Concept Car, Sports Car, News

Volkswagen develops Golf for the racetrack

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Volkswagen Motorsport is developing a new Golf for the racetrack.

The production-based Golf is a 330 PS concept car, assembled in accordance with TCR regulations and is intended to help Volkswagen evaluate a potential customer racing programme from the 2016 season onwards.

Visually, the racing genes are clear to see, with 18-inch racing rims, a chassis roughly 40 centimetres wider than that of the production car, and a striking rear wing give the Golf a 'ready-to-race' look and first-class handling.

An aerodynamically designed front splitter and carbon rear wing are also among the modifications for the racetrack. On the inside, components designed to protect the driver include a racing seat with head protectors, a racing safety cell, and a safety tank in accordance with FIA regulations.

The new Golf is propelled by a powerful 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine with direct fuel injection, borrowed from the range-topping Golf R. The racing version of this engine generates 330 PS (243 kW) and 410 Nm of torque and is mated to a DSG gearbox with shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

Volkswagen says the new Golf has been meticulously prepared for its outings at the racetrack. Volkswagen Motorsport is developing the car in cooperation with the sport department at SEAT, meaning it can call on SEAT's experience with the Leon Cup Racer. As with the Volkswagen Group's production vehicles, the MQB platform also offers many synergies for racing cars and reduces the cost of assembling and running the touring car.

In order to accelerate the development of the car, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions between now and the end of the season: as cooperation partner, the Liqui Moly Team Engstler will run two cars at the eighth round of the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.

"The newly created TCR category provides a promising platform for customer racing - on a national and international level. With exciting races, production-based technology and reasonable costs, it offers a new outlook for private racing teams," said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. "When developing the Golf-based concept car, we are able to fall back on the resources at Volkswagen. This reduces both development time and costs. We will also use the rest of the season to test the car under competitive conditions and evaluate a possible customer racing project from 2016."

Vintage Car, Coupe, News

Ian Fleming's Bentley R-Type Continental up for auction

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James Bond creator Ian Fleming's 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Fastback has been unearthed in an unrestored condition, and is set to go to auction.

Finished by renowned British coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner, the R-Type Continental Fastback was built in extremely limited numbers. These high-performance grand touring cars attracted an elite clientele that included royalty, celebrities, and captains of industry. This car - BC10LB - is no exception, as Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond series, ordered this Bentley for his friend and collaborator Ivar Bryce. Bryce worked for the British Security Coordination during World War II and was the inspiration for Fleming's character Felix Leiter. It's a little known fact that Fleming penned James Bond as a Bentley driver in the first six of his novels.

Originally finished in Deep Grey and specified as a left-hand drive, manual gearbox car with front wing spats and lightweight seats, Bryce's R-Type Continental was equipped with bespoke features such as fitted luggage and a racehorse mascot. Recently discovered in a Hollywood garage, where it had been hidden away for over three decades, this unrestored R-Type Continental is one of the most exciting post-war Bentleys to come to market.

Official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Gooding & Company, will be overseeing the sale and have put an estimate on the '53 Bentley at just over £1million.

The auction takes place on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16 in Pebble Beach, California.

News, Estate Car, Family Car

Citroen revamps C5 range

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Citroen has refreshed its C5 saloon and C5 Tourer with new engines, styling and technology.

New, clean and efficient BlueHDi 150 S&S manual 6-speed and BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT 6-speed Euro6-compliant engines have been added while Citroen says the style and technology of both tourers has also been improved. The family saloons now offer better performance than ever before.

The Citroen C5 and C5 Tourer feature 'best-in-class' roadholding according to the French company, thanks in particular to the Hydractive III+ system - which permanently adapts to the road and to the driver's commands.

The two models have been improved further with the new BlueHDi 150 S&S manual 6-speed and the BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT 6-speed engines. Available in all finishes, these powerplants 'set new standards' for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in their segment, offering customers 'pleasure at the wheel and efficiency'. A new 6-speed automatic EAT6 gearbox joins the range also.

A new 7-inch touch-sensitive tablet has been added to the C5 line-up. As well as making the dash look less cluttered, this new tablet also includes a touch-sensitive navigation system with 3D views, a multimedia player over USB or in audio streaming, the telephone with a hands-free function, the onboard computer and the vehicle settings. As an integral part of a refined cab with bold styling, the touch-sensitive screen makes the driver's life easier.

Fresh external styling features includes a new selection of wheels for the two C5 models. The Confort finish features new 17-inch wheels, while the Hydractive Exclusive finish is equipped with 18-inch alloys. The selection of bodywork colours has also been extended with a "Moka Brown" finish.

Prices for the Citroen C5 saloon start at £24,150 OTR and £25,260 OTR for the C5 Tourer.

News

Budget signals road tax rise

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The Chancellor has announced a new vehicle excise duty (VED) banding system for cars registered on or after 1 April 2017, as part of the 2015 budget.

The road tax system will be revised with a flat rate of £140 for most cars, except in the first year when tax will remain linked to the CO2 emissions that cars produce. Electric cars won't pay any road tax at all and the most expensive cars will pay more.

Existing cars won't be affected - no one will pay more for a car that they already own. The money brought in from road tax in England will be spent on England's roads from 2020. Osborne said: " I will return this tax to the use for which it was originally intended. I am creating a new Roads Fund. From the end of this decade, every single penny raised in Vehicle Excise Duty in England will go into that Fund to pay for the sustained investment our roads so badly need" adding: "Tax paid on people's cars will be used to improve the roads they drive on."

Cars, including zero-emission cars, with a list price above £40,000 will be subject to a £310-per-year supplement for the first five years in which the standard rate is paid.

Mike Hawes, The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) Chief Executive, said, "We recognise the current VED system needs to be reformed and highlighted this in a recent report. The Chancellor's Budget announcement on the regime came as a surprise and is of considerable concern. While we are pleased that zero-emission cars will, on the whole, remain exempt from VED, the new regime will disincentivise take up of low emission vehicles. New technologies such as plug-in hybrid, the fastest growing ultra low emission vehicle segment, will not benefit from long-term VED incentive, threatening the ability of the UK and the UK automotive sector to meet ever stricter CO2 targets.

"The introduction of a surcharge on premium cars also risks undermining growth in UK manufacturing and exports. British-built premium cars are in increasing demand at home and globally, and the industry helps to support almost 800,000 jobs in the UK. Levelling a punitive tax on these vehicles will almost certainly impact domestic demand."

Osborne also confirmed a further freeze on fuel duty saying "I can also confirm that there will be no changes to the plans for fuel duty I set out in March - fuel duty will remain frozen this year."

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has given a cautious welcome to the Summer Budget and the freeze on fuel duty and changes to the MOT test.

Commenting on the announcement, BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: "Motorists and businesses will benefit from this continued freeze, but there is now a compelling case for the government to go one-step further and provide a real stimulus to the UK economy by cutting fuel duty."

Commenting on the new VED bands from 2017, Keaney added: "Although we welcome the commitment to maintain current VED revenues and invest the income on roads in the future, we are concerned that the existence of two different VED bandings from 2017 could create extra complexity and cost for the fleet market," said Keaney.

"The new 2017 bandings also represent a policy shift away from the tax being based solely on tailpipe emissions, with vehicles costing more than £40,000 facing an extra annual £310 surcharge for the first five years. Many ultra-low emission hybrid vehicles could fall into this category, which might put prospective customers off." 

Elsewhere, the BVRLA says it looks forward to the government's planned consultation on pushing the first car MOT back to four years, but believes that a wider discussion on vehicle testing is needed.

"Cars are more reliable than ever, but extending the first MOT deadline could pose safety issues for cars that are doing high mileages and aren't serviced regularly. There could be a case for developing a time and mileage-based criteria for the first MOT," said Keaney.

"Vans are the fastest growing sector of the road transport sector and concerns over their first-MOT pass rate mean that the government did the right thing in excluding them from this proposal."

The Freight Transport Association says common sense has prevailed with the announcement of a freeze on fuel duty, but that it will continue to campaign for cuts on behalf of its members. James Hookham, FTA's Deputy Chief Executive, said: "The Chancellor has listened to the voice of industry by keeping fuel duty at current levels, which is to be welcomed. However, the Government has emphasised that its primary objective is to protect the UK economy. We believe that reducing fuel duty would make a huge contribution to this objective and we will continue to campaign with FairFuelUK for a 3 pence per litre cut in order to stimulate economic growth."

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car

Toyota Mirai hydrogen car sets new record

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The new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has proved it can go the distance, traveling over 300 miles on a single tank.

Instead of using petrol however, the car runs on electricity created on demand by hydrogen fuel and oxygen. The only emission produced by this process is water vapour.

The Mirai achieved 67 mpg in official US combined city/highway driving calculations, and an estimated driving range of 312 miles on a one tank - a distance Toyota says is further than for any other zero-emissions car on the market.

Jim Lentz, Toyota North America CEO, announced the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) fuel economy rating for Mirai at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. It confirmed that the Mirai is the only zero emissions electric vehicle on the market capable of exceeding 300 miles on one fill.

Lenz said: "Toyota realised in the early 90s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly 20 years ago, Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation."

The Japanese manufacturer describes the Mirai is the world's first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, a four-door saloon with performance that competes with traditional internal combustion engines. Toyota will introduce the Mirai in limited numbers in the UK and other selected European markets later this year, following its launch in Japan and, from this summer, California.

Saloon, News

John McEnroe Chauffeurs Wimbledon fans in Jaguar XE

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John McEnroe swapped his role as a Wimbledon commentator for a stint as a chauffeur driver, surprising two unsuspecting tennis fans with an unique journey to The All England Club.

Three-time Wimbledon winner McEnroe plays the role of The Secret Chauffeur in Jaguar's #FeelWimbledon video, surprising fans Tom Payne and Nick Webb, who were selected to take part in the Secret Chauffeur stunt and offered a VIP trip to Wimbledon. On route to Wimbledon, the real chauffeur jumped out the car to be replaced by McEnroe as he took hold of the wheel and personally drove the two unsuspecting fans down to The Championships, Wimbledon. It comes as part of Jaguar Land Rover's role as official car supplier to the championships.

Jaguar is using sociometic, biometric and atmospheric sensors to analyse and celebrate the unique spectrum of emotions associated with the world's number one tennis tournament. Documenting The Secret Chauffeur experience, Jaguar captured the emotional reactions of Payne and Webb using biometric wristbands.

Results from the wearables, which are measuring the heart rate of selected fans every day during Wimbledon, shows both Payne and Webb's heart rate increased dramatically when McEnroe switched as their driver. When McEnroe was revealed, Tom Payne's biometric wearable device showed his excitement and heart rate which increased by 60.3 per cent to 93 bpm. It continued to rise as the fans quizzed McEnroe on his thoughts about Murray's chances to win a second Wimbledon title, and posed for photographs with the American tennis legend outside the famous gates to the world's best tennis tournament.

Before resuming his media duties for the day, McEnroe, said: "I was very happy to be part of this creative stunt with Jaguar. This is the greatest Grand Slam of them all - both in the eyes of the players and fans - and the surprise on Tom and Nick's faces when I got in the car shows just how excited the fans get at Wimbledon."

Tom Payne said: "I thought I was just coming to Wimbledon to watch the quarter finals and enjoy the atmosphere, but to be driven there in style by the legend John McEnroe was incredible. It was an awesome surprise!" Nick Webb added: "I think my reactions say it all! Walking into Wimbledon with McEnroe was something I'll never forget. Thank you to Jaguar for such a brilliant start to our day at Wimbledon."

Every day during Wimbledon, tennis fans can access live updates of the mood and crowd emotions down at SW19 across Jaguar's UK social media channels, and by visiting www.feelwimbledon.co.uk.

SUV, News

MINI launch Countryman Business model

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MINI has added a new Countryman Cooper D ALL4 Business model to its range, developed specifically for the fleet market.

The launch of the new business edition Countryman means corporate customers will now have the option of a model which includes the brand's all-wheel drive system, MINI ALL4, for the first time.

MINI Navigation System is fitted as standard along with the Multifunction 3-spoke sport leather steering wheel which includes cruise control. Parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers are also included to make driving long distances easier.

The additional standard equipment has been specifically chosen for fleet customers and represents a saving over the cost of standalone options while driving up the model's strong residual values. These also include 17-inch 5-Star Triangle Spoke alloy wheels, Automatic air conditioning, on-board computer and interior lights pack.

The MINI Countryman Cooper D is also an economical choice for fleet customers, with some of the best emission figures for a diesel all-wheel drive car at 123g/km.

Chris Brownridge, Director, MINI UK, said: "The new ALL4 Business model has been specifically developed to cater for the needs of businesses with high residual values and low emissions, while also offering something fun and exciting for drivers. MINI has grown in popularity within the UK fleet market since the launch of the 5-door hatch last year, which has opened the brand up to new customers."

The MINI Cooper D ALL4 Countryman is available for fleet customers now with an on-the-road price of £22,455. Monthly payments start from £199 which includes the Chilli Pack.

Hatchback, News

Warranty Direct names top ten eco cars

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The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has the best mix of fuel economy and reliability.

That's according to research carried out by Warranty Direct, after devising a top ten list of the most reliable used 'eco' cars aged three years or older. Those that offer the best combination of reliability and economy, we rated using Warranty Direct's Reliability Index which analysed its 50,000 live policies, measuring overall reliability by combining rate of failure, average mileage, age and repair cost.

With manufacturers continually developing new technology to delivers better fuel consumption and lower emissions, some more complex machines are still prone to going wrong, forcing owners to foot expensive repair bills.

The results revealed that the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic, 1.6 TDCi (95bhp) Edge ECOnetic II, with an impressive combined MPG figure of 85.6 had the best mix of fuel economy and reliability. The Smart Fortwo (CDI Pure 2d Auto) was able to match the Fiesta's MPG figure and is unlikely to let its owners down, though it suffered marginally more mechanical faults than the Ford.

The SEAT Ibiza (1.4 TDi Ecomotive), Volkswagen Polo (1.4 BlueMotion TDI (80ps) and Skoda Fabia (1.2 TDI CR Greenline II) put in a strong showing for the Volkswagen Group with closely matched scores, though the Skoda nudged ahead of its stablemates owing to an MPG return of 83.1. However, the frugal SEAT is statistically more reliable. Rounding out the top ten was the Nissan Note (1.5 dCi Visia).

David Gerrans, Managing Director at Warranty Direct commented: "the 'eco' derivatives of a used vehicle are often desirable, promising economical motoring for the cost-conscious buyer. However, savings on fuel and road tax can soon be countered with astronomical bills for mechanical or electrical failure. It is important to take these factors into account when selecting a car based on green credentials."

News, Sports Car

Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa up for auction

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The real star of the '80s television series Miami Vice is coming to auction in the US.

The 1986 Ferrari Testarossa driven by Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs as they fought the underworld of Miami was one of the quintessential poster cars that found itself plastered on many a teenager's bedroom wall in the 1980s.

The Testarossa up for auction is powered by a 4.9 litre, 390-horsepower flat-12 engine, a traditional five-speed manual gated shifter, beige leather, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control and air conditioning and of course giant '80s mobile phone. After Miami Vice ended its series run in 1989 the car was placed into storage until earlier this year.

It was rumoured that Enzo Ferrari himself proposed that the Ferrari factory could supply two black Testarossas for use on the show, according to auctioneer Mecum Auctions. From that day forward, it was this Testarossa that became the show's signature car. The only significant change came when the Ferrari was repainted white at the behest of Director Michael Mann for better visibility in night scenes. This particular Testarossa quickly moved into cult status along with other series props such as Ray Ban sunglasses, Armani jackets, Scarab speedboats and enough firearms for a small army.

Now showing 16,124 miles and authenticated by both Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche, with documented service records from Shelton Ferrari in Fort Lauderdale, the Miami Vice Ferrari recently received an 'engine-out' service at a cost of $8,000.

If you find yourself in Miami and fancy bidding, the auction takes place at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa - Del Monte Golf Course on August 15. To view the Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa or to register as a bidder, visit Mecum.com where you can watch the auctions progress live.

Hatchback, Diesel, News

Vauxhall Insignia adds 1.6 Whisper Diesel

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The Insignia is the latest Vauxhall to receive the new 1.6-litre 'Whisper Diesel' engine.

The new version of the mid-size turbo engine replaces the current 2.0-litre units and was developed. says Vauxhall, to deliver "exemplary responsiveness and low consumption with exceptional running smoothness".

The 1.6 CDTi (136PS) ecoFLEX version achieves a top speed of 130mph and 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds. When specified with 17-inch alloy wheels and ultra-low rolling resistance tyres (Design, SE, Tech Line and SRi models only) it emits 99g/km of CO2 and returns up to 74.3mpg on the combined cycle.

Also new to the Insignia range is the OnStar system which delivers a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to seven devices, emergency response notification if the airbag deploys and stolen vehicle recovery technology. Connecting drivers directly with a call centre advisor, it provides owners with a personal assistant 24/7. For example, with Destination Download, you can call your OnStar advisor in-car and they'll pinpoint your desired destination and send the address to your vehicle's navigation system. OnStar is available as standard on Elite, Limited Edition and VXR trims and as a £395 option on other models. 

In addition, the second generation Navi 900 IntelliLink that utilises Apple CarPlay, offers fast access to many entertainment apps for music and news, via the eight-inch colour touchscreen interface.

IntelliLink reads out incoming text messages and enables audio streaming, voice control and the watching of films and videos - when the car is stationary, of course. The navigation system features maps of more than 30 European countries and can be displayed two or three-dimensionally and controlled by voice command.

The Vauxhall Insignia powered by the 1.6 CDTi engine is priced from £19,534 to £26,114 on-the-road.

Coupe, Crossover, SUV, News

Honda confirms new HR-V pricing and spec

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Honda has confirmed its new HR-V compact crossover will be priced from £17,995 OTR.

That's for the entry-level S grade petrol model, rising to £24,945 for the flagship EX diesel. The all-new HR-V blends coupe looks with the 'tough, solid stance' of a robust SUV says Honda. Inside, 'class-leading' boot space comes in at 453 litres with the rear seats up and 1,026 litres with the rear seats down.

The entry-level S model includes features such as climate control, cruise control and dusk-sensing automatic headlamps as standard. The mid-grade SE model, priced from £19,745, adds a range of premium features, including rain sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and a six-speaker audio upgrade. A 'Smart Touch' interior includes touch panel controls for the upgraded dual-zone climate control.

Customers choosing the top-grade EX model (from £23,195) will get a full leather interior, smart entry and start, and a rear-view camera. A sense of spaciousness comes via a tilt-and-slide opening panoramic glass sunroof, while external styling is enhanced with 17-inch alloy wheels.

Customers opting for the SE or EX models will also gain the Honda Connect in-car infotainment system as standard. This Android-based system features an app-based 'pinch, swipe and tap' interface accessed on a seven-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash.

Honda Connect comes with pre-installed apps, with others available for download from the Honda App Centre. These give rapid access to internet-based services such as web browsing, real-time traffic information, news and weather, social media, and internet music stations. Integrated Garmin navigation is standard on EX and is available as an option on SE models.

Designed and engineered to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating, every new HR-V sold in Europe will be equipped with Honda's City-Brake Active System as standard. SE or EX models will feature Honda's Advanced Driver Assist System, which uses radar sensors, plus forward- and rear-facing cameras. This suite of active safety technologies includes Forward Collision Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning and High-beam Support System.

The HR-V comes with a choice of either the all-new 130 PS 1.5 litre i-VTEC petrol or the 120 PS, 1.6 litre i-DTEC diesel engines. Combined with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a newly developed CVT (for petrol models only), emissions are as low as 104 g/km of CO2. The CVT's driveability is given a more natural 'multi-gear' feel through the use of new control software exclusive to Europe which simulates seven speeds and provides optimised gear change mapping.

Leon Brannan, Head of Cars at Honda UK, commented: "Sixteen years after the original HR-V, Honda is returning to the crossover segment it pioneered with the exceptionally spacious, versatile and technologically advanced HR-V. And with highly competitive list prices, we are expecting huge demand for the all-new HR-V. We've boldly identified that 2015 is 'the year of Honda' and HR-V signals the third of five new and refreshed models for the brand this year. Following the arrival of the extensively upgraded CR-V - the HR-V's bigger sibling - and the recent launch of the thrilling all-new Civic Type R, we're confident the HR-V will further broaden the appeal of the Honda brand amongst a wide range of car buyers."

Full pricing of the entire range will be announced in the next few weeks, with the Honda HR-V set to arrive in showrooms in late August.

Estate Car, Saloon, News

Renault reveals new Talisman saloon

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Renault has unveiled its new D-segment saloon - the Talisman.

The French brand says the Talisman features a combination of 'assertive styling with sleek, elegant lines' as well as a spacious cabin with 'ample room' for all occupants while also featuring an 'impressively big boot'.

The Talisman, together with the Estate version - which features the same qualities as the saloon - is set to play an active role in the renewal and upgrading of Renault's high-end range. Renault says the Talisman is the only D-segment saloon car to combine 4Control, four-wheel steering with active damping, allowing it to deliver unique road manners, plus safe, dynamic, agile handling and 'outstanding' ride comfort. A shortcut button allows the driver to switch instantly between Sport and Comfort modes.

With full-LED front lights, a new C-shape lighting signature and permanently-lit rear lights, a configurable digital instrument panel features a colour head-up display, which joins ambience lighting co-ordinated by the selected Multi-Sense setting.

Power comes from a choice of three diesel engines (Energy dCi 110, 130 and dCi 160 (EDC) mated to a six-speed transmission, or the latter with the choice of a seven-speed EDC - with CO2 emissions as low as 95g/km. Two petrol engines (the Energy TCe 150, Energy TCe 200) are mated to the seven-speed EDC transmission and offer 'unrivalled comfort, stability and agility' says the French brand.

Renault has confirmed the Talisman - along with the Estate version - will be revealed at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, which opens its gates to the public on 17th September. While available for sale in Europe at the end of the year there are currently no plans for the Talisman to be sold in the UK or Ireland.

SUV, Sports Car, News

New Jaguar F-Pace breaks cover

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The new Jaguar F-PACE appeared in public for the first time on Saturday 4 July as it supported Team Sky on Stage One of the Tour de France in Utrecht.

The F-Pace shed its hard camouflage for the first time - in front of an estimated live audience of one million people, with over two billion more estimated to have watched on television or online around the world - instead sporting a specially created wrap, hinting at the final design of the vehicle, which will be fully unveiled later this year.

Five Team Sky riders - Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe, Peter Kennaugh, Leopold Konig and Chris Froome - were supported by the F-Pace during the Grand Depart, providing a real world test of Jaguar's first performance crossover.

A special bike rack, designed with an innovative telescopic clamp by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations, was developed specifically for the stage and carried two Team Sky Pinarello Bolide Time Trial bikes.

Team Sky Head of Technical Operations & Commercial, Carsten Jeppesen, said: "The atmosphere in Utrecht was incredible. The Netherlands has a huge passion for cycling and right from the moment we arrived at the start line, you could feel the excitement. The appearance of Jaguar's F-Pace prototype definitely added to the hype today - you could see it made a big impact with the crowds."

Jaguar has produced a short film capturing all the F-Pace (#FPACE) action as the gruelling Tour began in the Netherlands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3woUBN6Dg

The world premiere of the Jaguar F-PACE will be at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will go on sale from 2016.

Hatchback, News, Convertible

New Fiat 500 revealed

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Fiat has unveiled the New Fiat 500 at the old Lingotto factory in Turin.

Although the bodywork remains largely the same, there are subtle revisions to the front including new lamps, grilles, chrome brightwork and LED daytime running lights, while at the rear, new 'empty' light clusters distinguish the new model from its predecessor.

Under the skin, there are also enhanced power units for improved efficiency and upgraded interiors with fully integrated infotainment systems.

Available, as before, in hatchback and convertible body styles, the New Fiat 500 will come in a choice of three trim levels: Pop, Pop Star and Lounge. 

All models come with LED daytime running lights, seven airbags and a Uconnect infotainment system with six speakers, AUX-IN/USB ports and steering wheel remote controls as standard equipment. The Pop Star version adds air conditioning, body-colour mirror caps with defrosting function and 15-inch alloy wheels, while the Lounge version adds a panoramic glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, a chrome front grille, front fog lights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and a Uconnect LIVE touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and numerous built-in apps.

New 15- and 16-inch alloy wheel designs are available in a variety of finishes and the colour palette now totals 13 hues (seven pastel, one solid and five metallic) including two new colours: Glam Coral and Avantgarde Bordeaux. Two black-yellow and black-red variants are also available as part of the new 'Second Skin' customisation initiative, enabling owners to tailor their cars to their precise requirements.

There are two types of second skins, the first features a fashionable, geometric pattern along the belt line only, while the larger skin options cover the pillars and roof - and in some cases the bonnet and tailgate as well. Five patterns are offered: Ethnic (geometric pattern); Lord (classic tartan); Comics (pop decoration) in combination with the new two-colour body paintwork; Navy (nautical patterns) and Camouflage (fashionably military).

The engine line-up at launch includes a 0.9-litre TwinAir engine (85hp or 105hp) and a 1.2-litre 69hp unit. The two-cylinder engines emit 90g/km and 99g/km of CO2 respectively, while a new 'Eco' configuration of the 1.2 litre 69hp (available after the launch) will reduce emissions to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre, but UK availability of both engines is yet to be confirmed.

A full range of Mopar accessories will be available from launch, including vintage-style wheel trims; a variety of alloy wheel designs, colours and finishes; mirror caps either in chrome-effect or painted in a variety of colours; distinctive side badges; chrome roof mouldings; a rear spoiler and a range of decals for sides and the roof. A tailgate rack is also available with two systems for transporting winter sports equipment, like skis and snowboards.

New customisation kits with original roof wraps and mirror caps will also be available. Five colours are available: microcarbon black, matt silver, matt titanium, military green and jeans. The microcarbon black and military green variants also extend to the dashboard to pick up the special exterior inside the car.

The new Fiat 500 will go on sale in the UK in early September with prices starting at £10,890 on-the-road.

News, 4x4

Jeep Renegade showcars in Montreux

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Jeep has unveiled two bespoke Renegades to mark its global partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival.

From July 4 and for the duration of the festival, the Renegade-based showcars, created by Garage Italia Customs - the latest project of former Fiat Marketing Manager, Lapo Elkann - will be on display at the airports of Geneva and Zurich.

The Garage Italia Customs team is made up of automobile craftsmen who work entirely by hand. Their 'Montreux Jazz Festival' editions of the Jeep Renegade were inspired by the electro-acoustic guitar and in particular, by some of its details such as the paintwork, frets and output jacks. 

