New Competition: Win Jaguar XJ Luxury + Abarth Esseesse + £5,000

Jaguar XJ Luxury

Win Jaguar XJ Luxury + Abarth Esseesse + £5,000

Let’s not beat about the bush here. The new Jaguar XJ is easily the best looking executive saloon on sale today. It makes the Audi A8 look bland, the BMW 7-Series look overweight and the Mercedes S-Class look over-styled. It would be fine if that was all it had – Jaguars have survived on much less in the past. But the fact is that the new XJ isn’t just the prettiest car in the class – it’s also the best. Driving down bumpy roads you could think you’re sitting on a sofa, such is the competence of the suspension – then you turn off down a twisty road and the chassis comes alive, changing direction and handling like a car half its size. Because the XJ is made from aluminium it weighs much less than its rivals, so the 3.0 V6 Diesel engine doesn’t need to work as hard and achieves effortless performance while giving excellent economy. So it beats the rivals everywhere so far, and then you look at the interior. Another masterclass in design and function, from the TFT dials to the oh-so-cool rising gear selector, the XJ is pure design greatness inside and out.

Win Jaguar XJ Luxury + Abarth Esseesse + £5,000

Abarth 500 Esseesse

This is the Abarth 500 Esseesse – an even hotter version of the Fiat 500-based standard car that we drove last year. Packing a host of upgrades, it’s one of the most exciting small Fiats in history. While it weighs the same as the standard model at 1,035kg, power from the 1.4-litre turbo jumps 25bhp to 160bhp and torque leaps 24Nm to 230Nm at 3,000rpm. Fiat says the car travels from a 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 131mph...

Win Jaguar XJ Luxury + Abarth Esseesse + £5,000

2012 BMW M5 skill competition: Win BMW M5 + £10,000

The daddy of performance saloons is back. BMW have learnt a valuable lesson with this latest M5. The previous model was far too laden with technology and it took a lot away from what is the essence of an M5. There were too many gearbox maps, too many suspension settings, and frankly too much to go wrong with the highly strung 5.0 V10 engine. With this new model, everything is simpler, and one thing radically different. The suspension and gearbox work together with only a couple of options including the obligatory ‘M’ button settings.

Win 2012 BMW M5 + 10,000

Under the bonnet is the biggest change though, and one which has upset many diehard M-Gmbh fans. The M5 is back to having a V8 – but this time it has two turbos attached. This, says BMW, is so that they can meet emissions and economy targets, whilst still delivering lots of power and torque. This new V8 pumps out a staggering 560bhp, in a nice subtle 4 door saloon car. Perfectly able to cruise around town one minute, then tear your local twisty road to pieces the next, the M5 has a breadth of abilities wider than most sportscars. The ultimate under-the-radar car has returned…

Win 2012 BMW M5 + 10,000

Jaguar XKR-S competition + £30,000

Power, aggression, bright colours. These aren’t usually terms you would associate with Jaguar, but the company recently felt that there was a corner of the performance car market that they weren’t exploiting – the hardcore coupe market.

Win Jaguar XKR-S + 30,000

Normally occupied by cars like the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, BMW M3 GTS and mainly the Porsche 911 GT3 (& RS), these cars hare track-focussed, yet can also be set about tackling the best roads you can throw at them. To this end, Jaguar took the already fantastic XK-R and set about turning this pussy cat into a snarling beast.

The 5.0 Supercharged V8 gets a power hike up to 542bhp, and with the use of some carbon fibre the cat weighs about 80kg less. This makes for stunning performance with 0-60 mph taking just 4.4 seconds, and the XK-RS tops out at 186mph, or 300km/h for our European friends. Visually the XK-RS gets a new aggressive front bumper with additional air-channelling scoops, and the rear gets a boot spoiler all of which balance the car perfectly at speed. But being a Jaguar, the car can be taken out of Sport mode, and the auto ‘box allows you to cruise in comfort to the track. But once there, the new louder, snarling exhaust will let everyone know that you mean business…

