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 new Shadow Edition for the MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman
MINI announces the new Shadow Edition for the MINI Clubman and MINI Countryman, designed exclusively for the UK market. The MINI Shadow Edition includes a higher standard specification across both models, as well as edition-exclusive bonnet design and decals.
The new Shadow Edition has Midnight Black Metallic exterior body paint, with contrasting Silver roof and mirror caps and a Piano Black exterior, creating a dramatic and streamlined look.
Customers can choose between the Cooper and Cooper S engines, in both manual and automatic transmission, with the All4 Plug-in Hybrid also available on MINI Countryman.
Based on the Sport trim level, the Shadow Edition exterior features include 19” John Cooper Works Circuit Spoke alloy wheels, John Cooper Works aerodynamic kit including John Cooper Works spoiler, and LED front and rear lights.
The special edition has a graphic on the bonnet and the A-panel, while the lower roof features the Shadow logo. Black roof rails are offered as standard to customers selecting the MINI Countryman, and as an option for those choosing MINI Clubman.
Inside, the Shadow Edition has Anthracite headlining and a Piano Black trim and both the dash trim and tread plates also feature additional graphics. The model also has John Cooper Works sport seats and a sports leather steering wheel with contrast stitching in Chili Red.
Continuing the high standard specification, the Shadow Edition comes equipped with the new 5.5-inch Digital Display Cockpit, Bluetooth with USB audio, Rear Park Distance Control, Interior Lights Pack and MINI Driving Modes, allowing drivers to switch between Sport, Mid and Green settings.
The MINI Excitement Pack, including MINI logo projection and LED mood lighting, and Navigation Pack, offering an 8.8-inch display with MINI Navigation, Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), Apple CarPlay and Intelligent Emergency Calling, both come as standard. Comfort Pack, Comfort Plus Pack and Navigation Plus Pack, which includes Wireless Charging and Head Up Display, are optional.
The MINI Shadow Edition is available to order now from retailers nationwide, with first customer deliveries in April 2021. Prices start from £26,805 RRP for the MINI Clubman and £28,755 RRP for the MINI Countryman.
Vauxhall Insignia is refreshed for model year 2021
With best-in-class CO2 emissions and fuel economy, the Vauxhall Insignia is refreshed for model year 2021 with an all-new range of fuel-efficient powertrains, revised technology, and a bold and attractive exterior design.
Vauxhall’s new Insignia consumes up to 18 per cent less fuel than the outgoing model thanks to a range of powerful new high-efficiency engines. A new top-of-the-range GSi model also joins the range with unique tuning for its suspension and steering, plus bespoke styling upgrades.
The new Insignia engine line-up features three- and four-cylinder units, including a 1.5-litre (122PS) diesel unit that achieves CO2 emissions of 121g/km WLTP. The three-cylinder engines are up to 50kg lighter than their four-cylinder predecessors in the outgoing model. Above these are two 2.0-litre petrol engines with 200PS and 230PS, as well as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, which will be introduced later this year. All Insignia diesel units are fully RDE2 compliant, and thus exempt from the current four per cent BIK surcharge – making them even more ideal for fleet and business users.
The 2.0-litre petrol engines are also the first Vauxhall engines with cylinder deactivation. Unless the driver needs a lot of power, the variable camshaft control deactivates two cylinders, significantly reducing fuel consumption.
On sale now, with prices starting at £23,795 OTR on the road
Polestar 1 order books open for final production run
Final build slots for Polestar 1 – the Polestar brand’s electric performance hybrid halo car – are now available. Produced in Polestar’s leading production facility in Chengdu, China, Polestar 1 will see the completion of its production run towards the end of 2021.
As the halo of the Polestar lineup and the car which launched the brand, Polestar 1 features a crisp design and state-of-the-art technology, with 609 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque available from its hybrid powertrain. Electric first, the GT features two electric motors on the rear axle, complemented by a 2.0-litre supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine and integrated starter generator at the front.
A carbon fibre body, 6-piston Akebono brakes and adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers turn driving Polestar 1 into a highly-tuned sensory experience, and with advanced features such as mechanical torque vectoring, it faithfully represents Polestar’s role as a guiding star for the advancement of technology.
With 34 kWh of battery capacity, Polestar 1 still boasts the longest pure-electric driving range of any hybrid – 124 km (WLTP) – which makes it usable in everyday situations as a pure electric vehicle.
Available to buy exclusively online at Polestar.com, interested customers can also visit Polestar Spaces in all launch markets where possible for a hands-on experience and test drive.
Abarth launches world’s first virtual reality test drive delivered to homes
Abarth has launched the world’s first VR ‘test drive’ pack enabling potential customers to experience the Italian sportscar brand from their sofa.
