February Supercar Competition

Top Dog in the Aston stable. Aggressive and beautiful at the same time few cars have as much road presence as the DBS. Packing a 5.9 litre V12 under the shapely vented bonnet, it puts out 510bhp and makes a noise to send shivers down your spine. The wail of this V12 sent through Aston Martin’s precision sound engineered exhaust system is a sound to make petrolheads weep with joy.

The handling is pure old school Supercar – it’s a big car with lots of power so is led from the rear and will indulge in many sideways moments if the conditions allow. Add in a refined and classy interior and you can sit all day in the confines of a leather-clad drawing room then be terrifying road users with the V12 noise moments later. Addictive driving at its best.

The Bentley Continental GT was revised last year with an all-new model that looked almost exactly like the old, but with a few nips and tucks here and there to keep it modern and sporty. What stayed the same however, was the engine. A truly impressive power plant with the 6.0 litres, two turbos, 12 cylinders and up to 630 bhp, it was a weighty lump and wouldn’t exactly win any favours with your bank manager as it managed just 17.1mpg.

So Bentley have responded with a new V8 model to sit below the W12 which will continue in production. A 4.0 litre twin turbo unit derived from that found in the new Audi S8 it produces 500 bhp and weighs 25kg less than the W12, but it also manages 27mpg thanks to incredible technology that enables it to shut down 4 of the cylinders when not under load. So emissions are less, economy is up, and you get a classic V8 soundtrack to boot…

When Mercedes launched the SLS AMG Coupe in 2010 it had it all – great looks, thunderous soundtrack, amazing handling and some very cool doors. Inspiration was taken from the 1950’s 300SL Gullwing and the car had similar gullwing doors which added serious drama and style to the car. But as amazing as the car was, some people like to enjoy their supercars without a roof so the SLS Roadster was born.

Will it be as special as the coupe though? Yes, of course. You still get the 563bhp 6.2 litre V8 which makes an incredible noise, only you get to hear it more with the roof down. Thanks to some extra stiffening the handling is the same so it’s win-win. Jump in, drive to Monaco roof down, the perfect Supercar…

If you’d have told Average Joe 10 years ago that there would be a £115,000, 525bhp, V10 powered 4wd convertible supercar at the top of the Audi line-up, they would’ve had you committed to a mental asylum. Yet here in 2010, the R8 Spyder is very much alive and ready to tear up the tarmac.

Combining the Audi strengths of quality, design and 4wd security, with a version of the 5.2 litre V10 from Lamborghini creates a Supercar that is more than a match for its rivals from Porsche, Ferrari and Jaguar. Some even rate it above the LP560 Spyder!

Fancy playing Lewis Hamilton or Jensen Button? Well the new road car from McLaren is a close as you’re going to get, and it certainly won’t disappoint. A home-grown twin turbo 3.8 V8 putting out a staggering 600bhp, fed through a dual clutch 7-speed gearbox promising lightning-quick changes.

Classic sportscar looks, and some incredible detailing you won’t see on something born in Italy. McLaren are taking the fight directly to Ferrari and Lamborghini, and this British bulldog looks set to rip those bulls and horses apart…

Some say there hasn’t been a truly beautiful Ferrari since the F355. The 360, 430 and 599 have all had a ‘technical’ look to them, but they’ve certainly been missing that certain something in the looks department. Well with the 458 Italia, Pininfarina has redeemed itself, creating the best looking Ferrari for over a decade. Small, taut, lithe, yet stunningly beautiful, the 458 ups the game considerably, with 560bhp from its flat-plane V8, and a new 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Containing all of Ferrari’s accumulated F1 knowledge, the 458 is going to be a hard car to beat on track or on road…

A credit crunch busting lump of cash! Will it pay for the Mortgage, School Fees, an  amazing holiday or just be a nest egg for the future? 

Whatever you do with it, it will be certainly help through the year!!

The Porsche 911 had it easy for years, sitting back being THE useable supercar. Then from out of nowhere comes Audi, with a futuristic coupe that looks ready to fight from the off.

A 4.2 V8, mounted in the middle, putting out over 400bhp, 4wd for security in all weather, and an exhaust reminiscent of a NASCAR racing car. Victory looks set for the Audi, even without counting its stunning interior and newer technology.  Audi 1 – Porsche 0…

The Giant-Killer. Godzilla.

This latest in the long line of Nissan’s GT-Rs has received a different nickname from everyone that drives it, and for good reason. This GT-R not only beat the established players, it took the rule book and did a burn-out right on top of it. £40,000 cheaper than a 911 Turbo, yet more powerful, better handling, and quicker around the Nurburgring. A driving gadget show, every bit of new tech is included on this Jap toy, from the twin-clutch gearbox, through the on-board g-meter, to the super-trick 4wd system.

That was 2009 though, and Nissan certainly didn’t rest on their laurels. Most companies would have been happy with their supercar being the measure of a 911 Turbo, but not Nissan. For 2011 they have tweaked and fettled the GT-R, and while outwardly you’d struggle to tell the difference, it’s under the skin where the changes have been made. Of course the outside has been tweaked – new front and rear bumpers add a diffuser at the rear and fancy LEDs at the front. The engine gets a makeover too, pushing the 3.8 litre V6 to a mammoth 523bhp, which brings the 0-60 time down to a scarcely believable 3.0 seconds, and the top speed is nudging 200mph. Amazing for a 4 seater practical coupe. One thing is for sure, you can guarantee Porsche are working on something special to trump this GT-R with the new 991 Turbo...

Evolution, not revolution - this is one of the key phrases that must be drummed into a Porsche designer’s head when they start work. From 993 through 996 and 997 variations the 911 has always been recognisable as a 911. It’s also pretty rare that there is an all-new model – in the 48 years the 911 has been in production there have only been 6 ground-up redesigns. Well now there is a new model – the 991 variant. Lower, wider, sleeker, lighter and more powerful, this new 911 aims to be the best Sportscar not just that they’ve ever made, but in the world.

The Carrera S model gets 400 bhp as standard from the 3.8 litre flat-6 engine, and comes with the world’s first 7-speed manual gearbox. Slim LED rear lights give the 991 a striking look from the rear, and the front, whilst familiar, is stunning – aggressive yet beautiful at the same time. To give an idea of how much the 991 has moved the game on, the Carrera S has just lapped the famed Nurburgring in 7mins 40 seconds, which is as fast as the 997 GT3 RS. The new interior is also a massive leap, with a raised centre console similar to the Panamera, sleek design and quality above all others. The 991 is going to make the competition seem very old fashioned, very quickly…

Take one Porsche Cayenne, and squash it with a large Monty Python-style foot, and you pretty much have the latest offering from Stuttgart - a 4wd, long, low saloon with a 400bhp V8 engine and traditional Porsche looks.

The Panamera takes the ethos of the Cayenne – a practical 4dr Porsche – and hones it so that it doesn’t have the disadvantages of a tall SUV body. This enabled the engineers to make the handling even more like that of the 911 – but in this case they have the advantage of the superior weight distribution offered by mounting the V8 in the nose. The result is a huge car which feels like you’re driving a 911. The looks aren’t to everyone’s taste, but this is still a Porsche, one which you could be driving if you win our Supercar Competition.

An outstanding interior cosseting the 4 occupants, enough power and handling to take it round the Nurburgring faster than a 911 Carrera S, and even a decent boot all combine to make this the consummate long distance cruiser. Four-up to the Nurburgring, followed by a few laps, then home? No problems…

One journalist described the visceral sound of the Aston V8 Vantage under full acceleration as 'Like God gargling with the planets' , and there's no better description.

With a body so perfectly proportioned and stunning, you could be forgiven for thinking its all good looks and noise, and no substance. But this Aston delivers with hard, creamy smooth acceleration, tight balanced cornering and an interior which is rich in details to keep you amused for hours. Play at being Bond, or just drop the windows and find a tunnel...

“If you have the money, the imagination and the desire to drive one of, if not THE most involving road cars that has ever been built, then you should buy the Mono. Who needs friends in life anyway…” – This is what Autocar Magazine had to say about the BAC Mono when they drove it. A small company based in Cheshire in the UK, BAC has decided to create the most focussed road and track car ever made. When driving enjoyment is the aim, why bother with a passenger? In a lightweight car, having a passenger or not dramatically altered the weight distribution of the car, so BAC did away with the passenger.

What they are left with, is basically a Formula 3 car for the road. The body is made from carbon fibre and the shapes of the curvaceous bodywork also form the aerodynamic addenda needed to keep the Mono on the ground. A 2.3 litre 280bhp Cosworth developed engine powers this 540kg lightweight and gives ballistic performance, while the race-derived inboard dampers and carbon suspension give it the handling of a race car. Beautiful, focussed and technically advanced, the BAC may just be the fastest point-to-point car on sale today…

The all-V8 line-up includes the superb new 4.4 litre LR-TDV8 Diesel engine with a new eight-speed transmission incorporating Drive Select with Paddle Shift as standard. It delivers more power and torque, and improved economy. The patented Terrain Response® system is upgraded with new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. Also available in two new beautiful colours, Fuji White and Baltic Blue.

The Range Rover Vogue SE specification includes, in addition to the Range Rover Vogue, perforated semi-aniline leather with heated/cooled front seats and heated rear seats, optional Rear Screen Entertainment Pack for DVDs and gaming as well as the added luxury of 14-piece real wood veneer trim and brushed tread plates. The Vogue SE’s exterior is iconic Range Rover design in its most contemporary form with stylish touches including 20 inch Style 11 alloy wheels. There are also Adaptive Xenon headlamps with directional lighting.

A credit crunch busting lump of cash! Will it pay for the Mortgage, School Fees, an  amazing holiday or just be a nest egg for the future? 

Whatever you do with it, it will be certainly help through the year!!

