WS Awards 2013: Car of the Year

It’s getting nearer to 2014, and it’s now where we start to reflect and dwell on the past year. But it’s not all doom and gloom for 2013, it has been an amazing year for car nuts. The best part of 2013 has got to be the the debuts of all the hypercars at the Geneva Motor Show, it was a biblical scene.

However, this article is way more important than the most exciting debuts of 2013, it’s our very own Car of the Year award. It will be split up into 5 segments from Hypercars to Performance SUV & Saloons. Each nominee will receive an award for either 1st (gold), 2nd (silver) or 3rd place (bronze).

HYPERCAR OF THE YEAR

Hypercars. There’s many ways to describe them, barbarically fast, ridiculously expensive, incredibly lust-able, however you describe it though, just defies this segment of cars into one word: Mad. 2013 saw the most incredible Hypercar fight of all-time, this included the all-new McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, Koenigsegg Agera R and the Pagani Huayra. It was an incredible competition between all 5 automakers, but only 3 will come out on top for us.

1st: McLaren P1



The P1 is McLaren’s successor to the F1 from the 90′s. It was created to rival with the likes of the LaFerrari, Huayra, 918 and Agera R. The P1 boasts 903 horsepower, can hit 62 mph in less than three seconds, can hit 186 mph in less than 17 seconds, and will run into an electronic wall at 217 mph. It has also set a ‘sub-seven minute time at the Nurburgring. Why does it take first place? Well, the P1 is a massive step up from the F1, for a firm who didn’t make road cars for over 10 years to suddenly come out with a innovative super-sonic masterpiece like the P1, is truly incredible.

2nd: Porsche 918 Spyder



The Porsche 918 Spyder is a direct successor to the 2003 Porsche Carrera GT. Costing a whopping £720,420 (with Weissach pack), the 918 must pack a punch. It does. The 918 features a 4.6-litre V8 which produces 875bhp, hits 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds, a combined economy figure of 85.6mpg, a top speed of 211. On top of all that, it’s a hybrid, it has an electric motor which runs on lithium-ion batteries. The electric motor produces 154bhp alone. Solely on electricity, it can go 18 miles at a top speed of 93 mph. The 918 is a technological step forward in the automotive world, many automakers will learn from the 918. Porsche proved you can still go stupendously fast, whilst keeping your wallet happy. 

3rd: Ferrari LaFerrari



After the Enzo, Ferrari had to decide where to go next, and this is it, the Ferrari LaFerrari. Forget about its odd name for a second and just look at it, it’s nothing short of bloody awesome. It is definitely a bed-room pin-up poster. The LaFerrari packs the same 6.3-liter V12 as the front-engined Ferrari F12, but it’s been reworked for the LaFerrari’s mid-engined layout. This means the power has been upped to a mind boggling 789bhp produced at a crazy 9000rpm. And the V12 will keep revving to 9250rpm. Peak torque is 516lb ft at 6750rpm.

SUPERCAR OF THE YEAR

Think of supercars as toned-down versions of hypercars. They are mad, but quite subtle compared. Supercars are focused, road going batshit-fast-mobiles, that can make you look immensely cool on the road whilst obliterating everything at the lights.

Porsche 991 GT3



The 991 GT3 is a direct successor to the 997 GT3. The new GT3 features a naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six engine which develops 475 hp and has a rev limit of 9,000rpm. This power is sent to the road via a seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission with unique steering wheel paddle-shift. The GT3 also features innovative active rear-wheel steering which increases cornering agility and enhances high speed stability. Combined, the 991 GT3 will accelerate from naught to 62 mph in 3.5 and will reach a top speed of 196 mph.

Honourable Mentions

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster
McLaren 12C

 

SPORTSCAR OF THE YEAR

The definition of fun, adequate performance, just enough to allow you to throw it around a corner and come out the other side completely unscathed, the sportscar.

Jaguar F-Type V6 S



The F-Type. Nothing short of amazing. As a car we’ve driven and tested, it was one of our all-time favourites. The V6 was lacking the specialty and the potential to what the F-Type could offer, the V8 was just a mental patient hiding in a car’s engine bay, but the V6 S is the sweet spot of the bunch, not too harsh, not too less, just perfect. Incredible handing, incredible performance and a truly biblical sound. It wins our Sportscar of the year award.

