The new Jaguar I-Pace has added German Car of the Year to its extensive list of accolades and awards. Yes, we’ve beaten the Germans on their own turf with the Jaguar I-Pace – arguably the most important car release of 2018.
It’s no small achievement and no small task for the I-Pace. Given another 58 cars to compete with and a panel of 12 expert journalists to impress, Jaguar’s first EV had its work cut out to grab the inaugural gong.
Indeed, the car is an impressive achievement by Jaguar before you ever get behind the wheel. Nearly 300 real-world miles on a charge, class-leading and genre-defining cabin space, classic Jag good looks. All over six months in advance of key German rivals that, when they presented alternatives, didn’t match the I-Pace’s specs. The German judges were impressed.
“The Jaguar I-Pace is not only the first premium electric vehicle from an established manufacturer, it also makes uncompromising use of the advantages of an electrified vehicle architecture,” said Jens Meiners, German Car of the Year award jury member and spokesman.
Driving the I-Pace yields no disappointment, either, displaying the dynamic prowess and pleasing experience you would expect from a big cat. This, among its appealing design and practical credentials, helped earn it this latest praise.
“Its performance is impressive, and its design and practicality stand out, which is why the I-Pace ultimately was the winner against strong competition.”
It just goes to show that the early bird gets the worm, especially if it’s an exceptionally impressive bird…
Engines for the acclaimed Ford Fiesta ST are now coming from Wales as production of the all-new motor begins at Ford’s Bridgend Engine Plant.
£100 million has been invested in the facility to build the new 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ecoboost petrol engine, in a project dubbed the Dragon engine programme.
The Welsh government has supported the investment and Ford says the resultant line is all-new, fully-flexible and “state-of-the-art”. Engines produced on it will also go into the new Ford Focus.
“I’m personally very proud to see production start of this all-new engine here in Bridgend, said Wallace Yearwood, plant manager of the South Wales facility.
“It’s the result of a significant investment in the plant, a plant which has a long-established history of delivering world-class engines, and we will make this engine another success.”
“We are proud to have played a part in developing this world class manufacturing facility,” said Welsh energy and transport secretary Ken Skates, “and look forward to continuing to work with the company and workforce to ensure a bright future for the plant at Bridgend, despite the upcoming challenges of Brexit.”
Ford adds the engine isn’t just built in Britain, but was also partly designed here. Engineers at the Ford Dunton Technical Centre worked with colleagues in Germany to create the new motor which, in the Fiesta ST, produces 200hp yet also averages 47.9mpg.
The news does, however, come in the same week Ford bosses temporarily closed the production line for Jaguar Land Rover engines. The former Ford-owned British brands still use V6 and V8 engines from the blue oval, and several shutdowns in its Midlands factories are having a knock-on effect with suppliers such as Ford.
The company will cease producing engines for Jaguar Land Rover entirely in September 2020.
While the new Ford Dragon engine is good news for Bridgend, BBC Wales’ Sarah Dickins says the new programme will only make a quarter of the engines Bridgend has been building up to now: it remains to be seen what will take the place of the JLR line when production ends – and what else Ford Bridgend, the largest employer in the region, can build.
Ford has teamed up with camera car company Pursuit Systems to create a custom Edge ST crossover for filming Hollywood chase scenes.
The journey from Edge ST crossover to fully fledged camera car is a long modification-addled one. First and foremost on an extensive list of mods was a 1,000-pound (450kg) pursuit arm, from which cinema-quality cameras are mounted.
The 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine has also been upgraded, to help keep the Edge ST brisk under the weight of camera operators, their gear and that massive rig. Four-corner air suspension has been added to manage the weight and keep the Edge ST level and even, too. We’re sure camera operators will also appreciate the smoother ride.
Inside, the Edge has been completely stripped out and wired up for the addition of monitor equipment. There’s a nice big roll cage, too. On the outside, aside from the massive rig, the Edge has got that typical camera car black wrap, so it doesn’t create reflections for fans of Greatest Movie Mistakes to call out.
