NEWS: New Volvo S60, V60 & XC60 R-Design with Polestar Performance Packs

We love the R-Design Volvo range – especially with the Polestar performance packs, as we showed in this Volvo special of Road Magazine here.
And now there are three more new R-Design versions of Volvo's S60, V60 and XC60 – featuring "an outstanding blend of a renewed sports appearance, a dynamic driving-focused chassis and engine output up to a substantial 329 horsepower with the Polestar performance option" say Volvo. All cars boast better performance, sportier suspension (with new Monotube damping and lower, sports springs) and a new cornering traction control system.
"The new R-Design models are a perfect match for performance-minded individuals with a passion for exquisite details. In the new S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design, we have turned up the visual volume of these popular models with meticulous attention to detail," says Doug Speck, Senior Vice President Marketing, Sales and Customer Service at Volvo Car Group.
"The S60 and V60 R-Design with lowered R-Design chassis, T6 engine and the optional 19-inch wheels hit all the right notes. Just let the ultra-comfortable new sport seats embrace you while you enjoy the intense driving experience," adds Doug Speck.
All three R-Design cars - including the XC60 - now feature a unique face with a redesigned, dynamic, expressive nose. The frameless Tech Matte Black grille has high-gloss black stripes, a silk metal diagonal and a refined R-Designed emblem. The DRL lights in the outer corners reinforce the low, road-hugging impression.
"The front wheel arches are small design gems that enhance the car's sporty aura. The rounded end of the front bumper ‘wraps' around the dynamic Ixion wheel, which is now available in a redesigned 19-inch version for the S60/V60 and a 20-inch for the XC60," says Fedde Talsma, Design Director, Exterior.
At the rear, the unique diffuser with aero fins is flanked by the round, high-tech R-Design tailpipes.
New generation R-Design interior
The new sport seat comes as standard in the R-Design cars. It features a blend of black Nubuck textile and perforated leather. The embroidered R-design logo with a blue ‘R' confirms the sporty aura. Full leather seats are available as an option in the R-Design and standard on the R-Design Lux.
"With great hugging side support all the way from the thighs to the shoulders, the new sport seat makes a perfect addition to the in-command feel of a true driver's car while the seat retains the traditional comfort that has been a Volvo hallmark for decades," says Doug Speck.
The Adaptive Digital Display features the option to switch between three layouts with different configuration and functionality - Elegance, Eco and Performance. In the R-Design versions, the Elegance theme boasts a radiant blue colour.
The design team has dedicated much attention to all the interior details that emphasise the distinctive R-Design aura.
"By blending inlays with a perforated look, black leather and contrasting stitching, the design team has created an interior with all the details in perfect harmony, crowned by the black headliner. The new stainless steel tread plate with a bright blue ‘R' in the R-Design emblem is another exquisite detail," says Doug Speck.
R-Design models can be combined with all the engines available for the standard versions. The range spans from the D2 diesel with 115 horsepower (not available in the XC60) to the 3.0 litre, six cylinder T6 petrol turbo with 304 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque.
The T6 buyer can boost performance to 329 horsepower by opting for the Polestar software that charges the specially designed sport accelerator pedal with an extra 25 hp.
Acceleration times in the T6 version, using the new paddle shift with the automatic gearbox in Sport mode, have been cut in all three cars with 0-62mph now down to 5.9 seconds (previously 6.1) in the S60 T6. The equivalent figure for the V60 T6 is 6.0 seconds (6.2), while the XC60 T6 now covers 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds (7.3).
The R-Design Sport chassis has been lowered 15 mm and the spring stiffness is 15 per cent higher compared with the dynamic chassis in the standard S60 and V60. This gives responsive driving pleasure with full control.
"The driving experience should be so connected that it boosts the dynamics without making the chassis feel too raw. If the chassis is too firm, even smooth tarmac can feel bumpy. We aim for a sporting yet luxurious feel," says Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development at Volvo Car Group.
The S60 and V60 R-Design feature rear monotube dampers, delivering compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which in turn means the damper responds more quickly.
Stiffer bushings counteract oscillation, and roll and movements are more controlled. The bushings that attach the rear dampers to the body are 20 per cent stiffer compared with the Dynamic chassis. The front tie-blade bushing is a substantial 400 per cent stiffer to counteract wheel bouncing and shaking.
A strut brace under the bonnet ties together the suspension strut towers to stiffen up the body structure.
The XC60 R-Design chassis is also stiffer than the standard car and has more dynamic driving properties - without compromising ride comfort. The shock absorber springs and anti-roll bars are adjusted and tuned to be firmer and more balanced. The result is improved control and a sportier, road-hugging drive.
Just like in the standard variants, a range of electronic systems that sharpen the sporty driving experience backs up the chassis in the R-Design cars.
Corner Traction Control, which uses torque vectoring to provide smoother cornering, is now also standard on the XC60. The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system also has several other functions that improve driving and safety properties, such as:

• Advanced Stability Control. With a gyroscopic roll-angle sensor the anti-spin system can deploy faster and with greater precision.
• Engine Drag Control prevents the wheels from losing their grip during engine braking on a slippery surface.
• The DSTC system also has a sports setting that makes it possible for the driver to disable the anti-spin function.

The new Volvo S60, V60 and XC60 R-Design will be available in all markets that sell the standard versions of these models. Volvo Cars expects that about 10 per cent of buyers will choose the R-Design version, but this increases to over 30 per cent in some markets such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
"Of the R-Design models, more than half of the volume will be snapped up by buyers who drive other car makes today. These cars also play a vital role in lowering the age of our customer base," says Doug Speck.
See images of all the cars on our Facebook page.

NEWS: 2013 Time Attack Championship

Less than a week to go until the start of the 2013 Time Attack UK Championship – with the first round at Cadwell Park, on April 1st bank holiday Monday. You going?
To help get you in the mood, here's a great video from Togethia TV from the 2012 Cadwell event – a wet old affair, most likely as this year will be. At least the turbo cars will enjoy all the cold air there is at the moment.
This year features some new tyre regulations and the usual multiple classes for Club Challenge and Pro entries, in FWD, RWD and 4WD groups – so plenty of silverware to play for.
And the 2013 dates and venues are well spread across the UK at a good range of superb fast and flowing and tight and technical circuits, for a fair fight:
Round 1 – 1st April, Cadwell Park
Round 2 – 11th May, Croft
Round 3 – 9th June, Snetterton
Round 4 – 20th July, Oulton Park
Round 5 (Pro class) – 8th September, Silverstone
Round 5 (Club class) – 14th September, Donington
Round 6 Finale – 29th September, Brands Hatch
The series created in 2005 is looking like developing on another notch this year – so expect plenty of close competition and some really great sprint cars and (some race) drivers in all classes. We're particularly looking forward to seeing if Simon Deaton's Porsche GT3 R factory-fettled race ace can compete against the big power 'point and squirt' turbo nutters in the Pro class, even with 'only' 500bhp against some cars with nigh-on 1,000bhp. But there's many a battle to enjoy. So, check out a round near you – Time Attack is a great sprint series that deserves your support. You'll have a great day spectating. Or, why not enter your car as a OHW (One Hit Wonder)? It's great value and great fun racing, with less risk of damage and a super friendly paddock of new friends in the making. Get involved!
Find out more at the Time Attack website. Good luck everyone!

