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Opinion

Why the return of Caterham’s Drift Experience is an effective factor

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After a four-year absence, Caterham has revived its Drift Experience. The clue is within the identify to what occurs: it’s a day spent studying to float, in a Caterham.

While it’s rear-wheel drive, a Seven isn’t probably the most pure automobile on the planet through which to float. These are mild automobiles with quick wheelbases and unassisted steering: nice at scribing strains on a race circuit however not simply held sideways like an overpowered lengthy saloon automobile that has oodles of steering lock and a closely assisted rack.

So Caterham does its Sevens a favour. It takes the 360Rs it makes use of for different observe experiences, jacks up the rear suspension, places exhausting again tyres on its biggest-diameter wheels and over-inflates them. Voila: a automobile that may simply be despatched sideways and, with a little bit of observe, will keep there.

It occurs in huge empty areas at comparatively low speeds, at both Brands Hatch or Donington Park, however on broad open steering pads with cone programs laid out to steer round, reasonably than on the circuits. It’s all high-rev however low-speed stuff, so it’s appropriate for these with no observe expertise, or a great deal of it.

The automobiles are wider SV fashions so have extra footwell and leg area than narrow-bodied automobiles. And larger radiators as a result of a lot throttle use is concerned.

Back within the day, Autocar used to co-promote today. We would ship staffers alongside to satisfy our readers and have an excellent time squealing round (or into) cones in an enormous empty automobile park.

It has been years since I did one and I used to be initially out of shape, significantly since a few the check tracks we beforehand used for images and video are unavailable to us. But it comes again, and for me it’s a helpful talent. I’ve vowed to discover a option to sustain my observe.

Now, I may let you know that the day may be very helpful for studying automobile management, and that that is very worthwhile in emergency conditions on the highway, the place the Highway Code will let you know to steer into the skid, however which means nothing except you’ve skilled it earlier.

But except you drive a Seven or equal, you’ve most likely bought stability management anyway, so think about it extra about hooning and having a riot behind the wheel in secure situations.

At £359 they’re not low cost days, however I got here away drained from the quantity of driving, you’re inspired to make use of and abuse the automobiles, and the hospitality is nice. Caterham is organising 11 days this yr and all however three are offered out.

News

New Vauxhall Frontera is chunky, electrical Crossland substitute

The Vauxhall Frontera has been revived as a chunky family SUV to interchange the Crossland, with the choice of petrol or pure-electric energy. 

Understood to be an in depth relation to the upcoming second-generation Citroën C3 Aircross – and anticipated to share its affordability-focused Smart Car platform – the Frontera is bigger than its predecessor, at round 4400mm lengthy, and shall be positioned as a rival to the likes of the Dacia Duster and Nissan Qashqai. That’s solely a somewhat smaller than the present Vauxhall Grandland, however that automobile may also get replaced later this yr by a barely bigger new mannequin with an electrical choice. 

The Frontera will supply a selection of battery-electric or 48V mild-hybrid petrol powertrains, with the previous possible providing round 134bhp and a spread of practically 250 miles, and the latter as much as 162bhp and round 58mpg. 

Inspired by its Nineteen Nineties namesake, the Frontera swaps the Crossland’s cab-forward, rounded kind for a extra ‘rugged’ and upright two-box silhouette, which Vauxhall managing director James Taylor reckons will “appeal to a wide range of customers who want to stand out from the crowd”. 

The inside is all new too: Vauxhall’s ‘Pure Panel’ digital interface – comprising a pair of 10in screens – tops the redesigned dashboard, which ditches nearly all of bodily buttons in favour of a “detoxed”, extra minimalist association. 

Out again, the Frontera has 460 litres of boot area with the rear seats up and 1600 litres with them folded, whereas the roof rails can assist a great deal of as much as 200kg, maximising capability. It is just not but confirmed if the Frontera shall be obtainable with seven seats, as will its Citroën sibling.

