Porsche 963 RSP is a true Le Mans racer for the road

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June 9, 2025

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has inspired many sporting road cars, but the Porsche 963 RSP is considerably more special than most.

Essentially a road-going version of the marque’s current LMDh prototype racer, the 963 RSP was commissioned for Roger Penske.

A motorsport legend, Penske owns the racing team that runs the title-winning Porsche 963 in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The man referred to as ‘The Captain’ was nominated to receive the one-off hypercar, which is named ‘RSP’ after his initials.

Inspired by the Count Rossi 917

Transforming a 963 endurance racer into a street-legal vehicle was no easy task. But Porsche took inspiration from the legendary 917 road car owned by Count Rossi.

A ‘Martini Silver’ paint colour was chosen to match the classic 917. Painting a carbon fibre and Kevlar race car that was designed to be wrapped proved to be a challenge, however.

The Porsche Sonderwunsch (‘special wishes’) team had to create wheelarch covers for the 963 RSP, as those on the racing car are open. The new arches are filled by 18-inch forged OZ Racing wheels with rain-spec tyres.

Completing the exterior makeover is an enamel Porsche badge for the nose, along with bespoke mounts for front and rear number plates.

Taking The Captain’s chair

Inside, the Porsche 963 RSP gets an even more dramatic makeover. The cabin is trimmed in a mixture of soft tan leather and Alcantara: another nod to the Count Rossi 917.

Porsche has added extra padding to a single-piece carbon fibre race seat that, like the racing model, is air conditioned. The steering wheel is upholstered in leather, with the roof and doors trimmed in Alcantara.

A bespoke storage unit next to the seat offers a place for the steering wheel and a custom crash helmet when not in use. It also provides a platform for the laptop computer needed to start the 963 RSP’s engine.

For maximum comfort, Porsche has even 3D-printed a detachable cup holder, capable of securely grasping a Porsche travel mug.

Super unleaded only, please

Clearly, tailoring the Porsche 963 RSP for road use required more than just a set of number plates and a cup holder. The Multimatic DSSV adjustable suspension dampers were configured to their softest setting, making the car easier to live with.

Porsche remapped the 680hp 4.6-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, giving it a smoother power delivery. Hybrid assistance is retained, however.

Modifying the race-spec engine to use unleaded fuel proved to be a major undertaking. It means the 963 RSP can now be filled from a regular petrol pump.

Other important changes included adapting the car’s electronics to allow for indicators. Porsche also adjusted the headlights to make them suitable for road use.

Losing none of its edge

Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Corporation, said: “Just like the 917, I wanted this car to be authentic to its origin and have as few changes to it as possible. When we got into the project, the differences in the two generations of race cars provided a great challenge. What emerged is a car that has lost none of its edge and is exciting whether on the track or on the road.”

“That was an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime,” said Porsche test driver Timo Bernhard, who was at the wheel of the 963 RSP for its first outing.

“Driving down a public road with a 917 beside me – it felt unreal. The car behaved perfectly – it felt a little friendlier and more forgiving than the normal 963 – and felt super special and a lot more comfortable, especially as I was not needing all my safety gear.”

Porsche is keen to stress that the 963 RSP is very much a one-off – and there are no plans for more road-going versions of its Le Mans racer.

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New Aston Martin Valkyrie LM is the ultimate track day hypercar

By

John Redfern

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June 9, 2025

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Aston Martin is celebrating its return to top-level competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a limited-run version of the Valkyrie hypercar.

Only 10 examples of the new Valkyrie LM will be produced. An evolution of the Valkyrie AMR, the LM (for ‘Le Mans’) is intended for circuit use only.

The Valkyrie Le Mans racer is the only top-tier entrant in the 24-hour race that is developed from a road-going hypercar. And the LM is the closest enthusiasts can get to the full-blooded Valkyrie competition car.

Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark said: “In all its forms, there is nothing on Earth that compares to Valkyrie. The Le Mans contender is unique amongst its peers, not least the breathtaking 6.5-litre V12 engine that provides the beating heart for the only competitive hypercar bred from a road car.”

The closest thing to a Le Mans car

Powering the Aston Martin Valkyrie LM is the same ‘lean-burn’ naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 used in the genuine Le Mans racer.

