One of the benefits of being a Formula One driver is a steady supply of cool company cars. Back in 2019, a fresh-faced Lando Norris took delivery of an orange McLaren 570S. Four years later, the F1 ace has upgraded to a 765LT Spider.
Norris collected his car from the futuristic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey. The 765LT Spider has been modified by McLaren’s in-house MSO division to the 23-year-old driver’s exact spec, including body panels in blue-tinted visual carbon fibre and bright ‘Lando Yellow’ highlights. An ‘LN’ monogram is embossed onto the headrests of the blue Alcantara seats.
This unique Spider is one of 765 cars made, all of which have now been sold. “I’ve been able to drive a lot of different McLarens, but this is the first car that I’ve designed – this is me in a car,” said Norris.
“I’m a carbon lover, the more carbon I can have, the better. But I didn’t want to have my logo everywhere, I wanted something a bit more subtle and MSO has done a fantastic job to realise my vision.”
Along came a Spider
McLaren launched the 765LT – a harder, faster version of the 720S – in 2020, then the Spider version followed in 2022. It’s the latest in a ‘Longtail’ bloodline that stretches right back to the McLaren F1.
Powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the 765LT Spider can hit 62mph in a blistering 2.8 seconds. Our review said: ‘The 4.0-litre V8 actually feels a little flat below 3,000rpm, but then it takes off like a lit firework. You’re pinned into the seat, involuntarily holding your breath, fingertips on the right paddle as you watch the change-up lights then grab the next gear. It’s intense.
‘Thankfully, at least for your licence’s sake, the LT is also engaging at sensible speeds. Its hydraulic steering – with a slower ratio for the Spider – is alive with constant feedback, while impressive visibility helps you place it precisely and use every inch of road.’
Compared with Lando’s McLaren MCL60 daily-driver, a 765LT Spider probably feels quite tame. But as a road car, it’s as wild and exhilarating as they come.
From racetrack to road
The MCL60 has come up short from the outset of this season, with McLaren fans left disappointed by its performance. In truth, they may need to look to 2024, as it will be next month before the team’s new wind tunnel is installed and further development can truly take place.
Away from the track, as 765LT production winds down, the men and women of Woking are turning their attention to the new 750S: the lightest and most powerful series-production McLaren ever made. Read our full preview for all the details
The 750S will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer. Will Lando Norris be there to pull the covers off – or perhaps do a flat-out demo run up the famous Goodwood hillclimb? Don’t bet against it.
London’s Savile Row – famous for its high-end tailors – plays host to a display of rare and exotic retro cars next week.
The second Concours on Savile Row promises to be even grander than 2022’s event, with more cars and additional supporting partners.
Taking place on Wednesday 24 May and Thursday 25 May 2023, the covers come off at 10am and the event remains open – with the street closed to normal traffic – until 8pm on both days. Concours on Savile Row is free to attend, with no tickets required.
Classic or electro?
With an expanded array of cars, Concours on Savile Row will stretch the length of the street, seeing cars paired with particular tailors. For 2023, the show has also expanded around the corner, into the area outside the Royal Academy of Arts on Burlington Gardens.
Vehicles on show this year will span everything from a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT Spyder Competizione to a brand new Aston Martin DBX707 SUV.
New marques taking part include Callum Design with its restomod Vanquish 25, and RML with its Ferrari-based Short Wheelbase supercar. Electrified exotics will also be present, including the Bentley S2 Continental by Lunaz and Superformance GT40 from Everrati.
Alfa Romeo is using the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Quadrifoglio badge, while Audi will display past and present models with Quattro four-wheel drive.
A red-carpet debut
The significance of the Concours on Savile Row was demonstrated last year by the UK debuts of the Czinger 21C hypercar (pictured above) and McLaren Artura.
On the first evening of the event, EFG Private Bank and the Royal Academy of Arts will host a gala dinner in the Collections Gallery. The Academy will also lead a roundtable discussion on the topic of ‘investment-level collector cars that transcend the car hobby and become rolling works of art’.
Craft displays, live music and pop-up refreshment stalls will complete the event. The weather forecast looks good at the moment, too…
Texas-based tuning company and hypercar maker Hennessey has opened a new dealership in the heart of London.
