The upcoming Porsche Taycan is the brands first pure electric sports car, the companys foil for drawing a few customers away from the likes of Tesla and Audis new e-Tron.We know a bit about its powertrain synchronous motors generating over 600 horsepower but, until now, not a whole lot about its shape.Sure, weve all seen the Mission E Concept, but theres always a chance that concept car beauty can get lost in translation to production, especially once the bed-wetting accountants get involved. Good news: it seems like the Taycan will be one heckuva looker.Porsche has revealed the first detailed exterior sketches of the series-production model. The head of Style at Porsche, Michael Mauer, gave his thoughts on the car in an interview with, erm, his own company.We knew that this new model had to be recognisable as a Porsche at first glance, said Mauer, explaining the 911-esque front fascia and alarmingly swollen rear haunches. Sports cars have a more dramatic width-to-height ratio than other vehicles. Taycan is absolutely unique in terms of its proportions.No kidding. Anyone whose bedroom walls used to be adorned with posters of old Turbo 911s will instantly recognize those rear wheel arches, stretched and flared to the point of being uncomfortable in its own trousers. The style boss said the company benefited from the experience gained with the different Panamera generations, drawing on their work with that four-door car to help design Taycan. Mauer also points out that the team had greater freedom since they werent forced to fit a large combustion engine under the front hood. This allowed them to sculpt the nose so that its not only pretty to the eye but also to the wind; aerodynamics are critical to the overall performance of an all-electric car, particularly its range.Porsche still relies on tried-and-tested clay models up to a scale of 1:1, by the way. While purists may howl at the thought of an all-electric Porsche, they can take solace in the fact that part of its design was undertaken with some pretty traditional
Origin: Porsche shows off the shape of the new Taycan
Car Review: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i
OVERVIEW Rear-wheel-drive, performance-oriented compact roadster PROSPowerful, handles well, well contented CONSHeavier than it needs to be, no manual transmission VALUE FOR MONEYFair WHAT TO CHANGE?Take 100 kg out of the car’s weight HOW TO SPEC IT?As is but with no options Its bad enough that Canadas prime months for enjoyable top-down driving are so short, making the purchase of any convertible rather self-indulgent (not that theres anything wrong with that), but to be forced to keep said top in place thanks to uncooperative weather a steady, all-day rain, to be specific is Mother Natures cruel joke.However, it does tend to refocus ones attention. Instead of the brain going into full chill mode, blood pressure dropping 20 points as one basks in the sun and takes in the sights, sounds and smells that come with al-fresco motoring, one accompanied by the drumbeat of precipitation on the soft-top and the swish-swish of the wipers must concentrate on the task at hand, the banality of actually having to assess the merits of BMWs new soft-top Z4. Bummer, yes, but not without its upsides.Key is the fact that, in these strange days where all manner of crossovers have overwhelmed the automotive landscape, that this two-seat, rear-wheel-drive Z4 has actually come to fruition. Even stranger is its a result of collaboration between BMW and Toyota, this partnership also producing the hardtop Supra, previously missing-in-action for more than 20 years.Without dissecting every nut and bolt in the car, it appears the Z4 is pure BMW; it has the typically overstyled look, the heavy yet tight and balanced feel, the angry sound, and eager performance youd expect. Is it a convertible first, sports car second? Or vice-versa? Considering its the muscular 2020 Z4 M40i on test and not the milder sDrive30i, Id go with the latter not that it greatly matters, but its an experience. Equally moot is whether the M40i is better than a Porsche 718 Boxster GTS the pundits choice for a match-up or a Mercedes-AMG SLC 43, a Jaguar F-Type, or any other high-end, sporty European droptop. None of these are race cars and this is about open-road motoring on a grand scale, not setting lap times at the track. Still, opting for the M40i ($76,100 to start) gets you a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder instead of the sDrive 30is turbo-four, which means a solid 382 