British racing driver Abbie Eaton has helped raise more than £1,500 to help those affected by the terrifying bushfires in Australia.
Eaton, who has qualified for the all-female W Series single-seater championship in 2020, used her birthday to make a plea for charitable donations.
Tweeting a link for crowdfunding website JustGiving to her 71,000 Twitter followers, Eaton managed to rack up more than 80 donations in less than 24 hours.
Thank you to everyone for your birthday messages! 😊
For a birthday gift, please donate to my Just Giving page to help raise money to help in NSW bush fires splitting the donations with the Rural Fire Services and the WWF to help the animals ❤️https://t.co/JF0Z1LtYVa
This has smashed the original target of raising £1,000, which Eaton plans to split between the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the World Wildlife Fund.
The 27-year-old racer, originally from Hull, has previously competed in Australia. Last year she entered the Super2 Series, which acts a development championship for the premier Australia Supercars Championship.
Sponsorship issues unfortunately stopped her involvement after the opening rounds at the Adelaide 500, where Eaton achieved a best finish of 14th in the first race.
2020 should hopefully bring Eaton greater success, having qualified for the W Series. Intended to promote female racing drivers, Eaton was one of the six who impressed assessors at an intensive three-day track test to earn a place on the grid.
Eaton, who began karting aged 10, has competed in numerous championships during her motorsport career. This has included taking the drivers’ title in the 2009 Production Touring Car Championship, and winning the 2014 Mazda MX-5 SuperCup.
She has also worked as a driver coach and motorsport instructor, and appeared on the second and third series of Amazon’s The Grand Tour. Eaton replaced Mike Skinner as the test driver responsible for setting lap times around the Eboladrome circuit.
Volkswagen plans to deploy autonomous robots to charge up electric cars in car parks. The mobile robots are one solution to the problem of finding a charging point. Why not have the charging station search for you?
Activated via app or ‘vehicle-to-X’ communication, the robot drives itself to your car autonomously. The car’s charge flap opens, it plugs in, tops up the electricity, unplugs and then departs – all on its own. It has this capability thanks to a suite of cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors. Volkswagen is confident the robots will be suitably compact to thread between cars that are parked.
Each robot brings with it a trailer that has a power bank on board. Once plugged in via its flexible arm, it leaves to go and ‘serve’ other cars. The banks can charge at speeds of 50kW with DC quick charging, and will carry around 25kWh each. For the highest-capacity 77kWh Volkswagen ID.3, that’s just over three banks to fill it from empty.
“The mobile charging robot will spark a revolution when it comes to charging in different parking facilities, such as multi-storey car parks, parking spaces and underground car parks, because we bring the charging infrastructure to the car and not the other way around,” says Mark Möller, head of development at Volkswagen Group Components.
“With this, we are making almost every car park electric, without any complex individual infrastructural measures. It’s a visionary prototype, which can be made into reality quite quickly, if the general conditions are right.
“Even the well-known problem of a charging station being blocked by another vehicle will no longer exist with our concept. You simply choose any parking space as usual. You can leave the rest to our electronic helper.”
The charging robot is just one of a selection of innovative solutions that Volkswagen is actively working on.
Are robots really the answer?
Much as the idea of charging robots with eyes – yes, we think those are eyes – sounds fun, is it actually a practical solution to the charging infrastructure problem? Actually, it could be. Consider how long it would take to build a fleet of robots, compared with how long it would take to retrofit or construct static charging points.
Mobile charge points that come to you could be a much easier-to-implement solution, which can adapt to the facilities we have today.
Auction website Bring a Trailer (BaT) has established itself as a popular place for spotting trends in the enthusiast market. The team at BaT pick the cars to appear on the site, but sometimes even they are surprised by the prices achieved.
This collection of ten cars and trucks proved to be even more successful than expected during 2019.
Kicking things off is a quick, and very blue, Swedish wagon. The second-generation Volvo V70 comes from a time when products from Gothenburg were still led by practicality. Originally shown at the 2002 Paris Motor Show the V70 R promised turbocharged performance, combined with all-wheel drive, for useful performance.
