Liam Doran claims a first and second place at the X Games in Munich in his MINI debut at Global Rallycross.
26-year-old British driver Liam Doran teamed up with Prodrive to develop the MINI John Cooper Works RX for Global Rallycross. Liam premiered his new car during the
rain soaked Rallycross at the Munich X Games and took home the gold
ahead of well-known rally daredevil Ken Block. The race had Liam lining
up on the front row after winning his heats with ease. Tearing away from
the start in his black and green Monster Energy MINI John Cooper Works
car, Liam is the only driver to ever win two X Games Golds in
Rallycross. On Sunday, the X Games’ fourth and final day, a packed
grandstand witnessed Liam Doran grab the silver medal following his
winning drive the previous day.
The field demonstrated the most aggressive driving in this year’s
Rallycross so far. The new race format thrills spectators with
incredible starts, twisty corners and entertaining racing action in
urban environments.
Liam commented: ‘I feel we really proved a point this weekend! The
first time racing in the Monster Energy MINI John Cooper Works, and
taking home silver and gold – I really didn’t expect two medals and am a
very happy man. My team did a fantastic job and I’m really grateful for
all the support this weekend.’
About GRC: Global Rallycross combines the best aspects of circuit
racing, off-road racing and rally competition to deliver intense action
in a variety of fan-friendly environments. Competitors range from
former action sport stars as well as rally and motorsport professionals
such as Ken Block.
piątek, 9 stycznia 2015
Mini at The Salone del Mobile 2013. The Mini Kapooow! Installation
The MINI Design Team led by Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design,
presents the MINI Paceman as a dynamic sculpture during the Salone del
Mobile 2013. In the two-part MINI KAPOOOW! installation the MINI
Paceman – detached from the traditional design process – crosses the
boundaries of space and undergoes a transformation of its materials and
forms. The installation is set up in an authentic MINI realm of
experience – the MINI Paceman Garage. During the Salone del Mobile from
09 – 14 April 2013, MINI KAPOOOW! @MINI Paceman Garage will act as a
launch pad and platform for creative exchanges among artists and
designers while offering a wide range of events.
MINI KAPOOOW! A journey of inspiration.
With their creative interpretation of a MINI Paceman, the MINI Design Team headed by Anders Warming conjure up a multidimensional installation that has been inspired by the versatile attributes of the Sports Activity Coupé. The fundamental notion underpinning the MINI KAPOOOW! spatial concept is that the MINI is in essence a very emotion-led product which breaks the norms and boasts a highly distinctive personality. With its sporting agility, the MINI Paceman is poised to leap into a new world in which colours and materials change and open the door to unimagined realms of experience.
The first phase of the installation presents the rear end of the MINI Paceman as a highly dynamic sculpture. It is seen as a real, chromed vehicle about to embark on its metamorphosis. The individual vehicle components seem to fly apart, the colourful threads emanating from it representing this highly energy-charged process. At the same time the MINI is “interwoven” into a greater context and connected with the people whose profiles are anticipated at the front end.
In the second phase the MINI Paceman crosses a boundary in the middle of the room. In this new dimension the vehicle abandons its original form and the front end becomes an idea made of paper, with only its contours now suggested. Through numerous bits of paper and coloured tabs the MINI Paceman materialises into a new physical representation. The use of paper symbolises the “prototyping” of a creative process and as such opens up the possibility of drawing on its two-dimensionality to represent a new three-dimensional sculpture. The aim of this inspirational journey is to present a colourful “wall of fame” displaying not only successful MINI models but also well-known film and cult personalities. Be your own hero – MINI opens the door to this world.
Individual programme for creatives @MINI Paceman Garage.
The upshot of this exciting transformation is the MINI KAPOOOW! installation which will be exhibited in the temporary MINI Paceman Garage during the Salone del Mobile. In addition, there will be a six-day, wide-ranging support programme at Via Tortona 20 which takes its lead from the attributes of the MINI Paceman. Artists and creatives from the design scene will be able to enjoy hot DJ sets, meet and greets, show cooking sessions and the “Starlight Blue Night” – all under the banner of the youngest member of the MINI family: sporting, flamboyant and versatile.
For further information please go to the official homepage at http://www.mini.it/designweek/
MINI KAPOOOW! A journey of inspiration.
With their creative interpretation of a MINI Paceman, the MINI Design Team headed by Anders Warming conjure up a multidimensional installation that has been inspired by the versatile attributes of the Sports Activity Coupé. The fundamental notion underpinning the MINI KAPOOOW! spatial concept is that the MINI is in essence a very emotion-led product which breaks the norms and boasts a highly distinctive personality. With its sporting agility, the MINI Paceman is poised to leap into a new world in which colours and materials change and open the door to unimagined realms of experience.
The first phase of the installation presents the rear end of the MINI Paceman as a highly dynamic sculpture. It is seen as a real, chromed vehicle about to embark on its metamorphosis. The individual vehicle components seem to fly apart, the colourful threads emanating from it representing this highly energy-charged process. At the same time the MINI is “interwoven” into a greater context and connected with the people whose profiles are anticipated at the front end.
In the second phase the MINI Paceman crosses a boundary in the middle of the room. In this new dimension the vehicle abandons its original form and the front end becomes an idea made of paper, with only its contours now suggested. Through numerous bits of paper and coloured tabs the MINI Paceman materialises into a new physical representation. The use of paper symbolises the “prototyping” of a creative process and as such opens up the possibility of drawing on its two-dimensionality to represent a new three-dimensional sculpture. The aim of this inspirational journey is to present a colourful “wall of fame” displaying not only successful MINI models but also well-known film and cult personalities. Be your own hero – MINI opens the door to this world.
Individual programme for creatives @MINI Paceman Garage.
