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 sporty new Range Rover Evoque P300 HST
The appeal of the Range Rover Evoque has been broadened even further with the launch of a new powerful Range Rover Evoque P300 HST.
The sporty new Range Rover Evoque P300 HST features enhanced technology with the latest Pivi infotainment and a purposeful new look to the compact member of the Range Rover family.
The Evoque P300 HST takes inspiration from the larger Range Rover Sport HST and is exclusively available with Land Rover’s potent P300 Ingenium petrol engine.
Exclusively powered by the 300hp 2.0-litre Ingenium petrol engine, the new Range Rover Evoque P300 HST brings a purposeful new edge to Land Rover’s compact luxury SUV. Featuring a stealthy high-performance look inspired by the Range Rover Sport HST, the new edition is based on the Evoque R-Dynamic S and features a unique combination of interior and exterior updates.
With 11 exterior colour options, its modern and sporty look is enhanced with the Black Pack, comprising Gloss Black Range Rover bonnet script, side vents, bonnet louvres, door mirror caps and exterior accents. A standard Gloss Black Sliding Panoramic Roof and Privacy Glass, plus unique Gloss Black 20-inch alloy wheels with red brake calipers also set the new HST apart.
The close links to the Range Rover Sport HST continue inside, where the Evoque P300 HST shares the exclusive Suedecloth steering wheel and Ebony Suedecloth headlining. Luxurious touches include grained leather seat trim, Range Rover treadplates, a Sliding Panoramic Roof and powered tailgate.
The enhanced specification of the P300 HST includes Land Rover’s advanced and intuitive Interactive Driver Display with its configurable, high-definition 12.3-inch instrument cluster able to show a comprehensive array of driving information, navigation instructions and infotainment data.
Pivi Pro infotainment comes with a 10-inch deployable touchscreen and 10-inch lower touchscreen and 13-speaker 400W Meridian Sound System to bring enhanced connectivity and audio quality, while keyless entry and Premium LED headlamps, with signature DRLs and animated indicators, provide heightened convenience and sophistication.
The P300 HST accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds (0-60mph in 6.5 seconds). Driving through a nine-speed automatic gearbox and featuring Land Rover’s cutting-edge Terrain Response 2 system, the all-wheel drive model combines dynamic on-road handling with trademark Range Rover all-terrain capability.
The Range Rover Evoque is available to order priced from £32,115 in the UK. New Range Rover Evoque P300 HST is priced from £50,440 in the UK.
Alpine presents the A110 Légende GT 2021, a new special edition model for Europe
Alpine has presented the new A110 Légende GT 2021, a limited-edition version of the A110 that takes the model range to new heights of elegance and performance. Limited to just 300 units in Europe, the Légende GT 2021 debuts new design elements and enhanced level of equipment.
Following the success of the A110 Légende GT launched in 2020, the Légende GT 2021 reinterprets the grand-touring coupe by adopting the 292hp engine from the A110S to create an entirely new blend of comfort and performance, underlining its dynamic nature while combining even more refined elements for an unprecedented new model.
Two design combinations for two worlds of expression
The A110 Légende GT 2021 is available in two unique design combinations. The modern, technical and sophisticated look is delivered through the exclusive Mercury Silver matt paintwork option, the first time this exterior paint colour has been available in this finish. This design combines with black leather Sabelt Comfort® bucket seats with contrasting grey stitching for a resolutely sporty look.
Alternatively, customers can choose Abyss Blue exterior paintwork with exclusive Amber Brown leather Sabelt Comfort® seats for a more elegant and refined take on the Alpine formula, immersing the occupants in an interior environment that’s unmistakably GT.
All A110 Légende GT 2021 models feature pale gold Alpine monograms and 18-inch diamond cut Grand Prix alloy wheels, complemented by vibrant gold brake calipers that provide a distinguished yet subtle contrast to the two exterior body colours. The translucent LED rear lights are another feature unique to the Légende GT 2021, the final touch that differentiates it from other Alpine A110s.
On the inside, the colour of the six-way adjustable Sabelt Comfort® leather seats are matched to the leather door panels, with brown or grey stitching on a mid-point marker on the steering wheel.
Other distinctive elements to the interior include Dinamica headliner and gloss carbon fibre elements with unique copper weave on the centre console, the dashboard visor and air vents. The floor mats and aluminium footrest on the passenger side complete the dynamic environment and enhance the grand touring spirit of the limited edition Légende GT 2021. A numbered plate below the centre console emphasises the exclusivity of the model.
High-level technical specification
Along with its elegant exterior design and distinctive cabin, the A110 Légende GT 2021 stands out thanks to its exceptional chassis and engine combination that ensures the limited-edition model provides a balance of comfort and performance never seen before in the A110 line-up. The Légende GT 2021 is based largely on the A110 Légende, but adopts the 292hp powertrain, sports exhaust and high-performance braking system previously only available on the A110S.