horsepower at your disposal. Yes, purists will bemoan the lack of a manual, but the eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) knocks off shifts jiffy quick, the shorter ratios for the transmissions lower gears greatly aiding acceleration. It also features launch control for accelerating hard from a standing start with maximum traction. BMW claims 4.1 seconds for the M40i to hit 100 km/h from a standstill, which, considering the Roadster weighs a hefty 1,643 kg, is plenty speedy.And the engine makes the music to match its power, especially in Sport+ mode, where the exhaust snaps, crackles and pops with each upshift or downshift. Nailing the throttle elicits a bellow that, when heard it for the first time, is startling. Oh, just to be clear, the Z4 in Comfort mode can be chill, allowing one to enjoy a more relaxed drive, but its not the M40is forte it really wants to be let off the leash.The Z4s ride and handling is a mostly positive blend of comfort and sporty handling, the caveat being the cars weight (a balanced 50/50 front to rear, by the way), which is felt in higher-speed cornering or when making abrupt transitions. Additionally, variable power-assist steering feels artificially heavy at speed, notably in the Sport modes (there are three) and a bit slow to respond. That said, the M40i goes where its pointed, and the M Sport suspension does yeoman work soaking up tarmac thumps and bumps.Other than the adaptive M Sport suspension, the M40i comes standard with M Sport brakes and M Sport differential. Lowering ride height by 10 millimetres, the suspension includes electronically controlled dampers. Meanwhile, the rear differential boasts an electric motor that generates a locking effect to equalize torque distribution between the inside and outside rear wheels when cornering, making it easier to power out of bends. The active differential lock is also effective in reducing both understeer and oversteer. Whats the uptake from all these systems? Simply this: the Z4 is not a car that will beat you up and spit you out after an extended drive as long as said drive isnt the result of multiple hours spent trying to better your lap times. I suppose it would be too much to ask BMW to build a pure analogue sports car, a lighter weight, manual-equipped version stripped of all but the essentials needed for a spirited drive. So, in addition to the power and handling mods that make the M40i a sports car, theres a boatload of state-of-the-art features to spoil both driver and passenger.Plunk your butt into the drivers seat and survey
Origin: Car Review: 2020 BMW Z4 M40i
Limited-edition Bentley Bentayga features plaid interior and chessboard
Bentley has revealed a limited-edition Bentayga, a result of a collaboration between its Mulliner bespoke division and Savile Row tailor Huntsman. There are two versions available: the Businessman and the Sportsman. Both replace traditional wood veneer with Huntsman tweeds while the Businessman features a Mulliner chessboard in the rear seat rest, complete with a drawer trimmed in Huntsman fabric to hold the chess pieces. The Sportsman “take its cue from relaxed countryside pursuits,” said Bentley, with more obvious use of tweed on passenger and driver and includes blue leather and Liquid Amber veneer inserts, paired with a red exterior. The Businessman is described as having a “more urban spirit”, with a black Anthracite interior with two-tone black and grey exterior, carbon fibre fascias and waistrails and tweed on door cards. The limited-edition Bentayga is only available through Bentley showroom Jack Barclay, based in Mayfair, London close to Huntsman. The partnership is described as “uniting two icons of London’s Mayfair district and two special centenaries; that of Bentley Motors and that of Huntsman’s Savile Row boutique”. Huntsman and Jack Barclay logos are embroidered into each of the head rests. Stefan Sielaff, Bentley director of design said: “Bentley is delighted to bring together two brands which have such an impeccable heritage in the heart of London – Jack Barclay and Huntsman. “The personalisation work we do at Mulliner is about bringing a vision to life – like creating a perfect tailored suit – so adding an element of bespoke Huntsman material to the Bentayga’s lavish and beautiful interior is a perfect fit.” All buyers of the limited-edition Bentayga also receive a bespoke Huntsman jacket with a lining made exclusively for Bentley. Pricing has not been revealed, but is expected to be significantly more than the Bentayga’s