SAIC Building Second Plant to Handle MG Builds of Thailand

SAIC to Begin Selling MGs in India by 2019

June 28, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Chinese auto maker SAIC Motor Corporation will enter the India market with its once British MG brand for which it plans to have its fully-owned car manufacturing plant in the country. The company expects to commence operations in the country by 2019 and is in the process of finalizing its manufacturing facility, SAIC Motor Corporation said in a statement. Besides, the company said, it is firming up product strategy for the market here, details of which will be announced later.

Aston Martin DB11 Now Offered With V8

June 28, 2017 Staff Comments Off

After its successful global introduction in 2016, Aston Martin’s definitive GT – the acclaimed DB11 – is now available with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Perfectly complementing the DB11’s existing 5.2-litre twin turbocharged V12 engine, this new powerplant has provided the opportunity to reveal more of the DB11’s sporting character, while expanding its global appeal with a combination of exceptional performance and improved efficiency. Producing 510PS (503BHP) and 675Nm of torque, the V8 engine’s potency is beyond question, propelling the DB11 from 0-62mph in just 4.0sec and on to a top speed of 187mph. This exceptional performance is matched by impressive efficiency: CO2 emissions of 230g/km and an EU Combined fuel economy figure of 28.5mpg. This new V8 derivative brings further significant benefits in markets where car taxation policy is structured around engine capacity, such as China.

VotW – Triumph Bullet Run 2017

June 28, 2017 Michael Carnell Comments Off

Our Video of the Week the go round comes by way of John Clancy of TriumphDVDs. This is a good look at the recent 2017 edition of the TR Drivers Club Bullet Run. This was the second edition of the run. TR Drivers Club Bullet Run 2017 re-tracing the old Triumph test route through the Peak District. Run in memory of David Keepax, Triumph Stylist, who sadly died in October 2016. Special guests this year are TRDC Honorary President, Harris Mann, Triumph Stylist and colleague of Dave Keepax, John Ashford and Triumph Development Engineer, David Jeanes.

LEGO McLaren 720S Build at Festival of Speed

June 27, 2017 Staff Comments Off

One very special McLaren 720S is set to make an appearance at Goodwood this coming weekend, swapping its usual aluminum and carbon-fibre structure for bright orange LEGO® bricks. Following on from the launch of the 75880 LEGO Speed Champions McLaren 720S miniature set, McLaren’s all-new supercar will be fully realized in LEGO form at the Festival of Speed. But there’s a twist. The 1:1 scale model will arrive at the Goodwood stand incomplete. In order to finish the build, visitors to the McLaren stand will need to place orange McLaren bricks in designated parts of the car, with the 720S reaching completion by the Sunday, July 2nd, at the end of the Festival of Speed.

Bentley Motorsport Takes Victory at 2017 Blancpain GT

June 27, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Bentley Motorsport took victory at the Blancpain GT Series Paul Ricard 1,000 km with its #8 Continental GT3 and drivers Andy Soucek (ES), Maxime Soulet (BE) and Vince Abril (MC), as Bentley Team Absolute took a win and second place in the USA. The six-hour Blancpain GT Series race took place from 18:00 until midnight on the world-famous track in the south of France and Bentley Team M-Sport once again ran its pair of Continental GT3s.

Aston Martin confirms production of first all-electric model RapidE_01

All Electric RapidE Confirmed by Aston Martin

June 27, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Less than two years after being unveiled as a concept, Aston Martin is today confirming that the all-electric RapidE will enter production in 2019. Set for a limited production run of 155 cars, RapidE is Aston Martin’s first all-electric model. As such it spearheads development of the brand’s low- and zero-emission vehicle strategy laid out by Aston Martin’s President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, in the company’s Second Century Plan.

Will Lotus Production Move to China?

June 26, 2017 Staff 1

Could the UK be losing another icon? With the sale of Proton and its stake in Lotus, could Lotus go the way of MG and transfer production to China? According to Bloomberg, Chinese billionaire Li Shufu said his Zhejiang Geely Holding Group will consider producing Lotus sports cars in China after agreeing to purchase stakes in Malaysian carmaker Proton Holdings Bhd. and its British unit.

