An aero package developed with help from Sauber adds a unique front splitter, more prominent rear spoiler and wider side skirts. Inside the cabin, unique stylistic details include Sparco racing seats with red stitching and carbonfibre shells, and carbonfibre inserts in the gearknob and steering wheel. Just ten Giulia and three Stelvio models will initially be made available for UK customers, with prices starting from £89,500 for the Giulia saloon and £96,500 for the Stelvio SUV. Both cars will be taking part in the Goodwood hillclimb at this year’s Festival. The Alfa Romeo Racing edition cars were first revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year alongside the Stelvio Ti, equipped with a 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and a Giulia Veloce Ti in Misano Blue featuring extensive use of carbonfibre. Alfa also used that event to announce trim level revisions and a rejigging of the engine range for the 2019 Alfa Giulietta: the Super, the Speciale and the Veloce. There is now a choice of three different Euro 6D-compliant engines – a 1.4-litre 118bhp turbo petrol and 1.6-litre 118bhp diesel in manual or automatic, plus a 2.0-litre 168bhp diesel available in TCT automatic transmission only. The entry-level Super comes with cruise control, dual air-con, front foglights and rear parking sensors as standard; side skirts, sports seats, tinted windows and an oversized exhaust come with the Speciale; and the top-of-the-range Veloce includes 18in dark alloy wheels, twin exhausts, Alcantara and fabric seats, electric mirrors, auto headlights and wipers, and Uconnect
Origin: Alfa Romeo Racing edition Giulia and Stelvio celebrate F1 return at Goodwood
return
Mitsubishi could return to performance cars with reborn Lancer Evolution
Mitsubishi is plotting a resurrection of the iconic Lancer Evolution as part of a return to its performance car roots. It is planned to continue a rich history of Lancer Evolution models kicked off with the launch of the first-generation model in 1992, by offering supercar-beating acceleration together with the choice of either traditional four-door saloon or five-door hatchback bodystyles, according to Japanese-based sources. Details remain scarce, but suggestions are the followup to the Lancer Evolution X produced between 2007 and 2016 would share key elements of its drivetrain with the next-generation Renault Mégane RS, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a dual-clutch gearbox and an advanced Mitsubishi-developed S-AWC four-wheel drive system. In its most potent form, the existing front-wheel-drive Renault Mégane RS’s MR designated engine delivers 296bhp and 295lb ft of torque. However, the possible addition of electronic boosting in a 48V mild-hybrid system being developed for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance is likely to increase its reserves closer to the 341bhp and 319lb ft of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant used by the limited-edition Subaru Impreza WRX STi S209. The 11th generation of the four-wheel-drive Lancer Evolution has been conceived to sit on the CMF-C/D F4 platform developed within Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. The current non-performance Lancer was discontinued as an international model in 2017, but the name lives on with a saloon model sold in Chinese-speaking markets due to its popularity. The Evolution’s revival, part of Mitsubishi chairman Osamu Masuko’s plan to restore the Japanese maker to its previous position of strength within the performance car ranks, would depend on the Lancer returning in a new generation. Masuko, 70, is set to surrender his position as CEO to Takao Kato. However, the Mitsubishi veteran will continue to lead the company in the position of chairman. Previous plans by Masuko to develop a successor to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X were placed on hold following heavy losses at the company and its subsequent purchase by Nissan in
Origin: Mitsubishi could return to performance cars with reborn Lancer Evolution
French authorities return classic ute after realizing it’s not built for smuggling
An Australian automotive enthusiast living in the U.K. found himself in a bit of hot water with French customs when they deemed his 1970 Holden HG ute a smuggling vehicle, threatening to crush it and hand him a fine along with a jail sentence. Thankfully, after a year of explaining the ute is just obscure and not criminal, the owner is getting it back. It began when Travis McKimmie bought the well-maintained HG in the Netherlands and had it put on a truck and shipped to England. Along the way, a French customs patrol dog caught the scent of cannabis and sniffed out a small amount of years-old pot that was tucked in the vehicle’s spare wheel. Oh, mon dieu, un joint! Then, during a more thorough search, officials uncovered what they suspected to be a pair of smugglers’ compartments under