When the Judgement Day comes, only two vehicles will survive: the Toyota Hilux and the Torsus Praetorian.
The Toyota was declared indestructible by Jeremy Clarkson, after his ever-more-madcap attempts to kill it. The Torsus proves its worth in places even Top Gear fears to tread, from remote gas pipelines to conflict zones. Now it’s available in the UK.
Torsus describes its products as the ‘world’s toughest heavy-duty off-road buses’. Founded in 2017, the company has a headquarters in the Czech Republic and a factory in Slovakia. Its first offering was the 37-seat Praetorian coach (from £148,000), but a second model – the nine-seat Terrastorm minibus (from £60,000) – has since joined the range. There’s also a new website configurator, plus a fully electric vehicle under development.
We spoke to Vakhtang Dzhukashvili, co-owner and CEO of Torsus, about the company’s origins, present and future, including his plans to establish a UK dealer network.
Give us a bit of background…
“Our parent company, Pulsar Expo, started out doing lots of one-off custom truck conversions – Man, Iveco and Toyota models, mainly. We worked with many large organisations that operate in challenging terrain, such as the United Nations, aid agencies and mining companies.
“We soon discovered that these clients were using fleets of SUVs or pick-up trucks to move people from place to place. Nobody was making large off-road vehicles suitable for this task. That’s where the idea for Torsus was born.”
Torsus Praetorian: the big one
“The Praetorian was our first baby and we think it’s unique. It’s based on a MAN coach and powered by a 6.9-litre diesel engine that delivers 290hp and 848lb ft of torque.
“You’ll need a special licence to drive it, because it seats 37 (including the driver) and weighs 13.5 tonnes. But if you have the right qualifications and the skills to drive it off-road, you’re unstoppable. Three differential locks, long-travel suspension and a 900mm wading depth see to that.
“The Praetorian also meets the required standards in terms of European certification, comfort and safety. For example, it has proper motorised bus doors, but we had to adapt them so they close with greater force when the vehicle detects it’s off-road.
“Other challenges included strengthening the chassis to counter twisting forces and relocating the lights. There’s a lot of engineering behind it.”
Torsus Terrastorm: accessible adventure
“This is our second vehicle, based on the Volkswagen Crafter 4Motion. It uses a twin-turbo diesel engine – the figures are 177hp and 302lb ft of torque.
“We sell about seven Terrastorms for each Praetorian. Obviously it costs less, but it’s also more accessible. It was designed so anyone can drive; you don’t need special skills.
“The Terrastorm came about because one of our customers from the mining business wanted a vehicle that didn’t need a dedicated driver with a bus licence. This can be driven by any of the mine workers on a shift. And heavy-duty suspension and skid plates make it really hard to break…”
Who are they aimed at?
“We have identified at least 12 industries where Torsus products could be in high demand, but five in particular.
“These are oil and gas mining, law enforcement (police, border guards and so on), tourism (as camping and expedition vehicles), extreme sports (rafting, mountain biking, freestyle skiing) and emergency relief (ambulances or evacuation vehicles).
“While our buses aren’t suitable for military combat, they can also work behind the front line, perhaps as a fully-equipped command centre. Both the Praetorian and Terrastorm can be customised to suit buyers’ needs.”
When will Torsus arrive in the UK?
“We don’t have any UK dealers yet, but we’re actively looking for a partner. That said, anyone in Britain can buy a Torsus now. They have the correct European certification and we already build many vehicles in right-hand-drive for Australia.
“Servicing is straightforward, too. The Praetorian can be maintained at any MAN trucks service centre, while the Terrastorm owner can visit a Volkswagen commercial dealer.
“You can order via the website and import a vehicle directly. Our sales team will sort the paperwork and make it happen.”
Can they be more than simply working vehicles?
“Absolutely. The difference in price between a Terrastorm and a conventional minibus isn’t that great. And you’re potentially burying two vehicles in one.
“The owner of a film company I know owns a Terrastorm, for example. From Monday to Friday, it’s a bus for the film crew. Then at weekends he uses it for family camping trips. We offer a range of ‘smart camper’ accessories, including a fridge, bed, kitchen, tables and even a shower. The vehicle is big, and that space offers so many possibilities.
“We think there’s a lot of potential in the lifestyle market. You can use it for work and play, as many people do with their pick-up trucks, but it’s far more practical. A Torsus isn’t just for getting from A to B. You can also do something when you get to B.
