by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Bentley marks 75 year anniversary since the Bentley Mk VI was the first model to roll off the Crewe production line in 1946
- 206 unique models and 197,086 cars handcrafted since – 97 per cent of Bentley’s entire production
- To mark the occasion the Mk VI’s predecessor, the Mk V, the last pre-Crewe model, stands proudly on display at Bentley’s famous Pyms Lane factory
- Current daily production at record levels, 85 cars per day, equalling monthly run rate of two decades ago – all from the world’s only carbon neutral luxury car factory
- Ambitious plan, targeting sustainable luxury mobility leadership, extends to end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030 with entire model range switched to battery electric vehicles
Bentley Motors today marks 75 years of car production from the luxury marque’s iconic factory in Crewe, England.
The revered Mk V, the very last car to be built in Derby before the dawn of the Crewe era in May 1946, today stood proudly on display along Pyms Lane as the current generation Bentley models rolled off the production line at record levels.
During this 75 year period, 197,086 luxury cars – 97 per cent of Bentley’s entire production – have been handcrafted, an extraordinary milestone when considered that just 38,933 were built before modern day models such as the Continental GT and Bentayga were introduced from the turn of the century.
Remarkably, records show that 84 per cent of all cars built in Crewe for the UK market are still on the road today, with that number growing at unmatched levels. Bentley is currently building 85 cars per day; one month’s output, two decades ago.
Commenting on the significant achievement, Peter Bosch, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, said:
“For 75 years Crewe has been synonymous with luxury car manufacturing – a global showcase of craftsmanship and quality. In that time, our colleagues have produced some of the world’s most iconic and desirable products, including cars for global royalty and unique personal commissions.
“Beyond bricks and mortar, this milestone pays homage to the colleagues who have built our brand in Crewe, and I’d like to express my thanks and admiration for their dedication over three quarters of a century.
“With our most recent investment we have transformed our historic factory into a collaborative modern campus; a carbon-neutral, innovative, low environmental impact site that retains the best of our heritage while looking strongly to the future. In many factory areas, modern, digitised production systems complement traditional craftsmanship skills employed on our cars since 1946.
“As we cautiously emerge from the pandemic, we look forward to welcoming our customers back to Crewe to experience our unique factory and meet our colleagues in person.”
Although Bentley’s history dates back to 1919, Crewe became part of the luxury marque’s story in 1938; the Pyms Lane site transforming from potato fields to a significant manufacturing base for the Merlin aeroplane engines, a key pillar of the war efforts. Selected due to its strong transport links and ready supply of skilled labour, at peak in 1943, the Crewe factory employed over 10,000 colleagues.
With car production having ceased in the war years, the former home of the company in Derby was committed to building new-era jet engines in 1946, meaning a new location was required. Colleagues had to be retrained in techniques necessary for car manufacture, such as painting, anti-corrosion preparation, body mounting and woodwork.
The Bentley Mark VI became the first car to be built entirely at Bentley’s Crewe works and the first to be offered with a pressed-steel body shell as standard. The 4.3-litre straight six engine used at launch was upgraded to a more powerful 4.6-litre unit in 1951. Coachbuilt cars were still available, but the Mark VI signalled the dawn of a new era in Bentley car production and became one of the marque’s biggest selling cars in history.
What followed prior to the modern era were many iconic models of their time produced in Crewe, including the R-Type Continental, Turbo R, Arnage and Azure.
Arguably the biggest change to Pyms Lane, Crewe, took place in 1998, following the acquisition of Bentley by the Volkswagen Group. The Group immediately invested significantly to modernise the factory and transformed the company into the one that exists today, creating a platform for an illustrious period in the history of Bentley Motors.
Pyms Lane has remained the focal point for Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe since the company arrived in 1938. What stands today are industry-leading facilities that are fully carbon neutral, the first luxury car brand to achieve such a feat.
Over the coming weeks, Bentley’s subsequent investment in Pyms Lane will be realised with the opening of an Engineering Test Centre and R&D building – both of which will further support Bentley’s journey towards electrification.
The ambitious plans Bentley has for car production were outlined as part of its ground-breaking Beyond100 strategy. The company aims to be end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030, with the Crewe factory climate positive thereafter.
