Alfa Romeo 156 GTA 2002

 

According to Jeremy Clarkson, you are not a true petrol-head until you have owned an Alfa Romeo (preferably with a 3.2 V6 under the bonnet!). I do like Alfas and today I came across one I used to really like over 10 years ago but completely forgot about since as you don't come across them very often: the 156 GTA. The GTA was the 'super-sporty' version of regular Alfa Romeos, mainly the 147 and the 156. I have always wanted a 147 GTA but like with the 156, they are not easy to find. So what was particular about the GTA version? Well it had a specific body kit as well as a beautiful sporty interior. Under the bonnet you would find the 3.2 V6 with 250bhp which allowed the 156 to reach 62mph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. The GTAs might be over 10 years old but they still really appeal to me!

Insider 18 - Peugeot RCZ-R 2014

Today, we are inside the R-version of the Peugeot RCZ. The pictures were taken at the Sale dealership where I must say, staff were very helpful. The RCZ-R is powered by an impressive 270bhp 1.6 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It gives the little French coupe astonishing performances: 0-62 in only 5.9 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155mph or 250km/h. There are also a few changes to the standard versions such as a fixed rear spoiler, specific alloys, dual exhaust and specific R interior with these beautiful sport seats.

Land Rover Defender Kahn 2014

After nearly 2 weeks without any new post, here I am again, with a car taken from James Martin's supercar Sunday, the Land Rover Defender Wide Track prepared by Kahn in satin black. Once again we are mainly talking cosmetic modification here, with bumpers, optics, wheels... but the most impressive part to me is the interior and the seats in particular!

Citroën DS3 Cabrio Racing 2014

First Citroën on the blog and a bit of a rarity as it is the new DS3 Cabrio Racing, spotted at the Citroën dealer in Sale. Citroën limited the production of this tuned-up cabrio to 100 of which only 10 will find their way onto British roads, and this one is one of them, number 32 out of 100! So what is so particular about the Racing badge? Well, the 1.6 THP engine has been pushed to 204bhp which gives the little Cabrio very decent performance (0-62 in just 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 146mph or 235km/h), the car has also been lowered and the suspension hardened, without forgetting to mention the wheels, the new brake calipers and the sporty interior! 

Costing nearly £30,000 it is far from being cheap but at least, you shouldn't see one round every corner!

Bentley Azure T 2010

Not the best pictures in the world today. They were taken through the windows of a coach, waiting for the Eurostar on the way back from France. The car we have here is a Bentley Azure T. The Azure was produced between 1995 and 2003 for the first generation (based on the Continental R at the time) and between 2006 and 2009 for the second generation. The Azure T, based like the second generation on the Arnage platform, was produced in 2009 and 2010 and has increased performance compared to the standard Azure. The 6.75 twin-turbo V8 engine produces 500bhp allowing the Azure T to reach 62mph in just 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 179mph or 288km/h. With a fuel consumption of 14.5mpg on a combined cycle, the Azure T is far from being a cheap coupe to run!

Insider 17 - Mercedes SLS

Quite a straightforward post today, we are inside a Mercedes SLS, with not much happening. It is pretty much the driver, the steering wheel and the car! Love the gull-wing doors though!

Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale 2012

 

Still at James Martin's Supercar Sunday, a Maserati Gran Turismo in its super-sporty outfit, the MC Stradale. This model has a 4.7 V8 engine with 460bhp, which allows the Gran Turismo to reach a top speed of 188mph or 302km/h and cover 0-62 in just 4.5 seconds. As you can see with the different pictures, the Stradale benefits from specific aerodynamic additions such as a front splitter and a rear air dam, as well as carbon ceramic brakes. I am not 100% convinced by the black carbon fiber bonnet but it is still a very nice-looking car!