CR Auto Cars

McLaren MP4-12C Spider

2012-10-27T01:13:00.003-07:00

PARIS WAS stolen by the Brits in 2012. The home team might have been out in force but it was McLaren’s P1, the first glimpse of its flagship supercar, that drew the biggest motorshow crowds. But there was another new car sharing the stand – the MP4-12C Spider. An obvious second act to follow the Coupe version, the Spider swooped in with the promise of the same blockbusting performance and handling but added fresh air.

But the Spider doesn’t have any of the compromises you normally get when switching from coupe to drop-top.

The super-strong and light carbon ‘Mono Cell’ chassis was designed from the outset to be turned into a drop top so creating the Spider required no chassis strengthening at all. That meant unchanged suspension too which is almost unheard of, and the weight increase is negligible; just 40kg accounting for the roof mechanism and a different exhaust.
In fact when getting your first glimpse of the Spider it’s actually quite easy to mistake it for the coupe. The Spider has a two-piece composite roof that will fold in less than 17 seconds and at speeds up to 19mph. Remarkably it actually offers more luggage space than the coupe, thanks to a pair of roll-up bags that stow beneath the tonneau cover when the roof is up. There’s also a heated rear window that acts a wind deflector with the roof down, but can also be lowered with the roof up to allow the engine sound into the car.
In a way that small detail tells you a lot about Spider experience; it is a car prepared and able to suit any circumstances. Assuming you approach the car with the roof up, you now squeeze a discreet rubber button to open the door as it glides upwards into position. Slide yourself into the slim but comfortable seats and you feel at the centre of the action. The windscreen drops down low to give a superb view out while the wheel and the instruments sit proud of the dashboard top, giving an uncluttered driving environment.
Fire it up and with everything turned down to its friendliest settings, the Spider demands very little of you indeed. Press the D button to engage the gearbox and a slight squeeze of the accelerator releases the auto handbrake and you’re away. You have the same Active Dynamics panel controlling handling and powertrain so you can tailor the car to the circumstances. With everything in Normal there’s nothing to tell you you’re in the Spider: it’s just as fast, as compliant, as quiet and as accommodating as the coupe. Drop the roof and it changes completely of course: wind is kept well in check below silly speeds and of course that super-strong carbon structure means not one hint of shake or wobble over bumps. This is how all convertibles would be in an ideal world.
Don’t waste a single opportunity to turn everything up though. The intermediate Sport mode offers an excellent balance for fast road driving, leaning off the ESC a little bit to allow some movement in the car while the extra noise and sharper responses from the engine are welcome. You can use Track mode on the road of course, but then you are in control of all 616bhp (an upgraded output over 2012 model year).
Such is the linearity of the twin-turbo V8s delivery that it is deceptively fast. An extended blast through first, second and third gears feels mighty fast but the speedometer tells an even more remarkable story: it will hit 124mph from rest in just 9.0 seconds with the grippier Corsa tyre option. It’s best experienced with the rear window down as you get all the noise, resonating around the roof and no wind intrusion whatsoever. Despite being turbocharged it does its best work with a few thousand revs on the dial, but the performance is savage in bald stats yet silken in delivery.
Even so it is arguably the ride and handling combination that is more impressive. The Active Roll Control system is tech-heavy but all you need to know is that it allows the Spider to skim over bumps in a way that no performance car has ever done yet it doesn’t compromise an inch in the way it grips and resists roll. The Handling switch allows adjustment of the roll stiffness, but even with it turned up to Track mode it’s firm not harsh.
The test drive included track time as well as a mixture of Spanish roads, and its ability to deal with such a wide variety of surfaces was remarkable. If anything the optional Corsa tyre’s extra grip isn’t necessary: on the road the grip levels are stratospheric and on track it’s a pleasure to flirt with the edge of adhesion and feel the Spider move around. Even driven like this it responds beautifully, never feeling twitchy or a handful.
The philosophy behind the MP4-12C Spider is clear to see, and its adaptability and immense competence is remarkable. The Spider is essentially the class swot: so good at everything you want to dislike it, but you can’t help but have huge respect for its flawless execution.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
McLaren MP4-12C Spider, £195,000
Engine: 3.8-litre petrol producing 616bhp and 443lb.ft of torque
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch gearbox driving the rear wheels
Performance: Top speed 204mph, 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds (Corsa tyre option)
Economy: 24.2mpg combined
Emissions: 279g/km of CO2

Honda Insight

2012-10-27T01:03:00.002-07:00

HONDA was an early player in the hybrid car scene, with its Insight making its debut in Japan late last century. A few of those cars have even been imported to the UK.

These days much has changed and the technological advances have been impressive, but the basic premise of the Insight’s hybrid drivetrain has stayed the same.

