Author: James Baggott

A large number of car manufacturers are causing owners ‘unnecessary stress’ because they can’t get their vehicles serviced during the lockdown.

Drivers who need to get their car serviced are worried that missing a check-up could invalidate their warranty. Usually, car firms penalise those that do miss service intervals by revoking their cover.

Some car manufacturers have come out with blanket extensions to calm worried owners, but other brands are refusing to budge.

AA president Edmund King said: “In these uncertain times, everyone should be following government guidance concerning non-essential travel.

“For the majority of car owners with a vehicle under warranty that is rarely being used, it should not be essential to have a standard service now.

“Expecting drivers to go for a standard maintenance service during lockdown is against the spirit of government advice. We felt that the government took a sensible and pragmatic approach to MOTs and believe that manufacturers should show similar flexibility and common sense.

“Telling drivers to do something seemingly contrary to government advice may also add unnecessary stress to owners.”

Jim Holder, editorial director of Autocar and What Car? Magazines, added: “From a national perspective there is a wider responsibility for car manufacturers to act with integrity at this critical juncture, and they should put the needs of the country and the care of our critical workers before the need to get cars serviced.”

Car dealerships were shut by the government on March 23, but their workshops and garages have remained open. This is designed to keep key workers on the move and not for the general public to have their cars serviced.

An MOT extension of six months and lasting for a year is in place as of March 30 to stop drivers worrying about getting their car checked, and experts believe this should set a precedent for servicing too.

PA Media contacted every UK car manufacturer and asked what sort of leeway they were offering customers when it came to getting their cars serviced.

The VW Group – including Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat – wouldn’t offer a blanket extension. All the brands said they would deal with issues on a ‘case-by-case basis’. Porsche, part of the same group, said customers who made a request for a service in writing that couldn’t be completed due to the lockdown ‘would not be penalised’.

Alongside the VW Group, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Honda and Jeep have all refused to issue an automatic extension. Advice from those brands varied, with most asking customers to contact the firm’s respective customer services department.

BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Vauxhall and Volvo have all issued blanket extensions for their customers who would have needed to get a service during the lockdown. These vary in time and mileage, but will give customers peace of mind.

Kia has put no limit on the time or mileage within which customers need to get their car serviced.

A spokesman said: “We don’t know how long it will go on for so we don’t want to put false limits on the length of time, so that people don’t need to worry about getting their car serviced – people can’t have it done right now, we understand that, and they shouldn’t worry.

“People need to look after their car wherever possible if they can by checking the oil and tyres, but car servicing is not important right now – what is important is staying home and protecting the NHS.”

MG and Rolls-Royce both failed to respond to PA Media’s request for comment.

All car manufacturers offering extensions and for how long

Maker / Time extension / Mileage allowed
BMW – Three months / 2,000
Citroen – Three months / 1,800
Dacia – One month / Not specified
Ford – Three months / 1,000
Hyundai – 3 months / 1,500
Jaguar – Two months / 2,000
Kia – Not specified / Not specified
Land Rover – Two months / 2,000
Mazda – Not specified / 1,875
Mercedes – Three months / 3,728
Nissan – Not specified / Not specified
Peugeot – Three months / 1,800
Renault – One month / Not specified
Vauxhall – Three months / 1,800
Volvo – Three months / Not specified

Visitors to the Geneva International Motor Show should ensure they have exhibited no signs of the coronavirus 14 days prior to attending – and if they have, stay away.

That’s the updated safety advice issued today from organisers of the show set to take place next week (March 5-15) at the Palexpo in Switzerland.

The motor show, which attracts 600,000 visitors a year from across the world, is due to open on Tuesday, March 3, for VIP access ahead of the public days beginning on Thursday, March 5.

Organisers are monitoring the coronavirus outbreak daily and taking advice from the authorities in Switzerland as the event hangs in the balance.

Geneva International Motor Show managing director Olivier Rihs told the PA news agency that a decision to close the show could be taken up until the morning of the event, and throughout its run, but that currently “everything is going ahead as planned”.

He added: “The advice from the authorities here in Geneva is that the show can continue – and they are the only ones who can say yes or no to the show going ahead.

“We have had no exhibitors pull out. They are all here and building their stands.”

Asked if he felt it was responsible to continue to hold the show in light of the growing health crisis, especially as large areas across the border in Italy are quarantined, he said he felt it was.

Rihs added: “Our priority is the health of exhibitors and visitors. If we had to close the event, then so too would the UN in Geneva have to shut its doors because they have visitors from across the world too.

“At the moment there is no danger and no reason to cancel our show.”

Palexpo SA – the organisers – have today issued updated advice to visitors from “at-risk areas” to ensure they have shown no signs of coronavirus symptoms in the 14 days prior to their arrival in the country.

