You could buy this ex-Raikkonen McLaren MP4-17 Formula 1 car

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September 4, 2021

A genuine McLaren Formula 1 race car is ready for auction this month, as part of the RM Sotheby’s St. Moritz 2021 event.

The McLaren-Mercedes MP4-17 was used by Kimi Räikkönen and David Coulthard throughout 2002 and 2003. It scored a race win, and multiple podiums, on track.

With news that Räikkönen is set to retire from F1 at the end of this season, it could be the chance to grab a working memento of the Finnish driver.

Great expectations

Following a second-place finish in the 2001 Formula 1 World Championship, McLaren had high hopes for the 2002 season.

Created under the supervision of legendary designer Adrian Newey, the MP4-17 was shaped in McLaren’s new wind tunnel.

Powering the MP4-17 would be a Ilmor-engineered version of the Mercedes-Benz FO110M V10 engine. The naturally aspirated 3.0-litre unit produced an impressive 845 hp, and was connected to McLaren’s own seven-speed sequential gearbox.

Premium components throughout

Other key elements included the double wishbone front and rear suspension, featuring dampers developed with Penske. A combination of Hitco brake discs, and AP Racing calipers, provided the stopping power.

Hailing from an era when Formula 1 was embroiled in a tyre war, the MP4-17 wore Michelin rubber.

The finishing touch was the West McLaren Mercedes livery, first introduced by the team in 1997. It meant the stage was set for a successful 2002 season.

Swept beneath a red wave

Pre-season testing at Barcelona saw the McLaren MP4-17 give the team further hope. David Coulthard managed to set record times with the new car, raising expectations ahead of the season-opening race in Australia.

The reality of the 2002 F1 season would be less successful, however. A dominant combination of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari swept to victory, with other teams unable to get anywhere close to challenge them.

Highlights for McLaren would come with David Coulthard taking victory at the blue ribbon Monaco Grand Prix. A range of podiums would help the team to third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

A more successful second season

The car up for auction raced seven times during the 2002 season. A second place for Kimi Räikkönen at the French Grand Prix would be the best result for chassis MP4-17-06.

Following the abandonment of the radical MP4-18 for the 2003 season, McLaren converted its 2002 car to MP4-17D specification.

These upgrades brought the car more success, taking David Coulthard to victory in the 2003 Australian Grand Prix. It means whoever buys this car will secure a race-winning Formula 1 machine.

Get your Swiss bank account ready

Following the car’s final outing at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, where it secured second, chassis MP4-17-06 has returned to how it looked in 2002.

Unlike the various show cars and display models that become available, this is an Formula 1 car that enjoyed genuine success on track.

The McLaren MP4 is set to cross the auction block in St. Moritz on 17 September. Buying a piece of history will not be cheap, with a pre-sale estimate of CHF 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 (£1,500,000 to £1,900,000).

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Fuel now costs motorists 20p a litre MORE than a year ago

By

John Redfern

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September 4, 2021

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After nine months of continuous increases, fuel prices remained relatively static during August according to RAC Fuel Watch data.

It marks a welcome respite for drivers, who had endured substantial jumps in the cost of fuelling their car over the past year.

The average price for unleaded petrol fell marginally during August, dropping by 0.27p per litre to 135.02p.

Diesel costs fell by even less, with a 0.01p reduction to a still substantial 136.65p per litre.

A summer of ‘staycation’ costs

Filling the 55-litre tank of a family car with petrol will now cost £74.26, with a diesel-powered car needing a spend of £75.16.

In comparison to the June to August period in 2020, drivers are now paying an average of 20p more per litre of fuel. It only adds to the potential costs paid for a UK staycation holiday.

Northern Ireland and the North East were the UK regions with the cheapest fue last month. London and the South East remained the most expensive places to refuel.

Filling up at a supermarket was also likely to bring the biggest savings on fuel, with petrol at 132.09p per litre and diesel 133.91p per litre.

No immediate price cuts expected

This week saw the launch of E10 bioethanol petrol across Great Britain, intended to help reduce CO2 emissions. However, the RAC states this should not have an impact on prices, with bioethanol having been included in wholesale fuel costs for some time.

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis commented: “While an end to rising prices is to be welcomed, it remains the case that there’s little immediate sign that pump prices are actually going to come down.