Full particulars stay beneath wraps for now, however the Frontera is predicted to be on sale in the summertime, priced from roughly £27,000 with petrol energy and round £32,000 as an EV. 

News

New For 2024: Chevelle 70/SS Gets A 1,000 HP 427 Engine Package

Summary

  • 70/SS Chevelle honors legacy with revived 1,000 HP 427 Engine Package for power-hungry muscle automobile aficionados.
  • Exclusive 20-unit limited-edition run contains trendy enhancements and Drag Pack elements for premium efficiency.
  • Priced above $170,000, this collector’s dream affords top-tier powertrain choices and customized decisions. Order quickly!

One of the most well liked trendy muscle automobile reboots to roll the roadways in 2024 is the resurrected Chevelle; 70/SS. Re-imagined from the enduring ’70 Chevy Chevelle, the Trans Am Worldwide’s revamp blends past and present for the OG muscle followers who fantasize a couple of 2024 Chevelle Super Sport. With all 25 of the primary limited-edition 70/SS LS6/X Twin-Turbo 454 variations offered out; it was revealed to us right now {that a} particular run will likely be produced because the re-crafted Chevelle – 70/SS with a 1,000 horsepower 427 Engine Package. This will mark the 20-unit limited-edition 427 70/SS as probably the most highly effective out there.

70/SS Horsepower Ratings

Powertrain

Horsepower

70/SS Base

450

LT-1 SC Supercharged

675

LT-1 SC (w/ 396 Cam Package)

720

396 SC Supercharged

800

427 SC (Limited to twenty Units)

1,000

454 Precision Twin-Turbo (SOLD OUT)

1,500

(Source: Trans Am Worldwide)

In order to provide the most recent and correct data potential, the info used to compile this text was sourced from numerous producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Trans Am Worldwide and Chevy.

Orange Trans Am Worldwide 70/SS 454 LS6X Limited Edition

Related

2024 Chevelle 70/SS: Everything Reported So Far

Limited to only 25 examples the enduring Chevelle SS is again with a contemporary twist courtesy of Trans Am Worldwide & here’s what you must learn about it

New 1,000 HP 427 Engine Package Will Be The Next Limited Edition Run For The 70/SS Chevelle Remake

2024 Chevelle 70SS 454
Trans Am Worldwide

Built on the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro, the retro-vision of the legendary Chevelle SS has made its transfer from the golden period of muscle into the twenty first century. And, on the skillfully modern arms of Trans Am Worldwide’s designers, engineers, and builders, the automobile that was generally known as “King of The Streets” within the early ’70s reclaimed its title when the 1,500 horsepower 454 70/SS Chevelle-inspired launch roared its approach out of the Florida-based trendy muscle maker’s manufactory.

“We stored getting requests for the 454 option,” said Tod Warmack co-founder of Trans Am Worldwide. “All 25 were sold immediately. In fact, 25 of the first 35 70/SS’ that we sold were the 454’s.” With in style demand nonetheless fixated on the high-horse limited-edition, the Trans Am Worldwide crew introduced collectively one other four-digit horsepower phenom because the idea of the 427 Engine Package. “We just decided it was a go last week,” revealed Warmack. “Chevy didn’t make a 427 in 1970; but if they slipped one in through COPO, what would it be worth today?”

green 2024 Chevrolet Chevelle 70/SS

Related

The Secret Hidden Inside The 1500 HP Chevelle-Inspired 2024 70/SS

A contemporary tackle a traditional, this is what you must learn about Trans Am Worldwide’s customized 2024 Chevelle 70/SS

The New 70/SS Supercharged 427 Will Be Fueled As An E85/97 Combo

The 1970 motivation for the 70/SS came directly out of Chevy’s second-generation Chevelle, now the modern SS with the supercharged 427 Engine Package will feed on each E85 and 97 octane. “We’re going over the top with this,” mentioned Warmack. “It will have two tunes and automatically read alcohol content and then modulate to the appropriate tune. There will be a 150 to 200 horsepower difference between the two.”

