MAZDA UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW MX-5

Mazda revealed the all-new Mazda MX-5 this morning to an exclusive audience in Barcelona and simultaneously around the world at two similar events in Japan and the U.S. The MKIV model, which features a distinctive adaptation of the KODO – Soul of Motion design, received a very warm reception from around 250 media in attendance. It will go on sale in Europe in 2015.

The all-new MX-5 comes with SKYACTIV technology, including specially tuned SKYACTIV-G petrol engines and the first rear-wheel drive version of the SKYACTIV-Chassis. Weighing 100kg less than the outgoing model and with the lowest-ever centre of gravity, the new edition of Mazda’s iconic roadster enhances the Jinba Ittai “rider-and-horse-as one” responsiveness and agility that has always made the MX-5 the essence of driving fun.

The weight reduction also puts the new Mazda MX-5 at a level comparable to the original model, which revived and revolutionised the market for affordable lightweight sports cars when launched back in 1989. More than 947,000have been produced over the past 25 years, and the MX-5 holds the Guinness World Record as the all-time bestselling two-seater sports car.

“Mazda’s current win streak is driven by our highly acclaimed new models, and the all-new MX-5 should only add fuel to the growth engine,” says Mazda Motor Europe President and CEO Jeff Guyton. “Built for the love of driving, this car underscores what Mazda is all about. It will certainly give our brand an added boost.”

Accordingly, “Long live the roadster” was the motto of the unveiling, which also marked the debut of Mazda Space, the company’s brand-new European event hub in Barcelona. The event was streamed live to the MX-5 25th anniversary website and can be viewed here.

THE LIGHTWEIGHT E-TYPE IS REBORN

Jaguar is to build six brand new ‘Lightweight’ E-types – the ‘missing’ six Lightweights that were never built from the intended 18-car series. The first new Lightweight E-type will make its public debut later this summer.

Jaguar is to build six perfect reproductions of the original, race-bred Lightweight E-type that was created in 1963. The new cars are the ‘missing’ six vehicles from Jaguar’s Lightweight E-type project, which originally started in February 1963 with the objective of building 18 ‘Special GT E-type Cars’.

Only 12 of the aluminium bodied Lightweight E-types were eventually built, the last in 1964, the remaining six designated chassis numbers having lain dormant, until now.

The new cars will be hand-built in-house by Jaguar’s finest craftsmen. Each car will be constructed to the exact specifications of their original 1960s forebears – including the 3.8-litre straight-six engine.

The Lightweight carried approximately 114kg (250lb) less weight than a standard E-type, thanks to its all-aluminium body and engine block, a lack of interior trim and exterior chrome work and a host of further weight-saving features including lightweight, hand-operated side windows.

Jaguar expects a high demand for the six Lightweight E-types. Established Jaguar collectors, especially those with historic race car interests, will be prioritised amongst those potential customers who express interest.

1963 Silverstone Lightweight E-type

NEW AUDI TT READY TO TAKE SHAPE IN GENEVA

A new take on one of the most iconic Audi models in recent years will be unveiled next month.

At next month’s Geneva Motor Show Audi will pull the wraps from a completely new iteration of the compact sports car that tore up the rulebook and changed the course of design in its class at its 1998 launch. For the third generation of the iconic TT, the designers have reinterpreted a host of ideas from that first, game-changing template.

The front end of the new Audi TT has dominant horizontals. The Singleframe grille is broad and flat. Two contours form a V-pattern over the bonnet. The position of the four rings is also new - they now sit centrally on the hood, echoing the R8.

Struts divide up the large air inlets. The headlights repeat this motif – they are structured with divider struts acting as reflectors for the daytime running light. Audi can supply the headlights as an option with LED technology or its pioneering Matrix LED technology, where controllable individual light-emitting diodes generate the main beam.

Many details of the new Coupé’s profile are reminiscent of the first generation’s classic design. The sill contour forms a powerful light edge and the wide wheel arches constitute distinct geometrical entities. At the front, the wheel arch intersects the bonnet join, which continues over the door as the tornado line and extends all the way to the rear. The flat greenhouse looks like an entity in its own right. The shape of the C-pillar, with a slight kink, gives the TT a powerful, athletic look and enhances the impression of tension.

