Author: Jack Evans

An expansion for London’s ULEZ scrappage scheme has been announced, allowing more people to receive financial support to transition away from more polluting vehicles.

Introduced by London’s mayor Sadiq Khan today, the move will allow all those receiving child benefit and small businesses registered in London with fewer than 50 employees to gain support for a new vehicle ahead of the ULEZ’s expansion in August.

London-based charities that want to scrap or retrofit up to three vans or minibuses can also apply. Retrofitting would see an existing vehicle brought up to current emissions standards, though not all models are able to do this.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The majority of vehicles in London are already ULEZ compliant and will not have to pay anything. But I completely understand the concerns of people who may not have a compliant vehicle and are worried about how they’ll make the transition.

“Anyone receiving child benefit and all small businesses in London will now be able to apply for thousands of pounds of support from the end of July. The current scheme can already help couples in London earning up to £40,000 per year, and the expanded scheme will be open to all families claiming child benefit, which supports those earning under £50,000 the most.’

The ULEZ is set to expand on August 29, with the RAC estimating that the move will see nearly 700,000 car drivers face a daily £12.50 charge if their vehicle doesn’t meet emissions regulations. The new borders for the ULEZ will extend to Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

The current scrappage scheme was originally launched back in January, with a £110m fund setup to support London-based smaller businesses, sole traders and charities, lower-income drivers and those with disability allowances to transition to ‘greener’ cars.

Khan added: “Expanding the ULEZ was an incredibly difficult decision for me. But with toxic air damaging the health of millions of Londoners and the need to tackle the climate crisis, I believe the cost of inaction would simply be far too high a price to pay.”

A 1977 Lamborghini Countach delivered new to singer Sir Rod Stewart is to go under the hammer at auction soon.

Just 157 examples of the special ‘Perscopio’ models were ever produced, with this particular model being converted to a ‘targa’ open-top layout during Stewart’s ownership. This was, however, later reversed with the car returned to its original condition.

Chassis number 1120262 was built in right-hand-drive layout for the Australian market but was bought by Stewart while on tour in the country. Finished in a red exterior with a ‘tobacco’ interior, the singer took the Lamborghini with him when he relocated to Los Angeles. It was at that time that a local specialist carried out the roof-changing modifications.

However, in 1987 it was brought by Stewart to the UK, where he continued to own it for 25 years before selling it in 2002.

The second owner of the Countach retained its previous owner’s modifications, but also conducted a full engine overhaul and converted it to left-hand-drive. In 2013, the car was sold once more with the new owner undertaking work to have it returned to factory specification.

The modifications made by Stewart were reversed, though the car retained its new left-hand-drive configuration. In 2022, the Countach was given some restoration work by Lamborghini’s dedicated classic department Polo Storico.

Offered by auction house RM Sotheby’s, the Lamborghini will go under the hammer on May 20. It currently carries an estimate of between €950,000 and €1,050,000 (circa £826,000 – £914,000).

Porsche has topped its 718 line-up with a new 718 Spyder RS – the final petrol Boxster before the model is electrified.

Weighing in at 1,410kg, the 718 Spyder RS uses the 4.0-litre engine from the 911 GT3, bringing 493bhp and 450Nm of torque, which helps this mid-engined roadster to go from zero to 60mph in 3.2 seconds. It’ll hit a top speed of 191mph, too. All versions use Porsche’s dual-clutch gearbox – or PDK – for super-fast gear shifts.

In terms of design, the front end mimics that of the hard-top 718 Cayman GT4 RS, bringing a bonnet made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and additional air ducts to help keep the brakes cool.

It also features a manually-operated soft-top hood, which is made up of two parts – a ‘sun sail’ and a weather deflector. Both can be removed entirely and either left at home or stored in the car, while the ‘sun sail’ can be used on its own to protect the car’s occupants from the sun’s rays while still allowing a ‘largely open’ area behind. The entire roof system weighs 18.3kg, which is 16.5kg less than the standard 718 Boxster.

Inside, there’s a sports steering wheel covered in a grippy Race-Tex material, while the standard-fit bucket seats are also made from CFRP but trimmed in black leather.

Andreas Preuninger, head of GT Cars at Porsche, said: “The 718 Spyder RS raises driving pleasure to a new level for open-top cars.

“The combination of our unmistakable GT3 engine, the close-ratio transmission, compact dimensions, low weight, road-optimised racing suspension and maximum openness offers an extremely compelling and unfiltered driving experience.”

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is available to order now with prices starting at £123,000.

A Ferrari F40 once owned by four-time Formula 1 world champion Alain Prost is to go to auction this week.

The lightweight supercar – which was seen as one of the fastest cars of its time – was delivered to Prost shortly after he joined the Scuderia Ferrari racing team from McLaren.

First registered at Prost’s home in Meribel France, in February 1990, the car was ‘never used’ by Prost – according to a recent interview with auction house RM Sotheby’s – and it was sold very shortly after the racer took delivery of it.

