The final spec of a special edition Ford Puma ST has been revealed following a unique crowdsourcing experiment.
Nearly 275,000 enthusiasts took part in a series of social media polls to determine the look of the new Puma ST – with the winning car confirmed as the Ford Puma ST Gold Edition.
Ford asked enthusiasts to choose numerous aspects of the car, including exterior colour, brake caliper finish, exterior decals and even the colour of the stitching on the seatbelts.
In the battle of paint colour, grey lost out to black, which won by a 56 percent margin; black brakes were, however, rejected, with three in four enthusiasts preferring red.
Even the name went to the polls, with 59 percent of people voting for Puma ST Gold Edition over Puma ST 24K Edition.
“To create something truly special for our loyal performance fans, we’ve moved to a forward-looking approach in co-creating the Puma ST Gold Edition with them,” said Amko Leenarts, Ford’s design director.
“The number of votes cast shows just how enthusiastic our customers are – and that they have excellent taste.
“It’s all in the details, and with this special edition, our fans have configured a truly desirable product.”
Voting took place over 10 days on Ford’s Twitter and Instagram channels.
An alarming 20 percent of motorists don’t know which driver should be given priority at a T-junction, a new survey has suggested.
Findings from a poll conducted by comparison website USwitch also claimed that 15 percent of those surveyed did not recognise the sign.
USwitch claimed 44 percent of motorists ‘have forgotten common road sign meanings’. It said 17 percent of people think the sign for ‘end of minimum speed limit’ means ‘maximumspeed limit’.
The firm added the sign warning drivers that they are approaching azebra crossing is often mistaken for ‘pedestrians walking along the road’ (27 percent) and ‘traffic light patrolled pedestrian crossings’(21%), while it said 20 percent of respondents think the sign for ‘cycle route ahead’ means ‘no cyclists allowed’.
“Everyone can benefit from brushing up on their driving knowledge, both in and out of the car. As driving test regulations have changed since 1973, those aged 48+ could see a significant benefit in some catch-up work,” said Joel Kempson from USwitch.
“We would advise looking through the Highway Code every once in a while, to make sure you still know what you would have learned for your driving test.
“Road signs can vary across the country, so it is also important to check that your driving knowledge covers the whole of the UK.”
Bentley coachbuilder Bensport has unveiled an electric version of its retro La Sarthe model.
Called the Le Sarthe E, the model replaces a 4.5-litre straight-six engine with an EV powertrain that has been sourced from Advanced Electric Machines.
Mated to a 54kWh battery, Bensport reckons the car should be able to travel up to 200 miles between recharges.
Like the petrol version, the La Sarthe E is built upon an original Bentley Mk6 or R-type chassis which is ‘meticulously reconditioned’. The bodyshell, meanwhile, is hand-crafted by the Somerset-based coachbuilder.
Bensport produces ‘two or three cars a year’, a spokesman told Motoring Research, and the firm could not provide a projection for how many vehicles it is hoping to build.
The petrol-powered La Sarthe costs £500,000, including the donor vehicle and it is likely that the electric vehicle will be similarly priced when it officially goes on sale next week.
“When we created the La Sarthe, we wanted it to optimise elegance, refinement and dynamism, said Bob Perry, managing director of Bensport.
“Our La Sarthe E takes this ethos to a new level, offering an almost silent drive, while also drawing our focus to sustainability.
“We’re delighted to be working with AEM to integrate what we believe to be the world’s most sustainable electric motor in the La Sarthe E as a statement of our intent.”
The Motability Scheme has confirmed its headline The Big Event showcase is to go ahead in 2021 despite Covid restrictions – in an action-packed two-day virtual event format.
Registration is now open for The Big Event 2021, which is held on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 August.
More than 25 leading car makers have already committed to take part, along with dozens of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle experts and other adaptation specialists.
Aiming to showcase the latest Motability developments, experts from the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people will be able to answer questions from virtual visitors, via live chat.
More than 630,000 disabled customers and their families currently enjoy worry-free motoring from the Motability Scheme, and organisers are hoping a refreshed format for The Big Event will help motorists, after 2020’s event wasn’t able to run due to the pandemic.
The Big Event normally takes place in physical locations across the country, and organisers hope the new virtual format will make 2021’s online event bigger and better than ever.
The event is free to join – and this, adds Motability, includes the planned live expert Speaker Sessions that will provide informative talks throughout the two-day event.
A section of Oxford Street in London is to be closed to traffic from later this year as part of plans drawn up by Westminster Council.
Under the proposals, the stretch from John Prince’s Street to the west of Oxford Circus, through to Great Portland Street to the east will be shut to buses and taxis, creating two ‘pedestrian piazzas’ on either side ofOxford Circus.
There will still be traffic along Regent Street but this will be “calmed” through longer green phases at pedestrian crossings and other measures, Westminster Council said.
The authority added that by prioritising people over vehicles, the changes could improve air quality as the works on Oxford Circus are expected to reduce vehicle traffic and improve efficiency of bus journeys across the area.