What about the future?
“We’re looking at the feasibility of other powertrains. Diesel still works well for off-road expeditions, as it allows you to bring a lot of energy with you in your fuel tank. However, we’re already working on a fully electric Terrastorm for an environmentally-conscious client that needs a fleet of vehicles to maintain national parks.
“As for hybrid and hydrogen tech, if MAN introduces it, we’ll certainly be happy to incorporate it into the Praetorian. Watch this space.”
For most people, winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race would be reward enough in itself. Paolo Barilla, though, needed another way to commemorate his 1985 victory.
To coincide with his 60th birthday, Barilla became the first customer to order a car with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, as part of the new Sonderwunsch programme.
Using a new Porsche 911 GT3 as a base, Barilla designed a car to resemble the Group C 956B he drove to first place at Le Mans.
Racing driver turned pasta promoter
Paolo entered motorsport in 1975, winning the Italian 100cc karting championship the following year. He later progressed to Formula 3, before moving up to Formula 2 races with Minardi.
For 1985, Barilla switched to the World Endurance Championship, driving a Joest Racing Porsche 956B. Along with Klaus Ludwing and Louis Krages, Barilla would claim a dominant three-lap victory at that year’s Le Mans 24 Hour race.
He attempted to compete in Formula 1 with Minardi in 1990, but struggled to consistently make it onto the grid.
On his retirement from racing, Paolo took up a role with his family’s Barilla Group. He has since held numerous roles with the firm, which is the world’s largest producer of pasta.
Racing back to the 1980s
The starting point for Barilla’s bespoke 911 GT3 was the eye-catching Summer Yellow, white and black paint scheme.
A number seven can be found on the doors – as used by Barilla on his 1985 racing car. The design of the centre-lock wheels is also a nod to the 956B, which featured white aeroblades when raced.
Porsche has even modified the design of the rear wing end plates, influenced by those on the 1980s racer. This required extensive wind tunnel testing to ensure the 911 GT3 still handles correctly.
Inside, the headrests are embroidered with a Le Mans circuit logo. A custom-made gear lever is reminiscent of the magnesium ball design used in the 956B.
DIY custom Porsche
Creating Barilla’s 911 GT3 took a total of three years, with the former racing driver acting as project manager throughout. Paolo was even given the opportunity to attach the gearbox to the engine when the car was being built.
This special opportunity was made possible through the Sonderwunsch programme, which offers a unique experience for Porsche buyers.
According to Philipp Setter, head of Sonderwunsch at Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur: “Our customers have generally seen and experienced a lot, but for projects of this size, we always try to open a few more doors that would otherwise be closed, for very good reason.”
No details of the cost of Barilla’s car have been released. However, as Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur charges €7,500 (£6,400) just to add a fingerprint design to a bonnet, it is unlikely to have been a cheap process.
The Dacia Sandero is available for just £99 a month, over a three-year term, in a headline-grabbing new deal from the value brand.
It isn’t the basic entry-level model, either: the £13,545 Sandero Comfort TCe 90 comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, keyless entry, rear parking sensors and automatic headlights.
So what’s the catch? It’s not a PCP deal, but a PCH leasing offer, meaning motorists don’t get the option to buy or trade in the car at the end of the term – they simply hand it back.
What’s more, the upfront advance rental payment is a not-inconsiderable £4,026.
Personal contract hire is becoming a popular way into new car ownership, as list prices continue to rise. Leasing helps keep monthly payments more manageable.
It also simplifies things for owners, many of whom use PCP finance deals largely like a leasing package: they simply trade into a new car every three years.
PCH simply cuts out the complication of part-purchasing a car before swapping it for another one – provided, that is, owners can stretch to the not-inconsiderable advance payment.
Motorists who take on a £99 Sandero are also contracted to 6,000 miles: exceeding this will result in a financial penalty for every mile over the agreed total.
And just to be clear, Dacia stresses that ‘you will not own the car’ in its terms and conditions.
The £99 Dacia Sandero PCH deal runs until 30 November and cars must be registered before 31 March 2021.
The navigation option will be available offline, and can also be enabled through Amazon Alexa’s Complete Control integration.
Lamborghini says this collaboration produces the ‘best user experience’ for drivers of the Huracan Evo.
