Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In gear

Text Lisa Curtiss, James Kevin Mac Goris
Image Rex Features

This month its speed, speed, speed all the way as two super-hot hatches are launched and the FIA adds new races to the 2010 F1 calendar

Super sporty, super hot

Two seriously hot-to-trot sport hatches are heading our way later this year – SEAT’s Leon Cupra R and the Megane Renaultsport 250

SEAT’s most potent model to date features a 195kW 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, with a new high-pressure fuel pump injector, which amazingly matches the power output of the title-winning SEAT Leon TDI World Touring Car and can reach 100kph in just 6.1 seconds.

Distinguishing this model from its speedy but more sedate siblings is the addition of ‘R’ and ‘Cupra’ logos placed throughout, plus arch-filling 19-inch, five double-spoke alloys shod with ultra-low profile 235/35 tyres. Inside there’s competition-styled bucket seats, white LED lighting on the instrument dials, a leather-clad multi-functional steering wheel and sporty aluminium-trimmed pedals.

Launched just in time to contend with the Cupra ‘R’s claim to top hot hatch glory, is the latest offering from the hallowed Renaultsport stable – the new Megane Renaultsport 250.

Its revised 2.0-litre turbocharged engine now acheives184kW at 5,550rpm and 80% of its hefty helping of 340Nm of torque is usefully available low down the rev range for ultimate dynamic driving ability. This torque increase is 30Nm over that of the incredible Mégane R26.R – the model which has rightly earned the status of the World’s Ultimate Hot Hatch.

Appearance wise, it most certainly looks the part. Taking inspiration from motorsport, its front bumper incorporates a blade reminiscent of the low-slung noses seen in today’s Formula 1 cars. The extended wheel arches, side sill, rear diffuser, extended tailgate spoiler and centrally-positioned exhaust tailpipe all add to the newcomer’s character, while at the same time enhancing aerodynamic performance. LED daytime running lights are a key part of the car’s styling signature.

Motor racing nuts will particularly love a new F1-inspired dashboard display which provides information on the demands made of the main engine functions, real-time engine performance, gearchange warning, calibration and display of the throttle pedal mapping, lateral acceleration, 0-100kph acceleration and lap times.

Both are due to reach European showrooms at the end of the year.

All-new infinity M performance saloon

A new generation Infinity M is to reach European showrooms early in the New Year

Deeply sculpted wings and a low front end give the 2011 M a more purposeful, sporty appearance than previous M models, and the engine line-up for Europe includes a V6 performance diesel. Quality new materials have been used for the interior to give a more luxurious, top quality feel and it’s expected to be class-beatingly well equipped even as standard.

Emissions and fuel consumption are said to be lower than previous generation M models without compromising on performance and the 2011 M features an industry first safety system designed to prevent side-on collisions. This state-of-the-art Side-Collision Prevention (SCP) system will alert the driver if another vehicle is detected and help prevent a potential collision by moving the vehicle toward the centre of the original lane of travel.

BMW’s roadster grows up

James Kevin Mac Goris enjoys the admiring looks he gets in the Z4 which has just about enough room for skis and golfclubs, but not kids

Some two decades ago there was a great poster campaign for a sports car that shall remain nameless (it was red – there’s a clue), that showed a simple side-on profile of the car with a 3-word headline ‘Sell the kids’. Nothing more. Today of course you couldn’t suggest such a thing without being drowned in writs and possibly even facing prison, but it is a phrase that sums up the essence of sports car motoring – you can’t do it with kids. You can’t make them in a sports car, you can’t put more than one of them in a sports car, and you certainly can’t let them drive a sports car. Ever.

So for anyone who has kids either old enough to pinch your car keys while you’re out of town – remember Ferris Bueller? – or young enough to be transported in a maxi-cosi, the new BMW Z4 is the wrong car for you. For everyone else, it could be the right one. And it’s a heck of a lot of fun.

For a start, people who don’t like being looked at won’t much like this car. I’ve driven around in a number of cool cars – including the Z4’s rivals, the Porsche Boxter and the Mercedes SLK – and believe you me, I got far more admiring looks and comments in the BMW. Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that it’s both aggressive and disarmingly elegant at the same time – a bit like a shark in an immaculately tailored dinner jacket.

Whatever… it suits me fine to have blondes drawing up in their Alfa Breras beside me and scorching the BMW’s flame finish with smouldering looks.

Then there’s the performance… the smoothness may disappoint Porsche purists, but this car delivers a ride whose refined punch and sheer precision sure beats the pants off feeling you’re being dragged along a pebble-dash wall in a rocket powered go-kart. Extremely quick off the mark, the 3.5i 280bhp version will get you from 0-100kmh in just 5.1 seconds with a great woofy growl – the acceleration made somewhat scarier by the view down the bonnet. Long and slightly bomb-shaped, it makes you feel you’re piloting a Spitfire rather than a car.

Of course, all that length in front of you doesn’t leave much behind, so apart from having no rear seats, the BMW Z4 has almost no boot to speak of, especially when the folding aluminium top is down. So it’s not much good for a trip to Ikea (or Habitat) – but what it does have is a neat little trap for your skis or golfclubs, which let’s face it are far more important than a set of shelves when you’re driving this sort of car.

So there you have it; no kids, shrinking violets, petrol-heads or homemakers… sounds like a grown-up kind of sports car.

In the news…

Canada and Korea on 2010 F1 Calendar

Formula One racing’s governing body, the FIA, has just released the calendar for the 2010 World Championship. The addition of a Korean Grand Prix, and return to Canada (subject to contract) means the 2010 Championship will be fought over 19 rounds – two more than this year. The season starts in Bahrain on 14 March and ends in Brazil mid-November:

14 March Bahrain
28 March Australia
4 April Malaysia
18 April China
9 May Spain
23 May Monaco
30 May Turkey
13 June Canada
27 June Europe (Valencia)
11 July Great Britain
25 July Germany
1 August Hungary
29 August Belgium
12 September Italy
26 September Singapore
3 October Japan
17 October Korea
31 October Abu Dhabi
14 November Brazil

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