Author: Darren Cassey

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.

London is the car theft capital of the UK according to new data released by stolen vehicle recovery experts Tracker.

Analysis of theft data for 2019 shows the UK capital is the region with the highest number of stolen and recovered vehicles, followed by its neighbouring county of Essex.

West Midlands, Manchester and West Yorkshire made up the top five.

Tracker says Essex has jumped to second place as Essex Police have been uncovering ‘chop shops’ where stolen vehicles are stripped for parts to be sold on.

Meanwhile, comparisons with UK Police Force data shows that the West Midlands has seen a 45 per cent increase in vehicle theft between 2016 and 2019. Meanwhile, Hertfordshire had seen a 50 per cent increase in thefts.

Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “It is clear from both sets of data that thieves have stepped up activity in some regions over recent years.

“During this period of lockdown, it is even more important that car owners remain vigilant and do what they can to keep their car safe.

“Our analysis highlights some interesting manufacturer preferences by region, as 4x4s continue to dominate our top 10 most desirable makes and models that thieves are stealing.

“However, whilst it is common for car thieves to target premium marques, we should not underestimate the appetite for lower value cars.”

Tracker says BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover vehicles were the manufacturers of choice for criminals in the south-east of England, while the BMW X5 was the most stolen and recovered vehicle in West Yorkshire.

Furthermore, 92 per cent of the vehicles recovered by Tracker last year were from keyless thefts, up from 66 per cent the year before.

SORN, which stands for statutory off-road notification, is an official notice which states that you’re taking your car ‘off the road’ and not currently driving it. By doing this, you no longer have to tax it or insure it.

There are many reasons why motorists do this, whether it’s to save a bit of cash while they don’t need to drive, or because they’re working on a classic car that’s not currently roadworthy.

The government recently revealed the latest vehicle registration figures, which includes the number of each vehicle that was declared SORN in the fourth quarter of 2019, so we’ve collected the most common models to appear in this list.

One caveat: The models aren’t always split up logically, with some varying by trim level and some incomplete data, meaning these numbers are approximate. The most commonly SORN’d model was ‘Other British Missing’, likely referring to the nearly 40,000 classic British cars being ‘restored’, for example.

VW Golf – 67,000-plus

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this list is dominated by some of the best-selling cars in the UK, and the Golf is top of the list. Specifically, the performance-focused Golf GTI, first sold in 1976, was fourth overall with almost 13,000 examples being SORN’d.

Ford Fiesta – 57,000-plus

Another hugely popular car, it’s no surprise that everyone’s favourite city car is on this list. First introduced in 1976, we’re now on the seventh-generation of Fiesta. Proving hugely popular with young and old drivers alike, its low running costs and good practicality make it a car worth holding onto even when it’s not roadworthy.

Ford Focus – 54,000-plus

The second of three Fords on this list, the Focus is one of the best-selling family cars in UK history. When it first went on sale in 1998, its styling was considered a game-changer, and having sold in huge numbers ever since it’s no surprise to learn there’s more than 50,000 in storage.

Vauxhall Corsa – 40,000-plus

Much like the Fiesta, the Corsa has gained a reputation as an excellent small car. It has gained an image as more of a young drivers’ car than the Ford – being cheap to run and having cute styling has made it a hit with buyers since the 90s.

Peugeot 206- 29,000-plus

Another darling of the 90s small car scene, the Peugeot 206 proved hugely popular during its short stint on sale in the UK between 1998 and 2006, evidenced by the fact it’s so high on this list.

Land Rover Discovery – 28,000-plus

Land Rover’s first car to be targeted more at being a family car, the ‘Disco’ proved hugely popular thanks to its large luggage space and more affordable price – yet still being capable off-road. There have been three generations since the first went on sale late in 1989.

Ford Ka – 26,000-plus

In a list dominated by small cars, the Ka is one of the smallest. Introduced in 1996 it won plaudits for its diminutive packaging and fun styling while offering diverse body styles that included a convertible and sporty version.

Mini – 22,000-plus

There were many variations of Mini in this list, including those made by Austin and Rover. However, of the purely Mini-branded models there are more than 20,000 currently off the road – a hugely impressive number for a classic brand that demonstrates just how popular it is.

Mazda MX-5 – 19,000-plus

Car enthusiasts will not be surprised to see this small roadster in this most-SORN’d list. The Mazda MX-5 is almost universally loved for offering affordable performance and a hugely appealing roof-down driving experience. However, early models are well-known for being rust magnets, but their owners love them so much they rarely let them go!

