The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has been named World Car of the Year 2023 in a glittering ceremony at the New York International Auto Show.
The ‘streamliner’ Hyundai, a rival for the Telsa Model 3, beat two other Top Three in the World finalists, the BMW X1 and Kia Niro, to claim the top prize.
It marks a second consecutive win for Hyundai, after the Ioniq 5 was named World Car of the Year in 2022.
This is also the second consecutive World Car Awards triple win for Hyundai, too – with the Ioniq 6 named 2023 World Electric vehicle and 2023 World Car Design of the Year.
The World Car Awards is the largest automotive awards initiative on the planet. Last year, its global reach topped the 300 million mark, cementing its position as the leading event for 10 years running.
World Car Awards 2023 winners revealed
Other critically-acclaimed cars were named World Car Awards winners at the 2023 NYIAS ceremony.
The dramatic Lucid Air (pictured above), a new luxury car from the startup American EV brand, was named World Luxury Car.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s sister company Kia scooped the World Performance Car trophy with the rapid EV6 GT.
The Indian-market Citroen C3 crossover SUV was named 2023 World Urban Car.
A jury of 100 automotive journalists from 32 countries selected the winners in a private ballot tabulated by KPMG.
Say buongiorno to the Lamborghini Revuelto: a radical new plug-in hybrid supercar to replace the long-serving Aventador. With a naturally aspirated V12, three electric motors and a dual-clutch gearbox, it brings Lamborghini’s flagship firmly into the modern era.
The Revuelto is built almost entirely from carbon fibre, with wedgy, angular styling and its exposed engine very much centre-stage. A total of 1,015hp goes to all four wheels, and 0-62mph takes a scant 2.5 seconds. Top speed is “more than 350km/h” (217mph).
Described by CEO Stephan Winkelmann as “a milestone in the history of Lamborghini”, the Revuelto debuts in the marque’s 60th anniversary year, the latest in a V12 bloodline that includes the Countach, Miura and original 350 GT. Read on for everything you need to know.
Redlined at 9,500rpm
Let’s start with that 6.5-litre V12: now supplemented by two electric motors at the front and one inside the transmission. The eight-speed ‘box is mounted transversely behind the engine, which has been rotated 180 degrees compared with the Aventador.
The V12 itself develops 128hp per litre – the highest specific output of any Lamborghini – with peak power of 825hp arriving just 250rpm before a dizzying 9,500rpm redline. Maximum torque is 535lb ft at 6,750rom
Factor in the electric motors, however, and the numbers accelerate into hypercar territory. Alongside that headline-grabbing 1,015hp, the Revuelto musters an incredible 1,162lb ft of torque. Compare those stats with 780hp and 531lb ft for the last-of-the-line Aventador Ultimae.
Charged with battery
With two 110kW axial flux front motors, the Revuelto is actually front-wheel drive when driven in electric mode. The same applies when driving in reverse. Lamborghini hasn’t quoted an EV range for the car yet, but don’t be surprised if the 3.8kWh battery only manages a single-figure mileage. For context, the plug-in hybrid McLaren Artura has a 7.4kWh battery and a range of 19 miles.
The lithium-ion battery is slotted inside what used to be the transmission tunnel. A full charge takes 30 minutes at up to 7kW – or just six minutes using the V12 engine.
The Achilles’ heel of the Aventador was always its clunky automated manual gearbox. This new eight-speed dual-clutcher should be a vast improvement. It incorporates a ‘continuous downshifting’ mode, which drops down multiple gears under braking if you hold the left paddle.
Engage Corsamode
Inside, the Revuelto has three digital displays – including a Ferrari-style screen in front of the passenger, so they can see exactly how fast you’re going. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is inspired by a Lamborghini Squadra Corse racing car.
In addition to the familiar Strada, Sport and Corsa modes, two rotors on the wheel offer access to Città (City), Recharge, Hybrid and Performance settings. In EV-focused Città, output is limited to just 180hp. Only combining Corsa and Performance modes will unleash the powertrain’s full potential.
