Ignition Festival of Motoring, a two day event celebrating all things motoring rolls into Glasgow SECC the weekend of 5-7 August. With it comes a cavalcade of past and present racing drivers and exotic metal the likes of which have never been seen on the banks of the Clyde.
With Grand Prix winners like David Coulthard and Mark Webber confirmed to be in attendance, alongside British Touring Car legend Gordon Sheddon and professional drift wizard Shane Lynch, you can bet that speed will very much be the order of the day.
Showing posts with label Scottish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scottish. Show all posts
Friday, 17 June 2016
Monday, 14 March 2016
Spring Clean Motoring Part 2: A Slippery, Frugal Cat
It's little over a month to go until the Evolution Motor Show silently whooshes once more along to the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston. Amongst the cars on show this year, the one you'll hear coming above the low hum of futuristic electricity is the new Jaguar XE, which will showcase the company's latest green tech.
Sticking to a more traditional format for a small executive saloon car, the XEs currently on the market are powered by a selection of all-aluminium petrol and diesel units, each of which aim to squeeze as much out of every single drop of fuel as possible. At the sharper end of the range is the supercharged 3.0 V6 from the base F-Type, sure to give XE blistering performance, but return less of a saving at the pumps.
The headline economy figures come with Jaguar's Ingenium diesel engines, which are likely to be the most popular on UK roads. Utilising variable exhaust valve timing alongside aftertreatments for the gases emitted, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit manages to give 160 horsepower and 280lb-ft of torque whilst producing only 99g/km of CO2, putting it in the lowest UK tax band with a cost of precisely zero pounds per year. If you fancy a bit more grunt and can stomach handing over 20 of your pounds to the government each year, there's a more powerful 177hp Ingenium diesel, which, despite the power upgrade, still produces just 109g/km.
Jaguar haven't just focused their quest for efficiency on the engines; the whole car has been considered, examined and worked on to make the whole package as clean and green as possible. The bodywork is as sleek as can be, making the XE the most aerodynamic Jaguar ever, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26. On the Ingenium diesels, there's the option of a six-speed manual running with low-viscosity oil and pseudo dry-sump lubrication to assist in putting the power to the rear wheels. Part-time all-wheel-drive is available on the more powerful diesel, but only with the 8-speed ZF box. This improves traction but adds weight and lessens economy, but makes perfect sense for those in colder climes.
In no way does this efficiency come at the expense of performance in the XE - Jaguar would never allow that. The smallest Jaguar is also the lightest and the stiffest, showing that the petrol V6 is not the only thing carried over from the F-Type sports car. The XE showcases more of Jaguar's aluminium monocoque technology, and they claim that this is the first time such a thing has been seen in the mid-size segment.
Inside, the XE draws upon the design of its flagship big brother, the XJ, with a subtle wraparound dash that aligns along the door line giving a very secure feel. Jaguar's new InControl infotainment system dominates the centre of the dash, which should be a welcome improvement over the previous unit, which felt sluggish in a world dominated by smartphones and i-things.
An expected above-70mpg fuel economy combines with vast service intervals of 21,000 miles makes the Jaguar a strong contender for the ideal mid-size saloon fleet car. On paper alone it appears to dethrone the mighty 3-series in many ways. The proof is in the punch, so to see for yourself if the XE truly is the king of its class, head along to the Evolution Motor Show at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston on the 16th April 2016.
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| Sleek lines for both form and function - muscular body work is sleekest Jag ever |
The headline economy figures come with Jaguar's Ingenium diesel engines, which are likely to be the most popular on UK roads. Utilising variable exhaust valve timing alongside aftertreatments for the gases emitted, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit manages to give 160 horsepower and 280lb-ft of torque whilst producing only 99g/km of CO2, putting it in the lowest UK tax band with a cost of precisely zero pounds per year. If you fancy a bit more grunt and can stomach handing over 20 of your pounds to the government each year, there's a more powerful 177hp Ingenium diesel, which, despite the power upgrade, still produces just 109g/km.
Jaguar haven't just focused their quest for efficiency on the engines; the whole car has been considered, examined and worked on to make the whole package as clean and green as possible. The bodywork is as sleek as can be, making the XE the most aerodynamic Jaguar ever, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26. On the Ingenium diesels, there's the option of a six-speed manual running with low-viscosity oil and pseudo dry-sump lubrication to assist in putting the power to the rear wheels. Part-time all-wheel-drive is available on the more powerful diesel, but only with the 8-speed ZF box. This improves traction but adds weight and lessens economy, but makes perfect sense for those in colder climes.
