Rimac Automobili founder and CEO, Mate Rimac, has issued a statement following the crash involving Richard Hammond earlier this month. Hammond was competing in the Hemburg Hill Climb event in Switzerland when the electric hypercar left the road and subsequently burst into flames.
Following widespread speculation as to the cause of the accident – and in the absence of any detailed information from Richard Hammond or the producers of The Grand Tour – Rimac has leapt to the defence of the Concept One, as reported by the website, Vidi Auto.
‘Tumbled from a 100m height’
Responding to claims that the Concept One was involved in a low-speed crash, Rimac said: “Turned to grass? Driving 66km/h?” before continuing:
“The car flew 300 meters (sic) horizontally and tumbled from a 100m height. After the first flight it fell on asphalt road 10m below the place where the first started. I am not able to tell at which speed it was driven, but I cannot believe what nonsense has been written by people who have no idea, or are blind, or just mischievous.”
This is the first time Rimac or his company have spoken about the crash since issuing a statement immediately after the incident, wishing Richard “a quick recovery.”
Hammond himself posted an update via the DriveTribes website saying he hopes to be “back in action soon.” The accident is likely to delay filming of the second series of The Grand Tour, but there’s no word on whether Amazon will postpone the date of the series premiere in October.
‘Wouldn’t have happened to a real pro’
Some are pointing the finger at Hammond for causing the crash, including the winner of the race in which The Grand Tour presenters were competing. Speaking to The Sun, Swiss driver, Marcel Steiner, said the crash “wouldn’t have happened to a real pro”.
Concerns were also raised by Auto Sport Switzerland director, Patrick Falk, who questioned whether serious preparation was made ahead of the hill climb.
Falk said: “Since Hammond did not participate in the official race but in the show part, we do not have access to him or his car.
“Normally, professional racers take the route the day before with this bike and deal with conditions on the spot. We doubt Hammond had time for this.”
The latest Rimac Concept One produces 1,224hp and 1,180lb ft of torque, and is capable of reaching some truly remarkable speeds. The headline figures are a 0-62mph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 221mph.
More than 10,000 classic Ford fans converged on the famous Santa Pod Raceway for the annual Classic Ford Show. This year around 1,200 cars were on display, ranging from concours restorations to highly-tuned performance weapons. We have the photos.
Made in Dagenham: Ford’s secret classic car collection
New for 2017, some of the UK’s best Ford-based dragsters took part in the ‘Face-Off’ competition. Split over two sessions, drivers were invited to set their quickest time, with the fastest cars going head-to-head in the showdown.
The winner was Paul Marston in his twin-turbocharged Ford Cortina. The Cordoba Beige Cortina is the ultimate sleeper, producing some 1,400hp, with the potential to deliver 2,500hp! According to Marston, it’s “potentially one of the top 10 fastest doorslammers in the country”. With a top speed of 168mph at Santa Pod, who are we to argue?
A Cortina of a different flavour, this Mk1 estate was converted into an ‘Estavan’ by owner Brian Twinn. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre 16v Zetec engine sourced from a Focus and custom touches include the modification from four- to two-doors and the bronze paint.
This immaculate Ford Escort was one of the stars of the show. Shaun Greatbatch’s Cortina drove away with the ‘Show and Shine’ award.
The ‘Show and Shine’ competition was dominated by the Ford Escort, with Damian Broersma’s RS Cosworth scooping second place…
Which left Terry Stanford’s Mk1 RS1600 to complete the Escort one-two-three.
It wouldn’t be a fast Ford event without a cloud of tyre smoke. Look closely and you’ll discover a Ford Escort owned by Rhys Thomas, which just happened to win the burnout competition.
Anything a Ford Escort estate can do, an Escort van can do almost as well. We suspect this Escort 55 is hiding one or two tasty modifications. The burnout challenge was a new event for 2017 and open to any classic Ford owner who was not afraid to destroy a pair of tyres.
Classic Ford’s ‘Great Unveiling’ section showcases future magazine feature cars, which this year included this turbocharged Ford Popular 100E. Other cars included a works-inspired Mk2 Escort rally car, an EcoBoost-powered Mk2 Escort and the aforementioned ‘Estavan’. Just don’t call it Gloria.
Stick a V8 engine in a Ford Cortina Mk2 and this is the result. Ian Walley produced one of the greatest spectacles at this year’s event.
Just because we’re halfway through the year doesn’t mean we’re running low on new cars to get excited about. Here are 35 new models currently scheduled to roll off the production line before the end of 2017.
There might be a new Fiesta on the way, but that hasn’t stopped the outgoing version from topping the sales charts across the UK and Europe. But all good things have to end, and the new seventh-generation Fiesta will be on sale next month, with prices starting at £12,715. The regular hatchback models will be available first, including fancy Vignale trim, with the Active crossover and ST hot hatch following on later.
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen has teased the new sixth-generation Polo but we’re only a month off the full unveiling now. Debuting on the 16th June, styling changes are will be evolutionary rather than dramatic, based on the leaked images and spy shots. Using the same VW Group MQB A0 platform as the new Seat Ibiza, expectations are high for improved refinement and technology.
Mazda CX-5
The compact SUV market continues to heat up, and the all-new Mazda CX-5 brings good looks inspired by the smaller CX-3. On sale from the 30th June, UK buyers have a choice of Skyactiv 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines, with AWD also on the options list. Prices begin at £23,695, with generous standard equipment levels. A special Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint also promises to increase paintwork brightness by approximately 20% compared to the previous CX-5.
Skoda Karoq
The Yeti is dead, long live the Karoq. Replacing a cult-classic like the Yeti was always going to be difficult. However, we can’t help but be a little saddened that Skoda has forgotten the quirky qualities that made the Yeti so popular. Undoubtedly more mature, the Karoq has more than a passing resemblance to the related VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Given the success of the larger Kodiaq, we have no doubt the sensible Karoq will still prove to be a winner when it goes on sale later this year.
