Category: News

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has launched its own insurance product after customers of its vehicles struggled to get cover following a spate of keyless Range Rover thefts.

Autocar reported earlier in the year that owners of Range Rovers in London – a hot spot for thefts – were struggling to insure their vehicles or facing soaring premiums if they could. Vehicles such as the previous-generation Range Rover and Range Rover Sports are among the UK’s most stolen cars.

JLR is now launching its own insurance with the firm saying it has been ‘developed to help alleviate recent challenges clients have faced when seeking insurance’.

Targeted primarily at Range Rover owners, but also available to Jaguar and Land Rover Defender and Discovery drivers, the firm says it has provided more than 4,000 quotes to owners since October, with an average ‘monthly premium of less than £200’, though this is considerably more than the average monthly premium of £74, according to Compare the Market’s data.

JLR has been rolling out a security update on various Range Rover models made since 2018 to help reduce the likelihood of keyless theft, and says it has ‘proactively shared’ its latest data that is said to demonstrate their improved security ‘to help increase the range of insurance options on the open market’.

The firm also says its own insurance makes sure that repairs are completed by a JLR-authorised bodyshop.

A JLR spokesperson said: “Customers of luxury cars and other luxury items are experiencing an increase in thefts due to organised criminal activity in the UK. The desirability of our luxury vehicles, coupled with concerns around thefts, has recently led to challenges in obtaining insurance cover for some clients.

“We are fully committed to doing everything we can to address this by adopting a multifaceted approach: from our significant investment in vehicle security, to now providing our own insurance.”

Parking your car in a garage overnight could make it more expensive to insure than leaving it outside your home, new data has shown.

Comparison site Go Compare reviewed car insurance policies bought through it between May and July of this year and found that the average insurance premium for drivers who kept their cars in a locked garage was £710, compared with £656 for vehicles left in other areas of the home.

According to the research, the difference was more obvious in ‘fire and theft’ policies. The average third-party fire and theft policy came in at £1,053 for those who parked their car in a locked garage, contrasting the £875 someone who parked their car elsewhere around the house would pay.

While keeping a car on the drive is better for insurance premiums than using a locked garage – costing £627 on average, or £85 less than a garage-user would pay – it’s still better to keep a car in a garage compared with parking on the public road outside your home. Drivers will pay £729 to keep their car on the road outside their house or £741 in a residential car park.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go Compare, said: “There are various reasons why keeping your car in a garage may result in a more expensive premium. Some insurers may feel garages can pose their own security risks. If the garage is connected to your property, your car could get taken in the event of a home break-in, while if the garage is unconnected, you may be unable to hear the thief entering your car.

“Insurers may also feel the car is more likely to be damaged if you keep it in a garage. For instance, there could be a greater chance of bumps and scrapes when trying to fit today’s larger cars into small garages. Items being stored in the garage, like a toolbox, could also fall onto the vehicle and damage it.”

However, Go.Compare’s data shows a falling number of people using their garages for parking, dropping by 28 per cent between 2018 and 2022. In contrast, the number of policies for people keeping their car in a work car park overnight has doubled in the same period, with a 38 per cent increase being seen for drivers keeping their vehicles in a secure car park. However, the most popular parking space remains a home driveway, with 60 per cent of policies covering this area overnight.

McLaren has revealed the new GTS which arrives as an updated version of the previous GT model.

The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 now produces 626bhp in total, up by 14bhp over the previous GT. McLaren has also managed to shave 10kg off the GT’s weight, too, taking the total kerb weight for the GTS to 1,520kg. The GTS comes with a claimed 0-60mph time of just three seconds – 0.1 seconds less than the GT.

McLaren has also upgraded the nose-lift system in the GTS, which means that it can now raise the nose of the car in half the time of the original GT. The exterior design of the GTS remains much the same as the GT’s, with a sharp front nose section sitting between slim headlights. It’s a similar story at the rear, where the ultra-thin rear lights sit above twin exhaust outlets.

As standard the GTS gets a gloss black finish on the exhaust tips, mirror caps and window surrounds while new GTS badges feature on the side of the car. As with other McLaren models, a number of elements can be replaced for carbon fibre alternatives such as the front splitter and side skirts via a full carbon pack.

The new McLaren GTS. Supercar dynamics. Maximum driver engagement.

