Despite many people across Europe staying at home amid the pandemic, vehicle crime remains a problem, and is even on the increase in some countries. 1
Car alarms can help to deter thieves. However, in cities where vehicles may be parked on the street overnight, owners may ignore the alarm, not realising it is from their car, or fail to hear it altogether. 2
Now Ford has made its smartphone-connected heightened security system, SecuriAlert (formerly known as Guard Mode), available to car owners for the first time.
Once activated, SecuriAlert sends a notification to the vehicle owner’s smartphone if it identifies any vehicle activity, including attempts to open doors or gain access with a key, providing peace of mind to customers when their cars are out of sight – or out of earshot.
How SecuriAlert works Owners activate SecuriAlert when they are away from their vehicle. The feature is quickly and easily switched on or off – “armed” or “disarmed” – using the FordPass smartphone app. 3
Once active, it makes use of the vehicle’s existing sensors to identify if an attempt is being made to enter the vehicle. Using the onboard modem, FordPass Connect, the car will immediately send a push notification to the owner’s smartphone if it detects any activity involving their vehicle.
The FordPass app reveals the time and reason for any SecuriAlert alarms – via the smartphone – as well as the vehicle’s last known location.
If an attempt is made to open a door using a key – an action that would not trigger a conventional vehicle alarm – SecuriAlert will still send an alert. This can be particularly useful in identifying attempts to access to a car using a cloned or stolen key.
When the owner returns to their vehicle – to drive to work in the morning, for example – they simply disarm SecuriAlert via the FordPass app and continue on their journey.
Connected features First introduced for commercial vehicles earlier this year, SecuriAlert is one of a suite of connected features now available to Ford customers.
“Whether left on the street overnight or in a car park on a shopping trip, we know our customers care about the security of their car and its contents. SecuriAlert builds on Ford’s growing connectivity ecosystem to empower owners with the knowledge that if something happens with their vehicle when they aren’t driving it, they will be the first to know.” Richard Bunn, director of retail connectivity solutions, Ford Mobility, Ford of Europe
3 FordPass app, compatible with selected smartphone platforms, is available via download. Message and data rates apply. FordPass Connect, the FordPass app and complimentary Connected Service are required for remote features (see FordPass terms for details). Connected Service and features depend on Vodafone or Vodafone partner mobile network availability. Evolving technology/mobile networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. Connected Service excludes Wi-Fi hotspot.
Hagerty analysts add 196 unexceptionally average cars to the Hagerty Price Guide in latest update
Once everyday cars are now rising at a rapid rate year on year, the Triumph 1300 increasing more than 20 per cent over the period
Hagerty experts identify the 20 biggest climbers in the unexceptional market – with models rising between 4 and 20 per cent
In comparison the Jaguar E-Type Series III increased in value 8.2 per cent over the same period (2020-2021)
The 2021 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional takes place at Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday 30th July, showcasing forgotten vehicles that were once a common sight on UK roads
Ordinary, everyday cars – affectionately known as ‘unexceptional’ cars – that were once the backbone of Britain are now proving so sought-after that many are rising in value faster than versions of the Jaguar E-Type.
The latest data from the Hagerty Price Guide reveals everyday cars have enjoyed a bumper year of growth, with values rising as much as 20 per cent year on year.
The Hagerty Price Guide actively tracks market values for nearly 2,200 cherished cars so owners, as well as buyers and sellers, have an accurate picture of their car’s worth. The latest update to the guide has seen an impressive 196 once-average models added to the guide, and the Hagerty analysts that compile the data – taking sales results from UK auctions, trade sales and private sales – have compared average value in 2020 with their average in 2021 to date.
Models including the Ford Cortina, Renault 4, Hillman Imp, Austin Princess, and the infamous Allegro have posted the biggest increases in value, so far this year, posting increases in value of between 4.4 and 20.4 per cent for the top 10 performers, at a time when precious few bank savings accounts better a return of 1 per cent. They’re joined by other strong performers that are household names, with the Ford Fiesta, Austin Metro and Vauxhall Cavalier just some of the humble family cars that have become desirable to their fans.
