Aston Martin has revealed the specification of the 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 that, along with electrical augmentation, will power its Valkyrie hypercar. Needless to say, just about every number in this Cosworth-developed masterpiece is mind-blowing.
Cosworth V12 power
Let’s start at the meaty end. Obviously, the engine makes a lot of power – 1,000bhp, to be precise, as well as 546lb ft of torque.
That four-figure output is available at a staggeringly heady 10,500rpm, while torque comes on full-strength at 7,000rpm. Long after a LaFerrari’s V12 has hit the limiter at 9,250rpm, a Valkyrie is barely into its stride…
Aston Martin DBX: first photos of 2019 super SUV revealed
That power band is characteristic of highly-strung supercar engines in general. However, it’s also made possible by the fact the engine will be running in tandem with torque-rich electric motors. There’s no word yet on how much power the combination will produce, although one of the original targets was one horsepower for every kilogram of weight.
The car’s redline is an F1-rivalling 11,100rpm. Admittedly, that’s not quite the heady heights of the 18,000rpm screamers of the mid-2000s, but it’s certainly enough to rival the Mercedes-AMG Project One V6 – and indeed the F1 engine on which that unit is based.
Remember, this is an emissions-compliant, road-legal car. It needs to be just as at home on Park Lane as it is screaming up the hill at Eau Rouge at Spa.
As for weight – a big sticking point for Adrian Newey and the Red Bull team involved in the design of the Valkyrie – the 6.5-litre 12-cylinder is just 6kg over target, at 206kg.
For reference, the Mercedes-AMG motor that used to power the Pagani Zonda weighed somewhere in the region of 250-290kg.
Given the speeds at which it will be revving, and the power it’s touted to produce, money is almost of no object when it comes to materials and construction methods. The cams, for example, are on a gear drive rather than a chain. Everywhere you look, there’s race engineering and technology.
Aside from the block, heads, sump and cam covers, everything internal is machined from solid material, rather than being cast. This means parts can be optimised for maximum strength, minimum weight and the finest tolerances.
The billet machined crankshaft is 50 percent lighter than the Cosworth-engineered crankshaft used in Aston’s One-77 hypercar. That car also held the title for world’s most powerful naturally-aspirated road car engine. The Valkyrie is surely in line for that accolade now.
It’s actually lighter per litre of capacity than Cosworth’s old 3.0-litre V10 F1 engines. The last, before limits were imposed, weighed just 97kg.
Appropriately for a Cosworth-developed engine, it is a fully stressed member of the car’s construction. That means if you take the engine out, there’s nothing joining the front wheels to the rears. The suspension is mounted to the gearbox and the bulk of the car ahead of the engine joins at mounting points on the cam covers.
Cosworth and Lotus first trialled the idea of an engine being a stressed member of a car’s construction in F1 in 1966, with the Lotus 49 and its famous DFV 3.0-litre V8 motor. All that incredible aero under the body of the Valkyrie is said to come very close to the lower extremes of the engine.
If this is the swansong for the naturally aspirated combustion engine, it’s certainly going out with a bang.
Aston’s press release on the powerplant sums it up best: ‘an internal combustion engine without peer for a hypercar without precedent’. We can’t wait to see the finished Valkyrie in action.
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December tends to be a slow month for new car sales, with most car buyers focused on a little event on the 25th. But fear not, because this gives us time to take a look at the new cars you can expect to see in 2019.
Appropriately, we’ve selected 19 cars being readied for launch next year, including everything from EVs to a tiny 4×4. We’ve restricted ourselves to one car per manufacturer.
Audi E-tron
The new Audi E-tron, the company’s first all-electric car, will open for ordering in early 2019, with prices starting from £71,490. Three versions will be available: standard, Launch Edition and Edition 1. The E-tron will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 5.7 seconds and deliver a WLTP range of at least 248 miles. Earlier this year, we enjoyed a first ride at Pikes Peak. Our verdict: “Tesla’s dominance, we suspect, is coming to an end.”
Bentley Flying Spur
The new Bentley Flying Spur (current version pictured) has been spotted at the Nurburgring, so we know that it’s coming. Various powertrains will be available, including a V8, W12 and a hybrid pairing a V6 engine with an electric motor. It’s a landmark car for the Crewe firm, as it’s the final new car to be launched before Bentley heads down the road of electrification.
