The Porsche Cayman R has been given the title of Britain’s Best Driver’s Car for 2011 after winning the annual contest run by Autocar magazine.

The comparison test saw eleven of this year’s most exciting new cars up against each other on public road and racetrack to decide which one offers the greatest thrill for its driver.

The eleven cars tested were worth almost £900,000 in total.

The Cayman R’s competition included: McLaren MP4-12C, Mercedes CLS64 AMG, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, Renault Mégane Trophy, Caterham Supersport, Aston Martin Vantage S, Jaguar XKR-S, Lotus Evora S and BMW 1M.

For the six judges from Autocar’s experienced road test team, it was the £51,728 Cayman R’s completeness; steering and ride that made it stand out.

In second place was the Caterham Seven Supersport. Priced at £22,995, the Caterham was also one of the cheapest cars in the contest.

In third place was the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, with the 911 GT3 RS coming fourth this time around.

The £168,500 McLaren MP4-12C only came sixth place in the test, one place behind the Lotus Evora S.

Britain’s Best Driver’s Car judge, and Autocar’s editor, Steve Sutcliffe, said: “The Porsche Cayman R’s steering is about as sweet as it gets and the ride is 150 times better than it has any right to be considering how little body movement there is when you’re really going for it.

“Right now this car is as good as it gets when it comes to pure driver satisfaction. And that’s saying something when the opposition is as good as it is.”

Formula One has seen legends come and go throughout its long history. While some have left at their peak, others have been forced out due to injury. In the latter case, there is nobody more memorable than Robert Kubica.

A fantastic Polish driver, he raced for BMW Sauber between 2006 and 2009 and has continued on in Renault from 2010. While remaining at company, now known as Lotus Renault GP, he had taken to rallying in recent months. During his foray into this new world, he was injured whilst taking part in the national rally in Italy last February.

The incident was so sever that he has had to have several surgeries in order to get back to working condition. His manager Daniel Morelli noted that doctors have taken the drivers condition very seriously and that their work was a total success. The most recent of these operations freed the driver’s right elbow which was previously deliberately frozen so that the arm could rest.

The Lotus Renault team had been quite negatively affected by the drivers absence. Being a driver that was predicted to win the world championship, the incident had put a strain on everyone. The team had to select Nick Heidfeld but unfortunately he was fired. While analysts suggest that his return to F1 this year is wishful thinking, he is an apt candidate for the 2012 season. Unfortunately, if Kubica is indeed interested, the position could also go to Romain Grosjean as well as Vitaly Petrov, both individual who are quite strong drivers.

Morelli noted that Kubica certainly has a future in racing, whether it is in F1 or rallying. He is recovering quickly and hopes to be back on the road relatively soon. While he is certainly not out of trouble just yet, with many more months of battling ahead, there is indeed some light in the tunnel for Kubica as Renault offered him time in the race simulator at Enstone. He was also provided with the 2009 spec F1 car to test out, providing more convincing evidence that the driver might make his way back onto the team.

With tests eagerly scheduled for facilities in Cologne, Kubica is set to make his way back onto the track in the near future. Let us hope he recovers quick and once more continues his racing streak.

There is nothing quite as astonishing as the sound a Formula One car. You can feel that engine rumble in your very bones; a rumble that stays with you well after the race is over. For many of us, that rev that it makes is as beautiful as the most wondrous symphony, and makes the sport one of the most exciting in the world. Beloved by millions, the competition has had a complex and exciting history that has gone through an enormous array of changes. This article will look at its most amazing moments and trace its developments over the past century.

Formula One’s origins are rooted in the ancient Grand Prix Motor Race, a race that seems to be as old as the car itself. Established around a set of strict rules and regulations, the concept of ‘formula’ is a variation on these, providing particular principles for competitors. The principles of Formula one began after the Second World War in 1946 through the new rules established for the Grand Prix. Due to complications with the war as well as organization issues, the first world championship was held in Silverstone in 1950, beginning the sport officially. 

While Giuseppe Farina won the first championship in his Alfa Romeo, defeating Juan Manuel Fangio, Fangio went on to win nearly every single race during the 1950’s, gaining the reputation of being the grand master of the sport. It was in these early beginnings that manufactures like Mercedes, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo rose to prominence due to their racing abilities.

Regulated by 2.5-liter engines, technical developments became the cornerstone of the sport. Design became key, with mid-engine vehicles growing in popularity. In 1962 Lotus introduced a monocoque chassis made from aluminum sheets that gave the mid-engine cars a significant boost. In the 1960’s the vehicle also saw the development of aerofolis to produce as much down force as possible, helping the vehicle gain as more speed.

