New Land Rover Defender revealed: the headline facts

September 10, 2019

This is the first-ever all-new version of the original Land Rover, first launched back in 1948. We have waited years for it, and the Frankfurt Motor Show marks its international debut. Land Rover describes it as an icon reinvented for the 21st century. Here are the crucial facts you need to know.

Launched as a 110

There will be an entire family of new Defenders, but it debuts in a five-door 110 guise. The short-wheelbase 90 will follow a little later, with two commercial Defender vans due in 2020.

Instantly recognisable

It looks, well, like a Land Rover Defender. It has short overhangs, an upright stance, a side-hinged tailgate, an externally-mounted spare wheel and even Alpine light windows in the roof.

Satin finish

A key option from launch is Satin Protective Film. This is a ‘sustainable, solvent-free and completely recyclable wrap’ that guards against both off-road and on-road scrapes. It’s a factory-fit option for those choosing Indus Silver, Gondwana Stone and Panega Green paint colours.

Packed with accessories

No Land Rover has ever had such a wide range of accessories as the new Defender. These include a rooftop tent, inflatable waterproof awnings, a remote control electric winch – plus more commonplace add-ons such as tow bars and roof racks.

Diesel is still here

With two commercial versions set to come, the new Defender still has the potential to work for a living. Engine options reflect this, including two four-cylinder diesels, offered in 200hp and 240hp outputs. A four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 300hp, plus a range-topping 3.0-litre inline-six with an impressive 400hp complete the launch range.

Electrified performance

The name might be old, but the drivetrain technology underneath the new Defender is totally modern. On the 3.0-litre petrol engine there is even a mild-hybrid system, which includes an electric eSupercharger. This uses power stored in a lithium-ion battery pack to reduce the level of turbo lag below 2,000 rpm. A full plug-in hybrid will join the range next year.

Defender for the world

Land Rover will sell the new Defender in 128 countries across the world, making it a truly global new car. It is to be built alongside the Discovery at the firm’s Slovakian factory in Nitra.

Defender for a New Age

Land Rover design boss Gerry McGovern says the new Defender is respectful of its past, but not harnessed by it. “This is a Defender for a New Age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable.”

Structure exposed

Inside, the Defender intentionally has a stripped-back feel, with Land Rover exposing structural elements normally hidden behind trim. The emphasis, it says, is on simplicity and practicality.

Lots of seats

Mounting the gear lever on the dashboard has cleared space for an optional front-centre ‘jump seat’. With three-abreast seating, the Defender offers five, six or 5+2 seating. The 90 will have this jump seat option as well, to ‘accommodate six occupants in a vehicle the length of a compact family hatchback’.

Rubber floor

Like the original Land Rover, you’ll theoretically be able to hose out your new Defender (if you’re brave), thanks to rubberised flooring. It’s just one of many practicality-focused details of the new Land Rover.

95 percent new

The Land Rover Defender is based on an aluminium monocoque architecture called D7x. The ‘x’ stands for extreme. It is 95 percent new compared with the Land Rover Discovery, and is the firm’s stiffest-ever body structure. Remarkably, it is three times stiffer than a traditional body-on-frame design.

Testing, testing

Apparently, more than 62,000 individual tests have been conducted on the new Defender ahead of sign-off. Land Rover is particularly proud of its Extreme Event Test, which repeats immense, sustained impacts ‘above and beyond the normal standard for SUV and passenger cars’.

Wading ability

Land Rover has endless figures explaining how good the Defender is off-road. We particularly like the fact it can wade through 900mm of water (that’s over 35 inches). It can also tell you if it’s safe to drive into such daunting depths thanks to a new Wade setting in the Terrain Response 2 system.

The best 4x4xfar

The new Defender ‘redefines breadth of capability, raising the threshold for both off-road ruggedness and on-road comfort,’ says Land Rover. ‘It can negotiate crowded city streets as effortlessly as climbing mountains, crossing deserts and withstanding freezing temperatures.’

System updates from the cloud

With a vast array of electronic components controlling the new Defender, Land Rover has included the potential for over-the-air software updates. The 14 onboard control modules can be improved without the need to visit a dealership. Land Rover even suggests that a satellite phone connection could be used in remote areas to receive data for updates.

