All posts by Francis Mitterrand

Alpine has unveiled a competition-spec evolution of its upcoming A290 electric hot hatch — the A290 Rallye — purpose-built to take on the rigors of stage rallying and set to debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Based on the retro-inspired Renault 5 platform, the A290 Rallye takes the standard EV’s playful urban spirit and transforms it into a hardcore rally contender. Priced from €59,990 (around £52,000 excluding VAT), this motorsport-ready machine is more than just a visual makeover — it’s a comprehensive performance overhaul.

Gone is the everyday usability of the road-going model. In its place: a stripped-out cabin, bucket seats, a full roll cage, and essential rally controls. This weight-saving approach is paired with a host of mechanical upgrades aimed at turning the front-wheel-drive A290 into a serious rally weapon.

Under the skin, the A290 Rallye retains its 217 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, but power delivery has been refined with a limited-slip differential, new reduction gearing, and updated control software for optimal traction across loose surfaces.

To heighten the sensory spectacle for fans lining the stages, Alpine has also fitted an external speaker — a novel solution for the otherwise near-silent electric drivetrain. The result: instant torque meets audible drama.

Braking performance has received special attention, with the front discs increased to 350mm (up from 320mm) and paired with six-piston calipers. Interestingly, the rear discs are slightly smaller than the standard model’s, now measuring 280mm, further fine-tuning the car’s braking balance for stage driving. A hydraulic handbrake has been added as well — a must-have for tight hairpins and aggressive cornering.

The A290 Rallye rides on rugged ALP Racing Suspension dampers, tailored to absorb the punishment of gravel and tarmac alike. Completing the setup are 18-inch Evo Corse wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport A tires, ensuring maximum grip and durability.

Alpine’s ambitions for the A290 Rallye go beyond a one-off showpiece. The brand plans to launch a one-make rally series, offering factory support and charging infrastructure to participating teams — a bold move that signals Alpine’s commitment to carving out a future for electric motorsport.

As the A290 Rallye prepares to tackle the famous Goodwood hillclimb, it does so as a symbol of Alpine’s electric reinvention — combining heritage, innovation, and raw rally DNA in one fiercely compact package.

Source: Alpine

News

Ariel Atom 4RR: 25 Years of Raw, Open-Wheel Madness Reach Their Peak

July 3, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

Ariel has never been a brand to chase trends or polish edges. Its Atom — essentially an engine strapped to scaffolding and speed — has become one of Britain’s most recognizable icons of unfiltered performance. Now, on its 25th anniversary, Ariel has unveiled its most extreme creation yet: the Atom 4RR.

Limited to just 25 examples, the 4RR is a celebration of a quarter-century of minimalist, track-bred brilliance. But this isn’t just a commemorative paint job and a numbered plaque. No, the 4RR is a howling, turbocharged evolution built to scare supercars — and possibly its own driver.

At its heart is an uprated Honda-sourced four-cylinder engine producing a staggering 525 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, all sent to the rear wheels. That comfortably surpasses even the lunatic Atom V8 of 2011, which wrung 475 hp from its 3.0-litre motor. It’s also a seismic leap beyond the standard Atom 4R, which already pushed boundaries with its 400 hp output and 0–62mph time of just 2.7 seconds.

While Ariel has yet to reveal exact performance figures for the 4RR, its expected kerb weight of just 680kg gives it a power-to-weight ratio of 770 hp per tonne. That’s edging into hypercar territory — and could potentially drop the 0–62mph time below the 2.5-second mark. If that proves accurate, the 4RR would be among the quickest-accelerating combustion cars ever produced in Britain.

But the 4RR isn’t just a numbers car. It’s designed with a specific mission: to let the most serious track-day warriors “explore the limits” of Ariel’s spaceframe racer. That means suspension, aerodynamics, and driver feedback have all been meticulously tuned for maximum performance on circuit.

Despite the performance gains, the Atom remains unmistakably an Atom. The skeletal spaceframe — a visual homage to Ariel’s original 1999 car — still dominates the design, with only the essentials onboard. While the Atom has evolved over four generations, its core identity has never wavered. From the 120 hp Rover K-series in the original, to the supercharged 275 hp Atom 2, the 300 hp Atom 3 with its new chassis and aero, and the ballistic V8, Ariel has consistently pursued one goal: purity of performance.

Today’s fourth-generation Atom, introduced with the Atom 4, retains only the fuel filler cap, steering wheel, and pedals from its predecessor. Everything else has been overhauled — turbocharging is now standard, and even in base form it delivers 320 hp.

Full technical specifications for the 4RR will be released later this year, but one thing is already certain: this is the most radical Atom yet. With just 25 being built to order, the 4RR isn’t just a celebration — it’s a full-throttle tribute to 25 years of doing things the Ariel way: brutally, brilliantly, and with nothing in the way of raw speed.

Source: Ariel

Hybrid

2026 BYD Denza B5 Plug-in Hybrid SUV

July 3, 2025 Francis Mitterrand

BYD is mounting an ambitious assault on the UK’s premium off-road market with the new B5 – a ladder-framed plug-in hybrid SUV that aims to challenge the Land Rover Defender not just in capability, but in power and luxury, too.

Known as the Bao 5 in its native China, the rugged 4×4 is being readied for a UK launch in 2026 under the Denza brand – a premium offshoot of BYD that originated as a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz. At its core, the B5 combines serious off-road hardware with electrified muscle, setting the stage for one of the boldest entries into the British SUV segment in recent memory.

The B5 will debut on UK soil next week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, appearing alongside the equally striking Denza Z9 GT shooting brake and the luxurious D9 MPV, as part of BYD’s expanding electrified offensive.

Supercar Power Meets Hardcore Engineering

Underpinning the B5 is BYD’s robust DMO Super-Hybrid Off-Road platform – a ladder-frame chassis designed specifically for tackling tough terrain. But the real fireworks come from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual electric motors, delivering a jaw-dropping 677 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque. That output eclipses even the mighty Defender V8 Octa, putting the B5 squarely into super-SUV territory.

Despite its performance credentials, the B5 still promises eco-conscious credentials thanks to a 31.8kWh structural battery, allowing for a claimed EV range of up to 78 miles on China’s CLTC cycle – likely translating to around 50 miles under WLTP testing. That figure alone places it among the top plug-in hybrid SUVs for zero-emissions driving.

Built for Britain’s Big SUV Love Affair

Speaking at last year’s Festival of Speed, BYD president Stella Li expressed confidence in the UK market’s appetite for high-end, off-road-capable SUVs.

“In the UK, the roads are narrow but we love these big SUV off-road cars, so Fangchengbao will be here,” she said.

With that insight, BYD’s decision to launch Fangchengbao models like the B5 under the Denza brand in the UK makes strategic sense. Denza is positioned to attract buyers drawn to brands like Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW, but who may be tempted by BYD’s fusion of electrification, performance and technology – often at a more compelling price point.

Denza: The New Premium Player

The B5’s arrival will coincide with Denza’s broader UK debut. The Z9 GT, a sleek PHEV shooting brake with grand tourer ambitions, will join the lineup alongside the D9, a high-end MPV aimed squarely at the likes of the Lexus LM. BYD’s increasing focus on hybrids reflects a wider market shift, as EV adoption in Europe shows signs of softening.

Also in the pipeline is the Seal 06, a PHEV estate/saloon hybrid that targets the BMW 3 Series, broadening BYD’s appeal to buyers seeking performance with efficiency – and no charging anxiety.

Source: BYD

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