Drive Cult News

Mini Unveils R56 John Cooper Works GP

James Wolfcale — 2012-05-13T22:04:06+00:00

Production of the Mk2 Mini must be winding down because the new JCW GP has arrived.

Mini used the Mini United Festival in France this weekend to show off the new R56 version of the John Cooper Works GP, which as it was for the R53 Mini Cooper, will be the swan song for the R56. While no specific power figures were mention, expect output to be in the neighborhood of 220 hp. It's already lapped the Nürburgring in 8:23 which is a 19 second improvement over the old GP.

Mini has gone to great lengths to fine tune the aerodynamics for the new JCW GP. It features a flat sealed undertray and a...

Published in: News

Mercedes unveil the Concept Style Coupe

Matthew Lange — 2012-04-19T20:40:53+00:00

Concept previews a new A Class based four door coupe

Over the last few years the German premium brands have been determined to fill every single motoring niche with products. The latest niche to get there attention is what the team at the excellent Petrolblog.com have christened the Shatchbacks, or in other words saloons (sedans) based on hatchbacks.

At first this may seem an odd decision as these are usually the most uncool of cars (remember the Vauxhall Belmont?) and in the UK at least brought by, shall we say, people of advancing years. In the US and...

Published in: News

2013 Viper Unveiled

James Wolfcale — 2012-04-09T18:44:50+00:00

Back from the brink, Chrysler makes a 640 hp statement of intent.

As far as Chrysler’s bottom-line goes, the all new SRT Viper (no longer the Dodge Viper) will make little impact, but that’s not why Dodge brought the original Viper to production in 1992 and it’s certainly not why they’re doing again 20 years later. The Viper is the quintessential halo car. Rarer than a Corvette and predating the Ford GT by well over a decade, the Viper is a point of pride for an embattled company that has always found itself lagging behind its big three rivals.

"Beyond being the...

Published in: News

2012 Geneva Motor Show Round Up

James Wolfcale — 2012-03-08T04:08:13+00:00

All the cars that mattered, and some that didn't, from the Geneva Motor Show.

The Geneva Motor Show press days have just wrapped up. Here are Drive Cult's impressions of the best and worst cars from the showroom floor.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato

After the concept version was shown a little under a year ago, we’re finally getting our first look at the production version of the Aston Martin V12 Zagato. Under the bespoke Zagato bodywork you have what is essentially a V12 Vantage along with a few new bits of tech inspired by the One-77. Only 150 will be built at a cost of ₤330,000.

...

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McLaren Unveils MP4-12C High Sport

James Wolfcale — 2012-03-06T03:30:45+00:00

The first MP4-12C variant is sure to be a rare beast.

The car you’re looking at doing some very jaunty posing at McLaren’s Woking headquarters is the first variant (but certainly not the last) of McLaren’s MP4-12C supercar. It’s called the High Sport and if you’d like to purchase one, then you’re already too late. McLaren is only building five and they’ve all been spoken for.

On the outside, the High Sport gets more aggressive body work inspired by the MP4-12C GT3 race car. This includes a gaping front facia and a blacked out rear section with a larger...

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Ferrari unveils the F12berlinetta

Matthew Lange — 2012-02-29T13:41:16+00:00

Ferrari's 599 replacement is unmasked.

The wait is over. Ferrari have finally officially unveiled their replacement for the 599. Thanks to a leaked photo of a wooden styling buck and a lot of information being revealed after private previews, much was already known about the specification, but up to now the name has been kept secret.

Internet speculation had the name as being the F620 GT, but officially the car is known as the F12berlinetta, and no I have not accidentally left a space out! After the FF this signifies a new form of designation...

Published in: Ferrari, News

Geneva Motor Show Preview: Audi RS4

James Wolfcale — 2012-02-23T08:11:33+00:00

Audi's new RS4 is a 450 hp, all-conditions weapon, but will it find a place among the great RS Audis?

Audi’s quintessential all-purpose sports wagon has returned with the third-generation RS4, and it brings along a host of improvements over previous generations. RS4s have always been some of the most well-received cars in Audi’s RS range (though as a former RS4 owner, our own Jack Wood might disagree), and on paper at least, this one looks like it will live up to its forebears.

Powered by the same 450 hp 4.2 liter V8 found in the RS5, it gains 30 hp over the previous generation B6 RS4. Zero to sixty-two...

Published in: Audi, RS4

Updated: Ferrari teases the replacement for the 599

Matthew Lange — 2012-02-21T20:55:07+00:00

The most powerful road-going Ferrari ever made is set to be unveiled on the 29th February 2012.

After six years, the time has come for Ferrari to replace its front-engined V12 Berlinetta flagship, the 599. I's certainly going be a tough act to follow; with the final GTO version sporting a 661bhp V12, the 599 is still right at the top end of GT supercar performance.

The 599's replacement will be unveiled to the world on the 29th February, as announced on the Ferrari.com website today. In the modern way of car launches, Ferrari have also released a teaser picture and a short video (embedded at the...

Published in: News

Geneva Motor Show Preview: BMW M6

James Wolfcale — 2012-02-17T06:07:33+00:00

The BMW M6 falls in line with the M Division mandate by loosing two cylinders and gaining two turbos.

WIth the recent release of the 1 Series M and M5 (I won’t mention those two SUVs), BMW’s M Division is now hurling at terminal velocity into the turbocharged era. The latest car to join them is the all new M6, which is set to be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.

Offered in Coupe and Convertible variants, the M6 shares the same 560 hp twin turbo V8 found in the M5. This propels the M6 from 0-62 in 4.2 seconds for the coupe and 4.3 seconds for the convertible. Combined fuel mileage is improved...

Published in: BMW, M6, Car Shows, Geneva Motor Show

New Morgan Aero Coupe

Matthew Lange — 2012-02-02T22:08:16+00:00

Latest version of Morgan's Aero joins the new Plus 8 at Geneva.

The current fashion in new car launches is to tease pictures out onto the internet, either carefully leaked spy photographs of a camouflaged prototype or artful pictures of the new headlamp. Morgan have taken a slightly different approach with the new Aero Coupe, since its dealers have been carrying a picture of the new car and taking orders for the last couple of months. This has made the Coupe's announcement on the Morgan website a rather low-key affair.

The Aero Coupe is the latest development in the...

Published in: News