‘Staycation’ boom predicted as searches for caravans soar

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May 24, 2021

New figures suggest Britons are set to take significantly more ‘staycations’ in the UK this summer compared with previous years.

Auto Trader cited data from its website which said page visits for motorhomes have rocketed by 148 percent and searches for caravans have soared by 117 percent in the last year.

The automotive marketplace added results from a poll suggested almost two thirds of Brits – 62 percent – are planning to go on holiday in the UK this year, with breaks in the countryside being the most popular choice (42 percent).

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It added that over half (53 percent) of respondents to its poll said they will be holidaying with their family this year and claimed that motorhomes and caravans ‘safely offer the chance to reunite’, as separate households can park over two metres apart ‘and enjoy time outside together’.

“More than two million people enjoy holidays in caravans and motorhomes each year in the UK – a figure that is set to rise this year due to the third wave of COVID-19 across the EU – so it’s no surprise those looking to own their own caravan or motorhome has increased,” said Erin Baker, Auto Trader’s editorial director.

“Holidaymakers will have to be extra savvy though when planning their trips, as sites are set to sell out quickly.

“Heavy congestion is likely when staycationers hit the roads around peak times, particularly the second May and August bank holidays and school summer holidays, so road trips should be planned in advance and scenic detours considered.”

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Collisions, not accidents: new language to make roads safer

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 21, 2021

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New guidelines have been released to help shape the language used when describing collisions on the roads. It’s claimed the advice could make roads safer.

Coordinated by the University of Westminster and backed by numerous organisations – including the AA and Transport for London – the Road Collision Reporting Guidelines follow on from similar documents advising the media on how to report on suicides and domestic abuse.

It is hoped the guidance ‘will do the same for road collisions, representing an industry standard by consensus that will continue to improve over time,’ said the University of Westminster.

Clauses in the guidance recommend that journalists, among other things, avoid use of the term ‘accident’, say ‘driver’ instead of ‘car’, and provide context to road collisions, rather than presenting them as isolated incidents.

A way with words

The group also advises journalists not to portray law-breaking or Highway Code contravention as acceptable, or to frame perpetrators as victims. It gives the example that speed cameras aren’t ‘targeting’ road users, or causing danger on the roads.

‘Speed is a major contributory factor in road collisions, serious injury and death on the roads and media attention for targeted enforcement of speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving can increase awareness of – and support for – those efforts,’ says the report.

“These guidelines are based on research and expert input. We know much good road collision reporting already exists and we hope that the guidelines will help spread this good practice,” said Professor Rachel Aldred.

“The research tells us that language matters, as it helps shape how we see and treat others. So, for instance, referring to drivers rather than only their vehicles helps remind us that behind every vehicle – be it a car, an HGV, a cycle or a motorcycle – is a person making decisions that affect the safety of others.”

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Cars on British roads ‘now oldest on record’

By

Richard Aucock

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May 21, 2021

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The number of cars on Britain’s roads has fallen for the first time since 2009 – and the average age of a British motor is now the highest ever recorded.

The average age of a car registered in Britain is 8.4 years old, a fact that risks stalling the country’s attempt to reduce transport emissions.

A car from 2020 emits over 18 percent less CO2 than one from 2011.

What’s more, there are still almost a million cars in daily use that date back to 2008 and earlier, with average CO2 emissions even higher than today’s levels.

“Fleet renewal is essential if the UK is to reach its net zero target,” said trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, added: “Despite massive growth last year, just one in 80 vehicles is a plug-in electric car – while nearly 10 million petrol and diesel cars dating back to before 2008 remain on our roads.

“Encouraging drivers to upgrade to the newest, cleanest lowest emission cars, regardless of fuel source, is essential for the UK to meet its ambitious climate change targets.”

Vans in historic high

Vans are proving increasingly popular on UK roads, accounting for 4.6 million of the 40.35 million vehicles in use.

This is also a new record.

The number of vans in use rose 1.7 percent over the past year, thanks in part to the pandemic, providing support to the NHS and delivering food and goods.

