Road

GoPro with the best compact HD camera to film your Best Driving Road

Now that we have added our Best Driving Roads world map we hope that you drivers will send in you favourite routes, information and photographs. And if you really want to show us your  greatest driving road, route or race track why not film your drive… Read more

Bentley awarded £1.68m to help gear up for growth

It was good news for Bentley and the Crewe workers today as the luxury car maker received confirmation of a conditional allocation of £1.68 million financial support from the Department for Business’ Regional Growth Fund.  The funding will help to maintain and further enhance skill levels amongst Bentley’s 3,500 strong Cheshire-based workforce as the company gears up to meet increased demand. Read more

'Big Merc' please - Autocar catch the 2011 Mercedes SLK out on test

Most people would want to take-way a new Mercedes-Benz but may not be aware of how much testing and design goes into improving these smart cars.

Below you can see the lengths Mercedes are going to so that their latest SLK can cope with the lifestyle of its customers. As we continue to follow our fast-paced lives it looks like Mercedes are even checking on how their new SLK works at a drive through!

Lets hope they have increased the seat sizes too!

This latest model should go on sale in the UK after next year’s Geneva Motor Show. For full details check out Autocar.

Would you swap a plane for a motorhome?

A motorhome salesman, Andrew Harris, has met some challenges in his time but he thought taking a plane as a trade-in might be a challenge too far.

Andrew, from the Romahome Centre in Southampton, was following up an enquiry from private pilot Bob Woolford, a former part-time air traffic controller at Sandown and Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight.

When he asked Bob what he needed to do to complete the deal, Bob told him that he would have to take a four seat Piper Cherokee in part exchange.

Although he thought he might have a struggle to make the sale, within half an hour Andrew was able to go back to Bob with figures that sealed the sale – and with the plane sold, too.

Andrew said that during several years in the motor trade he had never been asked to part exchange a plane before, although he had once taken a longboat in part payment for a motorhome.

“When Bob said what he wanted to trade in I thought it might be a challenge,” he added.

“But I only got as far as our parts department at our Southampton site, where I mentioned the problem and Victoria Ward, of Citroen UK, who was visiting us, immediately put me in touch with a buyer. I’ve had more trouble trying to shift Jeep Cherokees than I did the Piper!”

Bob explained it would be easier to spread his wings by trading in the plane for a motorhome.

“When you arrive places by aeroplane you are either stuck on the airport or have to find transport,” said Bob. “Our new motorhome will give us much more freedom to get where we want to be.”

Bob says that, apart from other running costs, with fuel approaching £2 a litre and consuming 38 litres an hour, his Piper Cherokee was becoming expensive to keep in the air. But his motorhome, based on the Citroen Berlingo and adapted with wheelchair ramps, should go much further for the same money, making it easier to see the world without sky high running costs.

Video: David Coulthard drives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell

David Coulthard, the former Formula 1 driver has traveled to Norway to test drive the latest prototype from Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS E-Cell Read more

Mercedes AMG 6.3 V8 wins Best Performance Engine

The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine took away two top accolades as part of the coveted “International Engine of the Year Awards 2010″: Read more

LandRover shows the 2011 Range Rover SUV

A new, class-leading V8 diesel engine, new 8-speed transmission, two significant Terrain Response^® upgrades and subtle external styling enhancements are amongst the features on the new 2011 Range Rover – on-sale in the UK from late September 2010.

“The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world’s most complete luxury vehicles. Its combination of reduced CO₂ emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new ‘super diesel’, we see the Range Rover delivering over 30mpg for the first time,” said Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director.

The LR-TDV8 4.4-litre with parallel sequential turbocharging replaces the outstanding LR-TDV8 3.6-litre and is unique to the Range Rover. The all-new LR-TDV8 combines superior power and massive torque with unparalleled levels of refinement. Despite the extra performance, this V8 engine is cleaner too, delivering even lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions than its predecessor. The combined cycle fuel consumption of the new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre is 30.1mpg, making this the first Range Rover ever to better 30mpg.

