powertrain engineer Brian Fitzsimons, the new twin-turbocharged 5204cc V12 is the most powerful unit yet fitted to a DB road car. Its 600bhp and 516lb…

It is naturally aspirated, with the 493bhp engine from the GT3 RS Porsche says its new back-to-basics 911 R is aimed squarely at purists. The new R is a 493bhp rear-wheel-drive variant of the rear-engined coupé that has been conceived around the premise of simple driving pleasure rather than all-out lap time potential. Inspiration for the new model has been taken from the classic 911 R that was produced in limited numbers in 1967 as part of a homologation process for Porsche’s sportscar racing programme. It was campaigned in events such as the legendary Targa Florio. The stripped-down, two-seat R has been developed by Porsche Motorsport to project all the feel, response and interaction of Porsche’s earlier race car-based models in a modern package. In a move that is sure…

Ford has created a more powerful and focused version of the Fiesta ST. The Fiesta ST200, unveiled at the Geneva motor show, will reach the UK in limited numbers in the summer. The ST200 hot hatch uses a tuned version of the standard ST’s 1.6-litre turbocharged Ecoboost engine. Power has risen from 180bhp to 197bhp and torque has been increased from 180lb ft to 214lb ft. These outputs can be increased further, to 212bhp and 236lb ft, for up to 15sec on overboost. Indeed, these higher figures give a better indication of the ST200’s performance potential due to the length of the transient overboost. The final drive ratio has been shortened to improve drivability and in-gear performance. The 0-62mph time for the Fiesta ST200 has been cut from the standard…

Volkswagen has previewed its plans for a new entry-level SUV with the unveiling of the smartly styled T-Cross Breeze at the Geneva motor show. Set to head into production initially as a more conventional five-door fixed-roof model, the new SUV is one of three high-riding Volkswagens that have been confirmed for launch within the next two years. It is part of the German car maker’s bid to diversify its traditional line-up and extend its reach into new market segments. Joining the T-Cross in the expanded line-up of Volkswagen SUVs will be production versions of the earlier 4177mm-long T-Roc and 4987mm-long CrossBlue concepts. They are planned to complement the recently unveiled second-generation Tiguan and upcoming third-generation Touareg in a five-strong range of SUV models. Volkswagen calls the T-Cross Breeze “a melding…

Honda’s 10th-generation Civic hatchback has been previewed at the Geneva motor show with a close-to-production concept car. The new Civic hatchback previewed by the Geneva concept will be closely related to the 10th-generation coupé and saloon, which have already been launched in other markets. It will have a range of turbocharged engines and will grow into one of the biggest cars in its segment. Honda says that it is 30mm wider, 20mm lower and 130mm longer than the current car, making it 140mm longer than a Focus and 245mm longer than a Golf. Those dimensions should result in a far more spacious cabin. The concept is being shown without an interior, but it is understood that the design is similar to that of the saloon and coupé, which have a…

McLaren is working on a secret, battery-electric hypercar for its Ultimate Series — the most expensive and most focused of its model classes. The project will help the firm decide whether the P1’s replacement, expected around 2023, will be a battery-only model or a hybrid like its predecessor. The move is part of a six-year business plan, revealed in Geneva this week by McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt and dubbed Track22 because it reaches to 2022. Under the plan, McLaren Automotive will double its turnover, invest £1 billion (about 25% of its turnover) on R&D and launch 15 new models — both series and short-run cars — that will replace the entire existing car range on a five-year life cycle. Around half of these new McLarens will be hybrids and at…

FIAT HAS REVEALED the Tipo five-door hatchback and estate at the Geneva motor show ahead of the start of UK sales later this year. The Ford Focus rival’s engine range features two diesel engines — a 1.3-litre with 94bhp and 148lb ft, and a 1.6-litre with 118bhp and 236lb ft. There are also two petrol engines — a 1.4-litre producing 94bhp and 92lb ft and a 1.6-litre putting out 108bhp and 150lb ft. Spec levels follow those of the 500, with Pop, Popstar and Lounge trims. Entry-level Pop has air-con, remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, Bluetooth connectivity and a multi-function steering wheel. Fiat quotes boot space of 420 litres for the hatch and 520 litres for the estate.…

It’s said that when you’re house hunting, you know within moments of stepping through the front door whether you want it or not. I reckon that cars evoke an even more instantaneous reaction. After all, plenty of buyers don’t even sit in the model they’re considering before making the final decision. Which brings us to the new Volvo S90. More than any of its arguably less distinct rivals, this is a car that likely won a huge swathe of buyers the moment its lantern-jawed fascia appeared under the Detroit motor show’s lights. This car wears its heart on the metaphorical sleeve of its fine-knit angora sweater, and you just know it will suit you before you’ve even sampled the faultlessly ergonomic sofa in a Volvo dealership. And the good news…

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been facelifted for the second time. So for its sixth birthday, Alfa’s family hatchback gets a new nose with a black honeycomb grille, black bumper inserts and minor tweaks to the headlight and foglight surrounds. There are also new seats and revised finishes inside. There has been a full clear-out of the trim range, too. It now starts with plain old Giulietta and rises through Super, Tecnica and Speciale to Veloce, the last of which being exclusive to the 237bhp 1750 TB formerly known as the Quadrifoglio Verde. Alfa reckons the fleet market for 110-130bhp autos is rapidly gathering momentum, so it has also taken the opportunity to introduce its TCT dual-clutch automatic transmission as an option on the economy-minded 118bhp 1.6 JTDm diesel. That’s…

Rather than ‘Sorry times for Daihatsu’ (Your Views, 17 February), the reverse is the case. Toyota has owned a controlling interest in Daihatsu since 1988, and both marques have jointly developed models since — Daihatsus are sold as Toyotas in some markets (eg, the Toyota Pixis) and vice-versa. Also, Toyota has bought the remainder of Daihatsu to use its expertise in small cars and space efficiency. Daihatsu has had to withdraw from New Zealand, Australia and Europe due to unfavourable exchange rates and low volumes. At least now, it can concentrate on its strongest markets in Asia/Pacific. As regards the Aygo, it made sense for Toyota and PSA to co-develop their city cars (Aygo/C1/107/108) for Europe, because it would have been too expensive to import Japanese-made Daihatsus. Mike Frost Via…

My first week with the Suzuki Vitara has racked up 400 or so miles, including a trip to Silverstone and a weekend jaunt to visit the chosen and secluded venue where my significant other and I will be getting married. The inclement weather and high winds may not seem the ideal conditions to gather meaningful first impressions of this boxy, high-riding small 4x4, as it took a bashing from the strong winds. However, a thrash up the back roads in calmer conditions from Aylesbury to Silverstone via Buckingham gave the Vitara a chance to show off its dynamic abilities and its 1.4-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine. This small petrol engine is certainly rev happy and has enough torque and power to make a quick and smooth getaway from roundabouts and traffic…

READER’S CAR: VOLVO S60 R AWD Peter Marsh has sent a roster of Bangernomics cars that we’ll feature in the coming weeks. First up, this. It cost him £4k. “My partner works in Switzerland so we wanted a car for the land of Switz. It needed to be a left-hooker, fast and comfortable for the 700-mile drive. We got a Volvo S60 R: 41,000 miles, one owner, full history, 301bhp, four-wheel drive and the most comfortable seats in the world. It’s built far better than a BMW and a decent ‘E46’ M3 with that mileage and only rear-wheel drive would be at least twice the price.” WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE THIS WEEK: A CAR THAT WORKS After cloud the spectacular of steam, it failure really needs of my venerable to…