V6 twin scroll engine, two thousand nine hundred cubic centimetres, 510 hp of power and all-wheel drive. These are the numbers of the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio. So, what is the point of talking about an SUV? Well, these are the figures of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Okay, now many of you will already be thinking of closing here… and instead I ask you for a few minutes of your time to continue reading. Yes, because the Stelvio is not like the others. All right, it is an Alfa, it is Italian etc etc… but let us talk about objective data.

The Alfa Romeo platform, codenamed “Giorgio” is exactly the same as the Giulia Quadrifoglio saloon and here too we are talking about the same sports frame developed dynamically to accommodate and support the 510 hp and then also used for the smaller versions that can benefit from it in terms of kinematics. So here we have  an SUV not only with a sporty heart, but with an athlete’s body.

Check the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Sport Exhaust Systems.

Normally, SUVs weight more and are higher than sedans. The Stelvio, compared to the Giulia, pays this price too, also because of the four-wheel drive. However, at Alfa Romeo they did not just watch. They have made heavy adjustments to the suspension settings to ensure, despite the height, a roll through the curves similar to the one of the Giulia QV. In addition, the distribution of traction on the four wheels is geared towards ensuring sporty behavior and maximum traction throughout the entire length of the curve. This is also due to the weight distribution that ensures that the masses are concentrated in almost the same place as the Giulia: very low, when normally SUVs have higher centres of gravity, killing the sportiness.

Read also this review of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio by Topgear.

In short, the Stelvio recipe comes with a new purpose: to rethink the sports SUV.

The SUV segment is very popular in every continent of the globe, but it have not had seen a real sporty SUV yet. The result speaks for itself: the dynamic behavior of a sports saloon car, with the comfort given (for many) by the greater height from the ground and by more cargo space. The safety of the all-wheel drive, which here also ensures oversteer in sports driving, leaves the possibility (even for the less experienced drivers) to correct and play with the steering wheel in an easier and safer way than with a pure rear-wheel drive.

Alfa Romeo not only has an SUV with lots of horsepower. The traditional Italian brand, with its strong sports DNA, therefore introduces a car with tricks that make it powerful and effective enough to compete with sports cars belonging to more famous brands. The powertrain remains unchanged, coupled with the only automatic 8-speed gearbox, always ready in every situation, from the docile everyday driving, to the most challenging braking on track.

And that is why we, at Josefin Garage, are happy to see this interpretation (of the much hated SUVs) in an Alfa key. Our experience in finding horsepower in this powerful 6-cylinder “V” engine, combining a dedicated mapping and a complete exhaust system for an even more satisfying sound, allows us to reach 600 hp in a blink of an eye.

Even more important is the torque data that makes this engine usable in every situation. The ease with which this motor takes speed (much higher than allowed by the law) makes it an object of desire for many.

All this experience is the same that we transfer to the Stelvio. We have already had many customers who requested us an upgrade of the engine and aesthetic finishes in carbon.

We are happy and proud to actively participate in a triumphant return of the Italian brand Alfa Romeo on the national territory and beyond. Not to mention that even the smallest engines can benefit from our technical know-how in terms of performance. In short, now you just have to try that. We are waiting for you to make your Alfa Romeo a REAL Alfa!

What happens when one of the Italian excellences involved for years in the development of chassis for the motor racing, decides to develop a road car? Well, the result is there for all to see: the Dallara Stradale.

A brief introduction, Giampaolo Dallara, the engineer par excellence is the father of the famous Lamborghini Miura, still considered one of the most beautiful cars in the world.

The Engineer Dallara, despite his age is just over 80 years old, still has the mentality and passion of an exuberant young man with a great desire to do. He loves to be surrounded by young talents and sees in the new generations, the only possible future to continue the activity of his flourishing company.

In the heart of Varano de’ Melegari, he brought to life his dream of a lifetime: creating a road car.

Coming from a complete knowledge of the racing world, the Dallara company has an infinite wealth of technical knowledge to create a high-performance car.

However, this asset is not enough to be able to create a car inclined to the road and, above all, has a valid homologation for different countries. So, in order to pursue this umpteenth dream, the engineer Dallara and “his boys” (as he calls his collaborators) wanted to accept this challenge.

