Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know the McLaren MP4/4, arguably one of the greatest F1 cars of all time.
Arguably one of the most dominant F1 cars of all time, the McLaren MP4/4 was known for winning 15 out of 16 races in the 1988 season. The #11 was piloted by Alain Prost while the legendary #12 was piloted by the legendary Ayrton Senna. The McLaren Formula One team scored 199 points to garner the constructor's champion title but it was Senna's performance of eight wins garnered him his world champion status for the 1988 season. Designed by Steve Nichols and Gordon Murray, the MP4/4 features a carbon fiber honeycomb monocoque for the chassis, double wishbones with pull-rod actuated coil springs and dampers for the suspension, a Weismann-McLaren 6-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.5L Honda RA168-E V6 turbo engine, one of the most powerful Formula One engines of all time.
Time to take a quick drive with the real Formula 1 legend around the Goodwood Motor Circuit and find out if the legend is real with this one.
It did it in 1:04.074 seconds and although not the quickest as such with me behind the wheel, it's proof that the MP4/4's legendary performance truly lives up to its reputation as the F1's GOAT. The Greatest Of All Time.
What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.
The final chapter of the Among Us saga of Torchwood has arrived and it finally unmasks the unknown threat lurking around the streets...but with a terrifying twist.
Torchwood: Among Us 3
The third and final chapter of Torchwood: Among Us is an edge-of-your-seat endgame to this intense thriller where the whole Torchwood team ends up being the hunted while uncovering the most terrifying puzzle with the whole world's on the wire.
The season finale features the final four missions to experience at the edge of your seats. From the forgotten social networking site out for revenge, influencers getting killed, a suspicious cryptocurrency used for purchasing black market weaponry, and the thrilling finale where dinnertime is the end of time itself.
Wow, the final missions sure have relevance in reality, huh? Social media and cryptocurrency are the main focus of this season's finale and because this is typical Torchwood suspense and thrills, no safe space is...well, safe from the gripping final moments of Among Us.
What a way to end the recent Torchwood season. Uncovering who is "among us" from start to finish made Among Us the most thrilling Torchwood saga yet and now that the whole collection is complete, expect more to come from the world of Torchwood.
The MG4 is proven to be a hit on British roads and because it's more fun and more affordable to own than the Nissan Leaf, it really is the biggest upset in the electric car market. Such upset prompted MG to create their first-ever electric hot hatch; the MG4 XPOWER.
2024 MG MG4 XPOWER
Starting at 36,495 British Pounds plus additional costs, the first-ever MG4 XPOWER brings performance back to MG in the age of the new normal and such pricing means it's more affordable than the Civic Type R. It's the high-performance bargain of the decade.
2024 MG MG4 XPOWER interior
At first glance, it looks and works just like a normal MG4 judging by its sharp-looking exterior design, 10.25-inch touch screen with smartphone connectivity, Rotary Gear Selector, wireless charging pad, heated front seats, and steering wheel, among many others. However, the only way to differentiate the XPOWER from the normal MG4 is the XPOWER badge behind as well as the 18" Cyclone alloy wheels with orange calipers, and the added Track Mode display on the touchscreen.
Unlike the normal MG4, which is rear-wheel-drive only, the MG4 XPOWER is the first MG car to be all-wheel-drive, meaning there should be an additional motor somewhere. Anyway, because of its AWD layout and the 64kWh battery, the power output got juiced up to produce 435PS of power output and 600Nm of torque.
Because being the first MG car to have launch control, the MG4 XPOWER has a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. You can kiss your Nissan Leaf NISMO goodbye with this one.
In terms of range, the MG4 XPOWER is good for 239 miles combined based on the WLTP scale and it takes up to 35 minutes to charge the batteries from 10% to 80% is 35 minutes when charged at the 150kW public rapid charger, the length of watching an episode of your favorite cartoon and some Hail Marys to spare. At home, it takes 5.1 hours to charge the batteries from 10% to 100%.
Of course, being AWD, the 1800kg kerb weight spells more weight compared to the normal MG4, meaning it feels somewhat mild and tangy to drive even on the track. Arm-breaking is such when you try to turn sharp and thanks to its sport-tuned brakes, it feels dramatic when you hit the brakes.