With a healthy rise in value, these cars often offset any associated running and maintenance costs, making them a surprisingly sound investment. Hagerty’s Top 10 best performers are:
1965-1970 Triumph 1300 increase: 20.4 per cent
1962-1966 Ford Cortina Mk1 increase: 19.4 per cent
1973-1982 Austin Allegro increase: 13.6 per cent
1962-1980 Renault 4 increase: 10.6 per cent
1963-1976 Hillman Imp increase: 10.1 per cent
1970-1976 Ford Cortina Mk3 increase: 7.8 per cent
1968-1979 Renault 16 increase: 7.4 per cent
1948-1960 Peugeot 203 increase: 5.2 per cent
1975-1981 British Leyland Princess increase: 5.1 per cent
1987-1994 Alfa Romeo 33 increase: 4.4 per cent
As a yardstick, the latest data from the Hagerty Price Guide shows that the Jaguar E-type Series III has risen by 8.2 per cent in the past year, from an average sale price of £54,988 across all models in 2020 to £59,500 in 2021. The Ferrari 308 GTB has gone from £61,200 to £65,475 too – a gain of 7 per cent. And some affordable sporty classics have gone up too – a Triumph Spitfire is worth on average 4.5 per cent more than it was this time in 2020.
For car enthusiasts, these unexceptional classics represent an affordable as well as enjoyable route to owning a special car. The majority identified in the list of top 20 risers cost no more than £4000 but are on the up.
John Mayhead, head of automotive intelligence for Hagerty, says there is a simple reason seemingly ordinary cars are becoming more sought-after by Britain’s car enthusiasts. “These everyday cars are becoming increasingly rare. For decades the vast majority were unloved workhorses that would eventually be sold for scrap at best. Now, with rarity on their side and nostalgia tugging at the heartstrings, enthusiasts are snapping up the remaining examples, sometimes because of an emotional connection and sometimes perhaps because they feel a duty to preserve them for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Many of these increasingly rare everyday cars may be found at the world-famous Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, the concours event dedicated to unexceptional classic cars which will be staged at Grimsthorpe Manor, Lincolnshire, on 31 July. (Click here to find out more.)
London Electric Cars (LEC) has launched a classic Mini EV conversion that doesn’t cost the earth
From £25,000 excluding local taxes, shipping and donor, LEC can electrify any classic Mini
Using any customer donor classic Mini LEC offers a basic 20 kWh conversion with a range of 60 – 70 real-world city miles with upgrades for longer journeys available
LEC’s engineers and conversion specialists use pre-owned Nissan Leaf batteries, motors and add engineering-driven upgrades and modifications to keep costs and environmental impact down
Drivers can use any Type 1 or Type 2 charger, available from thousands of public chargers around the country, or charge from home using any 13A domestic socket. Rapid charging is available on demand
LEC conversions are perfect for city dwellers as they are road tax, Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) exempt, costing as low as 5p per mile to run on electric power
Proving that electric vehicle (EV) conversions don’t have to cost the earth, London Electric Cars (LEC) has launched its own affordable electric-powered classic Mini, with prices starting from £25,000 (excluding local taxes, shipping and donor).
Not only are LEC’s conversions some of the most cost-effective in the marketplace, they are also some of the most sustainable in terms of their end-to-end vehicle lifecycle impact.
Based in the heart of London, LEC is the only electric car conversion specialist within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) as well as being the only EV converter based in one of the world’s largest cities. London Electric Cars is aiming to transform the face of electric vehicle ownership and electric-powered conversions of classic cars from petrol power. Founded in 2017, the company is on a mission to create sustainably-converted classic cars using electric power, with real-life EV mileage predictions based on real-world city driving and in-car usage, such as stereo and heater.
The base 20 kWh LEC classic Mini conversion, costing from £25,000 (excluding local taxes, shipping and donor), has a projected range of 60 – 70 miles, with owners having the ability to install a higher kWh motor and upgraded batteries to provide more range at an additional cost. Drivers can use any Type 1 or Type 2 public charger available country-wide, rapid charging on demand, as well as use their private home wall-box systems and also charge from a domestic 13A socket should they wish.
