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An iconinc Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost recreates its triumphant London-Edinburgh run after 110 years

The Silver Ghost is arguably the most famous Rolls-Royce model of all time. It was through its success in the early trials of speed, reliability and endurance that it earned Rolls-Royce its reputation as ‘the best car in the world’. Winning the 1911 London-Edinburgh Trial was a landmark moment for Silver Ghost 1701: that the same car, now a priceless collector’s item, can repeat the endeavour 110 years later is testament to its remarkable engineering, materials and build quality. Our sincere congratulations to our friends at the 20‑Ghost Club on this fantastic achievement.

Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Recently, history repeated itself as the iconic Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 1701 re-enacted the astonishing run it completed back in 1911 with the London-Edinburgh Trial.

The vehicle was designed with the idea to become an “Experimental Speed Car” and won the original event locked in top gear for the entire 799-mile trip. Now primitive, but back then quite astonishing, the speed of 19.59 miles per hour was considered as something close to the speed of light.

To prove that the car had not been modified in any way, it achieved 78.2 mph on a half-mile speed test conducted immediately after the Trial; it also became the first Rolls-Royce to exceed 100 mph in a later test at the fabled Brooklands circuit in Surrey.

The re-enactment was as faithful to the 1911 event as possible. The car, now a priceless collector’s item and wearing registration R-1075, departed from the Pall Mall headquarters of the Royal Automobile Club at 06.00 on Sunday 5 September 2021, then travelled to Edinburgh on a route that followed the old Great North Road as closely as practicable – locked in top gear just as it was 110 years before.

To add to the spectacle and sense of occasion, 1701 was accompanied by a further nine Rolls‑Royce Silver Ghosts, all of a similar age and in equally perfect condition, from the 20-Ghost Club. And to complete the pageant, the cavalcade was escorted all the way to Edinburgh by a brand-new Ghost, handbuilt at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood and finished in Tempest Grey.

SEE ALSO: Bentley team celebrates its 70th anniversary of Design in Crewe

Andrew Ball said, Silver Ghost 1701 has a unique and special place in the marque’s history and affections. It’s difficult to think of many machines that can still perform exactly as they did 110 years ago; this extraordinary car is a remarkable tribute to our predecessors who designed, engineered and built it. We’re proud to continue their work and uphold their values in today’s Rolls-Royce motor cars – which are still the best in the world.

September 23, 2021
Bentley team celebrates its 70th anniversary of Design in Crewe

Bentley Motors celebrates the 70^th anniversary of the foundation of its Design department at Crewe. The first Crewe-designed Bentley was the R-Type Continental, which was unveiled back in 1951.

Andreas Mindt, Bentley’s Director of Design, comments:

Leading the next evolution of Bentley’s design DNA is a true honour, especially after so many decades of exquisite design in our studio in Crewe. There are iconic Bentleys that were created here – beautiful cars that have stood the test of time, and which inspire our styling cues to this day.

Our team of designers is now engaged with their next opportunity – creating Bentley’s first BEV, which must translate and reshape those classic forms and details to a truly future-facing design. Not only that, the car must be sustainable in more ways than just being electric – so we are exploring sustainable materials, recyclability and new ways of working to ensure the car has a low carbon footprint throughout its lifecycle. Getting this design absolutely perfect will help guarantee the next chapter in this astonishing history of Bentley Design.

The department’s key responsibilities were to communicate ideas and design proposals and share their vision with other areas of the business. This was achieved by collecting sketches and watercolor artworks, all done by hand.

The watercolor renders were then reproduced in scale or full-size technical drawings depicting side, front, rear, plan elevations, and sectional views along the body to describe to the model makers the form of the new car.

Today, designers follow a similar creation process as they did 70 years ago – in order to visualize the final result, model makers work with a metal framework is covered with a malleable material (historically wax, and more recently clay) then accurately shaped to describe the form of the new vehicle. Measurements could then be taken from the model and cross-referenced back to ensure the drawings were representative.

However, contemporary technologies aim designers to quickly assemble all the 3D models, with an accuracy down to the 100^th of a millimeter.