At the rear, too, horizontal lines reinforce the wide and focused impression. The struts in the rear lights pick up on the headlights’ motif. They remain permanently on – another Audi innovation. The third brake light with a flat strip shape links the two units on either side. All engine versions have two large, round exhaust tailpipes in the diffuser. Like all Audi S models, the TTS features four tailpipes.

Inside, too, the styling is so light it almost seems to float, evoking the clean sports car character of the new Audi TT. The centre console and door trims have flowing, matching shapes. Seen from above, the dashboard resembles the wing of an aircraft. The round air vents, a classic TT feature, have a turbine-like look and incorporate the air conditioning controls. This solution – and the elimination of the central MMI monitor, now replaced by the Audi virtual cockpit – paves the way for the dashboard’s remarkably slim architecture.

Sharper lines and a more dramatic interplay between surfaces will be particularly notable features of the third generation of the Audi TT, but they only scratch the surface of a pedigree sports car that has been systematically refined in every department, both inside and out.

Coming soon from Veloce!
Audi TT – All Mk1 (8N) models: 1998-2006 - The Essential Buyer's Guide
By Mark Davies

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of Audi TT ownership, learn how to spot a bad TT quickly, and how to assess a promising car like a professional. Get the right TT at the right price!

More info.

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

First-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata
On February 9, 1989, the world was introduced to the all-new Mazda MX-5 Miata at the Chicago Auto Show. A few months later, it was named as one of the five "World's Best Cars" by Road & Track and never looked back.

Twenty-five years later, MX-5 has racked up more than 200 awards and sold more than 920,000 worldwide as of December 2013, making it the Guinness Book of World Records holder for "Best-Selling Two-Seater Sports Car." Adding to these great achievements, more MX-5s are road-raced on any given weekend than any other model of car.

"The MX-5 Miata has hit a number of milestones over the years and we're honored to say that 25 years later it's as much a global success and favorite among enthusiasts as it was on day one," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "At the Chicago Auto Show in 1989, MX-5 Miata set the bar for sports car performance and driving pleasure. Here we are on its 25th birthday still looking up at that bar."

MX-5's success is that it has not strayed from its promise to deliver pure driving enjoyment at an attainable price. Its introduction in 1989 revived the two-seat roadster segment, and it went on to be named to Road & Track's "World's Best Cars" list and was 14-times one of Car and Driver's "10Best".

Enthusiasts are encouraged to wish the MX-5 Miata a happy birthday on Twitter using the hashtag #MX5Turns25.

Available from Veloce!

Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.8 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual
By Rod Grainger

Phenomenally detailed book which covers the car from bumper to bumper. Every detail of important repair and maintenance jobs is covered.
More info.

Available from Veloce!

Mazda MX-5 Miata – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Carla Crook

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a marque expert by your side. Benefit from the authors years of real ownership experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price!

More info.

100 YEARS OF MASERATI (1914-2014)

A year-long celebration will mark Maserati’s Centenary, a century lived in the name of sportsmanship, innovation and luxury.

The Maserati Centennial logo

The Maserati factory - engine assembly line (1956)

The Maserati Tipo 26B (produced 1927-1930)
Maserati officially enters the hundredth year of its history. It does so in a period of unprecedented health and unparalleled growth. More than 23,000 orders to date worldwide are propelling Maserati into a new dimension. Today Maserati is amongst the fastest growing brands in the United States and a concrete reality in nearly 70 markets in the world, starting with China, Maserati’s second largest commercial reality.

A company that is one hundred years young, Maserati recently showcased its new brand look and marketing communication campaign at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Both are inspired by “The Absolute Opposite of Ordinary” concept, a testament to the company’s first 100 years and a guideline for the next century to come.

It is with great pride that Maserati introduces the Centennial Logo. Maserati’s world famous Trident was inspired from the sculptures of Italy itself, therefore it seemed fitting to sculpt a new image to represent our first 100 years of passion in car-making. The Maserati Centennial Logo is more medallion than graphic, living as a forged symbol of our racing heritage but, even more importantly, it is unique amongst other luxury brands. It serves as a constant reminder of our core belief that everything we build for the next 100 years, will always be—The Absolute Opposite of Ordinary.

