By Antonio Alvendia

Antonio Alvendia

Set in the beautiful country lanes of Princes Risborough, the Kop Hill Hillclimb is one of the oldest hill climbs in England. During the early 1900s it was one of the largest motorsport events in the UK. The hill itself is a pretty straight road, but it’s over 1000 metres long to the summit and rises to 100 metres high. Big crowds would line the edges of the road to watch drivers and motorcyclists try to achieve the fastest times and speeds up the hill. Unfortunately, as the speeds got faster, so did the risks, and on the 28th of March 1925 an accident involving a spectator led to the end of the original Kop Hill event and led to the RAC banning all motorsports on public roads.

On the 26th and 27th of September, organisers decided to do a Kop Hill Commemorative Run to bring the sounds and sights and even smells (mmm, Castrol R) back to Kop Hill again. Over 250 cars and bikes were there, ranging in age from the 1900s right up to 1980s and even some very special modern cars (which no doubt require the owners to compare car insurance carefully). Continue reading and view more photos on MotorMavens!

By Ben Schaffer

The Real JDM

Josh Cloud just sent me a great rendering he recently completed of a Gran Turismo 5 inspired Lotus Exige GT1. I thought you’d all enjoy his rendering, so here it is!

By Fireball Tim

Movie Car Design Master

So, off I went to San Francisco to check out a new club. This one is called Club Sportiva. Join this one and you get to do INSANE DRIVING!!!!!!

Pricey for sure, but we aren’t drivin’ Pintos. In this episode of “World of Cars,” I’m screamin’ the best of the best. Serious machines through the streets of San Fran. And taking a Lambo down Haight Street yelling “Down with corporate greed!” made it a day worth remembering.

If you can’t buy an exotic, DO THIS.

By Sam Barer

Sound Classics

The “Sound Classics” team had a great time up at the All-British Field Meet in Vancouver, B.C. There were hundreds of great classics.

In this video report, you’ll see my personal pick for the best car at the show and the one I’d want to take home. Watch the video and tell me if you agree!

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Maybe I’ve just always driven old original paint junk, but I don’t get the whole fear of rock chips thing.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

When I saw the styling of the 2010 Lotus Evora, I wasn’t thrilled. In fact, I was nauseated. Since the Elise and the Exige are such magnificently sexy cars, I was expecting the new 2+2 to be hotter than Hell in August. And the Evora is not. Even though my head nearly sticks out the top of the track-ready Elise, I’d happily drive one every day. Maybe I’m just turned off by the idea of a “civilized” Lotus? In my opinion, they should be small and sparse and not have radios—what’s the point of adding leather and another two seats? But you know what they say about opinions… Watch this first drive and form yours.

By John Coyle

Deputy Editor

During a spec series, drivers really get a chance to demonstrate their skills. And in this clip from a Lotus Trophy Race, Aussie motor journalist Dean Evans proves he knows what the hell he’s doing. Big time. After starting way at the back of the grid, this maestro proceeds to rip through the pack like the other machines are parked, and it’s just magnificent to behold. Watch for the part where he passes three cars in one fell swoop.

By Brian Lohnes

BangShift.com

Here in the USA, the factory race cars that got the big headlines back in the 1960s were mostly the drag-package cars. Relatively stripped down and bolstered with equipment to aid in straight-line acceleration, they were the pieces to have for the demanding performance driver. Over in Europe, the racing favored the road course rather than the drag strip. Seeing an opportunity to sell some cars and boost their performance image, Ford teamed with Lotus to produce one of the hottest little cars of the 1960s: the Lotus Cortina.

The program started when Ford approached Lotus after hearing that it was working on a twin-cam version of the venerable Kent four-banger. That engine was a stalwart powerplant for Ford in its small European cars, and had the good architecture to benefit from a better breathing cylinder head and other performance upgrades. Ford came to Lotus and wanted to have enough of the hotter engines installed into the Cortinas to qualify them for competition in FIA Group Two competition. Continue reading at BangShift.com

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Lotus and Harman International have decided to collaborate to develop Active Noise Control. Sounds kind of corny until you realize that the noise cancellation technologies can save a lot of weight—no need for a bunch of sound deadening material! Full press release after the jump. Via Autoblog

Continue reading "What's Next: Active Noise Control" »

By Ron Honig

WaytooFurious

There’s not a lot that I can say about Lotus. They make great cars, and if you are into pocket rockets, they are sure to have something that will give you a thrill. The Lotus stand at the Motor Show was great. I just wish I could have gotten closer as it was fenced up to keep people like me out. More pics after the jump.

Continue reading "Lotus at the Melbourne Motor Show" »