Pothole damage cost UK drivers £1.7 billion last year

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March 22, 2022

Damage from potholes on UK roads cost drivers around £1.7 billion during the past year.

It marks a 35 percent increase on the £1.2 billion spent in the previous year, and is £500 million more than seen pre-pandemic.

According to Kwik Fit, which compiled the data, it represents the largest amount seen since the company began tracking pothole costs.

Millions of drivers affected

Kwik Fit found that 59 percent of UK drivers had hit at least one pothole a week during the previous year. This was up from 46 percent reported the year previously.

Of those surveyed, 46 percent said road surfaces in their local area had become worse during the last 12 months. Only 16 percent said conditions had improved, with Londoners most likely to say their roads were now better.

Some 13.3 million drivers said their car had suffered pothole damage during the last year. The average individual repair bill came to £132.

Half of all pothole damage suffered was to tyres, followed by wheels (29 percent) and suspension (also 29 percent). One in 10 suffered damage to engine components.

‘Papering over the cracks’

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “The total cost of potholes to the nation’s drivers is rising due to a combination of factors – worsening road surfaces, the impact of inflation on individual repair costs and car use getting back to near pre-pandemic levels.

“We all know there are huge demands on public finances at the moment, but the reality is that drivers have been consistently calling for a strategic plan to effectively bring our roads up to scratch for many years. It is not sufficient to just carry out emergency patching of the worst areas – this is always going to be a case of papering over the cracks.”

Kwik Fit encourages drivers to report potholes to their local authority, where it can add to the existing £12 billion backlog of road repair work.

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How a car accident could mean the loss of your personal plate

By

John Redfern

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March 21, 2022

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A personalised number plate could be lost, should your car be written off in an accident.

If classed as a write-off, both the car and personalised plate become the property of the insurance company.

However, a recent survey of car insurance policies found only six percent include cover for personalised plates.

Limited options for personal plate cover

Insurance comparison website GoCompare carried out the analysis of 333 different policies.

Just 19 specifically covered the loss of a personalised number plate when a vehicle is written off. One provider included £1,500 of cover for number plates, with most others covering for £5,000 or more.

In the result of a write-off accident, ownership of a personalised number plate transfers with the car to the insurance company. This means the insurance company can pass the personal plate onto a new owner, or see it scrapped with the car.

The most important advice is to act quickly should your car be deemed a write-off following an accident.

How can I keep my personal number plate?

GoCompare car insurance expert, Ryan Fulthorpe, said: “If your car is written off, you have to arrange for the number to be transferred to another vehicle or retained on a certificate in sufficient time before your claim is settled.”

Drivers also need to let their insurance company know they want to keep the number plate. As Fulthorpe notes: “The insurer will then write a letter of non-interest and send it to the DVLA. As the registered keeper, you will have to pay a retention fee to keep the plate if you don’t have another vehicle to transfer it to.”

To retain a personalised number plate, drivers need to ensure the vehicle has not yet been sold or scrapped by their insurer. The car needs to be available for inspection, and drivers need to follow the DVLA process to place a number plate onto retention.

The process for retaining a number plate on a stolen vehicle is slightly different, explains Fulthorpe. “In the event your car and personalised plate are stolen (and not recovered), you will have to wait six months to get the number plate back and you have to report it stolen to the DVLA. You then have two years and six months to claim it. To reclaim the personalised plate, you also have to prove that the car had a valid MOT and tax at the time of the theft.”

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Revealed: limited edition Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a ‘spectacular finale’

Bentley Mulliner creates one-off Bentayga ‘inspired by outer space’

By

John Redfern

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March 19, 2022

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A unique example of the Bentayga SUV, inspired by outer space, has been ‘launched’ by Bentley.

Personally commissioned by a Bentley customer, the company’s Mulliner department has used bespoke finishes and components throughout the car.

It comes as Bentley has seen demand for personalised vehicles double in the first quarter of 2022.

