Month: May 2020

Porsche has unveiled its latest incarnation of the 911 Targa this week. An ever-present feature in the line-up of 911 variations, the Targa is a classically styled sports car which puts an emphasis on experience rather than being an out-and-out track monster.

But where did it come from and how has it changed over the years? Let’s take a look.

The original Targa

The original Targa was introduced back in 1967, following on from the inception of the regular 911 in 1963. It was named to celebrate Porsche’s victories in the Targa Florio races, and debuted an innovative hoop-based roof design.

In fact, it was a reaction from Porsche to an argument happening in America, where full convertible cars were considered too dangerous, with rumours that regulations could require a motorsport-inspired rollover hoop in the future. It’s why Porsche took inspiration from its race cars and fitted the roll hoop design on the Targa.

Originally fitted with a flip-down rear screen, this was later changed to a fixed glass version after customers complained about the original soft screen.

It would continue to be offered through the 1970s and 1980s as the 911 evolved, gaining a satin black finish and mild design tweaks.

993-generation 911 Targa

The 993-generation 911 was built between 1994 and 1998, and saw the biggest evolution of the Targa concept since its inception.

Instead of the prominent rollover hoop, the roof looked similar to the coupe. However, a glass roof above the driver would retract to give that Targa top feel, sliding back beneath the rear glass pane. It was a major departure from the manually removable Targa tops that had come before.

Addressing the early fears about convertible car safety that spawned the Targa, the thick B pillar would act as the rollover hoop. Other advantages were that it removed the need to find somewhere to store the roof, and this design would continue through the 996 and 997 generations.

Back to its roots

As with most design, if you leave enough time then nostalgia will make it cool again – and that appears to be the case with the Targa too.

In 2014 for the then-new 991-generation 911, Porsche revived the brushed aluminium rollover hoop on the Targa model with its fixed rear screen. However, unlike the original model, the roof could retract automatically, introducing the much-loved and incredibly complex closing mechanism we know and love today.

This week, Porsche revealed the 2020 911 Targa, complete with rollover hoop and complex closing mechanism that can be completed in just 19 seconds. Available in both 4 and 4S trims, the 3.0-litre engine makes 380bhp and 444bhp respectively – thoroughly modern performance in a classically styled sports car.

For large families, sometimes a typical SUV just doesn’t provide enough space – for that, you might just need a seven seater.

There are plenty on the market, but they tend to be quite pricey because of their size. However, with a reasonable budget of £25,000 there are some genuinely brilliant cars available, with some premium models you might be surprised are within budget.

Here’s our pick of the bunch.

Land Rover Discovery

Affectionately referred to as Disco, this Land Rover is a premium product that’s well within our budget. While you can’t get the latest fifth-generation models, the handsome fourth-gen is certainly within reach.

While it’s not hugely spacious in the middle row, there’s more than enough room for children, while the rear seats will happily seat smaller kids in comfort even on longer journeys.

Volvo XC90

Perhaps the most appealing car in this list, the Volvo XC90’s smart new-generation models are within budget. Volvo has gone from being a mid-range brand to a genuine premium marque, and some of the stylish new versions introduced in late 2015 and 2016 are within budget.

Only being about four years old means they still look like the latest models, with the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlight design and minimalist interior. A truly fantastic deal.

Seat Tarraco

Sitting right on the cusp of our budget as new, the Seat Tarraco is the latest addition to the Seat family. It’s big, spacious and practical, with all the latest kit on board.

With prices starting just below £30,000, you might be able to haggle an entry-level model below budget, but you’re probably best to get a nearly new model with better equipment and only a few thousand miles on it.

Ford S-Max

MPVs aren’t cool anymore, but don’t let that put you off the Ford S-Max. It’s truly massive and probably has the most cabin space of any model in this list. What’s more, it’s genuinely great to drive.

Like the Tarraco, brand new models start around £30k, but you can get well specified 2019 models comfortably within budget. If practicality is key, go against the SUV grain and get this MPV.

Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer

While we’re on the subject of MPVs, why not give this hefty Citroen a try. It’s got bags more character than the Ford and is incredibly comfortable inside – that huge windscreen makes it very light and airy.

