THE NAME JOSS WILL STICK!

Over in Australia there is a word on the automotive street that is causing more than a ripple, offering the chance for investors to grab a chance to own their own little piece of a supercar that is targeted to be a more than just a competitive player in the global supercar market – and that word is JOSS

Created by a global team of experienced professionals including Matt Thomas, the Technical Director of JOSS and former design modeller at Stewart Grand Prix, BMW, Jaguar, VW, Range Rover, Aston Martin, Saab and Ford, the car has been created from a blank canvas, unfettered by “traditional building methods, brand identity and significant overheads.”

And as you can see from the photos here, it is pretty special – or it is planned to be, should I say.

As a company, Joss was initially founded to establish a world-class, ultra-competitive supercar company in Australia, and with Melbourne being home to three major Australian manufacturers and numerous component suppliers and automotive innovators, it was the ideal place to set up and to build the initial test vehicle, the JT-1, which achieved commendable top speeds and achieved targeted power-to-weight ratios, while inspiring many at the Melbourne Motor Show in 2004.

The whole ethos behind the vision is Colin Chapman’s Lotus philosophy that the company can ‘add performance, add lightness,’ and they are looking for investors to grab the opportunity to take part with investment from $500,000 – $2,500,000 and to be an integral part in a global supercar success story from the start; Investors who want to be part of a company that wants to be to be seen as a “competitive player in the global club of supercar manufacturers” and one that creates “an irresistible brand, precisely engineered with exquisite attention to detail that defines our obsession and epitomises exhilaration.”

Back in 2008, the Joss Supercar’s designer, Matt Thomas, issued this statement: “We have a vast amount of experience from many facets of the automotive industry, including Formula One, Le Mans racing, auto production, manufacture and so on. Our belief is that a strong brand must be heavily involved in competition and this is why we are aiming our sights on GT racing as a spring board to the greatest race of all – Le Mans!”

It’s moved on a bit from there, but let’s look at what can investors get for their money?

There’s the car for a start.

You get 0-100 km/h in 2.1 seconds with a top speed of 390km/h (Approx. 242mph) that has raced around the famous testing track at the Nurburgring in under 7 minutes.

Powered by a 6.8-litre V8 engine outputting around 350kW of power and 650Nm of torques, and fitted with larger 380mm front disc brakes and 6 piston Harrop callipers, the body panels are a composite mix of carbon fibre, kevlar and GRP honeycomb panels to help keep the weight as low as possible (the target weight is under 1000kg.)

And then there’s the investment itself

According to JOSS, their cars “will act as a showcase for established and aspiring automotive-sector suppliers and IP owners, acquiring licenses for suitable innovative technologies from automotive suppliers around the world.”

That should give investors not only food for thought but also the confidence to put your money where their mouth is.

An AUD $5 mil investment gives any single investor a majority control position in the business, with lesser investments securing significant ownership and control positions. It doesn’t have to be all invested at once – it can be staggered, with $500,000-$2,500,000 being raised immediately – and it should be noted that those investors that get in early will have the benefit of discounted valuations.

It goes without saying that those investors that have strong automotive and motorsport pedigrees will be given preference with investment, but then all money is good money so if you have a spare million and a bit Australian dollars stuck somewhere not doing anything, now may be the chance to grab an investment opportunity – but you will need to be quick as the window of opportunity is closing on a first in first-served basis this month (June 2013.)

If you do have that money spare, contact Matthew Thomas of Joss Developments Limited whose email address is matt.thomas@joss.com.au

Image courtesy of Matt Banks / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

BBC 2 TONIGHT (Tues)

If you have to travel in London as part of your daily routine, or even on an occasional basis, you will encounter traffic whichever method you use. And you are not alone!

Image courtesy of Matt Banks/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The population in London has increased over the last 10 years by a million people and, let’s be honest here, not only is the Nation’s capital full up but the roads are too. But does that deter Londoners (and the surrounding ‘area-ers’) travelling by road?

No it doesn’t. Whether by choice or by necessity (and my guess is the latter) 8 out of every 10 journeys undertaken in London are by road.

Every morning, 8,500 buses carry six million passengers; and that is twice as many as travel on the London Underground – a fact that those who find themselves wedged under a sweaty armpit from Queen’s Park to Waterloo every day will find amazingly reassuring (NOT!)

6,000 Transport for London workers control these buses (out of a total of 25,000 TfL workers in total) with the rest looking after other traffic – and you can add in 2,000 dedicated police officers on the transport beat to those attentive to the needs of London’s travellers and commuters.

And all this is overseen by “the biggest traffic control centre in the world”, pulling strings and conducting the automotive orchestra from behind desks and computer screens.

