NEWS: McLaren P1 Performance Figures Unveiled

McLaren's P1 hypercar performance figures have been released, and make for some unreal reading, in all areas! Check them out below...

Acceleration
0-100km/h (62 mph) 0-200km/h (124 mph) 0-300km/h (186 mph) Standing quarter mile (400m) V Max	2.8 seconds 6.8 seconds 16.5 seconds 9.8 seconds @ 245 km/h (152 mph) 350 km/h (217 mph) electronically limited
Braking
100-0 km/h m (ft) [sec] 200-0 km/h m (ft) [sec] 300-0 km/h m (ft) [sec]	30.2 (99) [2.9] 116 (380) [4.5] 246 (806) [6.2]
Fuel efficiency
mpg (combined) litres/100km	34.0 mpg 8.3 l/100km
Emissions
CO2	194 g/km

McLaren says:

Groundbreaking levels of performance
The McLaren P1™ has been designed from the outset with one clear goal: to be the best driver’s car on road and track. The confirmation of the performance figures underlines this, and gives further insight into the potential of the latest model from the Woking-based firm.
Fitted with a twin powerplant powertrain generating 916 PS (903 bhp) from the highly efficient 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 petrol engine and the lightweight electric motor, the McLaren P1™ storms from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.8 seconds, and hits 200 km/h (124 mph) in 6.8 seconds – quicker than many hot hatches reach half that speed.
The relentless acceleration, delivered as a result of the instant torque offered by the electric motors and the optimised turbos, sees the McLaren P1™ reach 300 km/h (186 mph) in just 16.5 seconds. By way of a benchmark, this is a full 5.5 seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h (217 mph).
Despite these impressive figures, the McLaren P1™ still returns 34.0 mpg (8.3 l/100km) on the EU combined cycle, with CO₂ emissions of 194 g/km. The electric motor offers a range of 11 km (6.8 miles) in full electric mode on the NEDC cycle, which sees emissions drop to zero.
The braking figures are equally as impressive for the McLaren P1™, with the levels of performance provided by the bespoke Akebono system. The specially formulated carbon ceramic discs, coated in silicon carbide, can bring the McLaren P1™ to a halt from 62 mph (100 km/h) in a distance of just 30.2 metres. This figure is even more impressive when compared to the recognised stopping distances, which suggests that more than three times the distance – 102 metres – is required to bring a car to a halt from 100 km/h (62 mph).

First customer takes delivery
In a year of celebration for McLaren, this week has seen another significant milestone in an important chapter of McLaren Automotive with the first customer delivery of the groundbreaking McLaren P1™. Series production of the latest addition to the McLaren range commenced over the summer, and the first car, finished in a striking Volcano Yellow and contrasting visual carbon fibre, rolled off the bespoke production line at the end of September – a fitting tribute during the month of the 50^th anniversary celebrations.
The first example of the McLaren P1™ was collected from the McLaren Technology Centre by its UK-based owner.
“We designed the McLaren P1™ from the outset with one clear goal: to be the best driver’s car on road and track. The confirmation of the performance figures underlines this. 
“I am very proud of our Woking based team and everything they have achieved with this ambitious project.  The handover of the first McLaren P1™ is another milestone in our 50 year history,” commented Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive Ltd.

The P1 production process 
A total of 375 examples of the McLaren P1™ will be produced, and will be hand-built in the state-of-the-art McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, England. This £40 million Foster + Partners designed facility is an ultimate embodiment of McLaren values, fusing precise production techniques with hand craftsmanship and incredible attention to detail.
The McLaren P1™ is custom-built by a carefully selected team of 82 technicians in a four-stage assembly process. From start to finish, the build takes 17 days of skilled work. Once running at full capacity, the McLaren P1™ line will see one car completed each day, with production due to run until mid-2015.
Stage 1: Structural Assembly
The bespoke manufacturing process commences with the preparation of the carbon fibre MonoCage chassis. The one-piece MonoCage weighs just 90kgs, and includes the integrated roof structure, an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, as well as providing a fully sealed compartment for the battery.
Stage 2: Painting
In total the McLaren P1™ consists of seven lightweight panels, all of which are made from carbon fibre – front and rear clamshells, bonnet, doors, front and rear bumpers. Due to the extended painting processes involved, and to minimise disruption to the facility within MPC used for the 12C and 12C Spider, each McLaren P1™ is prepared and hand painted in a dedicated paintshop in the McLaren Technology Centre while the chassis structure is being prepared.
The complete set of body panels for each McLaren P1™ is painted together to ensure a perfect colour match. This process takes three days, including surface preparation of the carbon fibre panels to ensure flawless paintwork on every single car.
Stage 3: Trim Assembly
The fully prepared carbon fibre MonoCage chassis and the hand-painted carbon fibre body panels are brought together on a dedicated production line within the MPC. This ten-stage process is the most recent addition to the MPC, and sees the sub-assembly of battery, front sub-frame, doors, rear clamshells and bumpers fitted as it moves along the line.
Two dedicated McLaren technicians work on each of the production stages for the McLaren P1™, with each step taking a full working day to complete.
Stage 4: Final Assembly
As each car reaches the end of the McLaren P1™ line, it is then subjected to the same rigorous testing regime and sophisticated quality control procedures as the 12C and 12C Spider models to ensure it meets the required quality and performance levels. This phase of production takes a total of seven days to complete.
For the McLaren P1™, this includes a full day shakedown at a proving ground, testing every element of the car’s performance. The McLaren test drivers and a team of technicians run through the different settings and modes to examine and verify the performance ahead of final delivery to the customer.
Each example of the McLaren P1™ is then put through the Monsoon Test, in which 16,000 litres of de-ionised recycled water is released on to the car to ensure all seals are correctly finished. A complete underbody check and diagnostics review is then carried out, before the final dispatch audit confirmation.

