NEWS: First European Test of 2013 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 With JRM Group

Our pals at JRM Racing (www.jrm-group.com) have arranged a first European test of the awesome 2013 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 – for teams and driver looking for competitive and affordable GT3 car.
JRM say: "Following a successful four day test held in Portimao this week, engineers of the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 believe the raft of 2013 performance upgrades have delivered significant improvements in both qualifying and race pace. Despite the test car not benefitting from all the planned 2013 engine upgrades, the changes to the suspension and a substantially revamped aero package enabled JRM test driver Peter Dumbreck to consistently lap substantially faster than the sister 2012 spec car running at the same time. JRM, manufacturer of the car that came close to securing the British GT crown in its debut year, was also able to capitalise on the comprehensive track time to work through its entire test programme, as well as allowing potential customers to try the car."
"The test gave us four full days running in predominantly dry conditions ,working through aero and damper set up changes to optimise the car ahead of homologation," says JRM’s Nigel Stepney. "The drivers reported turn in is significantly improved and the repositioned rear wing is more efficient than last year’s, resulting in downforce without the drag."
The potential of the car was underlined as, together with planned engine upgrades due ahead of the next test in January, the Nismo and JRM partnership will realise a further weight reduction of 20kg. "For instance, we have taken the opportunity to upgrade the heavier production headlamps for carbon fibre units," adds Stepney. "Shedding some weight will enable us to optimise balance ahead of final homologation."
In addition to Dumbreck, drivers from the UK, Europe and the Middle East that are considering the Nissan sampled the 2013 spec car. Competitive pricing, some £50,000 lower than similarly specified cars, led to ten drivers making the trip, including British GT4 champion Jody Fannin. "The 2013 car immediately instilled confidence and I was able to set competitive lap times on an unfamiliar circuit after a handful of laps,” says Fannin “I found it well balanced and very stable. It was particularly strong under braking and on turn in. I'm sure it'll be a competitive proposition in 2013."
JRM is already planning a further test in January 2013 ahead of the Balance of Performance trials when potential customers can also drive the car. Bionic GT3 car anyone? Contact JRM Racing for full details via the website.

NEWS: TomTom Update iPhone 5 Navigation App Software

TomTom has released a fresh update of its navigation app for iPhone – aimed at taking full advantage of the larger screen on the iPhone 5. The app has been optimised to run in full-screen mode, enabling iPhone 5 users to see more of the map when driving, or walking about, with the new larger screen. Menu and search screens have also been enhanced, so drivers can see more options and search results.
TomTom’s navigation app for iPhone and iPad is fully functional with or without signal. Offline maps mean that drivers will stay connected to accurate, reliable and up-to-date navigation wherever they go. And, unlike other navigation apps, they won’t incur costly roaming charges when navigating abroad.
TomTom Navigation app for iPhone and iPad v.1.12 is available from the App Store, priced £39.99 for the UK/Republic of Ireland map.
To see all the changes to this new version, visit the iPhone App Store.

Don't forget too! You could WIN an £80 TomTom smartphone/iPhone handsfree kit for your car with Road Magazine & Blog. All you have to do is read the post linked below and follow the simple instructions to stand a chance of winning. Five minutes and you could win the kit: Simples! 

Details here: http://roadmagazine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/win-win-win-new-80-tomtom-smartphone.html

NEWS: Nissan Juke-R Goes All Batman! Win it!

Last week we got the Usain Bolt gold Nissan GT-R auction and this week Nissan's marketing team are teaming up with the Batman movie franchisers – creating a one-off Batman-inspired Juke Nismo! It's been built to celebrate launch of The Dark Knight Rises™ on Blu-Ray™ & DVD (December 3rd) and is based on the new Juke Nismo, featuring matt black paint and lots of Batman detailing. And it's not up for sale, but available to win here: www.builttothrill.co.uk

The Juke's official title is: The Dark Knight Rises™ Juke Nismo – and the the one-off machine features a host of Batman-inspired details "that will make the lucky owner the envy of every movie fan and car buff," say Nissan. It features the same 200PS 1.6-litre turbocharged engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox - giving it a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds - as well as a Nismo bodykit, uprated suspension and enhanced interior. And there's a load of Batman-inspired interior and exterior details "that will make the driver feel just like Bruce Wayne." These include: Matt black paint, 18-inch rims, a shark fin antenna replacing the standard car’s conventional aerial, aluminium bat badges on the front grille and tailgate, bat logos on the kickplates and reflective bat badges on the headrests of the suede-trimmed Nismo sports seats. Best – or geekiest – of all, thanks to downlighters mounted under the door mirrors the famous Bat signal can be projected onto the floor area around the doors. A clever uplighter projects the same signal onto the black headlining inside too. 

See some more images on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/roadmagblog The Dark Knight Rises™ Juke Nismo is the work of Nissan’s very own Batcave – Nissan Design Europe, based in London’s Paddington, the same studio responsible for the design of the original Juke. 