To comply with regulations for the World Endurance Championship, and the North American-based IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, the competition Valkyrie has its engine output capped at 697hp.

A seven-speed sequential transmission is operated via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Adjustable suspension dampers and bespoke tyres supplied by Pirelli are also part of the package.

The cockpit features a custom carbon fibre racing seat with shoulder supports and headrest padding, plus six-point FIA-approved harness belts. Gear shift lights and a digital display are integrated into the steering wheel.

Driver coaching included

The 10 lucky buyers of a Valkyrie LM will be offered a driver development programme, similar to the Ferrari Sport Prototipi Clienti scheme for owners of the 499P Modificata.

Aston Martin can transport cars to and from Valkyrie LM Performance Club venues. It will also provide owners with simulator training sessions before they hit the track in their hypercar.

Dedicated driver coaches will deliver classroom-based sessions, plus one-on-one coaching at the circuit, helping Valkyrie LM owners to get the most out of their investment. Included with each car is the chance to own special Aston Martin apparel, including a helmet, fireproof race suit and driving boots.

Valkyrie LM customers will receive their cars in the second quarter of 2026, coinciding with the first Performance Club track event.

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Honda Civic Type R bows out with £58,000 Ultimate Edition

By

John Redfern

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June 6, 2025

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Time is running out for the Honda Civic Type R, as the raucous hot hatchback makes its exit from the UK and Europe.

To help soften the blow for enthusiasts, Honda has announced a run-out special: the Civic Type R Ultimate Edition.

Just 40 examples will be produced for the European market, with only 10 destined for Honda fans in the UK.

Given the level of acclaim generated by the current Type R when it was launched in 2022, demand for the Ultimate Edition is likely to far outstrip supply.

The Ultimate finale

Special features for the Ultimate Edition include Honda’s trademark Championship White paint, a colour used on Type R models for more than three decades.

Bespoke decals on the bonnet and sides of the car show this is no ordinary Type R. Look closely and you’ll spot the Ultimate Edition badge on the tailgate, too.

The roof is painted black, while the Type R’s high-rise rear spoiler is finished in carbon fibre.

More carbon fibre can be found inside, covering the Type R-branded door sill trims and centre console. New ambient lighting picks out the cupholders and footwells, too.

End of a hot hatch era

Each Ultimate Edition owner will receive a unique numbered emblem, a carbon fibre keyring, custom-made floor mats and a car cover.

Honda has left the Type R’s turbocharged engine unchanged, but 329hp and 310lb ft of torque are ample for the front-driven hatchback.

As our Tim Pitt said when he drove the Civic at the UK launch: ‘the Type R leads the field for feedback and sheer driving fun.’

A starting price of £57,905 may seem steep, but the Ultimate Edition is the crowning glory for one of the greatest hot hatches ever made.

The completed cars will be delivered by 2026, when exhaust emissions rules will kill off the Type R for good. We’re not crying, honest…

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UK is the worst-hit country in Europe for car clocking

By

John Redfern

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June 5, 2025

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New research has found that car clocking is leading UK consumers to overpay a staggering amount for used vehicles each year.

Clocking, also known as odometer tampering or mileage fraud, is when the recorded mileage of a car is illegally adjusted downwards.

Digital odometers have created new ways for mileages to be fraudulently adjusted. And restricted mileage agreements on car finance packages are likely to increase the temptation.

Vehicle history reporting company CarVertical has crunched the numbers. It estimates the cost of clocking to be £4.5 billion across 17 European countries.

Rolling back the years

CarVertical’s investigation discovered that the UK is the worst-affected country for clocking, accounting for £1.2 billion of the total cost to consumers. Buyers will typically overpay by 48.8 percent for a clocked car.

This comes from buyers unwittingly purchasing a clocked car at a higher price. In other words, paying more than it would be worth based on its actual mileage.

Given the impact mileage can have on a car’s value, CarVertical says luxury vehicle buyers will be more adversely affected, given the higher prices paid.

Western Europe suffers the most

The study found France loses £1 billion each year to odometer tampering. It is followed by Germany on £900 million, then Italy with losses of £400 million.