starting price of £162,700. Bentley is ramping up its Mulliner division, as it recognises more and more demand for ultra-exclusive models. Later this year, a new model of which only 10 will be made will be revealed and is expected to cost in excess of £1m. The Crewe-based marque has already seen success with a limited-edition Mulliner model this year. The Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner was revealed at the Geneva motor show in March and all 100 examples promptly sold out. The special edition model celebrates the brand’s 100th anniversary and sports design that echoes the 4 ½ Litre ‘Blower’ raced at Le Mans in 1930. Bentley’s main centenary celebrations will happen next week, 10 July, at its headquarters and will include a new concept showcasing the future of grand
Origin: Limited-edition Bentley Bentayga features plaid interior and chessboard
New BMW X6 leaks ahead of tonight’s official reveal
BMW is set to pull the covers off its new X6 late this evening, but what look like press images of the coupé-SUV have leaked out already. Published first on Instagram before a number of BMW fan sites picked them up, the images show the new X6 will continue the design theme of the last-generation model, but with detail changes mirroring the rest of the firm’s now fully up-to-date X line-up. The front end gets a more aggressive interpretation of BMW’s SUV face, while the roofline tapers and slopes down at the rear in true coupé style. At the back, the stretched LED tail-lights are heavily inspired by the X4. Details, as well as the interior, remain under wraps, but we know that much of the car’s mechanical make-up, engines and technology will be borrowed from its X5 sibling. Production will remain at BMW’s US plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where prototypes are already being built for testing. X6 prototypes have previously been spotted on the same outing as a flagship X6 M, which will use the M5’s 4.4-litre V8 for an anticipated output of 600bhp or more. The X6 range will kick off with xDrive30d and xDrive40d variants, although a greater petrol-powered offering is expected. xDrive40i, 50i and 45e versions will make up the rest of the range, with the notable addition of the plug-in hybrid. M Performance M50d and M50i variants are also planned as BMW proliferates its M sub-brand, although the M50i petrol might not be offered in Europe, as it’s geared towards the US market. The M50d will be powered by a quad-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine producing more than 400bhp. Like the X5, the new X6 will be based on BMW’s CLAR platform, with double wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension. Air suspension will be an option. Inside, the new X6 will be almost identical to the X5, with BMW’s new seventh-generation iDrive infotainment system featuring. Expect a slightly lower driving position for a sportier feel, alongside reduced space for rear-seat
Origin: New BMW X6 leaks ahead of tonight’s official reveal
Land Rover Defender: details of new Defender family leaked
Vital statistics of Jaguar Land Rover’s all-new Defender family have been leaked online. The big news is that there will be three versions of the new Defender. The first two versions – the 90 and 110 – will be launched for the 2020 model year. What appears to be a series of screen slides, detailing the three-model Slovakian-built Defender family, the engine line-up as well as the trim and options have been covertly photographed and uploaded to Land Rover enthusiast forum Disco4.com. It’s not known where the leak took place, but it appears to be an internal JLR briefing. Like all future JLR models, the Defender family is based on the new aluminium MLB platform, which can be engineered as a conventional mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a pure EV version. There’s no detail as to whether all Defenders will be mild-hybrids as standard and just one plug-in hybrid will be offered in 2020 and 2021. The Defender 90 is described in the slides as the ‘halo image icon’ of the Defender family and is aimed at ‘the young, affluent fun seekers’. The shortest Defender will be available in 5 and 6 seat options, which suggests that a three-abreast front seat is possible. The 90 is also a surprisingly compact machine, measuring just 4.323m long. It is marginally the tallest of the three versions, at 1.927m. The wheelbase measures a just 2.587m. All three Defenders are the same width at 1.999m, though there’s no detail on whether this is measured across the mirrors. Also on sale in 2020 will be the new Defender 110. Land Rover describes this as the ‘definitive’ model in the family. It will be available in 5, 6 and 7 seat forms. It’s aimed at ‘couples, the self-employed and adventurers’. The 110 is 4.758m long and has a rather longer 3.022m wheelbase and is a tad lower at 1.916m. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the Defender 130, which is destined for launch in 2022 and so unlikely to be seen testing until the very end of 2019. This is designated by JLR as a ‘Premium Explorer’ for ‘families and active lifestyle and travel’ and will come with eight seats. The 130 is a significant 5.1m long, although it has the same 3.022m wheelbase as the 110, suggesting a long rear overhang and substantial boot space. Under the bonnet of the 90 and 110 models, there will be a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines in 2020 and 2021 and all Defenders will come as standard with an autobox and all-wheel drive. The diesel units will be offered in D200, D240 (four cylinder) and D300 300bhp (straight-six) forms, with 0-62mph times of around 10.0secs, 8.3secs and 7.4secs respectively. It’s understood the D300 will be the only diesel engine offered in North American markets and arrives for the 2021 model year. Three petrol Defender engines – the P300, P400 and the P400e Plug-in Hybrid – will be on sale immediately. These are thought to all be straight-six units, and will be sold in the US, where many States use the same onerous ‘SULEV’ pollution regime as California. According to the leak, the plug-in P400 offers a torque boost from 400Nm to 645Nm and a 5.9sec 0-62mph time, Autocar understands. There will be three base models in the Defender line-up, the first-year production X, Standard and, for 2021, the X-Dynamic. The high-end X will offer a fixed spec and ‘limited options’ for 2021, before being offered with a wider spec for the 2021 model year. The Defender X will be sold in powerful P300 and P400e petrol forms in 2020, with the D300 diesel being added to a lengthened options list in 2021. The Defender ‘Standard’ will be available with the full range of engine options from launch, aside from the D300 which arrives in 2021. Customers will be able to select a further three specification levels: S, SE and HSE. According to the leaked presentation slides, the ‘Standard’ specification Defenders will get 18in wheels, LED headlamps, 8-way adjustable fabric front seats, a 140W audio system with six speakers, a 7in instrument cluster and a 10in touchscreen. ’S’ specification Defenders add front fog lamps, 12-way adjustable ‘semi-powered’ seats in ‘Performance’ fabric and a 12in digital instrument cluster. The SE gets 20in ‘Apollo’ wheels, Premium LED headlights with high beam assist, powered rear-view mirrors and a passive entry system, 14-way adjustable electric front seats, a 370W Meridian audio system with 10 speakers and automatic parking. Defender HSE models gets Matrix LED headlamps, 18-way adjustable Windsor leather electric memory seats with climate control and what JLR calls a ‘Drive Pack and Park Pack’. The launch ‘X’ model gets darkened 20in wheels and taillights, more highly-specced front seats and a ‘Co-Pilot’ pack. On top of this, JLR will offer four option packs (Capability, Interior Upgrade, Exterior and Convenience) as well as stand-alone options. Accessories – badged as Explorer, Adventure, Urban and Country – will also be offered by dealers. Clearly, JLR is looking to take advantage of the
Origin: Land Rover Defender: details of new Defender family leaked
James Ruppert: why petrol compact SUVs rule the classifieds
I do love stats which tell a story, and some I’ve come across recently are rather relevant to what is happening in the current used car market. According to some figures from Indicata, petrol engines dominated the list of the fastest-selling used cars for April, accounting for 70% of the top 10 compiled by Indicata. So yes, petrol is the fuel that the used car buyer truly understands – and they remain terrified of diesel. Forecourt sales staff will tell you of the reluctance they encounter when it comes to oil-burners. The models at the top end of the fast sellers list include the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Ford Ecosport and Vauxhall Mokka. The used car market is therefore petrol SUV-shaped at the moment, in particular the dinkier, more compact ones. That inspired me to go super-cheap-car shopping for something similar, but rather more Banger. I may be odd