Global navigation, squared
Launched in 2013, What3Words works by dividing the globe into 57 trillion three-metre (10-foot) squares. Each square is then assigned a unique combination of three words, allowing non-traditional addresses to be located.
Using voice commands to enter a three-word phrase is said to be easier than reciting an entire address. What3Words also says it avoids the confusion from duplicate road names, and allows navigation to places without an address.
What3Words has already been adopted by Mercedes-Benz, Triumph, Lotus and Ford. Numerous emergency services have also used it to help locate those in need of assistance.
However, some have criticised the risk of similar words being found close together, along with local accents and spelling errors causing confusion.
Progress through technology
Lamborghini’s integration of Amazon Alexa into the Huracan Evo allows drivers to play music, control smart devices at home, and get updates on the status of their car with voice commands.
Adding What3Words is seen as the next step in ensuring Lamborghini offers the latest technology.
Luca Giardino, head of connectivity at Lamborghini, said: “The future of mobility demands the most advanced technology, and that is why today Lamborghini is announcing the roll-out of What3words. Our drivers can experience the most seamless way to navigate by voice.”
Held between Thursday 11 November and Sunday 14 November, Velocity Invitational will feature a host of on-track action, plus a luxury experience for fans.
A total of 10 race groups will compete over the weekend. These range from Brass Era models through to modern sports cars, GT prototypes, and even Formula 1 machines.
Multiple Ford GTs in action
One of the star attractions among the multiple motorsport classes on-track is a collection of Ford GTs. Seven of the eight Ford GT LM GTE Pro race cars built will be at Laguna Seca over the weekend.
It marks the first full reunion for the LM GTE Pro cars since Ford’s historic victory at the 2016 Le Mans 24-Hour race.
Along with being on static display in the paddock, the Ford GTs will perform demonstration runs. Joey Hand, Le Mans LM GTE Pro class winner, will be at the wheel.
For historic Le Mans contrast, a 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe will also attend the event.
Mustang vs. Mini night race
Although Velocity Invitational will feature many races over the weekend, Friday plays host to a special night race. A field of Ford Mustangs will challenge a squad of motorsport-prepared classic Mini Coopers.
It should make for a true ‘David and Goliath’ battle, with the featherweight Minis taking on the iconic pony car from the 1960s. Starting when dusk falls at 4:50 PM, more then 30 cars will take part.
For those who miss the on-track clash on Friday, a daytime ‘Mustangs vs. Minis’ race will be held on the Sunday.
Flying Finn Mika Häkkinen to star
A key partnership with the McLaren Racing Formula 1 team will see former star drivers, and the cars they used, take center stage.
Double Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen leads the McLaren action at Velocity Invitational. He will be joined by his 1998 Formula 1 championship-winning MP4-13 race car.
Other McLaren Racing highlights include the 2011 MP4-26 and 2012 MP4-27, along with the unique MP4-98T two-seat F1 car.
Trackside banquet with automotive leaders
Along with the on-track action, the Petersen Automotive Museum will host ‘The Future of Motorsports Panel Discussion and Auction’ discussion on Thursday 12 November.
Headlining the panel will be Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, and Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. They will be joined by other automotive industry executives.
Following the discussion, attendees can bid on motorsport items. These include a race suit worn by Dan Gurney, plus an electric guitar signed by Metallica frontman, James Hetfield.
RADwood display at the center of Laguna Seca
Taking over the central island at Laguna Seca will be a display by RADwood. On both November 13 and 14, a curated line-up of 50 cars from the 1980s and 1990s will be on show.
Expect a mixture of retro supercars, mini trucks, motorcycles and hot hatchbacks.
Tickets for Velocity Invitational are still available, ranging from single-day passes through to full weekend admittance.
The 2020 motoring events calendar was almost totally wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. However, 2021 has shaped up to be a classic year for car enthusiasts, with a huge number of motoring events to attend.
We’ve researched some of the UK’s biggest and best car shows and motorsport events, making sure we include something for everyone.
However, as last year taught us, everything is subject to change, and sadly, some shows are cancelled for 2021 too. Here, though, are the events currently confirmed to be going ahead.
2021 MOTORING EVENTS GUIDE
Classic Motor Show – 12-14 November
The Classic Motor Show is a good way to end the show calendar. A chance to chat with like-minded enthusiasts before prized classics are put into winter hibernation. The NEC is your destination for this annual classic car curtain call.
