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 Jaguar E-PACE R-Dynamic Black Edition
Jaguar has enhanced the E-PACE range with the introduction of the sophisticated R-Dynamic Black Edition, and updated connectivity features. The new R-Dynamic Black Edition elevates the compact SUV’s dynamic design and visual appeal with a bespoke choice of exterior elements.
The R-Dynamic Black Edition expands the E-PACE range, which features Jaguar’s advanced Premium Transverse Architecture, a choice of efficient Ingenium powertrains – including Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technologies – state-of-the-art connectivity and luxurious interiors.
New technologies, including wireless Apple CarPlay® will provide added convenience and connectivity*. Wireless Android Auto™ will also become available at the same time*, making E-PACE ownership more connected than ever.
New E-PACE R-Dynamic Black Edition
The distinctive new R-Dynamic Black Edition is based on the E-PACE R-Dynamic S. It offers customers specially selected design elements that give E-PACE an even more dynamic and sophisticated presence.
The design includes Gloss Black door mirror caps and Gloss Black detailing to the front bumper and lower grille surround, main grille surround and grille tips. The side window surround and side vent – complete with the Jaguar leaper – also feature a Gloss Black finish, along with the Jaguar script and rear badging. Distinctive 19-inch Satin Grey alloy wheels with contrasting red brake calipers, privacy glass and a panoramic roof complete the exterior.
The R-Dynamic Black Edition is available with all E-PACE exterior colours, including new Ostuni White. The distinctive finish has greater depth and substance, and perfectly complements E-PACE’s contemporary exterior design.
Inside, the R-Dynamic Black Edition delivers heightened luxury, enhanced connectivity and greater refinement. The focal point of the new interior design is the curved 11.4-inch HD touchscreen integrated into the central instrument panel.
The large touchscreen operates the intuitive Pivi Pro infotainment system, which provides greater clarity and allows the driver to carry out 90 per cent of common tasks within two taps from the home screen thanks to its simplified menu structure.
The latest addition to the E-PACE family is available with a choice of 2.0-litre Ingenium MHEV powertrains, ranging from the efficient D165 and D200 diesels to the smooth and powerful P200 petrol – all with a nine-speed automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive as standard.
Advanced All-Wheel Drive (AWD) makes use of second-generation ‘Standard Driveline’ technology that automatically distributes torque between the front and rear wheels to ensure optimum traction. This AWD system utilises Driveline Disconnect technology that intelligently disengages AWD to optimise efficiency – for example when cruising at constant speeds.
New Jaguar E-PACE R-Dynamic Black Edition is available with 2.0-litre MHEV petrol and diesel powertrains and is priced from £40,945 in the UK.
Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD celebrates 50th anniversary and looks forward to an electric future
Vauxhall’s sister brand Opel has brought back the iconic Manta as a one-off all-electric special to celebrate the coupé’s fiftieth anniversary.
The new Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD reflects the growing trend of transforming classic cars like the Manta into so-called “RestoMods” with modern components and powertrains. The all-electric Manta GSe is the first electric RestoMod by Opel and combines the classic style of the iconic Manta with the latest electric powertrain for sustainable motoring.
The four-cylinder engine under the black bonnet has been replaced by an electric motor with 108kW (147PS) and 225Nm of torque. The Manta GSe also comes with the original four-speed gearbox, allowing drivers to manually change gears, or alternatively, engage the fourth gear and drive automatically.
With a 31kWh lithium-ion battery, the Manta GSe has a range of around 124 miles*, and like the current Vauxhall electric range, features regenerative braking to improve range. Charging takes place through a 9kW on-board charger with a full charge taking just under four hours to complete.
The Manta GSe features Vauxhall’s latest design elements, with the brand’s Vizor-styled front end evident immediately. The Manta GSe comes with a Pixel-Vizor front end that stretches across the entire width of the front, with the Pixel technology allowing it to issue messages, such as “I am on a zero e-mission”, followed by the silhouette of a manta ray gliding over the Pixel-Vizor. The front end also features LED daylight running lights, while the iconic circular rear lights come with a striking three-dimensional LED design.
The yellow paintwork is contrasted by the signature black bonnet, with the wheel arches housing specially designed 17-inch Ronal alloy wheels with 195/40 R17 tyres at the front, and 205/40 R17 tyres at the rear.
The rear proudly displays the ‘Manta’ in the new Vauxhall lettering, while the chrome fender trims found in the original Manta have now disappeared.
As expected of a modern RestoMod, the interior of the Manta GSe features the latest Vauxhall digital technology. The classic round instruments have been replaced by the Vauxhall Pure Panel, with two driver oriented 12-inch and 10-inch digital displays. The sound system has also been modernised with a new unit from the legendary Marshall brand.
The sports seats come with a yellow centre line and offer improved comfort and support over the originals. The steering wheel is a Petri three-spoke wheel reworked by Opel, and feature a yellow marker in the 12 o’clock position for an added sporty touch. In addition, surfaces in the cockpit and door panels are now matt grey, which perfectly matches the neo-classic’s other yellow and black coloured elements. The ceiling of the passenger compartment is lined with fine Alcantara® and completes the stylish ambience of the new Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD.
Both Vauxhall and Opel have pledged to offer an electrified variant across their entire model line-up by 2024.
