Latest from Top Gear
Top Gear
35 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
HWA Evo review: sacrificial 190e gets the Evo II treatment Reviews 2025
Amazing what a towering rear wing, a good colour and proper stance will do to an old Mercedes 190e. Restomod is the word you've been thinking, but you need to unthink it. In the meantime yes, those are some of the best arches since the Romans built the Colosseum. But this is a restored and modified 190e Evo II isn't it? Obviously it's riffing on that 1990 DTM homologation special, but none of the 502 that were built originally has been sacrificed in the name of creating this. Instead it starts life as a sacrificial 190e, and that's fine seeing as Merc built some 2,000,000 of those. Advertisement - Page continues below Now, we did do a deep dive on this project last year, and made a full walkaround film, so if you want proper nitty gritty details check that out. I'm going to skate over some of that to focus on what it's like to drive this prototype. The only prototype I'm guessing? I can't imagine HWA has the funds to build more than that. You're under-estimating HWA's engineering capacity. I know I said I wasn't going to repeat myself, but here's a quick recap: HWA is named after Hans-Werner Aufrecht (who, in a previous life, was also the 'A' in AMG). In partnership with Mercedes it has been one of the most successful race teams across DTM, GT3, even Formula E. And it's where hypercar firms come when they need a hand: HWA did the nat asp V12 for the Pagani Huayra R, engineered the stillborn Fittipaldi EF7, and is currently working on the De Tomaso P72. The correct interpretation of all this is that HWA does things properly. So not one single prototype, but eight. The last two will be crash tested, four, five and six will do all sorts of dynamic development. But the first three are with Bosch for electronic development. And this green car is, as a sticker under the bonnet proclaims, prototype number 1. Advertisement - Page continues below It's a different story underneath. The cabin is a sprawl of wires, gauges, red buttons, cables and instrumentation, every surface wears temperature strips, there's giant race seats, a non-standard roll cage and the boot is full of electronic boxes. We're at Boxberg, Bosch's top secret test track about an hour north of Stuttgart. It's a corking facility with a banked outer circuit wrapped around a litter of other surfaces, inclines, trails and tracks. Before I can drive I have to wait for everything else to finish for the day. There's all sorts here, but an intimidating piece of paperwork I've signed insists I can't tell you what. Pity. So come on then, what's it like? It shows huge promise. The engine is a modified version of Merc's M276 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 that's found in lesser AMGs such as the SLC 43. I've never been blown away by it, but here it's been uncorked with new turbos, induction and exhaust. It sounds fabulously raspy, yet revs unbelievably smoothly. Barely a vibration to be felt. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Too smooth, too linear in its delivery, reckons HWA. At the next stage of development the intention is to make the turbos less linear, to introduce a bit more lag, more turbo-ness. It's not intended to be a modern car, so they don't want it to feel like one. I'm limited to 5,000rpm, which is about the point the V6 starts to get interesting and the engine note hardens. So I don't have the full ticket of power – which will now be upwards of 500bhp. 450bhp was the original plan, but there's been some mission creep and where once the intention was to leave the internals alone, now HWA is tinkering with conrods and pistons. It's not especially fast right now, but ultimately should have a power to weight ratio of over 370bhp/tonne, which is about bang on with the 656bhp bruiser that is the current Aston Martin Vantage. So it's light then? Just 1,350kg is the plan – the same as the original Evo II. That was steel bodied, this is full carbon. The front and rear subframes are entirely new to improve stiffness and crash protection. The bodyshell feels very rigid, giving the suspension a strong central platform to work from. There's a bit of bodyroll, but it's comforting and true to its heritage, and as you push through that the car takes up an edge through corners, working both axles equally. It really does feel like you're sat centrally in the wheelbase with the car pivoting around you – probably a legacy of the front wheels being pushed forward 50mm. It's got a manual gearbox, hasn't it? Yeah, but like the rest of the controls, it hasn't been polished at all yet. Everything you operate is too light. A lot of this is purposeful to lower the effort levels the development drivers have to put in when they are spending hours and hours at the wheel each day. So the gearlever flicks lightly about the gate. It's a short, accurate throw, but needs more meat and weight to suit the car. Same goes for the steering and brakes. Especially the