NEWS: Foreign Office Launch Easter Road Safety Campaign

With the Easter holidays approaching, the Foreign Office has launched a "road safety campaign to help British nationals drive safely abroad and stay on the right side of foreign road laws." (See what they did there? Right side – of the road, law. Clever!)
The campaign has been developed in response to FCO staff based overseas reporting a high number of road traffic incidents affecting British tourists and expats in popular destinations, such as Thailand, Australia and Spain.
Road conditions, driving standards and laws vary widely and some countries experience much higher rates of road traffic accidents and fatalities than the UK. For example, in Thailand, a country with 50,000 British residents and over 870,0001 British visitors per year, there were 68,582 road traffic incidents resulting in 9,205 deaths involving both Thai residents and tourists in 2011.2 In contrast 1,901 people were killed in road accidents in the UK in 20113.
After deaths from natural causes, road traffic deaths are the most common cause of death for British nationals in Thailand and cause a high number of hospitalisations. According to FCO staff in Thailand, the majority of road traffic accidents involve motorcycles and scooters, although serious accidents also occur with other vehicles. For instance, in the past year a number of British nationals were involved in accidents whilst travelling by overnight coach.
Mark Kent, Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, said: "British nationals using the roads in Thailand should bear in mind that road laws and driving customs here are different from those in the UK and road conditions, driving standards and road traffic regulations can vary. Road traffic accidents can have a profound effect on both those individuals involved and their families. Accidents do occur and not all tragedies are avoidable, but the outcome could be very different with many lives being saved and critical injuries reduced if people adopted the same safety precautions abroad that they would naturally take at home.
"I have visited hospitals here and heard from doctors how many deaths could have been avoided by following the law and taking the appropriate precautions, such as safety helmets. You should check that your travel insurance specifically covers you for driving a scooter or any other vehicle abroad."
Sound advise folks...
Closer to home, many countries have unusual road laws which Britons might like to be aware of before heading off on holiday this Easter. For example:
· France – all drivers are required to carry a breathalyser
· Scandinavia – it is illegal to drive without headlights, even in daylight
· Spain – if you need to wear glasses, you are required to carry an additional pair when driving
· Germany – it is illegal to drive without Winter tyres at certain times of the year
· Belarus – it is illegal to drive a dirty car
· Spain – in some cities, cars must be parked on different sides of the road according to the day of the week
· Serbia – compulsory equipment to be held by driver includes a tow bar and 3m rope
· Russia – it is forbidden to pick up hitchhikers
As part of the campaign, the FCO is launching an online tool to give people access to specific road safety advice for the country they will be driving in. The road safety tool is available at www.fcowidget.com
And for up-to-date travel advice on-the-go, the FCO is encouraging people to sign up to Facebook and Twitter feeds to ensure they are informed of the latest travel advice: www.facebook.com/fcotravel or www.twitter.com/fcotravel. 

Thanks FCO! Useful stuff... 

NEWS: Subaru Forester Gen IV Pricing

Just in advance of our forthcoming second Subaru special of Road Magazine out later this month, Subaru has announced the pricing for one of their most popular models (and a personal favourite of the magazine), the Fourth generation Forester – which features a whole host of improvements and new technologies. The new car will start at £24,995 for the 2.0D X, rising to £30,995 for the range topping 2.0i XT. The all-new, fourth-generation Forester goes on sale across the network in May and "will build upon the model’s reputation as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a more spacious and better appointed cabin."
Naturally, Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains at the heart of the Forester, while a low centre of gravity and improved body rigidity contribute to improved refinement and a typically engaging drive on the road.
The engine line-up will include 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, while Subaru will return to its Forester roots with the introduction of a new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine (hooray!), producing 240PS. All the engines have significantly improved CO2 and economy figures over the outgoing model.
Full pricing for the new Forester by model is as follows:

Petrol models

2.0i XE 2.0i XE CVT 2.0i XE Premium 2.0i XE Premium CVT 2.0i XT CVT

£25,495 £26,995 £27,495 £28,995 £30,995

Diesel models

2.0D X 2.0D X 2.0D X Premium

£24,995 £26,995 £28,995

A full press kit on the new Forester, including technical specifications and comprehensive details of equipment will be released on April 15, so stay tuned here for more details soon.

NEWS: New Era For Wales Rally GB With BRC Partnership

Great news for rally fans! International Motor Sports – the organisers of the fabulous Wales Rally GB – has announced an exciting new partnership with the MSA British Rally Championship, which as well as providing a raft of mutually beneficial marketing and publicity benefits will offer no fewer than six front-runners with FREE entries into Wales Rally GB (14-17 November). Airhorns at the ready! 

