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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Toyota remains the world’s biggest car brand, with a value of $28.7 billion, according to the 2017 WPP and Kantar Millward Brown BrandZ study. However, this actually represents a 3 percent decline over last year. In contrast, Tesla’s value has shot up a staggering 32 percent, making it not only the eight most valuable automotive firm, but also the world’s fastest-growing car brand of all.
In moving from 10th place to eighth place in the car brand rankings, Telsa has overtaken both Land Rover and Porsche – ensuring Elon Musk’s electric car company is the story of the 2017 survey.
Overall, it is worth $5.9 billion, according to the 2017 WPP/KMB ‘BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands’ survey. Why so much? Because it’s considered an innovative, stylish luxury car brand that gives ‘the performance of a high octane, carbon-burning engine without the guilt’.
Toyota’s 3 percent decline, meanwhile, was blamed on currency challenges, rising labour costs and the need for increased investment to compete in the tech-packed future world of the automotive industry.
Indeed, “the financial pressures to deliver current sales while also investing and anticipating the future are placing established brands under great pressure,” said Peter Walshe, Global BrandZ strategy director. This is “creating space for newcomers like Tesla to power ahead.
“Strong brands will not only help car groups boost existing revenues but encourage consumers to stick with them as the vehicle they drive changes fundamentally.”
BMW and Mercedes-Benz remained in second and third place, but Ford moved up one spot, overtaking Honda with a brand value of $13.1 billion. This is despite its recent leadership changes at the top.
Overall, the top 10 global automotive sector brands are worth $139.2 billion. Within this, luxury brands now make up more than half the rankings, a big increase on the 36 percent representation in the first BrandZ survey back in 2006.
Car firms have a long way to go until they match the very biggest brands in the world, though. Google, Apple and Microsoft are the three most valuable global brands of all, with a combined value of over $620 billion. Facebook is in fifth place – and its 27 percent growth in value to $129.8 billion means it alone is worth only $10 billion less than all the top 10 biggest car brands combined…
In an attempt to make it easier to identify the best value used cars, Auto Trader has introduced a new tagging system to accompany the prices of the cars for sale on the site. With this in mind, we thought we’d take a look at 20 4x4s marked ‘Great Price’. As ever, inclusion doesn’t represent an endorsement.
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Following the demise of the Land Rover Defender, the Suzuki Jimny is one of the last bastions of the old-school 4×4. New, a top spec Jimny SZ4 will set you back at least £14,784, which makes this 2011 example a bit of a bargain. Don’t expect to go anywhere in a hurry, but do expect a characterful and capable 4×4.
Land Rover Discovery: £5,950
Nobody is going to pretend that an old Land Rover Discovery will be cheap to run, but at least this 2003 example looks more appealing than the new model. A seven-seat ES automatic is a fantastic and sought-after spec, while the seller claims there are 14 stamps in the service book. Check the history before purchase and this could be a great buy.
Dacia Duster: £7,850
The Dacia Duster might have been updated, but you’ll pay upwards of £16,495 for a diesel 4×4 in Laureate trim. Which means this 2013 example is essentially half price – not bad for a four-year-old car with 40k miles on the clock. Plaster it in mud and nobody will know that it’s a pre-facelift model.
Skoda Yeti: £5,999
Skoda’s decision to kill the Yeti and replace it with something utterly anonymous hasn’t been well received. But no matter, because there are plenty for sale on the used car market and there are real bargains to be found. This 2011 Yeti S might not offer a lavish spec, but it’s on sale for less than £6k.
Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin: £1,995
The Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin was essentially a ‘fun size’ version of the full-fat Shogun and was built for people who lived in the hills but needed the convenience of a smaller car. By today’s standards it will feel rather crude, but with 61,000 miles on the clock and an MOT until April 2018, we think this is a potential bargain.
Toyota Land Cruiser: £41,221
Auto Trader’s ‘Great Price’ tag was made for cars like this Toyota Land Cruiser. New, you’d spend upwards of £56,630 on an Invincible model, which means you can save £15,000 by purchasing this 2016 example. The spec list is as long as the Land Cruiser is big, and it’ll handle just about everything you throw at it.