At the heart of the V70 R is a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The particular car sold on BaT was fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission, whilst all V70 R models came with adjustable Ohlins suspension. Brembo brakes and R-branded 17-inch wheels completed the package.
Volvo only imported 3,400 examples of the V70 R to North America, making them relatively rare. Having covered 53,000 miles, and with just two owners, it meant this Sonic Blue example was desirable to BaT bidders. Perhaps the distinctive orange/brown leather interior was what helped seal the deal.
When sold previously on Bring a Trailer, V70 R models have typically reached a maximum of around $16,000. It makes this particular car something of a shock, although the low mileage and intriguing color combination may well have played a part in raising the bid ceiling.
1991 Honda CR-X Si
Sale price: $33,600
Nostalgia for the 1980s and early-1990s is in full effect at the moment, and the world of enthusiast cars is no different. It means examples of retro tuner vehicles like the Honda CR-X have become collectible, as buyers flock to the combination of low weight and high revs.
Launched in 1989, the second-generation CR-X brought updated looks and upgraded suspension to the party. It proved to be a popular purchase, with the Si version in particular attracting interest with its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. An output of 108 horsepower may sound low, but it only needed to shift a car weighing 2,170 lb.
Despite their popularity, CR-X Si models have typically failed to edge much beyond the $10,000 marker on Bring a Trailer. Yet, in August this year, bidding pushed this particular Honda above the $30,000 barrier.
Mileage for this car was low, with only 33,000 miles showing on the odometer. Being unmodified will have helped increase the value, along with having the desirable five-speed manual transmission. Sure, you could buy a new 2020 Honda Civic Si for less money than this CR-X, but it wouldn’t have the same retro charm.
1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo
Sale price: $38,250
Continuing the theme of import tuner classics is the second-generation Toyota MR2. Styled like a supercar in miniature, and with performance to back up the looks, it proved to be an attractive package throughout the 1990s.
The MR2 developed a reputation for challenging handling, due to the mid-engined layout and power being sent to the rear wheels. In particular the Turbo model, with 200 horsepower from its 2.0-liter engine, often gets unfairly labelled as suffering ‘dangerous’ snap-oversteer.
In reality drivers pushing too hard, and being unfamiliar with the dynamics of a mid-engined car, are likely to be the cause of the moral panic…
Such scare stories clearly did not stop the bidders when this MR2 Turbo appeared for auction in December 2019. Being a 1994 model, this car received updated suspension settings from the factory, as Toyota made the handling less likely to oversteer.
An attractive color combination of black paintwork and a tan leather furthers the junior supercar appearance on this car. As with many listed here, clocking up just 46,000 miles adds to the desirability. Still, a sale price of $38,250 added $15,000 to the previous high-seller MR2 on Bring a Trailer.
1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbodiesel
Sale price: $44,525
Cars like the W123 wagon are what helped carve out the image of Mercedes-Benz models having bulletproof reliability. Solid construction, a cabin made from quality materials, and large trunk have made them the family station wagon which keeps on giving.
Diesel may be a dirty word now, but the five-cylinder turbodiesel unit fitted to the 300TD wagon offered a useful 123 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph in 14 seconds made for laid-back performance, but fuel economy of 24 mpg was the benefit.
Values of W123 Mercedes-Benz models have shown an overall upwards trend on Bring a Trailer, but no car had previously passed beyond the $35,000 limit. What may have sealed the new highest-seller tag for this car is proven low mileage, and a detailed service history.
Given these cars are capable of comfortably clocking up more than 250,000 miles, this example is barely run in. The winning bidder now has an almost unbreakable family wagon, and an arguably much cooler alternative to buying a new SUV.
1991 GMC Syclone
Sale price: $50,000
The GMC Syclone has a clear cult following from enthusiasts, with appearances in various video games bringing it to a new audience in recent years. It proves that performance pickup trucks like the Ford F-150 Raptor are nothing new, and that American buyers will always be interested in them.
Like the recent Raptor, the GMC Syclone used a turbocharged V6 engine, making 280 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. This output, combined with a standard all-wheel drive system, allowed it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. Contemporary road tests created tales of a pickup truck capable of beating supercars in a drag race.