The upshot of this exciting transformation is the MINI KAPOOOW! installation which will be exhibited in the temporary MINI Paceman Garage during the Salone del Mobile. In addition, there will be a six-day, wide-ranging support programme at Via Tortona 20 which takes its lead from the attributes of the MINI Paceman. Artists and creatives from the design scene will be able to enjoy hot DJ sets, meet and greets, show cooking sessions and the “Starlight Blue Night” – all under the banner of the youngest member of the MINI family: sporting, flamboyant and versatile.
For further information please go to the official homepage at http://www.mini.it/designweek/
Vauxhall releases WW1 commemorative photography
The Vauxhall D-Type Staff Car
Vauxhall produced more than 1,500 D-Type Staff Cars for military use during World War One, and they saw saw action in theatres as diverse as the Western Front, east Africa, Russia and Palestine.The car in the accompanying images is one of just two D-Type Staff Cars known to survive. ‘IC-0721’ (its military number) appeared in the Steven Spielberg film War Horse, along with Vauxhall Heritage Collection’s ‘Prince Henry’ model. Saved from a London scrap yard in 1946, the car was restored to its original condition and has resided at Vauxhall HQ ever since.
The D-Type is pictured with the latest addition to the Vauxhall range, the all-new Corsa. With new engines, transmissions and engine technology, as well as a new interior, the Fourth-Generation Corsa raises the class benchmark for driveability, comfort and practicality in a model which has become a household name for British small-car buyers.
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS REVIEWS A YEAR OF BEAUTIFUL BESPOKE CARS AS IT UNVEILS THE SUHAIL COLLECTION
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is delighted to unveil its first ever Bespoke
Collection that encompasses the marque’s entire family of motor cars.
The announcement chimes with the culmination of a remarkable year that
saw the marque emphatically reaffirm the fact that Bespoke is Rolls-Royce.
The Suhail Collection is the first Collection to be offered on Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models, and takes its inspiration from Suhail, one of the brightest star constellations in the sky. It celebrates the work of the Arabic scientist considered by many as the father of theoretical physics and a great influence on Western scientific thinking.
The unveiling of this very special Collection completes a year that has seen Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke offer reach new heights of popularity, creating numerous beautiful and compelling Collection cars such as Year of the Horse, Pinnacle Travel, Waterspeed, Metropolitan and Maharajah.
The Suhail CollectionNamed after one of the brightest constellations in the sky, Suhail and its light is believed to have inspired the 10th Century Arabic mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham, whose best known work is the Book of Optics (Kitab al-Manazir). British-Iraqi physicist, Jim Al-Khalili, considers al-Haitham to be the "first true scientist" based on his pioneering work on the scientific method. Amongst other achievements, Al-Haitham was the first scientist to realise that light enters the eye rather than leaving it.
His Book of Optics was translated into Latin in the 13th century and has influenced a number of key Western scientific thinkers including Roger Bacon, Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and René Descartes.
“Ibn al-Haitham was a notable pioneer whose scientific achievements represented a turning point in the history of science. We felt the Suhail constellation was the perfect inspiration for a very special Bespoke collection to celebrate his influence on Eastern and Western science,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
A host of elegantly executed touches have been added to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupé, Ghost and Wraith to bring the spirit of Suhail to life in this extraordinary collection. The exterior of these astronomy-inspired motor cars sparkle in a unique moonstone pearl colour evoking the colour of the stars at night, whilst a Suhail star emblem completes a Turchese Blue coachline inspired by the colour of the night sky when Suhail is visible.
The interior continues the striking colour scheme by elegantly combining Crem é Light leather with Turchese accents, framed by a Navy Blue instrument panel top and carpets. Suhail star emblems are also worked into the marquetry on the Ash Burr wood fascia, whilst a Starlight Headliner in the Phantom and Wraith models allows the owner their own personal moment of stargazing. Finally the Bespoke clock, colour matched to the interior, depicts the Suhail Ursa Minor and Major constellation on the clock face.
A year of amazing Bespoke Rolls-RoycesIn addition to the Suhail Collection, 2014 has seen several beautiful and compelling Collection cars such as Year of the Horse, Pinnacle Travel, Waterspeed, Metropolitan and Maharajah created by the Bespoke Design Studios at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.
The Bespoke year began with the announcement in January that Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke team had designed a Majestic Horse Ghost to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse. Marrying the Chinese artistic tradition and appreciation of fine hand-craftsmanship to the very best in contemporary British automotive design, Majestic Horse offered unique interior and exterior features including stitched horses in the headrests and rear seat cushions as well as a painted horse logo on the side and one painted on the wooden dashboard.
April saw the debut of the Pinnacle Travel Phantom at the 2014 Beijing Autoshow. This extraordinary motor car served to showcase the imaginative heights of craftsmanship and design that emanates from Goodwood, seen through the prism of modern luxury travel.
Answering this growing interest in luxury travel, especially in China, the Rolls-Royce Pinnacle Travel Phantom offered a luxuriant colour palette, opulent, sumptuous materials and complex, beautifully hand-crafted marquetry evoking the glamour of the golden age of travelling on luxurious cross-continental trains.
The richness of its main two-tone exterior colour scheme hinted at the luxury awaiting the traveller inside, whilst a unique coach line with an abstract motif of a streamlined train travelling at speed, invited the passenger onboard for a journey of discovery.
This opulent colour scheme continued inside with a sartorial Morello Red and Seashell leather combination for seats, roofliner, pillars and door cards plus specifically developed Morello Red lambswool floor mats.
A further motif in Smoke Grey thread evoked luxury travel whilst the piece de la resistance was 230 individual pieces of marquetry were painstakingly hand-laid to create a striking motif of a cross-continental train speeding across a landscape with plumes of steam left in its wake. The same motif is echoed on the door cards through 24,633 individual stitches, emphasising the painstaking craftsmanship required to perfectly match the two details.
In May, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled the Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection, designed to celebrate Sir Malcolm Campbell’s act of setting a new world water-speed record on the nearby Lake Maggiore in 1937.