SsangYong Rexton: £3,269
Let’s get the negatives out the way first: the SsangYong Rexton won’t be especially nice to drive and the interior is bordering on horrendous. But as cheap and practical workhorses they are hard to ignore, which makes this 2006 example look like good value for money. If towing and off-roading is your thing, this could be a good use of £3k.
Jeep Wrangler: £19,999
The Wrangler is a car to file under ‘is that still on sale?’ New, you’ll pay upwards of £34,740 for a four-door model, but this five-year old Sahara is up for £19,999. The 2.8-litre CRD diesel engine is a terrific unit and the Wrangler is, unsurprisingly, great off road. The last MOT mentioned that the rear diff is leaking, so that’s something to get checked out.
Daihatsu Terios: £4,794
In common with many of the cars featured here, the Daihatsu Terios is more suited to off-road driving than it is urban commuting, which highlights just how far the SUV has come. Today, we take it for granted that an SUV will be a master of all trades. According to Auto Trader, £4,794 for this 42k-miler is a ‘great price’.
Suzuki Grand Vitara: £2,000
This 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara has a near-perfect MOT history, which suggests that it has enjoyed a cherished existence. The Vitara was one of the first SUVs to be designed as much for the King’s Road as it was for off-road, and owners swear by them. Two grand is a great price.
Nissan X-Trail: £18,970
From something old-school to something new, the current Nissan X-Trail is a fully paid-up member of the new breed of SUVs. This one-owner car has covered a mere 14,159 miles and offers all the toys associated with the N-Tec specification. You’ll also enjoy the remainder of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Land Rover Freelander: £6,775
There are certain things to look out for when buying a used Land Rover Freelander, but thanks to the badge they remain incredibly popular. This dealer-plus-one-owner car looks to be in perfect condition, but do your homework on the 2.2-litre diesel engine and rear diff before taking the plunge.
SsangYong Korando: £9,995
SsangYong’s limited mileage five-year warranty is one of the best in the business, which removes some of the guesswork associated with buying a used example. This 2014 Korando looks very tidy and there are only 52,000 miles on the clock. The diesel engine isn’t the last word in refinement and the interior is a bit low-rent, but aside from that the Korando is a solid buy.
Land Rover Defender 90: £7,495
Defender values are so high, it’s genuinely hard to find a ‘Great Price’ listing on Auto Trader. We like the look of this 2002 Defender 90, not least because the MOT history makes for encouraging reading. If the photos are anything to go by, it looks to be in great condition.
Honda CR-V: £1,595
The Honda CR-V is a popular used car buy, which means £1,595 for a 2008 example looks stupidly cheap. So what’s the catch? Well, there are 178,000 miles on the clock, but if it has been well maintained, there’s no reason why it won’t see 200k miles with ease. Full Honda service history for the first 150,000 miles is encouraging.
Fiat Panda Cross: £3,000
The Fiat Panda 4×4 is proof that you don’t need a lumbering great SUV to make tracks. Thanks its narrow footprint and formidable off-road talents, the Panda 4×4 is a hit with folk living high up in the Alps. This one-owner Panda Cross is available for £3,000.
Suzuki Swift 4×4: £5,991
The Suzuki Swift 4×4 might lack the character and charm of the Fiat Panda 4×4, but a 25mm increase in ride height and an on-demand all-wheel drive system means that a little green-laning is no problem for this hatchback. Be warned, it doesn’t offer whippet-like pace.
Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon: £11,990
A candidate for ‘all the 4×4 you could ever need’, the Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon is big, brash and formidable off-road. The 4.2-litre diesel engine, as offered here, makes more sense than the V8 petrol, and it’s much, much cooler than a seven-seat MPV.
Mitsubishi Shogun: £25,774
A year ago, this Mitsubishi Shogun SG3 would have set you back upwards of £35,000. Today, with just 11,560 miles on the clock, it’s available for just £25,774. At that price, the thoroughly old-school SUV makes a great deal of sense.
Range Rover: £2,990
Is the Range Rover P38A on course to becoming a modern classic? It’s a little too early, perhaps, but the second generation Range Rover is ageing rather well. Sure, it’s not the last word in reliability, but it’s rare to find a one-owner example such as this. Yours for a little under £3,000.
