VTEC gains boost

Honda have stuck fast to their VTEC engine technology - claiming it will last the test of time....well it hasn't. New emissions laws and increased pressure from other performance hatchbacks have landed Honda in hot water - they've made the decision to throttle back VTEC and throw in boost!

Three new Honda engines have been announced, a 1litre 3 cylinder, as well as 1.5litre and 2.0litre 4 cylinder lumps. All turbocharged. 

The idea is that the VTEC technology will now be put to use in making the engines economical at low revs, whilst the turbochargers develop the power higher up the rev range - herolding the potential end of screaming Civic Type R's at 9,000rpm. 

It was the only obvious choice for the Japanese auto-maker, with their latest Type R producing a gob-load less power than its rival hatchbacks, not to mention the unforgivably low torque figures - a side effect of using VTEC to gain power at high RPM. We know Honda can make awesome engines and utilize incredible engine technologies, hopefully now they'll prove this whilst producing similar HP/Torque figures as their rivals. 

Words: Andy Pilcher             Images: Honda UK

F-Type adds hardtop and awesomeness!

Jaguar have had a rocky 15 years - nobody can deny that. Anyone who can remember the likes of the S-Type and the last run of the old XKR's will have fond memories of the bloated weight, off styling and a noticeable loss of quality. 

Put that all aside though, as the past few years; under the ownership of Indian manufacturer Tata of all people, have been more than prosperous for the luxury brand. It all turned around with the XF saloon; that showed the world that Jaguar was ready to be cool again. A string of new models have come since then, the latest being the F-Type - a gorgeous and devilishly fast drop top, heralded as the long awaited offspring of the 60's E-Type. 

Well Jaguar have stunned crowds again by launching the F-Type Coupe. Adding a fixed hard top roof and somehow making the already beautiful F-Type offensively gorgeous - supermodels used to front covers and red carpets resemble the type you would only pray on at last orders in comparison to this hard top stunner!

Starting at £51,235 for the base V6 coupe ranging up to £85,000 for the top of the line R-Coupe with the snorting V8 Jaguar couldn't be pitching the F-Type more at the Porsche line up. We already know how much of a focused driving machine the F-Type is, with the extra rigidity of a fixed hard top the coupe can only be even more awesome! We salute Jaguar for their new found confidence. 

You can watch the unveiling of the F-Type Coupe here, courtesy of Jaguar UK:

Words: Andy Pilcher             Images: Netcarshow

Why we'll miss Paul Walker...

It is with sadness that we have to write this little article but we feel it necessary to clear up exactly why the untimely death of Paul Walker is so important and has caused such a sad 'buzz' on all the social media sites. 

Paul Walker is best known for his role as Brian O'Conner in the hit movie franchise "The Fast & Furious" . It is always a sad time when any celebrity passes away - due to the inherent nature of a single person 'touching' a massive audience through the media, Paul's passing is perhaps even more distressing thanks to that film series. 

The Fast & Furious is not just any old film, it is a franchise that a whole generation of motoring enthusiasts grew up with, us included. Every modifier under the age of 30 (and most over too) will remember vividly that very first scene with Brian (Paul) maxxing out his lime green Mitsubishi Eclipse fondly, it was the start of a film that opened the eyes of many teenagers to the world of car modifying. 

As the series went on and those teenagers grew up they learned to take the films realism with a pinch of salt, every 'meme' page has at least one referencing the seemingly endless gearboxes the Fast & Furious cars had. Be that as it may, put simply - without those films the amount of modified cars on the roads today would be but a fraction of what they are. We all love the modifying culture, so we inherently love the Fast & Furious franchise. 

What does this mean for the franchise? Nobody knows yet - barely 12 hours from the fatal incident and rumours are already circulating the internet about what will happen with the latest planned installment (Fast 7) - as filming was underway when the accident occurred, is it at a point they can finish? Should they? I personally say yes - what greater tribute could there be than to publish the final hurrah of such a terrific actor and gentleman. 

What can we take from this sad incident? This very unfortunate accident disproves what the movies unknowingly told us - even modifiers aren't invincible. Hopefully this will teach people that while owning and modifying fast cars is no-doubt fun, racing them on the streets is not only illegal - but incredibly dangerous! Keep the racing on the tracks and drag strips. 

We salute you Mr Walker, a fine actor - a legend to millions and a charitable, loving family man. 

Words: Andy Pilcher