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BMW

GT World Challenge Europe: BMW M Team WRT kicks off 2024 Sprint Cup season with a victory.

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Brands Hatch. BMW M Team WRT has began the 2024 season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup with a victory. Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (each BEL) gained the primary of two races held on Sunday at Brands Hatch (GBR) within the #32 BMW M4 GT3. Their teammates, Valentino Rossi (ITA) and Maxime Martin (BEL), who’re collaborating in particular person begins within the Sprint Cup with the #46 BMW M4 GT3, have been unrewarded for his or her robust performances.

Starting from third place, Vanthoor introduced the #32 automobile as much as second earlier than the motive force change. With an ideal and swift pit cease, BMW M Team WRT ensured that Weerts returned to the monitor because the chief. After an hour of racing, the group celebrated a well-deserved victory for Vanthoor and Weerts. Rossi/Martin completed fifth however dropped to fifteenth as a consequence of a time penalty.

In the second race, Martin and Rossi managed to climb as much as a brief sixth from eleventh on the grid. However, a couple of minutes earlier than the top, whereas mendacity in P8, Rossi reported steering points and needed to head into the pits. Weerts and Vanthoor, beginning tenth, crossed the end line in seventh.

In the Silver Cup, Team WRT’s #30 BMW M4 GT3 was profitable: Sam De Haan (GBR) and Calan Williams (AUS) completed the 2 races in second and third positions within the class, respectively, securing podiums of their class.

Reactions after the races at Brands Hatch:

Vincent Vosse (Team Principal BMW M Team WRT): “It’s a great way to start the Sprint Cup season with a win here at Brands Hatch. Dries did a great job to take P2 after a few laps and then the pit crew did an excellent job, they were one and a half seconds quicker than anybody else, which brought us to P1 and Charles finished the job in the best way. It was a pity for the number 46 car of Valentino and Maxime. They were in P5 at the end of race one, but got a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. In race two, unfortunately an issue stopped them after they had put in a strong chase through the field. But they also did a great job.”

 

Dries Vanthoor, #32 BMW M4 GT3: “The first lap of race one was very interesting. I gained a position and then lost it again. So I tried to hunt down the Ferrari in front of me. It was difficult, I just tried to make no mistakes and to drive as fast as I could. It was crucial to stay as close to P1 as possible. Then the boys did an amazing pit stop and Charles did a great job to keep P1 and the win. Race two was a bit more difficult as we started from tenth. Finishing seventh was the best we could do. Now I’m looking forward to the next race.”

 

Charles Weerts, #32 BMW M4 GT3: “Dries did a great job qualifying us in third for race one. Then he had a very good start to the race. When we came to the pit stop, the guys in the pits did an amazing job – as we are used to from them. So we were able to take the lead in the pit, which was crucial in a way as it would have been very, very difficult to do so on track. So they played a very big part in this victory. It has been a great start to the season and that win will give us momentum for the next rounds.”

Maxime Martin, #46 BMW M4 GT3: “It’s not been the weekend we were expecting, but it’s always nice to come here and race on an old school track. It was still a very positive weekend for the team, as they had a victory with the sister car. We had some good fights and good fun. Let’s see what Misano brings!”

Valentino Rossi, #46 BMW M4 GT3: “I got my first podium with the BMW M4 GT3 here at Brands Hatch, but this time it was more difficult! Yesterday we suffered a lot but today it was better. Unfortunately, I had a problem with the steering in the second race, where I had to retire and we also had a penalty for speeding in the pit lane in race one. Anyway we suffered more than we expected, but it was still a pleasure to race at Brands Hatch! Let’s see what we can do in Misano!”

News

New BYD electrical sizzling hatch may pack greater than 300bhp

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BYD has revealed an outlandish sizzling hatch idea on the Beijing motor present, previewing an electrical household automobile that it’s going to launch later this 12 months. 

