Gumpert Apollo.

1468kgs combined with 650PS is a very respectable power to weight ration. Add in 850Nm of torque and it is clear that the Gumpert Apollo {link} is a serious super car. More figures reinforce the impression; 0-62 mph takes 3.9 seconds, 0-124 mph takes 10.9 seconds and the Apollo’s top speed is 222 mph.
Designed and built by former Audi Sport boss Roland Gumpert’s company the Apollo is a racecar for the road. Many cars make this claim but the Gumpert Apollo really is a road legal racer. Function has taken priority over form, the Apollo is designed to perform rather than parade. The extreme aerodynamic detailing of this 2 seat, mid engined sports car means that as it approaches top speed it generates more downforce than the car itself weighs, both impressive
There are very few creature comforts in the Gumpert Apollo, the sits are floor mounted and offer no adjustment (the pedals and steering wheel adjust) and those that there are come directly from an Audi parts bin. Switch gear, ventilation, dials other items are all from Ingolstadt though the carbon panels and alcantara padding most certainly isn’t, nor are the 4 point harnesses which offer added security compared to normal lap-and-diagonal seat belts. In car entertainment is limited to the steering wheel and pedals, they will provide more entertainment than any radio, CD or DVD player ever could!
Another Audi influence is the engine, normally found in the A8 the 4.2 litre V8 produces far more power than the standard 335PS of an A8. A couple of KKK turbo chargers help give the Gumpert Apollo the extra 325PS it produces and they keep power climbing high into the rev range. By using a six speed sequential gearbox the Apollo always has an ample supply of power and torque available for those lucky enough to drive it. Handling is always going to be at a premium for this type of car and the Gumpert Apollo uses true race bred technology in its suspension; fully independent, double wishbones from and rear with pushrod operated dampers.
The Gumpert Apollo is impressively powerful and undoubtedly very fast. It will also lap race circuits at exceptional speeds offer a very rewarding and ultimately thrilling drive. On the public road, in the wet or in the hands of a driver with more money than ability the Gumpert Apollo will not be a pleasant experience.
When a car is designed and focused so much on ultimate performance, as the Apollo undoubtedly is, then it looses vast amounts of practicality and almost becomes a road car white elephant; tailored to and from venues where it came be driven to its maximum capabilities and where it will definitely excel. Getting to and from those venues in a Gumpert Apollo would be too much of an unpleasant experience for all but the most dedicated…
The lucky 39 Gumpert customers who will receive their £228,000 cars in 2008 will be driving an automotive masterpiece. The fact that everyday driving is a chore should take nothing away from the Gumpert Apollo, it is a masterful and exceptionally capable super car. Currently it is the closest thing to a thorough bred racecar on the roads of Europe and I can’t see any manufacturers taking that title away from Roland Gumpert and his dedicated team of employees any time soon.

BMW Sauber F1.08.

BMW Sauber {link} launched their latest Formula 1 challenger, the F1.08, at BMW Welt with the sole aim of winning races in the coming season. Last year saw BMW clearly ahead of the mid-field teams in the F1 championship; the F1.08 is designed to move the German-Swiss team into the same league as McLaren Mercedes and Ferrari.
The BMW Sauber F1.08 is the most radical F1 car launched so far for the coming 2008 season. It has side wings that extend from just behind the fuel tank to the exhaust chimneys. Designed to clean airflow onto the rear wing these wings are also said to produce a quantifiable amount of downforce.
The whole design philosophy behind the F1.08 has been to make it as stable and neutral as possible, ensuring that without (the now banned) traction control the drivers have a car that reacts quickly to any driver input but one that is not balanced on a handling knife-edge. The car’s aerodynamic package has been devised to give constant handling even whilst cornering. The overall weight has been reduced to optimise ballast possibilities to aid handling and traction whilst both front and rear suspension have been re-designed for greater adjustability and driver feedback.
As with all other 2008 cars the BMW Sauber F1.08 sees the engine specification remain the same (development is frozen from last year) so there has been intense work on the peripherals to reduce weight, bulk and improve reliability. Unlike McLaren Mercedes the F1.08 gearbox is not all new though it is still under going test and development on the run up to the first race in March in Australia.
BMW Sauber are hoping that their F1.08 is sufficiently fast and driver friendly that their drivers, Nick Heidfeld {link} and Robert Kubica {link} can continually challenge the top two teams for victories. If it proves to be the case BMW Sauber will have performed the masterstroke of becoming a race winning team in three years.

