If you’re tired of Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini what else should you buy, assuming you want raw power?  Well, you’ve got a range such as Spyker, Ariel, Caterham, Morgan and Koenigsegg.  However, only one of them really goes the whole way - designing something that for my mind looks like it has come from 20 years into the future.  That brand is Pagani.

They have truly outdone themselves in this case too.  The Pagani Zonda Cinque is special.  Let’s just put that out there.  It is special first of all as it is a homolgation of sorts, between the F and the R, to create a road going sports monster.  What else makes it special?  Well, as the name suggests, only five of them will be made.  To top that, it’ll cost £1 million and will arrive to the lucky respective five owners in June next year.

What about performance?  Well 0-60 is taken care of in less than 3.5 seconds and the engine outputs 678bhp.  This means that the body needs to generate the extra downforce to keep you on the road - whilst you’ll need a strong neck to cope with the potential 1.45g of cornering force.  Top speed meanwhile is in excess of 200mph.

In these days of the green meanie (or the angry eco warrior), the Pagani Zonda Cinque is a real achievement.  It is special.  I don’t care that you have to warm the 7.3 litre engine up for five minutes before using it, nor that the limited run means that you and I will probably never see one in person.  The fact remains that it is simply a stunning feat of engineering - one that should be respected as almost perfect.  What would make it better?  Well, I’m always happy to get exclusive test drives for Car Articles…

Of course I’m talking about the latest Lotus – the Eagle.  In a Porsche rivalling move, this is their new 2+2, that’s fully ready to take on the Porsche Cayman (though not the pricier 911).  So what sort of powerplant do you get for your circa £45,000 hard earned cash?  Naturally, sir will be wanting a 3.5litre V6 with 276bhp.

The wheelbase of this incredible looking machine is 280mm longer than the Elise (which leaves one wondering if this is a permanent replacement for the aging car), that gives rise to enough room for 2 rear seats.  I assume that these will be similar to other 2+2’s, in other words just about bearable if you’re ten years old or younger – otherwise you might just prefer to walk.  Rumour has it that the boot space is reasonable too – just don’t expect to fit more than a few bags of shopping (or apparently one set of golf clubs) in there.

What about the interior of the car?  Well, to be fair, Lotus is not known for their high quality dashboards, but then that’s not what their machines are about.  Nonetheless, the Eagle should be one of the most luxurious cars they have ever made, with a touchscreen sat nav with connectivity for your iPod and Bluetooth.  There should also be soft touch plastics where necessary and hopefully swathes of leather too, given the price hike over even an Exige.

The big V6 has been sourced directly from Toyota, which should mean a pretty good state of reliability, even with British weather and wear.  However, modifications have been implemented by Lotus that sees the addition of variable valve timing – something that I’m quite a fan of.  Essentially, it means that you should have greater efficiency and power when on the gas.  Can’t be bad now can it?  If you’ve driven a Celica you’ll have experienced VVT.  The Lotus Elise 111S also has VVT (quite a few other cars do too for a more even power/torque split).

What about performance?  Well, as is the trend these days, the thing is going to be shuttled around the Nurburgring until the guys at Hethel are happy that this aspect of the car matches the frankly astonishing looks.  Rumour has it that there’ll be a 0-60 sprint implemented of less than 4 seconds; meanwhile you’ll be able to race all the way up to and beyond 160.  Mind you, top speed is never the objective in a mean Lotus like this.  You’d have to have nuts of sold, 440 stainless to manage that.

A prototype is going to be shown at the British Motor Show, as well as the name of the vehicle that for the meantime remains to be the Lotus Eagle.  With six more months of development and spring 2009 before first order, this is one car that folks should be awaiting with baited breath.  I know I am.

It of course comes back to the question of Lotus.  What does it mean?  Well until you drive one, you’ll never know.  It means, at least for me, a pure, unadulterated, driving experience.  It isn’t watered down and it won’t pander to your whims.  You’re slung low, the car hard-charges through the gears and if you have any passion for driving at all you’ll spend almost all the journey with a big grin on your face.  So do I think that this will be special?  Damn right.  There’s even somewhere to put the groceries when you take it to Asda.

It couldn’t have escaped your attention that Ford is working on something very special indeed – the new Ford Focus RS.  You probably didn’t let it escape you as it is in just about every motoring magazine and it has also been featured here.  However, new information has came to light that is sure to put a smile on your face.  That information is the car is going to be even more powerful than previously thought.

Whilst the engine remains the same (a really, really sweet 2.5 litre turbocharged job), the power has now been officially announced at 296bhp – a very serious amount indeed for a front wheel drive car.  What makes it all the more remarkable is that it is 20bhp more than the original figure.  This car is packing some serious heat.

