Swedish EV manufacturer Polestar has announced plans to substantially increase its UK engineering operation.
Co-owned by Volvo and Geely Cars, the company is on a rapid path to global expansion – and intends to enter 21 new markets by the end of 2022.
At the heart of Polestar’s plans are new electric cars, with its UK research and development base set to play a major role.
Prime location
Polestar has already doubled its UK R&D team to 250 staff during the past year. New investment will take the headcount beyond 500.
The team is based at MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton, in the area near Silverstone known as Motorsport Valley. The facility has multiple test tracks and specialist engineering equipment on-site.
Polestar UK played a significant role in developing the Precept concept car (pictured top). A recent star of the IAA Mobility show in Munich, the all-electric Precept will enter production before 2025.
Performance and sustainability
Other products in the pipeline include the Polestar 3 compact SUV, due to be assembled in both China and the United States.
The firm also has an ambition to produce a 100 percent climate-neutral car by 2030, without the need for carbon offsetting through tree-planting.
Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, said: “The combination of British engineering talent and Swedish expertise will ensure our cars are among the highest performing and most sustainable on the road.”
New research has found that a clear majority of drivers want an end to controversial all-lane-running on smart motorways.
A substantial 62 percent of those surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring 2021 wanted a return of the hard shoulder.
This would mean the end of using all lanes for live traffic – although respondents wanted to keep the range of safety measures introduced on them.
Little faith in authorities or technology
Only 24 percent of those asked believed that the current smart motorway setup should be retained. Of the more than 2,600 drivers surveyed, 63 percent did not believe the measures introduced to compensate for a lack of a hard shoulder are adequate.
These include variable speed limits, closed-lane signs, cameras to spot stationary traffic, and refuge areas every 1.6 miles. Just 15 percent believed these features were adequate for safe driving.
Faith in the ability of National Highways (formerly Highways England) to deal with live breakdowns is also low. Less than a third (30 percent) would trust National Highways to spot a stationary vehicle in a live lane – down from 53 percent in 2019.
Almost a quarter of those asked (24 percent) now state smart motorways are one of their top motoring worries. Less than half of all drivers (43 percent) said they felt safe using all-lane-running motorways.
Long-term safety concerns
Smart motorways have had a troubled history. In 2016, a cross-party group of MPs called for further openings of them to be halted.
Last year saw the government finally pause the deployment of all-lane-running options. The House of Commons Transport Committee opened an inquiry into smart motorways earlier this year, with a final report due soon.
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “We’ve always had safety concerns about all-lane-running motorways and have raised these by giving evidence to two separate Transport Committee inquiries. While the Government published its 18-point action plan in 2020, the RAC has continued to push for new safety features to be introduced as quickly as possible.
“Although much of the plan is on track and the installation of crucial stopped vehicle detection technology is now due to be completed ahead of schedule, it seems the only thing that will truly satisfy most drivers is the reinstatement of the hard shoulder.”
He added that: “The Government is therefore faced with a difficult choice between continuing to roll out unpopular all-lane-running motorways very much against drivers’ wishes or reinstating the hard shoulder, effectively creating three-lane ‘controlled motorways’ which would have the benefit of improved safety features but with less overall capacity.”
An important piece of Chevrolet Corvette history is up for sale on the Bring a Trailer auction website.
The 1955 car is one of the first prototypes built to evaluate a three-speed manual transmission.
Along with a unique backstory, the classic Corvette is presented in stunning condition – and will be a strong draw for Chevrolet fans.
A Corvette origin story
When the first-generation Chevrolet Corvette hit the market in 1953, buyers were restricted to just one powertrain. Under the shapely hood was the Blue Flame 235 cubic-inch straight-six engine.
Without a suitable manual transmission, the Corvette entered production using the two-speed Powerglide automatic.
The performance offered by the engine and transmission combo left buyers feeling underwhelmed, however. To stem the flow of negative customer reactions, Chevrolet needed to act.
The original red rocket
Under the supervision of Zora Arkus-Duntov, Chevrolet fitted the Corvette with its new 265-cubic inch V-8 for 1955. The eight-cylinder option delivered a much more respectable 195 horsepower.
The final piece of the puzzle would be the addition of the three-speed manual gearbox. Testing how the new transmission would work in the Corvette required a prototype to be made, which is how the car up for auction came into existence.