Keep everything charged up

Proving that the Defender has certainly evolved with the times, a total of five 12-volt charging sockets can be found throughout the interior. Potentially perfect for powering camping and lifestyle accessories. In addition, up to five USB charging ports are also included, dependent on seating capacity. It might make you think twice about hosing out that rubber floor, though,

Even the key is ready for activities

Land Rover will offer the second-generation of the Activity Key for the new Defender as an option. This allows the driver to lock and open the Defender using a device similar to a smart watch. Being shock-proof and water resistant lets owners engage in a range of lifestyle activities without the need to carry around a traditional key fob.

Ready to order right now

If you are excited by the new 2020 Defender, Land Rover is already accepting orders for the 110 version right now. There is also an online configurator ready to help you plan your dream 4×4. The short-wheelbase 90 will be available to order from the middle of 2020, whilst the release of the commercial variants will be detailed nearer the time.

Land Rover Defender UK prices

The Defender 110 costs from £45,240 for the D200 diesel, up to £78,800 for the range-topping P400 petrol. Defender 90 and Commercial prices will be announced nearer their respective launch dates, but expect to pay from £40,000 for the 90 and £35,000 (plus VAT) for the van.

Prices announced for electric Honda e – and it’s not cheap

Ethan Jupp

September 10, 2019

Prices for Honda’s e electric city car have been revealed – alongside a production-ready model – at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

It starts from £26,160, with deliveries expected to commence by early summer 2020.

Buy on finance for £299 a month

The 100kW Honda e costs from £26,160, although that figure includes the £3,500 government plug-in car grant. Without that, it would be £29,660.

The 113kW ‘Advance’ version begins at £28,660, inclusive of the grant.

Alternatively, Honda e finance starts from £299 per month. That’s based on an 8,000-mile annual limit and 23 percent deposit. Paying £50 a month more gets you into the Advance model, which has an electric centre mirror to accompany the camera side mirrors, plus Honda Parking Pilot.

Honda e Advance – order from today

Honda e Prototype: driving Honda’s electric future

Ordering for the Advance version opens today at dealerships in the UK. Those who made initial reservations will get priority. Expect to receive an invitation to link up with your local dealer if you are among them.

Follow through with the order and you can expect to get one of the first summer 2020 deliveries.

“We’re pleased to be able to confirm the pricing for the Honda e,” said Phil Webb, head of car at Honda UK.

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“Designed for the urban environment, and originally called the Urban EV, the Honda e has a competitive range of up to 136 miles.

“Honda research has found the average European commute is approximately 30 miles, making it more than sufficient. Coupled with the fast-charge capability of 80 percent in 30 minutes, the Honda e is perfect for the urban environment.

“Honda e is the embodiment of the brand’s commitment to electrification and is the next step towards our electric vision for 100 percent of European sales to be electrified by 2025.”

The Volkswagen ID.3 electric car is here to replace your Golf

Ethan Jupp

September 10, 2019

Volkswagen has finally taken the wraps off its new ID.3 electric car ahead of the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The claims are bullish: VW says this is its third ‘most important’ launch ever, alongside the original Beetle and Volkswagen Golf. Indeed, it could redefine the people’s car: Golf-sized, but with space inside of a Passat.

Does it have the potential to put VW’s mainstay hatch out of a job? Let’s get the important stuff out of the way.

205-340 miles of range

Exactly how the ID.3’s powertrain performs will dictate its suitability for the average buyer. No surprises here, it’s one of the most impressive electric cars yet.

Three battery size options are available at launch. The cheapest entry-level model gets a 205-mile range from its 45 kWh battery. It can be charged up to a 180-mile capability within half an hour, charging at a 100kW output.

The larger battery sizes are 58 kWh and 77 kWh, good for a respective 260 and 341 miles of range. All are WLTP-certified range calculations. Interestingly, it is rear-wheel drive: AWD versions come later.

The ID.3 is starting as the ID family means to go on in terms of sustainability. Production of the car, through the supply chain and the battery, is totally carbon neutral.

Inside the ID.3

The ID.3 is as futuristic as you’d expect in the cabin. As with much of what’s coming out of the VW Group right now, very little is controlled with buttons.

Everything apart from the electric windows and hazard lights use touch-sensitive haptic controls, mostly located on the 10.0-inch central display and the steering wheel.

In terms of space, as above, it leads the family hatch class. The ‘Open Space’ design is a result of the inherent advantages of an electric powertrain.

Short overhangs, a short bonnet and no encroachment into the cabin from an engine, transmission or driveline. While there isn’t a typical length of bonnet and short overhangs, the ID.3 still looks the part from the outside.

