Articles by Staff

Jaguar and the world land speed record holder RAF Wing Commander Andy Green performed vital high-speed parachute tests on Friday, June 12, as part of the company’s on-going Bloodhound SSC technical support for this unique engineering adventure: creating a car that can cover a mile in just 3.6 seconds. The jet and rocket powered car, which aims to surpass the current record of 763.035mph before targeting 1000mph, has multiple braking systems including air-brakes (‘doors’ mounted on the side of the car which open to increase aerodynamic drag) and disc brakes (used when slowing down from 200mph). In addition, the driver has two back-up parachutes to ensure that the 135,000thp (thrust horse power) vehicle will slow down before the end of its 12-mile track in Hakskeen Pan, South Africa. Stopping, quickly and controllably, is as important to setting a record as […]

A new, hybrid-powered State Review vehicle was used for the first time on Thursday, when Her Majesty The Queen presented New Colours to the Royal Welsh Regiment in Cardiff.  The Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. Based on a long wheelbase Range Rover, the new vehicle features a diesel hybrid engine, which enables it to run at times purely on electric power.  The State Review was designed by Land Rover Design and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department. This is the fourth State Review vehicle which Land Rover has provided, starting with a 1953 Land Rover Series 1.  The new hybrid replaces the previous Range Rover State Review vehicle, which dates from 2002. Jaguar Land Rover is the only automotive company to hold all three Royal Warrants, from HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and […]

Aston Martin Racing has qualified on pole in both GT classes of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with its #99 and #98 V8 Vantage GTEs. It might have been his first time racing at the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe, but Le Mans ‘rookie’ Richie Stanaway (NZ) was quick to impress, posting the fastest lap and putting the #99 on pole. “That was the start we were looking for, but there’s still a lot of work to do to win the race,” commented Stanaway. “The car feels great and we’re all on top form so we just need to bring it all together on Saturday.” But it wasn’t only Stanaway who took pole position for Saturday’s 24-hour endurance event. In the GTE Am class, Pedro Lamy (PT) set the fastest time in the #98 Vantage GTE and will […]

MG’s latest new dealer appointment fills one of the top ‘open points’ in an on-going major extension of the brand’s franchise network. Roadworthy Bristol is the 33rd new MG dealer to be appointed within the past 18-months and almost completes the brand’s dealer map in the south west of England. The new dealer, which is in one of MG’s top 15 open points, plans to go fully live within the next few weeks, but already has new MG6 and MG3 models in stock and available to view. MG has the fastest growing dealer network in the UK and it is planned to increase the current number of 64 dealers to around 80 by the end of the year. The expansion of the network is reflected in a huge increase in sales of MG cars. Last year MG saw the greatest […]

Jaguar Land Rover’s Invictus Games work placement legacy programme has seen the first five successful participants being offered a permanent position at the company. The bespoke training programme is designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-personnel and aid transition into civilian careers. Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Lancers has joined the Solihull manufacturing team as a Process Leader, following completion of the company’s inaugural twelve week programme. Wayne, 36, joined the training programme on 1st December 2014 after being medically discharged from a 19 year military career, which saw him serve in operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It was in Iraq that he sustained a serious knee injury following the detonation of a vehicle born IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Wayne has since undergone close to 20 operations to his left knee […]

Jaguar Land Rover is researching a new connected car technology that will allow a vehicle to identify the location and severity of potholes, broken drains and manhole covers, and then share this data in real-time via the cloud with other vehicles and with road authorities to help them prioritise repairs. If a car can receive a warning from another vehicle about severe potholes or broken manholes ahead, then drivers would be able to slow down and avoid the danger – or the car could adjust suspension settings to reduce the impact and smooth the ride. This could help reduce the potential for punctures, wheel and vehicle damage as well as road accidents. Dr Mike Bell, Global Connected Car Director, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Our MagneRide equipped Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport vehicles feature sophisticated sensors that allow the vehicle […]

Our Video of the Week this time around is a great classic from the Standard Triumph publicity archives entitled “Triumph at Le Mans”. A great video for it not only features the Triumph team with the TRS, but also shots of MG, Cooper, Sunbeam, Ferrari, and many more. The commentator’s sly asides are quite entertaining, especially as the apply to the “other interests” of the drivers and other such matters.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will present the first public showing of Isaac Julien’s new work Stones Against Diamonds during Art Basel in Basel, 2015. The work, commissioned as part of the Rolls‑Royce Art Programme, will be shown at the Kirche Elisabethen, Basel, from 16-17 June 2015. Following the preview during the Venice Biennale last month, the video installation will be shown on a larger scale than previously seen, as a unique site specific installation filling the magnificent interior of the imposing church across ten screens. Isaac Julien’s film draws inspiration from a letter written by Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi.Stones Against Diamonds examines themes within her letter, where she praises the beauty of natural elements over preferred precious stones. Filming the work in remote Vatnajökull region, in South East Iceland, using the breathtaking scenery of glistening ice caves as a set […]

Aston Martin Racing has unveiled a 24 Hours of Le Mans art car designed by artist Tobias Rehberger. The unique creation gives the Gulf #97 Vantage GTE the illusion of movement and speed, even when static. Rehberger is renowned for his abstract art and optical effects that distort perception and has received numerous international prizes and awards, including the Golden Lion for best artist at the 2009 Venice Biennale. Aston Martin Racing invited him to design a livery that would work with the Gulf Vantage GTE’s lines and colours in a way never attempted before. Thirty years since the first art car ran in the 24-hour race, Rehberger set out to create a design that uses geometric shapes and patterns to give the car, when static, the impression of movement and speed. The German artist, who will attend Saturday’s race […]

