This feed contains the latest All feed items. http://www.motortorque.com/ Copyright 2013 MotorTorque All Rights Reserved. Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss Automotive Website Framework Engine (2.9.1208.1803) The newest entry for one of the most popular car racing games in the world, Gran Turismo 6, has this week been confirmed for the Playstation 3 console. It has been marked down for release in time for Christmas 2013. The Gran Turismo racing series, dubbed 'The Real Driving Simulator', allows gamers the chance to select from hundreds of real-life cars and race them against opponents at various tracks, including locations based on real-life circuits and cities. Since the first Gran Turismo entry was released in Europe back in May 1998, an estimated 70 million copies of games from the racing series have been sold worldwide. Now this week the franchise marked its 15 year anniversary at an event hosted by publishers Sony Computer Entertainment over at the Silverstone Circuit near Northampton, UK. Sony and the developers of Gran Turismo, Polphony Digital, unveiled the first details on the newest entry for the long-running game series at the world famous Silverstone race circuit. Gran Turismo 6 will from launch be sold exclusively on the Playstation 3, much like its predecessor (Gran Turismo 5) which has sold over ten million copies since its release in 2010. The new game will feature all of the cars and tracks that featured in Gran Turismo 5, but also added are seven new locations, including the Silverstone Circuit. This takes the total number of locations in the game to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of them brand new. The total number of cars included in Gran Turismo 6 will grow to as many as 1,200 from launch, while even more cars will be added through online downloadable add-ons. A reveal trailer for Gran Turismo 6 has been published which shows the freshly introduced Silverstone Circuit in-game, along with some of the newly-introduced cars added. Amongst the new cars featured in the Gran Turismo 6 trailer includes the Tesla Model S, the KTM X-Bow and the Mercedes SLS AMG GT3. To some it will come as a surprise that Gran Turismo 6 has not in fact been announced for Sony's new game console, the upcoming Playstation 4, which is expected to begin first deliveries towards the end of this year. However the designer of the Gran Turismo series, Kazunori Yamauchi, revealed in an interview that a Playstation 4 version of this game is under consideration. A demo of Gran Turismo 6 will be made available for online download in July 2013. Nissan's "biggest" GT Academy programme In the same week Gran Turismo 6 was finally confirmed, Sony and Nissan also revealed that the innovative GT Academy competition will return for a fifth season. In the past few years Nissan has teamed up with Sony and Polphyony Digital, using Gran Turismo 5 to help create a virtual-to-reality competition that has attracted over two million entries. The GT Academy sees gamers and motor sport fans battle it out on Gran Turismo for the chance to become real Nissan racing drivers. Six former winners of the competition are now part of the Nismo motorsport division and partake in real top-level races on behalf of Nissan. Now the GT Academy competition will continue through Gran Turismo 6, with the first online qualification rounds beginning through the game's upcoming demo. The winner of this year's competition will be able to partake in a full season racing a powerful Nissan GT-R GT3 Nismo. For more Gran Turismo-related reading, you can check out our 'virtual' first drive of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette, achieved by playing Gran Turismo 5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-LILLcpO88 http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/gran-turismo-6-confirmed-out-for-christmas-2013-22276.aspx Stephen Goldasz Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT With the newest addition in The Fast and the Furious saga, Fast & Furious 6, being released in cinemas UK-wide today, we thought we would choose one car that epitomises the entire series. So what better than the 1970 Dodge Charger? If you take a look at any 'top cars from the Fast and the Furious movies' lists, you will more or less see the 1970 Dodge Charger model sitting proudly at the top. The Dodge Charger is the main car that protagonist Dominic Toretto, portrayed by Hollywood star Vin Diesel, drives in the series. The film series has seen the car destroyed, then rebuilt and then destroyed again. Both a classic and newer version of the Charger appeared in the previous film, Fast Five, with the Toretto's Classic Charger destroyed by an armoured truck. In the newest film, Fast & Furious 6, Toretto will be seen driving a Dodge Charger Daytona, alongside fellow actors Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Luke Evans. Back to the real world now, the 1970 Dodge Charger was the last of the second generation Charger models. Along with new 'high impact' colour options, such as 'Top Banana' and 'Panther Pink', Dodge provided a new engine option for its newest Charger model: the 440 Six Pack. The new engine featured three two-barrel carburettors and a power rating of 390bhp. Despite a 'hot new engine', production of the Dodge Charger slipped - although most of this was due to the company's brand new E-body Challenger model. So what do you think is the best model in the 'Fast & Furious' series? Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter to share your opinions. Written by Glenn Doyle. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/the-fast-and-the-furious-special---1970-dodge-charger-22275.aspx Glenn Doyle Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new S-Class model, with the company's aspiration: to make 'the best automobile in the world'. The company remarked that they had set out with three engineering priorities: 'Intelligent Drive', 'Efficient Technology' and 'Essence of Luxury' - but did it manage to achieve any of these? The new S-Class line-up features two hybrid versions, a petrol model and a diesel variant. These include the S 400 Hybrid, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. Mercedes claims that all models boast superb efficiency and up to 20 per cent lower fuel consumption than the previous generation. Prof. Thomas Weber, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development said, 'The new S-Class achieves consumption and emissions figures that only a few years ago seemed utopian, even for executive cars.' Weber also mentioned that the new S-Class is 'just the start' of the company's 'Green Leadership' initiative, and will soon be followed by 'the S 500 Plug-In HYBRID'. Looking at the individual S-Class models, the entry level 'S 350 BlueTEC' model comes with a 258bhp, 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, offering a lowly 146g/km of CO2 emissions and a frugal 51.3mpg. This engine is mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission - featuring in all models. In addition, the base model can reach a top speed of 155mph and complete the 0-62mph sprint in 6.8 seconds. The 'S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID' version is equipped with a 2.2-litre inline-4 hybrid powertrain, offering 204bhp, 115g/km of CO2 emissions and a combined fuel consumption of 64.2mpg - the highest in the new S-Class range. A 27bhp electric motor also features within the hybrid car. The lowest priced hybrid variant even managed to achieve an A+ rating in the Euro-6 emissions standard. Furthermore, the 'S 300 BlueTEC HYBRID' manages the 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, as well as hitting a top speed of 148mph. Mercedes-Benz's least-costly petrol-fuelled S-Class is the 'S 400 HYBRID', which features a 306bhp, 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a 27bhp electric motor. The car offers 44.8mpg and 147g/km of CO2 emissions, as well as a 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. The top of the range S-Class 'S 500' has been given a larger 4.6-litre V8 diesel powerplant that is able to crank out a much larger 448bhp - in addition to a faster 0-62mph time, of 4.8 seconds, and a top speed of 155mph. Utilising a larger V8 engine with higher performance means that the S-Class 'S 500' model offers lower fuel consumption, of 32.8mpg, and higher emissions, of 199g/km of CO2. When a new S-Class model arrives on the motoring scene, it is usually the most technologically advanced car in the industry. You will see technology features trickling down through the Mercedes-Benz models. The S-Class is the benchmark for technological innovations. Mercedes-Benz has packed-out its new S-Class models with countless new and innovative features. All models come with a range of support functions including, among others, 'Night View Assist Plus', to alert drivers to the potential danger posed by pedestrians and animals in unlit areas, and 'Attention Assist', which can warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness in an extended speed range and notify the driver of their current state of fatigue. New S-Class models also come with a completely new multimedia interface, including an 'innovative' Frontbass system that was developed by the company itself, as well as two optional sound systems: the 'Burmester Surround Sound system' and the 'Burmester High-End 3D-Surround Sound System'. Although UK specifications and pricing are still to be fully confirmed, the prices for the new S-Class models in European markets are as follows - converted from Euros to pound sterling. The entry level 'S 350 BlueTEC' diesel-fuelled models will be available from £67,402.10 or £72,076.52, depending on whether the customer chooses the short or long wheelbase version. In addition, the petrol-powered 'S 400 HYBRID' models will be priced from either £71,975.99 or €76,951.99 - again depending on whether the short or long wheelbase is chosen. Similarly, short and long wheelbase versions of the range-topping 'S 500' variants will be available to purchase in the European markets from either £88,361.59 or £90,924.98. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will arrive in the UK in Q4, 2013 - and we cannot wait. Written by Glenn Doyle. 'Guess the car' clue: This company has ran a Formula 1 team in the past. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/new-mercedes-s-class-aims-to-be-the-best-car-in-the-world-22270.aspx Glenn Doyle Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Read our full Jaguar F-Type review Jaguar plans to re-immerse itself in the sports car segment with the new Jaguar F-Type. The new F-Type takes its flair from the classic E-Type sports car of the 60's, incorporating its stretched body and drop top appearance. The Jag F-Type is available with a range of powertrains - including V6 and V8 variants, each of which adds even sportier credentials to the new F-Type. With sports car competition of abundance in the current market, some are wondering how the Jaguar F-Type will fair against its Aston Martin and Porsche competitors. Watch as we deliver a preview of the new F-Type. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1DRIc8GQQ8 http://www.motortorque.com/videos/new-car-reviews/jaguar-f-type-preview-22268.aspx New Car Reviews Richard Bush Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT David Beckham has hung up his boots and retired from football. Beckham's retirement has been on the cards for a while. No need for Take That inspired helplines. Beckham has had such a successful and diverse career spanning from football to fashion. He has played in numerous leagues across the globe from the USA to England, picking Beckham's career highlights can be tricky. To most people his career will be embodied by his integral goals in the 2002 World Cup or his half way goal against Wimbledon when he chipped Neil Sullivan - however, some car enthusiasts may remember that Beckham had a particularly intriguing interest in cars. To celebrate his glowing career on and off the football pitch, we have collated some of the most iconic cars ever owned by Golden Balls himself. Enjoy. Lamborghini Gallardo Up first is Beckham's gas guzzling supercar, the Lamborghini Gallardo. Beckham's Lamborghini Gallardo falls into the typical footballer's car category - trending with the likes of Christiano Ronaldo and other ostentatious gentlemen. Beckham's Gallardo featured a 5.2-litre V10 engine, producing a massive 558bhp and is speedier to 62mph than even Beckham was in his pomp - the Gallardo can complete the benchmark sprint 4.0 seconds. Audi S8 More of a classy mainstream choice for Beckham here, but still, not cheap. The Audi S8 is one of the German manufacturer's sporty derivatives and it mixes the sophistication of an Audi saloon with a 520bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine. Although it looks like an executive chauffeur car, the Audi S8 is an impressive turn of speed, with a zero to 62mph sprint time of just 4.2 seconds. Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Another footballer's favourite is this, the Porsche 911 Turbo cabriolet. Beckham's Porsche 911 comes in a rather daunting matt black paint job and of course a sleek drop top. The matt black paint job doesn't make the car stick out like a sore thumb when Becks is driving down the boulevard - oh hold on... he just so happens to have his number 23 from LA Galaxy stitched on the seats and floor mats, plus it is printed on the alloy wheels. Rolls Royce Ghost Many will have seen Beckham cruising around London in this Roller, one of many Rollers I may add. This Rolls Royce Ghost cost Beckham around £250,000 and definitely give the fashion conscious footballer more of a chic look on the road. Alongside its sophistication, this Roller makes use of a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12, pumping out 563bhp. Rolls Royce Phantom drop head coupe As one Rolls Royce is never enough - obviously - Beckham also owned a drop top Rolls Royce Phantom. Even though this classic motor has a historic design, Beckham still managed to get some cool custom features in - including a matt black hood ornament and boat like wood decking built in to the body. At least it is nice and economical - with 453bhp and 11 miles per gallon. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti This Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is possibly the most adventurous car in Beckham's garage. Armed with a powerful V12 engine capable of producing 533bhp, this model from the Prancing Horse stable can reach a top speed of 196mph. That's faster than Beckham can hit a ball. As well as being one of the punchiest, this car is definitely one of the most stylish Beckham has ever owned - plus it only cost around £90,000 - neat. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/david-beckham-retires---check-out-his-luxury-garage-22266.aspx Richard Bush Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Roll back through the years and you'll find that the original Skoda Superb was launched in 1934. Over 2,500 models rolled off the production line in Mlada Boleslav and just like today it was the flagship car on the Skoda range. The present Skoda Superb is now in its third generation. The first modern day Superb was launched in 2001. This was followed by a second iteration in 2008 and now we have the latest version, the 2013 Skoda Superb. Equipped with cleaner engines, a new design inside and out, reduced running costs, class-leading levels of space, the Skoda Superb is not a car to be taken lightly. The Superb may well be the flagship model of the Skoda range but it is extremely well priced. Purchase a Superb and you are getting a lot of car for your money. Rivals including Hyundai's i40, the VW Passat and Ford's Mondeo have their work cut out if they are going to topple the Superb. Read on to find out why it's so good. Performance - 4 stars On test we drove the Skoda Superb hatch powered by the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel mated to a smooth shifting six-speed manual gearbox. The Skoda Superb is all about comfort and munching motorway miles but its performance figures are respectable. This version of the Superb will get from zero to 62mph in 10 seconds and has a top speed of 131mph. The 320Nm of torque gives an ample amount of power right the way through the gearbox meaning that overtaking slower traffic can be achieved with ease. Ride and Handling - 3.5 stars The Skoda Superb for such a big car handles the twisty stuff reasonably well. It has a good amount of front-end grip and you have to push the Superb hard for it to step out of line. There is a lack of feedback, however, from the steering. Enthusiasts will still prefer Ford's Mondeo when it comes to driving dynamics but the Skoda has improved in this area. The Skoda Superb is best suited to motorway roads. It will make short work of long haul journeys thanks to the high level of ride comfort. Road, wind and tyre noise are minimal making the Skoda Superb cabin a pleasant place to spend time in. Comfort and Practicality - 5 stars Skoda Superb comfort levels are high. Whether in the front or sitting in the rear there is lots of head- and legroom. The interior space is class leading. Even behind a driver or passenger of average height, six footers will be able to stretch their legs in comfort. Up front the seats have a good level of bolstering and there is a reasonable amount of side support. Quality materials have been used on the dash and the switchgear of the Skoda Superb makes the cabin a fitting place to spend time in. Skoda Superb practicality levels are best in class. With seats in place there is a loadspace of 595 litres and this expands to 1,700 litres. Like all the Skoda models the 'Simply Clever' tag line runs through this flagship model - just like the previous generation, the hatch has a twindoor system. This is easy to work, press the far right button and this opens the hatch while the middle button only opens the boot. Both of these buttons are hidden from view under the sill just above the number plate. Another quirky feature of the Superb is that it comes with an umbrella - at least you'll never get wet - well that's as long as you remember to put it back. Running costs - 5 stars The Skoda Superb hatch ranges from £18,555 for the 123bhp 1.4-litre TSI in S trim to £21,795 for the 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI mated to the six-speed DSG gearbox. On test we drove the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel mated to a six-speed manual gearbox in Elegance trim costing £24,710. On average Skoda claims this version of the Superb will return 61.4mpg - in real-world driving expect to see around the mid-fifties mark. CO2 emissions are 135g/km for the 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel placing it in a VED band E and meaning it will cost £125 per year to tax. So, what do you get for your money? Standard kit on this car includes 18-inch alloys, Bi-xenon lights with Adaptive Front-light system and LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth, electrically adjustable front seats, DAB touchscreen radio, satnav, heated front seats, tyre pressure