Coupe

Coupe, Convertible, News

Ford Mustang adopts world-first knee airbag

The all-new Ford Mustang is the first vehicle to be equipped with a new type of knee airbag that is integrated within the lid of the glove box.

Ford says that utilising the glove box lid instead of the instrument panel helps maximise passenger space. Rather than a textile fabric airbag, the technology consists of a moulded plastic design, sandwiched between the outer and inner glove box lid surfaces.

At 46cm long and 28cm wide, the glove box airbag weighs 65 per cent less than a conventional knee airbag but offers comparable protection. In the event of a collision, a tiny gas generator inside the glove box lid inflates the bladder in 20 milliseconds, pushing the lid exterior outwards to provide leg protection. The weight reduction also improves fuel efficiency and the innovation has so far been granted 23 patents.

"This is a new way of thinking about airbags. We went back to the drawing board and in the course of a year went through hundreds of prototypes to get it just right," said Ford restraints manager Sean West. "With this design we were able to combine the functions of two separate parts into one single part to save on space, weight and components; and move the instrument panel further forward, ensuring there was more room for the front passenger."

Altogether the all-new Ford Mustang is equipped with eight airbags as standard and has been awarded the highest-possible safety standard by North American authorities. 

Available as a fastback or convertible with 5.0-litre V8 or 2.3 EcoBoost engine, it's on sale in the UK from £29,995 with right-hand drive for the first time in more than 50 years of production.

Coupe, News, Sports Car, Concept Car

Aston Martin DB9 GT at Pebble Beach

Aston Martin's new 2016 DB9 GT will make its global debut as part of the marque's presence at the Pebble Beach
Automotive Week.

Aston Martin will also offer a glimpse of its 'Second Century' with the DBX concept, Lagonda Taraf and Vulcan supercar all set to make appearances.

The GT claims the title of the most potent DB9 yet devised, by virtue of its uprated 6.0-litre V12 engine which now pumps out 540bhp - accompanied by a raft of engineering, equipment and styling developments.

Aston Martin's 'Second Century' plan was announced by Dr. Andy Palmer after completion of his first 150 days as CEO of Aston Martin. A strategy for the ongoing development of the 102-year old sports car maker laid out the principle mid-term actions that will drive the growth of the company.

The DBX concept, now confirmed for production, signals expansion into the luxury GT crossover market as part of a wider strategy to develop the strongest and most diverse product portfolio in the company's history.

Having made a surprise global debut at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, Aston Martin says the DBX has generated interest beyond expectations. 

The 800+bhp Aston Martin Vulcan makes its second bow in North America following a New York debut in April and will also be on display alongside the DBX. Styled entirely in-house by the design team led by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the Vulcan is powered by the most potent iteration yet of Aston Martin's naturally-aspirated, 7.0-litre V12 petrol engine, developed in conjunction with Aston Martin Racing.

Marking a first appearance in the North American market, the new Lagonda Taraf super saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern Aston Martin sports cars, such as the extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.

The car is hand-built at Aston Martin's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Gaydon in a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the One-77 supercar. 

The Lagonda Taraf will be exclusively available for viewings to customers and invited guests as well as leading the marque's presence at Quail: A Motorsports Gathering on 14 August.

Guests will again be hosted at the exclusive Aston Martin Estate, a private venue, situated high above Carmel with panoramic views across the Monterey Bay, which will also serve as the location for a number of exclusive events including private viewings of new Aston Martins and test drives of the current line-up.

Coupe, News

One-off Lexus RC F reacts to heartbeat

Lexus has created a one-off RC F that directly translates the driver's heart patterns into a visual display across the bodywork.

Driving a great car can stimulate the senses and quicken the heartbeat, and the RC F is Lexus's most powerful production V8 coupe yet. The special model is the result of collaboration between Lexus and the creative agency M&C Saatchi. Different technologies have been integrated into the car to monitor the driver's heartbeat and use the data captured to send an electric charge through the bodywork.

The body panels are finished in an electro-luminescent paint, produced by the US specialist Luminor, which reacts to the charge with an intense glow, pulsing in the same rhythm as the driver's heart rate. 

Sean Hanley, Lexus Australia Chief Executive, said: "This latest concept follows other innovative projects we have developed this year, including smart outdoor advertising billboards that respond to the car you're driving. The heartbeat car also links to another key part of Lexus - high performance vehicles - via our F marque models, and the emotional responses a machine like the RC F can inspire in a person."

Powered by a new 5.0-litre, 32-valve unit developed specifically for the RC F and matched to a specially calibrated eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission, the new Lexus delivers over 450bhp and 520Nm.

The UK will receive two versions - the RC F and the RC F Carbon with prices starting at £59,995 OTR.