Hyundai Kona
This is Hyundai’s first ever sub-compact SUV, and it plans to take on the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Bold looks are important in this segment, so Hyundai has pulled no punches in making the Kona look as distinctive as possible. Promised to be on sale by the end of 2017, the Kona is named after the eponymous district on the Big Island of Hawaii, apparently famed for its energy and unique lifestyle. The Tucson and Santa Fe are well regarded, so there’s no doubt Hyundai has SUV prowess.
Kia Stonic
Sharing a platform with the Kona will be Kia’s own take on the compact SUV segment. With a name derived from a portmanteau of speedy and tonic – yes, really – the Stonic looks as unique as it is badged. Expect engines to be taken from the Rio supermini, with the Stonic majoring on strong equipment levels and Kia’s generous seven-year warranty to battle the ageing Nissan Juke.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Hot off the press, and heading to showrooms on the 1st November, Citroen has killed off the C3 Picasso MPV and replaced it with a compact SUV. With even the ability to do some light off-roading, the Aircross is an important car for Citroen, which has aims of boosting total brand sales 30% by 2021. The Aircross will emphasise customisation, with a choice of 90 colour combinations, but also technology such as wireless smartphone charging and a colour head-up display.
Nissan Qashqai
Despite being a byword for the compact crossover market, Nissan cannot afford to take market dominance for granted with the Qashqai. New rivals are appearing constantly, so it should be no surprise that the second-generation car is getting a facelift. The changes are mild, with the adoption of the new corporate grille and reshaped headlights being the biggest difference. Inside, and under the bonnet, remain virtually untouched with the option of a high-end Bose sound system being the only notable alteration.
Jeep Compass
Looking very much like a shrunken Grand Cherokee, Jeep is reintroducing the Compass and it’s set to be sold in 100 countries worldwide. It’ll also be built in four global locations, with European-spec cars produced in India. Sadly UK buyers won’t be getting the amusingly named ‘Tigershark’ 2.4-litre petrol engine offered in the USA. Instead we’ll be receiving 140 and 170hp varieties of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, or 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels. Despite wearing the Jeep name, four-wheel drive is merely optional.
Seat Arona
Don’t confuse the name with the Arosa – Seat’s version of the Lupo city car from the late 1990s. No, the Arona is set to be a new compact crossover from the Spanish brand, which should look rather similar to the pictured IBX concept. Pitched as another rival to the Nissan Juke, and using the MQB A0 platform from the Ibiza, the Arona will be a five-door compact crossover. The finished version should be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with sales possible as early as November.
Volkswagen T-Roc
After several years of playing it cool on the whole crossover segment, Volkswagen finally seems to have woken up to the big new trend. With the Tiguan pushed further upmarket, the T-Roc will be Volkswagen’s Golf-sized entry into a busy marketplace. Ignore the three-door stance of the pictured concept car, shown at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, as the T-Roc will be a practical five-door. Engines and drivetrain options will be borrowed from the Golf hatchback, with sales set to begin by the end of 2017.
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but wish it had seven seats instead of five? Your prayers will be answered by the new bigger Allspace version, which looks virtually indistinguishable from the regular Tiguan SUV. With a wheelbase stretched by 109mm, and overall length by 215mm, the Allspace has the option of an extra pair of seats in the rear. Luggage space has also grown by 145 litres, with the potential for a cavernous 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Expect sales to commence soon.
Volkswagen Touareg
Planned for a big reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, we might have to wait until 2018 to actually drive the new Touareg. Expect styling to change very little from the pictured T-Prime concept vehicle, which was shown off at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, previewing the increased size of the next Touareg. Volkswagen promises a more upmarket experience, with a high-tech interior, and the option of a plug-in hybrid GTE version. But, as with the current second-generation car, don’t expect a V10 diesel engine to make an appearance.
Renault Koleos
Do you remember the original Koleos, sold from 2008 to 2010 in the UK, and badged as the Samsung QM5 in South Korea? No, we thought as much, given that less than 3,000 examples made it to these shores. The new Koleos is a far more convincing SUV, sharing a platform with the Nissan X-Trail, although still built at Renault’s Korean factory. Prices start at £27,500 for a front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre diesel, rising to £34,200 for the top-spec 2.0-litre diesel with four-wheel-drive and automatic gearbox.
Range Rover Velar
According to Land Rover, the Velar fills the ‘white space’ between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Named after prototypes for the original Range Rover, the Velar is the fourth model in the Rangie family. Related to the Jaguar F-Pace, expect road-biased dynamics, a premium interior, and funky door handles that sit flush with the body until the car is unlocked. Land Rover assures us that the Velar will still get dirty off-road. Prices begin at £44,830, with sales commencing in July. We can confirm that Ellie Goulding is not included on the options list.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alfa is on something of a roll at the minute, with the new Giulia saloon receiving fairly positive reviews across the board. The Stelvio shares the same platform as the Giulia, and is another piece in the Italian company’s plans to expand sales across the globe. Although Alfa displayed a 510hp twin-turbo V6 Quadrifoligio model last year, UK cars will initially be a choice of either 280hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, or 210hp 2.2-litre diesel. All will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and use Alfa’s Q4 4WD system. Prices will be confirmed closer to the official launch date this summer.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class
Mercedes-Benz has seemingly been on a mission since the turn of the century to try and cover virtually every niche possible. Enter the X-Class – a pick-up truck that will be even more luxurious than the Volkswagen Amarok. Based on the Nissan Navara, the X-Class will have a usable payload of more than 1.1 tonnes. Sales will begin later this year, although European buyers may have to wait until 2018 to finally get their cars. Mercedes has had such unprecedented demand it’s had to create a bespoke website in the UK to handle reservations for the first models.