It is built on a lightweight aluminium structure, with a centrally mounted rear engine with double wishbone front and rear suspension setup. The 1.8-litre turbocharged engine delivers 292hp, with 320Nm of torque available between 2,000rpm and 6,400rpm. The car’s light weight and dual-clutch transmission help to propel the Légende GT 2021 from zero to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
On top of the enhanced performance and bespoke exterior and interior finishes, the Légende GT 2021 boasts a comprehensive standard equipment list including front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera and powerful Focal audio system to offer the perfect balance of comfort that makes it easy to drive every day, yet precise and dynamic.
Reserve with the Alpine App
Like all versions of the A110, the Légende GT 2021 can be reserved using the Alpine App. Once an account is created, customers have access to all features of the app, including receiving notifications of Alpine’s latest news, along with the ability to reserve a car in a single click. If customers change their mind, a full deposit refund is issued at any time, at no cost.
To convert the reservation into an order, customers select the Alpine Centre of their choice. At this stage, particular specifications of the car can still be changed, and customers become members of the Alpine family.
Ensuring exclusivity, the distinguished A110 Légende GT 2021 is limited to just 300 units for Europe. The Alpine A110 Légende GT 2021 is available to order now from £61,655 OTR
New Vauxhall Combo-e Life priced
The all-new, all-electric Vauxhall Combo-e Life is available to order now, with prices starting from £31,610 on-the-road*. The Combo-e Life is a spacious and highly practical family lifestyle vehicle and is one of very few fully electric vehicles of its type on the market.
Based on the award-winning Combo Life, the Combo-e Life features a 50kWh lithium-ion battery and a 100kW (136PS) electric motor producing 260Nm of torque and is capable of up to 174 miles from a single charge (WLTP*). Supporting up to 100kW rapid charging, an 80% charge takes just 30 minutes in the new Combo-e Life.
All Combo-e Life variants come as standard with a single-phase 7.4kW on-board charger, with an optional three-phase 11kW charger also available.
With its zero emissions, the Combo-e Life is crucially exempt from current congestion and ultra-low emissions charges, and comes with a Benefit-in-Kind rate of one per cent and no Vehicle Excise Duty. In addition, all fully electric Vauxhalls purchased will be automatically registered for eight years battery warranty, eight years roadside assistance and six months BP Pulse subscription.
Capable of carrying up to seven people, and with a 174 mile range (WLTP*), the Combo-e Life offers businesses and private users a unique ownership proposition.
The new Combo-e Life is available exclusively in SE trim, and in two sizes; a Medium and a longer XL variant. Medium models can be specified in either five- or seven-seat configurations, while XL vehicles are offered exclusively with seven seats.
The Little Car Company, makers of the limited-edition Bugatti Baby II, are thrilled to commence deliveries to customers around the world.
Built in partnership with Bugatti, the Bugatti Baby II is a contemporary tribute to Ettore Bugatti’s original masterpiece, the Bugatti Baby, built in 1926. The vehicle was developed to celebrate Bugatti’s 110th anniversary, and is not only significant in preserving the history of the Bugatti marque, but also inspiring a new generation of young Bugatti enthusiasts.
The very first of 500 bespoke Baby II models have started to reach owners across the globe, sparking excitement with Bugatti collectors both old and new. This reimagined car has sparked international attention since its launch, with admirers noting its modern-day engineering couple with authentic nods to the original Type 35 on which it is based.
One of the first Bugatti Baby II vehicles has arrived with a long-time Bugatti owner in Dubai. This bespoke and highly personalized car has been delivered to an operator of a private jet terminal in the UAE. The carbon fiber ‘Vitesse’ version of the Baby II will be deployed for private transfers to VIP sections of the airport. Passengers passing through Al Maktoum International Airport may catch a glimpse of the visually striking Baby II – finished in a completely custom paint color – on their next visit.
Another has arrived with a private Bugatti collector in Belgium. This reimagined Bugatti Baby II has become a welcome addition to an already extensive Bugatti collection, complete with a Type 35 A, original Bugatti Baby and several other Pre War Bugatti’s. This collection proves how old and new can co-exist exquisitely side by side.
Just like any road-going hyper sports car to leave the Bugatti Atelier in Molsheim, all of the cars made by The Little Car Company are completely individual, with customers able to make their own stamp on their Bugatti Baby II. The Carbon Fiber ‘Vitesse’-spec Baby II delivered to Dubai features a 2.8kWh battery pack and upgraded powertrain, while also including a Speed Key, just like the road-going Chiron hyper sports car.