How though is a hot-hatch that’s only front wheel drive going to put all those rampaging horses down on the tarmac?  Well, through a super-trick Quaife limited-slip diff to allow either of the front wheels to find traction.  Not only that but there’s an equally clever ‘RevoKnuckle’ front axle.  This should allow for better torque distribution and less tug on the wheel.

So what’s the story with the rest of the car?  Front and rear panels are larger in order to accommodate monster 19inch alloys – you’ll love them.  Air intakes abound on the front end, including on the bonnet and even below the front fogs.  This is a serious machine.

Equally, you’ll love the rear venturi for air distribution, the indicators on the wing mirrors and the wicked chrome two-pipe exhausts.  There’s also a rear spoiler of the same shade as the one from the Clio Sport – i.e. you’ll either love it or hate it.  The car is (as pictured) in an amazing shade of green – it seems that over the top colours are making a return.

Whilst the badge is quite famous, there are those that’ll be new to the whole RS thing.  Mark my words, if you like a proper involved drive, this is a car you’ll find to be very special indeed.  I’m still not convinced that four wheel drive wouldn’t have been better, but I suppose this way you get weight saving.  Either way, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one of these.  Ford look to have made something very special (even in light of the whole green problem at the moment).

For those of you who are lucky enough to be at the British Motor Show, you’ll see this car there.  For everyone else, you’ll be able to see it next year at a Ford dealership near you.

The Honda NSX is a pretty famous supercar – first due to Clarkson trying to do the same lap time at Laguna Seca as he did in Gran Turismo, and second because it is the only ‘real’ supercar that is at an affordable price range.  However, this looks set to change when the new variant arrives, sometime in 2010 (or possibly 2011).

The new Honda has been spotted lapping the Nurburgring (apparently the current trendy test ground for racers of any note) quite happily, especially as development has only just begun.  Nonetheless, already the engineers have been handed two quite challenging targets.

The first target is to get the suspension setup ‘just right’.  Whether that means for the track or the road remains to be seen – but given the previous iteration was also reasonably usable every day then I’d suggest it’s going to be somewhere in between – with perhaps a ‘race tune’ option available.

Honda wants to build the fastest production model around the circuit – a fairly impressive desire.  Whether this is an achievable goal remains to be seen, what with the Nissan GT-R managing a ferocious sub seven minute thirty lap time.  Scary indeed, though unsurprising given that the GT-R is capable of 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and that 13 mile Nurburgring has a wealth of turns, straights and just about everything else you can throw at a driver.

The car to replace the NSX may well not bear the same moniker, so we’re waiting news on that.  However, we do know that it will feature a 550bhp 5.5 litre V10 with clever ‘cylinder deactivation’.  What that means is that the engine will only be running on half the cylinders when just pootling to the shops, and all 10 when you press on to make sure that your ice-cream doesn’t melt.  This will give you better fuel economy and lower emissions.  Torque is set up at a frankly terrifying 570Nm – enough to rip your face off.

The car’s setup will be a 2+2 arrangement (will there be actual room for real human beings in the back though?), with a hybrid aluminium and steel body in order to reduce weight.  For the old school amongst you you’ll be disappointed with the eight-speed auto gearbox with flappy paddles (even if it is one of those shifts-as-fast-as-F1 jobbers).  Naturally, trick four wheel drive will make you the proud owner of the fastest thing to pull away from the lights (or race round Milton Keynes ring roads) this side of the new Porsche 911.

Will it be any good?  Most definitely.  Will it be worth the asking price of £90,000?  Well, that’s a more difficult question to answer.  After all, for that price you could be looking at a variety of cars such as the Nissan GT-R, the Audi R8 or a BMW M5.  Tough competition I’m sure you’ll agree.

Unfortunately, in light of the fact above, I’m starting to doubt too that it’ll garner as much attention as the previous version of the NSX.  It certainly seems as though the GT-R has claimed the title of ‘car for the Playstation generation’ this time around.  I can’t see it being available for £18,000 anytime soon either – but who knows.  Either way, I hope it ages as well as the previous NSX and has the performance it is promising.

If you’re desperate for a lovely hot hatch in the form of a Vauxhall Astra VXR, it might be worth waiting just a little bit longer (either for a new or used one). The reason for that is there’s a new model coming our way, due in 2010. Naturally, it’ll offer improvements over the last, but in what sort of form?

If you’ve never driven (or even seen) the VXR then you won’t know that it is one of the most powerful hatchbacks available, with around 230BHP going to the front wheels. On top of that you’ve got decent suspension and a lovely bodykit. The new version naturally adds more of the same, with aggressive lines and uprated suspension for an even better drive.

