Paul Stephens restores and modifies Porsche 911s. Its latest car is its most ambitious yet – the Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport, which costs from £250,000 and is limited to just 10 models.
Now, ordering has opened, with an added incentive: each owner will get to attend the 2020 Le Mans Classic, sprint to their new car in front of the grandstands and then take their first drive on a parade lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe.
The car’s been limited to 10 to celebrate a decade of the Le Mans Classic event. It’s even been officially licenced with the organisers of the event, Peter Auto and the ACO, so is as official as can be.
After its reveal in Central London, which Motoring Research attended, the car has been on a tour of major enthusiast events, including the recent 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed and Silverstone Classic.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our Le Mans Classic Clubsport edition, but now the hard work sets in,” said company founder and MD Paul Stephens.
“After touring Europe with the car this month, we’ve now started production for the first confirmed build slots. With each car taking 3,000 man hours to create, it’s going to be an exciting, but busy time in the workshop between now and the 2020 event.”
What is the Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport? A 300hp, 3.4-litre, air-cooled 911, boasting a period Getrag G50 gearbox mated to a lightened flywheel and limited-slip differential. The engine has an ECU that’s been mapped in-house, RS-spec camshafts, lightened and balanced crankshaft, lightened conrods and a GT3 plenum.
It’s offered in two guises, Lightweight or Touring. Touring weighs 1,075kg, Lightweight is just that, coming in at just 970kg.
For one Wednesday every July, the small Hertfordshire town of Harpenden is invaded by classic cars. This is Classics on the Common: the UK’s biggest – and certainly most eclectic – ‘week day’ car show, and it takes place right on Motoring Research’s doorstep.
This year was the 25th anniversary of CotC and a new rule was introduced: vehicles, other than motorcycles and scooters had to be 26 years or older – i.e. built in 1992 or before. Oddly, this didn’t seem to apply to those who turned up in nearly-new Ferraris, but still…
The sheer variety of cars on Harpenden common is what makes this show special. We spotted everything from Austin Metros to a Lamborghini Countach. There were also plenty of American cars this year: hot rods, yank tanks, V8 muscle cars and more. In short, there was something for everyone.
Video: Classics on the Common 2018
Below, each member of the MR team selects their favourite three cars from the show and explains their reasons for choosing them. The writers in question are Richard Aucock, Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, Bradley Lawrence, John Moroney, John Redfern and Tim Pitt.
Let us know if you agree with our choices in the comments below.
Tim: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
When it comes to hot hatchbacks, there’s nowt more iconic than a Mars Red Mk1 Golf GTI. There are also nostalgic reasons behind my choice, however. Back in the early 2000s, I had an X-reg 1.6 GTI that looked exactly like this. It wasn’t the best car I’ve ever owned, but it’s the one I remember most fondly.
Today is Harpenden’s annual car event, Classics on the Common. Motoring Research’s Bradley is out and about all afternoon filming the fantastic cars.#ClassicsOnTheCommon
This particular GTI is a bit special, having been converted to ‘RE1850’ spec in-period by the legendary GTI Engineering. The complete conversion cost £3,935 and included a heavy-duty clutch, four-branch exhaust manifold and Sachs dampers.
Richard: Dodge Challenger R/T
This insanely cool Dodge was one of the many American cars on show at Classics on the Common. It’s the perfect colour, the perfect spec, and the condition is pretty much perfect as well. What’s not to love?
Particularly as, being an R/T, it has a 383 cu in (6.28-litre) V8 under the bonnet (sorry, hood). What this means for fuel bills here in the UK doesn’t bear thinking about, but the Magnum V8, rated at 335hp, undoubtedly delivered the muscle to go with its muscle car appearance, so it’s worth hitting the limit on the credit card.
This is a really early Challenger; the model was only introduced in 1970, as a bigger and more luxurious sister car to the Ford Mustang-fighting Charger. The sheer originality of this one proves the owner’s very much in love with it, and rightly so. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, R/T stands for road and track. Call it a track-day special ahead of its time.
The American horsepower wars were raging by the mid-1960s, and there was no replacement for displacement. At the bottom of Ford’s full-size models were the sparsely-appointed six-cylinder grocery getters, but near the top of the line sat the sporty and luxurious Galaxie 500 XL.
In Ford-speak, ‘XL’ meant a standard V8, bucket seats and a console, along with special trim and interior touches. Power choices for 1966 ranged from the 200hp, 289-cid Challenger V8 all the way to the deliciously bonkers 425hp Cobra 427.
The first cars have arrived outside MR HQ in Harpenden for Classics on the Common.
Even with an emphasis on performance, the Galaxie XL was billed as superior to the quietest cars Europe had to offer. This particular example looks factory-fresh in Ivy Green and pinstripes, with Rallye wheel covers and chrome everything. It’s equipped with the 352-cid Interceptor V8, a name that evokes nothing but high-speed car chases and endless desert highways. Let’s cruise.
Bradley: Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta
One esteemed Ferrari expert told us the 458 Speciale is the greatest road-going Ferrari ever made. And who are we to argue?
