Zauber ZR1

Weighing a mere 520kgs (excluding driver) and boasting 290PS from its 1400cc engine the Zauber ZR1 {link} is a highly entertaining drive. Designed to be fun, fast and realistically priced the ZR1 definitely succeeds at being fun and fast.
2009 sees Zauber organising the Top40 race series for identical ZR1s. Aimed at drivers over 40 the series hopes to offer exciting racing without young "hotshots" and their associated hype and accidents.
As is to be expected the ZR1 comes with a full safety cage, Schroth {link} 6 point harness, fire extinguisher and carbon crash structure. the car also comes with adjustable aerodynamics front and rear plus adjustable dampers and ride height, allowing driver to tailor their car to their very own driving style.

Volkswagen Touareg R50.

Volkswagen’s R50 Touareg is the first R edition to be a diesel. Naturally it is no ordinary diesel, it is a tuned version of the mighty 4.9 litre V10 TDI. Producing 350PS (instead of the normal V10’s 313PS) the R50 also has an astonishing 850Nm of torque available from 2000 rpm. This extra power and torque equips VW’s R50m with sprightly performance figures, especially when one considers that the R50 tips the scales at close to 2.75 tonnes!
The Touareg R50 isn’t a true performance vehicle though, it is after all a large SUV. Handling is not a weak point of the R50 but it offers more comfort than precision cornering. With adaptive dampers and adjustable ride height there isn’t an on-road surface that disturbs the R50, off-road and the handicap of 21” sports tyres hold back what could be a more than capable performance.
To take the Volkswagen Touareg R50 off-road is almost to miss the point of this special version. The R50 has been created to fill a small niche in the SUV market, the niche that requires excellent comfort, exclusivity, performance and economy. There is no other SUV that challenges the R50 as a complete package; faster SUVs are far more costly to run, more economical SUVs are far slower, most are less comfortable. It is fair to say that there are many SUVs that cost a lot less than Volkswagen’s range topping R50 though…
At around £70,000 the R50 is certainly not cheap, yet it offers a package that is highly appealing and remarkably well put together.
The most impressive aspect of Volkswagen’s Touareg R50 is that it proves that the R department are capable of producing remarkable cars giving great hope for the R36 Passat and future R models in the Volkswagen {link} range.

TECH SPEC Volkswagen Touareg R50:~ 5 seat, 5 door SUV. 4921cc 10 cylinder water-cooled diesel V engine producing 350PS @ 3500rpm. 6 speed automatic gearbox. Four wheel drive. Weight 2726kgs. Top speed 145mph. 0-62mph 9.8 seconds.

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

Porsche {link} have had a 911 Turbo Cabriolet in their range for 20 years and with approximately half of all 911 sales being cabriolets there is no under estimating just how import this version of the 911 Turbo. This is latest incarnation of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet is arguably the best Porsche have yet produced. Certainly it makes a good impression on paper.
With four-wheel drive and 480PS this is a very rapid cabriolet; not as fast as the Mercedes SLR McLaren but rapid all the same. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 4 seconds before a top speed of 192mph is reached. With ample torque from low revs (620Nm @ 1950rpm) and an excellent 6-speed gearbox the 911 Turbo Cabriolet can be powered along B roads at impressive (and highly enjoyable) speeds. The optional ceramic brakes really inspire confidence and combine perfectly with the suspension and four-wheel drive system to ensure acceleration and deceleration grip is far in excess of that required for road use.
Performance figures for any cabriolet now include the all important “roof time”; how quickly does the roof open or close. The Porsche 911 Cabriolet is certainly no slouch in the roof department taking 20 seconds for transition between its two states (open and closed). More impressively and possibly more importantly, the roof will close or open at road speeds of up to 30mph. Operated by the press of a button or remotely the 3-layer roof offers good sound and weather insulation. With a concealed roll bar the 911 Turbo Cabriolet offers classic styling and wonderful wind-in-the-hair motoring yet none of the purposeful coupe styling has been lost. Build quality is typical Porsche, solid and top class.
The Porsche is an excellent cabriolet, as a performance or sports coupe it is also impressive. As an everyday sports cabriolet the Porsche is probably the best option available offering everything a driver could want.

