Andy Murray’s surprise Carr-share

Comedian Jimmy Carr got behind the wheel to become Andy Murray’s Secret Chauffeur in a surprise journey to Wimbledon.

Carr drove new Jaguar ambassador Murray, who is the face of this year’s #FeelWimbledon campaign, in a brand new F-Pace.

The pair discussed yummy mummies, Ivan Lendl’s paunch, and the art of grunting – and Carr offered some tactical advice on how Murray could put off his opponents.

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/andy-murrays-surprise-carr-share/
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Wet weather driving tips

As the song goes, the weather outside is frightful… so here are some driving tips to keep you safe in the wet, courtesy of IAM RoadSmart.

• Be sure to check your local weather forecast beforehand so you can plan your journey accordingly. If heavy downpours are expected, avoid starting your journey until it clears. And if you have no choice but to travel, use main roads where possible which are less likely to get flooded.
• Don’t forget to check your windscreen wiper blades and lights are working properly. You’ll need to use your dipped headlights if visibility is significantly reduced so give them a check too.
• On flooded roads, think before driving through deep water, don’t stop in standing water and drive through the highest section of the road slowly. If there is any doubt don’t enter it. Once you have managed to drive through check your brakes and dry them out as quickly as possible – a light touch of the brakes whilst still moving should do the trick.
• Roads will be more slippery than usual in wet weather – be sure to give yourself more time to react when approaching a hazard. Increase your following gap to at least four seconds from the moving traffic in front.
• Keep your eyes peeled on the road at all times as spray from other vehicles can suddenly reduce your visibility. Remember it affects others too, so anticipate their actions and be prepared.

Richard Gladman of IAM RoadSmart added: “If your tyres begin to lose traction, ease off the accelerator, avoid braking and allow the speed to naturally decrease until you have full control of your car again.

“Driving in wet weather can be challenging, and with delays and increased concentration needed it can be more tiring too. By allowing increased time to stop and extending your following distance you can remain safe.”

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Taxi of mum and dad

UK parents could earn an average of £14,868 a year from being a taxi driver for their children, claims new research.

A survey of 2,000 parents conducted by used car dealer, The Car People, discovered that mums and dads travel an average of 250 miles a month for their children.

One in four parents say they feel like a taxi driver for their children, but almost half say that they enjoy their time in the car with their offspring, with 49% admitting that they have a good gossip.

A fifth of mums are happy to do this, as they worry whenever their child uses public transport.

More dads than mums say they feel like a taxi driver, however, the research shows that mums actually do most of the driving for their children.

What’s more, some two out of five of parents (43% ) think they will never stop giving their children lifts.

Almost half of dads say they give up their social life for their children. However, just under a third claim to have had important conversations in the car, and 61% say car journeys help them bond. Consequently, despite the phrase ‘Dad’s Taxi’ often being viewed as a negative – dads seem to enjoy it really.

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/taxi-mum-dad/
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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2016 highlights

Couldn’t make it to the world’s largest automotive garden party? Never mind, we’ve been snapping away at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and here are some of our favourite photos…  An iconic 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV in the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance

The facelifted Dacia Duster has made its debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed – looks good in camouflage…

At 10 metres high, you couldn’t miss the three-storey Ford Performance stand

Just one of the priceless cars in the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance

Immaculate 1955 Lancia Aurelia – one of the most beautiful cars ever?

Here’s a curiosity. It’s a 1977 Alpine A110 Meyrignac concept. Based on an Alpine A110, it was created by French teenager Denis Meyrignac

It’s the car everybody wanted to see – the awesome Bugatti Chiron

Rear of the year? The beautiful back end of the new 200mph Jaguar F-Type SVR…

The giant Ford Performance stand offered one of the finest views of the Goodwood festival. Visitors were also able to experience The Leap, which challenges daredevils to throw themselves off
a 4.5-metre airbag jump experience.

BMW celebrated its centenary at Goodwood with this massive sculpture featuring a legendary 328 Mille Miglia Roadster, the 1999 Le Mans-winning BMW V12 LMR, and the Gordon Murray-designed Brabham-BMW BT52 Formula One car which finished third in the 1983 championship.

One-time Stig, racing driver Ben Collins, drove the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor up Goodwood’s famous hill.

Stunt driver Terry Grant piloted A Jaguar F-Pace up the famous Goodwood Hill on two wheels. Professional freestyle motorbike stunt rider Lee Bowers was on board to add even more
jeopardy to proceedings!