Format:2dr Coupe

Position: Front

Engine Type:V8

Engine Size:5.0 litre

0-62 mph:4.4 sec

Power:542 bhp

Top Speed:186 mph

Retail Price:£ 97,000

Win Jaguar XKR-S + £30,000

Win Range Rover Evoque Prestige

Format: 2dr SUV
Position: Front
Engine Type: i4 Diesel
Engine Size: 2.2 litre
0-62 mph: 9.5 sec
Power: 188 bhp
Top Speed: 124 mph
Retail Price: £ 38,380

Win Range Rover Evoque

This is possibly the most important car in Land Rover’s history. They have taken the Range Rover brand upwards to the highest levels, with the brand now representing the very best in off road luxury vehicles. But times are changing, customers want ecologically friendly cars and petrol becomes ever more expensive. So the Range Rover Evoque is born. Similar in size to the Land Rover Freelander, but sleeker and sportier, the Evoque takes all the best Range Rover attributes and shrinks them to 70% of the size. So you still get great looks (even more so with the Coupe – a 3dr fastback), an amazingly luxurious and well designed interior and exceptional off road ability, but combined with frugal engines, low CO2 emissions and a lower price tag. This SD4 model gets a 190bhp 2.2 litre diesel engine which pumps out under 150g/km of CO2 – very impressive figures. Expect to see the Evoque on every street corner in every major city – this will be THE car to own in 2011…

Win Range Rover Evoque

Mini Cooper John Works + 20 000 pounds competition

Review

This model offers plenty of spunk and attitude and even includes more space than the standard two door hatchback MINI.

Win Mini Cooper + £20,000

Under the hood, you will find great performance. The John Cooper Works Clubman offers a 1.6 liter inline four cylinder engines that produces a whopping 208 horsepower- pretty good for such a small vehicle. In addition, there is even an overboost function which increases the maximum torque from 192 lb ft to 207 lbs ft of torque. Married to this power plant is a six speed manual transmission- this is the only transmission offered to keep its racing heritage. Other special features include the fact that this is a three door hatchback that is about 10 inches longer than the regular mini which is actually a rear opening third passenger side door. Also add to the mix 17 inch cross spoke wheels a nicely done interior trim that is piano black, some stability control, Xenon headlights and a whole bunch of amenities that not only make this vehicle fun to drive, but very comfortable as well.

 

Win Aston Martin Cygnet + £15,000

Win Aston Martin Cygnet + £15,000

Format:2dr City Car
Position:Front
Engine Type:i4
Engine Size:1.3 litre
0-62 mph:11.5 sec
Power:97 bhp
Top Speed:106 mph
Retail Price:£ 30,995


‘Controversial’ – the dictionary will forevermore hold a picture of the Aston Martin Cygnet next to that word. This is a car borne out of necessity. All car manufacturers must reduce the CO2 emissions of their entire range every year, and this isn’t too hard for companies like Porsche who have the diesel hybrid Panamera and Diesel Cayenne models and Ferrari who, being part of the Fiat Group fall back on the results from the Fiat Panda and 500. But Aston Martin have a range of entirely V8 and V12 models, the weakest of which has 420bhp. So what to do in order to meet your targets? In this case Aston have taken a very controversial route, and released a city car.

That’s correct – an Aston Martin with a 1.33 litre engine and less than 100 bhp. To start with they take a Toyota iQ, and add their own Aston front end and rear end treatments to it. This is the least successful part of the transformation, the large grille and bonnet louvres looking slightly out of place. But on the inside they retrim the iQ with exactly the same skill and materials as you get in a DB9, and it looks stunning. Sumptuous leather, quilted seats, leather dashboard, the works. And after all that work you have one of the most unique cars on sale today. Love it or loathe it, the Cygnet is here to stay, and is helping keep V12 Astons on the road for years to come…

Watch video and

Win Aston Martin Cygnet + £15,000

Competition: Win new BMW M5 + £10,000

Win brand new 2011 BMW M5 + £10,000

Format: 4dr Saloon
Position:Front
Engine Type:Twin Turbo V8
Engine Size:4.4 litre
0-62 mph:4.4 sec
Power:560 bhp
Top Speed:190 mph
Retail Price:£ 73,040


The daddy of performance saloons is again back. BMW have learnt a very valuable lesson with this latest BMW M5. The previous model was too laden with technology and it took a lot away from what is the essence of BMW M5. There were too many gearbox maps, too many suspension settings, and frankly also too much to go wrong with the highly strung 5.0 V10 engine. But with this brand new model, everything is simpler, and one thing is radically different. The suspension and gearbox work well together with only a couple of options including the obligatory ‘M’ button settings.

