Marques

Jaguar Land Rover has started construction of its new manufacturing facility in Slovakia. The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Robert Fico and Andy Garth, UK Ambassador to Slovakia. Jaguar Land Rover continues to lead the automotive industry in the development of advanced lightweight technologies. The new 300,000m² factory will be at the forefront of aluminium manufacturing and engineering expertise in Slovakia. It will manufacture a range of all-new aluminium Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, supporting the company’s on-going commitment to deliver high-tech lightweight cars to its customers.

Earlier this year, Aston Martin announced significant new investments in its long-term future in the United Kingdom, choosing St Athan in Wales as the location for its second manufacturing facility. As a specialist luxury manufacturer, Aston Martin requires highly skilled technicians to hand build its cars, so the new employees for the St Athan plant, which will begin full production in 2020, will commence their careers with Aston Martin at Gaydon. Over 40 people have begun work across the business where they are being fully trained in the ‘Aston Martin way’ by building the new DB11.

This week, Jaguar Land Rover will expand its Ingenium powertrain family, unveiling new technologies for both current and future vehicles. The new additions will support the company’s long-term commitment to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel economy across its range through the introduction of more efficient engines along with alternative powertrains, lighter vehicles and improved vehicle energy conservation. At the heart of its low-emissions strategy, the new four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine is now in production at Jaguar Land Rover’s £1 billion Engine Manufacturing Centre. Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, these are the most advanced engines the company has ever developed. They will deliver up to 25 percent more power than the engines they replace and offer fuel consumption reductions of up to 15 percent.

The drive by McLaren GT Factory Driver Rob Bell to the flag headlined a clean sweep in the GT3 and GT4 classes for McLaren GT customer team Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse in the 2016 British GT Championship season finale at Donington Park. The result marked the first win of the season for the 650S GT3 in the championship and the second for the 570S GT4, concluding a highly successful developmental season for the newest model. The second consecutive victory for Haggerty and Mitchell saw the pair claim second in the British GT4 Drivers championship – Silver and third overall in the British GT4 Drivers championship. A strong weekend in Austria also saw three examples of the 650S GT3 lined up in the International GT Open at the Red Bull Ring run by customer teams Balfe Motorsport and Garage 59, with […]

Reader Doug Foster recently sent me an email telling me about his car. I still own the first car I ever bought (while in college 1971): A 1969 Primrose MGB.  Currently has 72k original miles and over the last few years have cleaned her up and rebuilt the motor.  She is virtually the same now as when she left the factory – no reproduction parts!  She won second place in the Forest Grove Concours last year… Recently my wife and I fell in love with MG Magnettes and purchased a 1958 ZB Varitone that is in great condition. Robert A. Mac Millan of Salem, Oregon bought the car new on May 29, 1969. Doug purchased the car in 1971 from Robert while Doug was completing college. He drove it daily for several years and frequently entered various time speed distance rallies, […]

Caterham Cars has built a variant of its iconic Seven that was seemingly planned in the mid-1960s but never launched – the Caterham Seven Sprint. As though dug up in a time capsule, the retro detailing of the Caterham Seven Sprint will delight Seven purists and provides the perfect scene-setter to the brand’s ‘60 Years of the Seven’ anniversary, which will be celebrated next year.

The Aston Martin Feltham Club was founded in 2010 by Barrie Robinson because as a long time British classic car amateur restorer he could not find a Club that focussed on the Feltham-built Aston Martins.  Since then the membership has grown to over 150 members worldwide.  The newsletter which “occasionally comes out” has pinpointed some safety issues with some models as well as providing valuable information on restoration. Using factories in South Africa, Canada, China and the UK the Club manufacturers parts that are no longer available in the market.  Sometimes parts are made to higher specifications or an improved design without deviating from visual originality. The Club keeps an eye on the market and publishes auction results on its website at www.AMFClub.com. Membership is free and the Club relies on donations as well as some advertising on the website. There […]

Jaguar today takes the wraps off its new electric motorsport future, revealing its Formula E team’s official name, vision, title sponsor, driver line-up and electric racing livery. From this October, Panasonic Jaguar Racing will compete in the third FIA Formula E season with the first all-electric Jaguar racing car in history: the I-TYPE 1. At the launch event at the Jaguar Collections Centre, the new I-TYPE 1 made a dramatic debut driven by the team’s official reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung and outlining the brands commitment to ‘Race To Innovate’ – a mission to change the perception of electric vehicles, to develop new electric technology and to inspire future generations.

