Hot Hyundais on the way?

Posting this early as I’ll be on a plane to Geneva Monday morning, heading for the annual knees-up that is Europe’s most important annual car expo. Hot news items to follow later in the week.

Hyundai is on a roll, with sales up a staggering 102 per cent last year. Most of that was due to the Scrappage Scheme, but it’s also down to excellent products. The i10 city car is the best in the segment bar none, and I’ve just driven the ix35 compact SUV, which is probably the best thing Hyundai has ever done. The i20 and i30 hatchbacks are also very competent, but lack that sparkle of a performance model. So when will we see one? Not for a long while yet, it seems. I had a very enjoyable chat with Tony Whitehorn over dinner last Wednesday. He told me: “We want to be a bit like VW, with core products and then performance ones. Do I think there should there be an i30 GTI? Yes, absolutely. We should have a performance derivative of each car in the range, because it would help to bring in a younger buyer. Will there be? There’s no plan. The company is open-minded to it and it’s not out of the question, but it’s not a priority for where they see the brand going.” It’s a shame, but at least the firm is going in the right direction. He revealed Hyundai will launch a Scirocco-rivalling coupé this time next year based on the Veloster concept (above), and there’s talk of a 1.6-litre turbo.

*Captain Jack’s Land Rover (see posting of 11 February) went under the hammer for £18k.

Renaultsport specialist dealers announced

Great news if you’re a fan of the hot hatches from Renaultsport. The three-strong line-up of Twingo, Clio and Megane have won plenty of praise in the last 12 months, with honours from Top Gear and What Car? magazines. Now the French firm is hoping to capitalise on this interest by appointing a nationwide network of 11 Renaultsport Specialist dealerships. Every regular Renault centre will continue to sell the Renaultsport models, but these guys will be able to offer customers something extra. Each will have its own Renaultsport sales and after-sales expert, and be able to offer test drives in all the models (above). They should hopefully be getting the service spot-on; Renaultsport bosses say they’ve taken feedback from existing customers and chatted to members of independent owner and enthusiast clubs. Visit www.renaultsport.co.uk to find your nearest Specialist dealer.

Active Aerodynamics - you read it here first...

Here’s a tip for the next big thing in motoring – active aerodynamics. I’m sure you’ve seen Porsche 911s and Bentley Continental GTs with pop-up rear spoilers to improve downforce at speed. This is the same idea; bits of bodywork automatically moving as the car travels, improving the way it cuts through the air so reducing fuel use and emissions. Vauxhall is to unveil the Flextreme GT/E concept (above), at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, and bosses say the car “explores the potential for active shape-shifting”. At speeds above 30mph a vertical panel at each rear corner – Vauxhall engineers have called them aeroblades – moves to guide air flow and reduce turbulence. You can see them in the lower picture. With a battery-powered driving range of up to 40 miles and a total range of more than 300 miles, this type of hybrid can post figures of 175mpg and sub-40g/km of CO₂. Vauxhall’s first car to feature this technology is the Ampera and is due on sale in 2012.

Two budget hot hatches from Chevy?

Just passed your driving test and looking for your first car to modify? If value for money is key, try Chevrolet – and I’ve got two photos, you lucky people. The red car above is the Spark, an all-new city runabout that starts at under £7k. It’s pictured with the optional Sports Tag – twin racing stripes on the roof, decals on the flanks plus matching floor mats – costing £199. The blue beast is the Aveo RS, powered by the 1.4-litre 138bhp turbocharged petrol engine from the Vauxhall Astra. It’s only a concept for now, and will be seen at the Geneva Motor Show next month. But it previews Chevy’s next generation Aveo supermini, to sit above the Spark in its range. Due on sale later in the year, mainstream versions will be launched first, but given Chevrolet’s motorsport pedigree, the RS is undoubtedly in the pipeline. What’s more, my sources say that 1.4 engine is being considered for the Spark, probably for next year.