There’s also a new navigation system with What3Words functionality, plus voice control via Amazon Alexa. Over-the-air software updates should make life easier for Revuelto owners, too.
Built from the black stuff
A new carbon fibre ‘Monofuselage’ chassis is 10 percent lighter and 25 percent stiffer than the Aventador’s structure. Every body panel, apart from the bumpers and aluminium doors, is also made from carbon fibre and composites.
The Revuelto’s aggressive profile is designed to combine ‘high downforce and minimised drag’. Its active rear wing changes position automatically depending on the drive mode, or can be elevated manually by the driver (perfect for city-centre posing). Even the Y-shaped door handles have an aerodynamic function: chaneling air towards the rear-mounted radiator.
It’s unlikely to steal sales from the Urus SUV, but Lamborghini promises improved practicality for its flagship supercar, too. The Revuelto’s front boot is roomy enough for two aircraft cabin cases, plus there is enough space behind the seats for a golf bag.
Grab the bull by the horns
Inevitably, Revuelto buyers can indulge in plenty of personalisation, including 400 paint shades and 70 colour options for the interior. Reflecting Lamborghini’s shift towards sustainability, the paints are water-based and waste materials are recycled.
There’s no word on prices yet, but don’t expect much change from £350,000, particularly after a few options are added. Production of the Revuelto will take place in Sant’Agata, Italy, the home of Lamborghini since 1963. We’ll bring you our first drive verdict later this year.
This weekend sees the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship head Down Under for the Australian Grand Prix.
Before the on-track action begins in Melbourne, Red Bull Racing has treated reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo to an epic homecoming.
In his first trip back to Australia following his return to the Red Bull team, Ricciardo took the championship-winning RB7 Formula 1 car on a road trip across some of Australia’s most challenging terrains.
Dusting the competition
The road trip began in the heart of the Australian Outback, with Ricciardo meeting enduro motorbike riders Toby Price and Daniel Sanders.
At a cattle station, Ricciardo used the RB7 F1 racer to drift on dirt, before heading deeper into the dusty terrain.
In a scene more reminiscent of the Forza Horizon 3 video game, Ricciardo took on aerobatic pilot Matt Hall, at the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge in New South Wales.
This saw the RB7 pitched against the Hall’s aerobatic plane, tackling the twists and turns of the landmark stretch of road.
To the top of the mountain
To complete the trip, the RB7 made an appearance at Australia’s most famous racetrack, Mount Panorama, home to the annual Bathurst 1000 race.
Here, Ricciardo went head-to-head with Australian Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen. The latest Gen3 Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet Camaro was used by van Gisbergen to demonstrate the best lines to take around the challenging Mount Panorama Circuit.
Following his Australian adventure, Ricciardo said: “After my first Red Bull Racing Road Trip in San Francisco, I’ve always wanted the opportunity to do this in Australia.”
He added: “To be back home, taking the RB7 across the Aussie outback, and sharing the best Australia has to offer with the world; what better way to celebrate my first F1 event at home since returning to Oracle Red Bull Racing.”
Suzuki has introduced a new ‘Service Activated Warranty’ scheme that extends its three-year, 60,000-mile new car warranty up to seven years and 100,000 miles – for customers who service their car within the Suzuki retailer network.
The standard warranty is extended each time an owner has their car serviced by a Suzuki dealer. It remains in place until the next qualifying service, up to a maximum vehicle age of seven years or 100,000 miles.
The idea is to retain customers within Suzuki’s highly-rated retailer network beyond the standard three-year warranty period.
“At Suzuki, customer experience and retention are paramount,” said its aftersales director Denis Houston.
The new Service Activated Warranty will “ensure our customers get the best levels of service, fitment of genuine parts and the expertise of our dealer network, rather than going to a non-franchised repairer once their manufacturer warranty expires.”
It’s not just Suzuki car customers who can benefit, either – Suzuki motorcycle owners can also access the seven-year extended warranty package.
All major components are included, and customers who sell their vehicle between services, and within the seven-year qualifying period, can transfer the warranty to the next owner.
This is also free of charge, and may provide a boost to the retained values of used Suzukis.
