The Ferrari 250 GTO is among the most desirable cars in the world. Pristine examples change hands for tens of millions of pounds – so the opportunity to buy one that hasn’t ever been driven is likely to prove irresistible for bidders at Coys’ latest Blenheim Palace auction.
The ‘car’ is a very last-minute entry into the sale this weekend, and is expected to sell for a small fortune. Just one problem: the winner will to now build it themselves…
Part of the Cavallino ‘shipping container hoard’, the complete kit of parts to build a Ferrari GTO-style car includes most of the relevant bits. Along with the chassis frame of a 1962 Ferrari 250 (chassis number #4105GT), the auction includes:
Original Ferrari Tipo 128S V12 engine
‘Highly authentic’ GTO-style tubular steel frame
Suspension and braking components
Bodywork panels
Wheels
Cooling system
Various dials and gauges
All the parts were at the same site as the original find – but in a container located in a slightly different (and secret) location. Amazingly, it was discovered just a few days ago.
“We were over the moon with the first finds,” said Coys MD Chris Routledge, “but we are ecstatic about this.
“It is completely unprecedented in the world of classic cars and we have rushed to get it into our Blenheim Palace classic car auction.”
Nick Wells is a specialist at Coys, and he’s incredibly excited about this week’s sale. “The 250 GTO is without doubt the most desirable classic car in the world.
“With one of the original 36 examples now changing hands at in excess of £50m, this blank canvas ‘build your own’ project, offered with unique provenance from Enzo Ferrari himself, is a mouth-watering prospect for the serious enthusiast.”
All eyes will be on the sale tomorrow (Saturday 30 June) to find out what those at the Blenheim Palace sale think it’s worth…
The McLaren Senna is the latest in a long line of cars named after a person, with Woking’s new supercar badged in honour of three-time F1 world champion, Ayrton Senna. Indeed, the 800hp Senna is a double-barrelled delight, with the McLaren name stemming from Bruce, the legendary racing driver from New Zealand. We used the Senna to go off in search of other cars named after people.
McLaren Senna
From our first drive of the Senna: “McLaren invited Bianca and Bruno Senna (Ayrton’s niece and nephew) over to its studio, to show them the project, then codenamed P15. It was to be the ultimate track car, one with ‘the purest connection to the driver ever’. One showing ultimate commitment and focus on details. Just like Ayrton. They loved it. The Senna was born.”
In 1993, Bugatti took charge at Lotus and, three years later, the Elise was born, named after the granddaughter of chairman Romano Artioli. Elisa Artioli was sat in the Lotus as the covers were pulled off at its unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show and today, she has a Facebook page dedicated to her European road trips. Her choice of car: a S1 Lotus Elise. It couldn’t be anything else.
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari’s hypercar of 2002 followed in the tyremarks of some of Maranello’s all-time greats, including the GTO and F40. It was, even by Ferrari’s standards, a landmark car – a benchmark for others to aspire to. Little wonder it was named after the company’s founder.
Citroen Saxo Jordan
In the 1990s, lads dreamt about one thing: taking Jordan to a McDonald’s in a Citroen Saxo to enjoy a McFlurry. With this in mind, Citroen launched the Saxo VTS Jordan. Actually, we may have made this one up, but there was a Honda Civic Jordan, named after Eddie’s F1 team. But few lads dreamt of treating Eddie to a McFlurry. Moving on…
Ford Edsel
Poor Edsel Ford. Of all the cars to be named after, the late son of Henry Ford had to be associated with the ‘Disaster in Dearborn’. It could have been very different. Among the names proposed for the ill-fated Edsel, you’ll find the likes of Utopian Turtletop, Anticipator, Mongoose Civique and, wait for it, The Intelligent Whale. With the benefit of hindsight, these may have been preferable to Edsel.
TVR
The world is littered with examples of companies named after their founders – Toyota, Honda and Porsche, to name but three. But, perhaps with one eye on a future of text speak, Trevor Wilkinson abbreviated his forename to create TVR. Smart work, Tvr Wlknsn.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Giulietta name was chosen as a direct link to the Romeo in Alfa Romeo? Romeo and Giulietta – geddit? There’s a story on Jalopnik which provides just enough evidence to support the romanticised view that this may have been the case.