Today’s virtual reality technologies and advanced computer systems allow sketch in a virtual world that can be experienced regardless of geographical location on screens or through headsets and augmented reality. Even with new tools and techniques, once the design has reached full maturity a full-size model will still be made, ensuring all of the fine details are perfect before release for production.

SEE ALSO: 2022 VW ID.4 earns a TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award by the IIHS

Darren Day, Head of Interior Design – and the longest serving member of the Bentley design team, comments:

Despite the global pandemic we have had to learn to adapt and use the tools around us to continue evolving how we design. I had at least two of my design colleagues working in different locations around the world due to the pandemic travel restrictions preventing their return to Crewe. Using virtual reality we could hold design reviews, assess details, alternate texture, choose colour, swap materials and yet still make progress and achieve our deadlines.

Pyms Lane has remained the focal point for Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe since the factory was built in 1938. This focus will only accelerate Bentley’s plans to develop further areas of the site to support Bentley’s journey towards electrification. After 70 years, the business will relocate to one of the most iconic buildings on the campus for the next era, with the build of a new Design Studio in the months to come.

September 23, 2021
2022 VW ID.4 earns a TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award by the IIHS

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announces that the 2021 ID.4 has won the 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

To qualify for a 2021 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn good ratings in each of the Institute’s six crashworthiness evaluations. It must also have good or acceptable headlights and available front crash prevention that earns advanced or superior ratings in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 EV managed to earn an acceptable rating for the standard LED headlights, a good rating for the available premium LED projector headlights, and good ratings in the six crashworthiness evaluations. The Front Assist system—standard on all ID.4 models—receives a superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and an advanced rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention.

The ID.4 features standard IQ.DRIVE advanced driver assistance with hands-on semi-automated capability. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to help make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE can alert you to surprise obstacles in front of you and keeps an eye around you to help make driving safer.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes team reveals new EQS lineup

With its full equipment package, the ID.4 comes with a front radar, front camera, two rear radars and eight ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area, enabling Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring), Active Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop & Go, Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System), and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency). In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the ID.4 includes Dynamic Road Sign Display; Park Distance Control; and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights).

September 22, 2021
Infiniti presents a new generation of drivetrains in its new 2022 Q50 lineup

2022 INFINITI Q50 sedan adds new features to the standard equipment, along with some neat styling and tons of personalization goodies.

The new Q50 continues the successful formula by blending clean and athletic body with a functional and cozy interior. The 2022 Q50 is available in three well-equipped grades: LUXE, SENSORY, and RED SPORT 400. Each grade is available with INFINITI’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The Q50 SENSORY grade, which was new for 2021, offers sumptuous Saddle Brown leather-appointed seatsi as optional equipment for 2022.

Every 2022 INFINITI Q50, including the LUXE grade, comes with standard leather-appointed seats, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power-folding outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down, a dual-occupant memory system for the driver’s seat that remembers steering wheel, seat, and outside mirror position, linked to individual Intelligent Keys, driver’s seat power lumbar adjustment; and Bose Performance Series audio.

Drivetrain system

The 2022 Q50 comes with a 3.0-liter VR-series twin-turbo V6 engine for motivation, offered in one of two configurations. In Q50 LUXE and Q50 SENSORY sedans, the V6 delivers 300 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 1,600-5,200 rpm.

In Q50 RED SPORT 400 sedans, the V6 engine delivers on its namesake and produces 400 maximum horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft at 1,600-5,200 rpm.

Exclusive to the RED SPORT 400’s engine, an extra water pump to aid in cooling and an optical turbine speed sensor is added, the latter of which allows for the twin-turbochargers to perform at up to 240,000 rpm — higher than ever before for a V6 engine.

SEE ALSO: Mercedes team reveals new EQS lineup

The V6 is teamed with a 7-speed automatic gearbox with manual shift mode and Downshift Rev Matching. Standard steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Q50 RED SPORT 400 offer more control for dynamic performance.

September 22, 2021
Mercedes team reveals new EQS lineup

Mercedes-EQ redefines the electric vehicle segment with the introduction of the new EQS. The groundbreaking all-electric luxury sedan blends perfectly the industry-leading standards of Mercedes and the advanced next-gen technologies.

