The News for November 10th, 2017


Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:

  • BMW adds track-ready CS package to M3

  • Lotus makes another “most extreme Exige ever” again

  • Nissan’s GT-R Pure has only the essentials and is under $100k again

  • Panoz is selling a DeltaWing race car for the first time

  • Other coverage from the week

  • What’s your automotive news?

BMW M3 CS


Because BMW’s new CS package was apparently too good to restrict to the M4, the limited edition performance package has spread to its four-door sibling as well. Starting next May, BMW will produce 1,200 examples of the new M3 CS, a track-minded sedan that can still be used on a daily basis.
It boasts all of the same enhancements as its two door counterpart, but it really doesn’t need much more before it starts getting into M4 GTS territory. Its 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo straight six gets a series of updates which boost output to 453 horsepower (+28 hp over stock) and 443 lb.-ft. of torque (+37 lb.-ft.) and it’s only available with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with an additional oil cooler.

The M3 CS also gets a wide range of weight reduction and chassis tuning to make the most of the extra power. More body components made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics brings the weight down by 110 pounds and lowers the center of gravity. Some of the more noticeable bits of carbon are the new front splitter, roof, rear diffuser, and Gurney Flap at the back.
It comes standard with all of the same underpinnings as the Competition Package but also packs a revised Adaptive M Suspension, more rigid axles, a tweaked Active M Differential, and a more lenient stability control program. It also rides on the same forged light-alloy wheels as the M4 CS which keeps unsprung mass low. Basically, it’ll be sharper and dynamic and stuff without being total crap on the road.

The M4 CS bridges the gap between the standard car (with comp. package) and the wild M4 GTS, but now you can have that with four doors.
[Source: BMW]

Lotus Exige Cup 430


We’ve just entered a new month which means it’s time for another most extreme Lotus ever. No guys, this one is the most powerful, most fastest, most specialist Exige ever built and it’s called the Exige Cup 430. It’s the most extreme Exige ever conceived thanks to its new engine, sharper chassis, and revised aero package and it’ll stay that way until next January probably.

New to the Exige is a 3.5-liter V6 with an Edelbrock supercharger and charge cooler, not unlike the one just used on the Evora GT430. This sends 430 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox with its own cooler. 0-60 mph takes just 3.2 seconds and it’ll top out at 180 mph and it’ll be singing through titanium exhaust the whole way.
With the extra power comes a redesigned body, made mostly of carbon fiber of course. Wider radiator apertures and a new splitter up front plus a redesigned rear clam panel and a “straight” motorsport wing all help generate up to 485 pounds of downforce.

Other upgrades made to the chassis include revised steering arm geometry, Nitron three-way adjustable dampers, Eibach adjustable front and rear roll bars, and massive brakes with AP Racing calipers.
So basically it’s another race car for road use. As of now, orders are only being taken from UK, Germany, and France.
[Source: Lotus]

Nissan GT-R Pure


Nissan recently announced pricing info for the 2018 GT-Rs and in doing so also confirmed a new, more affordable entry level GT-R trim. It’s simply called the GT-R Pure model and it cuts a few of the once standard luxury items in an effort to cut costs and provide a driver’s GT-R with only the essentials.
The GT-R Pure starts at $99,990, making it the first five figure GT-R in quite a few years. It undercuts the prior base model, the GT-R Premium, by $10,500 and it only loses out on four major features in doing so. An 11-speaker Bose audio system, Active Noise Cancellation, Active Sound Enhancement, and Titanium exhaust system is all you lose out on by opting for the GT-R Pure.
The GT-R’s insane performance, 565-horsepower twin-turbo V6, the redesigned interior, and physics-defying AWD system are all preserved. So if all you want is GT-R performance but can live without something pumping engine noise into the cabin, this is what you want. The 2018 GT-Rs are on sale now.
[Source: Nissan]

Wanna buy a DeltaWing?


One of the most unique race cars of the modern era is up for sale and it may be the only time it ever will be. Panoz is selling DeltaWing Coupe chassis #001, the first of three DeltaWing Coupes they’ve built. Car number 3 is in the Panoz Museum and car number 2 got destroyed right in front of me at the 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona. This car up for sale now is very likely the only one that will ever be available for sale.
This car has seen competition in the P1 class in the old ALMS days and in the P2 class in IMSA until it was replaced by newer iterations. It raced in a few different liveries but they’ve since wrapped it in last year’s ‘Murica livery which is how it’s currently presented. Whoever buys this will also have a large amount of spare parts available and can request Panoz support for their first track event.
Hopefully whoever is cool enough to buy this is also cool enough to bring it out to some historic races. Those who wish to be cool enough can reach John Leverett at jaleverett@panoz.com. They’re asking $375,000.
[Source: Panoz]

Other coverage from the week


The stories here are far from the only newsworthy events of the week. Our resident Polish guy got to witness a wild Lamborghini and MIT concept debut, there’s some 2018 Jeep news, and the Corvette ZR1 leaked.
[Image copyright Joshua Sweeney/Hooniverse 2017]

What’s your automotive news?