Discover: https://t.co/cscguyHaZe#McLarenGTS #McLaren #McLarenAuto pic.twitter.com/09Oft8chYA

— McLaren Automotive (@McLarenAuto) December 19, 2023

Inside, the GTS features the same driver-focused setup as before with a button-free steering wheel. McLaren has equipped the GTS with more luxurious materials inside, while the seven-inch infotainment system is the same one you’d find in the previous GT.

Prices for the new McLaren GTS are expected to be announced shortly.

Workers at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in a row over plans to reduce a backlog of driving tests.

More than 1,900 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union in England, Wales and Scotland backed action by 90.5% on a turnout of 59.21%.

Strike dates will be announced in due course.

The union said its members, who carry out driving tests and approve people to be driving instructors, are in dispute with management over plans to reduce the tests backlog.

A programme being driven by Transport Secretary Mark Harper poses “significant safety risks” to test candidates and examiners, as well as an erosion of staff’s terms and conditions, the union claimed.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “To recover a backlog of tests that was their own making, Mark Harper and management in the DVSA have demonstrated that they are willing not only to jeopardise our members’ safety and attack their terms and conditions.

“They are also showing scant regard for safety standards for driving test candidates.

“This huge ballot result for PCS members at the DVSA indicates that that they are prepared to take highly disruptive strike action across England, Wales and Scotland to protect the integrity of the driving test and their existing terms and conditions.

“Although they desperately want to see a reduction in waiting times, our members will not tolerate paying the price for political stunts and managerial failings that threaten to further undermine this vital public service.”

DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder said: “DVSA colleagues do an outstanding job in helping to keep our roads safe.

“We are working hard to reduce waiting times, which includes employing new driving examiners on flexible contracts with weekend hours.

“The safety of driving examiners, customers and all road users is hugely important, and we always assess and reduce any risks. We will not tolerate any form of abuse.

“It is disappointing that the PCS ballot supports industrial action. We remain open to talks with PCS to find a resolution.

“We will update customers on any impact as soon as we have more information.”

Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas is one of the most popular festive songs, but you could be playing it out of the speakers of the musician’s own Ferrari.

A 1995 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta originally owned by Chris Rea is now up for sale just in time to drive home for Christmas. Described as the ‘world’s finest example’ of this particular Ferrari, it is said to be in the ‘holy grail’ collector specification and is one of the earliest examples of the F355 Berlinetta.

Painted in ‘Blu Scuro Micaalizzato’ with a cream interior, it’s powered by a rare 2.7-litre engine and manual gearbox combination.

It was ordered new by Chris Rea, who is said to be a ‘highly-regarded Ferrari enthusiast’, and has now covered 25,500 miles. Now up for sale with Bell Sport & Classic, based in Markyate, Hertfordshire, the firm says it has been subject to a ‘comprehensive refresh’ by its team of Ferrari experts.

Tim Kearns, managing director of Bell Sport & Classic, said: “We’re proud to offer this ultra-desirable example of the Ferrari F355. This sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire the 355 everyone wants: an early right-hand drive, ‘2.7 Motronic’, non-airbag, manual Berlinetta in a timeless specification. The model also has a compelling backstory, purchased new by noted Ferrari collector, Chris Rea.

“This 355 represents the ‘holy grail’ for Ferrari collectors – a useable example of Maranello’s mid-engined masterpiece, in its purest, most intoxicating form. As the F355 reaches its 30th anniversary, it also represents an astute investment.”

There’s no word on pricing, but it’s likely to be for sale for around £200,000 given the specification and provenance.

Most drivers put themselves in danger during motorway breakdowns, a survey suggests.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of motorists said they would stand in front of or next to their car, an RAC poll indicated.

One in 10 (11%) respondents said they would stay in their vehicle.

The RAC warned that these actions put people at risk in the event of another driver colliding with their broken-down vehicle.

Only a fifth (22%) of those surveyed said they would follow safety guidance, which is to stand to the rear of their vehicle and as far as possible from traffic, ideally behind a barrier.

If someone cannot easily get out, they should keep their seatbelt on and call 999.

Reports from nearly 200 RAC patrols revealed that 78% of drivers they have assisted on motorways were still in their vehicles when they arrived.

RAC patrols James Pallister and Glen Johnson have created a video to demonstrate what people should do when they break down on a motorway.