Now we're just waiting for that Green Hell lap time and video...

NEWS: Bentley Continental GT3 Racer Makes World Debut @ Goodwood FOS & More!

Bentley are bringing their biblically epic Continental GT3 race car to make its world debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed – in their biggest presence at the ace hill climb based car show event. Best of all, four-time World Rally Champion Juha Kankkunen will drive the breath-taking Continental GT Speed (coupe up the famous Goodwood hill-climb over all three days of the Festival! And as if that wasn't enough... Bentley will also be bringing a Speed 8 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Le Mans win. And there will be a new Flying Spur and the full Bentley range on display the Bentley stand! 

Oh, and did we mention five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell MBE once again donning the Bentley overalls for the event – this year piloting the fastest four-seat convertible in the world – the 202 mph (325 km/h) GT Speed Convertible. With a more dynamic chassis setup, increased power and torque and a host of subtle yet distinctive styling cues, the GT Speed Convertible is the pinnacle of the Continental range. Derek comments: “Coming back to Goodwood with Bentley is always a real honour, and this year I have the pleasure of driving a 616bhp convertible up the infamous hill. 2013 is certain to be a great year for us at the Festival.”
The Continental GT3 will be unveiled on the media stage in the F1 paddock at 10:15 on Friday 12th July, at which point more information about the car will be released. And you can hear all about that and see more pictures here, naturally.

For now, see some more images of the Bentley's on display here.

