Eagle Spyder GT

Just take a moment to gaze over the Eagle Spyder GT. Go on. We’ve caught glimpses of it before, but this is the first car that’s been built, and it’s the first time it’s been seen on the road. Gorgeous, isn’t it? But then we expect nothing less from the East Sussex-based restorer, whose Jaguar E type based creations have been delighting us for years now. There’s 330bhp and 340lb ft on offer thanks to a custom, 4.7-litre straight six. That’s enough to propel the Spyder GT from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, and on to a top speed in excess of 170mph. Which, in a drop top, should be pretty intoxicating. And loud. And blowy. But that’s only a fraction of the story. It’s the relentlessness of the car’s restoration and improvement – a process known as ‘restomodding’ – that’s almost as beautiful as the E-type’s sweeping lines. To save future repetition, let’s get this over with now – everything, and we do mean everything, is bespoke. That includes the aluminium monocoque, aluminium gearbox, aluminium engine and magnesium components, each engineered in exquisite detail. An adjustable front anti-roll bar, fully adjustable Öhlins dampers aand AP Racing brakes should ensure the 1,029kg Spyder is more than just a (very) pretty face, too. Admit it, you really want a go.

Ford GT

TG gets the full inside track on Ford's 638bhp, 216mph GT supercar However, the wing is not the GT’s only party piece. The active aero is clever, but what makes it really special is that it works in sync with the active chassis. The GT’s normal ride height is 120mm, but rotate the five-mode driving-style dial (more about that in a minute) to VMax or Race mode, and the car drops like it’s falling in a vacuum on its Multimatic DSSV dampers to 70mm. It also jumps instantly back up to 120mm like it has been electrocuted when the dial is turned the other way. When a few millimetres difference in ride height can mean a second’s improvement in lap time on a racer, you start to get the idea how this 50mm drop, along with all the other aero bits, could completely change the GT’s performance.

Volkswagen W12

What you’re looking at here is a Volkswagen supercar. And while that’s brave enough in itself (just think about how dismal the sales figures were for the otherwise brilliant Phaeton), it’s so much more than that. This is the car that finally debuted Volkswagen’s most ambitious engine project, ever – the W-shaped (twin-V) engines. Of course, they’d been hinted at with a mock-up in the Audi Avus concept of 1991, but this was the first time a working Volkswagen W engine had burst on to the scene.

Honda Civic

The new Honda Civic will be familiar to fans of the old one, as Honda takes a leaf out of Volkswagen’s design handbook and goes for evolution rather than revolution. Because of this, the five-door only Civic (a Honda Civic Tourer is also available) remains an unusual looker, with the pyramidal outline spiced up this time round by a set of flowing wave-like creases along the sides. There’s no missing the beak-like black grille surround either. Oh, and it finally gets a rear wiper too.

Big news for 2013 was the launch of a long-awaited 1.6 diesel for the new Honda Civic. It followed that up last year with a chassis retune, and now Honda’s finally facelifted the rest of it, giving the Civic a sharp new nose and much more attitude. At last, it’s the real deal. And not before time. Total Price   £18,180 – £32,295

Highlights from the range

Highlights from the range

Title	0–62	CO2	MPG	BHP	Price
THE FASTEST 2.0 i-VTEC Type R 5dr	5.7s	170g/km	38.7	310	£29,645
THE CHEAPEST 1.0 VTEC Turbo S 5dr	10.4s	110g/km	58.9	129	£18,180
THE GREENEST 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus 5dr [Nav]	10.5s	94g/km	78.5	120	£21,900

Honda NSX

An AWD V6 hyper-hybrid that’s been a decade in the making – and the revival of a nameplate not seen since 2005, when the Aytron Senna-developed original ceased production. Why have we waited so long? The NSX’s gestation was somewhat troubled, with Honda considering a N/A V10 before settling on a V6, and then deciding to add twin-turbos and rotate it through 90 degrees for better weight distribution. 

Developed in the USA and built as a showcase for Honda’s engineering might, the NSX is a horn in the side of the Audi R8, Ferrari 488 and McLaren 570S.