Ssangyong Rexton
South Korea’s other car manufacturer is upping the pace in the UK with another new SUV. Last year’s concept version may have had plush shag-pile carpets, but sadly they don’t seem to have reached the production Rexton. But Ssangyong still promises a refined interior, with Nappa leather seats and Apple CarPlay as standard. Mercedes-Benz supplies the seven-speed auto’ gearbox, powering all four wheels courtesy of a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Expect prices under £28,000 when sales begin in the autumn.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Vauxhall is making a major effort with the latest Insignia and, on the back of the coupe-esque four-door Grand Sport, comes the new estate version. Undoubtedly handsome, the new Sports Tourer boasts more load space with 1,665 litres of room for all your junk in the trunk when the seats are folded flat. Set to be on sale very soon, prices for the Insignia Sports Tourer will begin at £18,615, representing a £1,500 premium over the four-door version.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
After months of titillation, Sir Andy Murray was responsible for finally pulling the covers off the XF Sportbrake. It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in the motoring world, with only the bizarre tennis ball camouflage disguising the finished product. Production cars will be in showrooms by the end of the year, with engine choices mirroring the saloon equivalent.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain
Despite the insistence of Mercedes-Benz on tackling every segment possible, somehow the brand had avoided the off-road estate market. Until now, that is. With standard air suspension and larger tyres increasing ground clearance by 29mm over the normal E-Class, the All-Terrain also benefits from robust plastic body mouldings and trim pieces. A 4Matic AWD system is standard, with the choice of 2.0-litre straight-four or 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines.
Hyundai i30 Tourer
This might not seem like the sexiest of new estates debuting in 2017, but for those in the real world it’s still an important addition to the wagon market. With one of the biggest boots in the segment – boasting 602 litres with the seats up, and 1,650 litres with them down – the i30 Tourer has practicality on its side. It also majors on safety, with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and Driver Attention Alert just some of the features included. Sales begin at the end of the summer.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
On the other hand, this is quite possibly the best-looking estate we’ll see going on sale this year. It does lose out to the i30 on luggage space though, with a meagre 1,390 litres of space with the seats folded down. We doubt that most buyers expecting their cars in October will really care, and instead will revel in the shooting brake styling. Priced from £73,017, the range-topping Turbo Sport Turismo is substantially more costly at £117,247. That does bring a 550hp twin-turbo V8 engine to the party, however.
Volkswagen Arteon
In theory the all-new Arteon follows on from the old Passat CC, but in reality Volkswagen wants this to be seen as a further push into premium territory. So whilst it shares a platform with the current Passat, it’s longer and wider, while also likely to be considerably more expensive. Initial engine choices will be a 280hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, or 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 240hp, and will both feature 4WD as standard. Trim choices will be either the sporty R-Line, as pictured, or the slightly subtler Elegance version. On sale from October, but will it tempt buyers from Audi and BMW?
Kia Stinger
It’s safe to say a rear-wheel-drive Kia saloon, with the option of a 370hp twin-turbo V6 engine, wasn’t top of most predictions for what would be launched at the Detroit Auto Show. Kia took many by surprise with the Stinger, and especially with it being so close to ready for production. Available to buy at the end of the year, UK buyers will have the option of a 255hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, 200hp 2.2-litre diesel, or the aforementioned 3.3-litre turbo V6.
Audi A8
Although Audi is currently keeping quiet on the finalised design of the new A8 saloon, it isn’t being shy when it comes to the technical details under the skin. Mild hybrid electric technology will be standard across the range, allowing energy recuperation and coasting to save fuel. The Audi Space Frame will use a mixture of aluminium, steel, magnesium and carbonfibre, helping to save weight but keep structural rigidity high. The finished product will be unveiled next month, but expect styling cues to be taken from the 2014 Prologue concept car.
Honda Civic Type R
As the first Civic Type R to be built for the global market, including the USA, Honda has high hopes pinned on this car. A new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record has been set, which is almost de rigueur for any serious hot hatch these days. The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine now produces 320hp, with the gear ratios for the six-speed manual gearbox lowered to aid acceleration. Hitting forecourts next month the base car is priced at £30,995, with the higher specification GT model an additional £2,000. Both versions come with that bodykit though…
Renault Sport Megane
This may be another car that we’ll see before the end of the year, but buyers might have to wait until 2018 to play with. Building on the legacy of previous Megane generations, expectations are high for the full reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. While Renault is playing coy on the exact details, we do at least know the new performance Megane will have the option of a traditional six-speed manual, or EDC dual-clutch gearbox. Much to the delight of Renault Sport enthusiasts everywhere we imagine.
Hyundai i30 N
Anyone who doubts how seriously Hyundai is taking development of the I30 N hot hatch should look to the recent performance at the Nürburgring 24 hour race. Two production-spec I30 N models were entered, racking up more than 6,000km between them. Hyundai has also tested the I30 N on UK roads, which should hopefully mean it suits our broken tarmac. Full details will come in September, but we do know the front-wheel drive hatch will feature a 2.0-litre turbo engine producing in the region of 260-290hp.
Toyota Yaris GRMN
First things first – GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring. Catchy, we know. Built to coincide with Toyota’s return to the World Rally Championship, this supermini-sized hot hatch is a genuine hardcore machine. Powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged engine producing more than 205hp, with a limited-slip differential and six-speed manual gearbox as standard, this is not your Grandmother’s Yaris. Whilst we’re still awaiting an exact on-sale date, expect the first cars before the end of 2017.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
It might still have a fabric roof, but Mercedes is keen to point out that the new E-Class Cabriolet can be enjoyed all year round. Not only does it feature the optional Airscarf to blow warm air around your neck, but also a new Aircap system can be specified which reduces roof down turbulence. Engine choices are shared with the Coupé version, whilst 4Matic 4WD is available for the first time on a soft-top E-Class.
Lexus LC
Despite looking much like a concept car, the new LC coupe is genuinely a production-ready GT. Aimed at enhancing the sporting credibility of the Lexus brand, but with a unique slant on things, think of this as a leftfield alternative to a Porsche 911. Curiously, pricing is the exact same amount at £76,595, regardless of whether buyers opt for the 467hp 5.0-litre V8 LC 500, or the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid LC 500h. Deliveries will begin to UK customers in August this year.
Audi RS5 Coupé
Gone is the 4.2-litre V8 engine for the new RS5 Coupé, and in comes a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 450hp and 443lb ft of torque. So while the V8 noise may have departed, performance is still suitably rapid with 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. Audi also seems to want us to know the RS5 can drift, presumably thanks to the Quattro Sport Differential, which all UK cars receive as standard. This apportions torque more effectively to rear wheels, allowing for things to get a little lairy. With the RS5 having been available to order since May, the first customers should receive their cars later this summer.