The car will go on sale against some tough competition, such as the new Ford Focus ST and the Golf GTI – so Vauxhall better have something pretty impressive up its’ collective sleeves. The styling, for those who have seen the previous version, is not too different. It retains the coupe-like lines that made it desirable in the first place.

The exterior includes the same ground-hugging body kit but there are also new air intakes at the front, a diffuser at the rear and the same central exhaust. It looks like there are more lines in there, but simultaneously a sleeker car. Can’t complain there then. 19 inch alloys should keep all but the fussiest boy racers happy, whilst roof spoiler and a range of colours (including white no doubt, unless it is back out of fashion by then) should give a wide appeal.

The big change perhaps, and something that other car manufacturers will take note of for their performance cars, comes in the engine. Rather than the previous version’s 2.0 litre turbocharged unit, this one has a 1.8 litre turbocharged powerplant. This will still have the necessary 240(ish)BHP and a 150MPH top speed, but will be greener and more fuel efficient.

Whether there will be a diesel remains to be seen – frankly I still think that if you’re after a diesel hot hatch you are a bit mad, especially as the price is still going up out of line with petrol. You’ll soon be seeing those extra miles dwindle pound for pound. It also isn’t the fuel of choice for those seeking a performance car like this.

The chassis will be the decent Delta platform (apparently what the new Lacetti replacement and the Saab 9-1 will be based on) that features lightweight materials and a multilink rear suspension layout. For those who are concerned it will be losing character, don’t worry, the VXR will have electronically controlled dampers and no doubt top boffins will be working on a way to lower the amount of torque steer that the mad Astra produces to make all that power more usable.

Am I excited about this? Well, a little bit yes. If just because I might be able to contain myself and my wallet just a little longer in order to purchase a last of the line model at my local dealership. The current VXR is a cracking hot motor; it’s just a bit unruly. A little bit like me really – or so says my girlfriend after we went to look at one!

The original Toyota Aygo is a very good car.  The original was produced on a common platform with Peugeot (the 107) and Citroen (the C1) and released back in 2005.  It is safe (with a 4 star NCAP rating), comfortable and economical.  It won’t win any speed awards but for the price you pay it’s a fantastic little motor with a zingy 1.0 litre engine with power being sent to the front wheels.

The Toyota Aygo Crazy however is something else entirely.  It is, in fact, almost exactly the opposite of the standard car.  This special is heavily modified (aside from what you can see).  Rather than rear seats, the engine has been positioned into the mid-point of the vehicle, giving you a rather odd (but useful) shelf.  More importantly, putting the engine there really allows you to feel and hear everything that’s going on.  This is good.  What’s better is the engine itself.

The car is powered by a 1.8 litre VVT-i turbocharged engine, meaning that it should be very happy to freely rev up and provide you with that power quite quickly.  This is the same unit that powers the Celica and MR2, along with various Lotus vehicles.  What about performance though when this unit is uprated to 200BHP?

It doesn’t just look quick, it is quick.  Whilst in a standard Aygo you’ll be suffering a yawn-inducing 14 seconds plus to 60, in this one-off special, you’ll race there in less than six seconds.  Impressive from something the size of a roller-skate I’m sure you’ll agree.  Not only that but you’ll be able to charge all the way up to 127MPH.

So how come the car can be so damn quick?  Well, a curb weight of only 1050kg ensures that you should get the handling to match.  That trick Tein suspension that’s also an addition may well help with any screeching tyre issues you might have.  Nimble though?  You bet.

As with a number of these special one-offs, there are some things that seem to move backwards rather than forwards.  What I’m referring to here is the fact that you get no ABS, no traction control and no power steering.  Granted, some of this will be down to the weight-saving necessity of a car like this, but no ABS?  Not fond of a car without that I must say.

The interior has been given a far more racy slant, with a roll cage, bucket seats and safety harnesses.  Of course, for the exterior and driving dynamics you get your Brembo brakes too (as well as insane spoiler, ridiculous wheel arches, dodgy scrawl style decals etc etc).

Do I like the Toyota Aygo?  No.  Not at all.  It’s too lairy.  Too in your face.  Worse though, I’m not quite sure why Toyota bothered.  At least when Renault did their crazy V6 Clio they were sensible enough to make more than one.  Hell, I’ve even had the fortune to see one on the road.  In a bizarre sort of way this just serves to emphasise how boring Toyota can be.

