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New £75,320 BMW M2 CS could be the FINAL classic M car

By
Ethan Jupp
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BMW M2 CS

After leaking online yesterday, the BMW M2 CS has now been revealed in full. It’s a good old-fashioned run-out special, with more power, a sharper chassis and extra equipment.

The 450hp CS boosts the muscle of the 3.0-litre straight-six by 40hp, although maximum torque stays the same. The gains come from freer-flowing exhausts with a new dual-branch design.

Adaptive M suspension with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings is standard. M Sport brakes are also included, with 400mm discs and six-pot calipers at the front, plus 380mm discs with four-pots behind. Buyers can choose from six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmissions.

BMW M2 CS: saving weight

BMW M2 CS

Just because there’s no ‘L’ for ‘Light’ on the end of the CS badge, it doesn’t mean BMW hasn’t cut kilos. The CS adds a vented carbon bonnet that weighs half as much and increases front-axle downforce.

The carbon roof also saves weight, partly because there are no joins, which means less need for soundproofing. It also adds rigidity and lowers the centre of gravity.

Forged 19-inch wheels reduce the unsprung rotating mass, too. They’re optionally available in gold (pictured).

BMW M2 CS: going faster

BMW M2 CS

How about performance? The raw numbers are 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds for the dual-clutch auto, or 4.2 seconds for the manual. That’s 0.2 seconds quicker than the current M2 Competition.

Top speed, should you opt for the Driver’s Package, is 174mph. You get Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres if you upgrade, too, although Super Sports are a no-cost option for more everyday usability.

BMW M2 CS

What tells you that you’ve bought the ultimate M2, though? Those big wheels are a start, along with carbon flourishes on the boot lip, wing mirrors, diffuser, splitter and, of course, the roof. More aggressive exhaust tips complete the exterior package.

On the inside, there are swathes of Alcantara trim and ‘CS’ is stitched into the dashboard. M Sport seats from the M4 CS are fitted, too.

BMW M2 CS: how much?

BMW M2 CS

It’s easy to get confused by BMW’s incrementally increasing badges: Competition, CS, CSL, GTS, and so on. The M2 CS, however, has a genuine motorsport connection. A new club racing series featuring the car kicks off in 2020.

How much will the road car cost? Safe to say, it’s a reasonably expensive set of upgrades, at £75,320 on the road. You do get an awful lot as standard, though. Adaptive LED lights and the Harman/Kardon sound system are included, alongside the upgrades.

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Ford teases 2020 Bronco SUV with wild off-road racer

By
Ethan Jupp
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Ford Bronco R teases 2020 truck

One of 2020’s most hotly-anticipated cars is the new Ford Bronco. Now, Ford has previewed the upcoming model with a Bronco R racer – and revealed the official Bronco logo.

As motoring comebacks go, the return of the Bronco is up there with reviving the Toyota Supra and Land Rover Defender. The last Bronco went out of production in 1996, after a 31-year run. It’s one of Ford’s most iconic models and fans have struggled to let go.

Finally, in 2017, Ford gave in, announcing at the Detroit Auto Show that it was developing a new Bronco. Alhough dealers won’t see cars until later next year, Ford has begun the teaser campaign.

Ford Bronco R teases 2020 truck

The Bronco R’s first job is heading to the Baja Peninsula for the famous 1,000-mile race, which a Bronco won 50 years ago in 1969. Shelby Hall, granddaughter of Rod Hall, who took the win in 1969, will be piloting the car during its attempt.

Hip to be square

Silhouette race cars are a great way of teasing what coming models will be like, without giving too much away. Nonetheless, we can expect the Bronco to look as it should: squat, squared off and thick-jawed.

Ford says the racer gives ‘proportion hints of what enthusiasts can expect to see when the future Bronco makes its world premiere next spring’. On the inside, the ‘simple surfaces of the instrument panel’ are a nod to the first-generation Bronco.