BMW M4 CS
Another special edition BMW M4? Oh yes, indeed. Designed to sit between the hardcore M4 GTS and M4 Competition Pack, the CS blends elements of both cars together. Power is upped to 460hp, with suspension settings carried over from the Competition Pack machine. The carbonfibre bonnet and rear diffuser from the GTS make an appearance, but the CS features rear seats and does without a roll cage. Sales begin next month, priced at £89,130 – more than £30,000 cheaper than the M4 GTS.
Alpine A110
Recreating a sports car first introduced in the 1960s, the new Alpine A110 is a modern reinterpretation of that retro machine. The engine has moved from the rear to the middle for 2017, with a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit producing 252hp. The initial launch edition ‘Premiere’ model is priced at €58,500 (£51,427) and is limited to 1,955 models. While customers in left-hand drive countries will receive their cars by the end of 2017, UK buyers will have to wait slightly longer for right-hand drive versions.
Since Rimac Automobili burst onto the scene at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011, world records have been broken, eyebrows have been raised and boundaries have been pushed. And yet, the Croatian company and its Concept One electric hypercar were relatively unknown beyond the confines of the automotive world.
That’s until Saturday 10 June 2017, when Richard Hammond crashed a Concept One during filming for the next season of The Grand Tour. The crash – which took place at the Hemberg Hill Climb in Switzerland – left Hammond with a fractured knee and the car destroyed by fire.
All of a sudden, social media was alight with news about the crash and the Rimac name was thrust into the headlines. We use the word ‘thrust’ with caution, given Hammond’s 2006 crash in jet-powered dragster. But what exactly is the Concept One and why should you care?
First, a little history. Rimac Automobili is led by 29-year-old Mate Rimac, a Croatian with “a dream that became a reality”. His entry in Forbe’s ‘30 Under 30 Europe’ describes “a company that’s cooler than Tesla”, building “fast and exciting” electric cars.
In 2015, Politico named Mate Rimac as one of the 28 most influential people in the EU – not bad for a man who simply had “a dream that became a reality”. A dream that started with a BMW E30.
The so-called e-M3 was Rimac Automobili’s first test mule – a car Mate Rimac started to convert when he was just 19-years-old. “I owned an old BMW E30 which I used for drift and circuit races,” said Rimac.
“At one of these races, the gas engine blew up. Then I decided to try building an EV. After one year or so the car was able to drive but I was not satisfied with the result. It was heavy, not very powerful and the range was limited.”
He gathered a team of experts to develop his own in-house components, hellbent on taking the idea of an electric racecar to the next level. Today, the same BMW E30 holds five FIA and Guinness World Records, including the fastest ⅛-mile by an electric car.
A seriously rapid E30 is great for social media ‘likes’ and buzz, but it’s not enough to attract investment and it certainly won’t upset the supercar elite. If you thought establishing a new company was tough, try doing it in a former East European country where capitalism remains a dirty word and funding is hard to secure.
But it’s thanks to the Concept One (more on this in a moment), that investment started to flood in. Rimac was encouraged to move production to Abu Dhabi, but the Croat stayed loyal to his home nation, where he employs more than 250 people at a factory on the outskirts of Zagreb.
To think that Mate Rimac felt under pressure to grow a beard in order to make him appear older. In 2016, he told a Croatian TV channel that “when you’re a young entrepreneur you face some difficulty when it comes to your age.
“Being young is not an advantage here, hence the beard. It makes me appear older,” he confessed. Something to think about if you’re preparing a presentation for the next series of Dragons’ Den.
Rimac Concept One
Motor Shows, especially those the size of Frankfurt, are littered with new and exciting concepts, many of which will never see the light of day, so you can understand the level of scepticism surrounding the unveiling of the Rimac Concept Car in 2011.
Croatia isn’t exactly famed for being an automotive powerhouse, so news of a young upstart arriving in Germany accompanied by tales of delivering the world’s first electric supercar failed to grab the headlines. Indeed, Rimac Automobili was relegated to a stand at the back of one of the supplier halls.
The Concept One looked stunning, boasting a carbonfibre body designed by Adriano Mudri and an interior penned by a team of former Pininfarina employees. That the production version looks remarkably similar to the show car should come as no surprise: it looked production-ready, even in 2011.
But it was the technology beneath the skin that really mattered. Rimac Automobili developed a unique powertrain using four electric motors with their own single-speed gearboxes, one driving each wheel, delivering a combined output of 1,088hp.
At the time, this was enough to achieve a 0-62mph time of 2.8 seconds, a top speed of 190mph and a claimed range of 373 miles, assuming you could resist the temptation to test the eye-popping performance figures.
Concept One: the world tour
Development continued in 2012, as the Concept One embarked on an electric-powered world tour. First came the super-posh Top Marques Monaco, followed by an appearance at the equally lavish Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa D’Este.
In June 2012, the Concept One took part in a parade at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it was selected as the most innovative of all supercars, beating the likes of the Bugatti Veyron, Pagani Zonda, Koenigsegg Agera R and Lamborghini Aventador.
Further events followed, including a UK debut at Salon Privé in September 2012 and, in 2014, news that Rimac would supply a Concept One to the Formula E Championship for use by the Race Director and for passenger laps.
Concept becomes a reality
Until the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the Concept One was still just that: a concept. But five years on from its motor show debut, Rimac demonstrated that it had staying power and that the Concept One was a car to be taken seriously. In Geneva, the electric supercar was given pride of place within one of the main halls – no supplier section this time.
The styling was largely unchanged, but the technology had been refined to make it even quicker than the 2011 version. The headline figures were compelling: a 0-62mph time a fraction quicker at 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 221mph. Serious credentials, then, but to concentrate on the numbers would be to miss the technical brilliance of the Concept One.
Let’s not forget that almost every component on the electric supercar has been developed in-house by the Rimac team in Zagreb. The CEO’s claim that “the Concept One achieves today what many would think is unachievable, even in the future” is not without justification.
