Mercedes confirms new SL pricing

Mercedes has announced pricing for the new SL will start at £73,805 for the SL 400 AMG Line.

The SL range comprises of four petrol engines. The entry level SL 400 comes with a 4.0-litre V6 engine (175 g/km of CO2), which produces 367 hp – 34 hp more than its predecessor – has a 0-62 time of 4.9 seconds, and will be limited to just 130 vehicles. The SL 500 costs from £82,850 OTR and features a 4.6-litre V8 motor (205 g/km) with an output of 455 hp – for a 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds.

The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 will cost from £114,100 OTR and is powered by a 5.5-litre V8 engine (234 g/km CO2) with 585 hp, meaning it can sprint from 0 to 62 in 4.1 seconds. The SL 65, priced at £173,295 comes with a 6.0-litre V12 engine (279 g/m), which has an output of 630 hp and a 0-62 time of four seconds.

The Mercedes-AMG SL 63 and SL 65 adds extra equipment, including: AMG high performance composite braking system; AMG DYNAMIC SELECT; AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather; AMG Sports Exhaust System; AMG sports suspension; and ‘V8 BITURBO’ lettering on the front wings (‘V12 BITURBO’ for SL 65).

The entire SL range is optionally available with Night Package (SL 400: £895; SL 500 £495; SL 63 £2,475; SL 65 £795). The Package consists of 19-inch AMG alloy wheels with a seven-twin-spoke design (20-inch alloy wheels with a cross-spoke design available on SL 63 and SL 65); a diffuser trim strip and front splitter in high-gloss black and exterior mirror housings in high-gloss black.

The KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package (£1,605) allows the vehicle to be accessed without the driver having to touch the key. Additionally, the HANDS-FREE ACCESS function includes fully automatic opening and closing of the boot lid with a simple ‘kicking movement’ under the rear bumper.

Inside, the SL 400 and SL 500 come with the new aluminium trim with dark longitudinal grain as standard, while SL 63 and SL 65 come with as standard with the AMG carbon-fibre trim. A light carbon grain trim as also been added as a no-cost option. Brilliant Blue has now also been added to the SL’s colour palette, and, like its other metallic colour options, is available at no extra cost.

For an additional £2,730, customers can add the Luxury Package which includes: Active Body Control including Curve Tilt Function; Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system; Active Multicontour Seat Package; climatised seats including seat heating and ventilation; and power closing for doors and boot lid.

The Mercedes SL is available to order now.

New Renault KWID revealed in India

Renault has unveiled two new KWID show cars at the New Delhi Auto Show.

The KWID is currently enjoying record success in India with 90,000 orders already taken for the model since its launch four months ago. Renault is keen to build on the success with the two new cars - the KWID Climber and KWID Racer. While the former is bred for venturing away from the beaten track, the latter is more at home on the asphalt of race circuits.

The KWID Climber is an off-road variant, with high ground clearance, wide track, short overhangs - built for adventure off the beaten track. The KWID Racer conjures up the world of racing, with 18-inch alloy wheels, low-profile tyres, honed aerodynamics, bucket seats and a roll cage. Finished in a sporty metallic blue, its wide air intakes are suggestive of performance, while the spoilers and diffuser ‘guarantee outstanding handling’. The inside of the car features materials like Alcantara, aluminium and carbon.

Renault also showed a brand new 1.0 litre engine with an optimised design for better performance, that it plans to launch, as well as introducing the ‘Easy-R Gear Box’ - an all-new 5-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT). This clutch free driving experience combines the fuel economy and performance of a manual transmission with the convenience of automated gear shifting.

At present there are no plans for the Renault KWID to come to the UK.

More power for flagship Audi RS Q3 Performance

Audi has topped off its Q3 range with a new 'RS performance' model pumping out 367PS - an increase of 27PS over the 'standard' RS Q3.

 Joining RS 6 and RS 7 performance variants in the new wave of models positioned above regular RS equivalents, the RS Q3 performance boasts improved acceleration on the way to a 167mph top speed, and features equipment enhancements
which help distinguish it from its namesake.