brakes, which currently have zero feel and not much more than zero power. Until your foot is near the bulkhead at which point they bite hard. But this is a development car, and all of this is to be expected. To be honest, I'm only amazed by how composed it is considering this is the very first. HWA's Chief Technology Officer, Gordian von Schoning reckons cars four, five and six, which are in build now, are a huge leap forward. Car nine, after the two crash test cars, will be the first production intent car. What cars does it put you in mind of? Before I drove it I assumed there would be AMG overtones, but this is not a muscle saloon like a C63, it's more finessed and nuanced than that. There's already a Porsche-like precision to the way it moves, which I suspect is largely due to the fact it's relatively compact, doesn't weigh much and comes from a similar motorsport mentality. This is not a muscle saloon like a C63, it's more finessed and nuanced than that I tell you what, on these initial impressions it drives exactly like you hope a recreated version of the Evo II would drive. With crispness, authority, accuracy and enough charisma to see which way AMG would end up taking its hot road cars. Before they decided the best approach was a hybridised four cylinder. I think I'd have an original Evo II. I completely understand that. It's a legend, but first you need to know two things: it's not very fast and it's a lot of money. The engine is a nat asp 2.5-litre four cylinder with about 230bhp (probably less these days) so 0-60mph takes around seven seconds. Which is going to feel anaemic in 2025. And because they only made 502 (the original intention was 500, all painted the same Blauschwarz metallic, but then Merc built two extra silver cars because they could), a good one nowadays is around £350,000. As I said, being a legend back then means it's an investment now. I haven't driven one, but having had a good nose around it, the new one floats my boat in a way the original doesn't quite. How long will development take? First customer deliveries are planned for early next year, which means Bosch's development schedule is tight and HWA is going to have a very hectic next 12 months. But then they're a race team, they're used to tight deadlines. And once this is done, they get to take it racing anyway. But that's another story. 17 minutes 16 seconds
Top Gear
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Is this the world's fastest scooter? 100mph+ ‘The Turbo' can out-accelerate a Tesla
Electric Bo wants to set a proper Guinness World Record in this mad, bad e-scooter Skip 12 photos in the image carousel and continue reading This is Bo 'The Turbo'. Not an adorable children's programme about a mischievous anthropomorphic go-kart, but an electric scooter. And not just any electric scooter – a really, really fast one. It's got twin motors. It features design tricks inspired by Formula One. Heck, the founder of the company building it – that's the 'Bo' – was an engineer on the 1,000mph Bloodhound Land Speed Record car and a former Williams F1 bod. Safe to say this thing'll be fast. Advertisement - Page continues below So fast, it's aiming for no less than a Guinness World Record as the fastest electric scooter on planet Earth. The aim? A giddy 100mph. On a scooter . 'We are firm believers in the spirit of adventure,' said Bo boss Oscar Morgan. 'The UK already has a proud history in this pursuit with the first car to pass 100mph, then Thrust SSC taking the Land Speed record in Nevada. You might like 'I guess you could say the UK has a proud history of crazy Brits constructing vehicles that ought not be possible.' The Turbo is spun off Bo's 'Monocurve' chassis, featuring CNC billet-machined components, and skinned in aerospace-grade aluminium. Advertisement - Page continues below Then come a pair of 24,000W motors via French outfit Rage Mechanics, who developed a bespoke setup to power the The Turbo to over 100mph. Those motors draw power from a 1,800Wh battery, allowing for 150 miles of range (presumably when not holding on very tight at vmax). That F1 bit we mentioned? The design of the ram air-intakes was inspired by the brake duct inlet setup on an F1 car, for better cooling of that high-performance powertrain. Now, having completed 18 months of what Bo's calling 'initial commissioning and shakedown' but what sounds suspiciously to like 'a bloody good laugh', it was unleashed at Goodwood where it hit 85mph piloted by pro-rider Tre Whyte. Indeed, Bo said the 'surprise in testing was the accelerative performance': it reckons The Turbo can out-accelerate a Tesla Model 3. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. 'E-scooters have been revolutionising how people move locally, but they are yet to enter the leagues of mainstream automotive culture,' said Morgan. 'The Turbo is part of our mission to elevate these futuristic electric vehicles into the top tier of automotive performance.' And sell them, too. Bo's planning a very limited run of The Turbo e-scooters, each costing $29,500. Fancy one?