Renault Clio
According to Britannica.com: “In Greek mythology, [Clio was] one of the nine Muses, patron of history. Traditionally Clio, after reprimanding the goddess Aphrodite for her passionate love for Adonis, was punished by Aphrodite, who made her fall in love with Pierus, king of Macedonia. From that union, in some accounts, was born Hyacinthus, a young man of great beauty who was later killed by his lover, the god Apollo. From his blood sprang a flower (the hyacinth). In art Clio was frequently represented with the heroic trumpet and the clepsydra (water clock).” That’s as maybe, but the Renault Nicole would have been better…
Mercedes-Benz
Mercédès is a Spanish girl’s name that means grace: she was the daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek, who, in the late 1800s and, in 1900, arranged to build a new series of cars, called Daimler-Mercedes. The rest is history…
Ferrari Dino
As the first son of Enzo Ferrari, Alfredo (or Alfredino) was destined to work for the family business. Indeed, Enzo always intended for Alfredo to take the reins when the time was right. Tragically, Alfredo died of Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 24, leaving this parents devastated and heartbroken. The Dino range of race and road cars were named in his honour.
Vauxhall Adam
Would you ‘Adam and Eve’ it? Adam Opel was the founder of German car manufacturer of the same name. The Opel Adam is a small car unveiled at the Paris motor show in 2012. The name makes more sense in Germany than it does in the UK, where the car is badged as Vauxhall.
TVR Tina
Martin Lilley took charge at TVR in 1965 with the aim of rejuvenating the ailing company. The Tina was the result of his vision for a more compact and affordable TVR, and a pair of prototypes were unveiled at the 1966 Turin motor show. Tina was the daughter of Gerry Marshall, a business associate of Lilley.
Fiat 125S Samantha
The Fiat 125S Samantha is one of the prettiest and underrated coupes of the 1960s. You can thank Vignale for the flowing lines. Was it named after Samantha Jones, Vogue and Cosmopolitan cover star of the late 60s? PostWarClassic.com certainly thinks so.
Brabham BT62
Jack Brabham’s son, David’ is leading the rebirth of Brabham with the launch of the £1m BT62 supercar. But it’s not the first time the Brabham name has adorned a car…
Vauxhall Viva Brabham
“What happens when a 3-times-world-champ racing driver breathes on Britain’s most exciting 1-litre saloon?” asked the Vauxhall press ad in 1967. “Brabham Viva: sounds hot, doesn’t it?” the ad continued. Yes. Yes, it does.
Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss
What does $1 million get you these days? Back in 2009, when Mercedes-Benz launched the SLR Stirling Moss, it didn’t stretch as far as a windscreen or a roof. Come back Smart Crossblade, all is forgiven.
Fiat Seicento Michael Schumacher
What is the highest honour in motorsport? Having a small car named in your honour, of course. Sadly, the Renault Clio Nigel Mansell never materialised, but the Clio Williams was a perfectly adequate alternative.
Monica
Monica was a manufacturer of luxury cars in the 1970s, headed up by Jean Tastevin, a French industrialist, whose wife just happened to be called Monique. We suspect the Santa Monica reference may have helped when they were deciding on a name over a French beer and a couple of Gitanes.
Borgward Isabella
We conclude with the Borgward Isabella, a pretty name for a very pretty car. In 2017, the company unveiled an all-electric four-door design concept under the same name. It’s not as pretty.
What’s the greatest motorsport livery of all time? The subject is guaranteed to stir some lively debate, with the likes of Martini Racing, Marlboro McLaren, John Player Special and Gulf Racing just four examples from a very, very long list of candidates.
But while each one is evocative, few can rival the Eldorado ice cream Maserati Tipo 420/M/58. It changed motorsport forever, and today it’s celebrating its 60th anniversary.
In 1958, the ‘Eldorado’ Maserati became the first single-seat racing car in Europe to be sponsored by a brand not linked to the world of motorsport. Significantly, it was also the first time a car was painted in the colours of the partner company, rather than the traditional colour assigned to each country by the FIA.
A big deal for motorsport fans who watched on from the side of the track, but an even bigger deal for race teams, who could call upon a whole host of new financial backers.
