The all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E is being tested by several police forces across the UK.
The police-specification Mach-E made its public debut at this week’s Emergency Services Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham.
It follows the announcement earlier this year that Tesla has created a special Model 3 demonstrator for police evaluation.
Electric blue
Interest from police forces across the country led Ford to creating a Mach-E demonstrator. SVP Safeguard, based in Essex, was responsible for converting the electric Mustang to blue-light specification.
Along with a bespoke reflective livery, the police Mustang Mach-E features an array of lights and sirens. All the lights are LEDs, and are powered by the conventional 12-volt battery, rather than the lithium-ion cells.
This initial demonstrator is based on an AWD Long Range model, which manages 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds. Ford will consider testing other Mach-E versions after initial feedback.
What’s the charge, officer?
The Metropolitan Police has already tested an unmodified Mustang Mach-E, but now intends to fully evaluate the marked Ford concept.
Other forces interested in the car include Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon and Cornwall, and Police Scotland.
Previous generations of the Mustang Mach-E’s muscle car namesake have been used as police cars in North America. Between 1982 and 1993, some 15,000 Special Service Package versions of the third-generation Ford Mustang were built for police pursuit use.
The RML Short Wheelbase is not a restomod. It isn’t a classic, a recreation or a continuation. This is effectively a brand new car. Even though it looks like a classic.
“The only comparison I can think of, with similar levels of research and development, is the Singer DLS,” says Michael Mallock, CEO of RML Group. “That car is clearly inspired by the Porsche 911, but almost every detail is different.”
Here, inspiration comes from the 1959 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. As one of the three most beautiful cars ever built – the others are the Lamborghini Miura and Citroen DS, in case you wondered – it seems an auspicious place to start.
Made to measure
Despite appearances, the RML Short Wheelbase shares nothing tangible with the original SWB. Its V12 engine, manual gearbox and lower body structure come from a Ferrari 550 Maranello (built between 1996 and 2002), body panels are carbon fibre and the all-mod-cons interior is entirely bespoke.
Indeed, the whole car is around 14 percent larger than the Ferrari. “I’m 6ft 4in and can hardly fit into an SWB,” explains Mallock. “I found it uncomfortable to drive for more than a few minutes. Our car has been packaged around me wearing a racing helmet. That set the roofline, then the other proportions flowed from there.”
There’s also a significant difference in price. The RML Short Wheelbase costs around £1.3 million, depending on spec, with first deliveries due in spring 2022. A real 250 GT SWB could set you back anything up to £20 million, if you can find one. No wonder most of the SWBs racing at Goodwood are replicas.
White-label work
Granted, £1.3 million seems a lot for a car made by a company most people have never heard of. But RML Group is no flight-of-fancy supercar start-up. It has designed, engineered and assembled vehicles for major manufacturers and motorsport teams since 1984.
“In most cases, we can’t talk about what we do,” explains Mallock, who left school at 16 to become a professional racing driver. “These are white-label projects that we make happen.”
RML-developed cars he can mention include the Nissan Juke R, a small SUV with Nissan GT-R running gear, and the Saleen S7, arguably America’s first supercar. It also produces a kit to make the Aston Martin Vulcan road-legal, and offers a similar service for Aston’s ‘continuation’ cars: DB5 Goldfinger, DB4 GT and DB4 GT Zagato. Rumours suggest RML was behind the Nurburgring record-breaking NIO EP9 electric hypercar, too.
In motorsport, the company has won five World Touring Car Championships for Chevrolet and supported Aston Martin at Le Mans. It currently supplies the shared components for the entire BTCC grid.
‘A very analogue experience’
Quite a pedigree, then – and that’s part of the reason for the Short Wheelbase. “The car showcases the breadth of our engineering talent. It’s nice to have something we can shout about.”
A mega-horsepower hypercar might have been the obvious shop window, but Mallock seems underwhelmed by the idea: “Many high-end cars aren’t really accessible or usable, with too much power and grip to enjoy on the road. This is the type of car I’d love to drive. It’s fast enough to get your heart going, but offers a very analogue experience.”
Sadly, we won’t sample the finished article until later this year, but ‘Car Zero’ is already being built in the clinically clean workshop beneath Mallock’s office. Time for a closer look.
Past master
I’m greeted by designer Jonathan Bowen (pictured), who shows me a series of CAD drawings. Some early proposals look a bit bland, others more contrived; the importance of getting the car’s proportions spot-on is evident.