Pure electric cars also grew to a record high of just under 200k vehicles, an increase of 114 percent in a year.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles grew 35 percent to 239k, although they still only represent 1.3 percent of cars in use.

Petrol and diesel cars, despite a small decrease in both, still account for 97.1 percent of cars on British roads – that’s 34 million vehicles.

The SMMT Motorparc data also revealed superminis and family hatchbacks remain Britain’s most popular cars, making up 6 in 10 vehicles in service – almost 21 million cars.

Surprisingly, SUVs are well back in third place on 4.6 million vehicles, although they still account for 13.2 percent of cars on the road, a figure that’s growing all the time.

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Google Maps update could reduce number of car crashes

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 21, 2021

0

Google says a forthcoming update for its Maps app could help reduce the number of collisions on the roads.

The web giant said its route planning software will offer a route that is most likely to reduce the chance of encountering a hard-braking moment.

Citing research from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, hard-braking moments — incidents along a route that cause a driver to decelerate sharply — can be a leading indicator of a potential car crash.

When the feature is introduced, it could ‘eliminate 100 million hard-braking events each year’.

Google said artificial intelligence and navigation information will be used to determine which routes are less likely to feature heavy braking.

The firm is also adding a feature that shows whether a part of a town is busier than usual. Google said the update will allow people to find busy hotspots to avoid — citing streets near a local farmers’ market as an example.

It will also identify popular parts of town and allow users to ‘scope out lively neighbourhoods at a glance to discover interesting things to do’.

Finding a cleaner route

From next month, Google Maps will also alert motorists if their route takes them through a Clean Air Zone, helping them better understand the environmental impact their journey has.

Launching in June on both Apple iOS and Android operating systems, Google said drivers ‘can quickly know if your vehicle is allowed in the area’, or be provided with a new route that doesn’t take in a low-emission zone.

It is also building a new routing model optimised for lower car fuel consumption. The algorithm is based on factors such as road incline and traffic congestion, and will default to the route with the lowest carbon footprint when it has approximately the same estimated time of arrival (ETA) as the fastest route.

In cases where the eco-friendly option could ‘significantly increase’ an ETA, Google said it would let motorists compare the relative CO2 impact between routes.

Eco-friendly routes are planned to launch in the USA ‘later this year’, with a global expansion on the way. Motoring Research was told: ‘we do not have any specific times for the UK rollout’, however.

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Genesis reveals prices for new premium line-up

By

Richard Aucock

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May 20, 2021

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New premium brand Genesis has announced its new BMW 5 Series-rivalling G80 saloon will cost from £37,460 when it arrives in the UK this summer.

This secures customers a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel automatic, in Premium Line grade, driving the rear wheels.

The alternative all-wheel drive 2.5-litre turbo petrol costs £43,150.

Those who want more equipment can choose Luxury Line grade, costing £42,260 and £47,950 respectively.

Prices for the new Genesis GV80 large SUV, a rival to the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, have also been announced.

Here, eight models are offered, in either Premium Line or Luxury Line spec, with five or seven seats, and a choice of 3.0-litre turbodiesel or the 2.5-litre turbo petrol – both engines come with all-wheel drive.

The GV80 SUV starts from £56,815 for the 3.0-litre diesel Premium Line five-seater.

The first two Genesis coming to the UK “are the two flagship models that have been carefully selected to introduce the Genesis brand to our UK customers,” said Genesis Motor Europe MD Dominique Boesch.

“Both models show the ‘Genesis difference’,” he promised: “Customers can expect to be impressed not only but the design and safety of the vehicles, but also by our service offering which provides convenience and total peace of mind afforded by our Five-Year Care Plan.”

Following the range-topping G80 and GV80, Genesis will introduce a BMW 3 Series-sized G70 saloon later in 2021 – and the firm recently revealed this car will be offered a European-specific shooting brake version.

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Toyota spends £1 million to deter catalytic converter thefts

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 20, 2021

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Toyota will spend £1 million on covertly marking more than 100,000 older car parts to deter criminals and help prevent catalytic converter theft.

Gangs are increasingly stealing catalytic converters for the precious metals they contain, and the Japanese manufacturer said it hoped the scheme helps to track down offenders.