Porsche Cayenne GTS.

Porsche {link} have added a genuinely sporty model to the Cayenne range, the Cayenne GTS. With 405PS from its improved 4.8 litre V8 engine (a 20PS increase over standard) the GTS is powerful and responsive. Combined with a lower final drive ratio (4.1:1 rather than 3.55:1) the performance figures of the GTS are good; for a 2.3 tonne SUV a 0-62 time of 6.5 seconds is quick and the top speed of 155mph is more than adequate (these figures are not stunningly different to those of the Cayenne S it must be said).
Where the Porsche Cayenne GTS is a noticeable improvement over the Cayenne S is in handling, it sits 24mm lower to the ground and has the fabled PASM active damping system fitted. This allows more speed to be carried through corners and results in a far more enjoyable and rewarding drive. By setting the suspension and engine to sport mode the GTS is an enthralling and rapid vehicle, allowing B road miles to be dispatched quickly, safely and enjoyably all with a glorious V8 rumble from the 4-exit (GTS specific) exhaust system.
Porsche have styled the Cayenne GTS in a similar vane to the Turbo with large intakes on the front bumper. The GTS also has wheel arch extensions and a rear roof spoiler that separate it from other models. The optional 21” wheels (fitted with 295/35 tyres) complete the exterior styling perfectly (they do however ensure that the GTS is a road SUV and not an all surface SUV). The interior benefits from new sports seats front and rear and they are definitely required. The extra lateral support they offer (both front and rear seats) is much appreciated when the GTS is driven to its capabilities.
The GTS fits between the Cayenne S (385PS) and the range topping 500PS Cayenne Turbo although one feels that power output is a little low; a total of 420-430PS would have been far better. The three letters GTS have always symbolised something special with Porsche, think of the 928 and even the 924 and you think of distinct power gains and the surge of adrenaline, the Cayenne GTS isn’t quite as impressive. Certainly it is beautifully responsive, it handles exceptionally well and is fast it just isn’t what a GTS should be. The Cayenne GTS should have been based on the Turbo… Design to be the sports version of the Cayenne the GTS is a very enjoyable SUV and that does offer sporty performance as good as, if not better than its competitors.

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI.

With a name that is bound to cause difficulty in the dealerships Volkswagen’s {link} small SUV is proving to be a better drive than it is name. Styled along the lines of the larger Touareg the Tiguan looks all Volkswagen, both internally and externally.
Component quality is to the usual high standard; the interior is modern, very practical and uses top quality materials. Space is good throughout the Tiguan, especially in the rear. The boot offers good capacity which can be boosted by folding the split rear seats flat. So in terms of space and quality then Volkswagen Tiguan is impressive.
Once driving the Tiguan continues to impress with solid handling and good comfort. The 140PS TDI engine provides ample power and torque allowing sprightly process to be made everywhere. Certainly the TDI Tiguan is no GTI but it offers class leading handling benefiting from crisp steering and very capable braking. The permanent four wheel drive system adds excellent traction to the Tiguan’s excellent suspension.
The Tiguan is more than capable when tarmac turns to mud with ample ground clearance and minimal overhangs. A question mark does remain over the off road capabilities of the 18” Goodyear F1 tyres which appear far more suitable on road than on mud and rocks. Perhaps the tyres are a clear clue as to where the Tiguan will spend most of its driving time…..
Volkswagen’s Tiguan is a later comer to the compact SUV market and this must be a good thing. The Tiguan is a class leader and no mistake. With permanent four wheel drive, excellent suspension, steering and brakes plus ample internal space all using high quality products this compact SUV offers excellent value for money.

BMW M3.