MG B – 14,000-plus

Much along the same lines as the MX-5, the MG B is a two-door convertible sports car, which was in production between 1963 and 1995 (but with a big gap in between). The British-built icon is hugely popular with enthusiasts, who are keeping its memory alive.

The majority of mainstream car manufacturers have been around for so long it’s almost impossible to think of them as anything other than a faceless corporation.

However, they all started somewhere, with many of those that have been around the longest getting their name from their founder.

We’ve brought together some of the most famous names in the car industry and explained the origin story of the companies they created.

Ford – Henry Ford

One of, if not the most famous names in the car industry, Henry Ford was an American industrialist and businessman who founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903.

His greatest gift was creating the first affordable car, having been the first to properly develop the assembly line technique of mass production. The Model T revolutionised transport and began the car on its journey to become the world’s primary mode of transport.

Skoda – Václav Laurin and Václav Klement

In 1895, in the city of Mladá Boleslav in what is now the Czech Republic, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement started selling bicycles together. The pair then moved on to motorcycles – essentially bicycles with an engine within the frame – and by 1905, were selling their first car.

The car was made under the L&K brand, but in 1924 the factory was partially destroyed in a fire. This led to a merger with Czech engineering firm Skoda, and the car manufacturer would survive two World Wars and socialist-era planned economy to still build cars today.

Ferrari – Enzo Ferrari

Enzo Ferrari was a racing driving in the ‘20s before setting up Scuderia Ferrari, a racing team that specialised in preparing Alfa Romeos for other drivers to compete in. He ultimately moved on to build his own race cars but was halted by the outbreak of World War Two.

Ironically given the iconic name it has become, Enzo Ferrari didn’t actually want to build road cars, but reluctantly started to do so to fund the Scuderia Ferrari racing team. The first road car was the Ferrari 125 S, powered by a 1.5-litre V12 engine, and went on sale in 1947.

Lamborghini – Ferruccio Lamborghini

Lamborghini started life as a tractor manufacturer – and it still makes them today, in fact. However, in an interview with American magazine Car and Driver, long-time Lamborghini test driver Valentino Balboni explained how the sports car arm came to be.

Ferrucio owned two Ferraris, and would regularly burn through clutches. He eventually decided to ask his own tractor mechanics to fix his car rather than keep paying Ferrari to do it. He was angry to discover the clutch was a generic part that he also used on one of his tractors.

One day he met Enzo Ferrari and aired his grievances, to which he replied: “You are a tractor driver, you are a farmer. You shouldn’t complain driving my cars because they’re the best cars in the world.”

This, unsurprisingly, angered Lamborghini, who vowed to show him how a sports car should be built. The rest is history.

Honda – Soichiro Honda

Soichiro Honda was born in a small village near Mt Fuji in Japan. After six years as an apprentice mechanic in Tokyo, he returned home in 1929 to open a shop that made piston rings, but a wartime bombing and devastating earthquake meant he had to sell the remnants of his business.

In 1946, he had an idea to use surplus generators from World War Two to power bicycles. The idea was a huge hit and he struggled to keep up with demand as he developed the idea further.

In 1948 he teamed up with businessman Takeo Fujisawa to create the Honda Motor Company we know today. It started building motorbikes before adding cars in 1963.

Bentley – W.O. Bentley

Walter Owen Bentley, who preferred to be known as W.O. Bentley, started Bentley in 1919 after receiving £8,000 from the Commission of Awards to Inventors after he received an MBE for contribution to the war effort – his aluminium pistons were fitted to fighter planes and were more powerful and reliable than what they replaced.

His policy was simple: “We were going to make a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.” It planned to build road cars that were essentially race cars with luggage carrying abilities.

After initial reluctance to compete at the Le Mans 24hr race, he changed his mind after a customer car came fourth in 1923. Bentley would go on to win five out of seven races after that.

Porsche – Ferdinand Porsche

Along with his son, also called Ferdinand, Porsche Sr. started the Porsche car company in Germanuy in 1948, aiming to be known for making great sports cars and race cars.

Porsche Sr. had worked on Daimler-Benz vehicles in his independent design and engineering firm, and was behind the design of the Volkswagen Beetle. He’s even credited with building the world’s first petrol-electric hybrid vehicle.

The first car built by the new Porsche company was the 356, using a souped-up, rear-mounted Beetle engine that made 40bhp.