The result was presented for the eightieth birthday of the founder, who was cruising himself through the streets of Varano with the new creature. The Dallara Stradale is a 100% Italian car and 100% homologated for road use, even if it is oriented to track driving. The proof of its sporty DNA is given by the team of testers called to develop this car: nothing less than Loris Bicocchi and Mario Apicella, two names that speak for themselves. Dallara achieved of reinventing the” sports car”.

Check the Best Italian Sport Exhaust Systems to improve your car Performance.

A carbon chassis, refined in the company’s wind tunnel, which reincarnates all the technical knowledge acquired over the years: a clean and simple line without unnecessary aerodynamic frills, in a two-seater configuration. Everything in the Dallara Stradale has a specific function and nothing is left to chance.

The car weighs about 850kg and with the sports wing generates up to 820kg of downforce. The powertrain is a 2.3-liter ecoboost (developed from the Ford engine) that drives up to 400 hp. There are two types of suspension available, two types of rims to choose from. The interior is devoted to sportiness with the steering wheel controls of headlights, indicator and so on, to leave the driver always focused.

The seats are part of the chassis and the car has no doors. In this configuration, similar to a “barchetta”, you have to climb over to be able to enter, but a step in the seat is the perfect support to enter and exit. In addition, behind the backrest there is a compartment to accommodate a full face helmet.

Yes, the Dallara Stradale must be driven with a helmet because in the basic configuration of “barchetta” there is no windshield. However, you can add a removable one, equipped with wiper, which can be fixed to a “T-bone” on the roof that can hinge two doors, to close the car completely. Sure, you cannot take the roof with you, so before you go out, you will have to choose the right setup…

But please name me another “track ready” car that offers these options. There is also a “track-focused” package for purists, which includes some adjustments related to the suspensions and the giant wing we talked about earlier.

 

Gearbox available: a manual or robotized 6-speed gearbox with paddles. The production is limited to 600 pieces and the lucky owners can choose among various customizations, including the carbon body on sight. Returning to the Ford powertrain (let’s call it like that, since it shares a lot with this engine), it is an engine that can easily accommodate more power. For those who tend not to be satisfied, even the exhaust can be “upgraded”. Of course, not from Dallara directly, but from Josefin Garage, who already have a lot of experience on the 2.3 Ecoboost and exhaust systems. You are welcome to visit!

 

Check also the complete specs of the Dallara Stradale by fastestlaps.com

Toyota Supra

BMW Z4

Bmw “Zukunft” 4 and Toyota Supra. The first has made the hearts of many fans beat faster. The pragmatic German, reliable, two-seater car, rear-wheel drive, which after a (perhaps) too logic model is renewed and gets again the soft top. The Supra is the iconic of “import-car”. A few words can describe the emotions that you feel in the presence of this sacred monster, even if we do not see many in Europe. Well, what do these two cars that belong to such different worlds have in common? The new generations, everything. The partnership between Toyota and BMW gave rise to the Supra, which is now developed on the Z4 platform. The two cousins share the same 340 hp V6 3.0 engine, chassis and electronics.

Many purists will be now ready to complain. The only substantial difference between the two is that the Japanese will remain just a coupé, while the Teutonic, a classic convertible with the soft top, as we said. The same recipe applied to such different philosophies is not the usual “heated soup”. You have to look at the contents, and here the interpretations of the two car brands mean that the two cars are very different to the practical effects. After a first common step in the development of the chassis elements, the respective manufacturers continued the development in an individual way, to give the right imprint to their cars.

The BMW Z4 with its six-cylinder twin scroll is anything but a “Sunday car”.

The sporty chassis and the powerful engine give it more of a small touring feel. Despite the soft top, the Z4 remains very enjoyable and quiet and BMW have worked hard to ensure maximum comfort even when the roof is down. The 8-speed ZF gearbox is very fast and precise in the gearshifts and always ready when you call in the gears from the gas pedal. The design of the new Z4 is very elegant and modern, in line with the new BMWs and perhaps for this reason does not attract, in my opinion, particularly attention. The same can be said of the interior. Beautiful, well-engineered, qualitatively suitable for the car and equipped with the latest technology, but virtually identical to other BMWs, one of all, the 8 series. 

