Ferrari Confirms V12 Hybrid Future

The future of Ferrari V12s has been secured by hybrid technology that will ensure the company can hit its CO2 targets without having to compromise on engine layout.

At the launch of the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta earlier this month, Ferrari made a veiled reference to the future use of V12 engines in its range by describing the car as “the first in a new generation of V12s”.

It is understood that environmental pressures had forced Ferrari to evaluate other engine layouts, but development of the F1-derived KERS system has given it the opportunity to keep V12s in its line-up. “We will roll out new technology that is there first and foremost to introduce a green factor to our cars and ensure that we can keep our product where it is in terms of CO2,” Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa told Autocar.

“Our hybrid system won’t just be about creating power, but saving energy, too. Yes, that technology is expensive today, but the road ahead is open and evolution will bring down the cost and weight disadvantages.
“I’m not saying when, but it is possible that this technology will be on all Ferraris. It has been designed to fit all our future architecture, and if we go ahead it will be fitted as standard. It is not the sort of thing you offer as an option.”

The firm first experimented with hybrids in the 2010 HY-KERS concept, an otherwise stock Ferrari 599 GTB with a KERS system. It featured a low-capacity electric motor at the front to drive ancillaries when running on electric power alone, and a rear-mounted one rated at 100bhp and 110lb ft. The battery cells was spread over the floorpan.

A production version of this system is first expected to be adopted in the next Enzo, which will feature a mid-mounted V12.

As part of its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, Ferrari is also considering adopting six-cylinder engines. Felisa hinted that such engines were likely following F1’s push in that direction.

“Why not six cylinders?” said Felisa. “It is far away in the future, perhaps, but it is clear perceptions have altered. Even in the US, where until a few years ago eight cylinders was the minimum, it is clear attitudes have changed. We have to think in that direction.”

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Renault Megane 2.0T Renaultsport 265 Cup Review

What is it?
Renault has savagely pruned its UK range, but it knows what it is good at and the Renaultsport cars are safe. The whole Renault Megane range has had a refresh with extra splashes of chrome or gloss black inside, and further mutants of the already mutant-looking nose now with strips of daytime LEDs. These form part of the 'F1 blade' on the Renaultsport models, which can also have a Red Design pack with red accents on the blade, the side strakes, the rear diffuser and the wheel rims.

That's how you might spot the latest Renaultsport Megane, but more important is that the 261bhp previously restricted to the limited-run Trophy version is now on tap in the regular cars, now (metrically) known as Renaultsport Megane 265. As usual there are Cup and normal versions, the latter costing an extra £1200 (making £26,025) and featuring squashier seats, various superfluous gadgets and softer suspension.

Also as usual you can have the Cup chassis on your non-Cup, the £1350 it costs bringing you a GKN torque-biasing differential (maximum torque-difference ratio 2.3 to one) as well as the firmer suspension with 35 per cent stiffer front springs, 38 per cent stiffer rear ones and an overall 15 per cent rise in roll stiffness. Red calipers for the Brembo brakes, too.

What’s it like?
But the key thing is the enhanced engine. You have to press the ESP button to switch it from the former 247bhp default position to the new 261bhp, simultaneously loosening the ESP strictures. Keep it pressed and all traction and stability aids are extinguished and the Megane 265's true character can show through.

Some cars get a bit unruly when the electronics are off, suggesting the systems have a bit of a sticking-plaster role. Not so the 265. On the fast-but-technical Monte Blanco circuit the Cup proved as friendly as a 2.0-litre hatchback able to hit just shy of 160mph can be, tucking in beautifully as you come off the brakes and turn, drifting all-of-a-piece if the entry speed was too ambitious, nailing the torque to the road as you spear towards the exit and the diff does its stuff.

It's the sort of car that helps you out, waits for you to act, works with you without imposing an agenda. And it's mighty rapid: the 250 could feel curiously flat and undramatic, especially after the old-generation R26, but the bite and the brilliant torque spread are right back in the 265 along with the deep, granular exhaust note overlaid with the whoosh of expelled air plus some upshift pops and bangs for good measure. The almost-racing Recaros and the optional telemetry system add to the drama, too.