Power comes from a revised version of the five-cylinder 2.5-litre TFSI petrol engine mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission. Peak torque of 465 Nm (343.0 lbft) is available between 1,625 and 5,550 rpm, helping the compact SUV reach 62mph from rest in 4.4 seconds (RS Q3 4.8), yet deliver combined consumption of up to 32.8mpg, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 203 g/km. 

The sports suspension has been lowered by 20mm while quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfers the power to the road via a hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. 

RS design details include restyled bumpers with large air inlets up front, a heavily profiled diffuser insert at the rear and gloss black honeycomb grilles. 

The exterior is also distinguishable from the 'standard' RS Q3 through additional matt titanium-look detailing, 20-inch 'performance exclusive' alloy wheels and the exclusive option of Ascari blue metallic paint. 

Inside the instrumentation features grey faces, white dials and red needles. Sports seats in Alcantara and leather with honeycomb stitching in blue are standard for UK models, and the blue accents are also applied to other elements throughout the cabin. 

UK order books for the new Audi RS Q3 performance are expected to open later this month with prices starting from £49,175 on the road.

Vauxhall Mokka facelift adds X appeal

Vauxhall's facelifted Mokka X will debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month.

Incorporating cues from Vauxhall's new design philosophy, the new model is the first to introduce the "X" segment identifier for future Vauxhall SUV and crossover vehicles.

The Mokka X's refreshed interior and exterior styling is the work of a design team lead by Brit Mark Adams. A new front treatment includes a wing-shaped horizontal grille and the sharp double-wing design LED daytime running lights. The bumper features new sculpted surfaces, with fewer plastic inserts, while at the rear there's another double wing signature highlighted in the tail lamps, with LED technology an option. 

On the inside, there's a completely new dashboard inspired by the Astra's, with a new instrument panel organised around more horizontally shaped elements. The centre stack has been redeveloped around the seven- and eight-inch touchscreens of the new generation infotainment systems. There are fewer buttons, since more functions are now accessible via the touchscreen.

The engine line-up now includes the 1.4-litre Direct Injection Turbo (152PS) petrol unit which first appeared in the all-new Astra. With a six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive all-wheel drive and start/stop, it delivers 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 154g/km. 

The new Mokka X will be available from launch with the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar and two versions of the new generation IntelliLink infotainment system, while LED Adaptive Forward Lighting headlamps replace the previous BiXenon AFL.

With nearly 100,000 sold in the UK since its launch in 2012, the Mokka SUV has been a big winner for Vauxhall. The new version will reach UK showrooms late this year.

TyreSafe targets mums-to-be to get babies home safely

A study has revealed that more than a quarter of new-born babies are making their first journey home from hospital on illegal or dangerous tyres.

 The shocking statistic comes from a TyreSafe survey of more than 100,000 tyres at the point of replacement conducted in partnership with Highways England.

With this in mind, TyreSafe - the UK's tyre safety organisation - is launching a brand new awareness campaign, 'Home safely on safe tyres', aimed at pregnant women, encouraging them to add CHECK TYRES to their pre-birth checklist in anticipation of the trips to and from hospital, before and after the arrival of their new-born babies.

While heavily-pregnant mums may not be able to carry out the checks themselves, they should ask a partner or local TyreSafe retailer to ensure their tyres' air pressure, condition and tread depth are safe and legal.

25-year old mum-to-be Janine McCarthy, is a vocal supporter of the campaign, having had a miraculous escape after a defective tyre on her car rapidly deflated, causing her to spin out of control and crash into the central reservation on a busy motorway. The car flipped six times before coming to a standstill. 

She said: "I remember the back wheels of the car skidding so I applied the brake gently, but as I did this, the car skidded right round out of control. 

I could see on-coming traffic and I panicked, braking harder. It caused the car to tip and start to roll and smash into the central metal fencing. It was terrifying. Witnesses told me afterwards that the car smashed into the barrier, flew to the opposite barrier, and then rolled down into the middle of a field.

I recall my arms being crossed in front of my face and the airbag going off. I felt dizzy and remember thinking 'this is it, I'm going to die'. 