NEWS: £200K, 183mph Aston Martin Vanquish Volante Launched

Aston Martin is on a roll and it just keeps on getting more exclusive – as they unveil their topless Vanquish Volante, the first to feature a full carbon fibre body, loaded with a 570bhp 6.0-litre V12 engine offering 0-62 mph in about 4.0-seconds and with a multi-layer lightweight fabric roof capable of folding flat in just 14 seconds. Oh, and did I mention the price? £199,995 RRP in the UK, €264,995 RRP in Germany, $297,995 MSRP in the United States and $323,974 RRP in Dubai. But they claim the Vanquish Volante is "a stunning new luxury sports car that brings the thrill of open top motoring to the super GT class... and sits at the pinnacle of our sports car line-up."They say: "Benefitting from all of the technical, engineering and design advances present in the Vanquish coupe launched last year, the new Volante enhances the driving experience still further through the option of exciting convertible driving. The Vanquish Volante crucially retains the coupe’s dynamic character and sporting capability. It boasts the same new AM11 6.0-litre V12 engine as the coupe and the same blistering performance figures, meaning the 0-62 mph sprint is despatched in just 4.1 seconds (estimated) while the top speed stands at 183 mph."
Vanquish Volante is the first fully carbon fibre-skinned Volante in the brand’s 100-year history, while also being the stiffest Volante body structure yet created by the engineering team at Aston Martin’s global HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. The new car’s triple-skin lightweight fabric roof takes just 14 seconds to fold.
Announcing the arrival of the Vanquish Volante Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez said: "This car is what luxury super GT driving is all about. Great performance, fantastic style and exhilarating Volante motoring in one superb package. Aston Martin is celebrating 100 years of excellence in 2013, and the arrival of this new sports car – our ultimate Volante – underlines that our mission to make the next 100 years even more successful is starting perfectly."
The design of Vanquish Volante represents the latest take on Aston Martin’s iconic visual language. Styling cues such as the elegant waist, elongated side strakes and LED rear light blades are derived from the One-77 supercar while the folding fabric roof sits beneath a tonneau and decklid that have been aerodynamically tuned for optimum performance.
The windscreen, meanwhile, is now full height – a first for Aston Martin – which means that the glass runs up to meet the fabric roof, thereby achieving a particularly clean transition.
The Vanquish Volante’s ‘suit’ of carbon fibre panels cloaks a cabin that is both sophisticated and comfortable. The 2+2 cabin is elegantly attired in authentic and luxurious materials: full grain Luxmil leather with optional quilting, metal controls and satin chrome trim underscore the car’s well-appointed nature.
Each body panel on the car is constructed from carbon fibre not just because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, but also for its flexibility of form. This not only reduces mass but means that fewer individual body panels are required – reducing joints and contributing to a more coherent and svelte shape.
As practical as it is well-dressed, the Vanquish Volante boasts a boot that’s fully 50% larger than that of the previous DBS Volante. It measures 279 litres – roof up or down – and makes the new Aston Martin the perfect choice for continent-crossing grand tours as well as daily drives.
Perhaps one of the most striking interior design elements is the centre stack with refinements providing a more elegant form that is also more intuitive and accessible for both driver and front seat passenger.
A direct descendent of the One-77 centre stack, the Vanquish and Vanquish Volante’s set-up retains familiar elements such as the ECU engine start button and glass gear selection buttons while featuring a new infotainment system and a significantly more user-friendly design.
The facia trim now stretches down the whole centre stack and is manufactured from a single piece of material giving a uniform finish.
The user interface boasts a simple, ergonomically efficient layout as well as technological updates that make it the brand’s most advanced in-car system available today.
Capacitive glass buttons with illumination and haptic feedback feature in the rest of the centre stack’s switchgear. Haptic feedback is more commonly found in touch-screen mobile phones and Aston Martin was among the first significant luxury car manufacturers in the world to use the technology in a series production model when it debuted on Vanquish coupe in 2012.
Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: "Vanquish Volante is a sports car, of course, but more even than that it is the ultimate Volante. A car which follows a long line of elegant Aston Martin convertibles, this super GT is sculpted to convey sophistication as much as raw power.
“The aerodynamically shaped tonneau, the proportions of the folding fabric roof, the luxurious nature of the cabin – these elements have been pored over by the Design team, working with our Engineering colleagues, to ensure we deliver the aesthetic appeal for which Aston Martin is renowned around the world."
Under its curvaceous carbon fibre bonnet the Vanquish Volante comprises the latest generation AM11 naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine which drives the rear wheels via a Touchtronic 2 six-speed automatic gearbox.
The V12’s power peak of 573 PS (565 bhp) arrives at 6,750 rpm while the torque peak of 620 Nm (457 lb ft) is available at 5,500 rpm. These numbers translate into performance that matches the Vanquish coupe’s and ensures the new car supports its Super GT billing.    
The dynamics have been tuned precisely, with new springs and damper settings calibrated to deliver the same crisp handling yet compliant ride as the coupe.
Strenuous efforts have been made to limit the new car’s weight; contributing to its impressive performance, agile handling and compelling power-to-weight ratio. The combination of controlled weight, near-perfect 51:49 weight distribution, a powerful V12 engine and a performance-honed six-speed transmission unite to make the Vanquish Volante as rewarding on the move as it is beautiful standing still.
Like its coupe counterpart, the Vanquish Volante uses the latest generation of Aston Martin’s class-leading VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture, a lightweight bonded aluminium structure that provides outstanding strength and rigidity. In this iteration, the Vanquish now includes the addition of significant semi-structural carbon fibre components, as well as the use of bonding derived directly from the latest aerospace technologies.
As well as being light, strong and flexible in its application, the gen4 VH architecture is also extremely rigid. The new Vanquish Volante is, in fact, 14% torsionally stiffer than the DBS Volante which preceded it, making it highly resistant to flex and allowing for responsive and predictable handling.
This rigid structure also provides an ideal foundation from which the suspension can control the vehicle effectively, further highlighting the importance of the body structure and the effect it has on the dynamic performance of the car.
Aston Martin’s engineering teams have worked particularly hard to minimise the weight outside the wheelbase of the new car to reduce yaw inertia. As a result, carbon fibre has been used extensively in the rear structure and the weight of the aluminium front structure has been limited.
To take full advantage of its precise and rigid architecture, the Vanquish Volante employs a battery of sophisticated technologies including Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Positive Torque Control (PTC).
Aston Martin’s Adaptive Damping System (ADS) allows the driver to switch between three distinct damping modes: Normal, Sport and Track, delivering instant adjustment of the car’s ride and handling characteristics.
The ADS automatically alters the suspension settings to ensure the driver has high levels of control at all times, with the ability to respond quickly to different driving conditions. The different damping modes available help significantly broaden the Vanquish Volante’s character, adapting its set-up to suit the driver’s mood and requirements. Thus it can be a cruising GT car in Normal mode with the capacity to morph into an assertive sports car in Sport and Track modes.
The damper settings are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.
Steering, too, is crisp, precise and communicative. The rack’s quick 15:1 ratio – 2.6 turns lock-to-lock – is allied to speed-sensitive power assistance that’s tuned to deliver optimum assistance. 
The car’s braking system features third generation Brembo Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) parts to deliver shorter stopping distances with resistance to fade in even the most demanding driving conditions. CCM brakes are also lighter than a conventional system, reducing the weight of the car overall and, in particular, the unsprung weight and rotational masses, further enhancing the performance of the suspension.
The front brakes use 398 mm x 36 mm CCM discs with larger front pads and six-piston callipers from the One-77, while the rear brakes use 360 mm x 32 mm CCM discs with four-piston callipers.
Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez added: "Vanquish Volante, like the Vanquish coupe before it, uses the very latest technologies employed in the very best ways to create a sports car which is easy to control, and to enjoy dynamic performance at the finest level. This is not simply a great-looking car – this is a great car engineered and crafted for the connoisseur by people dedicated to delivering exceptional sports cars with clearly defined characters."
See 20+ images of the new killer cabriolet here.