Coming with a powerful engine system and highly intelligent and adaptive functions, the new EQS combines performance, luxury and sustainability in a single beautiful package.

Also, in order to enhance the capabilities of the vehicle, Mercedes will offer the new EQS Sedan in three well-geared trim levels: Premium, Exclusive and Pinnacle. Each of these features some neat technologies and luxurious features, along with tons of customization options.

In terms of visuals, the new EQS reveals an innovative and complex exterior design based on a new vehicle architecture. The shape is definitely inspired by motorsport and features low stance, tight rear-end, and an overall cab-forward design: the overhangs and the front-end assembly are short, the rear is smoothly rounded.

Furthermore, the EQS lineup comes with a power tilt and sliding panoramic roof with two modules that form a large glass surface, resulting in a light and airy ambience in the interior. Additional interior elements including rapid-heating and ventilating front seats, leather seating surfaces, active multicontour front seats with enhanced massage and comfort headrests, wireless smartphone integration, wireless charging in the front and the air balance cabin fragrance system with a new HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.

SEE ALSO: SKODA Team announces the development plan for the new Fabia Rally vehicle

With a range of up to 784 kilometers (WLTP) and an output of up to 516 hp, the highly advanced powertrain of the EQS exceeds every expectation of a progressive electric sedan in the flagship S-Class segment. To further enhance the S- Class segment experience for customers, Mercedes-Benz USA is offering EQS customers complimentary 30-minute DC Fast charging with the Electrify America Network for 24-months from account activation, and two years of free maintenance.

The fully electric 2022 EQS Sedan will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the fall of 2021 and marks a new era for the brand as the first model of the new Mercedes-EQ rollout in North America.

September 22, 2021
SKODA Team announces the development plan for the new Fabia Rally vehicle

SKODA team announces the development of an all-new Fabia, with the first prototype featuring Rally2 specs.

Following the launch and the success of the rally-ready Fabia, the engineering team is now ready to up their game with an even more advanced and refined version of the machine.

“The all-new ŠKODA Fabia for the Rally2 category has entered the development and testing stage. Fortunately, our technicians can build on comprehensive know-how and expertise of the ongoing ŠKODA Fabia Rally2 evo project, which still is very successful worldwide,” comments Michal Hrabánek, Head of ŠKODA Motorsport.

Since 2015, SKODA Fabia has won numerous rally trophies and is the leader in its class in terms of awards and achievements. Since the iteration of the new R5 version, the model has gone on to take nine titles in support categories to the FIA World Rally Championship, numerous regional and national championships, nearly 1,400 overall and class victories as well as close to 3,300 podium positions worldwide. ŠKODA Motorsport has already sold more than 400 units of the R5, Rally2, and Rally2 Evo variants.

According to the Rally2 regulations of the FIA, the next generation Rally2 version of the ŠKODA Fabia is again powered by a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine connected to a five-speed sequential gearbox and four-wheel drive with mechanical differentials.

September 21, 2021
Hyundai Santa Cruz is name Best Pickup Truck Award from Northwest Automotive Press Association

Hyundai Santa Cruz Sport-Adventure Vehicle is named the winner in the 2021 Best Pickup Truck category from the Northwest Automotive Press Association. The vehicle managed to impress the jury with its bold design, efficient powertrain, and flexible customization options. Of course, the numerous cutting-edge technologies contributed greatly for the recognition.

We’re thrilled that our new Santa Cruz was recognized by the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Its bold styling coupled with secure open-bed flexibility meets the changing everyday needs of adventure-oriented buyers, while powerful engines and superb maneuverability ensure it is a pleasure to drive in urban or off-road environments, said Ricky Lao, director of Product Planning, Hyundai Motor North America.

The evaluations included parts that test, handling, braking, rear-view cameras, and more. The evaluations are made on a dedicated track, characterized by elevation changes, sharp corners, and sweeping curves.