With 313PS and 700Nm torque, the Range Rover’s new powertrain reduces CO₂ emissions by an impressive 14 percent from 294g/km to 253g/km. The new diesel engine is helped in this respect by its marriage to a new, electronically controlled, ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic. This combination is enough to catapult the Range Rover from rest to 60mph in a mere 7.5 seconds and complete the 50mph-70mph dash in just 4.0 seconds while the top speed increases from 125mph to 130mph.

Available only on 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 models, this ‘smart’ transmission integrates with the diesel engine to deliver the most efficient operating regime in all conditions. To reflect the performance of the new 4.4-litre LR-TDV8, diesel models are fitted with the same Brembo-based braking system fitted to the 5.0-litre LR-V8 supercharged model. The system comprises 380mm ventilated front discs with unique, lightweight aluminium six-piston opposed action monoblock callipers. 365mm ventilated discs with single piston sliding callipers are fitted at the rear. 

ZF 8HP70 automatic gearbox partners the 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 

The new ZF 8HP70 8-speed transmission is tuned to take advantage of the LR-TDV8’s low end torque with torque converter lock-up being selected as early as possible to reduce slip and energy loss. The wider ratio spread, tall overdriven top gear and the fact that no more than two internal clutches are open at any one time all contribute to improved fuel economy and emissions.

Transmission Idle Control disengages 70 per cent of the drive when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling in Drive, significantly reducing consumption in the urban cycle. In cold conditions, the transmission selects a lower gear to promote fast warm up and get the engine up to its efficient operating temperature as soon as possible.

Driver controls include steering wheel-mounted paddle-shift as standard enabling the driver to take control of gear shifting manually. The CommandShift lever is replaced by a rotary knob for selecting park, reverse, neutral, drive or sport modes, the last of these optimising the gearbox response times for maximum acceleration, improved response and sharper upshifts. The selector knob is flush with the centre console when the ignition is switched off, rising up when it is switched on. To avoid confusion, the Terrain Response^® Rotary Switch is replaced by a new Terrain Response^® Optimisation Switch.

Paul Walker, chief programme engineer says: “The performance of our new LR-TDV8 can only be described as awe-inspiring. We are confident that the combination of reduced CO₂ emissions, EU5 compliance and the massive increase in performance while delivering a huge improvement in fuel economy, is world class.” 

For 2011, the Range Rover retains the same class-leading 5.0-litre LR-V8, supercharged petrol engine married to the ZF HP28 6-speed automatic transmission introduced in 2010. Developing 510PS and 625Nm torque the Supercharged LR-V8 will take the Range Rover from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds and remains the flagship model. 

Subtle Exterior Design Revisions

Inside the cabin there are optional illuminated treadplates for the front doors and new transmission controls for the diesel model. Detail improvements to the exterior include new ‘Jupiter’ grilles and side vents for the diesel models.

A new Exterior Design Pack option gives customers the chance to give their Range Rover a more individual look and new colours and wheels have been added to the range. The Exterior Design Pack comprises of a revised front bumper with fog lamp surrounds, front grille and side vents in Titan finish, revised side sills, rear bumper and stainless steel exhaust finishers.

The range of exterior paint colours has been expanded with two further choices, Fuji White (replacing Alaska White) and Baltic Blue (replacing Buckingham Blue). 

Terrain Response^® Enhancements

The 2011 Range Rover is further enhanced by improvements to the Terrain Response^® system in the form of Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control. Hill Start Assist retains the initial driver-generated brake pressure long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle, without the car rolling backwards. Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.

Autobiography Black: a very special 40th anniversary limited edition 

The ultimate incarnation of the Range Rover, the Autobiography Black 40th anniversary limited edition is quite simply the last word in bespoke vehicles.

With a unique finish in Barolo Black, the exterior also features 20-inch alloy wheels, Diamond Turned, a unique front grille with Titan grille mesh, a bright chrome grille ‘U’ edge and black grille surround. Side vents have a new mesh set off by bright chrome bars and a black vent surround. There are body coloured door handles and of course, the tailgate badge, ‘Autobiography Black’.

Inside, there’s a choice of the standard colourway in Jet, or two colourways unique to the Autobiography Black – Jet and Ivory, or Jet and Pimento. The Autobiography Black logo is repeated throughout the interior where it is embossed on the rear seat armrest and appears on the four unique, Grand Black door veneers. Front door sill tread plates are illuminated with the words ‘Range Rover’ and there’s a half wood Grand Black steering wheel. Supercharged models also offer gearknob veneers.