A partnership with H.R. Owen will see Hennessey vehicles sold from a showroom in Bruton Street, Mayfair. Hennessey will also be represented at H.R. Owen’s ‘super site’ in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
The new Hennessey London location was chosen to ‘serve affluent residents’ in the capital, along with providing a gateway to customers in Europe.
Pushing performance boundaries
John Hennessey established his eponymous company in 1991, quickly building a reputation for extreme tuned cars. In 2011, Hennessey released the Venom GT, a highly modified version of the Lotus Elise that set several (unofficial) world speed records.
Hennessey London will sell vehicles developed from the Venom F5 hypercar. Powered by a 1,817hp 6.6-litre twin-turbo ‘Fury’ V8, the F5 is predicted to be capable of more than 300mph.
At launch, Hennessey noted that the Venom F5 could be built in right-hand-drive form.
John Hennessey said: “We are very pleased to partner with H.R. Owen, the UK’s leading luxury motor group. Its team’s hypercar experience allows us to confidently expand our footprint, knowing that our clientele will be in the care of professionals. We are honoured to align with a professional team that shares our family ideals, brand vision and passion for ultimate performance.”
Hypercar heritage
Although all the planned 24 examples of the Venom F5 Coupe have been sold, Hennessey has since added new variants, including an open-top Roadster.
A track-orientated ‘Revolution’ model was revealed earlier this year, with wild aerodynamic additions to generate 635kg of downforce at 249mph.
Ken Choo, CEO of H.R. Owen, said: “The H.R. Owen Group looks to brands that relentlessly innovate, seeking to be the best no matter the cost or complexity. Hennessey is the perfect addition to our portfolio of partners, with a storied heritage, a proven hypercar that has already received critical acclaim, and a forward-facing vision of the future of performance.”
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of tyres when it comes to safety. They’re the only part of a car that touches the tarmac, so every input you make – acceleration, steering or braking – must go through them.
Their contact patch with the road is much smaller than you’d think, too: about the size of your computer keyboard across all four tyres.
There’s a reason all racing drivers are obsessed with tyres, then. And they’re just as vital for road driving. Read our five-minute guide to make sure you choose the right tyres and stay safe.
Are premium tyre brands better?
Never has the mantra ‘you get what you pay for’ been truer than with tyres. They’re one of the few products where you really are better off plumping for a premium brand.
In a back-to-back test by journalist Jonny Smith, the dramatic differences between the name-brand and budget tyres was apparent. Comparing two identical examples of the Mercedes-AMG C63, the car with ‘premium’ Continental rubber performed much better in handling, braking and agility tests.
“Many people want to know why premium tyres are preferable to budget brands,” said Smith.“With tyres the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, it makes sense to ensure they’re the best quality possible.”
It’s not all about the high-performance stuff, though. Some tyres won’t be the right fit for your car. The track-focused Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R is not the right choice for a Toyota Prius, for instance. Likewise, eco-oriented tyres from a well-regarded brand won’t suit a McLaren Senna.
In direct comparisons using the tyre energy label, however, it’s still name brands that do best. A good mid-range tyre that performs well across fuel economy, wet weather and noise should suit most needs.
Tyre energy labels: explained
So, what is the tyre energy label? Briefly, it’s a good way of comparing tyre performance – and indeed performance per pound.
Every tyre sold since 2012 has come with an energy label, much like you find on fridges and other white goods. It allows you to compare products at a glance, with simple graphics showing how they stack up for fuel economy, wet-road grip and noise.
Fuel economy
This is based on a tyre’s rolling resistance – i.e. how much friction it generates with the road. Measurements are taken on a calibrated test rig. The lower the rolling resistance, the better the fuel economy. The most efficient rubber earns an ‘A’, while the least efficient tyres are rated ‘G’.
Wet-road grip
Good grip is most important when the roads are wet, so this rating is based on wet-braking performance in a straight line. Experts say an A-rated tyre can stop in a 30 percent shorter distance than a G-rated one. That’s potentially the difference between a near-miss and a dangerous crash.
