The first new BMW M5 destined for North America will be auctioned to raise money for charity. A bespoke example of the seventh-generation super saloon is up for grabs at next month’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.
The one-of-one M5 is to be auctioned at no reserve by Gooding & Company. Proceeds go to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, which supports literacy and education in Monterey County.
It means the winning bidder will get a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 saloon with 717hp and hybrid technology. Plus the chance to help a good cause, of course.
This is the only 2025-model M5 finished in BMW Individual Frozen Orange metallic paint. The stunning colour has been discontinued at BMW’s Dingolfing plant, meaning the Pebble Beach M5 had to be painted weeks in advance.
Complementing the paint are a set of bespoke M Dual-Spoke alloy wheels, with hand-finished orange accents. Behind these lurk huge carbon-ceramic brake discs, with the calipers painted in matte gold.
An optional Carbon Package means the roof panel, rear spoiler and wing mirror caps are finished in the lightweight material, too.
High-speed charity work
On the inside, BMW Individual has trimmed the M sports seats in a unique combination of Kyalami Orange and Silverstone Extended Merino leather.
The front seats also have the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance logo emblazoned on their headrests, using an innovative new printing technology.
Gloss carbon fibre trim spans the dashboard, with another Pebble Beach logo next to the infotainment display.
Get bidding for a good cause
A host of options are added, including the M Driver’s Package that increases the top speed of the M5 to 190mph.
Following the auction on 14 August 2024, the lucky new owner should receive their bespoke BMW in late October.
Gooding & Company suggests a guide price of between $150,000 and $200,000 (approximately £117,000 and £156,000) for the special BMW M5.
Electric car owners seem doomed to struggle for choice when it comes to finding a hotel that offers EV charging.
A study of some 15,000 hotels with parking facilities, covering 74 cities in the UK, was undertaken by Drax Electric Vehicles.
The research dicovered that only six percent of hotels made EV charging available to guests, with smaller cities leading the way on charge point provision.
Small in size, big on charging
St Davids in Wales may be one of the smallest cities in the UK, but it manages to lead the way in terms of hotels with EV charging provision.
Of the 18 hotels in the city that provide parking, more than a fifth (22 percent) have the option to recharge an electric car.
Other small cities in the top 10 include St Albans, with 13 percent of hotels offering charging. Ely in Cambridgeshire has 11 percent doing the same.
Central London claimed third place on the list overall. Even so, only 79 of the 539 hotels surveyed (15 percent) could offer EV charging on-site.
However, Manchester (six percent), Birmingham (four percent) and Liverpool (three percent) all demonstrate that Britain’s big cities have plenty of work to do.
EV charging now a necessity
Adam Hall, director at Drax Electric Vehicles, commented: “We are seeing a record number of electric vehicles on our roads, with zero-emission vehicles accounting for 2.7 percent of all cars in use in 2023. While uptake is often higher in major metropolitan cities like London, where policies such as the ULEZ incentivise EV ownership, our research shows a need for further development in charging infrastructure across many hotels.
“If hospitality businesses want to keep pace with the rapidly growing EV market, they must invest now to build a reputation for offering good EV charging facilities.”
Naomi Nye, charging specialist at Drax, added: “As electric car adoption grows, hotels must focus on becoming more EV-friendly. Offering EV chargers is no longer a premium experience but a necessity.”
Smaller accommodation businesses are potentially eligible for grants to assist with EV charging, through the Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme.
Customer examples of other European restomods, including the Porsche 356 and Jaguar XK120, are due for completion later this year.
Light is right
Thornley Kelham uses a pre-1989 ‘G series’ Porsche 911 chassis as the basis for the European RS. This is then lengthened by 19mm and widened by a substantial 220mm, providing the car with a better stance and benefiting its dynamics.
Bespoke front and rear bumpers are fitted, along with a ducktail rear spoiler that channels the look of the Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS and 2.8 RSR models.
