Month: March 2020

The Volkswagen Transporter holds the record for the world’s longest production run for a commercial vehicle as it celebrates 70 years since the first model was built.

It has seen many iterations since first entering the world in March 1950, and is perhaps best known for its cult classic camper configurations. However, it is now one of the best-selling vans on the market.

First introduced to the world as a van prototype in 1949, the first ‘T1’ production models were built between 1950 and 1957. Using a rear-mounted Beetle engine and gearbox, it was offered as a panel van, passenger van and eight-seat bus. In 1951, the iconic Samba model was revealed with all-round windows and a sunroof.

The T2 generation, built from 1967 to 1979, saw minor upgrades fitted across the range, with the pop-up roof camper van a particular hit with buyers. It was also well ahead of its time, with an all-electric version going on sale.

Between 1979 and 1992 the T3 was built with a wider body, more passenger and cargo space, and a diesel engine. In 1985 it was updated to include catalytic converters, turbochargers and all-wheel drive.

The first model to look similar to what we know the Transporter as today was the T4, introduced in 1990, being front-engined and front-wheel drive for the first time. From 2003 to 2015, the T5 was offered with improved interiors, a variety of petrol and diesel engines and all-wheel drive options.

The latest generation T6 was introduced in 2015 and received a facelift last year. These vans feature more car-like cabins, advanced safety equipment and digital connectivity.

This morning the Department for Transport (DfT) announced that it will grant a six-month MOT exemption to all cars, vans and motorcycles from March 30. It means that if your MOT expires after that time, it will automatically be exempt for a period of six months.

However, the DfT has also stated that cars should be kept in a roadworthy condition, with police able to prosecute those who are driving a car which is mechanically unsound.

Given the circumstances I'm granting an MOT temporary exemption so that if your MOT is due from 30th March 2020 you will automatically receive a SIX-month extension. However, you must still keep your car in a roadworthy condition and garages will remain open if you need repairs.

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) March 25, 2020

And while garages remain open for essential repairs, a few simple checks could help ensure that you’re safe out on the road. If your car does need to be taken to a garage, you must ensure that you’re not showing any signs of coronavirus – in which instance you shouldn’t visit the garage and should self-isolate instead.

Government advice currently states that you should stay at home and only go outside when absolutely necessary, but if you have to head out on the roads it’s worth making sure your car is all okay. With that in mind, here are some of the key checks to make sure that your car is safe and sound.

Ensure tyres are above legal tread depth and correct pressure

This is a straightforward one. The tyres are the only contact point between the car and the road, and it’s paramount that they’re in good condition. The minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm, so check all of the tyre grooves to ensure they meet this. Either use a tread depth gauge or a 20p coin – if the outer band of the coin is obscured by tyre, then the tread depth is good.

Also, check your pressures – you’ll be able to find your car’s correct tyre pressures either in the handbook or inside the fuel filler cap. Check and fill appropriately.

Check your brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important mechanical parts of your car and without them, it’s likely you’ll be in a whole heap of trouble. So before you head out, it’s worth giving them a test to make sure that they’re working effectively.

When moving at a slow speed and when safe to do so, press down on the brake pedal and ensure that you’re getting a good amount of return pressure. If the pedal feels overly light or doesn’t effectively ‘bite’, it could be worth getting them checked out. Likewise, if the car ‘pulls’ or the brake pedal vibrates when you use it, this could be a sign that they need changing.

Remember, garages are still open for key maintenance.

Check your oil

Oil is a key element to the smooth operation of an engine, so it’s crucial it stays well topped up and in good condition.

Checking the levels of oil in your car is a simple task. In most cases, simply open the bonnet and locate the dipstick — usually with a bright yellow cap. If you have used your car prior to checking levels, allow the engine to cool for 10 minutes.

Use this time to check manufacturer guidelines on how often the oil should be replaced. If it’s been longer than a recommended interval, it’s best to book into a garage to have it drained and replaced as soon as possible.

Before removing the dipstick to check levels, ensure you have a clean piece of tissue to hand. Once you have removed the dipstick, use this to clear oil on it and locate the indicator markings — typically two holes towards the end of the stick.

Place the dipstick back in fully, remove it again and see where the oil level comes up to. It should be between the two indicators. If it’s below the lowest indicator, it’s time to top up. If it’s above, talk to a garage about removing any excess.