Plenty of interest in the new Noble M600 Speedster .Very good looking…

 Ford Heritage’s prized original GT40. This one’s insured for £5 million!

 A Lego version of the Le Mans-winning Ford GT on the Blue Oval stand

The unmistakable Maserati Levante SUV – very distinctive and well built

A lot of interest in the Tesla Model X. The electric SUV was making its UK debut at Goodwood. Seven seats too!

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/goodwood-festival-speed-2016-highlights/
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Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato unleashed

Aston Martin has announced the production version of the latest creation from its long-standing partnership with the prestigious Italian design-house Zagato.

The Vanquish Zagato Concept was unveiled to great acclaim at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como, Italy, in May. Thanks to “unprecedented customer interest”, a strictly limited production run of 99 cars will be built to order at Aston Martin’s production facility in Gaydon, England.

Vanquish Zagato is the fifth car to emerge from a collaboration that stretches back over five decades.

The partnership began with the DB4 GT Zagato racing car of 1960 – now valued at over £10 million – and includes the V8 Vantage Zagato launched in 1986, the 2002 DB7 Vantage Zagato and the V12 Vantage Zagato revealed in 2011.

The Vanquish Zagato is powered by an uprated Aston Martin 6.0-litre V12 engine, now capable of reaching a projected 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Design details include new lights with round tail light reflectors that evoke the classic Zagato rear view, using the same ‘bladed’ LED technology as the Aston Martin Vulcan, while the wing mirrors are closely related to the units developed for the One-77.

The Vanquish Zagato’s sculptural rear end has a close relationship to DB11’s aerodynamic profile, complete with retractable spoiler and rear hatch for easy access to the luggage compartment.

A sharp crease on the rear wheel arch transforms into the rear flanks, where it meets the cascading roofline.

The roof features the iconic ‘double-bubble’, its shallow radius dipping into the rear window glass to give the car an unmistakeable rear silhouette. A Zagato trademark since the early 1950s, originally arose from the need to accommodate racing helmets with a minimum impact on the aerodynamic profile.

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/limited-edition-aston-martin-vanquish-zagato-unleashed/
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This Bentley photo is out of this world

Bentley reckons it’s created the “world’s most extraordinary car photograph”.

The ‘gigapixel’ image features the new Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

It was created using technology originally developed by NASA to enable Mars rovers to take exploratory panoramic photographs.

Viewers can use an innovative, interactive zoom function to travel from 700 metres out all the way into the Mulsanne’s cabin – right down to the 4,500 individual stitches in the embroidered ‘Winged B’ headrest logo.

Explore the gigapixel photograph and Bentley’s #BeExtraordinary campaign at www.BentleyMotors.com/LookCloser

An incredible 4,425 times larger than a typical smartphone image, this extraordinary photograph is made up of approximately 53 billion pixels (or 53,000 megapixels).

It was produced by taking 700 individual shots from the same location and ‘stitching’ them together digitally. The result, if reproduced in standard print format, would be the size of a football field.

“Nowhere is Bentley’s famed attention to detail better demonstrated than with our new Mulsanne,” explained Bentley’s Kevin Rose.

“We wanted to commission this shot to capture both the exquisite detailing of the Mulsanne and the epic scale of our brand’s ambitions. We believe the result is truly extraordinary.”

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/bentley-photo-world/
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Britain’s worst drivers exposed

Motorists aged 25-34 regularly exhibit 11 out of 12 bad habits, including tailgating, driving while tired and fiddling with tech devices in the car.

Teenagers are often perceived as being the most irresponsible and riskiest drivers on UK roads, but a new survey by AA Tyres indicates that Generation Y drivers are the worst.

An AA-Populus poll canvassed 21,741 AA members on bad driving habits, and almost nine out of 10 (87%) drivers in the 25-34 age group admitted to frequently braking hard or too late, while 71% said they tailgate and 87% said they have driven while tired.

And, 87% of those Generation Y drivers polled said they frequently fiddled with in-car technology, such as radios, bluetooth phones and sat navs, while at the wheel.

Across all age groups, breaking the speed limit was, not surprisingly, the most common problem, with 89% of drivers polled confessing to breaking the speed limit during the past 12 months. More than a quarter (26%) of respondents said they break the speed limit every week.

Almost half of all motorists said they eat or drink at the wheel, and this figure rises to 81% for 25 to 34-year-olds. Younger drivers are also the worst litter-bugs with one in ten of 18 to 24-year-olds admitting they have thrown rubbish out of the window – more than double the national rate of 4%.