BMW 3 Series
One of the stars of the 2018 Paris Motor Show will go on UK sale in March 2019, with prices starting from £33,610. The BMW 3 Series will arrive first as a petrol 330i and diesel 320d, with a 330e iPerformance plug-in hybrid following soon after. The styling has divided opinion, but you just know this is going to make a dent in the top ten sales chart in 2019. It’s likely to be a busy year for BMW, with the company preparing a new 1 Series, along with the previously unveiled X7, Z4 and 8 Series Convertible.
Cupra Ibiza
Seat unveiled a Cupra Ibiza at a launch event earlier this year, so it’s a safe bet that we’ll see a rival for the all-conquering Ford Fiesta ST at some point in 2019. From now on, all new sporty Cupra models will be badged solely as Cupras, without any Seat branding, and the Ibiza will follow the Ateca and, we suspect, Arona into the Cupra fold. We’ve just returned from a launch event for the Cupra Ateca, so stay tuned for more information on the performance SUV.
Ford Focus ST
The all-new Ford Focus will enjoy its first full year on sale in 2019, with the new Active crossover arriving in January. But the big news, for us anyway, is the arrival of the ST hot hatch, which is expected to use a detuned version of the 2.3-litre Focus RS engine. Reports suggest around 250hp and a six-speed manual gearbox, although we’ll discover more in 2019. As for the RS Focus, that’ll be one for 2020… we hope.
Hyundai i30 Fastback N
The Hyundai i30 N was one of our favourite cars of 2018, so we’re expecting big things from the Fastback version. Hyundai calls it a four-door coupe (it’s a slinky hatchback), but the Fastback is more practical than the standard i30 N. Everything else remains the same, so power is sourced from a 2.0-litre engine in both 250hp and 275hp Performance guise. It’s another excuse to enjoy the i30 N, so it gets our vote.
Kia e-Niro
Kia will launch a new Soul EV and ProCeed in 2019, but the e-Niro is arguably one of the most important new cars of 2019. We’ve just driven it and we reckon demand will far outstrip supply for an electric car with a 282-mile range. Our verdict: “The Kia e-Niro is another seriously impressive electric car. It’s the best ‘everyman’ electric car we’ve seen yet. Now, Kia, try to see if you can bring in enough to realise this EV’s potential.”
Mazda 3
We think the Mazda 3 was the best looking real-world car to be unveiled at the LA Auto Show. Sticking our necks out a little, we reckon Mazda is becoming the new Alfa Romeo, offering a range of cars that are both good to look at and great to drive. The Golf and Focus will sell in bigger numbers, but the Mazda 3 might represent the sweet spot of the family hatchback segment.
Mercedes-Benz EQC
The big German brands are primed for a busy 2019, so we hope that they’re getting some rest over the Christmas period. Mercedes-Benz will launch a new CLA, GLA, GLB, GLE, AMG A45, B-Class and this, the EQC SUV. It’s a rival to the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace, offering a 280-mile range and a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds. This or the Audi e-tron? Decisions, decisions…
MINI EV
If, as expected, the electric MINI arrives at the end of 2019, it’s likely to be one of the most sought-after cars of the year. Unveiled in concept form at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the MINI EV will be built in Oxford and is expected to offer a range of at least 163 miles and a 0-62mph time of around seven seconds. We reckon it will bring a new breed of customers to the electric car segment and may even steal sales from the BMW i3.
Nissan Juke
Love it or hate it, the Nissan Juke has been a mainstay of the British car scene since it was unveiled back in 2010, and it remains as popular as ever. Which is why Nissan is likely to adopt an ‘if it ain’t broke’ stance when it comes to its replacement in 2019. It will share its underpinnings with the Micra, with a look that won’t be too dissimilar to the outgoing model. Sorry.
Porsche 911
Fresh from making its debut at the 2018 La Auto Show, the new Porsche 911 is already on sale, so you can bet your bottom dollar that a few fortunate buyers have treated themselves to an early Christmas present. The Carrera S and Carrera 4S will be the first models to hit showrooms in 2019, with the flat-six turbocharged engine receiving a 30hp boost over the outgoing car.
Renault Clio
The Renault Clio remains incredibly popular on the continent, but a new model is long overdue. If the spy shots are anything to go by, the new Clio will look more aggressive than the outgoing model (pictured) and will retain its ‘hidden’ rear door handles. We’re also expecting a new infotainment system and a leap forward in terms of interior quality. Look out for the new Clio at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Seat Tarraco
For a relative latecomer to the party, Seat has been quick to master the crossover-SUV trade. The Ateca and Arona are very good, but we reckon the Tarraco will be even better. It’s Seat’s first large SUV seven-seater and it completes the trio of Spanish SUVs. Four trim levels are available, with all variants boasting three-zone climate control, 17-inch alloys, DAB and ‘Full Link’ infotainment with smartphone mirroring.
