Month: August 2020

While 2020 will be best remembered for the coronavirus pandemic, it’s also been the year of the big luxury SUV.

Not only has the new Land Rover Defender finally gone on sale, the long-awaited Aston Martin DBX is also hitting dealer forecourts. Meanwhile, the Bentley Bentayga has been given a big update.

With that in mind, we run through the best luxury SUVs on the market to see how the new competitors stack up against the competition.

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley’s best-selling model received a refresh earlier this year, getting updated engines and a new look to bring it into line with the rest of the firm’s models.

What’s more, it’s just been joined by a high-performance W12 engine that makes a massive 626bhp, meaning you can outpace some supercars while sitting in sumptuous comfort.

Aston Martin DBX

The DBX is probably the most important car Aston Martin has ever made. The firm has been struggling financially in recent years, but now it’s in the hugely lucrative SUV market that could change.

It boasts smart looks and a lovely interior, but has put a focus on being one of the most fun SUVs to drive. That means it’s not quite Bentley levels of waft on the motorway, but it should be a hoot in the corners.

Land Rover Defender

The new Defender has upset some purists, who would prefer it to have remained the utilitarian off-roader it used to be. However, the switch to the premium segment will make this new model far more successful for Land Rover.

Fortunately, despite now having a more upmarket interior and vastly better on-road manners than before, it’s still the best off-roader the firm has ever made.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Much like the Defender, the G-Class made its name as an off-roader. Its boxy shape and back-to-basics interior won it many admirers, but these days it’s more likely to be seen cruising the streets of Knightsbridge.

It retains its squared-off aesthetic but boasts the kind of fantastic interior and buckets of badge appeal we’ve come to expect from the German brand. And it can still haul you up a mountain when required, too.

BMW X7

If you’re after the biggest most comfortable car you can find, the BMW X7 is the one for you. This absolute beast is the biggest car the firm makes and is best thought of as an SUV version of the luxurious 7 Series saloon.

As a result you get some monstrous diesel engines that pull you along in near silence thanks to the solid but premium cabin.

Volvo XC90

When Volvo made the switch to building premium cars it absolutely nailed its niche in the market, providing a cool and sophisticated minimalist-inspired alternative to its predictable German rivals.

That’s epitomised by the XC90, which is big, comfortable, brilliantly put together and comfortable behind the wheel. If interesting design is important to you, give this large SUV a shot.

Any list of the most iconic cars ever made will feature the McLaren F1. When it was released in the 1990s it was well ahead of its time, and its designer Gordon Murray is world-renowned as one of the greatest ever.

He’s created a new company in his own name, and has just revealed his first supercar, called the T.50. No expense has been spared in the production of the car, which has some fascinating details. Here we highlight some of the coolest features of the car.

The V12 engine

The T.50 is powered by a bespoke V12 engine that has been built by Cosworth. Murray had high demands of the company, but it has achieved them all. It makes an incredible 651bhp and revs to an unbelievable 12,100rpm. There’s no turbocharger, and Murray doesn’t like belts, so it has a small 48-volt motor that runs a number of parts to keep the design ultra clean.

When not in gear it can rev 28,400 times in one second. By revving so quickly up, it also revs quickly on the way down, so the company is having to develop software to help with gear changes.

It’s a manual

Modern performance cars almost never have manual gearboxes nowadays, because automatics are so much quicker, and so few buyers opt for the manual. However, Murray wanted the T.50 to be the ultimate drivers car, and decided to include a six-speed manual shifter.

The linkages between the shifter and the gearbox are on display, too, so passengers can see the inner workings of the car on the move.

Central driving position and no touchscreens

Much like his earlier design, the McLaren F1, the T.50 has a central driving position with a seat behind on each side for passengers to provide the purest possible driving experience.

There’s nothing in the car that’s unnecessary, so there are no touchscreens, because Murray isn’t a fan. Instead, the car connects wirelessly to the driver’s phone for entertainment and navigation purposes. Anything that can’t be controlled through the phone has a physical button or dial.

Ground effects

On the back of the car is a large fan, which aids downforce. Most cars rely on wings of varying sizes across the car to create downforce and improve handling. However, the fan allows the air to be sucked through the diffuser at a steeper angle, making a lot of downforce without the need for wings. The result is a very clean-looking car that therefore also creates minimal drag, improving top speed and efficiency.

The fan has various modes depending on the driver’s need, including one that sees it spin up to full speed during emergency braking.

It’s lightweight

Given the huge performance on offer and the mid-rear-mounted V12 engine, you might be surprised to learn that the T.50 is tiny – it’s actually slightly shorter than a Porsche 911. That’s partly because Murray didn’t want anything unnecessary on the car to keep weight low.

Through the use of lightweight materials and clever tricks, such as hollowing out the alloy wheels to save weight, the T.50 weighs just 986kg. For some perspective, the Mazda MX-5, itself considered a tiny, lightweight car, weighs more than 1,100kg.

With dealerships closed for a couple of months during the coronavirus pandemic, new vehicle registrations were almost non-existent in April and May.

However, after showing signs of a resurgence in June, the industry was able to relieve a lot of pent-up demand in July, seeing sales up 11.3 per cent on the same month last year.

Here we look at the models that sold best when dealers reopened.