He then uncovers a full-size clay model, which reveals exactly how the production car will look. And… it’s stunning: a faithful recreation of Pininfarina’s masterpiece. In isolation, the Short Wheelbase seems quite large, but Bowen shows me photos of the styling buck ‘parked’ alongside a new BMW 3 Series, which looks similar in size.
Details that catch my eye include the pop-out door handles and LED headlights with vertical ribs that evoke halogen lamps. RML has also repurposed the real SWB’s roof vent into a recess for the high-level brake light.
The dished alloys are 18 inches in diameter, their cross-spokes inspired by classic wire wheels. As for bumpers, they’re optional: quarter units on the front, with a full-width design at the back.
No plastic allowed
I then sit inside the interior mock-up. The trim is made from clay and wood, but everything is positioned as per the production car. It feels spacious and airy, with an upright windscreen and large rear window promising good visibility.
The slim dashboard houses a compact air-con unit, while the tall transmission tunnel has a pop-up touchscreen for infotainment (including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity). There are also proper door pockets and even a pair of cupholders – notably absent from the 1959 original.
The dials are conical with etched markings and all the switchgear is specially made. “There are more bespoke components here than on most OEM [car manufacturer] sports cars,” says Bowen. “We could have used an off-the-shelf air vent and saved tens of thousands of pounds, but it would have been plastic. Our touch-points are either leather or machined aluminium.”
Interestingly, the open-gate manual gearbox – so long associated with Ferrari – wasn’t actually a feature of the 250 GT SWB. But would you want your Short Wheelbase any other way?
Testing to 200mph
Lastly, I take a look at the chassis for Car Zero. There’s not much of the donor 550 Maranello left, but maintaining the car’s basic structure means it can keep its original identity – important for the US market, which would demand new-car homologation (i.e. emissions and crash tests) if not.
The 485hp naturally aspirated V12 isn’t modified because, frankly, it doesn’t need to be. In a car that weighs around 200kg less than the 550 (target dry weight is 1,485kg), performance should be plentiful. Expect 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed “in excess of 185mph”.
“We’ve tested the car up to 200mph in our virtual CFD wind tunnel,” explains Bowen. “The next step is testing it on the road.”
More projects to come
Mallock says the Short Wheelbase is a very different proposition to the forthcoming GTO Engineering Squalo – another car revealed this year that, coincidentally, also uses the 250 GT SWB for inspiration. “That will probably offer a more ‘1960s’ driving experience. Our car is more modern and comfortable – and it arrives sooner [the Squalo is due in 2023].”
No more than 30 examples of the Short Wheelbase will be made, so production is very small-scale. But this could be the start of something much bigger.
“This is the first of several projects,” Mallock continues. “We’ll be working with Short Wheelbase customers to determine what the next RML Group car will be. It won’t be Ferrari-based, though. We don’t want to be pigeonholed.”
Launched as part of the 2021 IAA Mobility event (better known as the Munich motor show), the EQG is said to be nearly production ready.
Although it retains the classic styling of the G-Class, first launched in 1979, the EQG points firmly to the future of Mercedes-Benz.
Keeping a promise to Arnold
At the launch of the current-generation G-Class in January 2018, then Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Dieter Zetsche, made a promise to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Zetsche told the Hollywood legend, and major G-Class fan, that the off-roader would be included in electrification plans by Mercedes-Benz.
Since then, Mercedes-Benz has committed to being ready to ‘all electric’ by the end of the decade.
Creating an electric version of the G-Class delivers on that commitment, and on a promise to the former governor of California.
Classic design electrified
With more than 400,000 G-Class examples produced to date, recreating a battery-powered version of the original required careful consideration. Although the EQG resembles a regular G-Class, Mercedes has made subtle changes for the electric version.
With no need for a radiator grille, the EQG features a black panel with multiple illuminations. The three-pointed star logo has a 3D design, with animated blue ‘squircles’ surrounding it on the grille.
At the rear, an illuminated lockable box replaces the usual spare wheel cover. Mercedes says that the design resembles a wall-mounted charging box, and that it could be used to store charging cables.
A set of 22-inch wheels, and LED lights integrated into the roof rack, complete the EQG’s concept styling.
Still ready to off-road
Retaining a ladder frame chassis means the EQG is designed with the ability to off-road like any other G-Class.
Four electric motors will be integrated into the EQG, with the battery pack mounted low in the chassis. The power sent to each wheel can be controlled individually, allowing for extra precision in the dirt.
A selectable two-speed transmission will also allow extra control when off-roading.
Mercedes-Benz is yet to confirm for the EQG to enter production, but the concept version suggests a launch date will be in the not too distant future.
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).
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.”
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