When the car came to a standstill I laughed out of shock that I was ok. I was petrified that something had happened to my baby; I was nearly three months pregnant at the time and had been waiting for my first scan. I started screaming 'help me' as I noticed blood. The emergency services told me they couldn't believe I had walked away from the crash alive." 

Janine was taken by ambulance to hospital for checks and an emergency scan. Thankfully she escaped the ordeal with just minor cuts and bruises - and her unborn baby was absolutely fine. Janine is now looking forward to the birth, expected in March.

She explained: "TyreSafe's campaign is so important and I want everyone to listen and act on the message 'Home safely on safe tyres'. I was lucky, but defective and illegal tyres can ruin lives. As new mums-to-be, we pack our hospital bags with everything we need and check our baby car seats - but we need to add CHECK TYRES to our pre-baby checklist. There is nothing more important than getting our new-born babies home safely."

For further information on the 'Home safely on safe tyres' campaign visit the TyreSafe website at www.tyresafe.org.

Pininfarina teases Geneva-bound concept car

Pininfarina has released a teaser image of a concept car set to make its world debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show.

 The Turin-based automotive design house, recently acquired by Indian automaker Mahindra, describes the concept car as an 'innovative stylistic and technological jewel' but there are no other details beyond what we see in the image.

The detail shot appears to depict a sharp, sleek front-end, reminiscent of a contemporary supercar, with aero blade elements sweeping in towards the centre, which is topped off with the classic upright Pininfarina badge.

All will be revealed when the concept is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 at on the Pininfarina stand.

Kia confirms pricing for new Sportage

Kia has announced pricing and specification for the fourth-generation of its new Sportage crossover.

There are 18 variants on offer priced from £17,995 on the road and for the first time, GT-Line versions are added to the range, starting at £24,350. The flagship of the range is a luxurious First Edition model, priced at £31,645.

The new Sportage brings advances in fuel efficiency, comfort, connectivity, convenience and safety. The styling has been subtly modernised and Kia says that every model benefits from "a more premium look and feel to the interior".

There are now four engines and three transmissions with the introduction of a 1.6-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) unit and a 7DCT (seven-speed dual-clutch automatic) gearbox, both of which are reserved exclusively for GT-Line. They join re-engineered 1.6-litre GDi petrol and 1.7- and 2.0-litre turbodiesel power units with improved fuel economy and CO2 reductions of up to 29g/km, which means lower company car tax for business users.

The six trim lines are badged 1, 2, 3, 4, GT-Line and First Edition. All versions powered by the 1.6-litre GDi and 1.7-litre CRDi engines are front-wheel drive, while those powered by the 1.6-litre T-GDi unit and the two 2.0-litre CRDi diesels have all-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive versions are distinguished by the 'KX' prefix in the model designation - except for GT-Line and First Edition versions

Kia's latest offering slots into the compact SUV/crossover sector of the market, which is expected to grow from 9.4 per cent of the total in Europe in 2015 to 10.2 per cent by 2018, with total sales for the sector predicted at 1.6 million. 

The outgoing Sportage was the best-selling Kia in the UK, claiming close to 29 per cent of the company's sales.

The new car comes with a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, subject to certain wear and tear conditions. It is also available with Kia's Care-3 and Care-3 Plus servicing packages, offering retail customers fixed-cost servicing for three or five years.

The new Kia Sportage is on sale from February 5, 2016.

Fiat 500X strikes a pose in Zoolander 2

Fiat’s 500X has starred alongside supermodel Derek Zoolander in the eagerly-anticipated “Zoolander 2” sequel.

At a fan screening of the new film in Rome, Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles was present as a main partner on the red carpet, with a Fiat 500X finished in its special Tri-Coat Yellow livery. Produced by Paramount Pictures and shot predominantly in Rome, the film brings the Fiat 500X together for the first time with one of the most famous film and fashion characters.

The collaboration between Fiat and Paramount has also produced a new Fiat 500X advertisement called "Selfie” in which Zoolander fools around with a rather special camera.. a safety camera. Driving his yellow Fiat 500X, he poses for photos by the safety camera as though he were on a fashion shoot, showing off his best expressions, especially his mythical ‘Blue Steel’ pose. It’s an unconventional fashion shoot which Zoolander thinks shows him at his dazzling best but which is ultimately interrupted by the police.