Highly customized, the car is specified by the customer having worked with designers to create the color ‘Jetex Orange’, a vibrant hue that has been developed especially for this Baby II. This example is fitted with the Touring Pack; featuring a high-power LED headlight upgrade, brake light package, mudguard and fender package, plus upgraded wiring harness/loom.
Additional exterior options selected include a personalized number plate as well as custom reflective chrome logos on both the back of the car’s mirror and on the vehicle’s steering wheel, made using 3D high resolution stereolithography. This advanced 3D printing process has also been used in the creation of the car’s wheel nut covers (plus the carrying spare), which also feature individualized reflective chrome logos. Inside the vehicle, the premium leather seats have been finished in pearlized metallic alongside a pebbled grain. In addition, the customer has opted for a Transport Case, allowing the safe transport of the vehicle in a hand-built, Jetex branded orange case.
In contrast, and in a nod to the earlier Bugatti models, the hand-formed aluminum “Pur-Sang”-spec Baby II delivered to Belgium has been designed to match the color palette of the clients original Bugatti Type 35 by using the contemporary colors matched to the current Bugatti Chiron range. With ‘Nocturne Black’ exterior and interior leather in color ‘Terre D’or’, this Bugatti Baby II is a beautiful example of creatively blending modern designs with vehicles of the past.
Just like the original, each car is complete with an individual chassis number. This collector successfully bid on chassis 388 to match the original Bugatti Baby in their collection, raising money for a selection of automotive charities in the process.
The Bugatti Baby II is available in three versions: Base, Vitesse and Pur Sang, targeted at collectors. The Pur Sang offers the same powertrain as the Vitesse but with beautiful, hand-formed aluminum bodywork. Using the same traditional coachbuilding techniques as the original Bugatti Type 35, each aluminum body takes more than two hundred hours of skilled craftsmanship to create.
The Baby II’s performance lives up to the Bugatti name. Offered exclusively in rear-wheel drive, all versions of the Baby II have a fully electric powertrain, high performance hydraulic brakes and selectable driving modes. The Base model comes with two modes; Novice which is limited to 20kph (12mph) and 1kW (1.3bhp) of power, and Expert which is limited to 45 kph (30mph) and 4kW (5.4bhp) of power.
The Vitesse and Pur Sang models include the Novice and Expert driving modes, but also offer extra performance from an upgraded powertrain, unlocked by the legendary Bugatti Speed Key. This enables you to deploy up to 10kW (13.4 bhp) and with an all-up weight of just 230kg, achieving a top speed of 70kph (42mph). Depending on the weight of the driver, 0-60 kph is dispatched in just six seconds.
Legendary road-race car lives again
World-class engineering company, RML Group, has revealedtoday reveals a new GT road car combining classic form and contemporary function, inspired by one of the all-time great road and race legends: the 1959 250 GT SWB.
Known as the RML Short Wheelbase, and now reaching the end of an intensive development programme, the new model pays homage to the driving purity of supercars from the past, while offering occupants 21st-century comfort and convenience. With its front-mounted Ferrari V12 engine and instantly familiar lines, now formed over carbon fibre bodywork, the Short Wheelbase is a fast and usable Grand Routier of the highest order.
RML’s extensive experience bringing a range of high-tech products to market for OEMs – among them race cars, supercars and continuation models – meant that its team was adept at working with the Short Wheelbase’s original clean-sheet brief. The result is a car that integrates a raft of discreet modern features which transform it into a fast and usable GT, capable of swallowing large distances with a degree of comfort and convenience that wouldn’t have been dreamt of 60 years ago.
Executed to the very highest standards, RML’s Short Wheelbase is powered by a 5474cc Ferrari V12 engine, producing 478bhp (485PS) and 419lb ft (568Nm) of torque . Drive is delivered to the rear wheels through a Ferrari six-speed manual gearbox, and controlled by an open-gated manual shift. Performance is ‘ample’, according to RML, with 0-60mph arriving in 4.1 seconds, and a top speed in excess of 185mph.
“The Short Wheelbase was never conceived to compete, Top Trumps-style, with a typical supercar’s acceleration or top speed,” said Michael Mallock, RML’s Chief Executive. “Our car takes a step back from that, and while it’s certainly rapid, our emphasis has always been on capturing a more organic driving experience, with less intervention and more useable performance, while still making it comfortable and convenient enough for people to enjoy regularly on modern roads.”
That convenience has extended to a cabin that will accommodate occupants up to six foot, six inches (two metres) in height, on exquisitely-trimmed and electrically adjustable seats. And while the Short Wheelbase’s interior design captures a classic style, modern technology – such as satnav, air conditioning, cupholders and smartphone connectivity – has been artfully and discreetly integrated throughout.
Maintaining the familiar classic proportions was a priority from the start. While the car is larger dimensionally, the famous lines have been retained, and features like the stacked rear lights, exposed fuel filler, chip-cutter front grille and vents appearing behind each wheel and on the hood have all been carefully reimagined.