The IMA, or Integrated Motor Assist, uses a motor directly mounted onto the engine’s crankshaft. It directly assists the engine when it’s needed, boosting fuel economy and enabling an expansion of the engine stop-start principle, but unlike other hybrids the Insight can’t run on electric power alone.
Honda likes the system because it’s lighter, less complex and cheaper than rival hybrid systems, which means the customer gets improved fuel economy over non-hybrid models for a lower purchase price.
For 2012 the Insight has had a minor visual refresh. The rear spoiler is slimmer for better rear visibility and the rear windscreen wiper motor has been reduced in size for the same reason. Suspension, friction-reduction and materials quality improvements complete the set.
Inside there’s not too much to make you think the car is anything out of the ordinary, with a manual handbrake, an apparently ordinary automatic gearbox and a not-unusual combination of a digital speedometer and an analogue rev counter. The only real clue comes in the shape of an auxiliary readout for the IMA system state, showing whether it’s charging or assisting, and by how much.
The Insight often attracts older buyers looking for a smooth drive and a comfortable environment. The half fake-leather interior on the higher models comes in either black or grey, which covers the key bases for likely buyers. The air movement controls are big, chunky and easy to find, but despite that they’re laid out in an eye-catching setup that looks great.
In fact all the controls fall to hand easily, with cruise control and audio controls mounted on the steering wheel arms for scarcely thumb-flexing ease of use. In short, setting off along the road feels as normal as it ever does. The only hint, if you’re listening for it, is that the engine starts up amazingly quickly and smoothly. That’s because the IMA system also acts like a starter motor under normal conditions – but more effectively.
In general use the Insight feels just like a normal petrol car. With only light throttle inputs necessary thanks to the electric motor’s assistance, the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) keeps engine revs low and the whole experience quiet. The IMA system does its main work under acceleration, reducing the load on the engine and improving the all-important efficiency under power.
But it also plays a key role in low- to mid-speed cruising, where the motor temporarily takes over the main responsibility for maintaining forward motion. The engine keeps running but the giveaway is when the instant fuel consumption readout zooms way up to its 100mpg top mark, clearly rising way beyond that. How far beyond is anyone’s guess, but at 40mph it’s quite happy to hold the car above 100mpg for relatively extended periods; periods that in the real world are more than enough.
The engine cuts out when the car drops to 4mph, but only when the driver has their foot on the brake. It’s just an extension of the stop-start ideal, and the motor is able to power the brake and steering systems on its own. The down-side to the IMA system is that at low speeds and in stop-start traffic the engine is usually running, so outright in-town economy can’t match fully-enclosed hybrids despite being better than an equivalent petrol-only car.
The ride is on the soft side which encourages a smooth, leisurely driving style befitting of the car. There’s absolutely loads of dry-weather grip if you should need to call on it, though. The seats are quite squidgy, and on the whole the Insight is a very comfortable place to sit for 100 miles or more.
Rear legroom is good, although seating three adults across the bench seat might be asking a little much. Visibility is arguably the one area of compromise with the car, its aerodynamic shape not doing much for the rearward line of sight. Thankfully it’s much clearer at the front and sides.
For a hybrid of the Insight’s calibre, with its high level of standard equipment and impressive driving characteristics when treated properly, this car is something of a bargain. There’s even a lot of room in the boot, making it a thoroughly practical four-door saloon. There’s much more to the Insight than meets the eye.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: Honda Insight HS, £20,335 on the road.Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol linked to an electric motor.Transmission: CVT gearbox driving the front wheels.Performance: Top speed 113mph, 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds.Fuel economy: 65.7mpg.CO2 rating: 96g/km.

Honda CR-V

2012-10-27T00:57:00.000-07:00

IT’S SOMETHING of a paradox that making something look effortless actually requires rather a lot of effort. Like the greatest sports stars, actors or leaders, they make it look easy and kid us all into thinking we could do that ourselves, no bother. In the motoring world Honda has made this something of a speciality: its cars tend to be very easy on the driver, demanding little in the way of effort to drive, to own and to maintain.

The CR-V is the best example of this too. The first generation version appeared in 1995 and was arguably the first ‘crossover’, combining as it did the comfort and ease of use of a regular hatchback with the ride height, visual toughness and driving position of an SUV – essentially the key ingredients from both sectors that most buyers really want.

Now there’s a fourth generation version and given how long it has taken the competition to switch on to the idea of a crossover SUV, the CR-V enters the ring from a position of strength. The exterior achieves the prefect transition from one generation to the next: different enough to look smart and modern but sufficiently similar so you’ll know it’s a CR-V. It’s a much sharper-looking car than before with a bold front grille and distinctive headlights that flow smoothly into the bonnet. There are strong creases down the sides too, and at the rear the window line now ends in a sharp point that gives the whole car a more modern feel. Even so it steers clear of being aggressive in the way that some SUVs can: this is not a car that will offend other road users just by its presence.

That theme continues when you step inside. Like in any good SUV you slide across into the seat thanks to the desirable high driving position, and once comfortable the most striking thing about the cabin is the uncluttered feel. The windscreen is deep with a low fascia that results in an excellent view out while all the controls and switches are grouped around the steering wheel and the centre display screen. Not only does that make it easy to get to grips with, it also adds to the feeling of space – which is why you’d want an SUV in the first place. Add the optional panoramic roof and you have a wonderful airy feeling once inside. The numbers confirm it too: boot space is 589 litres and this extends to 1,669 litres when the seats are down. The folding mechanism is a cinch to use too, adding to its practical nature.