Carbon fibre and aluminium is used extensively for the bodywork, while polycarbonate replaces glass for the side windows. The result is a kerb weight of just 1,070kg – some 300kg less than a stock 964-generation 911.
All of the bodywork on the European RS is finished by hand, requiring some 2,500 hours alone. The total restoration and build time amounts to 6,000 hours.
A real rev-elation
Those fortunate enough to commission a Thornley Kelham European RS can choose a variety of engine options to power their completed car.
The ‘standard’ version comes with a hand-built 3.8-litre flat-six engine, with billet aluminium cylinder heads and forged pistons. Individual throttle bodies allow for a peak output of 385hp, with an accompanying 290lb ft of torque.
Customers can also specify a 4.0-litre 24-valve flat-six, which delivers 400hp and plenty of low-down torque. Or there is a special 3.6-litre engine that can rev to a dizzying 10,000rpm – with an optional F1-grade Inconel exhaust system also available.
A Porsche ‘G50’ six-speed manual gearbox is used with all engines, along with a Wavetrac limited-slip differential. Upgraded brakes are fitted, plus there is the option of a carbon-ceramic setup to save a further 17kg.
Bespoke front wishbone suspension is based upon a modern Porsche 911 GT3 design, with JRZ Motorsport adjustable coilovers and Eibach springs. A new Quaife steering rack has the option of electric power assistance.
Who needs CarPlay here?
The 18-inch Fikse FFR alloys are inspired by the Fuchs wheels found on many classic 911s. They come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, but stickier, track-biased Michelin Cup 2 tyres are on the options list.
A Momo Prototipo Black Edition steering wheel is one of the highlights inside the cabin, along with a pair of one-piece carbon fibre Recaro bucket seats. Thornley Kelham has also repositioned the gear lever and updated the dashboard gauges.
The European RS comes with the benefit of climate control, using a system that weighs just 14kg. An optional Porsche PCCM infotainment system brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity.
However, with the enhanced flat-six engine right behind your ears, listening to Spotify is likely to be less of a priority here…
Combining the 911’s best bits
Those interested in their own European RS can contact Thornley Kelham now. Production will be capped at 25 examples, with prices from around £580,000.
Simon Thornley, co-founder of Thornley Kelham, said: “The European RS combines the pure engagement of the original 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS, but comes complete with a lightweight, handcrafted body and reimagined, driver-focused interior.
“This is a truly unique car imbued with the nuanced dynamics and feedback of the legendary 2.7 RS, the thrill of the 2.8 RSR, and the performance, precision and progressive handling of the legendary 997 GT3 RS 4.0.”
We’ll soon have the chance to drive the European RS, and discover whether it can match up to the benchmarks set by such icons. Come back to Motoring Research soon for the review.
Think you’re familiar with vehicles, road signs and street furniture when driving in the UK? We bet there are a few ‘secrets’ in our list below that you didn’t know.
So, pull on your anorak and join us for a journey deep into motoring trivia. At the very least, you can impress your friends in the pub. Who knows, you might even become a better driver?
ARV symbol on police cars
See that star symbol on the back of the BMW X5? It means this is an Armed Response Vehicle (ARV), and the car is crewed by police firearms officers.
These cars also feature roof markings to make them identifiable to helicopters. Move over safely if you see one of these vehicles with blue lights and sirens on.
Double-length white lines
A broken white line marks the middle of most roads. However, when the centre lines get longer and the gaps between them become shorter, it means there is a hazard ahead.
Do not cross the central lines unless you can see the road ahead is clear.
‘Wiggly’ road signs
The double bend road sign actually shows you the direction of the first corner coming up. In the case of the example above, the road bends to the right, before then turning left.
If the sign is reversed, the opposite is true. The same rule applies to the standard ‘road bend’ sign.
Lamp posts for unfamiliar bends
If you’re driving on an unfamiliar road, use lamp posts to anticipate the road ahead and guide you through bends.
