Aston Martin will launch its first all-electric car in 2019 with a zero-emissions version of the Rapide AMR supercar four-door called RapidE. It will be developed and built by F1 legends Williams Advanced Engineering.
A production version of the 2015 RapidE Concept, the first-ever electric Aston Martin will be built in a limited run of 155 cars, all with an electric drivetrain replacing the current car’s 6.0-litre V12 engine.
It will be the first in an upcoming series of low- and zero-emissions Aston Martins planned for launch as part of the firm’s ‘Second Century Plan’ – including the all-new DBX electric SUV that’s to be built in Wales from 2019.
Aston Martin president and CEO Dr Andy Palmer said “we reach another milestone with the confirmation that we are now putting the first all-electric Aston Martin into production”.
He said the car would showcase a sustainable future where the zero-emissions powertrain enhances an Aston’s style and performance, rather than “merely co-existing alongside a new zero-emissions powertain”.
But traditionalists can rest easy for a while yet. “The internal combustion engine has been at the heart of Aston Martin for more than a century, and will continue to be for years to come. RapidE will showcase Aston Martin’s vision, desire and capability to successfully embrace radical change, delivering a new breed of car that stays true to our ethos and delights our customers.”
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Williams Advanced engineering is delighted with the deal. Technical director Paul McNamara said the project “will draw on the extensive battery and EV experience we have accumulated and we are extremely pleased to be supporting this prestigious British company with their future electrification strategy.”
Williams Advanced Engineering is the sole supplier for battery technology to the growing Formula E all-electric racing series; this season, it introduced an advanced development that incorporated everything it had learnt from previous seasons.
The F1 engineering spin-off company also helped Aston Martin develop the original 2015 RapidE concept car.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has revealed plans to make the city’s entire public transport system zero emission by 2050. It’s part of an ambitious set of proposals that form part of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which seeks to reshape transport in London over the next 25 years.
The draft document for public consultation pledges to change the way Londoners choose to travel across the city, with a hope that 80% of all trips will be made on foot, by cycle or by public transport. Today, that figure stands at 64%.
Without further action, the mayor claims that by 2041, rising public transport demand would mean that 71% of travel on the London Underground and 65% of travel on National Rail would be crowded during the morning peak. Khan is thus calling for a significant increase in capacity.
The pledge to make the entire transport system zero emission by 2050 is the final point of a series of step changes designed to deliver what the mayor is calling ‘healthy streets and healthy people’. Under the plans, taxis and private hire vehicles will be zero emission by 2033, buses by 2037 and all new road vehicles by 2040.
‘Dire potential consequences’
Without drastic changes London will face “dire potential consequences”, warned Sadiq Khan, before claiming that “London will provide international leadership” in this key area.
London’s population is expected to grow from 8.7 million today to an estimated 10.5 million over the next 25 years, putting severe pressure on transport, housing and jobs. Around 50,000 new homes are required to accommodate the rising number of people living in the city, and by 2041 around 1.2 million jobs will need to be created.
Further keynote plans outlined by the “ambitious strategy” include:
No one to be killed in or by a London bus by 2030
Deaths and serious injuries as a result of road collisions to be eliminated by 2041
Reduce freight traffic in the morning peak by 10% by 2026
Reduce total London traffic by 10-15% by 2041
Open Crossrail 2 by 2033
Create a London suburban metro by 2020
Time to clean up London’s ‘filthy air’
“A shift away from car use will help London’s streets work more efficiently, reducing congestion so bus services can run reliably, and essential freight and business journeys can keep London operating,” says the strategy document.
“Today I’ve set out my plans to improve public transport, cut car journeys and clean up our city’s filthy air,” said Sadiq Khan on Twitter.
The draft transport strategy will be open for consultation until 2 October 2017. The results will be published in 2018.
21.5 million UK motorists – that’s nearly 6 in 10 drivers – believe Brexit is going to result in an increase in the price new cars, new research reveals. 17 percent of them are actually expecting ‘significant’ increases in new car prices.
More than half of motorists also believe Brexit will push up the cost of fuel and car spares, and more than one in three think even used cars will become more expensive because of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
The figures were revealed in an ICM poll for Kwik Fit, which asked 2043 British drivers what they think Brexit will do to motoring costs. The headline figure is that only 3 percent think it will lead to lower new car prices: everyone else expects them either to remain the same or increase. Just 5 percent are expecting cheaper used cars because of Brexit.
Many also believe car insurance and servicing will become more expensive due to Brexit, the former adding yet further pressure on insurance premiums that have already risen 15.7 percent in the past year.
