A joint police operation to tackle catalytic converter theft resulted in a thousand stolen ‘cats’ being recovered, plus more than 50 people being arrested.
Coordinated by the British Transport Police, the operation saw forces come together alongside the Joint Unit for Waste Crime. They carried out enforcement action, intelligence-led site visits, forensic marking and educational events.
Catalytic converters clean harmful gases before they exit a vehicle’s exhaust pipe, but may be stolen for the precious metals they contain. According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the value of these metals has increased recently, sparking the interest of organised criminal gangs.
Between 19 and 23 April, police officers visited 926 sites, including catalytic converter processing plants, scrap metal dealers, vehicle dismantlers and catalytic converter buyers.
They also made 56 arrests, stopped 664 vehicles, recovered 1,037 stolen catalytic converters and 297 items of stolen property, and identified 244 offences.
During the week, the police also held catalytic converter marking demonstrations to help drivers protect their vehicles, with 1,610 cars being marked by officers
Making it harder to sell stolen metals
“The positive results from this week are testament to why it’s vital we join forces to share information and specialist knowledge to disrupt those operating in this area of crime,” said Charlie Doyle of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
“By taking a multi-agency approach, we are maximising our ability to identify those who are involved in catalytic converter theft, making it harder for them to sell stolen metal and gain from their criminal activities.”
Slightly later than planned, this weekend sees the start of the 2021 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season.
Fans have been counting down the days to the return of the biggest national motorsport series in the UK.
Teams and drivers will be at Thruxton in Hampshire, ahead of three races this Sunday that promise plenty of on-track action.
If you are new to the BTCC, we have a full guide to everything you need to know about it.
What is the British Touring Car Championship?
The BTCC is one of the oldest motorsport competitions in the world, with roots that stretch back to 1958. Production-based cars, like those driven by millions across the country, have been the foundation of the series since it began.
Each race weekend consists of a qualifying session on Saturday, followed by three individual races on Sunday. Various regulations aim to make the racing as competitive as possible, with a real emphasis on entertaining spectators and those watching at home on TV.
The series has become well known for close contact action, with plenty of rubbing and barging between competitors. It means that a BTCC race weekend is unlikely to be without a dose of drama and controversy, along with unpredictable results.
What cars do they use in the BTCC?
Cars used in the BTCC are meant to resemble modified versions of the ones that fans have parked on their own driveway. That means a mixture of family hatchbacks and compact saloons, ranging from the BMW 3 Series to the Honda Civic Type-R.
Using standard production cars as a base helps lower the overall costs of competing. BTCC cars are built to Next Generation Touring Car (NGTC) rules. This includes standardised parts for suspension, aerodynamics, brakes, and wheels.
All models must use a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing around 350 hp. Teams can choose to build their own engine, or use a standard motor developed by the BTCC organisers.
Which car manufacturers are involved in the BTCC for 2021?
Unlike the heydays of the 1990s, the BTCC currently has only a small roster of official manufacturers competing. The 2021 season will see BMW and Toyota taking part using the 3 Series saloon and Corolla hatchback respectively.
Motorbase Performance is also classed a manufacturer entry, making use of the Ford Focus ST.
The remainder of the grid for 2021 is formed from private independent teams, featuring cars such as the Cupra Leon, Infiniti Q50, and Hyundai i30 N.
NGTC rules means that smaller outfits can still compete against the factory-backed contenders.
What are the future plans for cars used in the BTCC?
In order to stay relevant to the cars driven by those who watch BTCC racing, the series has committed to introducing hybrid petrol cars in 2022.
Although not set to be as complicated as the systems used in Formula One, drivers will be able to use the hybrid electric power for an additional performance boost.
Testing during 2020 saw a Cosworth hybrid-powered BTCC Toyota Corolla hit the track, successfully completing numerous evaluations.
Do the rules make racing in the BTCC competitive?
Chief Executive Alan Gow is renowned for trying to make racing in the BTCC as close as possible. Various rules and regulations aim to stop situations like Formula One, with a single team or driver dominating the competition.
