Autoblog

Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Zach Bowman — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Lotus, UK, Racing

Lotus has pulled off the wraps on two new versions of the Exige: the V6 Cup and the V6 Cup R. Based on the Exige S, the V6 Cup is built to be a dual-purpose street and track machine. The 0-60 dash should take just under 3.8 seconds thanks to a full 345 horsepower from a supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine. Weighing in at 2,380 pounds, the V6 Cup should be an absolute riot to drive, and with a full FIA-approved roll cage, fire extinguisher and six-point race harnesses on board, it's plenty safe, too. Two-way adjustable dampers are standard, as are AP Racing four-piston calipers on all four corners. More importantly, drivers can expect to find the Lotus Dynamic Performance Management system in the cockpit, complete with Touring, Sport and DPM Off modes.

The V6 Cup R, meanwhile, is both lighter and offers more horsepower than the standard V6 Cup. The same blown V6 dishes out 366 horsepower in R trim, and the whole contraption tips the scales at 2,292 pounds. Of course, the same spate of race hardware is stock, minus the DPM system. A lightweight battery, track-spec tow loops and quick-release engine cover help separate the Cup R from its more civil sibling, as do performance brake pads and better oil and water cooling systems.

Check out the brief press release below for more information. Both of the new models are headed for a debut at the 2013 Autosport International Show.

Continue reading Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R

Lotus announces race-ready Exige V6 Cup and Cup R originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus ST-powered Mastretta MXT cometh

Zach Bowman — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, South America

Mastretta is reportedly on the verge of pulling back the covers on its latest creation, the MXT-R, at the Autosport International Racing Car Show. According to Autocar, the Mexican sports car will make use of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine lifted from the Ford Focus ST. Tuned to around 285 horsepower, the engine should have no trouble hustling the lightweight MXT-R around a track. Judging from the available photos, the MXT-R will also use the aerodynamic package employed by Mastretta's race car.

Technically, the MXT-R will be used as a development vehicle, though Autocar says customers interested in laying down their hard-earned cash for the car can register at the show booth for more information. Details on performance figures are still missing at the moment, and Mastretta hasn't given the world any notion of how much the MXT-R will cost if it gets built. Of course, that isn't stopping us from wanting to get behind the wheel for a spell...

Ford Focus ST-powered Mastretta MXT cometh originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC, Racing

Caterham SP/300R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The concept of the track car is a relatively new one, bridging the divide between racing cars and road cars. And with the confines of street driving constricting the enjoyment of sports cars on public roads, more and more drivers with the means have been opting for track-optimized performance machines. Particularly in the UK. What better company, then, to join the legions than Caterham?

The niche British sportscar company made a name for itself in continuing the production of the legendary Lotus 7, and while Caterham isn't abandoning that formula by any means, it has announced the new SP/300R as a second line. Built in collaboration with Lola - that of racing car fame - the Caterham SP/300R follows the same Le Mans-style prototype model popularized by rival firm Radical.

Technical details are still being finalized, but the beating heart of this consumer prototype is a 2.0-liter Ford Duratec engine, supercharged and tweaked in-house to the tune of 300 horsepower. The engine is mounted longitudinally amidships and mated to a Hewland sequential transmission, but the chassis is designed to accommodate a range of powertrains at the buyer's request. As is, though, the manufacturer anticipates a 2.5-second sprint to 60, thanks mainly to its tidy 1,300-pound curb weight.

Caterham released the SP/300R as promised at the Autosport International show in Birmingham, England. It will only be building 25 examples of the vehicle each year - with a pre-tax price tag of £60,000 (around $93,000 USD) and plans to launch a spec racing series built around the vehicle as well. A street-legal version is also under consideration, but for now this beast remains confined to the track where it belongs. Follow the jump for a video and the full press release, and check out the trio of images released thus far in the gallery below. Thanks to Andrus for the video tip!