Brexit is, however, having little effect on motorists’ patriotism. Only 13 percent of drivers say they’re more likely to buy British as a result of Brexit – more than 7 in 10 admit it’s made no difference to the nationality of the new or used car they plan to buy.
1.2 million drivers actually say Brexit has made them less likely to buy a British car.
Kwik-Fit’s Roger Griggs said: “The cost of motoring is understandably a major concern for people as the country prepares to leave the European Union and this perhaps is one reason for last month’s fall in new car sales.”
The SMMT this week called upon the government to seek an interim post-Brexit deal with the EU, because the automotive industry faced a “cliff-edge” if no deal was forthcoming. The car industry trade body has previously warned that Brexit could add £1500 to the average price of a new car.
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We all know that the purchase price is just the beginning when it comes to the cost of running a new car. Which is why CAP HPI’s total cost of ownership (TCO) data could prove to be so valuable. It takes into account service and maintenance, depreciation and fuel to provide a true cost over the first three years.
As you’d expect, the top 25 is dominated by frugal city cars and superminis, but if you’re looking to run a car for as little as possible, these are definitely worth a look. In all cases, the image used is for illustrative purposes only. And don’t forget to factor in the cost of purchase.
25. Fiat Panda 1.2 Pop 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,493.29
The current Fiat Panda has been on sale since 2011, but it manages to secure a top 25 slot in the CAP HPI analysis. You might be tempted to fork out for the more-frugal-on-paper but more expensive TwinAir engine, but these figures suggest it’s the basic Panda Pop 1.2 that’s the economy hero.
24. Kia Rio 1.4 1 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,466.20
The Kia Rio 1.4 CRDi in basic ‘1’ spec is one of three diesel cars to make the top 25. At a cost of £1,994.20, the Rio is joint-lowest when it comes to fuel, but is let down by depreciation. The Korean supermini will lose £7,465 in three years, which is surprising given the fact that it will have the remainder of Kia’s seven-year warranty.
23. Dacia Duster 1.6 115 Access
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,405.32
The Dacia Duster is the only proper-size SUV to make the list, but you’ll need the front-wheel drive version if you’re planning to economise. It’s the only 1.6-litre petrol car on the list, which might explain why the fuel cost is so high. The £5,315 figure is nearing the cost of a brand new Sandero.
22. Skoda Fabia 1.0 S 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,306.04
With the Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo absent from the list, it’s left to the Skoda Fabia to fly the flag for the trio of superminis. Not only is the Fabia cheap to buy, it also offers the lowest cost of service and maintenance. You’ll spend a mere £581 on servicing over the first three years.
21. Citroen C3 1.2 Touch
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,303.04
We think the new Citroen C3 is at its best in one of the higher trim levels, so you’ll need to make a few sacrifices if you’re looking to run this supermini on a budget. The 1.2 Touch represents basic motoring – there’s no 7-inch touchscreen, alloy wheels or alarm – but it should be cheap to run.
20. MG3 1.5 3Time
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,235.55
The majority of engines in the top 25 are either 1.0- or 1.2-litre units, so the 1.5-litre petrol engine in the MG3 puts it at a disadvantage. Its biggest problem is the cost of fuel which, at £3,276.55, is one of the highest on the list. CAP HPI has based the figures on 10,000 miles per annum.
19. Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ2 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £10,076.21
Before you rush out and buy a new Suzuki Swift, it’s worth noting that this figure is based on the old model. Indeed, Suzuki has ditched the option of three doors and the SZ2 trim level. If you bought one before the axe fell you can expect to spend a little over £10,000 over the next three years.
18. Seat Mii 1.0 S 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,911.89
All three of the Up, Citigo and Mii trio of city cars made the top 25, but the Seat is the most expensive to run. We’re surprised to find the fuel cost marginally higher in the Mii (they’re powered by the same 1.0 engine), but the higher cost of depreciation makes sense as the Mii is the least popular of the three
17. Ford Ka+ 1.2 Studio
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,828.21
Only a hefty cost of service and depreciation prevents the Ford Ka+ from finishing higher in the CAP HPI analysis. At £1,109 over the first three years, the Ka+ is the most expensive car to service.
16. Skoda Citigo 1.0 S 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,758.48
Surprised to find the Skoda Citigo finishing below the Volkswagen Up? While the fuel costs are identical and the Citigo is marginally less expensive to maintain, the Up is more desirable on the used car market, which means depreciation is lower. The Citigo loses £6,015 in three years, while the Up loses £5,665.