Mechanically there are some significant changes too. The 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel units offered in the outgoing model have been improved, with small increases in power and torque but more significant are the better emissions and economy figures: down from 171g/km to 149g/km for the diesel and 192g/km to 173g/km for the petrol. Later in 2013 there will be an even more frugal 1.6-litre diesel version, and for the first time the CR-V will be available in two and four-wheel drive, itself a significant way of reducing emissions.
The most popular 2.2-litre diesel will still be the pick of the bunch however. Mated to the six-speed manual gearbox it offers the kind of easy-going nature that makes the CR-V a stress-free car to drive whatever the conditions. There’s a faint thrum to remind you that it’s a diesel but refinement is excellent, and there’s always a wodge of torque under your right foot to get ahead of the pack.
All the controls are oily smooth and accurate, with the steering offering a helpful balance of lightness and responsiveness that makes urban shuffling and high speed motorway work equally easy. The gearbox is as undemanding as you would expect from any Honda, and with impressive ride comfort and cabin refinement the CR-V really is a car that allows you to relax and simply get on with the business of getting where you are going.
And it’s practical side means you can take people and luggage with you in comfort too. Those sat in the back enjoy generous leg and headroom, and sticking with a strict five-seater layout ensures excellent space in the back – an optional electric tailgate even makes the business of loading and unloading that bit more straightforward.
The latest CR-V is a thorough and detailed improvement on the old car, improving on it in practically every single area to deliver a package that can deal with any situation and satisfy a huge range of owners. This should come as no surprise though – this is a Honda after all.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC SE, £26,105
Engine: 2.2-litre diesel unit producing 150PS and 350Nm of torque
Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels
Performance: Top speed 118mph, 0-62mph in 9.7seconds
Economy: 50.4mpg combined
Emissions: 149g/km of CO2

First Drive: Range Rover

2012-10-27T00:26:00.000-07:00

CAST your mind back to 2002 and the introduction of what has become a long-lived, high-tech luxury SUV to rival not just other 4x4s but also offerings from the luxury saloon market: the third-generation Range Rover. A decade later and there's a new one promising to raise the premium 4x4 to new heights.

Admit it, we all know that the arrival of a new Range Rover is guaranteed to put rivals in the shade. The question is, by how much. From a visual inspection alone the answer is 'considerable'. The car's sleek profile is striking. Unlike engineering, assessing design is a subjective activity, so here's a solid number to consider: 450. That's 450 kilograms, as in the amount of weight saved thanks to the use of lightweight materials and clever thinking from the engineers. Don't forget, such a saving has a positive affect on fuel economy, emissions and handling.

At almost five metres in length it's a good thing the car's been to Weight Watchers. It remains an imposing machine but now it's a fraction lower than its predecessor. This is small change compared to the car's generous wheelbase - 42mm greater than before - which has increased rear legroom. Anyone who thinks a Range Rover can't compete with a Mercedes S-Class really needs to take a back seat.

Along with the car's plush yet modern new interior, complete with tastefully appointed materials and minimalist switchgear, the visual overhaul is complete. What you can't see is the work that's gone on under the car's lighter skin to achieve new levels of on-road refinement and stability plus considerable improvements to the off-road experience.
Central to the car's performance is a height adjustable suspension system boasting enhanced amounts of wheel travel. Opt for the 'Dynamic Response' feature and the car will attempt to further minimise pitch and roll - the sworn enemies of high-sided 4x4s. It gets more interesting when venturing off-road, as the car's refreshed Terrain Response system can now detect the terrain you're driving on and adjust the throttle, suspension, transmission accordingly.
With a Range Rover it's a given that its powertrain will boast the best technology, and this model is no different. The standard 50-50 torque split is accompanied by a low range transfer gearbox that can be switched even when on the move, while a locking centre differential is there to save you when the going is particularly tricky. Rejigging the car's ventilation system has led to a considerable increase in its wading depth to a massive 900mm.
Power comes from a trio of engines all connected to an eight-speed auto gearbox. First up is the 510 horsepower supercharged petrol V8 motor. With this realistically destined for oil rich nations, the six and eight-cylinder diesels make more sense. Boasting 258 and 339 horsepower respectively, these engines offer smooth yet willing performance - especially the latter. That a six-cylinder motor is even offered in such a car is proof that the weight loss programme has been successful.
Of course, the V8 diesel delivers a feeling of invincibility that you can't get anywhere else. And it sure helps when you're towing. Whisper it, though, because the V6 diesel variant is no slouch. It can cruise and haul the car uphill with surprising vigour, and all with the minimum of noise. For many this might be the sleeper hit of the range.
When considering the overall ownership experience the usual long and tempting list of creature comforts are present, from a business class-like two-seat rear layout to powerful audio and multimedia options plus the usual heated, cooled and massaging seats. Factor in the welcome inclusion of intelligent safety systems - radar cruise control, blind spot warnings and cameras to help you park - and it's clear that you'll want for little.
Bigger and better yet lighter on its feet, this fourth generation Range Rover demonstrates that you can have it all: luxury SUV attributes plus saloon-like agility and sensible running costs. The car's sleek profile positions it aesthetically above the chunky, flabby and bloated opposition. It's also a car capable of cosseting occupants and taking the most challenging terrain in its stride. That said, it's equally home on Tarmac, making it a peerless all rounder that rivals will struggle to emulate.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Model: Range Rover Autobiography SDV8, from £94,695. Range from £71,295 to £98,395.Engine: 4.4-litre diesel unit developing 339bhp
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission as standard, driving all four wheels.Performance: Maximum speed 135mph, 0-62mph 6.9 seconds.Economy: 32.5mpg.CO2 Rating: 229g/km.

London minicab firm to trial 50 electric cars

2012-10-27T00:14:00.001-07:00

A LONDON-BASED minicab firm is aiming to be the first of the city’s taxi companies to use an entirely electric fleet, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Chinese car maker BYD.