Henley Regatta Q by Aston Martin Collection_01

Henley Royal Regatta Aston Martin DB11

June 26, 2017 Staff Comments Off

To celebrate its Official Automotive Partnership with the Henley Royal Regatta – founded in 1839 and one of the world’s most prestigious and historic sporting fixtures – Aston Martin has created a very special DB11. The specification of this one-off Henley Regatta DB11 was carefully chosen by the Aston Martin Design Team. It features a raft of recently launched Q by Aston Martin – Collection options and explores the full gamut of exclusive paint and upholstery colors, material finishes and craft features, including some bespoke elements by Q by Aston Martin – Commission. The result is a car that’s distinctive and beautifully understated, mixed with classic color combinations and superb contemporary finishes.

Rare Homologation Mini Cooper S to be Auctioned

June 26, 2017 Staff Comments Off

One of the rarest of all flavors of the Mini Cooper S, a 970 S built in 1964 comes up for auction at the Silverstone Classic on 29th – 30th July. A fine example of the homologation special created to qualify the Cooper S for the under 1000cc category in racing and rallying, the car presented by Silverstone Auctions is one of less than a thousand ever built. With engine and chassis numbers matching logbook records and an extensive history file including homologation papers, heritage certificate, 2004 FIA Historic Technical Passport and MoT certificates, the iconic Cooper 970 S is estimated to sell for between £43,000 and £50,000.

300PS Ingenium Engine for Jaguar X, XF & F-PACE

300PS Ingenium Engine for Jaguar XE, XF & F-PACE

June 26, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar is introducing an efficient yet powerful new 300PS Ingenium petrol engine to the XE and XF saloons and F-PACE performance SUV models. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine produces 400Nm of torque for exceptional acceleration. That’s enough to power the World Car of the Year-winning F-PACE from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds (0-60mph in 5.7 seconds) with fuel economy of 37mpg (7.7 l/100km). In the Jaguar XF business saloon the new engine delivers 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds (0-60mph in 5.5 seconds) in all-wheel-drive form. With CO2 emissions of 163g/km and fuel economy of 40mpg (7.2 l/100km), the new Ingenium powerplant delivers traditional Jaguar performance allied to impressive efficiency.

LAND ROVER BAR ACADEMY WIN YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP AT FIRST ATTEMPT

BAR Academy Team Wins Red Bull Youth America’s Cup

June 25, 2017 Staff Comments Off

The British Land Rover BAR Academy team has won the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (RBYAC) following an intense final day of competition on Bermuda’s Great Sound. As overnight leaders, Land Rover BAR Academy finished with a total of 50 points, 2 points ahead of their nearest rivals from New Zealand and claimed victory in their inaugural RBYAC challenge. The victory came down to the wire, the team had to dig deep and show their determination by not giving up and making it back from 8th to 2nd place in the final race of the day to claim overall victory.

Jaguar XE 20d Receives Fleet Value Award

June 24, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC is proud to announce that the 2017 Jaguar XE 20d has received the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America award. The annual Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America awards recognize the specific vehicle and trim with the lowest total cost of ownership in the greatest number of measured lifecycle cost scenarios. The 2017 Jaguar XE 20d was awarded in the Premium Luxury Mid-Size Sedan segment with research determining the highly efficient diesel-powered luxury sedan has the lowest fuel costs in its class.

Jaguar Land Rover to Hire 5,000 Workers

June 23, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover, Britain’s biggest automaker, will hire 5,000 staff as it boosts its skills in autonomous and electric technology, a welcome business endorsement as Prime Minister Theresa May starts Brexit talks after an election with unexpected results. Jaguar Land Rover, which employs more than 40,000 people globally, said it would hire 1,000 electronic and software engineers as well as 4,000 additional personnel including in manufacturing, most of whom will be based in Britain.