Vauxhall Corsa – 5,455

Vauxhall’s latest Corsa continues to be a massive hit with buyers, topping the charts again and outselling its key rival, the Ford Fiesta last month.

The latest generation was introduced earlier this year and is clearly striking a chord with buyers, who appear to appreciate its stylish new look, improved equipment levels, and the option of an electric version for the first time.

Ford Fiesta – 5,421

It was incredibly close at the top of the charts in July, with the Fiesta coming second by just 34 units. Ford won’t be too worried, though, with its supermini still topping the year-to-date sales figures for 2020.

Despite the Corsa’s popularity, the Fiesta is still widely considered to be the best to drive in this class, proving incredibly affordable despite being a class leader. It’s also getting some new mild hybrid engines to make it more economical too.

Ford Focus – 4,981

The Ford Focus has long been the go-to family car, fighting off the popularity of crossovers to hold its place high in the sales charts.

Variety is one of the Focus’s key selling points, with lots of trim options to suit every budget and lifestyle, as well as estate and more off-road-focused body styles furthering its appeal. With a recent update improving kit and introducing mild-hybrid engines, expect the Focus to continue to sell well.

Volkswagen Golf – 3,936

For most people, a Volkswagen Golf is all the car you could ever need – it looks good, has badge appeal, drives well and is decently practical. It’s a great all-rounder even if it’s not necessarily class-leading in any specific area.

The Golf’s shot back up the charts this month because a new eighth-generation model has gone on sale. That means there are great deals on the outgoing model and plenty of buyers are after the latest version.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 3,922

The latest A-Class has been a huge hit for Mercedes. It brings premium appeal to the small hatchback market, offering a relatively affordable route into the German brand.

The interior is a step above most other rivals in this class, with large infotainment screens and high quality materials used throughout. It’s also got plug-in hybrid and diesel powertrains to give it wide appeal.

Nissan Qashqai – 2,971

When it comes to crossovers, the Qashqai is king. It revolutionised the segment and has continued to be a sales hit.

There are technically better and more recently updated rivals, but with good looks, tonnes of practicality and a decent driving experience, it’s no surprise so many buyers turn to the Qashqai – and stick with it when it’s time for something new.

Volkswagen Polo – 2,932

Although largely overshadowed by the Golf, the Polo continues to quietly rack up sales, proving hugely popular with supermini buyers. It brings a little premium appeal to the small car market, feeling solidly put together and packed full of kit.

It has wide appeal thanks to offering everything from tiny petrol engines that are perfect for young drivers, to more powerful GTI versions.

Mini – 2,906

Despite Mini’s move to the premium segment, its Hatch continues to be hugely popular, thanks to its style, heritage and the fact it’s British-built.

It’s available as a three-door and a five-door, while an Electric model is also now on offer with a 145-mile range, though it remains to be seen whether this particular variant will be a sales hit.

Volkswagen Tiguan – 2,880

Another popular car for Volkswagen is the Tiguan, which although it’s outsold by the Golf and Polo in the UK, is the firm’s best-seller worldwide.

It’s set to be updated soon, with a performance-focused R version on the way as well as a more economy-focused plug-in hybrid. Expect these to contribute to the Tiguan remaining in the best-sellers chart.

Ford Kuga – 2,686

Finally, it’s another Ford to wrap up the top 10. The Kuga has long been a big hit with UK buyers, providing decent SUV space and equipment while representing great value.

It was recently updated, slipping out of the charts during the changeover, but now it’s back. With a more stylish new look and a plug-in hybrid that will make it hugely appealing to business buyers, expecting it to make its way back up the charts.

A new British-built supercar from the company started by legendary car designer Gordon Murray has finally broken cover.

The Gordon Murray Automotive (GMA) T.50 claims to be ‘the most driver-centric supercar ever built’, with the ‘most advanced and effective aerodynamics ever seen on a road car’.

Power comes from a bespoke 3.9-litre V12 engine that makes 654bhp and revs to an incredible 12,100rpm, while the car itself weighs just 986kg.

However, the unique selling point is the 400mm rear-mounted fan, which rapidly accelerates air passing under the car. Known as ‘ground effects’, it has a big effect on downforce, so the technology allows for the surface of the car to have fewer aerodynamic devices resulting in a cleaner design.

The fan is run by a 48-volt motor, and has six different modes to optimise airflow for high downforce or high top speeds.

Speaking of the fans, which Murray also used on his most famous car design, the McLaren F1, the 74-year-old said: “Next-level aerodynamics allow us to avoid the current supercar trend for exaggerated wings, vents and ducts. I was determined to create a clean and pure shape that would remain timeless, ensuring the T.50 will still look fresh in 30 years.”

If it wasn’t for the fans, the engine would be a major talking point too. Developed by Cosworth, the engine is a naturally aspirated unit that GMA claims is the lightest V12 ever made thanks to its aluminium, steel and titanium construction.

Murray said of the engine: “To be truly remarkable, an engine needs to have the right characteristics: highly-responsive, an amazing sound, engaging torque delivery, free-revving, and it has to be naturally aspirated. For all those reasons, the engine in the T.50 was never going to be anything other than a V12.”

Customer deliveries of the T.50 will begin in January 2022, and each will cost £2.36m before local taxes.