Maserati was founded in Bologna, Italy, on December 1, 1914 and officially started operation on December 14, 1914. The nucleus of the company was then represented by Alfieri Maserati and two of his brothers, Ettore and Ernesto. They all had an interest in mechanics and a love for speed. Though predominantly engaged in technical and commercial matters of their new enterprise, they all, at one point, sat behind the steering wheel of their racing cars in the golden days of motor racing. A fourth brother, Bindo, joined the company when Alfieri died in 1932 and a fifth brother, Mario, is credited with designing the famed Maserati logo, taking inspiration from the Neptune fountain in the historic centre of Bologna.

Maserati produced its first car in 1926 – a race car named Tipo 26. It debuted with a victory in the 1926 Targa Florio, the first of an endless string of wins which include two editions of the Indianapolis 500, 9 wins in Formula One and the 1957 F1 World Championship. In 1947 Maserati stunned the world with its first passenger car, the A6 Grand Tourer and in 1963, with the first generation Quattroporte, Maserati gave the automotive market a car that didn’t exist previously – the world’s first sports luxury saloon.

In terms of product range, the Centenary could not have come at a better time, with models such as the brand-new Quattroporte and Ghibli drawing inspiration from a long tradition of successful automobiles which have each redefined Italian sports cars in terms of style and performance, as well as comfort and elegance – and are now taking the world by storm.

Maserati is planning a series of activities to celebrate its first 100 years as events will be organised in all major Maserati markets in the world. The zenith of the year-long activity will be the official Maserati gathering in Modena from September 19 to 21, 2014. An estimated 250 Maserati models will convene in Modena from all over the world. The three-day programme will include driving routes on scenic Italian roads tied to Maserati’s history and multiple sessions on racetrack. A full and detailed programme of the event will be released at a later date.

Also in the second half of 2014, Modena will play host to an extraordinary exhibition of some of the most evocative models in Maserati’s history. The Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari will show a special display of the many iconic Maserati models, including both passenger and race cars, all brought together because they hold special significance in the history of Maserati.

As Maserati's Centennial celebrations get underway, the special section to mark the occasion makes its debut on www.maserati.com. The section provides exhaustive details on the legendary Maserati marque, from its establishment in 1914 to the present day, while #Maserati100 is the official hashtag through which visitors can keep track of all the Centennial news, events and content. The new section will allow visitors to learn about Maserati's history through a captivating voyage that takes in unforgettable cars, famous names, a timeline of the most important events, the biggest projects, the innovations and the many achievements in the world of racing. The content is enhanced with downloadable materials and users can even vote for their favourite Maserati of all time.

The year-long journey from December 2013 to December 2014, Maserati100.com will be frequently updated with new content, events, downloadable material and a section where users can upload content related to events taking place around the world to mark Maserati's Centenary. In order to receive the regular updates and relive Maserati's history, visitors will need to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

The Maserati Centennial year will officially end with a dedicated event on Sunday, December 14, 2014.

Source: Maserati

Coming soon from Veloce! Maserati 250F In Focus
By Anthony Pritchard

The Maserati 250F raced against Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Vanwall for Grand Prix supremacy during the 2500cc Grand Prix Formula years of ’54-’60. Period photographs, including contributions from Tom March, are presented, along with engine cutaways, drawings, technical descriptions, and the chassis and race numbers of every 250F to have competed during this period.
Stories from leading drivers who raced the 250F, including Sir Stirling Moss, Juan Fangio, and Mike Hawthorn, along with Anthony Pritchard’s lively text, helps bring the racing story of this iconic model back to life. More info.

NEW APP! MOTORWAY WALKS AND BREAKS – MORE FUN FOR YOUR FUEL! #MoWaB

How do you find places for your kids to play, somewhere nice to walk (including with your dog), a parking space and, often, even great pub food – all within 5 miles of a motorway exit? Now revised and updated for all major platforms, and therefore much quicker and snappier than the original version, Motorway Walks and Breaks is a fantastically useful App for anyone who drives on the motorways of the UK but likes a break from driving in healthy natural surroundings.

Simple to use – just select the motorway, then browse the junctions and choose the walk you'd like to do. The App includes a handy map view, making it easier to find your way.

We have trekked over a thousand miles tracking down great walks for drivers, families and dogs to enjoy on their journey. The whole of the UK is covered, from Exeter to Perth and from Swansea to Canterbury.

Use this App to get more fun for your fuel, treat yourself and your dog to a great walk, see more of the countryside, take a healthy break, or enjoy a relaxing pub lunch.

Each walk is of 30 to 45 minutes' duration, often with a selected pub or café along the way. Activities for children are included, from bouncy castles to nature trails and the facilities available at each walk venue are described.

