Inside Lane
e h T , 0 . 4 S “R ed!” t a e Cr
Issue 28
r e v 1E
1 9 t Bes
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