This, however, is no ‘ordinary’ Speciale, but a one-of-499 Aperta – with a folding metal hard-top and a top speed of 199mph (presumably with the roof closed). As with most limited-edition Ferraris, the Aperta is already worth more than list price when new in 2014. One example recently sold for in excess of £600,000.
Gavin: Vauxhall Cavalier SR
The second-generation, front-wheel-drive Vauxhall Cavalier – or ‘Lutonian Ascona’, as Motor Sport labelled it – arrived in 1981, replacing the old rear-wheel drive-model. The sporting SR was powered by a new 1.6-litre ‘Family II’ engine and featured a two-tone paint job, ‘Highland Check’ Recaro seats, a full set of dashboard instruments and a thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel.
It was produced for a single year before a 1.8-litre fuel-injected Cavalier SRi was launched, making the SR extremely rare. This 1982 example is one of 20 in the UK – four registered/16 SORN – and is wearing its original Northern Ireland registration, albeit with new plates.
John R: Ford Econoline Van
Feel free to call me a hipster, but there is something irrepressibly charming about the Econoline from the 1960s. Not only did it begin one of Ford’s longest-running nameplates – spanning 56 years – it also kick-started modern van design in the USA. Intended to compete with the Volkswagen Type 2, the Econoline placed the engine between the front seats to create a flat and spacious rear cargo area.
Ford offered various bodywork options, including a pick-up truck and a camper variant to compete with that pesky Volkswagen. Due to the layout chosen by Ford, only a straight-six engine would fit, meaning there was no V8 power from the factory. That hasn’t stopped the Econoline from being the choice for customisers, though – and mine should I decide to open an artisan coffee shop one day.
Tim: Ford Lotus Cortina
This one’s a sentimental choice, too. Last year, Motoring Research recently helped reunite a reader with the Lotus Cortina he’d owned four decades ago. While watching ‘Car SOS’ on TV, Rob Jones spotted ‘his’ Cortina in Ford’s heritage workshop. He called us, we called them, and the result was a visit to Dagenham and a special day for a Ford fan.
The Lotus Cortina is arguably the first fast Ford. Its 106hp Lotus engine, close-ratio gearbox and lightweight alloy panels meant 0-60mph in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 108mph. A legend on both the road and the racetrack, it’s now a sought-after classic.
What I wouldn’t do to own a 911 as period as this one. Built in 1971, it’s a matching-numbers car, recently restored to concours standard so it looks showroom-fresh both outside and in. If I owned it, I would treasure it and consider it a life goal achieved.
I could do, too: there was a note in the windscreen saying it was for sale. Just after we finished filming our video, the owner came up to me. If I liked it that much, it could be mine – for £110,000…
Bradley: Volkswagen Camper T2
A boiling hot day at Classics on the Common makes you want to flee the Home Counties and head for the seaside. And what better car for the job than a Volkswagen camper? Since the sixties, this air-cooled icon has been the minibus of choice for surfers, beach bums and – nowadays – well-heeled enthusiasts.
This T2 camper looks fairly innocuous until you spot its stance; air suspension means it’s absolutely on the floor. Thankfully, the ability to ‘pump up’ to a semi-sensible ride height means it can actually exit the field.
John M: Ford LTD
Accustomed as Europeans are to reasonably-sized automobiles, it might be hard to imagine just how immense this 1972 Ford LTD really is. If you were to stretch a line of LTDs from central London through Paris, Moscow, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and so on all the way to the sun, the total number required would be two.
As a classic example of the American ‘personal luxury’ automotive ethos of the 1970s, the LTD sported acres of chrome, a vinylised faux-landau top and a mix of heraldic crests and laurel wreaths for emblems. Inside, more vinyl covered every conceivable surface: bench seats, doors, dash and roof. Even the wood trim was vinyl.
Under the hood, buyers had the choice of a 5.8-, 6.6-, or 7.0-litre V8s, the most powerful of which produced just 208hp in 1972.Even the most economical version only managed 15.2mpg.
While it may sound like we’re being harsh on this beautiful LTD, nothing could be further from the truth. What we are doing is illustrating the level of love and dedication this car’s owner clearly feels towards the vehicle. Bravo!
To buy a Mitsubishi Colt Cordia Turbo new, you’d have needed to look beyond some of the more established members of the coupe set, such as the Ford Capri, Renault Fuego, Toyota Celica, Opel Manta and Honda Prelude. It was powered by a turbocharged engine, mated to what was essentially an eight-speed gearbox. Or rather, a four-speed unit with a ratio selector for ‘Power’ and ‘Economy’.
If a buyer managed to resist the lure of a more familiar name, they’d have been rewarded with a 1.6-litre car with the performance of a 2.0-litre (0-60mph in nine seconds). It also had lower drag coefficient than a Porsche 928, fuel economy in the mid 40s and more toys than the Generation Game conveyor belt. Cool thing.
John R: Audi Quattro
As Audi launches another new Q3 SUV, it’s easy to sometimes forget where the four-wheel-drive roots of the brand come from. But here they are: the original Quattro. First launched in 1980, the Quattro combined a five-cylinder turbocharged engine with Audi’s eponymous 4WD system, offering performance whatever the road conditions might be.
