Chinese backers have moved to take a share of the quintessentially British Aston Martin Lagonda brand. Geely, who are behind Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, have taken a 17% stake of £234M in the Gaydon and St Athan luxury car makers and may raise it to 22%. The move makes the Chinese giant the third-largest shareholder in Aston Martin, behind the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (18% holding) … [Read more...]
Tradelines 19 April
The all-electric British designed MG Cyberster sports car will come to UK in 2024, but may be sold outside the usual dealer network. MG has previously said it believes having a showroom network has been behind its success in recent years, but the first sports model in over a decade may be see another sales avenue created. A swathe of car dealer suppliers are at loggerheads with one of the … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 April
Car fans in Wales are most likely to search for an Audi R8 when it comes to supercars. According to Rivervale Leasing that’s the model on-line hunters wanted in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea while other parts of the UK went for Porsche, Lamborghini, Polestar and Lotus as well as the R8. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was named 2022 World Car of the Year live at the New York International Auto Show. It … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 February
Jagaur Land Rover is reported in media to be well advanced on plans to develop a new pure electric car squarely aimed at the Bentley sector from 2025. It comes as other media stories say Ford, Renault and Mercedes-Benz are also looking at ramping up their electric cars, Toyota group has revealed a range of pure electric cars to replace all their existing models in a couple of years, while Lotus … [Read more...]
Price confirmed for Lotus Emira V6
Lotus has confirmed the price and full specification of the all-new Emira V6 First Edition. The car, fully loaded with a host of desirable technology, infotainment and comfort features plus unique badging, costs £75,995 plus OTR charges with a 400hp 3.5V6 Toyota engine, six speed gearboxes and 180mph maximum giving 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and 242 gkm emissions. … [Read more...]
Lotus and Bentley’s new contrasting performance models
The Lotus Emira has been unveiled as the company’s final model with a mid-mounted internal combustion engine. In fact there’s a choice of two power units, the familiar 3.5V8 or AMG 2.0 i4 giving 360 to 400hp, a maximum 180mph and choice of manual or automatic transmissions and on the road from next spring from under £60,000. All-new mid-engined sports car perfectly embodies ongoing … [Read more...]
Beauties to behold even after 2,500 years
A mathematical ratio dating back 2,500 years has been used to analyse the aesthetics of performance cars over the last 70 years. The study conducted by carwow analysed the proportions of 197 of the world’s most powerful cars and then compared them to ‘the golden ratio’ – a mathematic measure for perfect proportions. The top 10 is dominated by classic sports cars from the 60s and 70s, but … [Read more...]
£100M new model and plan for Lotus
Road and racing marque Lotus is investing £100M in a new model and production facility. A new series of sports cars is confirmed with prototype production of the Lotus Type 131 to commence this year in Hethel, Norfolk. It is likely to be the last powered by a conventional petrol engine before an ev-powertrain is developed. The new manufacturing investment is part of … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 January
Bus and train services through Wales have been reduced. The effects of Covid-19 on staffing and a decline in passenger numbers have combined to hit them while more users have also resorted to private transport to make journeys, and people have been urged to check service details before travelling. Ford UK prices have risen and now reflect increases following the exit from the EU and the end of … [Read more...]
Tradelines 30 January
Suzuki GB PLC has been ranked as the best car brand in the Institute of Customer Service’s UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) for January 2019. A national measure of sentiment across the country, the research asks 45,000 consumers to rate their experiences of dealing with nearly 260 different companies across 13 sectors, including those in the motor industry. Nissan is the target of a … [Read more...]