Apple has announced a feature which will automatically block all notifications when you’re driving – and can even text your friends to tell them you’re busy.
Revealed at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in California, the Do Not Disturb While Driving feature monitors the speed you’re travelling at and whether it’s connected to a car’s infotainment system to determine whether you’re at the wheel.
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If it thinks you’re driving, all notifications will be temporarily blocked and an automatic response – already set up in your settings – will be sent to anyone who texts during this time. If that person really needs to get through to you, they can respond to the auto-response with the word ‘urgent’ and a one-off notification will be allowed through.
Naturally, it’s difficult for the iPhone to tell if its owner is driving or just a passenger in a car. It’s possible for the mode to over overruled by pressing an ‘I’m not driving’ button.
The feature will be rolled out across all iPhones with the iOS 11 operating system when it arrives later this year.
It follows a number of cases in North America where motorists injured in crashes caused by distracted drivers have filed law suits against Apple.
Last month, Porsche built its millionth 911. Then, just a fortnight later, a 1993 911 sold at auction for £1.7million. Think about that for a moment. One-point-seven million pounds. For a 911. Has the world gone mad?
Before you spill your PG Tips or take to Twitter, I should point out that, yes, the car in question was a rare 964 3.8 RSR. And yes, it was essentially new, with six miles on the clock. Nonetheless, we’re still talking about a 911: a car for which around 700,000 of that one-million production run remain on the road.
Thankfully, you won’t need £1.7million to buy a Porsche at JZM – one of the UK’s leading marque specialists, based at Kings Langley in Hertfordshire. But if you’re looking for an investment-grade Porsche it’s a good place to start; the showroom is packed wall-to-wall with classic 911s, including plenty of RS models. I went along to see what all the fuss is about.
Since we’re talking telephone numbers, it seems fitting to start with the most expensive car on sale. The 997 GT3 RS 4.0 was a limited-run special that Autocar declared: “The finest Porsche ever to wear a number plate”. And, with 4,285 miles under its centre-lock wheels, this hardcore road-racer is advertised at £535,900. Quite incredible for a car that cost ‘just’ £128,466 in 2011.
Next-up in price order is an immaculate Midnight Blue 964 Turbo 3.6: a relative snip at £199,000. The 360hp 3.6 was only produced between 1993 and 1994 (most blown 964s used the 320hp 3.3-litre motor), making it a rare beast today. With wheelarches stretched over polished split-rims and that iconic ‘tea tray’ wing (take note, Porsche geeks: it’s not a ‘whale tail’), this is the brawniest-looking 911 of all.
If anything can wrench my eyes from the visual sucker-punch of a 964 Turbo, it’s a Viper Green Carrera 2.7 RS. Except this isn’t a genuine RS, but a meticulously-built ‘tribute’ based on a 1972 911T. With a 2.7-litre MFI engine, period Recaro seats and chromed Fuchs alloys, it looks fabulous – and a price tag of £129,900 is less than a quarter what you’d pay for the real deal.
The evolution of an icon
Wandering around the JZM showroom, it’s fascinating to see how the 911 has evolved. Over five decades, it has swelled in size, sprouted spoilers and become hugely more luxurious, but that iconic silhouette has stayed the same. Perhaps this is key to the car’s long-lasting appeal; it’s constantly evolving yet curiously timeless. Present-day Porsche’s profits may come from SUVs, but the 911 remains the core of its range.
Even so, it’s one of the oldest 911s here – a 1970 2.2E finished in Light Ivory – that really wins my heart. A ‘California car’ that has never been welded, it still wears all its original body panels, and the delicate chrome trim looks flawless. JZM says the car has ‘been fully prepared for the British climate’, but I’d still be loath to take this £104,900 classic on wet winter roads. One for sunny Sunday mornings (and evenings spent lovingly polishing in the garage), I suspect.
If in doubt, Flat clout
I’ve added the 2.2E to my lottery-win garage and am heading for the door when… whoah! Poking its sharkish snout out of the next-door workshop, I spy a 930 Flachbau. This special-order ‘flatnose’ version of the original 930 Turbo is fast, fearsome and – to a kid who grew up in the excess-all-areas 80s – probably the coolest 911 you can buy. Sadly, it isn’t for sale, or it would have bumped the 2.2E from the top spot on my personal (and, sadly, entirely theoretical) shopping list.
