The editorial car selection

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4RS

Nordschleife atomizer

In the 718 Cayman range, the GT4 version was already delighting purists with its 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six developing 420 hp and its radical tuning. But the German manufacturer is preparing to lift the veil on an extreme version of its compact sports car with a central rear engine, which will adopt the RS badge like the most edgy 911s in the catalog. Given the figures announced by the Zuffenhausen brand, we should expect spectacular progress in performance: with a time of 7'04"511 on the Nordschleife in its 20,6 km long version (7'09" 300 on the 20,8 km variant now used for records), it actually runs 23”6 faster than the “normal” Cayman GT4 and even sticks 8”2 behind the old 911 GT3 RS of generation 991.2! The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, with a much softer and more radical profile than that of the Pilot Sport Cup 2 fitted to the GT4, undoubtedly partly explains this impressive improvement. The even more powerful flat-six (we're talking about 450 hp) and the modified chassis also play a role. See you on November 19 to find out all its characteristics.

BMW M135i

Behavioral problems?

In the compact BMW range, there are old-fashioned sports cars and models with a more “modern” approach. The propeller brand has both a traction platform, which equips the five-door Series 1, the four-door Series 2 Gran Coupé as well as the Series 2 Active Tourer minivan, and a rear-wheel drive architecture which benefits the recent Series 2 Cut. The M135i is based on the traction platform even if it has all-wheel drive. Criticized for its behavior that is a little too soft and understeer, it improves for the 2022 model year by benefiting from new suspension settings. In addition to more negative front wheel camber, it adopts new front wishbone supports and modified rear suspension supports. The goal ? Combat as much as possible this pesky understeer which often penalizes these machines in extreme driving. Under the hood, the 4 hp 2.0 turbo 306-cylinder does not change and the machine retains its Torsen self-locking differential on the front axle. But the base price increases to 53 euros (excluding spicy penalty), or 250 euros more than a Volkswagen Golf R or 2000 euros less than an Audi S4000.

GMA T50

First growls

Slipping an atmospheric V12 capable of screaming at 12 rpm into an ultralight supercar chassis, this is the extremist concept of the T100 designed by Gordon Murray himself (the father of the McLaren Road racing also known for his work in Formula 1). Officially presented last year, it still has to complete all its development. After the first turns of the wheel on the basis of an Ultima GTR chassis as a burn-in, the pre-production prototype begins to show itself on the road. For the moment, its fabulous block prepared by Cosworth remains hampered by restrictions: the developers currently limit it to 6000 rpm, or half of the engine range. But the voice it already gives promises unimaginable vocalizations in its final version, in these times when the most advanced engines on the market barely exceed 9000 rpm. Remember that the T50 will also require a six-speed manual gearbox and that it will weigh less than a ton on the scale. Deliveries of its 100 copies will begin next year, at more than three million euros each.

Mercedes AMG One

New ignition delay

It is long overdue, this famous supercar with a Formula 1 engine. Announced in 2017 by Mercedes, the One was initially due to arrive on the market in 2019. But recent, increasingly drastic road approval standards have greatly complicated the process. task of the engineers of the star brand. While it was due to arrive in its final version this year, the AMG teams are giving us reassuring news accompanied by a new promise: production of the most powerful Mercedes of all time will begin in mid-2022 As a reminder, this One will have to fight against theAston Martin Valkyrie, also handicapped by serious focusing problems. It will be powered by a 6 liter turbo V1.6 very close to that of the single-seaters driven by Lewis Hamilton in Formula 1 since 2014. With four electric motors to support the thermal unit, the One will produce more than 1000 horsepower in total power. It can go from 0 to 200 km/h in less than 6 seconds and to 300 km/h in less than 11 seconds. Limited to 275 copies, it will cost more than two million euros.

Screw

Mercedes : The ultra-sporty AMG versions of the new C-Class and the GLC SUV will switch from V8 to 4-cylinder hybrid. The purists will cry.

Tesla : A Model S Plaid prototype with a particularly radical presentation, notably equipped with a gigantic rear wing, is currently running on the Nordschleife. Soon an electric time record?

Contrôles : From 1^er November, prefectures will be able to make alcohol and drug checks invisible in Waze and Coyote outside of highways and national roads.

BMW : The station wagon version of the M3 will finally return to the catalog. It will compete with the Audi RS 4 Avant and the Mercedes-AMG C63.