Rihs admitted, though, that this does rely on visitors “self certifying themselves as healthy” before attending.

“The advice from the authorities here in Geneva is that the show can continue”

A statement said: “The organisers encourage exhibitors from at-risk areas to ensure that their staff pass the necessary checks and do not show any symptoms of infection in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Switzerland, so as to avoid any risk of spread that could result from their presence in Geneva.

“Palexpo is in regular contact with the General Directorate of Health of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and its medical advisor to develop a sanitary action plan, adjustable in real time.”

Organisers have increased their cleaning and disinfection routine at the show, implemented more signage and have put in place new training for staff.

Two weeks ago, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, which attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world, was cancelled, the first time the show had been called off in 33 years. Organisers blamed the coronavirus outbreak.

A spokesperson for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents the automotive industry in the UK, said it was still planning on attending the Geneva Motor Show.

“It is up to individual manufacturers to decide whether they still want to attend the show, but we have not received any advice from health authorities,” said the spokesperson. “We’ll be continuing to take a watching brief on the situation as it develops.”

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson swapped Porsches for potatoes today (February 22) as he threw open the doors to his farm shop for the first time.

At the Squat Shop – named after his farm Diddly Squat – located near Chipping Norton, Cotswolds, the Grand Tour host sold potatoes, raffled off water in yellow bottles and gave away cider that had been donated by Blur’s Alex James.

Clarkson has been running the 1,000-acre farm for more than a year for a forthcoming Amazon Prime show called “I Bought A Farm”.

At the shop’s “grand opening”, Clarkson cheerily sold potatoes to a steady stream of members of the public who queued to get in.

Clarkson told the PA news agency: “It’s going really well. We’ve had a good turn out and we’ve had more customers than Aldi – we’re putting the German giants out of business.

“This is the end of supermarket shopping!

My farm shop opens tomorrow afternoon. Twitter friendly as it’s unheated and meat free. Do drop in if you’re in the Chipping Norton area.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) February 21, 2020

“Farming is hard work, but it is rewarding when you sell potatoes and other produce as it comes on song. I’m only selling what is seasonal. The pumpkins, lavender and the honey will all be coming – so there’s quite a lot to do.

“And you thought this was going to be a car interview… “

Clarkson’s shop sold potatoes for £1.02 per 2kg, declaring them “cheaper than Aldi” on the labels. Shelves where “mildly organic” horseradish and “good exercise chicken eggs” had been were empty.

View this post on Instagram

My farm shop. Grand opening tomorrow afternoon. All welcome. OX7 3PE

A post shared by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1) on Feb 21, 2020 at 5:46am PST

Elsewhere on the farmland were Clarkson’s health and safety style signs which told visitors “do NOT catch fire” near an open fire, and “Don’t fall in this big hole” near a hole in the ground.

Tom Hogg, 28, from Witney, said: “The farm shop is really, really good. It’s great to see Jeremy completely diverting his paths. He’s creating something that people can come to and get locally sourced, organic food.

View this post on Instagram

Putting the finishing touches to our farm shop which soon, will put the supermarkets out of business. Bye bye Aldi.

A post shared by Jeremy Clarkson (@jeremyclarkson1) on Feb 21, 2020 at 11:59am PST

“It’s been grown on the land locally and that is a great step – it tastes much better. And he is supporting smaller entities by doing it. It’s in a wonderful setting where he’s decided to do this. He’s kept it raw, he’s kept it a farm and that’s really important.”

Sam Brooke, 20, from Cheltenham added: “It’s been great to meet Jeremy today – I’ve always watched Jeremy on all the shows he does and I love that he’s doing this.”

There is no official release date for “I Bought A Farm” yet but it is expected later this year.

Geneva Motor Show organisers have said the event will still be going ahead as planned, despite the deepening coronavirus crisis cancelling a technology show in Europe.

Yesterday, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, which attracts 100,000 visitors from across the world, was cancelled, the first time the show had been called off in 33 years. Organisers blamed the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, organisers of arguably Europe’s most important car show – which attracts 600,000 visitors – have admitted they are carefully monitoring the coronavirus outbreak on an “hour-by-hour” basis.

A spokesperson for the Geneva Motor Show – set to be held between March 5-15 at the Palexpo – told the PA news agency that currently the show “was still going ahead”, but admitted they were cautiously watching the situation evolve.

Laura Manon, spokesperson for the show, said: “The news that the Mobile World Congress has been cancelled has just reached us and is a shock. We are carefully looking at the situation and taking advice from health organisations here in Geneva and the World Health Organisation with regards to our show.

“As it stands today, the motor show is still going ahead. Last year, less than one per cent of visitors came from outside Europe, but we are aware the coronavirus situation is changing by the hour.”