“Key to what happens next is how the oil price changes. In the last few days, we’ve actually seen it increase once again after OPEC+, which represents many of the largest oil producing nations, decided to stick with its current plan to increase output only very slightly in the coming weeks.”

He added: “What isn’t in dispute is just how much more expensive this second ‘staycation’ summer has been for drivers compared to 2020. With so many of us covering long distances this year, the effect of paying around 20p more per litre for petrol and diesel is likely to have been widely felt.”

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New Dacia Jogger: budget seven-seater revealed in full

By

John Redfern

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September 3, 2021

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Dacia has revealed details of the Jogger, its brand new seven-seat family car.

Described as a mix between an estate car, MPV and SUV, the Jogger aims to deliver maximum practicality for a budget price.

From being the longest Dacia model to date, to being the brand’s first car with a hybrid powertrain, the Jogger breaks plenty of new ground.

Following the online reveal, we have all the details on how Dacia wants to redefine the seven-seat sector.

Ready for the great outdoors

Dacia has tried hard to avoid pigeonholing the Jogger as being just an MPV. Instead, the car adds elements from estate cars and SUVs into the mix.

Compared to the seven-seat Lodgy it replaces (not sold in the UK), the 4.5-metre-long Jogger certainly looks more dynamic. LED headlights flank a wide front grille, while the vertical tail lights appear Volvo-influenced.

A raised ride height creates 200mm of ground clearance, with underbody protection designed for rough roads. Alloy wheels are optional, but the Jogger comes as standard with robust ‘Flex Wheels’ instead.

A launch-ready Extreme model offers more obvious off-road styling cues. Available in five body colours, the Jogger Extreme features contrasting black exterior details.

60 different interior layouts

With three rows of seats, the Jogger should be able to accommodate seven adults within its 2.9-metre wheelbase. Longer rear doors allow access to the folding third row, which is said to boast some of the best headroom and legroom in the class.

The five rear seats can all split and fold independently, offering up to 60 different interior layout combinations. Boot space ranges from 213 litres with all seats in use, up to a van-like 1,819 litres with all the seats down.

Practical goodies include six cup holders and a large, seven-litre glovebox. All seven seats have their own interior light, with sizeable door pockets and cargo hooks also included.

Patented modular roof rails can carry up to 80kg, and can adapt to take mountain bikes or skis.

Generously simple

Up-front, the interior of the Jogger sticks to Dacia’s mantra of simple pragmatism. Forget touchscreen controls for the air conditioning; the Jogger sticks with traditional knobs and dials.

Lower-specification Joggers will offer multimedia functions through a universal smartphone mount. This will allow personal devices to control music, navigation and radio through a bespoke Dacia app.

Higher-specification models gain an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen, which offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

All Joggers come with six airbags, including curtain and side airbags, along with a range of driver assistance systems.

Less sprinting, more jogging

At launch, the Jogger will come with the choice of petrol or bi-fuel LPG power.

The new TCe 110 is a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, offering 110hp and 148lb ft of torque. Dacia says it majors on fuel economy, and comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Fans of LPG will be able to opt for the TCe 100 Bi-Fuel version. It combines a 40-litre LPG tank, plus a 50-litre petrol tank, to deliver a maximum range of 621 miles.

The Jogger Hybrid will hit the market in 2023, and is likely to become the most affordable seven-seater hybrid on sale. A 1.6-litre petrol engine will be matched with two electric motors and an automatic transmission.

Dacia believes the Jogger Hybrid will spend up to 80 percent of its time on urban roads in full-electric mode.

Order in November for 2022 delivery

Prices for the Jogger are yet to be confirmed. However, given Dacia’s track record, they should be firmly at the affordable end of the market.

UK orders can be placed from November 2021, with the first customer deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2022.

Following the UK launch of the Dacia brand in 2013, more than 200,000 cars have been sold to-date. The Jogger looks likely to add plenty more to that total.

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What you need to know before driving in Europe

By

Motoring Research team

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September 2, 2021

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Now the UK has left the European Union, it has brought about changes for motorists travelling abroad.

As coronavirus restrictions start to ease, here’s everything you need to know for driving in Europe legally and safely.

Let’s start with the items you need to pack:

Driving licence
Passport
Registration document (or VE103 form for a hire/lease vehicle)
International driving permit(s)
UK sticker (or UK number plates)

Licence and driving permits

The UK government has secured agreement with all 27 EU member states to recognise UK driving licences without an International Driving Permit.