VIDEO: Unreal Course Record Blitz by Radical @ 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power

Jees! This is an epic, heroic run up the frightening and crash-tastic 1.2-mile Cholmondeley Pageant of Power sprint course – with Robbie Kerr smashing the course record with a blistering time of 55.29s during the last run of the 2013 event. Robbie set the record in a road-legal Radical SR8 RX despite having never driven the car or the course before, in a wild display of driving bravery and skill. Check it out! And to find out more about the Radical SR8 RX visit www.radicalsportscars.comAnd see our image gallery from the event on our Facebook page.

NEWS: Lotus Exige S Cabrio Stand @ Le Mans

Lotus heads to Le Mans this week with "its latest and greatest" road-going model – the new £52,900, 1166Kg  Exige S Roadster – taking centre stage on their brand stand, supporting their cars running in the 90th anniversary 24-Heures-du-Mans in LMP1 (Lotus Rebellion Racing) and LMP2 (Team Lotus Praga). 

The Lotus stand will be located in the famous Le Mans Village, and this will be the first public appearance of the new Exige S – "the fastest convertible Lotus ever" – offering 345bhp and 295 lb ft from its supercharged 3.5-litre V6, capable of 0-62mph in just 3.5s and 145mph (only available with six-speed manual, not IPS transmission for now). 

And in addition to the new car  being shown off, and brand signature clothes on sale, two exclusive driver autograph sessions for fans and customers will also be laid on. Details below: 

Wednesday the 19 June
· 2:30pm - 2:45pm
· LMP2 Car #31 - Drivers: Kevin Weeda, James Rossiter, Christophe Bouchut
Thursday the 20 June
· 5:00pm - 5:15pm
· LMP2 Car #32 - Drivers: Thomas Holzer, Dominik Kraihamer, Jan Carouse
Check it out if you're at Le Mans this weekend. 

NEWS: Alfa Romeo 4C Dynamic Debut @ Goodwood FOS

The Alfa Romeo 4C will make its dynamic debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed (12-14 July). The exclusive ‘Launch Edition’ of the compact supercar will be showcased at the prestigious festival’s ‘First Glance Class’ and will also be seen in action by the public for the very first time as it ascends the famous Hill Climb course.

The ‘Launch Edition’ of the Alfa 4C was given its world première at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year where the model was met with critical acclaim. Made in Italy, the Alfa 4C represents the true essence of a sports car, embodying the authentic values of the Alfa Romeo brand: Italian style, performance and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety.
Just like its spiritual predecessor, the iconic 33 Stradale, the Alfa 4C is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive, compact sports coupé. Both cars – along with technical displays of the Alfa 4C chassis and gearbox – will feature on the Alfa Romeo Goodwood stand.
The Alfa 4C offers supreme agility with compact dimensions of just under 4m long, 2m wide and 118cm high; also making it incredibly aerodynamic and efficient. Powered by a new all-aluminium, direct-injection, 240hp 1750cc turbo petrol engine, developing 350Nm of torque, the implemented state-of-the-art technical and technological solutions push the Alfa 4C to reach real supercar performance, as demonstrated by a power to weight ratio of more than 250hp per ton.

NEWS: RAC Car Sales Website Launched

The RAC has launched a website for car sales – RAC Cars (www.raccars.co.uk) – this week "promising to give consumers a new level of trust, transparency and confidence in the purchase of their next used vehicle." Interesting! 