“These cars are cut, buffed, and jeweled; they’re Ridler-ready,” mentioned Warmack.

A 1,000-horsepower Chevelle? Well, that’s undoubtedly not your grandpa’s Chevy; however there’s greater than only a supercharged 427 energy plant swap within the 2024 engine choice. The new 427 Engine Package for the 70/SS contains exterior enhancements, permitting the reincarnated Chevelle to point out out with premium paintwork, and the addition of the nostalgic stripes underneath clear. Paint sturdiness is optimized with Ceramic Coat. Menscer Rear Coilovers enhance tractive management and supply an adjustable experience top and stance. Included within the unique improve is your entire Drag Pack.

70/SS Drag Pack Components

  • GForce1320 Strange 9-inch Conversion
  • Aluminum Driveshaft
  • 1500 Horsepower Axles
  • Trailing Arms
  • Cradle Lockout
  • Shaft Loop
  • Tie Rods
  • Control Arms
  • Front Cradle Brace
  • Wildwood Performance Six-Piston, 14-inch Drilled and Slotted Rotors Brake Package

The Base 70/SS Costs North Of $170,000

There is not any denying the 70/SS is a collector’s dream, and a driver’s dream for that matter. Heart-fluttering seems, and white-knuckling velocity makes this muscle marvel a flex for any proprietor; nonetheless, for people who wish to put a reputation on a pink – or perhaps a base mannequin – the brand new Chevelle-inspired creation will price north of $170,000. Powertrain picks and transmission choices are worthy provides to the bottom, but in addition bump the invoice. Buyers which have the necessity for velocity and the finances, higher hurry. Trans Am Worldwide has already begun taking orders, leaving the variety of the 20 items that had been out there already dwindling.

Motorsport

Skoda’s Most Innovative Sedan Had An Unnecessarily Complicated Trunk

After a 52-year hiatus, Skoda revived the “Superb” moniker in 2001 with the first generation of its modern flagship. It was essentially a stretched Volkswagen Passat (B5), and it even got the VW badge in China where it was sold as the Passat Lingyu. The second-gen model arrived in 2008 and it was a lot more interesting. Not just because it got a wagon version, but also due to the reason the sedan doubled as a hatchback/liftback.

With the 2024 Superb officially unveiled, we remembered the TwinDoor feature offered for the Mk2 model. It came at a time when parent company VW Group wasn’t obsessed with cost-cutting measures, allowing its engineers to innovate and implement interesting hardware. And yes, that Superb had dual rear opening by allowing owners to either lift the whole tailgate or only the trunk lid.

Skoda Superb with TwinDoor
Skoda Superb with TwinDoor

So, how did it work? You first had to unlock the vehicle and then press the button located at the bottom side of the trunk lid to open only the metal part. If you wanted to raise the whole tailgate, if you first had to push a different button mounted to the right side of the other button we mentioned. Upon pressing it, the third brake light would flash twice. After that, the owner had to push the first button and raise the tailgate simultaneously.

While the Superb Combi had the aperture for the rear license plate built into the tailgate, it was mounted lower on the bumper for the liftback. In an interview for the official Skoda site, Zdeněk Cibulka, exterior designer of the Mk2, explained the unusual layout:

“This solution was anchored in the design of the rear pillars and the entire rear end. I also had to design the aperture for the double-operated bonnet [trunk/tailgate] and we spent a long time figuring out where the registration plate would go. In the end, it moved into the rear bumper, a rather unusual solution. But visually it helped the Superb a lot.”

The TwinDoor was only offered for the Superb Mk2 as the subsequent generation introduced in 2015 was only a hatchback, much like the newly introduced model, complemented by the even more spacious wagon. The Mk4 isn’t stepping on the Passat’s toes that much since VW has decided to drop the sedan and sell its midsize car strictly as a wagon.