“At the top of the Range, the new Autobiography Black 40th anniversary limited edition offers customers the option of complete exclusivity with unique colourway combinations as well as striking interior and exterior design features. Only 700 will be made globally, emphasising the exclusivity of this limited edition,” added Land Rover design director, Gerry McGovern.

McLaren announce MP4-12C dealers and global debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

McLaren Automotive today announced the city locations for its global retail network. Operating independently, but located at the heart of the McLaren Group, the company expects to confirm the names of the majority of its partners in these cities within weeks, with the remainder making up the launch network of 35 retailers confirmed through the autumn.

An initial eight retailers in North America (USA, Canada), 12 in Europe (UK, Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland), two in the Middle-East, and McLaren’s South African representative are expected to be the first confirmed retailers in the company’s network, which begins selling the McLaren MP4-12C from spring 2011. A further 12 retailers will be announced through 2010, completing the initial line-up, including McLaren’s Spanish retailer, two further retailers in the USA, five more in the Middle East, and the company’s network of four retailers in its Asia-Pacific region.

McLaren Automotive can confirm that it will be represented by many of the world’s best automotive retailers in the following cities and markets:

• Europe: Birmingham, London, Manchester; Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich; Brussels; Monaco, Paris; Milan; Barcelona/Madrid; Zurich
• North America: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa; Toronto
• Middle-East / South Africa: Manama; Doha; Jeddah, Riyadh; Dubai, Abu Dhabi; Kuwait; Johannesburg
• Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong; Singapore; Sydney; Tokyo

Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive’s Managing Director, said: “This is a landmark day for McLaren Automotive as we confirm the locations of the first of our partners that will represent us around the world. It has been incredibly encouraging to experience the demand to sell McLarens from the world’s best car retailers – in every country in which we planned to launch and at the heart of all performance car markets.

Antony Sheriff McLaren Automotive Managing Director with MP4-12C

“We have proposed sensible, but high quality, expectations from our preferred retail partners and have been amazed at some of the proposals presented by potential retailers: nearly half are building brand new flagship showrooms.

“There is clearly an appreciation of McLaren all around the world. Aside from the obvious Formula 1 links, we believe this is down to our strong business plan, our exciting and innovative product line-up, and a focus on what is best for the retailer – sensible investment, and attention to customer service and aftersales, both in how we treat the customer and how we design the car. We will offer the retailers a unique focus on the customer, supporting them far more than is typical after a sale has been completed. We have a phrase at McLaren that sums up our attitude and appeals to the retail business: sanity, not vanity.”

“We will also develop a global network that has fewer retailers than our competitors, selling a smaller volume of higher quality cars with more useable technology and performance; almost the perfect scenario for experienced retailers of premium high-performance sports car,” Sheriff concluded.

High demand to represent McLaren; high demand to buy a McLaren

A unique combination of a premium sports car ‘designed around the driver’, focus on the customer, and McLaren’s unrivalled motor racing heritage in Formula 1, Le Mans, Can-Am, and Indy Cars, has attracted many of the world’s best car retailers to take up the opportunity of representing McLaren at the birth of its global car company.

Over 600 automotive businesses have been considered to be McLaren Automotive retailers; McLaren pre-selected 100 preferred partners to review, with a further 500 making direct approaches to McLaren following the announcement of the company’s business plans in September 2009.

The 12C, the first in the company’s new range of ‘pure’ McLaren high-performance sports cars, goes on sale from spring 2011. Up to 1,000 12Cs will be manufactured and delivered in 2011. Of the 19 countries launching the 12C in 2011, the USA, UK, and Germany will be the company’s biggest markets. Between 300 and 400 cars are planned for North America, 400 to 500 for Europe, and 100 to 200 each for the Middle-East/South Africa and Asia-Pacific regions.

Initial demand for the 12C appears to validate McLaren’s strategy for a high-quality, performance-oriented and highly efficient sports car featuring Formula 1-inspired technology. Over 2,500 ‘prospects’ have registered ‘expressions of interest to purchase’ on www.mclarenautomotive.com .