Whether they’re switched on or off, the lamp posts can act like safe waymarkers, helping you to brake and steer smoothly.
Emergency diversion route symbols
Note the little black-on-orange symbols on the left of this motorway gantry. There are four shapes – square, triangle, circle and diamond – but they can be shown filled in or outlined (as shown here). These are for Emergency Diversion Routes, and can be used in the event of a motorway closure to guide motorists to the next junction.
Drivers will be told to follow the symbol, with the diverted route marked by the symbols and/or trigger signs.
Driver location signs
Look closely at this image and you’ll spot a blue sign on the verge. Driver location signs – or distance marker posts – were introduced in the early 2000s to alert drivers to the whereabouts of the nearest emergency phone.
The top line shows the road you’re travelling on (the M25 in this case). The letter shows the direction of travel (usually A or B), and the bottom shows how far you are (in metres) from a given location.
The signs are positioned every 500 metres on a motorway, and can be used to guide the emergency services or a recovery vehicle to a stricken motorist.
Airport signs
Once you’ve seen this one, you’ll never look at road signs the same way again. Thanks to our friends at PetrolBlog, we discovered the little plane on a road sign faces in the direction of travel to the airport. Not just the route, but also the DIRECTION. So now you know.
Coloured studs
Although we commonly associate reflective road studs – or cat’s eyes – with white ‘lights’ to mark the centre of the road, other colours are used for different purposes.
Red marks the left edge of the road, amber marks the central reservation of a dual carriageway or a motorway, green marks the edge of a layby or slip road, while green/yellow studs are used for temporary adjustments to lane layouts.
Route numbers in brackets
If a road number is shown in brackets, it means that the road in question can be reached by taking the route indicated. Helpful if you’re driving in a city and are searching for the nearest A-road or motorway.
The distance to London
Have you ever wondered where the distance to and from London is measured from? No? We’re going to tell you anyway.
It’s Charing Cross, and it dates back to 1290 when a memorial cross (one of 12) was installed just south of Trafalgar Square.
Pavement ‘art’
Sorry, you haven’t discovered a Banksy or ancient hieroglyphics. The dots and arrows painted on our pavements are used by utility companies to signify what lies beneath the ground.
We’d urge you to visit the BBC website for more details on the ‘squiggles’. You’ll lose at least half of your lunch hour…
Head up, foot up
This one dates back to a Suzuki launch we attended in North Wales. We were given a set of instructions to follow a set route and told to watch out for sheep, but to take extra care when the woolly ones weren’t grazing.
‘Head up, foot up’ – basically, it means slow down if the sheep isn’t eating. ‘Head down, foot down’ – if the sheep is eating, you’re fine. We say: always slow down for sheep.
Yellow ‘H’ signs
These little yellow signs are a common piece of street furniture, but have you ever stopped to wonder what they mean? They’re used to show the location and size of the nearest water hydrant.
In the case of the example shown, the size of the water main is 75mm, and the distance is 10 metres.
Escape lanes
Escape lanes are sand traps located alongside the downhill side of a steep road that are designed to ‘catch’ a vehicle in the event of brake failure.
As braking technology improves, they are becoming less common, but you’ll often see evidence of a driver forced into making an impromptu visit to the ‘kitty litter’.
Dartmoor road signs
There are three different types of direction signs on roads in and around Dartmoor. Signs with a blue border show roads that are generally suitable for all traffic, while signs with a brown border are used for roads that are smaller with passing spaces.
Finally, signs with a black border are unsuitable for large vehicles. The brown signs are not to be confused with the common tourist signs, which can be seen across the country.
‘Mystery’ junction
Anyone who has travelled eastbound along the M4 has probably spotted the exit marked with ‘Works unit only’ signs. Conspiracy theories exist, but it’s actually used for RAF Welford, which is one of the largest European ammunition compounds for the United States Air Force.