All of the walks are suitable for dogs, and those with assistance dogs will find details of accessible paths and facilities for the disabled. The listed pubs – most of which are traditional inns, serving high quality food at realistic prices – all welcome well-behaved canines.

If you want more than mileage from your petrol, this is the App for you!

BULLET POINTS

• All walks within 5 miles of motorway exits

• Pub/café on each walk (or at least a picnic table)

• Ideal for when travelling with your four-legged friend!

• Every walk tried and tested

• Safe and legal parking places

• Driving routes from and back to the motorway described

• Many walks near kids’ activities

• Buggy and wheelchair easy access walks, ideal for assistance dog owners

• Each walk 30-45 minutes – healthy, natural breaks that improve driver concentration

• Redesigned for use on Apple iOS7

• Now available for the first time for Windows Phone, Android, and Kindle Fire.

The full app has 177 walks, each complete with several full-colour high resolution zoomable images, map views, and retails at £1.99 (equivalent price in other currencies).

Also available is a FREE lite version of the full app with 48 sample walks and the same features as the full app.

More information about both editions can be found on their product pages:

Full edition
Lite edition

RECORD-BREAKING BLUEBIRD CN7 REUNITED WITH ORIGINAL NOSE PANEL

The famous Bluebird CN7 has been reunited with its original damaged nose panel, thanks to a donation from Stadco to the Campbell family. The original front nose panel from Donald Campbell’s famous World Land Speed Record Breaker, the Bluebird CN7, was returned to and replaced at the Coventry site after being damaged during the land speed record attempt in 1960, where it has remained ever since.

The handover to the Malcolm Campbell Heritage Trust took place at an event at The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, where the nose panel will join four iconic World Land Speed Record cars, including the Bluebird CN7 and Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird 350hp, for a brand new Land Speed Record Breakers display.

Following the failed land speed attempt at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1960, the damaged Bluebird was shipped back to the site in the Midlands. While the design updates were made, including the addition of the tail fin to stabilise the vehicle at speed, Motor Panels, now Stadco, set to work repairing the Bluebird. The nose panel had been creased in the crash at Bonneville and was removed and replaced.

The old hood panel displaying the Union Jack and US flags was set aside and spent the next 50 years at the Coventry site. Following the discovery of other artefacts, including detailed original records and correspondence between the Campbells and the Stadco project team, and 26 reels of unique 16mm film footage from 1960-1963, Stadco decided that a new home should be sought for the nose panel to properly reflect its historic significance.

Stadco’s Product Development Director, Paul Jaggers, said: “We are very proud of our historic link to Bluebird and these artefacts were a very exciting find for us. We were keen to ensure they found the right home and are very pleased to donate them to the family trust.”

Source: Stadco

Available from Veloce!
Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car
By Donald Stevens

Records the development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record breaking car that the UK produced, and tells how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell prevented it from reaching its full potential. A unique account of a legendary feat of engineering. More info.

RACING NAPIERS LEAD VETS TO BRIGHTON

Hundreds of machines from the dawn of motoring light up the 2013 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Commemorating the original Emancipation Run of November 1896, this year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (Sunday 3 November) was special even by its historic standards as the longest running and greatest of all motoring celebrations.

For the very first time, the field of close to 400 extraordinary machines all dating back to before 1905 was headed by a trio of legendary racing Napiers. Although examples of these early competition cars have participated in the past, never before have three lined up together, thus recreating the pioneering British team that contested the famous Gordon Bennett Cup ­races held at the start of the last century.

The very olive green, 6.5-litre Napier that won the 1902 race between Paris and Innsbruck driven by S. F. Edge headed the trio. It was the first British car to win an international motor race and its distinctive colour was the origin of British Racing Green. The other two Napiers lining up in Hyde Park London for this year’s Veteran Car Run – one powered by a 7.7-litre engine the other by an even more potent 11.1-litre unit – competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup races in 1903 and 1904.

“Napier’s competition cars from this period are among the most significant cars in the history of British motor sport. They were not only the first to wear British Racing Green, but also the first cars built in this country to win major races overseas thus paving the way for today’s UK-based world championship winning F1 teams such as McLaren and Red Bull,” said Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee. “To have three of these incredible machines on this year’s Veteran Car Run was very, very special.”