Like the normal MG4, the XPOWER is nothing short of safety features including the MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance System.
The MG4 XPOWER signals MG's return to the performance business and because of its pricing that's cheaper to own than the Civic Type R, the performance to devour the Leaf NISMO, and the AWD system unheard of for an MG car, this juiced up electric hatchback is ready for prime time.
For 110 years, Aston Martin created some of the most beautiful sports cars on the road in the essence of power, beauty, and soul. What happens when Aston Martin ditched these essences and creates the most extreme monster machine that can be used on the road and on a track?
What you're looking at here is the most extreme Aston Martin road car ever made and it's making the rounds on Gran Turismo 7 for all the players to experience it; the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
This is by no means one of the most anticipated hypercars of the decade, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is primed and ready to take on the world's most demanding race tracks offered in the game and I got my dibs on the most extreme Aston Martin road car ever made. But first, just what's it all about the Valkyrie?
Made in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, the team that produced big-name world champions such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, the Valkyrie is a hybrid hypercar with F1-inspired, space-age aerodynamics that made it capable of taking corners at over 3.3G.
The carbon blade designed by space shuttle engineers made it capable of impossible performance even at 220mph.
The hydraulics, meanwhile, is heavily inspired by an Apache gunship, making it capable of taking on the most extreme hydraulic demands.
Apart from the F1-derived aerodynamics, extensive use of lightweight materials was involved in the making of this hypercar especially the part where the Aston Martin emblem was etched to the front instead of using badges and decals, all in the name of saving weight and airflow, of course.
Powering the Valkyrie is a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 engine developed by Cosworth mated to an F1-derived KERS, producing a total power output of a whopping 1139HP of power, making it the most powerful Aston Martin road car ever made.
Only 150 of these units were made and all of them are completely sold out immediately.
Although it sounds foolish to call this a road-legal Formula 1 car because of its aerodynamics, the Valkyrie is a terrifyingly demanding hypercar that takes a serious amount of time to master its extreme capabilities. Only someone who is as good as a Formula 1 driver can wield this terrifying road-legal track weapon in an extreme situation such as this...
Yes, I'm talking about the Nurburgring, the most intense racetrack ever assembled. The Green Hell. The perfect place to take full advantage of the Valkyrie's capabilities as a road-legal track weapon. It may sound extreme to all of us but feels like I'm up for the challenge, just to get a feel for just how extreme the Valkyrie is. Space-age aerodynamics, weapons-grade hydraulics, 6.5L V12 hybrid, KERS, the Valkyrie is locked and loaded as it tries to unleash its impossible performance as it tries to do...the impossible.
Trust me, this is not going to be an easy task. Anyway, as I said before, let's see if it can do the impossible. Send in the tape.
Having attempted the most impossible attempt, thanks to its KERS usage on the fast portions, I managed to post a 6m31.763s lap time, which is impossibly fast for an Aston Martin, but I'm starting to feel guilty about the KERS usage.
Guilty pleasure aside, should Aston Martin bring the Valkyrie to the Nurburgring Nordschleife for the real deal, this would become the fastest road car to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Bring it on, Aston Martin. Show us what the Valkyrie can do at the Nurburgring.
IMPOSSIBLE. DRIVEN.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie pushed the British sports car maker to uncharted heights. With its space-age aerodynamics, weapons-grade hydraulics, 6.5L V12 hybrid, and KERS, this hybrid hypercar is the new platinum standard. A real Force Majeure not to be underestimated.
Three Legendary Cars...The three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. What are they? If you remember your GT5 adventures, these three legendary cars ring a bell to you; the Jaguar XJ13, the Ford Mark IV, and the Ferrari 330 P4.
These three legendary race cars feel like they appear once in a blue moon and when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, it's gonna take more than winning difficult races to rack up some eight-figure income to snag the three legendary race cars that were once destined to win 24-hour races. Come unprepared and broke, you'll gonna need to win some money to buy one.
Anyway, just what are these three legendary race cars required to hit the namesake trophy achievement?