Used Suzukis – and motorcycles
It’s not just new Suzukis that are included, either. Used vehicles that have been purchased privately, or have a gap in their dealer service history, can also benefit from Suzuki Activated Warranty – so long as they pass an official Suzuki Vehicle Health Check first.
The new Suzuki warranty package will officially launch to customers on 3 April 2023.
Suzuki Service Activated Warranty will rank among the most generous new car warranties, equalling Kia’s comprehensive seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Fast-growing value brand MG also offers a seven-year warranty, valid for 80,000 miles.
Buying from a manufacturer-backed approved used scheme will increase your chances of finding a reliable and roadworthy car.
Here, we run through an A to Z of the major approved used car schemes in the UK, from McLaren to Mini, and Ferrari to Ford. The information below is correct at the time of writing.
Abarth Spoticar
Along with five other Stellantis-owned car brands (Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall, Fiat and Jeep), pre-owned Abarths can be purchased through the Spoticar scheme. This includes a 12-month warranty, breakdown cover for a year, a comprehensive pre-sale inspection and a certificate showing that mileage and history have been checked and verified. You can also exchange the car within 30 days if it develops a fault.
Alfa Romeo Certified
Like Abarth, Alfa Romeo is part of the mighty Stellantis empire, but it has its own ‘Certified’ used car scheme. You get a warranty and breakdown cover for up to 24 months, along with a 120-point pre-sale inspection. The choice of cars is quite limited, however, with only 59 available nationwide when we checked.
Aston Martin Timeless Certified Pre-Owned
Aston Martin’s Timeless Certified Pre-Owned programme is available for all qualifying cars up to 10 years old. Along with the usual mechanical and history checks, Aston Martin also offers a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty and breakdown cover for a year, plus a subscription to its glossy in-house magazine.
Furthermore, any servicing due within three months or 3,000 miles will be taken care of, along with protection against MOT failure.
AudiApproved
Buy an approved used Audi in 2023 and you’ll be covered by a one-year warranty with breakdown cover. The offer is valid for vehicles up to eight years old and with up to 100,000 miles at the point of activation.
All approved cars must pass an ‘up to 150-point’ inspection and are covered by a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange plan. You’re also protected from the cost of MOT repairs up to a value of £750.
Certified by Bentley
A pre-owned Bentley comes with a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty and a certificate of authenticity to establish its provenance. Owners will also receive access to the Bentley Network app, a free subscription to the owners’ magazine and invitations to dealer events, along with a tour of the Bentley factory in Crewe. It’s well worth a visit.
BMW Approved Used Cars
All approved used BMWs come with a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty, plus breakdown cover for a year. BMW will also pay for any MOT work carried out during the period of the warranty. There is a huge number of cars on offer (circa. 11,000 as we write this).
Citroen Spoticar
Citroen is another Stellantis brand now within the Spoticar scheme. All approved used Citroens must pass a comprehensive pre-delivery inspection and come with a minimum 12-month warranty. A 30-day fault-based exchange programme is offered, too.
Dacia Approved
Dacia Approved used cars come with a 12-month warranty, the usual condition checks and a 30-day exchange promise. It’s also worth noting that if the vehicle is still covered by its new-car warranty (three years or 60,000 miles, in Dacia’s case), the used guarantee will be topped up where necessary. This applies to the majority of warranties featured here.
DS Automobiles Certified
Buy a DS Certified car and you’ll get up to 24 months of warranty, breakdown cover for a year and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange programme. Furthermore, all cars are put through a 120-point pre-delivery inspection. Even so, does the young chap above look slightly worried to you?
Ferrari Approved
Ferrari’s Approved used car programme covers any cavallino rampante registered within the last 14 years. The package includes a 201-point inspection, 24-month warranty and breakdown cover for two years (the latter two for 12 months in the rest of the world). It offers some reassurance when buying what’s bound to be a very expensive car.
Fiat Spoticar
Coming under the Spoticar umbrella, Fiat’s approved used car scheme includes a 12-month warranty, breakdown cover for 12 months and a pre-sale inspection. If you buy a used electric car, such as the new 500e, Spoticar can also help with installing a home charger via its partnerships with British Gas, Podpoint and Octopus Energy.