Male drivers appear to be the most impatient, far more prone to exhibit the annoying habit of undertaking (51%) compared to only 37% of women.

While, 29% of male drivers admit to speeding every week compared to less than a fifth (19%) of female drivers, and more than twice as many men (9%) confess they speed every time they drive, compared to women (4%).

Meanwhile, female motorists (41%) are more than twice as likely to drive in unsuitable shoes than male motorists (19%).

Bad driving habits by age group

The following table shows the most common bad driving habits, and the top offending age group for each:

Bad driving habit	% polled who admitted to this bad habit in past 12 months	Top offending age group
Going over the speed limit	89%	45-54 and 55-64 (90%)
Braking hard or late	79%	25-34 (87%)
Driving while tired	72%	25-34 (87%)
Adjusting technology (e.g. sat nav, radio, Bluetooth phone, on-board computer)	72%	25-34 (88%)
Not indicating at the correct time (e.g. changing lane, roundabouts)	58%	18-24 and 25-34 (66%)
Driving too close to the vehicle in front	57%	18-24 and 25-34 (71%)
Eating or drinking	49%	25-34 (81%)
Sitting in the middle lane when the inside lane is clear	48%	25-34 (53%)
Overtaking on the left	48%	25-34 (57%)
Rubbernecking (e.g. slowing down to look at an accident)	47%	18-24 and 25-34 (57%)
Wearing unsuitable shoes (e.g. flip-flops, high-heels, heavy boots)	26%	25-34 (48%)
Throwing rubbish out of the window	4%	18-24 (10%)

The poll was carried out by AA Tyres, the AA’s mobile tyre fitting service.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class review

Meet the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class – an executive saloon that sets new benchmarks for interior design and technology.

The E-Class has been at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz range in one form or another for some 60 years – a real workhorse of a car, albeit with a pedigree. However, all that has changed with the 2016 version.

The 10th generation E-Class is a formidable package. It may not seem like it from outside, but even the evolutionary design hides secrets, including a drag coefficient that has improved from 0.25 to a class-leading 0.23.

The car comes with a choice of two diesel engines at launch – a four-cylinder 2.0-litre and a V6 3.0-litre.

I tested the former which is an all-new 195hp 2.0-litre diesel (badged E220d) and is expected to be the biggest seller.

Starting at £35,935, the car is capable of a frugal 72mpg on paper, a top speed of 149mph and CO2 emissions of just 102g/km. All that is impressive enough, but for me it’s the state-of-the-art interior that’s a game-changer.

Go for the optional ‘Comand’ infotainment system, dominated by a widescreen 12.3-inch central screen, then add an optional second 12.3-inch dashboard display and you end up with a stunning sweep of digital splendour that seems to float across the cockpit. Touch-sensitive control buttons on the steering wheel (a first) respond to finger swipes like a smartphone.

Elsewhere, ambient lighting makes use of energy-saving LED technology, offering a choice of 64 colours and adding touches of light to areas such as the door pockets, front and rear footwells and overhead console. The E-class isn’t just a visual treat to behold, it’s also fitted with a glorious Burmester 3D surround sound system with 23 loudspeakers.

Delve deeper and the E-Class is even more cutting edge. In fact, it’s about as close as you can get legally to a fully autonomous car.

It’s capable of steering itself, changing lanes and braking to a complete standstill on a motorway. It will also stop if it detects you are not concentrating and even check both directions at a junction.

It’s so advanced that the change-lane feature is disabled in the UK because our legislation has not caught up with the advances in self-driving technology.

The E-Class also has a party trick. With smartphone in hand and a little finger swirling here and there, it will remotely park itself into the tightest of spaces and autonomously drive out to where you’re standing when it’s time to go.

The driving position is superb and the front seats are comfortable with plenty of adjustment available – there are even heated armrests in the doors and centre console.

Thanks to a longer wheelbase than the outgoing car, there’s limo-like space for rear passengers too, though the transmission tunnel is not subtle. Meanwhile, there’s a mighty 540-litre boot which should be more than enough for the average executive – and a family. If that’s not enough, an estate version will follow in 2017.

Driving the new E-Class is all about cruising in comfort – arguably, the exciting stuff is left to competitors such as the Jaguar XF and BMW 7 Series which are more overtly sporting.

The 9-speed automatic gearbox is as slick as they come, helping the E-Class to 62mph in 7.3 seconds. The steering is light, the ride is smooth and the engine is wonderfully refined, though like all diesels it will make its presence felt under harsh acceleration. There are also a host of driver aids and safety features to add to the sense of overall calm.