but I’m always looking at Land Rover Freelanders, not least because I can’t help thinking that the new Defender should look like this, but probably won’t. Just £595 gets me into a 2003 1.8 Maasai with an MOT and recent service to its name. A lovely looking three-door. But Land Rover’s marginal reliability is a worry for some, including me, and that might send me into the welcoming, alt-Defender style of a Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin GDi Equippe. It too is from 2003 and is up for just £595. Five doors, spare wheel on the tailgate. Fantastic. Then there’s an old-school Kia Sportage 2.0 XSE, which actually does not look so cool now. Just old. This 2002 with less than 80,000 miles is – guess what? – £595, and the dealer was selling it with a year’s breakdown cover. Then again, there’s a Honda HR-V 1.6, which is way cooler than the latest one. This 2000 example had covered just over 100,000 miles and seemed quite tidy, although they can cause trouble if less than pristine. Quite an old vehicle now but I’d still take the risk. A bright spot in the stats is the BMW 3 Series, which is the only saloon in the top ten. Obviously that is the sort of transport I’d buy, and the bigger the engine the better. There are some cheap 3 Series around. I liked the look of a £500 318i, but really it was a 2001 330i SE saloon with 99,000 miles, 12 months’ MOT, and all for £1900 all in. The gearbox is automatic, which may put some people off, but really, a light blue BMW saloon with a big engine is just about perfect. So there we have it: the fastest-selling used cars are petrols – usually with faux off-road bodies on top. We can save the day, though, by turning towards six-cylinder Bavarian saloons. There is hope. What we almost bought this week Blink and you’ll have missed this large family car when it was new (2005-’07). Shame, since the model was well built and reliable. We found a tidy 2006-reg Eleganza with 57,000 miles on the clock and a new timing belt on the engine. In addition to this 1.8 petrol there was a 2.2 and a trio of diesels, including a 2.4 making a useful 200bhp. Tales from Ruppert’s garage Innocenti Mini, mileage – 6759: Just to let you know that the Italian Mini I bought earlier this year still exists. It failed its MOT in fairly spectacular fashion: the brakes weren’t very good and, of course, there was rust. Loads of it. There’s not enough room here to detail what’s been happening and I may well go away and write a book about the whole experience. For the moment, though, I’ll just stick to the MOT, which it didn’t even need to be subjected to – and that should scare every road user out there. Reader’s ride Dave Bardsley is back: “My previous Bangernomics Kia Sportage failed its MOT and needed a sum in the hundreds and starting with a ‘3’ to pass, so I bought this 2007 Hyundai Tucson for £1795. It’s got 88,000 miles on it and an MOT until next February, so I’m looking forward to some hassle-free motoring. It’s a lot of metal and gizmos for the money, all electric and a split tailgate. It’s even got a remote-controlled radio.” Readers’ questions Question: I’m considering buying my next car at auction. Are there any guarantees or recourse if I buy a dud? Jason Townes, Epsom, Surrey Answer: Choose your auction carefully. Larger operators such as BCA have detailed terms and conditions that outline what you should expect and offer indemnities should a vehicle be incorrectly described. They also guarantee that good title is transferred to the buyer. If a vehicle’s mileage is warranted, then that should be correct. BCA also offers the Assured scheme, an independent multi-point check by the AA to ensure buyers have accurate information relating to the mechanical condition. Remember that it is up to you to check the car’s overall visible condition prior to the sale, as these parts of the car are always sold ‘as seen’. John Evans Question: My Mazda MX-5’s windscreen needs replacing but I’m worried about the accuracy of the driver assist systems, which use sensors mounted on the screen. Colin Gordon, Devizes, Wiltshire
Origin: James Ruppert: why petrol compact SUVs rule the classifieds
New Audi S8 receives 563bhp mild-hybrid petrol V8
