AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2024 finalists revealed

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October 13, 2023

The finalists for the AUTOBEST Best Buy Car of Europe 2024 have been announced – and for the first time, a Chinese EV is among the contenders.

The electric BYD Dolphin has made the running, alongside the Fiat 600e, Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger.

Once again, electric cars dominate the finalists. The BYD Dolphin, Fiat 600e and Jeep Avenger are only available as EVs, while the Hyundai Kona range includes an electric option.

The 31-member AUTOBEST jury will now complete a final round of testing, including an official Final Test at Austria’s Fahrtechnik Proving Ground in Teesdorf, ahead of the winner being announced in mid-December.

AUTOBEST jury members represent countries across Europe and are the largest independent motoring jury in Europe.

The aim is to determine the best real-world new car in Europe, with a focus on affordability, practicality and everyday ease of use.

Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock represents the UK.

Three other AUTOBEST awards have been announced ahead of the 2024 Gala in Luxembourg.

Porsche is named COMPANYBEST 2024, while Dacia chief Denis Le Vot joins the MANBEST gallery of top industry leaders.

New Peugeot designer Gilles Vidal is the newest member of the DESIGNBEST Hall of Fame.

In the coming weeks, the winners of the ECOBEST, SAFETYBEST, SMARTBEST, SPORTBEST and TECHNOBEST categories will be revealed.

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New Nichols N1A supercar brings Can-Am experience to the road

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John Redfern

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October 13, 2023

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Visitors to the recent Sunday Scramble event at Bicester Heritage became the first to see the new British-built Nichols Cars N1A supercar.

Inspired by Can-Am racers from the 1960s, most notably the McLaren M1A, the retro-styled N1A attracted plenty of attention from car enthusiasts.

Given its reception, potential buyers may need to move quickly to secure one of 100 build slots for the road-going Nichols Cars N1A. All 15 ‘launch edition’ cars have already been sold.

An icon of motorsport engineering

The N1A was created by renowned motorsport engineer, Steve Nichols. Having worked at McLaren during the 1980s, Nichols became the team’s lead F1 designer in 1987. He subsequently developed the McLaren MP4/4, driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, which dominated the 1988 season with 15 wins out of 16 races.

Nichols continued his career with other F1 teams, including Ferrari, Jordan, Jaguar and Sauber, always working with cutting-edge materials such as carbon fibre.

Nichols also maintained an enthusiasm for racing cars from the 1960s, including the McLaren M1A Can-Am sports prototype, which eventually led to the Nichols Cars N1A. The lightweight roadster combines classic styling with modern materials and technology.

Less weight, more power

The bodywork of the N1A is crafted from carbon fibre, and was shaped in the wind tunnel at MIRA in Nuneaton, while its chassis combines more carbon fibre with aluminium. The complete car weighs just 900kg.

Power comes from a big hunk of American muscle: a mid-mounted General Motors LS3 V8. Substantially upgraded, it now displaces 7.0 litres (427 cubic inches) and produces 650hp.

A six-speed manual gearbox is the only transmission available, and comes with an Ayrton Senna-inspired gearknob. The rest of the interior is elegantly simple, with a reclined seating position influenced by the MP4/4 F1 car.

Senna and Prost would likely have welcomed the N1A’s blend of leather and fabric upholstery, along with its switchable traction control.

Best of British

John Minett, CEO of Nichols Cars, said: “The Sunday Scramble was the ideal location for the public debut of the N1A and we have been so humbled and appreciative of the support of attendees – and those cheering on from further afar – with the launch of the N1A.”

Nichols has committed to producing no more than 100 examples of the N1A, including the 15 launch edition models – each one commemorating a particular victory by the McLaren MP4/4. The first completed cars should be delivered to customers in spring 2024.

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Yorkshire-built Twisted 4x4s head for Japan in new export deal

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John Redfern

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October 12, 2023

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North Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive has announced an agreement that will see the company’s bespoke Land Rover Defender restomods sold in Japan, under the new ‘Twisted Japan’ brand.

