Cristiano Ronaldo seems to like the Bugatti Chiron
Ahead of the first deliveries of the new super Bug, Cristiano Ronaldo has jumped behind the wheel for a bit of a shakedown.
Apparently, Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace thinks that his vast experience in racing (and taking very fast __cars to their absolute limits) isn’t enough to fully sign off on the Chiron, so he’s enlisted the help of the Veyron owner (and likely some other accolades) to give it the final sign-off.
Of course, the whole thing is as genuine as an estate agent’s smile – Ronaldo’s involvement in the Chiron’s development is somewhere between none and naff-all, and even how much he’s driven the car is up for debate – but you don’t argue with the opportunity to see the Chiron in motion.
Dodge has released another teaser video for its madcap muscle car
This one’s called ‘Third Law’, which we assume has something to do with Newton’s laws regarding physics and less to do with how many laws you can break by even brushing the accelerator.
As you might be able to see in the Demon’s tyre smoke, Dodge delivers this ultimatum: 13.5 = 575@500. Well, we think it’s an ultimatum. If anyone can explain just exactly this means, please tell us. Maths was not our strongest subject and we’re very confused.
In any case, Dodge has tuned the suspension and mapped a proper ‘Drag Mode’ into the ECU to make sure the Demon will be able to launch off the line about as well as you’d expect a supercharged muscle car to do.
VW has teased its new four-door coupe
For a long time, the Volkswagen CC (nee: Passat CC) has been one of the most interesting choices for those in the market for a new company car. It took the fairly humdrum (if technologically forward) Passat and gave it a four-door coupe makeover. And this is a good thing, because the base model Passat is pretty much what ennui would look like if it had four doors and a diesel engine.
But the name never really made any sense. Traditionally, the CC name is bestowed on coupe cabriolets, hence the initials that represent it. Perhaps ‘FDC’ (four-door coupe) didn’t have the same ring to it. It got even more confusing when VW dropped the ‘Passat’ part of the name and sold it as a standalone product, which it really wasn’t.
Now, however, VW says the new Arteon is much more than a blinged-up Passat. Replacing the CC, it’ll sit above the Passat as a genuine standalone product, sharing only the basics with the sensible saloon.
Apparently, ‘Arteon’ derives from a combination of ‘art’ and ‘eon’, which seems fairly straightforward when you think about it. So, it’s something along the lines of a long-lasting art form, then. But is it going to be enough to take on the 4 Series Gran Coupe?
There are some proper rules for autonomous cars
And about time, too. Gotta let those computers know who’s boss, after all.
Well, that’s not actually the point, as it turns out. Her Majesty’s Government has drawn up new additions to the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill that seek to encourage the new world order of autonomous cars.
One specific change to the bill is the provision of insurance that covers both the driver and the car. The idea is that in the event of a crash while in automated mode, the question of liability is answered ahead of time.
And, if the autonomous system is at fault, the insurance will also cover the manufacturer, rather than settle the matter with a lengthy liability claim. However, if the driver hasn’t updated their car’s autonomous systems as required or installed important updates to the operating system, they’ll be liable.
Other ideas include a requirement for companies like Shell and Esso to install electric charging points at their petrol stations, which we think will be a perilously entertaining conversation to witness. “Well, sure,” we can hear the boss of a petrol station saying. “We’d love to take up valuable space in our petrol stations to install competing technology for __cars that don’t use our products.” Quite.
F1 cars finally look different to each other
Yes, the rule changes have made for a huge undertaking for teams in the Formula 1 championship, but they’ve also been a massive opportunity for a renewed individuality that’s been lacking in the fairly cookie-cutter shapes of the past two years.
Sure, they’ll be faster, and F1 insists they’ll be harder to drive (despite more mechanical and aerodynamic grip), but the concept of cars that’ll be distinguishable by more than paint jobs and race numbers is an exciting concept.
Just looking at the varied designs of the Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Renault is enough to have us considering a modern Formula 1 season that won’t be quite as, erm, formulaic as the last few.
Lotus is turning a profit
Apparently, for the first time in about two decades, Lotus is going to make some real money. Perhaps it’s due to pulling out of the money-suck that is Formula 1, or perhaps it’s down to the fact that the company is finally working within its means, rather than pledging to make five new models at once. But it seems like 2017 will be the first year in 20 that Lotus finishes in the black.
Lotus CEO Jean-Marc Gales has said that the turnaround started in mid-2016, first with “positive cash flow” and then “an operational profit”. So, rest assured that there’ll be a new Elise coming in 2020 after all.
Lamborghini announced active aerodynamics for its road cars
And all of a sudden, we’re paying close attention. Yep, Lambo has debuted – with momentous music and many engine sounds – its concept for an F1-style drag-reduction system or DRS.
Or, as Lamborghini calls it, ‘Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva’, or ‘Lamborghini Active Aerodynamics’, for those who don’t feel like going to Google Translate.
Tested on this lovely sounding development mule at the Nürburgring, ALA promises to add even more speed to the theatre and pageantry of Lamborghinis. Happy days indeed.
Read our review of the new Lamborghini Performante here
There’s a great-looking film about Bruce McLaren coming
It’s called McLaren, which keeps things short and sharp (and not unlike Senna), and appears to have much the same idea – focus on a brilliant driver and human being whose legacy has far outlived his untimely demise.
With appearances from Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jackie Stewart (among others), the documentary will attempt to condense the raft of achievements and accolades that Bruce McLaren amassed before a crash at Goodwood in 1970 ended his life at just 32 years old.
For now, check out the trailer, and stay tuned for a full story on the documentary on TopGear.com soon.
The new McLaren Super Series will make 650S owners very jealous
You know how we were talking about Bruce McLaren’s legacy just a moment ago? Well, you’re looking at it.
It’s the new Super Series, which is the overarching term for the range of cars that’ll replace the current 650S and 675LT. The full details, including an official confirmation of what each car will be called, won’t be made public until early March.
What we do know is that it can accelerate from 0-124mph in 7.8 seconds and come to a stop again in 4.6 seconds and 117 metres, which sounds almost painful. It’s also much better than the 650S, which can only muster an 8.4-second 0-124mph sprint, and will take another six metres to come to a stop.
For now, enjoy the drifty goodness that McLaren has provided.
BMW’s returning to the British Touring Car Championship
This one’s probably only interesting to those from Generation X, who pine for the days of real production car-based racing, but BMW is coming back to British circuits with a factory-backed racer for the first time in 21 years. Oh yes.
Unlike the old racers that were based on 3 Series, like the Listerine-liveried 318i of Tim Harvey, the new breed uses the 125i M Sport as a base, with West Surrey Racing assuming the role of running the team. With drivers like Colin Turkington, Andrew Jordan and Rob Collard on board, it should deliver some pretty fantastic driving and more than a few podium finishes. Top form.
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