Valtteri Bottas is now the owner of a limited-edition Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm. The Finnish Formula 1 driver collected his new car from the Stellantis & You showroom in Turin, Italy.
It means Bottas has joined an exclusive club, securing one of 500 examples of Alfa Romeo’s most powerful production car.
We suspect driving for the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 Team will have helped him to the front of the queue.
Developed by Kimi Raikkonen
The Giulia GTAm, and slightly less hardcore GTA version, were revealed by Alfa Romeo in 2020, as a homage to the classic 1965 Giulia GTA.
A track-focused model, the GTAm uses Lexan polycarbonate for its rear and side windows. Alfa Romeo also removed the rear seats, helping shave 100kg from the Giulia’s kerb weight.
Power comes from a 2.9-litre Ferrari-produced twin-turbo V6. With 540hp, the GTAm can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds. That may feel a little bit slow for Valtteri compared to his company car, however…
Development of the Giulia GTAm was undertaken by ex-Formula 1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, during their time with Alfa Romeo.
‘Embodying Alfa Romeo DNA‘
Speaking about collecting his new car, Bottas said: “I’m clearly a lifelong car enthusiast. But most of all I love the Alfa Romeo brand. It is an honour for me to be an ambassador of the brand and now to become a customer, owner of one of the 500 Giulia GTAms.
“It’s a technically excellent vehicle, realised in collaboration with Sauber Engineering by leveraging the expertise and technical know-how that comes directly from Formula 1, but for us car and motorsport enthusiasts it represents so much more.
“It revives one of the legends of motorsport, the 1965 Giulia GTA, and perfectly embodies the brand’s DNA, passion for motorsport, driving pleasure and a unique and distinctive styling appeal.”
Giulia GTAm buyers are entitled to attend a special course designed by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy. As a 10-time Grand Prix winner, Bottas will likely decide to give that a miss.
Data obtained by TheTimes newspaper includes details of cars that make up the government’s central fleet. Interestingly, some 82 percent of the low-emissions vehicles are Kias.
In total, the government’s central fleet of 680 plug-in vehicles includes 449 examples of the plug-in hybrid Kia Niro, along with 110 of the Sportage PHEV.
Brits fewer than five percent
TheTimes points out that UK-produced cars account for fewer than five percent of the plug-in vehicles leased or purchased for the government fleet.
Just 25 Nissan Leafs (produced in Sunderland), and seven Land Rover Discovery Sports (made in Halewood), are among the 680 cars.
Although 36 examples of the Jaguar I-Pace have been procured for fleet use, these are built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. The I-Pace is also the most expensive new car purchased for government use.
Government procurement rules require departments to consider ‘zero or ultra low emission at tailpipe’ vehicles as the default choice.
Plug-ins are prioritised
The Government Buying Standards also dictate that procurement managers must choose cars with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. There is no requirement to prioritise UK-made vehicles, however.
Reducing carbon emissions is central to government fleet objectives. The Greening Government Commitments include a target for 25 percent of the government car fleet to be ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by 31 December 2022. This increases to 100 percent by 2027.
Data from September 2022 showed that 25.5 percent of central government cars were ULEVs, reaching the target three months ahead of schedule.
Technology and decarbonisation minister Jesse Norman said: “It’s critical that progress in decarbonising fleets is matched elsewhere. We will continue to forge ahead, to complete the switch by 2027 and help make the UK a world leader in decarbonisation.”
Research by the Czech brand found that 992 near-misses occurred between trains and vehicles in the UK in the 10 years between 2011 and 2021.
According to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), there are an average of 99 near-misses every year. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 75 recorded incidents between 2019 and 2020, and also between 2018 and 2019.
UK motorists face a £60 fine and three points on their driving licence for disobeying level crossing rules. Despite this, 8,264 drivers crossed when it was unsafe between 2014 and 2021.
There are around 6,000 level crossings in the UK. However, only one-third of these have any measures in place to warn drivers of an approaching train.
Faced with such a substantial road safety issue, Skoda is piloting new software to warn drivers of trains approaching level crossings. It is currently being tested by the Czech railway company, Leo Express.