Rolls-Royce – Henry Royce and Charles Rolls

The iconic luxury car manufacturer was born in 1906, when electrician and mechanic Henry Royce teamed up with high-quality car dealer Charles Rolls.

Royce had built his first vehicle in 1904 and signed an agreement with Rolls that would see these vehicles sold exclusively by Rolls’ London-based company under the name Rolls-Royce.

Because it was such a success, the pair created the Rolls-Royce company and launched the six-cylinder Silver Ghost, which would quickly be known as the best car in the world.

Tesla – Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, Ian Wright, Elon Musk and J.B. Straubel

It’s almost impossible to talk about Tesla without mentioning its controversial CEO Elon Musk. However, you might be surprised to learn that although he played a huge part in its success, he didn’t start the company.

That was electrical engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, who were motivated to start their own electric vehicle company in America after GM cancelled its EV-1 project in 2003. Tesla Motors was incorporated the same year.

Elon Musk joined in 2004 when he invested $6.5 million (about £5.2m) during the company’s first round of investment. However, Musk took an active role in advancing the company and its vehicles, helping it avoid bankruptcy to ultimately become CEO himself in 2008.

A lawsuit settlement in 2009 allowed Elon Musk, Marc Tapenning, Martin Eberhard, businessman J.B. Straudel, and the company’s third employee Ian Wright to call themselves co-founders.

Last year, new vehicle registrations were down 1.1 per cent on 2018, with 2.9 million vehicles registered for the first time.

While that’s not a drastic drop or anything to worry about for the industry, there were a few seeds of positivity planted within the figures.

One of the more notable was that the number of ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs) – that’s electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender vehicles – registered for the first time in 2019 was up 26 per cent.

Of the 80,578 such vehicles, here are the top 10.

Tesla Model 3

The affordable family car was always Tesla boss Elon Musk’s ultimate goal for his company, and now it’s on UK roads it has proved a huge success.

The Model 3 has not only been the first electric vehicle to enter the best-selling cars of the month list in the UK, but it has also surged ahead to outsell all other ULEVs in the UK by a comfortable margin.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi has long been a somewhat niche manufacturer, building likeable cars that quietly fly under the radar compared with more mainstream names.

However, it bucked this trend with the Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid SUV, which has been at the top end of ULEV sales charts for years now. This has been driven by being the first plug-in SUV to go on sale, generous government grants making it similarly priced to the diesel, and low BIK rates making it appealing to business users.

Nissan Leaf

Another car that has benefitted from being one of the first mainstream cars to go fully electric, the latest-generation Leaf looks good, has plenty of range, and is great to drive, too.

It might have sold almost exactly half that of the Tesla, but the Leaf holds a comfortable second place above more premium brands, proving that affordability and a strong reputation as a class leader are hugely important.

BMW 3 Series

BMW’s hugely popular 3 Series model became all the more appealing to business buyers in recent years with a plug-in hybrid option, so it’s no surprise to see this car so high up the list.

The 330e has an electric range of 37 miles, so it’s great for shorter commutes, also benefiting from the usual BMW selling points of having a great interior and driving experience.

BMW 5 Series

Another win for BMW, the larger 5 Series model’s PHEV was also a best-seller. It has all the same ownership benefits as the 330e, but with more cabin space and room in the boot.

Its all-electric range is a bit lower at between 30 and 35 miles, but for most people that will still result in much-reduced fuel bills on shorter journeys.

BMW i3

BMW’s domination of the electrified space continues with the i3, with its futuristic styling inside and out and use of eco-conscious materials being particularly appealing to green car buyers.

Despite the fact its sub-200-mile range means it’s losing out in this department to newly introduced rivals, it’s clearly still striking a chord with style-conscious buyers.

Jaguar I-Pace

The I-Pace has been a huge success story for Jaguar, with the only issue being that they couldn’t make them fast enough. It’s a practical SUV with fantastic styling and blistering performance from its electric powertrain.

It’s this appeal – and its significantly lower cost – that has helped it sell more than three times the number of Tesla Model Xs, arguably its closest rival.

Range Rover PHEV

Jaguar has found a rival within its own family, as the Range Rover PHEV is hot on the heels of the I-Pace in the sales department.

The latest model pairs the luxurious cabin, imposing road presence and bundles of badge appeal with a petrol-electric powertrain that offers 31 miles of electric range, almost 400bhp, and absolutely none of the range anxiety associated with full EVs.

Volkswagen e-Golf

It should come as no surprise that one of the UK’s best-selling cars full stop is also popular in its electric form.