“There is an urgent need to tackle issues with pedestrian congestion and safety, poor air quality and noise. The serious congestion of Oxford Circus, of people and of traffic, is unsustainable and demands action,” said Westminster City Council leader Rachael Robathan.
“In the aftermath of the pandemic, and with the arrival of the Elizabeth Line, there is an overwhelming need and a compelling opportunity to build back better; a business-as-usual approach will no longer work.
“We hope the creation of these pedestrian-only piazzas at Oxford Circus will not only improve safety, security and accessibility, but create an iconic destination at the heart of London.”
The ultimate hypercar of the early 2000s is currently available for online auction.
A 2008 Bugatti Veyron has been listed through the Premium section of Bring a Trailer. It offers a rare chance to buy one of the 76 examples made for the United States.
Making the 253 mph Veyron even more special, is that it has taken the accolade of being the 50,000th vehicle listed on the auction website.
The pursuit of excellence
The Veyron was the product of a single-minded pursuit, to deliver the aims of the late Volkswagen Group Chairman, Ferdinand Piëch. A passionate and determined engineer, Piëch masterminded the purchase of the Bugatti brand and then set big goals for a new car.
Following a number of concept cars in the late 1990s, Piëch eventually agreed to the Veyron’s design. This included ensuring the car could hit 400 km/h, but be just as usable as a Volkswagen Golf.
After years of testing and development, the Veyron EB 16.4 was finally launched in September 2005. The name was a tribute to Pierre Veyron, a 1930’s racing driver who won the Le Mans 24 Hours race with Bugatti.
No replacement for displacement
The Veyron’s centrepiece is the 8.0-liter W-16 engine, fitted with four turbochargers and two intercoolers. Such an impressive feat of engineering resulted in an output of 987 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque.
When using the special key to unlock “high speed” mode, the Veyron is capable of hitting 253 mph. This achievement saw it claim a Guinness World Record in 2005, for being the fastest production car in the world.
A permanent all-wheel drive system was installed to handle all the power, with a bespoke seven-speed dual-clutch transmission manufactured by Ricardo. These rapid gear shifts allowed for a 0-124 mph time of just 7.3 seconds.
Ensuring the Veyron stops quickly are carbon ceramic brakes, aided by a rear wing that can move to act as an air brake.
Performance and refinement
Although the incredible engine and carbon fiber chassis are all about performance, the Veyron remains luxurious inside.
The car listed on Bring a Trailer has an interior finished in black leather, matching the Beluga Black exterior paintwork. Alcantara is used for the headlining, and machine-turned aluminum is the main trim used on the center console.
Automatic climate control, and a Burmester sound system, add to the refinement. However, the 280 mph speedometer, and magnesium paddles for the gearbox, will be the main focus for any Veyron driver.
Pleasingly, this Veyron has not spent its life living in a garage. The odometer currently shows 8,000 miles, and the car benefits from a custom stainless steel exhaust and a new battery.
A landmark car for a landmark event
Bugatti produced 252 examples of the standard Veyron EB 16.4 between 2005 and 2011. Just 76 cars were sent to the United States, with this being the 29th example.
Supplied with the Veyron is an original HP iPaq Pocket PC, used to obtain performance data from the car, and a battery tender. Most important of all, the special key used to put the Veyron into top-speed mode, is still in its case.
As such a rare car, and one that marks a special milestone in Bring a Trailer history, expect plenty of big bids for the Veyron. The auction is live now, and will run until Friday, June 25.
Half of all drivers (51 percent) believe they are paying too much for their car insurance now they cover fewer miles than before the pandemic.
That’s according to the RAC, which said a similar proportion – 50 percent – of motorists are unable to switch to a cheaper policy without being charged.
The car breakdown giant said its poll of 2,100 drivers ‘suggests many are starting to question whether they are being charged a fair price for their insurance’. It speculated this issue is likely to get worse over time, as 27 percent of those surveyed expect to drive fewer miles in future.
Of those motorists who feel they are now paying too much for their insurance, 50 percent said they would get charged if they cancelled their current policy to seek a better deal. Three percent said they knew they couldn’t cancel their current policy without incurring an exit fee.
The RAC added that 51 percent have driven fewer miles than they predicted when they bought or renewed their car insurance policy. Also 54 percent of respondents said they find it hard to predict their annual mileage when asked by an insurance company.
‘Uncertainty around travel needs’
“While it remains to be seen how our driving habits change as a result of the pandemic, it seems fair to presume that many of us won’t go back to driving the sort of miles we used to – especially if a degree of home-working becomes the norm,” said RAC head of insurance development, Laura Truman.
“This shift is clearly prompting drivers to question whether the cost of their car insurance is reasonable. This might partly be because in so many cases motorists are forced to lock themselves into annual insurance contracts, the price of which is partly determined by the policyholder’s estimate of how many miles they’ll cover in a year.
“This is something we know drivers found difficult to estimate before the pandemic but considering all the uncertainty surrounding people’s future travel needs it must now be even harder.”