Camera car fleets are typically comprised of high-powered full-size SUVs such as X5 Ms and ML63 AMGs. The Edge will be joining such cars on the existing Pursuit Systems fleet. Perhaps the Edge represents a step change for camera car convention. Still spacious, still fast but more nimble and wieldy. It’s certainly a more compact camera car proposition than the two big Germans.
“Speed, acceleration, braking, handling, even roominess – Edge ST has it all,” said Mike Johnson, racer, stunt driver and Pursuit Systems president and CEO.
“Our shoots often demand a lot of the equipment we use, and especially the vehicles. In every way, Edge ST measures up.”
We’ll be first to say Ford couldn’t have picked a cooler car to be the subject of the Edge ST’s camera testing, too…
There is no shortage of extreme machinery on offer at the 2018 SEMA Show, but this latest offering from Wisconsin-based SpeedKore could take some beating.
Officially titled as ‘Evolution’, this 1970 Dodge Charger has certainly undergone a process of development. The car first found fame in The Fast and Furious movie, wearing the name ‘Tantrum and powered by a 1,650hp 9.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine.
However, SpeedKore promises that the changes are huge, and that Evolution represents “the most advanced 1970 Dodge Charger” anywhere on the globe. A bold claim, but one that is backed up with fastidious engineering.
Turned down for what?
In a world where adding more power seems a natural occurrence, the Evolution Charger bucks the trend.
Outgoes the previous Mercury Racing engine, and in comes the 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 from the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. It has been upgraded from the stock 840hp, and now produces a verified 966hp at the rear wheels.
Whilst that may be almost 700hp less, SpeedKore maintains that this makes the Evolution easier to drive. And don’t worry, 1,000hp is still capable of offering “tremendous acceleration” according to SpeedKore Vice President Dave Salvaggio.
Classic lines, modern materials
Aiding that performance is a complete overhaul of the Charger’s construction. Lightweight carbon fibre is employed extensively, matched with bespoke billet aluminium components, to meet a target weight of 1,450kg (3,200 pounds).
Much like SpeedKore’s lightweight Demon, carbon fibre is used to create every body panel on the Charger. That includes a single one-piece carbon fibre roof, created in a special autoclave, along with the doors, bumpers and quarter panels.
All the carbon fibre panels are left with a polished clear coat, allowing the natural weave to be seen. The billet aluminium pieces, including the exquisitely detailed door handles, have a bronze-nickel coating to make them stand out.
Devil in the detail
Whilst the Evolution Charger might be impressive as a whole, delving into the individual details demonstrates the thoroughness of the build process.
Those door handles feature a narrow strip of carbon fibre running through them, whilst the boot is lined with meticulously stitched leather. In fact, the entire interior features a custom remake, with a bespoke dashboard, CNC-milled steering wheel, and Recaro bucket seats.
SpeedKore also produced a custom 14-point roll cage, mounting fuel and oil lines hidden inside to keep the carbon and leather clad interior neat. Even the classic Charger pistol-grip shifter gets a carbon makeover, connected to a Tremec six-speed gearbox.
Show stopper
All other major components feature motorsport-inspired upgrades. This includes the Penske adjustable coilover suspension, Brembo GT brakes, and HRE alloy wheels. The latter feature the same bronze-nickel colour, and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres.
SpeedKore won a Best in Show award at the 2017 SEMA Show, claiming the prize for a special Ford Mustang, created for Robert Downey Jr. Given the attention to detail applied to the Evolution Charger, it would seem a safe assumption that this carbon-clad muscle car will collect more silverware this year.
The new McLaren Speedtail is the latest (and one of the most controversial) in a long line of whale tail wonders. Indeed, cars have used big bums to stay steady at serious speeds, both on and off the track, for more than 50 years. These are some of the greatest whale tails in motoring.
McLaren Speedtail
The Speedtail, McLaren’s latest entry into the long tail club, isn’t actually called a ‘Longtail’. Lord oh lord, does it have one, though. It’s a full 17 feet long. All in the name of stability at speed, of course.