It was in the 1970’s that Bernie Eccleston, viewed by many as the grandfather of the sport, began to manage the commercial rights, transforming the sport into a huge business venture. Ultimately becoming president, he unified the manner in which the sport was organized and tracks were handled.

It was also during this period that the Federation Internatiale du Sport Automobile, or FISA, rose to prominence, causing a tension with the recently established Formula One Constructors Association that was established by Ecclestone. Resolving the issues in the Concorde Agreement, the partnership created a greater deal of coherency with the sport and organized any changes that had to be made.

The 1980’s saw the rise of turbocharged engines introduced by Renault, producing speeds of 700 bhp. It was also during this period that Lotus developed active suspension in their vehicles and electronic driving aids became elements that became widely used. The systems became perfected and allowed certain drivers, like the legendary Ayrton Senna, to gain a much needed advantage. Other aids like semiautomatic gearboxed as well as traction control rose, but due to complications they ultimately became banned in 1994.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s there were no better teams than McLaren and William, winning championship after championship. The legendary rivalry between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, most recently documented in the film Senna, became stuff of legends as the Senna’s death on the racing track provided to be one of the most remembered moments of the sport. In the 1990’s and 2000s, Ferrari, McLaren, William, as well as Renault became known as the Big Four undefeated victors. Michael Schumacher won race after race, setting records that took others years to break.  

During the 2000’s we saw a great shift in Formula One players, with Honda, BMW, as well as Toyota taking breaks due to economic pressures. The McLaren and Mercedes deals signified merges that would allow the teams to exist. The entrance of RedBull also came as a surprise to many, as it rose to its present day godlike position.

What sets this sport apart form others is the incredibly intricate racing strategy. Firstly competing for a spot on the pole position on a qualifying lap, the race begins with a warm up lap that allows the cars to warm up the tires and allows for development of greater traction. Once on the grid, lights would indicate to go and the vehicles would immediately go as quickly as they could to finish the race faster than anyone else.

The sport is dictated by a special point system that was founded at its very beginning. The winner of the race receives 25 points, 2^nd place 18, and it goes all the way down to the 10^th individual who receives just one. The driver who has the most point at the end of the season becomes the World Champion.

 With circuits found all over the world, there are key features found on each one that remain static. Typically, they have straight roads on the starting grid which would also have a pit lane for drivers to repair their vehicles or fuel up. Layouts can differentiate from here quite drastically, with some being constructed clockwise while others anticlockwise and some even taking places on regular streets, like the famous one in Monaco. New circuits are constantly being built, the newest additions have been Abu Dhabi as well as Singapore, with old classics being used still today. Most of these circuits have accommodation for well over 5000 and can cost quite a pretty penny to attend.

The sport has had an amazingly complex history with a great many innovations that have shaped the technology in our vehicles today. With world class drivers and amazing speeds, the sport is constantly evolving and adapting to its surroundings. With so many different aspects, one hopes that this can be treated as a mere introduction to a sport that is incredibly complex. With a great deal more to find out, search and discover it for yourself, I’m certain that you’ll be even more amazed

This weekend (9/10 July), Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton will compete in the British round of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. It’s fair to say that in some quarters, breath will be baited.

But two weeks later, an even more fabulous spectacle will take place as over 100 Grand Prix cars from six decades of motor racing history will make the rounds at the Silverstone Classic (22-24 July).

Yes, the 2011 Silverstone Classic is set to be the biggest ever gathering of Grand Prix cars. And, seeing as the 100 cars will be in fast and furious race action in six of the weekend’s 22 races, for some this might well be “a date for your diary”.

Eyes may well up with nostalgic tears as they take in such marvels of the 1970s and early 1980s Cosworth DFV engine era. These are the cars made famous by such luminaries as Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi.

Eyebrows will also be raised as we appreciate “just how much things have changes” – for this was also the era when sponsorship began in earnest in Formula 1. Gracing the bodies of these cars are such brands as Marlboro – you’d never find a car endorsing cigarettes today.

Every car on the grid has a history, and some of the key cars are the ex-Mansell Lotus 92 (raced by Roger Wills), the ex-Andretti Lotus 79 (Chris Locke) and the ex-Fittipaldi McLaren M23 (Richard Meins).

Then there’ll be nearly 50 cars competing in the Silverstone Classic Trophy for HGPCA Pre-1966 Rear Engine Grand Prix Cars. These are the sort of jalopies which might once have been described as “marvellous racing machines” – they come from the time following the rear-engine revolution when Cooper and Lotus dared to put the engines in the back of the cars.

This was the era of Jim Clark, Graham Hill and John Surtees and one of the star cars racing at the Silverstone Classic is the Lotus 25 that Clark used to dominate the 1963 World Championship. Nearly 50 years later this famous car is still racing and will be driven by former touring car racer Andy Middlehurst, a self-confessed Clarkophile.

