New Livery For Flying Lizard Porsche GT4
Flying Lizard Motorsports will debut a new livery for its No. 21 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport in this weekend鈥檚 Pirelli GT4 America Sprint race at Long Beach. The California-based team鈥檚 GT4 class contender was delivered just days prior to the season-opener at Circuit of The Americas last month, resulting in a temporary white color scheme in the first two weekends of the season. It is one of 21 cars on the entry list for Sunday鈥檚 50-minute race. 鈥淲e always love coming to Long Beach,鈥?said program manager Darren Law. 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to be able to drive down the coast from our Sonoma shops and race in front of our California fans. 鈥淚t鈥檚 Michael鈥檚 first time on the circuit, and we鈥檙e looking forward to the warm welcome our fans will give him. John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365 as well as the recently launched e-racing365 Web site for electric racing.
The Vauxhall Astra has long been a high-performing regular fixture at the top of car sales charts, but it hasn't always had the substance to back up its popularity. That's all changed now, as the latest model has undergone a thorough overhaul and has consequently risen up the family hatchback ranks with its great blend of style, space, low running costs and kit list. Looks have always been on the Astra's side, and the current car is no different. With sharp lines, distinctive lights and an athletic stance, the Astra certainly looks the part. It's the same story on the inside, too. There's plenty of high-quality plastics and leather trim on the steering wheel and gearlever, plus an attractive dash design, incorporating a large touchscreen. There's plenty of room in the Astra and it's easy to get comfortable, while the boot is a decent size making it ideal for use as a family car. On the road, the Astra drives superbly, with a composed and compliant ride and good steering feedback. The engine range is comprehensive, and Vauxhall's latest raft of efficient diesel engines are impressive.
The Astra has the substance to back up the style, meaning it well and truly deserves its place in our best hatchbacks list. The fourth generation Renault Megane, which arrived in 2016, is a serious contender in the hatchback class. It blends practicality, space, efficiency and comfort in a quality package. The car boasts a selection of familiar petrol and diesel engines, a wide range of trim levels and looks good, with the brand鈥檚 distinctive diamond logo flanked by a pair of headlamps and the now-recognisable C-shaped LED running lights. The rear has eye-catching LED tail-lamps running almost the whole width of the bootlid. Inside, the dash is modern and clutter free, while the 8.7-inch R-Link 2 Infotainment screen (an optional extra) groups together the sat-nav, driving modes and stereo controls in one clear display. It鈥檚 behind the wheel where the Megane is most attractive though as even a short drive is enough to know the Renault engineers have focused on comfort and refinement. The car rides well, noise levels are low and the range of engines offer impressive power delivery - although lower-powered models can feel a little lethargic at lower revs.
All in all the Megane is an impressive addition to this list and definitely worth considering. The Honda Civic has a history as long as the VW Golf, and over that time it has grown from a supermini to a full-size hatch. The latest model is the tenth generation, and it features arguably the most radical looks yet, and that's saying something after the space age Mk8. There's almost a coupe-like profile to the car, while the angular panels mean the Civic still stands alone in the hatch class with its unique looks. While the looks are a step on from the last model, interior space is just as good. Honda's patented Magic Seats are no more, but the boot still has plenty of room, and passenger space is good, too. Even better is the way the Civic drives. It has plenty of grip and corners keenly, while the engine line-up (both petrol and diesel available) delivers a decent mix of performance and economy.