a hatch at the rear of the vehicle. That’s when they impounded the vehicle and handed McKimmie a €70 fine for the cannabis. In actuality, the two 4020 cm hatches were created by the automaker itself. See, the Holden HG was built on a sedan or station wagon floorpan, so when the brand put a steel panel over the footwells to fashion the bed of the ute, it left two hollow compartments below. Some people put nothing in them, some put ice in them, and others, apparently, fill them with drugs. McKimmie was first told the vehicle would be crushed, then informed that instead French customs would use it as an educational tool for spotting smuggling vehicles. But he wasn’t having any of it. He bought the car fair and square and wasn’t about to let a little stale weed stand in the way of the restoration he had planned. So he began an education of his own, sending photos and emails and information to French customs, explaining the history and strange but explainable build of the Holden. At first the customs officials resisted, even threatening McKinnie with a heavier fine and a jail sentence if he challenged their decision. But he didn’t relent. After a year in the impound (for which McKinnie was charged €280) and many emails sent on its behalf, the vehicle is finally on its way to the U.K. “I finally got the end of the story that I wanted,” McKimmie said in a Facebook post in late April. “People in the U.K. don’t get it they just think it’s a old pick up as they call them over here but to me it’s a bit of Aussie
Origin: French authorities return classic ute after realizing it’s not built for smuggling
600-hp Nissan GT-R makes its return in Canada for 2020 model year
2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition What is it? It’s not as awesome as the GT-R50 Nissan revealed last year and then decided to build for well-heeled customers, but the 2020 GT-R introduces a 50th Anniversary Edition with heritage colours that pay tribute to the greatest racers to bear the GT-R badge. Why does it matter? Don’t be distracted by the flashy colours and pretty stripes Nissan is showing off for their 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R. The real news is the return of the 600-hp Nismo engine tune under the hood of 2020 GT-R Track Edition cars, not seen since the very brief appearance of the GT-R Nismo in Canada for the 2017 model year. While 600 hp is a wonderful round number to make good headlines, it’s not the only change on the menu for the heavyweight AWD supercar, though it is the most meaningful for performance enthusiasts. Each and every twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 that goes into a GT-R is handcrafted by its own takumi technician, with a signed badge commemorating his work. In standard Premium trim, horsepower is an already robust 565, with 467 lb.-ft. from 3,300 to 5,800 rpm, while the 600-hp Track Edition gets a bump to 481 lb.-ft. from 3,600 to 5,600 rpm. Changes for the 2020 model include new turbochargers that yield quicker responsiveness, race-inspired exhaust manifold designed for easier servicing and potential tuning. Nissan continues to tinker with the transmission refinement, but hopefully they will never go too far and strip away the endearing mechanical orchestra of gears and differentials from the 6-speed dual-clutch. R mode gains more aggressive downshifts, particularly during ABS moments, when it interprets that hard braking as preparation for corner exit. However, both Auto mode and R mode will dial back the aggression based on driving inputs, so if you are just driving around town, it won’t downshift for max rpms every time you brake gently or regularly. and as with every update, the suspension is tweaked to enhance both cornering attitude and comfort to go along with refined steering and braking. With the GT-R climbing the pricing ladder thanks to impeccable performance credentials, Nissan is working to keep up appearances and quality for customer that could just as easily spend their money on a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-AMG GT. While the 8-inch touchscreen and controls are looking a bit dated, the single, seamless piece of leather stitched across the dash and matched by door panel inserts do bring a touch of class to the cabin. However, if you can get your hands on one, the 50th Anniversary Edition is the one to have, with a grey colour scheme Nissan likens to the twilight sky (fitting for a car that is in the twilight of its generation), special embossed seats, and stitched Alcantara headliner and trim. Sadly, the 50th anniversary special is paired only with the Premium trim, so you can’t have your 600-hp track beast in that guise. Should you buy it? Well, if you couldn’t afford the GT-R50, then this isn’t a bad way to get into GT-R, especially the Bayside Blue that is as loud and special as the car
Origin: 600-hp Nissan GT-R makes its return in Canada for 2020 model year
All about car 