Highlights

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.

Astra La Vista Vauxhall has terminated contracts with all its 326 dealerships. This will lead to Vauxhall closing one in three of its dealerships across Britain. This will affect 3,700 British jobs The company will scale back its operation amid falling sales and changes to the way motorists buy cars. Vauxhall Motors Limited is one of the oldest established vehicle manufacturers and distribution companies in the United Kingdom and has its headquarters in Luton, Bedfordshire, England. Although at first an independent manufacturer and at one time a subsidiary of GM, it is now a subsidiary of the French automotive giant Groupe PSA which also manufactures vehicles under the Opel, Peugeot, Citroën, and DS brands.

Panasonic Jaguar Racing was once again at the heart of the action in Rome in the latest round of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as the team’s record of scoring points in each round of the 2017/18 season continued. In a season of firsts, Mitch delivered the team’s highest ever starting position of third place with team-mate Nelson starting 13th on the grid. Both Nelson and Mitch made solid starts and managed the energy of their Jaguar’s efficiently.  As the halfway point of the race approached, Nelson pitted first for the team, but encountered difficulties with his seatbelts as he pulled away from the garage, he retired shortly after.

Jaguar Land Rover, the UK’s biggest auto manufacturer, is cutting 1,000 jobs in the UK as the diesel scandal and slumping sales hit the beloved British brand. Now owned by India’s Tata Motors, JLR employs about 40,000 workers in the UK who produce over 500,000 vehicles a year. The company is cutting the jobs at the Birmingham factory that manufactures the Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover Discovery, and various Range Rover models. Demand for Jaguar Land Rover cars has fallen in Europe due to fallout from the VW led diesel emissions scandal. Jaguar Land Rover pointed out that “the huge drop in demand in diesels” led to its decision not to renew the contracts of 1,000 workers. Partially behind the decision is also said to be a sharp decline in British car sales that seems to be caused by a loss […]

The new Bentley Bentayga V8 headlines a trio of models for the luxury British brand at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show. Powered by a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine, the latest version of Bentley’s exquisite SUV combines limousine-like refinement with exceptional performance and sporting character and will be showcased in China for the first time. Alongside it will be the all-new Continental GT, a car that sets new standards in luxury Grand Touring. Also making its Beijing show debut, it is designed, engineered and handcrafted in Britain, and features the highest levels of attention to detail, artistry and cutting-edge technology.

The Williamsburg British Car Club held it 19th annual British and European Car Show on April 14, 2018. It was a beautiful, 80 degree spring day with a constant breeze. This year our featured marque was the Daimler since The Daimler and Lanchester Owners Club of North America was celebrating their 40th anniversary in Williamsburg. This year’s show was held at the Shops at High Street which provided a large paved area for the cars and an ample grassy area adjacent to the field. This was a particularly nice venue for the owners of yellow cars who are constantly plagued by bugs on grassy fields.  Six restaurants are within easy walking distance and were extremely generous allowing the use of all of their facilities. We hosted 21 classes with 155  beautifully restored and maintained cars. Best in show was awarded […]

One of the latest additions to the MG Car Club’s comprehensive archive is a 1/4-scale MG Magnette ‘styling’ model, and the Club is now appealing for more information about this remarkable discovery. The model appeared, quite unexpectedly, in a Bonhams auction catalog last December, where it was wrongly described there as a ZA model from 1953. Particular thanks are due to Peter Cadman who saw the catalog and alerted the Magnette Register. Chairman Paul Batho then investigated to establish its provenance, and MGCC management quickly agreed that the Club should try to acquire the model for its archives. Finally, board member Dave Saunders was able to successfully bid for it at Bonhams on 6th December.

Following significant investment in its Longbridge Training Venue, MG Motor UK has announced that the Cecil Kimber College has now been accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). This highly-coveted industry recognition signifies that MG has the capacity and high-standard infrastructure to deliver technical training to repairers across the MG dealer network. MG has invested significantly in developing its courses, training equipment, and infrastructure earlier this year. Including some development of the parts warehouse, the company has invested £0.5 million on adding new features such as workshop space for up to 10 vehicles, twin fully equipped classrooms to accommodate up to 20 delegates, two post hoists to allow for raised vehicle work and insulated flooring to accommodate electric and hybrid vehicle training.

McLaren Automotive, the British manufacturer of luxury sports and supercars, and Pfaff Automotive Partners, the distributor for McLaren automobiles in Canada, have partnered to create five very special 570S Spiders that celebrate McLaren’s racing and road-car history in Canada. Developed using the bespoke service available from McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which offers almost limitless design possibilities, the 570S Spiders are designated ‘Canada Commission’ and feature a number of unique design elements that pay tribute to McLaren’s Canadian history.

Aston Martin will return to the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour race, staged on the world famous Nürburgring Nordschleife (May 10-13), with a two-car entry featuring all six of its 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship factory GTE Pro drivers. The British manufacturer will enter a V12 Vantage GT3 in the SP9 category for Maxime Martin (B), Marco Sõrensen (DK) and 2017 SP8 class winners Darren Turner (GB) and Nicki Thiim (DN). In addition, the factory will defend its SP8 victory with a GT4-specification Aston Martin V8 Vantage driven by an all-British team of Alex Lynn, Jonny Adam, Peter Cate and Jamie Chadwick – the first woman to race a factory Aston Martin in a 24-hour race.