15. Hyundai i10 1.0 S 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,524.04
The Hyundai i10 has come a long way since the days when it was piled high and sold cheap. Indeed, the basic i10 was one of the major beneficiaries of the government’s scrappage scheme, as owners rushed to buy a new car. The basic i10 is hardly exciting, but it should be cheap to run. Hyundai’s excellent five-year warranty is an added bonus.
14. Volkswagen Up 1.0 Take Up 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,440.48
The Volkswagen Up demonstrates why depreciation is such an important and often overlooked consideration when buying a new car. The Up might be more expensive to buy and cost more to service, but used car buyers prefer the prestige of the Volkswagen badge, which means it commands a premium on the secondhand market.
13. Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet SZ3
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,432.83
Classing the new Ignis as a compact SUV is a bit of a stretch, even if it is available with Suzuki’s Allgrip all-wheel drive system. We’re delighted to see the Ignis in the top 25, as we’re big fans of the quirky small car. The only disappointment is the £1,035 you’ll spend on service and maintenance, which is the highest figure in the top 25.
12. Citroen C1 1.0 Touch 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,361.94
If you’re finding it hard to choose between the platform-sharing Citroen C1, Peugeot 108 or Toyota Aygo, the CAP HPI data might help. Predictably, the cost of fuel is the same for each car, but although the C1 is the cheapest to buy, it ranks the lowest of the three thanks to the cost of depreciation.
11. Vauxhall Viva 1.0 SE
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,340.83
The Viva is Vauxhall’s budget-driven small car, so it’s no surprise to find it sitting just outside the top 10. The entry-level SE costs £9,315, but the lack of air-con might tempt you into the more expensive and aptly-named SE A/C model.
10. Kia Picanto 1.0 1 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,178.89
Not one but two Kia Picanto models make the top 25, including the old 1.0-litre model in basic ‘1’ trim level. This model has been superseded by a third generation Picanto.
9. Nissan Micra 1.2 Visia Limited Edition 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £9,143.21
Another car superseded by a newer model is the Nissan Micra, which has just cranked up the funk-o-meter to the max. If you fancy an older model, the 1.2-litre Visia Limited Edition is the frugal choice.
8. Toyota Aygo 1.0 X 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,991.94
The difference between a basic Toyota Aygo and a boggo Peugeot 108 is just £50 over three years, so your choice will come down to brand loyalty, styling, and the proximity of your nearest dealer. It’s interesting to note that the Aygo is the cheapest to service and maintain.
7. Peugeot 108 1.0 Access 3dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,945.94
Peugeot’s ‘Just Add Fuel’ initiative has proved to be rather popular and has helped to shift many units of its smaller cars. The 108 in Access trim is rather basic, so we’d recommend splashing a bit more cash on an Active or Allure model.
6. Dacia Logan MCV 1.5 Ambiance
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,908.20
Spoiler alert: four of the top six cars wear a Dacia badge, so be prepared for a Romanian overload. The Dacia Logan MCV has been updated, but the CAP HPI data is based on the pre-facelift 1.5-litre diesel in Ambiance trim.
5. Kia Picanto 1.0 1 5dr
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,840.48
The second appearance for the Kia Picanto, this time in third generation guise. The newer model is expected to retain more value and be more fuel-efficient than the old Picanto, hence its appearance in the top five.
4. Dacia Logan MCV 1.2 Access
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,493.55
Dacia has ditched the 1.2-litre 16v petrol engine from the Logan MCV range, but the good news is that it has been replaced by the excellent 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit. According to the CAP HPI figures, the Logan MCV is both cheap to buy and cheap to run.
3. Suzuki Celerio 1.0 SZ2
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,350.74
Suzuki muscles in on the Dacia party with its Celerio model taking third spot. The budget-driven city car feels cheap but is very well equipped, even in the basic SZ2 trim. It’s not exciting, but it is frugal.
2. Dacia Sandero 1.5 Ambiance
Total cost of ownership (three years): £8,059.20
Petrol engines might dominate the top 25, but it’s a diesel-powered Dacia Sandero in second place. The Sandero in Ambiance trim will cost £223.87 a month to run over the first three years. But you can buy even cheaper…
1. Dacia Sandero 1.0 Access
Total cost of ownership (three years): £7,419.64
If CAP HPI’s figures are to be believed, Britain’s cheapest new car is also the cheapest to run. The Dacia Sandero Access costs £5,995 and will have lost £3,205 in depreciation by the end of the third year. Service and maintenance costs a reasonable £836 over three years.
Car insurance premiums are rocketing, with premiums up a whopping 15.7 percent over the past year. This takes the average car insurance bill up to £666 – and for young drivers, it’s even worse: they pay an average of £1202 a year.