Image courtesy of Jon Whiles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Starting tonight on BBC 2, and no doubt available on BBC iPlayer very soon after, is a six-part series called ‘The Route Masters’ that looks at the lives of the people involved in keeping London’s traffic moving – or NOT moving as many people stuck in jams every day would suggest. Filmed over a period of a year, and no doubt helping us experience the fun and frolics that would have taken place during last year’s Olympics, the series was made by the people responsible for recent documentary ‘The Tube.’

It will feature many of the individuals who keep the system working – from night bus drivers to road menders to the controllers running it all as the city grows bigger by the day – and the road requirements with it.

The whole series should be good to watch (and I’ve used Sky+ to watch it later) although I’ve no idea if it will be. Mind you, as someone who comes from London and left the city 23 years ago when it was bad enough then, maybe I’ll just find myself laughing at the attitudes and potential stupidity of commuters that was bad enough back in 1990?

The first episode tonight centres on the Transport for London staff charged with trying to keep a city that is constantly teetering on the edge of gridlock actually moving in some way.

Look out for tow truck driver Sean who has to try and convince a pregnant motorist that it is safe to travel through the Blackwall Tunnel (allegedly the most crucial mile of road in the whole city) and a control room operator who has to cope with a multitude of accidents blocking roads on a Friday night.

Then there’s Gurkha roadmender, Indra, who faces abuse about his repairing of potholes and a helicopter crashing into a crane in rush hour (You may remember that happening.)

Seems entertaining and informative at the same time.

But I’m just going to sit there thinking “I am so glad I moved up north!”

Image via Flickr user: mikebaird

With father’s day now come and gone, it’s sometimes easy to forget how important father’s are in our lives. Beyond teaching us essential life lessons, they are often figures that we look up to, striving to continue the path that they set. This is particularly true in the world of motorsport, where father and son’s have been continuing each others legacy’s for years. In order to remind ourselves of his place in our lives, we at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts have decided to look at the top father-son duos in Formula One, NASCAR, and the World Rally Championship. So sit back, relax, and let us take you for a ride.

Formula One- Graham and Damon Hill

Image via Flickr user: Arrr!

Even those with the most basic knowledge of Formula One will have heard of Normal Graham. The driver has been rightly raised to a godlike status by his followers after his winning of the ‘Triple Crown of Motorsport’- consisting of 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500, as well the Formula One World Championship. He embodied what it meant to be a driver, becoming a hero for many, particularly his son.

Having been born into such a legacy, perhaps unsurprisingly Damon Hill became a hero in his own right. After his father died in an airplane crash when he was 15, he progressed up the ranks of motorsport to becoming a top Formula One driver. During his time he managed to win the 1996 title and become a lifelong rivalry of the famous Michael Schumacher.

NASCAR- Lee and Richard Petty

Image via Flickr user: Ted Van Pelt

Most people would argue that Lee Petty was NASCAR’s first superstars. Beginning a career in his mid thirties, he started off at the sports first ever race at Charlotte Speedway, finishing in the top 5 in that season. He went on to win the NASCAR Championship on three occasions and even took part in the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959.

Such a legacy is difficult to compete with, but some believe that his son, Richard Petty, did just that. Nicknamed “The King,” he won seven NASCAR Championships and seven Daytona 500’s. In total, he’s won a record 200 races, statistically becoming the greatest drivers in the sport. For this reason, one would argue that he created a legacy that not only lives up to, but also exceeds that of his father.

World Rally Championship- Jimmy and Colin McRae

Image via Flickr user: henley_regatta

Jimmy McRae is one of the most successful British Rally Champions in history.  The Scottish driver won the title five times and continued his successes as the runner-up in the 1982 European Rally Championship and fifteenth at the World Rally Championship.

Following in his father’s racetracks, Colin McRae grew to become a champion in his own right, winning the British Rally Championship with his brother Alister McRae. He also showed tremendous ability at the Subaru World Rally Team which got him on the World Rally Championship Constructors, winning three titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997. A truly amazing driver, his life was unfortunately cut short when he died in a helicopter crash in 2007.

Being The Adventures of 48 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts As They Glide Through The Alps

How would you describe the motion of 48 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts as they make a historic procession through the Alps? You’ll see above I chose “glide”. In their press release, Rolls-Royce regrettably opted for “waft”, which sort of makes the whole thing sound like an unpleasant smell.

Never mind. The Rolls-Royce Centenary Alpine Trail has been a long-time going, so don’t lets allow an unfortunate choice of words to put a dampener on proceedings.