Take the Rimac All Wheel Torque Vectoring (R-AWTV), which uses input from sensors positioned around the chassis and suspension to calculate the optimal torque distribution between the wheels. It means that the Concept One is able to use every last bit of its 1,180lb ft of torque.
The R-AWTV settings can be tweaked via Rimac’s own infotainment system, which also controls the brake force and torque distribution. Users can change the nature of the Concept One, from a neutral setting through to a track-focused and even a drift mode.
The Rimac infotainment system gathers info from more than 500 different sensors, with data stored in the internal memory and sent to the cloud via 4G. It can be analysed during or after a lap via the touchscreen, PC or smartphone.
“My goal was not to create an electric version of existing supercars. I wanted to create technology to make the supercar considerably better in every regard – faster, more fun and more efficient. I wanted to make the supercar of the 21st century,” said Mate Rimac.
If Rimac is to be believed, the next generation supercar requires a battery pack designed to deliver 1000kw or 1MW of power during acceleration and to absorb 400kW during braking. A liquid thermal management and low-resistance conducting system was required to master this challenge. Total range of the production version: 330km (205 miles).
As you’d imagine, with four motors, four gearboxes and the array of battery tech, the Rimac Concept One is hardly light. At 1,850kg it’s around 600kg heavier than a LaFerrari and 400kg lardier than a McLaren P1. On the plus side, it’s 145kg lighter than the Bugatti Chiron…
By the time the production version was unveiled in Geneva, Rimac had sold six of the planned eight units. The Croatian firm had done enough to convince wealthy supercar owners that it was the real deal.
Rimac Concept S
But Rimac wasn’t in a mood to stand still. The Concept S is the Concept One’s so-called “Evil Twin”, built to exploit the maximum potential of the torque vectoring system. With 1,384hp and 1,328lb ft of torque, the Concept S is even more hardcore than the hardly soft Concept One.
The 0-62mph time drops to 2.5 seconds, while the 0-124mph (200km/h) figure stands at 5.6 seconds, making it faster than the Bugatti Chiron. The 0-186mph (300km/h) time is an equally impressive Chiron-taming 13.1 seconds.
It helps that the Concept S is 50kg lighter than the Concept One, but the new version is also blessed with an aggressive aerodynamic package, enhancing downforce by 34%. The torque vectoring system has been tweaked to provide a “wide spectrum of extreme setups”.
Rimac Concept One upgrades
Not to be outdone, a new and improved Rimac Concept One was unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. With power increased to 1,224hp, the new version will sprint to 62mph in 2.5 seconds, before hitting the 186mph mark in 14 seconds.
At the same time, the battery capacity was upgraded to 90kWh, with a total range of 350km (217 miles).
“Hundreds of upgrades to almost all vehicle systems were necessary to unleash the Concept One’s full potential.” said Mate Rimac. “Our goal remains to deliver ground-breaking technology demonstrated in our hypercars to like-minded individuals around the world while at the same time being a recognised partner to the global OEMs.”
An example of this includes the battery system supplied for the Aston Martin AM-RB 001, and partnerships with the likes of Koenigsegg, Qoros and W Motors.
From e-Bikes to top-secret prototype cars, Rimac has come a long way since its CEO decided to go hunting petrol-powered cars in a green BMW. Thanks to Richard Hammond, the company is more famous than ever.
Goodbye Citroen C3 Picasso, hello Citroen C3 Aircross. The French firm has become the latest car maker to ditch a supermini-sized MPV for an on-trend crossover SUV instead. But although it has chunky bumpers and a stand-up stance, the C3 Aircross, revealed in Paris this week, is still more MPV-like than most. And it’s this extra practicality that Citroen reckons is the ace up its sleeve.
It is, we’re told, the roomiest crossover SUV in its class, and aims to be one of the most comfortable: thank the firm’s flagship Citroen Advanced Comfort initiative for that. It’s packed with tech – including four different connectivity systems – and is available with 12 driver assistance systems. It will even do a light bit of off-roading; that raised ride height and tough body cladding aren’t just for show. It goes on sale in the UK on 1 November, with prices expected to start from around £17,000.
Citroen CEO Linda Jackson called it an international SUV – it will be sold in 94 countries – that’s the next step in the transformation of the brand. It is a true compact SUV, stressed the firm: spacious, modular, comfortable. It is also to play a key role in boosting Citroen global sales 30 percent by 2021: this is a significant new car launch indeed…
New Citroen C3 Aircross: explained
The little brother to the China-only Citroen C5 Aircross, the C3 Aircross is a direct rival to the recently-revised Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. Externally, it’s a modern Citroen: bold and punchy, just the right side of quirky, “free from aggression”, robust and enhanced by SUV-like raised ride height (20mm higher than a C3), lots of plastic cladding, wheelarch extensions, front and rear skid plates, plus a set of bold roof bars.
Citroen design chief Alexandre Malval is the man behind it. He points out the short, raised bonnet, double-decker lights at the front and the rear polycarbonate quarterlights. A coloured film covering gives a ‘Venetian blind’ effect, a nice bit of Citroen quirkiness that was shown on the C-Aircross Concept and carried through to production.
Is it practical? Headroom and legroom are class-leading, claims Citroen, the passenger seat folds flat so you can load things from the DIY store 2.4 metres long, and the rear seats split-slide to juggle boot space from 410 litres to 520 litres.
Personalisation? You bet: pick from up to 90 colour combinations, including eight body colours, four roof colours, four ‘colour packs’ and five different interior design schemes. The roof bars are coloured and you can also colour-key the ‘Venetian blind’ rear quarterlight stripes.
What is Citroen Advanced Comfort? The marketers say it’s all about ‘mental and physical well-being’. A large (and opening) panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with light; it’s one-metre long and sensibly has a sunblind – as do the rear doors. Citroen’s also fitted super-quiet soundproofing, broad and generously supportive seats, plus comfort-oriented suspension.
And those 12 pieces of driver-assist tech? They are: keyless entry and start, a colour head-up display, ‘bird’s eye’ revering camera, park assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure warning system, blind-spot monitoring, speed-limit sign recognition (deep breath), automatic high-beam headlights, driver assistance monitor, coffee break alert and off-road-friendly Grip Control with hill-descent control. Blimey.