The Geneva Motor Show issued a statement on its website yesterday which said organisers had put in place a sanitary action plan which included increased cleaning and disinfection.

Staff were also being given training on personal preventative measures and new signs were being installed at the show to remind attendees about hygiene recommendations.

The statement said: “The current situation in Switzerland is rather reassuring – none of the samples tested so far has been positive for the novel coronavirus.”

The MWC started to look in doubt when big-name attendees including Ericsson, Sony, Nokia, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom pulled out.

In a statement to Bloomberg, following news of the MWC cancellation, John Hoffman, chief executive officer of organisers GSMA, said “the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances make it impossible” to hold the event.

Geneva motor show organisers said that so far no exhibitors had pulled out, but that the situation “could change at any time”.

“We advise visitors and exhibitors to monitor our website carefully for any updates on the show’s status,” she added.

A spokesperson for the World Health Organisation / Europe said it was down to national authorities to “make decisions about these types of issues based on their own assessed risks”.

The spokesperson added: “There is no evidence at present to suggest that there is a community spread outside China, so WHO is not currently requesting that large gatherings are cancelled.

“Similarly, companies and other organisations are at liberty to make their own decisions according to their specific circumstances and their assessment of the risk to business.

“WHO works closely with organisations that plan mass gatherings to provide advice, inform their risk assessment and support on any potential impact on health.”

What is it?

Crossovers continue to be number one on the menu for UK buyers, and after making large strides in the MPV market before it, Renault has flipped its business into the crossover market looking for similar results.

With the larger Koleos and Kadjar receiving recent updates, the final piece of the brand’s SUV puzzle is getting an update, too. And here it is, the new Captur.

Sitting at the compact end of the market, the Captur comes with styling updates, an improved interior finish and brand new engines. But is that enough to boost the Captur’s popularity?

What’s new?

With this second generation version, Renault has refined the Captur’s design and it shares a lot of attributes with the new Clio. With the crossover sitting on the same platform as the smaller car, it also shares a near-identical front design – while the cockpit design also looks similar.

Renault has also added the option of a fully digital instrument display alongside the new 9.3-inch infotainment display – but that’ll cost you extra.

The model has been extended by 110mm – allowing for a useful 90-litre increase in boot space and additional interior space – while the new engines provided are more efficient. Renault is also adding a plug-in hybrid version in 2020, which will have 28 miles of pure electric range.

What’s under the bonnet?

The Captur is offered with a new range of five engines – three petrols and two diesels. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available throughout the line-up, with both the entry-level TCe 100 petrol and dCi 95 diesel paired exclusively with manual ‘boxes. Interestingly, this is the pick of the transmissions as the automatic simply isn’t good enough.

With the popularity of diesels falling, it’s likely that the petrol units will be favoured by buyers. Customers have the option of 99bhp, 129bhp and 153bhp engines – with the middle option already used in the Megane and Kadjar.

Of the petrol options, the base 99bhp unit can return a claimed 47.1mpg and 118g/km CO2 – but that can be trumped by both diesels. Renault claims that they can return 58.9mpg, with the entry 94bhp unit slightly cleaner in terms of CO2g/km – although there isn’t much difference between them.

What’s it like to drive?

On the road it’s remarkably firm, crashing over larger pot holes and failing to soak up even the most modest of bumps. It’s comfortable inside, with the decent seats giving plenty of support but the driving position feels a little cramped. The diesel engines are a little noisy while the automatic is poor – slow to shift and often wrapping itself in knots. Our pick would be a petrol engine with a manual gearbox – a combination few would have recommended a few years ago.

How does it look?

On the whole, little has changed from the previous generation – with Renault basically adding the front design of the new Clio and including LED headlights as standard on all models. But that’s not a bad thing, as the Captur does look smarter thanks to these changes.

Bold wheel arch extensions, C-shaped daytime running lights, chrome grille detailing and an overhauled rear-end design offer are the main highlights of the new model – with Renault also employing a floating roof effect.

What’s it like inside?

With the Clio introducing an all-new cockpit design, Renault has now added it onto the Captur – with the top-spec models featuring digital instrumentation on a 10-inch display and a 9.3-inch portrait infotainment screen. A seven-inch display is included as standard.

As Renault has lengthened the car, interior space has improved – allowing for more passenger and storage space. The boot has grown by 91 litres from 445 litres up to 536 litres, while the rear bench can be shifted to make for either extra legroom or loading space.

What’s the spec like?

The Captur is offered in three trim levels – Play, Iconic and S Edition – with entry level equipment up to a good standard for the £17,595 starting price.

Kit on Play models include LED headlights, automatic climate control, cruise control, a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, 17-inch alloy wheels and driver assistance systems, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and traffic sign recognition.

