Highlights

A key milestone was marked today at the Yorkshire manufacturing center that from 2019 will start producing carbon fiber tubs for McLaren Automotive, the British creator of luxury sports cars and supercars. As darkness descended at the £50million McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) nearing completion in the Sheffield region, McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Mike Flewitt was on-hand to illuminate the famous marque’s sign. A spectacular indoor light show then greeted guests, culminating in the recently unveiled McLaren Senna road car performing a series of expertly choreographed ‘doughnuts’ to leave a trail of fresh Pirelli tire rubber on the new center’s floor to ‘christen’ it – McLaren style.

Land Rover today announces a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70thanniversary in 2018. The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today. Defender Works V8 is the most powerful and fastest version that Land Rover has ever created. The 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 powertrain produces 405PS and 515 Nm of torque (the standard Defender delivered 122PS and 360 Nm). The Defender Works V8 will accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.6sec*, while top speed is increased to 106mph.

Getting behind the wheel of a Caterham or Lotus Seven is one of the most exhilarating experiences for any driver. The fourth edition of this well-respected and informative book includes details of the models produced in the five years since the third edition was published, and gives a full model listing, specification and driving impressions for each of the Lotus and Caterham Sevens, together with a guide to purchase and restoration, a summary of the main developments, and useful contacts. Further to the various versions of the Lotus-built Seven, there are more than 80 models produced under the Caterham marque. In 1973, the company then owned by Graham Nearn took over the manufacturing rights from Lotus and has carried on developing this back-to-basics sports car ever since. Detailed coverage of each of the cars, from the original Lotus Seven S1 […]

British car company Jaguar Land Rover is to open a software engineering center in Shannon, Ireland, with the creation of 150 jobs. The facility is to be focused on technology designed to power electric and self-driving cars being designed by the luxury auto-manufacturer. Company bosses say that the company chose Shannon based on its reputation as an engineering hub.

Jaguar Racing has announced its first Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY partner, with Michelin joining as official tire supplier ahead of the series debut season later in the year. During an on-stage appearance at Autosport International, Jaguar Racing Team Director James Barclay revealed that leading motorsport tire supplier Michelin will provide tires for all 20 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecars at each round of the world’s first international championship for production-based electric cars.

As the automotive industry moves towards 5G, Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are taking steps towards ultra-fast connectivity with an announcement at CES  2018, in Las Vegas, the world’s largest consumer electronics show. Every future Jaguar or Land Rover is set to benefit from the highly advanced QualcommⓇ SnapdragonTM  820Am Automotive platform. With this, Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will feature ultra-quick and efficient connectivity, limitless in-car entertainment and over-the-air downloads. Customers will also benefit from immersive in-vehicle experiences with stunning displays and graphics throughout. This new platform has been designed to increase vehicle intelligence and awareness to aid road safety. CES offers a glimpse of Jaguar Land Rover’s high-tech future, showcasing technologies that will enhance our customers’ experiences. This new exciting relationship with Qualcomm Technologies is a great example. The new Snapdragon 820Am Automotive platform will play an integral role in […]

Since its introduction, the Bentley Bentayga has defined a new sector and set the luxury SUV benchmark, offering customers the ultimate Grand Touring experience unrestricted by landscape or conditions. The award-winning Bentley model is now available in its most sporting guise to date – the Bentayga V8. At the heart of the latest Bentayga model is a new-generation 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine which combines immense power with impressive fuel efficiency. The addition of a characteristic V8 burble, stylish twin-quad exhaust pipes, and optional carbon-ceramic brakes, reveals more of the luxury SUV’s sporting character. Sitting at the core of the Bentayga range, the new V8 model fuses exquisite luxury with power, usability and extensive sporting ability. Its responsive performance is fully customisable on demand by the driver through Bentley’s Drive Dynamics system, from limousine-like refinement to sporting precision. Inside, customers […]

Relentless in its development of world-class sports cars, Lotus has unveiled the new Evora GT410 Sport to complete the revised line-up of Hethel’s fastest model. Launched in Lotus’ 70th year and ahead of its anniversary celebrations, the new Evora GT410 Sport takes one of Lotus’ success stories, and refines it through the application of enlightened design. Available in both 2 seat and 2+2 configurations, and in manual and automatic transmissions, the Evora GT410 Sport draws from the phenomenal Evora GT430 to provide advanced aerodynamics to an already celebrated sports car.

McLaren Sports Series models will benefit from greater choice of specification and an upgraded range of options as McLaren introduces new features and enhances its Coupé and GT models to align with the 570S Spider launched last year. The 570GT enjoys the most changes, with carbon-ceramic brake discs now standard-fit and a Sport Pack also introduced, allowing customers to specify a 570GT with the same dynamic settings as the 570S Coupé and Spider. As the most luxurious and refined Sports Series model, the 570GT offers a more relaxed drive than the 570S Coupé; suspension spring rate stiffness is lower and there is a 2 percent reduction in steering ratio for improved stability at higher speeds. McLaren owners wanting a car tailored towards a GT driving experience have welcomed this blend of attractions, but there have also been requests for the […]

