Ferrari BR20: Maranello’s latest One-Off revealed

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

• A unique new car designed by Ferrari designers to a client’s brief
• The BR20 is a two-seater V12 coupé based on the GTC4Lusso platform
• A sublime marriage of dynamic, modern good looks and styling flair inspired by Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s

The Ferrari BR20, the latest addition to the Prancing Horse’s One-Off series, was unveiled today and joins the most exclusive group in Maranello’s range: unique, absolutely bespoke cars crafted to the specifications of a client and designed as a clear expression of their own unique requirements.

The BR20 is a two-seater V12 coupé developed on the GTC4Lusso platform, which in terms of its philosophy and styling approach, cleverly references the magnificent Ferrari coupés of the 1950s and 60s, without the slightest hint of nostalgia. Instead, it pulls off the challenging feat of marrying timeless elegance with muscular sportiness, effortlessly incorporating styling themes typical of some of the most iconic 12-cylinders in Ferrari history, including the 410 SA and 500 Superfast.

The GTC4Lusso’s two rear seats have been removed to add extra dynamism to the BR20’s ultra-sleek fastback line. The new car is three inches longer than the original, thanks to a specific rear overhang treatment designed to create a silhouette that beautifully emphasises its proportions. One of the cornerstones of the design process for this one-off was the radical modification made to the cabin volume. This in turn gave the design team, led by Flavio Manzoni, the freedom to conceive the innovative proportions that ultimately produced a powerful yet stylistically coherent exterior design theme.

The new cabin design solution creates the impression of a pair of arches running lengthwise from A-pillar to rear spoiler. The rear volume of the arch has been hollowed out to create an aerodynamic channel with the air outlet concealed by the black rear fascia under the spoiler. This modern take on Ferrari’s “flying buttress” theme firmly connects the car to signature Prancing Horse styling cues not just from Ferrari’s GT tradition, but also sports cars such as the 599 GTB Fiorano. To visually lighten the cabin, the black paint of the roof visually connects the windscreen to the rear screen, which stands above the surface of the rear tailgate as if to channel the air flow.

A muscular rear bumper melds beautifully with the aggressive look of the rest of the car: twin taillights create a visual dialogue with the tailpipes, which are lower and set into a prominent aerodynamic diffuser with active flaps on the underbody. Even the BR20’s twin round exhaust tips were designed especially for this bespoke model.

The BR20’s many carbon-fibre details highlight the edgy dynamic characteristics and powerful performance of this extraordinary four-wheel drive car. High, sinuous sills add an extra hint of dynamism to the lower section of the flanks as well as emphasising the front air vents on the wheel arches. The wide front grille sports an upper carbon-fibre element, a note of stylistic consistency with other recent Ferrari one-offs, while unusual chrome side inserts help underline the car’s dynamic front stance.

The BR20’s unique identity is further underscored by the front grille’s striking new horizontal slats that lend a powerful sense of three-dimensionality. A virtually endless list of elements was designed specifically for the BR20, not least its modified headlights. They are lower in height compared to those of the GTC4Lusso with slimmer DRLs, which makes the bonnet seem even longer and sleeker. The 20” tone-on-tone diamond-finish wheels were also created especially for this unique car.

The BR20’s interior is no less impressive, trimmed in two shades of brown leather and carbon-fibre, an exquisite combination developed according to the client’s indications. The seats are trimmed in dark brown Heritage Testa di Moro leather and sport an exclusive pattern at the front as well as silver cross-stitching. The cabin volume runs uninterrupted from the windscreen to the luggage compartment at the rear, creating a sense of unique lightness and airiness for occupants. Oak trim with carbon-fibre inserts adorns the rear bench and luggage deck, which conceals a deeper loading area when folded flat, as well as the door handles.

Designed for a longstanding client who was deeply involved in every step of its creation, the Ferrari BR20 represents a true interpretation of the traditional coachbuilder’s art, successfully transforming an existing model in a masterful and unique way taking inspiration from and paying homage to the company’s core values of innovation and passion.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Special Projects programme is aimed at creating unique Ferraris (the so-called “One-Offs”) characterised by an exclusive design crafted according to the requirements of the client, who thus becomes the owner of a one-of-a-kind model. Each project originates from an idea put forward by the client and developed with a team of designers from Ferrari’s Styling Centre; after having defined the car’s proportion and forms, detailed design blueprints and a styling buck are produced before starting the manufacturing process of the new One-Off. The entire process lasts on average more than one year, during which the client is closely involved in assessing the design and verification phases. The result? A unique Ferrari, which sports the Prancing Horse logo and is engineered to the same levels of excellence which characterise every other Maranello production car.

Honda enhances Jazz e:HEV line-up with new EX Style grade

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

• Introduces unique exterior styling enhancements: New alloy wheel design,
  a painted two-tone roof, and black detailing on the spoiler, mirrors and more
• Connectivity features include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Sat Nav, parking camera and Blind Spot Monitor
• All Jazz models feature Honda’s advanced e:HEV powertrain as standard
• Available from £24,845 on the road*

Honda has added a new ‘Style’ grade to its Jazz e:HEV line-up, bringing new levels of design sophistication and individuality to the award-winning compact city car.