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“The ID.3 is an all-rounder that is suitable for everyday use,” claims Silke Bagschik, Head of Sales and Marketing for the ID family

“It is compact, as such offering the maneuverability of a small car with the interior space of a mid-range vehicle. It combines exciting design with innovative technology and significant range.”

From under £27,000

The ID.3 is going to be available from under £27,000, for the 205-mile capable car. The top-end first edition cars are available from £35,000.

ID.3 Max is the top-of-the-range version of the new family electric car. As well as a panoramic movable glass sunroof and a Beats audio system, it also features a revolutionary augmented reality head-up display.

This equipment comes over and above the Plus specification which has automatic cruise control, a rear-view camera and an advanced keyless go system. Matrix LED lights are also standard.

The car brands you WON’T see at the Frankfurt Motor Show

The ID.3 is the next step in EV progression towards taking over from ICE cars. It goes a bit further, charges a bit faster and costs a bit less than what’s come before. What it isn’t, is beholden to ICE tropes. It’s not a car that once had an engine, that’s now electric.

It’s a ground-up design that makes few concessions to petrol and diesel-powered convention. Our first real taste of what VW’s MEB modular electric drive matrix architecture is capable of shows a great deal of promise indeed.

The car brands you WON’T see at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Ethan Jupp

September 9, 2019

The Frankfurt Motor Show is one of the biggest motor shows on the calendar and was once considered a must-attend event for the world’s motor manufacturers. Not so now. With the number of marques skipping it this year, you could fill the halls of an entire new motor show.

Even the organisers admit change is afoot, saying “the social and political environment are very different from previous events. It is no longer essential to present everything, but instead to provide the right impulses”. These are the absentees.

Ferrari

Ferrari is perhaps the most notable omission from Frankfurt this year. Why? Well, in the past it’s been a key participant in the show. The 430 Scuderia, 458 Italia and 458 Speciale are just a few of the major debuts Ferrari brought to Frankfurt. It also has plenty to show off. Apart from the new SF90 hybrid hypercar, the F8 Spider and 812 GTS drop-top models are both hot off the press.

Alpine

Alpine is staying home for Frankfurt this year. Frankly, we’re not surprised, given that it’s a relatively small company that needs to closely manage its expenses. With no new cars to share with Frankfurt show-goers, and the A110 getting plenty of good reviews, there’s perhaps no need.

Aston Martin

Meanwhile, Aston Martin seems to have something all-new coming every week. With its first SUV ready to be revealed, and a range of mid-engined exotica waiting in the wings, why wouldn’t Aston go to Frankfurt? The marque has a few tough questions to answer around share prices, truth be told, and Geneva always seems to be its mainstay.

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo is staying back from Frankfurt as well, joining Ferrari in what seems to be quite the FCA boycott. In fairness to Alfa, we’re not aware of anything pressing that they have to show off. A Frankfurt stand could be an expensive way of making that quite apparent.

Chrysler

The ‘C’ in FCA joins the wider group in abstaining from Frankfurt and we don’t blame it. Chrysler is without much in the way of Europe-centric offerings at the moment.

Fiat

Slightly more confusing is the lack of Fiat, and therefore Abarth. Unlike the Chrysler side of the FCA operation, Fiat is the European element. However, with the new 500 nowhere in sight and a replacement for the Punto a great unknown, what purpose would a show stand serve?

Nissan

Nissan too is declining Frankfurt – a curious omission from such a major brand. The show this year has been marred by environmental protests, so given Nissan’s recent trouble with emissions, staying away may prove a good call.

Infiniti

Taking the prize for the least surprising Frankfurt absentee is Infiniti. Given that it’s finally given up the ghost and announced its exit from Europe, attendance at Frankfurt would feel odd to say the least.

Mazda

Having just launched its new 3 family hatch and saloon, as well as the CX-30 SUV, both with a clever new Skyactiv-X engine, should Mazda be showing off at Frankfurt? Given the focus on future tech and curbing emissions, you’d think it would have a strong hand to play. That’s not even taking into account the 30th anniversary of the MX-5. Ho hum.

Rolls-Royce

Following in the footsteps of fellow luxury brands Aston Martin and Ferrari, here’s Rolls-Royce. The maker of the ‘Best Car in the World’ has nothing new to show at Frankfurt, and what it does offer is selling well. Not that Rolls is known for restraint and considered spending, but a Frankfurt stand might feel a little gratuitous.