Coupe, News

Ford Apollo Edition Mustang up for auction

Ford has created a unique, Apollo Edition Mustang to Celebrate the innovation and inspiration of Apollo Missions.

The special Mustang is set to benefit Experimental Aircraft Association youth education programmes as it goes under the hammer at the Gathering of Eagles charity event, July 23, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.

All proceeds from the sale of the car will benefit EAA youth education programmes, including the Young Eagles, which has provided free introductory flights to more than 1.9 million young people since 1992, helping grow the next generation of aviators.

"The Apollo programme delivered astonishing innovations in technology and achieved a national goal of landing the first human on the moon," said Edsel B. Ford II, a member of the Ford board of directors. "The entire programme was extraordinary - one of our nation's greatest technological achievements. With this year's stunning Apollo Edition Mustang, we salute that spirit of American ingenuity with the quintessential American automobile - Ford Mustang."

Design and engineering teams Led by Ford Design Manager Melvin Betancourt, transformed the 5.0-litre 'pony car' into the Apollo Edition Mustang - with 627 horsepower and 540 lb.ft of torque.

The exterior features a one-of-a-kind glossy pure white and pure black non-production paint scheme that delivers a creative connection with the NASA Apollo program. There's a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser, rocker mouldings and accent treatments, along with unique LED underbody lighting to symbolise atmospheric re-entry.

Performance enhancements include a Ford Performance supercharger and shifter, X-pipe with side and rear exhaust, sport-tuned suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes and custom Forgiato 21-inch performance wheels. 

The theme carries into the cabin with exclusive interior details, including performance gauges, modified instrument cluster, unique sill plates and embroidered elements in seats, trim panels and floor mats.

The Apollo Edition Mustang was modified by MAD Industries, led by Chris Mangum. Interior enhancements were designed by Ford's Betancourt and Nicole Rush, and created in-house by Ford's design fabrication team. Additional contributors to the project include Ford Performance, Eibach Springs, Carbon 2 Carbon, BASF automotive refinish, Gibson performance exhaust, Pirelli tires, Forgiato wheels, Rigid Industries LED lighting, SourceSE by sPod, 3M window film, PIAA Corporation, Brembo, APR performance, FOCAL/The Source AV and Odyssey battery.

The Apollo Edition Mustang will be on display all week in the Ford hangar at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015.

Coupe, Hatchback, News

Kelly Brook stars in Hyundai i20 short comedy

Hyundai has revealed a short comedy promoting its new i20, starring Kelly Brook and actor/comedian Tom Stourton.

Showcasing the new i20 hatchback and the i20 Coupe, the film is the fifth installment of the 'Honest Series'. The latest episode features hapless Hyundai car salesman, George who, as ever, has to deal with some difficult customers: this time a feuding couple (Brook & Stourton) who can't agree over anything, let alone whether they want the i20 or the i20 Coupe. The series of films have been designed to deliver engaging content 'with inherent social media currency' - as well as showing off Hyundai's model range, whilst upping the ante of the comedy.

Writer and director, Ollie Parsons explained: "We treated this series like a sitcom - not an ad - writing and producing it as you would any other TV comedy. This isn't only about making the audience laugh; it is also about quickly engaging them with the story and establishing the characters."

Adam Nickson, Head of Brand Strategy and Communications, says: "We wanted to push the boundaries with this new film and to entertain our audience. The latest episode, featuring arguing couple Kelly Brook and Tom Stourton, plays out a situation that many consumers may be able to relate to - we just took things that one step further!

"Laughter has long been known for its benefits to health and happiness but it's also a great way of building positive social relationships and that's precisely what we hope to achieve with this series."

To view the latest video, visit the Hyundai UK YouTube channel here https://youtu.be/sb07y7n6KkU

Vintage Car, Coupe, News

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

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.

Coupe, Crossover, SUV, News

Honda confirms new HR-V pricing and spec

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.

Coupe, News

Exclusive Bentleys inspired by Breitling Jets

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

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."

Sports Car, Coupe, News

First Lotus Evora 400 leaves factory

The first new Lotus Evora 400 has driven off the assembly line at Hethel, UK.

Finished in a metallic black, the first Lotus Evora 400 is destined to be a promotion car. The new Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Combining high performance with Lotus handling, it's faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive.

Maximum speed is 186 mph with acceleration from 0-62 mph taking just 4.2 seconds. Over two thirds of the Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.

In a small celebration with a selection of senior management, manufacturing and engineering staff, Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, said: "Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus. None of this would be possible, of course, without the confidence and commitment of our workforce who, with great skill and talent, hand build every Lotus car at Hethel."

The new Lotus, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year.

Pricing for the Lotus Evora 400 starts at £72,000 OTR.