by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Nissan’s engineering teams in Europe and Japan collaborate to optimise Ariya’s performance
- The rigorous testing programme will provide a balanced and refined driving experience
Nissan presents details of the meticulous vehicle testing programme behind Ariya’s unparalleled levels of performance, comfort and control, designed to optimise the driving experience on roads worldwide.
Tested extensively by a team of veteran engineering experts at Nissan’s proving ground in Hokkaido, Japan, each element from acceleration performance and sharp handling to overall quietness and ride comfort has been carefully reviewed and refined.
The rigorous development regime uses a global approach to best meet the needs of drivers from around the world. For example, the winding tarmac at the Hokkaido proving ground is designed to simulate roads commonly found in other regions including Europe.
For further assessment and added customer reassurance, Ariya is also tested locally to demonstrate the vehicle’s performance capabilities in European driving environments such as tight corners, fast motorways and mountain roads.
Nissan’s vehicle assessment specialists in Japan and the research and development technicians at Nissan Technical Centre in Cranfield, UK work together to share insights and make adaptations suitable for the European region and compliant with regulations.
“Creating the Nissan Ariya has been a highly intricate, but incredibly rewarding journey. As part of this process, we collaborated with our colleagues in Japan; inputting the European customer requirements in the early development stages, and now making the final product validation right here, on European roads,” said Ian Shepherd, Project Management Director at Nissan Technical Centre Europe.
“Through these insights and our colleagues’ detailed testing programme, we’re confident that Ariya will exceed our customers’ expectations,”
A behind-the-scenes look at the extensive testing conducted for Ariya can be viewed on YouTube here.
Consumers can click here to join the thousands of people who have already registered their interest in Ariya.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
Caterham Cars has been acquired by Japan-headquartered automotive group, VT Holdings, from businessmen, Tony Fernandes and Kamarudin Meranun.
The company assumes custodianship of the legendary British sportscar brand having been the Japanese importer for the Seven since 2009, where it currently sells over 120 cars annually.
As one of Japan’s largest retailer groups with over 200 showrooms nationwide and investments in UK, Spain, Thailand and South Africa, VT Holdings is also the importer for a collection of two and four wheeled brands including Royal Enfield and Lotus in its home-market.
Motorsport, and the global track-day communities, have always played a central role in Caterham’s commercial success. The brand now joins a group led by Chief Executive, Kazuho Takahashi, who shares the same passions, having raced competitively in JGTC, Super GT and Super Taikyu championships for the past 20 years.
Commenting on the acquisition, Takahashi-san, said: “VT Holdings is proud to welcome Caterham to the group. We have not only purchased a globally renowned performance car manufacturer but become custodians of a motoring legend. We will protect and develop the Seven to meet the legislative challenges that lie ahead.”
Graham MacDonald, chief executive of Caterham Cars, added: “Takahashi-san and the team truly understand the DNA of the Caterham brand, our heritage, our customers and our passions. As a team, we’re all excited about starting to write the next chapter for this very special brand.”
Caterham Cars sell to 20 markets globally with exports accounting for 60% of its annual new car sales volume.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- David Brown Automotive readies the full unveil of the ultra performance-focused Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition to take to the roads – or the racetrack – for the first time
- David Brown Automotive has partnered with world-renowned classic car performance specialist, Oselli, to make the most powerful Mini Remastered ever featuring a 1,450cc engine with twin SU carburettors
- Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition can be custom-built with bucket seats, half-roll cage, multi-point harness seatbelts, suspension upgrades and limited-slip differential
- First announced in 2019, David Brown Automotive and Oselli have been working hard to hone the ultimate driving experience in the world’s favourite city car
- Limited run of 60 cars for Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition expected to sell out with sold commissioned cars already in build
- First production car will be ready by the end of April, with performance stats and product details revealed soon
David Brown Automotive is getting ready to mark the start of production of their new Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition model– the performance version of the luxury marque’s celebrated classic city car – with the first hand-made models expected out of the workshop by the end of April.
Hand-crafted in Silverstone and with a drivetrain engineered in partnership with Oselli, the acclaimed engine tuning specialist, first founded in the 1960s, the one-of-a-kind and race-ready city car will be the most powerful Mini Remastered ever created. Designed and engineered to have a dual personality, Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is just as comfortable on city streets as it is on the racetrack.
Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition was first unveiled towards the end of 2019, and David Brown Automotive has been working hard with the team at Buckinghamshire-based Oselli since to refine the high performance version of the classic city car, which will be limited to 60 bespoke models. The partnership with Oselli allows for significant enhancement of the Mini Remastered ‘A-series’ engine, with capacity increased to 1,450cc, featuring twin SU carburettors, alongside other performance upgrades, to give a driving experience that delivers buckets of torque for a thrilling driving experience. The powertrain upgrade also facilitates the inclusion of a five-speed gearbox.
