VUHL 05 now on sale in the UK

VUHL 05 now on sale in the UK

VUHL 05 now on sale in the UK

VUHL 05 now on sale in the UK

VUHL 05 now on sale in the UK

The VUHL 05 street-legal lightweight supercar is now officially on sale in the UK, following the appointment of the marque's first European dealer.

Bespoke Performance of Ware in Hertfordshire, is well-known to generations of TVR and Noble enthusiasts, with a long and varied history dating back to the days of John Britten Garages and the ensuing TVR Centre. 

A rebranding and move from Barnet to Ware was completed in 2011 and the company now boasts 10,000 sq ft of smart sales and service premises within easy reach of the M1, M11 and M25 motorways.

VUHL Co-Founder Iker Echeverria said: "We naturally researched many options for our first dealer. A number of outlets met our criteria for technical ability, but Bespoke Performance won us over with its unique level of passion, and its commitment to the discerning area of the market at which our product is aimed."

Bespoke Sales Director Dr Mark Kent added: "We have long since searched for a niche product to complement our established relationships with the TVR and Noble brands, and the VUHL is the first to match all our criteria. We have been bowled over by both the level of professionalism exhibited by this new manufacturer and the build quality of its first model." 

The first opportunity to see the VUHL in competition will be at the Brighton Speed Trials on Saturday, September 5 while the Kop Hill Climb being held at Princes Risborough over the weekend of September 19-20 will be the public's first opportunity to get up close and personal with the 05 in full street-legal form.

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R

BMW is to debut the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R at The Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach.

The car that celebrates both the 40th anniversary of BMW in North America and the racing success of the original 3.0 CSL in the 1975 IMSA series where BMW recorded its first win at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

This was followed by a succession of victories, culminating in the white 3.0 CSL securing the manufacturers' championship at the first attempt.

The Hommage designers focused their attention on the driver and his immediate surroundings. This new approach led them first to the
driver's helmet, race suit and seat before moving onto the lines and surfaces of the interior. 

As the layer of interaction closest to the driver, the helmet visor assumes the functions of the head up display and projects situation-
based information such as the car's speed, gear engaged and engine revs into the driver's direct field of view. 

The driver's race suit (a classical design by Puma) expresses the connection between the driver and the car so that If both the driver's hands are on the wheel, illuminated piping integrated into the sleeves shows the progress of information - from the shift impulse display, for example - out of the steering column over the driver's arms and into his visor. 

The side-section design of the large carbon-fibre seat shells reflects the anatomy of the seated driver for maximum support. 
A carbon-fibre roll cage integrated into the structure of the car's roof and side sections forms the basis for the interior's singularly minimalist geometry. 

The only "comfort" functions are the two vents on the sides of the steering column, which supply the driver with fresh air at ambient temperature. A small display provides the driver with secondary information such as lap times, overall race time and the car's current track position, as required. 

Other racing elements in the interior include red anodised safety features, such as the outlet nozzles for the fire extinguishing foam, the extinguisher itself, and the two switches on the centre console for the emergency shut-off and fire extinguishing mechanism. 

The exterior design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R is framed by distinctive air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent rear spoiler, which reference the IMSA racing version of the original 3.0 CSL. 

The colours and graphics used and details such as the "Bavarian Motor Works" decals on the windscreen and rear window are also a nod to the 1975 racer.

The low, wide front end features a large version of the signature BMW kidney grille, while the surfaces and graphic accents in the front apron showcase the wheels and emphasise its broad, powerful stance. 

The long wheelbase and sweeping bonnet stretch the silhouette visually, while dark carbon-fibre surfaces contrast with the Brilliant White metallic paintwork.

At the rear a huge spoiler and carbon-fibre double diffuser combine with a contoured rear apron which draws the eye to the matt gold 21-inch light-alloy wheels with black inlays.

A strip of LEDs extend along the spoiler to link the two lights and provide a stylistic border for the rear end.