It’s known as the Ocean-M, and whereas the manufacturing model will little question be out there with out the touring car-style bodykit, low-profile tyres and large brake discs, the idea offers a good suggestion of what to anticipate. 

Beneath the aero addenda lies a circa-4.3m-long hatchback with an aggressive entrance finish, distinctive LED lighting, digital pop-out door handles and swollen arches. 

In form and dimension, it’s clearly envisioned as a rival for the MG 4 EV, Volkswagen ID 3, Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric and Smart #1. 

Technical particulars aren’t forthcoming, however BYD mentioned the Ocean-M rides on a brand new EV platform with a motor mounted on the rear, taking its energy from a brand new technology of cell-to-body batteries – little question utilizing BYD’s trademark Blade composition.

The platform is considered an evolution of the e-Platform 3.0 that underpins the Atto 3 crossover, Seal saloon and Seal U SUV, seemingly dubbed 4.0. 

Despite speaking up its “performance genes” and referring to the hatchback as a “pure-electric steel cannon”, BYD has given no indication of the Ocean-M’s energy output. 

The strongest rear-driven EV the Chinese model presently sells is the 308bhp single-motor model of the Seal. If that motor is carried over into the Ocean-M, it will line it up neatly to cope with the brand new Volkswagen ID 3 GTX and Cupra Born VZ. 

No doubt the Ocean-M will even be out there in additional environment friendly, much less performance-focused trims, with the Atto 3’s 201bhp motor more likely to be deployed. 

The Ocean-M is predicted to be the sixth automobile that BYD launches within the UK, following the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Seal-U and upcoming Sea Lion crossover.

The Han saloon and Tang SUV that it sells in different European markets will not come right here, and there is no affirmation on UK plans for BYD’s different automobile manufacturers: Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang.

BYD has confirmed plans to place the Ocean-M on sale in China later this 12 months on the equal of £22,000, however the European value record will begin a way north of that. 

Motorsport

The 322-HP ID.3 GTX Is Volkswagen’s First Electric Hot Hatch

Volkswagen is lastly dipping its toes within the electrical scorching hatch section with the ID.3 GTX. Essentially a sister mannequin to the Cupra Born VZ, the sporty EV is available in two flavors. There’s a base GTX and a spicy GTX Performance with the only strongest electrical motor ever developed by VW.

Stick to the common ID.3 GTX and also you get an electrical motor on the rear axle with 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque. Upgrade to the Performance mannequin and VW will up the facility ante to 322 hp whereas torque stays the identical. Predictably, these increased output figures completely match these of the Cupra Born VZ.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

The rear-wheel-drive scorching hatch takes six seconds to hit 62 miles per hour from a standstill for the common GTX, or 5.6 seconds when you improve to the GTX Performance. Top velocity is electronically capped at 111 mph and 124 mph, respectively. VW says the stronger of the 2 fashions is an electrical companion to the front-wheel-drive Golf GTI Clubsport.

Both GTXs share a lithium-ion battery pack with a usable vitality capability of 79 kilowatt-hours. It helps DC charging at 175 kilowatts, through which case the battery might be replenished from 10 to 80 % in round 26 minutes. With a completely charged battery, the ID.3 GTX fashions are estimated to cowl 373 miles within the mixed WLTP cycle. The battery is mounted inside the ground in the midst of the car for higher weight distribution.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

As with the ID.4 GTX and ID.5 GTX, VW made the ID.3 GTX look extra thrilling with a redesigned entrance bumper with a much bigger air consumption and a diamond-shaped sample, flanked by boomerang LEDs serving as daytime operating lights. At the rear, the efficiency mannequin will get a diffuser with a shiny black end to match the darkish mirror caps, aspect sills, and window body. In addition, there are contemporary 20-inch wheels with 215-section tires on the GTX and wider 235-section rubber on the GTX Performance.

