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Car and Bike news, reviews and videos.Copyright 2022 Haymarket Media Pty. Ltd.Sat, 23 Apr 2022 10:04:45 +100010Open-top Ferrari 296 GTS unveiled
Ferrari has taken the wraps off the new 296 GTS – an open-top version of the firm's new mid-engined hybrid supercar, the 296 GTB. The new Ferrari 296 GTS is one of two new models Maranello will reveal this year, with the highly anticipated Ferrari Purosangue SUV due in the coming months to complete the line-up.
Ferrari 296 GTS retains 830hp, turbo V6 hybrid from coupe version
Performance remains identical to 296 GTB despite additional weight
Hardtop roof can open or close in 14sec at speeds of up to 45kph
Ferrari 296 GTS: what is it?
In keeping with Ferrari tradition, the differences between the hardtop Ferrari 296 GTB and its convertible sibling are minimal and limited chiefly to subtle styling revisions to accommodate the opening roof.
So, silhouette-wise, the two cars are nearly identical, but the retractable hardtop – a similar set-up to that used by the Ferrari SF90 Spider – is stowed in a new bay inside the engine compartment, behind the seats.
This means that the 296's rear deck has been reworked, with re-sculptured buttresses and a more prominent step between the roof and the distinctive 'aero bridge' that spans the width of the car. There is also a new window at the bottom of the engine cover, and the rear screen is adjustable to ensure cabin comfort at high speeds with the roof down.
The overall effect of the subtle makeover gives "an extremely compact cabin effortlessly integrated with the wings and flanks".
Aerodynamic efficiency and downforce are on a par, too – with Ferrari engineers taking care to ensure the airflow impact of the wing and buttresses is replicated – and there is still an active rear spoiler stowed in the tail, which increases downforce at speed.
The roof itself takes just 14 seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 45kph, splitting into two sections that fold over the front of the engine – "thus maintaining the engine bay's thermal dissipation characteristics and the balance of the overall design".
Ferrari 296 GTS: powertrain
The GTB's powertrain is carried over wholesale, with the 664hp, 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 paired with a rear-mounted, 166hp electric motor to take the total output to 830hp and 740Nm.
That means the 296 GTS goes from 0 to 100kph in 2.9sec and tops out at more than 330kph – figures that match the hardtop car, despite the convertible weighing 70kg more than the coupe, at 1,540kg (dry).
As with the coupe, the GTS can be specified with the more track-oriented Assetto Fiorano package – named after Ferrari's Maranello test track – which brings Multimatic adjustable shock absorbers, carbon fibre aero and trim elements, and various weight-saving measures, along with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.
Ferrari 296 GTS: India launch plans
While an India launch as not been officially announced as of now, we expect Ferrari to open order books for the 296 GTS in the near future. Meanwhile, the 296 GTB coupe is soon expected to be in showrooms in India by mid-2022.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskOpen-top Ferrari 296 GTS unveiledFerrari 296 GTS front quarter 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskOpen-top Ferrari 296 GTS unveiledFerrari 296 GTS top2461402461401Autocar India News DeskOpen-top Ferrari 296 GTS unveiledFerrari 296 GTS rear quarter 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskOpen-top Ferrari 296 GTS unveiledFerrari 296 GTS interior 2461402461401Tue, 19 Apr 2022 19:35:00 +1000424213Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherTue, 19 Apr 2022 19:41:11 +1000Ferrari claims "class-leading levels of driver engagement" without any loss in performance over the coupe version. Ferrari claims "class-leading levels of driver engagement" without any loss in performance over the coupe version. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 19:35:00 +1000"open-top" "ferrari" "296" "gts" "unveiled"
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424213Ferrari 296 GTS image gallery
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskFerrari 296 GTS image gallery 2461402461401Tue, 19 Apr 2022 18:50:00 +1000424211Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherTue, 19 Apr 2022 18:56:37 +1000Ferrari 296 GTS is the open top version of Ferrari''''s latest mid-engine hybrid supercar; it rivals the spider versions of the McLaren 720S and Lamborghini Huracan.Ferrari 296 GTS is the open top version of Ferrari''''s latest mid-engine hybrid supercar; it rivals the spider versions of the McLaren 720S and Lamborghini Huracan.Tue, 19 Apr 2022 18:50:00 +1000"ferrari 296 gts image gallery"
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424211Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica: Porsche 911 GT3 rival revealed
The most versatile and ambitious version of the mid-engined Lamborghini Huracan supercar to date has been officially revealed. The rear-driven Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica is a road-and-track special that could comfortably be labelled the ‘Goldilocks’ Huracan.