A rise in personal injury compensation payments are behind it, says analysts Consumer Intelligence. New rules came into force in March, which is why nearly half the annual premium rise occurred in the three months to May.
There may be more increases in store, too: in June, the Insurance Premium Tax has risen from 10 percent to 12 percent, adding further upward pressure to premiums.
However, although young drivers aged between 21 and 24 pay a staggering amount for car insurance, increases have at least been a bit lower than average for them, at ‘just’ 13.1 percent. Greater use of telematics ‘black box’ policies is behind this: more than 60 percent of the top car insurance policies for younger drivers are now black box policies.
It’s actually over-50s who are experiencing the biggest annual increases of 17.9 percent, although they still pay the least for car insurance: £418 a year. Maybe this is why telematics policies are extending even to this age group – almost 10 percent of the top-buy policies for over-50s are telematics-based.
Those in London may the most for car insurance, with average car insurance premiums of around £1000. Scotland and the South West pay the least, with annual bills of less than half that, at £474. However, average increases in these regions are now greater than average, at 16.7 percent.
Consumer Intelligence pricing John Blevins said: “Price rises had been levelling off at the end of last year but are now rising rapidly as the full impact of the discount rate cut [related to personal injury claims] comes into effect.
“With the impact of the latest Insurance Premium Tax rise still to come into effect, drivers need to shop around to limit increases in premiums.”
Lorenzo Ardizio, curator of the Museo Storico, describes this outwardly brutalist building near Milan as a ‘temple to Alfa Romeo’. Inside, around 70 road, race and concept cars chart the company’s illustrious history, from its birth as A.L.F.A. (Societa Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) in 1910 to the new Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Here are some of the highlights.
Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Corto ‘Mille Miglia’
Let’s start with one of the Alfa’s most evocative sports cars: the 8C 2300. Its long, louvred nose hides a 155hp supercharged straight-eight displacing 2,236cc (not quite the 2.3 litres its name suggests). Racing ‘Mille Miglia’ versions were campaigned by Alfa Romeo and the fledgling Scuderia Ferrari, taking victory in the eponymous event in 1932 and 1933.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Fan of the new Alfa Giulia? Well, here’s where it all began. You wouldn’t think it, but the boxy original Giulia was actually designed using a wind tunnel, which helped shape its tapered front end and truncated tail. Powered by a twin-cam 1.6-litre engine, the Giulia was a huge success – with nearly 600,000 built between 1962 and 1978. It was also a firm favourite with the Carabinieri (Italian police).
Alfa Romeo Montreal
This much-loved Alfa started life as a concept car intended to embody ‘man’s utmost automotive aspiration’ at Expo 1967 in Montreal. However, the Marcello Gandini-styled coupe proved so popular that it entered production in 1970. Behind its retractable eyelashes, the Montreal has a 200hp 2.6-litre V8 – good for a top speed of 137mph.
Alfa Romeo Carabo
Here’s a concept that – much to our dismay – never made production. Styled by Gandini during his time at Bertone (spot his trademark asymmetric rear wheelarches), the 1968 Carabo remains the embodiment of the futuristic supercar. Its wedgy profile and vertically-opening doors were also a direct influence on the Lamborghini Countach.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competitzione
Now for Alfa’s very own supercar – one that would take on Ferrari and Lamborghini at their own game. With a name that evoked those 1930s racers, plus the small matter of a 450hp Maserati V8, the 8C could hit 62mph in 4.2 seconds. Just 500 examples of this carbonfibre-bodied flagship were made, one of which is displayed in the ‘Timeline’ hall at the Museo Storico.
Alfa Romeo Bimotore
What’s better than one 270hp straight-eight? Why, two of course. The bonkers Bimotore had one engine in front of the cockpit and another over the rear wheels. Despite its prodigious power, though, the 1935 Bimotore wasn’t a great success. Even Alfa Romeo’s official history describes it as ‘cantankerous and difficult to tame’. Only two were made, but it stands in testament to pre-war Alfa’s engineering prowess.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale prototype
The 1967 33 Stradale is such an iconic design that, much like the Ford GT40 or Lancia Stratos, it has subsequently been ‘reimagined’ with modern mechanicals. And why not? For our money, this voluptuous road-legal racer is one of the best looking cars ever. It’s also one of the most valuable: with only 18 made, any Stradale commands a seven-figure price tag.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Alfasud translates as ‘Alfa South’, reflecting the fact that the factory was in the south of Italy – part of a state-sponsored effort to bring work to the region. And the ‘Sud’ was indeed a car for the people, with a spacious interior and a peppy 63hp 1.2-litre engine. Sadly, nearly all of the 900,000 built have now rusted into oblivion.
Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 Lungo
We make no apologies for including a second 8C here. The beautiful 1938 8C 2900 Lungo is described in the Museo Storico guidebook as no less than ‘Touring’s masterpiece and the ultimate Alfa Romeo’. Well, that’s settled then. Only 10 examples of the long-bodied Lungo were built, all using the well-proven 220hp 2.9-litre straight-eight.
Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ 2
The 1965 Giulia TZ 2 bears more than a passing resemblance to the Ferrari 250 GTO. In short, it’s utterly fabulous. Its powertrain, however, is more modest; where the Ferrari has a 300hp V12, the Alfa makes do with a 170hp four-cylinder twin-cam. Even so, with a tubular spaceframe chassis and lightweight fibreglass panels, the TZ 2 was quick – as class wins in the Targa Florio and numerous other events proved.
Alfa Romeo Iguana
Based on the rolling chassis of the 33 Stradale, the Giugiaro-penned Iguana concept was rather more angular, but no less striking. Its mid-mounted 2.0-litre V8 produced 230hp at a heady 8,800rpm, while its electrically-adjustable rear spoiler also acted as an air brake. The ‘grazed’ paint finish was unique, too.
Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio
Heading up the ‘Speed’ section of the Museo Storico is this 1923 RL Targa Florio – the first car to wear the cloverleaf ‘Quadrifoglio’ badge. Driven by Ugo Sivocci, it won the Targa Florio at its first attempt, with Ascari finishing second in another RL. The four-leaf clover was added afterwards as a symbol of good luck that’s still seen on fast Alfa Romeos to this day.
Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior
Small but mighty, the Bertone-bodied GT 1300 Junior packed a 165hp punch: not bad in a car weighing just 760kg (note the lack of bumpers to save vital kilos). The Bertone-bodied Junior was a hit on the road and race track, winning the European Championships in 1971 and 1972. We bet it’s an absolute riot to drive.
A.L.F.A. 24 HP
We conclude at the beginning, so to speak. The 24 HP is the very first Alfa Romeo, and a remarkably luxurious car for 1910. It had a side-valve engine, four-speed gearbox and a top speed of 60mph: mildly terrifying with drum brakes on the rear wheels only. Production was halted by the outbreak of the First World War, by which time more than 200 had been made.
Residents of Lincoln might be in for a shock next time they order a taxi – as the local council has handed out a licence for a Lamborghini Huracan to be used as a private hire vehicle.
Usually councils will award licences to vehicles capable of carrying at least four passengers – meaning a special exception has been made for the Huracan, which can only seat two people including the driver. The Lamborghini is owned by a local taxi company, Handsome Cabs, which plans to use it for special occasions such as school proms.
“I understand this is an unorthodox vehicle to want to use for private hire or taxi work but our plan is to use the vehicle under special conditions and for limited services only,” said the firm’s director, Jamal Parvez.
“For example, on special occasions such as school leavers’ prom nights or weddings or for a company executive who wants to impress a potential customer.”
The Lamborghini Huracan costs from £155,400 and replaced the Gallardo in 2014. It shares a platform with fellow VW Group supercar, the Audi R8, including its 5.2-litre V10 engine. In the Lamborghini, it produces 610hp as standard, propelling the supercar to 62mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 202mph.
“It is certainly an impressive vehicle and one which will no doubt turn many heads around the streets of Lincoln and beyond,” said councillor Cath Brothwell, chair of Lincoln Council’s licencing committee.
“People will be used to seeing cars like this in The Fast and Furious, but not so much on Firth Road and Flaxengate!”
When asked where the taxi firm would be mounting a legally-required private hire plate on the Lamborghini, a spokesman joked: “We’re going to close our eyes.”
It’s not the first Lamborghini taxi in the UK, however. Last year, Wolverhampton City Council licensed a bright green Huracan belonging to a local wedding car company. The firm, Special Wedding Cars, was planning to offer passenger rides in the Lambo with prices starting at £349 for a 90 minute journey.