Mr Pallister, who is based in North East, said: “Increasingly, when we arrive at the scene of a motorway breakdown we find members still inside their vehicles, or standing next to or in front of them – two of the most dangerous places to be with vehicles approaching at fast speeds.”

Mr Johnson, who works in north-west England, said: “Standing in the wrong place can be the difference between staying safe and being seriously injured, or worse.

“Our number one priority is ensuring our members stay safe on the roads, so we’re always looking for new ways to communicate the right thing to do after breaking down.”

RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: “In cold wet weather, it’s very tempting for anyone who breaks down on a motorway to stay in their cars.

“Sadly, we know from experience this is absolutely the wrong thing to do unless for some reason you aren’t able to get out of the vehicle.

“This is why we are always reminding people to pack plenty of layers, good waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear so they can keep warm while they wait for help.”

Drivers who get into difficulties on motorways are advised to pull over onto the hard shoulder, or an emergency refuge area if on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder.

The safety of people whose vehicles have broken down has been central to the debate over smart motorways.

Derek Jacobs, 83, died when his van was hit by a car on the M1 near Sheffield in March 2019 after he had stopped in the live inside lane following a tyre blow-out and got out of his vehicle.

The front seat passenger in the Ford Ka that hit the van, Charles Scripps, 78, died in hospital two months after the collision.

– The survey of 1,900 UK drivers was carried out for the RAC by research company Online95 between October 18 and 29. The figures were weighted to be nationally representative.

Mercedes has revealed the SL63 S E-Performance as its new sports car flagship.

Joining existing V6 and V8 versions of the new Mercedes SL, the E-Performance uses the firm’s latest sporty plug-in hybrid powertrain, as seen in the AMG GT.

Packing a mighty 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine on the front axle and a rear electric motor, it develops a significant 805bhp – 240bhp more than the previous range-topping SL, and is the joint most powerful car that Mercedes has ever made.

It allows for a 0-60mph time of just 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 198mph, where permitted. It’s also equipped with four-wheel-drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Mercedes says the electric motor ‘provides an extra boost’ when setting off, accelerating and overtaking.

The battery storage of this new SL is said to be ‘inspired’ by Formula 1, with Mercedes saying it’s ‘designed for fast power delivery, and not the longest possible range’. As a result, the small 6.1kWh battery only allows for around eight miles of electric-only running ability, though the electrical power is ‘always available’.

Despite the performance, Mercedes claims a fuel economy figure of 36.7mpg, along with 175g/km CO2 emissions – considerably better than the other SL models.

There are eight different driving modes available, including ‘Electric’ and ‘Battery Hold’, which are exclusive to this hybrid version. Despite the car usually starting in electric mode an ‘AMG-typical sound’ is pushed through the speakers, Mercedes says.

Four levels of brake recuperation can be selected to recharge the battery, though the car can also be plugged in to charge the battery.

The only visual differences to the standard Mercedes SL are the grooved exhausts, a rear charging flap and red logos.

There’s no word on pricing, but the Mercedes SL63 S E-Performance is likely to cost close to £200,000 when sales start in 2024.

Bugatti has shown off its latest bespoke hypercar, which was a husband’s gift to his wife for her 70th birthday.

The Chiron Super Sport, costing more than £3m and produced in limited numbers, is already a rare car on its own. But one customer had a dream to create a bespoke version based on a highly rare and valuable Bugatti – a one-of-four Type 57 SC Atlantic – she had seen 20 years earlier at the Mullin Automotive Museum in California.

The unnamed customer – based in the US – invited his wife for her 70th birthday to visit Bugatti’s headquarters in Molsheim, France, where she would remember the first time she’d seen the classic car and sit down with Jascha Straub, lead designer at Bugatti’s special ‘Sur Mesure’ division. Over a year, the idea would come to reality, with a host of details created to make this a true ‘one-off’ Bugatti.

Straub said: “During her visit, when we passed a scale model of the Type 57 SC – the very first Atlantic and the exact one she had seen all those years ago – there was an immediate spark of recognition between us that this is the direction we should take.

“The customer’s enthusiasm and active engagement throughout the whole design process were a constant source of inspiration. Her perspective, rooted in a profound respect for Bugatti’s heritage, and driven by a desire to craft an authentic homage, guided us in creating a vehicle that stands at the intersection of history and innovative engineering.”