Once the first retailers are contracted, McLaren will begin to deliver those prospects’ details to the retailers to take orders. With retailers adding their own contacts, demand for the McLaren’s first ‘pure’ high performance sports car is due to be high.

The first 12Cs will be delivered to customers in Europe, followed by a phased distribution to retailers in the Middle-East/South Africa, North America and Asia-Pacific. McLaren Automotive’s long-term strategy is to sell a range of around 4,000 high-performance sports cars per year that will account for between three and four percent of the annual global market for premium sports cars: a conservative target based on the 2003 market for luxury and performance cars.

Further retailers will be added in select mature and emerging markets from 2012 as McLaren moves to full production of its model line-up by the middle of the decade. McLaren Automotive’s aim is for its global network to remain smaller, more flexible, and more profitable than competitors’ networks. McLaren does not anticipate a global network of more than around 70 retailers, ensuring effective communication and logistics, and strong business relationships between McLaren and its retailers that will be of direct benefit to customers.

Formula 1 at heart: in design, build and show

The 12C will make its global public debut, alongside the company’s Formula 1 team, at the world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed in southern England in July. McLaren Automotive will then present the 12C, and other core assets such as the car’s motor racing-inspired one-piece MonoCell carbon chassis, at a number of public, high-profile events through 2010. All McLaren retailers will also host 12C launch events for VIPs and prospects as part of the car’s 2010 world tour. Aimed at car enthusiasts and potential customers alike, McLaren Automotive anticipates presenting its first McLaren at over 100 events in the second half of 2010.

Mario Micheli, McLaren Automotive’s recently-appointed Commercial and Marketing Director, said: “McLaren is a name that resonates with motorsport fans around the globe: no other racing team can match our achievements and this means for many prospective retailers and customers, it is easy to understand our aspirations for the new sports car range. If you know McLaren, you will know we bring passion, commitment and an absolute ambition to succeed.”

“However, launching a global car company will require engaging with more than just motorsport fans. That is why we are pushing ourselves and the new network to make a huge impact through global events. Whether you know McLaren or not, we believe it is vital that our prospective customers see the 12C, feel its quality, and meet our team behind its development in order to really understand the culture that drives everything at McLaren – to be the best,” Micheli concluded.

Uniquely, the full range of cars will be designed, engineered, developed and built within and alongside the home of the company’s Formula 1 cars at the award-winning McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) global headquarters in Woking, England. A brand-new manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre, began construction adjacent to the MTC on March 1 2010. Within two months, its construction was already two weeks ahead of schedule.

Commitment to customer satisfaction

McLaren Automotive plans to repay the successful retailers’ commitment to bespoke McLaren dealerships with innovative technologies and processes aimed at delivering new levels of customer satisfaction in the sports car market:

• Intense focus on aftersales: McLaren Automotive and its retail partners will invest in the aftersales process, where it adds true value to the ownership experience. The ‘sanity not vanity’ principle will deliver a focus on the customer by favouring heavy investments in training and diagnostic equipment over showroom ‘palaces’.
• Innovative construction: The 12C is constructed from a unique one-piece carbon fibre chassis, with bolt-on aluminium secondary structures that makes it stronger, lighter, more rigid and much easier to repair and maintain than other cars in the segment.
• A commitment to more effective repair processes: McLaren Automotive will be supporting retailers in stocking at least one spare part of almost every component. This will ensure immediate parts availability to speed up repair and minimize the time cars are off the road.
• Bespoke diagnostics: New desktop, remote, and dynamic diagnostic processes and equipment developed for McLaren Automotive will ensure more accurate and quicker diagnosis and resolution of issues.

Antony Sheriff said: “Our business will succeed or fail on our ability to exceed our customers’ expectations – for technologically advanced cars, great quality and reliability, and excellent relations with their retailers. Our aims are simple: to offer the best cars and service ever seen in this demanding market.”

“Therefore, our challenge has been to find retail partners with the same attitudes as McLaren – an absolute focus on being the best that is inherent in everything we do and a natural result of our successful motor racing heritage,” Sheriff concluded.

 

To see the McLaren MP4-12C at the Goodwood Festival of Speed click here to book tickets

Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG gets a new look

A best-seller unveils its updated exterior: the ML 63 AMG, featuring a powerful 375 kW (510 hp) AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine, takes on a more attractive appearance thanks to some subtle but effective changes.