Ford Bronco R teases 2020 truck

Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development officer, says “It also provides an authentic test bed to demonstrate our upcoming Bronco’s desert racing capability and durability”.

The Bronco R racer has been a fast-paced project for Ford. Only since July has chief designer Paul Wraith been working with his small team to dress this one-off prototype. The production car will be revealed in the spring, with deliveries later in 2020.

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Bristol votes to ban ALL diesel cars in 2021

By
Ethan Jupp
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Bristol diesel car ban 2021

Bristol is set to ban all diesel cars from its city centre in 2021, if the scheme gets government approval. Bristol City Council agreed on the ban, a first for a UK city.

Privately-owned diesel cars will be banned between 07.00 and 15.00 in areas including part of the M32, Redcliffe, Spike Island, Harbourside, part of hotwells and the old city. 

Bristol city could ban diesel cars

A ban means a ban, too. If you’re not a taxi or the emergency services, passing into this central area will incur a fine, whatever the age of your diesel car.

The movement of vehicles within the central zone will be monitored using ANPR (automatic numberplate recognition system), similar to how the Lonon ULEZ works.

In addition, commercial vehicles will need to pay a fee for a wider Bristol clean air zone. Taxis and vans will be charged £9 while buses and HGVs will pay £100. The wider zone will allow private diesel vehicles in without charge.

Details on exemptions for other vehicles, as well as how much the fines will be, have yet to be decided.

Bristol’s NOx problem

Having twice missed government deadlines for cleaning up the city’s air, this is a drastic measure from Bristol’s council. At present, air pollution levels are way beyond legal levels. This plan, with controlled access to certain zones by diesel vehicles, should in theory see it become compliant by 2025.

Bristol city could ban diesel cars

  • One in four drivers FAIL to pay London ULEZ charge

While a long time coming, some are worried it’s still knee-jerk, with residents and commuters taking the brunt. Diesel drivers and businesses now have around 16 months to ditch the oil-burners, or face exhile, charges, or fines.

Some Bristol-centric businesses will be facing big upgrade costs, in order to be able to stay operational once the policy is in effect.

It’s a sign of things to come in cities across the UK, as similar schemes are being considered to lower NOx levels. Bristol is just one of 36 local authorities out of 43 where air toxicity reaches illegal levels.

Some European cities have already operated such bans when pollution levels get too high, such as Paris and Oslo.

SMMT: Blanket ban is unfair on modern diesels

Bristol city could ban diesel cars

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive has spoken out commending the intent to clean up Bristol’s air, but warns against the unfairness of a blanket ban.

“Industry wants to see all cities, including Bristol, meet their targets and continues to invest in ever more advanced technology to help improve our environment,” Hawes said.

“However, this proposed blanket ban, which goes against government’s guidelines, fails to distinguish between modern vehicles and decades-old technologies and will only cause confusion for drivers while also undermining efforts to boost air quality.

“Instead, we need a clear and consistent national approach to clean air zones that incentivises uptake of the latest, low emission vehicles, including new Euro 6 diesels, which are the cleanest ever produced, alongside improvements to traffic flow and investment in charging infrastructure.”

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Aston Martin DBX SUV to cost from £158,000

By
Richard Aucock
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Aston Martin DBX teaser

Prices for the new Aston Martin DBX SUV will start from £158,000 when ordering opens on Wednesday 20 November.

The firm will unveil the DBX in full when ordering opens – but in advance, has issued a moodily-lit teaser shot.

Aston Martin has also given us a first look at the interior of the DBX, which will be built in Wales.

Aston Martin DBX interior

Said to offer class-leading space, the interior of Aston Martin’s first-ever SUV will “meet the needs of the 99th percentile male to the 5th percentile female”.

Six months were spent simply perfecting the driving position; designers promise a clear view of the bonnet from the driving seat to help manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

A Female Advisory Board has extensively tested the interior, along with input from other external advisers, says Aston Martin. Lots of internal stowage space has been built in – the bridged centre console offers space below “for larger items such as a handbag or large 1.5-litre water bottles”.