Echoing the cutting-edge technology employed in the construction of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird K3 craft, only the finest contemporary materials were used to furnish Waterspeed. Brushed steel perfectly complemented an exclusively developed ‘Maggiore’ Blue colour scheme whilst hand-crafted Abachi wood inlays evoked the sense of a boat effortlessly gliding through water at pace, whilst exterior coachline and laser etchings inside the car brought Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’ motif back to life.
For the first time in Rolls-Royce history the engine was painted the same colour as the exterior of the car, resulting in a visually striking homage to the power behind Campbell’s records, whilst the Phantom Drophead Coupé’s traditional teak decking to the rear made way for brushed steel.
Reference to Campbell’s craft was also made through a new interpretation of Rolls-Royce’s famous ‘power reserve’ dial. As the driver presses on, the dial moves backwards towards a yellow and blue zone, echoing K3 ‘going into the blue’ at maximum engine revolutions.
Direct tribute to the records was paid in the glovebox, with a hand-embroidered panel expressing the records Campbell achieved at Lake Maggiore, Lake Helwel and Coniston Water in K3 and K4.
September’s Salon de l’Automobile in Paris was the appropriate venue for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars next Collection car. Phantom Metropolitan Collection paid homage to the world’s great metropolises through the most complex application of marquetry ever undertaken by Rolls-Royce. When open, Phantom’s signature picnic tables presented occupants with an elevated view of the city, created through the expert application of 500 individual wood veneer pieces.
Indeed, the process of hand-cutting, colouring, shaping and applying is so complex these unique objects d’art take an expert wood craftsperson several days to complete. On closing the tables, a different perspective of the cityscape was offered – reflecting the view one gets when effortlessly travelling in the rear of a Phantom.
The cityscape theme extended beyond Phantom’s many wood surfaces. A specially developed Aetherius Grey leather colour was created to echo the colour palette of the modern city whilst 6,800 two-tone stitches to the central rear seat flutes depicted an abstract image of a skyscraper. A specially developed Bespoke clock extended the theme to the front of the car. For the first time in the marque’s history, a rotating bezel expressing 24 of the great cities of the world and their time zones – Paris included – adorned the central console of a Rolls-Royce motor car.
The most recent Bespoke RollsRoyce, the oneofakind Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé was unveiled this November. Inspired by the Golden Age of the Raja, this beautiful model was conceptualised and handcrafted in honour of India’s affinity with the superluxury marque.
100 years ago, India’s Princes and Maharajas collectively engaged in what is described as one of the world’s longest relationships with one automobile manufacturer. Over a period of five decades, the Maharajas purchased over 840 unique RollsRoyce motor cars pushing the maker of the ‘Best Car in the World’ to unprecedented levels of design, engineering and luxury. RollsRoyce Motor Cars is recreating that golden age of India’s motoring heritage though a collection of Bespoke vehicles inspired by the Maharajas’ cars.
A host of subtle touches have been added to the RollsRoyce Phantom Coupé to bring the Golden Age of the Raja alive. The exterior dazzles in a Carrara White colour, with a Peacock emblem, the national bird of India, completing an Emerald Green coachline. A Deep Green hood retracts to reveal a beautiful deck with a Peacock emblem integrated into the marquetry – a perfect complement to the Peacock detail on the exterior. The interior continues the striking colour theme by elegantly combining Crème Light leather with Emerald Green accents, which is complemented by marquetry inlay on the facia panel top and arm rests.
More elaborate Peacock emblems can be found embroidered into the headrests in Emerald Green and Cobalto Blue, as well as a Peacock feather pattern in Seashell stitching on the side and central armrests. A Bespoke Maharaja Peacock clock complements the interior colours with Cobalto Blue and pure Jade elements.
These limited Collections serve to inspire customers, with record levels of Bespoke demand reported in September 2014. Nearly every Phantom across the globe, 90% of Wraith and 80% of Ghost family motor cars were commissioned by customers with some element of Bespoke design. Bespoke is Rolls-Royce.
The Suhail Collection is the first Collection to be offered on Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models, and takes its inspiration from Suhail, one of the brightest star constellations in the sky. It celebrates the work of the Arabic scientist considered by many as the father of theoretical physics and a great influence on Western scientific thinking.
The unveiling of this very special Collection completes a year that has seen Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke offer reach new heights of popularity, creating numerous beautiful and compelling Collection cars such as Year of the Horse, Pinnacle Travel, Waterspeed, Metropolitan and Maharajah.
The Suhail CollectionNamed after one of the brightest constellations in the sky, Suhail and its light is believed to have inspired the 10th Century Arabic mathematician, astronomer and physicist Ibn al-Haitham, whose best known work is the Book of Optics (Kitab al-Manazir). British-Iraqi physicist, Jim Al-Khalili, considers al-Haitham to be the "first true scientist" based on his pioneering work on the scientific method. Amongst other achievements, Al-Haitham was the first scientist to realise that light enters the eye rather than leaving it.
His Book of Optics was translated into Latin in the 13th century and has influenced a number of key Western scientific thinkers including Roger Bacon, Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo Galilei and René Descartes.
“Ibn al-Haitham was a notable pioneer whose scientific achievements represented a turning point in the history of science. We felt the Suhail constellation was the perfect inspiration for a very special Bespoke collection to celebrate his influence on Eastern and Western science,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
A host of elegantly executed touches have been added to the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Phantom Coupé, Ghost and Wraith to bring the spirit of Suhail to life in this extraordinary collection. The exterior of these astronomy-inspired motor cars sparkle in a unique moonstone pearl colour evoking the colour of the stars at night, whilst a Suhail star emblem completes a Turchese Blue coachline inspired by the colour of the night sky when Suhail is visible.
The interior continues the striking colour scheme by elegantly combining Crem é Light leather with Turchese accents, framed by a Navy Blue instrument panel top and carpets. Suhail star emblems are also worked into the marquetry on the Ash Burr wood fascia, whilst a Starlight Headliner in the Phantom and Wraith models allows the owner their own personal moment of stargazing. Finally the Bespoke clock, colour matched to the interior, depicts the Suhail Ursa Minor and Major constellation on the clock face.