Models in the Iconic guise feature rear parking sensors, a different set of 17-inch alloy wheels, two-tone paint work and roof bars – while the top-spec S Edition car comes with a reversing camera, front parking sensors, synthetic leather upholstery, a 9.3-inch infotainment screen, a seven-inch instrument cluster and diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Captur Iconic models start from £19,095, while the S Edition options have an initial cost of £20,595.

Verdict

While this end of the SUV market is pretty crowded, the new Captur has a decent stab at it. While it’s hard to recommend any of the current offerings in the relatively dull end of the market, for some a pumped up driving position and jacked-up looks are far more important than the better handling and overall package of a standard hatchback. If that sounds like you, the Renault is worth a look.



Entering your car into an auction can be a daunting experience – especially if you’ve never done it before.

So it was with some trepidation that I prepared my beloved Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 for sale at this Saturday’s (August 3) Classic Car Auction.

I’ve owned the 1992 model since 2013 and over the following years embarked on an extensive refurbishment of the iconic French hot hatch.

It was a project that was well documented, forming a series of articles which detailed the incredible bare metal respray undertaken by experts Fix Auto, a paint specialist in Hampshire.

I originally bought the car from a mechanic friend for £1,200, but since then it has had hundreds of man-hours of work to restore the paint to pristine condition and overhaul it mechanically.

I found new parts for it on the shelves of some old Peugeot dealers in France – the only place to find them, as most bits had gone out of production a long time ago. New headlights, spot lights and that little red trim that runs around the bumpers were all found hiding in the back of rundown dealerships in rural France.

Since then, I’ve rarely used it. If I’m honest, I’ve been far too worried about damaging the paintwork, such was the stunning finish the paint experts had achieved. It made driving it a nail-biting experience as I worried about a stone chip ruining all the good work.

So a few weeks ago, when the MOT was due, I realised that in two years I had covered the depressing sum of just 149 miles and decided it was time to find it a new home.

Hammer time

There are a number of different avenues available when selling a classic car. The usual route is a traditional classified listings on popular websites such as Auto Trader, but before you start you need to decide on a price.

And that’s the problem with classic cars – they’re only worth what someone is willing to pay, so working that out before you start is hard, and often impossible. Plus, classic car buyers don’t search in the usual places.

That’s why auctions are a good alternative. You’re probably familiar with online versions, like eBay, where a good description and pictures can help you achieve a decent price. It’s arguably the easiest way to auction your car and it will find a market value quite easily.

The alternative is a physical auction, but these are often overlooked by sellers. That’s why for the sale of my Peugeot I thought I’d give it a go.

I’m selling my Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 next Saturday in the @classiccarauc. It’s covered 149 miles in two years so decided it should go to someone who’ll use it like it was supposed to be. View the listing here and register for bidding. No reserve too! https://t.co/kn3IiAW3PF pic.twitter.com/pjro0UtJpZ

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) July 28, 2019

Classic Car Auctions run several events a year around the country and I got in just in time for the August 3 sale at the Warwickshire Events Centre, near Leamington Spa.

Placing the car in the sale was a relatively painless process. I filled out an online form with as much detail as I had, submitted some professional pictures I’d taken over the years, and paid the £150 submission fee. A few days later, my car was listed on the website – the first lot in the auction – and with no reserve.

I’ll pay five per cent of whatever the car sells for to the auction house and as part of the sale they’ll advertise it online and in the catalogue, as well as help prepare it on the day.

Expert opinion

I caught up with TV’s Mr Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer, at the Silverstone Classic car event at the weekend and asked his opinion on auctions, like this one.

“I’ve bought a car from the Classic Car Auctions myself and they’re great sales,” explained Brewer.

“Your car is the first lot, which isn’t great, as it takes people a while to get into the swing of things. However, it’s a great refurbishment, looks stunning and the sales get a lot of interest.”

And with that advice he offered me £6k to take it off my hands there and then. I politely declined.

I still don’t know what the car will go for. I’ve decided if it’s less than £5,000 I’ll buy it back myself and have registered as a bidder just in case.

Nick Whale, boss of Classic Car Auctions, said: “It seems mad to enter a car with no reserve but it gets people interested. You can always buy the car yourself if you think it’s going for too little – it’s a great fail-safe.”

What’s it worth?

Just how much the Peugeot will make is hard to work out. I’ve been following auctions over the past few years for 205 GTIs and some have made impressive money. But then it all depends on how the buyers on the day are feeling.

Brewer added: “Classic cars are hard to price as it really depends on the buyers in the room. If someone really wants your car they’ll be prepared to pay for it and if there’s a bidding war it can push the price up.

“I’ll be interested to see what it goes for.”