Styling inspired by the Sian hypercar
Lamborghini has tried to focus more on driver involvement
Skips certain aerodynamic bits over the STO
Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica: styling inspired from Sian hypercar
With styling lightly inspired by the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 hypercar, it will bridge the gap between the Huracan Evo and the hardcore Lamborghini Huracan STO which is already on sale in India.
Chief technical officer Rouven Mohr, who this year returned from Audi for his second stint in Sant’Agata (replacing Maurizio Reggiani), described the Tecnica as “more or less a combination of both [existing] cars”.
As such, the spread of its recalibrated driving modes is broad, with Strada offering the same languid cruising manners as the Evo while Corsa brings the Tecnica close to the aggression of the STO.
The midway Sport mode will be the new car’s ace-card, offering levels of controllable oversteer never before seen in any modern Lamborghini, according to Mohr.
Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica: driver involvement
Driver confidence is apparently the single most important element of the car’s character, with genuinely approachable on-the-limit handling being the priority.
The Tecnica promises to be Lamborghini’s most convincing answer yet to the Porsche 911 GT3, whose dynamic precision and adaptability in both road and track environments have for years made it the standout option in this corner of the market.
Like the STO, the Technica is solely rear-driven and powered by a 631hp, 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10, whose efforts are delivered to the road through Lamborghini’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
The supercar also has semi-slick Bridgestone Sport tyres (305mm at the rear), which are wrapped around new 20-inch wheels. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard, although the compound is different to that found on the STO – being more road-leaning.
Notably, the Tecnica also features a new exhaust system, which, via hardware and software changes, is said to give the engine an aural edge over the STO’s in the mid and upper reaches of its 8,500rpm scope.
The bonnet lid is carbon fibre, and while the Tecnica is as wide and tall as the Evo, it’s 61mm longer, with the firm’s design team lengthening the glasshouse in the style of the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12.
Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica: chassis and aerodynamics
As for the chassis, the Tecnica uses the same rear-wheel steering as the STO and knits the agility- and stability-enhancing effects of that system with brake-based torque-vectoring and adaptive traction control (which, depending on the driving mode selected, allows generous yaw, but only when the car believes the driver intents it), all through the electronic LDVI ‘brain’ that was first seen on the Evo in 2019.
What the Technica lacks when compared to the STO is the senior supercar’s wild aerodynamics package, weight-saving regime and clamshell bodywork. However, at 1,379kg, the new car weighs 10kg less than the rear-driven Evo, and has some aerodynamic fangs of its own.
The new wing contributes to 35 percent more downforce than the Evo, yet the Tecnica also manages 20 percent less drag, and the high-exit hexagonal exhausts tips are flanked by fantastically large apertures that sit beneath the contoured tail-lights and help expel heat from the engine bay.
Above that bay sits an all-new carbon fibre cover. It lies flat, like that of the McLaren 570S, and is positioned so as to allow for the new rear window – positioned vertically to improve visibility. As for outright performance, 0-100kph is dispatched in a claimed 3.2sec, 200kph goes by in 9.1sec and the top speed is over 320kph.
Overall, the Tecnica continues Lamborghini’s recent direction of offering greater levels of driver involvement to go with the existing visual and performance-related clout that its cars offer. In this respect, the new model will have no shortage of rivals, including the 911 GT3, McLaren Artura, Maserati MC20 and new Ferrari 296 GTB.
What are your thoughts on the Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica's styling? Let us know in the comments below.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskLamborghini Huracan Tecnica: Porsche 911 GT3 rival revealedLamborghini Huracan Tecnica front left side.2461402461401Autocar India News DeskLamborghini Huracan Tecnica: Porsche 911 GT3 rival revealedLamborghini Huracan Tecnica side.2461402461401Autocar India News DeskLamborghini Huracan Tecnica: Porsche 911 GT3 rival revealedLamborghini Huracan Tecnica rear.2461402461401Autocar India News DeskLamborghini Huracan Tecnica: Porsche 911 GT3 rival revealedLamborghini Huracan Tecnica interior.2461402461401Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:16:00 +1000424135Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherWed, 13 Apr 2022 14:40:35 +1000The Italian carmaker says the Sport mode is the car’s ace card, offering varying levels of controllable oversteer.The Italian carmaker says the Sport mode is the car’s ace card, offering varying levels of controllable oversteer.Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:16:00 +1000"lamborghini huracan tecnica: porsche 911 gt3 rival revealed "
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424135DeLorean teases EVolved Supercar ahead of August debut
The highly anticipated all-electric DeLorean supercar will take a completely different design approach to the 1980s sports coupe from which it takes its name.
