Just Cars

Ford has announced performance figures for the upcoming seventh-generation (S650) Mustang, with the good news that there are horsepower increases across the board and new benchmarks claimed for both available engine options. On top of this, the all-new Mustang ‘Dark Horse’ variant will feature the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine ever offered in a production Mustang. Announced in mid-December, the horsepower figures for the 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 and 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engines follow initial details on the MY24 Mustang range that were released in September. More details will follow ahead of the North American release of the seventh-generation Mustang midway through 2023 (possibly June), with an Australian release likely - but not confirmed - before the end of this year. MUSTANG GT 5.0 V8 “Mustang has always pushed the envelope,” said Ed…

British sportscar specialist Caterham Cars turns 50 in 2023, which is a major achievement for any automotive manufacturer, let alone one so niche. To celebrate the occasion, a series of events are planned this year, culminating in a Golden Anniversary track day at the UK’s Donington Park circuit in September. Before it was a manufacturer, Caterham Cars was an agent for Lotus, based in Caterham, Surrey. Their success with selling Lotuses, particularly the Seven sports roadster, saw the firm become the UK’s sole distributor, When Lotus looked to discontinue Seven production in the early 1970s, Caterham’s Graham Nearn struck a deal to buy the rights to the Seven name and all the related manufacturing equipment. That deal, completed in June, 1973, saw Seven production continue under the Caterham name from 1974, starting with…

Petrolheads young and old are mourning the passing of Ken Block, who was killed in a snowmobile accident near his ranch in Utah on 2 January. Best known to many for his series of ‘gymkhana’ videos on YouTube that saw the American thrash road and rally cars around various environments, Block’s sale of his stake in the DC Shoes footwear brand he co-founded in 1994 funded a career in motorsport, specifically rallying. Starting at the national level with the Rally America series in 2005, Block won 16 events and finished runner-up in that championship on three occasions. His first experience of the WRC was in 2007 and he would compete sporadically in that championship until 2018, by which time he’d founded his own team, Hoonigan Racing. At the same time, Block was competing…

Shannons’ major competition for 2023 includes entry to the event that should be on every automotive enthusiast’s bucket list – the Goodwood Revival in the UK. One of the world’s most popular motoring and motorsport meetings, the Goodwood Revival is an annual event that celebrates the 1948-1966 period when the Goodwood Circuit – on the estate of Goodwood House in West Sussex - was actively used for competition. With that time period in mind, all the competing cars in the Revival come from come from that era, with a bit of earlier WWII flavour mixed in. The period theme includes support vehicles and officials’ clothing, with drivers and spectators encouraged to dress in period clothes, too. First held in 1998, the Revival has attracted dozens of famous drivers and riders in the 24…

Six years after it was introduced, Kia’s Stinger sedan is near its end, but it will be farewelled with a ‘Tribute Edition’ that features a new exterior colour option and unique interior trim. Along with similar models from other manufacturers, it seems the Stinger is a victim of the demand for SUVs and the move toward electrification. Kia has yet to say specifically when Stinger production will end, but the announcement of the Tribute Edition last December makes continuation beyond 2023 unlikely. “The Stinger Tribute Edition denotes an important chapter in the story of Kia’s high-performance ethos. Featuring an exclusive color and interior trim never before seen on the sedan, it also serves as a fitting celebration of the Stinger’s contribution to the Kia brand,” said Chang Sung Ryu, Senior VP and…

Ford have announced that production of their third-generation GT supercar will end soon, but not before a special ‘MkIV’ track-only version is built, offering more performance than the roadgoing version, as well as any other GT released previously. Announced on 9 December, the MkIV will be the final track-specific variant of the GT that Ford and its partners will produce, following in the wheeltracks of the last roadgoing version; the GT LM Edition that was announced in October. The upcoming MkIV takes its name from the variant of the GT40, Ford’s original supercar, that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1967 with A.J. Foyt and Dan Gurney behind the wheel. “The original GT MkIV held nothing back for max track performance, and the new Ford GT MkIV brings it in the…