Focusing on the full lifecycle impact of the conversion, and not just the powerplant itself, the team has conducted extensive research, development and independent analysis to prove that by using a pre-owned Nissan Leaf infrastructure (motor and battery cells) it is a more sustainable solution than mining and creating materials for an LEC-only powertrain. The company also has plans to reuse and renew computer hardware and batteries inside traction packs and uses additive manufacturing technologies to assist with the production and engineering of the LEC classic Mini conversions, all conducted from its London-based workshop.
Matthew Quitter, Founder and Managing Director of London Electric Cars said: “As a classic car enthusiast and advocate for affordable and sustainable electric vehicle conversions, it made sense for us [LEC] to focus on the original Mini. [Alec] Issigonis was one of the most collaborative and free-thinking designers, but also someone who knew how to stick to a budget. With this EV conversion we wanted the classic Mini to be an affordable yet useful option for city dwellers, not just in our home town of London but all over the world to tackle traffic and help put a stop to pollution.
“There’s also a bigger picture to think of here. With the UK’s announcement of the world’s most ambitious climate change target of a 78% CO2 reduction by 2035, it is clear that combustion engines will soon be a thing of the past. LEC offers an affordable conversion that keeps these British classic cars on the road. The vehicle becomes fast and clean whilst maintaining the originality and appeal that our customers love about a classic car.”
Owner of a London Electric Cars converted classic Mini said: “It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more. Not only does my classic Mini have a new lease of life, but it’s perfect for running around London and so cheap to run! No more worrying if I’ve forgotten to pay the Congestion Charge and there are so many public charging points around. It really is a win, win.”
London Electric Cars is based in the heart of the city in Vauxhall, employing a range of skilled classic car mechanics, technology-driven engineers, electronic gurus and sales-orientated commercial minds, all with the same goal of developing and delivering affordable conversions of combustion engine vehicles to run on electric power. The team, which is growing, has driven over 2,000 miles in its production-ready EV-powered classic Mini, with the order books now open.
The team has created its first customer classic Mini, setting the new benchmark in affordable and sustainable conversions for the much-loved classic Mini. For those customers who do not have a classic Mini already, but wish to have an EV conversion, LEC is able to source a donor at an additional cost to the client. Each converted classic Mini takes around six weeks to transform to run on electric power. The current waiting time is around six months for customers with cars in the UK, and the company has a range of customers looking to convert their cars and ship them to their homes around the world, with one of the biggest markets being America, closely followed by Japan. Each conversion starts from £25,000 plus donor, local taxes, duties and shipping for the basic 20 kWh electric adaptation.
The electric classic Mini conversion is part of the UK-based company’s affordable EV conversion range, which includes the iconic British Land Rover, Morris Minor and Morris Traveller. All of LEC’s conversions are road tax, Congestion Charge and ULEZ exempt. Resident’s parking is heavily discounted in most London and city Boroughs too. Costs to run LEC-converted cars are predicted to be as little as 5p per mile.
Owners wishing to contact the London Electric Cars team about converting their own classic Mini, to learn more about the process or to discuss individual builds, can email info@londonelectriccars.com.
1976 Lancia Gamma Berlina 2500 – a mysterious find with only 79 miles recorded
1981 Lancia Trevi – one of only two or three examples in the UK
1984 Lancia Beta HPE Volumex – low mileage and fitted with the supercharged VX engine
There is just one day to go until Classic Car Auctions close their catalogue for The London Classic Car Show.
This is your final chance to submit your entry alongside their superb line-up of Everyman Classics throughout all ages that will be going under the hammer – including three Lancia’s all offered without a reserve!