Says event director Nick Wigley: “The line-up of Grand Prix cars for the 2011 Silverstone Classic is nothing short of sensational – we will have more than four times the number of F1 cars than will be racing at the British Grand Prix. Nowhere else can visitors see so many Formula 1 cars racing on one weekend and see the development of Grand Prix cars from 1930 right through into the 1980s. We are very proud to have more than 100 Grand Prix cars ready to compete at the Silverstone Classic.”

Thanks, Nick.

So, if you’ve even a passing interest in Formula 1 history, you’d do well to get yourself front and centre for this year’s Silverstone Classic.

His name is Bond, James Bond, and he drives some of the sexiest and sleekest cars on the planet. From ejecting passenger seats to rocket launches, the sleek arsenal of deadly gadgets pack quite a punch. Engineered by MI6’s Q, they are incredibly versatile and come in many shapes, each better than the last. This is the top 5 list of the best, launching their way into your television and movie screens.

#5- Lotus Esprit

Starting off the list with the car that drive its way into our heart was the Lotus from The Spy Who Loved Me. Nicknamed the Wet Nellie it had one special advantage not previously seen in Q’s cars: it could go under water. Armed with Depth charges, missiles, as well as torpedoes, at a flick of a switch bond activates a car that can dominate any terrain.

#4- Aston Martin Vanquish

Bursting onto the scene in Die Another Day, it was a play on the old Aston that defined the series. Likewise, it pays homage on the inside to the original Aston with ejector seats and rockets. Were it differs however is its cloaking system that makes the car completely invisible as well as, if the environment calls for it, the spiked wheels that allow for greater mobility.

#3- Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Looking and sounding like thunder, rumbling across the road, Bond was well on his way to road domination with this ride. Armed with spiked tyres, missiles, and even the small addition of a laser, this car had it all. When caught in a jam this car even had the added advantage of a rocket engine to leave your enemy in the dust.

#2- BMW 750iL

Combining sport and luxury, in Tomorrow Never Dies we learned that the car not only have inflatable tires as well as the potentially of throwing spikes all over the floor, but it can also be controlled from a mobile phone from the drivers seat. Q specifically chose this vehicle, and indeed the German voice navigation system, to keep Bond safe and fighting on.

#1- Aston Martin DB5

The carmaker that defined the character, there is perhaps no better vehicle that defines Bond like the Aston Martin DB5. First seen driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, before this cars were only used for transportation. Now they are loaded with machine guns, bullet proof glace, ejector seats, and even small refrigerator for that bottle of Champaign. Stuns both gentlemen and ladies alike, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Lotus has donated one its latest Evora models to help police stay one step ahead of criminals and speeding drivers.

With a top speed of 168mph, this is the fastest police car in Britain.

The vehicle, which costs around £50,000, is the first elite sports car to be used by a UK police force.

It is on loan for a two-week trial to a team of officers who will patrol highways in the West Midlands. The supercar will be used on major routes such as the M5, M6 and M42 and the M6 toll road.

PC Angus Nairn said: “It’s a very quick car and we hope it will prove an effective deterrent to anyone thinking of speeding or trying to outrun us.

“It will attract a lot of attention on the motorways but that is the whole idea- it will remind drivers of the need to keep to their speed limits at all times.”

The car is powered by a 280bhp 3.5 litre V6 engine; the car can hit 60mph in less than five seconds.

Last year, the traffic unit used a HGV to see into the cabs of lorries and catch drivers on their phones or laptops at the wheel.

In the past Lotus have loaned out Espirits and Elise models to the police, but the Evora puts Britain’s police force near the top of the European law-enforcement top performance league table.

The Italians claim first place with a specially adapted Lamborghini Gallardo capable of up to 192mph.

But the car which had been taken from a convicted drug dealer was later written off after a careless motorist pulled out in front of it.

Lotus has released teaser photos and details of the new four-seater Lotus Eterne sports GT, due to hit UK showrooms in 2015.

The striking four-door super saloon boasts a 5.0 litre pressure charged V8 petrol engine producing an impressive 620 PS and accelerating from 0-62mph in just 4.0 seconds.

From the outside, the Lotus Eterne features a striking exterior design (inspired by the new Lotus Elite) and weighs just 1,800 kg. In keeping with the rest of the new Lotus line-up, the new Eterne will also benefit from hybrid technology including a hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: “The Eterne is sensational to look and as with the rest of the range it also over delivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, relative lightweight yet still reassuringly solid.”

Production on the new Lotus Eterne starts early 2015 and is due to hit UK showrooms in Spring 2015. Prices start from around £120,000.