New 2024 Callum Skye is an electric all-terrain sports car

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November 23, 2023

The Callum Skye is a brand new electric off-roader, designed to deliver high performance whatever the terrain or weather conditions.

Created by Callum, the design and engineering consultancy founded by Ian Callum CBE (formerly of Jaguar and Aston Martin), this is the first own-brand vehicle from the Warwickshire-based company.

The Skye isn’t just a radical concept car, either. Callum has already tested it in the UK and Europe, ahead of launching a completed vehicle (tailored for either on- or off-road use) in early 2024.

‘Unique in concept and presence’

The Skye uses a space frame chassis with relatively compact dimensions: 4,047mm long and 1,900mm wide. Callum promises a ‘comfortable and refined’ cabin with a 2+2 seating layout.

Describing the design of the Skye, Ian Callum said: “The exterior features a striking accent loop, intersected by a strong horizontal structure, flanked by organic forms front and rear. It is pared down to a level of necessity and understatement. At the heart of its story is its performance, style and capability, and a design integral to the engineering elements.

“For example, the lower sections of the doors have beautifully integrated glass, offering outstanding visibility in all conditions. I believe the Skye is truly authentic – unique in concept and presence in the market.”

Rapid performance, rapid charging

Callum is targeting a dry weight (measured without fluids) of only 1,150kg, along with 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. Trail-capable suspension and a lofty ground clearance add to the Skye’s off-road credentials. It will be fast, too – the 0-60mph dash is dispatched in less than four seconds.

All-wheel drive is combined with a 42kWh lithium-ion battery, giving an anticipated range of up to 170 miles. Callum intends for the Skye to deliver ultra-rapid charging, potentially replenishing the battery from empty to full in less than 10 minutes.

Callum managing director David Fairbairn says the Skye’s battery options will “make a big impression on the industry, while ensuring it doesn’t have a negative environmental impact”.

Those interested in being among the first to own a Skye can register their interest via the Callum website.

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Famous TWR name to return on restomod Jaguar XJS

By

John Redfern

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November 17, 2023

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TWR is back – and the first project for the former British racing team is a restomod Jaguar XJS, created with help from designers Magnus Walker and Khyzyl Saleem.

Originally founded in 1976 by the late Tom Walkinshaw, TWR became a global motorsport powerhouse. However, it entered administration in 2002, following a costly investment in the Arrows Formula One team.

Now with Tom Walkinshaw’s son Fergus at the helm, TWR has reinvented itself as a ‘constructor of bespoke automobiles’. The company promises to ‘protect and perfect the analogue driving experience’, and plans to work with various car manufacturers.

Racing and road cars

The original, Oxfordshire-based Tom Walkinshaw Racing was closely associated with Jaguar, preparing an XJS to race in the European Touring Car Championship.

TWR and Jaguar later collaborated on the XJR series of sports car prototype racers. These included the XJR-9LM, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright in 1988.

The company worked with Volvo to create the infamous 850 Estate that competed in the British Touring Car Championship. Engineering teams at TWR were also responsible for the development of numerous road cars, including the Jaguar XJ220 and Aston Martin DB7.

With its special place in TWR history, the XJS was chosen as the company’s first project to be ‘brought into the 21st century’.

Rehabilitating a classic

TWR has enlisted the help of Magnus Walker, the Sheffield-born fashion designer and renowned car collector, as a design consultant. Walker said: “The XJS is a car that’s sort of misunderstood. I wanted to make my mark on it”.

Digital designer Khyzyl Saleem will work alongside Walker at TWR. Saleem has become famous for his radical car styling creations, both real and virtual. His Instagram channel boasts more than one million followers.

“It’s the first project I’ve been involved in where I’m not just designing a bodykit, but creating a fully functioning, performance-driven car,” said Saleem. “It’s going from what I’m known for, the digital space, and adding real credibility to my work.”

More details about the new TWR Jaguar XJS will be revealed in early 2024. We’ll be intrigued to see it.

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New Maserati MC20 Notte supercar is approved by David Beckham

By

John Redfern

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November 11, 2023

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Maserati has revealed a first special edition of its mid-engined MC20 supercar, created with a little help from David Beckham.

The new MC20 Notte is said to celebrate the ‘daring spirit that has always propelled the Trident forward’ and align the MC20 more closely with the Italian brand’s motorsport heritage.

Production of the MC20 Notte will be limited to 50 examples worldwide, with Maserati’s in-house Fuoriserie personalisation service adding the finishing touches to each car.

The rhythm of the night

Professional racing driver Andrea Bertolini has also been involved in development of the MC20 Notte. Along with winning the 2010 GT1 World Championship for Maserati, Bertolini serves as the company’s official test driver.