Kensington Council plans Supercar crackdown

Kensington Council plans Supercar crackdown

Kensington Council plans Supercar crackdown

Kensington Council plans Supercar crackdown

Supercar owners could face prosecution in London as the local Council aims to crackdown on 'the problem of supercars'.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea this week begun a consultation on introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) - in response to requests from residents in the Brompton and Hans Town ward for the Council to address the issue of high performance cars speeding in the streets, drivers revving engines, and vehicles causing obstructions.

In recent times, the summer months have seen an influx of Supercars - including Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bugattis - brought over by wealthy Middle Easterners as they arrive to stay in their London properties. This results in much annoyance to local residents as the traffic on roads around Harrods becomes more like a luxury moving motor show.

A PSPO is a new measure, created by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which is intended to deal with activities carried out in a public space that have a detrimental effect to the local community's quality of life. This PSPO would enable the Council to impose restrictions within a particular area and the aim is to stop individuals or groups committing antisocial behaviour in public spaces. 

Cllr Tim Ahern, Cabinet Member for Environment, Environmental Health and Leisure, said: "I know there has been a lot of coverage of expensive cars racing around Knightsbridge and also parking up and revving their engines. We want to take steps to discourage these drivers from their antisocial behaviour."

However Alex Prindiville, owner of Prindiville, central London's only supercar showroom commented: "The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's proposal to draft a new set of anti-social behaviour laws to deal specifically with the 'menace' of wealthy Middle Eastern supercar drivers is heavy-handed and unnecessary". He goes on to say "Existing laws are already perfectly adequate to deal with the minority of supercar drivers who step out of line, provided they are properly enforced."

Drive an actual F1 car with Infiniti

Infiniti has launched an 'Ultimate Test Drive' competition offering the chance to drive a real Formula One car.

The campaign provides one lucky motorist from the UK the chance to get behind the wheel of an Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 car with instruction from team driver Daniil Kvyat.

Customers who visit any Infiniti centre and complete a test drive will be entered into a prize draw. From there, 25 finalists will be selected to go head to head at Rockingham Motor Speedway where they will be assessed on all aspects of their driving ability and car control by a panel of judges - including Infiniti Red Bull Racing Test & Reserve driver Sebastien Buemi.

One UK winner will be selected to join winners from Russia and the Middle East for the ultimate prize. Starting with driver training on the Infiniti Red Bull Racing simulator at the team's factory in Milton Keynes, they will then be flown to Dubai to test drive a real, fully race specification Formula One car with personal guidance from Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver Daniil Kvyat. After the driving experience of a lifetime, they will travel to Abu Dhabi to experience a VIP hospitality weekend for two at the Grand Prix, courtesy of Infiniti.

Commenting on the event, Carl Bayliss, Country Manager, Infiniti UK, said: "Never before has Infiniti offered a prize of this calibre and we are delighted to be able to reward potential and existing customers with an opportunity like this. Our partnership with Infiniti Red Bull Racing has helped us to emphasise the performance part of our DNA, so offering one winner the chance to experience the ultimate test drive is a real testament to our own Inspired Performance."

The 'Ultimate Drive' campaign is currently operating at all UK Infiniti centres and will close on 16th August.

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari reveals new 488 Spider

Ferrari has unveiled the new 488 Spider, its most powerful mid-rear-engined V8 convertible to date.

Powered by a 3902 cc turbo-charged V8, that debuted recently in the 488 GTB, the powerplant pumps out 660bhp at 8000rpm. The 488 Spider can cover the 0 to 62 mph sprint in 3 seconds flat and from 0 to 124 mph in 8.7 seconds. The new engine not only offers 98bhp more powerful than the previous naturally-aspirated V8 but also has lower CO2 emissions.

Ferrari says the turbo V8 has a unique character, delivering increasing levels of power right across the rev range, completely eliminating the traditional turbo lag with a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds. This is thanks to a sophisticated production process made possible by Maranello's facilities - which are shared with the F1 team - to help transfer racing technologies to road cars.