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The vehicles were also evaluated on an off-road course that simulated rough roads that some drivers often encounter. Plenty of loose dirt, deep ruts, steep climbs, and dramatic descents formed the second day’s route, challenging each vehicle’s four- or all-wheel-drive systems. The venue allowed the vehicles to showcase state-of-the-art technologies, including 360-degree cameras, hill descent controls, and state-of-the-art traction management systems.

September 21, 2021
Toyota launches its new marketing campaign in honor of the new 2022 Tundra lineup

Toyota adds the all-new 2022 Tundra to its portfolio with the model’s global debut. With tons of new features and enhanced old ones, the new model is ready to tackle down every on- and off-road challenge.

Launched with a new marketing campaign called “Born from Invincible”, the vehicle has a lot to demonstrate. The campaign itself was developed by Toyota’s agency record, Saatchi and Saatchi, and directed by Antoine Bardou Jacquet. The campaign makes its debut in NBC, followed by NFL and NASCAR.

The spots demonstrate Toyota’s rich history of building world-class body-on-frame vehicles is highlighted in an action-packed montage that culminates with the global debut of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra. In addition to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota trucks featured in the spot include: the 1987 4Runner SR5, 1960s Australian Troopy FJ45, 2007 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Tundra SR5, 2012 Tundra Platinum, 2021 NASCAR Trucks, 1985 Tacoma SR5, 1991 Australian FJ75 and Baja Truck. Keen viewers might even catch a glimpse of a 1980s icon that took us back to the future.

From the birth of the first Land Cruiser in 1950 to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota has designed, engineered and built some of the toughest, most dependable trucks in the world, said Lisa Materazzo, group vice president, Toyota Marketing, Toyota Motor North America, The all-new 2022 Tundra builds on that unique heritage and leads us into an even more exciting future for Toyota trucks.

“Born from Invincible” showcases an unparalleled international truck history in a wild ride down memory lane. Toyota’s rich history of building world-class body-on-frame vehicles is highlighted in an action-packed montage that culminates with the global debut of the star of the show, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra. In addition to the next-generation Tundra, Toyota trucks featured in the spot include: the 1987 4Runner SR5, 1960s Australian Troopy FJ45, 2007 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Tundra SR5, 2012 Tundra Platinum, 2021 NASCAR Trucks, 1985 Tacoma SR5, 1991 Australian FJ75 and Baja Truck. Keen viewers might even catch a glimpse of a 1980s icon that took us back to the future.

September 21, 2021
Honda announces details for the new Civic Hatch lineup

The most advanced Civic Hatch goes on sale today. The latest addition to the lineup comes with Euro-inspired styling and tons of advanced features. Some of these include a new safety suite, drivetrain upgrades and refined lineup of egines.

This is the most fun-to-drive Civic Hatchback we’ve ever made, said Dave Gardner, executive vice president of National Operations at American Honda Motor Co., Inc, Our 11th-generation Civic Sedan is already a runaway success and now this all-new Civic Hatchback further amplifies the performance of the Civic lineup.

New for the lineup is the LX trim level that incorporates 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a total of 158hp. This engine is mated to an automatic gearbox and offers tons of convenience gadgets – -inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, push-button start, partial digital instrumentation, LED headlights, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. Cargo space is an expansive 24.5 cu.-ft.

In terms of safety, the vehicle comes with Honda’s new generation of Honda Sensing Suites. The pack includes Traffic Jam Assist and a smoother, more natural feeling to functions like Adaptive Cruise Control and the Lane Keeping Assist System. A rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder are also new and standard across the lineup.

SEE ALSO: Maserati MC20 wins “Product Design of the Year” at this year’s European Product Design Award

Depending on the trim level, the new Civic Hatch can be geared with different types of engines and transmissions, as the flagship comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and with CVT, along with a manual 6-speed manual gearbox. LED fog lights and machine-finished 18-inch alloy wheels are standard along with front and rear parking sensors, Low-Speed Braking Control, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA).

September 21, 2021
Maserati MC20 wins “Product Design of the Year” at this year’s European Product Design Award

The MC20 has received the award for “Product Design of the Year” 2021 from the European Product Design Award. The vehicle has also been recognized as the “Top Design Winner” in the Transportation/Auto/Truck/Mobile Home and “Winner” in Transportation/Other Transportation Design categories.