Alpina B3.

The BMW M3 is the ultimate performance incarnation of the BMW 3 series but what if you want a slightly less extreme 3 series? The standard 335i isn’t all that impressive and leaves a large performance gap unfilled between it and the M3. That is unless you look at faithful BMW tuner Alpina’s B3. The B3 sits perfectly between the 335i and the M3, offering an ample 360PS (approximately 60 more than the 335i and 60 less than the M3).
Alpina {link} have been tuning 3 Series BMWs for nearly 30 years so the B3 is virtually guaranteed to be a good car. It doesn’t disappoint, the power delivery is smooth and effortless from the 3 litre twin turbo 6 cylinder. Slides can be induced if required but with all the electronic driver aides switched on the B3 remains very easy to drive even in the wet. Handling is crisp and precise, Alpina’s modifications not being overly detrimental to passenger comfort at all.
The Alpina B3 isn’t an outright performance car, despite sprinting to 62mph a tenth quicker than an M3. The subtle yet effective spoilers don’t draw attention, the refined leather interior is more comfortable than hardcore performance and that really sums the B3 up. It is a very quick 3 series BMW (available as saloon, coupe and cabriolet) that has excellent handling characteristics but that is not as, dare one say, power mad as the M3. It is though a far more interesting and enjoyable car than the standard BMW 335i and is a fine example of Alpina’s expert knowledge.

Opel Aura.

The launch of the Vectra replacement is fast approaching with Opel {link} dealerships preparing for the new Aura. Probably the most import Opel launch for many years the Aura needs to be instantly successful. With an elegant, almost coupe, design both hatchback and saloon certainly look good. The estate version also strikes an impressive pose.
Opel have invested heavily in making the Aura a more dynamic vehicle than its predecessor the Vectra with adaptive damping and even four wheel drive being available.
A larger selection of four and six cylinder engines (diesel and petrol) will be used in the Aura with top range models having between 200PS and 280PS.

Audi A5 TDI MTM.

For those who want S5 performance but would rather use diesel fuel Audi tuner MTM {link} are offering their tuned version of the 3 litre V6 TDI A5. Boasting an impressive 300PS and 580Nm at a mere 1300 rpm the MTM A5 is certainly powerful, the BMW 650i has a mere 490Nm of torque in comparison.
All that power and torque transfers safely and easily through the excellent 6 speed gearbox into the well respected Quattro four wheel drive system. As with the S5 oversteer can be provoked when conditions allow and with such a surge of power so low down the MTM A5 is a really enjoyable drive. MTM’s refined suspension and 21” wheel package makes the handling not only razor sharp but exceptionally capable too. There are very few cars that have as much grip as this MTM A5, fewer still that weight about 250kgs under 2 tonne!
The grip, handling and power from the MTM tuned V6 TDI mean that this diesel A5 is actually a quicker car than the S5 on most roads. A twisty B road will see the S5 efficiently outpaced by the MTM TDI, although at the end of the journey the S5 driver will have had a far more comfortable trip, MTM’s wheel and up-rated suspension result in an exceptionally stiff and passenger unfriendly ride.

Audi S5.

