Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing unveil AM-RB 001 hypercar 07

Aston Martin and Red Bull Unveil AM-RB 001 Hypercar

July 5, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing are today revealing their ground-breaking hypercar; codenamed AM-RB 001. The product of a unique Innovation Partnership between the British luxury brand and eminent F1TM team, this ambitious, uncompromising and wholly extraordinary collaboration combines the vision and skills of two world-leading brands to create a road car the like of which has never been seen before. The three men charged with realising this shared vision are Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer and the world’s most successful F1TM designer, Marek Reichman, Aston Martin EVP and Chief Creative Officer and David King, VP and Chief Special Operations Officer. Together they spearhead a formidable alliance. One that combines more than a hundred years of specialism – both with heritage, making some of the world’s most beautiful and charismatic GT cars, and with technological brilliance and […]

MG GS UK Nationwide Tour

June 30, 2016 Staff Comments Off

G Motor UK is bringing the new MG GS to people nationwide as part of its regional test drive tour. The MG GS is over halfway through its tour of the country, where the MG team has been taking it to the public, in various locations, to give them the opportunity to have a drive and find out more about the newest addition. So far the MG GS has been to Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Huntingdon and Maidstone. The MG team has had great feedback with many drivers expressing interest in purchasing then and there. Seven sales quotes were prepared at Huntingdon for customers who were bowled over by the MG GS. Having test driven the MG GS Exclusive DCT, Mr Webb said: “Simply, I could not in any way consider a repeat purchase of my existing model, not because I […]

VotW - Bullet Run 2016 - Gordon Birtwistle

VotW – TR Bullet Run 2016 – Gordon Birtwistle

June 29, 2016 Michael Carnell Comments Off

Our Video of the Week this week is of the TR Drivers Club Bullet Run, which we featured yesterday. The video itself comes by way of our friend John Clancy at TriumphDVD. June 2016 saw the inaugural Bullet Run hosted by the TR Drivers Club. The event commemorated the life of Tony Lee (Standard-Triumph’s Chief Development Engineer) who sadly died in September 2015. The Bullet Run re-traced the old Standard-Triumph test route which saw all the new and forthcoming models taken down to Bwlch y Groes in Wales. Gordon Birtwistle worked for Tony for over 20 years at Triumph as High-Speed Development Engineer and did an extensive interview with me in front of an audience of about 60 after the Saturday dinner. This video is the opening ten minutes.

Limited Edition Lister Jaguar Knobblys Stirling Moss Editions

June 28, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Lister Motor Company is proud to announce the launch of a limited run of 10 special edition cars, the Lister Knobbly Jaguar Stirling Moss, with each car featuring a handmade magnesium body and special lightweight specification – just like the original ‘works’ racing Knobblys of the 1950s. These cars follow on from an initial run of 10 aluminium-bodied continuations – now all sold out – production of which began in 2014 at George Lister Engineering. Each is built using the same techniques as the original 1950s Knobbly, following the acquisition of Lister Motor Company by Andrew and Lawrence Whittaker in 2013.

First Production Lotus Elite to be Auctioned

June 28, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The very first production Lotus Elite, bought new by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored for Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, will be auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at the Silverstone Classic Sale on 30th July. The very first Elite produced as a proper production vehicle rather than a pre-production prototype, this 1958 Lotus Elite Series I, chassis 1009, was displayed at the 1958 Earls Court Motor Show. It was then purchased by one of Colin Chapman’s most favoured customers and personal friend, Chris Barber, in December 1958. The car, the very first racing Elite, has an incredible race history, with Barber racing it extensively for five seasons in top level international sports car racing in both the UK and Europe. As well as competing in three consecutive Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1961, 1962 and 1963, […]

TR Drivers Club Inaugural Bullet Run Event Recap

June 28, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The TR Drivers Club hosted the Bullet Run on the weekend of 17th to 19th June to commemorate the passing of Standard-Triumph’s Chief Development Engineer, Tony Lee, who sadly died in September last year. The famous TR7 prototype photos with Tony at Bwlch y Groes in Wales were the inspiration for this event and although these are the only known photos of Triumph development vehicles at the location it was a test route used regularly by management and senior staff. Known at the Canley factory as “Ride & Drive” it was a fairly thorough test with up to 300 miles along varied roads that culminated at the scenic Bwlch y Groes location. The TR Drivers Club organizers sought to reproduce the “Ride & Drive” route and invited owners of all Triumph models to take part. The host hotel […]

Lotus’s Jean-Marc Gales awarded Commander of the Order of Merit of Luxembourg

June 28, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Recognising his significant and ongoing contribution to the Motor Industry, Lotus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales has been awarded the title Commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg following a ceremony in the country’s capital. Jean-Marc Gales received the Commander of the Order of Merit from His Royal Highness Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Held at the Luxembourg Philharmonie, during the county’s National Day celebrations, the honour was vested during the annual ceremony, and cited Jean-Marc Gales’ ‘distinguished international career’, ‘exceptional service’, and ‘stunning commitment’.