Salon Privé is proud to announce this year’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance classes, which promise to attract rare and priceless entries from around the world. Held on Thursday 3rd September, the Concours is a sociable, glamour-packed occasion where collectors, enthusiasts and friends meet to indulge their automotive passion. The ten classes, signifying the 10th anniversary of Salon Privé, incorporate the best of the classic car – and motorcycle – world, and range from ‘Pre-war Luxury & Touring’ to ‘Pininfarina & The Prancing Horse’. Chaired by Derek Bell, MBE and 5 times Le Mans winner and British GP racing driver, the line-up of experienced renowned judges includes Fabio Filippini, Vice President Design at Pininfarina, Giles Taylor, Rolls-Royce Director of Design and for the first time, Bill Warner, Founder and Chairman of the renowned Amelia Island Concours d’Elégance. The 2014 Best of […]

The McLaren 570S Coupé will lead the charge at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed making its global dynamic debut when it joins the famous Supercar Run. It will be joined by the McLaren P1™ GTR and 650S Le Mans, both strictly limited in production and rarely seen in public, and marking the first time McLaren has ever demonstrated models from all three of its recently announced product tiers: Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series. In addition, the popular McLaren House will return located as last year, adjacent to the iconic Goodwood House overlooking the Hill course, with cars, guest speakers and historic McLaren memorabilia honouring the ‘Flatout and Fearless’ theme of this year’s Festival. Following its unveil at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, and a highly successful global tour, the 570S Coupé will take […]

Together for Short Lives, the UK children’s palliative care charity, has held its annual Midsummer Ball in central London, where Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled plans for a year-long initiative to support the organisation in its work with seriously ill children and their families. The Ball, hosted by the charity’s patron, Simon Cowell, raised more than £400,000 in support of Together for Short Lives. The charity’s hospice and palliative care services aim to achieve the best support for more than 49,000 British children with life-limiting conditions and their families. To help the organisation raise awareness of its activities, and raise vital funds to continue delivering its lifeline work, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars donated a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II for a year, finished in the charity’s bright purple colour scheme and Together for Short Lives branding. The keys to the car were handed […]

Bentley’s Flying Spur has been named Best Luxury Car in the 2015 Telegraph Car Awards. The result, which was announced at an event in central London today, was decided by members of the public who voted for their favourite cars via the Telegraph’s Motoring website.   Kevin Rose, Bentley Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, commented: “Bentley is the most successful luxury car brand in the world. Every Bentley is handcrafted by our skilled and dedicated team in Crewe, which makes each car a true luxury possession. On behalf of Bentley Motors and our 3,800 colleagues, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that voted for us.” Steve Huntingford, Cars Editor at The Telegraph, added: “The latest Flying Spur manages to feel both traditional and modern, plus it’s as enjoyable to drive as it […]

Bentley Motors has reinforced its commitment to the company’s key Russian market, by announcing the opening of its third dealership in the country’s fast-growing capital, Moscow. One of the largest and most populated cities in the world, reaching over 12 million people, Moscow has established itself as the political, economic, cultural and scientific centre of Russia. The new dealership, occupying a premium location on Volgogradskiy Prospekt 41, opened its doors on Saturday 30th May. Bentley Moscow-Volgogradskiy, a partnership with automotive retail specialists, Avilon, offers customers the full Bentley model range as well as aftersales service and the company’s branded luxury goods. It adds to Bentley’s presence in Tretyakovsky Proezd and at the Barvikha Luxury Village, with Bentley’s long-standing partner, Bentley Moscow, operated by Mercury. Commenting on the expansion, Kevin Rose, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, […]

Bentley Motors today has announced Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design. He succeeds Luc Donckerwolke who has been with Bentley since 2012. Mr Sielaff will join Bentley on 1st July 2015 from his current dual role as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design and Design Director at Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam. In his role at Bentley, he will report to Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering. He will also retain his position as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design, reporting to Director of Volkswagen Group Design, Dr. Walter de Silva.

Coventry Telegraph is reporting that Jaguar Land Rover has clocked up a record year in business – with colossal profits of more than £2.6billion. The Coventry-based car giant has revealed its full-year results which show the record pre-tax earnings are up £113million on the previous year. JLR also announced revenues of £21.86billion for the year to March 31, 2015, up by £2.48billion in 12 months. Bosses at the firm, which has its global headquarters at Whitley, said it marks a ‘fifth successive year of solid growth, robust financial results and continuous investment in its future.’ Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer, Dr Ralf Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover has delivered five years of solid financial results, enabling us to invest in our long-term future. “This has positioned the company strategically and financially for continued sustainable growth. For further details, check out […]

The Q by Aston Martin bespoke personalisation service is celebrating the fulfilment of a longstanding ambition for sports car enthusiast and businessman Markus Storck. Dr Matthew Bennett, General Manager of VIP sales and Q by Aston Martin personalisation service, delivered the first of seven uniquely built Vanquish Coupes to the German collector at an event held at the luxury marque’s headquarters in Gaydon. Mr Storck, founder and head of German hi-tech bicycle manufacturer Storck Bikes, commissioned the Q by Aston Martin team to develop the special ‘One of Seven’ Vanquish sports cars for himself, and six fellow sports car aficionados. Boasting a broad array of bespoke features including an exclusive exterior finish that sees multiple layers of carbon fibre cleverly interwoven to a perfectly smooth finish – a result that required Aston Martin to develop an entirely new addition to […]

The 31st annual British Car Day in Dayton, Ohio, billed as the “Midwest’s best British car and motorcycle show” will be held on August 1, 2015.  This is a Saturday, and the show will run from 9 am to 4 pm at Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton, OH 45431 Make plans now to attend as there will be a popular vote car show, vendors & swap meet, full-service concession stand, dash plaques to first 325 entrants, spectators admitted free, and children’s activities. For more information or to register, hit the official site at http://britishcardaydayton.com.