A good choice, a sports car with a good sound, but that perhaps lacks that hint of “wow factor” that has never been typical of German concreteness. When you think that the choice between Z4 and Supra is only between soft top or hard top, you are wrong. It is a way of living the car, a choice made of many small differences, which contribute to make the driving experience very different. The Z4 is a more mature and sober car, more “logical” and predictable both in its look and in its driving. It is the car known for its reliability and refined sportsmanship.

You know exactly what you can expect from this automobile and it won’t surprise you, neither disappoint you – it will give you exactly that. Let’s not forget that we’re talking about a very successful project. Do not get me wrong, the Z4 is not a boring Christmas bingo among relatives, where you have to wear yet another woolen sweater, lovingly handmade by grandma. It is more of a dinner in an elegant suit in your favorite “Michelin” restaurant.

You know that you will eat well, you like the beautiful environment, you might surprise yourself trying the new dessert on the menu, but it is not necessary. You can always have the same dishes and you’ll still be happy.

You are pleased to be where you are and have nothing to envy… 

 

There is a place that is neither physical nor even too easy to explain. All of us car enthusiasts know how to identify it very well, but we do not have many words to describe it. That’s why I’m going to try to use this simple metaphor: the Olympus of Hypercars.

Story and Specs of Koenigsegg Jesko

The challenge here is to obtain the right to be there. But when you get in, the way to stay in, is even more steeper. For this reason, having a company with an adequate portfolio is a necessary but not sufficient condition: you need passion, skills and vision.

It is in this magical place that the new Koenigsegg Jesko was born, with the aim, written in its DNA, to take the legacy of its ancestors and push the limit even further, where few not only dare, but can imagine. Koenigsegg Jesko, named after Christian von Koenigsegg’s father, sets itself the no longer science fiction target of 300 miles per hour.

This number, which is not so impressive when written or pronounced, presupposes a development closer to the aeronautical world rather than to the automotive one, since at this speed there are planes taking off. On the contrary, the car must remain well glued to the ground. Koenigsegg has made us used to innovative technical solutions and this masterpiece will follow the same path.

Check the Best Sport Exhaust Systems to improve car Performances.

To explain it in a simple way, the new gearbox uses the principle of the gears of a common bicycle, where the combinations of gears placed in the front and rear, managed by an efficient control unit, allow crazy accelerations. The nine-speed gearbox weighs just 90 kilos and uses a system that helps to select the correct gear to always make the most of the available torque. The components are designed for pure speed and in the “normal” version the Jesko can reach very high levels of downforce on its rear wing which also acts as a brake. We talk about 1000 kilograms developed at 275 km/h.

This huge wing, the largest used by Koenigsegg, has a boomerang shape.

This feature allows to increase the surface area of the wing without being out of the shape of the car. The model that will challenge the 300 miles will have a different aerodynamic package to have less air resistance, they say from Angelholm. With the normal 95 octane petrol, the engine delivers 1200 hp, which can be exploited on the street thanks to the specifically designed tires, able to cope with those high values of torque and speed. This impressive output comes from updated version of the well-known 5.0L v8 supercharged, develop in-house.

The maximum power reaches 1600 hp, feeding the engine with E85 fuel and pushing it up to the science fiction threshold of 8500 rpm. The newly designed crankshaft is flat and weighs just below 13 kilograms, while together with the active engine mounts, there is a new air injection system that pushes it up to 20 bar, to eliminate the turbo lag in the turbines. Another new feature is the steering rear axle which, given the long wheelbase of the chassis to reach over 500 km/h, certainly helps to improve the agility in along bends.

The luxury of the interior is obvious for this market segment, as well as increasingly advanced technologies.

In short, we are now looking forward to seeing it on the road, even though we will have to wait until all the Regera cars already ordered have been produced. Then let’s be patient, and wait for Koenigsegg to gradually release the progresses of this new mechanical divinity.

It is well known that after the notorious M3 e46 and the 1M Series coupe, the sporty variants of BMW have increased the sizes of its engines as well as weight and car sizes have grown as well. 

In order to experience real emotions, we need cars with low weight, rear-wheel drive and enough power to have fun and drive hard; keeping a human budget: that’s why the BMW M2 seems to be the right choice.

The classic Bavarian six-cylinder-in-line is accompanied by a turbine and delivers a total power of about 370 hp. This is combined with the above mentioned rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. This respectable pedigree and its dynamic qualities make this little German getting into the Supercar field with not too many problems.