Legendary stories of the GMC Syclone’s performance are matched by the limited production run. Originally planned to be built for several years, in fact just 2,995 examples were made for the 1991 model year. Such low numbers mean buyers have to be prepared to pay when Syclones appear for sale.
However, they are unlikely to find a Syclone that has covered less than the 4,000 miles shown on this example. Being owned by the same family from new also adds to the provenance, as does a VIN suggesting it could be the first Syclone sold to the public.
Such factors justify the $50,000 price tag, and explain why this truck achieved more than previous BaT record of $36,000 for a Syclone.
1983 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
Sale price: $51,360
With a lineage that stretches back to the original Jeep Wagoneer of 1963, the SJ series Cherokee was first introduced in 1974. Being a 1983 model makes this example the end of the line for SJ Cherokees, before the all-new XJ version debuted in 1984.
Essentially a two-door alternative to the full-size four-door Wagoneer, Jeep marketed the SJ Cherokee as the sporty alternative. Engine options included a range of V-8s, whilst option packages allowed buyers to create a luxurious SUV.
Despite the growing interest in retro SUVs, the sale price of this SJ Cherokee still proved to be a shock to Bring a Trailer regulars. Similar examples had sold for around $22,000, making the $51,360 paid for this SJ truly remarkable.
Being owned by the same family from new will have helped, as will the excellent condition the Cherokee was presented in. The winning bidder commented that the SJ will be off to spend a new life in New England, enjoying pampering and some occasional light usage.
1997 Acura Integra Type R
Sale price: $82,000
With a similar format to the earlier Honda CR-X, but with the bonus of extra power and performance, the popularity of the Acura Integra Type R is unsurprising. The Integra Type R routinely receives branding as one of the greatest front-wheel drive cars ever made, plus it has the aural delights of the VTEC engine.
The 195 horsepower from the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine was delivered at a frenzied 8,400 rpm, and controlled through a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. A standard limited-slip differential was included, along with lightweight 15-inch alloy wheels.
Despite the technical abilities of the Integra Type R, what would lead someone to pay $82,000 for one? Representing one of the 320 units made for the US market in 1997 will play a part, but the headline-grabbing figure is likely to be the ultra-low mileage of just 6,000 miles.
Oh, and this Type R had been owned by the same person from new, who somehow managed to resist the urge to drive it. Routine maintenance had been carried out as required, arguably making this the most perfect example of an Integra Type R to go up for auction.
2020 will see Japanese-specification 1995 Honda Integra Type Rs become eligible for import to the United States. Time will tell as to the impact this has on the values of US-market Integras.
1994 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2
Sale price: $101,101
A demonstration of vehicles becoming eligible for import can be found with this Lancia Delta Integrale. Acknowledged as one of the most impressive rally cars of the early 1990s, road-going versions existed to homologate their competition brethren. Constant updates by Lancia created a wealth of versions, but the Evolution 2 model is regarded as the ultimate example.
Launched in 1993, the Evo 2 saw power from the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine increased to 215 horsepower. A standard all-wheel drive system made the Integrale devastatingly effective in all weather conditions, whilst the boxy fenders and adjustable rear-spoiler were for the benefit of competition versions.
Originally sold to a Japanese buyer, this Integrale Evo 2 is one of the 365 ‘Bianco Perlato’ special editions made in 1993. Painted in pearl white, these cars received high-backed Recaro sports seats finished in distinctive blue leather.
Values of all Integrales Evos have shown an upward trend, and being a limited edition version will certainly have helped this car on Bring a Trailer. Rarity in the United States, and the strong condition of this car, mean the $101,101 sale price is understandable, if still amazing.
1970 Datsun 240Z
Sale price: $124,260
Datsun 240Zs are a staple of Bring a Trailer auctions, with more than 225 having been listed on the website since the beginning of 2015. Impressive performance, classic sports car styling, and the expectations of dependability make them a popular collector machine.
Introduced for the 1970 model year, the 240Z was launched with a 2.4-liter six-cylinder engine sending 151 horsepower to the rear wheels. A four-speed manual transmission was standard, with the 240Z capable of a 125 mph top speed.