Toyota is working directly with the police and Smartwater, which manufactures police-approved marking devices, to provide an initial batch of 50,000 kits. The markings, which are invisible, mean a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime, helping police to combat the organised gangs responsible.

It also raises the risk to all those handling the stolen devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling.

Recent hybrids not targeted

Toyota said thieves tend to target older hybrid models because the catalyst in a hybrid has a lower workload than in a non-electrified vehicle. This usually means it is in better condition. However, devices in more modern cars, such as the Corolla Hybrid pictured above, are built to a different design and are not targeted.

“Catalytic converter theft is a very serious problem in the UK and the effects on victims of this crime are emotional as well as financial,” said Rob Giles, Toyota GB director of customer services.

“We’re pleased to be starting this initiative, working closely with the police, not only to help them with their efforts to combat this crime but also to send a clear message to criminals that if they choose to target a Toyota or Lexus car, there is now a far higher chance of getting caught.

“We know from our work with police and others that the solution to this crime is not only arresting those doing the stealing, but also making life harder for those buying the stolen goods. We hope this will help in that.”

Toyota said owners can contact their local dealership to arrange a marking visit for free.

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‘Time warp’ Rally GB-winning Subaru Impreza ready for auction

By

John Redfern

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May 20, 2021

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Rallying fans will have the chance to bid on the Subaru Impreza that won the 2000 Rally GB very soon.

Seeing a World Rally Championship car appear at auction is nothing new. However, the Subaru Impreza ready to be sold through the Collecting Cars platform is no ordinary WRC warrior.

Described as “the most original WRC car in the world”, this is a truly special rally car.

An original motorsport icon

This is the Impreza WRC driven by the late Richard Burns, with his co-driver Robert Reid, to claim overall victory in the 2000 Rally GB. It helped Burns secure second place in the drivers’ championship, finishing only five points behind Peugeot’s Marcus Gronholm.

Burns would go on to win the World Rally Championship in 2001, becoming the first (and only) Englishman to do so.

His tragic death from a brain tumour in 2005, aged just 34, robbed rallying of one of its brightest stars.

Although WRC cars are frequently sold to collectors, chassis #11 was different. A sale of the Impreza had been agreed before the rally, with the car being taken away shortly after crossing the finish line.

It meant everything was preserved from when Burns and Reid completed the rally. Energy bars could still be found in the door pockets, with a Nokia mobile phone charged for emergency use. Pace notes from the final day of competition were included, too.

The steering wheel, seats, and racing harnesses were the ones as used by Burns and Reid.

Preserved with purpose

Being taken straight from the rally stage meant the car did not return to Prodrive, responsible for running Subaru’s World Rally Team. As a result, the damaged body from the rally was preserved, including a dented front wing.

However, the 300 hp 2.0-litre flat-four engine, and six-speed sequential gearbox, had received attention in recent years.

The current owner acquired the Impreza in 2018, and subjected it to a delicate recommissioning process.

A comprehensive service was undertaken, with new fuel cells being installed. A replacement ECU, to allow the Subaru to use regular unleaded petrol, was fitted as well.

In fact, a total of almost £50,000 is said to have been spent on maintenance work, with the Impreza prepared for limited public outings.

This included an invitation for the car to be demonstrated at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019. Here the car was driven by Alister McRae.

An Impreza like no other

For fans of rallying in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a car like the Subaru Impreza WRC2000 is a true motorsport icon.

To have been driven by one of the sports leading talents, who was cruelly taken too soon, makes it almost incomparable in its significance.

Expect the bids to be high when the auction for the Impreza begins on Collecting Cars.

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You really got Mehari: Citroen owned by Kinks’ guitarist up for auction

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 19, 2021

0

A 1977 Citroen Mehari that was once owned by The Kinks’ lead guitarist and vocalist, Dave Davies, is being auctioned this week.

Davies owned the Mehari, which is for sale with Car and Classic, for several years while still performing in the band. Its most recent owner, a Citroen collector, has cared for it for 16 years.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of the Mehari – it was never sold in the UK. It is closely related to the Dyane 6 and featured a light ABS plastic body and soft-top roof. It’s extremely light by today’s standards, tipping the scales at 535kg.