Verdict: Beautifully made, economical and bursting with tech, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class is refined, spacious and safe, boasting a game-changing, futuristic cabin. All this comes at a price, so just be careful with the options list which can soon bump up the price from £36,000 to something nearer £45,000…

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Concept crazy: BMW’s birthday bonanza

The BMW Group has marked its centenary with more concepts, giving a hint of what its cars of the future might look like.

Under the motto “The next 100 years”, BMW unveiled radical designs for two more of its brands – Rolls-Royce and MINI.

Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 and MINI VISION NEXT 100 join BMW VISION NEXT 100, unveiled in May.

Called 103EX, the Rolls-Royce concept is a fully autonomous coachbuilt luxury car, while the electric MINI concept collects its driver from a desired location, changes colour, and parks and recharges automatically.

Meanwhile, the BMW VISION NEXT 100 provides a glimpse of what “Sheer Driving Pleasure” could look like in the future.

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from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/concept-crazy-bmws-birthday-bonanza/
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Top tips driving this summer

Summer is here and the holiday season is fast approaching – check out these top tips for staying safe on the road.

The advice comes from Motor Codes – the government-backed consumer watchdog for the automotive industry.

“With the lure of the summer sunshine, motorists can get caught up in the excitement of heading off on holiday and forget the basics,” warns Bill Fennell of Motor Codes.

“When making the necessary preparations to go away, it is crucial to spend the time to check that your car is also in good shape and to be familiar with your route, so as to avoid any unnecessary delays or frustrating breakdowns.”

Stay chilled
Fluids filled to the recommended levels are essential for keeping the car nice and cool. As well as reaching for the oil dipstick, have the cooling system inspected, as leaking coolant or a faulty fan could cause the vehicle to overheat and result in costly engine damage. At the same time, vehicle manufacturers recommend that the air conditioning is serviced every two years to keep it blowing ice cold.

Keep hydrated
Before you set off, fill up the screen wash reservoir. A combination of screen wash with water is recommended for the efficient removal of any dust, dirt and bugs. Water should also be on hand to quench the thirst of everyone in the car between stops, and medication for ailments such as hayfever should be kept at hand to avoid sneezing and a runny nose when at the wheel.

Tread carefully
The current minimum tread depth for tyres, including the spare, is 1.6mm for the central three-quarters of the tread, and the same applies for the entire outer circumference of the tyre. To easily see whether you are over this legal limit, take a 20p piece and place it in one of the main tread grooves. If the outer band of the coin is out of view, the tyre is safe to use. Pressures are just as important, and you should check all your tyres to ensure that they are at the correct psi or bar readings prior to leaving for your vacation. Keeping your tyres at the right pressure will also increase their life and reduce fuel consumption.

Be ready to entertain
If travelling with children, pack the car full of attention-grabbing books, toys and handheld devices, especially if you are planning to embark on a long journey. This will give them plenty of choice to keep both their hands and brains occupied when on the move. In addition, take the opportunity to be creative and use simple family games such as ‘I Spy’ and ‘Car Bingo’ to whittle the hours away.

Lighten the load
Although it is very tempting to take plenty of clothes and luggage to cover all types of activities and a range of weather conditions when on holiday, do not overload your vehicle beyond the recommended carrying capacity. Excess weight can affect performance, handling and breaking distances, and can also restrict your rear view if any items are packed above the level of the parcel shelf.

Take frequent breaks
Stopping regularly is crucial for staying alert and refreshed when on the road, and therefore research where the service stations are along your route. The AA recommends that drivers have a 20-minute break during journeys of more than three hours, and to pull over every two hours for those covering significant distances. During periods of rest, never leave children or pets alone in the car. According to the RSPCA, if the outside temperature is 22 degrees centigrade in a closed vehicle, this can rise to 47 degrees centigrade in just 60 minutes. Heat stroke can prove fatal for animals, and even with a slightly open window, it is difficult for them to cool down sufficiently.

Know the rules
A valid MOT certificate, up to date road tax and a current insurance certificate are a must in the UK. When going abroad, the road laws vary by country, and the essential equipment that needs to be carried also differs. For example, it is compulsory in France to have a portable breathalyser. Nevertheless, for those crossing the channel, a GB sticker on the back of the car is essential, unless the registration plate displays the GB Euro-symbol. However, for all travel across the channel, it is advisable that a warning triangle, high visibility reflective jackets and headlamp beam converters are kept in the boot as a minimum.