Heading for orbit

The exterior of the Bentayga Speed has been painted in Cypress, described as being a ‘dark metallic grey with subtle green undertones’. This hue was originally seen on the first-generation Continental GT, released in 2003. Orange Flame detailing is used for a dramatic contrast.

Combined with a gloss carbon fibre styling package, Bentley says inspiration came from ‘comet dust trails racing across the night sky’.

Blackline specification removes any exterior chromework, with black alloy wheels the finishing touch for the outside of the Bentayga.

Faster than a shooting star?

Mulliner has trimmed the Bentayga’s interior with acres of dark upholstery. This is intended to give a ‘dark, night-sky-esque backdrop’ for the colour highlights.

More Orange Flame trim is used, most obviously on the steering wheel and gear lever. Additional tangerine trim can be found surrounding the Galaxy Stone dashboard facias, and as piping on the seats.

Unique black speaker grilles for the Naim audio system include badges that illuminate like stars. Light-up door sill plates depict planets orbiting in a solar system.

No upgrades were made to the Bentayga Speed’s 626hp twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine – and perhaps rightly so.

Demand for personalisation blasts off

Joseph Wierda from Bentley Orlando, where the Bentaya was ordered, said: “The Space Coast in central Florida has long been established as the world’s gateway to explore the universe above, so space travel and exploration were the perfect themes to inspire this unique car. Just as space is limitless, the opportunities for customisation with the Mulliner design team were only limited by our collective imagination.”

Increased demand for personalised Bentley models has seen the Mulliner Design Team complete 100 requests in 2022 alone.

Since being established in 2015, the team has helped create more than 1,000 customised Bentleys.

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Prodrive Hunter is the world’s first all-terrain hypercar

By

John Redfern

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March 17, 2022

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Banbury-based motorsport engineering company Prodrive has revealed what it says is the world’s first all-terrain hypercar.

Developed from the off-roader used by Prodrive in the World Rally-Raid Championship, the Hunter is ready for sand dunes and mountains.

As Prodrive chairman Dave Richards explains: “There are numerous hypercars on the market, however they all need good roads or even race tracks to show their performance.”

The Hunter is aimed at exploring away from regular roads, but doing so with serious speed.

More power than Loeb’s company car

The competition version of the Hunter is currently driven by nine-time World Rally Championship winner, Sébastien Loeb. However, those who buy a Hunter will actually enjoy more horsepower than the French rally star.

Not having to comply with motorsport regulations frees up more performance from the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine. Peak power is in excess of 600hp, with torque an equally impressive 513lb ft.

Instead of the race model’s sequential gearbox, a six-speed paddle shift will be fitted to the Hunter. Prodrive estimates a 0-62mph time of less than four seconds, with a top speed close to 185mph.

Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!

Double wishbone suspension with twin adjustable dampers offers a considerable 400mm of travel. Six-pot racing brake calipers and vented discs are standard.

The Hunter uses the same steel spaceframe chassis as the Rally-Raid machine, along with an FIA-specification roll cage. However, some comforts have been added for the ‘civilian’ model.

Ian Callum, who designed the original race car, has updated the interior for increased usability. This includes a new centre console, although carbon fibre race seats and harnesses are still retained.

Hypercar performance and pricing

Prodrive’s target market is clear, with Dave Richards noting: “The first development vehicle is currently touring the Middle East where customers are being offered the opportunity of driving the Hunter and confirming their personal specification for production vehicles, to be delivered later this year.”

Given the extreme performance available, the Hunter comes with a suitably extreme price tag.

Buyers will need to find £1.25 million plus local taxes to drive the ultimate off-roader.

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Revealed: limited edition Aston Martin V12 Vantage is a ‘spectacular finale’

By

John Redfern

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March 16, 2022

0

Aston Martin has unveiled what it calls a ‘spectacular finale’ in the new V12 Vantage.