Yet this “perfect” recipe may still seem not having too much taste to some… you may need to add the right amount of chili to it!

Check the new BMW M2 Exhaust Systems.

So let’s give a call to the Masterchef JosefinGarage and ask him to explain this succulent exotic dish to us. The starting point is a beautiful M2, with the very original 370 hp. To the most nostalgic, this car seems to be the direct descendant of the legendary e30.

Anyway, by now we should know that the first intervention is always the same: ECU and exhaust. On this point, Ragazzon has the right plug&play solution, a 300 cell cat and a complete exhaust with valves, combined with an accurate remap that takes into account the new parameters, to maximize the effectiveness of the new components. 

On a second step, this particular model received a new air intake system, with a 100-cell catalyst and an increase in the original turbo, which we know is quite different from changing the turbine with a larger one. In addition, a special carbon extractor has been developed with an integrated handmade exhaust. This work gave the beast a total output of 475hp and over 650Nm of torque. To unload all the torque, in addition to new high performance tyres, the Bilstein B16 pss 10 set-up was fundamental: the right compromise between a rigid sports set-up, which is able to face the “obstacles” of the everyday roads. 

The rear wing deserves a chapter of its own. JosefinGarage has created this incredible detail using the emotional images of the Hommage as a reference. We all dreamed that the concept would become reality and now, thanks to a careful work of fine tuning, it is. 

The construction uses an accurate process of digitization and the latest technologies in terms of vacuum carbonfiber processing. Available now for your M2.

This car represents one of the highest expressions of tuning and affinity between the wishes of the owner and the vast know-how of JosefinGarage, which deals with every aspect of vehicle tuning, bringing projects that start from simple sketches or images from the Internet, to a solid reality.

The wrapping of VistosiGraphics by Marco Vistosi and the matching of colors and circles, are created in direct collaboration with the owner of this Beast (call it again M2 does not sound just right). This guy, whom I was lucky enough to meet, is a young man with a lot of passion for his work and a lot of inspiration: almost the perfect stereotype of “genius and unruliness”. The combination of so many different colors, patterns and decorations blends into a perfect harmony. Many stories and passions are represented in every single centimeter of the “Biemer”.

Now I’m talking to both of them, to JosefinGarage and to Driver… Find a suitable name for this wonder!

 

Check also this Review of the new BMW M2 Competition.

Let’s face it, we are incurable romantics, our passion is so strong that we always want to look beyond the logic of the market and the pure economic factor. For us, cars must speak, they must excite, with their design, with the sound of their exhausts, with their engine.

In recent years we have accepted the introduction of the automatic transmission on some types of cars; Ultra evolved automatic transmissions, which know how to best interpret the road in front of us, they can read every situation better than us and they are able to make just the right choice at the right time. To sum up, they told us that over a certain amount of torque, manuals no longer make sense that the logic of some cars can do better than 99.9% of us “common mortals”.  After many tests we accepted it and, in many cases, we are also happy.

Check the best Sport Exhaust for Audi.

These gearboxes with an enormous amount of gears, always sound good, do the dirty work in traffic jams and sound even better on the racetrack.

The heart has given way to logic, but everything has a limit, and now it’s too much! Now Audi comes out saying that the new S4 and S6 will share the same diesel engine, and instead of announcing it, they put the cars on the market, ready to be sold. Those are excellent models, the link between the crazy RS4 and RS6 and the diesel SWs. But now they are powered by a diesel engine too.
They told us that the RS4 had to become turbocharged, that fuel consumption and torque would have benefit from it. Okay… but now this!

 Audi, in fact, never completely abandoned the idea of the diesel sports car. If it weren’t for Audi’s victory at Le Mans with a diesel car and their prototype of the diesel R8, it would seem an oxymoron.

Let’s quickly see the numbers: the S4 and S6 have about 350 hp and 700 Nm of torque.

The torque leaves us astonished, but not too much… after all it’s a diesel! In Ingolstadt, they promise a breathtaking sound and absolute driving dynamics and a powertrain that will not let you miss fuel. We’ll see.