So, if my numbers came up, would I buy a Porsche 911? As a daily-driver, probably not. A Cayman S is all the sports car you really need, especially on congested UK roads. But if I wanted somewhere to put my money, an appreciating asset that I could drive and enjoy, then absolutely yes. The 911 is a car that, like its rear-engined layout, defies logic. Yet if you can afford one, it’s probably the most sensible sports car you can buy.
He’s a racing driver, an entrepreneur, an Instagram star, and he also happens to have a rather impressive collection of exotic cars. We delve inside Josh Cartu’s garage.
Born in Canada, but now residing in Hungary, Cartu created several successful media and software companies. This has allowed him to indulge his many hobbies, such as skydiving, rallying, drifting, and most importantly collecting cars. Josh has given us his own words on why he owns the cars he does, and what makes them special to him.
Every car collection needs a mid-engined V8 Ferrari, so what better place to start than with the ultimate version of the 458 sports car? The Speciale was a hardcore limited-edition model, with extra power and a more aggressive bodykit. ‘Aperta’ means ‘open’ in Italian – hence the convertible roof. Just 499 examples were built, all with a 597hp version of the naturally-aspirated 4.5-litre V8.
But what does the man himself think about having the Speciale Aperta in his collection? “This was a very special car because it’s super-limited,” explains Josh, “and it was the first love Ferrari showed me for being a passionate client and racing driver.” He also reckons that they “made an instant classic” and that best part is “that noise!!” Two exclamation marks needed.
With a wealth of cars, and a high-flying lifestyle, Josh has proven to be a hit on Instagram. Over 417,000 followers keep tabs on his latest photos, which cover both his road and race car collection. He’s also amassed over 13,000 followers on Twitter, with updates on his next exploits drawing in a crowd.
Ferrari 488 Spider
What’s better than one open-top, mid-engined Ferrari? Another one, of course. In fact, make that another two, as Cartu has the 488 Spider in duplicate. Replacing the 458 was a hard task, but a turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 with 661hp is the key attraction. The 0-62mph dash takes just 3.0 seconds in the Spider, with a potential top speed of over 200mph.
Describing the 488 Spider as “the best all around Ferrari” is high praise, with Josh reckoning that the folding metal roof allows it to be “two cars in one”. So why did he happen to buy two of them? Simply because he “put too much mileage” on the first car he bought.
Mr Cartu is clearly a fan of open-air motoring, not least because of the Ferraris mentioned already. Josh is also the owner of a BAC Mono – the extreme single-seater road car that owes more to motorsport than it does to street machinery. However, he did have an unfortunate accident while driving his BAC Mono in one of the tunnels beneath Budapest, where he lives.
Ferrari 488 Challenge
If you want to go racing against other gentleman drivers in identical Ferrari racing cars, you need to get yourself into the Ferrari Challenge. Held annually since 1993, this special single-make series gained a race version of Ferrari’s latest mid-engined sports car at the end of 2016. The 488 Challenge has the same turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine as the road car, but with a fully stripped-out interior and gigantic rear wing for downforce.
Why buy a 488 Challenge? Josh explains: “There are two options for racing in the Ferrari Challenge: 1) you can rent a car from a serious team like AFCorse or Kessel or 2) you can buy your own. I bought my own because I wanted to develop more of a connection with it and customise it more than I would if it were a regular rental. Most importantly, I don’t like anyone else driving my cars!”
Josh is currently competing in the European Ferrari Challenge series, alongside his brother, and the first round of 2017 was held at the Valencia circuit. In the Pirelli Trophy competition, aimed at professional drivers, Josh placed 6th and 4th respectively in the two races held.
Ferrari F12tdf
It’s not all mid-engined machinery in Cartu’s garage. The F12tdf – standing for Tour de France – features a 6.3-litre V12 mounted in the front of the car. Sending almost 770hp to the rear wheels, the F12tdf can hit 0-62mph in just 2.9 seconds, while top speed is 211mph. Limited to 799 units, the F12tdf cost £339,000 when new, with the price hike going towards the carbon fibre add-ons and lightweight technology.
