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 first new Bentley Blower for 90 years.
After 40,000 hours of work, Bentley Mulliner has today completed the first new Bentley Blower in 90 years, with the delivery of Car Zero – the prototype car for the Blower Continuation Series.
This highly exclusive run of 12 customer cars – all pre-sold – will be crafted from the design drawings and tooling jigs used for the original four Blowers built and raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin in the late 1920s. Specifically, Bentley’s own Team Car (Chassis HB 3403, engine SM 3902, registration UU 5872 – Team Car #2) has provided the master model for the Continuation Series, with every single component laser-scanned as part of a wheels-up, sympathetic restoration.
From this data, 1,846 individual parts have been designed and hand-crafted to create the new Blower. 230 of those parts are actually assemblies – one of which being the engine – taking the total part count to several thousand when fixings and interior trim parts are included. Each of these parts and assemblies have been created by a project team of Bentley Mulliner engineers, craftspeople and technicians working together with a number of British specialists and suppliers.
Blower Car Zero is a dedicated test and development prototype, built in advance of the 12 customer cars, and will be subjected to months of durability and performance testing. Finished in gloss black, with an interior in Oxblood red leather from Bridge of Weir, Car Zero made its debut today to officially mark the creation of the new Bentley Motors campus in Crewe. Made possible by the closing of Pyms Lane – Bentley’s address since 1946 – the campus extends Bentley’s headquarters to a new expanded footprint.
British owner becomes ‘the king of cool’ taking delivery of first UK Steeda Steve McQueen Limited Edition Bullitt Mustang
Over fifty years since the original film was aired, Bullitt has now become a legendary movie starring Steve McQueen and an iconic Ford – the Mustang Fastback. Playing homage to such a well-known film star car, the world’s largest aftermarket Ford tuners Steeda partnered with Chad McQueen, Steve McQueen’s son, to reinterpret the Bullitt Mustang for the modern era, creating the Steeda Steve McQueen Limited Edition Bullitt Mustang. Now, the first British customer has taken delivery from Steeda’s latest and preferred dealer, Sandicliffe Ford.
Produced to celebrate the Bullitt film, its star, Steve McQueen, and the iconic Ford Mustang, just 300 Steeda Steve McQueen Limited Edition Bullitt Mustangs will be made globally, with less than 100 still available. Based on the MY2018+ S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt Edition, and built with the sole intention to match the original formula of being understated yet performance-focused, Steeda has substantially revised the Mustang to stay true to the ethos of the original Sixties Mustang Fastback.
The first UK customer order, the sixth car sold in Europe, and the second fitted with a supercharger, has just been delivered to its owner, complete with a range of Steeda-packaged power, suspension and driver-centric performance upgrades.
Under the bonnet, the first UK car features a supercharged 720 hp Stage One Bullitt upgrade; adding a 3.0-litre custom and coloured-coded Whipple twin screw supercharger, and 10 rib belt pulley system to the original 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine. It is also fitted with Ford Performance 1500 hp-rated half shaft axles, which are standard fit for all cars fitted with a supercharger kit.
Prices from £26,000 plus (MY2018+ S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt Edition) donor vehicle
New LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler
Jeep® and the LEGO Group have revealed the newest LEGO® Technic™ model, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Designed to emulate the iconic look, design and legendary off-road capabilities of the actual vehicle, this first-ever LEGO model of a Jeep SUV – the LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler – is ready to face any epic adventure.
The new model of this powerful SUV will provide a thrilling building experience for LEGO fans of all ages as they recreate the high-performance 4×4 systems, rugged tyres, fold-down rear seats and classic seven-slot grille in LEGO Technic form.
Once the build is complete, builders can create endless off-road adventures with the feature-packed, 665-piece model. A button-operated front steering system and powerful axle-articulation suspension means owners will love testing out the model on obstacles everywhere. The eye-catching, yellow-and-black color scheme is captivating in action or on display.
The LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler is designed for Jeep and LEGO fans alike, aged 9 and above. It will be available from 1 January, 2021, from LEGO.com, LEGO stores and other retailers globally, priced at £44.99
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic Renault Clio supermini, the company’s most successful model and best-selling French car of all time.
The Clio was first shown in 1990 at the Paris Motor Show as the replacement to the successful and popular Renault 5. Light, efficient, spacious and comfortable, the Clio’s arrival marked a pivotal moment for Renault and would go on to become a multiple award-winner spanning five generations. More than 15 million Clios have left production lines around the world over the last 30 years, with more than 1.2 million making their way to UK roads and into the hearts of drivers and passengers alike.
The Clio has caught the attention of buyers over the years through a series of emotive, exciting and sensitive advertising campaigns – the iconic Papa and Nicole story for Clio I, Thierry Henry’s ‘Va Va Voom’ campaign for the second-generation car and the most recent advert for Clio V that details the story of the Clio over 30 years on sale, depicting a relationship story with a tone and message that reflects the times. It proved to be an award-winning viral hit that tugged at the heartstrings of the viewing public.
It’s not just the UK, though – the Clio is the second best-selling car in Europe and has been France’s most popular car for 21 of its years on sale. Over the last 30 years, the Clio has been enhanced with every generation delivering greater comfort, more space, stronger performance, improved efficiency and the latest advanced technology. What’s remained consistent is the Clio’s identity. It provides the kind of refinement and appeal of a larger car but delivered in a small package that represents impressive value.
The model line-up has also expanded with each version, with a range of distinct models offering something for everyone. From great-value entry level models and luxurious variants to racers for the road engineered by the experts at Renault Sport and practical estate body styles, there’s been a Clio to suit all tastes throughout the last three decades.
Lunaz to begin production of electric classic Range Rovers
Lunaz, the leading creator of electric classic cars, is delighted to announce the first tranche of production availability for classic electric Range Rovers. The company, based in Silverstone, England will create an initial run of 50 of the luxury SUVs built in the ‘classic era’ between 1970 and 1994.
Since unveiling Jaguar, Bentley and Rolls-Royce electrified classics, Lunaz has been consistently asked by its global customer base to apply its re-engineering and restoration approach to these cars.
In response to feedback from these customers, electric classic Range Rovers by Lunaz will be offered in both ‘Town’ and ‘Country’ specification. The more urban expression of these cars will be presented with increased focus on rear-seat and driver comfort, reflecting their dual use as either self-driven luxury vehicles or chauffeured cars. These cars will be available in both standard and long wheelbase.
‘Country’ specification will include a full suite of engineering, technological and design features that augment a full electric classic off-roading experience for the first time. Every car by Lunaz goes through a full bare metal restoration and re-engineering process ahead of conversion to the company’s proprietary electric powertrain. This approach allows Lunaz to answer the questions of usability and reliability that detract from the experience of owning the most celebrated classic cars in the world
Country specification electric classic Range Rovers by Lunaz will include a 4-wheel drive system, updated suspension including anti-roll bars and uprated brakes. Within the cabin, the pure utility of the original interior design will be significantly elevated. This will be achieved by applying Lunaz’ design philosophy. This approach balances the integration of technology and usability within a classic architecture. It is executed with the highest quality materials from a palette that responds to traditional and contemporary tastes and lifestyles.
Prices for classic electric Range Rovers by Lunaz start at £245,000 excluding local taxes. The first production tranche of 50 vehicles is currently being allocated with first customer deliveries anticipated for the summer of 2021.