A year of amazing Bespoke Rolls-RoycesIn addition to the Suhail Collection, 2014 has seen several beautiful and compelling Collection cars such as Year of the Horse, Pinnacle Travel, Waterspeed, Metropolitan and Maharajah created by the Bespoke Design Studios at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.
The Bespoke year began with the announcement in January that Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke team had designed a Majestic Horse Ghost to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Horse. Marrying the Chinese artistic tradition and appreciation of fine hand-craftsmanship to the very best in contemporary British automotive design, Majestic Horse offered unique interior and exterior features including stitched horses in the headrests and rear seat cushions as well as a painted horse logo on the side and one painted on the wooden dashboard.
April saw the debut of the Pinnacle Travel Phantom at the 2014 Beijing Autoshow. This extraordinary motor car served to showcase the imaginative heights of craftsmanship and design that emanates from Goodwood, seen through the prism of modern luxury travel.
Answering this growing interest in luxury travel, especially in China, the Rolls-Royce Pinnacle Travel Phantom offered a luxuriant colour palette, opulent, sumptuous materials and complex, beautifully hand-crafted marquetry evoking the glamour of the golden age of travelling on luxurious cross-continental trains.
The richness of its main two-tone exterior colour scheme hinted at the luxury awaiting the traveller inside, whilst a unique coach line with an abstract motif of a streamlined train travelling at speed, invited the passenger onboard for a journey of discovery.
This opulent colour scheme continued inside with a sartorial Morello Red and Seashell leather combination for seats, roofliner, pillars and door cards plus specifically developed Morello Red lambswool floor mats.
A further motif in Smoke Grey thread evoked luxury travel whilst the piece de la resistance was 230 individual pieces of marquetry were painstakingly hand-laid to create a striking motif of a cross-continental train speeding across a landscape with plumes of steam left in its wake. The same motif is echoed on the door cards through 24,633 individual stitches, emphasising the painstaking craftsmanship required to perfectly match the two details.
In May, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled the Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection, designed to celebrate Sir Malcolm Campbell’s act of setting a new world water-speed record on the nearby Lake Maggiore in 1937.
Echoing the cutting-edge technology employed in the construction of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird K3 craft, only the finest contemporary materials were used to furnish Waterspeed. Brushed steel perfectly complemented an exclusively developed ‘Maggiore’ Blue colour scheme whilst hand-crafted Abachi wood inlays evoked the sense of a boat effortlessly gliding through water at pace, whilst exterior coachline and laser etchings inside the car brought Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’ motif back to life.
For the first time in Rolls-Royce history the engine was painted the same colour as the exterior of the car, resulting in a visually striking homage to the power behind Campbell’s records, whilst the Phantom Drophead Coupé’s traditional teak decking to the rear made way for brushed steel.
Reference to Campbell’s craft was also made through a new interpretation of Rolls-Royce’s famous ‘power reserve’ dial. As the driver presses on, the dial moves backwards towards a yellow and blue zone, echoing K3 ‘going into the blue’ at maximum engine revolutions.
Direct tribute to the records was paid in the glovebox, with a hand-embroidered panel expressing the records Campbell achieved at Lake Maggiore, Lake Helwel and Coniston Water in K3 and K4.
September’s Salon de l’Automobile in Paris was the appropriate venue for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars next Collection car. Phantom Metropolitan Collection paid homage to the world’s great metropolises through the most complex application of marquetry ever undertaken by Rolls-Royce. When open, Phantom’s signature picnic tables presented occupants with an elevated view of the city, created through the expert application of 500 individual wood veneer pieces.
Indeed, the process of hand-cutting, colouring, shaping and applying is so complex these unique objects d’art take an expert wood craftsperson several days to complete. On closing the tables, a different perspective of the cityscape was offered – reflecting the view one gets when effortlessly travelling in the rear of a Phantom.
The cityscape theme extended beyond Phantom’s many wood surfaces. A specially developed Aetherius Grey leather colour was created to echo the colour palette of the modern city whilst 6,800 two-tone stitches to the central rear seat flutes depicted an abstract image of a skyscraper. A specially developed Bespoke clock extended the theme to the front of the car. For the first time in the marque’s history, a rotating bezel expressing 24 of the great cities of the world and their time zones – Paris included – adorned the central console of a Rolls-Royce motor car.
The most recent Bespoke RollsRoyce, the oneofakind Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé was unveiled this November. Inspired by the Golden Age of the Raja, this beautiful model was conceptualised and handcrafted in honour of India’s affinity with the superluxury marque.
100 years ago, India’s Princes and Maharajas collectively engaged in what is described as one of the world’s longest relationships with one automobile manufacturer. Over a period of five decades, the Maharajas purchased over 840 unique RollsRoyce motor cars pushing the maker of the ‘Best Car in the World’ to unprecedented levels of design, engineering and luxury. RollsRoyce Motor Cars is recreating that golden age of India’s motoring heritage though a collection of Bespoke vehicles inspired by the Maharajas’ cars.
A host of subtle touches have been added to the RollsRoyce Phantom Coupé to bring the Golden Age of the Raja alive. The exterior dazzles in a Carrara White colour, with a Peacock emblem, the national bird of India, completing an Emerald Green coachline. A Deep Green hood retracts to reveal a beautiful deck with a Peacock emblem integrated into the marquetry – a perfect complement to the Peacock detail on the exterior. The interior continues the striking colour theme by elegantly combining Crème Light leather with Emerald Green accents, which is complemented by marquetry inlay on the facia panel top and arm rests.
More elaborate Peacock emblems can be found embroidered into the headrests in Emerald Green and Cobalto Blue, as well as a Peacock feather pattern in Seashell stitching on the side and central armrests. A Bespoke Maharaja Peacock clock complements the interior colours with Cobalto Blue and pure Jade elements.
These limited Collections serve to inspire customers, with record levels of Bespoke demand reported in September 2014. Nearly every Phantom across the globe, 90% of Wraith and 80% of Ghost family motor cars were commissioned by customers with some element of Bespoke design. Bespoke is Rolls-Royce.