Powered by the V-8 engine, this car was later sold to a Californian buyer in the 1960s. Having moved to Oregon in the late 1980s, it has seen various refurbishments since.
Little Red Corvette
Today, the special Corvette is finished in repainted Gypsy Red, with chrome bumpers and V-8 badging. The 15-inch body-colored wheels have faux knock-off hubs, and are fitted with Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall bias-ply tires.
Inside, the cabin is finished in light beige, complemented by a red carpet and red dash pad. An AM radio was added during a 2019 rebuild, with the interior also benefiting from a heater and dash-mounted mirror.
Recent maintenance includes an electrical system overhaul, along with new brake shoes and a rebuild of the brake master cylinder.
Record-breaking potential
Combining a special piece of Chevrolet history with the impressive condition of this example makes for a unique proposition.
To set a new Bring a Trailer record for C1 Corvettes, the prototype model will need to surpass $153,000 before the auction closes on Wednesday 15 September.
Bidding on Bring a Trailer has already escalated rapidly, with a final price into six figures on the cards. We’ll have to wait and see whether a new buyer will be brave enough to drive this rare ‘Vette.
Volkswagen is now taking orders for the updated Polo, with prices starting from £17,885.
The facelifted supermini boasts new technology from larger VW models, and will be offered with a ‘Y-shaped’ specification structure.
Now into its sixth-generation, Volkswagen’s updates for the Polo are aimed at maintaining its position as one of the UK’s best-selling cars.
‘More generous standard equipment’
The revised Polo range begins with the Life model, which comes with LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen.
Two front and two rear USB sockets are included, along with wireless smartphone connectivity.
A three-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine is offered with 80hp or 95hp. The more powerful option can be specified with a DSG automatic transmission.
Volkswagen expects the entry-level Life trim to account for 75 percent of sales in the UK.
Small car, big luxuries
Moving up the range, the luxurious Style version is offered solely with the 95hp engine and manual gearbox.
For £20,785, owners will gain Volkswagen’s IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, front and rear parking sensors, two-zone climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels.
An updated 10.25-inch digital dashboard and a Discover navigation system complete the package.
Added sportiness included
The sporty R-Line range also starts at £20,785 for the 95hp manual version. Adding the seven-speed DSG automatic transmission takes the price to £22,220, while a more powerful 110hp version will cost £23,355.
Bespoke bumpers and 16-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels will help the R-Line stand out from regular Polos. The rear features trim designed to mimic a quad-tailpipe exhaust.
On the inside, the R-Line gains a black headlining, along with sporty stainless steel pedals. A pair of sports seats are covered in ‘Karoso Art Velours’ microfleece upholstery, while standard equipment mirrors that seen in the Style model.
An updated GTI performance model will join the range at a later date, with its final specification yet to be confirmed.
Research by the AA has shed new light on how British drivers prefer to pay for parking.
The comprehensive survey found cash is still the leading choice when it comes to payment. Nearly half (46 percent) of all drivers ranked it as their first option.
However, the AA found that payment preferences varied between age groups, and socioeconomic status.
Cash is king for older drivers
Of the 14,600 drivers surveyed, more than half (56 percent) of drivers aged 65 and over said cash was their first choice.
Low income households also have a preference for cash, with almost two thirds (62 percent) opting for coins.
The AA notes that using cash for parking allows drivers to ‘manage their budgets’. Any remaining change can then be spent in local shops.
Chip-and-pin payment was the second most popular method for all drivers, followed by contactless payments. Payment by phone was seen as the option of last resort.
Young drivers go contactless
For younger drivers aged between 18 and 24, cash was only fourth on the list of payment choices. Almost half (49 percent) said contactless payments by card or smartphone would be their preferred option.
The pandemic has seen local authorities move away from allowing cash payments to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. The AA believes the results of this survey mean councils should keep cash options open.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, commented: “Many households prefer to physically see their budgets and doing so gives them a heightened sense of how much their cash can go. Removing cash parking machines from town centres can have a knock-on effect to the local economy, as would-be shoppers decide to take their business elsewhere.
“With parking income the equivalent of three quarters of council tax revenue for some authorities, council leaders will not want to lose a valuable source of funding.
“Considering the low levels of support for pay-by-phone options, councils could drop this option altogether. But they won’t as many add transaction fees to the hourly rate, which helps boost their coffers.”
