EVERY WEEK, WE bring you all the latest news you need to know from the motoring world. The big car news this past week involves two new best-in-class models.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S sets new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record
The Golf GTI Clubsport S is the most powerful ever version of the Golf GTI and was built to celebrate 40 years of the iconic hot hatchback.
Just 400 of the Clubsport S will be produced and colors will be limited to those of the original GTI: “Tornado Red”, “Pure White” and “Deep Black Pearl Effect”, with the roof painted black. The Clubsport S is a two-seater and is based on the two-door model with a manual transmission. It is some 30kg lighter than the regular GTI Clubsport and now boasts an EU unladen weight of just 1,285kg.
The engine of the front-wheel drive Golf GTI Clubsport S is based on the 1,984cc TSI engine that also powers the other versions of the Golf GTI and the Golf R. It produces 305hp and does the 0 to 100km dash in 5.8 seconds and has a top speed of 265km/h. With 380Nm of torque available between 1,700 and 5.300rpm it has a dynamic power-to-weight ratio of 4.15kg/PS.
All of this weight reduction and added power isn’t for nothing you know, as the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S has set the new lap record for front-wheel-drive production cars on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a time of 07:49:21. This just beats the 7:50:63 lap record set back in May 2014 by the Honda Civic Type R.
The Clubsport S lap record was set by 28-year-old race car driver and Volkswagen Driving Experience instructor Benjamin Leuchter.
Ireland to see new Audi SQ7 TDI, the world’s most powerful diesel SUV
Order books for the new seven-seat Audi SQ7 TDI will open for Irish customers in May of this year.
At the heart of the new Audi SQ7 is a redesigned V8 4.0 BiTDI engine, which develops 435hp at 3,750- to 5,000rpm and 900Nm of torque at 1,000- to 3,250rpm, making the SQ7 the most powerful diesel SUV on the market.
In a world first for a production vehicle, the SQ7 sees an electrically powered compressor (EPC) supporting the work of two turbochargers. The EPC is driven by a compact electric motor and its compressor wheel spins up to 70,000rpm. It does not require any exhaust-gas energy to develop boost and delivers power in less than 250 milliseconds, thus eliminating any sign of turbo lag. This helps the SQ7 go from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, that’s quicker than the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel and Range Rover Sport. Top speed is limited at 250km.
The combined economy figure is quoted as 7.2 litres/100km, which equates to 190g/km, resulting in road tax of €750 per year (Band E).
The €119,900 starting price includes a host of innovative technologies and features as standard including S body styling, 20-inch alloy wheels, all-LED headlights, Audi connect, Multi Media Interface (MMI) navigation plus with MMI Touch, adaptive S air suspension, Audi pre sense city, heated leather sports seats, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel and a powered tailgate.
Boyzone star drifts into Ignition Festival
Boyzone member and all round petrol head, Shane Lynch, is gearing up for this summer’s inaugural Ignition Festival of Motoring in Glasgow.
The Dubliner will get behind the wheel of a supercharged Nissan 370Z to demonstrate high speed drifting alongside David Coulthard and Top Gear’s The Stig.
Coulthard will be showing off his side-ways driving skills behind the wheel of the Formula One title winning Red Bull Racing RB7 and The Stig will undertake a series of power laps in some mouth-watering supercars. Also entertaining the crowds will be the Top Gear Live Stunt Team.
As well as hall after hall of cars and bikes old and new, highlights will include a live action zone and display laps by iconic competition machinery around a specially constructed street circuit.
Tickets for the three-day festival are already on sale and can be purchased here.
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