In no way does this efficiency come at the expense of performance in the XE - Jaguar would never allow that. The smallest Jaguar is also the lightest and the stiffest, showing that the petrol V6 is not the only thing carried over from the F-Type sports car. The XE showcases more of Jaguar's aluminium monocoque technology, and they claim that this is the first time such a thing has been seen in the mid-size segment.
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| The XE surrounds the driver with technology |
Inside, the XE draws upon the design of its flagship big brother, the XJ, with a subtle wraparound dash that aligns along the door line giving a very secure feel. Jaguar's new InControl infotainment system dominates the centre of the dash, which should be a welcome improvement over the previous unit, which felt sluggish in a world dominated by smartphones and i-things.
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| The XE - incredibly efficient, drives like a Jag should |
Friday, 5 February 2016
Spring Clean Motoring Part 1: Jealous Green 'i's
GreenFleet Scotland has released a sneak preview of some of the eco-flavoured vehicles that will be showcased at this year's Evolution motor show.
The two day event, held at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, focuses on innovations in green technology, and aims to educate companies and individuals alike in the virtues and reality of environmentally conscious motoring. But, unlike most motor shows where the cars are precious objects held high on a plinth, visitors to Evolution get the chance to get seriously hands-on with the cars - and there's even the opportunity to get behind the wheel on Inglistons 1.03 mile long circuit.
Over the next few weeks in the run up to the show, McMotors will be bringing you a preview of each of the cars that will be available to sample at the show. If you're near Edinburgh on the 16th April you can come along and try them for yourself!
The first car we'll be looking at is one of the stars of last year's show. The BMW i3 is a prime example of one of the giants of the car world taking green technology and injecting a bit of experience and know-how to produce something that packs a punch whilst still managing to help protect the environment.
It may look a tad high up and humdrum, but with an electric motor pushing out 125kW (roughly equal to 170hp) and 184lb/ft of torque it's no slouch, managing 0-60mph in just 7.2 seconds. It can (briefly) show the previous generation V8 M3 a clean pair of heels off the line, and though it may only have a top speed of 93mph, in pure EV mode it can do all this whilst producing no carbon dioxide whatsoever.
The car comes off-the-shelf as a standalone EV or with a petrol range extender, essentially an engine that isn't connected to the wheels in the traditional sense, but which instead charges the batteries, giving an impressive and useful range of 185 miles.
And, being an electric vehicle, all of that power is available from a standstill. No turbo lag, no powerband to chase up the rev range, and this low down grunt helps make the i3 perfect for gap-hunting inner-city driving.
BMW have shared a lot of technology between the i3 and it's bigger, sportier brother, the i8. This includes a carbon fibre passenger compartment - both strong, making it incredibly safe in an accident; and light by keeping the centre of gravity in the floor of the car with the batteries. It's strength isn't the only thing keeping occupants safe, as BMW's Driving Assistant system is available as an option which keeps a constant lookout to try and prevent potential collisions even happening.
The car is connected too, with an app for smartphones, which allows the owner to check where they parked their i3, and what range is left in it. You can even lock your i3 from anywhere remotely, as long as you have your phone, helping put to rest those feelings of 'did I lock it' anxiety.
Having driven an i3 at last year's Evolution show, I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on another one this year to see how it stacks up against newer rivals to the eco-car market.
GreenFleet is hosting events at Ingliston for companies and fleet owners on the 15th April, with the show being open to the general public on the 16th April.
The two day event, held at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, focuses on innovations in green technology, and aims to educate companies and individuals alike in the virtues and reality of environmentally conscious motoring. But, unlike most motor shows where the cars are precious objects held high on a plinth, visitors to Evolution get the chance to get seriously hands-on with the cars - and there's even the opportunity to get behind the wheel on Inglistons 1.03 mile long circuit.
Over the next few weeks in the run up to the show, McMotors will be bringing you a preview of each of the cars that will be available to sample at the show. If you're near Edinburgh on the 16th April you can come along and try them for yourself!
 | |
| An i3 from last year's Evolution motor show |
It may look a tad high up and humdrum, but with an electric motor pushing out 125kW (roughly equal to 170hp) and 184lb/ft of torque it's no slouch, managing 0-60mph in just 7.2 seconds. It can (briefly) show the previous generation V8 M3 a clean pair of heels off the line, and though it may only have a top speed of 93mph, in pure EV mode it can do all this whilst producing no carbon dioxide whatsoever.
 |
| Suicide doors prove the i3's innovation isn't limited to its powertrain |
And, being an electric vehicle, all of that power is available from a standstill. No turbo lag, no powerband to chase up the rev range, and this low down grunt helps make the i3 perfect for gap-hunting inner-city driving.