“After almost three years, we are nearing completion of the Short Wheelbase’s development,” said Michael Mallock. “While this is the first such car to wear RML’s name, our experience working on a variety of whole vehicle programmes – as a ‘white label’ partner to various OEMs – is extensive, and second to none. So this car showcases much of the experience we’ve gained from not only designing and building low-volume, high-end motor cars, but also implementing thorough testing procedures to make sure that driving them is an emotional experience for all the right reasons.”
The RML Short Wheelbase will go on sale in the last quarter of this year, with a limited production of around 30 cars.
ŠKODA AUTO looks to the future with augmented reality glasses to train and guide technicians
ŠKODA AUTO is testing a new augmented reality application – known as HoloLens glasses – to assist with production line maintenance. The new technology provides enhanced assistance for technicians, facilitates live remote training and helps to reduce the likelihood of errors.
The trial technology allows manuals, maintenance checklists and other documents to be projected as holographic images directly into the user’s immediate field of vision while working. This AR view can also be shared during video calls to show what is being seen on the line and consult with colleagues who are not on site.
Through the glasses, engineers can view holograms of manuals, checklists and instructions during technical maintenance. Once the staff member has scanned a QR code on the respective equipment, the embedded documents interactively guide them through the maintenance work step-by-step with photos and videos, allowing technicians to be hands-free at all times. When a task has been completed, the technician ticks it off with a hand movement in the hologram.
The pioneering program is being delivered as part of a pilot project led by the company’s Central Technical Service department and the ŠKODA AUTO FabLab.
Beaulieu attraction revs up for full reopening
Beaulieu is excited to be fully reopening its indoor spaces from Monday 17th May, welcoming back visitors to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, World of Top Gear and Beaulieu Abbey exhibition in time for summer, following the easing of restrictions.
With Beaulieu’s beautiful grounds and gardens and action-packed Little Beaulieu adventure play area already open to visitors, the next step in line with the Government’s roadmap will see the doors being opened to the much-loved indoor features of the attraction. Following careful preparation and Covid-secure measures aimed at keeping both visitors and staff safe, there will once again be plenty for all the family to enjoy, together.
Third generation Citroën C3 celebrates one millionth model milestone
The third generation Citroën C3 has reached the landmark ‘one millionth vehicle’ production milestone at its factory in Trnava, Slovakia. Launched in November 2016, the third generation C3 ushered in a new stylistic identity that now appears across the Citroën range, along with another Citroën byword, that of comfort.
Citroën C3 ranked among the top seven best-selling vehicles in Europe in 2020, including markets such as France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Portugal. Sales success across the continent has helped C3 become Citroën’s best-selling model. Closer to home, the third generation C3 continues to be a firm favourite in the UK with close to 60,000 customer orders since launch.
Always a versatile and stylish supermini, the third generation Citroën C3 was updated in 2020 to showcase the brand’s latest front-end identity. It also boasts multiple customisation options to provide a colourful personality, benchmark comfort for its segment with Advanced Comfort seats and a suite of technologies such as Cruise Control with Speed Limiter, Lane Departure Warning, Speed Sign Recognition and Recommendation, and Coffee Break Alert.
New Citroën C3 is available with seven body colours, including vibrant new Elixir Red and Spring Blue offerings, and a choice of four Colour Packs that add touches of colour to the Airbump® panels and fog lamp surrounds. An Anodised Emerald colour option is now available, in addition to the existing Black, Opal White and Sport Red. A fifth, Anodised Deep Red Colour Pack is also available, exclusively on ‘C-Series’ models.
Further personalisation is available with four roof colours: Emerald, Opal White, Onyx Black and Sport Red, with the roof matching the colour of the wing mirrors and the quarter panel trim. There are also three roof decors on offer with different graphic themes: Red, Techwood and Emerald.
The UK range has four trim levels, ‘Sense’, ‘Shine’, ‘C-Series’ and ‘Shine Plus’, the most recent to join the range being the incredibly well appointed ‘C-Series’ trim from just £14,180 OTR.
Citroën launches MY AMI CARGO: Made for business users
Citroën has launched an LCV version of its compact, zero emissions AMI mobility solution. New MY AMI CARGO is designed for last-mile delivery service providers and other business users operating in urban areas, where speed limits are often restricted and space is always at a premium.
With cities and urban areas introducing tougher emissions and congestion rules, new MY AMI CARGO is an ingenious and practical solution for operators requiring an agile and practical zero emissions vehicle.
New MY AMI CARGO will be ready to order from early June of this year, with prices starting from only €6,490*. Rental is an option via a long-term lease agreement, with payments starting from just €24.18 per month**.