The Rolls-Royce Centenary Alpine Trail

For those who don’t know, the Rolls-Royce Centenary Alpine Trail celebrates the 100 year anniversary of the 1913 Alpine Rally, in which the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost performed so well that it was later dubbed “The Best Car In The World”.

The 2013 event will see Over 150 participants will take part from such countries as Australia, America, Hong Kong and the UK. They’ll be driving a selection of 48 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts dating from 1909 to 1926 across a 1,850 mile course that will take in Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited will themselves be entering in the original Radley car that won them the 1913 Rally, alongside a new limited edition bespoke Centenary Collection Ghost (pictured).

Follow The Action Online

And the best part is, Rolls-Royce are making it possible for you to follow all the action online!

The glitz, the glamour and all manner of tales from the treacherous trails will be posted on such platforms as the Rolls-Royce official website, History Pin, Facebook, two Twitter feeds and on an official blog.

The trail kicked off in earnest on June 14, and the first three days have already been blogged in a suitably breathless and romantic manner.

An extract from day two (15 June 2013):

The Silver Ghost’s near-silent operation seemed apt as they headed off from their night stop – a beautifully restored 13th century Carthusian monastery. Even the local monks took a break from their duties to stand by and watch in awe.

A relatively un-arduous route was punctuated with the ascent of the Niederalp pass followed by a mesmerising meander along the banks of the River Danube. As if Sir Henry Royce himself had arranged it, the Rally has been bathed in glorious sunshine from the off – the perfect conditions for effortless, open-top touring.

If a glamorous yet death-defying procession of some of the most beautiful cars ever built as written in a sepia-tinged style that begs to be read in the style of a nasal 1930s newsreader tickles your fancy, then tune in daily for additional reports!

Bringing together crossover style with the functionality of an MPV, the new Renault Scenic XMOD is the perfect lease choice for those with families. It represents a new direction for the Scenic range.

As of today, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce that the Renault Scenic XMOD is now available to lease, with rates starting from as little as £223.95 + VAT…

The Renault Scenic XMOD has been designed to stand out. Dark coloured plastic around the bumpers and side sills give the car the appearance of a capable off-roader, and it shares some of the striking features of the new Clio and Captur.

Inside, the Scenic XMOD offers up masses of space. Boot capacity amounts to 555 litres with all seats in place, and this compares well to competitors. A tall profile not only means an abundance of head, shoulder and leg room for passengers; it accommodates a lofty driving position and therefore contributes to great overall visibility.

We think a model worth snapping up is the Renault Scenic XMOD 1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom [Start Stop], available to lease from just £237.95 + VAT…

This model is driven by a powerfully economical 1.5 litre diesel engine. Not only does this contribute to low emissions of just 105 g/km, fuel consumption is low achieving up to 68.9 MPG…

The 1.5 dCi Dynamique TomTom [Start Stop] features the following items of specification:

• Bluetooth system;
• Carminat TomTom Navigation system;
• Cruise control + speed limiter;
• Radio/ CD + MP3;
• Dual zone climate control;
• LED daytime running lights.

To find out more about our great Renault car leasing deals, simply follow the links above or call us at Nationwide on: 0844 482 9595…

Prices based on a 4 year contract + exclude VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Terms and conditions apply. Limited stock available. 

Did everyone have a nice Father’s Day?

Dads love driving, don’t they? And with so many car-related gifts, cards and clothing making the rounds, Father’s Day must be a huge payday for those who manufacture such inexpensive but-lovingly-made knick-knacks.

Every year, my dad can look forward to a new CD on Father’s Day. This year, I’m sure I wasn’t the only person to buy Seasick Steve’s latest album as a gift.

However, the charts suggest that a different, more thematic album proved the most popular of musical Father’s Day gifts.

Keep On Trucking

Eddie Stobart: Trucking Songs is a compilation of 58 classic rock and driving anthems. Last week, it entered the charts at number two. But a Father’s Day sales surge to the tune of 43,000 copies was enough to knock even “Now That’s What I Call 30 Years” from the top of the charts.

That’s right. Eddie Stobart can now be listed alongside the likes of U2, Michael Jackson, Coldplay and Cliff Richard. Eddie Stobart has a number one album.

With an unmistakable Eddie Stobart truck featured prominently on the cover, the Eddie Stobart Group believe that many of the sales came from fans of their brand (as opposed to the music).

Says Laura Tinkler of the Stobart Group: “This is a fantastic achievement and really showcases the strength and diversity of the Eddie Stobart brand.

“Spotting Stobart trucks has always been a traditional pastime for long journeys and we hoped the Trucking Songs CD would prove popular in this respect as well. But to achieve an official number one, especially on Father’s Day, really is a pleasant surprise.”