Beginning with the Jaguar XJ13, a Le Mans contender that never was. Intended to succeed the legendary D-Type that won Le Mans three years in a row from 1955 to 1957, the XJ13 is Jaguar's first mid-engine race car. Shaped like the E-Type, the XJ13 is fitted with a 5.0L V12 DOHC engine producing 495HP of power. Despite high hopes for racing, Jaguar canceled the XJ13 project as it tries to keep the V12 engine development a secret, and if that wasn't enough, it was badly damaged during filming for a promotional video for the E-Type. Thankfully, it was restored in 2005 in Whitley so it can showcase its exhibition run in Le Mans a year later.
Next is the Ford Mark IV Race Car, Ford's last effort to challenge for the 24 Hours of Le Mans title. Served as a worthy successor to the Le Mans-winning GT40 Mark II race car, the Mark IV is built according to Article J of the FIA vehicle regulation. Although well-known for its aerodynamic form, the Mark IV uses the same engine as the GT40 Mark II but it's been tuned to 523HP of power, making it capable of hitting 215.6mph of top speed. In 1967, it won the Sebring 12-hour race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, beating Ferrari by five laps.
Lastly, the Ferrari 330 P4, the V12-powered masterpiece dubbed as "the most beautiful machine ever". Made as a response to the Le Mans-winning Ford GT40, the 330 P4 features the same 4.0L V12 engine as the P3 but it's been tuned to produce 444HP of power output. Debuted in 1967, it won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Monza 1000km race but lost to the Ford GT40 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite that, it managed to defeat Porsche in the sports car world championships and became a series champion.
These three legendary cars were once destined to win 24-hour races but now, it's time to find out which of the three legendary cars is the superior one.
I've selected the Goodwood Motor Circuit, which has been my go-to track to set lap times on cars bought from the Legend Cars dealership, and with the three legendary cars primed and ready, it's time to commence their one-lap time attack to determine which one is the pure alpha. Roll the tape.
And now, the results...
Jaguar XJ13 '66 - 1m18.759s
Ford Mark IV Race Car '67 - 1m18.522s
Ferrari 330 P4 '67 - 1m18.331s
What a close result for this legendary trio. Although they have set similar times, it looks like the Ferrari is pure alpha by a narrow margin.
Like I said before, these three legendary cars appear once in a blue moon and if you come unprepared when one of these popped up at the Legend Cars dealership, you'll gonna need to win some difficult races to rack up such a herculean income to invest in one of these masterpieces.
Fortune favors the prepared. Keep on racing and keep on winning if you are itching to grab all three legendary race cars when the opportunity arises. Miss one of these and you'll gonna have to wait for a long time for these vintage racers to reappear so keep your eyes open and be sure to have enough funding because...it's going to be a long night.
Do you remember the episode from The Grand Tour where the third-generation Audi TT RS and the Ariel Nomad got compared by Clarkson and Hammond while May's busy making his own fire engine? That's unscripted television to you and me but hey, the TT RS ended up being the better one compared to the Nomad, probably because of the "unscripted" finish line's cheering on Clarkson.
Bringing the "unscripted" rivalry to Forza Horizon 5, the Ariel Nomad and the third-generation Audi TT RS are here to settle the score once again just like what they did in Croatia, only without the lady rooting for the gorilla behind the Audi.
But first, let's get to know about these "unscripted" rivals...
Built by the makers of the mind-blowing Atom, the Nomad is basically the Atom's off-road cousin made to tackle the roughest roads on Planet Earth. Like the normal Atom, the Nomad's equipped with the same Honda 2.4L i-VTEC engine producing 235BHP of power and 300Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed close ratio gearbox. Because it weighs 670kg, its power-to-weight ratio is 6.25lb/hp. It will do 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and onwards to 125mph. Aside from that, the Nomad comes with a FOX off-road long-travel coilover suspension, hydraulic handbrake, four-piston calipers, adjustable dampers with remote reservoirs, double unequal-length fabricated wishbones, heavy-duty uprights, quick-ratio ally Rack & Pinion, and others.
The TT RS is the flagship variant of the third-generation Audi TT that is powered by the upgraded version of the 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 60PS more than the previous TT RS, making it 400PS of power output and 480Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed DCT, the TT RS is capable of hitting the 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of up to 280kph thanks to its optional extra.