EVolved focuses more on aerodynamic efficiency
The all-electric supercar will also focus on luxury
Unclear if the EV will continue with an unpainted stainless steel body
Now confirmed for an unveiling on August 18, ahead of a debut at Pebble Beach three days later, the DeLorean EVolved, as it is currently known, will be a highly modern proposition with what looks to be only subtle nods to its famous namesake.
DeLorean EVolved: what does the teaser reveal
The first detailed preview image shows off a rear end that is clearly designed with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency: the rear deck is tapered and houses louvres for directing airflow, the rear arches extend dramatically from the side of the car and there looks to be an extendable rear wing housed above the futuristic rear light bar.
Beyond that, the DeLorean Motor Company has not given any more clues as to the design of its first model since obtaining the rights to the DeLorean marque in 1995, save for earlier confirming it will have gullwing doors and a light-up, V-shaped motif across the front end. It has also yet to officially confirm a name, which it will save for the car’s final reveal.
The Texas-based DeLorean Motor Company – formed by British engineer Stephen Wynne, who acquired the rights to the original firm’s name and branding in 1995 – earlier previewed its modern-day take on the mid-engined DeLorean DMC in a cryptic tweet confirming limited details.
DeLorean EVolved will be designed by Italdesign
This isn’t the first time the revived marque has hinted at plans to bring back the DMC. Last year, 40 years to the day since the reveal of the original car, design house Italdesign showed a similar teaser image, and more recently, has also previewed the Pebble Beach-bound car, confirming its involvement in the project.
Italdesign was founded by revered designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was responsible for shaping the original DMC’s characteristically angular stainless-steel body.
It’s unclear whether the new DeLorean will be so faithful to the original design as to go with an unpainted steel finish, but it will at least have similar gullwing doors.
In 2016, a new low-volume manufacturing bill gave the DeLorean Motor Company the green light to build a 300-off continuation series of original-spec DMCs, but the regulations didn’t come into effect until 2019, and there has been no confirmation that the firm is continuing with these plans alongside the unveil of the EVolved.
DeLorean EVolved: powertrain
The identity of a powertrain supplier has yet to be revealed, but Italdesign recently inked a deal with British company Williams Advanced Engineering. As a result, the two will collaborate on an open-source EV platform for manufacturers of low-volume cars.
In December last year, DeLorean appointed Joost de Vries – previously sales and customer experience boss at luxury car manufacturer Karma – as its new CEO, joining chief marketing officer Troy Beetz, also formerly of Karma. Wynne, who originally revived the brand, continues to head the dedicated Classic DMC division, which caters to the approximately 9,000 global owners of the original DeLorean DMC-12.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskDeLorean teases EVolved Supercar ahead of August debut2022 DeLorean teaser2461402461401Wed, 6 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +1000424050Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherTue, 5 Apr 2022 16:53:18 +1000The reborn all-electric supercar will not have the same angular design as its original.The reborn all-electric supercar will not have the same angular design as its original.Wed, 6 Apr 2022 09:00:00 +1000"delorean teases evolved supercar ahead of august debut"
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424050Lamborghini India crosses 400-unit sales milestone; records 86 percent growth
Italian performance carmaker Lamborghini has just crossed the 400-unit sales milestone in India. The last 100 units took just six months as the company is said to have recorded an 86 percent growth last year. To commemorate the occasion, the brand held its third ‘Lamborghini Day’ experience for Indian customers in Goa.
Dealer network currently in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai
Said to have recorded an 86 percent growth last year
Urus SUV is the highest selling Lamborghini in India
Lamborghini India 400-unit sales milestone
Lamborghini begun its India operations in 2007, in partnership with a single dealer. Now, 15 years later, the Sant’Agata based company has achieved the milestone of delivering 400 cars in the country. The brand currently has a dealer network in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai.
This milestone comes not too long after the brand achieved 300-unit sales in September last year. A major reason for this is the 86 percent growth recorded in India last year, according to the company. FY2021 proved to be very successful for Lamborghini India as it doubled its volumes, bucking the trend that saw every other luxury carmaker in the country lose sales in the face of the pandemic.
The Urus SUV, unsurprisingly, is the highest selling Lamborghini in India. The company delivered the 100th Urus in India in March 2021 and – even though we don’t have the official figures – that number would have risen significantly in the year gone by. In the past year, the brand launched two more desirable editions of its SUV – the Pearl Capsule Edition and the Graphite Capsule Edition. The Urus is due for a facelift soon, which will likely be revealed at Pebble Beach, USA in August.