Greentomatocars is to take delivery of 50 fully-electric BYD e6 models to trial in the capital from the second quarter of 2013. The five-seat crossover car is claimed to have substantial legroom and luggage space, while its BYD-made iron phosphate battery is claimed to offer a range of up to 186 miles on a single charge in urban conditions.
The battery is also said to last more than 4,000 charge and discharge cycles, giving it genuine appeal as a long-term inner-city minicab if the claims prove accurate. At present BYD is China's fastest-growing electric car manufacturer.
Jonny Goldstone, managing director of greentomatocars said: “We are very pleased to be working with BYD on this project.

As a partner company, BYD has shown great leadership to challenge the status quo, innovate and electrify mass transport - principles which go to the very heart of greentomatocars.”
“As a car, we see strong parallels between the e6 of today and the then-unfashionable Toyota Prius of 2006,” he continued.
“It’s exciting to think that, even as a 5-car start up, we played a major role in making the Prius popular; given the scale, experience and high-tech infrastructure we now have at our disposal, we’d love to “do a Prius” with the e6, and help propel electric vehicles into the automotive mainstream - where they deserve and, for all our sakes, need to be.”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: “It is my aim that London's minicabs and taxis will be zero-emission by 2020, which will have a major impact on air quality. Every year the fleet is getting cleaner, making our city an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.
“Encouraging many more electric vehicles is a key part of this transformation, so it is great news that greentomatocars has committed to operating 50 of these super-clean machines from next year.”

Drink-drive figures "remaining constant"

2012-10-27T00:06:00.001-07:00

EFFORTS to persuade motorists not to drink and drive appear to be failing, according to a survey.

Last year, 6% of drivers admitted to driving after having an alcoholic drink, with 6% owning up to driving in the morning after drinking the night before.
A 2012 survey by Sainsbury's Car Insurance, compiled through interviews with 1,600 British drivers, has shown that these figures have not changed. Also unchanged, at 18%, is the number of people who continue driving when feeling tired.
However, the driver-behaviour survey did show that the number of people admitting to exceeding the speed limit by at least 10mph had fallen from 19% in 2011 to 17% in 2012.
Also, while 6% admitted using hand-held phones at the wheel in last year's survey, only 5% owned up to this offence this year.

But the number of drivers who texted at the wheel had risen from 4% in 2011 to 5% in 2012, and those driving in inappropriate footwear, such as flip-flops, remained constant at 12%.
Some 3% admitted driving without a seatbelt in the 2012 survey, compared with 5% in 2011, while those admitting tailgating had fallen from 5% last year to 4% this year.
Eating and drinking at the wheel appeared the most common bad driving habit, with 27% admitting to it. As many as 3% of women said they did their make-up while driving, while 2% opened up to driving without their glasses or contact lenses.
Sainsbury's Car Insurance head Ben Tyte said: "It's encouraging to see that driver behaviour on our roads remains, on the whole, at a consistent level and is improving in some areas.
"We're pleased to see a reduction in excessive speeding, as this is the cause of so many accidents on our roads."

Heathrow to trial electric vehicles

2012-10-26T23:47:00.001-07:00

HEATHROW Airport is to host multiple electric vehicle (EV) trials in an attempt to lower its carbon emissions.

Contractors working at the two-runway site close to the junction between the M25 and the M4 will trial the Nissan Leaf, Peugeot iOn, Vauxhall Ampera and the Renault Kangoo Z.E. for various everyday roles.
British Airways, LSG SkyChefs and Gate Gourmet will be using the electric vehicles within their normal fleet to “better understand the suitability or otherwise” of EVs for their operations, according to a press release from STS, the company that manages the Heathrow Clean Vehicles Partnership (CVP) and will coordinate the new trials.

STS director Dr Ben Lane said: “Given the current availability of high quality EVs, and need to reduce ground based vehicle emissions, STS are recommending an increase in the use of electric vehicles at Heathrow.
“In addition to the fleet of almost 700 electric baggage tugs already in use, we see considerable potential for other electric ground support equipment (such as cargo loaders and pushback tractors), as well as the latest on-road electric cars and vans now available in the UK.”
David Vowles, Air Quality and Noise Policy Manager at Heathrow Airport Limited confirmed the plans and objectives, the chief of which is to ascertain the suitability of the selected EVs for roles at the airport.
Renault’s Head of Electric Vehicle Programme at Renault UK, Andy Heiron also commented: “We were keen to work with CVP members to accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles and practices for ground use at Heathrow.
“The EV trial will allows vehicle operators on the airport to experience and better understand the capabilities of Kangoo van Z.E. in this environment. With around 600 ‘conventional’ Kangoo vans already in service at Heathrow we know this van is well adapted to airport use and are confident that this trial will demonstrate that the Z.E. version is ideal for the type of duty cycle most operators demand.”
Initial findings will be reported at the next CVP seminar on December 6.

Transit - Best seller for 25 years

2012-10-26T23:43:00.003-07:00

THE FORD Transit used to be white van man's transport of choice and has been the best-selling van in the UK for over a quarter of a century.

The Transit has been built in Southampton since 1972, although parts were produced there from 1953 for assembly in Langley in Berkshire.
Around 2.2 million Transits have been made in Southampton since 1972, although production slumped from 66,000 in 2008 to 28,000 last year after the plant moved to single shift operation.