Lamborghini Aventador S

It’s almost six years since Lamborghini introduced the Aventador to replace the Murcielago. Six years and although we’ve had a hot one (the SV) and one with lift out roof panels (the Roadster), the LP700-4 has otherwise soldiered on while around it the supercar market has changed beyond all recognition. The Holy Trinity have been and gone, and in pretty much the same period McLaren has gone from a standing start to having a three model range with LT this, Spider that and GTR gor-blimey.Oh sure, details of the new Aventador S contain all the usual stuff about new four-wheel steering systems, a 130 per cent improvement of front axle downforce and a whole new control unit to marshall inputs from all the active systems, but none of it, no matter how high-tech, overshadows the drama. Briefly then, this is how the Aventador S shapes up. It still uses the same central carbon tub with aluminium sub-frames fore and aft. It drives all four wheels through a central Haldex clutch. The engine is the same 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12, but the valve timing and variable intakes have been altered, yielding another 40bhp (and exactly 1lb ft more torque). The power gain is also aided by a raised rev limiter (from 8,350rpm to 8,500rpm). Total Price £291,660 – £346,698

New Ferrari 458

Details

VIN	ZFF67NFA5B0179322
Exterior Color	WHITE PAINT/BLUE WRAP
Interior Color	BLACK
Cylinders	V8
Engine Size	4.5L
Transmission	7-SPEED AUTOMATIC

Description

Lot #1372 - Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase Justin Bieber's 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia F1 Edition custom-built by West Coast Customs. Exterior wrapped in Frozen Blue chrome equipped with a wide-body kit by Liberty Walk includes full custom fender flares, front splitter, side skirt splitter and rear wing. Interior includes a custom 2,000-Watt 10-inch subwoofer with matched MB Quart separates. Factory custom interior created to Justin's specifications. Custom 20" 3-piece Forgiato Dieci-ECL wheels. On 08/26/14 CARFAX shows a California damage report. Vehicle involved in a rear-end collision, airbags did not deploy.

Koenigsegg Regera

Time to party like it’s 1999. The car you see above is the first in a new series whereby Koenigsegg employees configure their ideal Regera megacars. First up is self-confessed Prince fan and communications manager Steven Wade.

And as you’ll see, it’s no Little Red Corvette, but instead a rather large purple Regera.

“Vöx will laugh at me (as might a million others),” explains Wade, “but I’ve chosen a purple carbon exterior finish, with white striping and clear carbon side intakes. I’m a massive Prince fan (still grieving) and I’ve always loved our cars in purple.”

We concur. Looks quite magnificent, no? He was tempted by Gold leaf stripes - “like the purple/gold combination of chassis 7094” - but decided that gold is a better partner for paint, rather than tinted carbon. Let’s not get Delirious, after all. The wheels are carbon affairs with white calipers, to complete the exterior excellence.

Clearly, Top Gear’s appetite for clumsily shoehorning Prince songs into copy knows no bounds, so we’ll wrap this up quickly. The Regera is of course, part of the New Power Generation, and as such features a twin-turbo 5.0-litre V8, three-electric motors and a combined power output of 1,479bhp and 1,465lb ft of torque. It’s fast, it’s complicated, and in purple, is a bit of a Peach.

Nissan's V motion

Nissan has channelled its self-driving, artificially intelligent plans into this, the reassuringly car-shaped Vmotion 2.0.

ts styling is said to give a hint at where the next Altima, Maxima and Murano are going. These, most readers will note, are not cars really available in Europe. What’s more interesting is what lies beneath the skin, namely the interior from a not-too-distant future where cars drive themselves.

So there’s some supremely comfy seats, natural materials, a large, sweeping screen, and a less-than-round steering wheel. The latter looks primed and ready to fold away when you opt to let the car drive itself

Kia Optima Sportswagon

Kia Optima Sportswagon review. You spoil us
I know, I get it. The Kia Optima Sportswagon is, I don’t think Kia will protest, not the most scintillating machine you’ll read about on TopGear.com today.

But never mind. It is Kia’s first D-segment wagon (think Mondeo and Superb rival), and is also an entirely European effort. Designed in the West, sold only in the West. No ‘one world’ cost-cutting here.

Audi A8

Brilliant comfort.

Welcome aboard the Audi A8. A place where lavish spaciousness is blended with exquisite ambience. Choice materials lend a palpable sense of exclusivity. Top-class workmanship sets new standards. And innovative technology entertains and delights.

Brilliant character.

Self-confidence forms character. And the Audi S8 plus. A car that can rely on its strengths: technology paired with performance and a particular sense of high quality. All this means it sets the pace for the luxury segment. And makes it a vehicle for strong personalities