Keep washer fluid levels topped up

With the weather starting to brighten up, it’s crucial that you ensure that your windscreen washer fluids are kept topped up so you can effectively clear the screen. A smeary windscreen in low sunlight can be a nightmare – and dangerous too.

Use a correct amount of windscreen washer fluid – we wouldn’t advise using just water – and fill it through the correct filler cap. It’s traditionally the blue-capped pipe in the engine bay.

Check wipers are clearing screen correctly

Even if you’ve topped up your washer fluid correctly, it won’t make much difference if your wipers aren’t working effectively. If they’re streaky or ‘rub’ when operating, they need changing.

Replacements are simple and easy to fit and you’ll notice a lot of difference. It’s one of the easiest but most crucial pieces of maintenance you can make.

Test all your lights are working

Maximising road visibility is key to keep yourself and other drivers safe, so you should test your lights before heading off.

Checking the fronts is easy. Hop into your car with the ignition half-turned briefly (if your car is capable of operating the lights without the engine running, at least) and turn on your headlights. Hop out again, and ensure there are no bulbs out. Use this as a chance to test front and rear foglights too.

Brake lights can be trickier to test, though it helps if you have a second person to hand. Ask whoever is helping to stand at the rear of the vehicle as you push down on the brake pedal, though parking up against a wall or utilising a reflective surface such as a large mirror also works.

If you have any lights out, replace them imminently either yourself if you’re capable and have bulbs to hand, or through a local garage.

With the real motorsport world in coronavirus-enforced lockdown, online racing has seen a surge in popularity. F1 has jumped on the bandwagon to host its first Virtual Grand Prix to replace the postponed Bahrain Grand Prix.

The event saw a combination of former and existing F1 drivers, such as Nicholas Latifi and Nico Hulkenberg, take on YouTube gamers such as Jimmy Broadbent and ‘Cyanide’. Even a few celebrities such as singer Liam Payne, golfer Ian Poulter, and F1 legend Johnny Herbert got behind the ‘wheel’ for the event.

Current McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris was the big-name draw, though, bridging the gap between competitors after having amassed a huge online following for his virtual racing streams as well as his real-world exploits.

Here are some of the highlights on and off the track from a chaotic Bahrain Virtual Grand Prix.

Lando Norris has technical difficulties

Regular viewers of Norris’s Twitch streams will know he has technical difficulties from time to time, specifically with the F1 2019 game randomly quitting while he’s streaming. It happened during qualifying for the Virtual Grand Prix, forcing him to start last.

However, to add insult to injury, it happened again during the formation lap for the race, leaving Norris with his head in his hands and out of the race. Temporarily, at least…

Lando Norris phones a friend

With Norris starting from the back of the grid, he decided to call a few friends for advice. Fellow F1 driver Max Verstappen had some wise words, suggesting he should just turn off his computer and watch everyone else.

However, after calling various McLaren team members for strategy advice, Lando saved his best insult for good friend and fellow F1 racer George Russell, who has struggled for pace in a poor Williams F1 team. He said: “I’m starting last on the grid and I wanted to call the person with the most experience starting from the back row of the grid”.

Chaotic start

With a wide variety of sim racing experience and abilities, a chaotic start was perhaps not surprising.

A massive incident happened before they’d even reached the first corner, with Nico Hulkenberg and Luca Salvadori bumping wheels causing the former to spear across the track, taking out Dino Beganovic in the process.

Then, a few corners down the line, Esteban Gutierrez tangled with Nicholas Latifi sending both into the wall with debris flying across the track.

Johnny Herbert gets creative

Few would have expected F1 legend Johnny Herbert to be at the sharp end of the racing, but by turn two he was out in front – after qualifying 16th.

Had he simply capitalised on the chaos at the start? No, the 55-year-old had massively cut the first corner by simply driving across the grass. He received a 10-second penalty for cheating and was quickly overtaken by the leaders, ultimately finishing outside the top 10.

Landobot makes moves

With Lando getting booted out of the race his car came under the control of the game’s ‘artificial intelligence’. It meant that his computer-controlled McLaren became a ‘ghost’ that other drivers couldn’t interact with, meaning it dodged all the early crashes to find itself in fourth place when Lando got back in and running.

Other racers were quick to praise Landobot, with Jimmy Broadbent noting that he’d tried to overtake but was outbraked into the corner.