Real-time train location data is stored in the cloud, then communicated to the car as it approaches a level crossing. Drivers see a warning on the multimedia screen, along with a spoken command to stop.
Cloud-based warnings
Skoda’s Traffication app is used to receive and share warnings about level crossings. Integrated into the car’s infotainment system, the app can also warn drivers of other potential hazards, thanks to cloud-based technology.
In the UK, the Traffication app runs automatically in the background, and can alert drivers about motorists driving the wrong way down a road, or severe weather. Information collated from other Skodas can be used to tailor warnings – e.g. poor visibility might be detected by a number of drivers turning on their fog lights.
With the exception of the Enyaq iV, the Traffication app is available for all Skoda models fitted with the latest MIB-3 infotainment system.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled its latest exhibition, featuring unusual ‘eroded’ car sculptures.
‘Arsham Auto Motive’ features the work of Daniel Arsham. It includes four life-size cars, made using materials that include selenite, quartz and even volcanic ash.
With inspiration from archaeology, history and pop culture, Arsham’s work presents the four cars as if they have been eroded both inside and out.
Iconic Porsches eroded
Arsham’s 1955 ‘Bonsai’ Porsche 356 Speedster has been influenced by the Japanese concept of appreciating beauty that is ‘imperfect and impermanent’.
It took Arsham two years to expose the Speedster’s raw metal bodywork, including welds and natural wear marks. Linseed oil was then used to preserve the metal from the elements. The interior is finished with upholstery made in Japan.
The stylish 356 Speedster remains fully usable, with the engine restored back to its original condition.
A second Porsche is another star of the show: the Eroded 911. This makes use of blue calcite stone, quartz, selenite and hydrostone. Arsham’s ‘fictional archaeology’ work is meant to show the Porsche 911 eroding, and undergoing a process of crystallisation.
Recreated and ruined
A Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder plays a central role in the 1986 movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It also captured the attention of Arsham, who spent more than a year creating an eroded version from quartz.
Underneath is a vehicle created by the prop expert who built the replica Ferraris used in the film. Arsham then crafted 35 new body panels to give the impression of the Ferrari wearing away.
“Having previously exhibited Keith Haring and Andy Warhol’s work, it is evident that pop culture and the automotive sector make for an exciting, crowd-pleasing combination,” said the Petersen Automotive Museum’s executive director, Terry L. Karges.
“Daniel Arsham’s talent makes a strong case that cars can inspire artistic creations, while also serving as art pieces themselves.”
The RAC has analysed data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to explore the reasons why cars fail the MOT test.
It reveals that UK-registered cars and vans are most likely to experience a dreaded MOT fail due to problems with lighting.
Faulty headlights, indicators and reflectors accounted for more than one-quarter (25.5 percent) of all MOT failures in the 12 months to March 2022.
This was followed by broken suspension components, which resulted in close to one-fifth (18.3 percent) of test fails.
Tyres and brakes a major concern
Brakes were responsible for 17 percent of MOT failures, with tyres the cause of 12 percent, then poor visibility accounting for 8.7 percent.
However, when it comes to the most serious MOT failures, two components were far ahead of the rest. Tyres and brakes made up 88 percent of dangerous defects – i.e. those where the vehicle cannot be driven until the problem is rectified.
Such dangerous faults now account for nearly one in 10 (8.1 percent) of MOT failures.
The RAC notes that MOT failures due to tyres are increasing: up from 10 percent in 2018-19. This is supported by a recent Institute of the Motor Industry study, which suggests that tyres are the ‘weakest link’ in vehicle maintenance. Electric vehicles in particular are more likely to fail on tyres, making up 46 percent of all EV test failures.
Get problems fixed early
Data shows that one-in-three initial MOT tests for cars and vans results in a failure. This leaves drivers with the cost of remedial work, despite many issues being easy to spot in advance.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Many drivers dread taking their vehicle for its annual MOT for fear they could end up having to spend lots of money on repairs in order to get it to pass. This is no doubt the case for an unlucky third of owners whose vehicles fail their MOTs initially.