The exclusive deal, agreed with Yone Motors of Tokyo, means Twisted’s classic Defenders will be imported for three years.

Twisted’s first vehicles built for the Japanese market, in petrol TVS and TV8 specifications, will depart on their 6,000-mile journey to the port of Yokohama next month.

From Thirsk to Tokyo

Yone Motors has experience in selling and maintaining imported luxury vehicles, meaning Twisted’s classic Defenders will line up alongside high-end cars from McLaren, Rolls-Royce and Bentley.

Valuence Holdings, the owner of Yone Motors, has a particular focus on repurposing and reusing luxury goods, antiques and art to extend their lifespans. This fits with the Twisted approach to restoring and modifying the original Defender.

Twisted Automotive founder Charles Fawcett said: “To take the British icon that is classic Defender, re-engineer and upgrade it in Yorkshire, then send it to Japan is monumental for the Twisted team. The vehicles leaving the workshop have had over 1,200 hours each spent on them by the finest British technicians.”

Big in Japan

Importing Twisted models to Japan is intended as the starting point for the project. Charles Fawcett added: “There is a significant volume of standard Defenders in the Japanese market, and longer-term these will be used as base models and assembled under license in Japan by Twisted-trained technicians. This is the beginning of an exciting journey for Twisted on the other side of the world.”

Kazuya Tanai of Valuence, responsible for the Twisted Japan project, said: “There’s a growing demand in Japan to buy and repurpose classic, quality products. It’s this circular economy ethos that’s at the core of what we do, so the partnership with Twisted makes sense.”

Twisted has already expanded significantly from its base in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, with showrooms in Kensington, London and Salcombe, Devon. The company also has operations in North America and Dubai.

This year, Twisted also moved beyond modified Land Rover Defenders, launching the pint-sized and turbocharged Suzuki Jimny by Twisted.

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Race-winning Lewis Hamilton Mercedes F1 car heads to auction

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John Redfern

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October 10, 2023

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As part of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the official RM Sotheby’s auction will see a very special Mercedes Formula 1 car up for sale.

Used by Sir Lewis Hamilton to take victory in the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04 is the car he used to score his first win for the Mercedes-AMG F1 team.

It represents a key piece of the British driver’s racing history – not least because it is the first Hamilton-driven Mercedes F1 car available for public purchase.

The beginning of a motorsport dynasty

Sir Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join the Mercedes F1 team caused a shock in the motorsport world, as he left the McLaren team that had backed him from childhood. Prior to 2013, the reborn Mercedes team had struggled to be competitive, even with seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher at the wheel.

Mercedes made a huge number of changes for the 2013 season, including Toto Wolff taking control of on-track motorsport operations. The W04 race car would also take a step forward, proving to be more competitive as the year progressed.

Although Nico Rosberg would take the W04’s maiden victory in Monaco, bad luck would force Hamilton to wait until Hungary to taste success himself. Starting from pole position, Hamilton became the first British driver since Sir Stirling Moss to win a Grand Prix for Mercedes-Benz.

Hamilton would use this particular chassis in 14 races throughout the 2013 season, helping the Mercedes-AMG Petronas to second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

More than just another Formula 1 car

The following year would see Hamilton and Mercedes embark on a record-breaking run of F1 success, with the British driver becoming a seven-time champion. It means the Mercedes W04 of 2013 was an important part of establishing a dynasty.

Shelby Myers, global head of private sales, RM Sotheby’s said: “Given the unparalleled lineage and being the sole example outside of Mercedes’ origination publicly available, the pairing of Lewis and the W04 elevates it beyond just a Formula 1 car.

“This undeniable piece could emerge as one of the most coveted collectibles in the foreseeable future.”

As a result, RM Sotheby’s has given the Mercedes F1 W04 a pre-auction estimate of £8 million to £12 million. The auction, set to take place on 17 November 2023, will also see the sale of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL jersey, won by American Football legend, Tom Brady.

A Hamilton-driven McLaren-Mercedes F1 car, sold in 2021 by RM Sotheby’s, achieved a considerable £5 million at auction.