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An ex-David Gilmour Ferrari F40, Sir Elton John’s ‘Nikita’ Bentley Continental and Peter Sellers’ Porsche 911 are the star cars on offer at the 2017 Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale. The auction takes place on 30 June 2017 and we’ve selected a few of the highlights. Shine on you crazy diamonds…
David Gilmour’s Ferrari F40
In 1988, Autocar reported that Pink Floyd stars Nick Mason and David Gilmour would be the first British customers to take delivery of a Ferrari F40. Both Mason and Gilmour collected their cars from Maranello and drove them back to the UK on Italian export plates. That’s not a bad way to say welcome to the machine…
Later, the F40s were displayed at the Birmingham International Motor Show, with Gilmour’s on the Pininfarina stand and Mason’s taking pride of place on the Ferrari stand. But while Gilmour was the original owner, the F40 has changed a little over the years. You could say ‘Time’ and ‘Money’ has been spent on this Ferrari.
An engine fire in the late 2000s left the car in need of restoration, which was finally completed at a cost of… wait for it… £304,500.
Deep pockets are required, then, and although Bonhams hasn’t issued a pre-auction estimate, Eric Clapton’s old Ferrari F40 is currently up for sale for a cool £925,000. We’re not here to debate which F40 is best, but could you imagine the ‘guitar-off’ between Gilmour and Clapton?
Sir Elton John’s Bentley Continental Convertible: £90,000 – £120,000
Sir Elton John’s Bentley Continental Convertible is a familiar sight on the auction circuit, having gone under the hammer at the Bonhams Paris sale in 2015. Then, it sold for £70,955 including premium.
Two years later, the Rocket Man’s Bentley has, er… rocketed in value to between £90,000 and £120,000. Sir Elton purchased the car new in 1985, before giving it a starring role in the video for the hit single, Nikita.
Much work has been done since the car was purchased in 2015, including the fitment of the correct steel wheels. With this, the only deviation from the original specification is the boot-mounted CD changer and bass unit, which makes it the ideal car for cruising the Yellow Brick Road listening to Now That’s What I Call Elton John’s Biggest Hits.
Sir Elton has owned many desirable motors in his time, including a Jaguar XJ220 and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, which was painted yellow and red to match the colours of his beloved Watford FC.
Peter Sellers’ Porsche 930 Turbo: £60,000 – £80,000
From one celebrity car fan to another: actor and comedian Peter Sellers owned a number of desirable cars in his time, including a Ferrari 500 Superfast, an Aston Martin DB4 GT and this Porsche 911 Turbo.
It was one of the last cars Sellers bought before he died and was actually on sale at a classic car dealer in 2016. At the time, Andrew Collins of Castle Classic Cars told Classic Car Weekly: “I think if we get strong interest from a Peter Sellers fan it could put a premium on the car. 911 Turbos of this era can fetch anywhere up to £70,000.” Bonhams reckons it could sell for between £60,000 and £80,000 at auction.
“The body is showing its age,” states the auction catalogue, but it is believed to have the same paintwork as when Peter Sellers took delivery.
Special order equipment requested by Sellers included chrome parts in black, sports seats, rubber buffers on bumper horns, coloured headlight rings, climate control and a sunroof. One thing’s for sure, Sellers had fine taste. We love the stealth look.
Porsche 356A Carrera Speedster: £900,000 – £1,000,000
This 1957 Porsche 356A Carrera Speedster might not have a celebrity connection, but the pre-auction estimate puts it firmly within the ‘rich or famous’ category. It’s the last of only three right-hand drive Carrera Speedsters built by Porsche, all of which were delivered to Australia.
Between 2012 and 2014, the Porsche underwent a total restoration at a cost of £100,000. The single image doesn’t do this car justice and we recommend checking it out on the Bonhams website. Be prepared to collect your jaw from the floor.
Austin-Healey 100 BN2: £100,000 – £140,000
This Austin Healey 100 is one of four cars displayed by the factory at the 1955 Earls Court Motor Show and the first of its kind to be painted in Florida Green over white. The first private owner was a Lt. Colonel Hyde, who kept the car until 1963, by which time it had covered 45,000 miles.
The 100 is the quintessential British sports car, being both great to drive and delightful to look at. Restoration projects aren’t for the faint-hearted, so the fact that that TAC 787 was restored over a six-year period, before winning awards at the Austin-Healey Club National Concours, should fill you with confidence.
Although the 300 SL Roadster lacks the theatre associated with the ‘Gullwing’ doors, it remains one of the world’s most beautiful cars. That it’s more of a boulevard cruiser than the original doesn’t matter – you can thank the extra 100kg of weight for this – because we’d happily while away the hours on a boulevard in this 1962 example.
The car was shipped to the United States in 1963 but arrived in the UK in 1989. “There cannot be many better ways of travelling to a classic event, taking part and driving home,” says Bonhams.
Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Open Tourer: £300,000 – £400,000
We can’t offer a celebrity connection with this 1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Open Tourer, but it was delivered new to His Highness the Maharana Sir Fateh Singh Bahadur of Udaipur. Quite literally, this makes it fit for a ‘King of Kings’.