Zoolander 2 is set for a UK release on February 12, 2016. The Fiat 500X range starts at £14,595 OTR.

Suzuki Special Edition Swift SZ-L

Suzuki has revived the Swift 'SZ-L' special edition.

Previously limited to just 500 units, the special edition is available as either three or five door with manual transmission and is based on the SZ3 trim. This comes equipped as standard with seven airbags, ESP, air conditioning, USB port, Bluetooth and LED daytime running lights. This latest special edition adds a unique exterior design with Gloss Black 16” Alloy wheels, rear upper spoiler and SZ-L badging.

Further standard equipment features for SZ-L include satellite navigation, DAB Radio, cruise control, Sport type steering wheel with silver stitching plus further silver stitching to the seats and gear lever boot. Available in seven colours, a new Horizon Orange metallic is also available for the first time on the Swift, a cost option of £430.

The 1.2-litre Dual VVT 94PS engine is described by Suzuki as one of the most powerful in its class, with low emissions of 116g/km CO2 while returning 56.5mpg on the combined cycle.

On sale now, the Suzuki Swift SZ-L is priced at £10,999 for the three door model and £11,499 for the five door.

Skoda previews new VisionS ahead of Geneva debut

Skoda has released teaser images of a new SUV concept - the VisionS.

Hinting at how a future Skoda SUV could look, the new concept is set to be revealed at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Over recent years Skoda has completely renewed its model range and says the next phase will involve broadening the range of models in the SUV segment.

Skoda’s new design language was unveiled in 2014 with the VisionC design study, and this now extends to the SUV segment with the VisionS (‘S’ stands for SUV) showing how how an SUV with three rows of seats, larger than the Yeti model, could look. On the inside a large interior offers ‘generous space’ for six occupants thanks to a total length of 4.70 metres.

The VisionS features design lines and edges described as ‘clear, precise and sharp’. At the front the bonnet has contours flowing towards the brands logo. The wide grille and four tapered, high-set LED headlights characterise the face of the show car, emphasising the vehicle’s SUV character. ‘Crystalline’ elements in the vertical struts in the grille and on the logo are Skoda’s tribute to the Czech art of crystal-glass design.

The side view features a ‘sharp tornado line’ spanning the entire length of the car. Angular wheel arches emphasise the off-road character and the upper-shoulder contour forms a deep groove over the sills. The quickly sloping roofline with the long spoiler and tapered rear ‘visually accelerate’ the show car further.

At the rear, a strong diffuser insert bordering the large exhaust pipes gives the SUV a powerful stance. The Skoda logo and shallow rear lights with dynamically cut crystalline housings sit just beneath the low rear window, while Skoda’s characteristic C-arm, beginning at the rear lights, runs into the flat reflectors in the bumper.

The Geneva Motor Show runs from 3-13 March.

Kia scoops two iF Design Awards

Two of Kia's newest models have both won an iF Design Award.

The Kia Sportage and Optima were honoured in the ‘Automobiles/Vehicles/Bikes’ category, where the product as well as overall design quality, are considered by the independent jury, evaluating the cars on their finish, innovation, environmental impact and safety.

Since it was launched in 1953, the annual iF Design Award has become an important prize in design. The award has its origins in the ‘Formgerechte Industrieerzeugnisse’ (Good Industrial Design) product shows initiated by Germany’s Hannover Messe, and is now described as one of the world’s largest and most prestigious design competitions.

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia Motors UK commented: “We are delighted to accept these awards for the all-new Kia Sportage and Optima as proof of our design teams’ consistent efforts to develop prize-winning designs. The new Sportage features a distinctive new face, and the elegant Optima saloon highlights other, different facets of Kia’s design. These are important flagship models for us, clearly demonstrating the design-led transformation of the Kia model range in recent years.”