Top Gear
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Top Gear
Dobby the house elf attends speed awareness course
Dobby the house elf attends speed awareness course Yet another Harry Potter star flouts the speed limit Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Here's roving correspondent, Cory Spondent, with his mostly incorrect exclusives from the world of motoring Dobby the house elf has attended a speed awareness course in Cambridge, becoming the third Harry Potter star to be penalised for speeding this week. Advertisement - Page continues below The magical creature – who retired from acting after his final screen appearance in Deathly Hallows: Part 1 – was clocked doing 25mph in a 20mph zone in a BMW XM last month. 'Dobby is very sorry for what he did,' said the elf. 'Dobby was driving master's car to the detailing shop but Dobby didn't see the speed limit had changed. 'Dobby would've been ashamed with three points on his licence, and master says Dobby is no good to him if his insurance costs go up at renewal. 'So Dobby has taken the speed awareness course, and most enlightening it was. And Dobby has punished himself at home as well by staring at the car for three hours without blinking. Advertisement - Page continues below 'Dobby is a bad elf.' The local police force refused to comment on the case, but released a statement saying: 'An IC1 male elf was caught speeding by a mobile camera six weeks ago. 'When officers stopped the vehicle, the situation escalated when the driver threw a pair of fake Ray Bans at one officer and launched a barrage of expletives at the other, bellowing 'Don't you know who I am?!' and 'You're just a muggle with a GCSE in PE.' 'We would have suggested he take the Knight Bus, but Ernie pranged it last week." Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Top Gear
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Subaru's 279-mile E-Outback is coming to the UK next year with 376bhp
Subaru's 279-mile E-Outback is coming to the UK next year with 376bhp Want your raised 4x4 estate with a sub-five-second 0-62mph time and lots of body armour? Here ya go Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. Subaru's all-new 'E-Outback' - known as the Trailseeker in the US - will land in the UK next summer, and it'll aim to be just as focused on getting muddy as the combustion version. That trusty symmetrical all-wheel drive system remains, while the dual e-motors combine for 376bhp and 0-62mph in 4.4s. Expect 279 miles of range out of a fully juiced 74.7kWh pack. Advertisement - Page continues below The E-Outback gets extra doses of heavy plastic cladding around the arches and bumpers, plus a heady 210mm of ground clearance. It'll tow up to 1.5 tonnes of stuff with a trailer hitched up, too. Cabin details remain tight for now, but we do know it'll get a 14in multimedia screen, various active and passive safety systems, and the familiar suite of terrain modes (think gravel, mud, snow, etc) to keep you going just about anywhere. Subaru has also confirmed the E-Outback is scheduled to arrive shortly after the new Uncharted SUV, though pricing has yet to be disclosed. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Top Gear
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Want a three-seater performance car? Here are nine of them
Advertisement No surprises here. Overseen by Gordon Murray and powered by a 6.1-litre, 627bhp V12 created by BMW's engine genius Paul Rosche, the F1 is regarded as one of the greatest sportscars ever built. It remains one of the most furiously sought-after cars, too, with notable past and present owners including Elon Musk, Rowan Atkinson, and Jay Leno. They'd make for an interesting road trip trio... Advertisement - Page continues below Is this the coolest EV in history? The Nissan BladeGlider was first revealed to the world as a concept in 2013, and we had a go in it a couple of years later. Similar to the McLaren F1, the central driver's seat was flanked by one each side and slightly behind, while drive