It also made for a highly effective rally car, with the Group B Quattros gaining huge horsepower and gigantic wings. This late-model road car underwent a thorough restoration, having been left abandoned in a field by its previous owner. A bare metal respray in Satin Black was matched with a rebuild for the 2.2-litre 200hp engine, bringing it back to full, warbling glory.
Tim: Ginetta G15
This one’s my wildcard. You’ve possibly never heard of Ginetta, but this tiny British company has been building compact, lightweight and affordable sports cars since 1958. Think of it as the underdog Lotus (which, in turn, is the underdog Porsche) and you get the idea.
The pretty G15 seen here was built from 1967 to 1974. Its tiny glassfibre body clothes a tubular steel chassis and 875cc Hillman Imp engine. Most were sold in kit form.
Richard: Ford Escort XR3i
These used to be everywhere. Where I grew up in the 1980s, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was the avant-garde choice for those yuppie city types. In the English Midlands, the XR3i ruled. It was the supercar of suburbia and I was as besotted as everyone else by it.
Not bad for a car with 105hp, rather below even the 118hp of the Golf GTI 8v, and leagues away from the 250hp of today’s Focus ST. . Zero to 60mph in 8.6 seconds was pretty decent for the time, though, and certainly gave the Escort clout in the inevitable traffic light grand prix.
This one’s a relatively late one: the Mk4 update was coming, with the rounded nose, body-colour rear spoiler and general appearance of sophistication that really would cement the XR3i’s blue collar desirability. Present and correct are the cloverleaf alloys, the fog lamps and the body-colour paint on the door mirrors. I’d prefer Rosso Red but Strato Silver’s still nice. Yes, it takes me right back, this.
Last but not least, I’ve chosen this attitude-packed BMW 325i. The E30 3 Series is perhaps the classic BMW design, accentuated here by a factory-fit M Sport bodykit and period BBS split-rim alloys. If only the current 3er looked this cool.
Interestingly, the 325i was also available in four-wheel drive ‘iX’ spec and – for the South African market – as the sportier 325iS. The latter car’s 194hp Alpina-tuned engine made it scarcely slower than the contemporary E30 M3 (at least in a straight line).
John M: Chevrolet ‘Advance Design’ Pickup
After doing its part for the war effort, Chevrolet resumed production of civilian pickups in 1946 and released the all-new Advance Design series in 1947.
The new truck represented a giant stride forward in both capability and comfort, with a powerful 216-cubic six-cylinder engine that made 78hp and 170lb ft of torque. The cab was quite roomy, with an adjustable bench seat that could fit three people. The dash could accept a radio, and the handsome new truck could even be ordered with a heater/defroster unit.
Advance Design pickups were best-sellers throughout their production run, and remain wildly popular with Americans even today. Especially with a layer of patina like this 1947-1950 model.
Gavin: Iso Grifo
“It is one of the world’s best looking, fastest, two-seaters… remarkable performance figures: top speed almost 165mph (it does 84mph in second and 108mph in third!” The words of Denis Holmes in the Daily Mail. The Giotto Bizzarrini-engineered car was a playboy’s delight, with its exotic Giugiaro-penned styling and American V8 engine.
This is a 1968 example, powered by a 5.4-litre Corvette small-block V8 – later models featured a big-block Chevy V8 and Ford V8 – and it is, perhaps, the most effortlessly stylish car on display in Harpenden. It’s also the absolute antithesis of my other choices.
John R: Chevrolet C3 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car
Produced between 1968 and 1982, over 540,000 examples of the third-generation ‘C3’ Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet production line. With a design inspired by fast-swimming mako sharks, the C3 was intended to be more advanced and futuristic than previous ’Vette models. V8 engines were standard throughout, but options ranged from the ‘Small Block’ 5.4-litre unit with 300hp, to the giant 7.4-litre with 460hp.
For 1978 the Corvette was chosen as the pace car for the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race. A special edition was produced, accounting for 15% of Corvettes made that year. The two-tone paintwork was standard, as were silver leather sports seats. Pace car decal stickers were supplied unfitted, leaving the tricky task of lining them up straight to the first owner.
Vuhl has finally launched the new production-ready high-performance version of its lightweight sports car, the 05RR – and for now, it is exclusively available to drive on Forza Motorsport 7.
The Mexican ultra-lightweight sports car firm says it is planning to roll out the 05RR for real-world drivers later in the year, but in a treat to gamers, it’s offering it to them first.
It’s coming as part of the garage in the Top Gear Car Pack update. Bosses insist the game designers have accurately carried across all details of the car, such as chassis response, handling and engine characteristics.
Iker Echeverria is Vuhl’s technical director, and says the 05RR is the product of evolution and development of the original £60k Vuhl 05 behind the scenes.
“We have beaten all of our rivals at various track demonstrations with our latest iteration, and we really want to share this remarkable lightweight driving experience with the world.
“This is where Forza Motorsport comes in – available globally and at no extra cost, gamers have no excuse not to try the new VUHL. I hope it is enjoyed as much as we loved working on the development of the car!”