Halewood does the double as JLR is named Manufacturer of the Year

Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood Boosts to Two Awards

June 27, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood plant is today celebrating after helping the UK’s largest car producer, claim two ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ titles in less than a week. On Friday 17 June, Jaguar Land Rover was named as Britain’s Manufacturer of the Year at the Made in the UK Awards and last Thursday night the company, represented by the Halewood plant, took the Manufacturer of the Year title at The Echo Regional Business Awards. This latest award success sees the Merseyside-based plants award tally rise to 13 since 2011.

Aston Martin at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2

Aston Martin Wraps Up Successful Goodwood

June 27, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin is celebrating another fabulous Festival of Speed after four days at glorious Goodwood, where a sell-out crowd witnessed the very best that the luxury British sports car brand has to offer. Billed as the world’s largest automotive garden party, the Goodwood Festival of Speed began in 1993 in the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex and has since become the automotive highlight of the British summer season.

Jaguar F-PACE thrills Goodwood with dramatic two-wheeled ride

Jaguar F-PACE Gives Goodwood Two-Wheeled Thrill

June 27, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The Jaguar F-PACE has put on another dramatic display of dynamic precision and control. After setting the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest loop-the-loop at its launch last year, the very same record-breaking F-PACE and stunt driver Terry Grant have teamed up again for a thrilling drive at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This time Grant piloted Jaguar’s first family sports car up the famous Goodwood hill on two wheels. As if that was not enough, professional freestyle motorbike stunt rider Lee Bowers was on board to add even more jeopardy to proceedings. Bowers is no stranger to two wheels and swapped his saddle for the luxurious leather interior of Jaguar’s first performance crossover. As the F-PACE two-wheeled up the demanding course, Bowers climbed out of the passenger window to stand on the side of the Jaguar and salute […]

Rolls-Royce celebrates 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a dark and edgy presence (2)

Rolls-Royce Celebrates Goodwood with Dark and Edgy Presence

June 23, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will celebrate the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a dark and edgy presence on the famous Hillclimb. Wraith Black Badge and Ghost Black Badge will be on familiar turf, with Goodwood House in sight of the Home of Rolls-Royce. Wraith Black Badge. Wraith Black Badge can be seen on the Supercar Run up the hill and in between Hillclimbs in the Supercar Paddock. Already the most powerful Rolls-Royce in the world at 624hp (465kw), Wraith now benefits from 70Nm more torque, tweaked air suspension and upgraded gearbox leading to more spirited driving. The car presented is finished in Black Badge Black, with the interior in Black and Mugello Red contrast leather, and the facia in aerospace-grade aluminium-threaded carbon fibre composite surfacing. Wraith Black Badge will be driven by Festival of Speed favourite, Justin Law.

What’s In A Name for MG GS?

June 23, 2016 Staff Comments Off

This time last week, MG Motor’s new SUV, the MG GS, went on sale. Since then almost 40 have been registered, orders have been taken, deposits are being made and handovers are just around the corner. Customers looking to bag themselves this fantastic new model may not know that MG invited the public to be part of the creative process earlier this year.

Aston Martin Unveils Limited Edition Vanquish Zagato

June 22, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin today announces a limited series production of the exhilarating Vanquish Zagato Coupe; the latest creation from its long-standing partnership with the prestigious Italian design-house Zagato. The Vanquish Zagato Concept was unveiled to great acclaim at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como, Italy in May 2016. Thanks to unprecedented customer interest, a strictly limited production run of 99 cars will be built to order at Aston Martin’s production facility in Gaydon, England.