CUPRA team up with SEAQUAL to create sustainable seats
The CUPRA Born’s new bucket seats will be created from a recycled polymer fibre fabric, called SEAQUAL® YARN. Marine litter from beaches, the ocean floor and surface, or entering oceans from rivers and estuaries, is collected by a clean-up programme and sorted into different material types. The plastic is cleaned, treated and recycled into yarn that has almost identical in physical properties to virgin polyester.
The material is produced thanks to the collaboration of fishermen, NGOs and local communities, who collect the material and helps to preserve the Mediterranean’s natural resources
The joint project with SEAQUAL INITIATIVE contributes to a more circular economy and the continuous cleaning of the planet’s seas, rivers and oceans.
Back and better than ever: Retro Rides Weekender at historic Goodwood Motor Circuit
Retro Rides is gearing up for the first Retro Rides Weekender since the easing of the UK lockdown, which will be held over the 29th and 30th May at Goodwood Motor Circuit in Chichester. Featuring a whole host of iconic machinery across the two-day event, available as static displays and non-stop track action, the Retro Rides team has tickets for both days available.
The first automotive event of its type since restrictions have been eased, Retro Rides is preparing for a packed Weekender event at the end of this month. One of the principles behind the Retro Rides Weekender is to bring together a unique and diverse selection of cars spanning various decades, makes and models, to create ‘temporary museums’ all at one event. With the likes of beautifully maintained classics, cool and quirky drift cars, bonkers rally cars and stunning you’d-never-believe-it-wasn’t-the-real-thing restomods.
Each year Retro Rides transforms the paddocks at Goodwood with different themes, and this year is no different. The main theme for 2021 is Deadline, as in garages across the land, midnight oil is being burned to get cars ready to show for the first time. Stock vs. Custom, the ultimate battle between modified cars and meticulously maintained stock cars, with the aim to find a matching set and display them beside each other. Acceptable in the 80s will feature quintessential cars from the decade. Think Audi Quattro, BMW M3 and the DeLorean DMC-12. For those with a need for speed, the Supercar Paddock is a celebration of retro super car wedges from the Seventies through to the start of the hypercar era in the early Noughties.
First examples of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition by David Brown Automotive readied for road and track as model launches in full
David Brown Automotive is delighted to reveal the new Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition in full, with the first examples completed and customer deliveries starting now for the highly tuned performance version of the luxury marque’s celebrated iconic city car. Made in partnership with race powertrain specialists, Oselli, the new car from David Brown Automotive is the most performance-focused version of the Mini Remastered created to date by the company.
Hand-made to order in the Silverstone build facility of David Brown Automotive, and with a drivetrain engineered in partnership with Oselli, the acclaimed British engine tuning specialist first founded in the 1960s, the one-of-a-kind and race-ready city car is the most powerful Mini Remastered ever created. The car launches with a power rating of 125 hp at 6,200 rpm, a torque rating of 113 ft-lb at 4,500 rpm and an impressive 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds. Designed and engineered to have a dual personality, Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is just as comfortable on city streets as it is on the racetrack.
Key performance enhancements to make Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition ready for the track include a number of expert technical changes overseen by Oselli, including a hand-ported and polished cylinder head, strengthened crankshaft, high-torque performance orientated camshaft, twin-SU carburettor set-up, a limited-slip differential; together with other sports-centric tuning around the car including high-performance brakes by AP Racing, sports-orientated suspension by Bilstein and a free-flowing sports exhaust system. The car is made with larger 13-inch wheels fitted with high-speed-approved tyres to maintain grip on the road or track surface. Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is constructed with a remastered five-speed gearbox, while an automatic version is also available (offered as a four-speed set-up, with a 1,380cc engine).
A selection of unique exterior colourways are available with contrasting stripes that carry through to the interior design. A choice of ‘Carbon Grey’ and ‘Old English White’ base colours match the accents in either ‘Competition Red’, ‘Royal Blue’ or ‘Heritage Green’. All exterior graphics are hand-painted for an extremely high-quality finish. Monochrome, hand-enameled badging – used by David Brown Automotive in other performance limited-edition models, such as the Speedback Silverstone Edition, launched in 2018 – adorns the exterior of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition and the look is completed with full black chrome brightware.
The grille of the performance car shows the number ‘60’ in contrasting hues as a nod not only to the race numbers that show on cars taking to the track, but also to the 60 years since the original Mini first rolled off the production line. Also on the front of the car, full LED lighting with auxiliary spot lights shines the way with clear, modern and powerful beams of light.
A number of new interior design options also live up to the standard of the performance-orientated classic car’s sporty look and feel. Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition can be ordered in either a two- or four-seat configuration, with the two-seater featuring bucket seats shaped for a thrilling ride and a rear hand-trimmed roll cage, while a four-point seatbelt harness adds to the feel of a car intended for the racetrack. There is also the option to order the car with twin fuel tanks for extra mileage range on longer journeys or race events. An interior lined with hand-trimmed luxury leather and Alcantara materials emphasises the premium look and feel of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition.
Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition was first unveiled towards the end of 2019, and David Brown Automotive has been working hard with the team at Buckinghamshire-based Oselli since to refine the high performance version of the classic city car, which will be limited to 60 bespoke models.
Formula 1 test driver, Jack Aitken, is the face of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition. The young racing star, who is a true Mini devotee having personally owned a version of the classic city car for a number of years, is announced as a David Brown Automotive Brand Ambassador for the launch the performance car.
