2013 Montes Urban MSR
Performance - ★★★★
The MSR version of the Urban has a 2.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with 290 bhp @ 7800 rpm and 224 lb-ft @ 5700 rpm. This does mean that it takes quite a while before the turbo begins to spool and kick in, which means performance low down feels like a normal 2.0-litre engine. When cruising along it is more than powerful enough, however if you decide you want to make an overtaking maneuver you will need to change down until you have the revs high enough to get the turbo spooling. This also means that the engine can be a bit unresponsive. When flooring the car though, it feels like an absolute monster. 0-62 mph happens in a supercar rivaling 4.1 seconds and the top speed is 158 mph. We think the car could do so much more than this as when testing we discovered that the car was still pulling strong beyond 150 mph, but the gearing is too short. The engine is also extremely smooth.
Ride Comfort - ★★
The MSR's ride comfort is even harsher than the standard version, as expected. At low speeds the car transmits every single bump and imperfection in the road surface straight to the car making it feel fidgety. Worst of all, after long periods of time not only does it become uncomfortable but it also becomes tiring being jiggled about inside the car continuously. As speeds increase the car does begin to calm down a bit, but even at motorway speeds it still continues to fidget about somewhat over poorer surfaces and only really calms down properly when on smooth roads. Over big bumps there is a big jolt and a thud, but at least the car takes next to no time to settle down after going over the bump. As a plus, the car doesn't roll going around corners and the extremely smooth engine makes the drive more pleasing.
Handling - ★★★★
The Montes Urban MSR's handling is much improved over the standard version of the MSR however it still seems to be missing some ability. The tyres on this version are wider but nowhere near as wide as those on its rivals, yet it still manages to have a lot of grip. The steering is all correctly weighted and gives enough feel and feedback as well. The firm suspension does help, as mentioned previously, to keep the car pretty much dead flat around corners and also to keep the car stable, but on poor surfaces it can upset the way it handles quite a lot. The car has an awful lot of cornering potential, but it is ruined somewhat by the amount of driver assists preventing you from taking it too far.
Refinement - ★★
The Montes Urban's main flaw was the refinement and on the Urban MSR it is even worse. Yes, it is nice that you can hear the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine roaring and whistling when you want to, but when cruising at motorway speeds at 3500-4000 rpm it can be quite annoying hearing the engine rumbling. Thankfully, the engine is reasonably quiet. Wind and road noise is even more vocal in this version of the car and it begins to intrude when driving through villages and it doesn't even need to be on poor surfaces. When at motorway speed the car fills with the sound of roaring wind and tyres on tarmac.
Equipment - ★★★
The Montes Urban MSR is exactly the same as the Montes Urban when it comes to equipment. There is what you expect there to be in a hatchback but no more than that, but it does come with a lot of safety equipment and driver assists.
Quality - ★★★
The interior in the MSR version is pretty much the same as in the standard one but with some extra sporty touches. The interior doesn't look particularly special and the materials used aren't exactly what you call posh, but they are reasonable enough.
Reliability - ★★★★
The Montes Urban MSR remains pretty much as reliable as the standard version. The electonics in this car are exactly the same as those in the normal version, so it is expected that they are going to be just as reliable. The engine in this version of the car is an awful lot sportier than that in the normal version and, as expected, the car won't last as long as it if not serviced. We do reckon it is still going to be able to last a very long time when serviced regularly and shouldn't cause any issues though.
Running Costs - ★★★★
This is one of the most shocking aspects of the car. The 290 bhp engine is just as economical as the 160 bhp engine as it manages 42 mpg as well, something that matches its rivals in some cases and beats them in others. Don't expect however that the insurance will be cheap and the servicing prices that Montes are claiming are more than eye-watering.
Safety - ★★★★
The MSR has exactly the same safety tech and the same driver assists as those used in the standard model. In other words, more than safe enough.