According to Forces Reunited, it’s at its busiest when the U.S. government deploys bombers to a forward air station at RAF Fairford.
Baby on board sticker
Baby on board stickers were designed to encourage other drivers to be more considerate and to alert the emergency services that a child or baby is on board in the event of an accident. This isn’t so much a ‘hidden secret’, more a case of the sticker losing its meaning and impact.
A ‘Michael Bublé fan on board’ sticker wouldn’t encourage many of us to drive more carefully. Although we guess we’d probably keep our distance…
Roadside milestones
According to the Milestones Society, mileposts became compulsory on all turnpikes in 1767. Their role was to inform travellers of direction and distances, as well as keeping coaches on schedule.
Around 9,000 of them survive today, as many were removed or defaced during World War II to baffle potential German invaders.
Old toll houses
Toll houses were built at turnpike gates to collect tolls from road users. Today, their unique design makes them easy to spot. You just haven’t noticed them yet.
These charming buildings are especially common in the West Country.
Jaguar has scooped its first motorsport world title since 1991 in a dramatic London showdown for the 2024 Formula E World Championship.
The British team took the Teams’ World Championship with a record 368 points, and also won the inaugural Manufacturer’s Trophy, while its drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy came second and third in the Drivers’ World Championship.
During the season, the team took four wins, 14 podiums, seven fastest laps and four pole positions with the Jaguar T-Type 6 electric racer.
The team finally triumphed in the final Formula E round held at the unique London Excel racetrack in the nation’s Docklands area.
“This is a truly historic moment for Jaguar TCS Racing, the Jaguar brand and everyone who has played a part in this success,” said team principal James Barclay.
“To win the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E Teams’ World Championship – the pinnacle of electric racing – is fitting reward for everyone’s hard work and winning mindset.”
Reimagining Jaguar
“Winning the Formula E Teams’ World Championship is a great sporting achievement and underlines JLR’s commitment to reimagine Jaguar as a pure-electric modern luxury brand,” said JLR Motorsport chairman Chris Thorp.
“The performances the team have delivered on the track in winning the World Championship continue to inspire everyone at JLR, driving the reimagining of the Jaguar brand and the delivery of technical innovation to the next generation of Jaguar electric vehicles, for the direct benefit of our customers.”
During the London E-Prix final, both Jaguar drivers were in with a shot of winning the Drivers’ World Championship. Nick Cassidy qualified on pole for the first race, with teammate Mitch Evans in third.
The Jaguars controlled the early part of the race too, but Cassidy was then hit by a Porsche driver, ending his chance of winning the world title. Evans also had a challenging race, finishing in third – and with Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein winning, the German ended up scooping the title.
Both drivers will be back behind the wheel of the Jaguar Formula E car next year, for another shot at taking the drivers’ title.
Earlier this year, Jaguar confirmed plans to continue as a manufacturer with a factory team into Formula E’s GEN4 era, through to 2030.
The latest car sales data from JATO Dynamics reveals that the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling vehicle across Europe during the first half of 2024.
It marks the first time the budget-priced supermini has topped the chart overall, having previously held the title for retail sales only.
During the first six months of this year, Dacia supplied 143,596 examples of the Sandero to the European market.
This put it well ahead of the ever-popular Volkswagen Golf, which has seen sales of 126,993 cars so far this year.
Demand for Dacia
Compared to the first half of 2023, Dacia Sandero sales have increased by an impressive 16 percent in the European market.
Worldwide, some 164,780 Sanderos have been delivered to new owners so far this year – an 18.5 percent jump compared to the same time in 2023.
The Dacia Duster SUV also took 12th place on the European best-sellers list, with 89,435 examples sold. This helped the budget brand to reach ninth place overall, ahead of both Hyundai and Kia.
Volkswagen proved to be the best-selling brand across Europe in the first half of 2024, with a colossal 706,265 cars sold. This was substantially ahead of Toyota in second place, which achieved sales of 482,275 vehicles.