Car owners in Eastern European countries such as Serbia and Romania were found to give less consideration to vehicle mileages, and therefore be less likely to clock a car.

Matas Buzelis, automotive market expert at carVertical, said: “Proving that a car’s mileage has been falsified is extremely difficult. Without digitised records and data sharing between countries, odometer fraud remains easy to hide.

“It’s no secret that buyers prefer cars with lower mileage. Unfortunately, this makes them prime targets for fraud. When the mileage is rolled back, it creates the illusion of a better car condition than it is. Fraudsters target both economy and premium vehicles.”

Checking the MOT history of a used vehicle, along with obtaining a vehicle history report, can help to protect against buying a clocked car.

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Young Driver training tested: helping kids be safer on the road

Young drivers can now tackle the famous Top Gear test track

By

John Redfern

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June 4, 2025

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The Young Driver road safety scheme has announced the former Top Gear track as one of its newest venues.

It means children aged between nine and 17 years old can experience driving on the famous Dunsfold Aerodrome circuit – albeit at slower speeds than when it was used by The Stig and various celebrities.

Adding the Surrey location means there are now more than 80 venues hosting Young Driver programmes across the UK.

The Young Driver training scheme reached a significant milestone earlier this year, delivering its 1.5 millionth driving lesson since 2009.

No power laps here

Young Drivers will not actually use the Top Gear track layout for training. The focus instead is on teaching safe and responsible motoring.

As such, the recent Dunsfold lap record set by the Praga Bohema hypercar is unlikely to be beaten.

Instead, youngsters will take to the track in Suzuki Swift superminis fitted with dual controls, and under the supervision of fully qualified driving instructors.

As part of a launch event to celebrate adding Dunsfold to the Young Driver venue list, a number of new trainees had a chance to test out the famous track.

Stars in reasonably priced cars

At the Dunsfold test track launch, young drivers could get behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, along with meeting the Suzuki Liana – Top Gear’s original Reasonably Priced Car.

Casey O’Loughlin, Young Driver’s senior field manager, said: “Dunsfold is a dream location for a driving school. We might be based on a track made famous for fast cars and celebrity lap times, but our sessions are all about calm control, not speed.

“But the lessons are also lots of fun and they’re a great confidence boost for teens and pre-teens, who take the responsibility very seriously. When they’re reverse parking at the end of the first lesson, it’s often a shock for parents. Plus, what young person wouldn’t want to say that they’d driven the Top Gear track?”

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Dodge Durango focuses on Hemi V-8 power for 2026

By

John Redfern

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June 3, 2025

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Dodge might be pivoting towards electrification with its new Charger Daytona muscle car, but the Hemi V-8 is not dead yet.

The venerable Durango SUV has received a further update for the 2026 model year, with an emphasis placed on versions powered by the classic Hemi engine.

Initially launched for the 2011 model year, the three-row Durango is one of the oldest new vehicles on sale in North America.

However, age does not seem to be a barrier when it comes to celebrating Hemi power – with plenty of attention focused on the Durango V-8 R/T for 2026.

“Two-Lane Blacktop”

The Dodge Durango R/T, powered by a 360 horsepower 5.7-liter V-8, gains the option of the Blacktop Redline package. Previously, this was reserved for the Durango GT model.

Opting for the $3,495 Blacktop Redline pack brings 20-inch “Black Noise” alloy wheels and bespoke front and rear SRT spoilers, plus Hemi and Dodge badges in black.

On the inside, the Durango R/T Blacktop Redline benefits from six leather and suede SRT performance seats, with contrasting red stitching.

Dodge has also brought back the “Tow N Go” for 2026, making the most of the Durango R/T’s 8,700 lb towing capacity. Performance brakes and an upgraded exhaust system are included as part of the $5,990 Tow N Go package, along with widened body flares and adaptive dampers.

More tow, more go

“The Dodge Durango is the three-row muscle SUV and is equipped with Dodge muscle car attitude, best-in-class towing at every trim and an ability to seat up to seven,” said Dodge CEO Matt McAlear.

“The Hemi-powered Durango offers the only V-8 in its class and the most horsepower under $50,000. It’s a powerful combination and customers value its unique proposition of power and performance, with retail sales up 64 percent in Q1 year over year. Now for 2026, we plan to continue to give our Dodge SUV customers easier accessibility to more performance and more capability.”

Dodge dealerships are accepting orders for the 2026 Durango now, with the first customer deliveries expected to happen in the third quarter of 2025.

Dodge will release news on the ferocious 2026 Durango SRT Hellcat later this year.

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Be like The Inbetweeners by renting this retro Fiat

By

John Redfern

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June 3, 2025

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Fans of the cult comedy series The Inbetweeners can now hit the road in a classic Fiat inspired by the TV show.

Owned by the character of Simon Cooper, portrayed by actor Joe Thomas, the Fiat Cinquecento has become a recognisable part of British comedy culture.

With its mismatched replacement red door, the yellow Cinquecento endured a number of mishaps throughout the sitcom’s three series.

Car sharing marketplace Turo has now added an Inbetweeners-inspired Fiat to its roster. And there’s a special prize for those who book the car first.

Bring your friends

There is, as true Fiat fans will have spotted, a glaring difference between the car offered by Turo and the one that featured in The Inbetweeners.

While Simon Cooper drove a Cinquecento, the car available to rent is its replacement: the Fiat Seicento.

However, if we want to be truly nerdy, ‘car friends’ will know that the Seicento was a heavily updated version of the Cinquecento. It also channelled a similar level of Italian spirit, which is arguably what matters most.

No need to catch a bus

Turo will offer the Inbetweeners-themed Seicento for one month only. The car is available to hire in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The first to book the Fiat in each location will receive a voucher for tickets to Thorpe Park, location for one of the programme’s best-known episodes. To spare them a long drive down south, those booking in Manchester will be given a voucher for Alton Towers instead.

Drivers need to be aged 25 or older to book the Seicento, with prices starting from a modest £55 per day.

Rory Brimmer, managing director at Turo UK, commented: “From its comparison to urine to its eventual watery grave, Simon’s car became as much a character in The Inbetweeners as the four lads themselves. Now, we’re giving fans the chance to get behind the wheel of this piece of British comedy history – and avoid long waits at the bus stop.”

Turo notes that the one-off Seicento is not linked to or endorsed by the producers or broadcaster of The Inbetweeners.

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McDonald’s expands EV charging network to 250 UK sites

By

John Redfern

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June 3, 2025

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McDonalds InstaVolt Milestone — © Unsplash – Dixit Dhinakaran

Electric vehicle charging network InstaVolt has reached an impressive milestone in its collaboration with McDonald’s. InstaVolt public chargers are now available at 250 McDonald’s restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

It represents a rapid expansion for a partnership between the two companies, which only began at the end of June 2020.

Since then, electric car drivers in the UK have covered more than 120 million miles thanks to InstaVolt charging at McDonald’s sites. This is the equivalent of driving around the Earth nearly 5,000 times.

‘I’m Lovin’ It’

The very first InstaVolt charging device was installed at a McDonald’s restaurant in Port Talbot, Wales. Today, there are more than 500 ultra-rapid chargers available. InstaVolt has deliberately targeted its partnership with McDonald’s at restaurant locations that are typically ‘off the grid’ for EVs.

Some 1.5 million electric car drivers have now used InstaVolt charging devices at a McDonald’s.

The environmental impact of these zero-emissions miles is apparently equivalent to planting 750,000 trees, then allowing them to grow for 10 years.

Fast food, faster charging

“Working with McDonald’s has been a cornerstone of our strategy to deliver reliable and convenient nationwide EV infrastructure,” said Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt.

“Their well-located restaurants give us the perfect platform to reach communities across the UK and Ireland. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together so far and look forward to growing our partnership further.”

Mike Spencer, VP for development at McDonald’s UK & Ireland, added, “McDonald’s is committed to delivering a great customer experience and our ongoing partnership with InstaVolt means we can do just that.

“Providing accessible charging points enables customers with electric vehicles to visit one of our restaurants for a coffee or a meal and get an average of an 80 percent charge in 20 minutes. This is a brilliant milestone to have reached, and as we look to open 200 new restaurants over the next four years, continuing to make charging points available, where possible, will remain a priority.”