Some fifteen years after the original Vantage RS concept was announced, Aston is calling time on its V12-engined supercar.

However, the British marque has ensured the V12 Vantage goes out with a bang, with more power and performance than ever before.

12 cylinders and 690hp

The 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12, as seen in the larger DB11, endows the Vantage with 690hp and peak torque of 555lb ft. The quoted 0-60mph time is just 3.4 seconds.

An eight-speed paddle-shift auto transmission is geared to allow the Vantage to hit 200mph. A limited-slip differential will help harness all the power sent to the rear wheels.

Carbon fibre has been used extensively for the 40mm wider bodywork, including a huge rear wing that generates 204kg of downforce at maximum speed.

A new exhaust system adds some extra decibels and saves 7.2kg in weight, with carbon ceramic brakes also standard-fit.

Wider, lighter, faster, stronger

Overall, the V12 model has a power-to-weight ratio 20 percent better than the regular V8 Vantage.

Aston Martin has also tuned the Vantage’s adaptive suspension system, fitted extra bracing for greater body stiffness and recalibrated the steering. Buyers can pick lightweight alloy wheels to save a further 8kg over the standard 21-inch rims.

Carbon fibre sports seats are an option for the two-seat interior, helping shave a further 7.3kg from the kerb weight.

Numerous exterior finishes, including exposed carbon fibre, can be specified, with endless options for interior customisation via Aston’s bespoke Q service.

Building cars, selling dreams

The final edition of the V12 Vantage will be limited to 333 cars across the globe. However, unprecedented demand means the special model is already sold out.

Production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2022, with customers receiving their completed cars in the summer.

Marco Mattiacci, chief brand and commercial officer at Aston Martin, said: “At Aston Martin we build cars, but we sell dreams. That is the magic of this brand. Only a select number of customers around the world can buy the V12 Vantage, yet like all our iconic models, its significance extends far beyond its exclusivity.

“What’s more, such is the level of bespoke personalisation available via Q by Aston Martin, even a car as rare as the V12 Vantage can be made to a specification completely unique to its owner”.

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World Car Awards 2022 ‘Top Three’ finalists revealed

By

Richard Aucock

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March 16, 2022

0

The 2022 World Car of the Year will again be a pure electric vehicle as the top three finalists for the prized gong are revealed.

The Ford Mustang Mach-e, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 have come out on top of a 10-car group of finalists and will now battle for the top prize to be presented in New York next month.

The winner will follow on from the 2021 victor, the Volkswagen ID.4 – continuing the reign of EVs in the World Car of the Year category.

Another electric car, the Jaguar I-Pace, scooped the top prize in 2019.

The 2022 winner will be announced at this year’s New York International Auto Show on Wednesday 13 April.

2022 World Car Awards finalists

Finalists for the 2022 awards in five other categories have been announced too.

For the World Electric Vehicle of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 goes up against the Audi e-tron GT and Mercedes-Benz EQS.

The Audi is also a finalist for World Performance Car, along with the BMW M3 and M4, and Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ.

In the World Urban Car category, the Vauxhall Opel Mokka (and pure electric Mokka-e) take on the hybrid Toyota Yaris Cross and affordable Volkswagen Taigun.

At the other end of the spectrum, World Luxury Car is between the BMW iX, Genesis GV70 and Mercedes-Benz EQS.

The World Car Design of the Year will be decided between the Audi e-tron GT, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6.

A jury of 102 automotive writers from 33 countries – including Motoring Research’s Richard Aucock – have conducted endless test drives and several rounds of voting to determine the 2022 World Car Finals.

KPMG tabulates the results and all ballots remain secret until the day of the presentation.

It is the 17th time the World Car Awards have been presented at the New York Auto Show.

“We are proud to be part of the most important automotive awards program on the planet,” said New York Auto Show president, Mark Schienberg.

“We are looking forward to coming back this spring and announcing the winners live at the Auto Show in April.”