Ford Approved and Ford Direct
Ford operates two approved used car schemes. Ford Direct cars are ex-management or ex-demonstrator models that come with a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty, breakdown assistance for two years, a 30-day exchange programme and insurance for three days. They are also reconditioned to as-new standard.
Ford Approved cars tend to be older (up to five years) and come with the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty, breakdown assistance for 12 months, a multi-point inspection, a 30-day exchange plan and insurance for three days.
Honda Approved
All cars sold through Honda’s Approved used car scheme are subjected to an in-depth inspection and come with a 12-month guarantee. Along with roadside assistance for a year, customers are also entitled to a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy. Not that you’re likely to need it; Honda is consistently rated among the most reliable car brands.
Hyundai Promise
New Hyundais are covered by a five-year warranty. Building on this, the Hyundai Promise approved used scheme guarantees at least 18 months of manufacturer-approved warranty on secondhand cars.
All vehicles come with roadside assistance for a year, a safety and condition check (which includes the batteries of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure EVs), plus a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange agreement and drive-away insurance. Hyundai calls it ‘one of the most comprehensive used car schemes on the market’.
Jaguar Approved
Jaguar offers a minimum one-year warranty, plus European breakdown cover for 12 months. All cars are subjected to a 165-point check and come with MOT cover up to the value of £750 (with a £50 excess).
There’s currently an offer that doubles the standard warranty and roadside assistance package to 24 months, and throws in a free home-charging wallbox, if you buy a used I-Pace (pictured above) via Jaguar Approved.
Selected for You Jeep
Jeep’s approved used car offering is also part of the multi-marque Spoticar scheme. It features a 12-month warranty, plus breakdown cover for the same period. There’s also a pre-sale inspection and a 30-day exchange promise.
Kia Approved Used
Kia Approved Used cars are less than 20 months old and have covered less than 20,000 miles, which means they’re still covered by the company’s seven-year new-car guarantee. You’ll also receive free drive-away insurance, a 60-day/1,000-mile exchange plan, breakdown assistance for a year, first-year MOT cover up to £1,000 and 24-hour accident aftercare.
Land RoverApproved
Land Rover offers a minimum one-year warranty with European breakdown cover for 12 months. All cars are subjected to a 165-point check and come with MOT cover up to the value of £750 (with a £50 excess). There’s a 30-day/1,000-mile conditional car exchange agreement, too.
Lexus Select Approved Pre-Owned
Buy through the Select Approved Pre-Owned scheme and you get a 12-month warranty with the same level of cover as a new Lexus. Cars are subjected to a 150-point check and you also get 12 months of breakdown cover and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy.
If your Lexus is less than 10 years old or has covered less than 100,000 miles, an additional 12 months/10,000 miles of warranty can be added with every annual service at a Lexus dealership.
Lotus Approved
The Lotus Approved scheme can be applied by dealers to any Lotus up to 20 years old, provided it meets a pre-agreed set of criteria. Cars undergo an inspection and 10-mile test drive by a Lotus factory-trained technician. They also come with a 12-month warranty.
In addition, there’s 12 months of breakdown cover, a certificate of provenance and any servicing or MOT due within the next 3,000 miles will be included.
Maserati Approved
Maserati says its ‘pre-driven vehicles are selected and approved for the Maserati Approved programme based on condition and service history’. All cars are subjected to a 121-point inspection and come with a two-year unlimited mileage warranty and breakdown assistance for 24 months. Only Maseratis up to six years old are eligible for Approved status.
Mazda Approved Used Cars
The Mazda Approved Used Car scheme offers vehicles with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty, breakdown cover for a year, £250 insurance excess return in the event of an accident, MOT protection up to the value of £750, drive-away insurance cover and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange programme.
McLaren Qualified
If you’re lucky enough to be buying a pre-owned McLaren supercar, you’ll receive a minimum 12-month warranty (with the option to extend to 24 months), breakdown assistance for a year, all servicing due within three months carried out, tyres with at least 3mm of tread, and all the necessary provenance checks.
