England Topic Hub

2015 Nissan JUKE-R 2.0 Updated to GT-R NISMO Mechanicals + New Style for Goodwood

Two must-watch videos to show off the incredible, gravity-defying performance of the 2015 Juke-R 2.0! The upper video embed is the Juke-R 2.0 flying up Goodwood hill, while the below video is the Juke-R flat-out around the fabled TopGear test track. The Juke-R sequel doubles the airflow to the GT-R NISMO’s 600HP engine up front via an all-new carbon-fiber bumper, widebody fenders, and diffuser element out back. Still utterly sideways on command, the Juke-R 2.0 also shows off the latest 2015 model-year Juke nose, lighting and panels. JUKE-R 2.0 Dunsfold Track Testing Video 2015 Nissan JUKE-R 2.0 THE NISSAN JUKE-R …

Jun 29, 2015 Read more

TVR Inks New Sportscar Deal with Gordon Murray and Cosworth – 2018 Launch Possible!

If there are two better names than Gordon Murray and Cosworth to attach to the TVR rebirth, we cannot imagine them. All are icons of English performance — and together promise great things. A new sportscar announcement today includes no new sketches or even outlines of the upcoming new TVR, but it does signal work behind the scenes. The car will be designed and produced using iStream from GMD and engine mechanicals via Cosworth. iStream is intended to be a highly robotized assembly system using the latest in 3D printing and materials to give low-weight and high-strength components. The iStream …

Jun 03, 2015 Read more

2015 MANSORY S63 Widebody Coupe Launches New 710HP Power Level for Gorgeous CF Restyle

Mansory just came out with its second S63 AMG Coupe — wearing the stunning carbon-fiber widebody and now offering a very-modest 710 horsepower option. This is down more than 180 ponies from the bonkers Diamond Edition shown below in blue, but is still enough to wipe the floor with most supercars in a pure drag race. These power upgrades are far more than electronic: the Mansory engine overhaul upgrades a dozen key components under the hood to make the block stronger and faster-revving, plus able to cope with the astounding levels of peak torque. Previous limiting factors on overall power …

May 27, 2015 Read more

2015 Rolls-Royce WRAITH Inspired By Fashion Edition Is Two-Tone White With Color Pinstripe

The English factory floor has never looked so good, or so bright! The new Wraith Inspired By Fashion Edition is a tasty new Haute Couture supercoupe. Created with a two-tone white exterior bisected by a choice of Jasmine (yellow), Tailored Purple or Mugello Red, the Wraith Fashion is understated yet instantly special. The effect of a slightly darker Andalucian White white on the fenders is interesting with the ultra-bright Arctic shade on the hood. We wish the wheels were gloss black to really match the formalwear feel of the cabin, but that is easily handled post-sale. Overall, the Wraith Fashion …

May 09, 2015 Read more

1956 Ferrari 290MM Wins Amelia Island Concours 2015 Chairmans Trophy

It is easy to see why this 1956 290MM earned an award for itself on the lawn of Amelia Island Concours 2015. Deeply beautiful, powerful and wearing a few tasteful motorsport style accents: the wheel-tips and white spots for number markings reinforce how race-ready this legend still is today. 1956 Ferrari 290MM Amelia Island Concours 2015 The Chairman’s Choice Trophy FOR THE CAR FOUND MOST APPEALING BY THE CHAIRMAN 1956 Ferrari 290MM Pierrey Collection – London, England

Mar 21, 2015 Read more

2015 MANSORY S63 Coupe Is Garish At First, But Actually Fantastic Widebody

Okay, okay…. We hear you. “This thing is hideous inside and out.” “Matte paint and matte wraps are so 2011.” “The interior looks like a not-great way to spend $100k.” But step back from the details of this one-off Diamond Edition, and the MANSORY S63 Coupe is actually a sweet set of mods. By the way, those formica-looking black accents are carbon-fiber with flecks of jewels and crystals inside. Fancy. But the real benefits to the appearance of the Mansory S63 Coupe are more subtle. A new lower bumper is far more intense, aggressive and open. Unique lower bumper flaps …