Ahead of the sale on Saturday, I’m busy preparing the GTI. I’ve had a fresh MOT added to it and a little bit of work to get it fettled so she’s running sweetly.

I’m giving it a full valet at the auction site too, including a machine polish, so it really stands out in the sale, and have packed all the history neatly into a folder, including the two magazines whose covers it has graced and the book in which it featured.

I’m hoping all this care and attention will go down well with the buyers – but I’ll have to wait until the weekend to find out for sure… or I could be driving the car back home with me.

Leaked information suggests a sale of struggling Jaguar Land Rover to French automotive group PSA could be imminent.

It is understood a “post-sale integration document”, which outlines the benefits of the two companies joining forces, is already in circulation and the firms are exploring the detail of cost saving benefits after a tie-up.

A spokesman for PSA – owner of Peugeot, Citroen, DS and Vauxhall – told the Press Association that the firm was in “no hurry” to make acquisitions and could “stand alone”.

However, despite denying the rumour, spokesman Pierre-Olivier Salmon added: “We are generating the cashflow necessary to pay for our future. If an opportunity comes, like Opel (Vauxhall), we will consider it.”

PSA chairman Carlos Tavares has made no secret of his desire to either merge or acquire struggling UK-based luxury car manufacturer JLR.

During an interview with Autocar India in April, he said he believed it would be good for PSA to have a luxury brand and that the company was “considering all opportunities”.

Both companies have denied the latest rumours, but sources inside JLR have told the Press Association that despite public statements, “things are moving quickly behind closed doors”.

One insider, who has seen the integration paperwork, said: “To have a document like this in circulation at the two firms points to the fact things are very far down the line with either a sale or acquisition.

“Just look at how close the two firms are in the UK – the two head offices in Coventry and Gaydon are just 25 miles apart and both firms make cars in the UK. There are plenty of ways the two companies could save money by working together.”

Automotive industry expert Professor David Bailey of the Birmingham Business School believes the tie-up could be a good fit for both brands.

He said: “PSA said last month it was interested in acquiring JLR but [its owner] Tata publicly ruled out a sale. Tata shareholders’ patience may be wearing thin, though, given recent JLR losses. A partial sale may be an option.

What is it?

As great British automotive success stories go, they don’t get much better than McLaren’s. In little more than nine years, the firm has accelerated from generating ‘just’ £6m a year in revenue from its car business to these days racking up more than £800m annually. That meteoric rise has been largely thanks to its core super series range, which the 720S Spider joins as the latest member.

Launched in 2010 as the MP4-12C – taking the Ferrari 458 head on – the core of McLaren’s supercar range has evolved into the incredibly accomplished car you see here.

What’s new?

With a clever folding roof, designed to collapse in one gracious movement in just 11 seconds, the 720S Spider lets owners drop the lid at speeds of up to 31mph. It’s a stunning design that once lowered – an action that takes place in near silence – allows the exhaust note to fill the cabin. And when the roof’s up, it has another trick up its sleeve: an optional electrochromic glass panel can be specified that rapidly changes between tinted and transparent at the touch of a button, letting drivers enjoy the skyline even with the comfort of the roof in place.

To further aid the design, McLaren has created the flying buttresses – those aerodynamic wings that extend out behind the rollover bars – from glass, which not only look stunning but also increase visibility when the driver looks over their shoulder.

What’s under the bonnet?

McLaren’s tried-and-tested 4.0-litre twin turbo-charged V8 produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque. Those heady figures are enough to propel it to 60mph in 2.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 212mph with the roof shut and 202mph with it down.

The addition of the roof – despite the extra 49kg on the overall kerb weight – has had little effect on performance. The Spider will still hit 124mph in just 7.9 seconds – a 0.1 second blink of an eye less than the Coupe. A standing quarter-mile is completed in 10.4 seconds – again, just 0.1 seconds slower than its hard-top equivalent.

What’s it like to drive?

Importantly, though, the removal of the roof hasn’t compromised handling. Thanks to the same carbon tub from the Coupe used here – the Spider was developed alongside its hard-top sibling from the start – there’s no discernible difference in rigidity. It rides superbly, soaking up even the nastiest of bumps on our Arizona test drive.

On the road the 720S is an accomplished supercar. The seven-speed automatic gearbox shifts cogs in milliseconds and is an absolute joy to use in manual mode. The carbon paddles are mounted on a rocker, a pull on the right lever depressing the left, and vice versa. F1 technology has been used to cut the ignition spark to improve shift changes too, which is especially noticeable on down shifts.