Granted, this car is not for me.  I don’t like it.  However, I’d bet a few quid that plenty of people out there do.  It is in a way a ‘real’ hot hatch.  Something to make your girlfriend scream in – quite literally as it does three wheels around a corner.  As a one off though, odd.  You might even say Crazy…

No, you’re right, there’s no such thing.  Volvo is, well, Volvo.  The name brings up thoughts of lights that come on far too early by themselves, big estates and cars that are safe and frankly extremely dull.  This makes the new R-Design vehicles and the C30 T5 quite an interesting proposition.  Unfortunately however they don’t exactly live up to the dream of a ‘sporty’ line-up.

In that regard, perhaps the Volvo C30 T5 Heico is a bigger disappointment than anything else.  The Swedish manufacturer hooked up with a German tuning company to give their cars more pizzazz and in terms of visuals that’s certainly done the trick.  The car is lower to the ground, has a more aggressive body kit and a lurid interior in orange leather.  Quite grotesque?  You bet.

How does it go though?  Well, you’re looking at a 2.5 litre turbo-charged engine offering up 260BHP and a 0-60 of 5.9 seconds, so we’re into very firm hot hatch territory and by old money supercar land as well.  The 155 MPH top speed also means that this is a genuinely quick car capable of being the bully it looks – or is it?

Well, here’s the conundrum.  There’s no doubt that Heico have done some good work, bringing something desperately needed to Volvo – imagination and the drive to create something that’ll appeal to a younger market.  It’s eye-catching and spectacular in a lairy sort of way.  The mechanicals are fine tuned, the big brakes are great and those four exhausts are visually a shock for something sporting this badge.

It would also be impossible not to mention that ‘amazing’ colour scheme.  This is a madman’s car.  Why on Earth does it have flower decals on the outside then?  That remains a mystery that only Heico can explain.  Perhaps they thought the type of person who drives a sports Volvo was a little bit arty too?  Who knows.

The Ford Focus (for which this car shares the same platform) isn’t a car that’s known for being hugely agile.  Heico, therefore, couldn’t do anything about that.  This means you’ll still not be entirely comfortable chucking it around a corner with the amount of feedback that you get from the wheel.  This is a real shame for a car that looks as it does.

Will the likes of Saab and Volvo get it right in the end?  I’m not convinced of this.  I’d still be tempted to tell them to stick to what they’re good at – or at least go the way of Vauxhall and great a genuine sports range like the VXR setup they have (notably, Vauxhall are still doing superbly in the BTCC with their racing Vectras).

Between the Vauxhall Astra VXR and this crazed, pimped-out Swede/German setup I’d still take the Vauxhall Astra I’m afraid.   Whilst neither have a particularly cool badge, Vauxhall just seems to have the formula more right.  And I wouldn’t feel like a granddad driving one.  A chav maybe, but not a granddad.  And that my friends, is that.

Well, it’s been 60 years of Porsche and what a journey.  Few cars have managed to sustain such a motoring evolution through their history, rather than a revolution.  Even fewer have the same setup as Porsche – that being the rear drive, rear engine setup that is a peculiarity to the German automotive giant.

Mentioning evolution, these new Carrera models (the standard and the S respectively) are a perfect example of just that.  Things have been improved both under the bonnet and above, providing an even better reason (not that you need one) to own one of the most iconic cars ever built.  But what’s different for the extra £1,500 across the range (now priced at £63,070-77,650)?

Well for the body you get a lovely reprofiled front bumper and grille.  There’s also xenon headlamps, indicators and taillights that use LED bulbs.  You’ll still get those lovely (and exclusive I hasten to add) coloured alloys as well as the funkily chosen brake calipers (if you buy a blue for instance you’ll get these in yellow).

Of course it’s the engine that’s the real pull in a Porsche and the Carrera is no exception.  Expect to be flung from the rear to sixty MPH in only 4.7 seconds, or an Aston equalling 4.5 seconds if you buy the more expensive S variant.  These great performance figures are down to the reworked powerplant at the back that has 345BHP – 20 more than the previous incarnation.  The S has 30 more, so that’s where you’ll get your extra kick.

The technology itself is somewhat improved, with direct injection technology being available for the trademark flat six engine.  This has allowed, apart from the power improvement, a lowering of the emissions from the car by 12% - don’t think however that this is going to be an eco-friendly model.  The taxman will still love you for buying it.  Your bank manager might still wince at fuel consumption too.

For the first time in its range, Porsche is offering a new slick-shift in the form of a wonderfully named Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.  This is, funnily enough, the german for double-clutch gearbox.  It’s a great development and offers (as with F1 cars) seven gears and the opportunity to change ratios with the paddles on the steering system.  Shifts are apparently much faster than the old Tiptronic – but then things have moved on significantly since then.