The MC20 Notte’s bodywork wears a distinctive matte black exterior finish, combined with matte white gold for the Maserati logo and badges. The 20-inch ‘Birdcage’ alloy wheels are also painted in matte black, with white gold detailing. Yellow brake calipers add a splash of contrast.

On the inside, the MC20 Notte comes equipped with power-adjustable sports seats upholstered in a combination of black and grey Alcantara. The grippy man-made suede material also covers the steering wheel, with carbon fibre inserts added. Yellow stitching breaks up the black theme, plus you’ll find a numbered plaque between the seats.

Spend it like Beckham

Maserati has left the MC20 mechanically untouched, which means a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that develops 630hp. Zero to 62mph takes 2.9 seconds and top speed is in excess of 200mph.

As a global brand ambassador for Maserati, David Beckham recently opened the marque’s new flagship London area showroom, located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Speaking at the event, the former England football captain explained how his own MC20 was customised by Fuoriserie.

A new short film features both David Beckham and Andrea Bertolini, showing the Inter Milan CF owner’s MC20 being transformed into a Notte edition.

The MC20 Notte is available to order now. Maserati has not confirmed a price yet, but it will undoubtedly cost more than the £190,000 asked for the standard car. Buyers will be invited to a special on-track driving experience, too.

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Lotus has built an electric bicycle – with added lightness

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John Redfern

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November 2, 2023

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Lotus has launched an all-new electric bicycle, featuring the lightest e-bike motor on the market to keep weight down.

Called the Type 136, the new e-bike is a celebration of three decades of experience gained by Lotus in the world of cycling.

The company’s first foray into the sport came with the Type 108, developed by Lotus Engineering for use at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. The Type 108 helped Chris Boardman to win a gold medal in the 4,000m pursuit, and also set a new world record.

Technology from outer space

For the Type 136, Lotus has used a lightweight carbon fibre frame and bespoke components, all crafted in Italy. With V-shaped handlebars, and vaulted chain stays created by Lotus chief aerodynamicist Richard Hill, the Type 136 should cut through the air with ease.

In true Lotus fashion, the Type 136 tips the scales at a lightweight 9.8kg, aided by the HPS e-bike system that adds just 1.2kg. The electric motor itself contributes a scant 300g, and is similar to the device used for the Mars Lander project.

Adding to the innovation is a battery pack disguised as a water bottle. This can be removed from the frame at the push of a button to aid charging, and provides power for up to three hours.

Another new electric Lotus

To mark the launch of the Type 136, Lotus has created a limited-production First Edition version, featuring ‘an iconic motorsport livery’ in black and gold. A total of 136 First Edition models will be made, each individually numbered and priced at £20,000. Potential buyers can register their interest now.

The standard version of the Type 136 will go on sale in the spring of 2024, priced from £16,999.

Feng Qingfeng, CEO of the Lotus Group, commented: “I am proud to launch the Lotus Type 136 as the next chapter in our high-performance journey. For the past 75 years, Lotus has been relentlessly pushing the boundaries of innovation on the road and track. Type 136 shows that we continue to do so. Launching alongside Eletre, Emeya and Evija, it will further expand global perceptions of what to expect from Lotus.”

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Ferrari reveals ultimate £4.5m Le Mans-inspired track car

By

John Redfern

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November 2, 2023

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Ferrari fans who dream of driving an authentic Le Mans prototype racer may be in luck. At the annual Ferrari World Finale event, held at Mugello in Italy, the company unveiled the track-only 499P Modificata.

The exclusive new single-seater is a thinly disguised version of the hybrid 499P Hypercar, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year.

Not sanctioned for motorsport use, the 499P Modificata has been released from the shackles of World Endurance Championship regulations, giving Ferrari engineers free reign to push the boundaries of performance.

Quicker than a Le Mans racer?

This means buyers can drive an even more extreme Ferrari than the ones raced at Le Mans. Mild tweaks to the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine mean it now produces more than 700hp.

However, the biggest change for the 499P Modificata is an upgraded electric motor, used to power the front axle. In racing spec, rules prevent the hybrid system from being used at speeds below 118mph. For the Modificata, there is no such restriction, meaning the all-wheel-drive hybrid hardware can operate at any speed.

The petrol engine and electric motor combined produce a total output of 870hp. There’s also a Formula One-style ‘push to pass’ function, activated via a steering wheel-mounted button.

Like the racing version, the 499P Modificata uses a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, with its V6 engine mounted in the middle. Pirelli P Zero tyres have been developed specifically for the car, with the aim of helping amateur drivers gain confidence.

Only for the chosen few

Keen to get behind the wheel of a 499P Modificata? Reckon on spending around £4.5 million before taxes. This covers the cost of the car itself, along with access to Ferrari Sport Prototipi Clienti events from 2024 onwards.

This programme will see drivers invited to Ferrari track days at racing circuits around the world. Maintenance, along with logistical and technical support, is also included in the car’s price. Unsurprisingly, the 499P Modificata is not road-legal.

