Octane March 2023

HAD AN EXCHANGE with someone the other day who was adamant that the modern incarnation of Bugatti bears so little relation to the original that it shouldn’t be allowed to exist, whether under the guardianship of Romano Artioli, VAG, Rimac or anyone else. That made me wonder how few of the current motor manufacturers would exist (or how long any of the now-defunct British marques would have lasted) if you applied the same criteria to them. Then it made me realise that, even ignoring a few interim attempts to revive the dormant brand, Bugatti in its modern guise has been alive and kicking (with gaps) for longer than the original family-run business was moribund after fizzling out in 1952. Indeed, modern Bugatti has now been churning out road cars for only…

STEPHEN ARCHER ‘To drive one of the most powerful road cars ever made is not something that I will forget. Bugatti’s Centodieci puts the whole trajectory of the motor car in fresh perspective. However insane it may be, it will be looked back upon as an automotive pinnacle.’ Exactly how insane? See pages 50-61. GF WILLIAMS ‘By total coincidence I have known the owner of the Observer BMW 6-series for more than ten years, after I photographed his Noble M600. Fair to say he has eclectic tastes! The BMW is certainly an interesting car, with its unusual opening roof – and it’s unique, as the only one made.’ Find out more on pages 82-90. JONNY FLEETWOOD ‘I have a soft spot for classic American cars: they are what got me started in the…

Le Jog, 3-6 December There were six gold medal winners in the 2022 running of what is touted as the UK’s toughest endurance rally, after 49 crews from 13 different countries left Land’s End at dawn and headed to John O’Groats via a diabolical route exploring the best of Britain’s back-roads. Before arriving at the northernmost tip of Scotland, the teams covered 1300 miles and tackled 33 regularities and 17 tests. Entries ranged in age from Bill Cleyndert’s 1925 Bentley to Norbert Echle’s 1990 Audi 80.…

29 January Japanese January Bicester Heritage holds its first themed car gathering of 2023. Entry is free for paying members of Bicester’s ‘Scramblers’ club, and tickets for everybody else cost just a fiver. bicesterheritage.co.uk 1-5 February Rétromobile Attractions at the Paris show this year will include the prototype Countach, painstakingly recreated by Lamborghini; and a display of classic French police vehicles provided by the Musée de la Gendarmerie Nationale.  retromobile.com 3-5 February Bremen Classic Motor Show All eras and most marques are represented at the Bremen show, which is attended by more than 700 exhibitors. classicmotorshow.de 4 February Concours in the Hills Held in aid of a local children’s hospital, this relaxed concours in Fountain Hills, Arizona, draws a wide range of classics.  concoursinthehills.org 4-10 February The WinterTrial Pre-1986 cars…

WE’RE ENTERING A GOLDEN era for the restomod scene. Although improved and reimagined classics are not a new idea, 2022 saw the concept applied to an increasingly diverse set of cars, from Prodrive’s ‘ultimate Impreza’ P25 to Tolman Motorsport’s subtly upgraded Peugeot 205 GTI (see column). Now we have the Maturo Stradale, a 400bhp re-engineered Lancia Delta Integrale. Some will cry sacrilege, but the original Delta Integrale could well be the ideal base for a restomod project. It’s an undisputed icon, and a certified Group A rally champion, yet the build quality and durability of the standard road cars – especially the Evos – left a lot to be desired. That’s certainly the thinking of Maturo. This Dutch company has many decades of rallying experience with the Integrale, which means…

KIMERA EVO37 Another Lancia, this time a reimagining of the 037 Stradale. It’s based on a Montecarlo but is an almost completely new car, with tubular frames at the front and rear – just like the 037. The engine is inspired by the Delta S4’s, featuring a Volumex supercharger as well as a large Garrett turbocharger, with up to 505bhp on tap. PRODRIVE P25 ‘Official’ reworking of the 22B, packing 400bhp via a 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four in a bespoke carbonfibre body with styling overseen by Peter Stevens. For full WRC thrills, it’s being built with a six-speed sequential gearbox, anti-lag and launch control. Even with a £460,000 price tag, all 25 sold in just three days. FIORAVANTI TESTAROSSA The only exterior change from the TR is staggered 17- and 18in…