While the three illustrious Napiers grabbed many of the headlines, the 2013 Veteran Car Run also attracted a number of equally exceptional entries all enjoying some unseasonably good weather en route to the coast. Built in Indianapolis in the USA, the 1901 electrically powered Waverley driven by Michael Ward, Managing Director of Harrods, made its debut. Meanwhile, having had the honour of flagging off the early starters, Sir Ray Tindle embarked on his 50th journey to Brighton driving his faithful single-cylinder 1904 Speedwell Dogcart.

Among the famous faces participating was Pink Floyd musician Nick Mason plus Mike Brewer and Edd China, the two presenters of the hit Discovery Channel show Wheeler Dealers. They were aboard a recently restored 1903 Darracq to celebrate the popular programme reaching its 100th car milestone. Another film star was the Darracq from the classic 1953 movie Genevieve starring Kenneth Moore and Diana Sheridan.

Although not a race, this year’s Veteran Car Run included a competitive event for the very first time in its lengthy 117-year history. A regularity test where contestants have to average a precise speed between two controls has been introduced in 2013 with the 1902 Mors of Philip Oldman taking the inaugural trophy.

The first car to cross the ceremonial finish on Madeira Drive on the seafront in Brighton was the 1902 Darracq of Allan White. In total 341 of the 385 starters completed the symbolic 60-mile journey from Hyde Park to the sunny Sussex coast before the 4:30pm deadline thus receiving coveted finisher medal.

MAZDA MX-5 SETS NEW WORLD RECORD

Mazda was able to set a new entry in the Guinness Book of World Records during the big MAX-5 2013 event on June 15 in Lelystad, Netherlands. A total of 683 Mazda MX-5s joined the procession on the roads around the RDW Test Centre at Lelystad, forming the longest parade of driving Mazdas ever. 1450 participants contributed to the successful record attempt, shattering the existing record for the “largest parade of Mazda cars” – 459 Mazda MX-5s – set in Essen, Germany in 2010.

The MX-5 parade through the fascinating polder landscape was led by a spectacular version of the MX-5, a third-generation (NC) racing model with the Dutch TV presenter Allard Kalff behind the wheel and President and CEO of Mazda Motor Europe Jeff Guyton beside him. Later on, after the successful record attempt, Guyton also received the official certificate which was presented by Guinness World RecordsTM adjudicator Pravin Patel.

Throughout the MAX-5 2013 event, the RDW Test Centre at Lelystad was completely dedicated to the Japanese brand and the Mazda experience. This included demonstrations by the Ribank Mazda MaX5 Cup racers and the three-rotor-engined Mazda3 20Bowned by Belgian racing family Van Herck. Participants also had the opportunity of extensively testing Mazda's new i-ACTIVSENSE technology on the banked circuit, or entertaining themselves in one of the racing simulators. All the new Mazda SKYACTIV models were on hand for those interested in taking a test drive and visitors also had the opportunity of a free inspection of their own roadsters. During a special display with some of the finest MX-5s on hand, the award for the most beautiful and authentic Mazda MX-5 of the day was handed over to Pieter Staat from Meteren (NL). The second prize went to Maarten Tuiten from Almelo (NL), followed by Ludo Vander Vliet from Duffel (B), winning third place in this competition.

At the end of the day, about 250 cars still present joined to form a large drive-in cinema. Prior to the showing, the viewers were asked to pick from three films and seated at the wheel of their cars, the owners cast their vote by blowing their horn to indicate their preferred film. The loudest ‘vote’ was cast for Arbitrage with Richard Gere in the starring role.

Source: Mazda

Available from Veloce!

Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.8 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual
By Rod Grainger

Phenomenally detailed book which covers the car from bumper to bumper. Every detail of important repair and maintenance jobs is covered.
More info.

Available from Veloce!

Mazda MX-5 Miata – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Carla Crook

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a marque expert by your side. Benefit from the authors years of real ownership experience, learn how to spot a bad car quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right car at the right price!

More info.

LAMBORGHINI'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

“100 Years of Innovation in half the time"



In 2013, the 50th year since it was founded, Automobili Lamborghini is participating in the annual Techno Classica fair at Essen, where Lamborghini will be showing two of its supercars that have made automotive history, at pavilion 7. Introduced in 1964, the 350 GT was the first mass-produced Lamborghini, while the 1972 P 400 Miura SV was the final evolution of the legendary Miura - the first super sports car with a modern design. Both vehicles on display were taken from the extensive collection of historic cars in the Lamborghini Museum at the company's headquarters in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy. An expert on replacement parts for classic cars will also be at the stand to provide information on original spare parts for early Lamborghini models. Source: Lamborghini

One of the most talked about car videos on YouTube this week is a Lamborghini Miura SV on fire in central London. Petrolheads look away now!