News

Delage D12: £1.7m hybrid hypercar enters production

French manufacturer Delage has started production of its new limited-run D12 hybrid hypercar. The company, which was originally active from 1905 to 1953, was revived in 2019 with the aim of creating a sleek two-seater that provides a Formula 1 experience for the road.

The D12 GT, showcased at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, is equipped with a powerful 976bhp V12 engine and a 109bhp electric motor, resulting in a total power output of 1085bhp and 794lb ft of torque.

Featuring a central carbon fiber monocoque, a frontal carbon fiber crash structure, and an aluminum rear frame, the D12 has a tandem seating configuration where the passenger sits behind the driver. It also utilizes a unique contractive suspension set-up developed by Delage’s chassis and suspension chief Mauro Bianchi, who works alongside technical director Benoit Bagur and chief test driver Jacques Villeneuve.

Delage has completed four D12 units and has started work on the planned limited run of 30 cars, priced from approximately £1.7 million each. Laurent Tapie, the serial entrepreneur behind the revival of Delage, mentioned that there has been significant interest in the project, stating that “the car attracts a lot of attention because there’s nothing else like it out there.”

Although it will take four to five years to build the cars, Tapie believes in the long-term success of the brand, acknowledging that it will take time to establish awareness since the brand has been dormant for 70 years.

While production of the D12 is underway, Delage has already begun designing its second hypercar, which will be a grand tourer two-seater similar to the Bugatti Chiron. Tapie revealed that it will also be road-legal and employ a hybrid powertrain. Furthermore, there are hints of a third car being in the works, targeting a different segment.

News

A Forgotten ’90s V-8 Powered Stealthy Sedan That Packs A Punch

Back in the mid-1960s and 70s, spotting the infamous SS badge on a Chevy was an indicator of performance and raw power. Nowadays, that infamy has faded, though it still garners a fair amount of respect among the car community for what it was able to achieve during its release. Among those Super Sport relics is the Chevy Impala, a sedan produced that first debuted in the 1950s.

When U.S. standards tightened up around emissions and economy in the 60s and 70s, many beloved big-engine models of the past fell to the blade of regulations, with most automakers focusing on lowering emissions and adhering to the new standard. This caused former drag demons and track weapons to become boring family cars that would fade into obscurity as automotive innovation saw the improvement and benefits of modern mechanics.

Chevy, however, wasn’t ready to discard the hard-earned respect gained by the Impala SS, and in 1994 revived the sedan with modern fittings and an LT1 engine, similar to the engine found in the Corvette of the same era. The 1995 Impala SS sold for a low retail price and offered respectable performance for the time, leading to them being driven hard, modified, and pushed to their limit. As such, you’d be hard-pressed to find an example in good condition, yet these V-8-powered sedans represent a key segment of GM’s history.

RELATED: The Forgotten ’90s Sleeper Sedan That Could Humiliate Supercars

Chevy Impala SS Had An LT1 Corvette Engine And Sport Suspension

In 1985, Chevy discontinued the Impala SS due to the setback big-engine models experienced during the time. Ten years later, the Impala SS would return as the high-performance model of the Caprice Classic, a rather clunky full-size sedan. This news didn’t sell well at first since the Caprice was rather uninspiring, even though it was used extensively in government envoys and police units.

To the community’s delight, the 1994 Chevy Impala SS made its predecessors proud, delivering a sleek and sporty ride with a brutish V-8 and upgraded suspension, transforming the clumsy Caprice into a worthy sports sedan. The 1990s era Impala only ran from 1994-1996 yet left a lasting impression on the car community and pop culture, as the 1996 Impala SS in particular has since become a cultural icon.

1996 Chevrolet Impala SS Notable Upgrades

  • 5.7-liter LT1 engine
  • Sport suspension
  • “Police Package” springs
  • Anti-roll bars
  • Limited-slip differential
  • 12-inch vented disc brakes w/ anti-lock control
  • Carbon monotube shocks

The 1996 Impala SS featured a 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 engine, aside from a few minor tweaks, this was the very same engine found in the C4 Corvettes of the 1990s. The LT1 engine produced 260 horses in the SS and 330 pound-feet of torque.