Maserati was commissioned to build the car by Gino Zanetti, owner of the Eldorado ice cream company. He turned to the House of the Trident to create a single-seat car to compete in the Trofeo dei due Mondi at Monza, where top American and European drivers were lined up to race.
Not one to miss an opportunity to promote his brand, Zanetti had the Maserati finished in a cream livery, rather than the traditional Italian racing red. The company logo of the smiling cowboy looked out over the nose and on the fin, while the company name was emblazoned on the sides of the car.
Other text included ‘Italia’, to denote the nationality of the sponsor and the manufacturer, along with the name of the driver: none other than Stirling Moss.
Engineer Giulio Alfieri created the ‘Eldorado’ in a matter of months. The 4,190cc V8 engine developed 410hp at 8,000rpm, which was enough to propel this 758kg sundae driver to a top speed of over 217mph.
The ‘Eldorado’ Maserati took to the Monza track for the ‘Monzanapolis’ on 29 June 1958, competing in three heats to decide the final points total. Moss finished fourth and fifth, before a steering fault ended his hopes of a strong finish in the third race.
Given that the steering gave way at 160mph, it’s quite miraculous that Moss walked away relatively unscathed, while the ‘Eldorado’ only suffered limited damage.
Following the race, the car was modified by the Gentilini bodywork shop, which removed the rear fin and reduced the hood scoop before the car entered the Indy 500 in 1959.
This time it was finished in Italian racing red, but still emblazoned with the ice cream company’s name, but the inexperience of the driver meant that the car failed to qualify. Maserati claims that it would have been a different story with a professional driver behind the wheel.
Today, the ‘Eldorado’ proudly wears its original livery and is part of the Panini Collection, housed in Modena. You know what they say: race on a Sundae, sell on a Monday…
Motorists say average speed cameras are a far better way of making drivers stick to the speed limit than single-location fixed cameras, new research by the RAC has revealed.
The motoring organisation surveyed 2,172 people for their views on speed cameras: 79 percent agreed average cameras are effective at making people slow down over long motorway stretches.
Less than 1 in 10 said traditional fixed cameras were effective – and four in five think they have little effect at managing speed beyond the location they’re sited at.
25 percent of motorists also think average cameras are fairer; just 7 percent of people felt fixed cameras were fair.
“We know that some drivers can be very cynical about speed cameras, with a significant minority having told us they believe they are more about raising revenue than they are about road safety,” said RAC road safety spokesman Pete Williams.
“Interestingly, these latest findings show there is now a strong acceptance that they are there to help save lives and prevent casualties on the road, although more than a third claim they are about both road safety and raising revenue.”
People say they like average speed cameras because they encourage a smoother driving style and more consistent speeds: with average cameras, they say other drivers infuriatingly tend to slam on the brakes as they drive past them.
More than half believe they’re fairer to drivers who may accidentally drift over the speed limit, then reign in their speed.
They’re effective too, says the RAC: since their introduction on a stretch of the A9 in Scotland, road deaths have halved.
“This type of use of average speed cameras, together with the constant addition of more miles of smart motorways with strictly enforced variable speed limits, may be contributing to a shift in perception in favour of regulated speed enforcement over longer stretches of road,” said Williams.
Number of average speed cameras doubles in three years
Stories about the dangers of unintended spending through smartphone applications are one thing, but Volvo is offering up a slightly different kind of in-app purchase excitement.
Following on from the unveiling of the new American-built S60 saloon, Volvo has announced that just 20 people will be able to get their hands on the first edition of the hottest model.
There are just a few caveats though. The first being that, for now, the T8 Polestar Engineered is only going to be offered in the USA, to those who choose to subscribe through the Care by Volvo smartphone app.
Care by Volvo is the Swedish brand’s service that packages all the costs of running a car into one lease deal. This means insurance, servicing, and other maintenance are included in the single monthly payment, with subscribers signing up for a 24-month contract.
Think of it as more akin to how most people fund their smartphones, rather than traditional car finance. A concierge service for subscribers is included, and there is even the ability to ‘upgrade’ your car after just 12 months.
For now it’ll be the only way to get your hands on a T8 Polestar Engineered saloon in North America. Those interested can start subscribing from 28th June 2018, and be prepared to fork out $1,100 (£835) plus taxes for the next two years.
