With the public crowds still filling the halls at Detroit, we're already looking ahead to what could be a classic Geneva show in March. This week there has been news of debuts from Lotus and from McLaren, plus those already discussed from Porsche, Aston Martin and the like.
As usual there's been a wealth of features, drives and news stories to discuss on PistonHeads this week. The Motoring Week is where you can catch up on them all. Enjoy!
It's been a fascinating week on PH for the supercar. The cars that adorn bedroom walls, the cars that capture hearts and the cars faster than all others. Not only have we covered traditional mid-engined, rear-wheel drive V8 excess in the form of the
Ferrari 458 Spider
McLaren 650S Spider
, but also a new approach. Yes, the
BMW i8
isn't quite in the same league as those two for performance but it presents an alternative view for making fast cars in a more environmentally conscious world. Does it stack up against traditional sports cars though?
Green in a far more literal sense is the Lamborghini Huracan GT3. It's very green in fact. And proof that for good old racing car drama and theatre, the Italians still rule supreme. It's race debut at Monza is just a couple of months away...
A sad week though for another old favourite, the 5.5-litre AMG V8. Still, it's being replaced by the magnificent 4.0-litre as used in the AMG GT so we won't be too cross.
Backdrop may not be real, the price is though
There's something deeply satisfying about Ford selling a V8 Mustang in the UK
for £32,995
. It's not particularly efficient, or advanced, or high tech, but it does promise to be brilliant fun. Given the reaction to the story it would appear many PHers are equally excited. Let's hope it sells.
Even McLaren is selling an old car, or at least a new car looking like an old one. The 650S Le Mans evokes the victorious F1 of 20 years ago with similar paint, wheels and details. If that isn't for you, don't forget an even faster 650S is due at Geneva.
And there's more. Lotus sales are up, Caterham is selling approved used cars and Renaultsport Clios have never looked better value - plenty of good news to see us through the rest of January!
Great 15 years ago, still got it now
Continuing the old v new theme, take a look at the
Hellcat v Tesla video
with a spare few minutes. 707hp of supercharged V8 mayhem against an electric saloon. Interesting video!
As for the rest of our regular features, there's another 911 of interest in the classifieds (no really, it is worth a look) and an incredibly rare racing car too. We're nothing if not diverse on PH.
Once again we have three excellent £100K Garages. See Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three very different interpretations of the brief. Finally, it's always good to finish on a hot hatch high. There was this fabulous 306 Rallye in Carpool and a detailed look at why the Panda 100HP is brilliant. Even Shed is in. There's an update on life with a Leon Cupra too. Will anyone give it a second look with the new Ford Focus RS imminent though?