Bentley will move to full electrification – PHEV or BEV only – by 2026, then switch the entire model range to battery electric vehicles by 2030. The industry-leading Beyond100 strategy will transform every aspect of the business as Bentley accelerates into its second century of luxury car production.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Lotus to be celebrated as Central Feature marque at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- The Central Feature will head in a new direction to provide an immersive customer experience on-event and from home.
- The Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will take place 8-11 July 2021.
Goodwood is proud to announce that the Central Feature at the 2021 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will celebrate Lotus.
The iconic Norfolk brand is best known for its pioneering road and race cars, including the spectacular all-electric Evija hypercar.
From the first sculpture in 1997 to the present day, the Goodwood Festival of Speed has become known for its creative and daring Central Features, which celebrate the greatest achievements of a different manufacturer or milestone each year through art.
Lotus was last selected as the Central Feature marque in 2012, with a 3D infinity loop sculpture that celebrated the singularity of purpose of a Lotus race car. However, this year’s sculpture will take an exciting new and immersive direction. It is being created using an entirely new design philosophy; while the sculpture itself is guaranteed to be just as visually stunning as previous years, it is also set to be more interactive and accessible for those joining from home.
This new approach aligns perfectly with Lotus’ development of innovative technology and its engineering-led approach to design and manufacturing, as well as complementing the long and often intertwined histories of Goodwood and Lotus.
Among the many records broken by Lotus, the Type 25 still holds Goodwood Motor Circuit’s period lap record. In the course of winning the last ever Formula 1 race at Goodwood, on Easter Monday 1965, Jim Clark in a Lotus 25 tied for fastest lap with Jackie Stewart, in a time of 1m 20.4. The record stands as a tribute to the skill and bravery of the drivers and to the passion for lightweight engineering and innovation that thrives at Lotus to this day.
At this year’s event, Lotus will give a public dynamic debut to the Emira, its all-new and eagerly anticipated sports car. Developed as part of the ongoing transformation of Lotus which has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts worldwide, the Emira will set new standards of technology, comfort, functionality and everyday useability for Lotus. It goes into production later this year at an all-new manufacturing facility at Hethel, Norfolk – the home of Lotus since 1966.
Commenting on the announcement, the Duke of Richmond said, “We are delighted that Lotus will star as the Central Feature at this year’s Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard. Lotus cars raced with great success at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and ‘60s, including setting the ultimate lap record in 1965, and this year’s Central Feature will serve as a fitting landmark to their past, present and future achievements. The sculpture looks set to be one of the most dramatic and futuristic yet, bringing in elements of interactivity for modern audiences that align with Lotus’ future-facing attitude and outlook.”
Simon Clare, Executive Director, Marketing, Lotus Cars, added, “Everyone at Lotus is very excited by the opportunity to be the Central Feature at the Festival of Speed. This year is a hugely significant one for the transformation of Lotus, and to be giving a public dynamic debut to the Emira at a location so closely associated with Lotus’ success and spirit of innovation will be great for those who can attend, physically or virtually.”
More details will be released ahead of the event, including how visitors and fans across the world can interact with the Central Feature in a new and unique way.
Taking place between 8th – 11th July, tickets for the Festival of Speed are available from goodwood.com and the Ticket Office can be contacted on 01243 755 055.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
A landmark transformation plan for Lamborghini’s sustainability path: from product electrification to the Sant’Agata Bolognese site
- Top product performance: the absolute priority throughout the entire electrification program
- Roadmap incorporates celebration of the combustion engine and the range’s hybrid transition by 2024
- Internal target defined: 50% less product CO2 emissions by the beginning of 2025
- The largest investment in Lamborghini’s history: more than 1.5 billion euros over four years
- Vision of a fourth fully-electric model in the second part of the decade
Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, today presents “Direzione Cor Tauri” (Towards Cor Tauri): a roadmap to decarbonization of future Lamborghini models and of the Sant’Agata Bolognese site based on a holistic approach to its environmental sustainability strategy.