The new BMW M3 Coupe is an exciting car and make no mistake. It’s 2 door, rear wheel drive with 420PS from a 4 litre V8 engine. The latest incarnation of BMW’s {link} iconic M3 series is a thoroughly enjoyable and dramatic performance Coupe. When fitted with all the electronic gadgetry available the M3 Coupe is excellent in all conditions, the dampers adjusting to give enough comfort through town but offering taught and predictable handling when in sport mode. Add in the extra performance from the steering, differential and engine once the M pack buttons have been pressed and the M3 is a sheer joy to drive on twisty B roads. The responsive nature of the whole car allows the driver to power into, through and out of corners using the wonderful V8 engine to its maximum.
What a pleasure the V8 engine is, free revving and powerful; especially in terms of torque with 400Nm @ 3900rpm. The 4 chrome exhaust pipes add extra styling to the M3 Coupe both visually and aurally, allowing even those at the roadside to enjoy the beauty of Bavarian V8 power.
The major negative point of the M3 is unfortunately fuel consumption, which is on par with the considerably quicker Porsche GT2. Certainly the M3 Coupe was never going to be frugal but with high fuel consumption and a small fuel tank visits to petrol pumps will feature highly on any owners driving experience. This thirst for the Middle East’s finest takes the shine off an otherwise extremely enjoyable driving experience. With fuel prices seemingly on a weekly increase the M3 Coupe could suffer at the hands of equally enjoyable but less thirsty South German competition.
It is undeniable that the BMW M3 Coupe offers tremendous performance at what must be seen as a reasonable cost. Its performance is comparable with many far more expensive out-and-out sports cars, which is both remarkable and praiseworthy. The new BMW M3 Coupe is the best M3 yet produced of that there should be no doubt, it is thoroughly at home in normal traffic situations and is sheer driving enjoyment on the open road. It is not without faults (cabin space isn’t generous for example) nor is it cheap to run but the driving pleasure is impressive for those who own this car.
TECH SPEC BMW M3:~ 4 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3999cc 8 cylinder water-cooled V8 engine producing 420PS @ 8300rpm. 6 speed gearbox. Limited Slip Differential. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 170mph (with M pack fitted). 0-62mph 4.9 seconds, 0-124mph 16.7 seconds.

Mercedes C 63 AMG.

Is the C 63 AMG’s (and therefore Mercedes {link}) answer to the BMW M3 and Audi RS4? Yes it is. Does it compare favourably to BMW’s icon and Audi’s massively impressive class leader? Once again the answer has to be yes. Thanks to AMG {link} and their development the basic facts make impressive reading. A 6.2 litre V8 producing 457PS and 600Nm of torque all driving the rear wheels. The Audi and BMW are certainly lagging behind in the power and torque stakes. A little surprisingly the C 63’s chassis handles the power well, having competent handling on virtually all road surfaces. Steering inputs can feel vague when driving at speed but otherwise the Mercedes is more than capable, proving to be extremely enjoyable when the road conditions allow.
The C 63 benefits from updated electronics over the standard C Class; the automatic gearbox has a paddle shift system for those who prefer to control gear changes. The ESP system has a standard as well sport setting, for dramatic powerslides the ESP can be switched off. These features give the opportunity to really test the car’s limits. In reality though most owners will never use the paddles to shift, nor will they ever switch the ESP off.
The Mercedes is slightly more subtly styled than its Bavarian competition, which can be seen as a plus point, although it certainly is no shrinking violet. Internally the Mercedes is a little on the cramped side but this is forgotten when the accelerator is pushed to the floor!
The Mercedes C 63 AMG is an awesomely quick saloon car and does provide a realistic alternative to both the Audi RS4 and BMW M3. It isn’t, however, a better car than either of its German compatriots. It is so close to the M3 and RS4 that it is difficult to say it is noticeably worse than either of its competitors it just doesn’t quite feel as complete a package.
The only major question mark about the C 63 is Mercedes quality, especially as the 2 year warranty isn’t as good as either of it competitors. If there are no quality issues then a Mercedes C 63 AMG will provide enjoyable, dynamic and exhilarating motoring for its owner.
TECH SPEC MERCEDES C 63 AMG:~ 5 seat, 5 door Saloon. 6208cc 8 cylinder water-cooled V8 engine producing 457PS @ 6800rpm. 7 speed automatic gearbox. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 155mph (limited). 0-62mph 4.7 seconds, 0-124mph 15.6 seconds.

