Tag Archives: Reviews

Is The 2021 BMW M440i A Bit Too Soft For A Sports Coupe?

December 12, 2020 admin

There has been a lot of talk about the new 4-Series Coupe, most of which relates to its ~~horrible~~ controversial kidney grilles. However, there is a lot more to the car than its looks.

Sitting beneath the skin of the M440i featured in this review is the B58 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six that includes a mild-hybrid 48-volt starter-generator and pumps out 380 hp. Coupled to this engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels courtesy of BMW’s xDrive AWD system.

Watch Also: 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Looks Odd And Feels Heavy

The M440i is essentially a coupe version of the M340i that TheStraightPipes have driven in the past. However, according to one of the presenters, it feels as though BMW has messed with the steering of the M440i, making it feel disconnected compared to the M340i, something that you may not expect from the sporty coupe variant. However, the second reviewer doesn’t share the same sentiment about the steering.

One thing both reviewers agreed on is the fact that the M440i is a very quick car and makes for an excellent daily driver thanks, in no small part, to the adaptive suspension that provides a great ride in all conditions and on all kinds of road surfaces.

For those that want more performance than the M440i provides, the latest BMW M4 is the way to go. While it also has a controversial front grille, it does promise to be an excellent sports car to drive and features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) in standard guise and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) in the Competition.

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The Volvo P1800 Cyan Racing Really Is A Fantastic Restomod

December 4, 2020 admin

Cyan Racing caught everyone by surprise when they first revealed their Volvo P1800 restomod, a stunning creation that transforms the original 1960s coupe into an exotic driving machine.

The amount of work done here is pretty exhaustive, starting with the body and chassis; while Cyan’s restomod retains the beautiful lines of the classic Volvo coupe, the body is entirely new and made out of carbon fiber while the chassis is also redesigned and strengthened using modern high-strength steel. The only parts that are still original to the donor car are the roof pillars and the windscreen wipers.

The end result of all this work is a front-engined, rear-drive coupe that tips the scales at just at 990 kg (2,182 lbs).

Cyan Racing also ditched the original rear live axle for double wishbones and added a torque-biasing limited-slip differential while they were at it. That was necessary because under the bonnet now lives a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine as used in the Volvo S60 TC1 race car, paired to a dog-leg five-speed manual transmission from Holinger.

The engine has been further tuned to provide a more linear power and torque curve, like a naturally aspirated unit, with its redline sitting at 7,700 rpm. Power is rated at 413 HP (419 PS) and 335 lb-ft (455 Nm) of torque, which appears to be more than enough for that weight figure.

Autocar had the opportunity to review the gorgeous Volvo P1800 Cyan and their impressions are more than positive. The beautiful restomod is as good as we hoped it be, offering a raw driving character with one of the greatest manual gear changes around, big unassisted brakes, and no ABS or traction control. Combine this with an excellent high-quality feeling inside and out, and suddenly that price tag starts to make sense.

As a bonus, we are also sharing AutotopNL‘s POV video on the same car, just to get a better idea of what it feels like behind the wheel of Cyan’s gorgeous P1800.

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The Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack Is A Proper Rally Car For The Road

November 13, 2020 admin

Few performance cars have captured the attention of car enthusiasts in 2020 quite like the Toyota GR Yaris. Even less have been so divisive, with some reviewers panning it – like JDM Masters (see the review here), while others are commending it, as is the case with this test by Jonny Smith from The Lake Brake Show who recently had the opportunity to put one through its paces in the UK.

However, there might be an explanation to that, as pointed out by CarAdvice, which noticed that most, if not all positive reviews tested the higher-spec GR Yaris with the limited-slip front and rear differentials, better Michelin tires and lighter wheels, sold under different names, depending on the market, including Track Pack in the UK and Rallye in Australia. JDM Masters, on the other hand, apparently drove the standard GR Yaris without those goodies that seem to make a big difference.