Commenting on this occasion, Sharad Agarwal, Head of Lamborghini India said, "We are pleased to announce the achievement of 400 Lamborghinis in India and mark the Lamborghini Day experience with this milestone achievement along with our customers who have supported us in this journey. We will continue to offer unique platforms so that our existing and prospective customers are able to experience the values that define the Lamborghini brand in India.”
Autocar India also drove the Urus SUV up the new highest motorable road in the world – the Umling La Pass at 19,300ft above sea level. You can read more about that adventure here.
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Soham ThakurSoham ThakurLamborghini India crosses 400-unit sales milestone; records 86 percent growthLamborghini Huracan front action image2461402461401Soham ThakurLamborghini India crosses 400-unit sales milestone; records 86 percent growthLamborghini Urus static image2461402461401Soham ThakurLamborghini India crosses 400-unit sales milestone; records 86 percent growthSharad Agarwal, Head of Lamborghini India, flagging off the third edition of 'Lamborghini Day' in Goa.2461402461401Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:25:00 +1000423979Soham ThakurAutocar India staff photograherMon, 28 Mar 2022 18:46:56 +1000The Italian carmaker has reached the milestone 15 years after it first began operations here.The Italian carmaker has reached the milestone 15 years after it first began operations here.Mon, 28 Mar 2022 18:25:00 +1000"lamborghini india crosses 400-unit sales milestone; records 86 percent growth"
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423979Prodrive Hunter T1 is the road version of a Dakar Rally car
Prodrive has officially revealed the first road-going version of its latest Bahraini-backed Dakar Rally car, the BRX Hunter T1. The first road car, built for Bahrain’s Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, spearheads a batch of 25 road-going T1s that will be produced at Prodrive’s Banbury HQ over the next two years, each priced from £1.25 million (around Rs 12.5 crore) before local taxes.
Bahrain's crown prince is the first customer of this car
Have larger 38-inch tyres and 17-inch wheels
Interior more comfortable, fuel tank can shrink for more boot space
Prodrive chairman David Richards had previously described the road-going Hunter T1 as “the Ferrari of the desert” and has created the vehicle to be the fastest cross-country production car in the world. An elaborate Prodrive brochure reads: “Where we’re going we don’t need roads.”
Prodrive BRX Hunter T1 exterior: similar to rally version
The close relationship between the road and rally models is obvious to the eye, although there are dozens of differences. Both use a body designed by former Jaguar design boss Ian Callum, now based close to Prodrive’s Banbury base. The T1 is 4,600mm long and 2,300mm wide, with an aerodynamically oriented fastback shape and a high wing above the rear window to generate downforce, but, at 1,850mm tall, the road car stands at least 100mm lower than its rally sibling.
The road car uses the same tubular steel spaceframe chassis as the three team cars competing in this year’s Dakar event. The 2022 T1s are related to the 2021 models – but are much more modified – and the road car follows the latest specification. They have much larger tyres – 38-inch diameter tyres on a 17-inch wheel – which should help prevent the dozens of punctures that blighted last year’s campaign. There’s room for a spare in a sidepod ahead of each rear wheel.
All models have Prodrive-designed, ultra-long-travel twin-shock coil suspension at the front and rear, plus air jacks built in for rapid tyre changing – an essential in desert running, where assistance simply isn’t available.
Prodrive BRX Hunter T1 interior: not so barebones
Prodrive engineer Mark Paterson, who is in charge of the road car programme, said that although most of the car’s headline specifications mirror those of the rally cars, there are many different details.
The interior has sound deadening wherever possible, the competition seats are replaced by slightly more comfortable designs, the new fascia is configured so the car can be driven by people of varying skills, and the massive 480-litre rear fuel tank can be shrunk to give extra boot space, because “prospective owners are the kind of people who spend weekends driving in the desert,” said Paterson. “They may need a little luggage.”
Prodrive BRX Hunter T1 engine: more powerful than the rally car
The T1’s engine is the same dry-sumped 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged Ford V6 used in the competition cars, re-built and modified at Prodrive with bespoke engine control systems.
The T1 is a front-engined design, although the position is so close to centralised that its cover protrudes half a metre into the cockpit. The road car's output is quoted at over 600hp – around 200hp more than FIA regulations allow for the pure rally cars – and torque is around 700Nm. Both engines redline at 6,500rpm, but the rally car’s shift lights are set at 5,500rpm as the torque declines above that. The gearbox is a six-speed paddle shifter and the car has permanent four-wheel drive.
The company predicts a 0-100kph time of less than four seconds and a top speed of nearly 300kph.