Noise
Anyone who regularly drives the concrete section of the M25 will know just how noisy tyres can be. This final infographic puts the tyre into one of three categories, based on the noise it emits in decibels – measured from outside the car – when cruising at a steady speed. One black bar means a quiet tyre, while three bars is noisier, albeit still within legal limits.
Do I need different tyres for winter weather?
Having the right tyres for the conditions can be transformative. On snow and ice, a two-wheel-drive car with winter tyres will fare better than four-wheel-drive SUV with standard rubber. It doesn’t matter which wheels are driven if traction isn’t put to the ground effectively.
Winter tyres offer much-improved grip in cold conditions, including on dry roads if the temperature is below 7 deg C. They are actually mandatory during the colder months in some European countries. Just as slick rubber will dramatically increase performance on a dry track, so winter tyres boost grip in colder, frostier conditions.
There are also tyres suited to all types of conditions. ‘All-season’ doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll only work in a blizzard.
Are your car tyres safe?
The law says you must replace a tyre once the tread-depth drops below 1.6mm across three quarters of its surface. An easy test is to place a 20p piece in the groove of the tyre. If the outer band of the coin is hidden, your tyre is legal.
However, bear in mind that a new tyre has a tread-depth of around 8mm, so grip will be reduced – particularly in the wet – well before it reaches the legal limit. Consumer group Which? recommends replacing your tyres when tread depth reaches 2-3mm.
You should also check tyre pressures regularly. Over-inflated rubber could increase your risk of skidding or having a blowout, while too little pressure will increase fuel consumption and have a detrimental effect on handling. In both instances, your tyres will also wear at an excessive rate. The correct pressures for your car will be listed in the handbook. Alternatively, use the tyre pressure checker tool on the TyreSafe website.
Regularly check for flat spots, bulges, cracking and rubber degradation. A sun-dried tyre can be just as dangerous as having insufficient tread. Also, check they are still in-date. Look at the markings on the tyre’s sidewall and find a four-digit code. The third and fourth numbers here indicate the year of manufacture. If this is more than 10 years ago, replace your tyres.
Part-worn tyres: should you take the risk?
On the subject of safety, part-worn tyres are often a false economy. If you’re paying two-thirds of the cost of a new set for tyres with 4mm of tread left, you’re paying more than half the price for half the product.
Recent research has also indicated that as many as 90 percent of part-worn tyres in the UK aren’t safe for sale.
It isn’t illegal to sell part-worn tyres, but talk of a ban is in the air. If you really must, check for tread depth, pressure when inflated, flat spots, bulges, degraded rubber and other damage. Also check the date on the tyre.
Tyre sizes: explained
Tyres come in a wide range of different sizes. Check your car handbook, or read the markings on the outer sidewall to see what size your replacement tyre should be.
For example, a typical tyre size is 195/50 R15H. Breaking this down gives you:
195 – tyre width in mm
50 – tyre sidewall profile, as a percentage of tyre width
R – stands for ‘Radial’. All modern tyres are radial-ply
15 – diameter of the wheel rim in inches
H – speed rating (see below)
Regardless of the national speed limit being 70mph, you must fit tyres rated for the maximum speed of your car. Speed ratings are marked with letters and range from N (88mph) to ZR (over 149mph). You’ll find a full list of speed ratings on the TyreSafe website.
How to save money on tyres
We really can’t say it enough – don’t scrimp on rubber. They are the most safety-critical part of your car, so buy the best you can. And there are ways you can avoid paying over the odds for good quality tyres.
If you need a tyre at short notice, the cheapest option will probably be an independent tyre fitter, rather than a franchised car dealer. Make a few phone calls to compare prices and ensure the fee you are quoted includes new valves, fitting and balancing. Remember, you can haggle.
If you have more time, buying online will almost certainly prove cheaper – and you may be able to have the them fitted at your home or office. Again, it pays to shop around as there are plenty of retailers competing for your business. Popular websites include Asda Tyres, Black Circles, MyTyres and Tyre Shopper.
A study by the RAC has uncovered problems with 90 percent of proposed new yellow box junctions.