The plant, close to Southampton city centre, used to employ thousands of workers, but the workforce was halved three years ago to 500.
Analysts believe the writing has been on the wall since then, not helped by a limited amount of space for the plant to expand, given its proximity to the M27, Southampton airport, a busy railway line - and a graveyard.
"The site is land-locked. When the paint shop was recently extended, it was built on top of another building," said one analyst.
The only other country building Transits is Turkey after production was ended some years ago at the Ford factory in Genk, Belgium.
Ford has also announced that the Genk site is to close altogether next year with the loss of over 4,000 jobs.
Engines for the Transit are developed at the Ford research centre in Dunton, Essex and built at Dagenham.
The Transit was awarded the prestigious title of International Van of the Year in 2007, with the judges praising Ford's engineers for making one of Europe's best vans "even better."
Driveability was described as excellent and judges said the cab interior had been brought up to a level approaching that of a car.
Union officials said it was a "very worrying" time for the Southampton workforce and the closure will be described as a blow to the motor industry in general, and to Southampton in particular.
Landmark Transit dates:
1965 - First UK-built Transit assembled at Langley.
1972 - Production moved to Southampton
1991 - Southampton's millionth Transit built
2010 - Production reaches six million between all Ford plants making the van.
New Transit models were introduced 1986, 2000, 2006 and 2012.

'Diddy' Combs hurt in crash

2012-10-26T23:39:00.001-07:00

SEAN "Diddy" Combs was hurt when the car he was travelling in was hit by another vehicle in front of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The hip-hop and fashion mogul complained of pain but was not taken to hospital.
Lt Lincoln Hoshino of Beverly Hills police said Combs was a passenger in a Cadillac Escalade SUV on Sunset Boulevard yesterday when a Lexus saloon turned left in front of it and the vehicles collided.
Combs said he would seek his own medical attention, Lt Hoshino said. No-one from either vehicle needed hospital treatment.
A phone message left for Combs' publicist was not immediately returned and Combs made no mention of the crash on his often-updated Twitter account.
Photos posted on celebrity website TMZ showed the Escalade's bump.

Lexus LS withheld

2012-10-26T23:35:00.001-07:00

THE NEW Lexus LS has been seen up close for the first time in the UK with a secret hands-on demonstration of the car’s new technology in central London.

Features new to the LS, like Drive Select and the latest Lexus family styling are joined by genuinely exquisite features like seats fit for a Sultan and, on certain models, a wooden steering wheel so fine it takes more than five weeks to make.

This minor model update – albeit including 3,000 changes according to Lexus – has a deeper ‘spindle’ front grille and new, solid-strip daytime running lights to better define the front end and increase road presence.
Arguably the main change is in ethos, with certain new features serving no practical purpose whatsoever. Previous versions were shy towards such fripperies but the latest model has embraced the times.

The car senses its key, and as the holder approaches the exterior puddle lamps fade on. Step in and a symphony of lighting gently builds around the cabin, crowned by a thin horizontal sweep of light along a strip above the glove box. It’s wonderfully delicate and classy.

In a nod to those areas of the past that loyal LS users like there’s a round analogue clock in the centre console, which also automatically adjusts to the local time zone. A huge colour screen dominates the dashboard and gives supremely clear readouts.
‘Climate Concierge’ monitors each occupant’s facial temperature and automatically adjusts the four climate-controlled zones to suit, while massage functions are available in the rear left-hand seat – the best side for UK pavements.
On top of all the new technology, the traditional strengths of the LS have been bolstered still further. The leather quality is the very highest and the interior environment is more hushed than ever before. Lexus claims the ‘conversation clarity’ performance at 60mph is 100%.
Standard with certain interior trim colours is a Shimamoku wooden steering wheel that takes 38 days to produce. Its black and silvery-bronze finish looks to be beyond superb.
The first UK-spec models are due to arrive in late November, with list prices between £71,995 and £99,495.

Most unprepared for winter weathe

2012-10-26T23:23:00.002-07:00

FEW DRIVERS are well prepared for bad weather this winter, with women the least ready, according to an AA survey.

By age, it is the youngest motorists who are most likely to be caught out by snowy or icy conditions, the poll of 20,073 AA members revealed.
Overall, 75% of drivers are little or not prepared for inclement weather this winter, with 80% of women leaving it to chance when venturing out.
Although 50% of 18 to 34-year-olds reckon a bad winter is likely, as many as 88% of them are ill-prepared to deal with it.

This compares with 33% of over-65s who are gearing up for a bad winter by being totally prepared.
Regionally, drivers in north-east England (34%) and Scotland (32%) are most prepared for poor conditions, while only 17% of London motorists are.
When it comes to thinking about getting prepared, women are doing better than men, with 31% saying they are at least thinking about it compared with 15% of men.
AA patrolman of the year Andy Smith said: "Having the right equipment for winter weather in your car can make the difference between being stranded for hours and getting home safely."

Slow sales online discounts

2012-10-26T23:16:00.001-07:00

HUGE discounts are being made available on brand new cars to maintain sales as the end-of-year period squeezes budgets across the country.

Statistics show the late autumn and winter months are the worst for car sales, with companies pulling out all the stops to seal a deal.
Car comparison website Recombu Cars has negotiated discounts of over 20% on a variety of cars suitable for a wide range of bargain hunters, with over £5,000 off some models.
Currently the website is offering the 2.0-litre diesel Ford Kuga in low-CO2 front-wheel-drive guise with a massive 23.5% off, reducing the excellent all-rounder from £21,900 to £16,750.

Likewise, the cold months are poor for convertible car sales and the much-loved Mazda MX-5 in range-topping 2.0-litre folding electric hard-top form is now available through Recombu with £5,059 off, taking its on-the-road price down to £17,935.
Recombu asks that customers buy a discount voucher through the site that then entitles the buyer to the special discount at a specific official main dealer for that brand of car. Vouchers are priced at £99.
Slow sales are also affecting small cars, which is why certain petrol-powered versions of the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo are available with more than £2,000 off their list prices. More details can be found on Recombu’s website.
Many companies are also offering 0% interest finance, zero deposit deals or free additional equipment to coax people into showrooms. While winter may not be the most convenient time to buy a new car, the incentives are at their peak.