The inside will get crimson accents aplenty. There are electrically adjustable sporty entrance seats with built-in headrests, GTX badging, and material made out of recycled materials. All ID.3s could have a brand new 12.9-inch infotainment system and a separate driving mode selector lever on the steering column. Better late than by no means, the contact sliders for the amount and AC are lastly illuminated, very similar to on the lately launched Golf Mk8.5.

The ID.3 GTX is not coming to America, so far as we all know. But in Europe, it basically competes in a section of two alongside the Cupra Born VZ. The most direct rival we are able to consider is the MG4 XPower, however that mannequin is blessed with twin motors, all-wheel drive, and a wholesome 429 hp. There are smaller EVs price mentioning, such because the Abarth 500e and the upcoming Alpine A290. Before the yr ends, we’ll additionally see a John Cooper Works (JCW) model of the brand new electrical Mini Cooper 3-Door.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX

Looking into the long run, VW has already prompt the ninth-generation, electric-only Golf will supersede the ID.3 since there’s no place for both in the lineup. If that occurs, the GTX will turn into the GTI because the German model intends to retain the three well-known letters. It has even trademarked a new logo with the “I” (which stands for injection) changed by a lightning bolt.

News

Volkswagen Golf R: first official photos forward of summer time launch

Just days after revealing the new 2024 Golf, Volkswagen has proven the four-wheel-drive R scorching hatch in public for the primary time. 

The Golf range-topper was on show in prototype kind – alongside the already-revealed GTI, GTE and eHybrid variants – on the Zell am See ice race in Austria over the weekend. 

Wearing a commemorative ’50 years of Golf’ camouflage livery, the brand new Golf R took to the ice circuit as a part of a celebration of Volkswagen’s four-wheel-drive efficiency model, forward of its full unveiling this summer time.

Head of the division Reinhold Ivan mentioned: “Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamic performance for more than 20 years. Here at the Ice Race, the past meets the future. We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still disguised here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.” 

Like the usual Golf and GTI, the R has not been visually reinvented, however will observe them in gaining a brand new inside that seeks to proper criticisms of the eighth-generation Golf line-up, with a brand new infotainment system, the reintroduction of bodily buttons and a raft of higher-quality cabin supplies. 

It shall be marked out externally from the present R by a brand new illuminated Volkswagen emblem and new-generation LED matrix headlights – alongside, little question, further color and trim choices – together with the brand new R-badged alloys worn by this prototype.

It’s anticipated to be a case of evolution moderately than revolution below the bonnet, too, with VW’s strongest hatchback retaining its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, although possible with energy boosted barely above the 316bhp of as we speak’s automotive. It would be the remaining petrol iteration of the Golf R, with the efficiency model shifting to an electrical line-up by 2030. 

VW has given no indication of how far it may possibly take the EA888 motor, however 2022’s special-edition Golf R 333 – the costliest Golf but offered – boosted output to 328bhp for a high pace of 167mph and a 0-62mph dash time of 4.6secs. 

Volkswagen has proven the R in hatchback kind, however earlier prototype sightings affirm that the Golf R estate will make a return as a rival to the lately up to date Mercedes CLA 35 capturing brake. 

Prices shall be given nearer to launch, however a slight premium over the present £43,215 is predicted.

ToyotaUk

Toyota to Display GR Corolla Official NASA Pace Car at thirty fifth Annual Performance Racing Industry Show

2023 Marks Return for Toyota to the Performance Racing Industry Show, because it Displays Hot Hatch in NASA’s Booth

PLANO, Texas (Dec. 5, 2023) – Last seen main the pack on the 2023 National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Championships at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Toyota’s GR Corolla MORIZO Edition Pace Car will proceed its celeb tour this December with NASA at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, Ind.

Taking place December 7-9 on the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, the gathering is extensively thought of to be the world’s premier auto racing commerce present. It’s a must-attend occasion for companies and professionals from throughout the automotive racing spectrum.