One Lancia in their catalogue and heading to London is the 1976 Lancia Gamma Berlina 2500. Classic Car Auctions are offering a unique, one-off opportunity to purchase this unregistered, virtually new, Lancia. This amazing Gamma Berlina was ordered new in 1976 through a Lancia dealer in Turin for an English client who was working in Italy at the time. When taking the delivery of the car, the dealer was unable to track down the prospective buyer and simply pushed this exceptional example to the back of the workshop, where it stood for a total of 38 years! With only 16 miles on the clock, the vendor managed to purchase the Lancia in 2014 and then the car underwent some recommissioning. This terrific, mysterious example comes with a specifically commissioned hardback book which illustrates the 600+ hour recommissioning programme. This Lancia has now been imported to the UK and has only 79 miles recorded, what a tremendous find and a great opportunity to own such a virtually new car!
Another Lancia included within their sale is this 1981 Lancia Trevi. This is one of only two or three in the UK and is offered without reserve. This stunning right-hand drive example has been subject to a nut and bolt, bare metal restoration with the aim to getting it as ‘close to new as possible’ as it cost in excess £32,000. Finished in Silver Metallic with Blue upholstery, this Trevi was built in relatively small numbers and has featured in Auto Italia magazine. Classic Car Auctions are proud to be offering this incredibly rare example, particularly in the UK.
Gary Dunne, CCA’s Sales Manager commented “We are honoured to be offering these three amazing opportunities for our debut in London and all offered without reserve! With amazing stories, great provenance, and a rare chance to own a Lancia offered without reserve, I can’t wait to see what these go for.’
Classic Car Auctions are also offering this 1984 Lancia Beta HPE Volumex. This is a rare High-Performance Estate (HPE) that has been fitted with the supercharged VX engine. This two-door ‘Shooting Brake’ appeared three years after the Berlina and Coupe and is now offered with a great history file, handbook pack and two keys. With just 42,529 miles indicated, the car has been off the road for a long period of time and is ready to now be enjoyed by its next owner.
To submit a final entry alongside the examples previewed above, please contact Classic Car Auctions today on 01926 64088 or email enquiries@classiccarauctions.co.uk to ensure you don’t’ miss out. Bidding for this sale will be available in person, by phone, online or via commission and you can register to bid here.
Forthcoming Auctions Friday 25th – 27th June – The London Classic Car Show Saturday 25th September – The Autumn Sale Saturday 11th December – The December Sale
All-new Multivan replaces the Volkswagen Caravelle
Multivan to be offered with plug-in hybrid option for the first time
Flexible interior features all-new lightweight seating system and innovative table
New exterior design pays homage to DNA of its predecessors
New Multivan offers suite of digital and connected services
Features more than 34 driver assist systems for safety and convenience
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed the all-new Multivan, featuring a fresh design, more flexible interior, improved connectivity, and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid option.
The Multivan is the replacement for the current Volkswagen Caravelle, providing customers with up to seven seats and the perfect combination of practicality, comfort, and safety for whatever their needs: from chauffeuring to the daily school run to holiday adventures.
The Multivan has been given a new name in the UK to reflect the complete overhaul of its predecessor while still providing the same versatility to the Caravelle’s loyal fan base. No longer built on the Transporter platform, the all-new model will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform.
Design The Multivan has an all-new exterior design that pays homage to the DNA of its predecessors, dating back to the 1985 Transporter T3, with a horizontal design line and full-width grille and headlights, to give it a modern and dynamic look. The A-pillars have been remodelled to improve visibility, while unique front and rear light signatures give it a fresh look. The front air intakes, painted in the same colour as the vehicle, have been reduced, paying tribute to the heritage of the rear air-cooled engines of the first three generations while showcasing the future of the hybrid powertrain.
The Multivan measures 1,941mm wide, 4,973mm long, up to 1,903mm high, and with a wheelbase of 3,124mm. A longer version, measuring 5,173mm is also available. Overall, it means the new generation has a longer wheelbase and wider, lower profile, all designed to improve aerodynamics, lower fuel consumption and increase range. The model is available with wheels up to 19”, and in three specifications: “Multivan”, “Life”, and “Style”.