Created following the acquisition of Netcars.com, RAC Cars offers the motoring public access to quality cars from quality suppliers packaged with its unique 3-2-1 Go! reassurance plan, all of which is included in the price to customers. Every one of the 40,000+ (and growing) number of vehicles on the site come with a minimum of 3 months’ complimentary warranty, 2 months’ RAC Rescue and 1 five-day drive-away insurance plan. The RAC say: "This will allow buyers to enjoy driving their new vehicle with confidence as soon as they purchase."
The RAC Cars proposition was developed in response to extensive research with RAC members and motoring consumers around their concerns when buying a used vehicle. The research* revealed that nearly three-quarters (73%) of men and women fear buying a ‘lemon’ and a similar number (74%) want a warranty in case something goes wrong.
As a result the site will not include any private sales, traders or independent dealers that do not adhere to the 3-2-1 Go system!
As every car on sale comes from franchised or RAC approved dealers, the traditional used car worries around mechanical soundness are significantly reduced because vehicles are prepared to a consistently high standard. In addition, the majority of the stock will be between six months and five years old, and will have been well-maintained with an excellent service history.
A growing number of the cars on the site will be supplied through RAC approved dealers who comply with the 80-point RAC BuySure preparation standard. Going beyond 3-2-1 Go!, RAC BuySure includes a minimum of three months’ RAC warranty, three months’ RAC breakdown cover** and use of the RAC Accident Care service.
RAC Cars chairman Rupert Keane says: "The used car consumer finds the acquisition process fraught with anxiety and mistrust so the RAC’s decision to bring its name and skills to improve this experience is excellent news for anyone looking for reassurance when buying their next used car. That’s why we are positioning RAC Cars as ‘the safer way to buy a used car’ on our website.
"Our members listed quality, peace of mind and outstanding value for money as their top criteria and we aim to offer this. In order to achieve that goal we have to ensure the suppliers on www.raccars.co.uk are of the highest standard possible, their cars are the best available (we won’t stock every vehicle they have) and that there is a reassuring ‘safety blanket’ wrapped around each car. We call it 3-2-1 Go! Used car buyers have been in desperate need of a trusted service like RAC Cars for years. We are the only search engine with seven million driving members that focuses on providing such peace of mind to those acquiring their next vehicle. It’s what you expect from the RAC. It’s the RAC brand promise.”

NEWS: RMA Offer Chance To Drive an Audi R8 V10 Plus On Track

Our good friends at RMA Track Days are offering invited drivers attending their Silverstone GP event on 17th April the chance to drive Audi's mighty R8 V10 Plus. Cool! If you've not seen one already, check out this short TV commercial. 

The R8 V10 Plus costs £127,575 and features a tuned-up, 542bhp, 398lbft 5.2-litre V10 engine delivering 0-62mph in 3.5-seconds and a 197mph v-max. It also has fixed rate (not magnetic damping) suspension, carbon fibre brakes and the S-tronic semi-automatic transmission. It's a track-orientated R8, akin to the GT3 911.   

And RMA has arranged for Audi to show off three of the new R8 V10 Plus' at the Silverstone event. RMA says: "At just £399, it's a very reasonably priced day and we are confident it will be fully subscribed so book it now or miss out!"

Other 'must-do' 2013 RMA dates include: 

Donington Park - £275 – 98 dB(A), 29th April 2013
Book your place now!
&

Spa-Francorchamps
13th, 14th & 15th May 2013: Road, track and race car dates.
Book your place now!

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! 

VIDEO: McLaren P1™ "The Best Driver's Car In The World"

Check out this beautiful short film about the next incredible McLaren to be unveiled soon – the McLaren P1™– shot here undergoing testing, in 'XP development car' spec, carrying race track-inspired camouflage, as you can see with pictures on our Facebook page. Incredible looking thing eh?
McLaren say: "The McLaren P1™ was unveiled to the world as a design study at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and was met with the glare of a thousand camera flashes. Since then, development of the technology beneath the carbon fibre skin has continued at great pace. The team at McLaren Automotive has continued the relentless testing programme for the car. The goal being: to produce the best driver’s car in the world on road and track."
McLaren are pouring all their MP4-12C experience and five decades of F1 and motorsport know-how into the car and are promising "to raise the supercar performance bar."
They say: "Using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modelling and bespoke Formula 1™-derived dynamics simulation tools, outstanding performance against aggressive targets was established even before the first prototype builds.  Detailed analysis has continued hand in hand with physical testing to accelerate the further development of the McLaren P1™. A dedicated team of McLaren engineers, technicians and racing drivers are running a fleet of XP-codenamed vehicles, around the clock in some of the most demanding conditions, and on roads and circuits across the globe. The rigorous testing procedures for the McLaren P1™ have seen the development team working closely with McLaren Automotive technology partners on bespoke components and developments, including Akebono on a highly-efficient braking system, Pirelli on high performance tyres and Mobil 1 on leading cooling, lubrication and hydraulic fluids. As all these activities converge on the final specification, a remarkable vehicle is emerging.  The McLaren P1™ is set to deliver truly outstanding road and track dynamics and performance, coupled with levels of driveability and refinement unprecedented in such a supercar. The obsession to detail which McLaren is known for carries through with the work being done by the McLaren P1™ development team. This fascination that everything should be designed for a reason has filtered down even to the striking camouflage being worn on the development cars. Designed in-house by the team behind the shape of the car, the graphic incorporates the outlines of famous circuits from across the world, each of which is significant in the history of the brand."
The race is now on for the McLaren P1™ ahead of the next public appearance… and tickets for that are going to fought over, for sure. Incredible stuff!

