Last week we discussed electric cars, French hot hatches and dirty diesels, but this week it's good news for the Germans. Mainly. Porsche has a new racing car, BMW has created an M4 GTS and Mercedes has announced C63 Coupe pricing. Read it all - and plenty more - below!
But we begin on two wheels. PH2's Jon had a brief try of
KTM's Free-Ride E-SM
. Similar to the E-XC tested recently but now suitable for the road, it impressed with its dynamics and performance. The price and range remain concerns though.
A far more more traditional approach to thrills can be found in the Caterham 160. Not when it's involved with the MPG Marathon however. John Mahoney described it as 'cruel'...
The 450hp Revo Golf R certainly isn't traditional, or conventional (225hp per litre!) but it was surprisingly normal to drive. The suspension, wheel and brake tweaks have made it a more enjoyable package though, on top of the fact it will hit 100mph in 7.9 seconds. That is quicker than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640...
Angry it's not for sale yet
Callaway has now revealed the
Corvette C7 GT3-R
, one of the meanest looking race cars to date with plenty of aero to match the 600hp 6.2-litre V8. 50 years since McLaren entered its first Can-Am race, now there is a
650S tribute
as well. Because two V8s have to better than one, right?
The Cayman GT4 has been a success with demand clearly outstripping supply. Porsche GT has now confirmed the GT4 Clubsport, a racer based on the GT4 but with a PDK gearbox only. In addition, Porsche has extended the new turbocharged flat-six engines to the 911 Carrera 4 and Targa 4.
But any attention focused on Porsche was soon taken with the arrival of the BMW M4 GTS. The style may not be to all tastes but the numbers are incredible: 500hp, 7min 28sec round the Nordschleife and £121,770... Of the 700 car production run, 30 are coming to the UK.
At around half that price, the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe will rival the conventional M4, as well as rivals from Lexus, Audi and Jaguar. It should prove some test!
Lastly, two cars that most definitely are not German. The Toyota S-FR Concept simply stands for Small, Front-engined and Rear-wheel drive. Despite the concept tag, it looks nearly showroom ready. Well, perhaps with a styling tweak or two... Please build it! TVR has confirmed it is heading to Le Mans in 2018 and new cars will feature the Ford Coyote V8 with 500hp.
of PHTV
sees James finally getting behind the wheel, this time in a Mercedes-AMG S63 coupe and there's another epic drag race too...
This week's Shed will hopefully rekindle some memories for young lads of the 1990s; yes, it's a Vauxhall Nova! Alright, it isn't an SRI, or even an SR, but when was the last time you even saw one? Nice. Spotted and You Know You Want to are on opposite sides of the V8 spectrum, with a manual (!) Porsche Cayenne GTS and a Lexus-engined Toyota AE86 which looks like it could be the ultimate drift weapon.
If you find yourself wanting a Ferrari 599 - and who wouldn't? - we have a PH Buying Guide with what to look out for. Dale has upgraded the front brake pads on his SEAT Leon Cupra ST and thrown on some lighter wheels, creating a car capable of a stunning 'ring lap.
Finally, some very good news. PH has joined forces with Bookatrack to offer a great competition, whereby every month one person will win a track day in a Caterham R300 including driver tuition at a specified UK track day worth £995. See here for details. More of the same next week!
- McLaren 570S drive
- Subaru WRX STI vs Volkswagen Golf R
- Mercedes-AMG C63 vs BMW M4
- Skoda Octavia vRS Market Watch