Head in the right direction
With the rise in popularity of smartphone apps and in-built satellite navigation systems, many motorists no longer rely on traditional map-reading skills to get to their destination. Therefore, take the time to plan out your journey, find out whether the device serves the regions or countries that you are passing through, and have a road atlas to hand in case it loses the signal or fails. Furthermore, look on the internet for any scheduled roadworks and check whether any crossings are running to time to minimise disruption to your journey.

Don’t hit the roof
For owners of a convertible, summer is one of the most popular times of the year to put the top down and enjoy some open-air motoring. Make sure that the folding mechanism is sufficiently lubricated, and that all seals and electric windows are in good working order. When on the move, everyone should wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen to avoid sunburn, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is at its strongest.

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Suzuki Vitara review

The all-new Suzuki Vitara may well be a late entrant in the ultra-competitive crossover sector, but it’s been worth the wait.

Sitting somewhere between Nissans Juke and Qashqai in terms of size, the Vitara sets itself apart from much of the opposition right from the start.

Now, consider Suzuki’s off-road expertise and reputation for building solid, reliable, fun-to-drive cars and the Vitara must be a competitive package.

The truth is that it is the real deal and it’s obvious at first sight. Here’s a stylish SUV that’s distinctive, roomy and well put together at a great price (the range starts at £13,999).

Suzuki offers a choice of three engines – a 1.6-litre petrol and diesel of the same size.

I tested a range-topping Vitara S fitted with the eager new 1.4-litre turbo ‘Boosterjet’ petrol unit which develops 140bhp, coupled with a slick six-speed manual gearbox.

Officially it has a top speed of 124mph and can reach 62mph in 10.2 seconds, but it feels faster.

The good news doesn’t stop there – Suzuki has tried to give the Vitara more of a hatchback driving experience and it’s largely succeeded there too.

The car is easy to drive and handles well – a nice combination of light feel and controlled body roll. I suspect this had partly been achieved by the seating position, which is high, but not as high as some SUVs.

My test car was capable of a claimed 52.3mpg, coupled with relatively low CO2 emissions of 127g/km meaning that it will cost nothing to tax in year 1, followed by £110 a year.

Inside, the Vitara is comfortable, uncluttered, well packaged and solidly built, though some of the materials used have a durable rather than premium feel.

There’s plenty of space for passengers front and rear, plus a useful 375-litre boot (or 1,120 if you drop the rear seats). A good-sized glovebox is complemented with various cupholders and small storage spaces.

A 7-inch infortainment touchscreen controls most of the car’s systems. It could be bigger, but it does the job pretty well.

Equipment is generous across the range – even the entry-level Sz4 comes with alloy wheels, digital radio, cruise control and air conditioning. By the time you get up to the £20,899 S level, there are heated seats, LED lights 17-inch glossy black alloys, automatic headlights and rear privacy glass. There are also various personalisation options available.

The Vitara is safe too, scoring a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, aided by safety kit including seven airbags, electronic stability control and optional Radar Brake Support which automatically applies the brakes if the car senses a collision.

Last, but not least, there’s optional four-wheel drive across the range, but it’s standard on the S model. The clever Allgrip 4WD system offers four modes – Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock – good enough to deal with everyday weather extremes and gives you that extra bit of confidence.

Verdict: The Suzuki Vitara is a bit of a revelation – good looking, well equipped, safe and spacious, it’s easy and fun to drive and great value for money.

Review: @garethherincx

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Hamilton and Rosberg to headline Goodwood

Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have confirmed they will be among the glittering line-up of star drivers attending the world’s largest motoring garden party.

For the first time, the sell-out Festival of Speed (June 23-26) crowd will be able to see – and hear! – one of the new-generation turbo F1 cars as the Mercedes pair take to the famous Goodwood Hill in a 2014 Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid.

Hamilton, who drove it to World Championship victory in 2014, will take the wheel on Saturday, and Grand Prix winner Rosberg on Sunday.

The Mercedes Grand Prix team-mates will be part of a stellar line-up, that includes famous names from all branches of motorsport.