In the meantime, however, let’s look at this car according to sales logic, according to those objective data that we would never like to take too much into account, but that inevitably a company must do. The RS4 has switched to a V6 biturbo, it would have been too risky to put the same engine “weakened” under the S4. That would have resulted with the suicide of one of the two models. Well, Audi has always wanted to demonstrate the sportiness of diesel. And let’s be honest, we have already accepted it, and we are glad that it came from Audi as well. They have the right knowledge of both sports cars and diesel technology, so after all, who better than them?

Check also this review of Audi S6 Diesel

Everyday we read about innovations in the automotive sector; most of the times though, the technology is used to improve only the quality of the life on board. We have examples of hybrid engines that are becoming more and more popular, as well as fully electric cars.

Does this mean that the expensive and old petrol engine have really reached its peak without any possibility of improvement in terms of efficiency?

Mazda answered with a dry “NO”, presenting the new Skyactive-X unit able to rewrite, at least in part, the rules of traditional engines. 

Check also our Mazda performance parts.

Well, Mazda is the same company that makes us still dream of the stratospheric sound of the rotary engine Wankel mounted on the 787 B that participated among other races, in the 24 hours of Le Mans. This technology, specifically developed, was then transferred to the street model RX-8.  So, in 2019 Mazda built this new 180 hp 2.0 power unit in an unprecedented configuration.

A true hybrid engine, in the sense that it remains a brilliant petrol engine capable, thanks to Mazda’s engineers, of exploiting the operating principles and efficiency of a diesel engine. This engine is able to work by compression, as diesel engines, burning a leaner air-fuel mixture, reducing thus fuel consumption, when it is not under heavy duty. When power is needed, the engine switches to its traditional operation regime, benefiting from 224Nm of torque.

The icing on the cake is the mild-hybrid technology, a 24v module that recharges in certain driving situations and assists the engine in restarts, sailing and other situations such as the management of the automobile’s electronics. This 2004-cylinder is free to turn up to 6500 rpm and in order to simplify its “double soul”, we can say that the technology allows it to work with auto ignition when you “go slowly”, while in other cases, you have your hands on a “normal” gasoline engine that works with the usual spark plugs. You should not be fooled by the presence of the compressor, because it does not serve to emphasize the performance, but only to maintain a constant flow of air, classifying in fact this engine among the aspirates.  

The Kodo design is very much appreciated in Europe on the latest cars and the combination with this all-rounder engine promises to really give “that something more” to this new Mazda 3. 

Mazda is offered in three different versions, all well-equipped, few additional options (many important features are standard) and a very clean and sporty interior and exterior design. There is the right combination of analog and digital instruments, which provides enough information to the drivers and the passengers. A positive note is the six-speed manual gearbox, with the small gear lever and the very short gear shifting stroke with precise clutches. 

 

This Mazda is a very interesting car, a C-segment with a 2-litre 180 hp engine, which promises to be a good compromise for those who need a car that is suitable for everyday life, ready for long distances too. We will keep surely an eye on it.

Check also the New Mazda 3 (2019) review: Skyactiv-X engine driven by Car Magazine

In today’s article, we present the history of a revolutionary sports car, with the task of shortening the technical gap between the simple cars built by Honda for us “common mortals” and the stratospheric successes achieved in F1 thanks to a winning mix of technique and reliability: the Honda NSX, the most reliable Supercar of all.

This model, which makes millions of fans still dream of today, let’s us recall the video in which the legendary Ayrton Senna was the protagonist of a fabulous cameracar of the time. Wearing white socks and moccasins, he gave us goose bam uring every acceleration and through every corner.

Check also our Sport Exhaust System to improve your car performance.

Honda needed desperately a new sportcar in its portfolio. The previous one, the S360 was produced 28 years before and since that, the Japanese car brand have not realised any more sport model.

Despite the winning strike in Formula 1, the production cars were really far away from that technologically advance performance developed for the F1 cars.

It was time to close the gap. With all these good intentions together with the meticulousness and profuse Japanese commitment, the NSX was born. A car so close and at the same time so far from the HONDA philosophy. An automobile capable of embodying the principles of solidity and reliability in a new look, with central engine and rear wheel drive, a chassis completely in aluminium and very advanced technical solutions. 

Let’s talk about 1989, when this car was tested by two F1 drivers (one of whom was Senna) to fully prove its pedigree. Paying attention to those subtle technical details that only the most experienced drivers have the sensitivity to grasp, but that determine the success of a car in the segment. Senna advised to stiffen the chassis, so Honda opted for the new aluminium construction, saving 220kg from traditional steel.

