Inside Lane Magazine Issue 28 "911 GT3 RS 4.0"

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Issue 28

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Hello folks and welcome to another fuel injected issue of Inside Lane.

This issue is packed with some of the biggest news stories of 2011 including Team Lotus始 acquisition of Catherham not to mention a huge step in the evolution of the Porsche 911.

We have some changes coming to the site later this month but what I can tell you right now is limited. Keep an eye out though!

Enjoy.

Astra Hatches A Plan...

A sporty two door hatchback is a recommendation for anyone looking for practicality, performance and value for money all rolled into one.

Vauxhall’s new Astra is a big step-up from its predecessor offering vastly superior quality and ergonomics. Not bad to look at either… However there is a two-door shaped gap in the current model range but today that has been plugged with the GTC.

Not straying far from it’s concept car of last year, the GTC brings that sleek design right into the firing line of the Focus and Megan. Vauxhall are drip feeding us details for now but all shall be revealed come June 7th. The first production example will be on public display at the Frankfurt motor show later this year and is expected to hit showrooms a few weeks later.

We’ll keep you posted.

Beauty And The Beast

Alfa Romeo TZ3 Stradale

Pure design and engineering passion.

fibre and is absolute proof that giving an

The is exactly what an Alfa Romeo is.

Italian a pen and some paper results in

Every atom of its existence sculpted to

art. However the car isn’t quite as

set your soul on fire with an involving

Italian as it’s Corsa brother. Under the

drive, gorgeous looks and something

bonnet is the V8 from the 8C? Nope, it

not many cars have… Soul. Last year

is an American 4.2 litre V8 thanks to

Alfa produced a one-off TZ3 Corsa that

Fiat’s new arrangements with Chrysler.

was simply one of the most beautiful

The chassis is also from the Dodge

machines to ever grace the road. To

Viper ACR, no bad thing, but you can’t

continue the celebration of its 100th

help but feel that the designers weren’t

year in existence the Italian’s followed it

given the freedom of bespoke parts for

up with the TZ3 Stradale.

such a special car.

Legendary design firm Zagato have

Only 9 TZ3 Stradale’s will be produced.

again crafted a beautiful body with swooping curves and intricate features.

The entire body is made from carbon

Rapide Seduces Judges...

Wins 2011 Design Award

Wafting around in absolute luxury without a care in the world is something craved by many. The luxury saloon offers much in the way of comfort and in many ways resembles a private jet for the road. However most are big and heavy due to all the toys they pack, so what if you like the feel of the noisy peddle but cant live without massaging seats. Enter the super saloon, a supercar with space for more than just two. Aston Martin’s attempt has just bagged the company yet another award.

The Rapide with its bellowing V12 and sporty cockpit seating four offers the thrill of a DB9 but the practicality of a saloon. The British brand has been credited with having one of the most beautiful line-ups on the market and as a result the Rapide has been crowned winner of the world car design award 2011. The judges didn’t make a bad decision there!

Congratulation to Aston as the car beat off 51 other contenders.

Whats New Pussy-Cat? Since Jaguar took the “this is the new Jaguar”

new car. A more pronounced front end sets the

root a few years ago it has seen nothing but

feline prowess with little details and vents

success. Turning away from the walnut

backing the new look. Other panels have

dashboards and offering aluminum in their

swollen and the interior also gains a few

place gave back this cats claws. The XF has

tweaks. The 2012 XF R however, is where

won countless awards and from our

things start to get spicy. £65,350 may sound a

perspective it is the best car in its class. Jag

lot but you do get a 5.0 litre supercharged V8

has just launched the updated XF and even

with over 500BHP. 0-62MPH is done within 4.9

more exciting, XF R.

seconds and it will not stop until it reachers its electronic shackles of 155MPH.

“If it isn’t broken don’t fix it” is often a motto that spring to mind with these refreshes but Jaguar really has refined the concept with the

When Jaguar was having its financial equivalent of a cardiac arrest some said it would be better just to let it go.

Well I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m glad this cat has got 9 lives.

“the biggest step in the 911 evolution for a decade�

The Porsche 911 these days comes in almost every flavor imaginable.

Coupe, convertible, turbo powered, GT, RS and the list goes on. So does this current generation of the 911 need yet another incarnation?

Well as we come to the end of this current generation Porsche feel that there should be one rather worthwhile addition to the family. A car that previews the future of the

This is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 has the potential to be quite the swan song for this generation. The GT3 is a brilliantly balanced and focused car; its RS configuration was nothing short of perfection.

Enter a brand new 4.0 litre flat-six refined by GT racing. Even the crankshaft comes directly from its racing counterpart. How does 500BHP, 8250RPM, and 339lb-ft of torque sound? 0-62MPH is finished in just 3.8 seconds but will do the same athletic run to 120MPH in just 12 seconds. The RS 4.0 also set one of the fastest times for a production car around the legendary Nordschleife.

Only 600 fine examples will be produced at the cost of ÂŁ128,466.

Consider it added to our Christmas wish list.

Over 745 Miles On One Tank?

Witchcraft!!!

Porsche Panamera Diesel

Once upon a time diesel was the fuel of the devil. It produced noises associated with tractors and canal boats, it was unexciting and used exclusively by hippies. However these days diesel is very popular as one of its many benefits is extended range over petrol. You can even get diesel performance cars now. Take the new Panamera diesel for example.

On sale from August the diesel powered super saloon has all of the perks from the petrol model, including that sumptuous interior, but with the addition of diesel efficiency. The 3.0 litre turbo V6 produces 250BHP as well as a continent shifting 550Nm of torque.

0-62MPH takes just 6.8 seconds and you can loiter in luxury at its top speed of 150MPH all day if you so wish. Fuel economy comes in at 43.5MPG combined but opt for the lower rolling resistance tyres and that increases to 44.8MPG. Prices start from ÂŁ62,134.

Team Lotus Blossoms...

Some say that the plucky British sports car is dead. As the fabled brands dropped like flies so did the reputation of the breed. As cars became fatter and safer there was one that stayed true to the formula… Catherham; just two seats, four wheels and an engine. Motoring at its simplest and it is this pure form of driving that saw record profits for the company last year. But what about its future? Who knows what fate awaits the firm? Well its fate is not a dark one that’s for sure after Team Lotus announced their acquisition.

The Fernandes owned Formula One team now has the keys to the kingdom after buying 100% of Catherham. They apparently have big plans for the brand and come the British GP they will announce a tie-in with the F1 team. To celebrate their new ownership 25 special edition seven’s have been made sporting the Team Lotus colours.

With the team’s ongoing spat over its name this deal can only strengthen their argument to remain Team Lotus.

The Bug Is Back!

No matter what you say, think

that promises to be very

or do the original VW Beetle

responsive, perfect for a

was a menace. It doesn’t

nimble little car. On the

really move in any manner

subject of nimbleness the new

more brisk than walking, it

bug as an intelligent electric

doesn’t stop once you get

differential promising a huge

going and its only real luxury

reduction in understeer.

was the fact that it had

Competitive pricing and

windows. Despite all this it

surprisingly muscular lines

has a huge cult following and

means that the Beetle could

so VW with this next

well break out of the “girls

generation car has a tuff

accessory” market unlike its

crowd to please.

predecessor.

The 2012 VW Beetle does

The car goes on sale

have at least one point of

September.

interest as it is powered by a 200BHP turbocharged engine