Optional is a panoramic glass roof, with LowE laminated safety glass to reduce incoming thermal radiation by 44 per cent, as well as an electrically-operated rear hatch and power sliding doors, which can be operated via gesture control for ease of entry.
The Multivan is fitted with LED headlights as standard but can be upgraded to interactive IQ.LIGHT – LED matrix headlights, which offer a permanent full beam, without blinding oncoming drivers and dynamic cornering to provide precise illumination during bends. The IQ.LIGHT system also features an illuminated LED lateral bar in the radiator grille as a further element of the daytime running lights.
Interior Inside, the new Multivan is more flexible and spacious than ever, with a new modular, lightweight seating system and innovative table.
With space for up to seven seats, the rear five seats, which are up to 25 per cent lighter, can be moved and removed to suit, while the second row can be moved 180-degrees to create a conference style seating configuration. The full-width bench seat for the third row has been replaced by individual seats to allow single seats to be removed for complete flexibility.
An innovative multi-function table has been designed for the new Multivan. Using the central track, it can be moved between any of the seating rows, and for the first time can be used as a centre console between the front seats. The table, which is completely removable, features adjustable height, three cup holders, and a storage bin.
Enabling the flexible seating and table track system is the completely flat floor from front to rear seats with no centre console, made possible by the removal of the traditional handbrake. Instead, the parking brake is activated electronically by button, or automatically. The new Multivan is offered only with an automatic DSG gearbox controlled via shift-by-wire technology, meaning the gearstick has been removed to further increase occupant space, with controls ergonomically integrated into the instrument panel.
In base version the Multivan offers 469 litres of luggage space behind the third row of seats, extending to 1,844 litres (1,850 litres with panoramic glass roof) behind the second row. The full cargo capacity up to the front seats is 3,672, extending to a maximum 4,053 litres in the longer version fitted with the panoramic glass roof.
Connectivity & Technology The cockpit area has been completely redesigned alongside a new multi-function steering wheel. All key features in the new Multivan are now on one line of sight, with a secondary line for other functions to make operation as intuitive as possible. Touch controls provide direct access to settings such as air-conditioning, seat heating, and audio volume.
On the central line are the 10.25-inch ‘Digital Cockpit’ display and the 10.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Centrally arranged between the two on a high-gloss black surface are the new, minimalist shift-by-wire DSG controls. Integrated next to this are two USB-C sockets as standard, and a tray for optional inductive smartphone charging. For the first time on a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a head-up display is available.
The standard infotainment system is called ‘Ready 2 Discover’, which includes an integrated eSIM to deliver online safety and convenience features. We Connect can be used free of charge for an unlimited period, with services such as breakdown assistance, vehicle status and parked position.
We Connect Plus, available free for three years, provides extra services such as the ability to lock and unlock the vehicle, or control the optional auxiliary heater remotely via smart phone. In combination with the more advanced, optional Discover Media and Discover Pro navigation systems, We Connect Plus includes further navigation-related services, such as online map updating and traffic information. We Connect Plus also provides additional services for the eHybrid, such as allowing owners to pre-set the vehicle inside temperature and to manage the charging process via smartphone.
All infotainment systems can be combined with a Harmon Kardon sound system developed specifically for the Multivan. In addition to 14 high-end loudspeakers behind precision laser-cut panels, a 16-channel Ethernet amplifier with 840 watts of music output, and four sound settings, the system uses the ‘Fraunhofer Sonamic Panorama Algorithm’, which is able to separate out the individual sources of a stereo recording and distribute them evenly across a U-shaped acoustic stage, to create the optimum sound.
Safety The Multivan features more than 34 driver assist systems enhancing safety, comfort, and convenience. Standard is the Front Assist area monitoring system, which includes City Emergency Braking, Dynamic Road Sign Display, and the Lane Assist system.
Other new systems include Car2X – allowing local communication with other vehicles and the highways infrastructure in order to provide warnings of any danger, side protection, cross wind assist, turn-off assist, which warns of any oncoming traffic when turning across a carriageway, and an exit warning system, which warns when opening a door of any bicycles or vehicles approaching from behind.