Richards said Prodrive already has “three or four” buyers interested in cars, and expects more to get in touch when the car makes its debut. Prodrive will deal directly with customers rather than appointing dealers. “The people who want one of these won’t be like ordinary car buyers,” said Richards. “They’ll know where to find us.”
What are your thoughts on the road-going Dakar rally car? Let us know in the comments below.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskProdrive Hunter T1 is the road version of a Dakar Rally carProdrive Hunter T1 front quarter 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskProdrive Hunter T1 is the road version of a Dakar Rally carProdrive Hunter T1 rear quarter 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskProdrive Hunter T1 is the road version of a Dakar Rally carProdrive Hunter T1 side profile2461402461401Sat, 19 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +1000423871Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherThu, 17 Mar 2022 17:48:02 +1000Prodrive chairman David Richards had previously described the road-going Hunter T1 as “the Ferrari of the desert”. Prodrive chairman David Richards had previously described the road-going Hunter T1 as “the Ferrari of the desert”. Sat, 19 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +1000"prodrive" "reveals" "its" "first" "road-going" "dakar" "rally" "car"
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423871McLaren 720S Spider review, test drive
McLaren. Bruce. New Zealand. Formula 1. Prost. Senna. Gordon Murray. Adrian Newey. Ron Dennis. The BMW V12 engined F1 road car... just some of the names and images that pop up in my head as I walk up to the door of the mustard yellow 720S Spider. So much history, so much brilliance. What a company. And doesn’t the 720S look great too? Perched like an angry hornet, with its big insect eyes, long thorax and upturned doors that look like folded wings, ready to fly.
Get In, Get Moving
Time to get going. While the front hinged ‘butterfly’ doors open with plenty of drama, getting in is not seamless. It’s tighter here than I expect, and then many of the controls are unfamiliar. Also, while the cabin is well built, it doesn’t quite have the same high-quality vibe as rivals. What I also notice is that the driving position is offset to the left to avoid the front right wheel. In fact, it’s so offset, straight ahead of me sits the accelerator, not the brake! The brake pedal is off to the left, where you’d expect a clutch. Think about that for a minute. Have to get used to it.
Then, as I raise the nose and set off across some speed breakers that pose no real challenge, I notice that the brakes are underserved. This is especially true at low speeds, where you need to give the pedal a good push to get the brakes to bite. In fact, compared to rivals, like say a Ferrari F8 or a Lamborghini Huracán, the McLaren 720S as a whole has an extremely ‘damped feel’. At low speeds, not only do you need to hit the brakes harder than usual, even the hydraulic steering feels a bit lethargic. A sharp incisive Ferrari set-up this clearly isn’t, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The 720S has been optimised to deliver a fantastic driving experience at higher speed.
Much higher speeds. And boy, oh boy, does the 720S make these speeds accessible. Initially, I put my foot on the throttle, in a half-hearted sort of exploratory manner, and the 720S, without hesitation or delay, rips right off the blocks, going straight to warp speed. The transition from barely moving to transonic speed is so quick, and the hit of performance so strong, I can’t help but laugh out loud involuntarily.
Integrated rear spoiler pops out from neat-looking rear.
The sledgehammer-like thrust is also accompanied by something a bit alien in this class... an almost total lack of drama. No fuss, no rear-wheel-drive histrionics... put your foot down and you take off... like you are on a steam catapult, Whoooshh... the twin turbo V8 feeling like it’s tugging hard, running ‘on cam’. Getting such ready access to all this performance is just delicious.
Jump To Light Speed
Then, as I go harder on the gas, it seems to unlock a new level of performance. The 720S throws my head back, the tachometer whips to the redline, and then, as one gear click-snaps to the next with a WAAAP-WAP, the performance gets stronger with every change. This is one seriously quick car.
Air gets channelled around cabin, pretty clever.
Put your foot down at around 30kph and this is past 100kph in under TWO seconds! 0-100kph, in fact, takes a claimed 2.9 seconds. And 0-200kph just 7.9 seconds. McLaren even quotes a 0-300kph time – 22.4 seconds! Talk about being ballistically inclined. The 720S with an insane power-to-weight ratio of 540hp per ton is even quicker than the legendary McLaren F1 of the nineties, even though the latter has a betterpower-to-weight ratio of 560hp per ton: down to the extra torque of the turbo engine and the quicker gearbox.
If you are a Formula 1 fan, this logo will be familiar.