From the front, the eye is immediately drawn to the new bonnet with power domes, and the darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function. The rear, meanwhile, also contributes appropriately to the new look: the performance SUV now features darkened tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. The subtle changes to the exterior coordinate perfectly with the high-gloss, chromed front and rear underguard, and afford the ML 63 AMG an even more powerful and distinctive appearance.

Powerful and torque-laden AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine

Still boasting a power output of 375 kW (510 hp) at 6800/rpm as well as 630 Nm of torque, the ML 63 AMG is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). At the renowned International Engine of the Year Awards in 2009, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine took the top places in both the “Best Performance Engine” and “Above 4 litres” categories.

As before, power transfer is taken care of via the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with three drive modes. The permanent all-wheel drive is decidedly sporty: the power is split asymmetrically 40:60 between the front and rear wheels to provide optimum agility. The AMG sports suspension, based on the AIRMATIC package with air suspension, adaptive damping system ADS and automatic level control all-round, provides dynamic performance combined with the hallmark Mercedes long-distance comfort. The generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system, which features internally ventilated and perforated brake discs all-round, ensures short braking distances and optimum resistance to fading.

The ML 63 AMG comes with 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels, which are painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish and fitted with 295/40 R 20 tyres on the front and rear. As an optional extra, titanium-grey-painted, high-sheen twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels fitted with 295/35 R 21 tyres are also available.

High-quality interior with nappa leather upholstery

As usual, the interior of the ML 63 AMG is both functional and high-quality: electrically adjustable AMG sports seats finished in nappa leather upholstery, with Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas and multicontour function and heating, are complemented by the AMG sports steering wheel with AMG aluminium shift paddles and perforated leather on the specially-shaped grip area. A nappa leather-trimmed dashboard is also available as an optional extra.

The updated ML 63 AMG is available to order with immediate effect and will be delivered to customers from July 2010.

Vince Cable MP sees the value of high skill manufacturing at Bentley Motors

New Business Secretary Dr Vince Cable MP today visited Bentley Motors’ Pyms Lane headquarters in Crewe as the company prepares to begin production of the new Bentley Mulsanne.  Dr Cable met directors and employees – including some of the Company’s apprentices and graduates – and toured Bentley’s new Body in White facility, a new multi-million pound production centre constructed exclusively for the new Bentley flagship.

The £25m facility enables Bentley’s skilled craftsmen and women to work alongside state of the art robotic technology to produce the bodyshells for the new Mulsanne.  Given the complex shape of the Mulsanne, new production techniques such as superforming had to be combined with traditional hand brazing and polishing, The new facility allows these techniques to be undertaken side by side before the bodies go on to paint and final assembly.

Conceived, designed and engineered entirely in Crewe, each Mulsanne takes nearly 500 hours to build with individual elements of the car, like the famous V8 engine, still being hand-assembled.  

Doug Dickson, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said:

“We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to Crewe and are proud that he has chosen Bentley as one of the first companies to visit in his new role. We are greatly encouraged by his comments that the manufacturing sector and companies like Bentley have a key role to play in developing a stronger and more balanced economy.”

“The Government must encourage people into the industry through apprenticeships and other schemes as well as committing to increased training of those who already working in it. Above all it must promote it internationally if the UK is to have a strong manufacturing sector and thus a strong economy.”

Dr Cable said:

“We need to develop a stronger, more balanced economy … by building on the strengths of our manufacturing and other knowledge industries.  The UK is open for business and we welcome the investment that is being made here by manufacturing companies, like Bentley, creating highly skilled workforces that will ensure our future growth.”

Bentley Motors employs just under 4000 people in Crewe which is home to all its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production.  The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Bentley, and is an example of high value British manufacturing at its best.  Bentley exports over £500m worth of goods every year to established markets like the US, as well as emerging markets such as China and South America.

The Mulsanne will go on sale across the world shortly (Bentley has now established 150 dealers in over 50 countries) and is already receiving very positive comments from the first media previews. More importantly, it represents a significant investment for the future of the brand, helping safeguard the future of the company in the UK and providing business for a wide range of highly-skilled specialist UK suppliers.