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Official: First pictures and details of 2013 Range Rover

Land Rover has released images and basic details about one of the most important cars of the year: the all-new Range Rover. It's been made significantly lighter, while refinement and comfort levels are said to be markedly improved. 
When it goes on sale next month, the new Range Rover will be the first SUV with an all-aluminium body structure. This will contribute towards a very substantial overall weight saving of up to 420kg, which should naturally lead to improved performance, economy and handling.
Not that handling improvements have been left at that, however: revised all-corner air suspension is said to further improve agility, while also maintaining the ride quality of its predecessor. Other advances in refinement include lamination to the windscreen and door windows, which reduce unwanted acoustics.

Rear passengers will also enjoy the additional 120mm of legroom over the outgoing model, and longer rear doors will make entry and exit easier. Those that prefer to be driven can also opt for the new two-seat Executive Class seating package.
In terms of practicality, both upper and lower sections of the Range Rover’s characteristic split tailgate are powered, and a new generation of Land Rover’s excellent Terrain Response system makes its debut.
The engine range is similar to the current choice, with a selection of petrol V8s and TDV6/TDV8 diesel units. A supercharged petrol V6 (taken from the forthcoming Jaguar F-type) could also be offered in the future; more details and prices will be revealed ahead of the new Range Rover’s debut at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Vintage Style: Cafe Racers

The Downshift appears every Tuesday on the Motor Trend YouTube channel.  This episode features the new cafe racer scene taking over the US and talks about the origin of cafe racers in the UK.  You can see some of my buds from BA Moto, Deus Ex Machina and Venice Vintage MC.

N THE EYE OF THE STORM: WRT AT THE SPA 24

The WRT Belgian Audi Club team have just released this epic documentary on their journey to and through the Spa 24 Hours this year, that ended up with a second-place finish for one of their Audi R8 LMS Ultras. Covering the previous races in the Blancpain Endurance Series and the build-up to the 24 Hours during race week – including the amazing sight of dozens of GT cars running round the public roads of Spa on their way to the driver parade in town – the video takes you on an access-all-areas tour of the Spa 24 Hours. For instance, 18 minutes into the video, you get an idea of just why the Super Pole session was cancelled: Spa-Francorchamps looked more like a sea than a racing track at that stage…

The Audi factory were looking to keep their winning streak going, and lined up both WRT (last year’s victors) and the Phoenix squad to each run a pair of R8 LMS Ultras. The fight for the victory ended up as a straight battle between the lead car of each team, and in the end the #16 Phoenix R8 took the flag ahead of the #1 WRT sister car.

WRT’s film follows in the footsteps of those other great racing documentaries, Audi’s Truth In 24 series, to provide a great combination of on-board shots and behind-the-scenes shots spliced with interviews with drivers and team bosses. It’s a long video, but gives a must-see insight into the enormous effort teams put in during 24-hour races. It’s a great way to burn through a lunch break or train journey. Fire it up, sit back and enjoy the Spa 24 Hours without the storms and lack of sleep!