It does give them the use of a rather special S60 though. Powered by the Polestar-upgraded T8 Twin Engine, this means an impressive 415hp and 494lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels. Like all Twin Engine Volvos, it’s also a plug-in hybrid, too.
Polestar have also turned their attention to the brakes, fitting gold-painted Brembo calipers which are visible behind the exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels. Expensive Öhlins suspension dampers are also fitted, and there is a Polestar strut brace for good measure.
Whilst the initial 2019 model year of the T8 Polestar Engineered S60 is being offered in such limited numbers Stateside, we’ll hope Volvo will be more generous with future releases. Oh, and that they ensure this performance saloon makes it across the Atlantic.
Unless you’ve been marooned on Love Island for the past few years, you’ll know that crossovers and SUVs are hotter than hot cakes right now. With this in mind, we fired up the Auto Trader website to go in search of used SUVs for £300 a month. To narrow the search down from tens of thousands to a more manageable 20,000 cars, we capped the mileage at 100,000 and the age at three years. Here’s what we found.
Nissan Juke Nismo: £300
We’ve purposely excluded Nissan Qashqai from the gallery because, quite frankly, there are thousands of them for sale on Auto Trader, with prices to suit just about every budget. But why drive a ubiquitous crossover when you can own an impersonation of a hot hatch? This 2016 Juke Nismo has covered nearly 17,000 miles and has one former keeper. As the advert suggests, you will stand out.
Hyundai Tucson: £300
Now for something a little less in-your-face and, dare we suggest, a whole lot more appealing. The Hyundai Tucson is unlikely to set your pulse racing, but there’s a reason why it’s one of the most popular SUVs across the world. It offers excellent value for money, is well equipped, good looking and comes with a comprehensive five-year warranty. This 67-plate example has covered just 7,817 miles and has 54 months of its warranty remaining.
SsangYong Tivoli: £300
The SsangYong Tivoli is one of the sector’s best kept secrets. The small SUV offers exceptional value for money, with even the top-spec 4×4 models priced at around the £20,000 mark. This 2016 front-wheel-drive ELX diesel offers just about all the bells and whistles you could possibly need and has covered just 17,000 miles.
Kia Sportage: £300
If you don’t buy a Nissan Qashqai, you buy a Kia Sportage – that appears to be the way things work. This 2015 Sportage diesel has covered a curiously low 10,000 miles and looks, perhaps predictably, to be in showroom condition. The spec includes dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, steering wheel mounted controls, cruise control and a premium sound system. Oh, and the remainder of that famous Kia seven-year warranty,
Skoda Yeti: £300
Gone but not forgotten. The Skoda Yeti may have been replaced by the rather plain looking Karoq, but there are hundreds to choose from on Auto Trader. This 2016 example is powered by the excellent 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine and offers a generous level of standard specification. Yours for £14,595 or £300 a month.
BMW X1: £300
A BMW X1 wouldn’t be our first choice of crossover or SUV, but if you must have a premium badge parked on your driveway, you’ll find lots to love about this 2015 example. It’s a one-owner car with a five-year BMW service pack, while the spec includes full black leather, DAB digital radio, dual-zone climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Dacia Duster: £300
From a premium badge to a budget brand, but don’t let that put you off, because this Dacia Duster is arguably the pick of the crop. It’s on an 18-plate and has covered just 100 miles, while the Laureate trim offers 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, air conditioning and DAB radio. With a new Duster on the way, you might be able to secure a discount on the £13,995 price tag.
Jeep Cherokee: £300
The line between SUVs and crossovers has become a little blurred, to the extent that you can buy a two-wheel-drive Jeep Cherokee. When this was new in 2015, it would have cost around £30,000, so on that basis £15,000 is a bit of a bargain. The Limited spec includes sat-nav, leather, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, heated seats and 18-inch alloy wheels, but you’ll have to live with that challenging styling.
Suzuki Jimny: £300
If £300 a month sounds like a lot of cash for an ageing fun-size SUV, the Suzuki Jimny isn’t the car for you. But if you’re after a go-anywhere, fit for purpose and honest off-roader, and you’re not planning too many long trips, there’s a huge amount to love about the Jimny. There won’t be many more opportunities to buy a current Jimny before the new model arrives, so be quick and bag yourself a future classic. Yes, we’re prepared to mention the ‘future classic’ thing.