Bugatti has completed the first example of its decadent carbon fibre-clad pool table, ready to be delivered to its new owner.
The ultimate example of hypercar company’s Lifestyle range of accessories, the official Bugatti Pool Table is made in collaboration with Spanish firm, IXO.
Priced from €250,000 (£214,000), the Bugatti Pool Table is aimed at those who can comfortably afford a multi-million pound Chiron or Divo performance car.
Carbon fibre creations
Said to match the high standards of Bugatti’s cars, the pool table is finished in blue carbon fibre. Leather is used to line the pockets, whilst the drawers designed to store the pool balls are made from CNC-machined, brushed and anodised aluminum.
The cues are also made from carbon fiber, with aluminium ends in the same design as the buttons found in the Bugatti Chiron.
Supporting the cues is a carbon fibre wall-mounted stand. This is fitted with a 13-inch touchscreen display, which can be used to keep score during games.
A dimmable LED ceiling light – made from carbon fibre, of course – is included with the table.
No yacht rock allowed
As an optional extra, customers can specify gyroscopic sensors, should the pool table be mounted on a yacht. This silently adjusts the legs in just 5 milliseconds, keeping the playing surface completely level.
Bugatti intends to produce 30 examples of its own pool table, with five set to be completed this year. Buyers can have the materials and colours tailored to their exact specification.
This first completed table is destined for a Bugatti enthusiast in the United States.
Before heading across the Atlantic, the table was photographed at the Cidade da Cultura Galicia in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
At present, the law states that those who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 can drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM (maximum authorised mass) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total).
Alternatively, they can tow a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total)
Licenses issued from 19 January 2013 allowed for towing a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
Those who obtained a driving licence before January 1997 have been allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg (MAM), without a test.
What will the new trailer towing rules allow?
When the law changes in the autumn, drivers who have passed their test after 1 January 1997 will be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM without taking an additional car and trailer driving test.
The DVLA will automatically update driving licence records to reflect the changes. When a driving licence is renewed, it will show the ‘BE’ category upon it.
There should be no need to contact the DVLA directly to gain the updated category.
The changes will apply to England, Wales, and Scotland only. As Northern Ireland issues licences through the separate Driver and Vehicle Agency, the new rules will not affect residents there.
What can I tow before the new rules come into force?
The government has not set an exact date for the new rules to come into force. Until that date, drivers must abide by the current limitations on their driving licence.
Towing a trailer heavier than permitted by your licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Drivers can continue to use L-plates to be supervised towing heaving trailers.
What if I already have a trailer test booked?
To address the HGV driver shortage quickly, the DVSA will stop all trailer tests after 20 September 2021.
For tests booked before the 20 September, drivers can opt to take the test as planned. Alternatively, tests can be cancelled, with a refund of the fee available from the DVSA.
Tests booked for after 20 September 2021 will be cancelled and refunded automatically by the DVSA.
No compensation will be paid for any private lessons on training undertaken to prepare for cancelled tests.
Will the rule changes affect road safety?
As reported last month, road safety charity IAM RoadSmart was concerned by the government’s proposals to remove the licence test requirements.
Neil Greig of IAM RoadSmart commented previously that: “People need proper training to be able to drive an articulated vehicle, particularly when they are doing so for the first time.”
As part of the changes in legislation, the government will still recommend that drivers take trailer lessons from a professional instructor before towing for the first time.
What other changes are being made to driving tests?
Estimates suggest the new trailer rules will allow an extra 30,000 HGV tests to be conducted each year.
HGV tests themselves will also be made simpler, with a reversing element and ‘uncoupling and recoupling’ exercise removed. Instead of being tested by the DVSA, these will be evaluated by a separate third party.
Finally, HGV drivers will be able to progress straight to using an articulated vehicle, without having to obtain a licence for a smaller vehicle first. This will free up capacity for an additional 20,000 tests each year.
According to the Road Haulage Association, the UK currently has a shortage of around 100,000 professional HGV drivers.
The regular Mustang Mach 1 represents an already impressive example of Ford’s muscle car icon. With a 5.0-litre ‘Coyote’ V8 engine, the Mach 1 benefits from 460 hp and parts from Shelby performance models.
However, this was not enough to satisfy Clive Sutton.