Again, haggle an entry-level new model down and you won’t be disappointed, but we’ve spotted plenty of the top-spec Flair Plus trim levels available on the used market well within budget – and some just have delivery miles, too.

Skoda Kodiaq

If you’re in the market for a smart seven-seater that provides excellent value for money, you could do a lot worse than the Kodiaq. It looks great, has a hard-wearing but smart interior, and has all the space you could need for the family.

It’s the least expensive new car here starting at about £26,000, which just reiterates what value for money you’re getting. Top-spec nearly new models are probably the most sensible choice in this list.

Kia Sorento

Kia has been on a bit of a roll in recent years, completely overhauling its bargain image to provide genuinely appealing mid-range cars. That’s especially true of the Sorento, which is a large, smart SUV that won’t break the bank.

Opt for one of the most recent diesel engines and it’s considered an ultra-low emission vehicle, saving you on running costs, too.

Three classic BMW models owned by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay are set to go under the hammer at auction.

The sale, which is taking place on May 23, will see the three classic models sold by Silverstone Auctions. The first, a 1972 3.0 CSL E9, is just one of 500 and has 62,000 miles on the clock. Jay Kay originally found the vehicle in storage where it had been parked up for several years, before the singer fully restored it. It arrives with an estimate of between £135,000 and £155,000.

The second car is a 1983 Alpina B9 3.5. Though technically a different brand to BMW – Alpina is seen as a manufacturer in its own right – the basis for the car does come straight from a BMW model. Fitted with a manual gearbox, it’s thought to be one of only 18 made and was purchased by Jay Kay nine years ago. It hits the market with an estimate of between £25,000 and £35,000.

The third and final car is a 1987 E30 M3, which was converted into competition spec and used by the singer to compete in the Rally Isla Mallorca in March. It comes with an estimate of between £48,000 and £56,000.

Harry Whale, Silverstone Auctions Sales Manager, commented: “We are extremely happy with this catalogue and the selection of cars offered. There are several very rare classic and modern cars on offer providing a great opportunity for any discerning collector.”

“We are also very honoured that Jay Kay has entrusted three BMWs to us from his personal collection. These cars are superb examples of the BMW marque and the CSL is quite outstanding.”

The trio goes up alongside other motoring icons such as a 2010 Mercedes-AMG SLS AMG and a 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale.

All cars included in the auction are being held in a single storage location, with one-to-one viewings organised in line with government guidelines. Interested buyers will be able to place bids online, on the phone or via a commission bid.

The congestion charge will be bumped up to £15 a day following the government’s bailout for London’s transport system, which has been hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Though the congestion charge was suspended on March 23 to help key workers to move around safely under lockdown, it is due to be re-introduced on Monday (19) at the pre-lockdown cost.

However, from June 22, drivers will have to pay £15 rather than £11.50 per day including weekends – rather than just on weekdays as current rules stipulate. In addition, its operating hours will be temporarily increased in the evening, extending from 6pm to 10pm.

Transport for London will also be extending the congestion charge reimbursement scheme to help NHS and care home staff.

The ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ) will also be re-introduced on Monday, having been suspended alongside the congestion charge. It requires drivers of older, more polluting petrol and diesel cars to pay £12.50 a day.

The increases reflect a recent government bailout of Transport for London (TfL) of £1.6 billion, consisting of a £1.1 billion grant and a £505 million loan.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “We have just reached agreement with the Government on a funding package to allow TfL to run public transport safely in London for the next four and a half months. This was necessary because Covid-19 has had a catastrophic impact on TfL’s finances – as it has on every transport provider in the UK.

“I want to be completely honest and upfront with Londoners – this is not the deal I wanted. But it was the only deal the Government put on the table and I had no choice but to accept it to keep the Tubes and buses running.

“This deal is a sticking plaster. The old model for funding public transport in London simply does not work in this new reality – fares income will not cover the cost of running services while so few people can safely use public transport.”

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the car industry hard, with sales plummeting as factories closed down and dealerships shut their doors.

The constant influx of new models to the market has meant that some exciting vehicles have therefore been delayed at various stages of their development, with some not even being revealed and others just waiting for dealers to reopen.