The Vuhl 05RR is powered by a 385hp 2.3-litre Ford Ecoboost engine (the same as that in the Ford Mustang) which takes it from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds.
The car was first seen in prototype guise back in 2016; it weighs just 640kg, thanks to its carbon figure and aluminium composite structure, giving a power-to-weight ratio of well over 600hp per tonne.
It’s been a little while coming, but eager enthusiasts will soon finally be able to order the road-going trackday-special. Although gamers may not get the full real-world experience, they do both have a head-start over the real-world buyers, and are getting it for free, rather than from upwards of £90,000…
Forget crossovers and SUVs, what Britain’s motorists really want is a pick-up. That’s according to data released by CarGurus.
By analysing the number of shoppers searching for every model with at least 1,000 cars for sale since the start of the year, it has created a so-called ‘Desirability Score’, which puts the Ford Ranger at the top of the list.
Ford’s lifestyle utility vehicle is joined in the top 10 by the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200. According to CarGurus, the Ranger is the most in-demand car of the year, with 66 people searching for every model available.
“When we’re buying our next car, we naturally consider the practicalities of the vehicle and search for the model that best fits our needs,” says James Drake of CarGurus. “But what if there were no restrictions?
“The CarGurus Desirability Score is the automotive equivalent of window shopping – it shows the models we are most curious about or desire, even if our circumstances make a purchase unrealistic.”
The Porsche 911 is the only non-SUV or pick-up to make the top 10, with 39 users searching for every model on sale.
The top 10 in full
Ford Ranger: 66 (Desirability Score)
Range Rover: 50
Audi Q7: 45
Land Rover Discovery: 42
Porsche 911: 39
Toyota Hilux: 34
Nissan Navara: 33
Volvo XC90: 33
BMW X5: 31
Mitsubishi L200: 27
The most desirable rare cars
CarGurus also analysed models with fewer than 100 cars for sale since the start of the year to create a Desirability Score for the rarest cars in Britain. We’re not sure how watertight it is, because it fails to mention the Sao Penza, which is undoubtedly the most desirable rare car.
The Maserati Quattroporte finishes top with a score of 422, while there’s a surprising mention for the Dodge Nitro. Remember that?
Maserati Quattroporte: 422 (Desirability Score)
Bentley Arnage: 338
Audi RS4 saloon: 334
Volkswagen California: 267 points
Dodge Nitro: 259 points
Lamborghini Gallardo: 254
Audi RS7: 210
Ah, our mistake – it looks like CarGurus copy and pasted the top 10 without the cars in 8th, 9th and 10th. We must assume that these places were filled by the Penza, SEAT Malaga and Citroen LNA.
The MOT test is outdated and should be abolished, according to a white paper written by the Adam Smith Institute, a free market and neoliberalist think-tank.
“Only two percent of all accidents in 2016 involved any form of mechanical failure,” the report states. “Cars are becoming smarter and safer, and accidents are directly declining as a result,” it continues.
It points to evidence in the United States as justification for its call for the MOT test be abolished or “at least be overhauled substantially”, referencing New Jersey, where the inspection programme ended in 2010.
Figures suggest that the repeal of the inspection programme resulted in a reduction in the number of accidents due to care failure, the study suggests.
The Drivers of Safety: The Outdated Practice of MOT Testing, includes the following key quotes and statements:
Over the years, reforms have added burdens to drivers
The United Kingdom places an overly burdensome weight on its drivers to care for their vehicles
Most garages rake in handsome sums not only administering the MOT, but also performing the (typically small) repairs
The actual inspection price varies by garage, with lower MOT prices usually signalling higher markups on the replacement parts a driver may need to whip their vehicle into shape
[The MOT] represents a significant amount of wasted time and money performing tests and unnecessary repairs, none of which makes roadways safer
[The MOT] may lead drivers to engage in neglectful or reckless behaviours, as they know that their cars will be forced into better shape come the end of the year
Resources should be ploughed into driver education, says the report’s author Alex Hoagland, citing the fact that 65 percent of accidents are due to driver-specific behaviours, such as speed, drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
“Increased focus on distracted and unsafe driving practices will surely be more effective at reducing fatalities than any vehicular inspection,” the report concludes.
AA president Edmund King is unimpressed, labelling the report as “rubbish” when tweeting a link to the story on the Daily Mail website.
What absolute rubbish. In all our polls drivers actually appreciate the importance of an MOT. Going by number of cars I saw tonight with lights out we need MOTs. https://t.co/e1uhCcA3ol
Opinion: why the Adam Smith Institute report is wrong
Abolishing the MOT test would be madness. While it’s true that the test is a merely a measure of a car’s roadworthiness on the day of the inspection – a bulb could blow or a driver could take a chunk out of a tyre on the journey home – it focuses the mind of the motorist.
Labelling the MOT an “overly burdensome weight” on drivers is complete nonsense. In an age when cars can all but drive themselves, and motorists feel cocooned in their Euro NCAP-tested bubbles, it’s as critical as it has ever been to make people aware that driving comes with a responsibility to care for a car and other road users.
The report mentions the 20,000 approved test centres and the £250 million annual revenue for local garages. So what? We should be supporting the independent garages, not labelling them as crooks by referencing “higher markups” and “handsome sums”.