Skoda Scala
Out goes the Skoda Rapid, to be replaced by the Scala, which will slot in between the Fabia and Octavia when it hits the streets in 2019. It might not be the most exciting new car of 2019, but its combination of keen pricing and a spacious interior gives it more than a fighting chance of stealing sales from the Golf and Focus. The Scala will be joined by a new Kodiaq vRS performance SUV.
Suzuki Jimny
Few cars have generated quite as much buzz as the Jimny, which has resulted in an unprecedented level of demand for a new Suzuki. We were fortunate enough to be invited to the launch event in Germany. Our verdict: “The new Suzuki Jimny stands in a field of its own, free of direct rivals, eager to please and dripping in charm. And because it’s more comfortable and refined than before, it won’t be a back-breaking journey getting to the field.” Stay tuned for our review following a week in the company of next year’s must-have 4×4.
Tesla Model 3
Elon Musk has confirmed that right-hand-drive Tesla Model 3s are on their way to the UK, which is good news for Brits who have placed a deposit. Responding to a tweet, Musk said Australian and UK customers who have put £1,000 down could expect to take delivery in mid-2019, by which time the highly-publicised quality control issues should be sorted.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla name is making a welcome return to the UK in 2019, which means we must say goodbye to the Toyota Auris. Available in hatchback, estate and saloon body styles, the Corolla is the first Toyota model in Europe to be offered with a choice of two hybrid powertrains – a revised 1.8-litre system and a new 2.0-litre ‘fun-to-drive’ unit. A 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a six-speed manual gearbox will also be available.
Vauxhall Corsa
A new Vauxhall Corsa will hit the streets in 2019, with an electric version following by 2020. The current Corsa (pictured) feels outdated, especially in light of the new Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, so a replacement is long overdue. It will share its platform with the next Peugeot 208, and will be built in Spain. Look out for a new Astra, which is set to arrive by the end of the year.
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen will launch the T-Roc R and T-Cross in 2019, but while SUVs are all the rage, the Golf remains its bread and butter model. It will be longer and wider than the outgoing model (pictured) and packed with autonomous and connectivity tech. A plug-in hybrid variant will be offered, but the e-Golf will be dropped, with VW focusing on its I.D. range of electric vehicles.
The Renault Kadjar five-seat family SUV has been a real hit for the French brand. It’s hoping a mid-life facelift will give it an added boost for 2019. Ordering opens on 3 January 2019 with prices from £20,595.
Visually, changes are minimal. It’s a good-looking machine so didn’t need much more than a revised grille plus extra lashings of chrome and body-colour trim.
Inside, upgrades address customer grumbles of the original. There are new heater controls (replacing the old Nissan-derived ones), illuminated switches for the electric windows and door mirrors, and bigger door bins that now hold 1.5-litre bottles.
Seats are more supportive, the cupholders are bigger, the front centre armrest has a greater range of adjustment and Renault’s illuminated the front cubby as well. Oh, and there’s more satin finish chrome for the door handles, centre console and air vent surrounds.
Perhaps the most welcome change is its upgraded infotainment system, which now has capacitive touchscreen technology so will be more sensitive and responsive than the old system.
2019 Renault Kadjar specs
The new 2019 Renault Kadjar becomes part of the firm’s ‘EasyLife’ line-up. This aims to simplify the buying process by cutting the number of variants to four: called Play, Iconic, GT Line and S-Edition, every version gets LED running lights, rear parking sensors, front fog lights plus automatic headlights and wipers.
Climate control, electronic parking brake, ambient lighting, 17-inch alloys and cruise control with a speed limiter are also standard on the Play.
The Kadjar Iconic builds upon this with sat nav, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, folding door mirrors, lane departure warning and 19-inch alloys. The rear glass is tinted, the DAB radio has a cooler-looking shark fin aerial (which sits between standard roof bars) and rear passengers get air vents and USB sockets.
Next up is S-Edition, which builds upon Iconic with special blue-stitched interior trim and a panoramic glass roof. Full LED headlights are included, and Renault adds chrome accents to the exterior trim.
The range-topping Kadjar GT gets full leather seats, heated on the front, a 360 parking camera, blind spot warning system and puddle lamps. The driver’s seat gets a cushion extender, for even more comfort.
