The summer has to be in full flow when the motoring media are already discussing the Frankfurt show in September. This week we've not only looked ahead to that but also upcoming autumn auctions and more.
But of course the here and now remains important, with the latest Audi R8 driven, the 3 Series facelift and the latest from Lotus too. See it all here.
Meet the same boss, same as the old boss?
Audi R8
may not appear to represent a huge leap over the old car but with an entirely new carbon-aluminium 'hybrid' construction there's much more than meets the eye. Can an Audi really be more fun than its related Lamborghini though? Read the review to find out!
As always it was seven days on PH with plenty from the German manufacturers. On top of the Audi the BMW 340i was tested; if you haven't kept up with modern BMW nomenclature that's a 335i replacement, still with 3.0-litres but of an entirely new modular design. Is it still the warm exec of saloon of choice though?
Elsewhere Porsche has given the world its best look yet at the new 911, the S63 AMGCabriolet is getting closer and the BMW M2 has been spied with less disguise than ever before. The latter promises a great deal, hopefully combining the best bits of the 1 M Coupe, M235i and M4 into one vehicle. Frankfurt should provide us with more!
A mention too for the other end of the Audi spectrum from the R8 V10 Plus, the autonomous RS7 called Bobby. Metronomically fast around a track and 400kg lighter than the previous one, the tech will be offered on the next A8. Who needs a chauffeur?
Singer in London - of course we had to visit
The one thing better than discussing notable auction lots is driving them, as proven by the stunning
964 RS Clubsport
driven earlier this week. It's being sold by Silverstone Auctions next weekend carrying a very hefty £250K estimate. Classic Porsche values continue to climb...
Nobody is more aware of that than Rob Dickinson of Singer Vehicle Design. Singer's work on 'reimagining' the Porsche 911 is now globally known, and just after their Goodwood debut was the perfect time to discuss future plans. But the process is only becoming more expensive with rising 964 values!
At the same auction as the 964 RS are a host of left-field sports cars, ranging in estimate from below £20K to even more than the Porsche. From Lynx XKSS to Caterham 21 there's something for everyone.
Looking further ahead in the auction catalogue, RM announced its first lot for the New York auction, the Lamborghini Concept S. If you want scarcity and drama there's can't be much better!
See here for your chance to win one!
Competition time! Starting this weekend Honda is touring the country with its Civic Type R simulator, with the fastest time winning a car for a year. Quite a prize. To download your queue jump pass
see here
A new member for the PH Fleet this week with Dale having succumbed to the marketing hype and bought a SEAT Leon Cupra ST. Living at the 'ring it seems appropriate to own a record holder, right? In life with the Golf R, James has discovered the launch control and aims to beat his 4.6-second 0-62 PB by next month...
There's still more news too, with the Lotus Evora Roadster confirmed, Volvo's takeover of Polestar and the Vuhl 05's next step towards production.
The highlight from our regular features this week must be Shed; an original and very rare Citroen AX GTI, with an apparently knowledgeable owner and reasonable miles too. Pic OfThe Week celebrated the Mercedes 190E Evo II, while chosen from the classifieds were this Ferrari 550 Maranello and a very nice C63 AMG estate. One of the most affordable and one of the best specified too - excellent!
- McLaren 675LT on track and road
- From Series I to run-out Heritage special - every Defender driven!
- Clio 220 Trophy review
- Subaru Impreza 22B PH Heroes