Ferrari claims it was the first manufacturer to introduce the RHT (Retractable Hard Top) on a car of this particular architecture, ensuring lower weight (-25 kg) and better cockpit comfort compared to the classic fabric soft-top. This model has its own distinctive soundtrack created using solutions such as exhaust headers with longer, equal-length piping and a flat-plane crankshaft. It was also further enhanced, says Ferrari, by an in-depth study of harmonics and tonality at different engine speeds. The sound is described as 'seductive but never invasive' when the top is dropped, with both volume and clarity increasing as the engine instantly responds to the accelerator pedal and revs rise, 'reinforcing the sensation of massive performance'.

This is also the most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever built, thanks to the introduction of several innovative devices, including a blown spoiler and an aerodynamic underbody incorporating vortex generators. The Ferrari Styling Centre completely reworked the aesthetics compared to the 488 GTB. Designed around the concept of the retractable hard top, the 488 Spider has a spaceframe chassis made of 11 different aluminium alloys. This yields the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness figures as the coupe, improving the chassis' performance by 23 per cent over that of its predecessor. The RHT folds backwards in two overlapping sections to rest flush on the engine, taking 14 seconds for the top to fully retract or deploy.

The Ferrari 488 Spider will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September, 2015.

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

First VUHL 05 supercar leaves factory

The first production example of the Mexican-made VUHL 05 sports car has rolled off the production line.

With all-carbon bodywork, the lightweight VUHL is the first of several destined for the Mexican roads this year. The street legal road/track car will soon be heading to the Middle-East, while nearer to home, the first right-hand drive examples passed the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test and will shortly be unveiled to the UK media. The appointment of the first British dealership will be the final step on the road to UK sales, with an announcement 'imminent'.

VUHL Technical Director Iker Echeverria said: "We are obviously extremely happy to have entered full-scale production with our 05 model, and experienced the delight of our first customer". VUHL Managing Director Guillermo Echeverria added: "It is naturally very rewarding to have a bank of orders for Mexico and the Middle-East, but we fully recognise the importance of the UK market and have therefore worked especially hard to ready the car for sale in this territory. This has included creating a special all-inclusive launch price of £59,995."

Weighing in at just 695kg, the VUHL is powered by a mid-mounted 285bhp version of Ford's 2.0-litre, DOHC turbocharged EcoBoost engine, which endows it with a 'highly competitive' power-to-weight ratio of 400bhp per ton - sufficient for a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and top speed of over 150mph. Designed and built in Mexico, 40 percent of the 05's components are sourced from the UK.

The chassis comprises a three-section bonded tub constructed from aluminium extrusions and aluminium honeycomb - what VUHL describes as 'aerospace technology' that provides the 05 with a high level of torsional rigidity for optimum handling. Bolted direct to the passenger cell is a chrome-moly steel subframe housing the engine and rear suspension. A three-stage forward crash structure and double layer sidewalls provide a matchless level of protection for the occupants. The standard body is made from GRP, but carbon fibre is an available as an option - it saves over 30kg in weight and the exposed parts can be configured to taste. The cars aerodynamics include a flat underbody, front and lateral splitters, rear diffuser and rear spoiler.

The specification further includes: six-speed manual Ford gearbox, high-ratio rack and pinion steering, suspension by unequal length double wishbones front and rear. Braking comes from four-pot alloy calipers all-round, operating on 310mm ventilated, cross-drilled discs at the front and 280mm ones at the rear. Sparco alloy wheels are shod with Michelin tyres.

Upgrade options include carbon bucket seats with water-resistant Dinamica suede trim, exposed carbon bodywork panels, 330mm quick-release suede-covered steering wheel, electronic data acquisition dash, built-in HD camera, wide range of colours in matt and gloss finish and a titanium bolt pack.