Volkswagen strong in Europe
The figures from JATO Dynamics also show that Volkswagen Group posted the best overall sales figures for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the first half of this year.
However, Volkswagen has seen electric car sales fall by nearly one quarter (24 percent), while Porsche saw demand tumble by 55 percent.
Meanwhile, Chinese brands demonstrated their growing importance, with 70,000 electric cars sold during the first six months of 2024.
Chinese imports under threat
The Chinese-built Volvo EX30 and MG4 models were the third and fourth most-registered BEVs for this period, but they will soon become subject to new EU tariffs.
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, said: “Measures taken by the European Union to impose tariffs on BEV imports from China will target models that accounted for 17 percent of BEV registrations in Europe during H1 2024, excluding potential units imported by Tesla.
“It’s clear that China has significantly helped to drive growth in the market. Without these competitive prices coming from China, consumers will face higher prices, meaning we could see demand fall over the next few months.”
A new collaboration between McLaren Automotive and Lego introduces the P1 hypercar as a 1:8-scale Technic model.
The latest addition to the Technic Ultimate Car Concept Series sees the P1 join Lego kits including the Bugatti Chiron and Lamborghini Sian FKP37.
On sale next month, the Lego Technic McLaren P1 has close to 4,000 pieces. Each model also comes with a unique serial number to access special online content.
A real big Mac
Aimed at adult Lego enthusiasts, the Technic McLaren P1 will require plenty of time and skill to build.
A total of 3,983 pieces must be assembled. These include a seven-speed gearbox with two shifter drums, working suspension, a V8 engine with moving pistons and an adjustable rear spoiler.
The Lego Technic model also comes with opening dihedral doors, just like the full-size McLaren original. Creating a mechanism to ensure they stay open was a challenge for Lego’s engineers.
Before building, fans will need to ensure they have enough shelf space for this jumbo-sized model. The Technic P1 measures 59cm in length and is 25cm wide. It comes in classic McLaren papaya-coloured bodywork.
An inspiring collaboration
Designing the Technic P1 required extensive collaboration between Lego and McLaren to maximise the scale model’s realism.
Tobias Sühlmann, chief design officer at McLaren Automotive, said: “It’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original P1 brought to life by the Lego team for the Lego Technic McLaren P1. I hope this collaboration inspires the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.”
Kasper Rene Hansen, Lego Group designer, added: “From the exterior with aerodynamic shapes to the interior and V8 piston engine – the real McLaren P1 is an incredible car. We wanted to capture these details in the best way possible with our Lego Technic model and we did not want to compromise in any way”
The Lego Technic McLaren P1 is on sale from 1 August 2024. Priced at £389.99 in the UK, it will be available both online and in Lego stores.
Suspension specialist Fox Factory has created an incredible limited-edition 700hp Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck.
The Fox Factory Truck promises huge performance, both on the road and over rough terrain, thanks to the latest in suspension technology.
This includes the ability to adjust shock absorber settings from inside the Chevrolet Silverado, and also refine them by using a smartphone app.
Suspension via smartphone
Fox’s Live Valve suspension dampers have become renowned as the setup of choice for off-road performance. They appear as standard on ultra-capable trucks such as the Ford F-150 Raptor.
The ultimate Chevy Silverado uses Fox Factory’s latest 3.2 Factory Race Series Live Valve shock absorbers. These are combined with new technology from software company Valtech, which allows adjustment of the suspension settings via the Fox smartphone app.
Drivers can create bespoke suspension settings to suit different surfaces, along with viewing data and telemetry from previous drives. The app can receive over-the-air software updates, too.
Inside the Silverado is a dedicated switch panel to tweak the suspension on the move. It can swap instantly between modes as needed.
Serious off-road performance
Trick suspension is only one part of the enhancements for the Fox Factory Silverado. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 produces a more-than-healthy 700hp, with a Borla stainless steel exhaust fitted for good measure.