1996 Chevrolet Impala SS Performance Specs

0-60 MPH

7.5-Seconds

Top Speed

150 – 158 MPH (owner claims)

Engine

5.7-liter LT1 V-8,

Horsepower

260

Torque

330 Pound-Feet

Curb Weight

4,221-Pounds

Layout

Front-engine RWD

Transmission

4-speed Automatic transmission,

Bodystyle

four-door, five-passenger sedan

Along with the LT1 engine upgrade, the 1996 Impala SS also received the “Police Package” springs and anti-roll bars, sport suspension, and carbon monotube shocks, allowing the large-body sedan to tackle deep corners. The stiff suspension limited body roll, as the ‘96 Impala SS was a long vehicle with a large trunk and ample engine-bay real estate. Unfortunately, the length of the Impalas from this era didn’t translate to interior volume, as the passenger space resembled that of a smaller, economy sedan.

RELATED: 10 Forgotten V-8 Powered Luxury Sedans That Won’t Break The Bank

The 1996 Impala SS Puts The Focus On Performance, Not Amenities

The exterior of the 1996 Impala SS bears some of the design language found on the 1990s Caprice Classic if the Caprice were put on a diet. The Impala’s low-profile profile and minimal contouring, along with the lowered ride height, made for a sleek sedan that maintained a composed appearance. The aforementioned large trunk and engine bay area are reminiscent of the past Impalas from the 60s that cruised the strips like ornate land yachts.

A small, yet tasteful rear spoiler sits atop the trunk, and though it doesn’t add much to the performance of the vehicle, it gives the modest body design a splash of sportiness. Keeping with the minimal flair in the 1996 Impala SS is the badging and emblems. A single Chevrolet bow tie adorns the front grill, while the iconic jumping Impala logo is proudly displayed on the rear, and on the rear fender quarters, boasting the retro-styled “Impala” name to drive home the lineage.

The interior offers modest amenities and a fairly plain design layout, as it becomes clear that GM’s focus was to produce a high-performance bargain car, limiting the quality and interior flair. From the hard-plastic door panels and dash to the unassuming steering wheel and lack of interior volume, the 1996 Impala SS didn’t blow buyers away in terms of comfort and pizzazz. The SS did include front sport bucket seats, though, just don’t plan on sitting comfortably on long drives.

RELATED: A Forgotten ’90s Sports Sedan That Was A Supercar Slayer: The Untold Story

Chevrolet Impala SS And Its Pop Culture Impact

From 1961-69 the SS emblem adorned some of the fastest, most stylish, and best-equipped cars Chevy sold. Early models with the phenomenal 409-cubic-inch engine dominated drag strips, NASCAR tracks, and Pikes Peak. Sales of the speedy sedan were up, and the public loved the recipe Chevrolet cooked up, with the Impala SS 409 even being immortalized in song courtesy of The Beach Boys.

The 1996 Impala was seen by many as the spiritual successor to the Buick Grand National, as with the GN, General Motors took a rather unassuming sedan with modest performance and cranked it up to 11. These models may not be able to keep up with the Cadillac Blackwings and Hellcat Demons, but they definitely made waves upon release by changing the perception of their respective predecessors, and the sports car/sedan landscape of the time, and have maintained a loyal fan base since the early days.

Though the Impala made another return in the early 2000s after a brief hiatus, the sedan was noticeably less amusing than the previous SS models. Standard front-wheel drive took a layer of fun away from the Impala SS and the V-8 never saw the engine bay of this model ever again. The Impala was officially discontinued, again, in 2020. The average price for a used example currently sits at $22,412, which represents excellent value, given not just the amount of car you get for the money, but also the pedigree that comes with this generation of the Impala name.

Motorsport

Jeep J-10 Honcho Pickup Restored To Former Glory With Modern Upgrades Asks $145K

JeepHeritage, a division of Vigilante 4×4 that specializes in restoring classic Jeeps, has recently brought a 1981 J-10 Honcho Sportside pickup back to life. This beautiful truck is now available for purchase at $145,000.