Previously, this type of monitored junction was only located in London and Cardiff, but a ruling in 2022 has granted councils across the UK new powers to enforce moving traffic offences.
Yellow box junctions are designed to prevent a road becoming blocked and keep traffic flowing. However, they can also catch drivers unawares, resulting in a fine of up to £130.
Many are monitored by enforcement cameras, which can automatically process penalty charge notices (PCNs) – hence their ‘money box junctions’ nickname.
Our guide will help you obey the rules and avoid a penalty.
Yellow box junctions are usually found in urban areas, where tailbacks can block opposing traffic flow. Previous research by the RAC found eight in 10 drivers said they struggle to drive cleanly through yellow box junctions. And the motoring organisation’s latest report found more than half (55 percent) of the new yellow box junctions applied for by councils since 2022 directly contravene the current government guidance.
An investigation by Click4Reg found London councils earned up to £520,000 from moving traffic violations every day.
The City of London borough typically issues up to 200,000 penalties in a year, making around £25 million as a result.
Read on for the facts about yellow box junctions.
Yellow box junctions: what you need to know
What is the point of a yellow box junction?
A box junction keeps traffic flowing by marking out an area of road space that should be kept clear at all times.
When can I drive into a yellow box junction?
You are only meant to enter a box junction if your exit is clear – in other words, if you can drive all the way through it without stopping.
Am I ever allowed to stop in a yellow box junction?
If you are turning right, you can stop in a box junction if oncoming traffic prevents you from doing so – but only if your exit is clear.
What is the penalty for stopping in a yellow box junction?
The fine for stopping in a yellow box ranges from £70 to £130 (the latter in London). However, it is halved if paid within 14 days.
Will I get points on my licence for breaking yellow box rules?
No, you will not receive penalty points on your driving licence for a yellow box offence.
Why do people get annoyed about yellow box junctions?
Motorists get frustrated with box junction transgressors because everyone else gets blocked, along with the offending driver. It is considered one of the more ‘selfish’ motoring offences.
I still remember something about them from my driving test…
Well remembered! Yellow box junctions are covered by rule 174 of the Highway Code.
Video: how to use a yellow box junction
RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said: “Our research shows yellow box junctions are very divisive issue for drivers.
“There is a strong feeling that many junctions are not set up fairly, which leads to drivers having no choice but stop in them, whether that’s due to poor traffic light sequencing, poor design or being used in the wrong place.
The RAC adds that authorities should carefully analyse every yellow box junction before installing a camera, to confirm it’s possible to drive through without stopping.
Here’s a sobering statistic: 20 percent of newly qualified drivers will crash within six months of passing their test. However, with tuition via the Young Driver scheme, that number tumbles to less than 10 percent.
Young Driver is the UK’s largest driving school for children, with 70 venues across the country. Kids aged 10-17 can get behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa, but the coolest car – the new Firefly Sport EV – is reserved for those aged 4-10.
Powered by 12-volt batteries and two 24-volt motors, the Firefly Sport looks like a shrunken supercar and boasts a top speed of up to 25mph. We enlisted the help of a youthful volunteer to bring you our first drive verdict…
‘An authentic experience’
In truth, my son Thomas – at 12 years old – is already beyond the Firefly Sport’s target age range. But he gamely accepted the assignment, jumping aboard the electric roadster at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire.
With an aluminium chassis, independent suspension, alloy wheels and rack-and-pinion steering, the Firefly is designed to offer ‘an authentic motoring experience’. It can be recharged via solar panels and, for nervous parents, a remote cut-off switch can stop the car from 200 metres away. There’s also an optional roof if the weather turns a bit ‘British’.
Speaking of which, the Firefly Sport is also a fully homegrown effort. The chassis is constructed in Coventry, the body in Huddersfield, the electric motors are made in Bournemouth and the batteries come from Bromsgrove.
Need for speed
Thomas liked the Firefly Sport’s “mini McLaren” styling and found its two-seat cabin quite roomy, despite being designed for younger children. The biggest draw, though, was the tablet-style dashboard, with digital dials, a reversing camera, music streaming and ‘more than 1,000 sound effects’. Take that, Tesla.