Throughout the product electrification process, Lamborghini will focus continually on identifying technologies and solutions that guarantee top performance and driving dynamics in keeping with the marque’s tradition. In reference to the logo chosen by company founder Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, Cor Tauri is the brightest star in the Taurus constellation, and represents Lamborghini’s move towards a future that is electrified but always faithful to the heart and soul of the ‘bull’ brand.
Winkelmann commented: “Lamborghini’s electrification plan is a newly-plotted course, necessary in the context of a radically-changing world, where we want to make our contribution by continuing to reduce environmental impact through concrete projects. Our response is a plan with a 360 degree approach, encompassing our products and our Sant’Agata Bolognese location, taking us towards a more sustainable future while always remaining faithful to our DNA. Lamborghini has always been synonymous with preeminent technological expertise in building engines boasting extraordinary performance: this commitment will continue as an absolute priority of our innovation trajectory. Today’s promise, supported by the largest investment plan in the brand’s history, reinforces our deep dedication to not only our customers, but also to our fans, our people and their families, as well as to the territory where the company was born in Emilia-Romagna and to Made in Italy excellence.”
Cor Tauri, Lamborghini’s roadmap, will comprise of three phases:
- Celebrating the combustion engine (2021-2022) by presenting models paying tribute to the company’s recent period of continuous success. In the wake of steady sales growth and a seven-fold increase in turnover over the last fifteen years, Lamborghini has established itself as a center of excellence in the production of the best super sports cars. Unique design, technological innovation at the highest levels backed by huge investments in research and development, and the highest quality and craftsmanship are the basis for a pyramid of products: from the Urus Super SUV, the cornerstone of today’s success, rising to the pinnacle of technology and design masterpieces with the limited series. The most recently unveiled, the Sián, kicked off the electrification journey: the first Lamborghini featuring hybrid technology. This phase will be characterized by the development of combustion engines for versions that pay homage to the brand’s glorious history and iconic products past and present, but always under the impetus of the visionary spirit that distinguishes Lamborghini. Two new cars in the V12 model line-up will be announced in 2021.
- Hybrid transition (by the end of 2024): in 2023 Lamborghini will launch its first hybrid series production car, and by the end of 2024 the entire range will be electrified. Performance and the authentic Lamborghini driving experience will remain the focus of the company’s engineers and technicians in developing new technologies, and the application of lightweight carbon fiber materials will be crucial in compensating for weight due to electrification. The company’s internal target for this phase is to reduce product CO2 emissions by 50% by the beginning of 2025.
Leading the hybrid transition will be an unprecedented investment: more than 1.5 billion euros allocated over four years, the largest in Lamborghini’s history. It is a tangible sign of the company’s strong sense of responsibility towards the need for a concrete response, through significant innovations, to the period of profound transformation that is affecting the whole automotive industry.
- First fully-electric Lamborghini (second half of the decade): acceleration in the second part of the decade will be dedicated to full-electric vehicles, with the vision of a fourth model in the future. Once again, technological innovation in this phase will be oriented towards ensuring remarkable performance, and positioning the new product at the top of its segment. This is how Lamborghini sees the culmination of this part of its journey: Cor Tauri, the brightest star in the constellation to which the company’s roadmap points, is represented by a fourth fully-electric model.
Lamborghini’s program towards 2030 starts from a holistic vision of the company’s sustainability strategy: a 360° approach that spans product to the Sant’Agata Bolognese site, from the production lines to the offices. The 160,000 square-meter area achieved CO2 neutral certification in 2015, which was maintained even after the production site was doubled in size in recent years. In addition to reducing CO2 emissions, environmental protection, sustainability in the supply chain, attention to employees and corporate social responsibility are integral parts of this strategy.
The heart and compass of the Cor Tauri transformation plan is the brand’s DNA, and its innate ability to turn challenges into opportunities through continuous technological innovations, leading to improved performance and driving emotions but within the constraints imposed by the increasingly stringent CO2 regulations. A journey towards a new Lamborghini, but always faithful to itself and its roots.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
Brands Hatch, 16 May 2021 – Han Sikkens and Lucky Khera share wins in the opening Trofeo Pirelli races of the season, with Graham de Zille winning both races in the Coppa Shell.