Ferrari has not confirmed how many examples of the 499P Modificata will be made. However, we’re told the cars are reserved for the marque’s most valued customers, rather than just anyone with a substantial bank balance.

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BTCC racers gain extra turbo-hybrid power boost for 2024

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John Redfern

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October 31, 2023

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Drivers in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) will gain an extra shot of hybrid power assistance from the 2024 season onwards.

The BTCC became the first touring car competition in the world to move to hybrid power, making it compulsory for the 2022 season. Further refinement was made for 2023, but major changes are planned for next year.

After extensive testing, BTCC drivers will receive a combination of both hybrid power assistance and additional turbo boost to deploy.

It means pressing a single steering wheel-mounted button will result in double the amount of extra power on offer – estimated to be around 60hp.

A double shot of boost

Alan Gow, BTCC chief executive, said: “With the hybrid system now proven to be extremely reliable, the time is right to further develop its overall performance.”

Testing has shown the hybrid setup to be 97.3 percent reliable, making it no different to other major components used in a modern touring car.

The dominance of the 2023 BTCC season by now four-time champion Ashley Sutton, is also likely to have encouraged the organisers to attempt to improve the quality of racing.

Sutton claimed 12 race wins and six pole positions during the season, with a Max Verstappen-esque display of force. For a championship built around the promise of equal competition, making changes seemed impossible to ignore.

Further enhancements planned for 2024

As with this season, drivers will be able to choose when they deploy their turbo-hybrid boost during qualifying sessions and races. The duration of boost available to each driver is determined by their championship position for qualifying, and finishing position on race day.

The new turbo-hybrid power boost follows the BTCC’s announcement that it will introduce ‘fast six’ qualifying for the 2024 season.

Similar to the American IndyCar series, one single qualifying session will be replaced with shorter segments. This will result in a showdown between the fastest six drivers for pole position.

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Mazda Iconic SP concept points to rotary-engined hybrid MX-5

By

Tim Pitt

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October 25, 2023

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Mazda has pulled the wraps off a surprise new sports car. The Iconic SP concept uses a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a rotary engine – and strongly hints at the next-generation MX-5, due in 2026.

Revealed at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, the Iconic SP combines a range-extending rotary petrol engine with an electric motor and a generator – a similar set-up to that used by the Mazda MX-30 R-EV.

However, the Iconic SP’s 390hp output is more than twice that of the MX-30 crossover. And while Mazda doesn’t quote any performance figures, a kerb weight of 1,450kg would make this curvaceous coupe quicker than any MX-5 to-date. We’d expect an electric-only range of at least 40 miles, too.

Isn’t it Iconic, don’t you think?

One key difference between the Iconic SP and MX-5 is that the concept car is mid-engined. This creates a low centre of gravity to ‘deliver excellent driving performance’. It also allows for a plunging bonnet and wedgy profile, helping both aerodynamics and aesthetics.

At 4,180mm long and 1,850mm wide, the Iconic SP is closer in size to the third-generation (1992-2002) Mazda RX-7 than any MX-5. However, Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro clearly made the connection between this concept and his company’s evergreen sports car.

“We love the MX-5, and the world loves the MX-5,” said Moro. “We are determined in the age of electrification to keep the joy of driving which the MX-5 represents alive, and the Mazda Iconic SP, with its dual-rotary power generator EV powertrain, is our dream solution. A dream we will work hard to launch.”

Keeping the 5 alive

Speaking of the Mazda MX-5, a facelifted version of the current car also debuted in Tokyo. It features new LED headlamps that now incorporate the daytime running lights, along with redesigned LED rear light lenses. Inside, the 2024 MX-5 has a larger 8.8-inch touchscreen, updated instrument panel and additional USB-C ports.

While the 132hp 1.5-litre and 184hp 2.0-litre engines remain unchanged, the MX-5 also comes with a new asymmetric limited-slip differential, plus a track driving mode for its electronic stability control. The former varies slip-limiting force between acceleration and deceleration, while the latter allows for greater drift angles before the electronics intervene.

Prices and specifications have yet to be announced, but the 2024 Mazda MX-5 will arrive in UK showrooms next March.

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Spent £2.4m on a Rimac Nevera? At least charging it will be free…

By

John Redfern

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October 20, 2023

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Owners of the Rimac Nevera will enjoy free pan-European charging for eight years after they purchase their electric hypercar.

A partnership between Rimac and charging provider Ionity means owners of the fastest accelerating car in the world can access ultra-rapid charging points.

The agreement will see Rimac drivers able to use the Ionity charging network throughout 24 different European countries, including the UK.

Rapid car, rapid charging

The Rimac Nevera uses four electric motors that are powered by a 120kWh lithium-manganese battery pack. When fully charged, the Croatian EV has an official range of up to 300 miles.