Since Davies owned the car, it has undergone a number of revisions, including bodywork restoration, while the current owner has fitted brake discs and a twin-choke-carb Dyane engine.

In addition, transmission specialist Rick Pembro has rebuilt the gearbox and the spartan interior has been fitted with retrimmed seats. According to its latest MOT, the car has covered 60,000 miles since new.

At the time of writing, the Citroen has received nine bids from six different bidders, with a current price of £4,500 – although this is below the reserve value. The auction ends on 24 May.

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Jenson Button’s Radford to build sports car inspired by Lotus Type 62

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 19, 2021

0

F1 champion Jenson Button’s coachbuilding car company, Radford, has shown off the inspiration for its retro-inspired new sports car.

Codenamed Project 62, the company says each car will be hand-crafted to individual customer specifications. The two-seater will use Lotus technology and will be ‘mechanical, engaging and poised’, says Radford.

Its design plays homage to the short-lived Lotus Type 62 racing car from the 1960s (pictured here).

Details are thin on the ground at this stage, but a spokesman told Motoring Research the company will reveal powertrain and price information “later on in the year”.

Prospective buyers are being invited to register their interest by placing a $1,000 (£704) refundable deposit.

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Radford was founded in 1948 as Harold Radford Coachbuilders Ltd. Its original projects included the Bentley Countryman and fibreglass bodywork for the prototype Ford GT40.

The company later became famous for custom Bentleys and Minis. Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein commissioned Radford to create one-off Minis for the Fab Four.

Button announced he would bring back the name earlier this year, alongside car builder Ant Anstead, designer Mark Stubbs and business adviser Roger Behle.

“We believe in creating a personal experience throughout the build process and beyond, ensuring your vehicle is tailor-made for you, as well as inclusion in Radford events. Each owner will become a member of the Radford community,” the company says.

Those successful will be invited to attend a track-day with Button, where he will ‘demonstrate how owners can get the most out of their Radford on the racetrack on which they were developed’.

“As a British car lover, I am excited that Radford has the honour of working alongside Lotus to pay homage to the truly stunning original Type 62 from 1969,” Button said.

“With the dynamic development of our car already well underway, we are working hard to ensure we do this car justice, and I can’t wait to put it through its paces on the Radford track, before inviting today’s Project 62 owners to come and do the same.”

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The Mini Oselli Edition is a racing-inspired restomod

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 19, 2021

0

David Brown Automotive has unveiled a limited edition go-faster version of its Mini Remastered restomod.

Called the Mini Remastered Oselli Edition, the car has been created in partnership with tuning specialist Oselli, which has prepared racing Minis and MGs since the 1960s. Only 60 examples will be built.

The mightier Mini is powered by an Oselli-tuned version of the BMC A-Series four-cylinder petrol engine, with capacity increased from 1,275cc to 1,450cc.

It is the most powerful Mini Remastered to date, with David Brown Automotive claiming 125hp and a 0-62mph time of 7.8 seconds.

Upgrades to the engine include a strengthened crankshaft, a performance-orientated camshaft and a twin-SU carburettor setup.

The car also benefits from AP Racing brakes, sports suspension by Bilstein and a free-flowing exhaust system. Wider 13-inch wheels with high-speed-rated tyres are designed to maintain grip on the road or track.

Styling changes include the number ’60’ in the grille – a nod to it being 60 years since the original Mini first rolled off the production line when the car was conceived. The Oselli Edition also gains LED lights and a number of unique paint colours.

The car can be ordered in either a two- or four-seat configuration, with the two-seater featuring bucket seats and a hand-trimmed rear roll cage, along with a four-point harnesses. There is also the option to fit twin fuel tanks for extra driving range.

The Mini is available to order now, but don’t expect a speedy delivery – a spokesman for David Brown Automotive told Motoring Research each car takes 18 months (and around 1,500 hours) to hand-build.

We understand it is priced from around £80,000, although this hasn’t yet been confirmed. Stay tuned for a review soon.

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