Four new engines are offered. 1.3-litre TCe 140 and TCe 160 turbo petrol motors are offered alongside Blue dCi 115 and Blue dCi 150. There’s a choice of manual or EDC automatic gearboxes and, on the dCi 150, four-wheel drive alongside regular front-wheel drive.
If not having a phone to match your McLaren 720S supercar was keeping you awake at night, you can worry no more.
In partnership with OnePlus, the Chinese technology manufacturer, the Woking-based brand has launched a McLaren Edition of the 6T smartphone. The Android-based device is said to mark the start of a long-term partnership between the two brands.
Where OnePlus and McLaren believe the brands meet is on the subject of performance. The new OnePlus 6T is able to gain full charge in just 20 minutes. This is due to specially designed circuitry in both phone and charger.
A substantial 10GB of RAM (10GB!) is an improvement over the regular 6T smartphone, and said to allow multitasking with ease.
McLaren’s signature Papaya Orange is used in detailing around the edge of the phone, and also on the power cable for the charger.
Genuine AA-grade carbon fibre trim is used to create the McLaren ‘Speedmark’ logo on the box, which contains a commemorative book inside.
The background of the phone also features a carbon fibre design, along with special McLaren-themed animations. No word on whether it includes a ringtone based on the sound of a Senna or 720S.
This is not the first time a supercar manufacturer has delved into the world of brand-inspired mobile phones.
Ferrari collaborated with luxury brand Vertu in 2007, creating a special ‘1947 Limited Edition’ version of the Ascent mobile phone. Finished in Ferrari-grade red and black leather, the phone even featured a miniature brake pedal.
Aston Martin has also released branded phones, whilst Porsche Design has created a number of devices. Its latest, the Porsche Design Huawei Mate RS, costs a terrifying €1,550 (£1,400).
Thankfully, the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is priced from a slightly more sensible £649. Sales begin in North America and Western Europe of the 13th December 2018, with Scandinavia, China, and India to follow in due course.
A new report from the RAC highlights the vast difference in charging times between certain plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and older electric cars (EVs) versus new models, and suggests PHEVs could be prohibited from certain charging points.
The Pininfarina Battista is the confirmed name of the world’s first luxury electric hypercar which will launch in late 2020 to bring clean, green performance better than a Formula 1 car to the world’s streets.
The new McLaren 720S Spider is the new open-top version of the 720S Coupe that will top 200mph with the roof down as well as up.
On sale now with prices from £237,000, McLaren proudly says the 720S Spider needs no additional strengthening over the coupe: that’s how robust its carbon fibre ‘Monocage II-S’ structure is.
This also caps the weight gain over the coupe to just 49kg (less than 4 percent). Its ‘dry’ weight is 1,332kg, 88kg less than its nearest rival (and far lighter than is the norm in this sector).
Because of this, the 0-62mph time of 2.9 seconds matches the coupe. The 720hp 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine will do 0-124mph in 7.9 seconds and reach 212mph with the roof up.
The top speed with the roof down is an impressive 202mph. Thank the active rear spoiler for this, which tunes the aerodynamics according to the position of the roof. It rises at lower speeds than the coupe and raises up to a higher overall position.
Deliveries of the new McLaren 720S Spider will begin in March 2019.
Patented design
The design is a faithful open-top interpretation of the 720S. McLaren says visibility is “unparalleled” thanks to glazed rear flying buttresses. These unique structures help increase downforce too.
The folding hard-top roof’s design is patented and it goes up and down in just 11 seconds, the fastest of any open-top supercar. Being able to do it on the move at speeds of up to 31mph saves embarrassment when the traffic lights change (you had to keep speeds below 19mph on its predecessor, the 650S Spider).
The roof is also available as a glazed structure. To save glare from the sun, the panel is electrochromatic and can almost instantly switch from transparent to tinted.
When parked up, it defaults to tinted, to keep the cabin cool; it ‘remembers’ the previous setting when the car is started.
The glass back window is separate and can be lowered independently. McLaren says this is ideal for “inviting the sound of the powertrain into the cabin”.
The climate control system has a series of bespoke settings that adjust temperature and airflow according to whether the roof is down or up. The system increases airflow speed and more air blasts to the footwells and upper cabin areas.
On sale now, McLaren is offering the 720S Spider in the same three specifications as the coupe: standard, Performance and Luxury. It can be had in one of 23 standard colours. Two of them – Belize Blue and Aztec Gold – are new for the Spider.
The Seat Tarraco is the first large SUV seve-seater from the Spanish brand. It’s on sale now in the UK with prices starting from £28,320.