Starting positions are dictated differently for each of the three races across the weekend.
Grid places for race one are determined by qualifying on Saturday. Certain rounds in 2021 will test a new 25-minute qualifying session, followed by a top-ten shootout for pole position.
Race two is based upon the finishing positions of race one.
Finally, race three uses the finishing order of race two, but with randomised reversed positions. It is all intended to encourage overtaking and prevent races from being a foregone conclusion before they even start.
Four rounds will also see drivers made to use a different ‘option’ compound tyre for at least one race.
Why is success ballast used in the BTCC?
Success ballast is a key part of the aim to keep BTCC cars and drivers closely matched throughout the season.
Extra weight is added to the cars of the drivers in the top ten championship positions before each race weekend. The extra ballast is intended to reign the leaders in, with the driver in first position carrying the most weight.
For 2021, the first-place driver will have to carry 75 kilograms of weight, increased from the 60 kilograms used last year.
The success ballast is adjusted after each race, according to the top ten finishing positions.
Is contact allowed between BTCC cars?
Despite being a non-contact series, packed grids, and rules that encourage competition results in cars getting up close and personal on track.
However, the championship organisers have taken an increasingly strict view on contact, punishing drivers who cause unnecessary collisions.
A panel of three stewards reviews incidents that happen on track, with former BTCC driver James Cole part of the trio for 2021.
Who is the defending BTCC champion?
Proving that independent teams can challenge the major manufacturers, Ash Sutton is the current defending BTCC Drivers’ Champion. Sutton drove the Laser Tools Racing Infiniti Q50 to victory in 2020, taking his second title win, and is back for more in 2021.
The Manufacturers’ Championship was won by Team BMW (West Surrey Racing), along with the Teams’ title.
Michael Crees was the winner of the Jack Sears Trophy. This is contested by drivers who have never previously achieved a podium position in the BTCC.
Who are the other drivers competing in the BTCC for 2021?
The relative accessibility of BTCC means it appeals to drivers from a wide range of racing backgrounds.
Jade Edwards will become the first female driver to contest a full BTCC season since 2007. She made her BTCC debut in 2020, and will be driving for the BTC Racing team this year.
Nic Hamilton, the younger brother of Formula One superstar Sir Lewis Hamilton, returns for 2021. He will be driving a Rokit Racing-liveried Cupra Leon.
BTCC regular, and Fifth Gear TV presenter, Jason Plato is back for the 2021 season, having taken a sabbatical for 2020. His long-time rival, Matt Neal, will not be driving this year though.
Rick Parfitt Jr., son of the late Status Quo musician Rick Parfitt, will be driving a Hyundai i30 N. He has previously raced sports cars in the British GT Championship.
What support races does the BTCC have for 2021?
The BTCC is the main draw on each race weekend, but it is not the only on-track action taking place. Numerous other support championships compete at each event, ensuring a packed day of racing.
Leading the support act is the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, which has helped develop a range of endurance racing drivers since 2003.
Other championships include the Mini Challenge UK, the Ginetta GT4 Supercup, and the single-seater F4 British Championship.
Will spectators be allowed to attend the BTCC in 2021?
The reason for the BTCC season starting later than usual is to enable fans to come to as many race weekends as possible in 2021.
Unfortunately, the opening rounds at Thruxton will take place behind closed doors. However, plans are in place to allow fans in limited numbers to attend races later in the season.
Motorsport Vision, owner of Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, and Snetterton, has said spectators will be allowed to attend. Tickets will need to be purchased in advance
The situation is based upon official guidance, which may be subject to change as the season progresses. If you are considering attending a BTCC race weekend, it is best to contact your local circuit for the latest information.
How can I watch the BTCC on TV?
The BTCC agreed a multi-year deal with ITV in 2015, committing to keeping the series on free-to-air TV until 2022.
Freeview channel ITV4 will show at least seven hours of live coverage from each race day, broadcasting between 10:40 and 18:15. Highlights will also be shown on ITV4 and ITV after each event.
Fans can watch race action online through the itv.com website, which also screens live qualifying on Saturdays.
