Motoring news |
Sandicliffe Ford at Nottingham 26th January 2019Informed of the launch of the new Ford Ranger Raptor at Sandicliffe, we just had to have a look. Our experience of Sandicliffe is that we are made welcome, and the staff are always chatty and welcoming. We were quickly pointed in the direction of the new Raptor. The new Raptor is all about off-road performance and ability. The new Raptor stands out against the standard Ranger. When we test drove the Ranger, we were impressed. When compared to other Utility vehicles, the Ranger performed favourably and we can easily see the upgrades the Raptor offers. We were surprised that at the moment it is only being made available with a 210bhp diesel engine, which although smaller than the standard 2.2l or the 3.2l in the standard Ranger, provides more performance than the older engine design. In the days of expensive diesel and the current dislike for diesel pollution, I would expect an alternative petrol engine to be available for Europe. Although, almost all its competitors are also diesel, so maybe it's not quite so strange a selection. Compared with one of its direct rivals, the Isuzu D'Max Arctic Trucks AT35 which we have also test driven, it not only looks like it was specifically designed for the intended work, it also looks more robust. The AT35 looks mean, but also looks like a modified, if upgraded standard D'Max, whereas the Raptor looks factory made and original in design. The Isuzu has only 165bhp so the 210bhp for the Raptor is actually pretty good. Inside the Raptor The seats have car comfort, and with the new 10 speed automatic, it will be a very relaxing drive. The Raptor is designed to excel in off road work and comes with several selectable modes. With the push of a button, you can choose from six different modes for different terrain: Normal mode, Sport mode, Grass, Gravel and Snow mode, Mud and Sand mode, Rock mode, and off-road performance - Baja mode. The suspension is also re-designed and upgraded to provide improved grip through its large tyres and a better, more protected ride for the driver. The controls are standard Ford. I think the only downside is the load carrying capacity of 640kg and also a low towing weight of only 2.7 tonne compared to others at 3.5 tonne.
All my quoted capacities are from the current US model and things could change on the final import model. The model we viewed at Sandicliffe was a LHD and no prices or delivery dates have been released yet, though they anticipate if you place an order at a dealership, you could possibly expect delivery for May/June.
0 Comments
Toyota has finally launched the new Supra after months of sneak glimpses and few details. Launched today 14-01-19 at the Detroit International Motor Show. The Supra GR is a 3.0L twin scroll Turbo inline six but is no longer a 2+2. The new car is a 355bhp 2 seater sports car with paddle shift 8 speed automatic drive through the rear wheels. The side profile is not far off the MkIV. Featuring launch control (No details yet), 0 – 100 kph is 4.3 seconds. British customers that applied for the initial sales can choose the limited edition grey A90 version which is based on the Pro version of the GR model but with red leather interior. Prices are below and orders can be placed from 15th January 2019. The on-the-road prices are: – Toyota GR Supra 3.0L £52,695 Toyota GR Supra 3.0L Pro £54,000 Toyota GR Supra 3.0L A90 Edition £56,945 UK launch model range with Supra 3.0L and Supra 3.0L Pro grades The Toyota Gazoo Racing Supra 2019 line-up will available in either Supra 3.0L and Supra 3.0L Pro. The Toyota GR Supra 3.0L will benefit from an active differential, Adaptive Variable Suspension, and 19-inch forged alloy wheels with a high-performance brake package. The Supra 3.0L also features - dual-zone automatic air conditioning, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go, smart entry and push-button start, steering wheel with leather trim and auxiliary switches and a digital combimeter in the driver’s instrument display. LED technology is used for the adaptive headlights, rear lights and daytime running lights, and the mirrors (door mirrors and rear-view mirror) are all auto-dimming, rain-sensing wipers and a rear-view camera. The sports seats are upholstered in black Alcantara and are power-adjustable (including lumbar support), with integrated heating and memory functions. The infotainment specifications feature a 10-speaker audio system with 8.8-inch display, navigation system with Supra Connect (in applicable markets), Bluetooth and USB port. Safety features include Supra Safety+ package, which comprises Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Change Departure Alert, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Rear-end Collision Alert, and intelligent parking sensors with automatic braking. In addition, there is an eCall function that will send an automatic location alert to the emergency services in the event of a serious collision, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. All Toyota GR Supra models are fitted with an alarm. The Supra 3.0L Pro grade, expected to account for most of the model sales in the UK, builds the specification with black leather upholstery, 12-speaker JBL premium sound system, head-up display, wireless mobile phone charger and storage and lighting packs. SPECS