Despite only having a range of about 144 miles, buyers have clearly resonated with the fact it doesn’t shout about its eco credentials – unless you know what you’re looking for, this could be any other Golf from the outside.

Mini Countryman

When it first arrived on the scene the Countryman was derided for being against the ethos of the old school Minis. However, it’s proved hugely popular with buyers who want high-quality interiors, cool styling and decent practicality.

So it’s no surprise to see the plug-in hybrid variant is popular, with its 26-mile electric range and low running costs.

Let’s be clear – no one should be planning any non-essential travel for the foreseeable future. However, a couple of months into lockdown, many of us are turning our attention to what we’ll do once it’s safe to venture back out into the world.

With that in mind, here are a few road trip ideas for Brits dreaming of indulging their wanderlust.

Scottish Highlands

Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world can be found on our doorstep. The Scottish Highlands are famous for their endless rolling hills and otherworldly mountainous landscapes, including Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak.

Fly into Glasgow airport and rent a car for the two-hour drive north to Fort William, and you’ll also take in the utterly gorgeous Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Snowdonia

From one tall peak to another, this time in Wales. It’s a similar story here, with epic scenery on tap along with some of the most exciting roads in the UK. Keen drivers should try to take in the roads around Bala, which are synonymous with popular automotive magazine photo shoots.

If you’ve got a bit of time on your hands, Anglesey island is about an hour north, too, offering more picturesque views and some fantastic ocean drives.

Lake District

While you’re touring the UK’s tallest mountains, add Scafell Pike in the Lake District to your list. Climb this along with Snowdon and Ben Nevis and you’ve completed the Three Peaks Challenge – climbing the tallest spots in Scotland, Wales and England.

Aside from the big pointy hills, the Lake District is full of lakes (you’ll be shocked to hear) and forests, as well as being steeped in history. There’s really something for everyone.

Wild Atlantic Way

Just a short 1,500 miles long, the Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail that takes in the west coast of Ireland. Unless you have three or four weeks to take it all in, it’s probably best to take a more detailed look at what’s along the way and pick the section that appeals most rather than cram it all into a week or two.

There are tonnes of places to visit, so however long or short your trip, there’s plenty to see, with highlights such as Skellig Islands, the Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher and Killary Harbour standing out.

Nurburgring

Pan-European travel seems like a distant memory, but once it’s safe to resume crossing onto the continent then petrolheads should look no further than making a pilgrimage to the Nurburgring.

It’s not known as The Green Hell for nothing, with the formidable circuit winding through the beautiful Eifel forest for a ludicrous 12.9-mile stretch. It’s open to the public too if you’re feeling brave. If not, it’s free to park up by the track and watch others have a go, or perhaps time your visit to coincide with one of the official races.

Route Napoleon

Loosely following the route taken by Napoleon in his 1815 escape from Elba to Grenoble in France, the aptly named Route Napoleon is a 200-mile stretch of twisting tarmac close to the Alps that naturally provides some breathtaking scenery.

What makes it so appealing, though, is that the roads are largely well-sighted, meaning you can really enjoy driving without being concerned that a tourist bus could appear out of nowhere and punt you off the road.

Stelvio Pass

Made famous by the Top Gear trio, the Stelvio Pass is situated in northern Italy close to the Swiss border. If you’re a fan of hairpins, boy are you in for a treat, because this mountain pass snakes its way down steep Alpine mountains via seemingly endless switchbacks.

It’s narrow and popular with cyclists, so you need to keep your wits about you, but even so, there can be no arguments that the Stelvio Pass is pure bucket list material.

Trollstigen

Driving in Norway is a unique experience, because its endless fjords make for beautiful scenery while its mountains result in fun-to-drive roads and some of the longest road tunnels in the world.

The main attraction is Trollstigen, though. Translating as Trolls’ Path, it features a steep incline of 10 per cent with eleven hairpin bends and waterfalls cascading down the rocks beside the road. It’s far from easy to get to, but well worth the journey – just remember to go in summer, because it’s closed during winter.

Bruges

Less known for its World Rally Championship-style ribbons of tarmac, better known for its craft beers and picturesque architecture, Bruges might seem like an outlier in this list.

However, it’s a worthy entrant because it’s the perfect city break location, and it’s just 90 minutes from Calais. So if you fancy a weekend away in Europe you could pack the car up on a Saturday morning, jump on the Eurotunnel, and be in Bruges for lunch!

Luxury car manufacturer Bentley has switched its vehicle production facilities to build and deliver 30,000 face shields to local health services.