monitor, leather upholstery and dual-zone aircon. Summary - 4.5 stars This third generation of the Skoda Superb sets the tone for the rest of the Skoda model line-up. It offers quality at a competitive price. There is no scrimping on kit. Even the entry-level model is well equipped. Although a little bland, this flagship model is 'Superb' value for money - you'd be mad not to Czech this model out if you are looking at a car of this size. Read our Skoda Octavia estate first drive. http://www.motortorque.com/skoda-superb-hatchback-(2013-on)-car-review-22263.aspx Simon McBride Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT European anti-trust regulators have raided the offices of BP, Royal Dutch Shell and Norway's Statoil. It is believed that the raids are in connection with price fixing but European anti-trust regulators would not confirm or deny these allegations. All three companies are cooperating with investigators. Westminster MPs are calling for a full investigation by the UK authorities. Tory MP Robert Halfon has petitioned for an investigation into the methods that are used by oil companies to set prices for the past three years - it seems his voice is now being listened to. BP released a statement saying "We are co-operating fully with the investigation and are unable to comment further at this time", while a Shell spokesman added that it was "fully co-operating" with investigators. Statoil, confirmed its Norwegian headquarters had been inspected, said the suspected violations "related to the Platts' Market-On-Close price assessment process" and "may have been on-going since 2002". The AA has been shouting about possible irregularities with fuel pricing since 2005. AA spokesman Luke Bosdet said: "The lid is about to be blown off. The AA has been warning since 2005 about the activity of speculation in oil and fuel markets." While the RAC technical director David Bizley said: "The Office of Fair Trading inquiry concluded at the end of January that the UK fuel market was operating fairly and not against the best interests of motorists, and therefore that a Competition Commission investigation was not needed. Motorists will be very interested to see what comes of these raids." He also added that there was a need for greater transparency in the UK fuel markets. What do you think of this alleged fuel fixing scandal - join the debate on our Facebook page. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/fuel-price-fixing-scandal-22260.aspx Simon McBride Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT By now many of us will have heard about or seen the hybrid electric buses circling the city of Liverpool - that's right I said Liverpool, not London. After an array of manufacturers had a stab at the city based eco market - Citroen and its C-Zero, Nissan and its Leaf - it seems cities are taking more of a hands on approach to reducing inner city emissions with the introduction of frugal public transport. The most popular example of this movement is of course Boris Johnson and his Source London campaign. This campaign saw frugal electric buses and vehicles like the Nissan Leaf pave the streets of London green. But with a line-up of 33 new hybrid electric buses, Liverpool is one of the latest cities to administer economical credentials to the streets. The 33 new Arriva buses were introduced as part of a Green Bus Funding scheme, tallying up an investment of over £26.7 million. A government grant made the purchasing of 44 new hybrid buses possible, 33 of which went to Liverpool. The 11 remaining buses where originally headed for Manchester, but after a bus depot closed they were sent to Bolton. Runcorn is another location that has been given new economical public transport with the introduction of 10 new buses. The new BHLH model buses come from Swedish manufacturer Volvo and as well as incorporating a frugal hybrid powertrain, they also feature nifty additions like WiFi, leather seats and on-board CCTV monitors. After speaking with one of the Arriva hybrid bus drivers, we found that the frugal powertrain actually 'improves the drive and makes pulling off as smooth as driving a milk float.' It seems an extremely logical choice for the government to invest in economical public transport as the hefty price tags of electric and EV vehicles for private buyers are still failing to take. By introducing frugal buses the government is tackling inner city emissions head on as public transport is one of the biggest polluters. There is also the benefit of reducing multiple carbon footprints of the daily commuter. Hopefully we will see more government action to improve public transport efficiency. This will be one of the most important factors in battling efficiency in the coming years and it will hopefully keep emissions as low as possible until electric