With Bob the Builder and the air hostess having their say, it's time to bring these two on a rally stage...above the caldera, just to find out if they're just like their stint at The Grand Tour a few years ago, only this time without a pretty lady to root for the Audi. This is a proper finish line with a proper audience watching the two unscripted rivals do their thing.
Let's Go!
With a case of deja vu done, here are the results, and it's a close one, I believe...
Nomad - 0m54.788s
TT RS (8S) - 0m54.521s
Now that's a close result but hey, the Audi won the unscripted duel against the Ariel, just.
From the rugged rear-wheel-drive Nomad to the all-wheel-drive turbocharged TT RS, these unscripted rivals were proven to be great to drive on and off the road but in the end, it's the Audi the superior one because...it's an Audi. No explanations are needed. I guess Clarkson's right after all about the TT RS but...something tells me about this Audi. I wonder what it could be?
I'll figure it out soon because there's something about this TT...
The first part of the Among Us saga of Torchwood kept listeners guessing who's behind the recent mess that terrified not just Cardiff but also the world. As the answer continues to unfold, the second part of Torchwood: Among Us has arrived, courtesy of Big Finish Productions.
Torchwood: Among Us 2
The second part of Torchwood: Among Us welcomes back Gareth David Lloyd to the latest saga, reprising the fan-favorite role of Ianto Jones. The fan-favorite character making a comeback in this latest chapter of Torchwood is pure delight for fans of the Doctor Who spinoff. Still, something's not right because...it's "Among Us" after all. No one knows who's the faceless threat pulling the strings.
Anyway, the second part welcomes listeners to four new thrilling missions to experience at the edge of their seats. These missions include Orr visiting the conflict-torn Voloshnik, Yvonne Hartman's prison break, vandals crashing inside Torchwood, and the whistleblowers who knew about the Phlobos Scandal.
These four new missions really are the latest pieces of the jigsaw puzzle and they're worth a suspense thriller to experience from start to finish.
Be sure to catch up on Among Us with these two installments available now and brace yourselves for the finale coming soon.
Last year, Clarkson, Hammond, and May explored the Scandinavian winter wonderland in three 4WD saloons. Now, they're doing something unconventional as the recent Grand Tour adventure pulled a road trip like no other.
The Grand Tour presents Eurocrash
HOLD IT! Be sure to watch the entire adventure on Prime Video before coming back, okay? Come back here when you're done watching the latest Grand Tour adventure.
The Torchwood story continues in the newest saga part of "The Story Continues" collection from Big Finish Productions. After a cataclysmic thriller in the God Among Us saga, Torchwood returns as they're uncover a faceless threat lurking everywhere, even from within.
Torchwood: Among Us 1
The newest saga of Torchwood is titled "Among Us" and in the first chapter of this latest Torchwood adventure, the Torchwood agents are keeping themselves incognito following the events from God Among Us. As they're in the dark, unknown threats and conspiracies are emerging everywhere, even within Torchwood.
The first chapter of Among Us features four brand new missions to listen to. From secret neighbors, the struggles of Colin, Gwen and Rhys' new life in Iceland, to a terrifying headline that deserves a much bigger headline, it's a brave new start to a new Torchwood saga that deserves to be listen over and over again before the next chapter arrives soon.
If you're ready to return to Torchwood, the first chapter of this newest adventure is for you...if you dare.
Lotus is known for its iconic sports cars such as the Elise, the Exige, and the Evora, and in the age of the new normal, the all-electric Evija hypercar and the ultimate ICE-powered Lotus sports car, the Emira. Sadly, Lotus' near-seven-and-a-half decade tradition has been broken thanks to the arrival of the first SUV, the Eletre.
2024 Lotus Eletre
Starting at 89,500 British Pounds plus additional costs, the first-ever Lotus Eletre truly is a treason to the Lotus heritage because why build a bulky SUV and call it a Lotus? Don't ask them, ask the Chinese overlords who controlled them like puppets on a string.
Geely, the Chinese company that controls not just Lotus but Volvo as well, is the main reason why the Lotus Eletre was spawned because this is the new normal, and SUVs are treated like superhero movies. Anyway, while getting bothered about Lotus's first SUV, what to expect from this "made in China" curiosity?