Around a road-style course marked out by cones, Thomas quickly got to grips with the Firefly’s simple controls. His initial aim was to go as fast as possible, but soon he was using the indicators, stopping at junctions, reverse-parking and driving (almost) like a grown-up.
“That was a really fun experience,” said Thomas after handing back the £11,500 Firefly (“worth more than your car, dad”) in one piece. “It was easy to drive, actually, but harder to remember all the rules of the road.”
Investing in the future
Sessions in the Firefly Sport cost £20 for 15 minutes and can be booked via the Young Driver website. If you have a child aged 10+, lessons with a fully qualified instructor in a Corsa cost from £40.
Speaking about the Young Driver initiative, Fifth Gear presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson said: I strongly believe in getting behind the wheel as soon as possible. You don’t have to aim for a career as a driver – learning early will be a huge benefit for anyone”.
As for Thomas, he’s keen for another go. If it prevents him following his dad’s example – of rear-ending a BMW the day after my driving test – it could be a wise investment.
Skoda buyers excited about the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III can mark the occasion by choosing a new shade of Royal Green paint.
The colour is being added to the company’s paint palette ‘to celebrate the formal investiture of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Queen Consort’.
It makes for a rather larger coronation keepsake than the limited-edition Matchbox Gold State Coach model we featured last week.
Green with envy
The new paint hue is available to order from Tuesday 9 May 2023, and only offered for certain model and trim combinations.
For the flagship Skoda Superb hatchback and estate, Royal Green can be combined with the SE L and range-topping Laurin & Klement specifications.
To make the most of the Superb’s ‘palatial levels of interior space’, customers can choose from black or beige interior trim on SE L models. The fancier L&K comes with leather upholstery, including the suitably plush cognac finish.
The sporty Skoda Octavia vRS and practical Kodiaq SE L SUV are also available with the Royal Green paint option.
A royal Czech mate
Skoda’s enthusiasm for all things royal is inspired by the former Prince Charles’s various visits to the Czech Republic.
The new King helped establish a heritage fund with then-president Václav Havel, helping restore and preserve the country’s historic buildings. The money raised has helped to restore the former monastery of St. Bartholomew in Prague’s Old Town, along with the terrace gardens below Prague Castle.
Three visits to Brno, the Czech Republic’s second largest city, were made by the Prince of Wales – in 1991, 2000 and 2010.
Skoda has not confirmed a price for its new regal hue. However, specifying – the rather similar-looking – Amazonian Green for a Superb costs £1,045.
Lamborghini has marked its 60th anniversary in typically flamboyant style, with a record-breaking parade of 382 cars at Silverstone.
The home of British F1 reverberated to the roar of hundreds of V8, V10 and V12 engines as the colourful convoy lapped the 3.7-mile circuit. It represented the largest gathering of Lamborghinis ever, smashing the previous record of 251 cars at Suzuka in Japan.
The cars lined up in three columns, fronted by a Miura, Murcielago and new Countach LPI 800-4. Behind them, the raucous cavalcade was dominated by Huracan and Aventador supercars, along with a strong showing from Lamborghini’s best-seller: the Urus SUV.
Some guys have all the luck
There were plenty of classic Lamborghinis on show, too. These included a 400 GT 2+2 – an evolution of the 350 GT that launched Automobili Lamborghini to the world in 1963 – a Countach 5000 S and a stunning Miura SV previously owned by Rod Stewart.
Another rarity was a 1998 Diablo GT, a road-legal race car and one of only 80 made. But trumping that was a one-of-16 Reventon roadster, with radical ‘aerospace’ styling and the V12 heart of a Murcielago LP 640.
Arrived at Silverstone for Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary celebration.
This ex-Rod Stewart Miura SV – restored in-house by Polo Storico – is an early highlight.
Lamborghini also had some actual racing cars inside the pit garages, such as the highly successful Huracan GT3 Evo. However, our heart was won by an S3 Espada, an effortlessly exotic four-seat GT from 1972 – and the only example we spotted at Silverstone.