ITV’s BTCC coverage is led by veteran motorsports presenter, Steve Rider.
2021 British Touring Car Championship Calendar
After a COVID-shortened 2020 season, the BTCC is back to a planned 10 race weekends for 2021. Each race weekend consists of three BTCC races on Sunday.
April marked the sixth consecutive month of petrol price rises, the RAC has reported.
The motoring organisation said unleaded petrol went up by 0.89p during last month, ending at an average of 127.19p per litre – its highest price since January 2020.
The price of diesel also increased – rising by 0.62p to 129.73p per litre: a fifth consecutive monthly increase.
This means it now costs £69.95 to fill up a 55-litre family car with petrol, or £71.35 for an equivalent diesel car.
The RAC puts the rising fuel prices down to an increase in the cost of oil, reporting the cost of a barrel went up by $4.82 (£3.46) last month. It said wholesale petrol and diesel prices are also increasing, and warned this could lead to higher prices for motorists in May.
The price rises are linked to a prediction of increased demand for fuel in the summer. Last June, major oil producing nations said they would continue to restrict oil production, and the RAC warned this ‘double whammy’ could create further petrol and diesel price hikes over the coming months.
Demand for oil is outpacing supply
“April marks six months of rising petrol prices and sadly there’s no end in sight as oil is getting perilously close to hitting $70 a barrel – something we haven’t seen for more than two years,” said Simon Williams, RAC fuel spokesperson.
“With lockdown restrictions easing, it’s very frustrating for drivers that they’re now having to contend with even higher fuel prices just at the point where many will be driving a lot more. But unfortunately, it’s the very fact people are driving more that’s causing petrol prices to go up as demand for oil – and in turn, fuel – begins to outpace supply.”
A new record has been set for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution at auction, after the company sold off its UK heritage car fleet.
The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Makinen Edition sold for £100,100 on 30 April. The previous record was held by a delivery-mileage Evo IX, which made £99,000 in 2017.
The auction of the company’s heritage car fleet comes ahead of Mitsubishi pulling out of the UK entirely later this year.
Other lots sold last month include a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR FQ-360 by HKS, sold for £68,900. A Lancer Evolution X, one of the final batch of FQ-440 MR special editions and the last official Evo sold in the UK, went under the hammer for £58,100.
A Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Group N Works rally car – a two-time championship-winner driven by Guy Wilkes and co-driven by Phil Pugh – sold for £61,700.
Diamond deals
Elsewhere, a Mk1 Colt Lancer 1.4 – the first Mitsubishi registered in the UK – made £15,000, while a Colt Galant 2000 GLII sold for £11,600 and a Mitsubishi Galant GLSi rally replica managed £12,500.
Meanwhile, a completely original Mk1 Mitsubishi Shogun sold for £16,000, a Mitsubishi Jeep J27 attracted a top bid of £20,600, and a Mk2 Shogun V6 SWB sold for a healthy £9,600.
In total, the auction raised £627,100 and attracted a total of 1,287 bids across all 51 lots.
Citroen has unveiled a van version of its new Ami quadricycle.
The Ami My Cargo vehicle is aimed at the last-mile delivery market in towns and cities. It has a maximum payload of 140kg and load capacity of 400 litres, achieved in part by removing the passenger seat.
It retains the compact dimensions of the two-seat passenger version, measuring 2,041mm long and 1,390mm wide. Citroen has added a vertical partition to separate the driver from the cargo, but says this does not impact visibility.
The My Cargo features the same 5.5kWh lithium battery pack found in the passenger-carrying Ami. The battery is connected to a 6kW electric motor with a maximum range of 47 miles. Citroen claims it can be fully recharged from a standard plug in three hours.
The French manufacturer said fleets with less than 10 vehicles can add a company logo onto the Ami when placing an order. Larger businesses can request bespoke modifications, including painting the body in corporate colours, adding logos and graphics, or wrapping the car to represent their company.
Will it come to the UK, though?
It will launch in France in June with prices starting from €6,490 (£5,600). However, there are no plans to bring it to the UK at present.