VIDEO: Z Cars GM V8 Supercar Test @ Nurburgring With Tim Schrick. Get Involved!

Our amazing pals at Z Cars have gone and done something rather special. We've been lucky enough to know about this project for many months now, since it was just an idea on paper, then a chassis in development and now it's an R&D 'mule.' And it's special. Really special.

We still can't tell you much (as mum's the word for now), other than it's being built under the terms of a special projects supply from General Motors. But we can show you how unbelievably quick it is in this video of our good pal Tim Schrick (who we put up for the test via Royle Media) putting it through some suspension R&D at the Nurburgring in Autumn 2012. Just watch how fast its going at the end of the lap, after Tim gets into it, not to mention making mincemeat out of two BAC Mono's at the four minute mark! Jees! 

The weapon of a car is going to be a gorgeous, top-spec, bonkers fast V8 mid-engine, street-legal supercar – and Z Cars are looking for a customer to become part of the program. The package includes the lucky customer getting the first finished car and meantime, being invited to test sessions and press events. It's a once in a lifetime experience for 2013. All serious enquiries should go via the Z Cars offices by calling +44 (0)-1964-527725. Fancy it? We do! 

Oh, and here's what it looks like with bodywork on too... lush! 

More details here on the blog, and @Roadmagazine and @Roylemedia on Twitter soon... 

NEWS: Final Lexus LFA Rolls Off Production Line

The 500th and last LFA in the production run – a white LFA Nürburgring Package – rolled off the line at the Motomachi Plant, Aichi Prefecture on December 14, 2012, looking ace and marking the end of production for Lexus very first supercar. The incredible 412PS, 480Nm, 200mph, 4.8-litre V10 Japanese beauty made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic and loaded with technology has to be one of the cars of the year. And despite the fact only a lucky 500 will get to own and enjoy the LFA, fear not – as Lexus say they "are learning from LFA engineering to directly influence new Lexus products," and that "production knowledge of Carbon fibre components to be applied to future Lexus vehicles." That is great news.
As the final vehicle left the production line, LFA chief engineer, Haruhiko Tanahashi said: "I’ve lived and breathed supercars for the past decade. Specifically one supercar, LFA. Very few people have the opportunity we had to create a world-class supercar from a blank sheet of paper."
Production at LFA Works started exactly two years ago, on December 15, 2010, and included a team of around 170 hand-picked takumi workers involved in parts manufacturing, vehicle assembly and painting. The LFA was produced at the rate of just one car per day.
Find out more about the LFA here  and read the latest Lexus special of Road Magazine FREE here.

NEWS: New 175mph Radical RXC To Launch @ Autosport International

The brand-new, 175mph, 380bhp, 900KG Radical RXC will be launched at the 2013 Autosport International Show at the NEC in Birmingham, January 10-13th. We would like to say it looks good, but this render (and colour) are awful! Sure the real thing will be nicer though! 

The new Radical Xtreme Coupe supercar – Radical’s first model with an enclosed cockpit – will be available for only £89,500+VAT for the first ten customers.

Radical already holds the production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife – and the RXC is said to be "faster and more performance-focused than anything built in its sector before." .
It is powered by a 3.7-litre Ford V6 producing 380bhp and tips the scales at just 900kg, offering 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 175mph. A space frame chassis is coupled with an aggressive, Le Mans-styled body including a full-width, carbon bi-plane rear wing and gullwing doors.
Three-and-a-half years in the making, the RXC will be available in both road and race versions from summer 2013.
"In the history of Radical I don’t think I’ve been more excited about a new car than I am now with the RXC," said Phil Abbott, Radical Sportscars Managing Director. "It’s the car we’ve always wanted to make, and by applying our extensive knowledge and understanding we have produced a GT car that, just like our other products, will outperform machinery costing many times more. But more important than that, it’s going to be incredibly thrilling to drive."
Since the company’s formation in 1997, Radical Sportscars has sold over 1,600 cars. The world’s favourite racing car, the 800th Radical SR3 RS will join the new RXC on display at Autosport International, along with the 200th SR8 constructed at its Peterborough factory.
"Radical Sportscars is one of the real success stories of the British motorsport industry," said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director. "It’s a real market-defining manufacturer, continuing to evolve its product range and offering to customers, including track days and its own race series’ around the world. As the first enclosed Radical, the RXC is another example of this growth, I’m looking forward to seeing it launched."
The Radical RXC joins a host of sensational machinery on show at the NEC. Running alongside Autosport International in Hall 19, The Performance Car Show: Powered by www.pistonheads.com will feature a multi-million pound collection of exotic supercars and rare and historic models.
The likes of Lamborghini’s 700bhp, V12 Aventador, the fastest Ferrari ever built, the F12berlinetta, Audi R8 V10 Spyder and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will headline the stunning showcase, while local manufacturers Ariel Motor Company, Hawk Cars, GKD Sports Cars and MK Sports Cars will all exhibit their latest road and race models.
Tickets for the show are on sale now. Adult tickets are available from £31 and children’s tickets available from £20. For more information call 0844 581 1420 or visit www.autosportinternational.com.