We didn't get to drive the Cup on the road, but we did try the regular 265 which still has the same non-steering front struts with separate hub carriers steering on an outboard axis. It's meant to reduce torque steer, but such are the forces involved that there's still some gentle tugging.

Should I buy one?
It's all part of the 265's talkative nature, which goes well with the explosive overtaking ability and the way this car rewards gentle, delicate, measured inputs. I reckon the non-Cup chassis is just fine for road use, firm but never harsh, ultra-responsive, always rewarding, and on dry roads you don't really miss the clever differential. Either way, the Renaultsport 265 is one of the truly great hot hatches. Even if Renault does call it a coupe.

John Simister
Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup
Price: £24,825; 0-62mph: 6.0sec; Top speed: 158mph; Economy: 34.4mpg; CO2: 190g/km; Kerbweight: 1379kg; Engine type, cc: 4cyls, 1998cc, petrol, turbo; Installation: Transverse; Power: 261bhp at 5500rpm; Torque: 265lb ft at 3000-5000rpm; Gearbox: 6-spd manual

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Jeep to Debut Six New Concept Models at Moab Easter Safari

Like every year, Jeep is once again planning to wow the crowds at the 2012 edition of the Easter Safari event, which will take place in Moab, Utah, on March 31.

The Detroit company says it has prepared a total of six concept models, three of which are being teased today through these renderings.

The three Jeep studies shown here are the Mighty FC pickup truck concept, the J-12 that looks like a Wrangler fitted with the odd fascia of the 1960s Jeep Gladiator, and the Wrangler Apache.

Full article:  http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/jeep-to-debut-six-new-concept-models-at.html

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Mitsubishi's Budget Mirage Supermini Enters Production, Launches in Thailand

The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage, a basic supermini that we aboriginal saw at aftermost year's Tokyo Motor Show, has entered alternation assembly at the company's aboriginal branch at Laem Chabang in Thailand.

The Japanese automaker's "global bunched car" will aboriginal go on auction in Thailand abutting anniversary afore it is exported to added Southeast Asian countries followed by Japan, Europe and added markets about the apple after this year.

"I am admiring to present the Mirage aboriginal in Thailand," said Osamu Masuko, President of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Full article:  http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/03/mitsubishi-budget-mirage-supermini.html

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The Mouse that Roars: Custom Lotus Exige with 680rwhp is Insane

Lotus has always designed sports cars that are fast, light and handle superbly. The fact that most its models fall into the flyweight category eseentially eliminates the need for extremely powerful engines.

But not for one Lotus owner who wasn't content with his stock Lotus Exige. Enter the world of Frank Profera from California.

After six years of constant development and numerous upgrades, Profera and his team have tweaked the British sports car's 1.8-liter twin-turbocharged engine to the point that it currently pushes 680-horsepower at the wheels (which means 700hp or more at the crankshaft).

At the same time, the coupe's weight stands at a very low 2,150 pounds (975 kilos). We don't know if it’s the fastest Lotus –that title probably goes to Hennessey's 1,200hp Lotus-based Venom GT – but it's surely one of the runner ups.

You can watch the Exige in action in the video from Drive after the jump.

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750HP Aston Martin vs 626HP Mercedes SLR McLaren vs 560HP Nissan GT-R

Here's further proof that horsepower numbers can be hugely deceiving. A completely stock Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren with 626-ponies goes up against a lightly tuned Nissan GT-R with a Stage 2 kit and 560-horses and in a separate race, an Aston Martin DBS upgraded with a supercharger by Mansory pushing out 750-horsepower.

To see how the one mile (1.6 kilometers) drag strip race went down, hit the break to watch the short video clip.

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A Street Full of Tuned Rolls Royce Phantom Limos, Coupes and Convertibles

How often do you see a street occupied by a plethora of Rolls Royce Phantom models of all sorts including the limo, the Coupe and the Drophead Coupe variants?

But wait, did we mention that all Phantoms were custom tuned? Now that's a sight you never forget.

You'd be inclined to believe that such a happening would most likely take place in Dubai, and you'd be partially right. We say partially because the street is named Dubai but it's not located in the United Arab Emirates but on the other side of the world in Tokyo, Japan.

Make your way through the jump to watch the videos.

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