The Multivan also debuts IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, which allows semi-autonomous driving by combining the predictive Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Assist to make long-distance journeys safer and easier.
Also available on the new Multivan is Area View, a real 360-degree representation of the vehicle using four cameras, visible on the 10-inch infotainment display, to making parking and manoeuvring as safe and easy as possible.
Powertrain Based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the new Multivan, which has a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg, is available with three powertrains, including for the first time in a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles model, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option.
The new Multivan eHybrid combines a 1.4 TSI 150 PS engine with an 85kW electric motor to produce a combined power output of 160kW / 218 PS, providing silent, zero-emission driving when in electric only mode for short, urban trips while giving customers flexibility to enjoy longer journeys. The eHybrid uses a bespoke six-speed DSG gearbox.
The 13kWh lithium-ion battery is housed under the Multivan’s flat floor, saving interior space and lowering the vehicle’s centre of gravity to improve handling. The charging point is located on the right-hand side of the front wing.
The front-wheel drive Multivan is also available with two four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines: a 1.5 TSI 136 PS and a 2.0 TSI 204 PS. A four-cylinder turbo diesel, with a power output of 150 PS, will join next year. All of these are twinned with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard.
To find out more about Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ award-winning range of current and forthcoming products, please visit https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/multivan.
A brand-new design by renowned engineer Neville Swales of Building the Legend Limited is set to make its public debut at the London Concours, which returns to the Honourable Artillery Company from 8-10 June.
The very first example of this spectacular V12-powered Jaguar E-type homage – chassis number one – will then be presented to its lucky owner at the E-type 60 celebrations at Shelsley Walsh on Saturday 12 June.
From small beginnings in his workshops in Coventry, Neville Swales creates meticulously engineered and beautiful sports cars. His first were inspired by Jaguar’s 1966 XJ13 prototype – a car originally designed to take on the might of Ford and Ferrari at Le Mans, but the single original example built by Jaguar was destined to never turn a wheel in anger. Assisted by surviving members of the original team who created this masterpiece in 1966, Neville’s first recreation of the XJ13 was a finalist in the 2016 International Historic Motoring Awards, where it stood shoulder to shoulder against icons such as the 1966 Le Mans-winning Ford GT40 and the 1956 Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-type.
It has since been joined by a very limited number of customer cars built to the same exacting standard and, aiming to push the boundaries of automotive restoration even further, Neville’s journey continues with cars powered by his own unique interpretation of Jaguar’s legendary quad-cam V12 ‘XJ13’ engine – the tera® V12. Also taking inspiration from period offerings from Ferrari, Matra and Lamborghini, the tera® V12 is the type of power unit that could have been heard howling down the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans in 1966 and beyond. An engine that should have powered Jaguar’s range of sports cars and saloons if circumstances had allowed.
Capable of running on the new generation of carbon-neutral ‘green’ fuels, the tera® V12 is a beautifully sculptural engine that will be heard for many years into the future, as the world responds to its environmental challenges. Neville’s mission with his latest car is to celebrate the purity of the iconic Series 1 E-type design, and combine it with the excitement of the tera® V12 engine, which is available in 6.1-litre (372 cu in) or 6.8-litre (415 cu in) form.
Beginning in the E-type’s 60th anniversary year – and 50 years since the V12 Series III E-type was introduced – only 24 of these cars will be built. Working with one of the UK’s foremost coachbuilders, each one will be a unique rebody and reinterpretation of Jaguar’s Series III V12 E-type in coupé, roadster or ‘low drag’ race-car form.
Although the first four cars in the series are already spoken for, a total of six cars will be delivered each year over the next four years. Built in Coventry, each one combines uncompromising hand-crafted production standards with advanced modern technology and bespoke interiors, and succeeds in regaining the purity and elegance of the early E-types – an elegance that was lost as the series evolved over the years.
All will be built to the exact specification requested by the owner – with a vast range of options, plus body styles and detailed finish limited only by their imagination – to create unique works of automotive art that will never be replicated.
For further details or to arrange a workshop visit and test-drive:
