NEWS2 | MotorBar

Lucky Soul release
the title track of their
new album — as
a free download...

LUCKY SOUL have released the "glorious" (Independent On Sunday) title track from their much-awaited second album, A Coming of Age.

Following on from the success of The Great Unwanted, Lucky Soul have been building towards this new release for three years.

A Coming of Age (due April 19th) is a lyrically dark, sonically dramatic Bond-theme-in-waiting, influenced by Scott Walker, Edif Piaf and brutal loss of innocence in equal measure.

For those of you who like your music live, Lucky Soul will play an album launch show in London (Cargo) on April 19th — check out bit.ly/Ticket_Web_Lucky_Soul.

And having just been confirmed for Brighton's Great Escape Festival, a full UK and European tour will be announced shortly.

Lucky Soul's next single — an official release of bloggers' and radio fave Woah Billy! — will hit stores on April 12th.

Click here for your free download.

Fast, clean and sharper than ever: New Polo GTI...

THE NEW VW POLO GTI has been unveiled, promising to be the fastest, most focussed and cleanest performance Polo yet produced.

The original performance variant of the Polo was unveiled in 1986 in the form of the G40 Coupé — a car that mixed a fast-revving, 111bhp, supercharged engine with a low kerbweight and sharpened responses.

Fast forward 24 years and the new Polo GTI bears similarities with the G40. At its heart is a 1.4-litre TSI engine that uses a supercharger from idle through to 3,000rpm at which point the turbocharger cuts in to provide boost.

The result is an output of 177bhp at 6,200rpm and 184lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm which, when aligned with a 1,184 kg kerbweight, allows the Polo GTI to accelerate from rest to 62mph in 6.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 142mph.

Despite a keen focus on performance, the new Polo GTI is capable of delivering 47mpg on the combined cycle while emitting just 139g/km of CO2.

The TSI engine is linked to a compact seven-speed, twin-clutch DSG gearbox that channels drive through the front axle. In addition, the Polo GTI is fitted with the XDS differential, an electronic cross-axle traction control system for improved traction and handling. The XDS system is a functional extension of the electronic limited slip differential (EDL) which is a part of the standard ESP system.

In order to sharpen responses, the Polo GTI is fitted with new springs and dampers which results in a 15mm lower ride height than the conventional Polo.

Like its Golf GTI sibling, the Polo GTI features significant aesthetic changes. A new front bumper featuring a deep airdam is joined by a honeycomb grille element with horizontal red strips and a simple GTI badge. New headlight units (complete with the option of LED running lights) lend the Polo GTI an imposing new look.

Further back, a subtle sill extension wraps around the lower edge of the body while at the back a new rear bumper features a small diffuser and a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts. The Polo badge is replaced by a simple 'GTI' version. Finally, a set of 17-inch wheels identical to those fitted to the Golf GTI are fitted along with a set of red brake callipers.

The changes continue inside the Polo GTI with revised dials, a new, flat-bottomed GTI steering wheel complete with small gearshift paddles and contrasting red stitching, aluminium pedals and new, heavily-bolstered front sports seats finished in tartan trim. Subtle gloss black trim covers the centre console while the headlining is now finished in black.

The new Polo GTI is due to arrive in the UK in the summer at which point pricing and specification will be announced.

Citroën is unleashing a hot new DS3 at the Geneva Motor Show —
the limited edition 200hp DS3 Racing...

DEVELOPED BY CITROËN RACING — the winning team behind five WRC manufacturer's titles and six driver's titles for Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena — DS3 Racing is a special edition with a 100% sporting pedigree. Planned for the second half of 2010, the exclusive DS3 Racing will be limited to just 1,000 production units.

With integrated carbon-trimmed components and specialist motorsports equipment, DS3 Racing's tuned and turbocharged 1.6-litre THP 150 engine develops 200hp — a power increase of almost 30% over the standard unit — with a torque increase of 15% from 240Nm to 275Nm.

Citroen DS3 Racing

To achieve the additional power output, from 156hp to 200hp, Citroën Racing's engineers modified and optimised the powertrain components, tuned the performance of the turbo and adjusted the mapping of the engine control unit. A special tailpipe and muffler were also added.

Allowing DS3 Racing to stick to the road, the car has undergone some significant sporting enhancements. The steering has been made even more precise, with the control system modified for the new tyres. The fitment of stiffer suspension springs, adapted front and rear shock absorbers (to handle the increased power), and the widening of the front and rear tracks by 30mm — plus lowering the car by 15mm — all dramatically improve the driving dynamics.

These important developments reinforce both the stability and dynamic control of the car, and enhance the feedback between the road and the driver.

The braking system has also been uprated to ensure control over the car's additional horsepower. The front wheels get 4-piston racing callipers and special disc-brakes — with drilled discs at the rear. For better control, the ESP has been adapted to complement the sportier handling, but can be disengaged according to the driver's preference.

The preview model, to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show, is in a special livery and features sporty 'DS3', 'Citroën Racing' and chequered flag graphics on the roof, in front of the rear wheel arches, under the side mirrors and next to the fuel cap.

Measuring 3.94m long, DS3 Racing's dark grey body is tastefully contrasted with a vibrant, bright orange-coloured roof, side mirrors and brake callipers. The alloy wheels and front grille surround — with integrated chevrons — are finished in orange chrome.

A sporty carbon finish is used around the front bumper, lower body trim and wing extensions, whilst large 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome door handles and a chrome-finished exhaust complete the dynamic styling.

Inside the cabin, smart carbon trim adorns the dashboard, centre console, steering wheel embellisher, armrests and door side mouldings. The vibrant orange bodywork and decals continue into the cabin with the glossy strip of the dash, gear stick and gear stick surround finished in the same bright tone. The sporty, figure-hugging seats are also touched with orange elements and are embossed with 'Citroën Racing'.

A DS3 Racing signature on the rear tailgate and an individually-numbered identification plate fixed to the roof-lining further confirm the model's exclusivity.

On the road, DS3 Racing's WRC pedigree is evident. Benefiting from Citroën's extensive knowledge of racing dynamics, a carbon-finished air diffuser stabilises the car at high speeds, whilst the chassis and suspension have been adapted to provide even more precision, control, sportier handling and swifter cornering.

Based on the existing DSport powered by the THP 150, production Citroën DS3 Racing editions will be finished in a special workshop and fitted with a parts kit developed according to Citroën Racing specifications.

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