Ford focus wtcc

Ford has given a strong indicator of its crossover plans with the Iosis X concept car, revealed today (September 28) in Paris. The sporty yet tough – despite the kiss at the end of its name! – five-door has Focus underpinnings and a muscular body that stems directly from Ford’s latest buzzphrase: kinetic design.This ‘energy in motion’ approach is an attempt to convey ‘great driving characteristics via dynamic shapes’. Yes, but what does it look like? A bit like a Puma on steroids. “It’s pretty funky actually,” said John McIlroy, editor of autocar.co.uk. “Ford is saying that this concept is connected to the future production car in the same way the Iosis [revealed to great acclaim in Frankfurt last year] was to the new Mondeo. “I just hope the eventual car is not toned-down as much as the new Mondeo [also unveiled in Paris] has been.” Ford hopes to break into the burgeoning crossover market sector by the end … [Read more...] about Paris show: Ford crosses over

Looking at the sleek shape of the new C30, it's funny to think that Volvo was once known as the builder of boxy estates. Now the Swedish firm's going after a new market – it's hoping that the stylish C30 will steal buyers away from cars such as the Mini and even the Audi TT, as well as more obvious rivals such as the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series. Keen pricing gives it a good start – in basic 99bhp 1.6-litre S form, the C30 costs £14,750. That's £765 less than an A3 1.6 and £1245 less than a 116i. There will be four trim levels (S, SE, SE Sport and SE Lux) and eight engines available; 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4-litre diesels; 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrols, a 2.4-litre five-cylinder unit and a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, as used in the Ford Focus ST. Standard kit is generous, with climate control standard, along with all the safety features you’d expect on a Volvo, including front, side and curtain airbags. SE trim adds bigger alloys, more … [Read more...] about Paris show: Volvo C30 in detail

What’s the biggest challenge facing a racing driver competing in two major championships? Staying focused on each? Balancing the pressure? Or perhaps getting to grips with different cars? Nope. The answer is much simpler. “Jet lag,” says Tom Chilton, world touring car driver for Sébastien Loeb Racing and recently confirmed British Touring Car Championship returnee with Power Maxed Racing. Chilton, who is back in the BTCC after a five-year hiatus, will rack up the air miles this season. He’ll contest a total of 50 races: 30 in the BTCC spread across 10 weekends and 20 in the WTCC at a further 10 events. “It’s the first time this has ever been done in these two series, so I’m a bit of a guinea pig,” says the 31-year-old from Reigate in Surrey. Chilton, who is the older brother of former F1 driver Max, burst into the BTCC in 2002 at the age of 17 and finished third in his first race. Over the next decade he raced in the BTCC for Honda, … [Read more...] about Tom Chilton on why he’s ready to win in the BTCC and WTCC

Hidden beneath the WTCC Ultra's wild touring car looks is Chevrolet's 2008 Ford Focus rival. GM's headline concept car at today’s Paris motor show (Thursday 28), the Ultra previews Chevrolet's future design direction, as well as the Lacetti replacement. Although the muscular bodykit, ultra-wide track, funky graphics and slitty rear window will all be toned down for production, 'you won’t miss the connection when the production car arrives,' a GM insider told CAR Online. Although the race spec interior features a roll cage and paddleshift transmission, the concept runs a most un-touring car like 2.0-litre diesel engine. The aggressive nose, far removed from today's range of rebadged Daewoos, shows the future direction for European Chevys. An exaggerated Chevy bow tie-badge dominates the front end, sandwiched between two aggressive grilles. Expect the funky headlamp shape to figure on the finished car, because that sculpted bonnet has been built up to meet European pedestrian … [Read more...] about Chevrolet WTCC Ultra (2006): first official pictures

The new Honda Civic Type R will, for the first time in Type R history, be powered by a turbocharged engine. That’s the news confirmed today at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show by Honda's European president, Manabu Nishimae, who announced the new hot hatch would employ a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.Just a teasing hint of the car's performance: 'We have recently spent a week at the Nurburgring, carrying out extensive testing and we are on target, and have already set a time approaching the lap record' said Honda boss Nishimae.The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine will be turbocharged and use direct-injection fuel technology, giving better power delivery and economy than the revvy but torque-light VTEC cars. The power output will be at least 276bhp, all of it being entrusted to the front wheels via a mechanical limited-slip differential. Glimpse the rev counter in the video below and you'll spot the redline is set at 7000rpm: good for a turbo car, but nothing … [Read more...] about Honda Civic Type R (2013) details at Frankfurt motor show