Following the positive feedback on the one-off presented in summer 2022, MINI is going ahead with a small series of all-electric MINI Convertible (power consumption combined: 17.2 kWh/62 miles according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, Energy Consumption – 3.6 miles/kWh), representing another big step in the direction of electric mobility. "Three years ago, we launched the MINI Electric, … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 February: Nissan’s 17K miles pole to pole ev
Set amongst Arctic-like conditions, the Pole-to-Pole expedition team and Nissan unveiled an adventure-ready version of the new Ariya electric SUV, which will undertake a 17,000-mile trip from the magnetic North Pole to the South Pole, starting in March. During this epic adventure, the Ariya will need to cope with breath-taking but extreme terrains and environments, including ice fields, deep … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 February: Isuzu awards Welsh dealer
North Wales dealer Pentraeth Isuzu has won the importers UK award for its marketing and social media performance in 2022. It was one of 15 national award winners led by Roger Young of Saltash, Plymouth which collected dealer of the year, parts champion and regional winner. In Peterborough, the Land Rover Owner International Show ranks as the best-loved motor event in the UK, according to … [Read more...]
Autosport show goes on a diet of desire
After a two-year hiatus, Autosport International bounced back to deliver its traditional preview of the coming season. Perhaps, understandably, the scale of this year’s show was smaller than usual and for sure it lacked that international "je ne sais quoe" made easy for visitors by access to Birmingham airport, nevertheless it made a welcome return to the calendar after its last showing way back … [Read more...]
Shelby honoured; Donington Historics; Bowler at Autosport
American driver, car manufacturer and entrepreneur Carroll Shelby will be celebrated at this year’s Goodwood Revival, over the weekend of 8-10 September. The centenary of Shelby’s birth will be honoured with one of Goodwood’s signature tributes, comprising cars that were not only raced, but also designed and developed by the 1959 Le Mans winner. Running across the weekend, the … [Read more...]
CES puts the brakes on autonomous vehicles
Electric vehicles, leaps in sensor technology, car connectivity and in-cabin gaming will head the automotive-related news coming out of the sprawling CES in Las Vegas opening today and running until Sunday. Stellantis, which has trailed most rivals in the electric vehicle transition, will unveil its Ram 1500 Revolution battery-electric vehicle concept. Ram needs the pickup to stay competitive … [Read more...]
E-scooters should be off Christmas lists
Loss adjuster CMA has seen a steady rise in e-scooter related claims over two years, mostly collisions involving other motorists, but also thefts. The increase is in line with Department for Transport figures showing the number of collisions involving e-scooters rose from 460 in 2020 to 1,352 in 2021. Earlier this month, a boy of 12 was killed in Birmingham, prompting the deputy lord mayor to … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 December
The DVLA contact centre will be closed from 24 December to 27 December inclusive and on 1 and 2 January 2023. On-line services will continue over the holiday period. A buzzing live auction of 100 much-loved automotive icons from yesteryear will add yet another exciting new dimension to next year’s eagerly-anticipated The London Classic Car Show 24-26 February. After a two-year enforced break, … [Read more...]
Book review: Chris Coburn and DTV
A comprehensive biography of the irrepressible Chris Coburn has just been published and it's an ideal Christmas gift for motorsport fans. Talented, versatile, and multifaceted – driver, entrepreneur, engineer, and skier – Coburn was a prolific mover and shaker in the world of motorsport during the 1960s/70s. He was instrumental in the formation of the legendary Dealer Team Vauxhall with the … [Read more...]
Welsh author’s F1 classic view
Proving every picture tells a story, Welsh motorsport author Richard Jones has self-published a fascinating book from an idea provided by an evocative painting that captures just a brief snapshot from a hot and sunny May afternoon in the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco. In fact, the original Nicholas Watts painting (below) proudly hangs on the author’s study wall in Penarth as both his … [Read more...]