Audi has revealed the flagship of its A8 range – the new S8 – packing a mild-hybrid 563bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and an innovative new suspension system. Unlike the recently revealed S6 and S7, which now make use of diesel engines, the S8 retains the large-capacity petrol V8 shared with Porsche and Bentley. It puts out 563bhp and 590lb ft of torque, although the firm has yet to release performance details beyond a 155mph limited top speed. Audi’s 48V mild-hybrid system is also brought in, featuring a starter alternator and small lithium ion battery to allow coasting and extended stop-start use, boosting efficiency in addition to cylinder deactivation. Another new system is so-called ‘predictive active suspension’. It adds electromechanical actuators to the adaptive air suspension system that can lift or push down each wheel separately, claimed to greatly reduce pitch and roll while allowing comfort levels on a par with the standard A8. To enhance refinement, an active noise cancellation system helps to mask wind and road noise. Rear-wheel steering also features alongside Audi’s sport differential, which transfers torque between the rear wheels during fast cornering and comes as standard. Ventilated carbon-ceramic brakes can be optioned, with up to 21in alloy wheels available to customers. Styling-wise, the S8 features unique detailing on the bumpers, sills and mirror housings and new twin exhaust pipes, while a black styling pack is also available. The A8’s standard ‘comfort customised contour seats’ get a sporty makeover with pneumatically adjustable side bolsters. Active noise cancellation uses the speaker system to mitigate road and wind noise for a more comfortable ride, and the S8 retains all the driver assistance systems found in the A8 for stop-start adaptive cruise control. Car-to-X connected technology can also display traffic light countdown timers in supported cities. Audi has yet to confirm UK pricing, which is expected to approach £100,000 before
Origin: New Audi S8 receives 563bhp mild-hybrid petrol V8
Autocar confidential: Volkswagen plans wireless updates, Audi gives us the heads-up and more
In this week’s wander through the backstage area of motoring, we find out why Hyundai engineers need to get off the bus, how Audi’s changing cockpit design, and more. VW’s breath of fresh air Volkswagen’s ID range of electric cars have been designed to be upgradable during their lifespan but, while over-the-air remote updates are possible, VW sales boss Jürgen Stackmann says such upgrades will probably be done at a dealer to begin with. “We need to be absolutely sure of (over-the-air upgrades),” he said. “We are not a start-up company, so we can’t take those risks.” The future of Audi’s dash design Audi’s signature Virtual Cockpit will eventually be replaced by an augmented head-up display and voice control, according to design boss Marc Lichte. Hinted at on the Q4 E-tron concept, which will make production in 2021, Lichte said: “Virtual Cockpit will become much smaller and we will have an augmented head-up display. Maybe in 10 years we’ll have less displays because HUD will control everything by voice.” Hyundai-Kia stops the bus “Too many of our engineers come to work on the bus,” says Hyundai and Kia design boss Luc Donckerwolke of his colleagues at the Namyang research and development centre. He says it limits their experience of driving the products they develop. Polestar times it right The shift to electrification has opened a window of opportunity for new brands to establish themselves – but it will only be brief, according to Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “There is often a moment between launching too early or too late, but it is only a moment and the way the market is developing I’m more convinced it is right now,” he
Origin: Autocar confidential: Volkswagen plans wireless updates, Audi gives us the heads-up and more
Order books open for DS 3 Crossback ETense
Order books open for DS 3 Crossback E-Tense The premium crossover will be delivered from early next year DS has announced pricing and opened the order books for its DS 3 Crossback E-Tense pure-electric crossover. The premium compact SUV will start at £32,350 (inc Plug-in Car Grant), when launched early next year. Trim levels will largely mirror the non-electric models, and the new platform on which the DS 3 Crossback is built has been designed so that there isn’t compromise in terms of interior space with the addition of a large battery. That battery is a 50 kWh pack, powering a 100 kW (136hp) electric motor, good for a WLTP range of 200 miles on a single charge. Thanks to 260 Nm of torque, in Sport mode, the DS will complete the 0-62mph time in 8.7 seconds. The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense will be a around 300kg heavier than the conventional petrol and