Honourable Mentions

Porsche Boxster S
Porsche Cayman S
Toyota GT86

HOT-HATCHBACK OF THE YEAR

Little pocket rockets. Using 100% of the power all of the time, whether it’s in town, or on a country road, hot hatches dominate corners, yet they retain being practical for the weekly shop as well! The perfect segment of car? Well, that’s for you to decide.

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG



Mercedes-Benz totally revolutionized the hot-hatch market when they revealed the A45 AMG. The A45 is faster than its rivals in a straight line and around a track. Some incredible engineering has gone into this car by cramming a record thrashing 355bhp into a little 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which gave its engine the title of the most powerful 4-cylinder engine ever made. It’s an absolute hoot to drive, it crackles on upshifts, it wants to oversteer even though it has a very good all-wheel-drive system and handles wonderfully. It wins our hot-hatchback of the year award.

Honourable Mentions

BMW M135i
Audi S3
Ford Fiesta ST

 

PERFORMANCE SALOON OF THE YEAR

You’ve settled down now with kids, a stable job, a loving wife, but no car. You need a family car, but you’re a race-car driver, and you want a family race-car.

Jaguar XFR-S


Before you chant “why not the M5, E63 or RS6?!” Well, specialty, exclusivity and brutality is what fun means these days. The XFR-S is not just unique, it’s rare, with only 20 entering the UK and 100 going to the US, it’s an epic unicorn. The XFR-S is Jaguar’s attempt to take on ‘Benz, BMW and Audi. It may not be faster in a straight line, nor it may not be faster around a track, but this car is just such an awesome creation by Jaguar, it turns heads, it makes a sweet noise and is still bloody quick.

Honourable Mentions

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG S Model
BMW M5 F10
Audi RS6

 

PERFORMANCE SUV OF THE YEAR

Need more space, power, and practicality? Well look no further, performance SUV’s might just be for you!

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S



When it comes cars that are heavy and tall, taking it on a track seems totally hopeless. However, it seems Porsche has totally defied physics by making this car feel like a sports car on the road. No idea how they’ve done it, but those clever engineers at Porsche deserve a pat on the back for the Turbo S, it’s immensely quick in a straight line and can do four-wheel-doughnuts all day long, what more could you want? Oh, it can take the kids to school and do the weekly shop.

Honourable Mentions

Range Rover Sport 5.0
Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
BMW X5M

 
That wraps it up for this year, see you on the other side in 2014! Happy new year from us at Wild Speed.

XKR-S GT vs C63 BS vs V12 Vantage S

It’s a weird world isn’t these days, automakers seem to be making hardcore versions of already hardcore version cars. Is it all really necessary? Well, automakers would like to think so.

The XKR-S GT is a hardcore version of a hardcore version of a hardcore version… Yep, XKR, XKR-S, XKR-S GT. But the end result is a proper track weapon.

The Aston Martin Vantage V12 S is an upgraded version of the already mad V12 Vantage.

The C63 AMG is hardcore enough but AMG decided it needed more, it needed treatment from the Black works.

Now all you need to do is kick back, relax and just enjoy all three of these beasts go hand in hand.

Steve Sutcliffe of Autocar magazine demonstrates.

Top 5 Car Debuts Of 2013

We’re nearing the end of 2013, and it’s around this time where we start to reflect on the whole year, specifically the year of automobiles. 2012 had some pretty cool debuts such as the BMW M5 and even fast sports-utility-vehicles like the ML63 AMG.

However, 2013 was less about thje ‘normal car turned fast’ and more about cars that were built to be fast in the first place. Below we have listed our top 5 car debuts of 2013. This list is in no particular order.

McLaren P1

The P1 is McLaren’s successor to the F1 from the 90’s. It was created to rival with the likes of the LaFerrari, Huayra, 918 and Agera R. The P1 boasts 903 horsepower, can hit 62 mph in less than three seconds, can hit 186 mph in less than 17 seconds, and will run into an electronic wall at 217 mph.

Porsche 991 GT3

The 991 GT3 is a direct successor to the 997 GT3. The new GT3 features a naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six engine which develops 475 hp and has a rev limit of 9,000rpm. This power is sent to the road via a seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission with unique steering wheel paddle-shift. The GT3 also features innovative active rear-wheel steering which increases cornering agility and enhances high speed stability. Combined, the 991 GT3 will accelerate from naught to 62 mpg in 3.5 and will reach a top speed of 196 mph.