Here are some of the new cars that have been hit by coronavirus-related delays.

Two new Ferraris

Ferrari is being delightfully vague when it simply says it will reveal two new models in 2020. While early speculation hinted at delays forcing a 2021 release, the Italian firm has since said the models will only be delayed by three to four months.

Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri said the company looked at its bottom line to reduce costs and expenditures in 2020, and decided that it would have to delay some models, while others will arrive on time.

Aston Martin DBX

Aston Martin’s first SUV has received rave reviews ahead of its launch, but anyone who’s put in an order might have to wait a little longer for their car to arrive.

On March 30, the British company confirmed billionaire Lawrence Stroll would take over, with a rights issue raising £536 million and a further £150m being made available to the company.

That funding would allow the DBX to go into production, but Aston Martin’s factory in St Athan, Wales, has been shut because of the pandemic.

Maserati MC20

Another one we haven’t even seen yet, the new Maserati supercar had been scheduled to be revealed this month, but it will now not be seen until September.

We know very little about the MC20, other than a hint at its silhouette in camouflaged teasers. However, Maserati says the model will see the brand ‘return to the world of racing’.

Ford Mach E

Once all the ‘you can’t use the Mustang name for an electric SUV’ drama from enthusiasts had died down, excitement for the first of Ford’s new era of e-mobility has been growing.

The Mustang Mach-E is a handsome and intriguing car, but enthusiast forums have been sharing images of a notice sent to Norwegian buyers saying their cars will not be delivered until November.

In a statement, Ford said: “We’ll have more details to share on the timing of our upcoming all-new vehicles once we have safely brought our factories and facilities back online. Final timing is not yet determined.”

VW ID.3

The launch of the first of Volkswagen’s new electric vehicles, which use an all-new EV platform, has been beset by delays. The issue surrounds the software built into the car, which is said to be completely unusable.

In March, the Financial Times quoted VW’s chief financial officer Frank Witter saying that the target was still an August release, though he admitted the company was “a bit handcuffed” because of coronavirus factory closures.

Couple this with engineers working hard to figure out the major software issues and the ID.3’s 2020 release date is coming increasingly under strain.

Chinese car maker BYD has announced that its Han EV saloon will go on sale in Europe.

Following the car’s Chinese debut in June, this latest announcement will see the firm’s flagship electric saloon go head to head with Tesla’s popular Model 3 in the electric car segment.

Packing the firm’s ‘Blade Battery’ technology, the Han EV is claimed to offer more space efficiency compared with rivals, as well as more range and better safety levels.

BYD claims that the Han EV will be capable of 376 miles on a single charge – though this claim is made based on older NEDC tests. A European-rated WLTP figure will be required when the car goes on sale here.

In terms of performance, the Han EV has a claimed 0-60mph time of 3.9 seconds, while it also incorporates Bosch’s Intelligent Integrated Brake System – a first for a Chinese mass-market EV – which is said to improve braking performance.

As well as 5G connectivity, the Han EV gets intelligent drive assistance functions similar to the Autopilot system found in Tesla models. The interior of the car uses a similar central display design as found in Tesla cars, too.

The firm predicts that the Han EV will cost between €45,000 and €55,000 (£39,700 – £48,534). Slated for release in China towards the end of June 2020, it’s likely that the model will be available shortly after in Europe, though no specific date has been announced at this time.

More than 11,000 new drivers had their licence revoked in 2019 after receiving too many points.

Under the New Drivers Act 1995, motorists will lose their licence if they receive six or more points in the first two years after passing their test. And in 2019, almost half of the drivers that lost their licence this way did so because they didn’t have insurance.

Of the 11,125 drivers that lost their licence, 81.5 per cent were male.

There were 5,503 insurance-related offences, accounting for 49 per cent of all licence revocations. This was followed by speed limit offences at 2,871 (25 per cent) and miscellaneous reasons at 1,155 (10 per cent).

Vehicle defects and distraction and careless driving rounded out the top five, accounting for six and four per cent of offences respectively.