As for the four different pieces of connectivity tech, they are: wireless smartphone charging (there’s a cubby in the centre console for it), smartphone-connecting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Citroen Connect sat nav and the emergency services-alerting Citroen Connect Box system.
Under the body, it rides on a C3 platform, so has PureTech petrol engines in non-turbo 82hp or turbo 110hp and 130hp guises. The 1.6-litre BlueHDi in 100hp and 120hp forms is the diesel alternative. Citroen pairs them with Grip Control, which adds extra traction for the front wheels without the expense of full four-wheel drive. A Land Rover Terrain Response-style dial in the centre of the dash offers a choice of five settings.
The Grand Tour star Richard Hammond has escaped serious injury following a serious crash during filming for The Grand Tour.
Hammond was competing in a competitive hill climb in Switzerland, driving a Rimac Concept One electric supercar from Croatia.
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The crash occurred after he’d finished the hill climb; Hammond managed to climb out of the car unaided before it set on fire – the images here show the car after it had been destroyed by the fire.
The Grand Tour star was “conscious and talking” after the incident, although he was later flown by Air Ambulance to a local hospital. During checks, it was found he had fractured his knee.
“Nobody else was in the car or involved in the accident, and we’d like to thank the paramedics on site for their swift response,” The Grand Tour chiefs said in a statement.
“The cause of the crash is unknown and is being investigated.”
Jeremy Clarkson later described on Twitter the seriousness of the crash:
It was the biggest crash I've ever seen and the most frightening but incredibly, and thankfully, Richard seems to be mostly OK.
London’s new City Concours takes place on a five-acre lawn, hemmed in on all sides by towering offices in the heart of the Square Mile. Here, more than 100 hypercars, supercars, classic cars and racing cars gathered to be gawped at, photographed, polished and judged. Join us for a guided tour.
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Aston Martin Vulcan
They don’t come any more ‘hyper’ than Aston Martin’s limited edition, track-only Vulcan. Boasting an 812hp V12, sequential gearbox, pushrod suspension and a front splitter that doubles as a lawn mower, only the brave – and wealthy – need apply. One problem: all 24 cars have already sold out.
Ferrari 288 GTO
We’re suckers for any Rosso Corsa Ferrari, especially a 288 GTO. The 1984 Gran Turismo Omologato is a radically re-engineered 308 GTB, originally intended for Group B rallying. With a twin-turbocharged 400hp V8, it has a claimed top speed of 189mph. However, the Ferrari F40, launched in 1987, would go 11mph faster.
Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7
There were two RS 2.7s at City Concours, but this is the even rarer Lightweight version – one of 200 made. Porsche took weight-saving seriously, with thinner body panels and glass, and no rear seats, carpets or sound insulation. This rare-groove 911 even does without sunvisors or a glovebox lid. What do you expect for seven figures?
Dodge Challenger
A display of classic American muscle cars made a welcome contrast to the array of European exotica. This tyre-smokin’ Dodge Challenger T/A 340 6-Pack was our favourite, with a Plymouth Barracuda and Chevrolet El Camino SS pick-up close behind. As film buffs will know, a white Challenger is the star of iconic road movie, Vanishing Point.
Ferrari Daytona
This, to give it its full title, is a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione Series 3. But we’ll just call it a Daytona. From its plexiglass headlight covers to its sawn-off side pipes, this harder, faster Ferrari screams retro cool. The Competizione was a success in motorsport, too, finishing fifth at Le Mans and second in the Daytona 24-hour race.
Atalanta roadster
We recently drove this very Atalanta roadster and enjoyed it immensely. The car is a recreation of Atalanta’s 1930s Le Mans racer, with remarkably few concessions to modernity. Power comes from a 2.5-litre Ford engine developing ‘around 200hp’ and breathing through a rorty, side-exit exhaust. Only one car will be hand-built each month, priced at £150,000.
Ferrari 275 GTB
Few Ferraris are prettier than the 275 GTB, and this early ‘short nose’ car looks particularly delectable. The 275 used a 3.3-litre version of the venerable ‘Columbo’ V12, which developed 280-330hp here (depending on spec). Buyers could choose from three or six carburettors, plus steel or alloy bodywork. A limited-run convertible version, the 275 NART Spider, was sold at auction for around $18million.
David Brown Mini
Ironically, it was BMW’s retro-remake MINI that opened up the market for posh city cars. Now, Silverstone-based David Brown Automotive is following suit with ‘Mini Remastered’ – a modernised version of the Issigonis original with lots of bespoke options and a price tag that starts from £50k. We’ll stick with a classic Cooper, thanks.
Singer Porsche 911
Speaking of modernised classics, here’s the sublime Singer 911. Based on the 964-era Porsche 911, each car is built to order – the only limit is your budget. Flat-six engines are rebuilt by Cosworth in the US, with outputs from 300hp to 425hp. With prices for classic Porsches spiralling into the stratosphere, could this be the ultimate big-budget 911?
BMW M1
This fabulous BMW M1 was a strong contender for our favourite car at City Concours. It also wins the ‘coolest alloy wheels’ prize hands-down. In fact, the M1 was a failure when new, with a torturous gestation (including a fall-out between BMW and Lamborghini) and just 457 made. Today, it’s a sought-after classic and rightly recognised as one of the great 1970s supercars.
Aston Martin DB5 Radford Shooting Brake
What does James Bond drive after he’s hung up his Walther PPK, swapped the Martini for decaf tea and bought a labrador? The answer, as if you didn’t already already know, is the Aston Martin DB5 Radford Shooting Brake – a stylish three-door estate with a top speed of 150mph. Only 12 were made, although Radford went on to build six DB6 Shooting Brakes.
Jaguar XJ220
Another British hero, although the XJ220 has always played the plucky underdog thanks to its turbocharged V6 engine. When first shown, it had a full-fat V12 and four-wheel drive, but cost/engineering issues meant the production version borrowed its 3.5-litre V6 from the Metro 6R4, with rear-wheel drive only – and without the active aerodynamics and rear-wheel steering of the concept. No matter, it’s still a traffic-stopping 212mph supercar.