Aston Martin even invited a group of children into the design studio to assess how easy it is to get in and out of the DBX, and how comfortable for them it is to sit in.

Video: testing the new Aston Martin DBX

Despite eschewing Land Rover-style ‘stadium seating’, where those in the rear sit higher than those in the front, the DBX still offers “class-leading front and rear legroom”. Aston Martin argues its sports car experience has helped here; “Wherever you sit in DBX, there is a sense of space and lightness.”

The countdown is now underway to the full reveal of the Aston Martin DBX SUV; rivals such as Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari will be watching on with interest – as will market analysts; Aston Martin is due to reveal its quarterly results tomorrow (Thursday).

The success of the DBX is pivotal to the future health of the company…

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AMB 001: Aston Martin has made a motorcycle

By
Ethan Jupp
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0

Aston Martin AMB 001 bike

Aston Martin has revealed the AMB 001 – the British marque’s first motorbike. It’s a collaboration with longstanding bike manufacturer, Brough Superior, and ‘heralds the first chapter of an exciting new partnership’. 

Just 100 examples of the track-only AMB 001 will be produced, combining boutique Aston Martin style with Brough engineering prowess.

Indeed, the bike is a thing of beauty, taking inspiration from Aston’s forthcoming range of mid-engined sports cars. It has nine-micron-thick wings like the Valkyrie, for example. A carbon frame shows off the exposed engine.

Aston Martin AMB 001 bike

Even the side strakes of Aston road cars are mimicked in the prominent line down the centre of the bike. It’s very ‘art meets engineering’.

The AMB 001 uses a V-twin turbocharged engine that produces 180hp. Weighing just 180kg, that gives a one-to-one horsepower per kilogram ratio, also like the Valkyrie.

It will be built at Brough’s factory in Toulouse, France, and will cost £93,000. 

Aston Martin AMB 001 bike

“This is what we believe a cutting-edge motorcycle should be and we are very proud to see the Aston Martin wings on a motorcycle for the first time,” said Aston Martin chief creative officer, Marek Reichman.

“In addition to applying the skills we have developed for cars such as the ground breaking Aston Martin Valkyrie, we have also been able to bring our special expertise in the traditional craft techniques to this project. The finished product is a truly beautiful motorcycle; a design and engineering work of art.”

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Jaguar is making classic tool kits for the E-Type again

By
Ethan Jupp
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Jaguar Classic E-type tool kit

For the first time in nearly 50 years, Jaguar Classic is putting the original E-Type tool kit back into production. The last time these were available new was when the final Series 2 E-Type was sold in 1971.

Original kits trade hands for as much as £5,000. Now, you can pick up a newly-manufactured set for £732 from Jaguar Classic. The kits are exact reproductions, with the team at Jaguar Classic making use of engineering records and drawings.

As well as being something you can buy on its own, the kit is also offered alongside a ‘reborn’ E-Type restoration.

Jaguar Classic E-type tool kit

All the spanners are sized for working on fittings the E-Type uses; the kit allows you do everything from checking your tyre pressures, to adjusting the handbrake, to greasing the hinges. Indeed, you could effectively dismantle your E-Type with these tools alone.

The kit includes the following:

  • Adjustable spanner
  • Tyre valve key
  • Pliers
  • Tyre pressure gauge
  • Points screwdriver
  • Feeler gauge
  • Three-piece screwdriver
  • Spanner ¾ x 7/8 AF
  • Spanner 9/16 x 5/8 AF
  • Spanner ½ x 7/16 AF

Jaguar Classic E-type tool kit

  • Spanner 11/32 x 3/8 AF
  • Box Spanner 7/16 x ½
  • Box Spanner 9/16 x 5/8
  • Box Spanner ¾ x 7/8
  • Sparking plug spanner
  • Tommy bars (one short, one long)
  • Valve timing gauge
  • Grease gun
  • Handbrake adjusting wrench
  • Brake bleed tin and tube

“The original E-Type tool kit has become a collector’s item thanks to its rarity and historic appeal”, said Dan Pink, director of Jaguar Classic.