That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2017 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]

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22 responses to “The News for November 10th, 2017”

  1. nanoop Avatar

    So the 2014 van failed its first tech inspection, after 60kkm a steering rod knuckle had suffered too many gutters. The good news is that the fix and the re-test will be free since the car has 5yrs of warranty. I start to understand why people buy new cars…

  2. Rover 1 Avatar
    Rover 1

    Wasn’t the high point in M3 styling the E36 four door?
    At least as far as subtlety goes
    https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s–9dOyoIic–/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/tudyyhtyss0mcpx8euig.jpg

    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Depends on whether you thing the M3 should be indistinguishable from the standard car or not – the E36 is perhaps the outlier here. I suppose the purpose of the M3 was redefined when the requirement for homologation was not present.
      But further, surely there is something wrong with the phrase “BMW adds track-ready CS package to M3”, as in shouldn’t all M3’s be ready for the track?

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        Not indistinguishable, just more subtle. The E36 M3 has a slightly different front fascia those alloys and a badge. It whispers, the newer ones shout. But that does seem to be the market preference today.

        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          I should have said “indistinguishable by normal people”, who won’t notice the subtle front fascia or mirrors etc – would be lucky to distinguish the manufacturer!

    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      I would argue that the styling high point was with the E30 M3 from a purely aesthetic standpoint, but then again, I prefer 4D sedans, so I’d go for the four-door E36 if given the choice.

  3. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Last weekend I went to “Norway’s biggest new car show”. Checking out a lot of vehicles (while trying to have control of my kids), the Kia Niro confirmed itself as one of bafflingly few new cars I could imagine to buy. But it has an issue I find with almost all new cars. This is my eye-level perspective trying to see the road in front of me:

    View post on imgur.com


    Not a joke. Why do so many new cars have windshields which top is significantly lower than the roof? I can’t see out of it. This is, sort of, level 2 of building cars which have no visibility to the rear corners…I could lower the seat, but then my legs look like a spaghetti bowl turned upside down. Getting really concerned about this – what am I going to drive in 15 years?

    1. dr zero Avatar
      dr zero

      I have one of these in blue and yellow, from back when I lived in Trondheim:

      VOLVO 140

    2. nanoop Avatar

      Quite expensive baseball cap there.

    1. mdharrell Avatar

      I saw that the other day, although I have to admit it’s only my second-favorite three wheeler on eBay right now, behind this 1926 Sandford. It is, as one would infer from the name, French:
      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/80c406f3c0e6575e3f3ccd93e2901f052d80ec0d7bc14de2c6e42faf2a84c9fd.jpg
      https://www.ebay.com/itm/Other-makes/172970192269

      1. Rover 1 Avatar
        Rover 1

        Because Morgan threewheelers are just too mainstream?

          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            “This car has been hanging upside down from ceiling for last 20 years”
            The secret to a reliable Morgan for future resale.
            I wonder if the same principle applies to Ford Skyliners?

          2. mdharrell Avatar

            According to the listing, the Sandford “…was in the imperial palace in las vegas hung from the ceiling” although I rather hope the seller meant to say “hanging.”

          3. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            So it’s a bit like ageing venison properly, hanging it for the right length of time.
            Also, I checked online for the Skyliner, my advice, don’t search for ‘well hung topless victoria’ unless you’re of a very liberal outlook.

      2. Sjalabais Avatar
        Sjalabais

        Comparing these two, it’s very hard to decide who’s the more stylish. Contrasts!

    2. nanoop Avatar

      From that link: “Zoe Zipper, which was a rebadged Mitsuoka Motors BUBU 501”.
      The grandfather of today’s Zoe and today’s Mitsuoka? I could believe the Zoe, but the Mitsuoka is a “you should check whether you were at home when that one was conceived”…
      http://whatsinaname.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/renaultzoemarsred.jpg
      https://motorbase.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2007/05/06/fs_07_05_s028.jpg

      1. mdharrell Avatar

        Is the Renault Zoe also known to suffer from rollerskating ninja attacks?

        1. nanoop Avatar

          All the time. Ninjas were the main reason for the range bump, they were hoping to exhaust them eventually, especially uphill.

          1. Rover 1 Avatar
            Rover 1

            Pretty sure that’s just “high speed” rather than actual high speed.

  4. Smaglik Avatar
    Smaglik

    The blower motor in the X3 started to give up the ghost last weekend, returning from Phoenix. Started with what sounded like a slight rattle, then got worse as the drive went on. I ordered a new one, and let the car sit. When I went to move it, the noise was gone. Will still likely do it before it snows though. Doesn’t look too tough.