With the latest generation of the Sportage, Kia has redesigned its compact SUV adding a ‘high quality interior’ combining ‘modern elegance with high-quality materials and practical features’. The all-new Kia Optima saloon features ‘modern surface details, sharp styling lines, and a long, lean silhouette’ giving the car an even bolder on-road presence than its predecessors.

The official presentation ceremony for the 2016 iF Design Awards will take place on 26 February 2016 at the Munich Creative Business Week.

Jeep reveals Renegade ‘Night Eagle’ edition

Jeep has added a new limited edition Renegade ‘Night Eagle’ model, which goes on sale today.

Following the larger Cherokee Night Eagle edition, which was launched in the UK last November, the new Renegade version is also based on the ‘Longitude’ mid-range level, but adds unique 17-inch black alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, satin grey Jeep badges and unique Night Eagle badge, coloured roof bars and side mirrors, and satin grey grille rings on a black front grille.

The new Night Eagle is limited to just 350 examples for the UK, and of these, only 160 will be available in the unique Volcano Sand matt paint finish, which complements the two other available colours: Carbon Black and Alpine White.

On the inside, the special edition features exclusive seats in bark brown fabric with electric lumbar support for the driver, leather wrapped steering wheel, dual zone climate control, DAB UConnect radio with 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and satnav, and cruise control. A limited number of options are also available to further enhance the Night Eagle including electric panoramic sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, and regular size spare tyre.

Power comes from a choice of MultiJet II diesel engines, both combined with Jeep’s six-speed manual transmission: the 1.6-litre 120hp with two-wheel drive, or the 2.0-litre 140hp unit, driving all four wheels. This gives the car a top speed of 111 mph (113 mph 2.0-litre 4WD) and 0-62 mph acceleration in 10.2 seconds (9.5 seconds) while returning up to 64.2 mpg (55.4 mpg) fuel economy on the combined cycle.

"Full of style, loaded with equipment and designed to enhance Renegade’s already strong appeal, the new Night Eagle version is an attractive proposition for buyers," says Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK. "Sporting and agile on-road and rugged and capable off it, this limited edition newcomer fits perfectly into Renegade’s highly successful family.”

The Jeep Renegade Night Eagle costs £21,595 OTR for the 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp 2WD, and £24,095 OTR for the 2.0 MultiJet II 140hp 4WD.

Driverless car technology receives £20 million Gov funding

The Department for Transport has committed £20 million of funding to help develop the next generation of autonomous vehicles.

Eight new projects have been awarded £20 million in funding to research and develop enhanced communication between vehicles and roadside infrastructure or urban information systems, including new ‘talking car technologies’. This is described as a ‘landmark moment’ and will allow Britain to lead the way in the testing of connected and autonomous vehicles.

The projects are the first to be funded from the government’s £100 million Intelligent Mobility Fund which ranges from developing autonomous shuttles to carry visually-impaired passengers using advanced sensors and control systems, to new simulation trials for autonomous pods to increase uptake and improve real-world trials.

Trials to test driverless cars on the streets are currently being worked on in Bristol, Coventry and Milton Keynes, and Greenwich. With a rich fabric of scientists and engineers who have established the UK as pioneers in the research and development of connected and autonomous vehicles, today’s funding will help strengthen the UK as a global centre for the fast-growing intelligent mobility market, estimated to be worth £900 billion per year globally by 2025.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our cars of the future will be equipped with the technologies that will make getting from A to B safer, faster, and cleaner. They will alert drivers of accidents ahead and be able to receive information from their surroundings about hazards, increasing the safety of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “These projects will help profoundly change the way we travel within years, transforming our roads by making travel a simpler experience for drivers, reducing accidents and helping traffic flow more smoothly. They will also bring great benefits to our society and the wider economy by opening up new routes for global investment.”

Chris Reeves, Commercial Manager, Future Transport Technologies and Intelligent Mobility at HORIBA MIRA, added: “This project will pave the way for the development and deployment of connected autonomous vehicles in the UK and help the industry address global challenges relating to safety, efficiency and convenience. It will help establish the UK as a global centre of excellence and drive forward the commercialisation of connected vehicles, and deliver a major wealth creation and inward investment opportunity for the UK.”

