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If we were to guess what current crossover utility vehicle would be the most likely basis on which to build the “world’s quickest CUV,” we might not have picked the Toyota C-HR. But that was the goal for the C-HR R-Tuned, which Toyota claims has turned in a faster lap time at Willow Springs International Raceway’s Big Willow track than a McLaren 650S Spider.
The R-Tuned was introduced at the 2017 SEMA show in Las Vegas. It retains the stock version’s powertrain layout, with a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, but little else. In place of the standard 2.0-liter engine is a 2.4-liter to which is bolted a Garrett turbo running 23.0 psi of boost. It’s fortified with forged pistons and connecting rods, stainless-steel intake valves, Inconel exhaust valves, race bearings, and racing valve springs, among other bits.
You probably won’t be surprised to learn that the stock C-HR’s continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) did not make the cut; it is replaced with a five-speed manual transmission. It uses a Centerforce clutch and flywheel, while the front axle gets an OS Giken Super Lock limited-slip differential. Brakes by Brembo feature four-piston billet-aluminum monoblock racing calipers.
A new suspension includes remote-reservoir coil-over dampers, racing springs, adjustable rear camber arms, and a three-way-adjustable rear anti-roll bar.
The most obvious body mod is the towering rear wing with a Gurney flap, along with a front splitter and a vented carbon-fiber hood. Eighteen-inch wheels are wrapped with 275/35R-18 Toyo Proxes RR tires.
An eight-point roll cage and six-point harnesses are fitted into the stripped-out interior.
The result of all the mods is “beyond” 600 horsepower, a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of 2.9 seconds, and 1.70 g of lateral acceleration. (That’s against 11.0 seconds to 60 mph and 0.81 g in our testing of the factory version.) Oh, and the car’s 1:25.22 lap time at Willow? It not only beats the McLaren, but also the best times posted to fastestlaps.com (Toyota’s source for its info) for the Nissan GT-R and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
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As the top trim levels of the Mini Cooper hardtop, the Cooper convertible,the Cooper Clubman, and the Cooper Countryman, Mini’s sporty John Cooper Works models are the Minis with the mostest. They get the most luxury features, the boldest styling, the most aggressive wheels and tires, and the most powerful mill Mini makes: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that has been goosed to 228 horsepower and between 238 and 258 lb-ft of torque. Thing is, each one costs a bloody fortune, at least compared to their Cooper S counterparts—adding between $5600 and $7450 to their prices. Toss in some popular options and the JCW’s prices can rise well into the $40K range. Ain’t nothing mini about that.
For the last several years, Mini has made some performance accessories available on the Mini hardtops and convertibles to help bridge the power and price gap between the S and JCW models. These John Cooper Works tuning kits include software upgrades and all-new exhaust systems to help boost power and make sexy sounds while they’re at it. Now, for the first time, Mini has developed John Cooper Works tuning kits for the larger Clubman and Countryman models—the S versions, specifically.
As with the JCW kits for the hardtop and convertible Coopers, the JCW kits for the Clubman S and Countryman S include new low-back-pressure exhaust systems as well as engine software tweaks that unlock additional power. Mini says the new kit raises horsepower from 189 to 208 ponies at 6000 rpm while boosting torque from 207 to 221 lb-ft between 1350 and 4600 rpm. Note that these packages don’t include any JCW styling or chassis components, so they don’t bring the S models up to full JCW specification.
The kit’s exhaust plumbing is mostly stainless steel, with dual tips available in chrome or carbon fiber. Incidentally, Mini specifies that the two-mode Bluetooth-enabled exhaust system’s Sport mode is approved for “unrestricted use on public roads” while the Sport+ mode is “designed for use on the race track,” though we expect that most people willing to shell out $1950 for these JCW kits are not going to want to wait until a track day to enjoy the newfound sound at full volume.
The new John Cooper Works tuning kit goes on sale in January and is compatible on front-wheel-drive or All4 (all-wheel drive) 2018 Clubman S and Countryman S models.
BMW is marking three decades of M3 sales in the U.S. with the M3 30 Years American Edition. Designed by BMW’s Designworks team and built by the brand’s Individual service, the 30 Years American Edition was unveiled at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas and will be limited to a single production unit.
Equipped with the M3 Competition Package’s 444-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, the 30 Years American Edition sports a six-speed manual transmission and features a host of unique touches. Among them are a coat of Frozen Red II metallic paint; split-spoke wheels measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear; a massive, carbon-fiber rear wing; a special rear-window graphic; and a carbon-fiber roof that’s been emblazoned with the M division’s red, blue, and purple stripes. A set of adjustable springs lower the car by 0.2 to 0.8 inches. Meanwhile, an M Performance exhaust system gives the 30 Years American Edition a wail as distinct as its looks.
Inside, the bespoke BMW lives up to its billing thanks to seats and door panels upholstered in a combination of red, white, and blue leather, with contrasting red, white, and blue stitching. Additionally, the front seats include an American flag motif on each headrest, while the front seat shells are done in a vibrant blue hue.
The 2018 BMW M3 30 Years American Edition will be offered for sale shortly after the conclusion of the SEMA show and will wear a price tag of $129,630, or $58,385 more than a standard M3 equipped with the Competition package. Like freedom, is seems, custom BMWs come at a cost.
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