Mini Clubman.

Another British motoring name is rescued from obscurity. BMW {link} have now launched the Mini Clubman to complement the standard Mini {link}. The original Mini Clubman was basically an normal Mini with an estate back attached, nothing has changed – at least not at first glance. The new Mini Clubman is an estate of that there can be no doubt; it is also very clearly a Mini. The new, large centre instrument is striking but annoyingly hard to read easily and this is the story in other areas too. The single suicide door allowing access to the rear passenger compartment is novel. On right hand drive models it has the immense draw back of forcing passengers to alight into to road and traffic because it is on the right hand side of the car only, fine for Europe but not so good for here! Space and luggage capacity isn’t fantastic either, the Clubman isn’t a serious load carrier, and there are far bigger estate cars available for the same or less money.
Once on the move though the gripes are nearly all forgotten, the new Mini Clubman is still a tremendously enjoyable drive. It feels a tad slower than its smaller sibling but still offers plenty of smiles per mile! The new Efficient Dynamic feature takes a little getting used to but does offer a noticeable fuel saving. When the Clubman comes to a stop and neutral is engaged the engine stops; it’s not as dramatic as it seems honestly. As soon as the clutch pedal is slightly depressed the engines springs back into life and away you motor. The system isn’t completely faultless as take off from stationary is sometimes a bit juddery. The system isn’t exactly new either; Volkswagen tried a similar system on the Golf 2.
The Clubman offers all the joys of a Mini with extra luggage capacity; it is a fun yet small estate car that will undoubtedly prove to be a success. As already mentioned there are more practical estates available but very few that prove to be as much fun to drive or as nicely styled.

Porsche GT2.

Two letters and one number always mean something special with Porsche! The current GT3 is undoubtedly a stunningly fast car that captivates drivers with its power and handling and is rated as the best current Porsche {link} for sheer enjoyment and performance.
The GT2 is the ultimate performance incarnation of the current 911 (997). In theory the GT2 is a homologation special built for racing, that’s certainly how it started out when the first GT2 was introduced all those years ago. This incarnation of the GT2 is far more than a race car that happens to be road legal. Certainly it is powerful enough; with 530PS and 680Nm of torque from its turbocharged 3.6 litre flat six engine this is the most powerful 997 currently available (This engine is also used by the 997 Turbo but has 50PS extra in the GT2.). The power delivery from the engine is astonishing, the surge between 2200 and 4500rpm is both dramatic and exceptionally satisfying; the urgency with which the GT2 reaches its top speed of just over 200mph is most impressive.
For the less confident driver Porsche’s ESP and launch control allow even a GT2 novice to drive quickly and thoroughly enjoy the experience. The driver aids do hold the car in check but they’re not harsh, for more fun they can of course be switched off. Then the GT2 comes to life and its race car heritage is obvious! With the limited slip differential keeping power fed to the rear wheels even through the most dramatic slides the Porsche GT2 is real joy. Slides are easily controlled and the direct steering never leaves the driver in doubt as to where the wheels are on the road.
The ceramic brakes are excellent, offering powerful braking from any speed. Combined with an excellent suspension set-up the GT2 really does reward its driver and remains easy to drive even on the limit. The PASM suspension not only keeps the GT2 under control when being driven on the limit it also, impressively, helps keep the GT2 a civilised and compliant in and around town.
Porsche’s GT2 is a fantastic car; it is stunningly fast and handles wonderfully. Whilst not cheap the GT2 is a wonderful example of what a sports car should be; stunningly fast on all roads and thoroughly enjoyable to drive. If you have the budget for a GT2 then head down to your nearest dealer and order one, you won’t be disappointed!
TECH SPEC PORSCHE GT2:~ 2 seat, 2 door Sports Coupe with aluminium doors and bonnet. 3600cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat 6 engine producing 530PS @ 6500rpm. 6 speed manual gearbox. Limited Slip Differential. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 203mph. 0-62mph 3.7 seconds, 0-124mph 11.2 seconds.