“Britain is uniquely placed to become a global leader in connected and autonomous vehicle development, technology that has the potential to generate around £51 billion for the UK economy, save 2,500 lives and generate 320,000 jobs. Today’s (1 February 2016) first allocation of the government’s funding pledge, which will be matched by industry, is an important first step on the road to realising that opportunity” surmised Mike Hawes, Chief Executive Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT).

All the projects have received financial backing from industry in addition to government funding, and are backed by leading automotive businesses, engineering firms, IT specialists, universities and local authorities. The UK Connected Intelligent Transport Environment (UKCITE) project, which the Business Secretary will visit today, includes HORIBA MIRA, Jaguar Land Rover, Siemens, and Vodafone Group amongst others. He will also see demonstrations and simulations of the Flourish and Move UK projects.

In addition to the 8 collaborative R&D projects, the Business Secretary also announced 14 feasibility studies to identify where additional data could help the UK CAV market develop further.

Nissan develops X-Trail bobsleigh

Nissan has drawn on the design and technology of its X-Trail SUV to transform a bobsleigh into a sleek seven-seater.

The inaugural run of the world’s first seven-seater bobsleigh was held at the historic Olympic track in Innsbruck, Austria - piloted by British Olympic medallist Sean Olsson.

Nissan worked with bobsleigh experts to transform a traditional four-man sled into the seven-seater, capable of reaching speeds of over 60mph pulling a G-force of 4.5G. The bobsleigh mimics the Nissan X-Trail’s design, with a ‘distinctive front aspect, headlamps and seven-seater option’. It gives passengers a 360-degree, bird’s-eye view to capture all of the action - identical to the X-Trail’s Around View Monitor system.

Darryl Scriven, Design Manager Nissan Design Europe (NDE), teamed up with expert bobsled manufacturer Diego Menardi and sport expert Ian Richardson to morph car design with Olympic aerodynamics. Scriven said: “We wanted to give the opportunity to experience first-hand the adventurous nature of our crossover segment through the thrill and excitement of Olympic bobsleighing.

Nissan Design Europe took inspiration from the shape and character of our X-Trail to create the X-Trail Bobsleigh, which was handcrafted by Diego Menardi at his workshop in Cortina. The outcome mimics the fresh ideas and technologies from the brand's ground-breaking crossover models.”

The seven-seater was developed using sketches and computer-aided design (CAD). The detail on the bobsleigh nose was crafted to express the X-Trail’s V-motion grille and capture the sculpture of the hood character lines. This work was complemented by Diego Menardi’s structural lengthening of the cabin to accommodate seven passengers.

Last Land Rover Defender rolls off the line

The very last Land Rover Defender has rolled off the production line in Solihull.

To mark the occasion Land Rover invited more than 700 current and former Solihull employees involved in the production of Series Land Rover and Defender vehicles to celebrate the end of a remarkable run for the Defender.

Reg number H166 HUE, a nod to first Series 1 Defender from 1948 which featured the registration plate HUE 166, was celebrated as it came to the end of the line. Sixty-eight years young, the Defender was launched at the 1948 Amsterdam Motor Show, and was still going strong, however tighter regulations on vehicle emissions has finally caught up with the automotive icon.

Dr Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said: "Today we celebrate what generations of men and women have done since the outline for the Land Rover was originally drawn in the sand. The Series Land Rover, now Defender, is the origin of our legendary capability, a vehicle that makes the world a better place, often in some of the most extreme circumstances. There will always be a special place in our hearts for Defender, among all our employees, but this is not the end. We have a glorious past to champion, and a wonderful future to look forward to."

Exported all over the world, owners range from the Queen to James Bond, however the last model (H166 HUE) is destined for JLR’s Heritage Collection. The last of the current Defender vehicles includes an original part that has been used on Soft Top specifications since 1948 - the hood cleat. The vehicle will be housed in the Jaguar Land Rover Collection.

At the same time, Land Rover announced a new Heritage Restoration Programme, which will be based on the site of the existing Solihull production line. A team of experts, including some long serving Defender employees, will oversee the restoration of a number of Series Land Rovers sourced from across the globe. The first vehicles will go on sale in July 2016.