Sarah Rees, managing director of AA Driving School, which analysed the data following a freedom of information request, said: “The amount of people who are caught without car insurance is staggering. It’s a legal requirement not only for new drivers, but drivers of all experiences.

“Statistics showing licence losses under the New Drivers Act are often used as a means to call for stringent graduated drivers licencing to be brought in to the UK. But these figures show insurance is actually the single biggest barrier to new drivers staying legal and keeping hold of their licence.

“More must be done to educate people on the risks of driving when uninsured as well as improve education around other risky driving behaviours such as speeding and using handheld mobile phones.”

MG has shared renders of a stylish electric sports car concept called Cyberster.

The images were created by SAIC, MG’s parent company, and appear to show a small, two-door sports car concept.

Few details have been released with the image, such as whether a physical concept will be produced or if this signals an intent to build an electric sports car. The British car maker has a rich history of making sports cars, but currently only has SUVs and a hatchback in its line-up.

Styling cues evident from the rendering include a long bonnet – an interesting choice given it is electric and therefore doesn’t need to fit a large engine in there – with a combination of swooping lines that converge on a sharp-edged rear.

Other details include the fact it will feature 5G connectivity technology and Level 3 autonomous driving.

In 2017, MG revealed the E-Motion concept at the Shanghai motor show. That was a four-seat performance coupe said to be capable of going from 0-60mph in less than four seconds while boasting a range of 310 miles.

Lamborghini has revealed the rear-wheel drive version of its Huracan Evo Spyder supercar.

The model expands the Huracan range to four, meaning there’s now a coupe and convertible version with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

The Huracan Evo RWD Spyder uses the traditional naturally aspirated V10 engine, making 602bhp and 560Nm of torque and allowing for a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 201mph.

It features a specially tuned traction control system and utilises three drive modes that adapt the experience for different situations – Strada, or ‘street’, optimises the car for road driving, Sport reduces traction control to make drifting possible, while Corsa optimises the setup for track driving.

It gets ventilated and cross-drilled steel brakes with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, with carbon-ceramic brakes and 20-inch alloy wheels available as an option.

The soft top can be stowed in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph and can be specified in a variety of colours. The car itself can be extensively modified using Lamborghini Ad Personam, which gives buyers an almost limitless choice of colours and specification.

Stefano Domenicali, chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said: “The Huracan Evo Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder doubles the driving fun, delivering raw driving pleasure with the opportunity to celebrate life outside.

“The driver is perfectly in touch with Lamborghini’s engineering heritage, experiencing the feedback and engagement from the set-up of a rear-wheel drive car where electronic intrusion is minimised, while enjoying the sense of freedom and spirit of life that only open-top driving provides.”

The Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Spyder starts at £188,800.

Alfa Romeo has unveiled its refreshed Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio models.

The update follows on from tweaks made to the standard Giulia and Stelvio models, which tweaked their appearance while bolstering interior technology levels.

The revisions are much the same for these performance-orientated Quadrifoglio models. A larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen is now the focal point of the cabin, while its revised software includes race-orientated displays and functions.

Inside, new seat designs are available – including carbon-backed buckets – while the overall quality of the cabin has been lifted thanks to higher-end materials and a new leather stitched gear selector.

The exterior has been lifted too thanks to smoked rear lights – on both Giulia and Stevlio models – which now feature a revised design. Several new paint colours have also been introduced – Montreal Green, 6C Villa d’Este Red and a yellow-based shade called GT Junior Ocra – while 21-inch alloy wheels can be optioned on the Stelvio for the first time.

Mopar, the accessories arm incorporated into Alfa Romeo’s parent company Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), will also be supplying a range of additional features for the first time on the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio. These include carbon-fibre mirror caps and an Akrapovic titanium exhaust with carbon-fibre tailpipes, among others.

Both the Stelvio and Giulia now benefit from enhanced driver assistance systems, with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring just a few of the included features. Level 2 self-driving ability is also added, though this still requires the driver to keep a hand on the wheel and remain alert.

Both cars retain the same 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine with the same outputs of 503bhp and 600Nm of torque.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio are set to go on sale this summer, with full UK pricing and specifications announced closer to that date.