There is also the extensive use of lightweight carbon material for the bodywork, special BF Goodrich rubber on 17-inch wheels, plus 60,000 lumens of forward-facing LED lighting.
On the inside, you will find custom orange stitched two-tone leather seats with Alcantara suede inserts. The Chevy has steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, too.
Fox is taking expressions of interest for the truck now, with a hefty asking price of $209,999 (£162,000). This does include a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, at least.
Nissan has announced a sportier Nismo version of the Ariya electric SUV. And it will be coming to the UK later this year.
Helping to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nismo name, the upgraded Ariya also marks the return of Nissan’s performance sub-brand to Europe.
The Ariya certainly marks a change in direction for Nismo, given that its previous flagship was a 600hp version of the GT-R supercar.
A new electric Nismo
For European buyers, Nissan has confirmed that the Ariya Nismo will be based on the 87kWh version of the electric crossover. Like the Nissan GT-R Nismo, the Ariya comes as standard with all-wheel drive.
Nissan says the Nismo will gain powertrain improvements over the standard 87kWh Ariya e-4orce’s 306hp output from its dual motors.
However, Japanese enthusiasts are offered the Nissan Ariya Nismo with a choice of two powertrains, including a 91kWh version with 429hp.
The Ariya Nismo will benefit from upgraded brakes, grippier tyres and tuned suspension. These are said to give ‘customers the handling and cornering ability usually reserved for motorsports’.
Red stripes and race-style seats
There are various visual changes for the Ariya Nismo, including bespoke front and rear bumpers, plus a racier set of side skirts. In classic Nismo style, these are picked out in red, just like a classic Nissan GT-R.
There is also a large rear spoiler, with Nissan saying this will reduce drag and increase the level of downforce at speed.
Inside, the Ariya Nismo gains suede-covered sports seats up front, said to be reminiscent of those in Nissan’s Formula E race car. Red detailing continues throughout the cabin, including for the power button.
Enthusiasts will get a first chance to see the Nissan Ariya Nismo at this weekend’s Formula E London E-Prix. Prices and the final specification will be confirmed later this year.
Porsche has used its new third-generation Panamera to set a new lap record around the notorious Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany.
Ahead of the new model’s launch, Porsche test driver Lars Kern took to the 12.944-mile track in the 680hp Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid.
A lap time of 7min 24.17sec means the new Panamera can claim the – slightly tenuous-sounding – ‘Ring record for a luxury car with a combustion engine and hybrid power.
Quicker than a Zonda
For Lars Kern, setting the new record was business as usual. The German driver has claimed two previous class-best lap times around the Nordschleife, most recently with the second-generation Porsche Panamera Turbo in 2020.
The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid was 5.64 seconds faster around the challenging course than its predecessor.
The new lap time also makes the new Panamera officially faster than some supercars, including the Pagani Zonda F Clubsport and Maserati MC12, along with beating the Nissan GT-R.
Notably, the Panamera is not Porsche’s quickest four-door model around the Nurburgring. That honour goes to the fully electric Taycan Turbo GT, which lapped the Nordschleife in 7min 7.55sec earlier this year.
From the ‘Ring to the road
For the timed run, the Panamera was equipped with a full roll cage and a racing bucket seat. A set of grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres was fitted. The Porsche also wore the optional carbon fibre aero kit.
The latter includes a special Gurney flap fitted to the adaptive rear spoiler, which helps generate additional downforce at high speeds.
“On the Nordschleife, the transverse dynamic capabilities of a car are particularly important,” said Kern after the record run.
“The new Panamera has made significant gains in this area. In technically demanding corner sequences in particular, such as between the Hohe Acht and Brunnchen sections of the track, it responds with noticeably greater agility.”
For those looking to attempt their own Nurburgring lap time, the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is available to order now, priced from £145,400.