OVERALL - ★★★★
For: Wonderful engine, great handling, safe, good fuel consumption
Against: Unrefined, dreadful ride, average equipment and quality
The MSR version of the Urban has a 2.0-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with 290 bhp @ 7800 rpm and 224 lb-ft @ 5700 rpm. This does mean that it takes quite a while before the turbo begins to spool and kick in, which means performance low down feels like a normal 2.0-litre engine. When cruising along it is more than powerful enough, however if you decide you want to make an overtaking maneuver you will need to change down until you have the revs high enough to get the turbo spooling. This also means that the engine can be a bit unresponsive. When flooring the car though, it feels like an absolute monster. 0-62 mph happens in a supercar rivaling 4.1 seconds and the top speed is 158 mph. We think the car could do so much more than this as when testing we discovered that the car was still pulling strong beyond 150 mph, but the gearing is too short. The engine is also extremely smooth.
Ride Comfort - ★★
The MSR's ride comfort is even harsher than the standard version, as expected. At low speeds the car transmits every single bump and imperfection in the road surface straight to the car making it feel fidgety. Worst of all, after long periods of time not only does it become uncomfortable but it also becomes tiring being jiggled about inside the car continuously. As speeds increase the car does begin to calm down a bit, but even at motorway speeds it still continues to fidget about somewhat over poorer surfaces and only really calms down properly when on smooth roads. Over big bumps there is a big jolt and a thud, but at least the car takes next to no time to settle down after going over the bump. As a plus, the car doesn't roll going around corners and the extremely smooth engine makes the drive more pleasing.
Handling - ★★★★
The Montes Urban MSR's handling is much improved over the standard version of the MSR however it still seems to be missing some ability. The tyres on this version are wider but nowhere near as wide as those on its rivals, yet it still manages to have a lot of grip. The steering is all correctly weighted and gives enough feel and feedback as well. The firm suspension does help, as mentioned previously, to keep the car pretty much dead flat around corners and also to keep the car stable, but on poor surfaces it can upset the way it handles quite a lot. The car has an awful lot of cornering potential, but it is ruined somewhat by the amount of driver assists preventing you from taking it too far.
Refinement - ★★
The Montes Urban's main flaw was the refinement and on the Urban MSR it is even worse. Yes, it is nice that you can hear the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine roaring and whistling when you want to, but when cruising at motorway speeds at 3500-4000 rpm it can be quite annoying hearing the engine rumbling. Thankfully, the engine is reasonably quiet. Wind and road noise is even more vocal in this version of the car and it begins to intrude when driving through villages and it doesn't even need to be on poor surfaces. When at motorway speed the car fills with the sound of roaring wind and tyres on tarmac.
Equipment - ★★★
The Montes Urban MSR is exactly the same as the Montes Urban when it comes to equipment. There is what you expect there to be in a hatchback but no more than that, but it does come with a lot of safety equipment and driver assists.
Quality - ★★★
The interior in the MSR version is pretty much the same as in the standard one but with some extra sporty touches. The interior doesn't look particularly special and the materials used aren't exactly what you call posh, but they are reasonable enough.
Reliability - ★★★★
The Montes Urban MSR remains pretty much as reliable as the standard version. The electonics in this car are exactly the same as those in the normal version, so it is expected that they are going to be just as reliable. The engine in this version of the car is an awful lot sportier than that in the normal version and, as expected, the car won't last as long as it if not serviced. We do reckon it is still going to be able to last a very long time when serviced regularly and shouldn't cause any issues though.
Running Costs - ★★★★
This is one of the most shocking aspects of the car. The 290 bhp engine is just as economical as the 160 bhp engine as it manages 42 mpg as well, something that matches its rivals in some cases and beats them in others. Don't expect however that the insurance will be cheap and the servicing prices that Montes are claiming are more than eye-watering.
Safety - ★★★★
The MSR has exactly the same safety tech and the same driver assists as those used in the standard model. In other words, more than safe enough.
OVERALL - ★★★★
For: Wonderful engine, great handling, safe, good fuel consumption
Against: Unrefined, dreadful ride, average equipment and quality