As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the Motoring news which you may have missed starting with the final stages of testing of McLaren’s all-new High-Performance Hybrid supercar.
The first series-production High-Performance Hybrid (HPH) supercar from McLaren Automotive has entered the final stages of its development and test programmes, which includes running on public roads. Due to launch in the first half of 2021, the all-new supercar will open a new era of electrification for McLaren following the end of production of its Sports Series range.
The all-new, supercar will be the first McLaren built on a new carbon fibre structure, christened McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture (MCLA). Optimised for High-Performance Hybrid powertrains and latest-generation driver technologies, the architecture elevates McLaren’s pioneering lightweight chassis technologies to new heights, exploiting the company’s advantage in super-lightweight engineering – a benefit that has its roots in the brand’s motorsport origins.
Designed, developed and produced in the UK at the £50m state-of-the-art McLaren Composites Technology Centre (MCTC) in Sheffield region, the all-new flexible structure will underpin the next generation of McLaren hybrid supercars coming to market over the coming years.
The High-Performance Hybrid powertrain, which features an all-new V6 internal combustion engine, delivers astonishing levels of performance and a uniquely intense driver experience, as well as providing medium-range EV-only drive capability.
RBW reveals pre-production EV classic roadster
Midlands classic motoring manufacturer RBW EV Classic Cars has revealed the pre-production model of its stylish electric classic roadster.
Inspired by the MGB Roadster of the 1960s, the RBW EV Roadster takes the classic sports car design and enhances it for the modern world, whilst retaining a stylish elegance. Under the brand-new heritage body shell from British Motor Heritage, sits a patented power drivetrain system that has been three years in development.
RBW has worked with Continental Engineering Services (CES) and Zytek Automotive, both part of Continental AG, which provides the world championship winning technology applied to Formula E racing cars. Following RBW founder Peter Swain’s vision, together they have created a vehicle with the aesthetic appeal of a classic car but with modern electric engineering.
The limited-edition hand-crafted models, with an initial 30 examples created, have been designed with high quality performance levels of noise and vibrations. Over the past 20 years, CES has accumulated experience of optimising Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) in such vehicles, especially the challenges brought about by the replacement of an internal combustion engine with an electric drivetrain – this has been applied to the RBW Roadster to ensure a pleasant experience during pull-away, city-traffic, cruising and spirited driving.
The multi-function dashboard display combines driver gauges and messages with safety diagnostic symbols in an easy to use graphic interface designed around safe and smooth operation whilst driving.
Pioneer’s Flagship Wi-Fi® enabled built-in navigation system brings a large motorised 7-inch 24bit True Colour Capacitive WVGA multi-touchscreen to the dashboard. It also features a HDMI input to mirror smart phones, SD Card input and Dual USB inputs and gold-plated RCA connectors for the highest audio quality possible.
The interior of the car has been designed by Prototrim, specialists in trim development with more than 100 years combined knowledge and experience. With the very highest levels of craftsmanship, every finished interior is exquisite from the accuracy of the patterns to the quality of the stitch detail.
Further model developments are already underway with a fixed head GT version to follow in 2021 along with a second RBW electric recreation.
Production begins early 2021 with prices starting from £90,000 plus taxes.
Mercedes-Benz confirms expansion of the Electric car range
The new generation of electric vehicles in the luxury and executive segment is based on a custom-developed architecture, which is scalable in every aspect and can be used across model series. The wheelbase and track as well as all other system components, especially the batteries, are variable thanks to the modular design. The vehicle concept is thus optimised to meet every requirement of a future-oriented, battery-electric model family. This vehicle architecture makes it possible to build Mercedes-Benz electric cars from saloons to large SUVs.
The EQS will allow customers in the luxury segment to fully benefit from all the advantages of an all-electric architecture with respect to space and design. With ranges of up to 700 km (according to WLTP), the EQS meets the requirements on a progressive saloon in the S-Class segment in this respect as well. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz remains faithful to its recipe for success in production, and designs its vehicles and factories to be able to build different models flexibly on the same production lines. The electric vehicles also use pioneering cross-sectoral technologies from Mercedes-Benz such as, for example, the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) control and display system or the driving assistance systems.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS concept car provided pointers to the progressive design of the coming EQS in September 2019. The camouflaged prototypes undergoing testing are also foretelling key design features that are revolutionary for the luxury segment such as the cab forward design or the coupé-like ‘one-bow’ styling. However, further details of the progressive design of the models EQS SUV, EQE and EQE SUV crucial for the success of the electric initiative remain a secret to the public for the time being.
Mercedes-Benz will introduce the all-electric architecture in 2021. At the same time, the company will continue to electrify the most successful platforms. In addition to the EQC mid-size SUV (EQC 400 4MATIC, combined power consumption: 21.3-20.2 kWh/100 km; weighted CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)[1] and the all-electric EQV people carrier (EQV 300, combined power consumption: 26.4-26.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)1, customers in the compact car segment can look forward to two all-electric SUVs, the EQA and EQB. Their progressive design identifies them as members of the all-electric product range. Production of the EQA will commence before the end of this year.
Vauxhall Corsa UK’s best selling new car in September
The all-new Vauxhall Corsa was the UK’s best-selling vehicle in the crucial September plate-change month, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
10,553 new Corsa’s hit the road in September with the new 70-plate registration. September also marks the third month this year in which the all-new Corsa supermini topped the SMMT new car registration chart, having out-sold the rest of the UK market in June and July.
The all-new fifth generation Corsa is available with a fully-electric powertrain or a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines.
New Luxury automotive silk face mask designs launched by the Outlierman
The Outlierman, makers of handcrafted luxury automotive inspired accessories, today introduces the second set of a beautifully designed collection of non-medical face coverings, featuring some of the company’s most popular automotive designs.
Using 100 percent silk and handcrafted by highly skilled artisans in Como, Italy, each set of three face masks comes in a selection of designs, including the ‘Posh, ‘Type 75 Atlantic’ and ‘World Beater’. These new mask designs join the first set of three launched earlier this year with the ‘Gentleman Driver’, ‘World Beater’ and ‘Vintage Race’ designs.
The Pop-Up Motor Show – a new concept in automotive events
An entirely new concept in automotive exhibitions has been launched by the team behind The British Motor Show, which is launching a series of portable ‘Pop-Up’ motor shows in the run-up to the big event in 2021.
The first Pop-Up show, designed with social distancing and current healthcare guidance front-of-mind, will take place at the Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke, Hants, RG21 7BA, from October 16 until December 24, 2020.
As well as featuring the latest new models from a selection of local retailers, the show will include a number of other interesting cars including EVs, classics and retro-electric cars, which have been converted to use modern drivetrains.
Amongst the exhibits that will be on show during the event will be a rare Lamborghini Aventador, an Electric 2CV and a unique “Push me pull you” mini that will be used in the British Motor Show Live Arena in August 2021
Other features will include supercar displays, driving simulators, a giant Scalextric track and surprise ‘guest’ cars during the course of the event, making it ideal for a return visit.
The free-to-enter exhibition will use 6,000 square feet of retail space, with expected footfall of over five million people visiting Festival Place during the run-up to Christmas.
Other features will include ‘Ask the Experts’, with consumer specialists on hand to answer car buying and maintenance queries, an online search engine to help you find your perfect automotive match and car-themed retailers offering great gifts and ideas for Christmas. There’ll also be a fee-to-enter competition to win a share in a Ferrari courtesy of TheCarCrowd, a new crowdfunding venture that allows normal people on normal incomes to take part-ownership of their dream car.