Under the bonnet is the biggest change of all though, and one which has upset many diehard M-Gmbh fans. The BMW M5 is back to having a V8 – but this time it has two turbos attached. This, says BMW, is so that they can meet emissions and economy targets, whilst still delivering tons of power and torque. This brand new V8 pumps out a staggering 560bhp, in a nice subtle 4 door saloon car. Perfectly able to cruise around town one minute, then tear your local twisty road to pieces the next, the BMW M5 has a breadth of abilities wider than most sportscars. The ultimate under-the-radar car has returned…

Win brand new 2011 BMW M5 + £10,000

Ariel Atom Mugen

Win Ariel Atom Mugen

Ariel Atom Mugen

Format: Open Sports
Position: Rear
Engine Type: 4Cyl
Engine Size: 2.0 litre
0-62 mph: 2.9 sec
Power: 270 bhp
Top Speed: 150 mph
Retail Price: £ 55,000

Mental. Bonkers. Crazy. Unhinged. They are just some of the words you could use to describe the Ariel Atom. A featherweight road and track racer with nothing but a few bits of chassis tube and carbon between you and road. A 2.0 litre Honda 4cyl producing 240bhp usually sits in the rear of the Atom, but for this model they send the engine to Honda’s European tuning arm – Mugen. They work their magic and turn the dial up to 11 – meaning 270bhp from the same engine and a 911 GTS RS 4.0-beating 135bhp/litre. This engine in a 500kg car makes for some pretty mind-blowing performance numbers. 0-60mph takes a Veyron-matching 2.9 seconds and 100mph comes up in around 7. But the raw speed is only part of the experience, with the Atom having the steering, handling and dynamics to more than match the crazy power output. Even the best drivers will be able to get the best out of the Mugen, and on road not much will be able to touch you…

Win Ariel Atom Mugen

Caterham Super Sport - Win it + £20,000

Win Caterham Super Sport + £20,000

Format: Open Sports
Position: Front
Engine Type: 4Cyl
Engine Size: 1.6 litre
0-62 mph: 4.9 sec
Power: 140 bhp
Top Speed: 120 mph
Retail Price: £ 22,995

When most people think of the ultimate Caterham 7 their mind always goes to the ‘R’ variants – the Caterham R300 or R500. But they have their drawbacks - price being one big one. There is also a lot to be said for the phrase ‘power corrupts’ - it doesn’t just apply to politicians. The ‘R’ models sometimes feel like there is too much power for the chassis, and aren’t very easy to drive because of that. Well Caterham have listened, and have taken the best bits from the R’s and teamed them up with a 140bhp 1.6 litre engine. This gives more than adequate performance in a 520kg car, and enables the driver to exploit every last bit of adjustability from the chassis. It also means the car costs about half the top R500.

What you get for your money is a Seven with the suspension from the R’s, and an LSD out back. You can steer on the throttle and enjoy every sensation without worrying that every press of the accelerator might land you an uncomfortable meeting with a judge…

Win Caterham Super Sport + £20,000

Aston Martin Virage Volante Review - Win IT!

WHEN it comes to evocative names, few companies have
such a abundant list as Aston Martin. Occasionally, though, the auto doesn’t live nearly the badge.
The initial 1988 Virage was
a minimal point, so can that new
version finally do the name
justice? We took the wheel of
the Volante drop-top to find away.

Win Aston Martin Virage

At first glance, you could possibly
think this is an additional missed opportunity. The Aston Martin Virage is
using the DB9, and although it provides a new front end, more sculpted side sills in addition to LED
running lights, that doesn’t really seem much different. So precisely why
does it warrant a different name?