BMW have shared a lot of technology between the i3 and it's bigger, sportier brother, the i8. This includes a carbon fibre passenger compartment - both strong, making it incredibly safe in an accident; and light by keeping the centre of gravity in the floor of the car with the batteries. It's strength isn't the only thing keeping occupants safe, as BMW's Driving Assistant system is available as an option which keeps a constant lookout to try and prevent potential collisions even happening.
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| The somewhat flasher i8, poaching attention from its wee brother |
The car is connected too, with an app for smartphones, which allows the owner to check where they parked their i3, and what range is left in it. You can even lock your i3 from anywhere remotely, as long as you have your phone, helping put to rest those feelings of 'did I lock it' anxiety.
Having driven an i3 at last year's Evolution show, I'm very much looking forward to getting my hands on another one this year to see how it stacks up against newer rivals to the eco-car market.
GreenFleet is hosting events at Ingliston for companies and fleet owners on the 15th April, with the show being open to the general public on the 16th April.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
TAPS AFF For Less This Summer
Mercedes-Benz's new SLC roadster hits showrooms next month. As the German marque's compact sports car, it's almost certain to be a fixture on UK roads when (or if) summer arrives this year. But with prices starting at £30,495 is it the best option for taps-aff countryside fun?
Let's first look at what you get for your money. £30k plus 2 years of pocket money is enough for the bottom-of-the range SLC200, a 2-litre petrol pocket rocket with 184bhp reaching the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual 'box, plus more than a pocket's full of standard equipment - including DAB radio, LED running lamps, 17" alloys and it's trademark folding metal roof, which should add to refinement when the weather isn't so nice.
At the other end of the range is the SLC 43 AMG, with Merc's new 3.0 V6. This seems a very attractive proposition with 367bhp and a quoted 0-60 of 4.7 seconds, but is all that really necessary in a sports car this size? Plus, once specced up, the little car with the bigger engine will be pushing £50k, which seems a lot when realistically there's only going to be 2 days in June per year you can get it out with the top down.
If you're in the market for a compact, 2-seat sports car but are repelled by the baby Merc's pricetags, fear not; there is another way...
Mazda's new MX-5 may not have anything like the aluminium origami of the swish SLC, but what it lacks in prestige it makes up for in peppy performance. The 2-litre MX-5 may only produce 158bhp, but that still gives a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds, keeping close to the Mercedes' 7 seconds flat.
In the corners, the Japanese car should have the edge. Mazda's engineers have continued the weight-saving mentality they're so renowned for, which results in their roadster weighing almost half a ton less than the equivalent SLC. It's old-school fabric roof should help in keeping the centre of gravity nice and low, and the high tensile steel body manages to be both lighter and more rigid than the previous model.
The interior might not quite have the same premium feel as the entry spec Merc, but the 2l SE MX-5 comes with a 7" touch screen with app connectivity, and DAB radio and Garmin sat-nav are speccable options, not that you'll be able to hear them over the wind noise when you're making the most of the miles and miles of sky that come as standard.
I've sadly not had a chance to test drive either of the current models of these cars, but I do have experience with previous iterations of each in their base specs. Whilst the SLK I drove felt sturdy and direct on the road, the 6-speed box in that car let it down and the whole thing felt a bit too lumbering for a sports car. The MX-5, on the other hand, felt nimble and effortless, it's lack of bulk more than making up for it's slightly lower power output.
So far as I can see, there's only one major difference between the two. If you can put up with having slightly less badge then you could save yourself a pretty penny. A base spec 2-litre MX-5 on the road will cost just £20,755, almost ten grand less than the Merc. With that difference, you could afford a decent set of waterproof clothes for you and your passenger, so you can enjoy top-down driving all year round - with a whole lot of change left over for petrol and 'oh, let's just stop at this country pub for a spot of lunch' motoring.
Let's first look at what you get for your money. £30k plus 2 years of pocket money is enough for the bottom-of-the range SLC200, a 2-litre petrol pocket rocket with 184bhp reaching the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual 'box, plus more than a pocket's full of standard equipment - including DAB radio, LED running lamps, 17" alloys and it's trademark folding metal roof, which should add to refinement when the weather isn't so nice.
