Month: April 2018

Aston Martin is celebrating 70 years of its world-famous DB bloodline, as the luxury British marque unveiled its latest DB family of sports cars for the first time at the 2018 Beijing Motor Show – the V12 and V8-powered DB11 coupe and DB11 Volante. The famous letters stand for David Brown, referring to the legendary British industrialist David Brown who bought the company in 1947. Over time, the DB brand has become as iconic as the Aston Martin wings themselves and continue to this day with the DB11 model; unveiled today in a striking Volcano Red color scheme, which would have been the favored choice of Aston Martin’s previous owner. Brown’s legacy has meant that over the last 70 years, DB-badged Aston Martins have become among the most coveted of all cars, with just under half of all Aston Martin’s […]

This morning in Beijing, the MG X-motion concept car premiered at the Beijing Auto Show. The X-motion follows the MG brand design philosophy of Emotional Dynamism that was showcased in the brand’s first fully electric sports car concept, the MG E-motion. The ‘X’ in the product name X-motion represents the endless possibilities of how people can relate to the design. Whether that is through its stunningly eye-catching appearance, inspiring performance thanks to its sporting genes, or through an appreciation of its multi-dimensional intelligent technology.

Jaguar is marking 50 years of its flagship XJ luxury saloon – the choice of business leaders, celebrities, politicians and royalty for five decades – with the launch of a new special edition model. Revealed at the Beijing Motor Show, the Jaguar XJ50 celebrates half a century of trademark performance, technology, and luxury. Available in both standard and long wheelbase with a 3.0-litre diesel (300PS) powertrain, the exterior updates for the XJ50 include Autobiography-style front and rear bumpers. These mark the anniversary edition out alongside purposeful new 20-inch Venom wheels, a black front grille and unique badging to the rear and side vents, while the striking color palette includes Fuji White, Santorini Black, Loire Blue, and Rosello Red. Inside, the luxurious cabin features soft-grain diamond-quilted seats with an embossed leaper on the headrests and an XJ50 logo on the center […]

Pure McLaren, the exclusive driving program of McLaren Automotive, that gives both McLaren owners and prospective owners the chance to experience the performance of the cars in the controlled environment of a race track, will launch in North America in 2018. All Pure McLaren events offer not only the opportunity to enjoy the McLaren range of road cars but also track-only variants. In addition, participants can choose to improve driver skills or even select a  path to progress through the advanced coaching program for those whose aim is to go racing.

Silverstone Auctions is excited to announce that a very special Evanta Aston Martin DBR1 is coming to its May Sale on May 19th at Silverstone racing circuit. Built as a near exact replica of the original Aston Martin DBR1, famed for its success during the late 1950’s in the hands of legends including Sir Stirling Moss and Carroll Shelby, the stunning recreation was crafted from scratch by the Evanta Motor Company, owned at the time by car designer and ‘Wheeler Dealers’ presenter, Ant Anstead. A genuine 1956 DBR1 sold at RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction last year for $22,550,000 inclusive of the buyer’s fee. This made it #7 on the list of the 10 most expensive cars to sell at auction, just ahead of a 1955 Jaguar D-Type. To date, this is also a record for the most expensive British car ever to be […]

Aston Martin’s ongoing expansion in the important China region continues to gather pace with the opening of the luxury British sports car brand’s second official dealership in the Chinese capital, Beijing. Operated by Wintop Group and known as Aston Martin Beijing the impressive new dealership comprises a 400-square metre showroom at No.99 Jinbao Street, Dongcheng District in Beijing.

The Bespoke Collective of the House of Rolls-Royce has conceived a darker iteration of Black Badge Wraith and Dawn, presented in a limited Collection, named Adamas. Drawing inspiration from the name, meaning ‘untameable’, ‘invincible’ and also ‘diamond’, the Collective celebrate the darker side of contemporary craftsmanship, expertly weaving a dark aesthetic of unbreakable carbon structures into just 40 Black Badge Wraiths and 30 Black Badge Dawns. Technical fibers and molecular compounds are manipulated and recognized for their systematic, beguiling beauty. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce, commented: Adamas is a Collection that fuses the extraordinary competence of our Bespoke craftspeople from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, with the rebellious spirit of Black Badge. The result is a motor car for those who seek more than the definitive of engineered luxury conveyance. This is a motor car for […]

The MG Car Club has taken large steps towards creating a new car club culture for India following a very successful week in Delhi as guests of MG Motor India. Just as with its UK equivalent, MG Motor India is a subsidiary of the Chinese-based SAIC Motor Corporation. Its cars will be assembled at its new Halol-based facility in the Indian state of Gujarat, with the first model due for a 2019 launch. However, the team in India has already spent more than a year exploring the brand’s iconic past, with the MG Car Club – SAIC’s world heritage partner – playing a vital role in the process.

Jaguar has revealed a distinctive new special edition of its Jaguar XE sports saloon. The Landmark Edition features unique design enhancements and a carefully chosen specification to showcase the very best of the award-winning XE. The Landmark Edition is based on the R-Sport with the addition of unique 18-inch alloy wheels that set the new model apart. The exterior features a Sport front bumper, body-colored side sills and boot spoiler while the side window surrounds, door mirror caps, grille surround, and side vents are all finished in Gloss Black alongside special Landmark badging on the side vents. The new model is available in a choice of three bold colors – Yulong White, Firenze Red and Santorini Black – and joins the 2019 model year line-up.