According to this reviewer, not only does the GR Yaris (alongside the GR Supra) represent an exciting return to performance vehicles for the Japanese automaker, but it is also a proper driver-focused machine that’s been born out of the World Rally Championship.

Watch Also: Discover What The New 268 HP Toyota GR Yaris Is Like On The Track

While typical hot hatches such as the Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane RS and Hyundai i30 N are performance variants of ordinary models, the GR Yaris is a little different. Sure, you could be forgiven for thinking it is simply a Yaris with a new powertrain and bodykit, but it is much more than that.

As Smith points out in his test, the body of the GR Yaris is all new and the roof is 91 mm lower than the standard five-door model. In fact, only the headlights and taillights are shared with lesser versions. It is such a significant upgrade over the regular model that Toyota says it takes 10 times longer to build it.

Powering the car is a turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder that pumps out 257 hp and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. The example tested here is equipped with the available Circuit Pack that includes 18-inch forged alloy wheels, a performance-oriented suspension setup and limited-slip Torsen differentials at the front and rear axles.

During his review, Smith comments on the excellent engine and notes that the car has superb grip, great steering, and a perfect pedal setup for heel and toe shifting.

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2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback Is All About Refinement, Not Neck-Snapping Performance

November 2, 2020 admin

A couple of months after customer deliveries of the 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback kicked off in the UK, Carfection had the opportunity to put the all-electric SUV through its paces.

UK buyers can choose between three distinct variants. The entry-level model is the 55 quattro S line, while sitting above it is the 55 quattro Launch Edition. The range is topped out by the 55 quattro Vorsprung, although as the ‘55’ badge in the name suggests, there are no powertrain differences between the three.

As such, all come with a 95 kWh battery pack that powers a pair of electric motors which produce 355 hp and 414 lb-ft (561 Nm) of torque. The SUV does also features a ‘Boost Mode’ that increases those figures to 402 hp and 490 lb-ft (664 Nm) of torque, allowing Audi‘s EV to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.5 seconds.

While the E-Tron Sportback features a Quattro all-wheel drive system, it operates primarily in rear-wheel drive mode and the front axle is engaged only when needed, giving the SUV a nice rear-wheel drive bias.

One interesting driving quirk of the E-Tron Sportback is the fact that, while it has plenty of horsepower and torque, it doesn’t fire off the line and push you into the back of your seat like so many other electric vehicles. Instead, Audi has calibrated the electric motors to provide a more gradual power band that adds to the pleasant driving experience.

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Is The V10-Powered BMW M5 E60 Worth The Maintenance Risk?

October 3, 2020 admin

When the E60-gen BMW M5 came out in 2004, with its menacing naturally aspirated V10, many thought that sports sedans couldn’t get more exciting.

The 5.0-liter engine, which was shared with the M6, developed 500 HP and 384 lb-ft (520 Nm) of torque, for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) of 4.7 seconds and a 155 mph (250 km/h) electronically limited top speed.

Unlike the AWD modern M5, the range-topping E60 was rear-wheel drive. It was offered with an optional six-speed manual gearbox in North America, and with a seven-speed SMG semi-automatic in the rest of the world, although the latter did not do justice to an otherwise great sedan.

Video: Here’s A Love Letter To The BMW E60 M5’s Epic V10 Engine

Made during the Chris Bangle era and criticized for the controversial looks, it has nevertheless aged quite nicely inside and out. Moreover, even after more than a decade of constant use, this 2008 example, bought three years ago for around $34,000, feels robust. The high quality interior is still in very good position despite sitting in the sun for 12 years, and that’s one of the things that matters.

Another one is that, in the right setting – and the M5 E60 has 279 powertrain and chassis combinations to choose from – it is surprisingly comfortable. It was built as a highway cruiser, but it doesn’t disappoint on a twisty road either. Sure, the steering ratio needs more finesse and the inflatable seat bolsters will kick you in the ribs every time you turn the steering wheel, but the M5 really comes to life at higher speeds.