Available from Veloce!
The Lamborghini Miura Bible by Joe Sackey.

Written by a world-renowned authority on the subject, featuring, among other things, a never-before-published factory chassis production register, technical illustrations, studio-supplied images and exclusive interviews with the designers of the car: this is essential reading for any Lamborghini fan.
More info.

ALL-NEW GOLF GTI READY TO ROCK THE ROAD AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

At Volkswagen, the letters ‘GTI’ have stood for superior dynamic performance for over three decades now. In the tradition of previous models by the same name, Volkswagen is introducing the latest version of the Golf GTI at the Geneva International Motor Show. For the first time, the legendary compact sports car is available from the factory with two power levels: the standard 220 PS GTI and the GTI Performance with 230 PS, larger brake discs and a front limited-slip differential (VAQ).

The new GTI is powered by a turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (TSI) with 162 kW / 220 PS. Also available for the first time is a GTI Performance. In this version, the engine’s maximum power is boosted to 169 kW / 230 PS. Both GTI models develop a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The standard GTI accelerates to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 152 mph. The GTI Performance has a top speed of 155 mph and needs just 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 62 mph.

Both versions are equipped with a Stop/Start system and fulfil the EU-6 emissions standard that takes effect in 2014. With a six-speed manual gearbox, they attain the same low fuel consumption value of 6.0 l/100 km, or 47.0 mpg (CO2: 139 g/km). This means that the latest Golf GTI offers an 18 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous model. With the optional six-speed DSG gearbox, the two GTI models achieve fuel consumption figures of 6.4 (44.1 mpg) and 6.5 l/100 km (43.5 mpg) respectively (equivalent to 148 and 149 g/km CO2).


The sporty character of the Golf GTI is reflected in its red-painted brake callipers, two chrome tailpipes and sports suspension. The exterior features 17-inch ‘Brooklyn’ alloy wheels with 225/45 size tyres (18-inch ‘Austin’ alloys will be standard in the UK), special side sills, a rear diffuser and smoked LED rear lights, along with LED numberplate illumination. UK specification will also include bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights.

Interior highlights include sports seats with the classic tartan cloth upholstery, a black rooflining and red ambience lighting. GTI drivers will also appreciate the bespoke sports steering wheel, gear lever and instrument cluster, trim strips and stainless steel pedal caps.

An optimal mix of comfort and safety will come as standard in the Golf GTI. In Germany, advance ordering for the new Golf GTI begins on 5 March, and prices start at €28,350. Volkswagen Retailers in the UK start taking orders for the new GTI on 26 March, with the first deliveries due in June. UK pricing and detailed specification are yet to be confirmed.

Source: Volkswagen

WORLD PREMIÈRE: ALFA ROMEO 4C

The final version of the Alfa Romeo 4C makes its début at the 83rd International Motor Show in Geneva. This mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with two bucket seats represents the true essence of a sports car at the heart of Alfa Romeo’s DNA: performance, Italian style and technical excellence, offering maximum driving satisfaction in total safety.

Designed by Alfa Romeo engineers and produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, the new compact supercar will be available for purchase in 2013, marking the return of the Italian brand to the United States and inaugurating Alfa Romeo’s global growth plan.

The Alfa Romeo 4C derives directly from the concept which raised many eyebrows in wonder at the Geneva Show in 2011, so much so that it won three prestigious awards: the ‘AutoBild Design Award’ (2011, Germany), the ‘Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes’ (2012, Italy) and the ‘Most Exciting Car of 2013’ - ‘What Car?’ (2013, Great Britain).