However, before the F40 headed to its next owner – Graham de Zille – it was signed by Prost, with the F1 champ’s signature on the roof being covered in a thick clear coat so that it could stand the test of time. It’s still clearly visible today.

The F40 remained in de Zille’s ownership when he relocated to Jersey in 1995, with the car registered in the UK just prior to this move. While in Jersey, the car was included in the April 1997 issue of Motor Sport magazine as part of an article which celebrated 50 years of Ferrari.

By 1999, the Ferrari was returned to the UK and was bought by David Darling. However, it was ‘minimally used’ during his ownership and then passed through three owners up to 2016. That year, the car was granted ‘Ferrari Classiche’ certification which states that it still has its original chassis, engine, gearbox and bodywork. The car is currently located in France and, despite its illustrious history, has just 2,900 miles on the clock.

It’ll go under the hammer as part of RM Sotheby’s Sealed auction which will start on May 10 and run until May 12. It is currently offered with no reserve but is estimated to fetch between €2.5m and €3m, or up to £2.6m.

More than 380 Lamborghini models took to Silverstone Circuit for a multi-coloured parade lap that set a new record for the brand in the process.

Acting as a celebration of the firm’s 60th anniversary, the unique parade lap included 382 Lamborghinis and set a record for the firm with the most cars on track at once.

In attendance was chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann, who said: “The UK continues as one of our top markets worldwide with a loyal and growing Lamborghini client and fan base.

“Our celebrations for our 60th anniversary event at Silverstone, the UK’s most iconic race circuit, are a fitting tribute to both our brand, our owners and the millions of people around the world who are passionately interested in Lamborghini and follow us through events and social media.”

Led by pro drivers from Lamborghini’s Squadra Corse motorsport team, the parade included models such as the 400 GT, Miura, Espada and Diablo, with all manner of colours on the circuit.

The event also saw the display of Lamborghini’s new Revuelto supercar. As the Italian firm’s first super sports V12 hybrid car, it uses a V12 engine which is combined with three electric motors to produce 1,000bhp. Lamborghini states that it’ll manage the 0-60mph sprint in just 2.5 seconds and carry onwards to a top speed of 217mph.

Winkelmann added that the event was “the perfect occasion for the new Lamborghini Revuelto to make its official UK debut: the first High Performance Electrified Vehicle (HPEV) that, with its combination of a V12 aspirated engine and three electric motors, not only marks Lamborghini’s first electrified vehicle but also continues our super sports car DNA in terms of Lamborghini design, technology, performance and dynamic emotions.”

British EV specialist Inverted has unveiled its first model – an electric version of a classic Range Rover.

‘Sensitively restored’, the model is powered by a reconditioned and low-mileage Tesla 80kWh battery and motor. Equipped with a new gearset, oil pump and limited slip differential the iconic two-door has been thoroughly upgraded while 450bhp and 600Nm of torque means it’ll do 0-60mph in around five seconds.

There are three driving modes, too, with Eco, Sport and Off-road each tweaking the powertrain’s settings for the environment. Inverted says that the Range Rover should achieve a range of up to 200 miles, while 100kW charging means that a 20 to 80 per cent charge could be conducted in 34 minutes.

As with the original Range Rover, this electrified model has four-wheel-drive but the brakes have been uprated to new Alcon front versions. Plus, an optional road handling pack brings adjustable shock absorbers and anti-roll bars, as well as 25 per cent stiffer springs to aid cornering.

Inside this #001 model is a sustainable leather from Muirhead, with a contrasting Harris Tweed used throughout. Plus, there are modern functions such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a reversing camera and heated seats.

Plus, thanks to its zero-emissions powertrain, the Inverted Range Rover is exempt from road tax, and congestion charges and it’s ULEZ-exempt, too. Prices start from £225,000 plus VAT, and it’s available in both two-door and four-door specifications.

Biffa has started a new partnership with electric vehicle firm Lunaz to help electrify some of its large bin lorries as the firm looks to lower its emissions.

Both British firms are working together to help ‘upcycle’ some of Biffa’s bin lorries, replacing their diesel engines with electric powertrains.

A signed agreement will see Lunaz commit to ‘supporting the transition of Biffa’s existing diesel refuse trucks over the next decade’ with the ‘multi-year’ programme expected to see ‘growing numbers’ of vehicles converted and delivered.

Maxine Mayhew, COO Collection & Specialist Services, said of the partnership: “I am thrilled to announce Biffa and Lunaz’ fleet electrification and upcycling partnership.

As the UK’s leading sustainable waste management company we are committed to enabling the circular economy while reducing emissions and carbon expenditure in every aspect of our business.”

Things kick off with an initial order of up to ten 26-tonne Upcycled Electric Vehicle (UEV) refuse trucks which, Lunaz says, saves up to 210 tonnes in embedded carbon. Lunaz says that its Silverstone facility has the capacity to up-cycle more than 1,110 industrial vehicles each year. First deliveries of Biffa’s new trucks will take place this year, and they’ll be operating both commercial and municipal waste routes.