SALES BOOST PUTS BENTLEY ON THE ROAD TO RECORD YEAR
Nine months in to 2014 and Bentley’s aim of having a record breaking
year is firmly on track. Global deliveries increased by 19%, to 7,786
cars, up from 6,516 cars in the same period in 2013.
Bentley’s four key regions, Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and Middle East all saw strong performance, with the Americas retaining its position as Bentley’s number one market, but with China posting strong growth to close the gap.
New models drove this international success, with the Continental GT V8 S coupe and convertible and Flying Spur V8 entering the market.
Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said:
“We said at the start of the year that 2014 would be a record breaking year for Bentley and we are firmly on track to deliver on our promise. Certain markets are tough, as other luxury car brands can testify, but with our three model lines delivering a perfect blend of luxury and performance, alongside the international appeal that we have as a brand, it will ensure 2014 will go down as our best ever year.”
Remaining in Bentley’s number one position, the Americas delivered 2,107 cars, 4% up on the first nine months of the 2013 performance of 2,022 cars.
Bentley’s sales in China remained solid in a less than buoyant market. 1,959 cars were delivered in the first nine months of 2014, against 1,264 cars in 2013.
A strong German market continued helping Europe to post a sales increase of 7%. 1,155 cars were delivered, in comparison to 1,081 cars in 2013.
UK deliveries also increased, by 5%. Rising from 1,055 cars in 2013, 1,113 cars were delivered.
Significant sales growth in the Middle East continued, a 21% improvement on 2013 (596 cars), with 720 cars delivered. Deliveries in the Middle East have now more than doubled in the past three years.
These results were reinforced in Asia Pacific, with 468 cars delivered, a 49% rise on the 2013 figure of 315 cars. While in Japan, 207 cars were delivered, a 46% growth on 2013, 142 cars.
2013 was Bentley’s previous record year, posting the highest delivery, turnover and profit figures in the company’s 95-year history.
Bentley’s four key regions, Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and Middle East all saw strong performance, with the Americas retaining its position as Bentley’s number one market, but with China posting strong growth to close the gap.
New models drove this international success, with the Continental GT V8 S coupe and convertible and Flying Spur V8 entering the market.
Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said:
“We said at the start of the year that 2014 would be a record breaking year for Bentley and we are firmly on track to deliver on our promise. Certain markets are tough, as other luxury car brands can testify, but with our three model lines delivering a perfect blend of luxury and performance, alongside the international appeal that we have as a brand, it will ensure 2014 will go down as our best ever year.”
Remaining in Bentley’s number one position, the Americas delivered 2,107 cars, 4% up on the first nine months of the 2013 performance of 2,022 cars.
Bentley’s sales in China remained solid in a less than buoyant market. 1,959 cars were delivered in the first nine months of 2014, against 1,264 cars in 2013.
A strong German market continued helping Europe to post a sales increase of 7%. 1,155 cars were delivered, in comparison to 1,081 cars in 2013.
UK deliveries also increased, by 5%. Rising from 1,055 cars in 2013, 1,113 cars were delivered.
Significant sales growth in the Middle East continued, a 21% improvement on 2013 (596 cars), with 720 cars delivered. Deliveries in the Middle East have now more than doubled in the past three years.
These results were reinforced in Asia Pacific, with 468 cars delivered, a 49% rise on the 2013 figure of 315 cars. While in Japan, 207 cars were delivered, a 46% growth on 2013, 142 cars.
2013 was Bentley’s previous record year, posting the highest delivery, turnover and profit figures in the company’s 95-year history.
BENTLEY MOTORSPORT REVIEWS 2014 SEASON
Bentley Motorsport reflects on a successful debut season for the new
Continental GT3. Having completed the five rounds of the Blancpain
Endurance Series in Europe, and the second half of the Pirelli World
Challenge in the U.S.A. in preparation for a full series next year, the
Continental GT3 has scored three victories on two continents and
finished a championship in second place.
The European season started at Monza, where the car proved itself to be a fast and durable competitor from the outset. The three-man driving team of Jérôme d’Ambrosio, Duncan Tappy and Antoine Leclerc in car #8 drove a superb race to finish 6th in the Continental GT3s first competition race outing, while the #7 car came home two places behind in 8th. The M-Sport Bentley team left Italy satisfied but with a list of areas on which to progress.
Improvements were demonstrated in compelling fashion at the second round, at the home of British motorsport, Silverstone. With works-supported Bentleys starting their first race in the UK in 84 years, it was clear that the team's hard work to improve the setup of the Continental GT3, and the speed and efficiency of their pit stops, was paying off. After an enthralling three hour battle, Steven Kane took the chequered flag in car #7, capturing the car's first win in only its second full competition race. Steven, together with teammates Guy Smith and Andy Meyrick, celebrated Bentley's first race victory since the famous dominance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003.
The team continued their form in impressive style at the next event, the evening race at Paul Ricard. After another gruelling contest, the #7 Continental GT3 scored its second victory in a row, and M-Sport Bentley left France sitting at the top of both Drivers and Teams Endurance Pro Championships.
Meanwhile, in North America, Dyson Racing Team Bentley had taken delivery of the first of two Continental GT3s. Using the second half of the Pirelli World Challenge series to prepare both team and car for 2015, Bentley Boy Butch Leitzinger immediately showed an impressive turn of speed, finishing 6th in the team’s first race at Road America.
Back in Europe, Bentley Motorsport arrived at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in July, to face the Continental GT3's toughest test yet - the Spa 24 Hours. While the cars showed good pace in practice and qualifying, luck was not on the team's side in the opening two hours. The #8 car suffered suspension damage after being hit by a competitor, while car #7 sustained damage to a brake line after running over debris from incidents between other cars. After repairs to both cars, the fight back through the order began from 55th and 50th positions respectively. Only then was the real pace of the car obvious, as by the end of the race both cars had climbed to finish in the top 20, with car #7 9th in class and so scoring vital championship points. The #8 car also finished strongly, proving the durability of the racer and once again contributing vital data and experience to the team effort.