PERFORMANCE Power to weight ratio (kg per kW) 6 Max. speed (mph) 155 (electronically limited) 0-62mph acceleration (sec) 4.3 FUEL CONSUMPTION & EMISSIONS Fuel tank capacity (l) 52 CO2 emissions – NEDC correlated (g/km) 170 SUSPENSION Front suspension Double joint sprung strut axle in aluminium-steel construction with hydraulically damped torque strut bearings Rear suspension 5-link axle in lightweight aluminium-steel construction STEERING Type Rack and pinion, electric power steering Overall ratio 15.1:1 Min. turning circle (m) 11 BRAKES Front (diameter x thickness, mm) Ventilated discs, 348 x 36, with 4-pot fixed callipers Rear (diameter x thickness, mm) Ventilated discs, 345 x 24, with single-pot floating callipers TYRES Type Michelin Pilot Super Sport Front 255/35 ZR 19 96Y Rear 275/35 ZR 19 100Y The new Supra is only available in 3.0L in the UK but two different inline four cylinder Turbo models are also available in Japan There specs are either 265bhp and a 0 – 100kph of 5.2 or 202bhp and 0 – 100kph in 6.5 seconds. 10th to 13th January 2019You can read our report on last years show HERE Here are a few of the great cars you can see at this years show. On Porsche’s stand you can see the 2019 Porsche 935 ‘Moby Dick’, will be presented in Europe for the first time at the show. Sporting the same 690bhp, 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six and chassis underpinnings of the latest 911 GT2 RS, the European debut of this limited production track-only supercar is not to be missed 2018 McLaren Senna (Shmee150) Something of a motoring internet icon, Shmee150 has attended the Autosport International for a number of years, bringing along some of his prized collection of automobiles. This year his MSO Cerulean Blue McLaren Senna will take centre stage in the Live Action Arena, where he will be presenting alongside David Croft and Emma Walsh. Producing 789bhp from its 4.0L twin-turbo V8, the Senna is the latest supercar to come out of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey and it will be great to see being driven live at the show. 2018 Nero Design Aventador S and Urus (Yiannimize) Much-loved by the internet, supercar wrapper supreme – Yiannimize, will be bringing along his matching Nero Design Lamborghini Aventador S and Urus SUV. Each vehicle will be sporting brand-new, aftermarket body-kits from Nero Design and an outlandish chrome turquoise wrap applied by Yianny’s team. The cars are a must-see for fans of his YouTube series, and anyone who loves a lairy custom Italian sports car. 2018 Liberty Walk BMW i8 World-renowned Japanese-based supercar tuners Liberty Walk will be bringing along its latest custom widebody supercar to the show. The 2018 LB Works BMW i8 will take pride-of-place on the Liberty Walk stand (4510) in the Performance & Tuning Car Show. 1973 Porsche 917/30 Sunoco 996
This historic racing Porsche is on show at the Performance & Tuning Car Show. Produced specifically for the open-top CanAm championship, only 6 examples of this iconic Porsche racecar were ever built. The championship had almost no engine restrictions, so the 5.4-litre motor in this 1973 917/30 produced a gargantuan 1,100bhp. Unsurprisingly, it dominated the series and took home the top four places. Another huge power upgrade in a four door sedan. Compared to their Mustang and Hellcat upgrades this is just as powerful, if not quite so pretty, This is going to be one of those sleeper cars that just leaves you for dead at the lights. New TVR Griffith
Our take on the TVR TVR was represented by their original TVR Griffith 400 from 1965 and the new Griffith.
They also had a TVR Typhon on display, which is one of only 3 made, just before TVR stopped production in 2006.
The Griffith, presented in red, looks much better under natural light than it did at its launch at the Goodwood Revival in 2017, where the lighting was terrible. It has a very clean, sporty shape and the side exiting exhaust is a great feature.
However, talking with several TVR enthusiasts at one of their displays, no one was very impressed. The reason was, it is not deemed radical enough, and they all said it was not the TVR they would choose to buy.
Taking a look inside
Most of the interior is cream leather with a grey Alicante dash and door cards to break it up. The passenger side is sparse, as is the interior in general. The driver is presented with 3 buttons on either side of the digital dash, for starting and mode control, and three more dials down the centre consol. The infotainment system is a portrait orientated touch screen. The centre console around the gear lever is quite high and makes the gear lever look very short. A row of switches completes the minimalistic dashboard controls, just behind the gear lever. Again, the TVR enthusiasts were not impressed, and one opinion described it as: “A supermarket of bits."
The new car is fitted with a superb engine in the form of the Ford 3rd generation V8 5.0 litre Coyote. This all-new engine for 2018 Mustang GTs produces 460bhp out of the box and should have been enough without having Cosworth play around with it and give it a dry sump. The engine now manages 480bhp which is enough for the car to top 200mph. I think the car was originally designed around the Gen 2 Ford engine which only produced 415bhp, and when setting out their requirements, TVR may not have known what was coming. Maybe it’s not too late to dump the Cosworth mods and keep things stock, which will not only help the owners when it comes to parts, but will make its use for racing more affordable.