New technology, cutting-edge connectivity, standard-fit front and rear LED lights across the range and an advanced dual-clutch automatic gearbox are just some of the features in the new 2018 MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch, and MINI Convertible, which will launch at MINI retailers across the UK on 17 March 2018. The changes are focused on driver appeal and core new technologies, including MINI Connected Concierge services, wireless smartphone charging and first-in-class options such as new anti-dazzle adaptive headlights with Matrix high beam. MINI 3-Door Hatch, MINI 5-Door Hatch, and MINI Convertible Overview of new features. New design standard-fit front and rear LED lights for the UK market. First-in-class – new optional adaptive headlights with Matrix high beam. Unique individualization with MINI Yours 3D printed parts. 6.5-inch color infotainment screen, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and multifunction steering wheel fitted as […]

Let’s look at Minis. Our Video of the Week this week is a brief history of the Mini Cooper. And in this case, we mean the class Mini Cooper, not the more modern version from BMW. The video comes from the guys over at Donut Media and is, shall we say, irreverent. To quote Donut: It’s the most Iconic British car of all time: The Mini. It was an engineering marvel that revolutionized economy car design and became a motorsport legend along the way. Join us as we explore the Mini’s rich history and design quirks that made it one of the best selling cars in the U.K.

Land Rover will mark its 70th anniversary with a series of events and celebrations in 2018, beginning with the restoration of the vehicle that started it all – one of the three pre-production Land Rovers shown at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show launch. This gave the world its first glimpse of the shape that would become instantly recognizable as a Land Rover. For years the whereabouts of this launch Land Rover was a mystery. The demonstration vehicle from the Amsterdam show was last on the road in the 1960s, after which it spent 20 years in a Welsh field before being bought as a restoration project; it then lay languishing unfinished in a garden. Following its surprise discovery just a few miles outside of Solihull, UK – where the car was first built – the experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic […]

The sports cars from Morris Garages were founding members of postwar American sports car racing. The 23rd annual “Amelia” will celebrate marque-founder Cecil Kimber’s original MGs that grew from the success of Morris automobiles before World War II. The M.G. Car Company celebrates its 90th birthday in 2018, though the cars wearing MG’s famous octagon badge have been around even longer. The earliest MGs were re-bodied Morris models with styling and performance enhancements. By 1928, the Oxford company had become large and prosperous enough to warrant an identity separate from the original Morris Garages and the M.G. Car Company Limited was established that March.

Abingdon Spares will be hosting British Carburetor expert Joe Curto on Saturday, March 31, 2018. Joe is known nationally as well as internationally as an authority on SU carburetors. Joe will be at the Abingdon Spares shop in Deep River, Connecticut, for an informal presentation on SU carbs of all types. There will be a particular emphasis on the SU carburetors used on post-war MGs. Joe will explain the how’s and why’s of British carburetion. He will also provide tips on carburetor maintenance and tuning, as well as information on the do’s and don’ts of modifying your current setup. There will, of course, be lots of time for questions and answers from the audience. Joe is well known for his guidance and advice to both the expert and the bewildered MG owner on the subject of SUs. Mark your calendars now for […]

MINI USA has announced the official route for MINI TAKES THE STATES (MTTS) 2018. The legendary rally for MINI owners, which runs from July 14 – 22, will start from two separate locations on opposite sides of the country and meet in the middle for a weekend celebration of everything MINI. The starting cities will be Orlando, Fla., and Portland, Ore. The final destination is Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colo., approximately 75 miles west of downtown Denver. Once arriving at Keystone, MINI owners from both routes will have the weekend to trade stories, share their experiences, show off their MINI, explore the area on curated mountain drives, support our charity partner and enjoy fun activities planned by the MINI USA team. There have been six epic road trips starting with the inaugural rally in 2006.  The seventh biennial MTTS rally […]

Aston Martin announces the appointment of a new owner of Aston Martin Brussels. Effective from 01 January 2018, Fleetinvest has taken over the operations of the dealership.

Despite tough conditions in some key markets, Jaguar Land Rover achieved its best ever full-year global sales in 2017 with retails of 621,109 vehicles, up 7% on the prior year – more than triple the 2009 figure. The company’s seventh successive year of sales growth was driven by the introduction of new models into new and existing segments, increased uptake of its Ingenium clean diesel and petrol engines and the development of its manufacturing operations around the world to increase capacity. Jaguar sales were up 20% for the year, retailing 178,601 vehicles. This was the brand’s strongest ever full-year performance and was driven by sales of the Jaguar F-PACE, XE and XF, including the all-new XF Sportbrake.

Morgan Motor Company will celebrate its most iconic Plus 8 with a 50th Anniversary Special Edition. The British marque has today released teaser images and video for the exclusive special edition ahead of its much-anticipated reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. The family-owned, bespoke sports car manufacturer will produce 50 of the special edition models, each to be sold through their existing Dealership network. The Plus 8 50th anniversary edition will be a true V8-powered thoroughbred tribute to Morgan’s most celebrated 4-wheeled model. Morgan’s crowning vehicle for fifty years, the Morgan Plus 8 continues to pioneer new technology within the classic Morgan bloodline. Deriving its name from the famed eight-cylinder engines it has adopted throughout its 50 years, the Plus 8 consistently offers the greatest power to weight ratio of any Morgan.