Love a good folding roof mechanism. But probably not allowed to say it’s a good folding roof mechanism. But you can probably see that for yourself. Have I broken the embargo by talking about the folding roof mechanism? I literally have no idea. But here it is pic.twitter.com/yQjKcn97jF

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) February 6, 2019

Several drive modes can be selected, depending on your mood, with gear shift, steering, transmission and electronic safety nets all modified to suit. Comfort, sports or track options can be selected that dramatically alter the car’s behaviour.

How does it look?

With those dramatic glass flying buttresses, stunning frameless dihedral doors and active rear spoiler, the 720S Spider looks every bit the supercar.

McLaren engineers have focused on form going hand in hand with function as regards the design. Sculpted around the air intakes that cool the engine and brakes, it’s purposeful and visually arresting – pedestrians stop, gawping as it rolls past like something from outer space.

What’s it like inside?

It feels like there’s a little less room inside the cabin – taller people might find themselves cramped in both the driver and passenger seats. The multi-adjustable seats just don’t seem to have enough adjustment to get truly comfortable. That said, the cabin is a plush place to spend time.

There’s a choice of four leather interiors, with a leather steering wheel, eight-inch infotainment system and a cool folding digital driver display that tucks away to reveal just a rev counter when ‘track’ mode is selected from the dynamics panel. The latter offers multi-adjustment of the driver aids, turning the 720S Spider from comfortable cruiser into rabid race car at the twist of a dial.

What’s the spec like?

Those jaw-dropping doors, LED headlights, twin stainless-steel exhaust and five-spoke alloy wheels all come as standard.

McLaren airlifted these bad boys into this spot with a Westland helicopter. I’m glad they did because it’s made me look like an actual photographer. Been driving the 720S Spider on some pretty scenic Arizona roads and today we take the 600LT Spider to th… https://t.co/VuGsEiLcVH pic.twitter.com/EiNN4J87p2

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) February 7, 2019

Other highlights included are dynamic stability control, dual-zone air con and keyless entry. There’s plenty to choose from the options list, though, like that electrochromic roof at a whopping £7,500, special Aztec Gold paint (£4,330), carbon seat backs (£3,280), Bowers & Wilkins audio system (£3,640) and the potential to spend many thousands more on optional carbon-fibre extras. It all depends how deep your pockets are.

Verdict

There’s little doubt how important the super series range has been to McLaren and its current crown bearer is an incredible machine. The 720S is bone-crushingly quick and simply more than you’ll ever need on the road. It’ll appeal to a certain set of buyers, though. In direct competition with the likes of the Ferrari 488 Spider and Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, buyers will need to want something very different from the crowd to opt for the British bruiser.

McLaren may have faced complaints in the past that its cars lacked ‘soul’ compared with the establishment, but that’s simply not true. The 720S is an ultra-focused and high-polished supercar that deserves a place among the greats.

Facts at a glance

Model: McLaren 720s Spider
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Max speed: 212mph
0-60mph: 2.7 seconds
MPG: 23.2
Emissions: 276g/km
Price: £246,990

What is it?

The market for highly focused, track-orientated supercars is a lucrative business – you only need to look Germany’s way for proof of that and the success of the likes of the Porsche GT3. So it’s hardly a surprise that relative upstart McLaren has sought to emulate that cash cow with its LT series. Short for Longtail, the marque’s track-orientated range follows in the famous footsteps of the 1997 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR Longtail. Now it’s time for the fifth chapter in the firm’s LT story – the 600LT Spider.

What’s new?

The Longtail badge means McLaren’s engineers are targeted to save weight, improve aerodynamics and increase power while putting driver engagement and a track focus at the heart of its design. Based on the 570S Spider, it’s had an impressive 100kg stripped out to create this LT version.

The seats are 21kg lighter, deleting air conditioning saved nearly 13kg, while new wheels and specially made Pirelli Trofeo R tyres lopped an additional 17kg from the kerb weight – even the wheel bolts were swapped for titanium options to save a further 460 grams. This staggering weight-loss programme has created a car with incredible focus.

What’s under the bonnet?

Using the same engine as the 600LT Coupe that arrived last year, the Spider generates an astonishing 592bhp from its 3.8-litre twin turbo V8. A stomach-twisting 620Nm of torque helps propel the car to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds – and 124mph just 5.4 seconds later. Keep your foot planted and it’ll go on to a top speed of 201mph with the roof raised, and 196mph with it down.

What’s it like to drive?

Those figures sound impressive and they most certainly are – this is one devastatingly quick supercar. It delivers that power in sledgehammer blows to your nervous system, rattling through its seven-speed gearbox in blink-of-the-eye seamless shifts. It’s all combined with a raucous soundtrack, a choir of whooshing, sucking and blowing from the turbos, coupled with almighty whip cracks from the twin top-mounted exhaust pipes on down shifts. It’s an addictive combination that’s nothing short of automotive theatre, Hollywood blockbuster style.