cars become more mainstream. http://www.motortorque.com/motoring-blog/environment/liverpools-hybrid-electric-buses---a-new-trend-22257.aspx Environment Car Lifestyle Richard Bush Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz will soon bring its new C 63 AMG Edition 507 model to the UK. From July, customers will be able to purchase either the model in either a saloon, estate or coupe guise. The 'thundering' Edition 507 model packs an extra 50bhp and 10Nm of torque over standard C 63 AMG models. The extra horsepower and torque allow the Edition 507 to complete the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds (or 4.3 seconds for the estate version). In addition, thanks to the AMG Drivers Package, which de-restricts the top speed, the Edition 507 model is able to power up to an electronically limited top speed of 174mph. Prices for the C 63 AMG Edition 507 start from £66,960 OTR for the saloon version, £68,160 for the estate model and £68,160 for the coupe specification. All models come fitted with 19-inch AMG Cross-Spoke alloy wheels, with a Titanium finish, as well as a 'high-performance' composite brake system, with red brake callipers, and an AMG-style bonnet that is finished in a high black gloss - the same as the colour of the C 63 AMG Black Series Coupe. Within the new model lies 'designo' Black Leather as standard or customers can choose between the optional 'designo' Porcelain Leather, with 'Black DInamica' and contrast stitching, or the 'designo' Black Leather with 'Black Dinamica' as a no-cost option. Six colours are also available for the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Edition 507, which are: Fire Opal, Polar White, Obsidian Black, Irdium Silver and the optional 'designo' Magno Platinum (which will add an additional £3,660 to the price of the car). Written by Glenn Doyle. 'Guess the car' clue: This is a bit of a different one for this manufacturer. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/mercedes-c-63-amg-edition-507-coming-soon-to-uk-22256.aspx Glenn Doyle Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Honda has today confirmed that it will return to Formula One as an engine supplier to the McLaren team starting from the 2015 season. Following months of speculation, the news finally confirms not only the return of a manufacturer which has been absent from the sport since 2008, but also reignites one of the all-time classic F1 partnerships. Honda's first spell in F1 took place between 1964 and 1968 with a full works programme, in that time the Japanese manufacturer won two races. Honda made a return later between 1983 and 1992 as an engine supplier to multiple teams, including a successful spells with Williams. Honda's most famous and successful period as an engine supplier however came through their partnership with McLaren during a five year spell between 1988 and 1992. In this period the original McLaren-Honda partnership garnered four constructor and driver championship titles, including all three titles Ayrton Senna achieved in his career, plus one of the four won by Alain Prost. Turbocharged Honda engines helped to power the McLaren team cars when Senna and Prost were teammates together during one of the most famous eras of F1. By the end of the 1992 season, Honda-powered cars had won a total of 71 Grand Prix races. Honda returned as an engine supplier in 2000 for the BAR team. The manufacturer also supplied engines to the Jordan Grand Prix team in 2001 and 2002, before Honda fully purchased the BAR team in 2006, marking their return as a constructor team. Honda's most recent constructor entry ran until the end of the 2008 season, with one race win to their name, but it was withdrawn from the sport before 2009 due to financial concerns. Today the return to F1 by Honda with McLaren was revealed at a press announcement in Tokyo. The President and CEO of Honda, Takanobu Ito, revealed that major changes to the engine regulations in F1, which will come into play starting from 2014, has largely motivated the manufacturer's return to the sport. Starting from the 2014 season, F1 teams will use 1.6-litre hybrid turbo engines, replacing the current existing 2.4-litre V8 engines in use now. Ito commented: "The new F1 regulations with their significant environmental focus will inspire even greater development of our own advanced technologies and this is central to our participation in F1". The news that Honda will return as an engine supplier for McLaren also confirms an end to a long-lasting engine partnership, between the McLaren team and Mercedes-Benz. The German manufacturer has supplied engines to the British F1 team since 1995. http://www.motortorque.com/car-news/honda-to-reunite-with-mclaren-f1-team-in-2015-22254.aspx Stephen Goldasz Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT