Ford adds Edge to its SUV line-up

Arriving in UK dealerships this summer, the all-new Edge tops off Ford's three-car SUV line-up.

Offering space for up to five passengers, 'segment-first technologies and refinement to rival premium competitors', claims Ford, it joins the medium-sized Ford Kuga and compact EcoSport models in what is the UK's fastest-growing vehicle sector.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: "The introduction of the stylish Ford Edge SUV is another incredibly exciting moment for Ford and its dealers. Joining performance products like Mustang and Focus RS and new luxury products like Mondeo Vignale already in showrooms, the Edge makes the Ford product line-up for 2016 never stronger.

Available in Zetec, Titanium and Sport series, the Edge is equipped as standard with Ford intelligent all-wheel drive, Active Noise Control, Pedestrian Detection, Ford DAB Audio with SYNC 2 connectivity, privacy glass and 19in alloy wheels. It comes in a choice of 10 exterior colours and a wide range of interior leather trim options.

The Edge will be offered in the UK with a choice of 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210PS bi-turbo 2.0litre TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. Both powertrains will deliver 48.7mpg fuel efficiency and 149g/km CO2 supported by Auto-Start-Stop technology (47.9mpg and 152g/km when fitted with 20in wheels).

Ford's SUV flagship will feature new technologies, including Adaptive Steering, Front Wide View Camera and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection; a camera- and radar-based system that can operate at speeds from 5mph to 110mph to detect vehicles and people in the road ahead. 

Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is fitted as standard, switching between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive to adapt to changing road conditions. It measures how the wheels are gripping the road surface every 16 milliseconds and can send up to 100 per cent of engine torque to the front or rear wheels.

Acoustic windscreen glass and laminated glass for both front door windows, reduce the intrusion of wind noise while underbody panels and wheel-arch liners further minimise noise from both the wind and the road.

All Edge models are also equipped with Ford's Active Noise Control technology that detects unwanted engine noise in the cabin and cancels it out with opposing sound waves fed through the integrated sound system.

Available to order now, the all-new Ford Edge is priced from £29,995 on the road.

Volkswagen unveils BUDD-e concept minivan at CES

Making its world debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the BUDD-e minivan concept represents Volkswagen’s view of the future of the family transport.

The zero-emission van is the first Volkswagen concept car based on the new Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), which has been specifically tailored for the use of compact electric motors and high-performance batteries. 

The flat and space-saving battery with an energy content of 92.4 kWh is integrated into almost the entire vehicle floor of the BUDD-e, powering two electric motors driving both axles. 

The front motor produces 110 kW, while the rear produces 125 kW, resulting in a top speed of 112 mph with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds.

VW estimates that the battery will deliver a real-world driving range of up to 233 miles (EPA), enabling the BUDD-e to be used as the primary car in a household. The battery can be charged either by plugging it into a power socket or using inductive charging. An 80 percent charge can be achieved in about 30 minutes at a charging power of 150 kW (DC).

While paying tribute to the classic T-series minivans, Volkswagen says the concept’s design sets its sights firmly on the immediate future.

In terms of length, the BUDD-e sits between the Touran and the Multivan T6, although it is wider than both, and the MEB platform has enabled the designers to optimise its interior dimensions.

The heating and air conditioning unit system has been completely integrated in the front end of the car, creating more space for front seat passengers while at the same time improving acoustics thanks to a reduction in fan noise.

The BUDD-e becomes part of the Internet of Things, offering networked access to your home or your workplace. Equipped with next generation Infotainment for a completely new method of intuitive operation and information processing, buttons and switches are replaced by touch and gesture controls while individual displays blend into large infotainment panels and rear-view mirrors make way for digital screens.

VW says the matrix of these new, interactive infotainment and operating systems gently launches passengers aboard the Volkswagen concept car forward - to the end of the decade.

The Consumer Electronics Show runs from 6-9 January.

Kia to unveil all-new SUV concept in Detroit

Kia will reveal a brand new concept car at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Conceived at the Korean carmaker’s California design studio, the concept features advanced technology – including state-of-the-art health-and-wellness technology – and takes Kia’s design language in a new direction, hinting at the styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand’s line-up.

Kia says that there are currently no plans for the concept to enter immediate production and decisions on which markets may receive a future production version will be made in due course.

The Detroit Auto Show opens its doors on January 11, 2016.

Rolls-Royce tests new space-frame structures

Rolls-Royce has now begun the testing phase of its new aluminium space-frame architecture, using engineering mules on public roads around the world.

“Since 2003 and the commissioning of the new Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has reset the benchmark for luxury motoring,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Now it is time to take the next step in the luxury journey. This is why I am announcing today that on-road testing of our all-new proprietary architecture is beginning. This new architecture of pure luxury represents considerable investment in the future of our great brand.”

Engineering mules will be assessed on public roads in various locations around the globe to ensure that the new space-frame structure delivers the company’s trademark ‘magic-carpet ride’ on a variety of surfaces and that it is resilient to extreme weather conditions. 

The assessment is the first stage of a development programme that will see a new generation of Rolls-Royce cars – underpinned by this new architecture – become available from early 2018.

Jaguar unveils F-TYPE British Design Edition

The Jaguar F-TYPE British Design Edition

Jaguar has launched an exclusive British Design Edition of its F-TYPE sportscar.

Based on the F-TYPE S Coupe and Convertible, and featuring a range of visual enhancements and additional equipment, the special edition is offered either in an Ultimate Black finish, or in one of three colours from a palette inspired by the Union Jack: Caldera Red, Glacier White and Ultra Blue.

Further enhancements come from the Sport Design pack, Satin Grey 20-inch Cyclone wheels and discreet British Design Edition badges front and rear, with unique branding on the centre console, headrests and the stainless steel tread plates.

The Jet leather interior is finished with contrast stitching in a choice of three colours - Red, Ivory or Reims Blue - with carbon fibre trim around the centre console. Jaguar’s InControl Touch and InControl Touch Plus infotainment systems support a range of apps to improve driver connectivity, and are offered with upgraded Meridian audio equipment.

Power comes exclusively from the 380PS/ 460Nm supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, matched to the eight-speed Quickshift transmission with all-wheel drive. 

The F-TYPE British Design Edition is available to order now at Jaguar UK retailers priced from £75,225 for the Coupe version and £80,390 for the Convertible.

Customer deliveries are set to begin in the Spring.

Faraday Future unveils FFZERO1 Concept at CES

Automotive newcomer, Faraday Future (FF), has introduced its plan to rethink mobility, unveiling the FFZERO1 Concept, which is making its public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The company’s first ever concept is a high performance electric vehicle built upon FF’s Variable Platform Architecture (VPA), a modular engineering system optimised for electric vehicles, on which all future FF production vehicles will be based. 

The VPA is designed to minimise production costs, deliver quality and safety, increase speed to market, and support a range of different vehicle types and sizes.  

The high performance FFZERO1 Concept was applied to the VPA in order to maximise the platform’s potential and showcase its flexibility. 

It features adaptive personalisation, seamless transfer of custom vehicle configurations, access to live images and real time data visualisation. The smartphone has been directly integrated into the steering column, enabling it to serve as the interface between the vehicle and the driver in – and outside – of the car. 

The FFZERO1 Concept could be fully autonomous, meeting its driver at the track and perhaps taking a few perfect laps on its own to compare with, and improve upon, its driver’s performance. 

The interior, primarily white with a carbon fibre finish, features a NASA-inspired single-seat configuration, offering a comfortable, weightless body position, says FF, holding the driver at a perfect 45-degree angle, thereby helping to promote circulation. 

The propeller-shaped, asymmetric instrument panel is a theme that will be incorporated into the future FF design DNA. It runs seamlessly into a Halo Safety System with integrated head and neck support, oxygen, and water supply fed to the driver through a prototype helmet. The system could also gather biometric data about its driver. 

Utilising lightweight materials and composites on the VPA platform, the FF design team experimented with new driver-focused proportions, pushing the canopy forward for a perfectly aerodynamic teardrop profile. 

“The FFZERO1 Concept is an amplified version of the design and engineering philosophies informing FF’s forthcoming production vehicles,” said Richard Kim, head of design, Faraday Future. “This project liberated our designers and inspired new approaches for vehicle forms, proportions and packaging that we can apply to our upcoming production models.” 

Powered by four motors, one at each wheel, the FFZERO1 is built for the track. If developed for limited production, it will have more than 1000 horsepower and will accelerate from zero to 60 in under three seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 miles per hour. 

FF has also announced a strategic cooperation with global technology brand, Letv. The two companies will build advanced electric vehicles by bringing together resources from four domains: technology, automotive, internet and cloud, and entertainment content. 

Headquartered in California, the FF team is composed of experts in automotive, aerospace and technology fields who believe the future mobility experience should integrate seamlessly to the connected age. 

The company plans to invest 1 billion US Dollars in the creation of a manufacturing facility in North Las Vegas. The company is set to break ground on this phase one investment in the next few weeks, and ultimately employ 4,500 people.

Ferrari floats on Italian Stock Exchange

Ferrari shares have begun trading on the Borsa Italiana (Italian Stock Exchange) in Milan.

“Ferrari: A new milestone, a new start”, these were the words Ferrari Chairman Sergio Marchionne inscribed in the guest book of the Italian Stock Exchange during the Ferrari Listing Ceremony on the MTA. 

Raffaele Jerusalmi, CEO of Borsa Italiana presided over the ceremony, which took place a few months after Ferrari’s debut on the New York Stock Exchange last October 21, while Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy, was the guest of honour.

The stock began trading after Marchionne, FCA Chairman John Elkann, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa and Ferrari Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari rang the traditional opening bell.

Thereafter Marchionne made a brief speech, during which he underlined the fact that Ferrari’s listing on the MTA (Mercato Telematico Azionario) represents a new start, rather than a point of arrival and that its now complete spin-off from FCA reaffirms the independence Ferrari has always enjoyed within the group.

He highlighted the brand’s Italian heritage and thanked John Elkann and Piero Ferrari, heirs of Giovanni Agnelli and Enzo Ferrari, who in 1969 forged a historic alliance between their two car firms.

Marchionne also made reference to the forthcoming Formula 1 season, joking with Team Principal Maurizio Arrivabene that he expects Ferrari to return to its rightful place at the top of the sport.

The ceremony concluded with remarks by Prime Minister Renzi, who was then presented with a 1:8 scale sized model of the most recent Formula 1 car, the SF15-T.

Volvo develops intelligent media streaming for self-driving cars

Volvo is developing intelligent, high-bandwidth streaming capabilities with its technology partner, Ericsson.

The announcement comes as the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opens its doors to the public and the goal, says Volvo, will be to ensure drivers and passengers get the most out of their time travelling in an autonomous Volvo.

“We recently unveiled our design vision for fully autonomous cars with Concept 26. Now we are actively working on future solutions to deliver the best user experience in fully autonomous mode. Imagine a highway full of autonomous cars with their occupants sitting back watching their favourite TV shows in high definition. This new way of commuting will demand new technology and a much broader bandwidth to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience,” said Anders Tylman, General Manager Volvo Monitoring and Concept Centre at Volvo Car Group.

Autonomous drive will bring a paradigm shift to mobile net demands and Volvo and Ericsson believe that it will result in an increased need for consistent and high-bandwidth coverage outside densely populated areas such as city centres and suburbs.

Utilising Ericsson’s network and cloud expertise, Volvo’s aim is to deliver a high-quality, interruption-free experience in its cars while on the move. By predicting your route and looking ahead at network conditions, content can be tailored to the duration of each trip and intelligently buffered to deliver a high-quality and uninterrupted viewing experience.

“Our research shows that almost 70 per cent of all mobile data traffic will be from video in the coming years. This requires an innovative connectivity, cloud and analytics solution that is not only capable of serving multiple moving vehicles across a highway, but also has the capacity to provide the high-quality, uninterrupted video service today’s consumer is accustomed to,” said Claes Herlitz, ‎Head of Automotive Services at Ericsson.

By learning the most common routes and times of travel, and understanding media preferences, future Volvo cars will be able to provide one-click navigation and a customised preference-based list of potential media – allowing customers to choose routes and select content tailored to the amount of autonomous time that is available during their commute.

“If you want to watch the latest episode of your favourite series, the car will know how long the journey needs to take and can optimise the route and driving control accordingly. With autonomous drive it is no longer just a question of getting from A to B quickly – it’s about the experience you wish to have in the car, how you wish to spend the time you are saving. With our future autonomous drive technology we will provide people with the freedom to choose the way they would like to commute and the content they would like to experience,” concluded Anders Tylman.

Bentley introduces stone veneers by Mulliner

Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner, has unveiled a new stone veneer interior finish.

State-of-the-art stone veneer technology has been utilised, says Bentley, ‘to make a luxurious, contemporary feature of a natural product formed over 200 million years’.

Sections of slate and quartzite stone, sourced from quarries in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, India, are split from larger pieces and cured using glass fibre and a bespoke resin. 

Finally, they are shaped and hand finished by Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding team at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England.

The stone surfaces of the veneers are just 0.1 mm thick, so they are both extremely light and translucent, allowing the grain and pattern to be visible to the interior occupants. 

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments: “We are the established experts in the handcrafting of wood and
leather, and now we are exploring new, fine and rare materials to offer even more bespoke tailoring and choice to our customers. Stone veneers are another first for Bentley – but only the beginning of what we plan to do with this luxurious and unique material.” 

Mulliner is offering Stone Veneers in a natural finish, in four different colours on the Continental and Flying Spur: Galaxy, Autumn White, Terra Red and Copper. Mulliner’s bespoke team will work with individual customers to discuss their unique requirements.

Freelander 1 becomes Land Rover Heritage vehicle

Produced from 1997 to 2006, the Land Rover Freelander 1 is now officially a Land Rover Heritage vehicle. 

A Heritage model is defined as a product that has been out of production for longer than 10 years so Freelander 1 owners will now be supported by the brand’s Heritage experts to ensure they can continue to enjoy their vehicles for many years to come.

Land Rover Heritage specialises in cars, services, parts and experiences for classic Land Rover models and the Freelander 1 becomes the brand’s eighth Heritage model, joining the Series I, II and III, Range Rover Classic and P38 Range Rover plus Discovery 1 and 2.

Over 9,000 individual Land Rover Heritage Part numbers are available for the Freelander 1, adding to the brand’s parts catalogue, which already features over 33,000 items for both Jaguar and Land Rover Heritage vehicles.

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Heritage, said: “With the addition of the Freelander 1 as a Heritage model, Land Rover is reaffirming its support and commitment to its loyal customers by providing exceptional cars, services, parts and experiences for models more than 10 years out of production. Genuine Land Rover Heritage Parts for Freelander 1 have been engineered and tested in extreme conditions. As such it gives our customers total peace-of-mind that their vehicles are maintained to the highest possible standards.”

The Freelander became Europe’s best-selling 4WD vehicle for five consecutive years after its launch in 1997 and at the time had 16 patented features including Hill Decent Control (HDC), Immediate Reduction Drive (IDR), a viscous-coupling (VCU) and an innovative ABS system designed specifically for off-road situations.

Revell Ford GT snap kits up for grabs at Detroit

Ford GT snap kits will be available to purchase through online stores and retailers starting in April

Kids can get their very first Ford GT when they stop by the Ford stand at the Detroit Auto Show in January. 

Ford is giving away Revell-built Ford GT model snap kits and will introduce a retail line in April. 

The auto show kit includes 14 pieces for easy assembly in just a few minutes, and will feature a unique auto show stamp on the bottom to signify the special edition. The retail model is more detailed; it has 28 pieces, takes 10 to 15 minutes to build, and will be widely available to purchase for $14.99.

“Our annual Revell Make ‘n Take model kit program has become a fun-filled auto show tradition,” said Mark Bentley, Ford Licensing manager. “Letting kids build their own Ford GT is a great way to introduce them to the Ford brand and create new enthusiasts.”

Ford has worked with Illinois-based Revell to build snap kits for motor shows and for retail sale since 2013. The licensing agreement started with Mustang, followed by a Raptor version. 

“We’ve always enjoyed building Ford products,” said Brian Eble, Revell’s Vice President of Marketing. “Ford’s iconic designs make them a great brand to replicate. From first time model builders to master builders; Ford products continue to be one of the most sought after subject matter for scale plastic model kits.”

Audi’s growth plans include all-new Q2 model

Audi bosses have announced growth plans for the brand in 2016, including the launch of a Q5 replacement as well as a new Q2 model.

The carmaker intends to invest more than 3 billion EURO over the coming financial year with half the expenditure earmarked for the German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

“We are continuing with our high levels of investment in future technologies to enhance the strong position of our brand,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler. 

The introduction of the Q2 will see Audi enter a new market segment. The ‘Q’ naming convention is reserved for SUVs but the use of the even number ‘2’ could suggest something slightly different to a straightforward compact crossover. 

In addition, Audi will present the successor to the Q5 SUV in 2016, followed in 2018 by the launch of the its first large‑series battery‑electric vehicle, based on the Audi e-tron Quattro concept. 

“A significant proportion of our investment is naturally in the field of alternative drive systems,” stated Stadler. 

Audi is continuing to push forward in the field of ‘digitalisation’, following its acquisition in December of a one‑third interest in HERE, a leading provider of digital maps and location-based services, at a cost of 0.85 billion EURO. 

In order to maintain its reputation for “Vorsprung durch Technik”, Audi plans strengthen its workforce in 2016 with specialists in alternative drive systems and lightweight construction, as well as IT specialists.

By 2020, Audi plans to expand its model range to include 60 different vehicles.

X-Men inspired Kia Sportage created ahead of Apocalypse

Kia is to unveil a special, one-off X-Men-inspired Sportage as part of its ongoing collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox and the X-Men movie franchise. 

The 2nd generation Kia X-Car has been created to promote the new X-Men: Apocalypse film and Kia’s sponsorship of the Australian Open 2016 tennis championship.

Inspired by X-Men character Mystique, the 2nd generation Kia X-Car mimics the appearance and powers of the famous shape-shifter. X-Men fans are invited to watch the X-Car shape-shift in a special on-line video starring Kia’s ‘superhuman’ global brand ambassador Rafael Nadal by visiting https://www.allaboutsportage.com/ from 4 January, 2016. 

The Sportage, driven by Nadal in his efforts to take on the X-Men’s arch-villain Apocalypse, transforms from its standard state into custom-designed bodywork with a special textured matte and gloss blue paint finish, racing wheels and tyres along with red and yellow bodywork highlights.

Ahead of the X-Men: Apocalypse’s global release in cinemas in May 2016, the brand will take the covers off the new car before the start of the Australian Open in January in Melbourne, where it will remain on public display throughout the tournament (18-31 January) before making appearances at various international motor shows and fan events in the run up to the film’s premiere.

The Sportage-based Kia X-Car is the company’s second show car project in collaboration with Fox, following the Wolverine-inspired Sorento that was shown at the Australian Open 2015 earlier this year. 

The all-new Kia Sportage was revealed earlier this year, featuring an all-new exterior design, a host of advanced new technologies and enhanced quality. It is set to go on sale in early 2016.

Rinspeed to debut self-driving Etos at CES

For the first time ever, Rinspeed is to debut a concept car outside of its Swiss homeland, choosing the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for the world premiere of its new autonomous Etos.

Rinspeed owner, Frank M. Rinderknecht, says: “The digital world will provide the major and above all the disruptive innovations in automotive engineering. That is why nowadays all major car manufacturers and suppliers are present at the CES Consumer Electronics Show.” 

Based on BMW i8 underpinnings with design by the specialist team at 4erC, the Etos is described as a sustainable but also a fast racer.

The coupe bodywork utilises lightweight materials with an aluminum front structure bonded to a carbon fibre passenger cell, topped off with smartphone-style Gorilla glass for the roof.

The Etos is fitted with an on-board drone complete with landing platform in the rear (also made with Gorilla glass), fitted with 12,000 individually controlled LEDs which can transform it into an electronic message board or a visual dancefloor. 

The drone itself can provide some very useful services, says Rinspeed, like picking up a bouquet of flowers ordered on the way home or shooting a selfie of your drive and streaming it live to your friends. 

The technical highlight in the interior is the folding and retracting steering wheel from ZF TRW, which disappears into the dashboard in a few seconds, creating lots of space in front of the driver who can then read a book in comfort or work in a more relaxed atmosphere. 

An intelligent infotainment experience, provided by Harman Connected Car technologies, gets to know the appointments, wishes and needs of the occupants and then proactively offers up tailored selection options accordingly.

This reduces the number of manual entries required but when necessary, the system responds to voice commands, gestures, touch input, controller or the push of a button. 

A total of eight HD exterior cameras provide 180-degree panoramic views in front of the vehicle and behind, acting as virtual exterior mirrors with an expanded field of vision and no blind spots. 

The Rinspeed Etos will make its global debut at the CES, from 5-8 January, 2016, as part of the HARMAN event in the Muse Hall of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

Its European premiere will follow at the Geneva Motor Show in March. 

Audi to present latest tech at CES

Audi set to attend world's largest electronics trade show for the sixth time

Audi is set to present its latest technologies and models at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month. 

Once again, the press conference on the first day of the show will be followed by the Audi Tech Talk, at which technology experts will be available to answer questions.

At the press conference, Ricky Hudi, Head of Development Electrics/Electronics, and Scott Keogh, President of Audi of America, will address the latest trends, technologies and products in the areas of infotainment and Audi connect, controls and displays as well as electrification and lighting technology. 

With a concept car and numerous technology exhibits, Audi says it will be offering an outlook on the automotive future, which will be influenced more than ever by the electronics field.

At the Audi Tech Talk, which is open to the public, technology experts will offer an in-depth look at electronics development and will be available to answer questions from journalists and show visitors.

The world’s largest electronics trade show is highly significant for Audi. In 2011, it was the first carmaker to make an appearance at CES with its own exhibit space.

CES is being held in Las Vegas from 6-8 January, 2016.

Jannarelly reveals retro-styled sportscar

New Jannarelly car brand is centred on automotive emotions

All-new car brand, Jannarelly, is set to launch early next year with its first model, the Design-1 - a track-ready sportscar with a distinctly retro look.

Designer, Anthony Jannarelly, and Frederic Juillot, owner of Equation Composite, a company specialised in carbon fibre parts, have combined their skills and experience to create the all-new high-performance, customisable lightweight sportscar.

The Dubai-based Frenchmen own a Caterham and a Donkervoort respectively, and describe themselves as great admirers of ‘classic car design with timeless lines as well as the essence of the 60’s motoring era’. 

They began with a straightforward concept: A really simple and mechanical car with state-of-the-art components that can be customised until it reflects its owner.

The Jannarelly Design-1 is a rear wheel drive 2-seater roadster with a steel tubular frame and structural aluminium panels for the chassis. It is fitted with a mid-rear V6 DOHC 24-valve engine. Most of the body is made out of fibreglass and carbon fibre.

The Jannarelly brand is said to centred on automotive emotions, self-expression and creativity. Its whole purpose is to allow a great freedom in self-customisation and pure performance. The first model draws inspiration from the universe of Petrolicious, Jay Leno's garage and Magnus Walker. 

Jannarelly says that both the Design-1’s lines and its simple and flexible mechanical approach pay tribute to the 1960s, ‘the golden age of the sports car, when design and technology were in perfect sync, generating organic, feminine lines, naturally modelled.’

The first prototype is set for completion in early February and deliveries of a first series of 30 cars are expected to begin in the summer of 2016.

2016 upgrades for VW Polo, Golf and Passat

Volkswagen has announced trim upgrades across its Polo, Golf and Passat ranges for 2016.

The Polo Match replaces the SE trim. It’s available in three- and five-door bodystyles and with a range of engine and transmission options, adding more than £900-worth of extra equipment.

Among the new standard-fit features are cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, front fog lights with static cornering function, tinted rear windows and new 15-inch Stratford alloy wheels.  

A price rise of £100, means the Polo Match is available to order now from £12,735 on the road (OTR).

The Volkswagen Golf, now in its seventh generation, will get two new versions – the GT Edition and R-Line Edition. 

Priced at £23,915 OTR, the GT Edition costs £300 more than the GT it replaces, but gains an extra £1,795 worth of equipment including 18-inch Durban alloy wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. 

Meanwhile, the new Golf R-Line Edition replaces the R-Line trim and, for an increase of £250 OTR, adds £1,730-worth of equipment including larger 18-inch Serron alloys wheels and a panoramic sunroof.  

The Golf R-Line Edition will be available to order from £24,860 OTR and, as with the new GT Edition, is set to arrive in Volkswagen UK showrooms early in 2016.

An enhanced version of the Passat SE Business trim level is designed to add more style and value to both the saloon and estate variants, with standard features such as Discover Navigation, front fog lights, electric folding door mirrors and tinted rear windows– together amounting to £555 of value – for £100 OTR more than the SE model, which is being removed from the range.

New versions of the Polo, Golf, and Passat Saloon and Estate are available to order from Volkswagen UK Retailers now, with deliveries set to begin early in the New Year.

Lamborghini confirms track driving courses for 2016

Automobili Lamborghini has announced details of its programmeme of Esperienza and Accademia track driving courses for 2016, with locations in Europe, America, Asia and Australia.

The 2016 season will get under way in Europe, with the Winter Accademia on the evocative icy surface of Livigno, Italy, to be held in late February. Hot on its heels, the famous resort of Aspen, Colorado, is the venue for the American event.

Following the winter dates, the Phillip Island circuit hosts the first Accademia course in Australia. After the first leg at Italy’s Imola circuit, the Accademia will follow some important European rounds of the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo one-make series, including the historic Nurburgring circuit, and Valencia, which is also the location for the race series’ world finals.

In the United States the Accademia will be held at the Laguna Seca circuit, while Las Vegas is the setting for the second edition of the Pilota Lamborghini course, dedicated to competitive racing.

The 2016 Lamborghini Esperienza calendar will also take in four continents, with more than twenty dates scheduled at some of the most prestigious circuits in Europe, the United States, Asia and Australia.

Lamborghini Esperienza is the first step for those who wish to get closer to the world of Lamborghini, providing an introduction to the Raging Bull brand and its legendary super sports cars. For the Imola Esperienza, activities include a visit to the Lamborghini factory and museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Bologna), as well as the track driving.

The Lamborghini Accademia offers fans the chance to drive on the track (Track Accademia) or on ice (Winter Accademia). Each Accademia offers two types of programme – intensive and advanced – giving the participants the opportunity to take their first steps towards the world of competitive racing. 

The course involves multiple training sessions during which drivers undertake various exercises including slaloms, acceleration, braking and oversteering.

Each track day is open to a maximum of 24 participants on the intensive course, and 20 on the advanced course. Drivers are divided into small groups to make the experience highly exclusive and personalised.

The most advanced stage of the Accademia course is the Pilota Lamborghini course, the first edition of which was held in November at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This new programme is for those with the desire to become a racing driver, through a series of tests which simulate a full-on competitive race weekend.

Over 2,000 attendees are expected at the Esperienza and Accademia courses during 2016. All participants will be able to put themselves to the test and perfect their driving aboard the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4, the V12 benchmark for luxury super sports cars, and the Lamborghini Huracan, in the Coupé, Spyder and 2WD versions.

The Esperienza and Accademia courses are part of the Lamborghini Squadra Corse programme, which since 2013 has offered an integrated approach to Lamborghini driving experiences, right through to the world of competitive racing with the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo and GT3.

Like this year, in 2016 Lamborghini Squadra Corse will also select drivers from the Young Drivers and GT3 Junior Programme to participate as instructors at the Esperienza and Accademia events around the world.

Toyota to preview new mapping technology at CES

Toyota’s new high-precision map generation system to support the safe implementation of automated driving, is set to go on display at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in January.

The new system will use data from on-board cameras and GPS devices installed in production vehicles. Road images and vehicle positional information is sent to data centres, where it is automatically pieced together, corrected and updated to generate high precision road maps that cover a wide area.

An understanding of road layouts and traffic rules (including speed limits and various road signs) is essential for the successful implementation of automated driving technologies. Additionally, high precision measurement of positional information requires the collection of information on dividing lines, kerbs, and other road characteristics.

Until now, map data for automated driving purposes has been generated using specially-built vehicles equipped with three-dimensional laser scanners. These vehicles are driven through urban areas and on highways, and data is collected and manually edited to incorporate information such as dividing lines and road signs. Due to the infrequent nature of data collection, maps generated in this manner are seldom updated, limiting their usefulness and they are also relatively costly to maintain. 

Toyota's newly developed system uses automated cloud-based spatial information generation technology (developed by Toyota Central R&D Labs) to generate high precision road image data from the databanks and GPS devices of designated user vehicles. While such a system has a higher probability of error than one using three-dimensional laser scanners, positional errors can be mitigated using image matching technologies that integrate and correct road image data collected from multiple vehicles, as well as high precision trajectory estimation technologies. This restricts the system's margin of error to a maximum of 5 cm on straight roads. Utilising production vehicles and existing infrastructure to collect information, this data can be updated in real time. Furthermore, the system can be implemented and scaled up at a relatively low cost.

To support the spread of automated driving technologies, Toyota plans to include this system as a core element in automated driving vehicles that will be made available in production vehicles by around 2020. While initial use of the system is expected to be limited to expressways, future development goals include expanding functionality to cover ordinary roads and assist in hazard avoidance.

Toyota will also seek to collaborate with mapmakers to encourage the use of high precision map data in services offered by both the public and private sectors.

CES 2016 takes place in Las Vegas, from 6-9 January.

Lexus NX runs on ice

Lexus has created a the world’s first set of working wheels and tyres made from ice.

Lexus commissioned a team of ‘ice sculpture’ specialists to explore how ice could be used in place of conventional alloy metal and rubber. After three months’ research, design and testing, the finished wheels were fitted to a Lexus NX for the ultimate ice drive. The car itself was deep-frozen, stored for five days at -30°C before being driven off down a London road.

The use of in-wheel LED lighting added an extra dramatic dimension to the cutting-edge contemporary styling of the NX. The project was undertaken by Hamilton Ice Sculptors, a London-based business established for more than 35 years. For the Lexus commission, genuine NX wheels and tyres were laser scanned and replicated using computer design and numerical control techniques. The result was an 'unprecedented fusing of art and engineering'. Four sculptors worked for 36 hours to produce each wheel. The millimetre-perfect finish was achieved with hand-crafting, using Japanese steel chisels and shaping tools, even the tread patterns on the tyres were faithfully reproduced.

The ice was made from softened water taken from a moving flow to ensure it was perfectly clear when taken from the freezer. Acrylic inserts were added to ensure the wheels could take the load of the NX.

Richard Balshaw, Lexus Director said: “Creating Amazing is what Lexus is about. Projects such as our hoverboard, the origami-inspired cardboard car and now a dazzling set of fully functioning ice wheels, demonstrate how we use advanced technologies and the best craftsmanship traditions to achieve outstanding results. That’s not just for eye-catching one-off projects, but for the cars we deliver to our customers too.”