Nother CarGuy

Earlier this year Lotus announced it was dropping the Elise, Exige and Evora in preparation for the arrival of a range of hybrid and fully electric sports car and crossovers. But there’s just time for one last Lotus ICE adventure before the EVs arrive. Called the Emira, and projected to cost less than £60,000 ($84,500), it’s the natural replacement for the Evora, and will battle cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman when it goes on sale in Europe in spring 2022, and the U.S. at the end of that year. Closely following the Lotus sports car recipe familiar since the introduction of the Elise in 1996, the Emira rides on a new version of the company’s bonded and riveted aluminium chassis. And it’s almost exactly the same size as the Evora, riding on the same 101.4-inch (2575mm) wheelbase, and measuring an additional 0.8-inches (20mm) between front and rear bumpers. Lotus claims the new car represents “a paradigm shift in levels of practicality, comfort, functionality and technology”. And one of ...

In keeping with tradition, Porsche has expanded the trim lineup of an already expanded model lineup with the introduction of a new member of the 911 GT3 sub-family, the 911 GT3 Touring. Whereas other companies may have just offered a rear-wing delete option, Porsche thinks it deserves its own nameplate. Described as a “subtler choice that retains every ounce of the excitement, the feel and the performance you expect”, the GT3 Touring is available as a no-cost equipment package. Beyond getting rid of the huge fixed rear wing in favor of a hidden, automatically extending rear spoiler, the only other differences over the regular GT3 concern some minor trim changes, including the aluminum window outlines, the Touring badges, and a color-coded front spoiler (instead of being blacked out). Inside, the GT3 Touring gets extended leather upholstery while the front of the dashboard and the upper side sections of the door trim panels have special surface embossing. Everything else is the same as ...

When Subaru unveiled their second-gen BRZ last November, we thought Toyota’s version, the GR 86, would be close behind. Apparently, we’d have to wait five months, but in the meantime Toyota has been working hard to make the jointly-developed sports car feel more like their own. Now, the GR 86 makes its world debut as the third vehicle in Toyota’s GR lineup, coming after the GR Supra sports coupe and GR Yaris hot hatch. As with the first generation of the two sports coupes, Toyota and Subaru worked together on the new GR 86 and BRZ, with the two models having a nearly identical appearance, sans some minor details. In Toyota’s case, that meant first and foremost outfitting the GR 86 with the “Functional Matrix” grille similar to the one found on the GR Yaris, while the headlight LED signature is also slightly different compared to the BRZ. That’s not to say it’s not a prettier and more muscular design than before, with a lowered stance and curvier hips along with some other tweaks such a...

This is it, one of the most anticipated sports car launched of the year, the all-new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3. Porsche has finally revealed the 992-based GT3 following years of camouflaged test cars spotted testing on race tracks and public roads. Let’s get the headline figures out of the way first; the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that can rev up to 9,000 rpm and produce 502 HP and 346 lb-ft (469 Nm) of torque. As standard, every new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 will be fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, but the six-speed manual will still be an option. 0-60 mph (96 km/h) comes in just 3.2 seconds for the PDK-equipped 911 GT3 (0-100 km/h in 3.4), with the top speed set at 197 mph (317 km/h). Models fitted with the manual transmission require 3.7 seconds from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h in 3.9), but offer a slightly higher top speed, at 199 mph (320 km/h). The engine is virtually identical to the one found in the new 911 GT3 Cup r...

Subaru has finally pulled the wraps off the new 2022 BRZ, the second generation of the Japanese sports coupe, which now features an improved chassis, a new naturally aspirated engine, and the same performance focus as its predecessor. Let’s begin with what’s under the bonnet; Subaru opted for a new naturally aspirated 2.4-liter flat-four engine with a redline at 7,000 rpm, producing 228 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s 15 percent more torque than the previous model. The new engine helps the 2022 Subaru BRZ to achieve an even lower center of gravity and will be paired to either a standard six-speed manual with a short-throw shifter or a six-speed automatic transmission that features a new Sport mode for more rapid downshifts. A limited-slip differential will be standard across the range. Subaru claims that the new BRZ is the lightest 2+2 production sports car in the U.S. market, tipping the scales at just under 2,900 lbs (1,315 kg) estimated. That’s possible thanks to the use of alumi...

The Nissan 370Z was introduced over a decade ago and it’s well past its prime. While sales have tapered off to a trickle, the company isn’t ready to give up on the iconic Z car. Instead, they’re previewing the next-generation model with the retro-inspired Z Proto. Billed as a “thoroughly modern sports car” that pays respect to 50 years of Z heritage, the Z Proto sports a bright yellow pearlescent exterior which recalls the one used on the original sports car. The paint job isn’t the only retro touch as the hood mirrors the original, while teardrop-shaped LED headlights recall the JDM 240ZG of the 1970’s. While the rectangular grille is reminiscent of the outgoing model, designers added fins which are a nod to the past. Likewise, the roofline and greenhouse recall those used on classic Z cars. The rear end is a bit more modern as it draws inspiration from the 300ZX and features distinctive taillights which have been “reinterpreted for the modern world.” They’re framed by black surround ...

Nissan released a new video to tease its upcoming new models, which included our first look at the much anticipated 2021 Z sports car. From what we can tell, the new Nissan Z confirms previous reports that suggested it will draw inspiration from the original 240Z for its styling, featuring cleaner lines than the 370Z but without looking too retro. The front end of the 2021 Z is getting a pair of LED headlights shaped in a circle as a tribute to the iconic 240Z while the front grille appears to be model-specific and not related to the V-Motion design language of the brand. The roofline slopes towards the back in typical Z fashion but the rear end appears to be less rounded compared to the 370Z and more like the classic Z models. The new model is reportedly going to be based on a revised version of the 370Z platform. Other than that, there isn’t much official information on Nissan’s new sports car. Power is expected to come from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, the same one as featured ...

The all-new Toyota GR Supra was only introduced for the 2020 model year but the Japanese automaker has gone ahead and made big updates for 2021. No doubt, the big news for the 2021 Toyota GR Supra is the introduction of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, the nameplate’s first-ever four-pot. As expected, it’s also sourced from BMW and it delivers 255 HP at 5,000-6,500 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque from 1,550 to 4,400 rpm. Bridging the gap between the Toyota 86 and the Supra 3.0, the 2021 GR Supra 2.0 base model is far from a slouch. Hooked to the same eight-speed auto as the six-cylinder model, the Supra 2.0 is projected to do 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 5.0 seconds and reach an electronically limited top track speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). This will make it Toyota’s second quickest vehicle in the lineup behind the Supra 3.0. Besides a lower price point, the four-cylinder Supra will also offer improved fuel economy, though no mileage figures have been released ...

Lotus is introducing a new member to the Evora lineup with the GT410, designed to be more usable and practical than the GT410 Sport. The road-focused new Lotus Evora GT410 features Sparco sports seats, air-conditioning, a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and DAB digital radio, cruise control, heated seats, rear parking sensors, as well as increased insulation for less road noise and better refinement as standard. In addition, the cabin of the new Evora GT410 also comes with new door trims that now have integrated arm rests and storage bins, offering a more welcoming environment to drivers wishing to daily drive the latest Lotus sports car. There’s also a new tailgate with a larger glass section for better rear visibility. Compared to the GT410 Sport, the new Evora variant sits on revised dampers for a more compliant ride while retaining the iconic Lotus handling character. Exterior changes include 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch at the rear shod in Micheli...