In addition to performance enhancements around the powertrain, the Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is bolstered with other notable performance enhancements all around the car. The model benefits from uprated braking and suspension components that are brought in to handle the extra power and speed, while high-speed approved tyres are mated to larger and wider 13-inch wheels to keep up with the technical handling of the car.
A number of new design options also live up to the standard of the performance-orientated classic car’s sporty look and feel. Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition can be ordered in either a two- or four-seat configuration, with the two-seater featuring bucket seats shaped for a thrilling ride and a rear hand-trimmed roll cage, while a four-point seatbelt harness only adds to the feel of a car intended for the racetrack.
Oselli is a prominent force in the classic car performance and restoration sector, beginning business in the early-1960s and forming a niche to specialise in tuning and enhancing performance for the A-series engine. The expert team at Oselli has a wealth of experience rebuilding and improving engines for a performance experience, as well as preparing, building and racing cars in competitive motorsport events.
Michelle Gay, Sales & Marketing Director at David Brown Automotive, said:
“We are very pleased to have the first examples of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition almost ready to hit the road – or the racetrack. Alongside our engineering partner, Oselli, we are committed to making sure this performance version of Mini Remastered is the complete package, so alongside challenges around the pandemic, this model has been in planning for longer than usual, but only to allow us to perfect the ultimate race-ready city car package. This car is truly in a class of its own as a fun and spirited small car that can be enjoyed around town in the week, and then taken to the track at the weekend offering customers true versatility.”
All of David Brown Automotive models are hand-built in their Silverstone-based workshop by a team of high-skilled technicians. More information on exact specification and configuration options for Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition will follow and be announced at the beginning of May.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- The iconic Ibiza has significantly contributed to SEAT’s success with almost six million vehicles sold since its introduction
- Since its launch in 2017, Arona has become a key driver for success, second best-selling model globally in 2020
- Both models benefit from a refreshed design and new advanced technology
- New models launch at 09:00 GMT Thursday 15 April 2021
SEAT is adding more character to its urban vehicles, the SEAT Ibiza and Arona, with a design and technological update for both models to make them an even more compelling offering in their segments.
The SEAT Ibiza is an icon of the brand’s success. Since its introduction in 1984, the small hatchback has established itself as the most successful vehicle to ever roll off SEAT’s production line. The latest model, with an evolved design and significant technological upgrade, aims to continue this award-winning recipe.
It is joined by the enhanced SEAT Arona urban SUV which delivers a more robust exterior aesthetic with greater off-road character, alongside new safety technology.
The upgrades to both models increase the functionality of the digital eco-system as well as an uplift in the perceived quality in the cabin.
“The SEAT Ibiza has been a cornerstone of the brand’s success, with close to six million vehicles sold over its five generations, while the SEAT Arona is a clear pillar in the range, being the second most sold SEAT model last year,” said Wayne Griffiths, President of SEAT and CUPRA. “The updated models add to the vehicles’ incredible attributes to deliver an even more complete offering whilst refreshing the cars’ design.”
The digital world premiere of the new SEAT Ibiza and SEAT Arona will take place at 09:00 GMT, Thursday 15th April.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Vauxhall Combo is best-selling small van according to latest SMMT figures
- Vauxhall increased LCV market share from 9.5% to 9.8% year-on-year
- Vauxhall LCV sales rose 45% year-on-year
- Vauxhall will offer electrified versions of every LCV by the end 2021
The Vauxhall Combo is the best-selling small commercial vehicle, according to the latest sales and registrations figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Despite the ongoing requirement to keep showrooms closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vauxhall has experienced a successful 2021 first quarter in the light commercial vehicle sector (LCV). Across the sector, the new Vauxhall Combo was also the best-selling model in March and the year-to-date, with 3,760 sales, while the Combo Life was number one in the minibus and crew van sector for the same period.
In the light commercial vehicle sector Vauxhall increased its market share from 9.5% to 9.8% year-on-year with sales up by 45%, which compares to a 41% increase for the sector as a whole. Overall the brand maintained its strong third place in the commercial vehicle segment.
Success was further bolstered by the new Vivaro and new all-electric Vivaro-e, which maintained their third position in the LCV sector and all-electric LCV sectors respectively.
Commenting on the results, Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “We’ve seen strong LCV sales with the Combo number one in its segment and also high demand for our game-changing, all-electric Vivaro-e.”
“Interest in Vauxhall electric vehicles, both vans and cars, is strong and growing. Vauxhall has a wide range of EVs on sale at affordable prices, including the all-new fully-electric Combo-e van that launches later this year. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers back safely into our network this month.”
With a range of up to 206 miles and payload of up to 1,226kg, the new Vivaro-e is at the forefront of Vauxhall’s commitment to electrification. Vauxhall will offer an electrified version for every LCV model in its line-up by the end of 2021.