Available on top-grade EX models, Style specification stands out with a range of black-themed styling enhancements and a bespoke new alloy wheel design.

On sale from £24,845 on the road* and available to customers from £259 per month*, the EX Style version is easily identifiable through its black body-side mouldings, mirror caps, rear spoiler and a painted two-tone roof. These are complimented by model-specific 16” alloys in black with a machined finish.

Style models retain Honda’s intuitive infotainment technology with seamless in-car connectivity provided by Android Auto and Apply CarPlay, accessed via the 9-inch touchscreen. As with the rest of the Jazz line-up, the Style grade also incorporates Honda’s innovative Magic Seats, which fold completely flat or flip up to offer unrivalled levels of usability.

Completing Honda’s connectivity offering, the Jazz EX Style also benefits from integrated satellite navigation, a parking camera, and Blind Spot Information, in addition to the comprehensive suite of Honda SENSING safety technologies that is included as standard on all models.

Part of Honda’s e:TECHNOLOGY line-up of efficient hybrid and electric vehicles, all versions of the Jazz are available exclusively with the brand’s advanced e:HEV two-motor hybrid powertrain technology. The all-new Jazz has been engineered to deliver an exceptional blend of strong performance and impressive efficiency, to complement its class-leading interior comfort and usability.

The new Style grade is being introduced a year on from the launch of the latest generation Jazz e:HEV, in which time it has received multiple awards from around the world, including the prestigious Red Dot Award for product design.

Prices for the new Jazz EX Style edition start from £24,845* on the road* and available to customers from £259 per month*.

The view from up here: The UK mountains that offer an easy climb in exchange for breath-taking views

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

Land Rover has analysed 40 of the UK’s tallest mountains to form the Epic Mountain Guide – a ranking of the hardest to easiest mountains to climb

• Scotland’s Aonach Beag, standing at 1,234 metres high, has been ranked the hardest mountain to climb, taking on average six hours to reach the peak
• If you’re after an easy climb, Sawel mountain in Northern Island is the quickest, taking people on average just one hour to reach its 678-metre-high peak
• Snowdon in Wales is the most loved mountain on Tripadvisor with a total of 2,665 reviews and an average review score of five stars (the maximum score)
• Instagrammable views more your thing? Snowdon once again takes the top spot with close to 423,000 hashtags from proud climbers who’ve reached the top

This year, the UK has relied on natural beauty close to home more than ever. For many, this meant exploring the adventurous hotspots right on our doorsteps, including the epic mountains of the UK. In fact, over the past year Snowdon has had 40% more visitors than in 2018¹.

With this rise in interest, Land Rover has analysed over 40 mountains across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to create the Epic Mountain Guide. Each mountain has been examined against a set criterion with metrics looking at the height of the mountain and the average time to the top, to discover the easiest and hardest to climb across the UK.

In addition, to uncover the mountains that are the most loved by climbers, Land Rover has also looked at the mountains with the most Tripadvisor reviews and the highest average score. With the view from the top being a highlight of the climb, the research also includes the most picturesque mountains, consisting of those which are most Instagrammed (number of hashtags of the mountain name).

So, whether you’re a novice or an expert, and whether you want to strive for the most popular or the most beautiful, Land Rover has got you covered in their Epic Mountain Guide.

The top 10 most challenging mountains in the UK
Scotland claims a total of nine out of 10 places in the top 10 hardest to climb mountains in the UK, due to the height of the Scottish Highland area.

Aonach Beag, just 3km east of Ben Nevis takes the top spot as the hardest mountain to climb, even though it is far from the tallest. It stands at an impressive 1,234 metres but takes climbers on average six hours to reach the top due to its tricky terrain. Snowdon comes in as the second most challenging mountain to climb in the UK at 1,085m tall and with the average hiker taking 6 hours to reach the peak.

Rounding out the top three, Braeriach mountain is the third highest mountain in the British Isles and takes the third most challenging climb in the UK, with an average of five hours to climb.

But, if we’re going on height alone, the tallest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis, with an elevation of 1,344 metres. Despite its height, the mighty Ben Nevis has been named the sixth hardest hike with climbers taking on average four hours to reach the top. This is partly due to the more built-up climbing experience at Ben Nevis – in comparison to the lesser-known neighbouring mountains – but also due to it only being a mountain that the more experienced climbers try their hand at.

Land Rover ambassador Kenton Cool said, “Scottish hills may appear small compared to places like the Alps and the Himalayas, but they pack a BIG punch.”

“The weather in Scotland is driven by maritime systems so expect huge variations in weather- extreme temperature is always something to be aware off. A cloudless sky as you leave the car park can easily be howling wind and lashing rain by the time you get to the summit.”

“ALWAYS carry a hard copy map and a compass- and know how to use it. The remote Scottish hills don’t always have cell signal meaning online mapping won’t work, in addition just a hand-held device with a map on can lead you into the proverbial creek without a paddle if the battery should run out.”