On the road it’s firm and you feel the bumps, but on a race track that translates to tantalising feedback through the alcantara-clad steering wheel. It’s sniper-like in its precision, clipping apexes you didn’t think you could clip and crushing straights with an adrenalin rush to the head. It’s playful too – with several driver settings to choose from you can swaddle yourself in a comfort blanket of driver assistance or go fully nude and dance with the LT bareback. Each setting is remarkably different but none dull the driver enjoyment.

How does it look?

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What’s not to love about the back end of this thing? An absolute beauty. Carbon everywhere and the top exit exhausts are incredible #mclaren #600lt #mclaren600ltspider #spider #cars #supercar #cargram #carsofinstagram

A post shared by James Baggott (@baizeceo) on Feb 7, 2019 at 5:01pm PST

In true Longtail tradition, the 600LT gains 47mm at the rear and 27mm at the front over the 570S. A fixed rear spoiler, carbon-clad top-exit pipes and a speed hump-bothering front splitter give the McLaren an aggressive, purposeful look. However, it’s the roof that’s the real Spider talking point. The three-piece hard-top raises or lowers in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 25mph and when stashed away you can really enjoy the engine’s chart-topping soundtrack.

What’s it like inside?

Inside, it’s obvious the LT has been on a diet. The seats aren’t the comfiest – they’re thin and the fixed back will need you booking a chiropractor’s appointment quicker than you can say ‘acupuncture’. That said, you don’t really buy a track-focused car like this to cross continents in comfort. Carbon fibre has been used extensively inside to save weight too – even the glovebox and door pockets got the chop to save precious grams.

What’s the spec like?

McLaren still suffers with an infotainment system that doesn’t live up to rivals’ – most of its competitors have the might of big parent companies’ buying power behind them, allowing them to add things like Apple CarPlay far easier. The McLaren system is a little clunky in places – think old smartphone – but it’s functional and reasonably easy to get on with.

The standard specification is generous, and so you’d hope for £201,500, but there’s plenty to tick on the options list for those looking for something more bespoke. MSO Paint will set you back £6,120, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system £3,640, while our test car had more than £10,000 spent on additional carbon fibre.

Verdict

Bye Arizona, I’ll miss the McLarens but not the constant fear of being eaten by a snake. Because that definitely happens pic.twitter.com/1rXInf8Vst

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) February 8, 2019

McLaren won’t say how many 600LT Spiders it’ll be making exactly, revealing only that it’ll be in production for just 12 months, but as a gauge, its predecessor, the 675LT Spider, was limited to just 500 units – and they sold out in just three weeks. Those now command a considerable premium as collectors’ cars and it’s likely the 600LT Spider will follow suit. It’s a hugely rewarding car to drive, ferociously fast and a rightful rival to the likes of the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider or Lamborghini Huracan Perfomante. It’s a special car this, from a very special car manufacturer indeed.

Facts at a glance

Power: 592bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Max speed: 201mph
0-60mph: 2.8 seconds
MPG: 23.2
Emissions: 276g/km
Price: £201,500

Strangely, in a land where chip portions could be weighed in tons, drinks are served in receptacles Brits class as buckets, and cities sprawl so far and wide they’d cover whole counties back home in Blighty, the Americans don’t do motor shows with similar excess.

The Californian automotive showcase fills just two averagely sized halls in Downtown LA – a show that can be completed in little more than a gentle morning stroll. How quaint.

Although it’s not a huge fixture in the motoring motor show calendar, most manufacturers like the fact they can dominate the headlines with a half-decent new car launch while keeping their executives’ air miles topped up with a trip to the Golden State at the same time.

Mazda

I flew out to LA with Mazda, which had shown off its new 3 hatchback at an adjective-strewn presentation in Hollywood the night before the show. Claiming its new model was “car as art” [sic] it paraded no fewer than four designers to regale the audience with tales of how the shape had been crafted from hand.

Cut through the marketing waffle and Mazda actually has a smart new hatchback on its hands. It boasts clever engine technology that uses diesel know-how to improve the emissions and efficiency of a petrol engine by around 30 per cent. But I’ll let you make a call on the styling as I’m still undecided.

Tesla

In the show halls, Los Angeles’ madness had obviously been seeping through the air conditioning. Volvo had a stand with nothing on it, Subaru had launched a dog and even serial car show avoider Tesla had rolled up, dominating the very first stand attendees saw when they walked in.

The latter is quite a departure for the renegade brand – one that has no franchise dealerships and refuses to launch its cars in the standard way. This was Tesla’s further stab-twist-kill move to the traditional car industry for those car firm execs who had failed to notice one parked on every street corner in LA.