“At Toyota, we have a passion for motorsports and it’s an honor to support racing enthusiasts and the motorsports industry,” mentioned Mike Tripp, group vice chairman Toyota division Marketing. “Having the GR Corolla Pace Car at PRI reflects our ongoing commitment to engineer track-inspired and fun to drive vehicles for our customers, and we’re excited to be in the NASA booth this year.”

As a part of a program created by Toyota and NASA, each buyer who buys a brand new 2024 Toyota GR Corolla receives a complimentary one-year NASA membership and one complimentary monitor day at a NASA High Performance Driving Event. This program began in 2019 as a strategy to give GR Supra homeowners a efficiency driving expertise beneath the tutelage of skilled instructors. The program has expanded to incorporate all GR sports activities vehicles, with the GR86 and the GR Corolla becoming a member of their GR Supra stablemate.

The 2024 GR Corolla contains a turbocharged, three-cylinder engine delivering 300 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque.  This outstanding 1.6-liter engine is mated to Toyota’s rally developed GR-FOUR AWD system, which provides drivers a selection of 60-40, 50-50 or 30-70 energy distribution to the entrance and rear wheels. Drivers may choose from 4 drive modes, ECO, Normal, Sport, or Custom to suit all kinds of driving conditions.

Available solely with an clever Manual Transmission (iMT), the 2024 GR Corolla is obtainable in three grades: the GR Corolla Core, Premium and Circuit Edition.

“We’re thrilled with our partnership with Toyota,” mentioned NASA CEO, Jeremy Croiset. “Together, we’ve created an amazing way to introduce sports car owners to the world of performance driving in a safe and responsible manner.  And it just made sense to have the GR Corolla Pace Car in the NASA booth at PRI this year for everyone in the industry to check out.”

For extra press supplies concerning the GR Corolla please go to the Toyota USA Newsroom here.

News

Mazdaspeed3: An Underrated Hot Hatch Of The 2000s That Deserves More Attention

Summary

  • The Mazdaspeed 3 was a powerful hot hatch with a 0-60 MPH speed of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 155 MPH.
  • Despite some issues with torque steer, it provided a fun driving experience with its agile handling and improved suspension system.
  • Competing with other sporty hatchbacks like the Impreza WRX, Ford Focus ST, VW Golf GTI, and Mini Cooper S, the Mazdaspeed 3 left a lasting legacy as a practical and dependable daily driver in the tuner community.

Hot hatches are known for being reliable, spacious, and most importantly – a lot of fun. The Mazdaspeed 3 was one of Mazda’s few consumer models released under the Mazdaspeed brand, known for modifying regular consumer models to make them go fast.

In 2003, Mazda decided to bring Mazdaspeed’s expertise to consumers and release a couple of hot versions of their consumer models. Although the Mazdaspeed brand has been phased out by Mazda since 2013, the Mazdaspeed 3 was a fiery 2000s hot hatch that made its mark. First released in 2007, The Mazdaspeed 3 borrowed its engine from the Mazdaspeed 6 sedan, which at the time was the most powerful piston engine ever produced by Mazda.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Mazda and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, MotorTrend, and source 3.

The Mazdaspeed 3 Debuts With An Impressive Spec Sheet

The Mazdaspeed 3, also known as the Mazda Axela in Japan, was Mazda’s first hot hatchback since the BG Familia GT-X, another often overlooked gem from the 90s. The Mazdaspeed 3 came with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 263 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque transmitted directly to the front wheels, enabling a 0-60 MPH sprint in 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 155 MPH. The only transmission option was a six-speed manual.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.3-Liter Turbocharged Inline-4

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Drivetrain

FWD

Power

263 horsepower

Torque

280 pound-feet

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

(Source: Mazda)

The first gen Mazdaspeed 3 shared its appearance with the standard Mazda 3, albeit with a reinforced chassis and body which bolstered body rigidity by 60 percent. The Speed 3 featured a GKN limited-slip differential and a stronger braking system with a 12.6-inch disc brake. Mazda also improved the suspension system by incorporating firmer springs. Larger brakes, stiffer springs, and anti-roll bars with increased diameter made the Speed 3 an agile driver’s car.