Personally, the presence of an Eddie Stobart truck would be enough to put me off a purchase of this collection. Don’t ask me why, it just would.

Not to rain on Stobart’s parade, but I’d be a lot more drawn to the tracklisting, which is nothing if not impressvive. Bob Dylan, Fleetwood Mac, Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Jefferson Airplane, Supergrass, Doves, The Crash Test Dummies, Don McLean and Roy Orbison’s immortal I Drove All Night, these are truly great songs. True, we all own them about five times already, but to have them all in one place in a form convenient to make any motorway journey a breeze?

Now that’s what I call music.

A happy belated Father’s Day to all our readers, and a congratulations to Eddie Stobart on their number one album. No mean feat in this day and age, truly.

Bike Week Takes Place 15-23 June 2013.

The UK’s biggest mass participation cycling event, Bike Week 2012 saw almost half a million people of all ages and abilities taking part in all manner of celebrations of cycling across the UK.

The aim of 2013 is for the nation to “dig out their bikes, get back on the saddle and fall in love with cycling all over again!”

Motorists & Cyclists

Though it’s by no means unheard of for motorists to cycle (and for cyclists to motor), undeniable tension exists between the two groups.

And I doubt anyone would strongly disagree that most of the hatred is one-way. Motorists hate cyclists. But why?

The poor road etiquette of a few is often used to tar an entire disparate group. A motorist might witness a cyclist jump a red light (or read about a cyclist jumping a red light), and that’s it. Suddenly, all cyclists are arrogant free-riders with no respect for the road. And they were Lycra. Therefore they must die.

But it seems that in recent years the irrational hatred has been increasingly justified by the false notion that cyclists don’t pay road tax. Because they don’t contribute, they have no right at all to take to the road. Motorists are therefore perfectly entitled to intimidate and belittle cyclists at all opportunities. It’s just putting them in their place, yeah?

Road Tax

As this excellent site explains again and again and again, whilst it’s true that cyclists don’t pay road tax, neither do motorists. Road tax was abolished in 1937. Our roads are funded centrally, meaning that anybody who pays income tax (or VAT) contributes to the upkeep of the roads.

Seeing as everyone in the country pays some form of tax (yes, even illegal immigrants), everyone in the country contributes to the roads. And sorry motorists, but this does indeed include cyclists. They contribute just as much as you.

That little tax disc in your windscreen? That’s not a certificate of pride to be flaunted in the face of entitled cyclists. Rather, it’s a declaration that you pay vehicle excise duty, or car tax.

This is a completely separate entity to your idea of “road tax” and is based largely on CO2 emissions. Vehicles with emissions lower than 99g/km are, like bikes, exempt from paying this particular “road tax”. Do you also begrudge and deny those who drive efficient vehicles use of the road? Unless you’re Jeremy Clarkson, of course you don’t.

Tolerance & Respect

I’m not for one second hinting that all cyclists are saintly and exempt from criticism. However, as road users, cyclists are a lot more vulnerable than motorists, and I’m yet to see an example of a cyclist purposefully antagonising a car.

The reverse, though, seems distressingly common. Here’s a shocking example of a motorist actively boasting about her mistreatment of a cyclist. Read the comments and it seems that her terrible behaviour is but the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re not going to take part in Bike Week 2013, perhaps you could spend the next week considering your relationship with cyclists. Bear in mind that the only thing that cyclists have in common is that they eschew cars for bikes. There is no “cycling lobby”, and there’s no shady cabal of cyclists who meet every Wednesday in order to discuss how best to ruin your day.

You might have witnessed some reckless or arrogant behaviour from a cyclist in the past. But so what? Does that mean that all cyclists are reckless and arrogant? Of course it doesn’t. You don’t write-off all motorists every time you witness some dangerous driving, and trust me – you’ll witness a lot more dangerous driving than you ever will dangerous cycling.

So please, this Bike Week take some time to understand that cyclists have just as much right to use the road as you do. And remember that, as a motorist, you have a responsibility to look out for more vulnerable road users. You’re safe in your case of steel and glass. Cyclists are exposed every time they take to the road. Don’t make the roads even more dangerous for them.

And have a very happy Bike Week!

Image via Wikimedia Commons user: ProfDEH

Image courtesy of Peugeot UK ©

For this month only, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a special deal on the Peugeot 3008 Active 1.6 VTi, available to lease from just £214.95 + VAT a month.

In stock for quick delivery via our Fast Lease service, the Peugeot 3008 Active 1.6 VTi boasts fantastic value for money and a standard equipment list that has everything you need including rear parking aid, Bluetooth, cruise control and air conditioning.