So what exactly was it that attracted Cartu to the F12tdf? “Power and noise” are the two big things apparently, enough to make the F12tdf currently his “all-time favourite” car. Josh does believe that “if you don’t have the skills” the F12tdf can be something of a handful, but that it can “make mincemeat” out of the old Ferrari 599 GTO.
Being named after a famous road race – the Tour de France, where Ferrari proved successful during the 1960s – it seems right that Josh Cartu would own one. Having entered both the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio races, Cartu is no stranger to road racing, and has used his F12tdf in Ferrari Cavalcade events for owners.
Ferrari GTC4Lusso
Replacing the FF, the GTC4Lusso has a complicated name, which suits the complex mechanics beneath its shooting-brake body. A 6.3-litre V12, making 681hp, is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Uniquely for a Ferrari, the GTC4Lusso has all-wheel-drive, helping control the power on offer for everyday use.
With a garage full of extreme sports cars, Cartu rates the GTC4Lusso as an “absolute no-brainer” of a choice. The “comfort and convenience” it offers, along with the “ability to drive on ice and snow” clearly make the GTC4Lusso a winner for Josh. He also claims that as “it’s not a Porsche” the rear seats are actually big enough for grown adults.
When he’s not driving around in the luxury of his GTC4Lusso, Cartu likes to engage in more extreme pastimes, such as flying to the edge of space. In 2015, Josh took a flight in a Russian MiG-29, travelling to an altitude of 20km above the earth. That’s high enough to be able to see the curvature of the planet. The flight also included aerobatics, with manoeuvres pulling up to 9G at times. Just a little more than what the GTC4Lusso can manage!
LaFerrari Aperta
How do you make the LaFerrari more extreme? By producing an even more limited edition version, with a removable carbon fibre roof for open-air thrills. It makes hearing the 789hp version of the 6.3-litre V12 engine even easier, whilst the 161hp KERS hybrid system remains unchanged. With only 209 examples produced, for sale to special chosen Ferrari customers only, the LaFerrari Aperta sold out rather rapidly. Such was the lure of 217mph with no roof.
Why would you need to buy a LaFerrari Aperta? To quote Mr Cartu “Need I explain?” given that this is the “best car the human race has ever produced for ANY money”. Strong words indeed. Josh clearly feels quite a connection with the Aperta, stating that he is “honoured and privileged to be the custodian of such an awesome piece of history”.
What makes the LaFerrari Aperta a “piece of history” is that it forms part of the 70th anniversary celebrations planned by Ferrari. To mark seven decades of production, along with the Aperta, the Maranello firm is also releasing a range of special liveries inspired by famous Ferrari colour schemes. We imagine Cartu may well add a 70th anniversary car to his collection.
Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB
Although the previous slides have featured nothing but Maranello’s finest, Cartu’s garage does not only contain Italian machinery. Alongside the Ferraris is a Rolls-Royce Phantom – perhaps the ultimate in automotive luxury. However, this isn’t just any Phantom, it’s the EWB, or Extended Wheelbase. This adds an extra 250mm in length to create more interior space, but keeps the same 454hp 6.7-litre V12 engine.
With a garage full of supercars, what does a gigantic luxury saloon bring to the party? According to Cartu, after 6pm it becomes his “favourite car in the world” as it means he can give the keys to his driver and lounge in the spacious rear. Even though he admits it may appear “somewhat ostentatious” he has racked up “over 100,000km” in his time with the Phantom. He also admits that he “placed an order immediately” for the forthcoming new Phantom, having been given a sneak preview.
Cartu hasn’t only used the Phantom EWB for cruising around town. It has also been part of his Gumball 3000 Rally entry, under the name of Team Wolfpack. Nicknamed the Phantom Menace, it’s certainly makes a statement with this bold livery. Cartu’s Team Wolfpack won the Best Team Award at the 2014 Gumball, which journeyed from Miami to Ibiza.
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He’s a racing driver, an entrepreneur, an Instagram star, and he also happens to have a rather impressive collection of exotic cars. We delve inside Josh Cartu’s garage.