World Car Finals 2022

2022 World Car of the Year finalists

Ford Mustang Mach-E
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6

2022 World Electric Vehicle of the Year finalists

Audi e-tron GT
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Mercedes-Benz EQS

2022 World Urban Car finalists

Vauxhall Opel Mokka
Toyota Yaris Cross
Volkswagen Taigun

2022 World Luxury Car finalists

BMW iX
Genesis GV70
Mercedes-Benz EQS

2022 World Performance Car finalists

Audi e-tron GT
BMW M3 / M4
Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ

2022 World Car Design of the Year finalists

Audi e-tron GT
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6

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Police crackdown targets catalytic converter thieves

By

John Redfern

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March 16, 2022

0

Police catalytic converter theft crackdown

Police forces across the UK have taken part in a seven-day operation to target metal crime and money laundering.

Criminals responsible for facilitating the theft of catalytic converters from cars were among those included in the crackdown.

More than 600 premises across the country were visited between Thursday 10 and Wednesday 16 February. The operation resulted in 30 arrests.

Turning up the heat on metal theft

Operation Goldjuno, coordinated by British Transport Police, sought to ensure scrap metal traders are complying with the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

Police forces worked alongside experts from the Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), Smartwater Group and motor industry representatives. Their task included assessing financial records kept by metal traders, and ensuring compliance with environmental legislation.

Along with the arrests made, several scrap metal businesses were served with closure notices.
Police and partner agencies also helped drivers to forensically mark more than 1,400 catalytic converters.

Doing so helps reduce the risk of a catalytic converter being stolen, and links it to an owner should a thief attempt to sell it.

Tackling organised crime gangs

Catalytic converter theft has become endemic across the UK, with more than 38,000 stolen during 2021. Surging metal prices continue to make them a favourite of thieves, who are drawn to the precious metals – including palladium, platinum and rhodium – contained inside them.

Older hybrid cars have been a constant target for metal thieves. This is due to the belief that lower emissions leave the catalytic converter in better condition.

BTP Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle, said: “The police response to metal theft has significantly increased over the past 18 months and we’re making substantial progress in disrupting organised crime groups operating in this area of crime.

“By taking a multi-agency approach, we’re maximising our ability to identify those involved, making it harder for them to sell stolen metal and gain from their criminal activities.”

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Top Gear star’s classic Ferrari 512 TR up for auction

By

John Redfern

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March 15, 2022

0

A 1992 Ferrari 512 TR belonging to Top Gear presenter Chris Harris is currently listed for auction.

Described by Harris as being his “favourite classic supercar”, he will wave goodbye to the Ferrari after nine years of ownership.

The 512 TR is one of 42 cars being sold as part of the special ‘Supercar Sunday’ event, organised by the Collecting Cars auction website.

‘A medallion-man supercar’

Launched in 1991, the 512 TR was a development of the iconic Ferrari Testarossa. Powered by a rear-mounted 4.9-litre flat-12 engine, design changes liberated extra performance versus its predecessor.

Generating 422hp at 6,750rpm, along with 361lb ft of torque, the 512 TR has real supercar performance. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 195mph.

Other improvements over the Testarossa included larger brakes and quicker steering, plus interior changes to make the 512 TR easier to live with.

More than 2,200 examples were produced, but only 52 are believed to have been made for the UK market.

Driven as Maranello intended

Bought by Harris in 2013, this car is actually his second 512 TR. He judged an earlier low-mileage example as too clean to be used regularly. However, Harris had no concerns about driving this Ferrari.

Around 14,000 miles have been added to the odometer, including video appearances as part of the Chris Harris on Cars series. Seeing the Ferrari going sideways demonstrates that Harris was certainly not shy about using it.

The interior is mockingly described as “junk” by Harris, although it benefits from cream leather and red carpets.

Maintenance has been undertaken regularly during the past nine years, with the car currently receiving a full cambelt service ahead of its sale.