2024 Lotus Eletre
Beginning with the styling, the Eletre is downright futuristic for an electric crossover of this size, making the Tesla Model X look like a dozen of balut on a fruit basket. You gotta admit that such futuristic styling is the first impression the Eletre delivers even while cruising on the open road. What's also cool is the rear lights that glow green while charging, indicating battery levels, as well as the pop-up gadgetry lurking through its skin. This is what the future feels like.
2024 Lotus Eletre interior
2024 Lotus Eletre interior
The same story goes for the interior because the Eletre is like a supercomputer on wheels. On the driver's side, you can expect AR HUD, a 15.1-inch HD OLED touchscreen, ambient lighting, and jewel-grade switches on the AC and gear change. Looks like fancy living for the driver but on the passenger side, the Eletre is offered with a choice of a four or five-seater and they can be folded down for up to 1532 liters of boot space, making it more than enough to carry even the most sensitive stuff while on the go.
Although having rear seats in a Lotus is also treason for purists, you gonna love the four-seater version because of the center console gadgetry that will keep VIPs busy while driving to their destination. Although too expensive to be used as a family vehicle, the Eletre works like a luxury car while going on a trip to the world's most extravagant destinations.
Thanks to the dual motors that power it and the Geely-derived platform underneath, the Eletre is the first Lotus to have a four-wheel-drive system, another treason to the Lotus heritage. Although it doesn't behave like a Lotus, it delivers a throat-chopping experience when you put your foot down and looks like someone's driven to tears, wishing they want to experience this electric crossover someday.
The Eletre features three different configurations with the base variant producing 612PS of power and 373 miles of driving range to the ultra-powerful Eletre R with a monstrous 918PS of power output, capable of going from 0-60mph in less than three seconds and has a top speed of 165mph. As for the range, the Eletre R is good for 304 miles on one full charge.
Although speedo boys are not going to like it, the Eletre features the most sophisticated ADAS offered such as the LIDAR system, ultra-HD cameras, and millimeter-wave radar, making it equipped for fully autonomous driving. Shocker.
The Lotus Eletre is treason to the Norfolk-based sports car company's heritage but with all that power packed, this is the crossover you are itching to drive someday. Like it or not, the Eletre is Lotus' jack of all trades or should I say tirades if you prefer and it's ready to boldly go where no Lotus has gone before. Be ready when you see one.
The first-ever Opel/Vauxhall Grandland GSe is the first crossover of the GSe electrified performance sub-brand and the first AWD vehicle in the GSe range. Curious? Let's get to know about the most powerful GSe vehicle in the range.
2023 Vauxhall Grandland GSe
2023 Opel Grandland GSe
Starting at 57,600 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Grandland GSe is the most expensive Grandland in the range, and because this is the most powerful vehicle in the GSe range, there's something upsetting about this electrified performance crossover that serves as the replacement for the standard Grandland's Hybrid4 variant.
While it was based on the recently facelifted Grandland, which was formerly known as the Grandland X when it was first launched in 2017, the GSe adds more buff to the Grandland crossover such as the specially-made rear diffusor in high-gloss black, 19-inch two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels, and on the inside, jet-black Alcantara sports seats. Along with the added GSe touches, the Grandland GSe features the same capabilities as its normal counterpart, meaning it's about as convenient and technologically advanced as the normal Grandland.
Because the Grandland GSe is the evolved form of the standard Grandland's now-defunct Hybrid4 variant, you can still expect the same 1.6L TURBO engine as the said variant and with two electric motors added, this 4WD crossover produces 300PS of power and 520Nm of torque. Mated to an electrified 8-speed AT, it has a 0-100kph time of 6.1 seconds, a top speed of 235kph, and 1.2L/100km of fuel economy.
Running on electric power, you can hatch up to five 12km eggs in an AR game that makes you GO with such distance. As for charging times, it will take about two hours to reach 100% in a 7.4kW outlet.
Like the Astra GSe, the four-wheel-drive Grandland GSe is all about dynamics, and with that, it features a unique sport-tuned suspension setup, Koni FSD dampers, and a special ESP setting with a higher activation threshold. With such setups made exclusively for the GSe, driving one of these feels mild and tangy in every way, and with the AWD capability, it feels like it's ready to take on all comers, even while talking about the weather or anything.