Gallery: Caterham SP/300R

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video]

Caterham counts far beyond Seven with new SP/300R [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC

If you're looking for a bare-bones, no nonsense roadster, the upcoming Autosport International motorsport show in Birmigham, England, is the place to be. That's where Caterham is set to unveil an all-new vehicle, and where Radical is also planning to debut its latest street-legal race car.

Now, that term is used to describe many performance automobiles, but if anyone can lay claim to it, it's Radical. The company makes Le Mans Prototype-style cars that are nominally street legal, but every bit the purebred racers they look like. The SR8 holds the lap record at the Nürburgring, and is soon to be joined in the Radical lineup by the SR3 SL. Fully street legal, the SR3 SL is aimed at track-day enthusiasts looking for a car they can drive to the circuit, lap to their heart's content and then drive back home... just like in the good old days.

The SR3 SL is powered by a 300-horsepower version of the Ford EcoBoost five found in the Focus ST, optimized in-house by Radical. It's mated to a six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox that automatically blips the throttle on the downshift, and with a curb weight under 1,500 lbs, is sure to be a serious thrill ride.

[Source: Radical]

Continue reading Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model

Noah Joseph — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC

Is Caterham an automaker or merely another replicar manufacturer? Considering that the British company currently produces continuation models of the original Lotus Seven exclusively, it'd be tough to argue the former. But Caterham seems intent on breaking new ground, and to that end has announced plans to unveil an "entirely new model" in January.

Little in the way of details have been announced, but Caterham says its new car will mark "the beginning of a new dawn for the Company, but one that remains true to the lightweight, minimalist DNA of the legendary Seven." Intriguing, to say the least.

The model is slated to use a new in-house engine, be built alongside the Seven (pictured above) and debut at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham (England, not Alabama) on January 13, so stay tuned. Official announcement after the jump.

[Source: Caterham]

Continue reading Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model

Caterham to break out of the Seven mold with all-new model originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Jaguar

High res gallery with nine shots available by clicking any image!

Guess this really is racecar revelation Thursday. First Mazda and Peugeot showed off their prototype racers and now we are hearing about production-based racecars. At the same Birmingham show that will see the debut of Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24 customer track car, Jaguar is showing its new XKR GT3 car. The Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham is the place and the car is the race version of Jaguar's sporty new aluminum-bodied, supercharged XKR, this one eligible for the FIA GT3 European Championship.

More info after the jump and click here for the gorgeous high-res gallery of this hot racer.

[Source: Apex Motorsport]

Continue reading Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing

Jaguar XKR GT3 ready to go racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Aston Martin

Aston Martin rocks. Remember back in June when they won their class at the Nürburgring 24 Hours with pretty much a showroom stock V8 Vantage? The one that finished 24th overall out of a field of 220 entrants, most of which were pure race cars? Well, Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez does. He had promised that customers would be able to purchase a similar package for their Vantages soon after. And true to his word, we just got notice of the new N24 spec V8 Vantage will be available at a dealer near you. Already meticulously crafted, these N24 editions will be given even more special attention as they work their way through the assembly process, in a dedicated facility at the firm's Gaydon HQ.

Besides losing its air conditioner and most of its interior as part of the 550-lb Biggest Loser diet, the N24 will be reworked to coax an extra 30 hp from its mellifluous V8. Sidenote - This is the third best-sounding production car in recent years behind the Porsche Carrera GT and the Audi RS4. The Vantage N24 would make an excellent track day car for club racers, but should also be able to run in the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring, the Britcar endurance series, the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the Australian GT Championship and the European Endurance Championship. It might also qualify for the proposed European GT4 series, the Grand-Am Cup and SCCA Touring Car Class in the USA.

On sale now, the N24 will start at £78,720 ($152,350) and will actually debut in the Yokohama booth at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC in a couple of days. We like this trend of factory race cars like the Ferrari F430 Challenge, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, and the Subie rally cars down under

Full press release with specs after the jump.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24

Specing Aston Martin's V8 Vantage N24 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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