Mitsubishi ASX: £299
This Mitsubishi ASX creeps below the £300 mark, so just think about what you could do with that extra pound you’ll save every month. This 2017 example has covered 10,359 miles and could be yours for £14,498 or £299 a month. The spec includes leather trim, reversing camera, cruise control, DAB radio and, wait for it, a chrome exhaust finisher. Swanky.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: £299
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV arrived in 2014, and by November 2015 it had amassed 50,000 sales across Europe. By January 2018, that number had risen to 100,000. You can see what all the fuss is about with this one-owner, pre-facelift example, which has covered just under 40,000 miles and offers a generous level of standard specification.
Audi Q3: £299
The Audi Q3 is another hugely popular car, but if you want a premium badge for £300 you’ll have to make a couple of sacrifices. For a start, this Q3 is a little older, while the mileage is higher than most of the examples featured in this gallery. On the plus side, the S Line trim is highly desirable and a Q3 is likely to hold its value better than most crossovers and SUVs.
Citroen C3 Aircross: £299
If you’re after something a little newer, this Citroen C3 Aircross might suffice. It’s a 2017 car with just 5,000 miles on the clock and powered by a frugal 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel engine. Take a trip to Chingford and drive away in a new car for £299 a month.
Mercedes-Benz GLA: £299
Another premium badge, this time in the shape of the cosmetically challenged Mercedes-Benz GLA. This AMG Line example has covered just 5,365 miles in three years and is priced at just under £20,000 or £299 a month after a £1,000 deposit. At least you won’t have to look at the rear end as you drive to work.
Jeep Renegade: £299
What could be more American than a Jeep? Quite a few things, actually, because the Renegade is built in Italy alongside the Fiat 500X. The Longitude trim is one step up from the entry-level Sport, and offers air conditioning, sat-nav, DAB, cruise control and 17-inch alloy wheels. This one owner car has covered just 4,500 miles.
Subaru XV: £299
In truth, the new Subaru XV is better than its predecessor, but if you’re after a car that’s better off road than it is on it, there’s much to like about this 2015 example. It comes with full manufacturer service history and is available via a Subaru main dealer. Anything with a Subaru badge tends to have a reputation for reliability, so buy now and don’t pay later. Or something.
Toyota C-HR: £299
Buy this Toyota C-HR and you can tell your friends you drive a car from a Le Mans-winning manufacturer. While the leap from the TS050 to the C-HR might be a bit of a stretch (especially in non-hybrid guise), Toyota’s compact SUV remains one of the most eye-catching cars you can buy. This 2017 example has covered 13,000 miles, but you’ll have to be content with the entry-level Icon trim.
Nissan X-Trail: £299
We’ve avoided the Nissan Qashqai, but how about its big brother? This is a five-seat X-Trail – a seven-seat version is also available – with 24,589 miles on the clock. “This chunky station wagon has cruise control and parking sensors for a smooth journey, Bluetooth to keep you chatting over every mile, and a complete service history to provide that much welcome peace of mind,” says the dealer. We’re convinced.
Mazda CX-3: £299
The Mazda CX-3 is one of the most dynamically sorted cars in the segment, and this one comes in the highly desirable GT Sport trim. The spec includes heated leather seats, a sports styling kit, Bose sound system and 18-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. This ex-dealer demonstrator has covered 9,229 miles and is available for £16,000 or £299 a month.
Suzuki Vitara: £298
And finally, a Suzuki Vitara in sporty S guise. The 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine is a peach, while Allgrip offers excellent all-weather performance. It’s available for £15,498 or £298 a month. Note: inclusion in this gallery doesn’t represent an endorsement on our part, so take a test drive and do your homework before parting with any cash. Finance examples are for illustrative purposes only.
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The Elton John AIDS Foundation has enjoyed a huge cash boost thanks to a McLaren 570S Spider donated by the British sports car firm.
An anonymous bidder secured the sports car for £725,000 at Sir Elton’s Argento Ball. That’s a healthy premium of over £560,000 over the sticker price – and all the money goes to help create an AIDS-free future.
It’s a one-off 570S, which McLaren finished in Blade Silver metallic, with contrasting Stealth alloys and McLaren Orange carbon brake calipers. The interior is ‘By McLaren Sport’-spec, with Jet Black Nappa leather and Carbon Black stitching.
A 10-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system is standard, as is a sports exhaust. Aural entertainment with stereo both on and off, then.
For an extra special treat, the anonymous bidder will get a personal tour of the McLaren Technology Centre – by none other than Amanda McLaren, founder Bruce McLaren’s only child. Amanda will also sign the car.
What is the Elton John AIDS Foundation? An organisation that’s been running for 25 years (hence the silver 570S, to mark its silver anniversary), to help people across 26 countries with HIV information, support and care.
It has also helped prevent a million babies from being born with the HIV virus. No wonder McLaren felt it fitting to make it the first organisation ever to benefit from a car donated by the company.
There’s an old Japanese proverb which, when roughly translated by Google Translate, says: “He who rises to the top will enjoy the privileges of the Century.” OK, so that’s not strictly true, but the fact remains, if you’re a top dog in Japan, the chances are you’ll be chauffeured in a Toyota Century.
All of which means the latest turn of the Century – only the third new model in a 50-year lifespan – is kind of a big deal in Japan. Within the boardrooms of Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka, CEOs will be pondering their next Century, while chauffeurs will be leafing through the weighty owner’s manual, keen to gen-up on Toyota’s flagship.
The new, Japan-only Toyota Century is the king of understatement.
Yes, the 2018 Toyota Century is new, but the badge remains refreshingly old-money, decidedly old-school and maybe even a little old-fashioned. Where others shout, the Century whispers. Influencers and over-indulged celebrities be damned: the Century pre-dates hashtags, ‘likes’ and endorsements.
The Toyota Century has to move with the times, of course, which is why the new car features the latest Safety Sense technology, a seven-inch touchpad in the centre armrest and a rear entertainment system with an 11.3-inch monitor. Yes, Toyota calls it a monitor, not a screen.
Even the engine has moved with the times. It’s a 5.0-litre V8, but mated to an electric motor to deliver up to 38.4mpg on a combined cycle. We have the performance data to hand, but it would be too vulgar to discuss figures in the context of Toyota’s emperor.
Century began in 1967
A lot is resting on its understated and elegant shoulders. The first Century replaced the Crown Eight in 1967, its name chosen in honour of the 100th birthday of company founder Sakichi Toyoda.
It was the first Japanese car to ride on air suspension and the first to be designed with chauffeuring in mind. The V8 engine was mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, although a four-speed manual was available until the 1970s, by which time Japanese CEOs had grown tired of their drivers disturbing the sense of serenity with another botched gear change.
The Century developed over time, with Toyota adding automatic climate control, self-levelling suspension, massaging seats and the world’s first optical fibre multiplex comms system. But while the opulence increased, the Century remained understated and elegant.
An extended wheelbase version arrived in 1989 before the second Century was unveiled in 1997. This was the first comprehensive overhaul in 30 years, with Toyota marking the occasion with a complete redesign. The result was a longer and taller car, with an increased wheelbase adding more space for rear-seat passengers.
Highlights included Skyhook air suspension and, in a first for the Japanese car industry, a 5.0-litre V12 engine. Needless to say, the accommodation was about as lavish and relaxing as the Tokyo Suite at the Park Hyatt. The one advantage of the Century: if you didn’t like the view out of the window, the chauffeur would find a more desirable vista.
The new Century
Now, there’s a new Century. You know about the cutting-edge safety tech and the hybrid system, but it’s the traditional aspects of the build that are most likely to appeal to Japan’s most discerning customers.
Take the Phoenix emblem, which is handcrafted from billet alloy and takes six weeks to complete. Or the rear seats, which are finished in wool fabric to allow passengers to sink silently in first-class comfort. You have to wonder why the West is so obsessed with leather when rear seats look this comfortable.
It’s a similar story with the windows. Not for Japanese VIPs the vulgarity of paparazzi-repelling tinted windows. Instead, privacy is assured courtesy of lace net curtains. How very quaint. How very desirable.
Toyota has reduced the height between the scuff plate and floor to ensure the mats lie perfectly, while easing the process of getting in and out. That’s the level of attention to detail you’d expect from a car costing the equivalent of £135,000.