Mazda RX-VISION concept wins design award

Mazda’s new sports car concept has won ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the Festival Automobile International.

First revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the rotary-powered sports car concept features ’exquisitely proportioned dimensions and stunning lines’ says Mazda.

The concept award goes to the vehicle that best embodies pure design creativity and emerging trends. Representing a ‘vision’ of the future, the concept continue’s Mazda’s ‘KODO: Soul of Motion’ design philosophy, with smooth-flowing proportions hinting at the performance of the car while paying tribute to Mazda’s heritage of front engine, rear-wheel drive sports cars. The rotary powertrain’s compactness makes characteristics like the low bonnet possible.

Nominated alongside the Bentley Exp10 Speed 6, Peugeot Fractal and Porsche Mission E at this year’s Festival Automobile International, Mazda’s international design chief, Ikuo Maeda accepted the award Tuesday evening together with Kevin Rice, Mazda’s European design director, Julien Montousse, his counterpart at Mazda North America, and Mazda designer Norihito Iwao.

The RX-VISION will be on display at the Festival Automobile International’s concept car exhibition in Paris at the Hotel National des Invalides until 31 January.

DeLorean DMC-12 back in to Production

Production of the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 is to start up again after a 33 years.

The move comes after the US federal government approved a low-volume manufacturing bill. DMC (DeLorean Motor Company) a company not affiliated with the car’s original manufacturer but one that repairs the 9,000-strong original DMC-12 out there, can now go one step further and build full DeLorean replicas.

The last DMC-12 rolled off the production line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, in 1983 but has gained a cult following after starring in the Back to The Future films of the 80s.

For nearly five decades, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not distinguished between a company producing millions of cars and a small business making a few custom cars. NHTSA's one-size-fits-all approach meant that these small companies were subject to the same regulations and paperwork burdens as the large automakers that mass-produce vehicles.

In December 2015, a ‘Low Volume Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Act’ allowing small companies to produce a limited number of completed replica motor vehicles that resemble the appearance of cars produced 25 years ago or more was inserted to the federal highway bill and signed into law.

The vehicles must meet current Clean Air Act standards for the model year in which they are produced, with DMC yet to confirm who the new engine supplier would be. The new law allows the low volume vehicle manufacturer to meet the standards by installing an engine and emissions equipment produced by any modern day manufacturer.

In anticipation of this legislation, the DeLorean Motor Company says it has been working for some time to identify a supplier for engines and other parts that must be reproduced to facilitate the production for 2017. A number of hurdles exist before production can begin, with the Texas based business still in an early stage of determining the feasibility of moving forward.

It’s thought the company plans to produce a small production run of around 300 cars, with prices expected to be around the $100,000 mark (around £70k).

200mph Jaguar F-Type SVR to debut in Geneva

Jaguar has shown a new F-Type SVR - Special Vehicle Operations - ahead of a Geneva Motor Show global debut. 

The new F-Type SVR is the first Jaguar from the SVR department and is developed to exploit the two-seat aluminium sports car’s full potential while retaining its day-to-day usability. Capable of 200mph, the F-Type SVR is lighter, faster and more powerful. Jaguar says it takes performance, dynamics and driver involvement to a new level ‘yet retains the comfort and duality of character inherent to all Jaguar cars’.

“The new F-Type SVR is the first series production Jaguar to be developed by Special Vehicle Operations and benefits from everything we know about precision engineering, performance and design. The result is a 200mph, all-weather supercar that you can drive every day – we even made a Convertible version so that enthusiasts can revel in the sound from the new titanium exhaust system” said John Edwards, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations.

Further details will be revealed in Geneva.

The new Jaguar F-Type SVR will go on sale in summer 2016.

New Porsche 718 Boxster unveiled

Porsche has revealed its new 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S.

The new generation of the mid-engined two-seater is powered by a newly-developed range of flat four cylinder ‘boxer’ engines with turbocharging resulting in more power, more torque and greater efficiency. The new numbering from Porsche means the 718 sits beside the established line up with numbered identities – 911 Carrera, 918 Spyder, 919 Hybrid.