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Aston Martin to race for 2025 Le Mans Hypercar title with Valkyrie

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John Redfern

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October 4, 2023

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Aston Martin has announced major plans to compete in the highest level of endurance racing with its Valkyrie hypercar.

From 2025, the Valkyrie will be entered in the top Hypercar class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, aiming for outright victory in the famous French race.

The Valkyrie will also be entered in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA). Plus, it will race in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and at the Sebring 12 Hours.

This will make the Aston Martin Valkyrie the world’s first road car-inspired hypercar to compete simultaneously in motorsport’s top two endurance championships.

‘The pursuit of excellence’

Aston Martin originally intended the Valkyrie to compete in the Hypercar class, having first announced plans in 2019. First developed in collaboration with Red Bull Racing, the road-going version features a 6.5-litre Cosworth V12 engine producing more than 1,000hp.

The Hypercar-class racing version of the Valkyrie retains this high-revving naturally aspirated engine, but is tuned to meet the demands of endurance racing – and the Balance of Performance (BOP) regulations.

Development of the Valkyrie Hypercar will take place at the newly built AMR Technology Campus. This is located alongside Aston Martin’s Formula One team at Silverstone, bringing together the brand’s two main motorsport endeavours.

Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Performance is the lifeblood of everything that we do at Aston Martin, and motorsport is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence”.

Aiming for Le Mans victory

Aston Martin has enjoyed considerable success at the 24 Hours of Le Mans over the years, having first competed there in 1923. Overall, the British marque has achieved 19 class victories, including an outright win in 1959.

The Heart of Racing team will be responsible for running the Valkyrie programmes in both WEC and IMSA. Having partnered with Aston Martin since 2020, Heart of Racing has achieved championship wins in the IMSA GTD category.

Aston Martin also announced plans to race new GT3 and GT4 cars based upon the Vantage. This means the company will compete in all forms of sports car racing, along with Formula One, all at the same time.

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British racer Jess Hawkins tests Aston Martin F1 car

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John Redfern

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September 27, 2023

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Jess Hawkins has become the first woman to drive a modern Formula One car in five years, following a test session. The experienced racing and stunt driver got a chance to drive the current Aston Martin AMR21 F1 race car at the Hungaroring circuit, near Budapest.

It was the fulfillment of a life-long dream for the Hampshire-born star, and a further benefit of her role as an official ‘driver ambassador’ for Aston Martin.

Completing 26 laps of the Hungaroring in total, Hawkins shared the test session with Aston Martin’s test and reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich.

Fulfilling a career goal

Jess Hawkins has already established an impressive motorsport CV, having won numerous karting championships.

The British driver also competed in the all-female W Series in both 2019 and 2021, and has made appearances in the British Touring Car Championship. She was appointed a driver ambassador for Aston Martin two years ago.

Next year will see Hawkins compete in the all-female F1 Academy series, representing the Aston Martin team as its nominated driver. The 2024 F1 Academy season will see Formula One outfits taking a greater involvement in the development championship.

Away from the track, Hawkins was a stunt driver in the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die, and even holds a Guinness World Record for driving the fastest-accelerating lawnmower.

“Blood, sweat and tears to get here”

Speaking after the test session, Hawkins said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone at AMF1 Team for having the trust in me, believing in me, and for giving me this opportunity. It’s taken me every bit of blood, sweat and tears to get here. When I first heard it might be a possibility, I could hardly believe it.”

She added: “I’ve had to keep it secret for months now – which was pretty hard! It’s been absolutely worth it and it’s given me really valuable insight. Nothing will compare to the acceleration and braking of a Formula One car and, having looked at the data, I’m really proud of my performance.”

Mike Krack, Aston Martin F1 team principal said: “We were really impressed by Jessica’s preparation for the test – she worked incredibly hard with our simulator team and that made it an easy decision to put her in the AMR21. Jessica approached the opportunity with great maturity; she was up to speed quickly and found a nice rhythm.”