Saturday
Trofeo Pirelli. Rain forced the drivers onto wets whilst the cars were on the grid minutes before the start of the race. Due to standing water on several corners, the Safety Car was deployed just before the half-way point and, after a thrilling re-start, Lucky Khera (Graypaul Birmingham) successfully managed to re-take his position from John Dhillon (Graypaul Nottingham), but was unable to catch Han Sikkens (H.R. Owen London) for the win. Dhillon kept the fast-paced Paul Hogarth (Stratstone Manchester) behind him to secure the final step on the podium.
Coppa Shell. Graham de Zille (Meridien Modena) started from pole position in his class and took his first win of the season. Laurent De Meeus (H.R. Owen London) worked his way from 10th on the grid to finish 2nd in his class in the very challenging conditions. Paul Rogers (JCT600 Brooklands) held his nerve and completed the podium.
Sunday
Trofeo Pirelli. After another dry qualifying session with Khera taking pole, rain once again forced the drivers onto wets whilst the cars were on the grid minutes before the start of the race. The rain soon eased but the track remained wet and slippery throughout the race. The race winner, Khera, led from start to finish, with Dhillon in 2nd and Sikkens in 3rd.
Coppa Shell. De Zille continued Saturday’s form, starting from pole position in his class and third overall. He took his second win of the season, finishing third overall. In his first Ferrari Challenge UK race weekend, De Meeus had an impressive start to his championship, finishing second in both races. Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham) lost out to De Meeus but still secured his first podium finish of the season.
Pirelli Ferrari formula classic
Saturday. In the first race of the season, Chris Butler won in his 328 GTB, with Vance Kearney and Wayne Marrs finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, each in a F355 Challenge.
Sunday. In the second race of the weekend, Chris Butler secured his second win of the season with Wayne Marrs, while Robert Rees completed the podium in his 328 GTB.
In the final race of the weekend, Chris Butler completed a hat trick of wins. Peter Everingham and Myles Poulton finished second and third in their 328 GTB and 328 GTS respectively.
Schedule. The next event in the Ferrari Challenge UK season will be at Donington Park on the 12-13th June.
2021 Calendar:
14-16 May Brands Hatch Indy & Grand Prix
12-13 June Donington Park
10-11 July Snetterton
17-19 September Silverstone – Ferrari Racing Days
01-02 October Oulton Park
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- SSE introduces Renault Zoe Van E-Tech 100% electric to its commercial vehicle fleet
- Zoe Van chosen for its range of up to 245 miles, comfort and attractive Whole Life Costs
- Zero tailpipe-emissions-in-use vans to be deployed across Scotland for supervisory site visits
- Each Zoe Van will generate an estimated saving of 23.5 tonnes of CO2 for SSE over a five-year period
- Zoe Van is more affordable for SSE to run than a comparable ICE vehicle
- The Zoe Van benefits from a five-year/100,000-mile warranty
- Priced from £23,450 (excluding VAT) after the Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG)
SSE, one of the UK’s leading utility providers, has identified the Renault Zoe Van as being the ideal vehicle to help with the electrification of its commercial vehicle fleet and contribute to the company’s commitment to have ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest.
The business has introduced a quartet of Zoe Van’s into its commercial vehicle fleet after the UK’s only fully electric car-derived van was recognised as the perfect replacement for several ICE vehicles where the range of existing commercial-focused EVs had previously compromised the transition to pure electric power. SSE is set to take delivery of a further eight with more in the pipeline.
SSE’s new Zoe Van’s will be used by its supervisors and team leaders to visit the company’s operational sites and developments throughout Scotland. The award-winning Zoe Van has a range of up to 245 miles on a single charge enables SSE’s personnel to visit more remote areas, particular in the north west of the country, where the charging infrastructure can be limited, while enjoying the refinements and drive associated with the Zoe E-tech 100% electric passenger car upon which it is based. At the same time, the dedicated load area allows operatives to easily and cleanly transport the specialised tools, wet weather clothing and PPE they require for their roles.