The Crewe-based firm’s specialist engineering teams are using 3D printing equipment to make the shields, which will be used by the Cheshire care sector, NHS and other local community services.

In addition, Bentley says it has also provided urgently needed personal protective equipment to local health services, including 20,000 pairs of disposable gloves, 10,000 face masks, and 1,800 disposable seat covers.

Meanwhile, other staff members have been helping to deliver parcels for local food banks and charities, and helping to shop and drop off medical supplies through Cheshire East’s People Helping People programme.

Commenting on the support efforts, Dr. Astrid Fontaine, Bentley board member for people, digitalisation and IT, said: “This is such an incredibly difficult time for everyone and with our number one priority being the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, their families and our communities, we are determined to help as best we can.

“We are utilising our world-leading engineering and manufacturing expertise, the remarkable vehicles and resources we have available to us, and also our extraordinary colleagues, who are going to such efforts to help the local Cheshire area and the healthcare professions, locally and nationally, who continue to perform such heroics.

“We will endeavour to work with the whole community in the proceeding weeks and months to help in every way possible in this time of great need.”

Karma Automotive has shared details of its new 1,085bhp electric vehicle platform that could underpin high-performance cars of the future.

The American company’s newest E-Flex Platform uses a dual-motor set-up to provide four-wheel drive, with an astonishing claimed torque output of 14,000Nm.

That would contribute to a targeted sub-two-second 0-60mph time.

Meanwhile, Karma says the platform has the batteries mounted within the floor to improve weight distribution, with a targeted range of 400 miles.

Kevin Zhang, chief technology officer at Karma Automotive, said: “Our latest E-Flex platform is well-suited for supercar configurations and is designed to be outfitted to high-performance vehicles such as Karma’s SC2 concept car.

“The goal of all of Karma’s E-Flex platforms is to offer our partners a multitude of electric mobility solutions with different drive motor systems and battery pack variants; our High-Performance E-Flex platform is among the most premium of these configurations, offering unprecedented performance results.”

Karma has been revealing a range of electric vehicle platforms that can be used by companies looking to build everything from supercars to commercial vehicles.

To demonstrate this versatility, the Californian company has previously revealed a level four autonomous van built on a variation of its E-Flex system.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to gradually resume production at three of its factories from May 18.

The British firm says its Solihull plant in the UK, as well as those in Austria and Slovakia, will be the first to reopen, with other locations due to restart once local pandemic-related restrictions are eased.

In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover said: “The health and wellbeing of our employees is our first priority. We are developing robust protocol and guidelines to support a safe return to work.

“We will adopt strict social distancing measures across our business and are currently evaluating a number of different measures to ensure we protect and reassure our workforce when they begin to return to work.

“We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation and follow the guidance of all relevant authorities in the markets in which we operate.

“Jaguar Land Rover is doing whatever it can to support its communities through the current situation. The company’s thoughts are with those directly affected by Covid-19 and with the healthcare professionals, whose role in combating this virus is appreciated by all.”

Car production across the industry has ground to a halt in recent months as governments imposed strict lockdown procedures. However, some manufacturers have begun to restart production as restrictions have eased and new social distancing measures have been implemented.

The industry was also buoyed yesterday by confirmation from the government that dealerships could deliver cars they sell online during lockdown.

With the UK on lockdown, countless companies have taken advantage of the government’s furlough scheme to help ease the financial burden they’re facing.

Furloughed staff are not allowed to do any work that is related to their job or benefits the company during this time. They are, however, allowed to undertake training to keep themselves engaged in work before they return.

If you run a company car that includes personal use but you’ve been furloughed, you might be concerned that because you’re temporarily away from the business, you’re not allowed to drive the vehicle.

However, according to Nona Bowkis at legal consultancy Lawgistics, that’s not the case: “There is no reason why an employee cannot continue to drive the car as long as the employer is happy for them to do so and the contract allows for it.

“No amounts in respect of the vehicle can be used to calculate any furlough payment as is the case with any other benefits in kind.

“Employers should check with their insurance company to ensure the car remains covered while the employee is not working for them. We haven’t heard any reports of this being an issue but it is best practice to check to avoid any losses.

“We have heard of an issue where the employer had taken a payment holiday on the car finance which led to the employee not being able to access the usual breakdown cover for reason of default. However, this was resolved but is something again to check for.”

Earlier this week, Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed more than 140,000 companies had applied for the furlough scheme on its first day, with applications averaging 17,500 per hour.