What makes this 240Z special is the history behind it. As one of the earliest versions sold in the United States, it received a full rotisserie restoration in the early 1990s. Following that work, the car was used by Franklin Mint as the basis for a die-cast miniature model.
The car also appeared at the Whitney Museum of Modern Art in New York, and received a Gold Medallion award at the National Z-Car Convention. However, the crowning glory came in 1998, when the car appeared at the ceremony for former Nissan Motor Corporation USA president Yutaka Katayama’s induction into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
These factors help explain a sale price of more than double the average price of a 240Z on Bring a Trailer.
1962 Austin Mini Beach Car
Sale price: $230,000
There seems something almost ironic about the fact the car with the smallest engine on this list achieved the highest sale price on an American auction website. Beneath the tiny hood of this special Austin Mini is an 850cc four-cylinder engine, producing just 34 horsepower.
Yet the main appeal is the fact this Mini has no side doors or windows, and features seats made from wicker! A total of 13 Beach Cars were built in left-hand drive, intended to serve as promotional models for the launch of the Austin Mini in the United States. The custom bodywork was created in-house, before the cars were shipped to appear in American dealerships.
Originally delivered to a dealership in Michigan, this Mini Beach Car was later acquired by the dealer principal. The car then remained in the ownership of that same family all the way from 1962, until the car appeared on Bring a Trailer.
Light restoration work was undertaken in the early 2000s, getting this Mini ready to hit the beach again. Supplied with the car was a number of images showing the car appearing at events, including the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance in Rochester, Michigan.
Whilst the sale price may seem extravagant for such a tiny car, the winning bidder knows they are unlikely to ever find themselves parked next to another one. It demonstrates that rarity, provenance, and good condition are likely to lead to big bids on Bring a Trailer.
Radar, lidar and cameras make for an adequate sensory arsenal most of the time. However, the capability is far from perfect in the dark and in poor weather. Infrared systems will be able to help with a car’s awareness of its surroundings when visibility is low.
Porsche wants to use a development of TriEye’s CMOS-based short wave infrared camera to fortify ADAS systems for when the going gets gloomy, dark or rainy.
“Our collaboration with Porsche has been exceptional from day one and we look forward to growing this potential,” said Avi Bakal, CEO and co-founder of TriEye.
“The fact that Porsche, a leading car manufacturer, has decided to invest in TriEye and evaluate TriEye’s CMOS-based SWIR camera to help further improve Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is a significant vote of confidence in our technology.”
As for what cars we’ll be seeing these new systems in – it’s hard to say, though it’s fairly easy to determine that Porsche is going after Tesla’s Autopilot capability.
Porsche’s counter attack on Tesla began with the release of the Taycan electric super-saloon, and will continue with its electric-powered Model Y-rivalling Macan replacement.
In terms of seeing this tech appear in the short term, it could appear in ADAS systems on current models, improving emergency braking, assisted cruise control and lane-keep systems.
Trials of wireless car chargers will take place in London, the Midlands and Scotland. Residential areas, car parks and taxi ranks will be getting induction pads to test the new wire-free way of charging your electric car.
The idea comes from British firm Connected Kerb, which will be trialling the technology in the UK in the spring, and then overseas from the middle of this year. The road surface pads work by emitting an alternating electromagnetic field, which charges a car when it’s parked on top.
If you’re worried about compatibility, wireless induction charging is a technology being heavily investigated by OEMs for current and future models. It’s also thought that a retro-fit induction charging kit shouldn’t be difficult to devise.
“Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly including induction charging technology in their new models,” said Connected Kerb chief executive, Chris Pateman-Jones.
“At present there are only a handful of induction-enabled electric vehicle charge points. We aim to change that.”
Combatting the clutter and enabling more motorists
Pateman-Jones told the Daily Mail that inductive charging is the way forward. They could de-clutter parking bays and charge points with no need for cumbersome call boxes and reams of cables. It’s neater, more attractive, and safer for disabled motorists and pedestrians to whom trailing cables have previously posed a risk. For those worried about how effective the chargers will be, they are said to be comparable in performance.
