Ford has facelifted its Mustang for 2017. A lower, re-modeled bonnet and grille deliver a leaner look and refined aerodynamics, while LED lighting has been added front and rear. Under the skin new suspension brings increased lateral stiffness with sharper response and handling, while a new 10-speed automatic transmission is also available. The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine has been recalibrate while the 5.0-litre V8 has been thoroughly reworked, says Ford, and is more powerful than ever. The facelifted Ford Mustang isn't expected in the UK until 2018.
The performance division of Mercedes - AMG - is kicking off its 50th anniversary celebrations with the launch of a new GT C Coupe. Unveiled at the Detroit Auto show, the GT C will initially be available exclusively as a special ‘Edition 50’ model, with plenty of black chrome and unique paint finishes including graphite grey. Power comes from a 4.0-litre V8 engine delivering 557 horse power, which translates into a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S have also been facelifted and upgraded with even more power.
The 2016 Paris Motor Show saw the unveiling of some highly anticipated performance cars. Ferrari revealed an open top LaFerrari Aperta. Thelimited-edition Aperta is available with a carbon-fibre roof or soft top and retains the same spec as its stablemate - resulting in a sub 3 second dash to 62 and a top speed of over 217mph. Honda gave a world debut to a new Civic Type R Prototype. Previewing an aggressive design direction for the production Type R - with plenty of carbon fibre and large 20-inch alloys - previous prototypes have often proved to be almost identical to the road car, which is set for market launch in late 2017. Hyundai chose Paris to launch its new performance N sub-brand with the RN30. Based on the new i30, the concept features a limited-slip differential, a lower, wider stance thanks to a motorsport-inspired body kit and is powered by an upgraded 2.0-litre turbo engine. Japanese electric vehicle specialist GLM unveiled its new G4 concept, based on the Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS. Formally powered by a V8 petrol engine, this electric reworking has a total system output of over 540PS, with twin motors launching the G4 to 62 in less than 3.7 seconds.
Mercedes has unveiled its new AMG GT Roadster in Paris. The open-top two-seater will be available in two model variants when it goes on sale in 2017. The base model is powered by a 476 bhp 4.0-litre V8 while the flagship AMG GT C Roadster is tuned to deliver even more horse power, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds and top speed of 196mph. AMG RIDE CONTROL and a widened track help with high speed cornering and if it rains, the roof will close in 11 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph.
The most powerful series production Audi TT ever, goes on sale later this month. Available in both Coupé and Roadster form, the new TT RS delivers a sub-four-second 0-62 time for both models and a potential top speed of 174mph. Lighter than its predecessor by 26kg, it’s powered by a newly developed 2.5-litre TFSI engine pumping out 400PS - that’s 60PS more than the outgoing model. The new Audi TT RS is priced from £51,800 OTR for the Coupé and £53,550 for the Roadster.
Bristol has revealed an all-new sports car called the Bullet. The first new car from Bristol in over a decade comes five years after the brand was rescued from insolvency and will be powered by a 4.8-litre BMW V8. The roadster’s styling draws on the company’s historical roots as an aeroplane manufacturer and was inspired by a neglected speedster prototype found hidden under a dusty tarpaulin at the old factory. Only 70 examples of the Bullet will be made, with prices expected to be around the £250k mark.
Set for a UK showroom debut later this year, the new Audi R8 Spyder V10 has just gone on sale in Germany. The second generation model is powered by a 5.2-litre engine with 540bhp, accelerating the drop-top from 0 to 62 in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed close to 200 mph. Built using a mixture of aluminium and carbon fibre, the new model is faster than its predecessor - as well as being more tightly pinned to the road thanks in part to a 50 per cent improvement in rigidity. UK pricing has yet to be confirmed, but with a base price of €179,000 in its home market - expect it to cost in the region of £150,000.
Following the launch of Fiat’s 124 Spider, the Italian brands performance division, Abarth, has now confirmed pricing for its beefed up version. Starting at £29 and a half, Abarth has tuned the 1.4 litre engine up to 170 bhp, shaving nearly a second off the 0-62mph time and increasing top speed to 143mph. A limited slip differential joins the standard fit Record Monza exhaust, while the range-topping model, which costs from £31,600 adds a sequential automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles. The new Abarth 124 spider arrives in the UK this summer.