Porsche 935 GT2
The reborn 935 was Porsche’s gift to itself for its 70th birthday, built in tribute to the original whale-tailed Moby Dick racer of the late 1970s. Just 77 of these track-only specials will be built, each based on the 991 GT2 RS. Perhaps the most obvious modification is that extended backside.
McLaren P1 GT
Lanzante’s last (for now) fettled P1 is a tribute to the original ‘Longtail’ McLaren F1 GT of the late 1990s. It looks properly cool with a few extra inches at the rear, a fixed wing and four exhausts. Lovely green colour, too, also courtesy of the original Longtail GT.
Koenigsegg Regera
The Koenigsegg Regera employs a lightly extended rear end to help house electrical systems and extra cooling. Koenigsegg is proud of its hypercar’s gearless direct-drive transmission. Like the Speedtail, the hybrid Regera is also a ‘hyper GT’ rather than a track-focused supercar.
Hennessey Venom GT
The Hennessey Venom GT is a bit of a barn door hypercar, being, to all appearances, a heavily modified Lotus Exige. But 1,200hp courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 is as serious as any factory effort. Beautifully extended carbon fibre bodywork helps keep this 260mph+ hypercar on the straight and narrow.
Maserati MC12
The Maserati MC12 put the wing in whale tail. Essentially a Ferrari Enzo re-purposed for GT1 racing, the big Maser features a suitably engorged rump to hang serious aero from.
Nissan R390
Nissan’s little-known GT1 racer is perhaps the coolest unicorn on this list. Once again, it features that long, swooping teardrop style, designed to help the car remain rock-solid at speed. There’s more than a little of this in the new Speedtail.
McLaren F1 GT
The original Longtail, the racing F1 GT was a response to the Porsche 911 GT1 and Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, and an effort keep the ageing hypercar competitive at Le Mans. Just three homologated road cars were made.
Jaguar XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220 was arguably the first mid-engined hypercar aimed primarily at top speed. The clue is in the name. This long-bottomed beauty came out somewhat half-baked, however. The promised V12 and four-wheel drive were swapped for a V6 twin-turbo engine and rear-drive. That promised 220mph top speed fell to 212mph, too.
Porsche 935 ‘Moby Dick’
The original Moby Dick is one of the most legendary racers ever made, in spite of it not being the success Porsche had hoped. ‘Moby Dick’ was a nickname given by Porsche engineers, given its extended whale tail appearance.
Ferrari 512 BBLM
In typical Group 5 racing fashion, the Ferrari 512 BBLM is a hare-brained exaggeration of the road-going Berlinetta Boxer. That includes an extended tail (in which you can see gorgeous snaking exhaust manifolds), plus ground-hugging bodywork. One of Ferrari’s coolest sports racers.
McLaren M6 GT
Before Speedtail, before the F1, there came the M6 GT. Bruce McLaren’s plan was to turn the abandoned prototype into one of the first bona fide supercars. Running a tuned Chevrolet V8 and wearing svelte, wedge-shaped bodywork (complete with a lengthy backside), the M6 GT was a knockout. The project was permanently shelved after Bruce’s death in June 1970, however.
Porsche 917 Langheck
Langheck, or ‘Long Rear’ in English, is the name that defined a body style. Extended tail gave the 917 the profile it needed to knock on the door of 250mph at Le Mans in 1970. This tapering tail has featured on countless Porsche racers since.
Ferrari 512 Coda Lunga
Locked in the heat of battle with Porsche, Ferrari’s own Long Tail (‘Coda Lunga’) took the fight to the Langheck. Like many of the Scuderia’s sports cars of the era, though, it wasn’t the runaway Maranello had hoped for.
Ford F3L P68
A longtail in form but not in name, the P68 Group 6 prototype was an attempt to carry on the legend of the successful Ford GTs. Hiding an F1-proven Cosworth DFV engine under swooping bodywork, it wasn’t exactly a smash hit on the circuit, but it’s an unforgettable shape nonetheless.
Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced what’s described as the biggest ever cash injection for England’s major roads in the 2018 Budget.
The flagship £28.8 billion National Roads Fund upgrade plan will run from 2020-2025, and forms the major part of a £25.3 billion budget for Highways England, called Roads Investment Strategy 2.
This is a 40 percent increase on the previous five-year plan’s £17.6 billion (dubbed Roads Investment Strategy 1) – and it will be raised largely from ring-fencing Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). This was announced in the 2015 Budget by then chancellor George Osborne, following claims only 25p in every £1 raised from VED was being spent on roads.
Chancellor: As autumn takes hold, I am making an additional £420m available immediately to Local Highway Authorities…
…to tackle potholes, bridge repairs, and other minor works in this financial year. #Budget2018pic.twitter.com/pMoSMF0qID
The government also announced £3.5 billion of ‘new money’. This will be used by local councils to upgrade major local roads that fall outside the control of Highways England.
Another £150 million will be provided to improve problematic road junctions and congestion hotspots, benefitting all road users, not just motorists.
The UK’s pothole scourge was addressed in the 2018 Budget with an extra £420 million for road repairs. This is on top of a previous £300 million pothole fund (although the Asphalt Industry Alliance says to fix all England’s potholes would actually cost £8 billion).
The Chancellor said the £420 million sum “will be available immediately, to local highway authorities, for fixing potholes, bridge repairs and other minor repairs”.
There’s also a £680 million commitment to supporting sustainable transport in cities – that’s buses, trams and cycling routes. From 2022, Future Mobility Zones will be created with £90 million from the Transforming Cities Fund. The Treasury says this will help “trial new transport modes, services, and digital payments and ticketing”. The West Midlands region alone will receive £20 million of it.
As earlier announced by Prime Minister Theresa May, fuel duty has been frozen for the ninth successive year. “This will keep the cost of fuel down for millions of drivers across the UK,” said the Chancellor, “saving people around £800 million this year alone.”
The saving to the average car driver will be more than £1,000, and for the average van driver, £2,500.
Chancellor…we will freeze fuel duties for the ninth successive year…
…bringing the total saving to the average car driver to over £1,000…
The tougher new WLTP fuel economy test has raised the CO2 emissions of many big-selling cars, with particular impact on company car tax. The government says it will review the impact of WLTP, both on VED and company car tax, in the spring.
How to find the cheapest petrol and diesel near you
Ahead of this, VED and company car fuel benefit charges will increase in line with RPI.
The 2018 Budget also hinted that greater changes to motoring taxation are being considered. “Technology is changing many aspects of the economy – including the vehicles we drive – and the government is considering how the tax system will need to adapt to manage those changes.” Could this be an early indication of road pricing, perhaps?
2018 Budget for motorists: reaction
SMMT
“There are some welcome announcements in the Budget,” said Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief executive Mike Hawes, but “the automotive industry was looking for a stimulus to boost a flagging market. We wanted to see more incentives for consumers to purchase the latest, most environmentally friendly vehicles.
“The forthcoming review into the impact of WLTP on Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax must, therefore, ensure that motorists buying the latest, cleanest cars are not unfairly penalised. Industry looks forward to working closely with government on this review to ensure we encourage the newest, cleanest vehicles on to our roads rather than incentivising consumers and businesses to keep older vehicles going longer.”
RAC
“This is good news for the nation’s motorists,” said RAC chief engineer David Bizley. “While the focus of this cash injection is on strategic major roads, it is also positive that other local roads will benefit to some extent. But what is also needed going forward is a similar long-term strategy and funding for the maintenance and improvement of all local roads so that we can, over 10 years, eliminate the backlog.”
BVRLA
“The BVRLA was dismayed to hear that the Budget included no reference to an early introduction for the 2 percent company car tax rate for electric vehicles,” said chief executive Gerry Keaney. “The Chancellor chose to ignore the overwhelming voice of fleets, motoring groups, business organisations, environmental groups and MPs – all of whom were united in calling for this simple tax measure to support the electric vehicle market.