Esteban Gutierrez vs. Nico Hulkenberg

Once the chaos died down and the field spread out the battles became fascinating. Former F1 drivers Gutierrez and Hulkenberg were involved in the overtake of the race, with an incredible dummy by the former that saw him sneak up the inside into turn one on lap 11.

The drivers then went toe-to-toe through the next two corners before Hulkenberg stole the spot back in the DRS zone.

Jimmy Broadbent vs. Lando Norris

The battle of the race saw YouTuber Broadbent – famous for streaming his races from a shed in his mum’s garden – go up against McLaren F1 star Norris.

In the final lap of the race, Norris caught Broadbent out into turn one with a fantastic move around the outside that looked to seal the deal. However, he lost the place in the DRS zone before cutting back once more to regain it in the following corner.

The pair then went side by side through the curves somehow avoiding contact, again going side by side into turn 10, where Norris baited Broadbent into braking too deep into the corner to take his place once more.

It all came to a head into the final corner with Broadbent attempting a move around the outside. The pair touched as Norris moved across to defend leaving the F1 star in the wall and settling for fifth.

Guanyu Zhou wins

Far out in front was Chinese racer Guanyu Zhou, who competes for Renault in Formula 2. Following early battles with GT racer Philipp Eng, Zhou had a strong race that saw him push on to a commanding win ahead of Stoffel Vandoorne in second and Eng in third.

Anthony Davidson’s lonely race

There were high hopes for Davidson, who is a simulator test driver for the Mercedes-AMG F1 team. However, after technical difficulties saw drivers have to restart the game, the Brit missed the memo and continued the original race.

It meant he did a full 29 laps against computer-controlled racers unaware the real race was going on elsewhere…

With the Government issuing advice for people to minimise the number of times they leave the house amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, especially for those with symptoms, it can be a bit of a boring time to be a petrolhead.

Those used to spending their spare time heading out in their car for mindless drives or going to motorsport events may suddenly find themselves with little to do in self-isolation. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your car kicks while stuck in the house, so we’ve picked out a few of our favourites.

Build an R/C car

Being at home on your own presents itself as a perfect time to take up an all-consuming hobby, and radio-controlled car building is just one of those.

Though a lot of the fun with an R/C car is simply tearing up fields and gardens with them, which is when off-the-shelf ones can be a strong option, there’s nothing quite like making your own. Kits from the likes of Tamiya, HPi and Traxxas make for compelling options and are a great way to satisfyingly pass a lot of time. Just be prepared to spend quite a chunk of cash.

Take up sim racing

For a petrolhead, there are few things more enjoyable than the simple act of driving. Of course, that’s not an option if you’re in self-isolation and you’ll have to look elsewhere for your fix.

Sim racing can offer just that. If you own an Xbox or Playstation, Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo Sport provide an accessible way into virtual racing. Those looking to get a little more serious may want to invest in a full steering wheel and cockpit setup, which is perfect for more hardcore PC simulators like Assetto Corsa, rFactor and iRacing.

Read a Haynes manual to bolster mechanical knowledge

A refreshing way to pass some time is the good old method of picking up a book, and a Haynes manual is always a treat for a petrolhead.

Whether it’s to learn how to fix your own car or a family member’s, or simply tp bolster your knowledge on your dream machine, these detailed repair manuals can be therapeutic to just browse through. Perfect for the self-isolated, then.

In with the kids? Buy a Scalextric set

Self-isolation with kids in the house sounds like it will eventually drive you mad if you can’t keep them entertained, and that’s why we’re suggesting the classic Scalextric set.

Its popularity may have fallen by the wayside in the digital age, but there’s still a satisfying element to winning out on the slot car track. It’s also just a great way to share your love of cars with the little ones.

Binge video streaming sites

Let’s face it, in today’s world, most people just want to mindlessly binge TV while stuck at home and we’re no exceptions to this.

For petrolheads, there’s a great amount of content to watch. Netflix has just recently published the second series of ‘Drive To Survive’ which gives a great behind the scenes look at Formula One, while Amazon’s ‘The Grand Tour’ continues to be a big hitter for fans of Clarkson, Hammond and May. The BBC also has the latest ‘Top Gear’ episodes free on iPlayer, providing you have a TV licence.

That’s just to name a few, as well. There’s loads of motoring content to be found, so we’d recommend having a dive in.

As we progress through the year, the idea of a summer road trip becomes more of a reality. The open road, with a gang of friends and a filled-to-the-brim car, sounds like the perfect antidote to the dreary winter months.