The Second Gen Mazdaspeed 3 Debuts With A Smile

The second-generation Mazdaspeed 3 made its debut in 2010, featuring a facelift that launched 1000 debates within the car community. The redesigned front fascia, sporting a distinctive smile, instantly became a point of contention – some people loved it, while others strongly disliked it. The second-generation car also featured a functional hood scoop which helped cool down the engine bay more efficiently. An interesting bit of trivia, the Mazdaspeed 3 lacked a temperature gauge in the instrument cluster. This was a bit of a bizarre exception, especially on a turbocharged car.

Performance Specifications

Engine

2.3-Liter Turbocharged Inline-4

Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Drivetrain

FWD

Power

263 horsepower

Torque

280 pound-feet

0-60 MPH

6.2 seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

(Source: Mazda)

One persistent challenge faced by punchy, front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars is torque steer, and the Mazdaspeed 3 was no exception. This issue, particularly notorious in the first-generation model, led many journalists to compare driving it to receiving an upper body workout. Mazda tried to rectify this issue in the second generation by tweaking the torque management system in lower gears.

The issue persisted but it took nothing away from the fun factor of the car. Another widely known grievance was the sensitive clutch which made driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic a touch exasperating. It required a little bit of a learning curve.

The interior of the Mazdaspeed 3 was on par with what you would expect from a car from the late 2000s. Sporty seats that envelop you like a cocoon, sporty touches within include drilled aluminum pedals and a leather-wrapped short throw shifter.

The Competition Was Stiffer Than The Suspension

Around the same time, the Mazdaspeed 3 was around, there was some excellent competition in the segment.

Notable Examples

  • The Impreza WRX Hatchback: Another discontinued diamond in the rough, the Impreza WRX was an excellent option if you were in the market for a sporty hatchback. If you wanted a bump in performance there was also the STI version up for consideration.
  • The Ford Focus ST: Surgical performance, practicality, and stellar driving experience made the ST a worthy competitor in the space. The ST’s 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivered 252 horsepower, ample power to get your heart racing.
  • VW Golf GTI: Not the fastest in the bunch, but it had a sophisticated German interior and provided a refined driving experience. This kind of made the GTI very popular.
  • Mini Cooper S: The original hot hatch, the Mini Cooper S is a fantastic driver’s car with luxurious features. The best part was that you could have the Mini Cooper S as a convertible as well.

The Mazdapeed 3 Left An Exciting Legacy Behind

The Mazdaspeed3 was an underrated hot hatch in its time. Even today, it is not spoken of as much as the Golf GTI or Ford Focus. However, its performance left an impression on anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel of one. You can find one in great condition, and they make excellent daily drivers as they are still practical and fun.

A used example, in decent condition, gen 1 or 2, can be yours for $8,000 – $10,000. They are quite popular in the tuner scene, so it will be a little challenging to find one completely stock, but there is an established community and a great aftermarket for parts.

With routine maintenance, long-term owners of the Mazdaspeed 3 swear by its dependability with no major issues being observed. As with any turbocharged engine, wear, and tear of engine components is to be expected but there are examples of engines going for 180,000 kilometers without requiring a rebuild. So if you’re looking for a compact, lightweight powerful hatchback that you can daily, or occasionally take it to the track, look no further than the Mazdaspeed 3.

Motorsport

Toyota GR Yaris Demonstrates Impressive Performance with 435 HP on Dyno

The Toyota GR Yaris possesses an exceptional 1.6-liter engine. This engine delivers 257 horsepower in the regular version (268 hp for the Japanese specification) and an impressive 300 hp in the GR Corolla. However, like most turbocharged engines, there is always room for more power.

Garage Whifbitz, a renowned tuning shop in the United Kingdom that specializes in modifying Toyota vehicles, has developed a new turbo kit for both the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. With the right boost from the turbocharger, these cars can now reach up to approximately 600 horsepower, a substantial increase from their original output. The first car to receive this kit is showcased in the featured video.