The top 10 least challenging mountains in the UK
If you’re new to hiking or you’re after an experience that will take just a couple of hours, one of the least challenging mountains might be more your style.

Northern Ireland dominates the top 10 least challenging mountains list with Sawel Mountain taking the top spot. Standing at just 678 metres high, this peak takes people on average just one hour to reach the top.

But the smallest mountain of the study is Slieve Muck in Northern Ireland (674 metres). This peak will take people on average two hours to reach the top, meaning it comes in at number three on the list.

Two Welsh mountains also make the list of the least challenging mountains to climb – Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr. The two mountains are neighbours to each other and as both will take you just 1.5 hours to climb each, you could comfortably climb both in a day if you’re looking to make your hike more adventurous.

The UK’s most beautiful mountains as told by Instagram
Being present in the moment is incredibly important when it comes to hiking but you’ll want a picture to remember it too.

The UK’s mountains have been shared close to 1.2 million times on Instagram (1,153,357 total hashtags) and so it shows that all-important snap of the view from up there is part of the experience too.

Snowdon in Wales is the most popular mountain on Instagram with close to 423,000 hashtags of its view – that is over 180,000 more than the second most popular mountain on Instagram. With spectacular views of the rolling hills and peaks, stunning lakes and mountain streams, and beautiful blue skies or low-lying clouds, it’s no surprise Snowdon sits firmly at the top of the list.

Cairn Gorm in Scotland stands at 1,245 metres high and is the second most Instagrammed mountain with a total of 242,505 hashtags. Some of the top posts on Instagram feature beautiful snowy peaks and routes, the formation of rocks and stones at the top of the summit against a cloudy sky, and views of magnificent sunsets/sunrises and dazzling lakes, which showcase exactly why it’s snapped and shared so many times.

When it comes to difficulty, the Scottish mountain is ranked the ninth most difficult mountain to climb, making it harder than Snowdon (ranked 10^th) – so worth sharing a picture at the top to catalogue that achievement!

The UK’s most-loved mountains
Snowdon in Wales takes the top spot on Tripadvisor with a total of 2,665 reviews and an average score of 5 stars. One user commented as part of a 5* review that Snowdon is an “Amazing place to be. Many routes going up to suit all levels”. Others titled reviews “Bucketlist adventure” and highlighted that “the views and sense of achievement are well worth it.”

Snowdon is part of the Three Peak Challenge alongside Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Scarfel Pike (England) and so it’s no surprise that all three of these make the top five most popular ranking.

But it’s Ben Macdui, the second highest Scottish Mountain, that takes the crown as the second most-loved mountain. The mountain boasts a total of 2,542 Tripadvisor reviews and an average star score of 4.5 stars, with reviewers commenting that it’s “a great way to spend some of your day, whether you want to walk up some of the trails during the day or take the train up and down the hill” and that “it was worth the journey just for the views from the top of the mountain”.

Wherever you hike around the UK, you’ll want the weather on your side. But this doesn’t mean you have to stick to a Spring or Summer hike.

Kenton Cool at Land Rover comments: “The British weather is a beast, and anything can be thrown at us- but a crisp autumnal day in North Wales or the Lake District is hard to beat. With the glory of the leaves turning golden and the autumnal light which makes photos so special I think it’s my favorite season to experience the wonderful hills we have in the British Isles.”

To find out more about the UK’s top mountains, for beginners through to experienced hikers, as well as the best for views and reviews, visit the Land Rover Epic Mountain Guide.

Kia teases Concept EV9 – A manifestation of its vision as a sustainable mobility solutions provider

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog

• Kia Concept EV9 hints at an exciting ideation for its next all-electric SUV
• Bold exterior highlights Kia’s pioneering electric vehicle design language
• Interior images show state-of-the-art tech, including an adaptive and smart lounge space
• Kia Concept EV9 set for global debut at AutoMobility LA 
  

Kia today revealed the first official images of the Kia Concept EV9, an all-electric SUV concept that embodies the company’s commitment to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider.

Following the launch of EV6, the Kia Concept EV9 is an intriguing glimpse into the future direction of the all-electric SUV, combining progressive design, state-of-the-art tech, and an advanced all-electric powertrain in one pioneering package.

The first visuals of the concept SUV show an ultramodern exterior design, the schematics of which hint at a contemporary recreational treatment that’s brought to the fore by an upright and capable stylistic stance.

The renderings illustrate a highly conceptual cabin that has been honed to give the driver and passengers a light, flexible and adaptive interior space as the experience of the journey evolves. A stunning interactive ultra-wide display and a radical new take on the traditional steering wheel are just two of the standout interior features.

The Kia Concept EV9 preview images have been revealed ahead of AutoMobility LA, which starts next week. Kia will unveil its all-new electrifying take on the SUV form at 11:15 a.m. PST (19:15 GMT) on 17 November at the LA Convention Center.

Subaru’s First Global All-Electric Vehicle SOLTERRA Makes World Debut

by gaukcars.com | Oct 1, 2024 | Blog