As we come to the end of another week we look at some of the Motoring news which you may have missed starting with Hispano Suiza who have launched a second model, the Carmen Boulogne
Hispano Suiza has launched a second model, the Carmen Boulogne, a sportier evolution of the iconic Carmen. The Carmen Boulogne is a fully electric and exclusive hypercar designed, developed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain), of which only five will be made.
The Boulogne name dates back to 1921, when Hispano Suiza made a racing version of its high-performance H6 Coupé and entered it in the George Boillot Cup, an endurance race lasting more than 3.5 hours around the French city of Boulogne. There, Hispano Suiza achieved three consecutive victories with André Dubonnet (1921), Paul Bablot (1922) and Léonce Garnier (1923) driving the mighty Hispano Suiza H6.
The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne pays tribute to these historic motorsport victories with this powered version that delivers 1114 CV (820 kW) – 95 CV more than the Hispano Suiza Carmen – a maximum speed limited to 290 km/h and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 2.6s. The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne weighs 1,630 kg, 60 kg less than the Carmen. This reduction has been achieved thanks to the optimisation of structural elements such as the suspension, the carbon fibre subframe, new CNC parts and a carbon fibre roof, among other things.
The Carmen Boulogne is powered by four permanent-magnet synchronous engines, two on each rear wheel. The torque of each engine is controlled through sophisticated vectoring systems developed in-house with the expertise gained in Formula E. From 0 to 6,500 rpm, the engines are capable of reaching a maximum of 1,600 Nm of torque, allowing for astonishing acceleration and seemingly endless power and traction. The lithium-ion polymer battery has a capacity of 80 kWh that allows it to develop a driving range of up to 400 km. The batteries are designed and produced in-house, including a complete temperature control system to ensure that the cells can operate optimally. It has a fast-charging capacity of more than 80 kW DC, requiring only 30 minutes to charge 30-80% through a CCS2 fast charger. It also has CHAdeMO and GB/T charging options.
The entire body of the Carmen Boulogne is made of carbon fibre, visible under a clear varnish that emphasizes its sportiness and preserves the timeless elegance of this model. It sports the same semi-circular headlights and aggressive “scowl” as the Carmen, with the difference of an imposing copper-coloured grille.
The Carmen Boulogne is a fully customizable model thanks to the brand’s ‘Unique Tailormade’ department. Its sleek interior features suede or black Alcantara on the bulkhead and door panels.
The design, engineering and production is the result of the expertise of Hispano Suiza and QEV Technologies, a company specializing in the development of electric motors and motorsports.
The price of the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne starts from 1.65 million euros (plus local taxes), and its manufacturing process, handmade with the utmost precision, requires approximately twelve months.
The five units of the Carmen Boulogne hypercar join the 14 units of the Carmen to reach a total of 19 units in production, with the first unit ready to be delivered in 2022.
Jamaican Bobsleigh Team take to the slopes in MINI Convertible
With lockdown hampering traditional training techniques, the Jamaican Bobsleigh Team have had to get creative and take their rigorous regime to the slopes with a MINI Convertible.
The team, including sled pilot Shanwayne Stephens, 30, Dy’Neal Fe’ssal, 28, and Matthew Wilson, 30, have taken their training to another level and hit the UK’s largest indoor slope at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead.
The trio pushed the MINI Convertible, wrapped in the unmissable colours of the Jamaican flag, up and down the snowy incline for the ultimate resistance training, aiming to get an edge on their competition ahead of their gruelling winter schedule.
Shanwayne said “This second lockdown has been even harder on our training. Matt and Dy’Neal are new to the team so we’re focusing on gelling together as a team and getting them up to speed – they have never been in a bobsled or even seen one yet! Pushing the MINI here may seem like a bit of fun but this has been an important exercise, just being on ice is completely different to training in the summer – the toll on your body is entirely different and you use energy in different ways. The Snow Centre is only -3 degrees, that’s pretty mild compared to what we’re normally in, and they’re already complaining about the cold!”
In summer during lockdown 1.0 Shanwayne and other fellow teammate Nimroy Turgott kept up their fitness by building a home gym and using the MINI as a makeshift prowler.
Citroën adds more adventure to the Berlingo range with Rip Curl special edition
Citroën is reinforcing the award-winning Berlingo’s adventurous spirit with the launch of a new special edition, the Berlingo Rip Curl. Based on the popular ‘Flair’ trim, Berlingo Rip Curl has adopted an even more distinctive appearance with a bespoke colour scheme both inside and out.
The new Rip Curl special edition stays true to the versatility that has become synonymous with the Berlingo name. For example, the three individual rear seats can still be folded into the floor, freeing up to 3,500-litres of boot space to carry anything from bicycles to surfboards.
EXPRESSIVE AND DISTINCTIVE STYLE
New Citroën Berlingo Rip Curl has a stylish appearance and is distinguished by touches of Ochre-yellow inside and out. It also bears the surf brand’s famous logo.