That could change, though, as Citroen has set up a website to gauge demand for bringing the passenger-carrying Ami here.
Reborn coachbuilding company Radford has revealed the first details of its new car – and the British coachbuilder is getting help from Lotus.
Radford will use Lotus technology for the underpinnings, then add its own bespoke body on top.
Radford was founded in 1948 as Harold Radford Coachbuilders Ltd. 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.
Earlier this year, F1 champion Jenson Button announced he would bring back the name, alongside car builder Ant Anstead, designer Mark Stubbs and business adviser Roger Behle.
Button is taking a hands-on approach to leading the business. In March, he confirmed he would personally sign off each car the firm builds at a racetrack in America.
Few details are known about the new model at this stage, but the company said it would reveal the car in full later in 2021, with order books opening ‘very soon’.
‘It will drive like nothing else’
Jenson Button said: “We’re already hard at work developing this car and the driving experience will be different and very special. It’s going to be truly analogue and thoroughly engaging, but with all the refinements that you would expect from a Radford.
“It will drive like nothing else. There is a purity to driving that is lost in many cars of today. I will ensure we create a driver’s car, a trait that is embedded within the DNA of all Lotus cars.”
New car registrations grew 3,176 percent in April 2021 as showrooms reopened – but the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged caution at this ‘artificial’ figure.
Last month’s volumes remain 12.9 percent down on the 10-year average, with 141,583 new cars registered. They are also lower than April 2019.
Private car buyers have been returning to retailers since they reopened on 12 April, shown by a more than doubling of market share.
Last year in April, just 871 retail cars were sold: last month, this rocketed more than 7,000 percent to almost 62,000 cars.
Even so, demand from consumers is still 14.5 percent down on the 10-year average.
The SMMT has also pointed out that pure electric car sales were, unusually, beaten by plug-in hybrid (PHEV) volumes. April’s registrations were also lower than the Q1 2021 average, following cuts to the Plug-in Car Grant.
Pure electric cars are now expected to count for 8.9 percent of new car registrations in 2021, down from an earlier forecast of 9.3 percent.
‘Light at the end of the tunnel’
“After one of the darkest years in automotive history, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“A full recovery for the sector is still some way off, but with showrooms open and consumers able to test drive the latest, cleanest models, the industry can begin to rebuild.”
The SMMT has revised its full year forecasts upwards, on the back of the vaccine rollout, from 1.83 million vehicles to 1.86 million new cars.
“Market confidence is improving, and we now expect to finish the year in a slightly better position than anticipated in February, largely thanks to the more upbeat business and consumer confidence created by the successful vaccine rollout.
“That confidence should also translate into another record year for electric vehicles, which will likely account for more than one in seven new car registrations.”
April 2021 best-selling cars
The Vauxhall Corsa is once again Britain’s best-selling new car. Year to date, it has clocked up more than 16,000 registrations – putting clear space between it and last year’s favourite new car, the Ford Fiesta.
The Corsa has been Britain’s best-selling car for eight of the past 12 months.
Surprisingly, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class came out second, ahead of the Ford Fiesta and the increasingly popular Ford Puma SUV.
The Volkswagen Golf family hatch rounded out the top five, while the Ford Kuga crept into 10th place to make it four Fords in the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars.
A new motorway service area has opened near Rugby, at junction one on the M6 – and it contains 24 ultra-rapid electric car charging points.
Moto says it has spent £40 million on the new services, which has 12 350kW Ecotricity charging points and 12 Tesla Superchargers. It says the site is the largest ultra-rapid charging facility on the motorway network.
The ultra-rapid 350kW DC chargers have the capability to add up to 100 miles of range in less than five minutes and will accept contactless payment. Moto said the opening of the Rugby MSA is ‘a major milestone in Moto’s commitment to encouraging more sustainable motoring’.
The company says 28 further sites will have ultra-rapid chargers by the end of this year – and the aim is for all Moto services to have at least six ultra-rapid chargers by the end of 2022. The project is part of a long-term, £100 million investment programme.