Old Cars, Young Souls – A Mitty Story

June 22, 2016 Emilee Coomes 1

I met Ian Crawford and Emilee Coomes in Louisville, KY last week. What great folk! While talking with Ian he mentioned that Emilee had written a story about their road trip to The Mitty a few years ago. I am honored to publish her story her. Oh, and thanks for the beer. 😉

VotW – Unrestored Survivor Triumph TR5

June 22, 2016 Michael Carnell Comments Off

From “Men and Motors” we have the very first Triumph TR5 off the production line brought along to the Classic & Sports Car Show by Nick Goldthorpe from ‘Classic Motor Cars Ltd’. Yes, the very first one, and a beautiful survivor. The TR5 was little more than a one year only car, very late 1967 to 1968, and was really just a stopgap between the aging TR4 and not quite ready TR6. As such, it had the body styling of the former car and the six-cylinder engine of the latter. In the UK the car was petrol injected while in the USA it was carburetted and known as the TR250. Seems our US regulations couldn’t quite handle the fuel injection – or maybe it was the other way around. These TRs have gone up dramatically in price recently, leading me […]

F-TYPE SVR at Nürburgring

June 21, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Jaguar’s new F-TYPE SVR, 200mph-capable supercar and the world’s most demanding race circuit, the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife, are now available to be experienced together with the launch of the ‘Jaguar Co-Pilot Nordschleife’ programme. This exciting new offer gives visitors and fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of Jaguar’s fastest-ever series production car from the passenger seat on the circuit famed as the ‘Green Hell’. Customers booking their place for a flying lap in the F-TYPE SVR will be amongst the first to experience its power, speed and enhanced dynamics package around the 12.94-mile (20.83km) Nordschleife circuit.

Aston Martin Koln Engine Plant Photo (1)

Production of Aston Martin’s V12 for DB11 Begins

June 21, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The introduction of a new Aston Martin engine is always something special. When that engine has been created for a new Aston Martin model it’s a true landmark. Today at the Aston Martin Engine Plant (AMEP) in Cologne, Germany, just such a landmark has been reached with the DB11’s new 5.2L twin-turbo V12 entering full production. Designed in-house this new engine develops 608PS and 700Nm of torque, making DB11 the most powerful production DB model ever. It’s also the fastest and most accelerative, too, with a top speed of 200mph and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec., while intelligent cylinder bank activation and stop-start technology ensures that potency is matched by greatly improved efficiency.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT PULLS 100-TONNE TRAIN

Land Rover Discoveyr Pulls 100-Ton Train

June 20, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Land Rover stopped people in their tracks last week as a standard Discovery Sport towed three luxury train carriages weighing more than 100 tonnes along a railway track demonstrating its towing capability. The 10km journey through the Rhine region of northern Switzerland put the compact Discovery Sport’s pulling power to the ultimate test. Though the Discovery Sport has a certified maximum towing weight of 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes), it was able to pull 60 times its own weight, powered by Jaguar Land Rover’s 180PS Ingenium diesel engine providing 430Nm of torque. In addition, the Discovery Sport benefitted from Land Rover’s portfolio of towing and traction technologies such as Terrain Response, Tow Assist, Tow Hitch Assist and All Terrain Progress Control – a semi-autonomous off-road driving system that automatically manages engine output and braking, to complete the tow.

Austin 7 Owners to Celebrate 50th Year at Beaulieu Rally

June 20, 2016 Staff Comments Off

The 54th National Austin 7 Rally takes place at Beaulieu on Sunday 3rd July and holds one of the longest unbroken runs for a one-marque club using the same venue for its annual event. For one enthusiast the event will mark a particularly significant milestone. Bertie Fowler, who bought his first Austin 7 in 1966, will be attending his 50th rally. He purchased the 1936 ‘Nippy’ (one of the relatively few production sports models that Austin made) at the age of 19, negotiating the £90 deal in darkness by the Derby Grandstand at Epsom racecourse. It was, he says, ‘the best buy I ever made’. Years of happy motoring followed, even in the face of what Bertie describes as ‘the usual Nippyisms’ of the doors flying open when negotiating fast corners. The car came off the road in 1976 and […]

Aston Martin Racing leave Le Mans as World Endurance Championship leaders

Aston Martin Racing Lead FIA Endurance Championship

June 20, 2016 Staff Comments Off

Aston Martin Racing came away from the 84th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours leading the FIA World Endurance Championship GT Manufacturer’s title. After running a near-faultless race, both the #95 and #97 GTE Pro entries finished in fifth and sixth place respectively. With the team focused on ensuring a safe and steady pace throughout the early stages of the race and throughout the night, each of the entries were tasked to make progress at dawn. The #95 Aston Martin Racing V8 Vantage GTE, driven by Nicki Thiim (DN), Marco Sørensen (DN) and Darren Turner (GB) finished fifth, having given a spirited fight to its rivals and stayed in podium contention through the night. However, the cruel nature of Le Mans struck as Turner suffered a right rear puncture in the 20th hour, caused by debris on track. Turner said following […]