You going? Looks like one not to be missed... 

VIDEO: Jaguar F-Type

Wonderful viral video from Jaguar here of the forthcoming F-Type two-seater sports cat – with 3-litre V6 and 5-litre V8, and supercharged options. Looks set to be another cracker from the re-born Jaguar stables, with increased agility, composure and trick aerodynamics to aid downforce and brake and engine cooling. The all-new aluminium two-seater sports car will make its global debut in production form at the Paris Motor Show on 27th September.
Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, said: "The unveiling of the F-TYPE in Paris will be a truly significant day in Jaguar's history as it will mark the company's return to the sports car market, a market it originally helped to create. "As its sporting forebears did in their era, the F-TYPE will break new ground by delivering stunning sports car performance while vividly demonstrating Jaguar's cutting-edge engineering technologies and world-class design excellence. The next step in Jaguar's sporting bloodline is about to become reality."
The F-TYPE will be launched as a convertible with a choice of three petrol engines: 340PS and 380PS versions of Jaguar's all-new 3.0-litre supercharged V6, and a new derivative of its existing supercharged 5.0-litre V8. All will drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed transmission and will be equipped with Stop/Start technology and much, much more. We can't wait...
Following the F-TYPE's 'camouflaged' public drive at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June of this year, testing of the final verification prototypes has continued in some of the harshest environments in the world. As its name suggests, this test programme is designed to verify the staggering amount of design work that was carried out by Jaguar's engineers in the 'virtual world', a process in which the company is an industry leader.
More than half-a-million separate F-TYPE design analyses were carried out comprising 10-million CPU hours of processing, creating more than 300TB of data. Had that same amount of initial design analysis been completed on physical cars, the number of prototype F-TYPEs built would have filled the majority of the UK's motorway network bumper-to-bumper.
The result of all that 'virtual' design work is that Jaguar's engineers are currently concentrating on honing the performance of the physical verification prototypes, to ensure the production F-TYPE delivers truly focused sports car driving reward.
Said Ian Hoban, Jaguar's Vehicle Line Director: "When you are working on a Jaguar sports car the expectations of the world are huge. We're really pleased how the attributes have translated from the virtual simulation work we've done into the physical world. "Now, we're refining and adding those last few percentage points - that true element of honing which the Jaguar test team are delivering - which will turn a great sports car into an exceptional one."

Lovely stuff! 

BLOG FEATURE: 1100bhp, 220mph "Widow Maker" Mustang

Thanks to Road pal, Tim Porter for this piece on his incredible, 1,100bhp "widow maker" Mustang:
Once you get bitten by the performance bug, they say, there is no going back... The story goes like this. Following a series of triumphant Cannonball world events, our man Tim was keen to get the adrenaline pumping through his veins... something to get the blood pumping the moment you turned the key (or pushed the button, whatever!).So, after owning a Ferraris and Lambos over the years, he wanted a car that made them look like watching paint dry– based on the Ford Mustang. The end result was named UBB, short for Ultimate Bad Boy, and the brand was born in 2007. In a segment dominated by the likes of Roush, Saleen and Shelby, Tim knew that he had to build something with greater performance and better handling if he wanted to be noticed. And it was not to be a one-dimensional, straight line-performer either, the car had to be usable on a daily basis as well. With this in mind, Tim teamed up with none other than Steve Saleen to produce around a dozen Saleen 600hp Ultimate Bad Boy S281E cars. But, to Tim, even these lacked the power and handling combo that he was looking for and, unsurprisingly, it was time to move on when inspiration struck again.

Tim simply decided to go ahead and build the world’s fastest street-legal Mustang, which he did back in July 2008, when the first UBB Mustang rolled out, featuring a mental 1000hp from a tweaked Ford GT sourced 5.4-litre V8. And now he’s back with an even more badass version – the 1,100bhp "Widow Maker."The Shelby GT500-derived Mustang boasting an aggressive stance and killer looks. The first thing that strikes you is that the 5.4-litre quad cam V8 features a 4.0-litre supercharger, quite incredible when you consider that even the mighty Shelby GT 500 makes do with a 2.3-litre blower!