The Silver Ghost is, without question, one of the finest cars Britain has ever produced. This example is up for sale because the owner has a split in the achilles tendon in his right leg, making it painfully difficult to drive.
Porsche 911 RS Lightweight: £750,000 – £850,000
To some, the RS Lightweight is the holy grail of the Porsche 911 world, which is reflected in the pre-auction estimate. This 1973 example is one of 17 right-hand drive UK-supplied cars and was delivered new to Isaac Agnew, the official Porsche dealer in Belfast.
The original owner took part in several competitions before the car arrived in England in 1974. It took part in further rallies before an engine failure prompted the fitment of a replacement unit in 1975. Following a number of modifications, the car has been restored to its original specification, with the only exception being a pair of RS Safari seats.
Bugatti Type 23 Brescia: £550,000 – £650,000
Having recently written a brief history of Bugatti, we felt obliged to include one of its cars in our Goodwood auction preview. The Type 23 Brescia was essentially a touring version of the Type 13 Brescia racecar and so-called in honour of the top four places at the 1921 Brescia Grand Prix.
This 1923 example features coachwork by Lavocat et Marsaud and received the Pebble Beach Chairman’s Award in 2011.
DeLorean DMC-12: £30,000 – £35,000
Thanks to a certain movie, the DeLorean DMC-12 will always be in demand and this is likely to be up there with the best of them. It was delivered new in California and has a mere 8,834 miles on the clock.
As you’d expect from a low-mileage car from the Golden State, the DeLorean is in remarkably good condition. It actually arrived in the UK in 2016 and has since been re-commissioned following years in storage.
Ferrari F355 Berlinetta: £85,000 – £95,000
Arguably one of Ferrari’s most beautiful cars – certainly of the modern era – and yet this F355 Berlinetta is expected to sell for less than £100,000. A bargain? You decide.
Fittingly, this Italian thoroughbred was supplied new in Italy, before arriving in the UK in 2015. A certain Jeremy Clarkson enjoyed testing one so much, he arrived home and ordered one from his local Ferrari dealer.
Iso Grifo: £200,000 – £250,000
All too often, these auction preview galleries focus on the high profile and well-known cars. Breaking from tradition, we’ve selected a handful of alternatives, starting with this: a 1973 Iso Grifo. You can thank Giorgetto Giugiaro for the disarmingly attractive styling and American V8 power for the performance.
While we’d prefer the larger 7.0-litre Chevrolet engine, with 365hp on tap, this Ford-engined series II model is no slouch. The later cars are notable for their partially covered headlights. In total, only 413 Iso Grifos were made before the Italian firm was declared bankrupt.
Lamborghini Jarama: £120,000 – £150,000
Another 1970s car with partially covered headlights, this is one of only 18 right-hand drive Lamborghini Jarama S models ever built. The styling divides opinion, but Ferruccio Lamborghini listed the Jarama as one of his favourite cars.
It’s the quintessential gentleman’s GT car, with effortless V12 performance and cross-continental comfort. That said, if you are crossing continents, you might want to consider the fuel bill.
DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S: £140,000 – £180,000
The original clean and elegant DeTomaso Pantera was very much a car of the 1970s, but the GT4, GT5 and GT5-S models were 100% products of the 1980s. The flared arches, in-your-face decals, fat wheels and wild rear wings were in keeping with the times.
This 1990 example is powered by a Ford Windsor V8 engine and has covered a mere 14,000km from new. It comes complete with the original build sheet and production document, sourced directly from DeTomaso in Italy.
McLaren M1B: £200,000 – £250,000
The MB1 was designed and handbuilt by Robin Herd and Bruce McLaren and was the official 1965 McLaren team car. Chassis number 30-04, as seen here, enjoyed a lengthy career in Can-Am races and is one of only 28 built.
It’s no stranger to Goodwood, having made several appearances at the Revival.
Lister-Jaguar XJ-S Le Mans: £50,000 – £70,000
We conclude our Goodwood sale preview with this 1989 Lister-Jaguar XJ-S Le Mans, which is fitting, given the fact that the famous endurance race took place over the weekend. The Lister Le Mans was named in honour of Jaguar’s success at La Sarthe in the 1980s and was powered by a 7.0-litre version of Jag’s V12 engine.
New, this 200mph supercar would have cost a cool £160,000. Today, it could be yours for a more palatable £50,000 to £70,000. Remember, the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale takes place on 30 June 2017.