The shortlist for The Classic & Sports Car Show’s ‘A Century of Supercars’ global poll has been confirmed, with 33 of the world’s fastest and most pioneering speed machines whittled down to 11 thanks to over 17,000 votes by members of the public. Supercar enthusiasts have been flocking online since June to vote for their favourite cars from 11 different eras, ranging from pre-1914 models all the way to modern machines built after 2010. And now the public must decide which of the 11 cars will be crowned the greatest supercar ever at The Classic & Sports Car Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 28th-30th October. Some truly iconic names make up the shortlist, including the Ferrari F40, McLaren F1 and Alfa Romeo 8C. Here are the contenders looking to be crowned at Alexandra Palace: Up to 1914 Mercedes 1908 […]

Rolls-Royce will celebrate the 2016 Goodwood Revival with a significant presence at the legendary motor circuit. The centrepiece will be The March Motor Works, which this year is transformed into a period Rolls-Royce showroom, recapturing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the marque’s glamorous Berkeley Square and Park Lane premises in London’s West End during the 1950s.

Our video this week is a quick, very quick, look at what it means to own a Triumph Spitfire or MGB. Both of the people and cars in this video are unique, but even with the choices and differences, they hit upon some of the common threads of classic British sportscar ownership. I will admit to finding this video interesting partially for the reason that I have both an MGB and a Spitfire in the stable at the moment. The Spitfire is my daily driver and the MGB is undergoing a very slow version of a restoration. In a short period of time, with either car, you become intimately familiar with their quirks, charm, and personalities. And yes, unlike a lot of modern cars, the little roadsters have a ton of personality and no two – even of same year […]

Bentley Motors is today announcing the introduction of a new flagship to the Flying Spur range, blending luxury, style and power: the Flying Spur W12 S. The new model is the first four-door Bentley to have a top speed in excess of 200 mph, and offers a more sporting experience for owners looking for increased power, torque and responsiveness.

Visitors to this year’s Classic & Sports Car Show will be treated to an amazing sight this autumn: the live restoration of a one-of-a-kind ‘lost’ Jaguar by a team of specialists from Classic Motor Cars (CMC). In its first public appearance for 40 years, the 1954 XK120, which features bodywork by Pininfarina, will be restored at the event from 28th – 30th October, giving show goers unprecedented access to the techniques and skill that goes into bringing a classic car back to its full glory. And what a car. The unique Jaguar is believed to have been created for US importer, Max Hoffman, and was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show. It will be the key focal point in a special restoration hall at the Alexandra Palace show.

Jaguar’s designers have applied their talents to a futuristic installation at a major international exhibition in London. The team, led by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum, revealed their laser-powered display at the inaugural London Design Biennale, a three-week event at Somerset House. Artists and designers from more than 30 countries are taking part, all working on the theme ‘Utopia by Design’. 

Aston Martin today opened its first brand experience boutique in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. Located in one of the capital’s most sought-after streets ‘Aston Martin at No. 8 Dover Street’ is an intersection of the company’s products, experiences and brand collaborations. No. 8 Dover Street will also be a destination for design master classes, art exhibitions, dinner series and other exclusive events. No. 8 Dover Street is an expression of the British marque’s Art of Living by Aston Martin concept, a carefully chosen portfolio of the finest artisan products and truly bespoke experiences that embody the Aston Martin spirit.

MINI Challenge will join the British GT Championship for the first time next year, cementing its place as one of Europe’s fastest-growing single-make racing championship. The news marks the biggest step yet for the popular championship and follows a recent agreement between MINI Challenge and MINI UK which will see the brand provide increased support through the 2017 race season.

Our video this week is a features the sights and sounds of MG2016, the all-MG national meet held in June, 2016. The Ohio River in Louisville made a great backdrop for the 700 plus MGs on the show field. Get a short taste of the happenings. From the official “closing document” from Rick Ingram, Executive Director – North American Council of MG Registers: There were 829 registrations for this gathering. “On The Field” were 715 vehicles comprised of 2.66% ”pre-war” cars, 13.15% T-series cars, 22.52% MGAs or variants, and 56.78% MGBs/Cs/Midgets/1100s-1300s/or “Post-Abingdon” MGs. Additionally, 4.9% registered as “Other British” or enthusiasts participating without their MG. About 700 folks enjoyed our “Churchill Downs Experience” on Monday evening, and another 325 folks had the same experience on Wednesday evening. … Two hundred twenty enthusiasts visited the Corvette factory and museum over Tuesday and Wednesday on event-sponsored tours. About the same […]

For over 40 years, Witney-based British Motor Heritage (BMH) has been at the heart of the restoration and conservation of many of Britain’s best loved classic cars, having built over 6,000 complete replacement bodyshells for the MGB, MG RV8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, original Mini and Mini Clubman, as well as literally tens of thousands of individual panels. Unlike those of alternative suppliers, these items are manufactured to original standards on the original tooling; though happily without the disruptions that characterised BMC production in the 1970s – until recently……………. Managing Director John Yea takes up the story: “We were preparing to run a batch of new bodyshells for the Mini Clubman when the staff discovered a great tit had nested in the specialist tooling reserved for this model. Important as it is to maintain our production schedules, we […]