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David Beckham opens London’s new flagship Maserati showroom

By

Tim Pitt

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September 26, 2023

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Maserati has opened the doors to its new London showroom, with help from David Beckham. The former England football captain drove to the launch party in a new Maserati GranTurismo, then spoke to guests about his custom MC20 supercar.

The flagship Maserati facility is located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, just outside the M25 and close to the Galleria shopping centre. It forms part of luxury dealer group H.R. Owen’s huge new multi-marque site, which includes showrooms and servicing workshops for Bentley, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

This is also the first UK showroom to adopt Maserati’s new design aesthetic, including colours ‘reminiscent of the rustic hues found in Italian countryside villages’. Or so it says here.

Blue is the colour

Pride of price on the opening night went to a glamorous, deep blue GranTurismo Trofeo (pictured above) – Maserati’s answer to the Bentley Continental GT or Porsche 911 Turbo, with a 550hp V6 engine and price tag of around £163,000.

We tested the Trofeo earlier this year, saying: ‘it feels like a car you could drive for hours to the French Alps, then enjoy threading together a few hairpins when you get there’.

Bernard Loire, chief commercial officer at Maserati, also spoke about the fully electric GranTurismo Folgore (‘lightning’ in English), which is due imminently. With a mighty 761hp from a 92.5kWh battery, it will bring true supercar performance to the Italian brand’s luxury GT.

Proving that you should *always* check the car park is this Maserati Kyalami.

Closely related to the De Tomaso Longchamp and one of 210 made. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one before. pic.twitter.com/amp3IBsIPf
— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) September 21, 2023

Speaking of supercars, there were three examples of the McLaren-baiting Maserati MC20 on display in Hatfield, two parked outside (see below), plus the same MC20 Cielo convertible we reviewed in May. Our thoughts at the time: ‘Whatever the weather, it excels as a refreshingly uncomplicated and authentic supercar’.

A game of two halves

As Maserati’s global brand ambassador, David Beckham naturally owns an MC20, which has been modified using the in-house ‘Fuoriserie’ personalisation service – also offered in Hatfield via a 3D digital configurator on a large screen.

As Beckham explained, his car sports the colours of his Miami-based football team (sorry, ‘soccer team’), with gloss black paint and pale pink MC20 badges and brake callipers.

Each to their own, of course, but we discovered our favourite Maserati of the evening outside in the car park: an ultra-rare classic Kyalami. The crisply styled V8 coupe was one of 210 produced between 1976 and 1982. It served as a reminder that glamorous Maseratis are nothing new.

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How to drive safely on the school run

By

Motoring Research team

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September 21, 2023

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Children have finally returned to school after the long summer holiday. However, while many parents will be breathing a quiet sigh of relief, the school run can be one of the most hazardous journeys we take.

Arguing siblings in the back, other children crossing the road, competing with other parents for a parking space… it can all add up to a very stressful experience.

With help from road safety organisation IAM RoadSmart, we’ve compiled some tips on how to make this twice-a-day car journey as smooth and safe as possible.

Driving to school in safety

Sit tight, buckle up

Make sure all your children are in their child car seats, that the seats fit properly (taking into account the child’s height and weight) and that all belts are fastened.

The government guidance states: ‘Children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135cm tall must wear a seat belt.’

With any luck, your kids will be strapped in so securely they won’t be able to reach each other…

A snack hack

Pack snacks, along with toys or books to distract them when the going gets stroppy. A bite to eat or something to amuse them should keep spirits up.

As all parents know, it doesn’t take much for a young child’s mood to change, so back-ups are always good to have.

Be a punctual parent

It’s easier said than done, but try not to rush. A school-run with time to spare is safer and far more relaxed, for everyone involved.

Allow plenty of time and stay calm. Children may react to your mood, which can spiral into arguments that distract you from the road.

Go slow and steady

Following on from the above, if you’re not rushing, you’re not speeding. A slower car is a safer car, particularly when children may be crossing the road.

Many schools already have 20mph speed limits nearby, and you should adhere to these carefully.