Yes, there are a few – how can I put this? – less scrupulous garages, but the government should do more to clamp down on these operations. It’s not the job of a think-tank to tarnish all the local garages with the same brush. These businesses provide jobs, deliver independent advice and offer cheaper maintenance for cash-strapped motorists.
Sure, throw money behind improving driver education, but that should extend to encouraging greater care of the nation’s cars, not removing the annual safety net. We’ve all seen cars with bald tyres, blown headlight bulbs and more exhaust smoke than a vaper outside a Wetherspoons.
Perhaps acknowledging that abolishing the MOT might be a step too far – at least in the short term – the report calls for a separate test for carbon emissions and increasing the testable age of new vehicles from three to five years.
Again, that’s bunkum. Why split the test when it works OK as one? And as for increasing the testable age of new vehicles – yeah, because tyres, wipers and headlights will almost certainly last that long, won’t they?
If, as the report suggests, garages are profiting from the MOT test, why not adopt the French method by having independent inspection centres, where repairs cannot be carried out? The potential for roguish acts is all but eradicated.
Many drivers think about the roadworthiness and safety of their vehicle just once a year, when the MOT is about to expire, treating the car like an extension of their living room for the other 364 days of the year. Abolish the MOT, and we’ll lose the annual safety check and potentially many local garages.
Sorry, but I’m with the AA on this one. The MOT test must stay.
McLaren has revealed the spiritual successor to its legendary F1 supercar will be called Speedtail. Set to be unveiled later this year, the new £1.6 million (plus taxes) car will become the fastest McLaren ever.
Boasting a central driving position like the F1, with two more side-by-side seats, the new car will be the latest in McLaren’s Ultimate Series range, joining the McLaren Senna that recently so impressed critics including Motoring Research.
Up to now, the Speedtail has been known by its concept code, BP23. Described by the firm as a ‘hyper-GT’, the McLaren Speedtail will use a petrol-electric drivetrain, that will power it to a top speed of at least 243mph.
Little more is known about the car at this stage, although McLaren has teased that it will be super-streamlined (hence the Speedtail name) and use some “exquisite” new materials.
It won’t only be the fastest McLaren ever – it will also be the most luxurious. “The McLaren Speedtail will deliver the unparalleled blend of extreme performance and sporting luxury that befits its status as the ultimate road-going McLaren.”
But if you love the idea of owning a McLaren Speedtail, then sorry, you’re out of luck. The firm’s only making 106 of them and they’ve all been sold out – indeed, ordering closed before the car was officially announced back in November 2016.
When is it coming? Production will begin from the end of 2019 – and as a reward for their patience (and huge outlay), McLaren says the 106 Speedtail customers will be the first to see it, ahead of the car’s public reveal later in the year.
Lexus’ high-performance sub-brand, F, is 10 years old in 2018. To mark this, the firm has taken one of the 500 LFA supercars and given it to Portuguese artist Pedro Henriques for him to create the firm’s first art car.
The result? A unique LFA wearing a black and white design that Henriques says “expresses a sense of movement and evolution”.
In everyday life, he said, things are fluid, in constant motion. “It is hard to freeze anything.
“The lines follow this sense of going everywhere and never stopping… I wanted to reach an organic feeling by using hand-made material and liquid lines in the elements spread throughout the car.”
The car will debut this weekend at the 24 Hours of Spa Blancpain GT race: at the event, Lexus’ RC F GT3 is making its competitive debut.
Lexus will almost certainly show it at some of the design events it supports, too. It always exhibits at Milan Design Week and has also now opened a pop-up ‘UX Art Space’ in Lisbon.
There are works there from a number of artists – including Pedro Henriques.
The fact Lexus is linking its LFA art car with racing does have us thinking, though. BMW is the world’s most famous creator of art cars – and its first, the 1975 3.0 CSL created by Alexander Calder, was actually commissioned by Herve Poulain for him to race in that year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
To date, BMW has worked with artists to create 17 art cars. Could Lexus be about to start its own series of art cars, we wonder?
LV has followed Direct Line’s lead in allowing drivers to protect their no claims bonus if they’ve been hit by an uninsured driver or their car is damaged by vandalism.
That’s according to a report by This is Money, with the move designed to benefit customers by allowing them to keep their no claims discount, even if they make a claim.
Heather Smith, managing director of direct insurance at LV, said: “We believe that law-abiding insured drivers should not be penalised for the actions of uninsured drivers or those vandalising their cars.
“It’s bad enough being in an accident at all, let alone finding out that the driver to blame is not insured, but with over one million uninsured drivers on the UK’s roads it’s important that our customers know they are protected. And with many of our cars being our pride and joy, we also feel it’s important that our customers don’t lose out just because someone sadly wanted to vandalise it.”
Direct Line and LV leading the way
With other insurance providers, any money not recouped from the other driver’s insurer would result in the policyholder losing some or all of their no claims bonus unless they’ve paid extra to protect it.
On its website, Direct Line states: “Hit while parked? No one wants to take the rap for someone else’s mistake. That’s why with Direct Line, you won’t lose any of your earned no claim discount where it’s not your fault.”