This includes an upgrade to all existing 50kW chargers by the end of July 2021, for greater charging power ahead of increased summer holiday traffic.
Moto is planning to install a further 24 ultra-rapid charger locations at Reading, Thurrock and Exeter by the end of 2021.
Largest EV charging site
“Moto is committed to sustainable motoring and we want to play a key part in encouraging more people to have the confidence to switch into electric vehicles,” said Ken McMeikan, chief executive of Moto.
“Rugby services is the most significant first step in achieving this and we’re proud to be launching the UK’s largest EV charging site.”
A new type of car insurance policy has been launched in response to changing driving habits during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two distinct types of motorist have emerged over the past year, according to car insurer More Than: low mileage and high-mileage drivers. It has launched a new, mileage-based system aimed at those who don’t travel very far.
The Low Miler product uses a telematics device to ‘provide a fairer way of offering car insurance for those who use their cars less often or travel shorter distances’.
Low Miler customers select a mileage allowance for the year, up to a maximum of 7,000 miles, and then are sent a device that plugs into a socket inside the car. It tracks the customer’s mileage, regularly updating them on how far they have driven and allowing them to buy top-up miles if needed.
More Than says 17 percent of UK drivers expect to use their car less over the next year compared to pre-pandemic levels. Its research suggests drivers will spend more time at home (55 percent), use online deliveries more (28 percent) and change their working patterns (26 percent).
Additionally, 24 percent of UK drivers said they will be covering fewer miles on the commute to work compared with before the pandemic.
However, 30 percent intend to drive more to visit family and friends, while 28 percent expect to use their cars for more day and weekend trips.
‘Giving low-mileage drivers a fairer deal’
“How we drive and use our cars won’t be the same for some as we come out of this pandemic. With more flexible working arrangements and less commuting, some people will likely be driving less,” said Anthony Aronin, head of telematics at More Than.
“That’s why we’re launching More Than Low Miler, an innovative way of linking premiums to the miles customers drive, giving those who drive fewer miles a fairer deal.”
Genesis, the premium division of Hyundai, will launch in the UK this summer with an ‘exceptional’ direct-to the-public sales experience to take on Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The ‘Genesis difference’ will include a dedicated Genesis Personal Assistant for every customer, recruited not from traditional car dealers but from the hospitality and high-end retail sector.
Each customer will work with their own Genesis Personal Assistant throughout the buying and ownership cycle.
The new premium brand says this will help it ‘build authentic relationships’ and ‘guarantee a stress-free experience that promotes convenience, trust and transparency’. It will also eliminate ‘chat bots’ and replace them with real people.
Genesis is promising a high number of female Genesis Personal Assistants “so our retail is representative of the world we live in”.
The first cars launched in the UK (plus Germany and Switzerland) will be the G80 saloon, a rival for the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and the similarly executive-sized GV80 SUV.
Following soon after will be the G70, a BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class alternative, and the GV70 SUV. Size-wise, Genesis models are a little larger than rivals, and the firm expects its SUVs to easily be the most popular choice in Europe.
Genesis adds that within the first year, it will launch three electrified models, including a dedicated pure electric car.
No Genesis dealers
The direct sales model – which includes transparent, no-haggle prices plus home delivery and pick-up at every step – means there won’t be traditional Genesis dealers springing up across Europe.
Instead, the firm will launch with three physical Genesis Studios. There’s one in Westfield London, plus two more in Munich and Zurich.
Every customer also gets a five-year care plan ‘with no hidden extras’.
The Genesis five-year Care Plan includes:
Warranty
Servicing
Roadside assistance
Courtesy car
Mapping and over-the-air software updates
“We are excited to bring such a strong range of globally recognised products to the region,” said new Genesis Motor Europe MD Dominique Boesch.
“Genesis is already well-known for its impeccably high standards in design, technology, safety and reliability. However, it is our mission to offer so much more than just great products.
“We know that customers today crave experiences, and the onus is on us as a premium luxury brand to deliver a service which provides both convenience and exceptional hospitality to our customers.