The restoration process began by completely disassembling the truck down to its bare frame. JeepHeritage then took various measures to protect the pieces from corrosion, such as sandblasting, galvanization, and powder coating. The body’s undercarriage was also coated with polyurea for added rust resistance.


Gaming

Top Xbox Games Released in 2023

In 2023, EA brought back the popular “Dead Space” franchise with a remake of the 2008 game that started it all. This survival horror game, developed by Motive Studio, was released in January for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Like the original, players take on the role of Isaac Clarke, an engineer who finds himself trapped on a ship where the crew is being killed by terrifying creatures called Necromorphs. As one of the few survivors, Clarke must use his engineering tools to fight back against the Necromorphs.

The “Dead Space” remake offers a number of improvements over the original game. One notable change is that Clarke is no longer a silent protagonist and is more involved in the story through cutscenes. Another welcome improvement is that weapons can now be unlocked more easily, as they no longer need to be purchased after finding a blueprint. Additionally, the newly added peeling system allows for more gruesome and visually impressive ways to destroy Necromorphs.

With its impressive visuals, improved gameplay mechanics, and updated narrative, this version of “Dead Space” is considered the definitive way to experience the game and learn the story behind one of EA’s most successful recent series.

Motorsport

Volkswagen Confirms the Beetle Will Not Make a Comeback

Speculations about the resurrection of the iconic Volkswagen Beetle in the form of an electric vehicle have been circulating for years. However, the German automaker has officially declared that there are no plans to revive the Beetle. In an interview with Autocar, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schafer explained that the decision is primarily driven by marketing considerations.

During the pre-production test drives of the third-generation Tiguan, Schafer confirmed that an electric Beetle is not currently being considered. He clarified that it is not due to a lack of resources, finances, or time, but rather because it does not align with Volkswagen’s marketing strategy. When asked about the possibility of the Beetle returning for the modern era, Schafer stated:

“I don’t think so, because there are certain vehicles that have had their day. It wouldn’t make sense to bring it back. I wouldn’t say with 100 percent certainty. But from where I stand now, I wouldn’t consider it. It’s the same as Scirocco: it had its day, then there was a new model based on a reinterpretation. To do that again? I don’t think so. And going forward with balancing all these technologies and the cost that is associated with it, you’ve got to invest money in the best possible place.”


Motorsport

Watch And Listen As 2004 Mustang SVT Cobra Screams To 500 HP On Dyno

Before the Mustang Shelby GT500 was revived in 2007, Ford sent its New Edge Mustang Cobra out with a bang. The 2003-2004 Cobras, equipped with a factory Eaton supercharger, were known as the “Terminator” and were highly regarded for their power and performance in the muscle car world.

This recent dyno video showcases the powerful nature of the Terminator Cobra. Despite only having a few minor bolt-ons, such as a pulley swap for the supercharger and an upgraded exhaust system, this 20-year-old Mustang managed to produce 498 horsepower at the wheels.

When factoring in the average driveline loss of 15 percent, this translates to around 590 horsepower at the engine, significantly more than Ford’s stock rating of 390 horsepower. It’s no surprise that Cobra owners quickly realized the underrated potential of the supercharged 4.6-liter engine.

Aside from its impressive performance, this particular 2004 Cobra stands out due to its rarity. With a production run of only 3,768 units, and just 299 painted in Screaming Yellow, it’s a special find for enthusiasts. The Screaming Yellow color option was exclusive to the Cobra and the SVT Focus, making it even more unique.

The New Edge-era Cobras, including the 2003-2004 models, were also notable for being the first Mustangs to feature independent rear suspension. This upgrade greatly improved the ride quality and handling characteristics of the pony car.

As a result of their power, performance, rarity, and modern-classic status, well-preserved examples of the 2003-2004 Cobras can command prices of around $50,000 in today’s market.