Sunday drivers wanted

Harris says that something has told him it is time to move on from the 512 TR, even though he admits he will miss driving it.

The auction for the Ferrari is currently live, with bidding due to end on Sunday 20 March.

It represents one of 42 hand-picked supercars being sold through the Collecting Cars Supercar Sunday event.

Other lots available include a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Lamborghini Diablo VT and an ultra-rare Koenig C62.

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Ford GT owned by Kid Rock heads to auction

By

John Redfern

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March 15, 2022

0

A 2005 Ford GT supercar with a famous owner will head to auction later this month.

This early first-generation Ford GT has been owned from new by Robert James Ritchie, better known as the musician Kid Rock.

Although never far from controversy himself, Kid Rock’s choice of vehicle is likely to generate plenty of interest when it crosses the RM Sotheby’s auction block in Fort Lauderdale.

American hero

Launched as a concept at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, the first-generation Ford GT caused a stir with its retro-inspired styling.

Although it resembled the original Ford GT40 on the outside, the GT packed thoroughly modern performance. The production car used a mid-mounted 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine, offering up 550 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque.

With a six-speed manual transmission as the only option, the GT could accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than four seconds. A top speed of 205 mph placed it in true supercar territory.

Only 4,038 examples were made between 2004 and 2006, with records suggesting Kid Rock’s GT was one of the earliest.

‘One for the road’

Built in August 2004, Kid Rock’s car was finished in Mark IV Red with full body stripes. It represents one of 669 examples wearing the same color scheme for the 2005 model-year.

All four available options were specified by Kid Rock. This means the GT comes with BBS alloy wheels, red-painted brake calipers, a McIntosh sound system and the exterior stripes.

A poster signed by Camilo Pardo, the Ford GT’s designer, will be part of the sale. Kid Rock will include a personally autographed guitar, too.

All Summer Long

Despite the impressive performance of the GT, Kid Rock has added just 3,100 miles to its odometer.

First-generation Ford GTs have become an auction staple, with retro looks and strong performance drawing in collectors. Adding a celebrity owner to the mix is likely to further the interest in this particular car.

Kid Rock’s GT will be sold as part of the RM Sotheby’s sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Taking place between 25 and 26 March 2022, other highlights will include a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT and a 1985 Ferrari 512 BBi.

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Majority of drivers think car headlights are too bright

By

John Redfern

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March 12, 2022

0

Modern car headlights are too bright according to nine in 10 drivers (89 percent) surveyed by the RAC.

A similar proportion say they are often dazzled by other vehicles when driving, increasing the risk of road accidents.

Such is the worry for some, 16 percent of those drivers concerned by bright headlights have now stopped driving at night.

Younger drivers seeing the light

Although older drivers said they were more likely to stop driving at night, it is younger drivers who are more likely to complain about bright headlights.

Almost a third (30 percent) of those aged 17 to 34 think most headlights are too bright, compared to just 19 percent of those aged 65 and over.

Among this group of younger drivers, 70 percent believe the risk of accidents is increased due to intense headlight glare.

Overall, 63 percent of motorists who get dazzled believe it is happening more often than a year or two ago.

Why are drivers being dazzled?

Of the 2,700 people surveyed, 23 percent believed modern LED headlights are to blame for the dazzling effect. However, 22 percent do not think any particular headlight technology was to blame, and more than a third cannot tell the difference.

The RAC says the prevalence of higher vehicles, such as SUVs, is also a potential factor. Some 61 percent of those in lower cars noted a problem, compared to just 28 percent in taller vehicles.

Rod Dennis, RAC spokesperson, said: “It’s clear that the problem of drivers being dazzled by the headlights of others isn’t going away, and in fact our research shows that a large proportion of drivers say they’re getting dazzled more regularly now than a year or two ago.

“What’s more, and perhaps surprisingly, it’s younger drivers who are more likely to complain about glare, which suggests the matter has little – if anything – to do with an individual’s eyesight.”

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