Toyota

Elsewhere, Toyota had booked a quarter of a hall. Catching the eye was the brilliant boxy TJ Concept. It’s a car that’s never made it to the UK officially, but this one definitely should. A new Rav 4 was also on show, but its styling was, well, we’ll politely say less effective.

Infiniti 

While it may struggle in the UK, fellow Japanese firm Infiniti has a decent foothold in the States and was showing off its striking Prototype 10 concept car. It was officially unveiled at the Pebble Beach showcase in the summer, but this was the first time I’d seen it up close. It’s a truly breathtaking design.
Getting less interest was the QX50 SUV. That’s probably because Infiniti has been peddling it for a while – in fact, we test-drove it in January at the official international launch, but it’s still to get a release date here in the UK.

Buick

Big American brand Buick’s stand either had a really bad smell about it or reports of Novichok on the carpet, because everyone was ignoring it like the plague.

That might be something to do with the fact it was pushing poorly rebadged Vauxhalls. I mean, it doesn’t matter how hard you hide the Vauxhall badge on a Mokka X, it still has the ability to make you sick from 30 paces. I watched the cleaners dutifully polish off invisible fingerprints from imaginary visitors on the cars while the carpet cleaner swept the same patch for 10 minutes then I got bored and moved on. Much like the rest of the world seems to have done with Buick.

Volvo

Elsewhere at LA, Volvo is launching some wood. They have no cars at all on the stand. Yes, it’s very bizarre here pic.twitter.com/AFeaozMD5f

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) November 28, 2018

Next door Volvo had attempted to launch a piece of wood. The Swedes had either forgotten the motor show was coming up, failed to load a ship in time, or were simply sticking a big two fingers up at the show with a stand that had absolutely no cars on it whatsoever.

In a totally bizarre twist, it was mostly banging on about the future of mobility – one that we assume will be without cars – and its connected services.
It even held a press conference that people attended. I couldn’t help but think it was all a bit Emperor’s New Clothes so walked away before it started.

Mercedes

Instead, it was up to the Germans to make the show their own. Mercedes rolled out a fresh AMG GT and GT Pro, but it was the desert-coloured G Class that caught my attention. I mean, who doesn’t love an Angel Delight shade of brown? What’s that you say? Everyone? OK, we’ll move on.

BMW

BMW had obviously picked up the Bigger Is Better memo from the Americans. It rolled out the whale-faced X7 off-roader that could not only swallow a boot-load of krill, but also has seven seats and a humungous Kardashian-belittling back end.

A raspberry blancmange-hued concept showcased BMW’s idea for the future of mobility. At least, unlike Volvo, this one was car shaped.
With bendy seats, a teak floor and huge screens, absolutely none of it will ever make production, but it distracted the Americans long enough for me to get close enough to gawp at the 8 Series Convertible, which is lovely.

Subaru

Over in the second hall, Subaru was clearly trying to lure journalists into the back of a van with a cute dog to pet on its stand.

Either that or the poodle-cross-lurcher was saying something about hybrids. Naturally, no one was looking at its new Crossback Hybrid as they fawned over the brand’s pedigree chum. Me included.

Jeep

Jeep rolled out a big gun in the shape of the Gladiator pick-up-cum-SUV. With two bikes on the back, a twin cab and off-road looks, all it needed was Jet in the passenger seat and Wolf angrily getting whistled at by a Scot in a striped jumper to really top it off (one for the dads there).
In all seriousness, it looked pretty cool and the Americans naturally loved it.

Porsche

Porsche stole the show with the launch of the 992 iteration of its iconic 911 sports car. With some incredible details – such as the integrated exhausts and LED rear light bar – it’s a gentle evolution of a classic and is absolutely stunning.

But it’s still no Subaru Dog… pic.twitter.com/aDAvnJqCwu

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) November 28, 2018

Electric

This being LA, electric cars were very much on the agenda too. Kia launched a retina-burning luminous Kia Soul EV, coming to the UK next year, with the same powertrain as the Niro EV, while Audi took the covers off its e-tron GT concept.

The latter, an A7-sized four-door sports saloon, will have a range of 248 miles and will be able to hit 60mph in 3.5 seconds. I hate to say it but, as good as it looks, that range is poor and needs to be at least double that to really be of interest.

More interesting in the electric car stakes was the Rivan R1S. A modern take on the Range Rover, the off-roader has a 400-mile range and can hit 60mph in just three seconds.

Four individual motors power each individual wheel so it can tackle the rough stuff. Rivan says it will start production in 2021, but there’s no idea yet if it’ll come to the UK.

And that was about it. I could share the countless pictures I took of visitors wearing very LA outfits – there were a lot of special hats, suits covered with Pacman and many, many beards. But I won’t. This is a car round-up after all.