Discount on British Motor Heritage Certificates

June 22, 2017 Michael Carnell 1

The British Motor Museum has just redesigned their online shop to make it easier to buy Heritage Certificates. These certificates are available for many of the leading British motor manufacturers including Austin, Morris, MG, Riley, Wolseley, Aston Martin, Rover, Land Rover, Standard, Triumph, BMC and British Leyland. The certificates are basically birth certificates for you car and pull from the original manufacturer’s records and will include details like the build and despatch dates, engine and body numbers, color scheme, and details of factory fitted equipment. Not all particulars are available for every car – much of this depends on the records kept by the original facility and the maintenance of those records over time by different companies. To celebrate the redesign of the museum’s e-shop, they are offering classic car owners a special deal this summer. From now until July 17, 2017 you […]

MINI PLANT OXFORD WOMEN NAMED ‘RISING STARS’ IN UK INDUSTRY TOP-100 LIST - Annie Sekulla, Amy Druce & Helen Evans

Women of MINI Plant Oxford Named Rising Starts

June 22, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Three women at MINI Plant Oxford have been named among the top-100 female ‘Rising Stars’ of the UK automotive industry. Helen Evans, Amy Druce and Annie Sekulla (pictured) secured national recognition as part of Autocar magazine’s ‘Great British Women in the Car Industry’ initiative.

Lister Rated Fastest Growing UK Car Company

June 22, 2017 Staff Comments Off

British specialist sports car maker The Lister Motor Company is currently the fastest growing company within the competitive British motor industry business sector, and the 28th largest in the UK market, according to independent analysis results just revealed by leading business finance specialists Plimsoll Publishing Limited. This research supports the fact that Lister’s sales have increased by 140 per cent over the previous 12 month period. This news follows Lister’s recent announcement that to date it is unique in being the only automotive company making original specification continuation cars that are eligible for fully-legal registration and road use. Unlike other continuation specials which are strictly limited to track use only, the new road legal Lister Knobbly is fully eligible for IVA type approval.

Largest Gathering of Rolls-Royces in the World

June 22, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrates the largest gathering of Rolls-Royces in the world at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Concours and Rally, in the Club’s Diamond Jubilee year, June 23-25. The spectacular setting of Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, will provide the perfect backdrop for a record number of motor cars, with over 1000 heritage and contemporary Rolls-Royces attending for the first time in the Club’s history.

RISING JAGUAR LAND ROVER STAR AMY RIMMER WINS AUTOCAR’S GREAT BRITISH WOMEN AWARD

JLR’s Amy Rimmer Wins Rising Star Award

June 22, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover engineer Dr Amy Rimmer has won Autocar magazine’s Rising Star award for British women in the car industry. A panel of judges recognized 29-year-old Amy’s significant work as an autonomous vehicle research engineer and her passion and commitment to the car industry. In addition Amy also won the Vehicle Development category award. I am thrilled to have been named Autocar’s Rising Star. To be recognised for my work in future autonomous cars is really exciting. Encouraging young people to consider automotive careers is so important to the future of our industry. — Dr Amy Rimmer, Jaguar Land Rover Engineer Jaguar Land Rover employees took 21 of the 100 places in Autocar’s list of British women in the car industry. Among them was 21-year-old Chloe Crutchlow, who won the Apprentice category for her work on the emissions measurement […]

Jaguar Teases New E-PACE Compact SUV

June 21, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar introduces its new compact performance SUV, the Jaguar E-PACE. Joining Jaguar’s PACE family of performance SUVs, the E-PACE follows on from the successful F-PACE, which helped boost Jaguar’s sales by 83 per cent last year, and the all-electric I-PACE Concept which will go into production in 2018.

Jaguar Land Rover and Gorillaz are working together to recruit the next generation of world-class electronics and software engineering talent

Jaguar and Gorillaz Recruiting Engineering Talent

June 19, 2017 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover and Gorillaz are working together to recruit the next generation of world-class electronics and software engineering talent with a code-breaking challenge found in the virtual band’s app. The best performers will be fast-tracked through the recruitment process, helping to meet Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to employ thousands of bright new talents over the next year. It’s a major change in the way the business looks for candidates, aiming to tackle the engineering skills gap and inspire and attract a diverse range of talent and new thinking.