Usually getting soggy and cold isn’t very appealing to us but when we get the opportunity to test dozens of new cars back to back on a range of high-speed circuits at Millbrook in Bedfordshire it only seems to add to the fun! The SMMT (Society for Motoring Manufacturers and Traders) day then was off to a great start. We joined the sea of journalists on a conveyor belt of octane-induced hot laps where the keys to the McLaren 650S, Maserati Ghibli, Alfa Romeo 4C and BMW i3 were jangling at the next stop.
With a strict 15 minutes allotted for each test drive we had to form relations with the models pretty quickly and then learn how to tease out their best characteristics. Of course you can only get a snap-shot of the picture but by what we experienced all you new car buyers are in for a lot of fun!
Let’s start with the high-end McLaren 650S – what a machine! Despite its intimidatingly beautiful exterior it doesn’t give you the diva attitude you would expect. It is perfectly balanced, pretty comfortable, obviously very quick (0-62mph in 2.9 seconds), highly stable and has very authoritative brakes. The centralised navigation screen provides you with convenience while parking sensors and cameras are also available as an option. The cabin is race-focussed but it also feels luxurious and those scissor doors are a real crowd-pleaser too!
Now on to the Maserati Ghilbli diesel – yes a diesel – but trust us, it is a very slick one and your business associates are likely to be very impressed! It seems to blend performance, practicality and luxury very well although the interior materials were not quite as tactile as we would expect. The quad exhausts, furrowed headlamps and double-spoke alloys are sure to appeal to young execs with a £50K budget. The Diesel version will also return between 30 and 40mpg and boasts low C02 emissions too. It is still fairly weighty and could do with a bit more pace but it has pleasant driving manners and looks very prestigious.
The Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup Chassis is pure hedonismon wheels! Its neck-jerking acceleration and composed handling make you want to fling it around a lot but whether you could live with the firm ride probably depends on you being young and non-arthritic!
SEAT Leon FR’s 2.0 diesel TDi had us lusting for its 150 PS (147 hp) and 320Nm (236 lb ft) of torque which also translates to a pretty explosive jaunt around Bedfordshire’s countryside. Its 0 – 60 mph happens in a pretty decent 8.4 seconds (with either the manual or DSG gearboxes) and at top speed it is well planted. The level of grip is reassuring and the little hatch has a playful character although the steering feel could be a little sharper.
The V8 engine of the BMW M3 Coupe Limited Edition 500 is absolutely phenomenal; from the moment you fire it up you can just feel that 420bhp vibrating like a genie in a bottle and all we wanted to do is let it out to play! That seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with DRIVELOGIC emphasises that Germanic precision we all know and love and with 400Nm of pulling power, it will make light work of any over-taking scenario. The special edition model puts only a £1,000 premium on the price despite having £4,000 worth of extras. As well as the seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with DRIVELOGIC, it also boasts high-gloss black alloys, piano black BMW Individual trim with ‘One of 500’ cut into it by laser, electronic damper control as well as a wealth of technology and infotainment.
We are sure that recent pictures of the Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing 1.6 200bhp model haven’t escaped your notice of late – all that brazen orange paint, those sporty alloys, carbon that fibre splitter, lowered body and side skirts are a boy-racer’s eye candy, right? Inside there’s plenty more faux carbon as well as body-hugging seats. You need the hugging too as it is a lively machine with a pretty formidable suspension, wider track and four-piston callipers. Even the ride is bearable!
We were also pleasantly surprised by the Corvette C7 Stingray 6.2 V8 manual model which feels very refined and has plenty of low-end torque. Its striking looks, elegant composure, smooth gear changes and innovatively-styled cockpit all work in its favour. There’s plenty of thrills to be had from that V8 but if you apply some restraint you can get fairly respectable fuel consumption from it too. There’s also a fair amount of boot space.
To mix up the experience the engines of some heritage models such as the Honda NSX, a 1989 Land Rover Discovery First-of-Line, a mk1 SEAT Ibiza and a classic Maserati Ghibli were also kept warm throughout the day. The first-generation Toyota RAV4 and Lexus LS400 were other classics we could compare with today’s standards. It certainly makes you realise how dependant we have become on electronic aids and touch-screen convenience!
As always the level of organisation, the hospitality and the experience as a whole was top-notch! Thank you SMMT and all the manufacturers for letting us play in your cars!
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