What I also love is that when you begin to drive it harder, the chassis, steering and brakes, all seem to wake up. The added weight and connect of the hydraulic steering now feels just great, the car feels more alive and reactive; and then, when you get hard on the brakes, the pedal delivers plenty of confidence and stopping power. What meshes nicely with the rest of the experience is that the gearbox is wonderfully integrated, shifting quicker the higher up the rev range you go. And the 720S also clearly has the rear axle to exploit it. We’ll need a longer drive on more appropriate roads to know just how good it is, especially when compared to its rivals, but even here it’s easy to spot its huge ability and focus.
You sit towards the centre of the car and there’s a single-seater-like purity to the driving position here.
The McLaren even rides comfortably on our roads. It is a supercar, so no, it won’t ride like a luxury sedan and it will thud through deep and sharp-edged potholes. But the 720S is also surprisingly comfortable and useable over regular bumps and takes the edge off some of the worst bits, as if someone has thrown a rug over them; quite nice.
Transparent buttresses; practical and cool.
The one area in which 720S falls short is noise. While the twin-turbo V8 has a distinctive exhaust note, it’s a bit flat and one-dimensional. And while you can have the rear glass screen pulled down to fill the interior with engine noise, the exhaust note doesn’t quite encourage you to do this. Aftermarket exhaust systems will sound better.
Weights And Measures
What makes the 720S Spider unique is that the carbon-fibre tub weighs only 73kg, giving it a huge advantage over rivals. McLaren’s carbon-fibre Monocage II structure has been adapted for this open-top Spider version, and now, with the central spa removed, it’s called the Monocage II-S. Almost no strengthening material is added to make the convertible stiffer, but roof mechanism has added weight. Still, the 720S Spider weighs only 1,332kg dry... just 49kg heavier than the coupé. In addition, the roof slides back and opens and closes in just 11sec, and to aid rear visibility, the car gets transparent rear buttresses that flank the engine bay.
With the roof up, you can hardly tell if this is a flip top or convertible. Roof folds in one easy step back; takes just 11 seconds.
Providing motive power is a 720hp, 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine made with component maker Ricardo, also from the UK. This gives it a very strong power-to-weight ratio of 540hp per ton. Highlights of the engine include extremely light impellers on the turbo that allow for a rapid ramp up in turbine speed, a water-cooled intercooler with its own low-temperature radiator to keep things cool,and hydraulically interlinked dampers that make anti-roll bars redundant. The latter are very stiff when it comes to roll, but allows for individual wheel movement when, for example, you hit a pothole. Increase the pressure in the Citroën DS-like system and you can even stiffen anti-roll properties, which the 720S does in ‘Sport’ mode.
Eye-Opener
Our short drive in the 720S Spider, the first McLaren car officially imported into India, is nothing less than an eye-opener. The accessible hypercar-like performance is what gets you first. It has huge grip, the rear axle can put all 720hp down in a fuss-free manner, and the stiff carbon-fibre tub and hydraulic steering help deliver a driving experience that makes you seek out challenging corners and fun stretches of road.
What makes it even more appealing is that it’s quite useable in our conditions. The lift function makes it easy to climb over speed breakers, the interlinked suspension and carbon-fibre tub help it ride well for a car of this startling performance, and then, since it isn’t hypersensitive to bad roads, you can use more of that performance more of the time.
The cabin isn’t as comfy or as well built as other cars in its class, it’s more expensive than rivals, with a starting price of Rs 5.67 crore, and some will seek out a more emotional driving experience. Still, has McLaren found a place for itself in the pantheon of supercars? Absolutely. But to be relevant in India they have to do well in our conditions. Fingers crossed!
Mclaren’s High-Tech Suspension
The 720S Spider uses Proactive Chassis Control (PCC II). Basically, a system of interlinked hydraulic dampers, where all four work together and share hydraulic fluid to help reduce body roll (there are no anti-roll bars here). The interlinked system also reduces damping forces when only one wheel goes through a pothole. The system is run off a high-speed controller and multiple sensors. These include a four-wheel accelerometer, two pressure sensors per damper and multiple body sensors that alter damping forces in merely two milliseconds.
While there are three drive modes – Comfort, Sport and Track – McLaren has also introduced a Variable Drift Control system or VDC where you can adjust the levels of Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control via a slider on the dash.
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Shapur KotwalShapur KotwalMcLaren 720S Spider review, test driveMcLaren 720S Spider front2461402461401Shapur KotwalMcLaren 720S Spider review, test driveIn corners, both the carbon-fibre chassis and the refreshingly old-school hydraulic steering make their presence felt.2461402461401Shapur KotwalMcLaren 720S Spider review, test driveYou can flip instrument panel into minimalist data strip.2461402461401Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +1000423492Shapur KotwalAutocar India staff photograherTue, 15 Mar 2022 12:18:14 +1000A brief drive of the 720S Spider, the first McLaren to be officially imported into India, has us blown away by the performance.A brief drive of the 720S Spider, the first McLaren to be officially imported into India, has us blown away by the performance.Thu, 17 Mar 2022 08:00:00 +1000"mclaren" "720s" "spider" "review" "test drive"
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423492Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept roadster revealed
This is the open top version of the 2019 Vision Gran Turismo concept
Has many design elements reminiscent of the Jaguar D-Type
Themes displayed here could make its way into real cars
Jaguar Vision Gran Turismo: what is it?
An open-top version of the original Vision Gran Turismo, unveiled back in 2019, the new addition in this concept features a single seat for the driver – similar to the real-world Ferrari SP1 Monza – with a dorsal fin reminiscent of the 1950s Jagaur D-Type Le Mans racer. It has an LED-illuminated Union Jack laser-etched into the side, with the fin itself being an active-aerodynamic feature, deploying at high speeds to increase stability.
The cabin is surrounded by a sleek wraparound windscreen, with a small lump that could possibly contain a rear-view mirror visible in the centre of the car. A pair of leather straps hold down the bonnet.
At the front, a redesigned grille plays host to a pair of LED fog lights that again pay tribute to the D-Type. A new front splitter can also be seen, with a two-piece construction replacing the singular lip seen on the previous concept car.
Aside from the open-top layout and the restyled front end, the Roadster is otherwise identical to the 2019 concept. It shares the hypercar’s three-motor, 1,004hp all-electric drivetrain, with a lithium-ion battery pack providing up to 1,194Nm of torque. This allows for a 0-100kph sprint “under 2.0sec” and a top speed “in excess of 320kph”. The concept weighs in at just 1,400kg, with a “near 50:50” weight distribution.
The car is available now to players of Gran Turismo 7, along with the two previous concepts. Although it won’t lead to a production car, it displays themes that could make it into Jaguars of the future. A large proportion of Gran Turismo’s 83 million players are in the 25-to-35-year-old bracket – a demographic that the brand previously told us it considered vital to its future.
Jaguar's last Vision Gran Turismo car – 2020’s 1,900hp Vision Gran Turismo SV, a racing version – was developed by workers from departments across the brand, including Jaguar Racing, the firm’s motorsports arm. A full-size model of the car was produced and exhibited at several motor shows.
Vision Gran Turismo turns six
2022 marks the sixth year of the Vision Gran Turismo project. Dreamt up by Polyphony Digital, the team behind the hugely popular racing game series, the programme invites major manufacturers to create advanced fictional cars to be added to the games.
Jaguar is one of 26 brands to have shown off a Vision Gran Turismo car so far, sitting alongside manufacturers such as Lamborghini, Bugatti and McLaren. Porsche recently showed off its own Vision Gran Turismo car before the newest instalment in the video game series launched.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept roadster revealedJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept roadster revealedJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept roadster revealedJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept 2461402461401Autocar India News DeskJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept roadster revealedJaguar Vision Gran Turismo concept 2461402461401Sat, 12 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +1000423803Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherFri, 11 Mar 2022 17:26:49 +1000The Roadster concept has been built for the Gran Turismo video game.The Roadster concept has been built for the Gran Turismo video game.Sat, 12 Mar 2022 09:00:00 +1000"jaguar" "releases" "roadster" "version" "of" "the" "vision" "gran" "turismo" "concept"
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423803Mumbai's Juhu airport hosts night drag races
After over three decades, Mumbai’s Juhu airport hosted a unique motorsport event, ‘Drag Star Night Race’, organised by Elite Octane INC, the same group behind the successful ‘Valley Run’ drag racing series. This first-of-its-kind event, as its name suggests, took place on February 26, 2022, at night, opening its gates for supercar owners in its first edition.
Motorsport event at Juhu airport after over three decades
Around 70 supercar entries
Audi RS e-tron GT, fastest production car at the event
“Getting permissions and approvals was a herculean task, but we’re very happy to pull it off” comments Rongom Tagore Mukerji, Elite Octane INC.
This edition of night drag races was limited to supercars only, and the organisers received an overwhelming response with around 70 entries comprising supercar owners as well as participation from brands like AMG and Porsche.
Saumil Shah represented Autocar India at this drag racing competition and participated in an Audi RS e-tron GT, a four-door all-electric sedan that develops 646hp and 830Nm, with clever e-quattro (all-wheel drive capability), and a claimed 0-100kph time of 3.3 seconds. Owing to an EV’s ability to deliver maximum torque right from the get-go, there couldn’t be a better platform (than a drag strip), or a better vehicle (than one of the fastest EVs on sale in India) to demonstrate the straight line acceleration prowess of a high performance EV.