Aston Martin V8 Zagato
Love it or hate it, Italian styling house Zagato’s angular take on the Aston Martin V8 is certainly… different. Thanks to light alloy bodywork – and the small matter of a 430hp 5.3-litre V8 – the Zagato could reach 186mph. Just 52 coupes and 37 convertibles were made between 1986 and 1990. Oh, and for the record, we love it.
Lotus Elan
Mega-horsepower hypercars are all very well, but all you really need to achieve automotive nirvana is a Lotus Elan. The diminutive British roadster is powered by a peppy 1.6-litre engine and weighs just 726kg. To put that into perspective, a new Ford Fiesta is around 1,100kg. Decades later the Elan became the inspiration for the original Mazda MX-5.
JD Power has published its annual Customer Service Index, which is based on drivers who registered a new vehicle between February 2014 and April 2016. Each brand is given a score out of 1,000 for overall satisfaction. Join us as we count down all 22 carmakers in the survey – from worst to best – and reveal their scores.
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22. Fiat: 746 points
Fiat sits at the bottom of the pile, despite scoring 746 points, which is up from 728 points in 2016. The study measures customer satisfaction with their service experience at a franchised dealer for maintenance and repair work. In 2017, 6,753 respondents took part in the survey.
21. Citroen: 749 points
Five measures are examined (listed in order of importance): service quality, service initiation, service advisor, vehicle pick-up, and service facility. Citroen falls from joint 11th in 2016 to 21st in 2017.
20. Volkswagen: 754 points
Oh dear. Of the Volkswagen Group ‘big four’, VW is rated the worst. Volkswagen drops from 14th to 20th, despite scoring seven points more than in 2016.
19. Nissan: 757 points
Nissan won’t be too pleased with 19th place on the list, but at least it’s an improvement on the 20th position of 2016. In addition to the Note (pictured), Nissan builds the Qashqai, which is Britain’s most popular crossover.
18. SEAT: 759 points
From 10th to 18th in the space of the year, SEAT has work to do if it wants to make a return to the top 10 in 2018. The new Ateca crossover will deliver the sales but SEAT must deliver the after-sales.
17. Ford: 760 points
Ford has more UK dealers than any other carmaker, but 760 points ranks it below the Customer Service Index volume brand average of 766. Vignale customers in particular will expect more from the dealers.
16. Peugeot: 761 points
On the face of it, finishing 16th in the JD Power Customer Service Index survey might seem like a poor performance, but Peugeot appears to be on the up. Last year, the French firm finished 19th with 736 points. Meanwhile, the 3008 and 5008 are reasons to be cheerful.
15. Suzuki: 764 points
Suzuki is the only other carmaker to sit below the survey average and will be disappointed to fall from 8th position in 2016. The Japanese carmaker is in the midst of a major product overhaul, which has delivered the Baleno, Ignis and Swift.
=13. Skoda: 769 points
We would have expected a brand that prides itself on owner satisfaction to finish higher than joint 13th. Perhaps it’s a symptom of attracting new customers to the brand. Skoda needs to gear up for the Kodiaq and Karoq owners.
=13. Kia: 769 points
Last year, Kia finished fifth with 765 points, so although the score is higher in 2017, the Korean carmaker slips to joint 13th. Customers demand more than a seven-year/1000,000-mile warranty.
12. Renault: 770 points
A 12th place finish is good news for Renault and a big improvement on last year. In 2016 it finished 16th with a below average score of 744 points. This year it flies the flag for the French.
11. Vauxhall: 776 points
Vauxhall sits just outside of the top 10, but having finished 22nd in 2016, bosses in Luton won’t be too disheartened. All those Crossland X and Grandland X customers are in for a treat.
10. Honda: 778 points
There’s good and bad news for Honda: a score of 778 points is slightly better than last year’s result, but other carmakers have made big improvements, causing Honda to slip from second place in 2016.
9. Hyundai: 783 points
One such brand on the up is Hyundai, which finished 11th in 2016. The Korean carmaker offers a generous five-year/100,000-mile warranty and is taking giant steps in the ecocar segment with the Ioniq.
8. MINI: 785 points
Having finished 7th in 2016, MINI has to be content with 8th place in 2017. On the plus side, the Customer Service Index score is up from 757 last year.
7. Mercedes-Benz: 788 points
In 2016, Mercedes-Benz was the highest-placed ‘premium’ brand in the JD Power survey, but this year it’s the lowest ranked carmaker of the ‘big five’. A score of 788 puts the German company below two ‘volume’ brands.
6. Volvo: 793 points
This is a cracking performance for Volvo, up from 17th place in 2016. The Swedish brand demonstrates that it has the dealers to match its premium brand aspirations.
5. Toyota: 793 points
The 2017 JD Power Customer Service Index is a double-edged sword for Toyota. A score of 776 points was enough to give the Japanese carmaker an overall win in 2016, but 793 points is only enough for fifth in 2017.
4. BMW: 797 points
BMW finishes fourth, up from joint 11th in 2016. It’s worth mentioning that Jaguar was included in the study but not ranked due to a small sample size. Other brands absent include Alfa Romeo, Dacia and Subaru.
3. Mazda: 800 points
And the award for the biggest transformation goes to… Mazda. Last year, we were shocked to see Mazda at the bottom of the list, but third place overall and best volume brand is where we’d expect to find the Japanese carmaker.
2. Audi: 806 points
With a bewildering and complex range of cars from A1 to R8, you have to feel some sympathy for Audi dealers. But they’re clearly up for the challenge, as this highlighted by this second place finish. But which brand finishes top?
1. Land Rover: 808 points
It’s Land Rover. The SUV brand regularly ranks near the bottom of reliability surveys, but its dealers are clearly very good at keeping the customer satisfied. This is a 35-point improvement from 2016 when it ranked second.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is the most powerful 911 Turbo the firm has ever made – and it’s a car so, ahem, exclusive, owners can pick their own colour and trim configuration for the car and then choose to buy Porsche Design chronograph watch configured in exactly the same spec.