The no claims bonus is safe if the vehicle is hit while parked; damaged by potholes or poor road maintenance, theft or flood damage; or if it is hit by a wild or domestic animal, an object or debris.
Rob Miles, director of motor insurance at Direct Line, told The Sun: “We understood the frustration when our customers had to make a claim when it’s no fault of their own and there was not a third party to claim against. Then to add further to their annoyance and sense of injustice, they’d lose all or part of their no claims discount.
“However, with these changes to our comprehensive motor insurance policy, this won’t happen anymore, and while we can’t prevent these incidents occurring, we are able to lead the way in making insurance easier and better value for customers.”
Goodness, is that the time? The last we looked, we were busy making and breaking New Year’s resolutions, but when school’s out for the summer, it’s a sure sign that we’re beyond the mid-point of 2018.
With this in mind, we thought it was time to look back at some of our favourite new cars of the year – we’ve driven some absolute crackers. To qualify for the shortlist, we must have driven the car in 2018 and reviewed it on our website.
Ford Fiesta ST
We’ll admit to being a little worried when Ford announced that the new Fiesta ST would be powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine. But the fact is, the new ST is better than the old one. The best affordable hot hatch just got better.
Our verdict: “You can perhaps by now tell we think the Fiesta ST is a class act. It sounds a bit like a Porsche 911 and drives even more like one, exuding immense depth and connoisseur’s breeding. The faster you drive, the better you drive, the more it gives back – while doing all the regular Ford Fiesta stuff like being compact in town, easy to handle and comfortable to drive daily.”
Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar has caught the Germans napping with the launch of the I-Pace: a fully-electric premium car to take on Tesla. The figures are compelling: 400hp, 256lb ft of torque, 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds and a WLTP range of 298 miles. Right now, the I-Pace is the high bar for others to battle over.
Our verdict: “The Jaguar I-Pace is a landmark car. It’s a fully-formed all-electric vehicle that’s thoroughly convincing to drive, pretty to look at, pleasing to sit in, and sure to be exciting to own. It will turn heads; it will be a talking point and give you kudos in a similar way Teslas do. Perhaps even more so.”
Volvo XC40
It’s rather fitting that the Volvo name stems from the Latin for “I roll”, because the Swedish brand is on a roll. First, the XC90, then the XC60 and now the XC40 – Volvo designs and builds the most attractive and beautifully-appointed SUVs in the sector.
Our verdict: “It looks the absolute business, in our opinion, and the interior is brilliantly Swedish. Volvo’s radically-changing image is one that will appeal to some customers more than, say, BMW and Audi, too. The days of dull estates are long gone.”
Hyundai i30 N
With the former head of BMW’s M division leading the project, we had a hunch that the Hyundai i30 N would be good, but we were wrong – it’s great. The i30 N goes straight to the top table of the world’s best hot hatches, especially in Performance guise, with its electronic diff, active exhaust, uprated brakes, Pirelli P Zero tyres and additional 25hp over the standard N.
Our verdict: “The i30 N will live long in the memory. Driving back from Zig-Zag Hill, I had one of those drives when the road opens up, the traffic clears, and the planets align. Like the time I drove a Fiesta ST along the entire length of the A470, or a VX220 Turbo on an empty Klausen Pass, or a Racing Puma on the A429 through the Cotswolds – just as the sun was setting. My journey on the A30 in the i30 N gets a chapter in my imaginary book of great drives.
Volkswagen Up GTI
Such is the demand for this little pocket rocket, Volkswagen has been forced to temporarily close the order books while it works on sourcing more cars for the UK. Hardly surprising, when you can order the spiritual successor to the Mk1 Golf GTI – and Lupo GTI – for £139 a month.
Our verdict: “Why are we feeling ever-so-slightly flat about the Up GTI? Not because it’s a bad car. It’s very good, and lots of fun, and we really like it. We’re almost tempted to part with our own money for one… if only it had a little more flair. Maybe we’re spoilt in the age of 300hp hot hatches – and there’s no denying the Up GTI looks like excellent value – but it’s hard to get over the fact that this seems little more than a high-spec Up with some nice trinkets and a bit of extra power.”
McLaren Senna
The McLaren Senna is another car in demand, but the entire production run of 500 is already spoken for, each one costing upwards of £750,000. Once again, the figures are astounding: 800hp, 800Nm (519lb ft) and 800kg of downforce at 155mph. It’s a wonder McLaren didn’t charge £800,000 for the privilege of owning its lightest road car since the F1.
Our verdict: “How good is it? Full of all things Senna, my mind wandered. Remember Senna at Donington in 1993, when he tore through the field on the first lap, then ran rings around them for the rest of the race? I was there. I went to school the next day with a similar feeling. Senna’s dominance that day was like my experience of the Senna. Does it live up to the name? Without doubt. This McLaren is Senna. I now have a hesitation-free answer when people ask me what’s the best car I’ve ever driven.”
Aston Martin Vantage
It might source its switchgear and its 510hp V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz, but the new Vantage feels 100% Aston Martin. It takes the fight to the Audi R8 and McLaren 540C with a 195mph top speed and 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds. We reckon it’s a game-changer for the brand.