Mar 05, 2015 Read more

1973 Vauxhall Firenza Showed Rare Sports-Coupe Elegance and Futuristic Style

Okay, okay. At first glance, this Vauxhall Firenza looks impossibly dated and recalls a Chevy Chevette for anyone in the USA. But think of the Firenza in the context of the Ford Mustang II, Pacer and Gremlin. The 1970s was a pretty gross period in car design overall. Shrinking engines, sloppy style and floppy suspensions are preeminent themes of the 1970s, from the cheapest cars to the priciest Lamborghini’s. The Firenza was a flagship sports coupe for the Vauxhall brand, introducing aerodynamic shrouds for the headlamps under flat glass, a single-piece nose design with integrated airdamn, and a pointy hood …

Feb 05, 2015 Read more

TVR Sportscars Brand Chronology 1956-2006 Plus a Roadmap to Global Sales for 2014 and Beyond

TVR is one of the greatest success stories in British sports cars. Not by sales or commercial volume, mind you, but the global popularity of TVR is evidence of: — universal appeal of low-volume sportscars with character — broad appeal of English-language auto journalism with a highly qualitative edge — global appetite for automotive and supercar-themed entertainment content — the power of visceral appeal to an exotic car that is nothing like anything sold locally or by big OEM makes As an American who has lusted after TVR’s since first glimpsing the Tuscan in the pages of BBC’s TopGear magazine …

Jul 18, 2014 Read more

2014 Aston Martin Vanquish Volante In the Flesh! ThisClose To Test Drive, But…

Thinking and writing about Aston Martin makes me kick myself in the tits again today for missing a chance to drive the 2014 Vanquish Volante last month at Road America. Alas, it was late in the day and the Vanquish had been very occupied by the 100 other journalists on hand. There was only one test drive left, and another hack got his paws on it first. Maybe next year…. Is what I have been saying since I saw my first DB7 at a resort in Michigan in 1995. I will get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. Not …

Jul 01, 2014 Read more

Aston Martin V12 Zagato – Future Classic Showcase in 5 Flawless Color Turntables

THE WHO Like many small British brands who shall not be named, Aston can feel a victim to its own design success, at times. The DB7 kick-started this modern styling vogue, which led smoothly to the 2000s Vanquish and DB9 and the modern range. But sometimes what is needed is not evolution, but revolution. This latest safe-design kick is the blowback from Aston-Martin’s aggressive design flirtations in the 1970s and 1980s — cars like the Lagonda sedan and the Bulldog wedge concept were so ‘out there’ that they nearly bankrupted the company of customers and ideas. All while making the …

Jun 03, 2014 Read more

SHELBY COBRA – How These Two Words Ultimately Killed the Ford Takeover of Ferrari in 1963

No series of articles about the GT40 can begin without a look at how the car came to exist. A battle of spite between Ferrari and Ford? Yes. But also a battle to establish Ford as a racing powerhouse – which was a new opportunity to regain face as Chevrolet and General Motors dominated the coolest car news via Motorama shows and Corvettes in the 1950s. FROM DE-FACTO BANS ON BOTH RACING CARS AND RACY MOVIES… Racing was also heavily discouraged by the United States government of the time – until the case was made that racing improved the breed. …

Apr 20, 2014 Read more

1928 BMW Dixi Roadster – Zentrum Museum

Okay! Final roadster article from the BMW Zentrum Museum and delivery center in Spartanburg. The Z3, Z8 and Z4 Alpina and many others are featured in this mini museum, but these three are stand-outs for me in how the each speak to their respective decades so effectively. What do I mean? Well, the 1928 Dixi is far ahead of its time versus the heavy and getting-heavier American cars of the period, which were anything but sporty in corners. Or the slow-coaches of England, for that matter, where 5-mph was generally “too fast.” for urban areas or rural routes. The …

Mar 31, 2014 Read more

Meet the Real Bond Car: 1954 Bentley Continental R-Type Fastback — RM Auctions Monaco Preview

As much as we young folks like to think Aston-Martin is the epitome of a Bond car, that was not actually the case the first few times our man slid behind the wheel in Ian Fleming’s novels. His preferred coach in at least the first few books is the Bentley Continental R-Type, in black, if we’re not mistaken. Without quoting any of Flemings work (for lack of time, in honesty); the R-Type Fastback Sports Saloon certainly best matches my memories of his first car-of-choice. For, you see, Commander Bond was a bit of a lout. He was not a wild …