“The Government has missed a golden opportunity to incentivise the most important market for electric cars and is in danger of undermining its own Road to Zero strategy. “
Cox Automotive
Philip Nothard, customer insight and strategy director at automotive solutions provider Cox Automotive UK, said: “This was a very broad budget. We now need to have a real look into the detail and what it actually means for car owners.
“The freeze in fuel duty is obviously welcomed but there didn’t appear anything new, with no obvious references to challenges that the industry currently faces such as WLTP, autonomous vehicles and #dieselgate”.
Paul Johnson, IFS director
9th year of freezing fuel duties. Very expensive indeed. Here’s a picture of the absurd way in which this is announced each year but never built in for the future pic.twitter.com/2HdLha04MV
Amongst all the distracting slogans & talk of poaching rabbits, think I’ve just heard the Chancellor announce a bigger lump sum for fixing potholes than for schools. #Budget2018
A special one-off Selfridges Edition Land Rover Defender Works V8 is now on permanent display in the London store – after being disassembled, hoisted through a first-floor window 11 metres off the ground and rebuilt on the shop floor.
The new exhibit for the Oxford Street store’s Designer Street Room menswear department will be left unlocked for visitors to sit in. Selfridges’ Sebastian Manes says the Defender will “act as a platform for our art and fashion partners and is a key feature within this dynamic space”.
It’s going to be an “ongoing relationship that will celebrate creativity and design in an unexpected way,” he added. Sounds like there’s plenty more to come.
Which will be just reward for the team of Land Rover Classic technicians who worked flat-out to build the Defender from a rolling chassis in just four days. It took more than 930 man hours to create the vehicle, said Land Rover.
Jaguar Land Rover Classic director, Tim Hannig, said: “This may be the most quickly-assembled one-off Defender in the world, but it will be on display at Selfridges in London long enough for customers to enjoy.”
Prior to the V8 conversion, it was a 2016 Defender 110 2.2 TDCi Pick up. Five months of craftsmanship at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works saw it turned into the one-off Selfridges Edition.
The 405hp V8 gives it a 237 percent power boost, and bespoke Selfridges features include Bronze Green metallic paint, branded hood in Selfridges yellow, retro seats and plenty of Selfridges badges. There are 25 bespoke parts over and above the 70th Edition Works.
It’s a prime bit of product placement for Land Rover: an estimated two million Selfridges customers will see it each year, and it’s likely to form a key part of the store’s 110th anniversary next year.
Land Rover Selfridges Edition Defender: in pictures
Comparison experts Quotezone have collated numbers on the most dangerous places in the country to own a car. Perhaps unsurprisingly, our Capital takes the cake.
The locations are ranked for both accident rates and vehicle offence rates. Vehicle offences include anything criminal involving a car: theft of, and from, and anything else in between
Topping the list with a dramatic car danger rate of 97.86 is City of London. Second-placed Northern Scotland is way, way back at 28.17.
The safest place to own a car, out of 45 policing regions, is North Wales, enjoying a danger rate of 7.29. In general, southern and eastern areas including Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex are in the bottom half of safest places to have a car.
Norfolk, however, is third to the top of the safest, with a car danger rate of 8.98. Quite the achievement compared to neighbouring Lincolnshire, with 12.37.
Worryingly, vehicle-related theft is said to be on the up, rising 17 percent between 2016 and 2017. Furthermore, vehicle offences such as speeding and drink driving are up 12 percent.
As for how to reduce the chances of your car coming under attack, the following measures can do a world of good:
Keep valuables out of site – a car packed with visible treasures can look like an easy target
Turn your wheel to the curb – if robbers trigger your steering lock, they’ll have a hard time moving it away from the curb
Install an anti-theft system – whether it’s a tracker, an immobiliser or an alarm, or all of the above
When it comes to car crime, every little helps. Don’t give the criminals an easy ride.
70 years of Jaguar sports cars is being marked with a new special edition, the F-Type Chequered Flag. It’s on sale now with prices starting from £62,335.