EXTERIOR TRIM
Berlingo Rip Curl special edition offers a new Rip Curl pack of Ochre-yellow coloured inserts that can be found around the fog lights and on the Airbump® trim. A specific colour that highlights the collaboration with Rip Curl (identical to C3 Aircross Rip Curl), and provides a fresh look for the new special edition. The model highlights the partnership via a signature Rip Curl Wave graphic on the front doors and an easily identifiable Rip Curl logo on the rear quarter panels. The special edition has also adopted the Berlingo line-up’s striking black Onyx door mirrors and bumpers.
BESPOKE AMBIENCE
Berlingo Rip Curl offers a warm and practical interior, with vibrant styling cues including Ochre-yellow stripes on the seat backs. This colour scheme is replicated in the stitching on the ‘Alba Délice’ dashboard, positioned immediately above a set of Rip Curl-branded floor mats. A choice of four body colours is available, Natural White solid paint comes as standard, with Cumulus Grey, Platinum Grey and Onyx Black available at extra cost.
FLAIR
Berlingo Rip Curl models come with all the features found on ‘Flair’ variants, whilst at the same time enjoying a host of additional useful touches. Standard equipment includes Active Safety Brake, Intelligent Beam Headlights, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Alert, 16-inch ‘Starlit’ alloy wheels, Airbump® panels, black roof bars, automatic dual-zone climate control, parking sensors front and rear, and a 180 degree colour reversing camera.
TWO ENGINES AVAILABLE
BlueHDi 100 S&S 6-speed manual from £24,345 MRRP OTR
PureTech 130 S&S EAT8 auto from £26,260 MRRP OTR
As the benchmark for versatility, practicality and comfort, Berlingo is the ideal choice for all sorts of leisure activities and family adventures. Nearly two million Berlingos have been sold globally since its launch in 2016.
New Citroën Berlingo Rip Curl special edition is a fusion of colour, comfort and modularity. The new special series model has been designed for families and groups of friends whose lifestyles are resolutely oriented towards leisure.
Available to order now with first customer deliveries in early 2021, Priced from just £24,345 MRRP OTR
Battista hypercar completes high speed test programme in Nardò
Automobili Pininfarina has reached a landmark moment in the development of its new Battista, as the pure electric hyper GT completed its first high speed test programme at the Nardò Technical Centre in Italy.
The successful test marks the beginning of the next chapter in the development programme of the most powerful Italian sports car ever produced. This will see nine test and validation versions of the pure- electric Battista driven on public roads and in private test facilities to fine-tune, validate and homologate its bespoke chassis settings, advanced torque vectoring system and unique sound experience.
Test Driver and Vehicle Dynamics Manager Georgios Syropoulos concluded a series of dynamic tests at the world-famous proving ground, including sprints around the circular banking of the 12.6 km Nardò- ring and laps of the twisting 6.2 km handling track.
The Battista’s 120 kWh battery provides power to four electric motors – one at each wheel – for a combined power output of 1,900 hp and maximum torque of 2,300 Nm. Its advanced powertrain is able to intelligently distribute power between all four wheels for optimised traction in all conditions and allows customers to tailor the driving experience to suit their personal tastes using five unique driving modes (Calma, Pura, Energica, Furiosa and Carattere).
Automobili Pininfarina Test Driver and Vehicle Dynamics Manager Georgios Syropoulos, said: “The phenomenal performance potential of the Battista is clear. Our clients will never have experienced acceleration like this before, yet giving them the opportunity to tailor their experience using a range of drive modes means this hypercar offers much more than just speed thrills. With a zero-emissions range of 500kms and sophisticated all-wheel drive technology, every drive in Battista will be a pleasure.”
The prototype Battista testing at the Nardò Technical Centre is not a stripped-out development mule. Beneath its elegant carbon fibre skin, a fully finished interior complete with luxuriously executed detailing, gave engineers the opportunity to assess every element of the new hyper GT.
When the first vehicles are delivered to clients in 2021, Battista will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in sub two-seconds – faster than a current Formu1a 1 car. It will also sprint from 0-300 km/h (0-186mph) in less than 12 seconds and have a top speed of 350 km/h (217mph).
Rolls-Royce launches new ‘Pursuit Seat’ accessory
The comfort of a handmade leather seat is no longer confined to the interior of a Rolls-Royce motor car, following the release of the marque’s latest Bespoke accessory.
The new Pursuit Seat is a contemporary reimagining of the traditional portable seat, designed by the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce, in Goodwood, West Sussex. True to the spirit of the original, the Pursuit Seat offers instant, portable comfort in town or country, bringing ease and style to clients’ ever diversified lifestyles. A perfect perch for flying a drone, painting a landscape or simply pausing to take in the view, the Pursuit Seat is the latest accessory designed to enhance the lifestyle experience of Rolls-Royce clients.
Akin to a Rolls-Royce motor car, only the finest materials applied with utmost precision and skill are considered when designing a Rolls-Royce accessory. The Pursuit Seat’s main support is made from carbon fibre and polished aluminium, for an optimal strength-to-weight ratio. With a fully height-adjustable seat, the accessory is designed with the utmost comfort in mind.