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London Mayor Sadiq Kahn has revealed a draft consultation report, the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which outlines a number of pollution-beating measures – including the controversial option of ‘pay as you go’ road charging. RAC roads policy expert Nick Lyes has analysed the report and says it’s bold – but the Mayor must be careful.
“The Mayor is particularly brave to raise the idea of road pricing,” said Lyes. This was mooted some years ago on a national scale and quickly dropped.” Motorists rebelled as it was seen as a charge on top of motoring taxation already paid.
Any new pay as you go roads charging scheme would face the same challenges – although Lyes believes that, longer term, it might actually become a fairer alternative to the current London Congestion Charge, particularly once future emissions ‘T-charge’ costs are added on. “By its nature, this is fairer.”
The only technical hurdle could be the need to use vehicle-tracking ‘black box’ technology: not a problem for those who live in and around Greater London, but harder to manage for those driving into London from other areas.
Lyes also warned the Mayor to avoid watering down parking provisions for new developments, something he says could lead to those who need to own a car either illegally parking on the road or parking a long way from home.
What do you think? Would pay-as-you-go motoring charges be fairer than a flat fee? Share your thoughts below and see what others think…
Volvo has today announced Polestar will become a standalone brand, creating electrified high-performance cars that build upon regular Volvo models. The money it saves through tech and engineering synergies will be spent on designing, developing and building “world-beating” high-performance cars, promises the boss of Volvo Car Group, Hakan Samuelsson.
So, how about a future lightweight all-electric sports car co-developed by Lotus and Polestar, using a Volvo-derived electric motor and battery pack installed within a lightweight all-aluminium Lotus chassis?
It’s not as fanciful as it sounds. Those synergies Samuelsson speaks of could surely be extended across several brands, thus giving Polestar a dramatic EV range-topping performance version without the huge cost of developing one from scratch.
Lotus, well, we know it’s developing a new Elise for 2020, but it also really needs a new range-topping supercar… it reportedly got further down the line than we perhaps realise in developing the stillborn new Esprit, infamously shown as one of six concepts in 2010 (and pictured above): Chinese soon-to-be-parent company Geely’s financial backing could allow it to finally create a genuine ‘new Esprit’ – and co-creating a bespoke Polestar version would add to any project’s business case.
And making it all-electric, using Volvo technology, would fast-track Lotus and Polestar to the high-performance EV supercar arena Tesla boss Elon Musk is reportedly so keen to join.
Lotus has form here. The first-ever Tesla, the Roadster was actually designed and developed with help from Lotus; the Norfolk firm even built ‘gliders’ – complete cars without engines or gearboxes – that it sent overseas to Tesla for conversion into all-electric Roadsters. Lotus knows what it takes to create electric sports cars.
And if an all-electric supercar is a step too far, what about a plug-in hybrid Lotus and Polestar supercar joint project? Using drivetrain technology we already know is coming to the Polestars of the future?
Of course, there’s a long way to go. Geely hasn’t even completed due diligence on Lotus yet. But the opportunities are enormous… and why do I think something like this could work? Well, just look at how Geely has transformed Volvo…
Aston Martin will launch its first all-electric car in 2019 with a zero-emissions version of the Rapide AMR supercar four-door called RapidE. It will be developed and built by F1 legends Williams Advanced Engineering.
21.5 million UK motorists – that’s nearly 6 in 10 drivers – believe Brexit is going to result in an increase in the price new cars, new research reveals. 17 percent of them are actually expecting ‘significant’ increases in new car prices. 
Car insurance premiums are rocketing, with premiums up a whopping 15.7 percent over the past year. This takes the average car insurance bill up to £666 – and for young drivers, it’s even worse: they pay an average of £1202 a year.
Lorenzo Ardizio, curator of the Museo Storico, describes this outwardly brutalist building near Milan as a ‘temple to Alfa Romeo’. Inside, around 70 road, race and concept cars chart the company’s illustrious history, from its birth as A.L.F.A. (Societa Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) in 1910 to the new Giulia Quadrifoglio.
An ex-David Gilmour Ferrari F40, Sir Elton John’s ‘Nikita’ Bentley Continental and Peter Sellers’ Porsche 911 are the star cars on offer at the 2017 Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale. The auction takes place on 30 June 2017 and we’ve selected a few of the highlights. Shine on you crazy diamonds…
London Mayor Sadiq Kahn has revealed a draft consultation report, the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which outlines a number of pollution-beating measures – including the controversial option of ‘pay as you go’ road charging. RAC roads policy expert Nick Lyes has analysed the report and says it’s bold – but the Mayor must be careful.
Volvo has today announced