But you’d best be quick if you’re interested in this one-off deal because stock is extremely limited and the offer ends on Friday 21st June.

Equipment on the Peugeot 3008 Active 1.6 VTi includes:

• Peugeot connect with USB and Bluetooth;
• Rear parking aid;
• Cruise control + speed limiter;
• Auto lights & wipers;
• Air conditioning;
• Leather steering wheel;
• 17″ Samara alloy wheels

To find out more about this special car leasing deal, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links to get an instant quotation online.

Prices based on Peugeot 3008 1.6 VTi Active II on a 10,000 contract, excluding VAT, initial payment  of £899.95 and processing fee of £150 + VAT. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Why not follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with the latest car news, reviews and leasing offers?

Image courtesy of Mercedes-Benz ©

The new-look Mercedes E Class Coupe has been added to the Nationwide Vehicle Contracts website with leasing rates starting from just £434.95 + VAT a month.

Featuring a fresh new look, an enhanced standard specification and a new optional AMG Sport Plus package, the new Mercedes E Class Coupe is part of the most extensive model revision ever undertaken by Mercedes-Benz.

The front end appearance has been completed revised with new partial LED headlamps, single Lamella Sport grille and a new front bumper. At the rear, new tail lamps and a new ‘wide-effect’ rear bumper with wing design and chrome-look trim complete the E Class Coupe’s new-look.

Equipment on the new E Class Coupe has also been enhanced with the SE trim boasting 17-inch five twin-spoke alloy wheels, a new front apron with single lamella Sport grille, leather upholstery with heated front seats and dark aluminium trim.

The all-new Mercedes E Class Coupe is now available to lease from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts with prices starting from just £434.95 + VAT a month for the Mercedes E Class Coupe E220 CDI AMG Sport Tip Auto. Equipment on the above model includes:

• Bluetooth Interface;
• COMAND multimedia system with 7″ screen;
• Cruise control with speedtronic variable speed limiter;
• Full leather upholstery;
• DAB Digital radio;
• 18″ AMG 5 twin spoke alloy wheels

To find out more about the new-look Mercedes E Class Coupe and to get an instant quotation on any model in the range, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on Mercedes E Class Coupe E220 CDI AMG Sport Tip Auto on a 10,000 contract, excluding VAT, initial payment  of £1,463.95 and processing fee of £150 + VAT. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Why not follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with the latest car news, reviews and leasing offers?

TOYOTA BUILDS A CAR ON TWITTER

I suppose it had to happen eventually. Built by hand; built by robots; and now built by Twitter.

This Wednesday (19 June) Toyota will be revealing the principles and processes it uses to build cars at its UK plant in a world-first social media project on Twitter, tweeting hundreds of times as they follow the production of a new Toyota Auris Hybrid, from the collection of raw steel to getting the vehicle ready for a customer (at a Toyota dealer, one should imagine.)

Starting at 6am, minute by minute, nut by bolt, taking around 14 hours, across Factory and Forecourt, all 325 processes that it takes on the assembly line including panel stamping, welding, painting, plastics, assembly and quality control, and so much more besides; all will be laid out on the social media site with each step painstakingly explained to “demonstrate how the principles of the Toyota Production System are fundamental to the way the people work in the factory and ensure the best built-in quality for owners.”

But it’s not just a case of look and learn; it will be interactive with followers on Twitter being able to interact with the Toyota team throughout the day, adding comments and asking questions.

The Twitter Feed ‘@ToyotaFactory’ will feature links to images and more detailed information resources from inside the Toyota plant at Burnaston, including specially commissioned film footage that includes exclusive contributions from many of the workforce involved as they offer up personal insights into just how the Toyota Production System gives every worker on the line responsibility for quality, at every stage.

It is essentially a PR exercise, but Scott Brownlee, head of social media for Toyota GB, says that it is so much more: “This project does more than simply show what we do inside the walls of our factory, it presents it in the context of the commitment to quality that is the guiding principle of the way Toyota works worldwide and the first priority of everyone who works for the company.”

The actual Toyota Production System is not just used at Toyota. As a globally renowned business philosophy, it has already been adopted by thousands of businesses worldwide – and not just within the automotive and manufacturing industries; In the UK, the National Health Service has used it to help improve its quality control processes.

So this Twitter exercise could be useful to watch, from labourer to managing Director, as I am sure that there are many things that could be picked up on and used in many other areas.

How to access Factory to Forecourt

On Twitter: follow @toyotafactory and #f2f, live from 6am BST, Wednesday 19 June

On Facebook: visit www.facebook.com/toyotauk

The official Toyota blog: visit blog.toyota.co.uk