354PS is more than enough for an enjoyable drive almost anywhere. If this 354PS comes from a V8 engine fitted in the front of Audi’s reasonably new coupe it means you are driving the mightily impressive Audi S5. Disparagingly called a larger version of the TT the A5 has proven to be a good coupe and the S5 is a very good sports coupe.
Internally there is ample space and the cockpit layout is very much driver orientated with good comfort levels. The dashboard is clean and clutter-free mirroring the exterior styling. Only subtle spoilers differentiating this S5 from its lower spec A5 siblings.
Precise steering and solid handling combine with the highly impressive V8 and 6 speed gearbox resulting in a car that is both quick and enjoyable on B roads, A roads, motorways and even the odd track day too. Normal, everyday driving is not a chore, the S5 handles town traffic, bumpy roads and traffic jams perfectly. Once free from mundane real world road worries the S5 comes alive, its 4 wheel drive system providing massive amounts of grip but allowing oversteer when desired. When the S5 needs to be slowed the brakes prove to be more than capable, bringing the Audi to a halt quickly and efficiently.
If you want a Bavarian performance coupe then the Audi S5 is a good choice and offers good value for money. Audi {link} have created a car that is not quite in the same league as the BMW M3 but it is certainly better than the Mercedes CLK 500 and Alpina B3.

Ruf CTR 3.

As this is typed 20 orders have been taken for the Ruf CTR 3. It could be seen as the most dramatic incarnation of the Porsche Cayman yet it is so much more. For a start Ruf, who have been producing modified Porsche’s since 1963, have given the CTR 3 an ample 700PS twin turbo flat 6 power plant. Combined with a heavily improved chassis and suspension system and the CTR 3 is clearly a very fast and stable vehicle. The sequential six speed ‘box is light and easy to use, it does take a little time to get used to any sequential ‘box in a road car and the CTR 3 is no different. Once the driver has mastered pulling (to go up the ‘box) and pushing (to go down the ‘box) the sequential ‘box is as east to use as an H pattern gearbox in current production.
Ruf have created an exceptionally rapid sports coupe but they have not sacrificed usability for outright performance, the clutch doesn’t require super human effort to master, nor will it snap your leg off as it feeds in. The CTR 3 it is suitable for the school run or a trip to the newsagent for a bottle of milk, ESP keeps the power nicely in check when required and the suspension copes admirably with all road surfaces encountered ~ there are none of the traditional super car lurches, bangs or crashes on normal everyday roads, the CTR 3 really is a accomplished daily driver.
When performance and the Ruf CTR 3 are mentioned there are a few figures that spring to mind. Firstly the already mentioned 700PS, secondly a top speed of approximately 230mph and thirdly 890Nm of torque. With the sprint to 62mph taking a mere 3.2 seconds it is clear that the CTR 3 is blisteringly fast, it is in the true super car league.
If the dynamics and performance of the CTR 3 are impressive so is the mating of standard Porsche with Ruf genius. The interior is clearly directly from Zuffenhausen, retaining all the features and comforts one expects from a Porsche, including cup holder and Sat Nav. Yes the rear view mirror has been replaced by a mini-camera but even that doesn’t strike one as being out of place.
At over £345,000 it is clear that many more than 20 customers will be hard to find for this über-Cayman, those that can afford the Ruf CTR 3 will have smiles as wide as America across their faces from now until eternity.

TECH SPEC RUF CTR 3:~ 2 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3746cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat six engine producing 700PS @ 7000rpm. 6 speed sequential gearbox. Rear wheel drive. Top speed 232mph. 0-62mph 3.2 seconds, 0-124mph 9.6 seconds.

McLaren Mercedes MP4-22.