It's hard to accept the Grandland GSe as the team leader of the GSe despite being the most powerful GSe vehicle in the range, but hey, with such performance and driving delight, you can't really turn down what's known to be the most enjoyable Grandland you can drive.
The first-ever Opel/Vauxhall Astra GSe range signals the birth of a new electrified performance sub-brand. GSe stands for Grand Sport electric and although they're not the successors to the defunct OPC/VXR hot hatches speedo boys are hoping for, the dynamics are worth unorthodox for electrified cars like these.
2023 Vauxhall Astra GSe
With prices starting at around 45,510 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Astra GSe is the first of the new GSe range of electrified vehicles that delivers sporty performance and ecology that shows you can never have too much science because if you enjoyed its electrified performance, science works.
2023 Opel Astra GSe
2023 Opel Astra Sports Tourer GSe
Before talking through the science abuse stuff the GSe delivers, let's observe the difference between this and the normal Astras. To differentiate the GSe from the normal Astra, which is now based on today's Peugeot 308, the GSe range features a unique lower grille insert, lightweight 18-inch two-tone diamond cut alloy wheels, and on the inside, jet black Alcantara front seats, not to mention the GSe badge slapped on the back. Unique GSe features aside, the electrified performance variants offer the same conveniences as the normal Astra L range, in hatchback and Sports Tourer variants.
The Astra GSe range is basically a rehash of the plug-in hybrid variants of the current Peugeot 308, meaning you can expect the same turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine connected to an 81kW electric motor. It produces a system power output of 225PS of power, has a 0-100kph of 7.5 seconds, and a top speed of 235kph. Mated to an electrified 8-speed AT, it has 1.1L/100km combined fuel economy based on WLTP standards.
Because dynamics are the main focus of the GSe, it features a unique sport-tuned suspension setup that drops 10mm of height, Koni FSD dampers, and a special ESP setting with a higher activation threshold. With such setups made exclusively for the GSe, driving one of these feels mild and tangy in every way. Although not as wild as a hot hatch, it feels easier to drive as such.
Although they're not the successors to the defunct OPC/VXR hot hatches speedo boys are hoping for, the dynamics are worth unorthodox for electrified cars like these. What a way to kick off the GSe brand in a big way.
The Brabham name is synonymous with the world of Formula 1 from its highly influential racing machines to its double constructors' championship title from 1966 to 1967. With the name revived for a new no-holds-barred track toy, it means big business.
This is the Brabham BT62, which is part of Forza Horizon 5's Hot Wheels Expansion. In this expansion, the BT62 is yours to keep if you complete the Double Triple mission of the Elite Rank. Simple as that.
Before getting a little joyride with the newest Brabham masterpiece, let's have a quick tidbit about the BT62.
Founded by the son of Sir Jack Brabham, David Brabham, the new Brabham Automotive unveiled its first machine; the BT62. Built to take on the McLaren Senna GTR and the Aston Martin Vulcan, the BT62 is a track-only supercar that follows the formula of Brabham's legendary racing machines. It is limited to 70 units, a reference to Sir Jack Brabham's seven-decade racing career, and each costs 1 million GBP plus additional costs. Clients who gained control of the BT62 will have access to a driver development program that allows them to fully understand the BT62's true form.
Along with its unique aerodynamics that generates over 1,200kg of downforce and its low-slung carbon fiber bodywork that weighs less than a ton, the BT62 is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4L V8 engine that produces 710PS of power and 667Nm of torque while mated to a rear-mounted race-spec transmission. It even comes with Michelin slick tires and six-piston brake calipers all around clamping carbon-carbon discs, a Brabham trademark.
This is unlike everything I've ever driven in my Horizon Mexico adventure. The Brabham BT62 showcases its unlimited capabilities as a track-only superweapon that can snake through corners until it makes it. From its raw V8 soundcheck to its vicious dynamics, rest assured that the BT62 is reserved only for the masterful of drivers looking to unleash its true form when needed.