Mercedes-Benz Approved Used
Every Approved Used Mercedes-Benz comes with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty. While the car is being repaired, Mercedes-Benz will also pay up to £100 per day towards the cost of a replacement vehicle.
You’ll also get roadside assistance for a year, key insurance, MOT test-failure cover, seven-day insurance cover, and a free service if one is due in the first 3,000 miles or three months of ownership.
Approved Used MG
All Approved Used MG cars come with the remainder of the manufacturer’s warranty (the balance of seven years or 80,000 miles). They are subjected to a 130-point check and come with breakdown cover for 12 months. Drivers also get seven days of insurance included.
Approved Used Mini
Following a thorough inspection, all Approved Used Mini vehicles come with a warranty and breakdown package for a minimum of 12 months. You also receive MOT test cover for at least a year (six months in Northern Ireland). Time to start your Mini adventure?
Nissan Intelligent Choice
The Nissan Intelligent Choice used car scheme includes a warranty for a minimum of 12 months, continuous breakdown cover when the car is serviced at a main dealer, a free courtesy car when the vehicle is in for servicing or repair, MOT test cover, plus a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange promise.
Electric cars are also covered by a battery warranty, with Nissan promising to replace any part of the battery causing capacity loss below nine bars (out of 12) within the battery warranty period.
Peugeot Approved Used
The Spoticar scheme for used Peugeots includes a warranty of at least 12 months, roadside assistance, a multi-point inspection and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange programme.
If you buy an electric e-208 (pictured above), for example, you can also take advantage of the Electric Universe app: a joint venture between Spoticar and Octopus Energy. This includes one-cardaccess to more than 300,000 EV chargers across Europe.
Porsche Approved
Porsche will provide cover for cars up to their 15th year, with each vehicle subjected to an 111-point check. The Porsche Approved warranty covers a period of at least 12 months, with any routine servicing or maintenance due within the next three months or 3,000 miles carried out as a matter of course.
The company will also fit N-rated tyres to a minimum tread depth of 3mm, with paint refinished to ‘exacting Porsche standards‘.
Renault Approved
All Renault Approved vehicles come with a warranty for at least 12 months, breakdown cover for a year, a 30-day exchange promise and drive-away insurance. There’s a wide selection of Captur, Clio, Kadjar and Zoe models available via the official website.
Rolls-Royce Provenance
An approved pre-owned Rolls-Royce will come with peace of mind for up to two years. The Provenance package includes a warranty, roadside assistance, MOT test cover and a servicing package for 24 months.
Owners also gain access to the Whispers app, a ‘private members club and digital extension of the marque, offering the world’s most rarefied products, services and ideas’. Elitist? But of course…
Seat Approved
All Approved Seat cars come with a generous 24-month warranty, MOT protection and roadside assistance for the same period, plus free insurance for five days. There’s also a 30-day/1,000-mile ‘no quibble’ exchange promise.
Approved Used Skoda
Approved Used Skodas are supplied with a warranty and MOT test cover for 12 months, plus insurance for five days. There’s also a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange policy, plus the option to upgrade to a Connected Service Plan. This works with your smartphone to monitor the car’s ‘wellbeing’ and potentially save on running costs.
Smart Approved
A Smart Approved used car will have passed a ‘rigorous’ multi-point inspection and come with a 12 months’ unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Smart will also include MOT test failure cover for vehicles more than two years old.
Subaru Proven
All Subarus sold via the Proven used car scheme come with a minimum 12-month warranty, breakdown assistance for 12 months and a 30-day/1,000-mile exchange commitment. Proven vehicles will have no more than 80,000 miles on the clock and be less than 10 years old, based on their registration date.
Suzuki Approved Used
Used cars purchased through the Suzuki Approved Used programme come with a 12-month warranty, 12 months of roadside assistance and all servicing completed if due within the next three months. You also get a 14-day money-back guarantee, backed up by consistently excellent Suzuki reliability.
Tesla
From new, Tesla electric vehicles are covered for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you’re buying a used Tesla outside that warranty, the company includes a ‘Used Vehicle Limited Warranty’ for one year or 10,000 miles.