“Longer term, induction charging will be the path to electrification of all parking bays without the street furniture and cable clutter that dominates EV charge point technology today.”
Connected Kerb is already in the business of making car charging more compact. It has a range of kerbside chargers that are more space efficient. The Armadillo (pictured) and the limpet are small packages, made from recycled car tyres. They sit on the kerb, and on a wall respectively. The next step is to close in on a two-dimensional charging solution.
Most car manufacturers who talk about broadening their remit into personal mobility show off scooters or autonomous pods. Not Aston Martin. With the help of Airbus, the British brand has just launched a helicopter.
The ACH130 Aston Martin Edition is the first fruit of a partnership between Aston and Airbus Corporate Helicopters. There are four signature designs available, comprising four external liveries with complementary Aston Martin-spec cabins.
Believe it or not, this is the second of two aerospace collaborations for Aston over the last couple of months. At the end of November, the marque revealed the DBS Superleggera Concorde edition.
The helicopter pictured is Stirling Green, with a gradient into Jet Black and Skyfall Silver highlighting. Other liveries available include Xenon Grey, Arizona and Ultramarine Black.
On the inside, Aston’s influence is obvious. Beautifully-appointed Oxford tan leather seating comes with the Aston wings embossed on the headrests. Matching bags and Alcantara highlights throughout the cabin complete the look. Jumping from your DBS Superleggera to your ACH130, you’ll feel right at home. Other cabin colours include Pure Black, Cormorant and Ivory.
To mark out each limited edition example, there will be a special plaque on the instrument panel, with the partnership logos, a serial number and even the owner’s name if they wish.
The tallest building in Miami will be an Aston Martin
“We have our own set of automotive design principles but in recent years we have been learning how to apply our principles to other areas of design, such as architecture, motorcycles and now helicopters,” said Aston Martin Vice President and CCO, Marek Reichman.
“This first application of our design practices to a helicopter posed a number of interesting challenges but we have enjoyed working through them. Beauty is of vital importance to Aston Martin and to our customers and we think the ACH130 Aston Martin Edition is an inherently beautiful machine. It provided a wonderful canvas for our team to work on so we now look forward to seeing everybody’s reaction.”
Indeed, Aston has been putting out the feelers in markets beyond cars for a little while. It’s collaborated on a submarine, a motorcycle and even an apartment building in Miami. Aston wants to be known as a luxury brand, full-stop.
Now all we need to know is whether Mr Bond will be getting one in No Time To Die…
Answering the prayers of many a Raptor enthusiast could be Ford Australia, which is rumoured to be preparing a Mustang V8 engine swap for the Ford Ranger Raptor.
At present, the Baja-bashing pick-up comes with a four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine. That’s not about to change in the UK, sadly.
However, if the claim by Wheels magazine is correct, diesel-powered Raptors down under will be offered with a V8 instead. These won’t come courtesy of Ford itself, but via an external engineering outfit.
Sound unlikely? Well, consider that Holden has been selling right-hand-drive Chevrolet Camaros in Australia for the past year. They don’t come like that from Chevy. Rather, Holden’s HSV performance division converts them for Australian consumption.
Although the Ranger Raptor V8 won’t be in-house, that doesn’t mean it won’t be official. It’s claimed the car will be up to showroom safety and durability standards, sold via Ford dealers and come with a five-year warranty.
Exactly what spec the V8 Raptor would have beyond the engine swap is unknown, although expect some further upgrades to compliment its new, more muscular heart.
The current Ranger can actually trace its roots to Australia. The ‘T6’ architecture that underpins the Ranger and Ford Everest SUV was partly developed by Ford’s Antipodean arm.
Needless to say, this project is very much focused on Australian buyers. Much as you might want a V8 Raptor in the UK, you’ll need to prove it by importing one personally.
The Citroen C1 now comes with a year’s free insurance for new car buyers aged between 19 and 75 years of age.
Both cash buyers and PCP finance customers get the free insurance offer, which is open to all retail buyers (albeit with some eligibility restrictions for those with driving convictions or claims).