Revealed this week to UK customers during an event at Downtown Abbey home Highclere Castle, the Turbo S Exclusive Series is not cheap: it costs from £186,916. But it’s limited to 500 units worldwide, so selling them all shouldn’t be a problem. The watch is £8700 on top and Porsche will also let Exclusive Series customers buy (that’s buy, not give them) a bespoke set of luggage.
The gold-themed colourscheme is obviously a standout. It’s called Golden Yellow Metallic and is set off by carbon fibre bonnet, roof and side skirts. Those twin strips on the roof and bonnet? They’re carbon weave as well. Porsche’s fitted the Turbo Aerokit and a new rear apron at the rear, and made the ram-air scoop from carbon.
20-inch wheels are black-painted but can’t escape the Golden Yellow paint treatment – it’s actually applied using new laser technology. PCCB brake caliers are, for the first time, finished in black; naturally, the Porsche logo is depicted in Golden Yellow.
Other colour options are available.
Inside, sports seats have two layers of perforated yellow: black on top and, of course, Golden Yellow below. A Turbo S logo is stitched into the seatback in Golden Yellow. The roof lining is black Alcantara with a Golden Yellow double strip. The fine thread that’s weaved into the carbon fibre interior trim is, however, not Golden Yellow: Porsche chooses copper instead, and also adds a limited edition numbered plate on the passenger side.
But what about that monster 607hp? It’s 27hp up on the standard Turbo S and is combined with 553lb ft of torque. That’s good for 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. Yet it can also do 31.0mpg combined. Porsche fits PASM active suspension and PDCC dynamic chassis control to manage it all.
The watch, officially called Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series (phew), is the first one Porsche’s designed as part of a limited-run model line. We expect this to become a trend: collectors are surely already rubbing their hands in anticipation of a new GT3 RS-inspired timepiece.
You may have also noticed the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur badge on the side. Although Porsche Exclusive has been running for 30 years, this is the first time Porsche has showcased the bespoke engineering division on a production car. Again, we can expect more cars wearing badges from Porsche’s bespoke in-house engineering workshop in the future.
Electric car pioneer Nissan was an early pioneer of EV technology in Britain – and is now benefitting from this by commanding 50 percent of the UK new electric vehicle market in Q1 2017. Britain is also the third-largest global market for the Nissan Leaf EV, behind only the U.S. and Japan, and is the biggest nation of all for the e-NV200 electric van.
Success in Britain has played a big role in helping the Leaf become the world’s best-selling EV: every year since its launch in 2010, 1 in 4 Leaf sales throughout Europe has been in the UK. Sales have grown rapidly too – it took Nissan four years to hit 10,000 sales in Britain, but little more than a year to reach 15,000.
Now, 8 months later, it has topped 20,000 sales, and fittingly, the 20k UK Leaf was sold to an existing owner. Diane and Chris Ray of Hollesley in Suffolk switched their two-year old 24kWh Leaf for a new 30kWh one: Diane liked everything about it, and only wanted a Leaf with a bigger battery as a replacement.
It’s fitting that the Leaf is proving so successful in the UK, as it’s also built here. The Sunderland plant makes 55 a day, and there’s a battery plant next door to it supplying the Leaf’s lithium ion units. Nissan’s EV manager, Edward Jones, says “the number of customers who go on to buy another Leaf is… significantly higher that the industry average”. Such customers can now claim they own a genuinely all-British EV.
Of course, the current Leaf is not in its first flush of youth. It’s been around seven years, and is showing its age. Nissan’s happy to tell us an all-new Leaf is on the way in 2018, and is even keen to show us a first teaser of it ahead of its full reveal later this year.
In the meantime, it’s hoping to keep up the current car’s dominance with some double-take deals. How about this for starters: a Leaf Acenta 24kWh for £189 a month on a two-year 0 percent APR PCP deal? Nissan even gives you free insurance, free home charger, a £1000 contribution towards your deposit and the option of two years’ servicing and maintenance for just £99.
With deals like that, it’s no wonder Nissan’s taking such a high proportion of the UK’s record 4.4 percent market share of alternative fuelled vehicles…
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Rimac Automobili founder and CEO, Mate Rimac, has issued a statement following the crash involving Richard Hammond earlier this month. Hammond was competing in the Hemburg Hill Climb event in Switzerland when the electric hypercar left the road and subsequently burst into flames.
More than 10,000 classic Ford fans converged on the famous Santa Pod Raceway for the annual Classic Ford Show. This year around 1,200 cars were on display, ranging from concours restorations to highly-tuned performance weapons. We have the photos.
Since Rimac Automobili burst onto the scene at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011, world records have been broken, eyebrows have been raised and boundaries have been pushed. And yet, the Croatian company and its Concept One electric hypercar were relatively unknown beyond the confines of the automotive world.
Goodbye Citroen C3 Picasso, hello Citroen C3 Aircross. The French firm has become the latest car maker to ditch a supermini-sized MPV for an on-trend crossover SUV instead. But although it has chunky bumpers and a stand-up stance, the C3 Aircross, revealed in Paris this week, is still more MPV-like than most. And it’s this extra practicality that Citroen reckons is the ace up its sleeve.
The Grand Tour star Richard Hammond has escaped serious injury following a serious crash during filming for The Grand Tour. 
London’s new City Concours takes place on a five-acre lawn, hemmed in on all sides by towering offices in the heart of the Square Mile. Here, more than 100 hypercars, supercars, classic cars and racing cars gathered to be gawped at, photographed, polished and judged. Join us for a guided tour.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is the most powerful 911 Turbo the firm has ever made – and it’s a car so, ahem, exclusive, owners can pick their own colour and trim configuration for the car and then choose to buy Porsche Design chronograph watch configured in exactly the same spec.
Electric car pioneer Nissan was an early pioneer of EV technology in Britain – and is now benefitting from this by commanding 50 percent of the UK new electric vehicle market in Q1 2017. Britain is also the third-largest global market for the Nissan Leaf EV, behind only the U.S. and Japan, and is the biggest nation of all for the e-NV200 electric van.