Drivers and riders attending this year (subject to change):

• Adam Morgan, BTCC race winner
• Alain Menu, Double BTCC champion
• Alessandro Zanardi, Two-time CART champion and Paralympic cycling gold medallist
• Alex Wurz, Le Mans winner and former F1 driver
• Andrew Jordan, 2013 BTCC champion
• Bobby Labonte, 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup champion
• Brian Johnson, Legendary AC/DC singer
• Sir Chris Hoy, Multiple Olympic cycling champion and now Le Mans driver
• Carl Fogarty, World Superbike Royalty
• Colin Edwards, Two-time World Superbike Champion
• David Brabham, Le Mans winner and ex-F1 racer
• Derek “Buttsy” Butler Drift star with his own F1 car!
• Derek Bell, Five-time Le Mans winner
• Emerson Fittipaldi, Two-time F1 World Champion and double Indy 500 winner
• Frank Biela, Five-time Le Mans winner and 1996 BTCC champion
• Freddie Spencer, Three-time motorcycle GP world champion
• Gerhard Berger, Ten-time Grand Prix winner
• Giacomo Agostini, 15-time Motorcycle World Champion
• Gordon Shedden, Reigning BTCC champion
• Hans-Joachim Stuck, Touring car legend and double Le Mans winner
• Sir Jackie Stewart, Three-time F1 World Champion
• James Martin, TV chef and classic car enthusiast
• Jari Matti Latvala, WRC front-runner
• Jason Plato, Two-time BTCC winner and TV presenter
• Jean Ragnotti, Two-time Monte Carlo Rally winner
• Jean-Pierre Jabouille, The first driver to win a Grand Prix in a turbocharged car
• Jenson Button, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion
• Jochen Mass, F1 and Le Mans winner and Goodwood House Captain
• John McGuinness ,Multiple IoM TT winner
• John Surtees, World Champion on two wheels and four
• Johnny Cecotto, Motorcycle Grand Prix World Champion
• Karun Chandhok, Former F1 driver
• Kelvin Fletcher, BTCC driver and Emmerdale Star
• Ken Block, Gymkhana star and WRX front-runner
• Kenny Brack, 1999 Indy 500 winner drives on the hill
• Liam Doran, World Rallycross front-runner
• Lorina McLaughlin, Regular winner of ‘Fastest Lady’ prize at Festival
• Mad Mike Whiddett, Star of the drifting world
• Mark Higgins, British Rally champion and IoM Record Holder drives on the hill
• Martin Brundle, Le Mans winner and F1 star
• Matt Neal, Three-time BTCC champion
• Mike Conway, Indy Car race winner
• Mike Skinner, 1995 NASCAR Truck champion
• Nick Mason, Pink Floyd drummer
• Nicky Hayden, MotoGP Champion
• Nico Hulkenberg, F1 star and Le Mans winner
• Nyck de Vries, McLaren development driver
• Olly Clark, Last year’s Festival of Speed shoot-out winner
• Pat Doran, Four-time British Rallycross champion
• Patrick Friesacher, Will be smoking in his Toyata Camry
• Réné Arnoux, Seven-time F1 GP winner
• Riccardo Patrese, Six-time Grand Prix winner
• Richard Childress, Legendary NASCAR team owner
• Ricky Carmichael, The ‘greatest of all time’ in motocross
• Sam Tordoff, BTCC race winner
• Sammy Miller, Two-time European Trials Champion
• Steve Soper, Touring car legend
• Sir Stirling Moss, Racing legend and “Mr Goodwood”
• Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren reserve driver
• Troy Bayliss, World Superbike champion to ride Ducati GP3
• Troy Corser, World Superbike Champion to ride BMW Kaczor R50S

The post Hamilton and Rosberg to headline Goodwood appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/hamilton-rosberg-headline-goodwood/
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Good service is rewarded

The quality of service departments is the No 1 factor when it comes to customer satisfaction and car dealership loyalty, claims new research.

According to the JD Power 2016 UK Customer Service Index (CSI) Study, among highly satisfied customers (overall satisfaction scores of 900 or higher on a 1,000-point scale), 92% say they “definitely will” return to the same service facility for future warranty service (work they do not have to pay for), and 83% say they “definitely will” return for future paid service (work they do have to pay for).

Additionally, 78% of customers who are highly satisfied with their service experience say they “definitely will” purchase or lease their next new vehicle from the servicing dealership.

When service satisfaction drops to 800-899, intended purchase loyalty dips to 44% and tumbles to 23% when satisfaction is between 600 and 799.

Toyota ranks highest among volume brands, with a score of 776, a 17-point improvement from 2015. Honda ranks second (775), followed by Kia (765), MINI (757) and Suzuki (753).

Mercedes-Benz ranks highest among premium brands, with a score of 774, an 18-point improvement from 2015 when it ranked fourth. Mercedes-Benz is followed by Land Rover (773) and Audi (761).