“Drivers should never ignore dashboard warning lights as they could end up putting themselves or others at risk and costing themselves a lot of money with a bigger repair bill than necessary had they acted straightaway. Additionally, routine servicing helps reduce the chance of a vehicle failing its MOT as it includes a host of important basic checks.
“It’s also advisable to have someone check rear lights and indicators are working if the vehicle does not have modern dashboard warning lights. Keeping tyres properly inflated and having a smooth driving style will often help prolong the life of the rubber. And if something doesn’t sound or feel right, to get checked at a trusted garage as soon as possible.”
Celebrated car designer Frank Stephenson is responsible for creating the Babyark seat, via his Frank Stephenson Design agency.
When displayed at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show, the Babyark became an Innovation Award Honouree.
Inspired by supercars and nature
Frank Stephenson has spent much of his career sketching performance cars, from the Ford Escort RS Cosworth to Maserati MC12 and McLaren P1. This experience fed into the Babyark, which makes use of carbon fibre to form its egg-shaped frame.
Incorporated into the design are energy-absorbing steel coils. On impact, these slow the seat’s forward momentum to reduce the forces transferred to the child.
The unique ‘BioArk’ side-impact protection system was apparently inspired by woodpeckers. The bird’s plate-like bone structure was replicated, and has since been patented.
The BabyArk seat also features 14 separate sensors to monitor whether the seat and child are both securely fastened. These communicate with a dedicated app, alerting the phone user if a child is mistakenly left inside the car.
Peace of mind for parents
Designed for children between 0-6 years, the Babyark can swivel between front- and rear-facing positions.
Such high-end technology and design does not come cheap, however. The Babyark seat has a supercar-inspired US-market price tag of $990 (£820). A UK price has yet to be announced.
Frank Stephenson said: “After my time within the automotive industry, I have always wanted to go beyond simply designing vehicle shapes. Safety standards and designs within the industry have evolved significantly, and yet we easily neglect the technology required for child safety. Babyark’s disruptive business approach and its exposed design, which takes inspiration from protective shapes in nature around us, aims to embrace the occupant and provide safety and luxury for users.
“Blended with timeless design, Babyark is a remarkable, high-end product that ensures peace of mind for parents across the world. I’m extremely proud of the uncompromising commitment to safety and the joy I experienced designing my first children’s product.”
If you lose your photocard driving licence, you need to apply for a new one straight away. The process explained here is the same for replacing a licence that has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed.
You should also contact the police if you think your licence has been stolen.
The paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was discontinued on 8 June 2015, so you will no longer receive a new one as part of this process. Any existing paper counterpart has no legal status and should be destroyed.
To begin the process of replacing a lost driving licence, visit the GOV.UK website. You will need to provide your driving licence number, National Insurance number and passport number, if you know them.
You’ll also need to be a resident of Great Britain, not disqualified from driving for any reason, and be able to provide addresses where you have lived for the last three years. The cost of a new driving licence is £20, which must be paid by Mastercard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card.
What you need to apply for a new licence
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will use your passport photo for your new driving licence if the following are true:
Your licence is due to expire within two years
You have a valid UK passport
You give permission for the DVLA to use your photo
You will be sent a form if a suitable electronic photo is not available.
The information you need to provide
The process is simple. You will be asked for the following information:
Name, address, date of birth and country of birth
How long you have lived at your current address
Driver number
Telephone number, birth surname, mother’s maiden name, place of birth
National Insurance number
Passport number
If you have lived at your current address for less than three years, you will need to provide past addresses covering this period.
If you find your old licence after applying for a replacement, you must send it to the DVLA:
DVLA Swansea SA99 1AB
The process for replacing a lost driving licence is different in Northern Ireland, where licences here are still made up of two parts: a plastic photocard and paper counterpart. Click here to replace a driving licence in Northern Ireland.
A car is the second most expensive thing most of us will buy or lease. And just as you maintain your house or flat to a good standard, so too should you look after your car.
Read on for easy-to-follow advice to keep your car running reliably and efficiently for longer. It should save you money and hassle in the long-run.
Stick to the service schedule
We advise having your car serviced every 12 months, or possibly more often if you cover a lot of miles.