Look out for updates and details of new events over the coming weeks and months.
CANCELLED FOR 2021
Auto Royale – 16-18 July
Auto Royale 2020 was billed as a “true ‘festivalised’ event which will attract the very affluent and high net worth collectors along with ABC1 owners and enthusiasts of the automotive lifestyle.” That was before it was postponed until 2021… and sadly, despite a move from Althorp to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, it has now been postponed indefinitely.
Events you’ve missed
Here are the events that have been and gone in 2021. If you like the sound of them, keep an eye out for 2022 dates!
Simply Electric – 23 May
Beaulieu’s 2021 events calendar sparks into life with Simply Electric. It’s the first of 15 ‘Simply’ events scheduled to take place this year, with a range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on display in May. Visit the Beaulieu website for details of this and other events.
Retro Rides Weekender – 29-30 May
Fans of pre-1998 cars will be converging on Goodwood for the Retro Rides Weekender. Retro parking, club displays and track time are the order of the day for this popular event.
Masters Historic Festival – 29-30 May
Head to Brands Hatch for two days of historic touring cars, endurance legends, historic F1 and sports cars, plus pre-1966 Minis.
June Scramble – 5-6 June
Summer 2021 sees the return of the hugely popular Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage. The first-ever two-day Scramble will be held on 5 and 6 June 2021.
Haynes Breakfast Club – 6 June
The Haynes Breakfast Club is back! If you missed out on the two events in May, be sure to book early for events in June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Future classics (post-1980) are welcome on the first Sunday of every month, while pre-1980 cars are invited to the second Sunday. Booking is essential.
London Concours – 8-10 June
New for 2021, London Concours is introducing a third day, creating three different themes: VIP Preview Day, Style Edition Day and Supercar Day. Expect champagne receptions, the world’s most exotic sports cars and the sharpest suits and dresses.
Land Rover Legends and Thruxton Historic – 12-13 June
Following its postponement in 2020, Land Rover Legends will take place at Thruxton on 12-13 June. You can expect feature displays, the leading Land Rover clubs and awards for the best vehicles. Advance tickets are available, although children under the age of 16 are free and do not need a ticket. The event coincides with the Thruxton Historic.
E-Type 60 – 12-13 June
There are many events at Shelsley Walsh in 2021, but E-Type 60 is likely to be one of the best. All 13 versions of the Jaguar E-Type will be on display, including one of the original press cars.
BTCC Snetterton – 12-13 June
The BTCC calendar got underway at Thruxton in May, with BTC Racing’s Josh Cook claiming two victories. The next race is at Snetterton in June.
Yorkshire Motorsport Festival – 25-27 June
Former Top Gear presenter Julia Bradbury was due to be the host of the Yorkshire Motorsport Festival in 2020. The event will now take place in June 2021, albeit with crowds capped to 4,000, with the timetable including the first closed road hillclimb to be held in the North of England. Around 80 mainly pre-1986s cars will compete for the fastest time on a 0.8-mile track.
London Classic Car Show – 25-27 June
With Covid-19 restrictions in mind, the London Classic Car Show is moving from Excel London to an outdoor event at Syon Park. The 2021 event will celebrate 135 years of the motor car, 1930s style and elegance, ‘80s Brutalism and contemporary supercars. The show will also showcase 60 years of the Jaguar E-Type.
Truckfest Midlands – 3-4 July
There are eight Truckfest events in 2021, with the Three Counties Showground in Malvern playing host to the West Midlands event in July.
Goodwood Festival of Speed – 8-11 July
The Goodwood Festival of Speed will return in July 2021, with the organisers promising to celebrate the 2020 theme of ‘The Maestros – Motorsport’s Great All-Rounders’. We understand this isn’t a celebration of the Austin Maestro.
British Grand Prix – 16-18 July
All tickets for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone come with a Covid-19 guarantee. If spectators are not allowed at the event due to government guidelines, ticket holders will be able to transfer their ticket to 2022 or receive a full refund.
Carfest North – 23-25 July
Carfest North takes place at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire. You can expect the usual mix of music, cars and family fun, with a large percentage of the proceeds going to support BBC Children in Need. Tickets for 2021 are sold out.
Bug Jam – 23-25 July
Billed as “the original and best VW fest”, Bug Jam is certainly one of the best Volkswagen events in the UK. If you love Dubs, head to Santa Pod in July.