The Mach 1 – 767 Edition benefits from a 3.0-litre supercharger, with a substantial dual-pass charge cooler, and an upgraded exhaust system for good measure.
Such modifications see the Coyote V8 engine pushed to an incredible 767 hp. It means the already potent Mustang Mach 1 moves into serious supercar territory.
More muscle for your money
Sutton also installs improved subframes, enhanced suspension components, a new spoiler and splitter, plus a set of Ford Performance ‘Bird Nest’ alloy wheels.
Interior modifications for the 767 Edition include bespoke mood lighting, a custom starter button, a unique arm rest, and Sutton badging.
As with the standard Mustang Mach 1, buyers can pick between a six-speed manual gearbox or a ten-speed automatic.
Prices for the 767 Edition begin from £96,000 on the road, representing an additional £40,000 expenditure over the standard Mustang Mach 1.
Toyota customers collecting their new GR or GR Sport car will get an extra gift to help them celebrate.
Issho, the ‘adorable yet adventurous’ mascot will be offered to new owners by participating Toyota dealerships.
The company explains that the word Issho means ‘together’ in Japanese, with the toy meant to accompany drivers on journeys.
Celebrating motorsport heritage
The plush mascot stands around six inches tall. Toyota says it’s the perfect size to be placed in a cup holder or on a seat.
Supplied in a presentation box, Issho comes with a leaflet that explains the history of Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team.
Founded in 2007 to compete at the Nurburgring 24 Hours race, the Gazoo Racing (GR) brand has expanded considerably. The name is now used on Toyota’s performance models, including the wildly popular GR Yaris hot hatch.
Ready to explore
Those lucky enough to have secured a place on the waiting list for a GR Yaris can expect to receive an Issho mascot.
Buyers of GR Supra, Toyota’s other current member of the GR range, will also get the cuddly toy, as will those purchasing GR Sport models, including the Corolla and C-HR.
Anyone considering a new GR or GR Sport Toyota should contact their dealer to check they are taking part in the offer. Toyota’s social media team is also keen to see people exploring with Issho. Photos can be tagged with ‘@ToyotaUK’ on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Lotus has announced it will build a racing version of the new mid-engined Emira sports car.
Designed to GT4 specification, the racer is primed to continue the successful legacy of Lotus in sports car events.
It follows the successful launch of the roadgoing Emira earlier this year, including a starring role at the prestigious Monterey Car Week in California.
Hand-built for motorsport
Lotus has teamed up with Northamptonshire-based RML Group, makers of the Ferrari-based RML Short Wheelbase, to develop the harder, faster Emira. RML has extensive experience in motorsport, and will hand-build each new GT4 model.
The Emira GT4 uses the same 3.5-litre Toyota-sourced V6 engine as the road-legal model, with a peak output of 400hp.
Motorsport upgrades will include a six-speed paddle-shift gearbox, Ohlins coilover suspension, a Motec digital dashboard and an FIA-standard roll cage.
Bespoke aerodynamic bodywork will also be added to the car, along with Pirelli GT4-specification tyres.
Family honour to uphold
The new Emira will have high standards to live up to when it takes to the track. Its predecessor, the Evora GT4, claimed victory in multiple championships across the globe.
Among its successes were class wins in the Dubai 24 Hours, Barcelona 24 Hours, British GT Championship and Pirelli World Challenge.
Lotus will formally launch the Emira GT4 at its Hethel test track later this year. A limited number of cars will be produced for the 2022 season, followed by larger run for 2023.
A return to the world stage
With a distinguished motorsport pedigree behind it, Lotus has recently made commitments to engage further with racing activities.
Lotus Engineering, the company’s consultancy arm, is now working with JBXE, the Extreme E race team led by former F1 World Champion Jenson Button.
Richard Selwin, race programme manager at Lotus, commented: “The all-new Emira GT4 is an exciting next step following the hugely successful launch of the Emira road car. We have worked hard with the team at RML Group to ensure this next-generation of Lotus GT car will deliver race-winning performance.”
Gavan Kershaw, director of vehicle attributes for Lotus and a former GT racing driver, has been involved with development of the Emira GT4.
He added: “The all-new chassis on which the Emira has been developed is the perfect starting point for a high-performance race car. Everyone at Lotus is so excited to be returning to world motorsport and to be doing so with such a competitive race car.”