Auction company Barrett-Jackson has announced it will sell the first collector car NFTs (non-fungible tokens) at its Las Vegas event.
It means bidders will be able to purchase a unique digital package, commemorating the previous sale of a special car.
The first four cars to have NFTs auctioned are all unique models, sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale event in March 2021.
Just what is a non-fungible token?
NFTs have become hot property in 2021, being used to sell everything from artwork to music, and even tweets.
An NFT is described as a unit of data, stored on a blockchain register. It identifies a digital item as being unique, and buying an NFT gives you proof of ownership. This digital record of its uniqueness creates the NFT’s value.
Winning one of the Barrett-Jackson NFTs will allow the bidder to store their purchase in an online wallet, giving them a slice of automotive history.
‘Look at this photograph‘
The four cars set to have their NFTs auctioned are ‘VIN 001’ first production examples, previously sold for charity.
Ford fans can bid on NFTs for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 or 2021 Ford Bronco. Mopar enthusiasts are likely to be drawn to the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Launch Edition NFT. The 2022 GMC Hummer EV Edition 1 completes the NFT options.
Winning one of the Barrett-Jackson NFT auctions does not gain the highest bidder a new car. Instead, they will take digital ownership of a special commemorative package.
For each car this will mean one exclusive video, three still images, and an illustration of the sale. Two VIP Muscle Lounge tickets for a future Barrett-Jackson event will be included as well.
Getting the block (chain) party started
Barrett-Jackson has collaborated with Motoclub on the non-fungible token project. Motoclub’s digital wallet will offer winning bidders a place to store and trade their NFTs.
With Barrett-Jackson being the first major auction house to trial the sale of collector car NFTs, estimating their value is hard. Will bidders really want to digitally own a set of pictures and videos of a car, which belongs to someone else in real life?
We should have an answer on Saturday, June 19, when the NFTs cross the (digital) auction block in Las Vegas.
The AA added a ‘worrying long-term trend of drivers thinking they can avoid prosecution has set in’, with the perception of being caught for an offence ‘barely moving’. The only exception is speeding, where drivers feel there is more chance of being caught now compared to 2017.
The AA said it is ‘concerned that the continuous low levels of expectation that law-breaking drivers will be caught may encourage others to drive in a dangerous manner’.
According to the poll, more than eight out of 10 drivers believe that having a more visible police presence would help make roads safer, though only a fifth said they were likely to see a police presence on their local roads compared to a quarter on motorways.
While the presence on local roads has remained the same since 2017, the perceived likelihood of seeing a police officer on a motorway has dropped from 29 percent, the motoring organisation reported.
‘More traffic cops needed’
“Drivers clearly feel that the lack of police officers on the roads means that the likelihood of getting caught for some major offences is hugely diminished. In order to achieve zero road deaths by the end of the decade, we need to do more to warn drivers that if they break the law they will be caught,” said Edmund King, AA president.
“With more than eight of out 10 drivers saying that a more visible police presence would help make roads safer, more cops in cars are needed to change the tide. We hope the response to the roads police consultation includes an ambitious plan to recruit more traffic cops in order to stop acts of bad driving early and before a fatal collision.
“There is also clear evidence that the most serious traffic offenders are much more likely to be involved in mainstream serious crime, and therefore targeting dangerous drivers helps reduce overall crime rates.”
Let’s be honest, nobody likes paying for parking. Finding somewhere to park for free is one of life’s little pleasures, like discovering an old fiver in your coat pocket or when your friend finally decides it’s his round.
I rarely pay for parking in my local towns: I know where I can park for nothing, in bays that will give me enough time to have a haircut, consume a couple of overpriced coffees or browse the charity shops for second-hand car books. What else is there to do in town?
Recently, though, when the weather was particularly British, I decided to park in the centre of town. Having blown the cobwebs off my wallet, I found £2 for a two-hour stay – who said the days of highway robbery were over? – and wandered over to the pay and display machine.
Before purchasing the ticket, I was told to enter my car registration number, which proved to be rather tricky, as the keypad was at a height designed for Lilliputians. I headed back to the car in need of a physio and contemplating the beginning of the end for a common random act of kindness.
Put up a parking lot
Most of us have returned to a car to find unspent time on a ticket. With an hour or two left, not only does passing the ticket to somebody else feel like a nice thing to do, it also feels like the right thing to do.
Sure, the ticket says ‘non transferable’, but who’s to know? Saving a fellow motorist a few quid is a good deed for the day and, admittedly, an opportunity to get one over on the establishment.
But those days are drawing to a close. The rise of number plate-controlled pay and display machines and the ‘pay by mobile’ car parks will bring an end to this opportunity to deliver a gesture of goodwill. It’s the end of an era. Soon, letting people out of junctions and allowing room for cyclists and motorcyclists will be all we have left to share the love on the road.
It’s no big deal in the great scheme of things, I grant you. But I for one will miss this rare example of motoring fellowship.