But which car should you take along for the ride, and which one will mean you get the most out of your journey? We’ve picked out a variety of options to suit all parties.

Audi RS 6

We’re going in hard to begin with. The RS 6 may be a large, expensive premium estate car but for crossing long distances it’s hard to beat. A storming 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine resides under the bonnet, driving power to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro system.

And though it can go from 0-60mph in under four seconds, it’ll still settle down to a cruise just like a regular A6. It means that though it can out-pace most supercars, the RS 6 can still do what regular estate cars do best — big miles in plenty of comfort.

Ariel Nomad

Want to spark even more excitement into a road trip? You’ll want the Ariel Nomad, then. Incredible to drive and capable of powering over the worst terrain, it’s a car which will munch through the miles whatever the weather.

It’s a little exposed, we’ll admit, and the open-doored layout does mean that you’ll need to wrap up if it gets chilly. However, you can strap extra luggage to the roof, so you could almost call it practical.

VW Grand California

At the other end of the scale to the Nomad is the Volkswagen Grand California. Almost a small town on wheels, it’s packed with clever features to make your trip more comfortable and hassle-free.

It’s got space for two adults to sleep comfortably, as well as another smaller ‘bedroom’ for the kids. It might be massive, but if it’s outright space that you want from your road trip vehicle then there are few better,

Mazda MX-5

A drop-top sports car is the go-to choice for many when it comes to the perfect road trip, and perhaps the best option in the UK is the Mazda MX-5.

With low weight and compact proportions, the dinky roadster has been a cult hit on our shores thanks to its frugality and well-suited nature to our tight roads. Its tiny boot may rule out it of any mega trips, but for a weekend away it’s hard to think of anything more fitting for a bright summer.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range

If your road trip is more about sheer distance than any particular excitement, a Tesla Model 3 Long Range is a great way to take on a mega drive without contributing to local emissions in the process.

A claimed 348-mile range means big distances can be covered without range anxiety, and the impressive coverage of the Tesla supercharging network both in the UK and across the continent makes it one of the easiest EVs to live with. There’s also bags of tech on-board to keep both driver and passengers entertained, with the likes of Netflix and in-built video games for the latter.

The 2020 Geneva Motor Show didn’t go quite as planned. The show was cancelled just three days before it was due to start, after the Swiss government enforced a 2016 epidemics law to ban gatherings of more than 1,000 people, as it continues to attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus. It meant that although most stands were built and display cars in place, the doors to the 2020 Geneva Motor Show would remain closed.

However, that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from pushing ahead with reveals of new models that would’ve first seen public light at the show. As a result, we’ve got a variety of concepts, supercars and electric vehicles – among others – to get excited about. Here are some of the key reveals from today:

Cupra Formentor

Unlike both models previously from the manufacturer – the long-on-sale Ateca and recently revealed Leon – the Formentor isn’t derived from a vehicle in parent company Seat’s line-up.

It takes on a look reminiscent of the Cupra Leon, with angular headlights flanking an aggressively designed front fascia, while the rear features a light bar that stretches the width of the car. The Formentor is also described as a ‘coupe crossover’, an ever-growing class of SUV-like cars with tapered rooflines, as is the case here.

Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki has introduced a refreshed version of its Ignis, bringing a revised look and improved powertrain to the car.

Along with a new grille and bumpers plus the introduction of more colours, the Ignis has also seen the introduction of a slightly larger battery to its mild-hybrid system in a bid to improve efficiency.

Renault Morphoz

The Morphoz features an extending wheelbase and battery-swap technology, meaning it can temporarily change size and accommodate an extra battery, thereby increasing its range. Renault says the process takes minutes, with the extra cell storage area beneath the car.

Morgan Plus Four

Representing the greatest shift in the model’s 70-year history, the new car features radical new touches and technology.

Sitting on the firm’s latest CX-Generation bonded aluminium platform developed alongside the recently introduced Plus Six, the Plus Four retains the smaller body and profile of the previous-generation car yet boasts better cornering and handling characteristics.

BMW Concept i4

Despite featuring design details that are unlikely to make it to the road – such as its dramatic headlights and wing mirrors – BMW’s i4 represents a close representation of what we can expect to see on the final car.

A large kidney grille steals the show, with streamlined bodywork flowing into a minimalistic rear. BMW says this concept shows the firm’s ‘new look’, so expect that oversized grille to be a mainstay of future cars.

Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA

Alfa Romeo has let its engineers loose on the high-performance Giulia Quadrifoglio to produce an extreme version of the saloon.

Sitting underneath the bonnet of the Giulia GTA is a ramped-up version of the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 found in the standard car, now producing 533bhp – a 30bhp increase. Power is still sent to the rear wheels, with a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds possible in extreme ‘GTAm’ configuration.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Offering an updated new look and better levels of driver-assistance technology, the facelifted E-Class brings new life to the popular saloon and estate models.

The front end of the car has been made softer in appearance than the outgoing E-Class, with reshaped lights sitting either side of a newly designed grille. Hybrid powertrains are now available across the range, alongside rear- and all-wheel-drive options, too.

Dacia Spring Electric

This is the Dacia Spring Electric, which is said to preview ‘Europe’s most affordable all-electric vehicle’. It takes on a look similar to that of its current offerings, with a boxy silhouette, rugged design details such as plastic cladding and roof bars, plus skid plates integrated into the front and rear bumpers.

McLaren 765LT

McLaren says the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine powering the 765LT produces 755bhp and 800Nm of torque, meaning a 0-60mph sprint of under three seconds and 0-124mph in just 7.2 seconds.

According to McLaren, the in-gear acceleration is 15 per cent quicker than the 720S on which the 765LT is based. It makes for a staggeringly quick car and one that’s limited to just 765 examples worldwide.

Volkswagen ID.4

The next model to join Volkswagen’s all-electric car line-up will be called ID.4, feature a 311-mile range and be entirely carbon-neutral.

Ralf Brandstätter, chief operating officer at Volkswagen, said: “Just like the ID.3, the ID.4 will also come on to the market as a carbon-neutral vehicle. We will produce and sell the ID.4 in Europe, China and the US.

“The outstanding aerodynamics reduce the drag coefficient and will boost the ID.4’s range to up to 311 miles, depending on the drive package.”

Hyundai Prophecy Concept

Hyundai has unveiled the Prophecy concept which previews its latest approach to design.

Inside the car, joysticks take the place of a steering wheel to let the driver control the vehicle in a ‘position of comfort’ as well as offer more space in the cabin. There’s also autonomous technology on board, although Hyundai hasn’t said to what extent this is incorporated in the car’s make-up.

Audi A3

Audi has revealed the updated version of its popular A3 hatchback, which now sports a sharper, more angular look and much-improved technology.

While the shape is familiar, the details of its styling are vastly different – especially at the front end, where the headlights and side intakes in particular have been given a more aggressive appearance.

BAC Mono

Fully road-legal across Europe, the new Mono gains a 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine packing 332bhp and 400Nm of torque.

Thanks to a kerb weight of just 570kg, the Mono is able to offer a power-to-weight ratio of 582bhp, which represents a 57bhp-per-tonne increase on the older Mono.

Skoda Octavia vRS iV

Skoda has finally pulled back the covers on its new Octavia vRS iV following months of teaser images.

Key to the new version of the performance model is a plug-in hybrid powertrain – a first for the nameplate. This sees a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine linked to an 85kW electric motor, combining to produce 242bhp and 400Nm of torque.

Alpine A110 Legende GT

The A110 Legende GT is a limited-edition model described as ‘the most refined’ version of the sports car yet by the French manufacturer.

Limited to just 400 examples globally, the Legende GT has seen a number of alterations made to improve everyday usability, such as a bespoke luggage set and a higher level of standard equipment over the “everyday” A110.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

Porsche’s new 911 Turbo S is its most extreme yet, with this 641bhp powerhouse capable of 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds.

It remains available as both a coupe and cabriolet, and features an aggressive aerodynamic package that includes a large rear wing as well as active elements to optimise downforce. Its 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged engine is completely new, too.

Pininfarina Battista Anniversario

Pininfarina has revealed a fresh take on its Battista hypercar – the Anniversario, which is limited to just five units.

Though using the same 1,900bhp powertrain, it takes on a new aerodynamic bodykit as well as a triple-colour paint job crafted by hand. It commands a €2.6m (circa £2.3m) asking price.

Bentley Bacalar

Bentley has revealed the Mulliner Bacalar – a seriously limited-edition, hand-built convertible that has already sold out.

Just 12 examples will be built by Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke division, which has been revived to offer these low-run models as well as exclusive upgrades to standard Bentley models and restorations for classic examples.