Speaking of which, it's time to give the Brabham BT62 a quick drive that will demonstrate its true grit. Too bad I can't take it to the streets of Mexico because it's a track-only supercar but because this is part of the Hot Wheels expansion, playing with the life-sized Hot Wheels track is the only way to go for the BT62. Dealing against tougher opponents, the BT62 is ready to showcase its Brabham DNA on a life-sized Hot Wheels playset. Let's rock and roll, kids.
That was a close call. I thought I was going to be dead meat but a late surge by the BT62 saved the day. Well done, Brabham.
Although not suitable for road and sanctioned racing use, the BT62 is a no-holds-barred supercar that defies the rules of speed and power. Thanks to its Brabham DNA, the BT62 is truly a modern take on a motorsport legend orchestrated by Brabham. If Sir Jack Brabham is still around, he would have enjoyed this until the very end.
If you want a track-only monster that drives like there's no tomorrow, the BT62 is for you. Case closed.
When the original MG6 launched in Britain in 2011, it was the beginning of the comeback of a British marque that was revived by China's SAIC. It was a CKD unit made by Britain until MG decided to bid farewell to its Longbridge plant along with the MG6 in it. However, in China, the MG6 lives in its second generation and this is the Chinese equivalent of the Honda Civic Type R that Britain didn't get.
It's called the MG6 XPower, a high-performance PHEV version of the second-generation MG6. I got it as a prize car from the ongoing Forza Horizon 5 FORDZATHON series update and before getting my dibs on China's answer to the Honda Civic Type R, let's get to know about the MG6 that Britain never had.
Unveiled in late 2016, the second-generation MG6 incorporates the brand's new design language and it runs on the same mechanicals as the Roewe i6. It received a minor change in the summer of 2020 and a year later, the MG6 XPower was launched. Based on the MG6 PHEV, the XPower's 1.5L turbocharged engine was bolted to an electric motor, generating a total power output of 300PS of power and 480Nm of torque, capable of hitting 0-100kph in six seconds.
For a super saloon that was known to be China's answer to the Civic Type R, the MG6 XPower really is something the Brits are missing since the MG6 left several years ago. Should the MG6 stay in Britain to show off its second-generation model, it could have been spectacular on British roads and can easily upset the likes of the Honda Civic Type R and the Renaultsport Megane but sadly, it's too little, too late for that.
Despite this, it drives like a Civic Type R even though it has a PHEV drivetrain which sounds uncanny for a car like this. Driving around Horizon Mexico's sights and sounds in this car and I'm having the strangest feeling that I'm like a Kung-Fu martial artist in a business suit. It's got a kick into it when I go nuts with this car. Gotta admire Chinese car manufacturing in a nut shack.
Speaking of which, it's time to see how much of a car the MG6 XPower is and with that, I went back to the Festival to have a one-on-one duel with its TCR equivalent.
No joke. This is the TCR equivalent that I won from the Storm Season Playlist. Built to compete in the TCR Asia series until the smaller MG5 XPower touring car took over, the MG6 XPower TCR is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 340hp of power and 410Nm of torque. It's mated to a 6-speed Xtrac sequential paddle shift gearbox.
Can the MG6 X-Power be as good as its TCR equivalent? Let's find out as we roll the tape.
After a hot lap, here are the results;
2021 MG MG6 XPower - 1m21.165s
2020 MG #20 MG6 XPower - 1m17.027s
A near-four-second gap between the road car and its TCR equivalent, which is quite surprising for a car like this.
To me, the second-generation MG6, in XPower form, is the MG6 Britain should get if they gave the MG6 a second chance in life but sadly, it's a clear NO from the Brits, which is too bad because this PHEV monster has the dynamics of a super hot hatch and the makings of a Nurburgring record holder for PHEV front-wheel-drive cars, which sounds unlikely but anyone can dream right? Ha ha ha... Wrong.
With the Forza producers' newfound fondness for the People's Republic of China, I don't think they'll stop featuring even more Chinese cars like this, even though we never asked for one in the first place. Kowtowing to Beijing is the main reason why we got Chinese cars in this game and the MG6 is one of them. Sigh...
.jpg "2024 Lotus Eletre")
.jpg "2024 Lotus Eletre")
.jpg "2024 Lotus Eletre")
.jpg "2023 Vauxhall Grandland GSe")
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