Every C1 variant apart from the entry-level Touch grade is included in the offer – and both regular and Airscape convertible roof models come with the deal.
Citroen says the C1 is particularly popular amongst new drivers who have just passed their test: free insurance is likely to make the city car even more appealing, potentially saving them a four-figure sum.
Eurig Druce, Citroen UK sales director, said: “This offer has been designed in particular to offer a helping hand to younger drivers, whose insurance costs are usually higher.
“By covering these costs we hope to get as many young drivers into a safer, brand new car that they can be proud of.”
Citroen has sold more than 70,000 C1s in the UK so far – and the firm adds that, “unlike several competitors in the segment”, full-length curtain airbags are standard.
Druce called them an “all-important” piece of safety equipment, given the smallest Citroen’s natural city-driving focus.
The cheapest Citroen C1 available with a year’s free insurance is the three-door Feel variant, priced from £12,320.
A new report has revealed the UK’s most serviced cars of 2019. In other words, the cars that generated the most aftersales work.
The Vauxhall Corsa D, built between 2006 and 2014, takes the top spot – one of four Vauxhall cars in the top 10.
It’s the same story internationally, with the Opel Corsa finishing ahead of the Ford Focus and Nissan Qashqai.
The study is based on the 85,000 workshops subscribed to Autodata, the company behind the report. Globally, the most accessed service modules are engine oil, technical specifications and camshaft drive systems.
Rod Williams, managing director of Autodata, said: “Autodata’s continuous evolution of the product enables us to provide customers with increasingly valuable technical resources.
“Data from our extensive global database allows us to see where the demand for content exists so that we can provide the most in-demand and up-to-date information to workshops.”
Top ten most serviced cars in the UK
Vauxhall/Opel Corsa D (2006-2014)
Ford Fiesta (2013)
Ford Focus (2004/2008)
Vauxhall/Opel Astra J (2009-2015)
Ford Fiesta (2008)
Fiat 500/500C (2007-)
Vauxhall/Opel Insignia A (2008-2017)
Ford Focus (2011)
Vauxhall/Opel Astra H (2004-2009)
Nissan Qashqai/Qashqai+2 (2006-2013)
With the models combined, Ford is the most serviced manufacturer in the UK, while the Ford Transit (2006) is the most serviced van. The Honda CBR is the most serviced motorcycle.
Automotive Management has studied the data and discovered that national brands dominate servicing in their respective countries. In Germany, all top 10 positions were filled by German cars, and it was the same for French cars in France.
In Italy, 50 percent of the cars in the top 10 were Italian, while 70 percent of the top 10 cars in Sweden were Swedish, with Volvo taking the top three slots.
Back in the UK, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was the most serviced hybrid vehicle, while the Nissan Leaf took the honours in the electric segment. The Tesla Model S finished second.
Parents will spend four days of 2020 getting their children out of the house and into the car.
This is according to new research, which also shows that children aged 2-3 are the most difficult to get into the car.
It should come as no surprise to discover that the daily routine makes 30 percent of parents late for work. Indeed, mums and dads are, on average, 11 minutes late for work because of troublesome children.
Something to look forward to when the children go back to school next week…
What’s causing the delays? The research puts it down to children taking too long to put shoes and coats on.
London children are the worst, with parents wrestling with shoes, coats and car seats for an average of 18.2 minutes – twice a day. At the opposite end of the scale, children in East Anglia are little darlings, costing their parents a mere 7.82 minutes.
Rob Fryer, head of product at Seat UK, the company behind the research, said: “It won’t be a surprise to parents of young children that getting into the car and setting off on a journey, however long or short, is such a challenge.
“Whether it’s last-minute toilet trips or deciding which of their toys they’d like to take in the car with them, children can make the job of leaving the house seem daunting.“
How can parents speed up the process of getting the children locked and loaded in the car? The promise of sweets works, apparently, although parents should probably favour fruit-based snacks, rather than risk a sugar rush.
Other tactics include playing their favourite music in the car and some kind of treat when they reach their destination. The removal of a smartphone and/or changing the wifi code is also likely to work well.