With a combined output of 1,914hp, the Rimac can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than two seconds. In 2021, it set a new road-car world record by completing a standing quarter-mile in just 8.852 seconds.

Despite the Nevera’s massive performance, Rimac founder Mate Rimac points out it was originally conceived as a “a hyper GT, rather than a track-focused car”.

As such, the Nevera is capable of using 500kW charging architecture. When connected to a 350kW Ionity charger, replenishing its battery pack from zero to 80 percent takes only 25 minutes.

A carbon-neutral campus

Helpfully, the partnership between Rimac and Ionity will benefit more than just the 150 folk who spend £2.4 million on a Nevera.

Ionity will also install a six-charger hub as part of the new Rimac Campus, which is being constructed near Zagreb in Croatia. This will offer high-speed EV charging for visitors to the Rimac site, along with the general public.

Set to cover more than 70,000 square metres, the Rimac Campus is designed to be carbon-neutral, and to accommodate some 2,500 employees. Hypercar fans will be able to access a Rimac retail store, restaurant and event spaces, too.

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Why driving through puddles could mean a fine or penalty points

By

John Redfern

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October 20, 2023

0

Getting splashed by a car as it drives through a big puddle could potentially ruin your outfit – and indeed ruin your day.

However, the law is on your side and the driver of the car may eventually come off worse. They risk a fine, along with points on their driving licence.

Even so, one in three motorists admit to having splashed pedestrians while driving, either intentionally or by accident.

Making a splash

Comparison website Uswitch surveyed more than 1,200 drivers to discover how they behave when faced with roadside puddles.

One in 18 UK drivers from the sample said they had deliberately soaked a pedestrian by driving through standing water. Those aged between 17 and 24 were more likely to commit the offence, with 32 percent admitting to it.

Whilst almost half of those asked (45 percent) said they would feel remorse, this was not consistent across the UK. Scottish drivers were most remorseful, but those from Yorkshire were least likely to feel any guilt.

What does the law say?

Splashing pedestrians can be considered an offence of careless or inconsiderate driving, covered by section 3ZA of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Inconsiderate driving is the simpler offence to prove. It needs only to show that someone else has been inconvenienced by your actions.

It is used where ‘driving amounts to a clear act of incompetence, selfishness, impatience or aggressiveness, in addition to some other inconvenience’.

The Crown Prosecution Service also makes specific reference to ‘driving through a puddle causing pedestrians to be splashed’ in its guidance for road traffic offence charging decisions.

Money down the drain

Given 33 percent of pedestrians would report drivers to the police for splashing them, the risk of punishment is real. Smartphones, dashcams and roadside CCTV add to the potential for incriminating evidence, too.

For the simplest offences, drivers could be issued a £100 fine and have three penalty points added to their licence. However, a court could impose a fine of up to £5,000 in the most serious cases.

Having a motoring conviction also means insurers will see you as a greater risk, so your annual car insurance premium could increase.

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Tired of touchscreens: new Skodas to get clever rotary Smart Dials

By

John Redfern

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October 18, 2023

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Interior design details of the new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq have been revealed. The Skoda Superb hatchback and estate models, and the Kodiaq SUV, will all boast more interior space and improved technology when they reach showrooms later this year.

Skoda also seems to have listened to complaints about modern cars being too reliant on touchscreens. The new Superb and Kodiaq will feature innovative Smart Dials, intended to simplify the controls and help drivers keep their eyes on the road.

According to Peter Olah, Skoda’s head of interior design, the new Smart Dials combine the “best of both worlds: physical controls and digital displays”.

Ready to twist, not shout

Three rotary dials are located on the centre console, where the traditional climate control buttons would be. In the centre of each dial is a 32mm digital display, providing access to a number of different interior functions.

The two outer dials control the temperature and seat heating for the driver and passenger. Four different functions can be accessed through the central dial, including audio volume, satellite navigation zoom and driving modes. Consider it a handy evolution of the technology found in the Audi TT.

The Smart Dials mean that, despite a larger 12.9-inch infotainment display being fitted, drivers can reduce the need to navigate through endless touchscreen menus.

Remaining ‘Simply Clever‘

Skoda has continued its ‘Simply Clever’ design philosophy, including a ‘Phone Box’ for wireless smartphone charging. In the Kodiaq, two devices can be charged at the same time, with a cooling function to prevent them from overheating.

A total of four USB-C charging ports are found inside the cars, including one behind the rear-view mirror to power a dashcam.

New trim options include 100 percent recycled polyester upholstery, while higher-spec cars use leather tanned by coffee bean residue, or by waste water from olive processing.

Long-time enthusiasts of the Czech brand can rest easy, though. Skoda’s famous umbrella hidden inside the driver’s door, and the emergency ice scraper behind the fuel flap, are both still present and correct.

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