The European Product Design Award is an event that honors the efforts and talents of designers and engineers in the automotive industry. There are thousands of vehicles and design projects that are evaluated each year and only a handful of them remain worthy for the final award.

Klaus Busse, Maserati Head of Design, said: Our mission was to design a car that would be remembered in the future as the model that launched the Maserati New Era. And I think we’ve achieved our goal with MC20. We are honoured to receive this coveted accolade, which recognises the work of an entire team, who have made a wholehearted commitment to this unique project.

SEE ALSO: Audi Dakar team heads to Morocco to test out the mighty RS Q e-tron

As it comes to the vehicle, the MC20 is designed by Centro Stile Maserati in Turin and is a blend of elegance and sporty character. Maserati MC20 is innovative by nature, and every design detail is functional, and not only beautiful.

Maserati MC20 super sports car is genuinely a 100% made-in Italy car, developed by the Maserati Innovation Lab and built at the historic Modena plant.

September 20, 2021
Audi Dakar team heads to Morocco to test out the mighty RS Q e-tron

After some comprehensive tests in Germany and Spain, the Audi RS team heads for the desert and the dunes in the heart of Morocco. All three driver crews were involved in the project. Also, Dakar record winners Stéphane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström took turns at the wheel of the highly complex prototype.

As expected, their co-drivers Edouard Boulanger, Lucas Crus, and Emil Bergkvist were there. Driver and co-driver form an important unit in the Dakar Rally and they have to feel comfortable in the cockpit.

We expect much lower temperatures at the Dakar Rally, says Andreas Roos, Nevertheless, we deliberately went to Morocco to test our concept under the most extreme conditions. Components such as the MGU, for example, were basically not developed for use in such high ambient temperatures, but the drivetrain and other components were also pushed to their limits or even beyond by the heat. The insights we gained in Morocco are invaluable, but they also show us that we still have a lot to do before the Dakar Rally and there is not much time left.

The high-voltage battery, exclusively developed for the Dakar Rally, is also a central topic.

SEE ALSO: Nissan Qashqai is the winner at the 2022 TowCar event

It’s all about optimum temperature management and being able to call up the battery’s maximum performance, says Roos, This is where we are learning with every test. And that’s exactly why we are going to the desert with an electrified drivetrain: We are gaining an incredible amount of experience that we are sharing with our colleagues from road car development.

September 20, 2021
Nissan Qashqai is the winner at the 2022 TowCar event

Nisssan team proudly announces that the all-new electrified Qashqai model has received its first acoolade from the Caravan and Motorhome Club in the Towncar of the Year Awards.

By surpassing 15,000 orders in the UK alone, new Qashqai Tekna Plus Xtronic was also named a winner at the show in the 1300-1400kg category.

The judges at the show praised the model’s performance and overall quality, stating that it made a good all-round towcar, doing everything well”, and would make a “sound purchase” for any customer.

The awards were announced at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2022, held at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd., commented: Designed, engineered, and built in the UK, the Qashqai has rewarded millions of customers with desirable, dependable and practical mobility. It supports a huge variety of lifestyle demands, including those who need accomplished towing capability. We are delighted that the all-new Nissan Qashqai has already been recognised in the prestigious Towcar of the Year Awards, just a few short months since the car went on sale.

SEE ALSO: SEAT Leon and Ateca models are the great winners at the What Car? Tow Car Awards

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: With the rise in popularity of the staycation, it’s more important than ever that the Club continues to provide qualified and unbiased information for its one million members to help them to find the right towcar for their needs. We’ve also been receiving an increasing number of enquiries about the technicalities and practicalities of towing with hybrid and electric vehicles so it’s fantastic news we are seeing a boom in competition entrants and winners in these categories.

Each vehicle at the show is put through its paces at the Millbrook Porving Ground near Bedford, and the club’s team thoroughly checked each single vehicle before handing it over the ‘caravanability’ and driving judges.

Just like its predecessors, the third-generation Nissan Qashqai was led by the team at Nissan Design Europe, based in central London, while it was engineered by Nissan Technical Centre Europe, situated in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

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September 20, 2021