Thus the Honda NSX was presented with innovative solutions for that time, as a Traction Control that helped to unleash the power in the wet and at the same time allowed “controlled” power slides Also the electronic power steering and an ABS system or then called ALB (anti-lock-breaking) by Honda was developed to allow this mid-engine car not to crack even during braking at mid-curves, and last but not least the Airbags SRS.

Honda was proud of this masterpiece, also because it had achieved the goal of building a safe and performing sports car, with an unknown visual angle for the time, resulting from the study of the cockpit of the F-16. The primary goal was the achievement of the result and the NSX essence is “form follows the function”.  On top of it Honda could not skip a hard refinement on the infamous “green hell”, and they did not. 

The reliability and power of the aspirated VTec 3.0 V6 with titanium connecting rods, which released 270 hp, was not considered in Europe like the V8 of other brands, above all Ferrari, although the needle of the scale for innovative solutions and technology hung significantly on the side of the Japanese. The design was also very original, starting with a 1984 project originally commissioned to Pininfarina and then further developed, leaving a car misunderstood by most for a long time. Comparing the first series of the NSX to the Ferrari 348 of the same period, Honda looked like a time machine, anticipating the future: but it was all true, the car was already there. Furthermore, Honda did not assign an assembly line production for this limited series, but set up a factory where all operations were handled by hand, by 200 technicians, selected among the best Honda employees, to ensure a certain perfection that the machines were not able to fulfil. 

Read also this review about the Honda NSX 2020.

As always, the European market had to be convinced by a design, by a company tradition of success even before the technique and reliability, and this NSX was too ahead of its time, perhaps too far from what the public was able to understand. It is no wonder that it was mimicked as a bad copy of the 911 and if red, of the Italian “Rossa”.

This model was essential for Honda to take a first step in the direction of sports cars, and as a result, they presented an automobile able to overcome “big names” with “on paper” a purer DNA for this kind of projects.

But we are aware that history, sometimes, stands by who is brave enough to dare and today the NSX is a car appreciated by many. A car with a unique line that despite having been produced for more than 15 years, still struggles to age: an evergreen. Let us consider that in designing and developing the McLaren F1, the NSX was taken as a reference for driveability and reliability, considered better than Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari. After a pause of reflection, in Japan they wanted to refresh the project, obviously in the “Honda way”, with new technologies and cutting-edge technical solutions. We will talk about the result in the next chapter…

 

The Mazda MX-5, or “Miata”, called with its American name, is considered by many as the sports car “per excellence”, not to mention that in 30 years more than a million units have been sold worldwide.

Convertible, two-seater, low weight, front mid-engine, enough power and rear-wheel drive. In short, an essential car that embodies the right recipe for fun. This year exactly 30 years have passed since the presentation of the first version (NA), and yet the most “hungry” purists are still looking for this first model incessantly, both because of its ever-green appearance, and because of all those details such as the Momo steering wheel and the retractable headlights that make the first Miata a timeless cult. In short, all those “details” typical of the late ’80s and early ’90s that will never equip modern cars again…

Check our Sport Exhaust for Mazda

Well, the fourth generation, the ND is renewed, but not too much. The futuristic line of this model may be different in terms of design (perfectly successful) from its ancestor, but not in conceptual terms. Mazda have managed to interpret perfectly the future and the change of the industry, keeping the spirit unchanged. Any other task would not have been harder.

The real question is “how can you improve a product universally appreciated and praised, without making it a complete disaster? The answer is simple, but not easy to accomplish: Mazda’s commitment has been such that the ND appears today more in shape than ever, with the right technology to make it a car in line with its times and its unmistakable MX-5 DNA that makes it an “instant classic”. 

The 30th Anniversary version will arrive in Italy in 90 exemplars (3,000 total units worldwide) and the 2.0 with 184 hp is the right companion when it comes to having fun. The soft roof has that romantic taste that all convertibles should have and not to forget anything, this model will be equipped with forged wheels (even lighter than normal), Brembo brakes and Recaro seats with integrated speakers in the headrests, that fit into the connectivity system of the car.