Nissan say: "The Dark Knight Rises™ Juke Nismo will not go on sale in a Nissan dealership, nor will it be made available to the highest bidder – instead the only way to get this car on your driveway is to enter a special competition at www.builttothrill.co.uk. Just take the Thrill Test and you’re in with a chance of owning The Dark Knight Rises™ Juke Nismo. The competition runs until February 28th 2013 with the winner announced early March."

Meanwhile, order books for the Juke Nismo open in January 2013 with deliveries set for March 2013. The first in a range of Nismo road cars, it has been designed and developed by Nissan’s Nismo performance division. It will be available with two transmissions: a 2WD manual or 4WD CVT automatic. Prices and full specifications for the Juke Nismo will be released closer to the car’s launch.

NEWS: Laponie Ice Driving Group Discounts

Our pals in Lapland – Laponie Ice Driving – are offering some mega rates for groups of three, six or nine drivers this year. So there's never been a better time to live that dream, get a gang of friends or family together, head off to see Santa, and have the most oversteer fun possible in amazing cars, in a stunning location, with amazing tuition – from the likes of Yvan Muller.
Laponie sort out all the transfers, ground transport, accommodation, meals and everything, as well as the actual courses themselves – done an frozen lakes in Lapland, with some amazing cars to pick from their 28-strong fleet – including Porsche Boxters and Caymans, Corvette Z06’s, Porsche 997 GT3’s, Lamborghini Gallardo’s and Audi RS4’s, in addition to six new Subaru Impreza STI’s.
The new group packages means that each driver will enjoy eight sessions of 20-minutes intensive driving each day in a Porsche Cayman S, a Porsche GT3 and a Corvette Z06. 

Laponie say: "The whole package represents excellent value, as well as a considerable saving over the equivalent individual cost. Now in our eighth year, Laponie Ice Driving offers a no-compromise driving experience to all- from beginners to professional racers. Instructors include experienced racing drivers as well as the ice-king, Yvan Muller. We are also the only company permitted to reproduce both the Silverstone and Le Castellet circuit layouts on ice."
See for yourself: www.laponie-ice-driving.co.uk – and click on the videos section. But be warned... this is almost too much fun! 

NEWS: New 4th Gen Subaru Forester Unveiled: With 280PS Hot Petrol Version

Subaru's already excellent all-rounder, the fabulous Forester (read all about it here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_23_subaruspecial), is all set for a brand new, forth generation vehicle – including a new 280PS petrol Boxer version. Yay! The performance Forester is back, as we hoped it would be.

The great-looking new car will be on sale in the UK from summer 2013, with three 2.0-litre Boxer engines available, improved performance and fuel economy over the outgoing model and being "larger, more refined and more efficient," according to Subaru sources.

They add: "The new Forester builds upon the outgoing model’s credentials as a go-anywhere, user-friendly SUV, with improved performance, safety and efficiency and a larger, more practical cabin. Subaru’s unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system remains at the heart of the vehicle, while a low centre of gravity and improved body rigidity contribute to improved refinement and a typically engaging drive on the road."
Confirming the UK launch of the Forester, Subaru has also announced outline details of the engine line-up, which will include 150PS 2.0-litre Boxer diesel and petrol units, as well as – best of all – a return of the potent Forester, with a new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol engine, producing 280PS. Yes!
Both of the naturally-aspirated engines will feature a six-speed manual transmission as standard, while Subaru’s Lineartronic (CVT) transmission is available on both petrol engines. The Lineartronic transmission has been modified to manage the increased power while also providing improved fuel efficiency, and ensures that both CVT-equipped petrol engines achieve the 2015 Japanese fuel economy standard.
Haydn Davies, Marketing Director, Subaru UK, commented: "Since the Forester’s launch in 1997, it has gained a loyal following across the UK for its rugged, go anywhere abilities and these developments will ensure it remains a firm SUV favourite. The fourth-generation Forester will feature the latest All-Wheel Drive system and Boxer engines, while a lot of work has gone into improving refinement, ride quality and safety."
Further details of the new Subaru Forester will be announced in the new year and we can not wait. BIG Forester fans here at Road. 

NEWS: Toyota AE86 Class Victory on RAC Rally

Toyota GB supported classic rally team Midgley Motorsport is celebrating a remarkable debut class victory on the Roger Albert Clark Rally, the UK’s toughest historic motorsport event – with 160 miles and 24 special stages (including Dalby, Duncombe Park, Croft, Craik, Gen Dhu and Kershore), plus 378 road miles.
The team’s 25-year-old Corolla AE86, crewed by Will Midgley and Jonathan Driver (great name!), beat its closest rival to the Kielder Forest finish line last night (Sunday) by 14 minutes.