Should one find oneself at an outdoor performance, or even trackside at a motorsport event, a discrete pocket on the outer leather seat provides a safe repository for tickets. In case of extra time, encores and curtain-calls, a slim aluminium torch, finished with the double-R Badge of Honour, is stored in the hinge of the seat, ensuring safe passage back to your motor car.
The seat is made from the finest Rolls-Royce leather and embossed with the Spirit of Ecstasy. Clients can choose from an array of Bespoke colours to match, or contrast, with their car’s interior.
The gently flared aluminium ferrule on the end of the stick provides a solid grip on hard surfaces, while the retractable spike, cleverly concealed within, offers the same security on grass and other soft ground.
The Pursuit Seat fits perfectly within the Cullinan Recreation Module, reflecting the car’s #EffortlessEverywhere character; its compact dimensions and elegant leather case also allow it to be stowed unobtrusively in any Rolls-Royce motor car.
The Pursuit Seat is available to purchase individually or as a pair through the Rolls-Royce Boutique and at dealerships worldwide. Prices for an individual seat start from 6,581 GBP, excluding local taxes.
Bentley introduces tweed interior option
Bentley Mulliner – Bentley’s bespoke commissioning division – is now offering an elegant and sophisticated door trim option in tweed for the Flying Spur, Continental GT and Bentayga, providing customers with even greater choice when specifying their new vehicle.
For admirers of authentic British heritage and those passionate about the use of sustainable materials, the four contemporary tweed patterns add a new, high quality texture to the near-limitless range of customisation options showcased in the Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide.
The introduction of tweed as an option for the complete product range gives customers the opportunity to specify an even more unique finish for their vehicle’s interior. The tactile woven wool finish to the doors transforms the energy of the cabin into a robust yet tranquil environment.
Selected to compliment the interior design, and natural colour harmony with many of the leather hides already throughout the cabin, four different tweeds are initially available.
Cheltenham, with its countryside greens, offers a more traditional choice for customers whereas Glen Plaid–Tolsta Beach, named after the shores of the rugged Outer Hebrides, makes a confident statement with its bold check pattern. Providing a more subtle, contemporary choice, the Charcoal and Sand Herringbone tweeds complement dark and light interiors respectively on the two-door and four-door Grand Tourers.
Jaguar Racing unveil Jaguar I-TYPE 5 race car ahead of new Formula E Campaign
Jaguar Racing have revealed their brand-new electric race car, the Jaguar I-TYPE 5, in a virtual launch 50 days before season seven of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The electric single-seater features a new powertrain developed in-house, which will run for the next two seasons. Jaguar Racing engineers have focussed on efficiency gains, reduced weight and lowered the centre of gravity of the I-TYPE 5’s powertrain. New suspension will provide greater adjustment from track to track and a more efficient invertor will improve switching speeds and performance. The state-of-the-art invertor also features 24 carat gold due to its highly conductive properties.
Sam Bird and Mitch Evans – one of the strongest pairings on the Formula E grid – will drive the new race car. Evans has been with Jaguar Racing since they joined the all-electric championship in 2016. Bird, who has won races in every Formula E season, joins the British team this season.
Jaguar Racing welcomes leading materials science company, Dow, for their first ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season with the team. Dow join as an Official Partner and with over 100 years of experience in automotive, Dow brings material expertise and a pioneering spirit to the Jaguar Racing team through its MobilityScienceTM platform and its polyolefin, polyurethanes acrylic, specialty chemical and silicone technologies.
Dow join Jaguar Racing’s leading partner line-up that includes GKN Automotive, Viessmann, Castrol and Official Suppliers Alpinestars and DR1VA.
Jaguar Racing is also pleased to debut at the season seven launch the use of new sustainable materials called TYPEFIBRE. The I-TYPE 5 has a new prototype race seat made from sustainably sourced TYPEFIBRE. It will be tested at speed in different temperatures, loads and environments around the world as part of the team’s Race to Innovate mission – sharing the benefits of race technology with road cars and in turn Jaguar customers.
Ducati presents the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini
The Ducati World Première web series arrives at its fourth episode, during which the Bologna motorcycle manufacturer has unveiled the new Diavel 1260 Lamborghini.
To be made in a limited and numbered edition of 630 units, the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini is born from the collaboration between two prestigious brands that have their roots in the Motor Valley, the Emilia-Romagna land within which can be found many of the sportiest and most desired car and motorcycle companies in the world.
Unconventional, unique, absolutely unmistakable: the Diavel 1260 is the model of the Ducati range that amazes enthusiasts everywhere for its personality, its naked sports road behaviour, its thoroughbred sports engine and its design.
To carry out this project, Ducati designers chose to be inspired by the Siàn FKP 37, the most prestigious car ever made by Lamborghini: available in only 63 units, each of which personalized to specific customer requests, it is a masterpiece of exclusivity, design and innovation. It is inspired by the Countach, has razor-sharp lines, aerodynamic elegance and an unmistakable silhouette. Producing combined thermal and electric power of 819 hp (602 kW), the Siàn FKP 37 is the most powerful Lamborghini ever produced.