Painted in the same silver-blue colour as the classic 1930s Bugatti, the modern-day Chiron also features a unique ‘horseshoe’ grille that harks back to the original. Polished five-spoke alloy wheels are also used for the Chiron, along with a range of chrome accents. The underside of the car’s spoiler also features a hand-drawn silhouette of the Atlantic.

The personalisation continues to the interior, with a ‘Gaucho’ leather selected, and a hand-stitched silhouette of the classic car on the door panels and centre console.

The Super Sport is one of the more extreme versions of Bugatti’s Chiron hypercar, and was made following the firm breaking through the 300mph barrier. It features an extended body, with its mighty 8.0-litre W12 engine producing 1,578bhpand enabling a top speed limited to 273mph.

Bugatti says the ‘57 One of One’, as this Chiron is named, will ‘achieve the same iconic status as its predecessor’ in the coming years, but that the customer is currently ‘enjoying her Bugatti driving experience’ on a US grand tour.

The blowing up of an ultra low emission zone (Ulez) camera was “grotesquely irresponsible”, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s spokesman said.

Counter-terror police are leading an investigation after the camera was damaged in an explosion in Sidcup, south-east London, on Wednesday night.

The incident, which is not being treated as terrorism, is believed to have been a “deliberate act”, according to the Metropolitan Police.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said: “This grotesquely irresponsible behaviour puts both lives and property at risk.

“Police are rightly investigating this dangerous and reckless act.”

Mr Khan’s decision to expand the Ulez area to cover the whole of London from August 29 has sparked a surge in vandalism of the scheme’s cameras, which use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to identify vehicles.

People who drive in the Ulez area in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are liable for a £12.50 daily fee.

The Metropolitan Police said a “low-sophistication improvised explosive device (IED)” damaged a camera in Willersley Avenue, Sidcup, at around 6.45pm on Wednesday.

No-one was injured but vehicles and a residential property also suffered damage.

The camera, which was installed earlier that day, was cut down around one-and-a-half hours before the explosion.

Detectives are “keeping an open mind as to whether or not there is a connection between the camera being cut down and the planting of the explosive device”, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detective Chief Superintendent Trevor Lawry said: “It is extremely concerning that an explosive device seems to have been deliberately placed in a public place.

“This could have very easily resulted in members of the public being very seriously injured.

“Because of the seriousness of this incident, we are making urgent inquiries to try and identify anyone involved, and officers with specialist expertise and capability from our Counter Terrorism Command are leading the investigation.

“This was an extremely dangerous incident that could have resulted in innocent members of the public being injured or worse.

“If you have any information that could assist our investigation, then I would urge you to get in touch immediately.”

The remains of an IED are being forensically examined and officers are examining CCTV footage from the area.

No arrests have been made.

Police are advising anyone who sees “suspicious activity or a suspicious device on or nearby to a Ulez” camera not to approach it and to call 999 immediately.

Figures released by the Met in November showed nearly 1,000 crimes linked to Ulez cameras being stolen or vandalised have been recorded in the past seven months.

The vast majority of drivers feel safer behind the wheel in a car fitted with advanced safety systems but nearly half would be happy to buy a model without them fitted, a new survey has found.

Advanced Driver Safety Systems (ADAS) are fitted to many of the latest cars on sale and include a variety of different features including active lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and speed limit recognition. However, more than a third of drivers admitted to deliberately switching off some of these features because they were ‘annoying’.

The survey of 7,125 drivers by What Car? found that 42 per cent of respondents had ADAS technology in their cars. A similar number of people had none of this technology fitted to their cars, while 17 per cent were unsure whether or not their vehicle had ADAS functions.

Steve Huntingford, What Car? editor, said: “While most drivers feel safer with advanced driver assistance technologies in their cars, a significant proportion have switched them off at some point, suggesting these systems often aren’t as user friendly or intuitive as motorists would like.

“With ADAS due to become mandatory in new cars from July 2024, it will be all the more important that safety bodies like Euro NCAP not only make it clear to car buyer’s how effective each manufacturer’s ADAS tech is, but also whether or not it’s frustrating to use.”

While 58 per cent of those with ADAS-equipped cars said that they felt safer with them fitted, just 34 per cent would rule out a car if it wasn’t fitted with them while 47 per cent said that they would be happy to buy a vehicle which didn’t have ADAS if it meant paying less. That figure rose to 66 per cent for drivers who don’t currently own a car with ADAS systems.