“We’ve had customers across the world contact us about obtaining one, which is why we decided to manufacture the tool kits again to their original specification. It’s the perfect finishing touch for E-Type aficionados.”

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Electric charging locations now outnumber petrol stations

By
Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
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0

Electric car charging

The Department for Transport (TfL) has published a ‘league table’ illustrating the country’s public electric car charging infrastructure.

There are now more charging locations than petrol stations, it says, but there are still over 100 local authorities with fewer than 10 public charging devices per 100,000 people.

New figures show that there are 15,000 charging devices across the country, equating to 22,500 places to charge.

London leads the way, with almost 4,000 public electric charging points installed in the region. Scotland has more than 1,500, with the North West, South East and South West just behind.

’The new normal’

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “Your postcode should play no part in how easy it is to use an electric car, and I’m determined electric vehicles become the new normal for drivers.

“It’s good news there are now more charging locations than petrol stations, but the clear gaps in provision are disappointing. I urge local councils to take advantage of all the government support on offer to help ensure drivers in their area don’t miss out.

“To help increase the provision of charging locations, the government is offering grants for the installation of charge-points on the street, in work and at home. We are also offering grants to lower the upfront cost of these cars so everyone is able to experience the benefits.”

Funding is available

Minister for the Future of Transport George Freeman added: “Mapping charge-points and producing a league table of availability by council area is intended to raise awareness.

“There are now more than 22,500 public charge-points and at least one rapid charge-point at over 95 percent of all motorway services areas.

“To help level up the country, we’ve recently doubled the funding available for councils to build charge-points on residential streets.”

Funding for charging points is available via a number of schemes, including:

  • A £5 million on-street residential charge-point scheme.
  • Workplace charging scheme, offering £500 per charge-point socket and £10,000 per business.
  • Electric vehicle homecharge scheme, offering £500 per socket.

Data for the ‘league table’ is sourced from Zap-Map. The information can be viewed here.

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Private parking firms to give 10-minute grace period

By
Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
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0

Pay and display sign

Private parking firms will be required to give motorists a 10-minute grace period after their tickets expire.

This comes as part of the government’s continued efforts to clamp down on rogue car park operators.

A new Code of Practice developed by the British Standards Institution will make it easier for drivers to challenge unfair tickets. The knock-on effect will be a boost for local shops, the government says.

Measures to crack down on intimidating and aggressive debt collection practices are also being considered.

A 10-minute grace period was introduced for all council car parks in England in 2015, but is currently voluntary for private parking firms. 

Under government proposals, motorists in England, Scotland and Wales will be granted up to 10 minutes extra parking before a fine is issued.

Any private parking operators found breaking the Code will be stopped from requesting Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data. This will mean they’re unable to pursue motorists for their charges.

A new independent appeals service promises to give consumers greater support when challenging unjustified parking fines. 

Restoring common sense

Pay and display parking sign

Local government secretary Robert Jenrick said: “For too long rogue parking firms have operated in an unregulated industry, handing out unjust fines, putting drivers through baffling appeals processes and issuing tickets to motorists who were only seconds late back to their cars.

“That’s why we’ve appointed the British Standards Institution to work with consumer groups and industry to write the first ever compulsory Code of Practice for private parking firms.

“The new Code will restore common sense to the way parking fines are handed out, encourage people back onto our high-streets and crack down on dodgy operators who use aggressive tactics to harass drivers.”

The British Standards Institution will prepare the Code in consultation with consumer and industry groups. Members of the public will be given a chance to have their say via a full public consultation.