As well as enabling SSE to continue its drive to have 3,500 of its 4,000 commercial vehicles fully electrified by 2030, the Zoe Van will help the company to lower its environmental impact in terms of both emissions and noise. Notably, SSE estimates that over a five-year period each Zoe Van will provide a saving of 23.5 tonnes of CO2.
In addition to the driving range of the Zoe Van, SSE’s decision was influenced by its Whole Life Costs being lower than those of a similar-sized petrol car-derived van, offering significant savings in terms of fuel, VED and servicing costs. The spread and support of the Renault dealer network, plus the standard eight-year battery warranty, further enhanced the appeal of the Zoe Van to SSE, while its flexible charging means SSE’s personnel will be able to charge their vehicles at home without issue.
The Zoe Van were converted to SSE’s specification by Renault-accredited converter, Qi, which added details including a hygiene station and fire extinguisher. All were specified in Business trim, which includes such standard features as full LED headlights, automatic air conditioning, heated electrically adjustable door mirrors, cruise control/speed limiter, EASY LINK radio with 7-inch touch screen and Smartphone integration with Android AutoTM and Apple CarPlayTM. Completing the new Zoe Van is a unique wrap by Mediafleet, which haloes their pure electric power and even glows in the dark to ensure that SSE’s commitment to electrifying its commercial fleet can be seen day and night!
Neil Chamberlain, National EV Manager, SSE, said: “As an EV100 company that is committed to switching its fleet to electric, and with our focus on renewable energy and making a significant contribution to building low-carbon electricity systems fit for the future, introducing the Zoe Van to our operations fits perfectly with our strategy and ethos. The range of electric LCVs has always been a bit of an issue in the past for the roles that these vehicles are used for, so that of the Zoe Van now gives us the option to make the transition and look at other areas where a van is traditionally used but there isn’t a need for a high payload. The comfort is a big benefit to our operatives and, for those that are negotiating the narrower, more demanding roads of the Highlands, the compact dimensions are another welcome bonus. With the Zoe Van we’re further lowering our environmental impact at no detriment to our operational costs or effectiveness.”
Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Renault UK, commented: “SSE is a significant driver of innovation in the energy sector, so it’s very pleasing to see such a forward-thinking company recognise that the Renault Zoe Van fits with both their operational requirements and green energy strategy. We’re delighted that its combination of practicality, range and refinement has now presented SSE with another avenue through which to grow the electrification of its commercial fleet.”
The Zoe Van is based on the multi award-winning Zoe electric passenger car, which won the ‘Best Small Electric Car’ category in the 2020 What Car? Awards and which has been honoured at the annual What Car? ceremony for the last seven years. The commercial version is already an award-winner, having recently won the compact van ‘Best Value for Ownership Costs’ category in the new What Car? Van Awards.
Combining the same advanced specification of the Zoe with a load volume of one cubic metre and a maximum payload of up to 457kg excluding the driver (Business specification), the Zoe Van is available in two generous trim levels – Business and Business+.
It offers a WLTP combined range of up to 245 miles on a single charge on Business models and via the 50kW DC charging option can be charged from zero to 80 per cent in just one hour and ten minutes. Its R110 motor delivers zero to 31mph acceleration in only 3.9 seconds – making the Zoe Van electric ideal for urban journeys with stop-start traffic, and a perfect fit for tasks such as multidrop deliveries, and for use by utility companies and local authorities, for example. All of which are completed with zero tailpipe emissions.
As it’s based on the regular Zoe, the Zoe Van benefits from the same assurances that Zoe customers enjoy. That means it boasts a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty that gives customers greater peace of mind, mirroring the rest of Renault’s car range. The first two years feature unlimited mileage restrictions, while the remaining three have a 100,000-mile limit. In addition, the E-Tech electric 50 battery receives an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
The Zoe Van is priced from £23,450 (excluding VAT) after the Plug-in Van Grant (PiVG).
Renault PRO+ now offers the widest range of all-electric commercial vehicles of any manufacturer, the line-up also including the Renault Kangoo E-Tech 100% electric and the Renault Master E-Tech 100% electric. For details of the Renault PRO+ E-Tech 100% electric range, please visit www.renault.co.uk/live-electric/business