The colours chosen for the bodywork of the showcars recall the lacquer finish of the most famous electro-acoustic guitar bodies, Cherry Black Burst and Classic Black Burst, made more realistic by a wood effect airbrushed by hand with three-colour shading and nine coats of paint including topcoat. In addition, the strings of the electric guitar are drawn across the bonnet and boot.

The exclusive treatment continues on the inside with the roof lining, side bands of the seats and door panels trimmed in black denim, while the seat inserts, central tunnel, gearknob and armrest are made of 'Foglizzo' coloured leather. Finally, the inserts are painted white, the same colour as the decorations which embellish the seats, picking up the graphic elements of the exterior.

Highlighting the importance of the Swiss market, one of Jeep’s most profitable according to Steve Zanlunghi, Head of Jeep Brand EMEA, Jeep also unveiled a special Grand Cherokee Montreux Jazz Festival Limited Edition.

Limited to a run of 49 units, one for each year of the show, and marketed exclusively in Switzerland, the Limited Edition is finished in a Granite Crystal with Dark Brown natural leather upholstery. Sporting the logo of the event on the pillar, it features satin-finished elements on the grille, bump strips, side skirts, fog light frames and rear cargo panel, in addition to exclusive 20‚Äù alloy rims, also satin-finished, and a double glass panoramic sunroof. 

Hi-tech infotainment includes a ‚ÄôBlue-Ray DVD' multimedia system with two independent screens for the rear passengers, each with HDMI and AUX ports and wireless headsets as well as a Harman Kardon 825 watt sound system with D class amplifier, Logic 7 multi-channel surround technology and 19 GreenEdge high performance speakers. Active Noise Cancellation technology optimises on-board acoustic comfort using the Harman Kardon sound system and four additional microphones. 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Montreux Jazz Festival Limited Edition includes a limited edition MJF Box containing the ‚ÄúMJF black card‚Äù offering exclusive access to the Chalet of Festival founder, the late Claude Nobs, where customers can access the vast audiovisual archive of the Festival protected by UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. 

Also inside the limited edition MJF Box is an exclusive DVD with 10 unreleased tracks and a pair of Soho Wireless headphones by Harman Kardon equipped with touch controls and Bluetooth connectivity.

Coupe, News

Exclusive Bentleys inspired by Breitling Jets

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Bentley has unveiled the exclusive Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series.

Limited to just seven cars, each is inspired by one of the seven Breitling Jets, commemorating their forthcoming grand tour across the United States and Canada. 

Bentley's Mulliner division has re-imagined the Continental GT Speed to mirror the distinctive look of the Breitling Jets, with the exterior painted in a duo-tone split of Hallmark and Onyx with highlights colour-matched to the exact Pantone reference of the Swiss watch company's unique Yellow, reflecting the trademark look of the L-39 Albatros Jets.

The colour theme is continued on the interior, with unique sculpted seats featuring accents in Breitling Yellow.

Each car is individually numbered and corresponds to one of the seven Breitling Jets. The dashboard's carbon fibre fascia panel displays an image of the seven planes in their signature Avenger flight formation, with the corresponding jet highlighted in Breitling Yellow.

Similarly, Mulliner has matched the hide and thread to Breitling's signature yellow and designed a series of logos and graphics for the headrests that highlight the number of each car and the jet that inspired it. The tread plate plaques are also individually numbered.

The series will debut at the Boeing Seafair Airshow on 31 July in Seattle, where the Team is performing. The key for each car will be handed over to its owner by the corresponding plane's pilot, but not until they have experienced a flight in the jet that inspired their car.

Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner, said: "The Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series demonstrates the level of customisation Mulliner can achieve for customers. Creating this very special edition has been an exciting experience for the entire team, taking inspiration from the Breitling Jet Team's grand tour."

The Breitling Jet Team is the world's largest professional civilian flight team performing in jets. The team is comprised of seven L-39 C Albatros jets that can reach speeds of up to 565 mph and fly within just a few feet of each other.

Widely recognised for their precision and seamless coordination displayed throughout high-speed aerobatic performances, the France-based team is appearing in North America for the very first time.

Coupe, Convertible, News, Vintage Car

Rare Aston DB6 Volante up for auction

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An exceptionally rare 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage is to go under the hammer at Barons at Sandown Park on 28 July.

One of just 29 ever made, it is believed to be the final such Volante Vantage built. 

Chassis number DBVC-3738R has been in the same ownership since 1981, and is in extremely original condition - even the power hood is thought to be original. Now used only rarely - and only in the dry - it carries an estimate of £500,000-£750,000.