At the other end of the range is the SLC 43 AMG, with Merc's new 3.0 V6. This seems a very attractive proposition with 367bhp and a quoted 0-60 of 4.7 seconds, but is all that really necessary in a sports car this size? Plus, once specced up, the little car with the bigger engine will be pushing £50k, which seems a lot when realistically there's only going to be 2 days in June per year you can get it out with the top down.
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| A typical example of the outgoing SLK in the wild |
Mazda's new MX-5 may not have anything like the aluminium origami of the swish SLC, but what it lacks in prestige it makes up for in peppy performance. The 2-litre MX-5 may only produce 158bhp, but that still gives a 0-60 time of 7.3 seconds, keeping close to the Mercedes' 7 seconds flat.
In the corners, the Japanese car should have the edge. Mazda's engineers have continued the weight-saving mentality they're so renowned for, which results in their roadster weighing almost half a ton less than the equivalent SLC. It's old-school fabric roof should help in keeping the centre of gravity nice and low, and the high tensile steel body manages to be both lighter and more rigid than the previous model.
The interior might not quite have the same premium feel as the entry spec Merc, but the 2l SE MX-5 comes with a 7" touch screen with app connectivity, and DAB radio and Garmin sat-nav are speccable options, not that you'll be able to hear them over the wind noise when you're making the most of the miles and miles of sky that come as standard.
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| A new MX-5 (thanks Michael R Perry of Flickr) |
So far as I can see, there's only one major difference between the two. If you can put up with having slightly less badge then you could save yourself a pretty penny. A base spec 2-litre MX-5 on the road will cost just £20,755, almost ten grand less than the Merc. With that difference, you could afford a decent set of waterproof clothes for you and your passenger, so you can enjoy top-down driving all year round - with a whole lot of change left over for petrol and 'oh, let's just stop at this country pub for a spot of lunch' motoring.
Monday, 1 February 2016
Hooves of Glory - New Mustang Spotted
The long motorway slog from London to Scotland can be a sea of grey and grim euroboxes, a string of seemingly neverending tailbacks and two-point-O TDis. Imagine my surprise when, galloping along in the fast lane of the southbound M11, came a sparkling yellow horse.
This was no standard steed, rather Ford's new Mustang, available for the first time through UK dealerships without the need for costly imports.
As I was travelling northbound, I couldn't confirm if at it's heart was the 313bhp 2.3 litre Ecoboost unit first seen across the sporty Focus range, or the full-fat, bald eagle cheeseburger 5.0 V8 blar
ing out 415bhp.
What I can confirm is that, no matter what's under the 'hood', this export from the *ahem* land of the free can definitely turn heads. It hides its bulk well, it's sleek lines building upon the 2005 and 2010 models' faithful yet modern throwbacks to the original of the 60s. The colour I saw, I'm reliably informed by Ford's brochure, is called Triple Yellow - and whilst this three-cheese sauce car appears quite fattening, the reality of the machine is much more nimble.
Mustangs that reach UK shores come as standard with Euro-specific modifications, which include suspension tweaks to better suit the tighter, curvier roads. GT models come with six-pot Brembos at the front for added stopping power, and tech-wise Ford's AdvanceTrac ESC helps keep things on the level when talent runs dry.
The new Mustang is available from UK Ford dealers now, with prices starting at £30,495 for a 2.3 Fastback.
This was no standard steed, rather Ford's new Mustang, available for the first time through UK dealerships without the need for costly imports.
As I was travelling northbound, I couldn't confirm if at it's heart was the 313bhp 2.3 litre Ecoboost unit first seen across the sporty Focus range, or the full-fat, bald eagle cheeseburger 5.0 V8 blar
 | |||
| An three-cheese Mustang, courtesy of Sicnag on Flickr (It was much too dangerous for me to snap while driving) |
What I can confirm is that, no matter what's under the 'hood', this export from the *ahem* land of the free can definitely turn heads. It hides its bulk well, it's sleek lines building upon the 2005 and 2010 models' faithful yet modern throwbacks to the original of the 60s. The colour I saw, I'm reliably informed by Ford's brochure, is called Triple Yellow - and whilst this three-cheese sauce car appears quite fattening, the reality of the machine is much more nimble.
Mustangs that reach UK shores come as standard with Euro-specific modifications, which include suspension tweaks to better suit the tighter, curvier roads. GT models come with six-pot Brembos at the front for added stopping power, and tech-wise Ford's AdvanceTrac ESC helps keep things on the level when talent runs dry.
The new Mustang is available from UK Ford dealers now, with prices starting at £30,495 for a 2.3 Fastback.
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