Other key findings

Dealership welcome – when the service advisor greets customers immediately upon their arrival, it can improve service satisfaction by as much as 48 points; yet, 61% of customers indicate they had to wait for a greeting. When the service advisor knows the customer’s vehicle history and the customer says the service advisor is completely focused on their needs, service satisfaction can increase by as much as 46 and 56 points, respectively. Additionally, while only 34% of customers indicate their service advisor used a tablet during their service visit, overall satisfaction can increase by as much as 31 points when the advisor uses this device.

Collection after service – service customers in the UK spend an average of 9 minutes to finish the paperwork and pick up their vehicle after maintenance or repairs. Overall satisfaction is highest (778) among the 53% of service customers who indicate the pick-up process took 5 or fewer minutes. Satisfaction drops to 750 among the 28% of customers who say the process took 6 to 10 minutes and dips to 714 among the 9% who say it took 11 to 15 minutes.

Cost transparency – overall satisfaction averages 742 among the 81% of customers who received an explanation of the charges after service was completed, compared with 653 among those who did not receive an explanation. Similarly, overall satisfaction is 741 among the 84% of customers who received an explanation of the work performed on their vehicle, compared with 637 among those who did not receive an explanation.

The study, now in its second year, measures UK customer satisfaction with their service experience at a franchised dealer facility for maintenance and repair work.

The post Good service is rewarded appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/good-service-rewarded/
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Would I lie to you?

One in five drivers admit to lying when it comes to selling their car in order to shift the vehicle.

Some of the lies that have been told by those wanting a quick sale include porkies about the brakes, tyres, mileage and even the car history, with 45% of those admitting they just wanted to get the sell.

The new research released by online vehicle purchasing company, SellCar, indicates that older drivers are more trustworthy than those who have just passed their test, with 42% of 18-24 year olds admitting to lying about the quality of a car when selling compared to just 10% of those over 55 years.

Surprisingly, the survey also revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of motorists have bought a secondhand car without even test driving it.

Only one in five (18%) trust a car salesman when buying or selling a car, with 45% preferring to go through a friend, where possible.

In addition, 35% would meet a prospective buyer at somewhere other than their house, with 17% admitting that if something went wrong with the car they didn’t want them to know where they lived.

The large majority of people doubt their knowledge of cars with only a fifth confident enough to make the selling or purchasing decision by themselves, while the remaining 80% rely on the second opinion of their parents, partner or friend.

One of the reasons for people’s lack of confidence when selling a car is that they don’t fully understand the terminology used by car dealers (64%), with 14% unwilling to ask for clarification due to embarrassment and the fear of looking stupid.

Top 10 most common unknown words are:

1. Alcantara
2. A-pillar
3. VRM
4. Re-mapped
5. Xenon
6. Flappy paddles
7. Cat D
8. Facelift
9. Dampers
10. Aftermarket

The post Would I lie to you? appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/would-i-lie-to-you/
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Happy birthday Ford Fiesta

The 40th anniversary of the Ford Fiesta is to be celebrated in style as part of a new event taking place in Brighton this summer.

The UK’s most popular hatchback will headline the Ford Summer Festival at Brighton Racecourse on July 16.

Organised by the team behind Fast Ford, Classic Ford, Fast Car and Retro Cars magazines, the event will start with a traditional ‘London to Brighton’ run.

Many of the cars on the run will start their journey, just as they did at the very beginning of their lives, at the Ford plant at Dagenham, on the Essex/London border.

Heading up the convoy will be a special selection of 40 Ford Fiestas, from the very first to the very last, including some rare performance models.

The run will be backed by Ford itself, which will be entering a fleet of its own heritage Fiestas in the drive down to the south coast.

“For the Fiesta’s birthday, we wanted something that was a bit more than a traditional car show,” said event manager Katherine Chappell.

“We wanted an event with a proper party atmosphere, and coming to Brighton gives us just that.

“This is a festival, not just a car show, and we fully expect Ford fans to make a full weekend out of it.”

As well as the run, the event will feature Ford displays, a retail area and a live entertainment stage, with a selection of acts throughout the day and well into the evening, including up-and-coming local bands. Overnight camping will be available and is included within the ticket cost for all those taking part in the run, helping to keep the festival atmosphere going as the sun goes down.

To buy tickets, take part in the run or find out more about the Festival, visit http://www.fordsummerfestival.co.uk/

The post Happy birthday Ford Fiesta appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/happy-birthday-ford-fiesta/
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Fuel price rises accelerate

Filling up the average family car is now around £5 more expensive than it was in February, following the third consecutive month of fuel price rises.