MotoFest Coventry – 17 July – 8 August
MotoFest Coventry is a free motoring event in the UK City of Culture 2021. It’s perhaps most famous for the ring road becoming a sprint circuit for the weekend. Also look out for Formula Gymkhana and the Autotest National Championship.
Silverstone Classic – 30 July – 1 August
The Silverstone Classic is one of the highlights of the motoring calendar – a three-day, non-stop historic racing extravaganza. You can expect to see around 10,000 classic cars and live motor racing.
Festival of the Unexceptional – 31 July
Owners of unexceptional cars of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s are invited to the Festival of the Unexceptional for a celebration of saloons, hatchbacks and estates. Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire is the new venue.
Shelsley Walsh Autojumble – 7 August
New for 2021, Shelsley Walsh is launching what it calls its first proper autojumble. The paddock garages will be full of spare parts, tools and ephemera, while the main field will play host to trade and private stands. Camping facilities will be available to traders.
Electric Vehicles Festival – 7 August
The Electric Vehicles Festival celebrates its third year in 2021, running at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon on Saturday 7 August. Billed as a celebration of all things motoring electric, the event brings together both EV owners and those who are ‘EV-curious’. And a £40 family ticket for two adults and three children even includes entry to the British Motor Museum itself!
Ford Fair – 8 August
Europe’s biggest Ford event is returning to Silverstone for its 36th year. Around 5,000 Fords are expected to attend, with tickets available from £27.
Retro Carfest – 13-15 August
This new addition to the Carfest calendar will take place at Bicester Heritage in August. It’s a celebration of the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, featuring cars, film, television, toys, gadgets, fashion and music from a bygone era.
The British Motor Show – 19-22 August
The British Motor Show will take place at Farnborough International in August. Highlights include The Caterham Experience, The Paul Swift Stunt Driving Experience and Under 17 Driving Lessons. Also look out for the latest new cars and celebrities including Mike Brewer, Tim Shaw, Fuzz Townshend, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Mike Rutherford.
Le Mans 24 Hours – 21-22 August
The 89th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will take place later than normal this year, on 21-22 August. Le Mans is less than three hours from the ferry terminals at Cherbourg, St-Malo and Le Havre.
Historic Rally Festival – 21-22 August
A new event for 2021 sees Weston Park playing host to a celebration of Group B rally cars on former stages of the RAC Rally. Around 80 cars will take part in a demonstration run on the 1,000-acre estate.
Retro Rides Gathering – 21 August
The Retro Rides Gathering is one of the best events for fans of retro and modified cars. Check out the Retro Rides Facebook page for more details.
Carfest South – 27-29 August
Carfest South takes place at Laverstoke Farm in Hampshire. It’s essentially a southern version of Carfest North, so you expect music, cars and family fun. Tickets for 2021 are sold out.
Ford Show – 29 August
Modern Ford hot hatches will line up alongside classics like the Capri, Cortina, Escort and Puma at this Ford extravaganza. Now taking place at the end of August.
Salon Prive – 1-5 September
Salon Prive went ahead in 2020, despite restrictions that saw the majority of similar events postponed or cancelled. For 2021, the Concours d’Elegance will return to Blenheim Palace for the 16th consecutive edition. Around 1,000 supercars will take centre stage on the South Lawn, while Ladies’ Day plays host to the Boodles Best Hat Competition.
Concours of Elegance – 3-5 September
Like Salon Prive, the Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace went ahead in 2020. You can expect more of the same in 2021, when 300 of the world’s finest and rarest motor cars appear at the Palace. Full details to be announced.
Fully Charged Live – 3-5 September
Fully Charged Live was another victim of the pandemic in 2020. The good news for fans of electric cars is that the event is back for 2021, with Fully Charged Live moving to a new venue at Farnborough International. Ideal for anyone preparing for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
International Autojumble – 4-5 September
If rummaging for oily car parts is your idea of a dirty weekend, the International Autojumble is the event for you. Some 2,000 stands are expected to fill the grounds of the Beaulieu Motor Museum, making it the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic.
Japfest – 4 September
Around 4,000 cars are expected to converge on Silverstone for Europe’s biggest Japanese car show. Tickets are available from £27.
Goodwood Revival – 17-19 September
The Goodwood Revival will take place in September 2021. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period clothing to celebrate the golden era of motorsport. Isn’t it good to be back at Goodwood and escape from the present day for a weekend?
