Month: June 2019

Replacing the retiring Ian Callum is not an easy task however Jaguar have just the man in Julian Thompson, says Mike Rutherford

The most surreal Monday of my motor industry life? The one I experienced this month when I endured an overnight cattle-class flight from Seoul to London before suffering an inevitably late, sub-cattle class train journey to Coventry. After that came a palatial ride in a Jaguar XF to JLR’s heavily guarded, North Korean-border-like gates at Whitley.

Next came the Continue reading “‘Filling Ian Callum’s designer shoes is tough, luckily Jaguar have just the man’”

Everything you need to know about xDrive, BMW’s all-wheel drive system.

Four-wheel drive is an increasingly common choice for motorists in the UK. The rise in popularity of SUVs and the increasing power outputs of today’s performance cars have both contributed to the growth of all-wheel drive as an option for car buyers. But even conventional models with relatively modest power outputs are being offered with 4×4 underpinnings for improved grip and safety in slippery conditions. Here Continue reading “BMW xDrive: what is it and how does it work?”

Third of Bentley's centenary specials features gold-plated badging and unique feature cast from the original Blower Bentley's engine

Bentley has revealed the GT Convertible 1 Edition by Mulliner: a special edition model inspired by the classic supercharged Blower from 1929. Just 100 examples will be produced.

Using the 6.0-litre W12 GT Convertible as a starting point, the 1 Edition features a range of bespoke cosmetic upgrades. There’s two colours to choose from: Dragon Red II Continue reading “Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition unveiled”

Instagram post of leaked image gives us our best look yet of the all new Land Rover Defender, ahead of its official launch next year

A leaked image of the all new Land Rover Defender appears to show the all new 4×4 completely undisgised. The photo, which can be seen in the Instagram post embedded below, gives us a clear look at the new car’s boxy shape months ahead of the car’s planned launch date.

The front three-quarter image shows what appears to be a production model – albeit missing Continue reading “New 2020 Land Rover Defender: exterior image leaked”

BMW bosses suggest that, unlike the new 1 Series, the upcoming 2 Series Gran Coupe will sport a rear-wheel drive platform

It has been several months since BMW teased us with a shadowy image of the new 2 Series Gran Coupe, but now more details about the compact saloon have emerged. A recent interview with BMW’s chief engineer Klaus Fröhlich suggests that, contrary to previous suggestions, the new model might keep a rear-wheel drive layout.

It was previously thought that the next 2 Continue reading “New BMW 2 Series rumoured to keep rear-wheel drive layout”

Author: Will Buxton
Hardback: 320 pages
Publisher: Evro (2019)
Price: £14.99 (RRP)
ISBN: 978-1910505403
Recommended? Yes

My Greatest Defeat is a collection of honest and revealing insights into 20 of the greatest living racing drivers, legends of the worlds of Formula 1, Indycar, NASCAR, Le Mans and Rally. Interviews conducted specially for this book are with (in alphabetical order) Mario Andretti, Derek Bell, Emerson Fittipaldi, Dario Franchitti, Jeff Gordon, Mika Hakkinen, Damon Continue reading “My Greatest Defeat: Stories Of Hardship And Hope From Motor Racing’s Finest Heroes”

Vauxhall says its best-selling Astra will only continue to be built at Ellesmere Port if terms of EU exit deal are favourable

Vauxhall will not build the next-generation Astra at its Ellesmere Port facility in Cheshire if the UK exits the European Union on unfavourable terms, the firm’s owner has announced.

In the clearest message from a major manufacturer that a bad Brexit would affect manufacturing plans, Vauxhall’s parent company, Groupe PSA, said while it will build the MK8 Astra Continue reading “New Vauxhall Astra will not be built at Ellesmere Port if UK leaves EU without a deal”

We delve into the magical world of the Police car, taking in the fastest, most exotic and most inappropriate police cars on Earth

A police car is supposed to strike fear and offer reassurance across the world, with citizens knowing that the police are out and about keeping the world a safer place. However, police cars can be quite dull and tedious. There are one or two exceptions, but for the most part, the world’s police officers are left with very uninspiring vehicles to use. Below we Continue reading “Police cars: the world’s best and worst”