Acronym 4C

The acronym ‘4C’ draws its inspiration from the brand’s glorious past, projecting the values of technology and emotions into the future. Indeed, it refers to Alfa Romeo’s great sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s distinguished cars – both racing and road – fitted with the powerful ‘eight cylinders’ and the innovative ‘six cylinders’, confirming in its design layout and construction the goal of achieving the power/weight ratio of an authentic supercar, less than 4 kg/HP, yet focusing not merely on the maximum power delivered, but on limiting the weight to guarantee maximum agility and top performance. To this end, the Alfa Romeo 4C uses technologies and materials derived from super sports cars (including the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione) – carbon fibre, aluminium, rear-wheel drive – and technologies from the latest standard models from Alfa Romeo, but updated to enhance the sports appeal of the new car even further. This is demonstrated by the new 1750 Turbo Petrol all-aluminium engine with direct injection, the sophisticated Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA selector with the unprecedented Race mode.

Exterior style

Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the 4C immediately brings to mind some of the traditional iconic models which have left a significant mark in the history of the Brand. Above all others, in terms of dimensional and layout similarities, one stands out in particular: the 33 Stradale, a car that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with an essential style which ‘clothed’ the engine and chassis appropriately with unmistakable Alfa Romeo treatments. The 4C has followed suit, and thus completes a journey which was embarked upon with the 8C Competizione, emphasising some particular concepts of the brand, such as compact size, dynamism and agility.

Interior design

The elemental design and essential materials also distinguish the interior, which is all designed and built for maximum driving satisfaction. Specifically, the carbon fibre in the interior immediately stands out, used to make the central cell, which has been left in full view to enhance the sense of uniqueness, of technology and light weight.

Dimensions and aerodynamics

The compact dimensions make this car with 2 bucket seats truly unique amid its competitors: it is just under 4 metres long, 200 cm wide, 118 cm high and with a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres. These dimensions serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. What’s more, owing to the designers’ excellent work, the car achieves maximum aerodynamic efficiency levels, recording a negative Cz (downforce coefficient) which, as in racing cars, contributes towards achieving increased stability at higher speeds.

New 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol

An evolution of the engine already in use in the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Giulietta, the new 4 cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol engine implements an innovative aluminium block and specific intake and exhaust systems which have been optimised to enhance the sports appeal of the car even further. In addition, it boasts cutting-edge technical solutions including direct fuel injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that gets rid of any turbo lag.

Alfa TCT automatic transmission

The 1750 Turbo Petrol engine is teamed with the innovative Alfa TCT automatic twin dry clutch transmission, which is a genuine benchmark in its segment due to its low weight and extreme speed of activation. The gears can also be changed in sequential mode using the shift paddles located behind the steering wheel.

The new Alfa DNA selector with Race mode

The Alfa Romeo 4C also sees the début of the new Alfa DNA selector which not only features the three standard settings available until now – Dynamic, Natural and All Weather – but also a fourth mode: Race, designed to enhance the driving experience on a race track even further.

Excellence made in Italy

The very best technical and industrial expertise of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands were used to develop the final version of the 4C. Specifically, the teamwork between the two brands was aimed at the integration of the Alfa Romeo design department with the Maserati production plant. In short, this too is a distinguishing trait of Alfa Romeo, a brand with a century of history that continues to be one of the most famous and popular ambassadors of Italian products across the world.

Source: Alfa Romeo

FROM 205 TO 208 IN 30 YEARS

It’s happy birthday 205 as Peugeot celebrates with a worthy successor - the new Peugeot 208


On the 15th February 1983 the 205 was born. Although the 201, 202, 203 and 204 came before it, it would be the 205 that really put Peugeot on the world map.

Some 5.3 million models went on to be made before production ended in 1999. Its replacement, the hugely successful 206, has now reached the 8 million production mark making it the best-selling Peugeot model ever in the history of the Company. In the last 30 years, over 17 million 2 series vehicles have been produced by Peugeot in the B car segment.

Today the number may have changed (the new 208 was launched in the UK in June 2012 and succeeded the 207), but the success of Peugeot’s Supermini continues.

In December 2012, just a few months after its launch, the 208 was on top of the European B segment and ended the year with 220,000 sales across Europe.

Produced in France (Poissy) and in Slovakia (Trnava), the 208 was launched in Europe in spring 2012 and reached the UK at the end of June. In a few months, sales will commence in the Russian and South American markets.

The 208 has already recorded a rich mix since launch, with 38% of customers choosing high level versions, the Allure and Feline.

By the end of 2012, 23,000 orders had been received for the new 208 in the UK. This, combined with over 17,000 cars already on the road, makes it one of the fastest selling Peugeots of all time.

The New Year has continued at a pace with 208 orders rising, up 45% in the first six weeks compared to the same period in 2012 for the 207.