An IDP is also unnecessary in Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Welcome news for UK drivers 🇬🇧 🚙. We've now secured agreement with all 27 EU Member States to recognise UK licences WITHOUT the need for an International Drivers Permit. From tomorrow, UK drivers can continue to drive in the EU without an IDP (once Covid restrictions lifted).

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) December 31, 2020

Some may still prefer to take the belt-and-braces approach, though, and get an International Driving Permit.

What’s more, they’re needed in some countries (such as Denmark) if you plan to stay for longer than 90 days. Or indeed if you still have a paper driving licence, or one issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

You can pick up IDPs from the Post Office. They’re cheap, at £5.50 each, although you may need more than one.

For more information, read our full guide to International Driving Permits, what they’re for, which ones you need and how to get them.

Needless to say, it’s advisable to keep your driving licence and passport close at hand when travelling, too. Although UK driving licences currently carry the European flag, they are still valid until the expiry date of the licence.

Car insurance

You need car insurance wherever and whenever you drive. But when it comes to travel in the EU, British drivers do not need an insurance green card.

The green card exemption also applies in the following countries, which are not part of the European Union: Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland.

Vehicle registration documents and ID

You’ll also need to take your vehicle’s registration documents with you. If it’s your car, you will need your V5C document (car logbook).

If driving a rental or a lease car, you’ll need a VE103 form as proof of your right to operate that vehicle. Keep these handy at all times, as you may need to produce them.

You’ll also need a ‘UK’ sticker unless you have number plates with a UK, GB or Union Jack flag identifier. UK stickers replace GB stickers from 28 September 2021. You can no longer fit a new number plate displaying the EU symbol.

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Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition celebrates ‘No Time To Die’

By

John Redfern

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September 2, 2021

0

A new special edition Land Rover Defender celebrates the SUV’s starring role in the forthcoming James Bond film.

The Defender V8 Bond Edition is inspired by the vehicles featured in the 25th 007 movie, No Time To Die.

Three hundred examples will be made, with buyers able to choose the short-wheelbase 90 or long-wheelbase 110 body styles. All are powered by the thunderous 525hp 5.0-litre supercharged V8.

A real-life movie star

Each V8 Bond Edition comes with an Extended Black Pack, giving the Defender a sinister monochrome appearance.

Adding to this are a set of gloss black 22-inch alloy wheels. These hide brake calipers painted in eye-catching Xenon Blue.

On the rear of the V8 Bond Edition is a ‘Defender 007’ badge, while the exterior puddle lamps also feature the famous James Bond logo.

Inside, the Pivi Pro infotainment system touchscreen displays a special 007-inspired start-up animation. Laser-etched interior details will signify the Defender is ‘one of 300’ examples.

Shaken and stirred

From this global production run of 300 cars, the UK market will receive only 15 examples of the V8 Bond Edition. They will be limited to five Defender 90s, with the remaining 10 cars in 110 form.

Each Defender will be built by Land Rover’s in-house personalisation department, SV Bespoke.

Pricing for the Defender V8 Bond Edition starts at £105,395 in 90 guise. Opting for the larger 110 means upping your budget to £108,040.

‘Two great British brands’

Along with the latest V8 Defender, the forthcoming No Time To Die film features a range of other Land Rover models. Two examples of the sporty Range Rover Sport SVR will appear alongside a Range Rover Classic, and even a Land Rover Series III.

Finbar McFall, Land Rover brand director, said: “The Land Rover Defender V8 Bond Edition is an exclusive take on the most powerful production Defender ever made, inspired by vehicles on-screen in No Time To Die. It represents a meeting of two great British brands and is a unique celebration of Land Rover’s 38-year association with James Bond.”

No Time To Die debuts in UK cinemas on 30 September 2021, ahead of a North American release on 8 October 2021.

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Ford reveals prices for new electric E-Transit van

By

John Redfern

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September 1, 2021

0

Ford has launched its all-electric E-Transit van at the 2021 Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.

With a wide range of options, and the promise of class-leading performance, Ford hopes it will help make fleets switch to electric power.

The company also says the E-Transit will be competitively priced in the UK. Prices start from £42,695 excluding VAT.

Powered up for work

More than 25 variants of the E-Transit will be offered. These range from traditional van to double-cab-in-van and chassis cab body styles, along with various roof heights and body lengths.

Powering the E-Transit is a 68kWh battery pack, which offers a potential driving range of 196 miles. Ford will also offer a choice of electric motors, although both produce 310lb ft of torque.