Before the last race of the Blancpain Endurance Series came the finale of the Pirelli World Challenge. With Dyson Racing Team Bentley now running two cars, the second piloted by Guy Smith, the development of the car was going well - Butch Leitzinger had scored the team's first podium at Sonoma in August, while the car recorded fastest laps and broken track records. The final round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah proved to be the highlight though, as Guy Smith steered his Continental GT3 to victory in the 50-minute sprint race, joined on the podium by Butch in 3rd. This win was Bentley's first ever outside Europe, and will undoubtedly be the platform on which to build a strong campaign in the U.S.A. for 2015.
Bentley finished the Endurance season with the iRacing.com Nürburgring 1000 km, knowing that they were in contention to finish in the top three in both Drivers and Teams championships. Atrocious weather conditions made for a very difficult first four hours of the race for both Bentleys, but as the track started to dry both cars were in the top 20. With the Continentals making strong progress through the field as their competitors faltered, it became clear that a 5th-in-class finish for car #7 would secure the runners-up spot in both championships. With 20 minutes to go, Steven Kane made the pass from 6th to 5th, and at the chequered flag the championship was decided. Guy Smith, Andy Meyrick and Steven Kane finished as runners-up in the Pro Endurance Drivers Championship, while Bentley secured second place in the Teams Championship.
Bentley's Member of the Board for Engineering, Rolf Frech, comments:
"2014 has been a very good debut season for us. Bentley belongs in motorsport, and from the start of our programme two years ago, we knew the Continental GT had potential as a racer. That promise has been realised both in Europe and America this year, and in 2015 we look forward to racing on four Continents as customer teams start competing in the Middle East and Asia, and we have customer cars competing as far afield as China and New Zealand before Christmas. I'm proud of our programme and our victories and we're all looking forward to the new competitions that next year will bring."
Bentley Motorsport now starts test and development programmes in preparation for 2015. During October of this year, Bentley starts Project NBR24 – a dedicated exercise of preparation and development work to allow Bentley Motorsport to enter the 2015 Nürburgring 24 Hours. Initially, this will involve entry in to two rounds of the VLN series in Germany, to develop both car and drivers in preparation for the 24-hour race. Meanwhile, Absolute Racing will be competing in the Shanghai and Macau rounds of GT Asia with a Continental GT3, starting next weekend.
Bentley Motorsport's complete 2015 schedule will be announced in January. Meanwhile, Bentley's short documentary film of the team’s TOTAL 24 Hours of Spa race weekend is now available online and downloadable at www.bentleymedia.com.
The European season started at Monza, where the car proved itself to be a fast and durable competitor from the outset. The three-man driving team of Jérôme d’Ambrosio, Duncan Tappy and Antoine Leclerc in car #8 drove a superb race to finish 6th in the Continental GT3s first competition race outing, while the #7 car came home two places behind in 8th. The M-Sport Bentley team left Italy satisfied but with a list of areas on which to progress.
Improvements were demonstrated in compelling fashion at the second round, at the home of British motorsport, Silverstone. With works-supported Bentleys starting their first race in the UK in 84 years, it was clear that the team's hard work to improve the setup of the Continental GT3, and the speed and efficiency of their pit stops, was paying off. After an enthralling three hour battle, Steven Kane took the chequered flag in car #7, capturing the car's first win in only its second full competition race. Steven, together with teammates Guy Smith and Andy Meyrick, celebrated Bentley's first race victory since the famous dominance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003.
The team continued their form in impressive style at the next event, the evening race at Paul Ricard. After another gruelling contest, the #7 Continental GT3 scored its second victory in a row, and M-Sport Bentley left France sitting at the top of both Drivers and Teams Endurance Pro Championships.
Meanwhile, in North America, Dyson Racing Team Bentley had taken delivery of the first of two Continental GT3s. Using the second half of the Pirelli World Challenge series to prepare both team and car for 2015, Bentley Boy Butch Leitzinger immediately showed an impressive turn of speed, finishing 6th in the team’s first race at Road America.
Back in Europe, Bentley Motorsport arrived at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium in July, to face the Continental GT3's toughest test yet - the Spa 24 Hours. While the cars showed good pace in practice and qualifying, luck was not on the team's side in the opening two hours. The #8 car suffered suspension damage after being hit by a competitor, while car #7 sustained damage to a brake line after running over debris from incidents between other cars. After repairs to both cars, the fight back through the order began from 55th and 50th positions respectively. Only then was the real pace of the car obvious, as by the end of the race both cars had climbed to finish in the top 20, with car #7 9th in class and so scoring vital championship points. The #8 car also finished strongly, proving the durability of the racer and once again contributing vital data and experience to the team effort.
Before the last race of the Blancpain Endurance Series came the finale of the Pirelli World Challenge. With Dyson Racing Team Bentley now running two cars, the second piloted by Guy Smith, the development of the car was going well - Butch Leitzinger had scored the team's first podium at Sonoma in August, while the car recorded fastest laps and broken track records. The final round at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah proved to be the highlight though, as Guy Smith steered his Continental GT3 to victory in the 50-minute sprint race, joined on the podium by Butch in 3rd. This win was Bentley's first ever outside Europe, and will undoubtedly be the platform on which to build a strong campaign in the U.S.A. for 2015.
Bentley finished the Endurance season with the iRacing.com Nürburgring 1000 km, knowing that they were in contention to finish in the top three in both Drivers and Teams championships. Atrocious weather conditions made for a very difficult first four hours of the race for both Bentleys, but as the track started to dry both cars were in the top 20. With the Continentals making strong progress through the field as their competitors faltered, it became clear that a 5th-in-class finish for car #7 would secure the runners-up spot in both championships. With 20 minutes to go, Steven Kane made the pass from 6th to 5th, and at the chequered flag the championship was decided. Guy Smith, Andy Meyrick and Steven Kane finished as runners-up in the Pro Endurance Drivers Championship, while Bentley secured second place in the Teams Championship.