This model rarely comes to market and the auctioneers claim they have been receiving enquiries and many early bidding registrations from potential buyers worldwide.

Barons' director Tony Cavell said, "We are very excited to have the remarkable Aston Martin consigned to the sale, and the reaction has already been outstanding, with a significant amount of interest shown in the car."

Hypercar, News

Spanish exotica set for Salon Prive

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Two exotic Spanish hypercars are to make their debuts at this year's Salon Prive (3-5 September) at its new home of Blenheim Palace.

Bespoke car manufacturer Tramontana will launch its hypercar, Tramontana R. A choice of two engines - a V12 Twin Turbo or a V10 - provide two performance options, and each car is an individually commissioned to a client's requirements. The Tramontana incorporates the latest motorsport derived technology available and is hand built by craftsmen to an exacting standard.

Founded in 1994, Spanish firm Spania GTA gained a wealth of experience in motorsport before manufacturing the GTA Spano. With its own new V10 twin Turbo engine, producing 925hp and 1220Nm torque, it accelerates from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of over 230mph.

With a limited production of 99 vehicles, it features a newly-designed sequential seven-speed gearbox and Spania GTA has developed a new carbon monocoque chassis. Unique among super-sportcar manufacturers, it employs materials such as titanium, graphene, and Kevlar for exceptional rigidity and lightness.

Salon Prive managing director Andrew Bagley commented: "We're incredibly excited to host these Spanish hypercars at this year's event, which will inevitably draw plenty of attention from visitors. The fact that Tramontana and Spania GTA have chosen Salon Prive to showcase their models is testament to the influence of Salon Prive as a leading luxury and automotive event."

Hatchback, News

Kia adds 'Chilli' Picanto models

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Kia has added two sporty 'Chilli' models to its Picanto range.

The Chilli variants are part of the Picanto Originals series, which Kia describes as a 'rolling programme of high-specification, value-priced models' changed at frequent intervals to offer buyers something out of the ordinary.

Sitting above the SR7 grade in the range, the Chilli models are available with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic. Both are three-door cars powered by a EU6-compliant 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 84bhp and 120Nm (89lb ft) of torque, with economy and emissions figures of 61.4mpg and 106g/km with the five-speed manual gearbox, or 50.4mpg and 130g/km with the four-speed automatic.

Offering a high specification for a mid-range price, they have been enhanced with new front and rear bumpers and a twin exhaust tailpipe. There are also additional side sill mouldings painted to match the body colour. The Chilli models are finished in red, black or white paintwork and run on sporty five-barrel 15-inch alloy wheels shod with 175/50 tyres.

An equally sporty interior features seats in black faux leather with 'striking' red and grey cloth cushions and backrests to match the inserts on the doors. There are aluminium pedals with non-slip rubber pads, while the centre fascia, steering wheel bezel and gearshifter top are finished in Gloss Black.

The Chilli versions are the first Picantos to be fitted with satellite navigation including European mapping, similar to the system found in Kia's Rio and Venga ranges. This is linked to a seven-inch touchscreen and includes a reversing camera while a six-speaker audio system is also standard.

On sale now, pricing for the Picanto Chilli start at £11,495 OTR for the 1.2, 5-speed manual and £12,095 OTR for the 1.2, 4-speed auto.

Hatchback, News

smart 'forrail' debuts on track

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smart has revealed a special 'forrail' in a one-off experiment.

The smart forfour is described by the Mercedes-owned brand as the 'ultimate commuting machine' yet as it is reliant on roads, smart admits the train has an obvious advantage in that it can get from point-to-point through a more direct route. With this in mind, engineers set up a light-hearted, one-off experiment to redressed the balance and see if the two could be combined.

Nicknamed the forrail, it might appear like a lightly modified forfour but it is, in fact, a fully certified mini-train, says smart. The car's tridion safety cell underpins the forrail and to avoid any steering movement, aluminium supports were welded between the axles meaning the wheels are locked in position.

Following six months of engineering work and sophisticated CAD modelling, the smart forrail comes equipped with unique, solid steel wheels each measuring 22-inches in diameter and weighing 80 kg, allowing it the traction it needs on rails. Designed by Interfleet, a specialised British train engineering business based in Derby, the team - who usually work on 16-litre, 70-tonne diesel locomotives - had to employ a new approach to the challenge presented by a 999 cc, one-tonne smart.

Under close supervision, the smart forrail tentatively took to the tracks on the privately operated Bluebell Railway. Tackling the 10-mile stretch of railway cutting through Sussex the experimental 'train' successfully completed its test, much to the surprise of some local trainspotters.