Gravity – 19 September
Gravity is one of the largest modified car shows in the UK. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the event will take place in four exhibition halls and two outdoor arenas at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Around 1,000 modified, classic, drift and race cars will be on display.
Classics on the Common – 22 September
For one day every year, Harpenden is invaded by classic cars as it plays host to the UK’s largest weekday car show. If you want to book a day off work, Classics in the Common will take place on Wednesday 22 September 2021.
McRae Rally Challenge – 2-3 October
Billed as one of the biggest celebrations since Colin McRae became World Rally Champion in 1995, this event will commemorate Colin, as well as Jimmy, Alistair and rising star Max McRae. Knockhill is the venue for this great event.
GTI Festival – 10 October
Another Santa Pod event, this time for Volkswagen enthusiasts. This is one of the last events of the year before we start thinking about putting our cars into winter hibernation.
Goodwood 78th Members’ Meeting – 16-17 October
The rescheduled 78th Members’ Meeting will take on the weekend of 16 and 17 October. All tickets will automatically roll over from 2020 and remain valid for the new dates in 2021.
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – 7 November
Last year was the first time the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been cancelled since 1947. Hopes are high that the event will go ahead in 2021, when cars registered before 1 January 1915 set off from Hyde Park for the 60-mile journey to Brighton.
Used car prices rose for the 19th consecutive month in October 2021 – with almost £3,000 being added to the price of the average car in just five months.
A typical second-hand car now costs £16,878, up from £13,973 in early summer.
Remarkably, says Auto Trader, which analyses more than 900,000 vehicle prices daily, almost one in four nearly-new cars are now more expensive than their new equivalents.
“This is a significant jump on the previous all-time high of 17 percent recorded in September,” says Auto Trader.
In January 2021, just four percent of cars up to 12 months old cost more than a brand new model.
“What we’re currently seeing in the market is the result of basic economics,” said Auto Trader data and insights director, Richard Walker. “Exceptionally strong consumer demand and a constrained supply chain that simply cannot catch up.”
There’s no let-up in store either, he said, with the current trajectory expected to continue well into 2022.
“For year-on-year growth to slow to the low single-digit levels we saw pre-pandemic, supply and demand levels will need to even out.
“From what we’re seeing in the market, the wider economy, and the hundreds of thousands of daily price observations we’re able to track across the live retail market, there’s simply no evidence to suggest that will be anytime soon.”
Electric car surge
Interest in electric cars on Auto Trader continues to “considerably” outpace the wider market. Volume-brand electric car demand was up 130 percent and premium EV demand grew almost 100 percent.
With demand far outstripping supply, volume brand EV prices increased 20.7 percent in October alone, and even prices of more established premium electric cars grew 3.8 percent.
This isn’t coming at the expense of petrol and diesel cars, though – and as the numbers of such vehicles on the market falls due to supply constraints, prices have strengthened accordingly.
The average price of a petrol car rose by 26.2 percent in October, while diesel prices went up 26.7 percent.
Meanwhile, consumer demand was up 7.2 percent for petrol cars, while diesel interest ticked up just slightly, by 1.7 percent. Increases, then, but nothing like the growth in interest for electric cars…
The first Aston Martin Valkyrie customer car is complete and ready for delivery.
Assembled at the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the hybrid Valkyrie is described as ‘the first true F1 car for the road’.
Aston Martin CEO Tobias Moers commented: “It is an immensely proud moment for us to complete our first ever hypercar. The Valkyrie programme has tested everyone who has worked on it to the limit, but the commitment to the dream has produced a truly incredible car”.
Gives you wings
Only 150 Valkyrie coupes will be made, followed by 85 open-top Spiders and 25 examples of the track-only AMR Pro.
Hand-building a Valkyrie takes 2,000 man-hours and each car is track-tested at Silverstone before sign-off.
Its handling was honed by Red Bull Racing F1 drivers Alex Albon and Max Verstappen, along with GT racer Chris Goodwin – formerly chief test driver at McLaren.
Revs to 11,100rpm
The Valkyrie’s heart is a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 tuned by Cosworth, which revs to 11,100rpm.
This is supplemented by a hybrid system – including batteries from Rimac, the Croatian EV manufacturer that now owns Bugatti – for a total of 1,155hp.