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Bentley Motors loses trademark battle with… Bentley Clothing

By
Richard Aucock
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0

Bentley coat

Bentley Motors will not be able to use the word ‘Bentley’ on its clothing range sold in the UK after losing a High Court battle with Bentley Clothing. 

The car firm will also only be allowed to sell a limited range of clothing: jackets, silk ties, caps and scarves.

It will not be allowed to sell other types of clothing as part of its profitable lifestyle goods range. 

Bentley badge

Manchester’s Bentley Clothing, established in 1962, registered a trademark of the name Bentley in 1982. The car firm began selling its own clothing in 1987, a move described as ‘honest concurrent use’.

However, the judge said evidence gave the ‘strong impression’ that, from 2000, Bentley Motors made a “conscious decision” to develop its Bentley-branded clothing range.

This amounted to “steady encroachment on Bentley Clothing’s goodwill”.

Bentley Clothing first approached the car firm about the matter in 1998, and launched the High Court action in 2017.

The Crewe-based car firm may now have to pay damages – and, reports, the BBC, could also be forced to “either hand over or destroy any items in its possession which infringe the trademark”.

Bentley Motors said it is considering an appeal and is “extremely disappointed” by the decision.

“We have been selling clothing for more than 30 years in the UK and at no point has there been any evidence of confusion with another company’s trademark.”

Bentley Motors reportedly tried to cancel Bentley Clothing’s trademark rights at the UK Intellectual Property Office. 

It was unsuccessful in its attempt. 

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Jay Kay’s classic Mercedes estate heads to auction

By
Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
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0

Jay Kay Mercedes

Jay Kay has owned everything from a McLaren 675LT to a ‘Kermit Green’ LaFerrari. But the Mercedes-Benz estate heading under the hammer at this weekend’s NEC Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, England is a little more down-to-earth.

Not that it comes with a down-to-earth price tag. In fact, you could say that the pre-auction estimate for the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280 TE wagon is cosmic, girl.

Silverstone Auctions has given the Thistle Green estate an estimate of between £20,000 to £25,000 ($26,000 to $32,000), which might seem steep for an ageing load-lugger, but there are many reasons why it stands every chance of reaching such heady heights.

The celebrity factor shouldn’t be underestimated. Although the Jamiroquai frontman only bought the car in 2009, his reputation as a collector of fine vehicles gives it real provenance. One suspects that Jay Kay doesn’t buy just any old motor.

But there’s more to this Mercedes-Benz than a link to a music icon. The estate version of the W123 series Mercedes is regarded as one of the finest vehicles of its kind – people pay good money for fine examples.

The original Mercedes ‘Stationswagen’

Jay Kay Mercedes estate

Known as the ‘T’ (for Tourism and Transport) – with an internal designation of ‘S’ for Stationwagen – this was the company’s first production estate car. Although it was technically similar to the saloon, the estate had a bespoke feel, thanks to upgrades including self-levelling hydropneumatic rear suspension and carpeting throughout.

These vehicles were pressed into hard service, often used on business during the week and for family and lifestyle reasons at the weekend. Which is why it’s remarkable that this 1983 car has covered a mere 30,000 miles from new. It would appear that Jay Kay has added just 1,500 miles during his time, which suggests he’d prefer to drive his Enzo or LaFerrari.

It’s also worth noting that the car’s MOT expired in August 2019, so the winning bidder won’t be driving it away from the NEC unless it’s tested before the auction.

Jay Kay Mercedes interior

The 280 TE, powered by the six-cylinder petrol engine, is the pinnacle of the W123 estate range, and Jay Kay’s motor features cruise control, air conditioning, ABS, alloy wheels and headlight wash-wipe.

It’s not cheap, but when you consider that the top estimate is roughly the same as an entry-level Mercedes-Benz A-Class or GLA, it begins to make more sense. Besides, neither of these cars offers a rear-facing child bench in the boot.

If Jay Kay’s Mercedes-Benz appeals to you, it will be going under the hammer at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale on 9 November 2019.

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