Bentley's Member of the Board for Engineering, Rolf Frech, comments:
"2014 has been a very good debut season for us. Bentley belongs in motorsport, and from the start of our programme two years ago, we knew the Continental GT had potential as a racer. That promise has been realised both in Europe and America this year, and in 2015 we look forward to racing on four Continents as customer teams start competing in the Middle East and Asia, and we have customer cars competing as far afield as China and New Zealand before Christmas. I'm proud of our programme and our victories and we're all looking forward to the new competitions that next year will bring."
Bentley Motorsport now starts test and development programmes in preparation for 2015. During October of this year, Bentley starts Project NBR24 – a dedicated exercise of preparation and development work to allow Bentley Motorsport to enter the 2015 Nürburgring 24 Hours. Initially, this will involve entry in to two rounds of the VLN series in Germany, to develop both car and drivers in preparation for the 24-hour race. Meanwhile, Absolute Racing will be competing in the Shanghai and Macau rounds of GT Asia with a Continental GT3, starting next weekend.
Bentley Motorsport's complete 2015 schedule will be announced in January. Meanwhile, Bentley's short documentary film of the team’s TOTAL 24 Hours of Spa race weekend is now available online and downloadable at www.bentleymedia.com.
piątek, 2 stycznia 2015
Toyota GB helps Surrey Scouts prepare for world jamboree
A group of Scouts and Explorers from
across Surrey have been given a helping hand by Toyota GB in their bid
to reach the 2015 World Scout Jamboree in Japan.
The
gathering is held roughly every four years and attracts tens of
thousands of Scouts and Guides from across the globe, who come together
to experience different cultures, make new friends and enjoy a variety
of adventurous activities. Approximately 4,500 representatives from the
UK will attend next year's event and Toyota has been doing its bit to
make the trip a reality by offering advice and making a £19,000
donation.
More than 50 young people from around the
county converged on Toyota's headquarters near Epsom to take part in an
activity day aimed at helping them prepare for their trip to the Far
East. As part of the event, the group spent time clearing woodland in
the area before listening to Toyota GB’s executive director Masa Nohara
describe some of the cultural differences they are likely to experience
on their arrival in Japan and while staying with host families in the
country.
Toyota is a leading UK automotive firm, with retail partners such as Inchcape Toyota
located across Britain, as well as one of the world's largest
multinational companies. Rob Giles, Toyota GB's director in charge of
corporate social responsibility, spoke to the Scouts and Explorers about
the formation of the Japanese firm back in 1937, its current position
in the marketplace and its corporate values.
He said: "At Toyota, supporting and
contributing to the local communities where we live and work has always
been at the heart of our operations and we have helped a number of Scout
groups in the area through the Toyota Fund for a Better Tomorrow.
However, the occasion of the World Scout Jamboree has allowed us to make
a bigger contribution for Scouts across the whole of Surrey."
Young people who took part were each given
£200 by Toyota GB to put towards their individual fundraising totals. In
addition, the manufacturer also handed over an additional £8,000 to the
Surrey County Jamboree Fund to help pay for equipment that will be
needed ahead of the next year's event, due to take place in Yamaguchi
City between July 28 and August 8.
Bryan Chatbourn, leader of the UK Scout
Association's contingent to the World Scout Jamboree, added: "The World
Scout Jamboree in Japan is an incredible experience that will change the
lives of all the 30,000 young people who attend.
"Not only is it an adventure, but meeting and
working with young people from almost every nation on earth helps
foster intercultural learning and tolerance which is badly needed in
today's world. Toyota's support in helping young people from across the
globe build more peaceful and tolerant communities is greatly
appreciated."
Frisky younger drivers taking risks on the road
Frisky younger drivers - and their passengers - are taking raunchy risks
on the road that put using a mobile phone at the wheel in the shade.
Frisky younger drivers - and their passengers - are taking raunchy risks that put using a mobile phone in the shade, according to new research by the UK’s largest specialist insurance broker.
Albert Einstein may have been joking when he allegedly said that "any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves". But kissing - and much more besides - behind the wheel is on the rise among the younger generation, with 40 per cent of 18 to 34-year-old passengers admitting to distracting the driver with some saucy hi-jinks.
By comparison, the survey of more than 1,000 people by Adrian Flux Insurance Services showed that only 20 per cent of those aged 45 and over had engaged in similar behaviour - despite many more years on the road. Gerry Bucke, general manager at Flux, said that using a mobile phone at the wheel had become socially unacceptable because of the growing evidence it distracts drivers and contributes to accidents.
"Young people have always used their cars as makeshift bedrooms to escape the attentions of their parents, but now it seems they are taking things one step further," he added.
"We know that using a mobile phone distracts drivers and causes accidents, but we don’t know how many accidents are caused by people canoodling at the wheel because it’s very hard to prove and the data simply doesn’t exist."
"But it seems likely that this sort of behaviour is just as distracting - if not more so - than using a mobile phone, which currently attracts three penalty points, a £100 fine and increased insurance premiums."
"Cars have long been the retreat of choice for lovestruck youngsters, but maybe they should wait until they’re parked up before grabbing a kiss and a cuddle."
The survey, conducted by TLF Research, showed that the older generation were certainly no exception to the more traditional form of motor-based love, with with 70 per cent of those over 55 admitting to having sex in a stationary car, compared with 63 per cent of those aged 18 to 54.
"The older generation are certainly not prudish judging by this research, it’s just that they didn’t believe in taking unnecessary risks and kept their ardour under wraps while the car was moving!" added Mr Bucke.
Frisky younger drivers - and their passengers - are taking raunchy risks that put using a mobile phone in the shade, according to new research by the UK’s largest specialist insurance broker.