David Lorenz, founder & CEO of Lunaz, said: “Biffa has led from the front in pioneering more sustainable waste management practices here in the UK. At Lunaz, we are proud to assist in delivering Biffa’s sustained commitment to leading the waste management industry’s transition to net zero.”

Even David Beckham, who is an investor in Lunaz, commented on the announcement, stating: “This deal is a strong endorsement of Lunaz’ innovative approach to finding sustainable solutions and I’m delighted to be an investor in this fast growing and exciting British company”.

Britain is in the midst of a ‘hidden epidemic of drug-driving’, according to a leading road safety charity.

IAM RoadSmart has found that close to one-in-three motorists are ‘unwittingly’ driving with ‘dangerous’ amounts of drugs in their system, following a survey of 2,000 people. These substances include everyday prescriptions such as painkillers and antidepressants.

The survey found that 30 per cent of drivers do not know what the maximum dose of prescription medication will do to their driving, while 31 per cent did not know how long they should wait before driving after taking their medication.

Over one-in-five drivers either ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ check whether their medication will impact their ability to drive, while over one-in-four are unlikely to avoid driving after taking over-the-counter medication.

Antony Kildare, CEO at IAM RoadSmart, said: “When people think of driving while under the influence of drugs, they will probably, quite understandably, think of those who get behind the wheel after taking illicit and recreational substances such as cocaine, cannabis or ecstasy.

“And yet legal drugs that are used for medicinal purposes can often be just as potent, and could profoundly impact a driver’s judgement while behind the wheel.”

It’s an offence to drive or attempt to drive while ‘unfit because of drug use’ in the UK, while laws do not distinguish between illegal and prescribed drugs. However, IAM RoadSmart states that those who may have driven over the legal limit may have a ‘medical defence’ providing that they have followed the advice of healthcare professionals. The prescribed drugs must also not cause the driver to be unfit behind the wheel.

The next generation of self-driving cars will have to learn the ‘language of cyclists’ to ensure that the roads are kept safe, a new study suggests.

Human-computer interaction specialists from the University of Glasgow have shown the need for upcoming autonomous vehicles to identify and replicate the ‘social interactions’ between human car drivers and cyclists.

The team – due to include its findings in a paper presented at an upcoming conference on human-computer interactions – looked at how drivers and cyclists directly and indirectly communicate with each other on the public road via a series of tests which saw 12 volunteer cyclists equipped with eye-tracking glasses and head-mounted video cameras.

Their findings captured the direction that cyclists looked during their journeys, showing that those on two-wheels relied more on information from roadsigns while also closely looking at cars to see which way they were planning to drive.

The study has influenced a series of recommendations on how autonomous vehicles should operate around cyclists ‘in the decades to come’ as drivers become less ‘actively engaged’ in their journeys. As such, autonomous vehicles must be able to understand human interactions.

The team suggests that autonomous vehicles could be more thorough about showing their driving intentions through displays mounted to their exterior, with a series of traffic-light-like LEDs there to show whether they are speeding up, slowing down or even giving way to another road user.

The paper, titled ‘Keep it Real: Investigating Driver-Cyclist Interaction in Real-World Traffic’ also suggests that cyclists could wear ‘smart glasses’ which can relay an autonomous vehicle’s intentions by allowing the cars to communicate with the cyclists around them.

Professor Stephen Brewster, of the University of Glasgow’s School of Computing Science, and who led the research, said: “Being able to identify the ways in which that language works will help guide the development of versatile new methods of communication with cyclists that are easily understandable in any traffic situation, reliably informative, and predictable.”

A British firm has created a new ‘rapid intervention vehicle’ that can help emergency teams tackle electric vehicle and car park fires.

York-based Prospeed Motorsport has engineered the new vehicle – which is based on a Toyota Hilux but features an entirely new chassis – to help fire teams to effectively deal with car fires.

Called the Hiload 6×6 Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV), it features a 3,000kg payload – almos triple that of a regular Hilux – which helps it to carry a new Coldcut Cobra system designed specifically for extinguishing EV fires.

It uses a high-pressure lane to fire ‘abrasive’ suspended in water which pierces a hole in the EV’s floor pans and injects water at 300bar – more than 100 times the pressure you’d find in a normal car tyre. By doing so, it’s able to fire water through the car’s battery module casing, allowing it to col the battery down and prevent a fire from spreading.

However, unlike alternatives which require thousands of litres of water to be pumped into a vehicle, this system could prevent fire from spreading using just 240 litres. This also represents just 20 per cent of the vehicle’s water tank capacity.

The six-wheeled setup of the Hiload means that crews can tackle fires in more challenging or off-grid locations, all while carrying more crew, water and equipment than a ‘normal’ response vehicle.

The Hiload is currently being trialled in the Czech Republic, with this model designed specifically to deal with EV fires and help with ‘fast response occupant extraction’.

The vehicle, which is assembled in York, can also be acquired as a 6×6 conversion module so that buyers can complete final assembly in their own country or location.