The 205 was a ground-breaking product back in 1983 and with the 208, Peugeot returns to form with a car with a wider choice of new engines (3- and 4-cylinder petrol, very low CO2 diesels from 87g/km and all below 100g/km), and a car that is lighter and smaller on the outside yet bigger on the inside than its predecessor.

In April, one of the most anticipated new cars of 2013 comes to market in the shape of the new 208 GTi. Some 29 years since the launch of that iconic car of the ‘80s; the modern day successor to the 205 GTi will deliver a desirable package of style and image with performance in spades.

An awful lot has changed in the world in 30 years, but Peugeot can still be relied on to deliver a winner.

Source: Peugeot

Available from Veloce!
Peugeot 205 GTI – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Jon Blackburn

The Essential Buyer’s Guide carefully describes the 205 GTI models that enthusiasts love to drive and own, from the pioneering 1.6 GTi, through various developments to the 1.9 GTI. The CTI cabriolet is also covered. When you consider a potential purchase armed with this book, it’s just like have a Peugeot 205 expert by your side. Buy the right car at the right price.
More info.

CAPE TOWN TO LONDON NEW WORLD RECORD

Fiat Panda completes non-stop 10,000 mile journey for charity.


The outright world record for driving non-stop from Cape Town to London was smashed last night (11 February) by two very daring British drivers and one very reliable Fiat Panda.

Adventurers Philip Young and Paul Brace set off on the gruelling 10,300-mile trek on 1 February with the intention of raising money for the charity Farm Africa, and drove relentlessly through 13 countries and two continents in the almost standard Panda.

Arriving at Marble Arch, London the pair registered a time of 10 days, 13 hours and 28 minutes, breaking the previous record for the distance, in either direction, by more than a day.

To complete the trip in their target of under 11 days, Philip and Paul had to average 1,000 miles a day at 40mph, a task they felt confident of completing in their 0.9-litre TwinAir-engined city car. The popular hatchback was showroom specification apart from a few vital modifications, such as extra fuel tank, two spare wheels, sump guards, stronger springs, and an air intake moved to the top of the engine bay.

Shunning the use of a large 4x4 car – Philip and Paul decided that would be “too easy” – the Fiat Panda was chosen for its lightness, performance and fuel economy. And despite the car’s compact size, the co-drivers’ bed was a cut down foam mattress across the back seat.

The long and tortuous route to Britain included tough, unmade pot-holed roads and treacherous, dry desert tracks through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia before the pair crossed the Mediterranean for the final run up through Italy and France to London’s Hyde Park.

“It has been a remarkable time on the road – exciting and exhilarating – and the Fiat Panda was amazing,” says Philip Young. “The roads were treacherous, the heat unbearable and the timetable exhausting, but the car never missed a beat. This was an extremely tough journey, and Fiat can be proud of its reliability and ruggedness.”

Source: Fiat

Philip Young's book Available from Veloce! How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car – For Marathon, Endurance, Historic & Budget-car Adventure events
By Philip Young.

Simple, cost-effective, basic and reliable tips to ensure that any rally car stands a chance of reaching the finishing line. If you are planning a road-based rally, don't even think of leaving home before reading this book and implementing the tried and tested mods it describes so well.
More info.

MIKE BREWER OPENS SHEFFIELD DEALERSHIP

TV’s Mike Brewer, author of forthcoming Veloce book and one of the UK’s most well known car dealers, has launched his first ever high street dealership today on Bramall Lane.

The Mike Brewer Motors showroom, which will create 20 new local jobs, will offer car buyers the same honest and friendly style seen on Mike’s shows.

Visit www.mikebrewermotors.com for opening times and for more information about Sheffield’s Mike Brewer Motors, or telephone 0114 2506080. Mike can be followed on Twitter on @mikebrewer.

We are very excited about Mike’s forthcoming book which has been in production here at Veloce this week. The book is due to be published Spring 2013.

Coming soon! Mike Brewer’s The Wheeler Dealer Know How!
From THE master - everything you need to know about buying, preparing,and selling modern classic cars!

Packed full of information and tips, The Wheeler Dealer Know How will give you the confidence to buy the car of your dreams and avoid ending up with a lemon. You’ll find out how to prepare a car to expert standards – from cleaning, to repairs and improvements – and when the time comes to sell, Mike tells you how to get the best price and avoid being ripped-off. More info.