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Toyota to build 300hp GR Corolla hot hatch in the UK

By

John Redfern

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June 2, 2025

0

A red car drifts on a Toyota GR Corolla in UK

The raucous Toyota GR Corolla hot hatchback is to be produced in the UK, raising hopes the high-performance hot hatch could finally be sold here too.

Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire has been chosen as a new global production site for the 300hp Corolla, due to its ‘manufacturing capability and motorsport expertise’.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) currently produces the regular Corolla in hatchback and Touring Sports estate versions.

That makes it perfectly placed to start building the hot Gazoo Racing (GR) version. Preparations are already underway to see the first GR Corolla models leave the UK factory in 2026.

Derbyshire’s Volkswagen Golf R rival

Demand for Toyota’s GR-badged performance products has been strong, starting with the launch of the fifth-generation Supra sports car in 2019.

As the fourth model in the Gazoo Racing range, Toyota began producing the GR Corolla at its Motomachi plant in Japan during 2022.

Powering the GR Corolla is the same turbocharged 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine as found in the smaller GR Yaris, but tuned to deliver 300hp and 295lb ft of torque.

A modified version of the GR-Four all-wheel-drive system helps the GR Corolla accelerate from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, and produce lurid drifts on request.

Could it be sold in the UK?

European Toyota enthusiasts have so far been denied the GR Corolla, with the GR Yaris deemed enough to keep them happy.

However, Toyota has hinted at expanding where the GR Corolla is sold, beyond the current markets in North America, Asia and Oceania. If the sportiest Corolla is being built in Derbyshire, its appearance on UK price lists seems more likely.

Yoshihiro Nakata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, commented: “We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles, securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide.

“We very much appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a ‘Best in Town’ company.”

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Limited edition BMW M2 CS debuts with 530hp and £87k price tag

By

John Redfern

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June 1, 2025

0

BMW has stretched the potential of its compact M2 coupe with the launch of a limited edition CS version.

The BMW M2 CS offers a substantial power boost for the rear-wheel-drive machine, along with extensive use of carbon fibre to reduce weight.

The CS also gains a host of bespoke styling details, most notably a wild ducktail rear spoiler and a set of beautiful forged alloy wheels.

Set to be priced from £86,800 in the UK, BMW dealerships are already accepting orders for what could be one of the best M cars made to date.

Pushing the limits of M power

BMW treated the regular M2 coupe to a host of upgrades last year. These included tuning its 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six to produce 480hp.

For the second-generation M2 CS, this total climbs to 530hp – the same as the larger BMW M4 Competition. Maximum torque has also increased, now rated at 479lb ft.

A bespoke exhaust system is added to the M2 CS, with a lightweight titanium M Performance exhaust available as an option.

An eight-speed paddle-shift transmission is standard, sending power to the rear wheels only. Model-specific tuning for the M Sport differential assists with a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds. The top speed of the M3 CS is limited to 188mph.

Ready to hit the racetrack

The suspension of the CS is lowered by 8mm compared to the regular M2, and its brakes now come with red calipers. Track-ready carbon ceramic discs can be specified at extra cost.

Carbon fibre is used for the car’s roof and distinctive ducktail spoiler. The mirror caps and prominent rear diffuser are also made from the material, contributing to a 30kg weight saving over the standard M2.

The forged alloy wheels are finished exclusively in matte Gold Bronze, and come with track-biased tyres as standard. Stickier ‘ultra-track tyres’ are also available for those planning to use their CS on a race circuit.

Buyers get a choice of four exterior paint colours for the M2 CS: Sapphire Black metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic, M Portimao Blue metallic and BMW Individual Velvet Blue metallic.

Arriving in the UK this summer

The carbon fibre theme continues inside the M2 CS, including for the entire centre console.

More carbon fibre is used for the electrically adjustable sports seats, which feature an illuminated ‘CS’ logo on their integrated headrests.

A heated M steering wheel is clad in Alcantara, and has a red centre marker at the 12 o’clock position, along with a pair of configurable red M buttons.

BMW will build the M2 CS in limited numbers, with production taking place at the San Luis Potosí factory in Mexico. The first customer deliveries should reach the UK in late summer 2025.

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