2012 SSC Next Generation

Coming from the same stable as the slightly psychotic SSC Ultimate Aero, which we’re sure you recall, hits 60mph in under 3 seconds, and goes on to a test 257mph, with a projected but untested top speed of 273mph, this is the 2012 SSC Next Generation.

When they say Next Generation, this is in itself a clue as to what to expect, imagine the next generation of the Ultimate Aero, that’s gonna be something pretty special don’t ya think… and it is. Whilst SSC are currently keeping the specs of the Next Generation under guard, its hard not to stop the speculation, and indeed possible leaks that may be behind that speculation.

1200-1300hp, and only two thirds the weight of a Bugatti Veyron, you know this is going to fly. Top Gear described it as “a crush on the body, and a blur on the vision”, and with performance set to be even more explosive then the Ultimate Aero its easy to understand why.

Clearly performance will exceed that of the earlier Aero, so we can expect a 0-60mph probably around the 2.5 second mark, and we see no reason why it wont hit 260+mph at the top end. Of course at these kind speeds other factors come into play, aerodynamics obviously are a big problem, along with power, trying to go from a 255mph top speed to 265mph requires a huge leap in technology and power, so exactly how far the Next Generation can be pushed is going to be interesting to see over the coming months.

We’re sure looking forward to seeing this car hit the streets, and of course the test track, OK so we are never likely to be able to drive one, let alone buy one at the probable $1m+ price tag, but watching it take on, and probably beat a Veyron has got to one of the best moments a supercar fan can look forward to.

Jaguar C-X75 Electric Concept Car

Well, Jaguar have been busy. Above is the Jaguar C-X75 Electric Concept Car, we think you’ll agree, it looks absolutely great doesnt it? Jaguar claims this car has the potential to go 560 miles on a single charged, and reach a top speed of around 200mph, not bad for a plug-in.

The car is only a concept, and there are no plans, at least that we know of, to put it into production, it was produced simply to celebrate Jaguars 75th anniversary of the companies existence.

Currently the car is on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is proving a hit, not least for its impressive figures for range and speed, but also because it looks totally delicious, we find it hard to believe there would be anyone who wouldn’t like how this car looks.

The car has four wheel drive, and can run on electric only for around 65 miles on a domestic charge lasting around 6 hours, but by using a pair of tiny gas turbines to provide additional energy whilst driving, the range extends to a much more useful 560 miles.

Great looks, green credentials, and a real world level of range, this car is a clear indication of the future, in this guise it will probably never be built, however the turbine technology used is remarkable, and there can be no doubt this is going to work its way into road going vehicles in the not too distant future.

Pontiac, one of the most successful muscle car brands ever, has finally bitten the dust. General Motors, after watching Pontiac’s market share and profitability drain away over the last few decades decided last year that the brand was to finish, and one year later, its finally happened.

Pontiac came into being way back in 1926, and through the following years gradually built its iconic cars in to the epitome of everything a muscle car should be. Pontiac was responsible for several of the most memorable, and successful, muscle cars ever made, including the GTP, the Bonneville and of course the Firebird TransAm, made famous throughout the World by Burt Reynolds 1970′s movie Smoky and the Bandit.

Pontiac’s sales hit their peak way back in the 1960′s reaching almost 1 million sales in 1968, however those days were never to be seen again and over the following decades sales showed a continued decline and finally Pontiac was put out of its misery by GM after its much publicised financial meltdown and subsequent bailout.

Here though, we want to celebrate some of Pontiac’s finer moments, so here are a few of Pontiac’s best ever cars.

Pontiac Star Chief Convertible

A great looking 1950′s classic, the Pontiac Star Chief was one of Pontiac’s finer moments during its ascendancy, ever reliable and blessed with fantastic looks, the Star Chief was much sort after, and with a usefully powerful V8, the car never lack pace.

Pontiac Bonneville 1967

The Pontiac Bonneville was one of the longest running models ever, starting from 1957 all the way through to 2005. In hindsight Pontiac should probably have left the name for the great models of the 50′s and 60′s and then stopped using it, the cars baring the Bonneville name gradually got less desirable, and less attractive as the decades rolled on, generally the models of the 80′s onwards are best (and easily) forgotten, but the early examples will stay in the history of motoring as fine examples of cars of their time.

Pontiac GTO - The Judge

The GTO was one of the most striking cars to appear from the Pontiac stable. Blessed with powerful engines and styling to ensure you get noticed, the car was a major success. The model above is “The Judge”, a special version of the GTO released during the cars second generation era, and boasting greatly increased power, uprated handling components, and some not so subtle styling tweaks in the form of hood air scoops and tail spoilers. A classic, and much sort after, the GTO in all its forms remains one of the best looking cars to ever be produced.

Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am

Finally the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, this car more or less needs no introduction to anybody born in the early 70′s or before, its presence in the Smokey and the Bandit movie did a fair job of stealing the lime light from Burt Reynolds, and some would say the car overshadowed his performance and was the real star of the movie. Classic lines, awesome engines and the famous T-Top make this car one to remember and one that will always be towards the top of any muscle car list.

So there you have it, a few examples of what made Pontiac such a great car maker and a success for many decades before biting the dust, and while there will be no more cars produced with the iconic Pontiac name, its history and automotive successes will never be forgotten, RIP Pontiac.

2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

Recently Shelby released the much anticipated specs for its 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. With initial hopes of 500hp being tossed around, Shelby have passed this marker with the supercharged version of the car developing 525hp, and totally blown the marker away with a special ‘R’ version of the model, set to produce 624hp.

The standard supercharged model is expected to hit 60mph in an incredibly rapid 3.7 seconds, and run the quarter in 12 seconds dead at just over 121mph.

There is a normally aspirated version for those who cant stomach the cost, or speed, of the supercharged models, though even this version will still be developing 440hp, still enough to see you get to 60mph in around 5 seconds.

We don’t have performance figures for the special ‘R’ version of the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, but with the extra 100 horses, and possibly a drop in weight, we have no problem imagining the car being able to hit 60mph in little over 3 seconds.

All versions feature uprated suspension and braking components, ensuring the Shelby GT350 will go around corners as well as it goes along the straights, and of course with so much power on tap, and rear wheel drive, its fair to say an over-zealous right foot (where allowed) will induce huge tail slides guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Coming in at $27k for the normally aspirated version, and $34k for the 525hp supercharged version, on top of the price of the base car, its likely there wont be many spots available to pick one up, obviously Shelby has limited production capacity and there is little doubt demand will be strong for the model, and for those with the cash to spare, there can be fewer better ways to spend it.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Fresh from its unveiling at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, this Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept is the probably future replacement for the hugely successful, and entertaining, Murcielago.

This concepts name is derived from carbon’s placement within the periodic table, translating as “sixth element”. Clearly then, the name implies what to expect from this car, a lightweight fire-breathing monster that upon unveiling left everybody who saw it with just a little extra saliva swimming around their mouths.

Power comes from the V10 currently used in the Gallardo, and gives you a not inconsiderable 562bhp under your foot with which to play with when the traffic lights go green.  The car uses carbonfibre throughout and subsequently weighs in at only 999kg, to put that in persepective, the current Ferrari 458 comes in at 1380kg and the Gallardo tops the scales at a relatively elephant like 1569kg.

This lack of weight will mean the car is expected to do the 0-60 in sub 2.5 seconds, which will place well ahead of its rivals, and topping out at somewhere over 200mph.

Whether the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will ever make production is uncertain, carbon fibre construction is still incredibly expensive to produce, and with this car making use of the material for everything from its main body, crash zones and wheels to its suspension and steering, there is no doubt any final product, if using this much carbon fibre, will have a huge price tag hanging off of it when its sat in the showroom.

For buyers where money doesn’t matter that’s not an issue, but these cars usually sell to averagely wealthy individuals rather than mega multi millionaires, and a massive price tag would see sales of the car held back, so its probable, that if it is ever produced, it will be a limited run, making it exclusive, more desirable, and therefore certain to sell the limited numbers built.

We certainly hope they make it, this Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is one of the best looking and most exciting cars to come out of the Paris Motor Show, and producing something so special for its buyers would ensure Lamborghini hangs on to its legendary status for many years to come.

2014 Lotus Elite Grand Tourer

The car above is to be Lotus’ attempt to break in to the recently exploding grand tourer market. Going up against the Porsche Panamera and a whole host of others, this is the car with which Lotus hopes to take another decent sized slice of the high end luxury car market.

In typical grand tourer fashion this car weighs more then a herd of elephants, it tops the scales at a not unnoticeable 3600 pounds, which we imagine has put the chance to produce the first 100mpg grand tourer into production out of the nearest window.

There will be a 5 liter V8 under the hood boasting a shade over 600hp giving the car a claimed 0-60mph time of less than 4 seconds and topping out at 195mph, getting to 60mph in less than 4 seconds in a car carrying this much bulk is almost certainly going to be one of the Elite’s owners favourite pastimes, where laws allow of course.

The car is poised to use optional hybrid technology, making use of a KERS braking system to give the batteries a boost whenever the driver throws out the anchor. The use of hybrid technology in this Lotus Elite, we have carefully calculated, should mean the car’s MPG will improve from “WTF!” to simply “Holy Crap!”.

The car is still semi concept and, right now at least, is expected to be available in 2014 at a price of $180k, which is pretty expensive for a Lotus, but then it looks like it’s going to be one hell of a car, and if anticipation is anything to go by, worth every last dime.