Our verdict: “Even after the endorphins have faded and I’m back home in non-sunny Surrey, I’m still unfeasibly excited about the new Vantage. I’m no Aston apologist – I found the outgoing Vantage flawed and the DB11 underwhelming – but this car feels like a game-changer for Gaydon. Impressively, it’s a better car than the Mercedes-AMG GT it shares many parts with, and feels more bespoke and downright special than anything in its class – save perhaps the McLaren 540C. It’s a supercar in all senses of the word. Bring on the V12 version.”
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Britain is the biggest market for the A-Class, so the launch of a new version is a big deal for Mercedes-Benz. Even with an entry-level price of £25,800, you can expect the tech-laden A-Class to make regular appearances in the top 10 sales charts.
Our verdict: “The new A-Class is a good-looking car with a class-leading interior; we can see many people choosing it simply because of its brilliant infotainment system. Even if the rest of it were mediocre, the cabin would stand out. It’s better than that, though. Particularly the diesel. Choose it on mid-spec 17-inch wheels and you won’t have an exciting car to drive, but you will have a reassuring one, a car that feels authentically Mercedes-Benz.”
Porsche 911 GT3
Remember when it rained in Britain? Long before the summer heatwave, we had a play with a Porsche 911 GT3 on some drenched roads, before concluding that the 500hp plaything is one of the cars of 2018.
Our verdict: “Whether you choose the Touring or standard GT3, if you’re in a position to spend £111,802 on one of the most desirable 911s ever, I envy you. It’s a much more thrilling drive than any 911 I’ve driven before, but manages this without being intimidating or too hardcore for winter days in Britain. And, at nearly £30,000 less than rivals such as the Audi R8, it’s also a bit of a bargain.”
Audi RS4 Avant
For all the appeal of a supercar, there’s something immensely satisfying about a superfast wagon. In ‘standard’ guise, the 450hp twin-turbocharged RS4 Avant will hit 155mph, but spend an additional £1,450 and Audi will remove the limiter, enabling the rapid dog-carrier to carry on to 174mph.
Our verdict: “R8 supercar excepted, the new RS4 is the pick of the 18-strong Audi Sport (formerly Quattro GmbH) range. It’s a consummate all-rounder: comfortable and classy, fast and fun. As a means of swiftly shifting your golf clubs/suitcases/labradors (delete as applicable), it’s almost without equal. And way cooler than any hotted-up SUV.”
Ford Focus
Twenty years on, it’s hard to believe that the original Focus replaced the lacklustre Ford Escort, such was the quantum leap forward. The new Focus carries on where the previous model left off, with a hugely improved interior and best-in-class driving dynamics. It’s just a shame it looks so ordinary.
Our verdict: “The latest Focus doesn’t rewrite the rulebook as its great-grandfather did, but it puts Ford squarely back in contention. A consummate all-rounder, it’s a car that can – and doubtless will – fit effortlessly into the lives of millions. There aren’t many 1.0-litre hatchbacks in which you’d deliberately take the scenic route. For our money, it topples the Mazda 3 as the new dynamic benchmark. Helmut’s secret sauce has worked a treat.”
BMW M3 CS
Recent BMW M3s have left us feeling a little underwhelmed, so we weren’t sure what to expect from the £86,425 M3 CS. Yes, it really does cost that much. We needn’t have worried, because after a day spent on road and track, we declared that’s it almost perfect.
Our verdict: “You sense BMW had a point to prove with the M3 CS. If this really is the end of the line for the M3, it didn’t want it to depart with a reputation as an almost-but-not-quite car. Cue the CS, one of the best M3s in decades. It’s exceptionally exciting, a top-notch sports car that’s been developed by experts. Their signatures are all over it.”
Aston Martin DB11 AMR
In response to the cheaper and only slightly less quicker DB11 V8, Aston Martin launched the DB11 AMR, a reworked version of the V12 that replaces the standard car outright. It needed to be good, not least because Aston Martin is asking £30,000 more than the V8. It’s not perfect – the steering and gearbox disappoint – but its 639hp 5.2-litre V12 is a great leveller.
Our verdict: “The DB11 AM has flaws, certainly, but also deep reserves of raw talent and winsome charm. It has also given the DB11 V12 renewed reason to exist, which is something to be thankful for. I’d choose one over a Continental GT in a heartbeat.”
Nissan Leaf
Of all the cars we’ve driven this year, the Nissan Leaf is arguably the most important. After all, if electric is the future we can all look forward to, cars like the Leaf need to appeal to our hearts as well as our heads. This is the world’s first second-generation EV, which just happens to be the best-selling electric car on the planet.
Our verdict: “The 2018 Nissan Leaf is exactly the car it needed to be. It’s better all round, and crucially, more normal too. A stylish, contemporary car that just happens to be electric. The EV aspect is exceptional, from the brilliant refinement, to the punchy and classy performance, to the extended range. It rides and handles with more European polish, and it’s even pretty good fun.”