Well, the Virage is designed
to stay between the DB9 plus the DBS, aiming to provide the best
of all possible worlds – a refined GT
and also a full-fat supercar if you up the pace. Beneath the bonnet, the 6.0-litre V12 makes 490bhp – that’s 20bhp less
than inside DBS, but 20bhp
high on the standard model.

Despite the visual tweaks,
it’azines still hard to identify any difference. However, it can look good, adding several sharpness
to the DB9’s shape. At the same time
as a new system, the Virage gets clean 20-inch alloy trolley wheels,
carbon ceramic brakes as well as updated adaptive dampers. The immaculate multi-layered flip hood looks as classy
as ever. In fact, it fits so comfortably that it feels akin to a coupé with the rooftop up.

In the earlier, driving an Aston Martin without a roof structure could be
a unsure experience. But those times are now well as well as truly
over, and the visible difference between coupé and Volante is barely
perceptible. The revised dampers provide a firm but up to date
ride, making it if at all possible suited to
its twin purpose as a long-
distance cruiser as well as a sports
car, while the particular steering is well measured.

The Virage offers
a good engaging experience at
virtually any speed, but set the actual revised three-stage balance control
to Track, and you will safely explore the restricts of what
the car is capable of. There may be huge acceleration available, although throttle response could be a touch sharper, all is actually forgiven when
you pick up the throaty roar associated with
the V12 engine – specially
with the roof bare-assed back. The familiar six-speed automatic gear case is smooth and well suited to the Virage’utes effortless performance, too.

In transition from Coupé to be able to Volante, the Virage gets 105kg, taking its entire weight up to 1,890kg. Ultimately, it’azines carrying this extra large around that
limits your drop-top’s powerful
ability. However, viewed like a
stylish and beautifully manufactured GT, with a wicked turn of pace as needed, this is an superb
addition to the Aston family.

Win Aston Martin Virage

Audi R8....4 days left

The Porsche 911 had it easy for years, with no real rival for the sheer thrill of driving. Then from out of nowhere came Audi, with a futuristic coupe ready to fight for its crown. The R8's looks blew people away...and then they fired the engine. A 4.2 V8, putting out over 400bhp, 4wd for security in all weather, and an exhaust reminiscent of a NASCAR racing car. Now established as a firm favourite, Porsche still aren't quite sure what hit them...

Audi RS3 Sportback competition sweepstakes

Win Audi RS3 Sportback

What is it?

The particular RS3 is Audi’utes belated entry into this realm of serious scorching hatches. Like an S3, but faster. It goes on sale in planting season 2011, priced at £ixl,900.

Technical highlights?

This’s essentially a TT RS with a further practicality of a five-door hatchback body, so there’s of which sonorous five-pot turbo up front and also all-wheel drive, although a seven-speed, double-clutch paddle change gearbox comes as normal.

Win Audi RS3 Sportback

What’s it like to drive?

On the frosty blacktop of northern Quebec , canada ,, it’s terrific. Around the pure snow and ice – and on winter old tyres – it’s absolutely fantastic. It starts with the engine note, all heavy and rich and easy and it’s strong, right from the show of the key.

This gearbox is as rapid and slick as you expect of a DSG, however it does make launching it problematical. Get it right, however, and there’s a new fury of glorious sound and a brief scrabbling of 19in rubber.

It might not always be as focused a drive as the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, but it has a broader selection of abilities, as evidenced simply by its ability to very easily, progressively, hold long four-wheel drifts with ice and snow but still have the balance being flung between tarmac esses. It’s also faster. Well, it can feel faster and a several.6sec sprint to 60mph is just several tenths slower than the R8 V10 and the particular torque is so strong, it’s always prepared.

Still, its steering isn’t brilliant nevertheless the rear differential does the best to compensate, as also does the gearbox.

How will it compare?

