by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Garage 59 returns to defend GTWC Endurance Cup Pro-Am title
- Champions AGS Events Racing spearhead six-car European GT4 attack
- TF Sport returns to European Le Mans Series with Vantage GTE
- AMR drivers Jonny Adam, Tom Canning, Valentin Hasse-Clot and Ross Gunn all in action
A fleet of Vantage GT3s and GT4s will charge into action across Europe this weekend, as Aston Martin Racing partner teams begin their 2021 campaigns in the Fanatec GT World Challenge (GTWC) Europe and GT4 European series at Monza (Italy), and the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at the Circuit de Catalunya (Spain).
Meanwhile in Germany, the first round of the delayed Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie (NLS) will take place on the fearsome Nordschleife.
Reigning GTWC Europe Endurance Cup Pro-Am champion team Garage 59, and its drivers Alexander West (SWE), Chris Goodwin (GBR) and works AMR driver Jonny Adam (GBR), will defend their crown in 2021. They will be joined in the race by the Silver Class entry of a second Vantage GT3 for Aston Martin Racing Academy winner Valentin Hasse-Clot (FRA), Nicolai Kjærgaard (DNK) and Alex MacDowall (GBR). The team is also extending its programme to include the GTWC Europe Sprint events for the first time, with Adam and West sharing in Pro-Am and Kjærgaard joined by Tuomas Tujula (FIN) in the Silver class. The first Sprint event takes place at Magny Cours (France) on the 7-9 May.
The GT4 European Series features no less than six Aston Martin Vantage GT4s, following the car’s astonishing multiple championship success in the category in 2020. The team responsible for this – AGS Events Racing – returns with three entries and a strong driver line-up including the reigning Am Drivers’ champion Nicolas Gomar (FRA) and new co-driver Eric Herr (FRA). Also confirmed in the team are Konstantin Lachenauer (CHE), Cèzar Gazeau (FRA), Hugo Condé (FRA) and Akhil Rabindra (GBR).
New to AMR this year is Mirage Racing. The French team has entered a Vantage GT4 in the Silver Cup class for AMR Academy graduate and 2019 British GT4 champion Tom Canning (GBR) alongside Ruben del Sarte (GBR). Another new Aston Martin team – Racing One – has entered the Am class with Henrik Lyngbye Pedersen (DNK) and Markus Lungstrass (DEU). Finally, Street Art Racing returns after a year away with Pascal Bachmann (CHE) and Paul Theysgens (BEL).
Meanwhile, in Spain, the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE Am winner TF Sport returns to the ELMS to begin an assault on the six-round European Le Mans Series. The four-hour race on Barcelona’s grand prix circuit on Sunday marks TF Sport’s first race in the category since 2017, where it finished second in the LM GTE standings with Nicki Thiim (DNK) and Salih Yoluc (TUR).
This time around the team is calling on works driver Ross Gunn (GB) to join compatriots John Hartshorne and Ollie Hancock in the Vantage GTE, as they target a place on the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans grid.
Aston Martin is an ever-present when it comes to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, and this year is no different as our partner team PROsport Racing takes on the SP10 class of the NLS with its Vantage GT4 and drivers Alexander Walker (CHE) and Guido Dumarey (BEL).
David King, President of Aston Martin Racing, said: “This is an important weekend for Aston Martin Racing’s partners as the bulk of the European GT racing season begins, and we’re proud to say that Vantage will play a significant role right at the heart of it. After last year’s title successes in GT3 and GT4, it’s great to see those champion teams return to defend their titles and for new ones to join the ranks to challenge them. The proliferation of Vantage GT4 cars is particularly satisfying, as this is the entry point to GT racing, and the car’s outstanding results record is drawing new and returning teams back to the brand.
“At the top of the GT categories, the Vantage GTE is the reigning World Endurance Champion and TF Sport are the 2020 Le Mans GTE Am class winners, so I’m quite certain that they know how to extract the maximum potential from that car in the ELMS at Barcelona this weekend. Good luck to all our partner teams and drivers!”
The opening round of the Fanatec GTWC Europe begins at 1500 CET (+1 Hour GMT), on Sunday, 18 April. Meanwhile the two GT4 European Series races start at 1725 CET, Saturday, 17 April, and 1310 CET, Sunday 18 April.
In Spain, the ELMS 4 Hours of Barcelona, starts at 1100 CET on Sunday, 18 April, while the NLS race starts at 1200 CET on Saturday, 17 April. All these events can be watched live on the corresponding official championship YouTube channels.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- Most driver-focused convertible of the Continental GT range
- Highly advanced chassis – with four new technologies – inspires confidence through increased grip and accuracy
- All-wheel steering and electronic rear differential enhance vehicle agility and stability
- New carbon ceramic brakes for incredible stopping power
- Revised version of renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine delivers 650 bhp (659 PS) and 664 lb.ft (900 Nm)
- 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds); top speed 208 mph (335 km/h)
- Unique interior and exterior detailing includes badging, interior color splits, forged 22” Speed wheels and sports sills
- New introduction of Dark Tint Engine Turned Aluminum optional technical finish to the center console
- Seven roof colors available, including tweed
- Roof improvements deliver a convertible as quiet inside as the previous generation coupe
Bentley Motors introduced a new flagship version of the ultimate, open-top Grand Tourer – the Continental GT Speed Convertible.
The performance-orientated Speed model is the most powerful, driver-focused interpretation of the benchmark convertible Grand Tourer.
The third generation Continental GT Speed Convertible features an enhanced version of Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering an outstanding and increased 650 bhp (659 PS), 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds (0‑100 km/h in 3.7 seconds) and a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h). The new open-air Grand Tourer joins its coupe sibling – the Continental GT Speed, unveiled last month – at the pinnacle of the Continental family.
Designed, handcrafted and engineered in Bentley’s carbon neutral luxury automotive factory, the new GT Speed Convertible offers enhanced chassis technology, including All-Wheel Steering, an electronic rear differential and the option of carbon ceramic brakes. This helps deliver superior vehicle agility and confidence without impacting on the Continental GT Convertible’s acclaimed ride comfort.
The Continental GT Speed Convertible is fitted with a tailored, ‘Z-fold’ roof that can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, transforming it from a luxurious coupe to an open-top Grand Tourer at the touch of a button.
Distinguishing this Grand Tourer as a pinnacle performance model, the Continental GT Speed Convertible offers unique exterior and interior detailing, including Speed sport sills, Dark Tint grilles and Speed badging. Customers can also choose from three finishes to the unique 22” forged Speed wheels.
Inside a luxuriously appointed cabin, the new Continental GT Convertible model includes Speed badging on the passenger fascia, an Alcantara steering wheel and a unique color split trim in Hide and Alcantara.
Chris Craft, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Bentley Motors, comments:
“The new Speed is the most driver-focused Continental GT Convertible available and unique in its ability to offer extremely refined, all-season open-top Grand Touring with the added edge of astonishing performance and dynamism.
“Combined with exquisite, handcrafted interior details, the Continental GT Speed Convertible exemplifies all Bentley knows about creating the world’s most stylish and elegant cars for roof-down motoring.”
New Technologically Advanced Chassis
Cutting-edge chassis technology gives the third generation GT Speed Convertible unrivalled control and accuracy, and inspires confidence even further.
Maintaining Bentley’s philosophy of the vehicle feeling progressive and secure, yet still be dynamic, this approach rewards drivers of all abilities. To achieve this philosophy in BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels, in SPORT this mode was calibrated with a more rear-biased torque–split in all driving scenarios.
Improved cornering dynamics and the extra grip provided by the new systems allows the driver to exit any corner with an increased level of precision and confidence. In turn, the vehicle is able to extract the maximum performance from the available traction to deliver stunning acceleration and composure from the apex. In SPORT mode, the traction management system sends a greater proportion of power to the rear axle to allow for even greater on-throttle control of cornering line.
Working alongside these systems are the key chassis technologies that deliver body control and ride comfort with no compromise to one another – namely Bentley’s three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping, and Bentley Dynamic Ride – the 48V active anti-roll control system that Bentley pioneered on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT.
This innovative system features powerful electric motors within each anti-roll bar to resist body roll. In their firmest setting, the motors can deliver 959 lb.ft (1300 Nm) in 0.3 secs to counteract cornering forces and keep the body level.
A Carbon Ceramic Brake system was also introduced as an option on the Speed. Using the high-performance material reduces the brake force required for high-speed deceleration and lowers the risk of brake fade. Featuring Active All-Wheel Drive, the traction control and torque distribution was recalibrated in all driver modes to provide a noticeable character shift relative to the standard Continental GT convertible.
Effortless Performance
The new Continental GT Speed Convertible combines high-performance with elegance and luxury. Power is supplied by an uprated version of Bentley’s imperious W12 TSI engine, delivering an outstanding 650 bhp (659 PS) – an increase of 23 bhp (24 PS) – and a remarkable 664 lb.ft (900 Nm) of torque. Such power results in a 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds (0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds) and a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h).
Hand-built in Crewe, the 6.0-litre is the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world. Both engine and transmission were recalibrated for the Speed to suit the car’s powerful credentials.
This is most noticeable in SPORT driving mode, where the twin-turbocharged W12 was tuned to keep the engine in the power band longer by upshifting later, or downshifting earlier. This creates a more eager response to driver requirements.
The dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission shift is twice as fast in SPORT mode as in the standard W12 model, befitting a model that takes its place as the performance pinnacle of the Continental GT range. This combines with a greater exhaust character during start up and gear downshifts.
Muscular Exterior Design – Unique Speed Detailing
A statement of true sporting purpose, the new Continental GT Speed Convertible effortlessly blends style with performance intent. The bold presence of the world’s finest open-top Grand Tourer was enhanced even further with unique detailing.
The Speed’s tailored convertible roof can be deployed or stowed in just 19 seconds, with the car travelling at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).
Speed models add a Dark Tint radiator grille and lower bumper grille, combined with Speed sports sills, a Dark Tint radiator matrix and discreet Speed badging on the front fender.
Unique, 22” Speed wheels are offered in matching Dark Tint, with the choice of Bright Silver or Black Gloss finish. A Jewel Fuel and Oil Filler Cap, plus illuminated BENTLEY display to the outer treadplate are a nod to the Speed’s performance credentials.
Seven exterior roof colors are available, including a contemporary interpretation of traditional British tweed. Black, Blue, Claret and Grey are among the other options. Furthermore, eight interior roof liner finishes are offered, ranging from New Red to Magnolia.
The unique Z-fold convertible roof system is the most advanced of its kind. The roof, with its sealing system improvements and acoustic treatments, contributes to a three-decibel reduction in overall noise levels compared to its predecessor at typical cruising speeds. An entirely new combination of roof insulating materials and operating mechanism, combined with sealing system improvements and acoustic treatments, create a Convertible Grand Tourer that is as quiet as the previous generation Continental GT Coupe.
Exclusive Handcrafted Cabin
The Continental GT Speed Convertible’s luxurious interior offers unrivalled Grand Touring refinement blended with unique Speed detailing, fully revealed to the world when the roof is lowered.
An Alcantara steering wheel and Speed insignia on the passenger fascia are complemented by a unique color split trim in Hide and Alcantara. Customers can further choose from 15 main and 11 secondary hide choices.
Diamond-in-diamond quilting and Speed embroidered headrests hint at the performance characteristics of the most potent Continental GT Convertible, while mono-tone color split with Alcantara/Leather is a no-cost option.
Piano Black veneer is standard in the Speed, with Crown Cut, Dark Stain Burr Walnut and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus offered as no-cost options. Open-pore Dark Stain Burr Walnut veneer, Crown Cut Walnut and Koa are also available.
Sports pedals and Speed treadplate plaques are fitted as standard, while customers can choose the optional Dark Tint Engine Turned Aluminum console, or a leather alternative to the Speed color split trim and the Speed Colour Specification.
A neck warmer (which is both warmer and quieter than in the previous generation model), is seamlessly integrated into the heated and vented Comfort Seats, optimizing efficiency and airflow around the electrically adjustable headrests. The styling highlight of the new neck warmer is a chrome center vane that stretches the full width of the duct, echoing Bentley’s famous ‘bullseye’ vents. Combined with a heated steering wheel and heated armrests, these sophisticated comfort features create a luxurious driving experience in all environments.
by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog
- New Vauxhall Corsa tops new car registration charts for Q1 2021
- Figures from SMMT show all-electric new Corsa-e is best-selling supermini EV
- Vauxhall increased market share from 5.6% to 5.8% year-on-year
- All models available to order via new Vauxhall Online Store
The new Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling car for the first quarter of 2021, according to the latest new car sales and registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In addition, the fully-electric Corsa-e has performed equally strongly, recording the highest number of sales in March in the small Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sector.
The success of the Corsa and Corsa-e, as well as the recent introduction of the all-new Mokka and New Crossland SUVs, helped Vauxhall increase its share of the passenger car market from 5.6% to 5.8% year-on-year.
Vauxhall’s successful first quarter has been achieved despite showrooms being shut for the first three months of the year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. The All-New Vauxhall Corsa recorded 12,413 registrations, while the new Corsa-e was the best-selling small BEV, with 1,232 sales.
Overall, the brand recorded a total of 15,868 new passenger car registrations in March and 24,826 year-to-date.
Commenting on the results, Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “We’re delighted the new Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling car in the first quarter of 2021. As well as passenger cars, 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 cars and vans, is strong and growing. Vauxhall has a wide range of EVs on sale at affordable prices, including the all-new Mokka-e SUV that has just launched. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers back safely into our network this month.”
The all-new fifth generation Corsa is available with a fully-electric powertrain or a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines. The zero-emissions Corsa-e was voted The Sun Car of the Year, thanks to its 209-mile WLTP range, affordable price and fun driving dynamics.
Despite showroom closures, customers have been able to purchase new models using the Vauxhall Online Store, which brings the new car shopping experience to the comfort of buyers’ homes. Customers can arrange a live video viewing of a vehicle via the Vauxhall Virtual Showroom and proceed to the Online Store to configure their new model, personalise finance payments and place an order – all from the comfort and safety of their home.
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.