A service doesn’t just simply mean renewing the oil, either. It may involve replacing various consumables, including the oil filter, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs (if it’s a petrol engine) and more.
Servicing an electric car is simpler – and theoretically cheaper – as they have fewer moving parts. However, not all garages are equipped to deal with EVs, so you may need to visit a main dealer.
Top up the fluids
You should also keep your car’s fluids topped up between services.
From windscreen wash to engine oil, regular fluid checks are essential to help your vehicle live longer – and keep you safe. Don’t simply rely on a mechanic to check them once a year during the MOT test.
Change the filters
Filters keep the fluids your car uses clean. Oil, fuel (petrol or diesel) and air all have their own separate filters, which need to be changed at varying intervals. Oil and air filters should be replaced at every annual service.
Diesel cars also use a particulate filter (DPF), which can become blocked and is expensive to replace. However, most issues can avoided by simply driving your car regularly. Click here for advice on DPF maintenance.
Replace the spark plugs
Spark plugs are an essential part of your petrol engine, and should generally be changed at every service.
Is your car running rough? It could be the plugs. If you’re handy with a set of spanners, changing them is a relatively easy job to tackle in your garage at home.
Check your tyres
Safety should be reason enough to keep your tyres in tip-top condition; don’t forget, they are the only points of contact between your car and the road. However, financial savings are an added incentive.
Keeping your tyres inflated to the recommended pressures will save you money at the pumps. According to Michelin, tyres under-inflated by 15psi will cause a six percent decrease in fuel economy.
Keep your car clean
Your car might be running like a watch, but keeping it clean is also good for its health. Road grime and salt, tree sap, bird mess… it all adds up to, at best, sorry-looking paint. At worst, it will cause corrosion of your car’s bodywork and internal parts.
A clean car, both inside and out, will be more pleasant to drive and live for longer. It could also protect you from harmful bacteria and disease.
Use your garage
The best way to protect your car from the elements is to keep it away from them. Parking overnight in the safety of a garage will offer decent protection from birds and the British weather, not to mention car crime.
It still needs to be washed from time to time, though.
Kick the clutter
Extra weight equals unnecessary wear and tear. Clear the clutter out of your car and it will corner, stop and drive better overall. It will also use less fuel.
Indeed, less weight makes everything better when it comes to cars, as Lotus has been telling us for years.
Drive smoothly
Service, clean and keep your car safe all you want; if you don’t drive it correctly, things will go wrong.
That means avoiding hard acceleration and looking well ahead to anticipate stops, so you don’t have to slam on the brakes. Don’t rush the gears or sling the steering wheel around. That said, your engine will appreciate a zesty drive every so often.
Use your car’s equipment
Use it or lose it: what’s true of your body also applies to your car. Features like air conditioning and electric windows can seize over time. If you drive a convertible car, retract its roof every so often.
If nothing else, using certain features will confirm they still work, so you can get them fixed if not.
Keep the battery healthy
Batteries are fickle devices that need to be used to stay healthy. Leave your car for a while and the battery will go flat and degrade, especially in the UK’s variable climate.
If you know your car will be standing for a while, buy a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up.
Don’t scrimp on parts
You’d be upset if you got second-rate organs for a transplant because they were cheaper. So don’t cut corners on car parts.
In general, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are best. If you’re buying aftermarket items, do your research – and only buy from reputable brands.
Rust-proof your car
Better to prevent rust now than fix it later. Before your car corrodes, before you’ve even washed it for the first time, it’s a good idea to get it rust-proofed.
Paint-protection wraps work well, and touch-ups of stone chips and other exposed metal will keep the orange wolf from your car door. An inspection underneath and, if necessary, a coating of underseal could be a good investment.
Don’t modify your car
The original parts that came on your car have all been tested over hundreds of thousands of miles. The same probably isn’t true of the aftermarket suspension springs you buy online.
If in doubt, keep things standard, or your car may suffer for it. A modified car is likely to be worth less when you sell, too.
German sports car maker Wiesmann has presented three different versions of its forthcoming Project Thunderball roadster.