Should you buy it?  Well that depends how you feel about cars.  Purists still love Porsches, and if you’ve driven one then you’d understand why.  The handling is superb, easy to push to the limit and the engines are really, really sweet.  However, do modern racers expect more?  No doubt they want more space, less drama and arguably a much lesser price tag.  They’ll no doubt look at the new Subaru Impreza WRX or the Mitsubishi Evolution X.  Do they have the same pedigree though, the same level of history?  You pays your money you takes your choice.

There’s something rather special about the ‘old’ Ford Focus ST (produced in 2002-2003).  It is a car that is good looking, powerful and exciting.  Even better, there aren’t many of them about on UK roads.  It’s a proper hot hatch that’ll cover 0-60 in a shade over six seconds so it has proper, proper performance.  It came with a limited slip diff to avoid the wheels scrabbling too much and those who have one will tell you that they are a real joy.

However, the RS was quickly overshadowed by the slightly-more-manic (and wonderfully coloured I hasten to add) Ford Focus ST.  What’s bad about this car could be written on the back of a stamp.  It is phenomenal.  Granted, if you’re concerned about boy-racer attention then it’s not much of a car for you, but for everyone else you’ll just LOVE that 2.5 litre turbocharged engine.

The new Ford Focus RS has been revealed – and it’s a good looker too.  It has lost none of its focus and is no doubt after the crown of the older brother, the ST.  If looks alone are anything to go buy then it could well steal it.  Granted, the machinery underneath looks extremely promising too, with that same 2.5 litre engine being uprated to produce 280BHP!  That’s even more than the mad-crazy Vauxhall Astra VXR and it should give this motor some serious oomph.

Granted, you may well be concerned about how just two wheels will handle this (the old Cosworth was after all a four-wheel job) but the answer is Ford has thought of this too.  There’s a trick diff set up to electronically distribute those furious horses when you plant your right foot, making sure that you don’t just scrabble but actively shoot down the road.

The latest news is that this sweet-looking Ford is currently lapping the Nurburgring excitedly.  Why?  To make sure that it is not only a great car in its own right but to ensure that it’s a wonderful driver’s car.  The reason being of course that this sort of model will surely land in the hands of an enthusiast, regardless of how high petrol prices go.

Is this going to be a Ford that’s worth the wait?  I’d say almost certainly yes.  Granted, the ST might look a bit lairy but this takes it a whole step further.  And in this case, that’s a wonderful thing.  Ali G might love it, but so do I.  Ford, I really think you’re on with a winner here, so don’t mess it up by going all Alfa Romeo Brera on us and making it too heavy.

Is it a bird?  Is it a plane?  Nope, it’s the new BMW.  Not exactly known for really pushing out the boat and making crazy new models or variations on the theme, BMW nonetheless make cars with pretty damn good reputations – and in the case of a significant number of their vehicles, excellent performance to boot.  However, the Gina eschews the usual BMW storyline and is a concept worthy of the more exotic manufacturers out there.  Why is that?  Well, the body is fabric.

Fabric?  Yes, you read that right.  The GINA Light Visionary Model is a two seat roadster that has a textile cover resistant to water and extremes of temperature.  This fabric ‘overcoat’ is pulled across a moveable metal framework for a lovely outer shell.  The lightweight aluminium spaceframe underneath has only four body sections – this minimises roll and provides stability.

Perhaps the most astounding part (the crazy looks aside) must be the ability of that aforementioned spaceframe to move.  Electro-hydraulics allow the car to shift into place for greater downforce and concealment of various elements until desired.  One such example of this would be the lights, as they remain under the fabric until lit, before it is peeled away to reveal them.

This is, without a doubt, one of the most stunning concepts we’ve seen in a long time.  Whether it actually tells us about the future of motoring however is another thing.  There’s no doubt that one way to increase the level of fuel efficiency is to lower the weight of a vehicle – however I’m convinced we’re not going to be driving around in fabric cars in the future (there’s safety concerns for starters, but this is a concept after all).

However, as you can see from the picture, it does tell us something.  That something is revealing the nature of the next BMW Z4.  There are some obvious similarities between this in side profile and the current model.  It looks like one attractive car indeed.  Mark my words – you’ll be rubber-necking when it hits the road, though I’m sure the finished model will have a roof.

Regarding looks, to me it comes across more ‘shark like’ in appearance than just about any other BMW model ever produced.  That nose is incredibly aggressive – I really hope that it makes production.  I’m sure those raised-and-extended doors will go amiss too, which is a shame.  Nonetheless, all of the design cues make me curious as to what the finished article will look like.