Buyers can opt for the special ProPower Onboard feature. This delivers 2.3kW of electricity through standard plug sockets throughout the van. It is designed for use with power tools, additional lighting or refrigeration units.

A similar feature is included with the North America-only Ford F-150 Lightning electric pick-up truck.

Living the luxury van life

Compared to its diesel-powered vans, Ford will offer the E-Transit with a generous level of equipment. Climate control air-con, keyless start, heated seats and a 12-inch multimedia touchscreen will be standard on all models.

The higher-specification Trend adds cruise control, parking sensors and the Ford Connected navigation system. This includes an Intelligent Range function, adapting to driving style and weather conditions.

Fast-charging capability will be included on all E-Transits. Using a compatible 115kW DC charger, the E-Transit will charge to 80 percent capacity in 34 minutes.

A conventional 230-volt home plug socket will charge the E-Transit in eight hours.

Dependability as standard

Each E-Transit comes with an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for all high-voltage electric components. A one-year electric vehicle roadside assistance package, including rescue charging, is also included.

Ford is currently undertaking real-world testing of the E-Transit with fleet users across Europe.

Orders for the E-Transit can be placed now, ahead of the first customer deliveries in spring 2022.

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Hot Wheels wants a new car to immortalise in die-cast form

By

John Redfern

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September 1, 2021

0

The 2021 Hot Wheels Legend Tour is searching for a new iconic car to turn into the latest die-cast miniature.

It marks the second time the event has come to the UK, hunting for the most outrageous or impressive builds.

Whoever claims the top spot in a virtual event will go on to compete against others from around the world. The global winner will then see their car made in 1:64 die-cast form.

Displaying true garage spirit

Entry into the Hot Wheels Legend Tour competition is simple. Enthusiasts need to film a short video of their real-world car, demonstrating why it meets the high standards set by past Hot Wheels winners.

Videos need to be uploaded to the dedicated Hot Wheels Tour website by 1 October. Judging will take place with a special virtual event on 14 October.

Picking the winner will be a special panel that includes legendary car designer Ian Callum CBE. It means enthusiasts will need to submit unique creations, with a healthy dose of hard work behind it.

Explaining what makes a Hot Wheels creation so special, Ian Callum commented: “From an imposing stance, full of presence, vivid colours and an impression of speed, Hot Wheels captures a creative freedom that inspires the rebel spirit in a car designer”.

‘A truly diverse car culture’

With more than seven billion die-cast replicas made since 1968, Hot Wheels has become the biggest toy car manufacturer in the world. Such a huge number of cars replicated means a winner of the Legends Tour will need to really stand out.

Ted Wu, Head of Hot Wheels Design, Mattel, has faith that UK enthusiasts can deliver.

“With so many passionate enthusiasts and talented car builders and restorers, the UK has a truly diverse car culture with a thriving modified and performance scene”.

He added: “We’ll be looking for the very best: whether that’s a pre-war British hot rod, a ‘70s or ‘80s ‘restomod’, an extreme custom hot hatch build from the ‘90s or one of today’s bespoke hypercars, we want to see the finest cars the UK has to offer.

“Who knows? Your pride and joy could well become a small-scale legend.”

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Life-size 007 Aston Martin toy celebrates No Time To Die launch

By

John Redfern

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August 31, 2021

0

With the latest James Bond film due for release in September, Aston Martin has started its PR push early.

No Time To Die is the 25th film in the long-running series, and British sports cars play a major role once again.

Four Aston Martins will star on-screen. They include a classic DB5, as first driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger, plus the latest Valhalla supercar.

Think inside the box

At a preview for the No Time To Die TV campaign, Aston Martin unveiled a giant replica of the original 1965 Corgi DB5 model.

Located outside Battersea Power Station, the life-size Corgi toy box contains a new DB5 Goldfinger. The £2.75 million Continuation car features classic 007 gadgets such as rotating number plates, a retractable bullet-proof shield and mock machine guns.

It is housed in a replica Corgi box, which measures 5.7 metres long and 2.8 metres tall.

The Corgi DB5 became a best-selling toy when released. Its instant success included UK ‘Toy of the Year’ and ‘Best Boy’s Toy’ titles at the National Association of Toy Retailers Awards in 1965.

Such popularity means the model is still in production today, now with some 20 million sold worldwide.