came from two independent electric motors, with a combined power output of 268bhp. Nissan initially suggested that it would make showrooms, but just two were built. Shame. You might like Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG004S Meet the Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG004S. Ok, it's not a particularly pretty name, but the specs? Sheesh. Thanks to its all carbon construction, it apparently weighs just 1,179kg – less than a suitcase more than the McLaren F1 – with power coming from a mid-engined twin-turbo V8 with 641bhp and 531lb ft of torque. Advertisement - Page continues below Introduced in 1973 and perhaps best known for its three-abreast seating, the Bagheera was the product of co-operation between French conglomerate Matra and Chrysler-owned Simca. An affordable, mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe with a small, naturally aspirated engine and a manual gearbox, a handful survive today in the hands of a group of enthusiasts. And yes, it really was named after the Jungle Book character. Photo: Bonhams Auctions In 1980, the Murena was unveiled as the Bagheera's replacement. Despite the disappointment of not continuing the Jungle Book character theme, it offered better aerodynamics and arguably more style, improved corrosion resistance, and most essentially for all enthusiasts, more power, thanks to its 2.2-litre Talbot Tagora engine. Sadly, politics between Peugeot-Talbot and Matra saw the Murena prematurely halted in 1985. Photo: Anglia Car Auctions Ferrari 365 P Berlinetta Speciale Here's one you might not have heard of – a three-seat Ferrari. Unofficially nicknamed Tre Posti , meaning three-seater in Italian, it was conceived by Sergio Pininfarina and based on a design by Aldo Brovarone, who would later design the Dino. Unveiled at the Paris show of '66, underneath sat a race-derived 4.4-litre V12 and mechanics taken from Ferrari's 365 P2. Head of Fiat Gianni Agnelli was said to have loved it so much he ordered another one built, with only two ever created, and the first – a white coloured 365 – as recently as 2014 put up for auction... where a bid of $23m was rejected. Photo: Gooding & Company Auctions The McLaren Speedtail is the fourth car in the firm's Ultimate Series, after the Senna, the P1, and the F1, and offers three seats, a stratospheric top speed – 250mph – and a price tag – £1.75m – that's similarly out of this world. Still, that gets you 1,055bhp and 848lb ft – the highest of any McLaren road car – and enough for 0–186mph in 13 seconds. Oh, and guaranteed fun for you and two mates. Which, in our opinion, is quite frankly priceless. Advertisement - Page continues below And so we come full circle, to the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1. Gordon Murray's £2.8 million T.50 is a 963kg, 654bhp three-seater that aims to right the 'wrongs' of the McLaren F1 – his words, not ours. Indeed, the T.50 shares many features with the F1, including a central driving position with two passenger seats flanking the driver, a naturally aspirated V12, a six-speed manual gearbox, dihedral doors, fan assisted ground effect aerodynamics, and a laser focus on saving weight. The result, as we found out over a near 900-mile roadtrip, is rather spectacular... It's been built to celebrate 30 years since the company's outright win at the 1995 Le Mans 24hrs. It's spun off a 'modern' McLaren platform. There's a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, lots of aero, a big wing, and most importantly... three seats! "Three seats, luggage space, enhanced range; something drivers could, and wanted, to use," said boss Dean Lanzante of his new creation. "We wanted to deliver the same enjoyment and passion of buying and owning a classic car but in a contemporary way. Full focus on what the driver needs and wants, with a blend of modern technologies but pared back to maintain driver focus.' Read the full story here. Advertisement - Page continues below Nissan McLaren Ferrari List Supercars News See more on Nissan