The undeniably exciting and talented Mini Bob Cooper Works, Ford Focus RS and Renaultsport Megane 250 are approximately ten grand cheaper, then again they are only the front-drivers. Then there’azines the AWD 268bhp Volkswagen Golf R (in essence the same as the actual Audi RS3, minus a cyndrical tube, and £32K in marketplace analysis spec). But the speed, sound and badge hoard should sway plenty of individuals towards the Audi.

Other things I need to learn?

There are a handful of oddball things, not very least of which is that it will only be on sales for around 18 many weeks, because that’s while Audi stops making A3 bodies. The very first is that the front wings are carbonfibre, to allow for the 22mm wider track, while the rears are wider only through messing with the wheel offsets. Amazing . that the front tyres are 235/35 R19s – which might be 10mm wider than the rear boots. That’ll be fun come replacement occasion...

Win Audi RS3 Sportback

May Super Cars Competition Line Up

This month you can win these cars:

Category 1 Prizes (£20 ticket)

McLaren MP4-12C
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ferrari California
Bentley Continental GT Coupe
Aston Martin Rapide
£100,000 Cash

Category 2 Prizes (£10 ticket)

Audi R8 V8
Nissan GT-R + £10,000
Jaguar XKR
Porsche 911 Black Edition
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
£60,000 Cash

Category 3 Prizes (£5 Ticket)

BMW M3 Coupe
Porsche Cayman R
Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE
Mercedes SLK 350
Audi RS3 Sportback + £5,000
£35,000 Cash

Play Now

Win 2012 Jaguar XKR: Skill Competition

Win a Brand New Jaguar XKR. Drive the car of your dreams next month.
This is a skill competition, no lottery. It is entirely up to you whether you win or not.

Win 2012 Jaguar XKR

Check Jaguar XKR specifications:

Format: 2dr Coupe
Position: Front
Engine Type: V8
Engine Size: 5.0 litre
0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
Power: 522 bhp
Top Speed: 174 mph
Retail Price: £ 85,500

Watch Commercial Video of the new 2011 Jaguar XKR

Win 2012 Jaguar XKR

Mercedes C63 AMG Estate Road Test Review

Seems like the Mercedes C63 AMG estate incorporates a bit of breathing room. Why? Because if anyone’re in the industry for a circa-£50k muscle estate, you’re option is seriously limited. BMW still did not come through with the actual M3 Touring and at this time there’ll be no RS4 Avant this moment (just the V6 S4 Avant and RS5 coupe), the option of upsizing to the M5 or RS6 Touring V10s, or taking your life in your hands which has a sub-£40k deal around the Chrysler 300CSRT-8 or a really random punt on a great Aussie-import VXR8 house. See what we mean?

Win Mercedes C63 AMG Estate

Isn’t that due to the fact nobody wants a gas-guzzling people lugger?

Oftentimes. But there’s still – albeit greatly reduced – sales of performance saloons, so the C63 estate’s extra versatility could be ticket for petrolhead dads as well as active types. Of course, all the stuff we loved about the C63 saloon is present and correct too: the actual sure-footed, fun-to help-exploit chassis; the polished and quick seven-rate auto; those brilliantly support bucket seats; and, lastly, the frankly amazing some.2-litre V8.
Continue on then, indulge me.

How much of an engine. There’s some sort of muscle car soundtrack through down low and immediate, rampant torque complemented with a hunger for revs as well as a buzzsaw scream towards this 6800rpm redline that primary impressions tell you not to ever expect. Look at the C63 piston and a person’ll get an thought as to why this is – it’s incredibly vast, allowing the stroke to get comparatively short to the advantages of soaring revs.

You must watch yourself, though. Change the traction control off of and it’s extremely, very easy to experience third gear powerslides traveling. Do the same in a M3 and the BMW will also oblige, however you have to make an infinitely more determined effort to understand slipping.

Win Mercedes C63 AMG Estate

2011 BMW M3 Coupe skill competition

BMW's iconic M3 Coupe received a total redesign for 2008 as well as beyond. Based on the brand new 3-Series Coupe, the new M3 has a revived interior, exterior, and physical underpinnings. The M3 targets the Lexus IS-F, Audi RS5, and Mercedes CLK63 AMG.