The all-electric Audi shocked (pun intended) and awed everyone as it rocketed through the quarter mile sprint, making a shattering drag race debut with an incredibly quick 11.1sec time. The noiseless EV turned out to be the fastest production (stock) vehicle of the night, and the third fastest overall.
The fastest car of the night was Imran Majid’s highly tuned Nissan GT-R, which completed the quarter-mile sprint in a mind-numbing 10.5sec. Biren Pithawalla, in another tuned Nissan GT-R, secured second place completing the run in a respectable 10.8sec.
“This was the first-ever floodlit night race” says Mukherjee. “We’ve got all the necessary approvals from AAI (Airports Authority of India) to conduct a total of twelve such events this year, and each subsequent edition will have a dedicated category such as supercars, superbikes, tuner cars, etc.” The next night drag race event is likely to take place in March 2022, only for superbikes. Stay tuned.
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Saumil ShahSaumil ShahMumbai's Juhu airport hosts night drag races2461402461401Saumil ShahMumbai's Juhu airport hosts night drag races2461402461401Saumil ShahMumbai's Juhu airport hosts night drag races2461402461401Saumil ShahMumbai's Juhu airport hosts night drag races2461402461401Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:46:00 +1000423689Saumil ShahAutocar India staff photograherTue, 1 Mar 2022 12:45:15 +1000We participated in floodlit night drag races held at Juhu Aerodrome, in an electric Audi RS e-tron GT, on February 26.We participated in floodlit night drag races held at Juhu Aerodrome, in an electric Audi RS e-tron GT, on February 26.Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:46:00 +1000"mumbai's juhu airport hosts night drag races"
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423689Lexus’ EV supercar to launch by 2030
Lexus is developing an electric supercar that will serve as a spiritual successor to the LFA, and is expected to launch by 2030.
Originally shown in concept form as part of the shock unveiling of 15 new Toyota and Lexus EV concepts, the new model will be one of the EVs launched by Lexusas it phases out combustion engines. The brand has now revealed a full suite of images, giving a good look at the futuristic Rimac Nevera rival from all angles.
Lexus will sell only electric cars after 2035
Supercar could be the first EV with solid state batteries
Lexus’ first EV, a crossover, will launch this year
Lexus will offer an EV in all segments by 2030, by which point it will sell only electric cars in China, Europe and North America, and in 2035, it will end ICE car sales altogether.
The concept is described as “a battery-EV sports car which inherits the driving taste, or the secret sauce, of the performance cultivated via the development of the LFA.”
Experience gained from developing this car will extend to other future Lexus EVs as part of a drive to emphasise the Japanese brand’s dynamic focus. “The endless pursuit of the Lexus driving signature will move to the next stage through development of the new sports battery EV,” said Lexus's chief branding officer Koji Sato. “It will be a model that symbolises the future of the brand.”
Solid state batteries
Lexus is targeting a 0-100kph time in the low two-seconds, and a range of over 435 miles (around 700km). The supercar concept has been earmarked as a possible early recipient of solid-state batteries, which parent company Toyota recently revealed it plans to install in production EVs from the middle of the decade.
Before that, however, the firm will deploy solid-state batteries in hybrid cars, which will allow it to “test and evaluate the technology” before rolling it out to pure-electric equivalents.
The concept bears minimal resemblance to any Lexus model currently on sale, with a long bonnet (despite its lack of an engine) lending itself to a distinctive cab-rear silhouette. It’s clearly a hardcore proposition, with low-profile tyres, a prominent aerodynamics package, gaping air intakes and even a red tow strap at the front, hinting at its intended track-use billing.
Lexus will officially reveal its first bespoke EV, the RZ crossover, in the coming weeks ahead of a market launch before mid-2022.
What are your thoughts on Lexus' LFA successor being an EV? Let us know in the comments.
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Autocar India News DeskAutocar India News DeskLexus’ EV supercar to launch by 2030Lexus BEV Sport Concept2461402461401Thu, 24 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +1000423552Autocar India News DeskAutocar India staff photograherFri, 18 Feb 2022 17:44:20 +1000The car, which is the LFA’s successor, could have a 0-100kph time around 2.0secs and a range of 700km.The car, which is the LFA’s successor, could have a 0-100kph time around 2.0secs and a range of 700km.Thu, 24 Feb 2022 08:00:00 +1000"lexus’ ev supercar to launch by 2030"
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