Mazda, with the MX-5, has raised the bar again, expanding the range of the MX-5, adding to the classic convertible a similar but very different version, the beautiful RF. The MX-5 RF is a convertible coupe with a rigid roof, a “targa” then, where only the top of the roof is folded electrically behind the seats (without taking away space from the boot!!!). The part behind the headrests has a particular design that shades smoothly towards the rear spoiler. This version is a valid alternative to the classic convertible, without forgetting the elegance of this closed and open roof design, making it looking alike a “Bond car”.

Then, let’s not forget the aspects that many people are more interested in: the performance. Let’s start from the simple formula that says “Japanese car” and let’s add the factor “car produced in large numbers” and as a result we will get an incredible amount of possibilities of tuning and tuning accessories of all kinds: from aesthetic solutions, to aerodynamic kits, to rims, to suspensions, to exhausts and engine elaborations. Let’s remember that the 2 litre 184 hp engine is an aspirated engine that doesn’t lack anything, but there are many “turbo” solutions for those who will not be satisfied.

In short, this iconic toy can be defined as the car for everyone (or almost everyone). Left completely original it is a finished car, which lacks nothing and knows how to entertain. In the same way, it is a good starting point for the most extravagant creations and for those who want to dare. The choice is yours! 

Well, the Mazda MX-5 renews itself while remaining true to its nature, manages to impress with its own recipe.

But perhaps, precisely in this sector where the change is so rapid and sharp, is not the ability to remain faithful to their traditions that indeed amazes?

Check also this review of the Mazda Miata by Caranddriver.com

We can’t turn a blind eye on the current trend for SUVs. This “new” category of cars that since the last decade has been conquering the market, putting a strain on lovers of sports … or maybe not.

What does that mean? It means that there is a shift from from big, clumsy and awkward cars, with little power and diesel engines, to a wide variety of models, types and power supplies. In recent years there has been a race of the most famous and sporty brands to create SUVs with the prerogative of remaining faithful to the DNA of the sports brand they represent. 

The operation is not always simple; the stakes are monumental and it’s making the designers and product managers of these brands lose their sleep. A successful SUV can mean earning a sumptuous share of the market of people who might not otherwise have come close to that brand. Those who, seeing this comfortable and spacious means of transport better if elegant and technological, leave behind their prejudices, running into the dealerships. 

Let’s make an example dear to us Italians… the SUV of Lamborghini URUS, that the house of Sant’Agata has decided to define SSUV (Super Sport Utility Vehicle).

This extraordinary pachyderm, fast and agile as a panther, has allowed Lamborghini to expand its network of customers like never before. There are so many URUS customers who have never owned a Lamborghini and the production line of this behemoth chumps more cars than the production lines of Aventador and Huracan put together.

Let’s just say that in previous years Lamborghini has achieved a constant record of sales from only two production lines year after year, just to understand the importance of this model for the Italian-German company. At the same time, manufacturers such as Ferrari, Aston Martin and Lotus are developing their “first SUVs”, and top luxury players such as Bentley and Rolls Royce have shown the world the most sumptuous declinations of this type of vehicle.  

We now think that Audi, in order to sell the first fully electric car, the E-Tron, had to think of a type of vehicle that would fit in different continents, in cold places with lots of snow and then the same way in exotic places with sand and salt… what better vehicle than an SUV to make everyone agree then?

Check the Sport Exhaust for Audi

SUVs are the fashion of the moment and almost every manufacturer has an SUV in its catalogue for every segment of vehicle, from the smallest to the most ecological or sporty. So, does it really make sense to oppose all this?

A sports car purist, an ecologist, and even an anthropologist would have thousand and one reasons to criticise SUVs… lonely drivers with these “seven-seater trucks” (empty) wandering halfway around our cities in search of a parking space..

The reality is that it seems that this type of car has made everyone agree on the various continents, thus becoming the new type of all-rounder: a sporty car, comfortable (for many), spacious, suitable for long journeys etc.

Check also this article about the best SUV in 2020 (rated by consumers).

Does it make sense to fight them? I would say so. This current fashion is also driving the electric market and it seems that this “shape” is the best compromise. However, there are companies that continue the production of sports cars, for real enthusiasts, the low two-seater, with little trunk and lots of fun (for us). As long as there are real enthusiasts (even among engineers) our sports cars will continue to live and allow us to free our minds at the weekend. But for all the other days, why not travelling a little more comfortable?