The design concepts highlight the wealth of customisation options available for the €300,000 (£265,000) electric car.
However, with Project Thunderball already sold out until 2025, Wiesmann is giving potential customers plenty of time to think about interior and exterior finishes.
Roheen Berry, owner and CEO of Wiesmann, led the digital design process to provide inspiration for future Project Thunderball owners.
Saint-Tropez dreams
The first design concept is described as being the ‘very essence of convertible motoring, inspired by the moment in time when you and your car become one.’
It wears bespoke blue metallic paint, said to evoke images of ‘warm coastal waters’ and ‘endless skies’. This contrasts with the bold orange leather covering the seats, and the dramatic alloy wheels.
Soft-touch cream canvas and high-gloss teak wood trim are reminders of the Saint-Tropez resort on the French Riviera.
Jay Gatsby’s choice
With retro styling as standard, a trip back in time seems only right for Project Thunderball. The second design concept harks back to the 1920s, described as being the age of Modernism and optimism.
Wondering how F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic fictional character, Jay Gatsby, would design an electric roadster was the starting point for this car. It makes for a theme of ‘opulence and optimism’, aided by gold paintwork and a matching front grille.
The interior is finished in deep burgundy leather, complemented by matte soft-touch velvet detailing.
Stealth performance
With the ability to accelerate quietly from 0-124mph in less than nine seconds, a stealthy approach is taken for the third Project Thunderball design concept.
Matte black paint is used for the roadster’s exterior, with contrasting gloss black detailing to add an extra degree of visual menace. The theme continues inside, where you’ll discover black leather and gloss carbon fibre trim.
All Project Thunderball customers will be invited to the Wiesmann factory to see their car being made, and offer design input. First deliveries are due in 2024.
The MG4 EV has been crowned UK Car of the Year 2023 in a close-fought contest between a wide variety of new cars.
The UKCOTY Awards are judged by 27 experienced automotive journalists, including Tim Pitt of Motoring Research.
The MG4 took top honours ahead of the Dacia Jogger (voted Best Large Family Car) and the Toyota GR86 (Best Coupe).
As in 2022, when the Hyundai Ioniq 5 claimed the title, this year’s UK Car of the Year is fully electric. The MG4 is available with 51kWh (170hp) or 64kWh (204hp) batteries, offering 150kW charging capability and a maximum range of 281 miles.
The future is orange
Starting from £26,995 (or £269 a month on a four-year PCP finance deal), the MG won particular plaudits for its affordability. “In a world where practical electric cars are priced to the sky, the MG4 offers genuine value for money,” said Tom Ford of Top Gear magazine.
“MG has done a great job of bringing EVs to more people, thanks to its pricing,” added Andrew Clews, co-host of The Motoring Podcast.
Presenting the trophy, John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, said: “The MG4 proves that electric cars can be affordable, practical and appeal to all areas of the automotive market.
“Fully charged, it offers more than enough miles for most journeys, while the design and driving dynamics tick two other important boxes for consumers. A deserved winner for the electric future.”
The cars in front
A full list of UK Car of the Year Awards 2023 category winners is below:
Best City Car – Toyota Aygo X
Best Family Car – MG4
Best Large Family Car – Dacia Jogger
Best Crossover – Kia Niro
Best Large Crossover – Range Rover
Best Coupe – Toyota GR86
Best Performance Car – Lotus Emira
We recently reviewed the Toyota GR86, declaring: ‘The GR86 is brilliant. Its DNA is closely related to the outgoing GT86, but this new car is altogether more focused… [It’s] also more engaging and exciting than a Mazda MX-5, albeit without the option to lower the roof and drive al fresco.’
We also loved the Lotus Emira V6, saying: ‘This is the most complete Lotus ever and a reassuring reminder that, even with the electric revolution already underway, Hethel hasn’t forgotten its past. The Porsche Cayman GTS is a more rounded sports car and, for now, still the default choice at this price, but the Emira seems more special.’
The clock is now ticking towards the World Car Awards 2023, with Richard Aucock of Motoring Research among the judges. The overall winner will be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on 5 April.