According to RAC Fuel Watch data for May, the average forecourt price of unleaded petrol is now 110.59p (up 1.92p a litre), while diesel saw an even greater increase, going up by 2.2p a litre from 108.49p to 110.70p.

Average supermarket prices of petrol and diesel increased by 2% to 107.93p a litre (petrol) and 107.59p (diesel).

Since the end of February the cost of a tank of petrol in a 55-litre family car has risen by £4.77 from £56.05 to £60.82.

“The sub-£1 litre is now sadly starting to seem like a distant memory,” said the RAC’s Simon Williams.

The post Fuel price rises accelerate appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/fuel-price-rises-accelerate/
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Fancy a Ferrari ‘Full Throttle’ breakfast?

Ferrari has created a tonque-in-cheek video treat to celebrate its attendance at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In the film, Mauro Calo – the holder of a Guinness World Record for drifting – delivers a very special breakfast to event founder Lord March in a Ferrari California T Handling Speciale.

The Prancing Horse will use the Goodwood Festival of Speed (June 23-26) to give the new Ferrari 488 Spider its dynamic UK debut, but it was down to the Ferrari California T Handling Speciale to power, slide and roar its way through the famous Goodwood estate to collect the components for his Lordship’s brekkie.

The California T Handling Speciale will be one of several new cars being showcased by Ferrari at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Other Ferraris in the Supercar Paddock will include the F12tdf, 458 MM Speciale, 488 GT3 and 488 Spider.

Tickets and hospitality packages for both events are on sale with Saturday and Weekend tickets already in limited numbers. More information is available via www.goodwood.com/tickets or via phone 01243 755055.

Tickets are priced as follows;
Entry adult (entry for young people 13-21 years):

• Thursday – Press & Preview Day featuring the Moving Motor Show £32 (£16)
• Friday £55 (£27.50)
• Sunday £65 (£32.50)
• Saturday and weekend tickets now sold out.

The post Fancy a Ferrari ‘Full Throttle’ breakfast? appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/fancy-ferrari-full-throttle-breakfast/
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What’s the greatest supercar ever?

The Classic & Sports Car Show has launched ‘A Century of Supercars’ global online poll to name the greatest supercar of the last 100 years.

The shortlist includes icons such as the Ferrari F40, Bugatti Veyron, Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 and Jaguar XKSS.

The winner will be announced at The Classic & Sports Car Show, to be held at Alexandra Palace, London, (October 28-30).

Experts from Classic & Sports Car have picked three leading contenders from each era/decade.

The game-changing contenders vying for victory include the Mercedes 60hp, Alfa Romeo 8C 2900, monstrous Metallurgique, sublime Ferrari 250GT SWB, fiery Ferrari F40 and record-breaking Bugatti Veyron.

‘A Century of Supercars’ shortlist:

Up to 1914
Mercedes 60hp
Metallurgique Maybach
Panhard et Levassor

1914-1929
Mercedes-Benz SSK
Bugatti Type 43
Bentley 41/2-litre Blower

1930s
Bugatti Type 57SC
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900
Delahaye 135 Sport

1940s
Ferrari 166 Barchetta
Talbot-Lago Grand Sport
Jaguar XK120

1950s
Mercedes 300SL ‘Gullwing’
Jaguar XKSS
Ferrari 250GT SWB

1960s
Lamborghini Miura
Ford GT40 road car
De Tomaso Mangusta

1970s
Lamborghini Countach
911 Turbo
Ferrari 365 GT4 BB

1980s
Porsche 959
Ferrari F40
Ferrari 288 GTO

1990s
Bugatti EB110
McLaren F1
Jaguar XJ220

2000s
Pagani Zonda C12
Bugatti Veyron
Koenigsegg CCX

2010s
Porsche 918 Spyder
McLaren P1
LaFerrari

To vote, simply go to the show’s all-new website and pick your favourite from each group between now and August 31.

All votes will be entered into a ballot to win one of five pairs of Gold tickets, each pair worth £100 and include a host of benefits such as access to a dedicated lounge, early entry to the show and more.

Once all the first-round votes are in, the winners from each category will be pitted against each other in a final showdown with voting taking place throughout September. All the finalists will be on show, and the winner will be revealed in a spectacular multi-million pound display.

The post What’s the greatest supercar ever? appeared first on Automotive Blog.

from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2016/06/whats-greatest-supercar-ever/
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