Ferrari 458 Speciale

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Being the successor to the legendary F430 Scuderia, the Speciale had a lot to live up to, and it did. The 4.5-liter V8 in the Speciale makes 597 horsepower at a 9000-rpm peak unlike the regular 458’s 562 horsepower. This is made possible by a14.0:1 compression ratio, revised combustion chambers, new pistons, shorter intake runners, reshaped intake ports, and higher lift on the exhaust and intake valves, along with a new carbon-fiber manifold and airbox.

Jaguar F-Type R Coupe

After the success of the F-Type Roadster, Jaguar gave the Coupe variant a green light and with its unveiling came the ‘R’ version which packs 550PS 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine enabling acceleration from 0-60 mph in 4.0-seconds, and a top speed of 186 mph (limited)

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Although not appealing to many, it appeals to the family man who wants the perfect blend between luxury and performance. The S63 AMG features AMG’s M157 5.5-liter biturbo engine which produces 585 horsepower and a mad 900 newton meters of torque.

Mercedes-Benz Retaliates To Jaguar

Since Jaguar randomly took the piss out of Mercedes’ Magic Body Control advert, Mercedes-Benz has now retaliated but in image-form.

This time, Jaguar’s ‘cat-like reflexes’ has been overpowered by Mercedes-Benz’s PRE-SAFE Brake advert.

Your move, Jaguar.

Jaguar’s Hilarious Reply To Mercedes’ Chicken Advert

Isn’t rivalry just the best, each company being careful not to say too much, and not too little. We’ve seen Audi and BMW fight it out on billboards, now it’s Jaguar taking the piss out of Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Magic Body Control’ system (incorporated in the new S-Class) out of the blue!

Here’s the original Mercedes-Benz video: 

Ding, ding, ding, your turn ‘Benz!

Jaguar F-Type R Coupe Configurator

With its reveal only days prior, Jaguar has already launched the configurator for the new F-Type R Coupe. We spec’d ours up to almost £110,000.

Polaris White
20″ Wheel – Storm – Black & Diamond Turned
Performance Seats in Suedecloth with Suedecloth Interior Pack
Suede Cloth Interior with Cirrus Contrast Stitching
Centre Console – Dark Technical Weave Aluminum with “R” Graphic
Jet Morzine Header and Headlining

£107,531.36*
£22,531.36

Jaguar XJR Review – Limo or Beast?

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Jaguar recently announced that their flagship model will be undergoing some R treatment. This treatment would up the power and torque, lower the weight and enhance its appearance.

The end result? The Jaguar XJR. This car suffers from severe MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder), that’s in a good way of course. On one hand, it’s an Ocean Liner, on the other hand, it’s Superbike fast. Summing up this car will be very difficult indeed.

PERFORMANCE

We’ve already driven the Jaguar XJ 5.0 Supersport and did not even once stop to think it needed more power, it was already sublimely fast, this however, is in a different league all together.

It uses the same 5.0 Supercharged engine in the Supersport, only it’s tuned to 550 PS. This outrageous horsepower is hauled by an eye-watering 680 NM torque.

We can go into performance figures all day, but that’s not this car’s party piece, it’s the way it absolutely devours corners.

2014 release

5.0-liter Supercharged V8

680Nm, 550PS

174mph (280kmh)

0-62 4.6 sec

8-speed automatic transmission

HANDLING

Despite its shear size, the Jaguar XJR is incredibly light on its feet, making it feel unbelievable. You’d expect a car of this size and weight to handle like a barge, but it really doesn’t.

On a straight road, you’ll arrive at the end quicker than you assumed. Hit the Dynamic Mode button, knock down a few gears, floor the throttle, hear that V8 roar, then get ready to flip the paddle up into another dimension of speed, adrenaline and performance.

It’s incredibly tail-happy too, we tested the XJR on narrow and slippery country roads, and this thing just wants to hang its arse out and eat its own tyres up.

EXTERIOR

The XJR features a new front splitter and an aerodynamic sill section which is further supported by a boot-lid spoiler with additional ‘R’ bonnet louvres which lends the car stability at high speeds and a muscular, more aggressive stance on the road. New 20-inch ‘Farallon’ forged alloy wheels have also been bolted on with low-profile tyres to maximise grip.