Porsche says the vehicle has been completely revised, except for the luggage compartment lids, the windscreen and the powered convertible roof. The front has a wider and ‘more purposeful’ appearance, with larger cooling air intakes for the new turbocharged engine. New design of the Bi-Xenon headlights feature integrated LED daytime running lights. The doors are now designed without door handle recess covers, while new 19-inch wheels are standard on the 718 Boxster S. 20-inch diameter wheels are available as an option. The rear has been redesigned with a much wider appearance – emphasised by the accent strip with integrated ‘Porsche’ badge - between the completely re-designed tail lights which are distinguished by three-dimensional LED technology and four-point brake lights.

Inside, a newly-designed dash panel frames the cockpit. In addition, the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with state-of-the-art touchscreen and mobile phone preparation included as standard. The navigation module is available as an option.

Developing 300 hp (220 kW) from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, the 718 Boxster S has a 2.5-litre engine, pumping out 350 hp (257 kW). Its greater power output is literally boosted by its use of a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. The 718 Boxster – with optional PDK double-clutch automatic transmission and the Sport Chrono Package – sprints from 0 – 62 mph in 4.7 seconds (0.8 seconds quicker). The equivalent 718 Boxster S accomplishes this in 4.2 seconds (0.6 seconds faster). The top speed of the 718 Boxster is 170 mph, and the 718 Boxster S has a top speed of 177 mph.

Each 718 model is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), which now features fuel-saving ‘virtual gears’ previously introduced on the 911 model series, is available as an option.

Porsche says the ‘considerable’ power gain of 35 hp (26 kW) compared to the previous Boxster models is matched by the ‘impressive efficiency’ of the new turbo engines - with fuel economy improvements of up to 13 per cent. The four-cylinder flat engine with PDK has a NEDC Combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9 mpg (5.1 mpg more than the previous model). In the 718 Boxster S, the 2.5-litre turbo engine with PDK returns 38.7 mpg Combined (4.3 mpg more than the previous model). Matching the more powerful engines is new suspension tuning and uprated brakes.

Available to order now, prices start at £41,739 OTR for the 718 Boxster and from £50,695 OTR for the 718 Boxster S

DS E-TENSE set for Geneva debut

DS Automobiles is set to pull the covers off a unique Supercar at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next week.

The French brand will unveil the DS E-TENSE electric-powered sports car, which features a ‘striking appearance’ as well as hi-tech capability and ‘exceptional’ performance.

The all-electric concept silently produces 402hp with zero emissions. Measuring 4.72m long and 1.29m high, DS says its ambition is to create a high-performance electric GT car that brings together ‘state-of-the-art technology and avant-garde design’.

The new car's styling merges flowing lines with a silhouette of a grand tourer coupe - emphasised by a central chrome-plated spine and an exclusive metallic green ‘ametrine’ body colour. Removing the rear windscreen at the back allowed the design team freedom to mould the contours further and make use of digital rear-view technology.

The DS LED Vision headlamps are described as jewel-like in design. The daytime running lights – designed to look like beaded stitches, are a ‘nod to the world of high fashion’ says the French company. At the rear, the indicators integrated into the roof are inspired by the original DS from 1955.

On the inside DS says upholsterers took 800 hours to design, test and produce the interior, with a particular emphasis on the watchstrap style design on the seats and dashboard. Other features include the 'cold steel' used for the dashboard, creating a futuristic look, and the strongly marked tulip-shape of the steering wheel.

As a Formula E World Championship competitor, DS Automobiles has equipped its latest creation with a 100 per cent electric 402hp engine that produces 516Nm of torque, delivering propulsion that is clean, silent, but above all efficient and powerful offering 193 miles mixed cycle range (or 224 miles urban cycle).

The two-seater monocoque chassis is manufactured from carbon fibre and equipped with independent superimposed double wishbone suspension. As the batteries are located beneath the floor, the centre of gravity is low. Meanwhile, the streamlined silhouette, the carbon fibre diffuser and the flat underbody all contribute to its aerodynamic performance.

The Geneva Motor Show opens its doors on 3 March.