German manufacturer turns to an Italian coach builder to produce attractive version of a British car. Despite sounding like the start to some complicated joke, it’s real and the MINI Superleggera™ Vision is the end result. We haven’t necessarily been the kindest critics to MINI’s latest styling direction – well, evolution of the same style, rather…
Friday Video – Honda Civic Tourer BTCC Trophy Challenge
There’s no BTCC action this weekend, but instead Honda has released a video to promote the link between the Honda Civic Tourer road car, and the successes of its racing counterpart. We’ll be honest, it’s a little bit cringeworthy, but probably no more so than that Rockstar energy hat Shedden usually wears around the paddock. Don’t call…
Editorial – Have you got fuel economy OCD?
Motorway cruising has got our editor thinking about just how far do you need to go in the pursuit of fuel economy, especially when it’s probably an impossible task. Driving down the A1(M) in the Polo R-Line the other day, sulking whippet in the boot, something struck me about the traffic that was being generated. Usually on the A1(M)…
Friday Photo – Audi A3 quattro clubsport concept
Yes, it’s another blue Audi, and whilst this one might not have lasers for headlights it does pack a whole host of other cool stuff. Not least a 518 bhp engine and a air-brake that works to cut stopping distances; on a compact saloon! Audi’s A3 and S3 saloon offerings have only been around for…
BTCC 2014 – Thruxton – Round 7, 8, 9 – Review & exclusive photos
If you’ve already read the editorial you’ll know ESM attended Thruxton for the BTCC at the start of the month. Now, here’s our BTCC Correspondent’s full round-up. Forgive him for the delay; he’s had a first-born child to christen. Jordan On Form As Plato Falters The latest rounds of the 2014 British Touring Car Championship brought more…
Mégane RenaultSport 275 Trophy – Renault wants its record back
Over the past few months we’ve heaped a lot of attention on the new SEAT Leon Cupra and the Spanish company’s claim on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife record lap time for a production front-wheel-drive car. SEAT took that prize from Renault who, it seems, don’t want to give it up lightly. Enter the Mégane Renaultsport 275 Trophy….
Audi R8 LMX Limited Edition – Lasers Fitted as Standard!
We’ve mentioned Audi’s recent fascination with laser lights before, seeing them fitted to its R18 e-tron quattro Le Mans racer and also the Sport quattro concept. Finally, after all that teasing, you can now have the chance to use a car on the road with actual frickin’ laser beams for headlights. Based on the already rather special R8…
Friday Photo – BMW M5 30 Jahre Edition
Along with your humble writer, BMW’s M5 supersaloon also hits the big three-oh this year. To celebrate the M5’s three decades in production, BMW has released a limited edition packing big horsepower and special finishing touches. Better than a cake and candles. Only 30 cars will be offered for sale in the UK, out of a global…
BTCC 2014 at Thruxton – Editor’s View
Last weekend EngageSportMode made its first trip all the way from the North East to Thruxton in the South. After several hundred miles of driving, lots of energy drinks and the requisite sunburn quota, was it all worth it? 302 miles is the distance from EngageSportMode.com headquarters to Thruxton race circuit in Hampshire. Local to us…
Imola 1994 – Remembering Senna
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna. Here, EngageSportMode’s editor shares a few words on what that day meant to him, and the lasting impact it had. Ayrton Senna’s Lotus Renault from the 1980s. Photo taken at 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. For whatever reason, Formula 1 accidents at the San…
Subaru cuts £2,500 from price of BRZ – Will anyone buy it now?
Subaru UK leaves EngageSportMode confused at times. Recently we’ve seen them drop the Impreza part of the WRX STI name tag; banish performance cars to concentrate on SUVs; reintroduce said performance cars in an about turn, and decided that what people really want now is an non-turbo hatchback. All whilst still selling this: If you’ve never seen one…
BTCC 2014 – Donington Park – Rounds 4, 5 and 6
The second race weekend of the 2014 BTCC calendar produced more dramatic and controversial racing. What did our BTCC Correspondent make of it? Read on for his in-depth analysis. A Weekend to Savour for Plato It was a great weekend for title contender Jason Plato in the latest rounds of the British Touring Car Championship…