Rules of the road

The learning doesn’t have to start on the school premises. Teach your kids as much as you can about road safety as possible. Set a good example for them by being a patient, considerate and observant driver.

Don’t park your car in a position that could endanger others. You could even park a short distance away from the school, so a brief walk can offer a practical demonstration of pedestrian safety.

“Traffic always picks up again after the school holidays, so your journey will take longer and potentially be more stressful,” said Richard Gladman of IAM RoadSmart.

“Make sure the car is fuelled up and fit and ready for stop-start traffic, so you have one less thing to worry about. Be vigilant around schools as there’s likely to be children getting out of cars or walking to school.”

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New Bugatti hypercar service centre opens in London

By

John Redfern

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September 19, 2023

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British Bugatti owners can now have their exclusive hypercars serviced at a new aftersales centre in London. Luxury car dealership H.R. Owen has opened the facility to complement its Mayfair showroom, which is dedicated to the Bugatti brand.

The new London workshop becomes the only Bugatti Service Partner of Excellence centre in the UK, and one of only six in the world.

Well-heeled (and probably quite demanding) Bugatti owners are promised ‘a peerless and serene ownership journey’ and ‘absolute customer satisfaction’.

More than just an oil-change

Being a Bugatti Service Partner of Excellence means the London workshop is allowed to perform more complex aspects of maintenance work and specialised repairs. Owners can request an interior retrim, have new accessories installed, or even commission a custom makeover for their car’s bodywork.

That’s all in addition to the ‘regular’ servicing needed to keep a 1,500hp Bugatti Chiron at the peak of its powers, of course.

Members of the London service team have received in-depth training at Bugatti headquarters in Molsheim, France. There are seven service bays in the 554 square-metre facility, each with the latest diagnostic technology. Along with servicing the current Chiron, the technicians can maintain older Veyron and EB110 models, too.

The ultimate service experience

“The facility that Bugatti London has created is one of the most advanced aftersales sites, perfectly in line with our commitment to deliver the very best service experience for our customers,” said Alexis Ploix, director of aftersales at Bugatti.

“Our constant development of the partner and aftersales network ensures that each and every step of owning a Bugatti is incomparable – just as our founder, Ettore, had always wanted it to be – but also impeccable.”

Bugatti London offers its customers a chauffeur-driven collection service, along with access to high-end courtesy cars while maintenance work is being undertaken.

Tellingly, no prices are quoted. However, Bugatti London charges up to £50 for an espresso at its Mayfair showroom, which perhaps offers an insight into how daunting your service bill might be.

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In-car Amazon Prime Video is coming soon to Volvo and Polestar

By

John Redfern

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September 15, 2023

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Owners of certain Volvo and Polestar models will soon be able to watch Amazon Prime Video content inside their cars.

An update to the Android Automotive operating system in Volvo and Polestar vehicles will see the Prime Video streaming service available to download via the built-in Google Play app store.

Drivers can then watch Amazon Prime Video content – such as the new Mammals series with James Corden – using the infotainment screen of their Volvo or Polestar.

Moving upstream

“Adding access to services such as Prime Video and YouTube in our cars bolsters the continuously growing list of software and applications to make lives for our drivers better,” said Erik Severinson, global head of new car programmes at Volvo. “We are delivering on our promise of building cars that grow with our customers over time.”

Access to YouTube video streaming will become available for Volvo models in the near-future, too.

YouTube access was added to the Polestar 2 earlier this year, as part of the electric car’s 15th over-the-air software update so far.

Safety comes first

In the name of safety, access to both Amazon Prime Video and YouTube streaming content is limited to when the car is fully stationary. This might include time spent waiting for an electric car to charge, for example.

Prime Video will be offered through the Google Play app store, while YouTube access will be added to Volvo models via an over-the-air software update. The rollout of Amazon Prime Video starts on 18 September 2023, with a market-by-market approach.

All Volvo cars with built-in Google operating systems will be able to receive the new updates, other than those located in China, South Korea and Vietnam.

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