Oh, did we fail to mention the price? For that, you could build a horrendously OTT S-Class or Range Rover, or take your pick from any number of supercars or track toys. But if they hold more appeal, you’re probably missing the point of the Toyota Century.
There will be no shortage of takers in Japan, with Toyota predicting sales of up to 50 a month for its halo product. The way the industry is moving, and given the flagship’s history of lengthy production runs, this could the last Century of its kind. Enjoy it while you still can.
Oil giant BP has announced it’s to buy Chargemaster, Britain’s largest electric vehicle charging network.
The deal is described as “an important step to scaling up and deploying fast and ultra-fast charging on BP’s UK forecourts”.
Luton-based Chargemaster will be renamed BP Chargemaster as part of the deal.
Chargemaster currently operates more than 6,500 charging points across Britain, used by 40,000 customers. BP operates 1,200 service stations: BP Chargemaster will see many more filling stations quickly gain fast and ultra-fast chargers – within the next 12 months, says the firm.
The plans include installing 150 kW chargers, which can add 100 miles of range in 10 minutes.
“At BP we believe that fast and convenient charging is critical to support the successful adoption of electric vehicles,” said BP’s Tufan Erginbilgic.
“Combining BP’s and Chargemaster’s complementary expertise, experience and assets is an important step towards offering fast and ultra-fast charging at BP sites across the UK and to BP becoming the leading provider of energy to low carbon vehicles, on the road or at home.”
Chargemaster chief executive David Martell said: “The acquisition of Chargemaster by BP marks a true milestone in the move towards low carbon motoring in the UK.
“I am truly excited to lead the Chargemaster team into a new era backed by the strength and scale of BP, which will help us maintain our market-leading position and grow the national POLAR charging network to support the large range of exciting new electric vehicles that are coming to market in the next couple of years.”
What3words is a British start-up navigation company that works by dividing the world into tiny squares, each uniquely identified by, yes, three words. Instead of typing postcodes or addresses into sat nav units, users simply type or speak three words: its simplicity a particular boon for motorists.
In a surprise move, the start-up seems to have caught the attention of 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg, who has just been announced as an investor in the company as part of its latest funding round.
“What3words is a truly revolutionary way to talk about location, and a technology that makes a huge positive impact on the world,” said racer-turned-entrepreneur Rosberg.
“I can now get into my car, and navigate somewhere by just saying three words. Car manufacturers that can offer a more accurate, easy to use navigation system have a real opportunity to enhance the driver’s experience and make big progress towards sustainability.”
Rosberg has joined SAIC Capital and Alpine Electronics in putting money into What3words, which is based in London. (You can navigate to its entrance with the words ///filled.count.soap.)
What’s driven Chinese giant SAIC’s investment arm to put money into the London firm, which divides the planet into 3m x 3m squares? Michael Cohen, investment director at SAIC Capital, said: “What3words is entering a new phase in which the company has a growing presence in the automotive world.
“We are excited to back them now, ahead of the technology becoming commonplace in all vehicles, and look forward to the global adoption of their unique system.’
Chris Sheldrick, CEO and co-founder, said: “The latest funding round is helping fuel our global expansion into new markets, with offices coming in Silicon Valley and Berlin later this year.”
Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler already holds a 10 percent stake in the company and has built the navigation aid into the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class, ahead of rolling it out to other models in its range.
“An efficient addressing system needs to be set in place not just for the future, but for now,” says the firm, “to enable technologies such as autonomous cars or drone deliveries to serve their purpose.”
The Ferrari 250 GTO is among the most desirable cars in the world. Pristine examples change hands for tens of millions of pounds – so the opportunity to buy one that hasn’t ever been driven is likely to prove irresistible for bidders at Coys’ latest Blenheim Palace auction.
What’s the greatest motorsport livery of all time? The subject is guaranteed to stir some lively debate, with the likes of Martini Racing, Marlboro McLaren, John Player Special and Gulf Racing just four examples from a very, very long list of candidates.
Motorists say average speed cameras are a far better way of making drivers stick to the speed limit than single-location fixed cameras, new research by the RAC has revealed.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation has enjoyed a huge cash boost thanks to a 
Oil giant BP has announced it’s to buy Chargemaster, Britain’s largest electric vehicle charging network.
What3words is a British start-up navigation company that works by dividing the world into tiny squares, each uniquely identified by, yes, 