Toyota Approved Used
Toyota Approved Used cars can be warrantied for up to 10 years or 100,000 miles if you get them serviced annually at a Toyota dealership. Also included are a 145-point technical check and 12 months of breakdown cover. Can you buy a used GR86 yet, we wonder?
Vauxhall Spoticar
Known for years as Network Q, Vauxhall’s used car scheme has now become part of Spoticar. The package includes includes a vehicle condition, history and mileage check, along with a 12-month warranty, breakdown assistance for 12 months and a 30-day exchange pledge. At the time of checking, there were around 2,500 used Vauxhalls on offer.
Volkswagen Approved Used
Volkswagen’s impressive Approved Used car scheme includes a 142-point check, two-year unlimited mileage warranty, two years of MOT cover and roadside assistance, a 30-day/1,000-mile ‘no quibble’ exchange policy and five days of drive-away insurance.
Volvo Selekt
Volvo’s Selekt used cars are subjected to a 150-point check and software upgrade (if appropriate). They come with a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty, along with breakdown assistance for 12 months. You’re also covered by a 30-day/1,500-mile exchange guarantee.
The Top Three in the World across six categories will now go forward to the 2023 New York International Auto Show on 5 April, where the winners will be announced.
This will include naming the overall 2023 World Car of the Year, which takes over from the reigning champion: the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Hyundai has another car in the running this year, too, with the new Ioniq 6. It goes up against the BMW X1 and electric iX1, along with the Kia Niro.
All three finalists for 2023 World Car of the Year are available in pure electric guise.
A jury of 100 global automotive journalists whittled down a longlist of almost 30 cars to a shortlist of 10, before then confirming the top three.
Cars in the running for World Car Awards 2023
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is also a finalist for the 2023 World Electric Vehicle award, alongside the BMW i7 and exotic Lucid Air.
And both the BMW 7 Series and i7, plus the Lucid Air, will take on the Genesis G90 for the 2023 World Luxury Car award.
In the 2023 World Performance Car category, the rapid Kia EV6 GT, Nissan Z coupe and Toyota GR Corolla hot hatchback are all in the running.
As for 2023 World Urban Car, the new-for-India Citroen C3 crossover is up against the ORA Funky Cat and Volkswagen Taigo.
Finally, the 2023 World Car Design of the Year will also be announced at NYIAS 2023. Here, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 appears once again, taking on the new Range Rover and Lucid Air.
Chevrolet has confirmed the Camaro muscle car will finish production at the end of the 2024 model year.
The final examples of the sixth-generation Camaro will leave the assembly line at Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, Michigan, in January 2024. To commemorate the occasion, Chevrolet will offer a series of special Collector’s Edition cars.
Chevrolet will also offer the Collector’s Edition for a small number of high-performance ZL1 models. In 2018, the Camaro ZL1 1LE set a new lap record around the legendary Nurburgring race circuit in Germany, aided by its 650 hp supercharged V8 engine.
The contents of the Collector’s Edition package, and prices, will be confirmed closer to when order books open this summer.
Despite a lineage that stretches back to 1966, Chevrolet has not confirmed plans for a Camaro replacement. Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet, said: “While we are not announcing an immediate successor today, rest assured this is not the end of Camaro’s story”.
The rival Dodge Challenger also finishes production this year, leaving the Ford Mustang as the only remaining true North American muscle car.
Still ready to race
Chevrolet currently uses the Camaro name in various motorsport championships around the world. This includes multiple levels of NASCAR competition, along with IMSA and SRO sportscar racing.
This year also saw the Camaro join the Australian Repco Supercars Championship, built to Gen3 regulations to rival the Ford Mustang. Chevrolet has confirmed the Camaro name will continue in racing, at least for now.
“Chevrolet’s products and our relationship with our customers benefit from motorsports,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president for performance and motorsports. “Our plan is to continue to compete and win at the highest levels of auto racing.”
The first customer orders for the retro-styled, V12-powered RML Short Wheelbase have entered production.