With the uncertainty around ever-changing tiers, temporary travel restrictions and dealership closures, the VR experience gives customers the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of driving an Abarth while staying in the comfort and safety of their home.
While nothing will ever compare with test driving an Abarth in the real world, the VR ‘test drive’ provides customers and their families a fully immersive and exhilarating alternative.
The trial, which begins on February 8th, 2021, will take place from the Vospers Abarth retailer in Exeter. If the initial trial proves successful it could be rolled out to additional retailers across the UK.
During the trial period an expert from the retailer will deliver an Abarth crate to the front door of the customer (taking into account all government guidelines). Inside the crate will be the VR headset pre-loaded with the ‘test drive’ footage and a pair of Bose headphones to ensure customers can fully experience the famous growl of the Abarth exhaust. Abarth branded items including a Bluetooth speaker and baseball cap are also included. In addition, a brochure is included providing drivers with all the detail they need on the Abarth range.
Those customers lucky enough to enjoy the in-home ‘test drive’, will virtually get behind the wheel of the new limited edition Abarth 595 Scorpioneoro.
When ‘drivers’ put the headset on they will be greeted by Abarth owner and automotive influencer, Stef Villaverde (aka @Stef_ABTV), who will host and guide them on the virtual experience.
Stef will give customers all of the key product information about the car before taking them on a drive of some of the UK’s best driving roads.
The VR experience transports viewers instantly to the sweeping bends of the Great Orme, the lakeside vista of Llyn Ogwen and off-road adventures on Black Rock Sands. These roads were specifically chosen by Abarth’s online community of owners, the Abarthisti, who deemed North Wales to be the prime spot to experience an Abarth.
Nissan and the Arbor Day Foundation join forces to plant 20,000 trees in Europe in celebration of 10 years of Nissan LEAF
Nissan, in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, will be setting-up new roots across Europe. Through a joint initiative to plant 20,000 trees in 2021, the partnership will benefit local communities and drive forward ambitions to combat climate change, reduce air pollution and ultimately enrich those lives of future generations.
Following a successful decade of LEAF, the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, and its support for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals1 (SDGs) through the Nissan Green Program 2022, the company launches this project as part of its continued long-term commitment to address environmental challenges for a more sustainable planet.
Sites across the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands have all been purposely selected to benefit from the reforestation program. From reducing flooding to save a children’s play area outside London, to reconstituting woodlands badly impacted by bark beetles on the outskirts of Paris. Each urban location endeavours to serve a bigger social need to make sure local environments are a better place to live for everyone.
Nissan’s ambition will expand upon the initiatives under the Nissan Green Program and the company’s ongoing work to minimize the carbon footprint of its products and operations aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. Nissan’s commitment builds on its decades-long programs to reduce emissions and provide electric vehicle technologies that support the environment and society.
Since 2010, LEAF owners have prevented more than 2.5 million tons of CO2 emissions from entering the environment. A remarkable achievement which will positively impact our environment for generations to come.
Airspeeder: world’s first electric flying racing car is unveiled and ready to race
Airspeeder is delighted to reveal the world’s first fully functioning electric flying racing car. The Airspeeder Mk3, is a full-sized remotely-operated electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle (eVTOL). It will compete in an upcoming remotely-piloted Airspeeder racing series that will stand as a technical test-bed and feeder series to a manned racing series in 2022. The unveiling of the vehicle represents the realisation of more than three years development work to create a sport that will accelerate a new clean-air aerial mobility revolution.
A full grid of Mk3 electric flying race-craft is currently being manufactured at Airspeeder and Alauda’s technical HQ in Adelaide, South Australia. More than 10 identical racing vehicles will be produced and supplied to teams in 2021. The craft is being developed and manufactured by a team drawn from leading names in aerospace, automotive and motorsport technology including; Mclaren, Babcock Aviation, Boeing, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Brabham.
The Airspeeder Mk3 racing series will be announced in the coming months. These remotely-piloted races will present to the world for the first time close-quarter flying circuit racing at speeds of more than 120km/h.
Airspeeder’s first races will take place in 2021. Final behind-closed-doors pre-season tests will happen in Australia before the start of an international racing calendar. These landmark moments will make history in showing for the first time a full-scale vision of electric flying car racing.
The initial Mk3 races will provide vital information on vehicle dynamics, performance, safety and powertrain technology that will inform the final development of the manned Mk4 Airspeeder vehicle. Racing will play a vital role in hastening the arrival of eVTOL technologies which promise to revolutionise urban passenger mobility, logistics and even remote medical transport. Both the remotely piloted Mk3 programme and manned Airspeeder Mk4 flying cars will provide a safe environment from where key innovations around safety, noise and batteries can be refined and fed into the wider development of an industry predicted by Morgan Stanley to be worth $1.5 trillion by 2050.