Ford job losses mark end of an era

2012-10-26T23:11:00.003-07:00

CAR GIANT Ford has signalled the end of an era by announcing the closure of its last remaining UK vehicle production factory, and another site, with the loss of 1,400 jobs.

Union officials accused the US company of "betrayal" and said the job losses in Southampton and Dagenham in Essex were "devastating".
Production of Transit vans will end in Southampton next summer, with the loss of over 500 jobs, with the remainder being cut through the closure of a tooling plant in Dagenham.
Transit production will switch next year to Turkey, where Ford said costs were "significantly lower" than anywhere in Europe, even after delivery charges.

Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Ford of Europe, said capacity at the plant in Kocaeli was much bigger than in Southampton, which produced around 28,000 vans last year, compared to 185,000 in Turkey.
Ford said it hoped to achieve the reductions through voluntary redundancies, enhanced employee separation and redeployment to other sites.
It is understood that workers at the Dagenham site staged a walkout after being told the news, although they were told to go home by the company. Workers in Southampton were also sent home for the day.
Ford said it hoped to create up to 200 new jobs at its engine factory in Bridgend, South Wales, and that 1,000 of the workers affected by the news would take voluntary redundancy, with others moving to other parts of the Ford business.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "Only a few months ago Ford was promising staff a new Transit model for Southampton in 2014. The planned closures will really hurt the local economies and the supply chain will be badly hit - up to 10,000 jobs could be at risk.
Mr Odell said: "We are reaffirming our commitment to the UK with a major investment in powertrain and engineering and one which will reinforce the UK's central role in Ford's global powertrain strategy."

Cuts "risk worsening road quality"

2012-10-26T23:08:00.002-07:00

REDUCED government funding for local authorities risks worsening the quality of roads, a Whitehall-spending watchdog said today.

Department for Transport (DfT) funding to local authorities has remained stable following the 2010 Government spending review and autumn statement, a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) said.
The report went on: "However, there is a 28% real-terms fall in grants from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) over the spending review period (up to 2014/15)."
The NAO said local authorities had a range of statutory duties which reduced their unrestricted spending.
The report went on: "In transport, this includes payments to bus operators to reimburse them for statutory concessionary fares, a cost largely beyond the control of local authorities.
"This means that funding available for other areas of local government spend, including routine highways maintenance, is likely to fall."

The NAO said it had commented, in an earlier report entitled Reducing costs in the Department for Transport, on the effects of cuts in budgets on national and local highways maintenance.
The NAO report today went on: "We said that cuts risked deterioration in highway quality and higher long-term costs for the department (DfT) or local authorities.
"The Audit Commission also reported in 2011 that there was a significant but unquantifiable backlog of maintenance work needed to get local highways to a sustainable level."
Today's report went on: "Against the background of reduced and sometimes uncertain central government funding, the local authorities that we spoke to said that they are having to prioritise and reduce their expenditure on transport."
The report said: "Reduced overall funding for local authorities risks worsening highway quality."
NAO head Amyas Morse added: "As the DfT devolves more funding to a local level, it needs to make sure it has the appropriate assurance over the spending.”

Supermarket's cut petrol prices

2012-10-26T22:37:00.001-07:00

MOTORISTS will benefit from lower supermarket petrol prices from today, but diesel prices will stay static.

First, Asda announced that it would be cutting up to 2p off a litre of petrol from this morning.
Then rival Sainsbury's announced a similar up-to-2p reduction which will also take effect from today. Tesco then said it would follow suit.
Asda customers will pay no more than 133.7p a litre for their petrol from today. Its diesel remains at 139.7p a litre.

Asda's petrol trading head Jeremy Walton said yesterday: "We always aim to be the first retailer in each part of the country to drop prices when costs are falling and the last to put them up."
Richard Crampton, Sainsbury's head of fuel, added: "We're always looking for ways to help our customers save money, particularly as we head towards the festive season, so we're delighted that from tomorrow we will be reducing our petrol price by up to 2p per litre."
And a Tesco spokesman said: "We are dropping the price of unleaded fuel by up to 2p per litre from tomorrow morning.
"As Britain's biggest petrol retailer with 490 forecourts, more motorists will make savings at the pumps at Tesco than at any other fuel retailer."
AA public affairs head Paul Watters said: "Last week, our fuel-price report pointed to a 4p drop in petrol wholesale prices working its way through the system.
"UK average petrol pump prices reached a late summer high of around 140p a litre in mid September and sat there for more than a fortnight. More than a month on, the average petrol price yesterday was down to only 138.70p a litre."
He said that the supermarkets' announcement was welcomed. But he added: "Unless the rest of the market reflects the lower cost, it's a case of the same old story - prices up like a rocket, falling like a feather."

George Harrison’s Aston Martin sold for $550,000 to Christian charity in Houston

2011-12-23T05:27:00.000-08:00

Among the late Beatle George Harrison's many passions were fast cars; he was a fixture at Formula One races, drove his McLaren F1 in the Beatles "Anthology" movie and wrote the song "Faster" for pals Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart. This week, his first Aston Martin sold for $550,000 -- to an anonymous Houston collector who vowed to use it for Christian missionary work.