The top three finishers in the overall BRC championship as well as class winners in both British Junior and RallyTwo Rally categories will all be offered free entries into the concluding round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship. Additionally the winner of the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge will be awarded a free entry into the National Rally that runs alongside the WRC event in the legendary Welsh Forests. These free entries will be transferable to the next highest finishers should the winning crews not be able to attend Wales Rally GB.
The far-reaching collaboration between the UK’s round of the globe-trotting FIA World Rally Championship and this country’s premier national rally championship will form an integral part of IMS’s latest the ‘Road to Wales’ initiative – a targeted activity promoting Wales Rally GB including special displays at major events such as the renowned Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (14-16 June) and Castle Combe’s popular Rallyday (21 September):

"It’s every rally driver’s dream to compete on the world championship stage and we are thrilled to be helping the top performers from the British Rally Championship to make that step up into the big time," explained Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of IMS. "While there are, of course, other significant costs involved, hopefully the provision of these free entries will be a big incentive as we’d like to see all the front-runners from our top national championship furthering their careers by competing in what’s the sport’s biggest event in this country. After all that’s how future champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns earned their spurs and came to prominence."

Coe is keen to emphasise that the provision of free entries into Wales Rally GB is just one aspect of a wide-ranging new affiliation between IMS and the BRC.
"By working together we can really make a difference in promoting rallying within the UK," continued Coe. "The exciting partnership includes a comprehensive programme of joint advertising, database, social media and other marketing schemes that will benefit all involved in the sport as well as forming a key component in our overall ‘Road to Wales’ campaign."
Mark Taylor, Managing Director of the MSA British Rally Championship, also welcomed the new partnership. He said: "I want to commend the Wales Rally GB team; they are determined to make the 2013 event a real success and we are resolute in our support of the Road to Wales campaign. The WRGB roadshow will be attending some of the BRC events taking the opportunity to talk to marshals, officials as well as competitors and fans.
"Let's not kid ourselves, the winning drivers will still need to find some more budget to enter Wales Rally GB, but thanks to Pirelli and Citroën who have kindly assisted in support with cash prizes and tyres, the additional costs are much less than what they would normally be.
"The Road to Wales leads to an end of season finale, an aspirational pinnacle for our champion drivers and co-drivers. I hope the rally community gets behind the scheme – let's showcase and celebrate the very best of our home grown talent to the rest of the world."
For the latest updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb or visit the website www.walesrallygb.com

NEWS: Jaguar R Range Expansion With 550PS XJR

Jaguar's iconic letters – XJR – are back! Yes, Jaguar’s peak performing cat range, those beasts in their cultish R range, has been expanded to include the XJR. The new XJR will be making its global debut at the 2013 New York Show, alongside the F-TYPE and all-wheel drive XF and XJ sedans. The 5.0-litre, supercharged, 550PS, 502lb ft XJR will become "the dynamic flagship sedan of the Jaguar line-up."
Jaguar PR says about the XJR: "With a bespoke chassis and aerodynamic developments, the XJR is the most focused, agile and responsive Jaguar XJ ever made. It delivers supercar performance and assertive looks with the highest levels of luxury." 
And according to Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar: "The new XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon."
We love a hot Jaguar, don't you? And that 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine is a beauty. Bring it on! 

NEWS: Sir Chris Hoy Podium in Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge

Sir Chris Hoy MBE contested the all-new ‘Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge’ at the F1 Australian Grand Prix at the 3.3-mile Albert Park track in Melbourne this weekend – as 21 evenly-matched, 137mph, 175PS (420Nm) Mazda6 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D saloons battled for honours. And the Olypmic champion and budding racer, who will be racing Radicals this year in the UK, managed an excellent second place in the final of the three-race mini-series.
"The Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge in Australia was great fun and provided the perfect showcase for Mazda’s clean diesel technology," comments Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director, Mazda UK. "The event captured the ‘defy convention’ spirit at the heart of Mazda and put a fresh spotlight on our brand in a country where Mazda is already very popular and the Mazda3 topped the new car sales chart last year."
Completely standard, the all-new Mazda6 saloon racecars were fitted with additional safety equipment to comply with FIA regulations including a full roll-cage, Sparco race seat with six-point safety harness, external battery ‘kill’ switches and race compound brake pads. The cars retained their six-speed SKYACTIV-DRIVE automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle-shift selectors and ran on regular, grooved road tyres.
The only British competitor in the event, Chris Hoy qualified a promising third during Thursday’s practice session, finished fifth on Saturday (from a 20th place start) and stormed to a great second place finish in Sunday’s final.
"I am delighted with today’s performance; it was the most fun I have had in the car ever," enthused Hoy, who recently drove the Prodrive Impreza WRC that Colin McRae drove in 1998, for BBC2' Racing Legends program. "After Saturday’s charge through the field, passing 15 cars, I even had hopes of maybe winning the final, but Brad Hodge has been so consistent and he was ultimately out of reach and I had to settle for the runner-up spot."
The three-race Mazda6 Celebrity Challenge was won by former Australian test cricketer Brad Hodge who convincingly took overall honours by winning every race with celebrity chef Shane Delia and star actor Jonathan LaPaglia (Law & Order and NCIS) rounding out the podium.
Women drivers also performed well with Australian hero Olympic cyclist Anna Meares finishing fourth overall – the leading female in each race – and Holly Candy (nee Valance, formerly of Neighbours) singer of the chart-topping single Kiss Kiss, playing a starring role.
Well done Chris! Good practice for the super-fast Radicals this year... sort of!

NEWS: Subaru Outback Alpine Road Trip

It's all going to go quiet for a week here on the blog, Facebook & Twitter for a week – sorry! The reason? Editor, Phil Royle is off on a 1,700-mile road trip to the French and Italian Alps, in one of the world's most under-rated cars – Subaru's superb Outback. The jacked-up Legacy-based model should be perfect for all the Alpine snow with its symmetrical four-wheel-drive and especially as its wearing Winter rubber – so we're looking forward to the hairpins especially. And the economical, but powerful Boxer diesel engine should prove perfect for the long road trip. As will the superbly comfortable and well-equipped interior. And we'll also be testing out Garmin's new Nuvi 3590 LMT sat-nav unit. Read all about the road trip in the next issue of Road, another cracking Subaru special, out later this month. And if you can't wait until then, did you catch the last Subaru special here? A bientot!

NEWS: Falken’s 2013 VLN & Nürburgring 24 Hours 911 GT3 R Campaign

Our pals at Falken Motorsports have confirmed their 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 R and a retained driver line-up for their 2013 VLN and Nürburgring 24 Hours campaign – so good luck everyone & stay tuned here for updates throughout the season. 

The performance-upgraded 997 GT3 R, which will run on new Falken rubber this year, looks great. And the ace Falken Motorsports team drivers remain unchanged of Sebastian Asch, Peter Dumbreck, Wolf Henzler and Martin Ragginger – and are aiming for a top ten finish in the 24 Hour event.
Falken Motorsports, headed by experienced team principal Sven Schnabl, has upgraded the Porsche with a new aero package that includes wider wings, new splitter and double canards at the front with a larger rear wing to increase downforce. Enlarged cooling vents around both the front and rear arches has also been enhanced and the car is now able to run 12” wide rims at the front, 0.5” wider than last year. Crucial for a 24 Hour race, the 997 now sports four front headlamps.

In addition to the car upgrades, Falken’s engineers in Japan have developed a range of new tyres for this season with first track testing of the new covers set for the 16thMarch at the annual VLN Set-Up day.
Building upon the experience from last year, Falken Motorsports is retaining Peter Dumbreck, Martin Ragginger, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler and Sebastian Asch. "After a really exciting 2012 season under our belts, it makes us all the keener to get start the 2013 season underway in a few weeks," says Austrian racer Martin Ragginger. "We are gearing up to give it everything we've got for the fans and aiming for a top ten place in 24-Hour Race."
Falken has also confirmed which rounds it will participate in the VLN calendar.
16.03.2013 VLN Set Up Day
23.03.2013 60. ADAC Westfalenfahrt
27.04.2013 55. ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup
17.-20.05.2013 41. ADAC ZURICH 24h-Rennen Nürburgring
22.06.2013 44. Adenauer ADAC Simfy Trophy
20.07.2013 53. ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen
24.08.2013 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen
12.10.2013 ROWE DMV 250-Meilen-Rennen