In addition to the big blower, the ‘stang receives 100cc fuel injectors and twin cooling fans to keep things breezy and many other internal parts. Taking care of handling duties are adjustable coilover shocks from Penski, accompanied by a 3.75 limited slip differential.
The Widow Maker rolls on massive 305/35 19 Toyo 888 rubber wrapped around gorgeous 10.5 X 19-inch rims, with Brembo brakes peeking from beneath. Rounding out the crazy performance is a full carbon-fibre body kit, which is joined on the inside by Recaro seats, a 230mph/8000rpm instrument cluster.
Press the red ignition button and the UBB demon emits a throaty rumble, causing the whole car to literally throb. It’s no bare bones racer either, with the interior on this model receiving sumptuous nappa leather and a carbon fibre-covered dash, of course accompanied by the requisite figure-hugging Recaro race seats. Convenience bits include a sat nav, keyless entry, A/C, Microsoft Sync 5000 track memory and even a DVD player.
Out on the track, pedal to metal, the UBB delivers like a freight train just hit you from the back; acceleration is almost surreal, with a 0-96km/h time of just 3.4seconds but where it comes in to its own is mid range from 90mph to180mph and we are talking seconds here. Being a modern American muscle car, straight line speed and balance is exemplary, but even more welcome is how nicely the whole package comes together in the twisties, thanks in no small part to the grippy front end. Tim Porter says that this new UBB will easily do 365km/h and belt out a staggering 900lbs per ft of torque!
On the handling side, the mean UBB has fully adjustable Penski coilovers and a Cortex suspension designed by aerospace engineer Filip Trojanek, enabling the beast to corner on rails, producing up to 1.5 G in tight turns. Topped off with a powerful braking system, this is a perfect weekend track tool for enthusiasts and a perfectly usable supercar for everyday use, at the same time. Two for the price of one, then. It also boasts 10.5 x 19” alloy rims at all four corners. Tim Porter further says that, at around USD $120,000, the UBB is the best value supercar around. All said and done, the UBB’s Widow Maker is like the Road Runner on steroids; in a class of its own when it comes to muscle, speed and swagger. Tie this in with some innovative engineering and design, and the new UBB package can only be described as truly awesome. And now the package is for sale, at 85,000 USD... so, what are you waiting for? www.ubbmustang.com

NEWS: Road Magazine Hits 870,000 Reads & 51 MILLION UPVs

Open publication - Free publishing - More eco cars

We'd just like to say thanks to the 870,000 people in over 30 different countries who have read and enjoyed read – flicking over 51 million page views! Team Road works hard to bring you a sexy, different, interesting monthly magazine and daily blog, and for so many of you to enjoy it is amazing. Thanks so much. Here is the issue that made such a massive impact, after four long years of producing ace FREE digital media. Do spread the word... and contact Editor Phil Royle (proyle@roadmagazine.co.uk) for advertising offers as low as £150 for a full page advert – reaching hundreds of 1000's of people. Bargain! Roll on 1,000,0000 Roadies...! :-)

FREE Latest Issue Of Road Magazine

Open publication - Free publishing - More eco cars

Road Magazine puts on eye on the future this month – covering Electric vehicles, eco cars and all things green. There's the 911 GT2-slaying Tesla Roadster EV, the funky Fiat 500 TwinAir and Mitsubishi's ace zero emissions i-MiEV. Also, TV stars, Neil Cole and Gemma Scott write for us. Enjoy it 100% FREE! And do please share us with your mates. Thanks, Road Editor, Phil Royle.

VIDEO: Tesla Model S & Roadster

Here's a 'neat' video from the states, of the out-going 288bhp/295lbft, 0-60 in 3.7s Tesla Roadster supercar slayer – as featured in the latest issue of Road Magazine Free here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s – and the forthcoming, more mainstream Model S EV. Likey? We do... petrol-heads though we are. Impressive stuff. Thanks to www.greencardesign.com for the Tesla feature in this electric boogaloo issue of www.roadmagazine.co.uk.

VIDEO: Fiat 500 TwinAir

One of the other cars we've featured in this month's green eco EV issue of Road magazine – http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s – was the Fiat 500 TwinAir, reviewed by new glam Road writer, eco car tester and TV star, Gemma Scott (http://www.gemmascott.co.uk). The 0.9-litre two-cylinder turbo 500 TwinAir is the lowest CO2 producing petrol engined car on the planet, capable of 70mpg and should be put on a pedestal, for keeping petrol cars alive in our ever-greening future. Here's the TV ad, featuring Amy Macdonald's 'This is the life.'

VIDEO: Mitsubishi i-MiEV 12 Month Trials

This month's www.roadmagazine.co.uk has gone all electric boogaloo – featuring two amazing and contrasting EV's and the world's greenest petrol car, as well as Neil Cole's ace column and new writer and TV star, Gemma Scott. Read it FREE here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s. One of the EV's we featured in the magazine was Mitsubishi's innovative i-MiEV, and here's a great video from Mitsubishi about a 12 month real world trial with the zero emissions i-MiEV. See what people really think of the city car that is set to revolutionise how we drive, and find out more at: http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/imiev/. Please share this issue of Road with your mates.