Launched at the Mercedes Museum {link}, home to many evocative and highly successful race cars, the MP4-23 is McLaren’s 2008 Formula 1 car. After a stunningly successful but ultimately unrewarding 2007 season the MP4-23 is a clear development of the last year’s car. The 2007 car had very few flaws and those there were have clearly been addressed by this year’s MP4-23.
The latest McLaren Mercedes {link} has a longer wheel base to improve high speed handling, it is also lighter allowing greater use of ballast to improve traction and also tyre wear. A new, longer carbonfibre and titanium gearbox is the most obvious mechanical change over last year’s car. Aerodynamically the MP4-23 benefits from subtle and clever alterations; a new nose and fish-like gills at the rear of the rollhoop being the most obvious.
The complete McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 package is designed at negating the few advantages Ferrari’s F1 challenger had over the team last year. In a quiet and tranquil museum in Stuttgart last week the job seemed to have been done very successfully. A loud, bustling Melbourne in 2 months will offer the real proof. Whether Ferrari or McLaren Mercedes have achieved the best 2008 car will only be seen when the red lights go out on race day. With BMW aiming to make it a trio at the top the MP4-23 has a lot riding on it, yet the drivers and team seem confident that they can, at least, repeat last year’s successful results on any given race day.

Mercedes 300 SL.

The super car Mercedes SLR McLaren has its GT version (as mentioned in a far earlier posting) and there appears to be a GT version of the SL range being developed. As the current SL reaches the end of its model life (the replacement is due in 2012) Mercedes {link} are expected to launch their successor to the gull-winged 300SL. The 2 seater is destined to be powered by a V8 with a capacity of over 6 litres. Development of the car (known only as the W197 currently) is being undertaken by AMG rather than Mercedes partner McLaren. Production of the car is due to start in 2010 in Germany.

BMW M3 GT.

Coinciding with the launch of the latest BMW M3 the Bavarian marque will return to the American Le Mans Series {link}. The M3 GT will be developed in Germany by BMW Motorsport but is likely to be run by an American team when it makes its debut either later this year or for a full season in 2009. The BMW M3 GT is expected to be built to compete in the GT2 class ensuring it goes head-to-head with Ferrari and Porsche.

Mini for the future.

The Mini brand has got the SUV bug too! The Mini SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) is based on a Mini Clubman and uses BMW’s X drive four-wheel drive system to offer a compact, cheekily styled vehicle with some form of off-road capabilities. Not due for public consumption until the middle of 2010 we can still expect to see concept cars and pre-production models in 2008 and 2009.
The new Mini Cabriolet is prepared for its launch in Spring 2009 and follows its forebear closely in concept. The Mini should remain as popular and entertaining as ever although with delivery times in the region of 2 months for a Clubman some models may prove to be a little too popular in the short term.

Porsche RS Spyder.

There will be another Porsche racing in the Le Mans Series {link} this year. Equipe Verschuur {link} have revealed their driver line up which includes former F1 driver Jos Verstappen. Jos will join Peter van Merksteijn and Jeroen Bleekemolen.

Audi TT.

The middle of 2008 sees the release of a 170PS, 2 litre common rail diesel Audi TT. Offering performance and economy the new diesel TT is expected to draw a new customer base to Audi’s Coupe. Slotting in at the top of the TT range is the TT-RS which will reach dealerships in mid-2009. Using a turbocharged version of the American spec 2.5 litre 5 cylinder engine the Audi TT-RS will offer 340PS and a new, higher specification DSG gearbox.

7 speed DSG.

The latest version of Volkswagen’s {link} DSG gearbox is now available. Using 7 rather than 6 gears the latest evolution allows for better fuel economy whilst not affecting performance. Currently only available in the TDI and TSI VW Golf and Golf Plus the 7 speed DSG ‘box will gradually be offered throughout the complete Volkswagen range, plus other manufacturers within the Volkswagen Group.

Porsche GT3 Cup.

