Infiniti unveils the Q50
Infiniti has just thrown the covers from its 3-Series rival at the Detroit Auto Show. It’s called the Q50 and is the replacement for the rather drab and fuel-thirsty G37. It’s also the first car to emerge under the leadership of new president (and former Audi chief) Johan de Nysschen.
We don’t know if it’s JdN’s influence, but the curvaceous Q50 is more imposing and angrier than the previous Infiniti, which looked er, a bit melty. In Infiniti design-speak, this car combines a a ‘double arch’ grille with slinky ‘crescent-cut’ C-pillars at the side and ‘quite noisy’ twin pipes at the back (OK, the last bit of design speak was ours, not Infiniti’s).Inside there’s been a push for plushness. There’s more space than the G37, a revolutionary twin-screen satnav and a new design, we’re told, that draws inspiration from Samurai weapons and trees. No idea.
For now, the only power options available are the two V6 petrol engines for the North American market: a 3.7-litre producing 328hp and a 3.5-litre unit mated to a hybrid system from the M35h. It’s up to you where that power goes, as you can have the Q50 in RWD or AWD flavour, with both using a seven-speed automatic ‘box. When the Q50 hits Europe debut at the Geneva motor show, we should see a selection of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines better suited to those of us living in countries where you have to actually pay for fuel.
Here it is: the new Chevrolet Corvette
America, arise. Here’s your newly-minted hero. And Europe, you can forget your old-world snobbishness. America’s great sports car is today re-born. It’s recognisably a Corvette, but its every component has had a hard-reset. If you want your hammering front-engined V8 rumble to come wrapped in the iridescent technologies of our age, you’ve come to the right place.Brutal statistics first. It makes 450bhp and 450 torques from its all-new V8, and cracks 60mph from rest in under four smokin’ seconds. Chevy people are so pleased with this, they’ve slapped on a badge historically reserved for some of the most knee-trembling Vettes of all. Yes, this one’s a Stingray.
And that name, and those numbers, are just for the base model. What sort of craziness they’ll unleash for the later ‘performance’ versions we can only begin to imagine.
Get all the details at BBC Top Gear
Rocket Man Vs. Rally Car - Top Gear Season 18
Incredible action clip from Top Gear series 18, in which Richard Hammond races rocket-powered flying man Yves Rossy against a rally-spec Skoda.
From the Top Gear Vietnam Special
May’s Car of the Year: McLaren 12C Spider
James May is a fan of good design and an even bigger exponent of excellence in engineering: two things he found in abundance in the new McLaren 12C Spider – a convertible that neatly beheads the usual arguments against convertible cars by being as perfectly dynamic as the coupe version. Except with a mighty sunroof. Driving the car exclusively for TG mag along the highest paved road in Europe, James discovered that the 12C Spider was:
“Perhaps the most benign supercar I’ve ever tried. Some would want to be admired for their courage in mastering a Ferrari GTO or that demanding Lamborghini Aventador, but I say cobblers to that. I can challenge myself by learning to play the violin. This is a good-time car and I want a good time. I get it.”
For video of James May in the McLaren 12C, visit TopGear.com
Top Gear pits the 1974 Lancia Stratos against the New Stratos. Gorgeous photography ensues.
Whoa when the fuck did a new Stratos get made
I thought Lancia went out of business
what