Motorsport

Toyota GR Corolla Premium Grade and Corolla Cross Hybrid Nightshade Edition Debut for 2024

For the 2024 model year, two different versions of the “Corolla” name have made their way to the United States with some updates. Let’s start with the more exciting of the two vehicles, the hot hatch. It now comes in a Premium Grade variant, which includes front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials. Additionally, this new trim level also comes equipped with brake cooling ducts as standard, making it suitable for track enthusiasts.

The 2024 Toyota GR Corolla Premium Grade offers a luxurious interior featuring suede trim, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. This lively hatchback also includes an eight-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, a wireless smartphone charger, and front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Grade version of the Corolla rides on 18-inch cast alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires (size: 235/40R18) and features red brake calipers with GR branding.


News

Hot urban EV concept provides a glimpse of the all-new Nissan Micra

Nissan has given a sneak peek of the highly anticipated next Micra with the introduction of the motorsport-themed 20-23 hot hatch concept.

The eye-catching supermini, designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Nissan’s European design centre in Paddington, London, draws inspiration from the carmaker’s participation in the Formula E race series and its history of producing bold hatchbacks.

The concept car was unveiled by Nissan’s president and CEO, Makoto Uchida, in front of Nissan Design Europe’s (NDE) headquarters in central London. The choice of venue emphasizes the 20-23’s sporty and urban character.

The NDE team was given a free rein to design a car that they would want to drive on the city streets where they work. The result is a race-inspired design featuring prominent front and rear diffusers, a touring car-spec rear wing, oversized wheel arches, and ultra-low-profile racing tires.

Other conceptual styling elements include a roof scoop, racing numbers, Lamborghini-style scissor doors, and air-channelling louvres on the tops of the wings. These features continue Nissan’s tradition of bringing playful and eye-catching design to the world of hatchbacks and city cars.

Beneath its racy exterior, the 20-23 concept offers a closer look at Nissan’s upcoming electric replacement for the Micra. This new model is set to go into production in 2026, built on the CMF-BEV platform shared with Alliance partner Renault’s 5 supermini and Alpine A290 hot hatchback.

The previewed replacement for the Micra, introduced last year as a compact five-door supermini with a distinct design, is expected to share several design elements with other electric models in Nissan’s lineup. The initial side profile image revealed shared features such as the two-piece circular LED light clusters and black ‘floating’ roof. Although the 20-23 concept does not have rear doors like the production version, it still shares a similar silhouette and proportions.

Motorsport

MG EX4 Hot EV Revealed On Twitter Before Goodwood Debut

MG Motor, a British-based, Chinese-owned automaker, has unveiled the EX4 all-electric hot hatch concept on Twitter. The car will make its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

The EX4 concept is based on the road-going MG4 XPower, which is equipped with a dual-motor setup delivering 429 horsepower and up to 442 pound-feet of torque. Although MG has not revealed the specs of the concept car, they have confirmed that both the street-legal MG4 XPower and the upcoming Cyberster electric roadster will be showcased at Goodwood alongside the EV hot hatch.

With its massive front splitter, enlarged wheel arches, green spoiler, and full-width diffuser, the EX4 concept is a tribute to the Metro 6R4 Group B rally car from the 1980s. The Metro 6R4 was known for its central-mounted 3.0-liter V6 engine producing up to 410 horsepower and powering all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

The interior of the EX4 has not been revealed in the video, so there are still some surprises to look forward to at Goodwood.

The original Metro had success in rallycross events, and the standard Metro was a popular car in the UK between 1980 and 1997, selling approximately 1.5 million units.

Although it is unlikely that a road-legal version of the all-electric MG EX4 will be released due to safety concerns, it is exciting to see the British brand paying homage to its past in a modern way.

What are your thoughts on the MG EX4? Share your opinions in the comments section below!