Subaru/Cosworth joint venture

Take a close look at the picture above. No, you’re not seeing things. Car maker Subaru and legendary engine tuner Cosworth are joining forces to work on a special version of the Impreza STi. It’s a potent cocktail that will have enthusiasts reaching for the credit card, and I’m told by those in the know that this is a special edition not a limited edition. That means plenty of cars for those who want them. Details are sketchy at the moment, but more will be revealed when the car goes on sale next month. Don’t expect to learn anything at the Geneva Motor in the first week of March; this is a Subaru UK initiative, not a pan-European one. There’s no power, spec or performance figures because Cossie has yet to finalise them. All bosses will say is that together they’ve enhanced the performance, handling and styling of the STi, “creating a car that will raise the bar for all-wheel-drive, high-performance motoring.” Intriguing stuff.

Captain Jack's modified car up for sale

Modified Range Rovers are a reasonably common sight with a host of aftermarket bodykits available. But there’s only one like this – and you could own it. The Vogue automatic is from the BBC’s popular Torchwood sci-fi series and starred alongside Jon Barrowman in the Doctor Who spin-off. A 2002 model with the 4.4-litre V8 under the bonnet, it’s complete with space-aged bodykit and decals. It’s going under the hammer at a special Bonhams auction in London later this month, along with loads of other Doctor Who custumes. You can even buy a Dalek! There’s no word on its condition or mileage (intergalactic?), but the Range Rover is expected to make anything up to £15k according to the auction house experts. Be warned – the MoT runs out in April and those flux capacitors are a bugger to fix. Visit www.bonhams.com for more details.

Next Focus ST to get 260+bhp?

Bit of gossip for you on the future of Ford’s hottish hatch, the Focus ST (above). Like its more powerful big brother, the RS, it uses a tuned 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, but that unit is destined for the scrap heap. So what will replace it in the next ST based on the new Focus (see posting on 13 January)? The answer is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, which is due in the facelifted Galaxy and S-MAX people carriers later this year delivering 240bhp. Let me simplify that for you – this new powerplant can comfortably boot out 240bhp before it’s been performance-tuned. Even in that state it would make a half-decent Focus ST. During a chat with some Ford engineers last week, I was told they will soon be taking the 240bhp unit to see what they can get out of it for the ST while maintaining efficiency, reliability, etc. I think it’s safe to say we can reasonably expect something in the 260+ range from the next ST when it goes on sale at the back end of next year. Can’t wait.

Is MINI getting all practical on us?

Mentioned the John Cooper Works version of the MINI Clubman back on 7 December and have finally got the chance to drive it. There was a harshness to the ride that began to irritate after a while – the concrete sections of the M11 were particularly spine-jarring – but, as with all MINIs, the pin-sharp handling means you forgive it a lot. Interesting you don’t see too many Clubmans around. Despite what the company says, the estate-style body is still only marginally more practical than the hatchback. It isn’t a family car, it’s a two-seater with a small boot and a spacious parcel shelf that just happens to be shaped like two more seats. The Countryman SUV (above), is MINI’s first four-door, and can be specced with either two separate rear seats or a bench. It will be fascinating to see how much passenger space it really offers, and whether it will be bought as sensible transport by families, or as the latest lifestyle vehicle by people without to kids to cart. It will be at the Geneva Motor Show next month, from where I’ll be reporting.

Punto Evo not all its seems

I’ll confess I got a bit confused when my invitation to drive Fiat’s new Punto Evo arrived. I instantly thought Mitsubishi Evo, and that if Fiat had produced a surprise new hot hatch version of its popular supermini, I wanted a go. But in fact it’s the new name for the Grande Punto – which has been axed – and there’s nothing remotely performance-oriented about it. The change (above), is about cleaner engines, a revised interior and a front end that follows the styling of the Fiat 500. It’s freshened up the car and the eco-message is a strong one, but don’t trouble your Fiat dealer if you’re looking for quick 0-60mph times. The most interesting part of the launch event came when a Fiat engineer dropped into the conversation that the two-cylinder petrol engine the firm has been working on is going into production later this year. It’s clever technology that’s going to take small car fuel economy to an even higher level.