TVR keep saying they want to get back into racing, other than sponsoring a Rebellion LMP1 car at Le Mans this year. TVR have never been blessed with reliability and here, they had the chance to fit a good, affordable powerplant (at under $10,000 crate price). Will it prove to be reliable now it’s been played with, or would sticking a couple of turbos on it been more fun for the new owner, pulling up at the local car meet with a 700bhp car spitting flames from side exhausts? The new car does produce a good sound from those side exhaust outlets, and it will be interesting to follow this great British manufacturer's progress from this currently unique running example into full production, which is still due to start late 2018. My opinion is: This £90,000 car looks and sounds fantastic standing still, even if I am not a fan of the interior. I like the clean lines which are not a million miles from the Jaguar F Type or Aston Martin, and maybe the current bunch of TVR owners are not the target market. This news is a couple of days old now but I do like the Ferrari 488, so this SP38 based on the 488 also looked very nice. This is a one off special for a very good customer and is made for track and road use by the new owner. I love the colour. Your car will now be categorized as either
Dangerous [FAIL] A direct and immediate risk to road safety or has a serious impact on the environment. Do not drive the vehicle until it’s been repaired. This means even if you still have a valid MOT (you can test up to a month early) your car is not safe to drive and unless you plan on your MOT station fixing the vehicle, you will need to organise recovery of the car and transport from the test centre. Example Major leak on steering. Major It may affect the vehicle’s safety, put other road users at risk or have an impact on the environment. Repair it immediately. This is just about what people are used to now. Don’t use the vehicle, but you can take it to a repair centre of your choice. Example Minor leak on steering. Minor No significant effect on the safety of the vehicle or impact on the environment. Repair as soon as possible. This is another new category which advises of defects already present and in need of your attention. Example Cracked number plate. Advisory The advisory part of the MOT remains and informs you about possible future defects you need to be aware of. What happens if you fail? You will be advised by the MOT tester and given the new MOT form which explains what you should do. If you decide to drive a dangerous vehicle after an MOT failure, then you are open to a £2500 fine and 3 points on your licence. If caught a second time it’s a six month ban. The results of the test are uploaded to the DVLA and available online straight away. Although the police will not be out looking for dangerously maintained cars, if you have or cause an accident, the MOT results and your actions will count against you. What’s new? The major thing that might affect vehicles is the check on DPFs (Diesel Particulate filters). Up until now, you only failed if it was physically missing. Now it must be fitted and not tampered with (you can’t cut it open and remove the filter). If you have a filter fitted, make sure it is in good order as any sign of smoke is a fail. For all you slow drivers out there, a good blast down the motorway at 70mph will help clean the filter out if performed regularly. This failure could cost you £1000 to have it replaced. Other new checks Tire inflation is correct Brake pad warning lights. Oil leaks posing an environmental risk. Reversing lights on vehicles first used from September 1 2009 Headlight washers on vehicles first used from September 1 2009 (if they have them) Daytime running lights on vehicles first used from March 1 2018 (most of these vehicles will have their first MOT in 2021 when they’re 3 years old) Correct type of bulb for the reflector (no fitting a Xenon kit without a full headlight change). Classic cars that are more than 40 years old will no longer require an MOT. This will affect over 300,000. This can be taken from either the day of manufacture, if known, or the day it is first registered. One thing to remember when taking your car in for MOT is you might not be bringing it back, and might need alternative transport for a few days. The MOT test centre might not be able to fix you vehicle for a while and parts are not always available. Hennessey Jeep TrackhawkWe are over in Canada later in the year and have a Jeep Grand Cherokee for a hire car. Not sure it is going to do much for me. This Jeep will make my 500hp Porsche Cayenne Turbo look silly. Message from The Wife: Hennessey, if you're watching... could I please have a go in that? The HPE1000 Demon UpgradeI love the standard SRT Demon but Hennessey have taken it to another level. The standard car produces 840bhp and a 1/4 mile of 9.65 seconds at 140mph, which for most people would be plenty. Like all Hennessey's cars, this is not enough, and they add their own special touch. This time, producing a SRT Demon that can do the 1/4 mile in 9.14 seconds at 152mph and reduce the 0-60 time by 0.4 seconds to 1.9 seconds. The upgrade includes replacing the standard 2.7l supercharger with a massive 4.5l one, which increases engine hp to 1035 and 880 at the rear wheel. Torque is also up at 806 Ib-ft. The SRT Demon production is being limited to 3000, and the Hennessey upgrade to just 50 units. All this includes new headers and induction and comes with a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty - which isn't bad for a drag car. All photos copyright Hennessey
Just in from Hennessey are these fantastic images of a car I would love to own. They have the most awesome cars to play with. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2020
Categories
All
|
Menu |
Company |
|