The sale at Coys' auction house in London went well above the expected asking price for the Aston Martin DB5 -- which was last sold in 2007 for $465,000. Consider Harrison's first "real" car, he bought it new in 1965; it was later shipped around the world and even displayed in a Tokyo museum before coming back to Britain several years ago. The final bidder left standing was the unidentified caller from Houston, who says "George Harrison would be amazed about all the money his car is going to raise for Christian causes."
Which is certainly true, since Harrison spent much of his adult life studying Eastern religion and had his ashes sprinkled in the Ganges River in India following Hindu customs. My sweet Lord.

Own the world’s gaudiest Mercedes for just $11 million

2011-12-23T05:25:00.000-08:00

If you're still struggling for that last-minute holiday gift for the person who has more cash than taste, a Swiss car builder has just the right ride: this Mercedes McLaren SLR customized with 900 rubies and enough gold paint to impress a pharaoh. Total price? $11 million. It takes a lot of money to look this bad.

The vision from customizer Ueli Aniker took a team of 35 people a total of 30,000 man-hours to transform the car into his "Red Gold Dream" with $5.5 million in precious metals. Look close at the photos below, and you might spot some of the 11 pounds of gold mixed into the 25 coats of red paint. Sprinkled throughout the gold-leather interior and dash are 600 rubies -- from the light switches to the lug nuts on the 14k gold-coated wheels, ensuring this car will never visit a car wash without a team of security guards.

In the name of security, Aniker also added a GPS tracking device and remote shut-down system; he also says he plans to boost the McLaren's already massive 700-hp engine to an even 1,000 hp.

Aniker also ensured his name was emblazoned throughout the Red Gold Dream, including a unique "UA" logo -- in gold, of course -- brazed into the exhaust pipes. Of all the custom tricks on this Mercedes, that one small move seems the most ostentatious of all: No one else will ever try to claim this dream as one of their own.

Flickr photo of the day, spooky Chevy pickup edition

2011-12-23T05:12:00.001-08:00

Every weekday, we share a beautiful photo from the Flickr universe, like this colorful pose of a 1951 Chevy pickup from Photo Extremist. If you'd like to share a shot with us to feature here, please add it to the Motoramic group on Flickr.

Motoramic’s Dash for Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

2011-12-23T05:11:00.000-08:00

Here's what we're reading this morning about Acura's revivals, a new Bentley and the former CEO of General Motors wearing a robe in public:

Acura to debut new NSX concept, ILX sedan, RDX at Detroit [Acura] Honda's luxury arm announced this morning it would bring three new models to the Detroit auto show next month — a redone RDX SUV, a small sedan based on the Civic due next year and in the big news, a concept that heralds the revival of the NSX sports car, something Honda has toyed with for several years. Waiting in the wings: a redesigned RL and TL sedans, meant to make Acura at least competitive with mid-priced luxury brands.
Honda to show off new Accord Coupe in Detroit [Honda] A Honda Accord concept used to herald another solid if slightly boring update to the Accord was a few months away. Given the strong models from Hyundai, Chevy, Kia and Toyota, the strongest challenge Honda might face with a new Accord will be getting customers' attention.
GM's ex-CEO breaks silence [Wall St. Journal] Actually, if by "breaks silence," one means talking at length about General Motors, former chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner broke nothing this weekend during a speech to graduates at Virginia Commonwealth University. Many former and current GM employees still regard Wagoner warmly, despite leading the company into bankruptcy. Having covered Wagoner for several years, I would lay even odds he's years away from truly talking about his final days at the helm.
Bentley Continental V8 revealed [AutoExpress] If you've been holding off on buying that Bentley Continental because of its gas-guzzling W-12, you're somewhat insane. Nevertheless, Bentley's indulging you and worldwide fuel economy rules by offering a 500-hp, 4-liter V8 in the Continental GT and GTC that will get up to 25 mpg. Take that to the polo club luncheon.
Ford recalls Fusion, Milan to fix wheels [Bloomberg] After four cases of wheels falling off 2010 and 2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans, Ford will recall 128,616 sedans to inspect wheel studs and replace brakes.

BMW launches the 6 Series Gran Coupe

2011-12-23T05:09:00.000-08:00

BMW's neverending quest to create and fill all possible permutations of luxury vehicles now extends to this: the 6 Series Gran Coupe, a four-door sedan with a coupe roofline for drivers who find odd-numbered BMW too stuffy.

Arriving next year, the 2013 BMW 640i will sport the corporate twin-turbo inline six cylinder tweaked to 315 hp, enough to launch the 640 to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds. Later in summer comes the 650i and all-wheel-drive variants, with the 650i sheltering a 445-hp twin-turbo V8, shaving that 0-to-60 time well below 5 seconds. Both pair with BMW's eight-speed automatic transmission and a suspension with five different modes from "comfort +" to "eco pro," which will boost efficiency by up to 20% mainly by making the car seem slower.

Even without the eco mode, BMW says the six-cylinder version can hit 30 mpg in the highway version of European tests, with American numbers to come. And the interior sports the fighter-jet level of tech now essential in German luxury sedans, from color heads-up displays to night vision.

But the real debate among BMW purists may lay in the styling, and here at least on first glance BMW has finally shed the last ungainly lines lingering from the Chris Bangle era. Where previous BMWs exteriors looked like paper after a beginning class in origami, the creases and curves on the 6 Series look far more harmonious -- even if it's not really a coupe.