Standstill to 62mph takes 2.6 seconds and an F1-style KERS system allows even greater bursts of acceleration.
No time to buy
Aero-sculpted bodywork keeps the Valkyrie glued to the road or racetrack, with up to 1,816kg of downforce at top speed (217mph, since you ask). A kerb weight of 1,030kg is around 100kg more than a Lotus Elise, aided by a carbon fibre chassis and minimalist interior.
As for the price, reckon on £2.5 million, or north of £3 million for the Spider or AMR Pro.
The entire production run is now sold out, but wannabe owners can opt for the ‘son of Valkyrie’ Valhalla supercar – as seen in recent James Bond outing, No Time to Die – forecast to cost £650,000 and due in 2024.
The Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) has named the all-new Toyota Tundra as the official Truck of Texas for 2022.
More than 50 vehicles were evaluated during the two-day event, held at the Star Hill Ranch outside of Austin, Texas.
Assessing the trucks and SUVs were 44 journalists and writers. Evaluations were made from on-road performance, along with how each vehicle tackled a specially designed off-road course.
2022 Tundra is a winner
The 2022 Tundra was revealed earlier this year, as the third generation of Toyota’s American-made full-size pickup truck. Being manufactured in Texas meant the Tundra had a home-field advantage.
Equipped with a 3.5-l twin-turbo V-6 engine, or optional twin-turbo V-6 hybrid, the new Tundra can tow up to 12,000 lb. New multi-link rear suspension and a host of off-road technology also helped the Tundra to succeed.
TAWA president, Kristin Shaw, said. “TAWA journalists had the privilege of driving the brand-new Tundra on- and off-road at the same time as the national launch. By the end of the Texas Truck Rodeo, our members’ votes were loud and clear: the 2022 Tundra is a winner.”
Official SUV of Texas 2022
Built as a homage to the original luxury SUV of 1962, the new Grand Wagoneer represents a renaissance for Jeep as a premium brand.
Although it lacks the vinyl woodgrain exterior trim of Grand Wagoneers from the 1980s, the new model did enough to be crowned the 2022 SUV of Texas.
It marks a continued run of good form for Stellantis SUVs at the Texas Truck Rodeo. The Dodge Durango took the top prize for 2021, with the Maserati Levante winning the 2019 event.
Stellantis wins big in Texas
Stellantis won eleven prizes in total at the 2022 Texas Truck Rodeo. Winners included the Ram 1500 TRX performance truck taking Best Luxury Pickup.
The 702 horsepower supercharged 6.2-l Hemi V-8 engine that powers the Ram TRX was picked for Best Powertrain.
At the opposite end of the scale, the new plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe was named the 2022 Green Vehicle of Texas.
A virtual awards ceremony was held this month to announce the winners. However, TAWA plans to host a full celebratory event at the Houston Auto Show in January 2022.
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Audi has given its luxurious A8 a mid-life facelift after four years on sale.
The flagship saloon gets fresh styling and even more technology to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series.
The makeover starts with new front and rear bumpers, plus an even larger front grille – toothy chrome on most versions; menacing black if you go for S-Line spec. The latter also comes with larger alloy wheels and sportier seats.
You’ll have seen the new Audi RS3 hot hatchback with its flashing ‘R-S-3’ headlights. Not to be outdone, the latest A8 has digital OLED (organic light-emitting diode) rear lamps that change shape when you select Dynamic mode.
You can pick from two light signatures when you order the car (three with the S8), and warn off tailgaters with the proximity indication feature. If another vehicle comes too close, the back of the A8 lights up like a Christmas tree.
Inside, the A8 retains the intuitive MMI media system, with two large touchscreens and ‘Hey Audi’ voice control. Rear passengers can now enjoy a pair of 10.1-inch HD screens, mounted on the backs of the front seats, which sync with smartphones for music or video streaming. Opt for the long-wheelbase A8 L and they get a heated, massaging footrest, too.
Engine options are largely unchanged, comprising 3.0-litre V6 petrol or diesel, 4.0 V8 petrol and a 3.0 petrol-electric plug-in hybrid that offers around 30 miles of EV range.
There’s also the S8 super saloon, with a 571hp twin-turbo V8 for 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, plus a sport differential and ‘sound flaps in the exhaust’.
The refreshed Audi A8 is available to order from December and reaches showrooms in spring 2022. Prices start from £73,375.
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