Seat’s alternative to the Skoda Kodiaq, the Tarraco sits above the Arona small SUV and Ateca mid-size SUV. The firm has a trio of SUVs on sale for the first time.
The Tarraco is certainly a big car. It is 4,735mm long, over 1,800mm wide and 1,658mm tall. This helps the boot stretch from 230 litres in seven-seat mode, to 700 litres as a five-seater, to a mammoth 1,775 litres with all five rear seats down.
UK MD Richard Harrison says the Tarraco is a “cracker, and the perfect way to complete our full range of SUVs.
“The Tarraco represents exceptional value for money. It is sure to fly out of showrooms in the new year.”
Harrison says the Tarraco is the latest Seat to follow its ‘easymove’ trim level line-up. There are only four well-defined variants and each gets metallic paint as standard, rather than an add-on cost extra.
The trim lines are SE, SE Technology, Xcellence and Xcellence Lux. Standard on all is three-zone climate control, 17-inch alloys, DAB and ‘Full Link’ infotainment with smartphone mirroring.
SE Technology adds on sat nav, 18-inch alloys and dark rear glass. Xcellence brings wireless smartphone charging, 19-inch alloys, rear view camera, electric tailgate, Alcantara upholstery and adaptive cruise control.
Range-topping Xcellence Lux has 20-inch alloys, leather upholstery and a winter pack.
Seat has tried to keep things simple with engine choice too: there are two petrols and two diesels. The 1.5 TSI 150 petrol is the entry-level motor, with a 2.0 TSI 190 DSG 4Drive (Seat’s name for all-wheel drive) at the top of the range.
Diesel opens with a 2.0 TDI 150 (either front-wheel drive or 4Drive), with a 2.0 TDI 190 DSG 4Drive alternative.
Tarraco launch specials
As an incentive to order early, Seat is offering ‘First Edition’ variants that are packed with extra kit. The SE Technology First Edition 1.5 TSI 150 costs £30,475, and adds in rear-view camera, dark rear glass, wireless smartphone charging and a ‘safe driving pack’.
Xcellence First Edition comes with a 1.5 TSI 150 engine for £33,260, or a 2.0 TDI 150 for £34,745. It has 20-inch alloys, panoramic roof, plus winter and safe driving packs.
There’s also an Xcellence First Edition Plus, with a 2.0 TSI 190 DSG 4Drive for £38,020 or the 2.0 TDI 190 DSG 4Drive for £39,505. Extras include a Beats audio system and electric driver’s seat.
The Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign concept that wowed visitors to the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed is going into production, the Japanese company has confirmed.
Just 50 cars will be built, but they won’t be cheap. Each will cost over £880,000. Before taxes. And options.
That equals a price tag of over £1 million…
For those with funds for the ultimate Nissan GT-R, ordering is open now. Nissan’s even set up a car configurator on www.gt-r50.nissan.
Deliveries, adds Nissan, will begin in 2019 and continue into 2020 until all 50 cars have been built.
We are officially opening the order-books for a customer version of the GT-R50 by Italdesign, which made its grand debut this past summer. Only 50 units will be produced. ? Learn more about the GT-R50 at https://t.co/0Gqecd7GEq. #Nissan#OMGTR50pic.twitter.com/sHOJHCQG2h
Nismo has tuned the GT-R50 to 720 horsepower, but it’s Italdesign in Turin, Italy, that’s created it. This celebrated 50 years of Italdesign in 2018, and 50 years of GT-R in 2019.
The concept version was finished in grey with gold accents. This production blue-and-gold version shows how customers will be able to specify their own colour combinations.
Interior packages will also be customisable.
Otherwise, it’s virtually unchanged to the concept that was first seen at Goodwood. It’s since also been shown at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in the U.S. and the Nissan Crossing in Tokyo.
From the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England to Nissan Crossing in Tokyo, Japan, here are some highlights from the GT-R50 by Italdesigns international tour. #OMGTR50pic.twitter.com/F3AkYJv8Ii
To mark the confirmation of production, the concept will now be on display at the Nissan Gallery in Yokohama from today.
“The reaction from Nissan fans around the world – and potential customers of the GT-R50 – has greatly exceeded our expectations,” said Bob Laishley, global sports car program director at Nissan.
“These 50 cars, which celebrate 50 years of the GT-R as well as 50 years of Italdesign, will be rolling tributes to Nissan’s engineering leadership and rich sports car heritage for a long time to come.”
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