Albert Einstein may have been joking when he allegedly said that "any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves". But kissing - and much more besides - behind the wheel is on the rise among the younger generation, with 40 per cent of 18 to 34-year-old passengers admitting to distracting the driver with some saucy hi-jinks.
By comparison, the survey of more than 1,000 people by Adrian Flux Insurance Services showed that only 20 per cent of those aged 45 and over had engaged in similar behaviour - despite many more years on the road. Gerry Bucke, general manager at Flux, said that using a mobile phone at the wheel had become socially unacceptable because of the growing evidence it distracts drivers and contributes to accidents.
"Young people have always used their cars as makeshift bedrooms to escape the attentions of their parents, but now it seems they are taking things one step further," he added.
"We know that using a mobile phone distracts drivers and causes accidents, but we don’t know how many accidents are caused by people canoodling at the wheel because it’s very hard to prove and the data simply doesn’t exist."
"But it seems likely that this sort of behaviour is just as distracting - if not more so - than using a mobile phone, which currently attracts three penalty points, a £100 fine and increased insurance premiums."
"Cars have long been the retreat of choice for lovestruck youngsters, but maybe they should wait until they’re parked up before grabbing a kiss and a cuddle."
The survey, conducted by TLF Research, showed that the older generation were certainly no exception to the more traditional form of motor-based love, with with 70 per cent of those over 55 admitting to having sex in a stationary car, compared with 63 per cent of those aged 18 to 54.
"The older generation are certainly not prudish judging by this research, it’s just that they didn’t believe in taking unnecessary risks and kept their ardour under wraps while the car was moving!" added Mr Bucke.
UK Car Discount 2014 Car Awards
UK Car Discount is proud to launch part two of our
very first new car awards. The 2014 car awards are a combination
customer feedback supplemented with our own professional knowledge,
tapping into decades of experience. In the final part three we will look
at the luxury end of the market with a final 5 awards.Here are our 2014 new car awards 6-10:
Best Coupe – Volkswagen Scirocco
The Scirocco was welcomed back with open arms when it made it’s comeback in 2008, even many of the critics who were a little taken-a- back by the new design have been converted into fans. The Scirocco takes a lot of its characteristics from the iconic VW Golf and it boasts superb handling and refinement that make it both fun and comfortable to drive.
Inside the Sciroccco is surprisingly roomy and it boasts a generous boot for a car in its class (292 litres). As you’d expect from Volkswagen build quality is very good. The biggest seller is the entry-level relatively economical Scirocco BlueMotion Technology 2.0 TDI 150PS 6 Spd Manual offers up to 67mpgwhich is perfect for those looking for an extremely eye-catching, stylish coupe that offers a touch of nostalgia and reasonable running costs for a coupe. If you full speed experience then the Scirocco R BlueMotion 2.0 TSI 280PS 6 Spd DSG may be for you, it can propel you from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds.
The Scirocco may have cheaper rivals, the Seat Leon SC is notably one but for sheer looks and nostalgia plus some amazing feedback from very happy owners it had to the get nod in this category.
Best Convertible – Volkswagen Golf
The VW Golf Cabriolet is based on the standard Volkswagen Golf hatchback, so you get the same interior and excellent build quality. Inside offers room for 4 people to be comfortable. The electric roof only takes 9.5 seconds to open one of the quickest in its class. Everything about the VW Golf says quality.
If you’re looking for lower running costs then the Bluemotion diesel option can offer up to 64mpg and CO2 emissions of just of 117g/km. At the performance end there’s the VW Golf R Cabriolet that can take you from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds.
The VW Golf cabriolet also offers great residual value and is an all round excellent cabriolet.
Best Hot Hatch – Seat Leon Cupra
The Seat Leon has really impressed us and not just the hot hatch, the entire range delivers stunning vehicles, very good build quality and equipment levels at very competitive prices.
The Cupra delivers in a very competitive hot hatch sector and what makes it a winner for us its stunning looks. Then there’s the sharp acceleration offering 0-62mph in around 5.9 seconds and its razor sharp handing, despite this the Cupra is still built on the same foundations as the standard Leon Hatchback an comfortably doubles as a family car. We prefer the look of the 3 door model but many will probably find the 5 door model more practical.
What’s more the Leon Cupra comes packed with equipment, excellent build quality and still manages to gazump many of its rivals on price and running costs with the most frugal model offering 149g/km emissions and up to 44.1mpg.
We love the Seat Leon Cupra!!
Best Economical 4×4 – Hyundai ix35
The Hyundai ix35 is cheaper and better equipped than many the vehicles in its class. We love the sculpted design that make the ix35 a real eye-catcher. There’s a big jump in price for the top-end trim-levels but we think the SE model offers plenty of equipment, combine that with the 2.0 CRDi Diesel 4WD Manual engine and you can get anything up to 51mpg.
The Hyundai ix35 is a superb vehicle inside and out and it won’t cost you a fortune either for a vehicle in its class. Combine that with a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, five years roadside assistance and annual vehicle healthchecks and we think you’re onto a winner!!
Best Electric/Hybrd – BMW i3 The first thing you’ll notice about the i3 is its excellent quality inside and out and dashes of luxury that makes this car stand out from the crowd. Handing-wise the i3 is agile and responsive which is perfect for around-town journeys, it also boasts a very small turning circle of less than 10 metres and is surprisingly nippy able to get you from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds for the standard i3 or 7.9 seconds for the Range Extender model.
The range-extender model offers a useful alterative for those wishing to use the vehicle on longer journeys and may be worried about losing charge completely..Its two-cylinder engine kicks in when the battery reaches a very low level and provides enough charge to keep the car running for an extended period.
The standard i3 has a maximum range of 80-100 miles with a full charge taking 4 hours (fast AC) or 8-10 hours (regular plug) and offers zero emissions.
The range Extender version has a maximum range of 160-186 miles with charging times about the same as the standard i3 but with CO2 emissions of 13g/km.
We recommend the standard i3 model and think its a perfect for people making regular short journeys around town who want to make a green statement.
Subskrybuj:
Posty (Atom)