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Should You Really Want A BMW M3 E46 In Your Life?

August 9, 2020 admin

When thinking about certain modern classics, nostalgia tends to hit like a train. And it’s even worse whenever you’re out driving, because it seems like there’s a BMW 3-Series E46 around every corner, and practically every petrolhead loves an M3 from that very same generation.

Depending on the model, miles and overall condition, the best E46 M3s can almost nudge the six-digit territory, and when we think about other cars that we could get for that kind of money, the nostalgia suddenly seems to vanish.

Watch Also: A BMW M3 CSL With A Manual Transmission Is The Greatest M Car In The World

But what if there is a perfect E46 M3 out there that’s on sale for a reasonable price by someone who does not care about the money and only wants to find a nice home for their prized jewel? Should you do everything possible to buy it? We would say ‘hell yeah’ again and again, because this is probably one of the best-looking M3s ever, not to mention that it goes like stink and handles wonderfully.

Let’s talk numbers. The E46 M3 does the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in around 5 seconds and will sprint up to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Its 333 HP and 262 lb-ft (355 Nm) of torque in the U.S.-spec model produced by the 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six engine, was sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or the less-favored SMG. The latter provides horrible shifting in automatic mode, but becomes more decent in manual, a thing highlighted by the owner of this blue example sampled by RegularCars on video below, along with a whole bunch of stuff pointed out by the reviewer.

Note: The following video contains language that some viewers might find offensive

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The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Oozes Sex Appeal

August 1, 2020 admin

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is one of the best-looking cars currently on sale, and in this video from Doug DeMuro, we get to hear his first take on what the car is like.

Much like the LC 500 Coupe, the Convertible is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 471 hp at 7,100 rpm and 398 lb-ft (539 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm. Naturally-aspirated V8 engines are becoming a rarity, so Lexus should be celebrated for not going down the forced induction route – at least not yet.

Coupled to the engine is a 10-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission that allows the LC 500 Convertible to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 168 mph (270 km/h).

In addition to chopping off the LC’s roof, Lexus has added a new torsion box at the rear, a new suspension tower brace, and a new V-brace to improve the car’s handling stability and its responsiveness. Lexus also reinforced the chassis with Laser Screw Welding and through the use of high tensile-strength steel. It also relocated various structural braces and has tweaked the suspension setup to account for the added weight.

A good portion of DeMuro’s review focuses on the interior of the LC 500 Convertible and there’s a good reason for that: the LC has one of the most beautiful interiors on the market. It truly is a sight to behold and having spent a week with the LC 500 Coupe last year, we know firsthand that it is indeed a very nice place to spend time in.

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Should You Go For The “Regular” BMW M2 Instead Of The M2 Competition?

July 27, 2020 admin

Both the BMW M2 and M2 Competition have been widely praised since they hit the market, and even though the regular M2 is no longer available new, it is a very compelling prospect on the used car market. Knowing just how good the M2 is, YouTuber Seen Through Glass decided to see if it is actually better value than the M2 Competition.

The black M2 featured in this clip has 15,000 miles (24,140 km) on the clock and is currently up for sale for £31,990 ($40,537). By comparison, the orange BMW M2 Competition present here is also a used model but has just 1,500 miles (2,414 km) under its belt and an asking price of £44,990 ($57,011). That’s quite a big difference, so it’s understandable why someone may find the regular M2 more appealing.

In terms of power, the M2 is driven by the N55 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 365 hp at 6,500 rpm and 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) of torque between 1,450 and 4,750 rpm. The car was offered from the factory with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch that directed power solely to the rear wheels.

By comparison, the M2 Competition hit the market with a detuned version of the S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six used by the F80 M3 and F82 M4. This engine is good for 405 hp between 5,370 rpm and 7,200 rpm and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque between 2,350 rpm and 5,230 rpm.

Which of the two is the best to drive and the better value? Watch the review in full to find out.

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