Flickr photo of the day is music to your eyes

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

This Ferrari 599 GTB, spotted in London by Ed Callows, is properly labeled. Every weekday, Motoramic features a photo from the Flickr universe. If you'd like to share a shot with us to feature here, add it to the Motoramic group on Flickr.

2011-12-23T04:58:00.000-08:00

Suspecting it has a winner on its hands, Chrysler is giving the 2013 Dodge Dart a slow reveal that would make Gypsy Rose Lee wonder what's taking so long. Next up: the new dash, sporting what's becoming a trademark Dodge "racetrack" of light.

Reversing a trend toward one-size-fits-all option sets, Dodge claims the Dart will offer "12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel options, three engine options and three transmissions." (No, not all at once.) The center of the dash -- which continues the red racetrack theme -- can be dominated by a 8.4-inch touchscreen with an updated version of Chrysler's UConnect system. The tech extends to the safety side, where Chrysler says the Dart will get 10 airbags and rear blind-spot cameras.
dfAll this means two things. One, Chrysler is confident enough in its turnaround to sell a tech-laden new model even though its track record for tech and quality has been mixed in recent years. And while at least one style of Dart will have to get a low starting price to remain competitive, Chrysler's aiming the car at the same higher-end compact car shopper chased by Hyundai, Volkswagen and its Detroit rivals -- something Chrysler hasn't been able to accomplish in years.

Motoramic’s Dash for Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011

2011-12-23T04:54:00.000-08:00

What we're reading this morning about idled Cruzes, big-fine lobbying and a new way to pace the world's fastest human:

Chevy Cruze output idled at Ohio plant [Detroit Free Press] Nothing costs an automaker more than when it has a factory full of workers standing around with nothing to build — which is why dozens of GM executives will pull all-nighters until the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that builds Chevy Cruzes goes back online. It's not going to affect the healthy supply of Cruzes in dealers, but automakers don't make money when you buy a car — they make money when a dealer buys a car from the factory.
Auto groups fight hike in recall fines [Detroit News] During the Toyota recall ruckus, the federal government fined the Japanese automaker $48.8 million for hiding defects in thousands of vehicles. Had the fines not been capped by law, Toyota might have owed $13.8 billion. An auto safety bill in the Senate would raise the maximum fine per violation to $250 million per incident from $16 million today; all automakers and dealers oppose the raise.

Lexus unveils concept at Detroit [Lexus] This is the front corner of a car — presumably a whole vehicle, but let's not get carried away — that Lexus will show off at the Detroit auto show on Jan. 9. It's part of the new, angrier Lexus born from the LFA and the sense that people were using Lexus brochures in place of prescription sleep medication. The real question: How will it look with a giant red bow on the roof?
Audi Connect Adds Google Streetview and Internet Radio [Autoevolution] Audi's in-car infonavitainment system already had Google Earth satellite images to draw upon, but will now add Google Streetview results to its menus. So you can see on a screen in your car what the view looks like through the window of the car. Next step: Integrate video conferencing so that an Audi owner doesn't actually have to drive places.
Mini Countryman JCW on the way [Autocar] Just as spring follows winter, every new Mini model must get a John Cooper Works edition. The zaftig Countryman's JCW is expected to pull 215 hp from its four-cylinder engine, but full details may have to wait for the Geneva show in March.
Usain Bolt: The Man-Machine [Ferrari Magazine] Yes, one of the perks of being famous is having Ferrari invite you out to the track for a few laps in Maranello's finest, in return for having some photos published to record the event. It's like the Hazzard County Celebrity Speed Trap gone global.

Ron Howard drives a Formula 1 track for “Rush”

2011-12-23T04:36:00.000-08:00

Director and actor Ron Howard's only car-themed movie to date has been the 1977 cult hit "Grand Theft Auto." That changes next year, when Howard shoots "Rush," a true story of Formula 1's wild days in the '70s. What better way to get a feel for the track than from behind the wheel.

Howard has been profusely Tweeting his adventures in scouting locations for "Rush," the story of the titanic 1976 battle between Niki Lauda and James Hunt which will star Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Wilde. Earlier this week, Howard took to Britain's Silverstone track for some racing lessons and a driver's-eye view of the track

We can only hope he doesn't venture too far into recreating the '70s F1 scene, like Hunt's famed partying with 33 flight attendants in two weeks before the final race of 1976. "Rush" should be in theaters within a year or so.

Chrysler building 2013 SRT Viper in Detroit, sans Dodge

2011-12-22T23:23:00.000-08:00

There's few vehicles more ardently awaited than the resurrected Dodge Viper, the V-10 beast that had grown stale by its departure a few years ago. Today, Chrysler announced it would build the new Viper in Detroit later next year -- and that it was no longer a Dodge.

Along with word that Chrysler would fire up the Conner Avenue assembly plant where the Viper had been previously assembled, it referred to the car as the "2013 SRT Viper." Under Fiat control, the SRT group had been elevated from some engineers who made go-fast versions of everyday Chryslers and Dodges into its own brand. That hadn't meant much until today.
By making the SRT Viper essentially a stand-alone vehicle, Chrysler can now style the car without having to call on specific Dodge cues like the gunsight grille. It can sell the car in any Chrysler-Dodge showroom. And should Fiat decide to borrow parts of the beast for a new Maserati, there's limited kvetching about sharing parts with a Dodge.
Enthusiasts are betting that the new Viper will be powered by a version of the 8.4-liter V-10 still built for drag-racing versions of the Challenger. That might happen to please Viper purists, but a smaller, force-fed engine of similar power would make Chrysler's fuel economy figures easier to meet.