Fiat has confirmed its new 124 Spider will cost from £19,545. Reviving the historic nameplate, Fiat’s new roadster is powered by a 1.4-litre Turbo Petrol engine sending 140bhp to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, for a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds. Available in three trim levels, the Lusso starts at £22,295 and adds 17-inch alloy wheels among other details while an extra £1000 will get you into the flagship Lusso Plus which adds LED headlights as well as a nine-speaker BOSE sound system.
Audi has pulled the covers off its new TT RS in Beijing. The most powerful ever production TTis available as a Coupé or Roadster with both models powered by a 2.5-litre TFSI engine - with a 17 percent increase in performance. 0-62 takes just 3.7 seconds, and top speed is 174mph. The new TT RS is fitted with 19-inch alloys as standard, sits ten millimetres lower than the base model and has new 3D effect organic LED rear lights. Available to order this summer, prices have yet to be announced.
Mercedes pulled the covers and the roof off its new C-Class in Geneva. The first cabriolet features a classic fabric soft top which can be opened and closed in less than 20 seconds. It's available with the AIRCAP automatic draught stop system and AIRSCARF neck-level heating. Powered by a choice of 'powerful and efficient' petrol and diesel engines, the new C-Class Cabriolet launches in time for summer this year.
Ferrari has revealed its new 488 Spider. Powered by a turbo-charged V8, pumping out 660bhp, the 488 Spider can cover the 0 to 62 sprint in just 3 seconds flat thanks in part to zero turbo lag - with a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds. The Retractable Hard Top is 25 kg lighter than a comparable fabric roof and takes 14 seconds to fully retract. The Ferrari 488 Spider is set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Porsche has given a world debut to its 2015 Boxster Spyder at the New York Auto Show. The new range-topping Boxster retains the independent character of the previous Spyder with the fabric roof still opened and closed by hand, and the 3.8-litre flat six mated only to a manual transmission. The lightest and most powerful Boxster yet takes around 4.5 seconds to sprint to 62 and has a top speed of 180 mph. The new Porsche Boxster Spyder will go on sale in July with prices starting at £60,459 OTR.
The all-new Ford Mustang has officially gone on sale in the UK for the first time. Fastback or convertible versions are available, powered by either a 314PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine or a 418PS 5.0-litre V8 unit – mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 2015 Mustang is fitted with 19-inch wheels, performance brakes and a rear diffuser as standard and is available to order now from new inner city 'FordStores'. Prices start from £28,995 on the road, rising to £38,495 for the range-topping V8 Convertible.
Audi has confirmed that the all-new TT will be available from launch with a choice of three four-cylinder direct injection turbo engines with power outputs ranging from 184 to 310PS. There will be two versions: a TT and a TTS -- with the latter delivering a provisional 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds when fitted with the optional 6-speed S tronic transmission. Under the skin the revised quattro all-wheel drive system can now temporarily deactivate to improve efficiency, while in the cabin, the driver is greeted by an all-digital 'Audi virtual cockpit'.
BMW has revealed the new M4 Convertible - the fifth-generation open-top car to bear the M badge. Powered by the same 431bhp six-cylinder engine as the M4 Coupe, it will get from 0 to 62mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. Despite having more equipment, it's around 60kg lighter than the outgoing M3 Convertible and features a three-part metal roof that can open fully in just 20 seconds. Sales kick off in September with prices starting from just over £60,000 on the road.
Order books have opened for the first ever Audi S3 Cabriolet, fresh from its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The flagship soft-top is powered by a 2.0 turbocharged TFSI engine pumping out 300PS for a 0-62 time of 5.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. As with every S model the Cabriolet includes quattro permanent all-wheel drive and S tronic transmission as standard. UK order books open in April with first deliveries expected in July. Pricing has yet to be announced.
Porsche has unveiled a high performance GTS version of the Boxster. Fitted with the Porsche Sport Chrono package and Active Suspension Management as standard, the GTS also features a new front spoiler, a re-styled lower apron and black 20-inch Carrera S alloys. An uprated 3.4-litre engine adds an extra 15bhp and, when teamed with Launch Control, this propels the 2-seater from 0-62 in 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph. Prices for the Boxster GTS start at £52,879 on the road.
