The familiar supercharged 3.5-litre Toyota V6 engine might be the obvious choice for many buyers of the new Lotus Emira, but the smart money could well be on the alternative: the turbocharged 2.0-litre Mercedes-AMG unit. The M139 is the latest four-cylinder engine from Affalterbach, and it is claimed to be the most powerful turbocharged four-cylinder… Continue reading Under the skin: Why the Lotus Emira’s four is more exciting than its V6
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
A guiding Lichte: Meeting Audi’s chief designer
Due on sale in 2025, it will be the first machine to use the Volkswagen Group’s new SSP platform for EVs, which fuses elements from the mass-market MEB and the performance-focused PPE. It will also use the VW Group’s new VW.OS operating system software and will be designed to offer level-four autonomy. “The car that… Continue reading A guiding Lichte: Meeting Audi’s chief designer
New 2021 Audi RS3 arrives with 394bhp and drift mode
Audi has ushered in a raft of design, technology and powertrain upgrades for the new, third-generation version of its hardcore RS3 mega-hatch. Revealed in hatchback and saloon forms, the RS3 will go on sale in August, priced from £50,900 and £51,900, respectively, with the first customer deliveries due towards the end of the year. Powertrain… Continue reading New 2021 Audi RS3 arrives with 394bhp and drift mode
How the government plans to steer UK transport to net-zero by 2030
Despite the outlawing of new petrol and diesel car and van sales in the UK being eight-and-a-half years away, 2030 is writ large within the automotive industry. It’s also at the forefront of the minds of those who work at the Department for Transport – not least Rachel Maclean, the Conservative MP for Redditch who… Continue reading How the government plans to steer UK transport to net-zero by 2030
Under the skin: We need to torque about Audi’s new drift tech
The forthcoming new Audi RS3 comes equipped with a new Torque Splitter rear-axle torque-vectoring system that does away with rear differential gears and replaces them with two ‘wet’ clutch packs. The downside of a conventional differential is that it allows one wheel to spin if it loses traction, and in powerful cars that becomes a… Continue reading Under the skin: We need to torque about Audi’s new drift tech
How Matthias Rabe will keep the Bentley spirit alive
Bentleyness. Noun. The quality that makes a car feel like a Bentley. Bentleyfication. Noun. The process of instilling Bentleyness into a car. You won’t find Bentleyness or Bentleyfication in the dictionary, but since both phrases are used liberally by Matthias Rabe when discussing the key challenges in his new role as Bentley’s head of engineering,… Continue reading How Matthias Rabe will keep the Bentley spirit alive
Audi Grand Sphere concept to preview luxury A8 successor
While the Grand Sphere has been designed around its autonomous capabilities, Lichte insisted that it will retain a driver focus. “It’s an Audi, and an Audi must be a pleasure to drive,” he said. The concept retains a steering wheel, although this will retract into the dashboard when the car is in autonomous mode. That… Continue reading Audi Grand Sphere concept to preview luxury A8 successor
Experimental Polestar 2 brings power hike and chassis upgrades
A more powerful, experimental Polestar 2 has been unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, designed to showcase what a sportier version of the electric saloon could look like. Borrowing engineering cues from the Polestar 1, the upgraded 2 brings an additional 67bhp, taking power to 470bhp but still running the twin-motor, four-wheel drive set-up. Official… Continue reading Experimental Polestar 2 brings power hike and chassis upgrades
New British firm reveals lightweight, manual sports car for £40,000
A new British-built £40,000 mid-engined sports coupé, developed in secret and now ready for the road and poised for production, will make its debut this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Called the Wells Vertige, the car was designed to be beautiful, simple to own and fun to drive. It’s the brainchild of entrepreneur… Continue reading New British firm reveals lightweight, manual sports car for £40,000
Bugatti to launch EVs but also retain ICE power
Bugatti will diversify its line-up and usher in electrification following the signing of a partnership with EV specialist Rimac but will continue to offer internal combustion engines in the long-term. The ultra-exclusive French brand is now part of the Croatia-based Rimac Group, having partnered with Rimac Automobili to form new company Bugatti Rimac LLC. As part of this joint venture, Bugatti… Continue reading Bugatti to launch EVs but also retain ICE power