McLaren Automotive, the British sportscar and supercar maker, is set to return to the Beijing Auto Show (April 25 to May 4) where the McLaren Senna will make its debut on Chinese soil and the brand will pull the covers off a unique limited run of 570GT cars. McLaren’s split-level stand will feature five of the brands latest sportscars and supercars from each of the now well-established product family of Sports Series, Super Series, and Ultimate Series. True to the legendary abilities of the racing driver whose name it bears, the McLaren Senna has been designed, engineered and developed to be the ultimate road-legal McLaren track car. With 800PS (789bhp) and 800Nm (590b ft) from its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 – McLaren’ s most powerful-ever internal combustion engine in a road car – and the ability to generate a staggering 800kg […]

Our Video of the Week this go-round comes from our friends over at Petrolicious and features the story of the Jaguar XKR-15. In their “Made to Drive” episode from Januar of this year, they fold themselves into the cockpit of Jasbir Dhillon’s 1991 Jaguar XJR-15 to experience one of the rarest and rawest supercars built in the 20th century. Aimed at transferring the Le Mans-winning XJR experience to the road, just 53 examples of the XJR-15 were produced with the help of Tom Walkinshaw under the banner of Jaguar Sport, and only 27 were optioned for road use. Powered by a beautifully shrill six-liter V12, it’s a lesser-known but no less sexy staple of 1990s supercardom, and one of the finest examples of a “race car for the road,” of any decade. See the photoshoot and further info here: http://petro.li/JaguarXJR-15

In the Spring of 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled a seminal new concept in luxury, crafted for one very special customer, St Richard’s Hospital Pediatric Day Surgery Unit in the marque’s home town of Chichester, West Sussex. The appropriately-named Rolls-Royce SRH was hand-built to allow children awaiting surgery to drive themselves to the operating theatre, through the Pediatric Unit corridors which are lined with ‘traffic signs’. The experience of ‘self-drive to theatre’ has been proven to reduce child patient stress.

Aston Martin has partnered with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to promote career opportunities in the automotive industry for women. The Women in Engineering event, held at the SMMT showroom in London earlier this week, highlighted the importance women play in design and engineering and offered an insight into the variety of careers on offer at Aston Martin. 

Morgan Motor Company will bring an iconic Routemaster bus – the second-to-last edition to have been withdrawn from service – back to the British public at events throughout 2018. Manufactured, like the first Morgan Plus 8, in 1968 and delivered for its first service in January of that year, this Routemaster – registration SMK 759F – is expected to have clocked over 1.5 million miles during its lifetime. The vehicle was withdrawn from service nearly 44 years after birth and was given an admirable send-off on 9th December 2005. Crowds gathered along the 159 bus route, from Marble Arch to Brixton, as it took its final journey.

Just two weeks ahead of its global unveiling, Brabham Automotive has released headline figures for the Brabham BT62, along with a photograph which gives a glimpse of its first car. The teaser image shows the rear of a low-slung, race-inspired car. The BT62’s thin LED accent tail lights are reflected in its extreme carbon fiber rear wing, which points to the car’s performance potential.

Aston Martin has today announced the re-birth of an iconic name. A distinctive moniker, set to be proudly worn once again by the British marque’s flagship Super GT.  First coined for the iconic 1967 William Towns’ designed-model, the DBS nameplate has been a key part of the brand’s heritage for over 50 years. Resurrected in 2007 for Aston Martin’s then range-topping model, designed by current Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman. DBS Superleggera The DBS Superleggera completes the brand’s ambitions to replace each of its existing two-door sportscar models as part of its Second Century Plan. Sitting at the pinnacle of the sportscar line-up, DBS Superleggera will feature the highest levels of performance, craftsmanship, and design. Along with the resurrection of the DBS nameplate, Touring’s famous mark – Superleggera – will once again adorn the bonnet of an Aston Martin. A […]

Bentley’s new, second-generation Continental GT3 will make its competitive debut at Monza in Italy this weekend (April 20-22) when Bentley Team M-Sport begins the defense of its Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Teams’ title. Following an extensive testing schedule, the outfit’s two new-for-2018 Continental GT3s will line up at the historic grand prix circuit in northern Milan for the first of this season’s five European rounds. Guy Smith (GB), Steven Kane (GB) and Jules Gounon (FR), who made their first appearance together as a trio at Bathurst in February, are paired in the #7 entry while the #8 crew comprising Andy Soucek (ES), Maxime Soulet (BE) and Vincent Abril (MC) embarks on a second season eager to go one better than the runners-up position achieved in 2017’s Endurance Cup Drivers’ standings.

One of the most iconic and beautiful cars of all time, the Jaguar E-Type is a hugely desirable model for classic vehicle enthusiasts and lovers of the British automotive industry. However, with the first cars being created over half a century ago in 1961, some aren’t the perfect proposition for modern, everyday driving; this is where E-Type UK comes in. E-Type UK is one of the world’s leading authorities for all things Jaguar E-Type – from restoring and servicing all the way through to selling – and it offers the finest upgrades to bring the legendary Jaguar into the 21st century.