‘Thunder and lightning’
After the parade lap, owners and enthusiasts were invited inside for the UK debut of the new Lamborghini Revuelto. The 1,015hp plug-in hybrid replaces the Aventador and first deliveries are due later this year – at a likely price tag north of £500,000.
Introducing the Revuelto to the Lamborghini faithful, CEO Stephan Winkelmann compared its combination of a naturally aspirated V12 and three electric motors to “thunder and lightning”, adding that production is already sold out until the end of 2024.
UK debut of the new Lamborghini Revuelto – replacement for the Aventador.
Designer Mitja Borkert comapared the car’s styling to a spaceship, while chief engineer Rouven Mohr (pictured above) described it as “more practical and more emotional… three or four steps beyond anything that has come before”.
And the verdict of one Aventador SVJ owner we chatted to? “Awesome. It totally moves the game on – I want one.”
The best-selling open car in the history of Rolls-Royce will cease production soon.
Launched in 2015, the Dawn convertible became one of the British marque’s most successful models, drawing in younger buyers to the Rolls-Royce brand.
However, as Rolls-Royce heads towards an all-electric future, the sun has set on the Dawn. The forthcoming electric Spectre will replace it, along with the previously discontinued Wraith coupe.
A classier convertible
Rolls-Royce revealed the Dawn at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Following in the tyre tracks of the Phantom Coupe and Phantom Drophead Coupe, its mission was to attract an ‘increasingly youthful, universally self-confident and sociable client base’ to the brand.
Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös challenged his team to create a convertible that would ‘evoke the romance and glamour’ of the company’s history. The Dawn was also a proper four-seater, rather than a ‘2+2’ with rear seats that are only suited to children.
Although the Dawn shared a platform with the Rolls-Royce Wraith, 80 percent of its body panels were bespoke. These included the bonnet, with its unique ‘wake channel’.
For the car’s name, Rolls-Royce turned for inspiration to the Silver Dawn drophead coupe, which was produced in limited numbers between 1950 and 1954.
This time it’s personal
Powered by twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12, the Dawn served up 563hp as standard. However, the Black Badge model, introduced in 2017, stretched this figure to a mighty 593hp.
The Dawn was also the basis for a number of special editions, including the Landspeed model of 2021. This paid tribute to Captain George E.T. Eyston, who set three land-speed records in the 1930s using Rolls-Royce power.
Endless personalisation options, made possible via the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, were also demonstrated by the Dawn. These included a bright yellow model created for Google’s vice president of engineering, Benjamin Treynor Sloss.
Living ‘la dolce vita’
With the Spectre on the horizon, Rolls-Royce has now called time on the Dawn. The company’s first electric car will reach showrooms at the end of 2023 – but we’ll be driving it soon.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös said: “In reviving the Dawn nameplate, Rolls-Royce reinvigorated something much more than a motor car. Like the glamorous convertible it drew inspiration from, the contemporary Dawn has come to characterise a modern expression of ‘la dolce vita’ – a way of living that embraces the beauty and richness of life.
“As production of Dawn draws to a close, we can reflect on an extraordinary chapter in the marque’s history. This beautiful motor car perfectly embodies contemporary luxury, while celebrating the marque’s founding principles and heritage.”
Around half a million British motorists apply for a duplicate V5C registration document (car log book) every year – usually because their existing copy has been lost, damaged or stolen.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) allows motorists to get a new log book online. This facility was introduced in late 2020 – drivers previously had to send a paper form to Swansea – and it cut the typical time to receive a new log book from six weeks to five days.
“We know how important a log book is to motorists,” said DVLA chief executive, Julie Lennard. “If you have lost or damaged yours, the quickest way to get your duplicate document is to go to Gov.uk.” So, how exactly do you order a new V5C?
Ordering a new V5C online
You will need the following details to apply for a new car log book:
Vehicle registration number
Vehicle VIN/chassis number (usually stamped at the base of the windscreen)
Name and postcode printed on your log book
You can also apply by phone, although this will take significantly longer. Also, you may not use the phone service if any details on the V5C have changed. The number to call is 0300 790 6802.
Ordering a duplicate log book costs £25 and you can pay by credit or debit card. Note that you cannot get a refund if you later find your lost V5C form.