Win BMW M3 Coupe

The car incorporates a high-revving powerplant like the M3s of previous several years, but this time this motor is a V8. What's more , it features tuned suspension, a six-speed manual transmission, a carbon fiber roofing, and all the outside modifications typical of a good "M" car.

The M3's V8 powerplant offers two more cylinders in comparison with its predecessor, delivering 414 horsepower from 4.0 litters and maximum torque of 295 pound-feet at 3,900 rpm. In keeping with BMW's high-revving "M" tradition, maximum engine swiftness is 8,300 revolutions per minute. The engine is the actual lightest V8 in the globe, weighing less than the last M3's inline-six.

Reminiscent of the carbon fiber roof cell used on the M6 coupe, the M3's CFRP roof reductions unnecessary weight, and lessens the car's center involving gravity. It also enables the roof edge look flatter and thus lessens the perceived body elevation.

The production M3 is definitely pictured with 18-inch wheels, though BMW is also expected to provide 19-inch alloys just like the Y-spoke ones showcased on the M3 concept.

Pricing
Pricing starts from $58,400. Compared to the previous-generation M3 Coupe, the revolutionary two-door is around $8,000 more expensive. Of course, it packs a whole lot additional punch, too.

A premium package, priced at $one,900, offers power flip-style mirrors, universal garage operator, digital compass mirror, BMW Assist, Novillo Leather inner surface and choice of three optional interior trims.

Win BMW M3 Coupe

This technology package includes EDC, M Drive, Comfort and ease Access, and a routing system -- all for $3250.

19" wheels usually are $1200, Electronic Damping Command is $1000, and Expanded Novillo Leather can become had for $2000 being a standalone option or $1000 with the advanced package. Enhanced premium seem is $1900.

Buyers searching for an open-air expertise can opt to remove the car's standard graphite roof and replace this with a regular material top and integrated wine glass moonroof.

Porsche 911 GTS cabriolet to be won

o 300 kW (408 hp) at 7,300 rpm
o 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 s
o Top speed: 306 km/h
o Combined: 10.8 l/100 km (26.2 mpg)*
o CO2 emissions: 254 g/km*

Win Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet

What's it like?

The actual cabrio gains a few kilos, as you may well expect, but it maintains many of the points of interest of the hard-top, while using Powerkit (an £8241 solution on a Carrera S), plenty of Alcantara inside of, the wider tracks of the Porsche Carrera 4S platform along with the purity of rear generate.

It’s even a bit quicker to 62mph in PDK form, and an exceptionally tall seventh gear provides it with better overall economy and CO2 emissions. You obtain gearshift paddles too, by the way, instead of the exasperating button set-up. Provided that this car costs pretty much £6k less than some sort of Carrera S Cabriolet built in with the Powerkit and PDK – and it offers more beyond those options – it looks a relative good deal.

The Porsche GTS cabriolet feels confident, but the real luster of the coupé is diminished. The modest power gain seems less recognizable amid the extra almost all the convertible, and using much of the more enjoyment beyond 6000rpm, anyone’ll need to be very committed to open-air pace in case you’re to savour the idea.

The steering loses a little of its crispness, too. The item’s accurate enough, nevertheless a little of the actual bite and keen turn-in has been traded off, perhaps to face the additional weight.

Naturally, the PDK gearbox is definitely fast, but it offers none of the tactual brilliance of the manual shift. At least they are available in proper paddle shifters. Plus a Porsche GTS cabriolet with this indication is marginally more sophisticated at motorway cruising compared to manual, purely because of a seventh ratio that thinks extremely tall (it’azines probably the reason to its slight advantage in As well as emissions and economy, actually).

Can i buy one?

The final result is a GTS that’s less fun to drive than the coupé. But, the same can become said for any roofless 911. So, if you're in the market for some sort of 911 Cabriolet, the GTS is the finest soft-top on supply. Even with the a lot more limited effect of the particular Powerkit, it still gives enough extras for your money to be the worth proposition in the array.

Win Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet