As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the motoring news which you may have missed starting with the new Audi R8 V10 performance RWD.
Even more power, even more fun: the true meaning of “performance” at the Audi Sport GmbH. The new R8 V10 performance RWD (Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 13.0 – 12.9 (18.1 – 18.2 US mpg); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 298 – 294) is available as a coupé or spyder with 30 PS extra and a sporty complement to the R8 V10 performance quattro. This rear-wheel drive sportscar, with its mid-mounted engine boasting 570 PS, is the embodiment of fun driving.
The Audi R8 V10 performance RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) is the sporty new cutting edge of serial rear-wheel drive sportscars from Audi. “The Audi R8 V10 RWD really struck a chord with customers right from the start with its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8 LMS racecar and its unfiltered dynamics. Now it has 30 PS and 10 Nm more, taking the driving experience to a whole new level,” says Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. The base versions of both models, the R8 V10 quattro and the R8 V10 RWD as a Coupé and Spyder, will be replaced by the new performance models. This puts the R8 model range more firmly in the top position.
This mid-mounted engine sportscar leaves others in the dust, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (3.8 seconds for the Spyder) with a top speed of 204mph (203mph for the Spyder). The crown jewel of the new R8 is the renowned naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 FSI motor with unparalleled sound, lightning-fast reaction and incredible liveliness. In the R8 V10 performance, the engine has an output of 570 PS and delivers up to 550 Nm of torque, which it distributes to its rear wheels with its seven-gear S tronic. That’s 10 Nm more torque than the Audi R8 V10 RWD. A mechanical limited slip differential distributes the torque ideally based on the driving situation, ensuring prime traction even when the roads are wet. As with all R8s, the body is built of aluminium using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design, with large parts made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The Coupé version of the R8 V10 performance RWD thus weighs a mere 1,590kg, with the Spyder version weighing in at 1,695kg.
The tight lines of the design set the tone inside the car as well. Its most eye-catching element is the “Monoposto” – the large, heavily contoured arch that spans the area in front of the driver’s seat and is strongly reminiscent of a racecar cockpit. The “Monoposto” encloses the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen, which is integrated into a freestanding casing. The R8 leather steering wheel with Multifunction plus offers two or, in the performance quattro version, four control satellites, each for using Audi drive select, to start the engine, to activate Performance Mode and the engine sound as well as to control the Audi virtual cockpit. Drivers and passengers can enjoy the ride in their optionally available R8 bucket or sport seats, upholstered in leather. A badge with the RWD emblem shimmers in front of the passenger seat.
The arrival of the R8 V10 performance RWD marks a new entry point to the Audi UK line-up. As standard, the newcomer comes fitted with a wealth of new luxury and performance features that cements the model’s position as the ultimate everyday supercar. The generous specification includes 19-inch twin-spoke forged alloy wheels finished in matt titanium, a gloss black styling pack, R8 sports seats with fine Nappa leather, flat-bottomed steering wheel, 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, Audi phone Box with wireless charging and the famous sideblades finished in bodycolour.
Those looking to take the R8 V10 performance to the next level, Edition models, which are offered on both performance RWD and performance quattro versions, bring an extra layer of exclusivity. Additional equipment includes upgraded 20-inch cast aluminium alloy wheels in bronze, fine Nappa leather with diamond contrast stitching, carbon sideblades, black Audi rings and mirrors, a Bang & Olufsen stereo with loudspeakers in head restraints and red brake callipers. Performance quattro Edition models also benefit from upgraded carbon-ceramic brakes.
Further visual impact can also be applied with the addition of the Carbon Pack, which is exclusively available for Edition models. Priced at £9,000, it adds a gloss carbon fibre front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser, mirrors and engine cover, while the interior also benefits from carbon fibre door sills, inlays and centre console.
The Audi R8 V10 performance RWD can be ordered from October 21.
Prices start from £126,885 OTR for the coupé and £135,575 OTR for the spyder
New 2022 Mazda CX-5
A significantly updated version of Mazda’s stylish, spacious and dynamic SUV – the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is the latest example of Mazda’s successive updates and refinements to every aspect of this ever-popular SUV. Since the launch of the original Mazda CX-5 in 2012, 69,500 CX-5s have been sold in the UK and today it accounts for around 25 per cent of UK sales.
Arriving in the UK early next year, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 features a bold new look with an evolution of its award-winning Kodo Design. Revised front and rear bumper designs combine with new headlight and taillight clusters to give the 2022 CX-5 a distinctly more modern and sharper look. At the front a more three-dimensional and powerful grille design is combined with a new signature wing trim that no longer heads into the lamp cluster, while at the rear the new bumper shape and stronger taillight design sharpens the rear styling.
In the UK the 20 model 2022 Mazda CX-5 line-up features five trim levels: SE-L, Newground, Sport, Sport Black and GT Sport. For the first time, individual model grades feature subtle styling differentiation to give customers the option of choosing a CX-5 with a unique character and focus. The three stand out trim grades: Newground, Sport Black and GT Sport each have a distinct personality to ensure the CX-5 range offers more choice than ever before.
As before, the entry point to the CX-5 range is the SE-L model, which is offered with either the 165ps Skyactiv-G petrol or 150ps Skyactiv-D engine. Making its debut with 2022 Mazda CX-5, and offered exclusively with the 165ps Skyactiv-G engine, the stand-out Newground model features a slightly more rugged look with front and rear silver underguard trims matched to silver lower body side skirts, black door mirrors and 19-inch black diamond cut alloy wheels. Subtle lime green accents in the grille are replicated inside with lime green air vent louver trims, while the Newground’s black half leatherette seats have matching green piping. Perfect for an active lifestyle, the boot even features a reversible waterproof boot floor, while the Newground can be specified in the new for 2022 model year Zircon Sand Metallic paint colour.
Predicted to be the biggest seller in the UK, the Sport model is offered with a choice of 165ps Skyactiv-G petrol or 150ps and 184ps Skyactiv-D diesel. The higher output diesel is offered with a choice of front or all-wheel drive. Matched exclusively to an automatic gearbox this 184ps Skyactiv-D AWD Sport is the entry point of Mazda’s i-Activ all-wheel drive system in the 2022 Mazda CX-5 range.
The new Sport Black trim is another model that offers customers a unique look, offered exclusively with the 165ps Skyactiv-G petrol engine and front wheel drive, it delivers a sportier interpretation of the CX-5’s new look with gloss black detailing on the wheel arches, side moldings, door mirrors and signature wing grille surround. Subtle red accents within the grille and 19-inch black alloy wheels finish the sporty look, while inside the black leather seats feature red stitching, which is also found around the cabin in areas like the door trim, centre console and steering wheel.
Sitting at the top of the 2022 Mazda CX-5 range, the GT Sport is the premium flagship model that combines a unified one-colour exterior with a high-class interior that features the smooth tactility of brown Nappa leather and the luxurious textures of genuine woodgrain. Externally, the single colour body and trim details highlight the CX-5’s dynamic proportions, while the cabin features the luxurious materials and high levels of technology you’d expect of a premium SUV.
The 2022 Mazda CX-5 GT Sport also features a wide choice of engine, drivetrain and transmission with both the 2.0-litre 165ps Skyactiv-G and 194ps 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol available. As before, the 165ps engine is matched to front wheel drive, while the larger 194ps petrol comes exclusively with all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox with cylinder deactivation for improved efficiency. The GT Sport is also offered with the 184ps Skyactiv-D diesel matched to all-wheel drive.
Thanks to the unique styling of the GT Sport, Sport Black and Newground models, and a 20-model range that offers a choice of automatic or manual gearbox with every trim level, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is a family SUV tailored around customers to give them more choice and options for personalisation than ever before.
The 2022 CX-5 introduces Mazda Intelligent Drive select (Mi-Drive), which enables the driver to select the most appropriate drive mode with one touch of a switch. On 194ps petrol GT Sport models the i-Activ AWD system now benefits from an Off-Road Mode, which makes driving feel more natural on un-made and slippery surfaces. Mazda’s next generation of Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture has now been applied to the 2022 CX-5, further evolving the bodyshell, suspension and seats to enhance ride comfort and reduce fatigue, while road noise has also been greatly reduced, particularly when driving on rough surfaces such as gravel.
The Aston Martin DB6: Remastered and electrified by Lunaz
In 2018 Lunaz Design announced a plan to further the legacies of the most beautiful cars in history through restoration, re-engineering and electrification. Since then, increasing legislative pressure and a change in global sensibilities has made the company’s mission to preserve these most significant objects more essential than ever before.
Lunaz Design announces the completion of its family of the most celebrated cars in British history with the introduction of a limited production run of restored, re-engineered and electrified Aston Martin DB6 cars. They join the stable of a rapidly growing company that is already meeting significant latent global demand with the world’s first and only electric Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Range Rover and Jaguar sportscar models. Highly limited build-slots will be made available for Aston Martin DB4 and DB5 cars.
Lunaz takes extraordinary care in the selection of the marques it chooses to apply its restoration, re-engineering and electrification process to. Only the most beautiful, rare or significant examples of their respective breed are considered. In the case of the Aston Martin DB6, there is no purer or striking evocation of the British Gran Turismo. However, the decision to move into production was not driven by beauty and rarity alone.
“The introduction of electric Aston Martin DB6 cars has been driven by sustained demand from our existing clients. It also reflects the desires of an entirely new classic car buyer. These women and men have been drawn to Lunaz because for the first time they are presented with the powertrain and modern conveniences of today, clothed in a design that speaks of an era when aesthetic purity was the only requirement.”
Prices for DB6 available on application but exceed $1million USD + local taxes
Caterham Cars completes sky-high build of new Seven 170 nearly 500 feet in the air inside British Airways i360 pod
A team of Caterham® engineers has celebrated the launch of its lightest ever production car – the Seven 170 – by building it from scratch 450ft in the air on Brighton seafront.
The build, which was completed inside six hours but would usually take one person 100 hours to finish, took place inside the British Airways i360 pod.
Caterham’s most ambitious car build challenge ever happened inside the world’s highest car dealership, supported by Avon Tyres and Halfords Advanced, and represented the first time the Seven 170 had been unveiled to the British public.
It was not only the first time a car had ever been built in one of Britain’s tallest visitor attractions, but the first time a car had been inside the pod at all. In addition, from ground level it was the highest known height a car had ever been built.
Visitors were able to watch the car build take place, using Halfords Advanced hand tools, in the glass viewing platform while taking in stunning, 360-degree views of the south coast and the English Channel.
Standing at 531ft, British Airways i360 is taller than the London Eye, Big Ben and Tower Bridge. The tower and pod of the i360 weighs over 1,200 tonnes – which equates to 2,727 Caterham Seven 170s or 200 elephants.
Caterham Cars CEO, Graham Macdonald, said: “We set the engineers a daunting challenge building the car at such a height, but we had faith they’d complete it – and they did. This will certainly go down as one of the most interesting and memorable places we’ve ever built a car. We hope the public who came down to watch the build enjoyed their first sighting of our lightest ever production car – the Seven 170.”
New Dacia Duster Commercial
Dacia has announced the introduction of the New Duster Commercial, offering unbeatable value for money for businesses looking for a robust LCV that simply gets the job done.
Based on the passenger version of Dacia’s SUV, the New Duster Commercial brings even more versatility and capability to an already incredibly practical package. Homologated as an N1 commercial version, the New Duster Commercial builds on the Duster’s rugged and resilient nature by adding a tough, hard-wearing flat load area, offering 1,623 litres of space and up to 503kg payload capacity.
In updating the successful formula established by the outgoing model, the New Duster Commercial gains the same bold styling and unmistakable personality as the New Duster SUV, thanks to its Y-shaped LED running lights, new front grille, and updated alloy wheel designs.
The New Duster Commercial is powered by a range of punchy yet efficient petrol and diesel engines, complete with the option of Dacia’s dual-clutch EDC automatic transmission. For the more adventurous tradesperson, farmer, or utility company that needs to access remote areas, a four-wheel-drive model offers genuine go-anywhere capability.
For simplicity, two trim levels – Essential and Comfort – bring the same generous equipment to the New Duster Commercial as the Duster SUV, including a new 8-inch touchscreen boasting Dacia’s Media Display infotainment system complete with both Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay®.
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA sold out
To all intents and purposes, the Giulia GTA is now a collector’s car. Presented to the international press last May, the 500 numbered units have all now been sold to customers from all over the world, including significant numbers from China, Japan and Australia, making it a commercial success on an international level.
A story of authentic passion, it was a project with a strong emotional element that produced a car not just for enthusiasts of the brand, but also for those of sports cars in general. When Alfa Romeo decided to pay tribute to its fans as part of its 110th anniversary celebrations, thoughts immediately turned to the 1965 Giulia GTA, one of the most iconic and successful cars in the brand’s history.
The Autodelta Racing Team developed the 1965 GTA at Balocco, where a team of mechanics worked overtime on a project that made an iconic car a true track vehicle. Similarly, the team that created the present-day Giulia GTA worked on the project in an unconventional way, aiming to bring back to life a memorable chapter in the glorious history of Alfa Romeo. The engineers and mechanics developed the project – codenamed ‘the Monster’ – in the very same places where the ’65 Giulia came to be. In honor of that spirit, the GTA now proudly bears the same historic Autodelta badge. The 1965 Giulia GTA was issued in 500 units, the number required for type approval as a sports car in the Group 2 Turismo class, and the same number of exclusive units are now reserved for the brand’s true fans.
The affinities don’t stop there and extend to the technical side of the project. In terms of ‘alleggerimento’ (lightening), the teams worked on specific design cues for both cars, including the handles, windows and wheels (the latter made of magnesium alloy in the 1965 GTA, its present-day counterpart boasting a specific design and a single locking nut inspired by Formula 1– a unique solution among on-road saloons). Worthy of note are the lightweight materials used in the bodywork (Peraluman 25 in the 1965 GTA, extensive use of carbon fibre in the current model).
A further affinity in terms of aerodynamics lay in the addition of air intakes to both models. This field was only in its early days in 1965, while today’s GTA has benefitted from the collaboration with Sauber Engineering and its 50 years of experience in motorsport, an active participant in the design, prototyping and production of the aerodynamic components, thanks to its own wind tunnel – one of the most advanced in Europe.
One last affinity between the two models is the support provided for the project by professional drivers: the drivers Teodoro Zeccoli and Andrea de Adamich, whose greatest successes were in the Giulia GTA; and the two Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN F1 drivers Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Räikkönen, who played an active role in track testing sessions, during which they provided invaluable indications, especially on the car’s aerodynamic components and handling.
The consistency of work with the past has thus made it possible to maintain a specific feature that has always been the hallmark of an Alfa Romeo creation: functional beauty. The car’s style must correspond to an overarching tenet of beauty, to transcend the passing of time, while maintaining functionality to the advantage of aerodynamic and mechanical efficiency, skillful;y combining form and function This maxim is fully epitomised in the new Giulia GTA.
Alfa Romeo will be opening a reserve list for any customers still interested in purchasing a Giulia GTA, which will be fulfilled in the light of any cancellations.