Each car takes approximately nine months to build, with a painstaking level of attention to detail and personalisation applied throughout.
Following completion of the prototype ‘Car Zero’, RML is now building the first three cars destined for customers. Only 30 examples of the £1.62 Short Wheelbase will be made.
Perfect paint
The Short Wheelbase clearly resembles a classic Ferrari 250 GT SWB, but its backbone chassis comes from a (1996-2001) 550 Maranello.
RML creates a two-piece carbon fibre body that weighs just 42.5kg before painting. Some 99 percent of the body is constructed to a tolerance of 2.5mm, with 60 percent at just 1mm.
Multiple layers of primer, combined with a silver base coat, are added to the car before the final paint. Even elements that remain unpainted, such as the carbon-composite door shuts, receive several layers of lacquer.
Hand-built with modern tech
Once the body is complete, RML installs the 550 Maranello-sourced 5.5-litre engine. The unmodified, naturally aspirated V12 develops a healthy 479hp, and is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. Zero to 62mph takes just 4.1 seconds.
As production continues, the RML Short Wheelbase will be on display at next month’s Goodwood Members’ Meeting.
“Each Short Wheelbase is hand-built,” explains Michael Mallock, CEO of RML, “but we also use the most advanced technology to make sure that the quality of its build meets the very highest levels. All parts are laser-cut to minimise deviation from specification, and the jig we use only allows a maximum 0.25mm tolerance, meaning that all 30 cars in our production run will be produced to a consistently high standard.”
For many of us, Google Maps is our default in-car navigation system. It is usually accessed via a smartphone, using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to connect with the car.
Google Maps offers accurate journey times, real-time traffic information and alternative routes to avoid congestion, along with other useful data such as EV charging locations.
One feature of the platform that you may be unaware of is the journey sharing service. This allows any contact you choose to view your live location throughout the duration of your journey.
So, there’s no longer any need to stop and send text messages about your estimated time of arrival (ETA). Google Maps can keep the relevant people informed, and you can keep driving.
Tracking your progress
After you start navigation to your destination, pressing the ‘More ^’ symbol will give you the option to ‘Share trip progress’.Contactsof your choosing on a variety of third-party apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and more will then be able to see your ETA.
More than that, they can view your route and track your progress live. Once you have arrived, journey sharing will cancel automatically. You can also hide your location at any time.
If you have shared your location with someone in the past, you can also ask for their location via Google Maps. This could be helpful for finding somebody who is lost. Tap on your profile picture, then select ‘Location sharing’, followed by the name of the contact and then ‘Request’.
What does this all mean? Well, if you share your location, there’s no excuse for leaving late or getting sidetracked. More positively, it also allows us to keep eyes on friends and loved ones as they travel.
Lego has revealed a brick version of the classic Land Rover Defender 90, ready for small-scale off-road adventure.
The new model commemorates Land Rover’s 75th anniversary, and is based on one of the company’s most famous vehicles.
To help launch the new set, Lego transported a real Defender 90 to the Scottish Highlands, then housed the world’s most remote Lego store inside it.
Build your own adventure
Made from 2,366 pieces, the Lego Icons Land Rover Classic Defender 90 allows builders to choose between two different specifications.
You can opt for a factory-look Defender, or one customised to tackle the toughest terrain. Accessories include a winch, roof rack, toolbox, sand ladders and a snorkel air intake.
Working suspension and steering are fitted, with the door and bonnet both able to open. The interior is packed with authentic Defender details, while the exterior wears the classic combination of a green body and white roof.
The Defender’s ‘Alpine’ roof windows, flared wheelarches and exposed door hinges have also been rendered in brick form.
On sale in April
Lego previously released a Technic version of the current Land Rover Defender, which boasts a working winch.
“Bringing the classic Defender to life in bricks was no easy challenge. A Defender can take you anywhere, so during the design process we wanted to infuse the set with that sense of adventure,” said Lego designer Kurt Kristiansen. “We can’t wait to see the fans’ reactions.”
The Lego Icon Classic Defender will be available to order from 4 April 2023. Even at £209.99, it’s considerably cheaper than the real thing…