Aston Martin tapped into enthusiasm for the Corgi original with the run of DB5 Continuation cars. Limited to 25 examples, the 007-spec modifications mean they are not road-legal without IVA modifications.

‘Quintessential British brands‘

Unveiling the life-size Corgi replica was Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s chief creative officer.

He commented: “We are really honoured to be marking the start of the No Time To Die campaign today with this exciting unveil. Aston Martin’s relationship with James Bond spans decades and the DB5 is, without question, the most famous car in the world by virtue of its 50-plus year association.

“Now, to work with Corgi – another quintessential British brand – and to see James Bond’s most cherished car sitting inside a to-scale toy box in central London is quite outstanding”.

The full-size Corgi DB5 toy will be on display outside Battersea Power Station until 1 October 2021.

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Petersen Museum to celebrate Porsche prototypes

By

John Redfern

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August 30, 2021

0

A new exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum will see seven legendary Porsche racing cars on display.

Named ‘Prototype Giants’, it marks the second Luftgekühlt event in 2021 for the Los Angeles venue. It follows on from the ‘Pfaffenhausen Speed Shop –The RUF Gallery’ showcase, which opened in May.

Now open to the public, the Prototype Giants exhibit consists of iconic examples of the Porsche 956 and 962 sports car racers.

Pushing the motorsport boundaries

Launched for use in the 1982 FIA World Sportscar Championship, the Porsche 956 was built to comply with Group C regulations. It broke new ground with the use of an aluminum monocoque chassis, matched with ground effect aerodynamics.

The 956 would dominate the 1982 24 Hours of Le Mans, leading every lap and taking first, second, and third place.

Driven by the late Stefan Bellof, a 956 would also set a lap record around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit. Bellof’s time would stand for 35 years.

Porsche released the 962 in 1985. Along with the Group C specification 962C, Porsche also designed the car for use in the IMSA GTP series.

Unstoppable on-track

The 962 would become one of the most dominant racing cars ever made.

With a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, the 962C would win the World Sports Car Championship in 1985 and 1986. At the same time, the 962 claimed the IMSA GT championship from 1985 to 1988.

Le Mans 24 Hours wins followed in 1986 and 1987, with a modified version also winning in 1994.

Celebrating a legend

The seven Porsches on display at the Petersen include the Copenhagen 962. This was campaigned by A.J. Foyt, the Miller High Life 962 to win the 1989 Rolex Daytona 24.

A three-time race-winning, factory Rothmans 962C driven by Jacky Ickx and Jochen Mass, is also a star attraction.

Petersen Executive Director Terry L. Karges, commented: “We are delighted to share our second Luftgekühlt exhibit, which features some of the most iconic 956s and 962s ever produced”

He added: “This gallery will explore the rich history of these race cars and shed some more light on why they were so dominant on track.”

The exhibition will be open at the Petersen until November 19, 2021.

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New Dacia 7-seater to be called ‘Jogger’

By

John Redfern

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August 30, 2021

0

Dacia has announced that its forthcoming all-new seven-seater family car will be called Jogger.

It comes before an official reveal later this week, and a public debut at the 2021 IAA Mobility show in Munich.

The new car will be a replacement for the existing Lodgy MPV. Launched in 2012, Dacia has only sold the Lodgy in left-hand drive specification.

Robustness and endurance

The Jogger will be offered in both five- and seven-seater options, with Dacia describing it as having “a pragmatic spirit’.

Explaining the name, Dacia describes Jogger as being a “simple, modern name that anyone can pronounce”.

The use of the ‘er’ suffix, as with the Duster SUV, is said to invoke ideas of “robustness and endurance”.

Dacia will launch the Jogger with a digital event on 3 September 2021. This will be followed by the chance for the public to see the new model at the IAA Mobility event on 6 September.

You do the maths

The launch of the new seven-seater Jogger marks the continuing success of the Dacia brand.

It coincides with the company’s move into a ‘new era’, including the creation of a redesigned visual identity.

Since entering the UK market in 2013, Dacia has gone on to sell 200,000 vehicles. This year has seen the launch of an updated Duster SUV, along with an all-new Sandero supermini.

Last month saw the Sandero claim the prize of being the best-selling car across Europe.

With more new products set to be launched before 2025, Dacia looks set to continue growing.

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Fuel prices rise for 9th month in a rowhttps://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/fuel-prices-rise-9th-month/