diesel models, because around 50 kg has been saved from the battery’s 350kg weight by trimming other components to compensate for some of this. There will be a choice of three driving modes – Eco, Normal, and Sport – which combine with two brake energy recuperation modes, brought over from the brand’s Formula E team, Normal & Brake. Other common EV features are included in the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, with pre-conditioning possible, made more efficient thanks to the fitted heat pump, and there is a MyDS app to control this function, plus check on battery charge and receive notifications about the car. Charging will be carried out through the Type 2 CCS inlet, which can accept 7 kW fast charge, and 100 kW on rapid units. The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense has the capacity to accept up to 11 kW three-phase, but since much of the UK’s infrastructure is single-phase, the 7 kW on-board charger will be the standard offering. Whether UK buyers can upgrade or not, is not made clear. Additional services will be offered by DS to customers, including a choice of home charger solutions, access to public charging infrastructure, and DS Mobility – access to rent other DS models, such as a petrol or diesel model for long journeys. A £500 deposit can be put down now, ahead of formal ordering later this year. Deliveries are expected to start in January 2020.
Origin: Order books open for DS 3 Crossback ETense
Robin Shute becomes first Briton to win Pikes Peak
Former British GT racer Robin Shute achieved his ambition of becoming the first Briton to win the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in the US on Sunday, although his achievement was overshadowed by the death of a motorcyclist. Shute, who lives in California, entered his own Honda-powered Wolf GB08 sports racer for the second consecutive year and had set a target for the 12.42-mile Colorado mountain road to become the first British driver to win at the event, which was first held in 1916. As in 2018, bad weather affected the climb, but unlike last year, Shute was able to complete his run before it did so. His time of 9m12.476sec was well clear of the next best and fastest GT entrant, Raphael Astier in a modified Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, who managed a run of 9m23.721sec. “We did it, we took the top spot!” Shute told Autocar on Monday. “We had a tough week leading up to the event, with various medium-sized problems each day keeping us busy. Friday we actually seized an engine. “This put us on the back foot and I unfortunately ended up dealing with a large misfire for the race run on Sunday.” Shute, who is originally from Norfolk and is the son of long-time Lotus employee Tony Shute, had been targeting a run below the 8min 30sec mark, but was satisfied with his effort in the circumstances. “I was very happy to get to the top of the hill and pleased with the time, considering the issue,” he said. “It wasn’t the time we were looking for, but it was enough to seal the win.” His Wolf, which is powered by a 2.0-litre, turbocharged HPD Honda Racing engine, was never going to get close to the all-time record of 7min 57.1sec set last year by Romain Dumas in Volkswagen’s electric-powered ID R special. But Shute did at least match Dumas’s Pikes Peak speed from the Le Mans winner’s previous efforts in more conventional machinery. “Qualifying went really well, and we actually beat Dumas’s best time in his Norma by 0.4sec when he was running this same engine,” said Shute. “Although not official, I believe the terminal speed we achieved on one of the straights was the fastest anyone has seen, at 158mph. It was great to beat these benchmarks.” Sadly, a fatal motorcycle accident occurred just before Shute made his run. Carlin Dunne, a four-time winner of the two-wheeled competition, fell from his Ducati just a quarter of a mile from the finish line. The 36-year-old had been on target to set a new motorcycle course record. Race organisers released a statement in tribute to Dunne. “We mourn the tragic death of Carlin and he will remain in our hearts forever as part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb family,” it read. “Carlin will be remembered as a warm-hearted mentor with a competitive spirit. He was a gentle and thoughtful man who touched everyone who met him. We will always remember his contagious smile and genuine love for
Origin: Robin Shute becomes first Briton to win Pikes Peak
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