Midgley and Driver battled throughout the three-day event against another Corolla, crewed by Andy Madge and Pat Cooper. The duel for class honours came down to the final sting-in-the-tail stage in the 160-mile rally, the 17-mile Kershope test – a rallying classic.
"Going into Kershope we were three minutes behind Andy," said Will, 37 and from Grassington in North Yorkshire. "He looked like he had it in the bag because he had been going really well. But he came off three miles into the stage and couldn’t get going again. It was really unfortunate for Andy, but good luck for us."
The Midgley Corolla, which is liveried identically to those which Will’s father, John Midgley, and Per Eklund drove to a string of UK rallying successes for Team Toyota GB in the mid-’80s, was one of four finishers in its class.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Will and Jonathan: "We hit a huge pot-hole on the first evening and that put the steering well off track – one wheel was pointing one way and one the other – but we were able to get that remedied in service. We were still working on the car, in mud and slurry, until one-thirty the next morning. We had four hours of sleep and then we were back off again."
On Saturday, at the Croft circuit spectator stage, the Midgley Toyota lapsed on to three cylinders and that cost the crew a couple of minutes on their second run around the track. "After that, everything was fairly trouble-free; we kept it on the road and the Toyota ran really well. Jonathan and I learned a lot: it was the first time for both of us navigating with maps, our first time rallying in the dark, and the first time in fog. That was a lot of firsts for one event. The team worked really hard to keep us going, especially on the Friday night, and we thoroughly enjoyed the event.
"I am sure we will be back to do the rally again next year and hopefully also we will contest the new RAC Club championship that is being launched for cars of the era of our Corolla."

Congratulations to Will & Jonathan. Great to see an AE86 on the stages in this fabulous rally. Find out more at: http://midgleymotorsport.com/ and see a full list of results here: http://www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org

NEWS: Mazda MX-5 Upgraded Line-up

The world's best selling sportscar – Mazda's MX-5 – has revised its line-up by  introducing upgraded models with a fresh face, new pedestrian-friendly bonnet, satellite navigation system, side airbags, climate control air-conditioning and an even more rewarding driving experience.
The new seven-strong range of upgraded Mazda MX-5 sportscars, which introduces the 2.0-litre MX-5 Sport Tech Nav models, with integrated satellite navigation as standard – a Mazda first on the MX-5 range – is on sale from 1 December priced from £18,495 to £23,595 on-the road (OTR).  For six years in a row the Mazda MX-5 has been voted ‘Best Roadster’ by Auto Express magazine.
"When developing the upgraded Mazda MX-5, Mazda’s designers were determined to make the revised roadster even better looking and even more fun to drive.  An aggressive new front grille and new bumper design with a bold chin spoiler creates a deeper and wider look that also improves aerodynamics by reducing drag around the fog lamp and over the front tyres," comments Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda UK.
As well as giving upgraded Mazda MX-5 a fresh appearance, the new front-end design simultaneously improves pedestrian safety.  Keeping ahead of tougher EU regulations, the MX-5 is the first Mazda to be equipped with the company’s newly-developed active bonnet system.  If a collision with a pedestrian is detected, the trailing edge of the bonnet instantly ‘pops-up’ to increase the crumple zone between the bonnet and engine, reducing the severity of pedestrian injuries.
Every upgraded Mazda MX-5 continues to offer the Japanese marque’s unique ‘Jinba Ittai’ handling finesse with a rear-wheel drive chassis that delivers perfectly balanced handling and pure driving exhilaration.  Now, the six manual transmission models feature a modified throttle to improve responsiveness and give more linear, nimble acceleration, especially when manoeuvring out of corners.  At the same time, Mazda engineers optimised the vacuum brake booster to improve brake return control and thus front-rear load distribution, particularly when braking into bends.
"The Mazda MX-5 enjoys incredible popularity in Britain and now the ‘Upgraded’ range offers an even more rewarding sportscar ownership experience, while remaining unrivalled as an exhilarating drive that can also be used everyday.  Together with its affordability, low running costs, enviable reliability, as confirmed by the 2012 What Car? magazine annual reliability survey, great residual values and our current low-rate finance offers, the Mazda MX-5 is a thoroughly modern sportscar that people can buy with their heart and their head," adds Allibon.
The upgraded Mazda MX-5 benefits from enhanced equipment with climate control air-conditioning and glossy dark grey dashboard panel and steering wheel inserts on every model.  Upgraded Mazda MX-5 Sport Tech and PowerShift models also gain an auto-dimming interior mirror, while Sport Tech models also boast an alloy pedal set.
New to the Mazda MX-5 line-up, the Sport Tech Nav model features a TomTom satellite-navigation system with a fully integrated 5.8-inch touch screen monitor, 4GB SD card based map (45 countries), Live Services, iPod and Bluetooth^® connectivity, and complete multi-media functionality.
The upgraded Mazda MX-5 range also benefits from a refreshed palette of colours and new to the Mazda MX-5 range, Sparkling Black Mica, Dolphin Grey Mica and Crystal White Pearlescent. Also available is the popular True Red Solid, Aluminium Silver Metallic, Copper Red Mica  and Stormy Blue Mica.
Mazda MX-5 customers have a choice of three powertrains, all fine-tuned to maximise thrills and minimise fuel consumption – the 126ps 1.8i MZR with a five-speed gearbox, and the 160ps 2.0i MZR with a smooth-shifting six-speed manual transmission or ‘PowerShift‘ six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission that allows manual control or a fully automatic mode.
For full details of the latest promotions and finance offers visit www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/offers