2008 and its motorsport season is only a matter of weeks away and Porsche {link} have great plans for their latest GT3 Cup car. Designed primarily for use in the Mobil 1 Supercup and the various national series the new GT3 Cup car is a logical improvement from the 2007 model. Fine detail changes have helped increase performance, the most obvious of which is increased cooling vents at the rear. The 3.6 litre flat six now produces 420PS, which is transferred through a revised 6 speed sequential gearbox that offers seamless, flat shifting. Thanks to the increased power the Porsche GT3 Cup car now has a power to weight ratio of 2.7kg/kilo.
The 26 Mobil Supercup GT3 Cup cars benefit from a revised exhaust system and PCCB ceramic brakes to increase their performance and noise in line with their Formula One supporting role.
Porsche are planning to build a record 265 GT3 Cup cars this year at their recently improved motorsport headquarters in Weissach, near Stuttgart in Germany.

TECH SPEC PORSCHE GT3 CUP:~ 2 seat, 2 door Coupe. 3600cc 6 cylinder water-cooled flat 6 engine producing 420PS. 6 speed flat-shift sequential gearbox. Rear wheel drive.

Dakar Cancelled.

The 2008 running of the Dakar Rally has been cancelled due to terrorist threats. With organisers unable to guarantee competitors safety on as many as nine stages they were left with little option but to cancel the event. Works teams and privateers had invested massive amounts of time and money into preparing for the event but all agreed that terrorist threats made the planned event impossible.
The Red Bull Volkswagen Touareg team were amongst the favourites for outright victory and had been hoping to add the Dakar to their FIA championship victories of 2007. Team boss Kris Nissen supported the organisers completely believing that competitor safety is paramount. This despite Volkswagen having invested an estimated 23 million pounds on developing their Race Touareg and team for the cancelled event.
The future of the Dakar rally remains unclear; many privateer teams are unable and unwilling to commit the huge funds required to an event that may be cancelled due to terrorist threat again. Works teams like Volkswagen are also expected to view future events with a more critical eye before committing the resources required to compete in a 15 day desert marathon.

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.

BMW in 2008.

This year sees BMW launch one new model, add a variation to an existing model and update three firm favourites. First up (as winter fades) is the saloon version of the 420PS M3 with the Cabriolet version following at the end of spring. Between the two M3 releases BMW will launch the Cabriolet version of the 1 Series. The new model gracing dealerships at the start of summer 2008 is the X6. As the year ends the face lifted 3 Series estate and saloon makes their way into the dealerships. At the same time the new 7 Series is also launched. There should be plenty of interest on BMW’s show stands this year as BMW preview their highly anticipated Progressive Activity Sedan or PAS (far more than just a 5 series Coupe) as well as the new 5 Series saloon (due 2009/2010) and the Z4 Roadster. Expect to see more hybrid technology for both current and future models.

The 3 Series benefits from a comprehensive face lift for 2008 although it is more of an improving of a successful model rather than a revamp. The M3 Saloon and Cabriolet follow the already launched Coupe into the dealerships and completes the small M model range.

BMW’s smallest cabriolet, the 1 Series makes its first appearance in 2008 and offers classic BMW values. Using a traditional fabric roof the 1 Series Cabriolet benefits from the complete range of petrol and diesel engines from its roofed counterpart, naturally all driving the rear wheels.

The seventh generation 7 Series makes its debut at the end of autumn and despite being bigger in all respects it weighs no more and offers performance in excess of the model it replaces. As is expected from a BMW 7 Series technology is to the fore, with this seventh son of a seventh son being the most advanced yet.

BMW’s über-SUV the X6 romps into the dealerships at the end of spring and takes the battle directly to Audi’s Q7. Offering sports coupe styling with an amount of off-road capability the new X6 seems to fill a completely new market segment. There is an argument that the X6 fills this new segment perfectly, the counter argument is that the X6 offers the worst of SUV and sports coupe and that it is a triumph of marketing over technology. That is a little harsh, certainly as an SUV the X6 falls a little short in comparison to other models available. As a sports coupe there is no question that the X6 is unremarkable at best. As an alternative, more sport SUV the X6 does appear to be the perfect combination in many respects. Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo has proven that an SUV can be exceptionally quick and the X6 proves that an SUV can be sportily styled.