The car that celebrates 70 years since the launch of the Jaguar XK 120 is itself marked out by a number of chequered flag logos: on the rear, the steering wheel and seats.
It’s all pretty subtle, but the Windsor leather interior is more standout (pick contrast stitching in either red or cirrus). Performance Seats are fitted, there’s an Ebony suedecloth rooflining and dark brushed aluminium centre console to complement them, plus a steering wheel with a red ‘top centre’ marker.
Colours? Caldera Red, Fuji White or Carpanthian Grey. All are fitted with Chequered Flag-unique gloss black 20-inch wheels with diamond turned finish, and coupes get a gloss black contrast roof.
There’s a new treat for the Touch Pro infotainment system too: the 10-inch touchscreen comes as stadnard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (following its JLR introduction on the I-Pace earlier this year), plus a fancy Meridian sound system.
Jaguar offers the Chequered Flag either with the 300hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, or the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 in 340hp or 380hp all-wheel drive guise.
“In creating the Chequered Flag,” said Jaguar design director Ian Callum, “we’ve focused on details which enhance the F-Type’s presence and promise of performance – and in doing so, made a fitting celebration of 70 years of beautiful, fast Jaguar sports cars.”
Jaguar F-Type: 20MY changes
Jaguar has announced other tweaks for the F-Type range, as part of a 20MY (2020 model year) upgrade. Standard fitment to all F-Type is a rear parking camera and front park aid.
The F-Type R has been given the damping tune of the higher-performance SVR, improving ride quality at lower speeds. There’s up to 24 percent less damping force at slow speed, but up to 30 percent more stiffness at higher speed.
The SVR’s rear upper ball joint has also been fitted to the R, plus modified rear knuckle and upper control arm.
The 20MY Jaguar F-Type range is priced from £51,925 and is open for ordering now.
Caffeine and Machine is a new coffee house, bar, restaurant and B&B that celebrates cars and motorcycles in the most unashamedly passionate way – and proof that petrolheads are already embracing the concept has come from the crowds flocking to its opening weekend.
Located in Ettington, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Caffeine and Machine has seen a local B&B and restaurant , The Houndshill, transformed into a destination for enthusiasts of every persuasion. Everyone is welcome, nothing is frowned upon: “No judgement, no sneering, no worries.”
The main house has been fully redeveloped in an exhaustive (and high end) refurbishment, and the grounds remodelled to be car- and motorcycle-friendly. Supercar friendly at that, judging by the number of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches who were there for the opening day.
Outside, a huge marquee tent supplies the caffeine to complement the machines, fuelling what will surely be regular ‘cars and coffee’ meets at the site in months and years to come. Non-drivers could grab a beer from the main house, and the Caffeine and Machine Roadhouse cooked up food that the owners say will have “even die-hard foodies coming back”. I can vouch for how amazing the burgers looked.
Motoring journalist and TV star Tom Ford is one of the partners in the project led by successful businessman Phil McGovern. On the opening day, he was busy. “I don’t know where to put them all!” he said, as another Ferrari and another Lamborghini turned up on site. With a look of delight, he agreed it was a nice problem to have.
Caffeine and Machine is already on the map, judging by the crowds in attendance, the full car parks, the breathtaking variety of cars that turned up, the dozens of cars parked on the verge outside and in the lanes surrounding the site. The Ace Cafe of the Midlands? The Goodwood of the north? It will be fascinating to see how it develops.
Having visited it, I can say excitement that everything Caffeine & Machine speaks of on its website appears to be true. I can’t wait to go back. Be sure to visit when you can, and look out for an events calendar to come at some point. It’s everything an unashamed petrolhead like me loves, and I’m certain you’ll feel the same.
“Caffeine and Machine offers everything you expect from a modern member’s club – except you don’t have to be a member to enjoy it”, say the owners. Nailed it: bravo, guys.
Engines for the acclaimed 
A special one-off Selfridges Edition 
70 years of Jaguar sports cars is being marked with a new special edition, the F-Type Chequered Flag. It’s on sale now with prices starting from £62,335.