Bentley

Also, it doesn’t have Bentley to contend with. The flying B is also skipping Frankfurt. It does have a fair bit more to show off, though. The fantastic EXP 100 concept, the continuation Blower models and the new Flying Spur, to name but three. Not enough, it seems, to warrant floor space in Frankfurt. For shame!

Toyota

Back down to Earth with Toyota. This is a curious one, but we’ve been given a reason. Its skipping of Frankfurt is part of “a review of marketing activity and spending”.

Dacia

Dacia, in the ultimate considered approach to spending, is also omitting Frankfurt from its calendar. The budget brand in the Renault-Nissan group joins Mitsubishi in skipping the German show. Renault will be in attendance, though, with a new Clio, and hopefully a Megane with a certain German lap record to show off.

Peugeot

The other French marques will not be in Frankfurt, though. PSA is mostly staying away, save for Vauxhall’s sister brand, Opel. With Peugeot’s recent upmarket leanings and its electric 208 on the horizon, we thought it would be out in force at Frankfurt. Alas, no.

DS

Speaking of upmarket leanings, PSA’s pretender to German premium appeal is also missing out. And so is sister-brand Citroen.

Cadillac

More surprising an omission than you might think are a couple of key General Motors marques. Firstly, Cadillac: as it takes aim at the German marques, you’d think it would show up on their home turf for a throwdown.

Chevrolet

Is Chevy skipping Frankfurt a surprise? Actually, it is. If you’re preparing to launch one of the most hotly-anticipated sports cars of the last decade – the mid-engined Corvette – shouldn’t you be showing it off?

Subaru

Another marque with not an awful lot to present is Subaru. The theme at this year’s show seems to be bleeding edge technology – not words we’d use to describe anything launched over six months ago.

Volvo

You’d think Volvo’s focus on safety and emissions would work well at Frankfurt. Yet even with its fresh-faced lineup looking stronger than ever, the Swedes will be missing from the show.

Suzuki

Suzuki is in the business of cutting back at the moment. The new Swift and Jimny are appealing, but it has removed the Baleno and Celerio from UK sale. Frankfurt would be a big spend with not an awful lot to show off.

Who is at Frankfurt?

With all this talk of who isn’t at Frankfurt, we should highlight the important stuff that WILL be there. The Volkswagen Group will present a hotly anticipated two-prong EV effort, with the VW ID.3 and the Porsche Taycan. And there’s the new Land Rover Defender, of course.

Frankfurt will be a big show, but it’s only attracting those with something to show. Check out our guide to the must-see new cars at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Tiff Needell DROPPED from Fifth Gear TV show

John Redfern

September 9, 2019

Less than a month before the latest series of Fifth Gear returns to TV screens, Tiff Needell has made a shock announcement.

After some 17 years of involvement with the motoring show, Needell has confirmed that he will no longer be part of it.

His revelation on social media suggested that the decision had been taken by executives at Discovery Networks Europe, rather than by him.

Unfortunately someone @DiscoveryUK has decided @FifthGearTV will be a better show without me. Sad time for me as I was pivotal in the creation of the programme but if you do like to see me having fun in cars the good news is I'll be doing a lot more on https://t.co/fnNbqE9804

— Tiff Needell 🏁 (@tiff_tv) September 9, 2019

Needell was partly responsible for the creation of the Fifth Gear franchise, born from the demise of the original Top Gear series.

First aired in 2002 on Channel 5, the programme later moved to the Discovery Channel, followed by time on the History channel. The free-to-air Quest channel has been the latest home of Fifth Gear since 2018.

The almost two decades of presenting Fifth Gear by Needell, were in addition to the 14 years he spent working on Top Gear for the BBC. Current Top Gear presenter Chris Harris was one of the first to offer his support to Needell, following today’s announcement.

I’m sending you a MASSIVE hug. But you’re still skidding around on the Internet telly box and you’ll soon be on a podcast!

— chris harris (@harrismonkey) September 9, 2019

Continuing Fifth Gear presenters Jason Plato and Jonny Smith also commented that Needell would be missed by them on the show.

You have been missed by us all pal and will continue to be @tiff_tv
I hope that sometime soon we can work again together and you can continue your work in making every single one of my hairs go grey! Good luck over on @Lovecars mate xx https://t.co/Ur1t8zqQ8w

— Jason Plato (@jasonplato) September 9, 2019

I miss @tiff_tv hugely. I know I’ll get to work with you again one day in some form. Maybe I’ll talk you sleep with old crap car tech specs. But seriously Tiff, it has been an honour getting to share cars and banter with you for a living. @Lovecars has gained what we have lost. https://t.co/8aNIprrPv2

— Jonny Smith (@Carpervert) September 9, 2019

Needell has noted that he will be continuing to appear on video, as part of the Lovecars YouTube channel. He has previously appeared in a number of videos for the online outlet, and looks set to have plans to do even more now.

Along with the news about Needell, the start date for the latest series of Fifth Gear has also been confirmed as the 3rd October 2019.

UK motorists’ speeding habits revealed

Ethan Jupp

September 9, 2019

New research has revealed some intriguing details on the speeding habits of UK motorists, including when they’re most likely to speed.

Data obtained from the Department for Transport (DfT) revealed that Sunday is the most popular day for speeding, with motorists mostly likely to break limits in the early hours of the morning. That goes for every day of the week, with 63 percent doing so between 4am and 5am.

Overall, 53 percent test their speedo on Sundays, 51 percent do the same on Saturday. Monday, Tuesday and Friday follow, with 47 percent. Thursday and last-place Wednesday appear to be the most sensible days of the week, with 46 percent of drivers speeding mid-week.

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MoneySuperMarket, which obtained the data from DfT, also looked at insurance enquiry data for some insights. It found that just eight percent of drivers declare speeding convictions when enquiring about insurance.

Why? Well, they could be avoiding higher premiums, which are £72 more expensive on average with a conviction.

Why do we speed?

As for why we speed, most drivers plead ignorance, with 42 percent saying they weren’t paying attention to their speed. Four-in-ten use what you’d imagine is the most common excuse: they’re running late. Speeding is, for 17 percent of us, habitual.

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“Our findings suggest that drivers are looking to take advantage of emptier roads on weekends and in the early hours,” said Rachel Wait, consumer affairs spokesperson at MoneySuperMarket.

“But it is important to remember that there are still major safety rules to abide by, no matter what time it is.

“If you are caught speeding and want to keep your insurance costs down, it’s worth seeing whether you can take part in a speed awareness course, which means you won’t get points on your licence and provides a helpful reminder about speeding limits and the importance of driving safely.”

Meet the world’s maddest Brabus Mercedes G-Wagen… for now

Ethan Jupp

September 9, 2019

Far be it from us to call a motor show’s most extravagant exhibit before it’s got underway, but the new Brabus G V12 900 might be the Frankfurt show’s maddest car.

It is, of course, a Mercedes G-Class – already quite the four-wheeled statement – fettled by Brabus’s team of mad scientists and engineers. And by fettled we mean, had a V12 dropped in it.

Normally a six-cylinder or V8 would sit under the G’s broad bonnet. Brabus has swapped those out for a 6.3-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine with 900hp and 1,106lb ft of torque.

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The engine is based on the unit you’d find under the bonnet of a Maybach-spec Mercedes S600. In this case, it’s been bored out from 6.0-litres to 6.3. Bigger turbos are fitted, as are more exotic exhaust manifolds.

Combine that with a new intake and some new software, and you’ve got yourself a 900hp V12-powered G-Class. If you don’t want your monster V12 to annoy the neighbours, fear not: there’s a ‘coming home’ mode to quieten the exhausts.

Ballistic Brabus

Sixteen years ago, Porsche revealed its Carrera GT hypercar at 2003’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Perhaps the ultimate testament to how far performance cars have come is the fact that this G-Class has the same 0-62 time – 3.8 seconds.

Where the Brabus isn’t quite up to the Porsche, is top speed. While the carbon-tubbed hypercar will breeze past the 200mph barrier, the Brabus is limited to 174. That’s probably for the best.

Handy for nervous passengers is the fact that they can keep an eye on how much of that performance you’re using. There are three analogue gauges set into the roof in the back to show speed, outside temperature and time.

The rest of the G V12 is fairly standard Brabus fare. That’s to say, wider arches, enormous 23-inch wheels and lots of carbon fibre. Those wheels are actually the small option. You can have 24s if anything less simply won’t do. There’s gold heat shielding under the bonnet and an even more luxurious appointment on the inside.

“One of ten” completes the new G V12 900’s full title, due to the fact that only ten will be made of this introductory limited edition. This, in celebration of 15 years of the G V12 model line from Brabus.

The entry price for this V12 brute is no less than £540,000. What you can be sure of, though, is that this won’t be the maddest G Class. Brabus went absolutely ballistic on the previous-generation G, giving it six wheels, jacking it up on knobbly off-road tyres. This 900hp monster is just the start, we suspect.

Ferrari reveals TWO new supercars in one morning

Tim Pitt

September 9, 2019

Is Ferrari trolling the Frankfurt Motor Show? On the eve of 2019’s biggest motoring bunfight, the Italian marque has staged its own Universo Ferrari event in Maranello, revealing two new convertible supercars. Cue media meltdown.

First up is the 812 GTS, a drop-top version of the 812 Superfast. Its name references the classic 365 GTS4 (‘Daytona Spider’ to its friends) – the last Ferrari spider with a front-mounted V12, launched exactly 50 years ago.

Secondly, there’s the F8 Spider. Following in the tyre tracks of the F8 Tributo coupe, it combines a folding hard-top with the V8 engine from the 488 Pista. A scintillating soundtrack comes as standard.

We elbowed our way through the crowds outside Ferrari’s Fiorano test-track to get up close with the new cars – and speak with the experts who developed them. Here’s what you need to know.

Ferrari 812 GTS

Coolest feature of the new 812? Look closely and you’ll spot tiny aerofoils atop each of the rear buttresses. They’re part of a complex aerodynamics package that gives the GTS identical on-paper performance to the coupe. That means 0-62mph in ‘less than 3.0 seconds’ and a top speed of 211mph.

Its hard-top folds in 14 seconds at speeds up to 28mph, or you can simply retract the rear window. Either way, you’ll enjoy Ferrari’s ferociously unhinged V12 – perhaps the most evocative engine of any production car – in all its 8,900rpm glory.

And here’s the second new Ferrari of the day: the 812 GTS.

‘Grigio GTS’ paint colour and 20-inch forged alloys are unique to this car. pic.twitter.com/g0MwMO1iYE

— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) September 9, 2019

‘Production’ is the key word here as the GTC isn’t a limited edition. “We plan to make one car less than the market demands,” says marketing boss Enrico Galliera. UK prices haven’t been announced yet, but expect an 11 percent premium versus the coupe, meaning £292,000 before options.

One of those options is the ‘Grigio GTS’ paint seen here, which is unique to the car. It also gets bespoke 20-inch forged alloy wheels, offered in three finishes: diamond-cut, liquid silver and Grigio Scuro. Choices, choices…

Head of Design Flavio Manzoni says the styling was inspired by two of Ferrari’s icons: the 250 GTO and Daytona. No pressure, then. A long bonnet and swept-back cabin evoke classic grand tourers, while those distinctive rear humps (also a feature of the F8 Spider) set the GTS apart from the Superfast. You’ll note the ducts atop the rear wheelarches are missing, too – compensated for by an extra flap in the diffuser, says Ferrari.

The heart of the 812, of course, remains that 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12. Driving the rear wheels via an paddle-shift dual-clutch gearbox, it develops 800hp at a dizzying 8,500rpm. That should serve up ample “wild power, uncompromising passion and unbeatable sensuality”, to borrow a few superlatives from Galliera.

Lastly, there’s a driver assistance system called Ferrari Power Oversteer (FPO) to help you ‘realign the car correctly’. Thank heavens for that.

Ferrari F8 Spider

The F8 Spider was less of a surprise, but is more significant in terms of sales. Arriving just months after the F8 Tributo coupe (‘berlinetta’ in Ferrari-speak), it’s said to be ‘less extreme than the 488 Pista Spider, but sportier than the 488 Spider’.

Indeed, the open-air F8 weighs just 20kg more than its Pista equivalent and packs an identical 720hp. That makes it… quite rapid. Zero to 62mph is dispatched in 2.9 seconds, while top speed is 211mph – identical to the 812 GTS.

Giallo flyer: Ferrari F8 Spider world debut in Maranello.

Car has the latest (6.1) version of Ferrari’s Sideslip Control. “This is not a stability controller, it’s a fun controller,” says chief engineer Michael Leiters. pic.twitter.com/txbuimSpXW

— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) September 9, 2019

The car’s folding hard-top also emulates the GTS, being retracted in 14 seconds at up to 28mph. A redesigned rear spoiler wraps around trad-Ferrari twin taillights, but stowing the roof atop the rear deck means losing the coupe’s F40-style see-through engine cover.

It isn’t just any engine either. Ferrari’s sonorous turbocharged V8 has been voted International Engine of the Year four times in a row and the best engine of the past 20 years. Sampling the coupe version recently, our Richard Aucock described it as ‘ridiculously pleasurable’.

The all-important rev counter – redlined at 8,000rpm – takes centre-stage in front of the driver, with many controls, including the manettino dial, clustered on the steering wheel. There’s also an optional passenger-side touchscreen to reveal how fast you’re really going.

The electronic witchcraft of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) will help average drivers feel like Charles Leclerc at Monza, too. “This is not a stability controller, it’s a fun controller,” jokes Michael Leiters.

If you want one – and we really do – expect to pay around £225,000 when cars arrive in the UK this autumn. There’s still one more new car to come from Ferrari in 2019, of course, but execs remain tight-lipped. “We want to wow people,” says Enrico Galliera. They’ve certainly done that today.

Brits are putting off repairing their cars

Ethan Jupp

September 9, 2019

A new survey of British motorists has revealed that many are putting off repairs to their cars because they worry they can’t afford it. More worryingly, the survey has revealed some of the scarcely believable ‘bodge’ home repairs that people make to keep their car going and avoid expense.

Nearly one in five (18 percent) said they continue to drive their cars when they know something needs to be fixed. Of those, 13 percent said the issue that needed fixing was ‘very serious’.

It’s the youngest among us that are the most hard-up when it comes to fixing cars. More than one in three 25-34 year-olds admitted to ignoring the need for important repairs. That compares to just seven percent of over-55s.

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So what exactly are we ignoring that needs fixing? More than one in five (23 percent) admitted to driving with faulty brakes because they couldn’t afford repairs. Yes, the one thing you should repair immediately without question.

Other problem parts that were brushed under the rug by owners included suspension, steering, windscreens and exhausts. Bodywork is a common issue that goes ignored, with 39 percent saying they’d left dents, scratches and rot. One in five have left electrical faults to fester. On average, drivers are leaving faults without a fix for ten months.

Bodge jobs

Three in five young drivers admit to using their phone while driving

Sometimes, however, owners turn their own hand to on-the-fly repairs, some of which are little short of shocking. Twenty percent admitted to using quick fixes like gaffer tape, string, newspaper and stockings to plug holes in their car’s functionality.

“There’s no doubt that rising cost of living is squeezing household budgets, forcing people to make difficult choices on how they spend their money,” said Bob Masters from Halfords Autocentres.

“But motorists who avoid repairing safety-critical items such as brakes, steering and suspension could be putting themselves and others in danger.”

MPs seeking ban on pavement parking

Ethan Jupp

September 9, 2019

The Commons Transport Committee says an outright ban on pavement parking across England should be put in place to combat ‘unsightly and obstructive’ parking habits that ‘blight’ communities.

Parking on the pavement has been illegal in London for 45 years and offenders could face a £70 fine. The proposal for a country-wide ban comes as a report highlights the problems it causes.

Pavement-parked cars could present a potentially impassable obstacle for someone with limited sight, or someone on a mobility aid. Parents with young ones in buggies also struggle. Finding an alternative route could mean walking in the road. There are also concerns about the damage that cars do to the pavements.

The report reads: “Pavement parking puts pedestrians in danger when they are forced to move into the road to get around a vehicle or where there are trip hazards due to damage to the pavement.”

‘Parking anarchy’

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“People with mobility or visual impairments, as well as those who care for others, are disproportionately affected.

“It exacerbates, and is a cause of, social isolation and loneliness for people who feel unable to safely leave their homes or are physically prevented from doing so by pavement parking.”

The committee inquiry received more than 400 written submissions, with a majority coming from the public. Representatives from places where the issue is prominent have said that there’s ‘parking anarchy’.

“Motorists may feel they have no choice but to park on the pavement and many try to do so in a considerate way,” said chairman of the committee Lilian Greenwood.

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“But evidence to our inquiry revealed the impact on those with visual and mobility impairments and people with children.

“The Government’s inaction has left communities blighted by unsightly and obstructive pavement parking and individuals afraid or unable to leave their homes or safely navigate the streets.”

The Labour MP did however suggest a degree of pragmatism, just short of a blanket ban. She said that local authorities could create exemptions where appropriate. The committee has also conceded that a widespread ban wouldn’t be an overnight job. It suggested that there would need to be an awareness campaign to educate the public on the problems pavement parking causes.

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