Mar 20, 2014 Read more

Bentley Confirms SUV Details with First Official Photos — Falcon or InterContinental? 600HP W-12 Expected

The Bentley SUV is finally here! Real #NewBentley SUV: Above EXP 9F Concept: Below After a long gestation period to overhaul the EXP 9F’s exterior, Bentley today revealed the first official image of its upcoming 2015 SUV model. Originally tagged the EXP 9F concept, we strongly predict the 2015 production model will be dubbed the Bentley Falcon. It builds on the more-youthful and less-polarizing style of the Bentley Continental V8 S significantly. 2012 EXP 9F Gallery This name speaks to broad global interest in predatory animal names for car models — as well as a popular …

Mar 19, 2014 Read more

Vauxhall Astra Hits 300HP In VXR-topping Extreme Spec — A Production-Ready Front-Drive Z/28?

The latest Astra from Opel in Europe and Vauxhall in England is a really handsome machine. Surprisingly, it pips even the latest Focus on style, even in hum-drum TopGear “Star in a reasonably Priced Car” trim. The LEDs (at night) are far better than anything out of Woking, so far, glowing a bright white around Dunsfold on the rainiest, grayest days of this never-ending winter. The upgrade here adds 30 horsepower, a huge carbon-fiber overhall outside for racing aero, and a very impressive grip setup. I was trying to think of what race series this car seems from — and …

Feb 26, 2014 Read more

Edited for Content: Bentley Changes Tack As World’s Oligarchs Go Into Hiding — 2015 Conti GT Speed Updated and Flying Spur V8 Launched

Oh, you are a comically-inept and hopelessly-corrupt politician? Riding high as some kind of monarchy cousin? News Flash: your constituents are tired of seeing your multiple Bentley’s running others off the road all over the world. Your stage winks last for 15 seconds of awkwardness as the kickback cashier’s check peeks from under your lapel? #Byezees. As Ukraine’s people write the blueprint for taking down these fat-cats — the rest of the world’s hate-regimes best take note: your time is rapidly running out. Very aware of the times, Bentley has updated two of its most important models in hopes of …

Feb 25, 2014 Read more

The Bruce McLaren Origin Story: How A Brilliant Visionary Still Inspires the Auto World

Orig Published on: Dec 30, 2013 @ 10:50 Really understanding McLaren today requires more information on the firm’s dynamic founding individual: Bruce. A face to go with the myth is helpful, but just a face is no justice to the legacy of Bruce McLaren. Bruce McLaren’s influence continues today, with those who knew him able to recall this man as all things to all men: engineer, a racing driver, a great friend and teacher, businessman, and, ultimately, hero. From his arrival in Europe in 1958: The Auckland-born Bruce McLaren’s skilled feet, eyes and arms took the racing world by storm. …

Feb 23, 2014 Read more

UK Honda Civic Tourer Touts Inner Beauty — But This Wagon Is Gorgeous vs. Clinically-Depressed U.S. Civic

Long headline alert! Sorry about that. Just pointing out the irony in Honda’s “Inner Beauty” campaign — aimed to highlight the functional and useful interior benefits of a wagon shell for small families. But how good does this Civic wagon actually look!? And why is Honda of Europe able to make cars that are so vastly more interesting than Honda of America? No answers are immediately forthcoming. Built in Swindon, England — the most plausible explanation is that Honda Europe is taking a loss on every single car it can manage to sell. Even with this premium styling, Honda Europe …

Feb 10, 2014 Read more

Timelapse Video: 1961 MINI Drops 54 Years at Past/Future Dutch MINI Factory

A charming, *exclusive* time-lapse of a 1961 model’s rebirth from MINI, just as the firm debuts its hottest 2014 JCW Concept and the all-new Hardtops are officially official. Long pre-amble: Short video. Enjoy this ’61 Mini’s rebirth. This 1961 Austin Seven was originally built in the Netherlands after Mini fever swept Britain and wider Europe by storm. Similar tides these days, as Mini has signed up to build cars again in the Netherlands starting in Summer 2014. While this is not a fully Mini plant, the Dutch crew is giving it all of their love. A team of – no …

Dec 18, 2013 Read more