Toyota Yaris GRMN
We’ve stood by and watched as people emerged from a quick drive in the Toyota Yaris GRMN. In all cases, they were grinning from ear to ear, while lauding it as a true great. The one reservation: the £26,295 price tag. Our response: all are already sold. If a manufacturer builds a special car, people will buy it.
Our verdict: “Has Toyota toppled the Fiesta ST? For my money, not quite. While the Yaris GRMN offers plenty of smiles per mile, it doesn’t quite possess the effervescent joie de vivre of the Ford. Take the Fiesta out of the equation, though – as we should rightly do until the new ST arrives – and the waters are muddier. The Audi S1 is markedly more upmarket and scarcely more expensive, while the Peugeot Sport 208 GTI equals the Yaris for driving thrills and undercuts it on price. The Yaris, meanwhile, counters with rarity and competition kudos.”
Audi A7
Like the A8, the new A7 takes its inspiration from the 2014 Prologue concept car and it might, at first glance, look a tad generic. But scratch beneath the surface and the A7 oozes class and sophistication, with one of the best interiors in the segment and impressive dynamics.
Our verdict: “We can tell that Audi’s had a bit of fun developing the new A7 (and A8), however. Fun in a very German sense, at least. There are lots of clever features, and the design takes it to the next level compared to its predecessor. The driving experience is extremely refined, and the two V6 engines we’ve tried can’t be faulted. Would we like a little more flair? Yes, but that’s never where Audi has excelled. If that’s what you’re after, you might want to spend a little more on the Porsche Panamera or Bentley Continental GT…”
Suzuki Swift Sport
We hesitated before including the Suzuki Swift Sport, because it hasn’t managed to hit the high notes of its predecessors. It’s also too expensive, especially in light of the magnificent Fiesta ST. But we’re prepared to cut it some slack, because we have a hunch that extended time behind the wheel might win us over.
Our verdict: “If you’re a normal person looking for a likeable, Japanese supermini with a bit of poke, the Swift Sport’s absolutely fine. But traditional Swift Sport buyers aren’t normal people. They’re part of unique breed of petrolheads who favour lightweight cars that provide fun at sensible speeds. The Swift Sport has always catered well for them, and this new model just doesn’t excel in any of the areas buyers will want it to.”
Having motorway services on the M6 Toll might seem a little odd – drivers tend to use the route to avoid congestion and save time – but it’s good to know that if you do stop, the facilities are likely to be top-notch. That’s according to the results of a new survey conducted by Transport Focus.
The transport watchdog questioned 9,600 customers on key facilities, such as toilets, staffing, food and drink. Norton Canes on the M6 Toll came out top, with a 100 percent satisfaction rating.
Motorway services have upped their game in recent years, with 92 percent of visitors happy with their visit. But Transport Focus points out that value for money continues to be a key area for improvement.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of Transport Focus, said: “As the summer holiday getaway gets into full swing it’s good to see motorway services customers feel they get a good experience.
“Motorway services play an important role in providing the break motorists need. Drivers tell us they feel less stressed and more awake.
“Motorway service operators need to focus on ensuring customers see their experience as value for the money they’ve paid – that there is [a] good range of food on offer and that buildings are maintained to a high standard.”
In 2017, Heston East was named the worst motorway services, with 62 percent satisfaction, but this year it has seen a significant increase to 88 percent. Meanwhile, Stafford South has gone from 70 percent in 2017 to 99 percent in 2018 – the biggest improvement of any site.
We suspect the lowest ranked motorway services won’t come as any surprise to the drivers forced to endure their misery on a daily basis. Take a bow, Thurrock on the M25, you’re officially the worst in England.
Highest ranked motorway services
Norton Canes: M6 Toll, operated by Roadchef
Stafford South: M6, Roadchef
Wetherby: A1(M), Moto
Hilton Park South: M6, Moto
Corley South: M6, Welcome Break
Tebay South: M6, Westmorland
Pease Pottage: M23, Moto
Woodall South: M1, Welcome Break
Killington Lake: M6, Roadchef
Tebay North: M6, Westmorland
Lowest ranked motorway services
Thurrock: M25, Moto
Toddington South: M1, Moto
Southwaite North: M6, Moto
Newport Pagnell South: M1, Welcome Break
Bridgwater: M5, Moto
No space for Gloucester Services in the top 10, which might come as a surprise to drivers in the west country.
It sounds a bit Alan Partridge-esque asking this: but do you have a favourite motorway services? Let us know.
Paul Stephens restores and modifies Porsche 911s. Its latest car is its most ambitious yet – the Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport, which costs from £250,000 and is limited to just 10 models.
Vuhl has finally launched the new production-ready high-performance version of its lightweight sports car, the 05RR – and for now, it is exclusively available to drive on Forza Motorsport 7.
McLaren has revealed the spiritual successor to its legendary F1 supercar will be called Speedtail. Set to be unveiled later this year, the new £1.6 million (plus taxes) car will become the fastest McLaren ever.
Lexus’ high-performance sub-brand, F, is 10 years old in 2018. To mark this, the firm has taken one of the 500 LFA supercars and given it to Portuguese artist Pedro Henriques for him to create the firm’s first art car.