Rocket powered scaffolding - that’s the best way to describe the Atom. A body pared down to the absolute minimum, no doors, no windscreen, no heater, hardly any bodywork. Just exposed chassis beams, a nosecone, and a 245bhp Honda VTEC engine screaming its way to 9000prm behind your head.  The acceleration is punishing, the handling deft and light, a visceral experience bested by none. Just don’t forget your helmet – it gets windy in there…

And that’s not all - choose this prize and you’ll also win a day at the legendary PalmerSport Driving Experience. In one perfect day, you and 9 friends will drive six amazing high performance cars to their limit at Bedford Autodrome, a purpose built venue located centrally in the UK. It features 6 miles of track within an 800 acre site, with four separate circuits, endless run off areas and excellent facilities. Get behind the wheel of an Ariel Atom, BMW M3 GTP, Palmer Jaguar JP-LM, Caterham 7 Superlight, Formula Jaguar and Land Rover Defender.

The Cayman R is as close to a Cayman GT3 as we’re going to get for now – lighter, more powerful and sharper to drive. The 3.4 litre engine gets a power boost to 330bhp, and the body loses 65kg if you opt for the lightweight battery. Okay, you forgo satnav, a stereo and aircon to achieve that weight loss, but this Cayman is all about hard driving – being the best car to take on your favourite road or race track and making you grin from ear to ear.

The Cayman R gets a few choice additions to make it stand out from the norm – optional lime green paint reminiscent of the 70’s competition Porsches, retro Porsche logo side stripes, the Cayman Aerokit as standard, with gloss black rear spoiler, wing mirrors and headlight surrounds, and you can have black centre-lock wheels to finish the look.

The Cayman R promises to be one of the best handling Porsches of all time, with the balance and poise to worry much more powerful cars. Bring on the comparison tests…

Until recently the BMW M3 had pretty much the run of the practical performance coupe market. Lexus had the IS-F, but it was a 4dr. Audi had the RS5 but it was hampered by poor handling and 4wd. And Mercedes had the C63, but like the Lexus it was a 4dr which just wasn’t, well… sexy. So the M3 sat there with its glorious V8 making all the right noises to anyone who wanted to hear it. Well Mercedes was watching, and now they have released the biggest threat to the M3’s reign yet, with a Coupe version of the C63.

Using the same 6.2 litre V8 as used in most of the AMG tuned Mercs, it pushes out a very useful 451bhp (35bhp up on the M3) or 478bhp with the optional Performance Pack. The new Coupe body blends the aggressive front end of the facelifted C-Class to an all-new 2dr body which looks great with the flared AMG wheelarches. It makes the most evil sound from the V8, a sound deep, rich and vocal enough to send an M3 hiding in the bushes. The King is dead, long live the King…

This is possibly the most important car in Land Rover’s history. They have taken the Range Rover brand upwards to the highest levels, with the brand now representing the very best in off road luxury vehicles. But times are changing, customers want ecologically friendly cars and petrol becomes ever more expensive. So the Range Rover Evoque is born. Similar in size to the Land Rover Freelander, but sleeker and sportier, the Evoque takes all the best Range Rover attributes and shrinks them to 70% of the size. So you still get great looks (even more so with the Coupe – a 3dr fastback), an amazingly luxurious and well designed interior and exceptional off road ability, but combined with frugal engines, low CO2 emissions and a lower price tag. This SD4 model gets a 190bhp 2.2 litre diesel engine which pumps out under 150g/km of CO2 – very impressive figures. Expect to see the Evoque on every street corner in every major city – this will be THE car to own in 2011…

While it might look like a JCW hatchback with a roof chop, there are changes under the skin. The strengthened chassis from the Mini Convertible is used, and while it adds a little weight (the Coupe is 25kg heavier), the engineers are happy that it’s at the lowest point of the car. Springs and dampers are stiffer, too.

The rear spoiler deploys at around 55mph and detracts at 25mph, but when raised at high speed can provide up to 40kg of extra downforce. The windscreen is raked at a 13 per cent lower angle than on the hatchback, which not only boosts the interior and makes it feel more special than other Minis, but dramatically reduces wind noise – enough to require some extra sound deadening in the rear quarters to hide the roar of run-flat tyres.

Packing a 444bhp V8 with a snarling exhaust note and their legendary 4WD system, this promised to be a successor to the legendary Quattro rallying competition cars. The bodywork gets suitable addenda to complete the makeover, with flared wheelarches, a gaping front bumper with massive air intakes to feed that engine, and a rear speed-activated spoiler which pops up when the need arises for more downforce. Add in the fact that you get the same incredible Audi interior as in the normal car, but with a set of astounding carbon bucket seats to clamp you in place, and you have an Audi that looks great, sounds great, handles like a dream and can take you and 4 friends to the golf course – the long way round, naturally…

A credit crunch busting lump of cash! Will it pay for the Mortgage, School Fees, an  amazing holiday or just be a nest egg for the future? 

Whatever you do with it, it will be certainly help through the year!!