INTERIOR

The interior hasn’t been compromised by the immense power either, it’s still as opulent as Buckingham Palace. Special ‘R’ sport seats which feature semi-aniline leather and contrast stitching have been fitted to the XJR for maximum support and a choice of posh veneers just to keep that level of richness.

The driving position is spot-on too, you don’t feel like a chauffeur anymore; this time, you’re in control.

You still get the ridiculous 825 Watt, 17-speaker, Meridian Sound System which can pop your ears with the most clarified bass and vocals of any system.

VERDICT

9/10

The XJR? Bloody brilliant. Those expectations of it being a slightly faster Supersport has made me think twice about making assumptions. Well done Jaguar.

 

Jaguar F-Type Coupe

The all new  Jaguar F-TYPE Coupé range, led by the high-performance F-TYPE R Coupé model, has made its global dynamic debut at an exclusive VIP media and consumer event on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“The dramatic debut of the 550PS F-TYPE R Coupé in Los Angeles this evening – possibly the most dynamic reveal of a car ever – underlines its performance credentials.”

The all-aluminium Jaguar F-TYPE Coupé model line-up is headlined by the F-TYPE R Coupé, its 550PS/680Nm 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine enabling acceleration from 0-60mph in 4.0-seconds, and a top speed of 186mph (limited). F-TYPE S Coupé and F-TYPE Coupé models complete the range, powered respectively by 380PS and 340PS versions of Jaguar’s 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine, giving 0-60mph in 4.8/5.1-seconds and top speeds of 171/161mph.

The F-TYPE Coupé range complements the existing 2013 ‘World Car Design of the Year’ award-winning F-TYPE Convertible model line-up of V6-engined F-TYPE (340PS) and F-TYPE S (380PS), and the F-TYPE V8 S (495PS).

The F-TYPE Coupé will go on sale in spring of 2014.

 

 

Driven: Jaguar XFR-S

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Recently, Jaguar Land Rover kindly invited us to try out a range of their cars. Once we got there, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of cars they had to offer, almost every car from Range Rover and Jaguar was there, however, there was a lack of XKR-S GT, but then again, there was plenty of other cars to keep you occupied, such as the brand-spankin’ new and rare XFR-S.

PERFORMANCE

8.5/10

Even though the Jaguar XFR-S is based on the XF, it feels capable of anything. You sit low down, the driving position is spot on, you have a great view of the road ahead, and the pedals are very nicely placed giving you an element of confidence whilst driving.

The XFR-S boasts a 5.0-litre supercharged V8, which produces 550 PS and 680 Nm torque. With this much performance, it’s no wonder it can hit 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds. However, it still seems to feel much more powerful than it actually is, infact, this car is absolutely brutal in its performance delivery.

All of this brute force is connected to an 8-speed transmission derived from the F-Type, giving the XFR-S seamless and quick shifts.

HANDLING

8/10

We are very much impressed with the XFR-S, it handles very well, in-fact, probably better than we expected. The steering is tight and precise with lots of feedback, and the car feels somewhat agile. The brakes are sharp, precise and responsive, great for when you’re on the track.

EXTERIOR

8/10

The Jaguar XFR-S definitely looks the part in terms of cosmetics. It’s more aggressive and focused than it’s counterpart (XFR). Some may say the rear spoiler is too big, fortunately, Jaguar can replace the spoiler for a smaller boot lid spoiler found on the XFR. Then again, the whole point of buying a R-S product is for it’s outright hooliganism isn’t it?

It’s default colour is a very bright and vibrant French Racing Blue, which stands out from any other car on the road. It’ll easily turn heads.

Overall, it’s what we expected, a more hardcore and exclusive look has given the XFR-S what the XFR was missing.

7/10

The car rides well too, some say it’s too harsh on the road, we think it’s just about fine on country roads. Maybe we’ll have an opportunity to test it on some London streets soon!

Over all the interior is fine, it’s a very nice place to be. Whatever you touch is lovely stitched leather and the XF in general really does feel quite upmarket inside. Although it is a little outdated now, and that round gear shifter looks great but isn’t very intuitive to use.

 

VERDICT

8.5/10

Overall, it’s a successful attempt by Jaguar to compete with the germans (M5, E63 and RS6). It really does get close.

It handles very well, drives like a dream, goes like a rocket and looks unique. Did we mention there will only be 120 made? Which of course adds exclusivity.

8.5/10 from us, great car Jaguar!