The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and BMW M4 Competition Coupé

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Latest generation M models blend searing performance with everyday usability
• Powered by a 510hp 3.0-litre six cylinder in-line engine with bespoke M TwinPower Turbo technology
• Four brand new exterior colours; Sao Paulo Yellow, Skyscraper Grey, Isle of Man Green and Brooklyn Grey
• M xDrive all-wheel-drive versions to be available from summer 2021
• Enhanced M-specific control/operation system with M Drive Professional developed specifically for track driving

Thirty five years after the debut of the first BMW M3, BMW is presenting the latest generation of its high-performance models that fuse track-focused performance with everyday usability.

The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé occupy very different territory – one a saloon with space for five occupants, the other a four-seater coupé – but they both achieve their common goal of delivering pure driving pleasure.

Class-leading levels of standard equipment plus options that take individualisation to new heights, especially for racetrack outings, ensure both models will continue the success of their formidable predecessors.

Optional equipment is offered in six main packages – Comfort, Technology Plus, Visibility, M Carbon, M Pro and Ultimate. Beyond these packages, there will be a select number of optional items including M Brakes in red, blue or black, M Carbon exterior, M Carbon seats and Park Assistant Plus with Drive Recorder.

Under the bonnet of the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé lies a 510hp high-revving straight-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which teams up with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission as it sends its power to the rear wheels.

Both models will also be available (from summer 2021) with M xDrive, which offers even greater directional stability and supreme traction without compromising on agility.

The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon is built at BMW Plant Munich, while the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé is produced at BMW Plant Dingolfing. The market launch for both models is Saturday 13 March, 2021.

Straight-six engine delivers high performance in signature M high-revving style
The engine powering the new high-performance models sets a new high point in terms of output and torque for six-cylinder in-line petrol units from BMW. The power unit offers 60hp more than the maximum output of its predecessor models and increases its peak torque by 100Nm.

The new 3.0-litre straight-six engine combines the hallmark high-revving character of BMW M engines with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine maintains peak torque up to the moment where maximum output is reached: 650Nm is on tap between 2,700 and 5,500rpm, from when maximum output of 510hp is sustained up to the 7,200rpm red line.

The M3 Competition Saloon and M4 Competition Coupé accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, rising to 180mph if the optional M Pro Package is specified.

*Provisional figures.

Bespoke M TwinPower Turbo technology
A bespoke version of M TwinPower Turbo technology includes two mono-scroll turbochargers that supply compressed air to cylinders 1–3 and 4–6 respectively. An indirect intercooler optimises the power output of the charger and its electronically controlled wastegate supports the turbochargers’ instantaneous responsiveness and heightens the effectiveness of the catalytic converters.

Other elements of M TwinPower Turbo technology include VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. Both models meet the Euro 6d exhaust emissions standard.

Cooling system and oil supply designed for track use
The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé use a bespoke cooling system to ensure an optimal operating temperature in all conditions. It includes a low-temperature system that contributes to cooling the intercooler and a high-temperature system that cools the engine block and the two turbochargers.

Meanwhile, the oil supply system has also been designed to meet the challenges of dynamic track driving. The engine’s weight-minimised oil sump has two separate chambers and an integrated suction channel, while the additional suction stage allows the map-controlled oil pump to draw lubricant from the smaller chamber when extra capacity is needed.

Exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps delivers a distinctive soundtrack
A dual-branch exhaust system reduces back pressure, but also produces a fantastic soundtrack. It leads into a high-capacity rear silencer with a quartet of tailpipes finished in Black Chrome.

Electrically controlled, fully adjustable flaps suppress intrusive frequency ranges, increasing comfort levels while the sound is also influenced by the engine mode selected – the driver can choose either SPORT or SPORT+ mode using the relevant button on the centre console. It is also possible to alter the engine’s aural impact using the M Sound Control button on the centre console.

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic as standard
Both models use a specially tuned eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. The M Steptronic transmission enables both fully automatic gear changes and manual shifts with sequential gear selection. Fitted as standard along with the newly designed selector lever are carbon gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. With a simple tap of a paddle the driver can switch from automatic to manual mode.

The transmission’s shift characteristics are adjusted using the Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever. The driver can access three clearly distinct setups – comfort oriented, sports focused or track optimised.

M xDrive all-wheel-drive system optimises traction and performance
For the first time in the history of the BMW M3 and BMW M4, customers will be able to specify an all-wheel-drive system – expected from summer 2021 – as an alternative to traditional rear-wheel drive.

The engine’s power is distributed between the front and rear wheels via the transfer case’s electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, before the Active M Differential splits it again between the two rear wheels.

The specially developed system significantly enhances acceleration from standstill and the driver can configure the distribution of power as required via the Setup menu. In the default 4WD setting, signature M rear-biased power transmission goes hand-in-hand with unshakable traction and precisely controllable handling. 4WD Sport mode directs a greater proportion of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels to optimise track performance. Switching off DSC brings 2WD mode into the equation, with no intervention from the control systems.

Chassis delivers hallmark M precision and scope for individualisation
Both new models also include advances in body rigidity and aerodynamic efficiency, plus optimised, tuned chassis technology. A long wheelbase and wide tracks, a low centre of gravity and virtually 50:50 weight distribution, plus stiffer, stronger and M-specific body and chassis mountings contribute to excellent driving dynamics.

Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers
The electronically controlled shock absorbers in the standard adaptive M suspension optimise road contact and traction in every situation with the use of electromagnetically controlled valves that act in just a few milliseconds to generate the required damping force. It is infinitely variable, and for each individual wheel.

Basic damper characteristics can be adjusted via the M Setup menu. The driver can select from three modes – COMFORT, SPORT and the track-focused SPORT PLUS.

Integrated braking system with two pedal feel settings
In standard form, the newly developed M Compound brakes comprise six-piston fixed-calliper brakes with 380mm discs at the front and single-piston floating-calliper brakes (including parking brake) with 370mm discs at the rear. The callipers are available for the first time in either black or red in addition to the blue callipers known from the predecessor models; all bear the M logo.

The optional M Carbon ceramic brakes, available as part of the M Pro Package, offer even stronger braking power and durability. Their callipers – painted in Gold metallic – engage with 400mm discs at the front and 380mm items at the rear.

A shared feature of both brake variants is the integrated braking system, where the brake actuation, braking force assistance and braking control functions are brought together within a compact module. The integrated braking system allows vehicle deceleration to be geared precisely to the driver’s requirements.

The M-specific version of the integrated braking system additionally presents the driver with two pedal feel settings – COMFORT and SPORT, which can be selected via the M Setup menu.

DSC with M Dynamic Mode and ten-stage traction control
The DSC functions in the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé work even more effectively with the integrated braking system.

Along with the M-specific Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC), the integrated braking system also benefits the stability control function, as well as the Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Brake Assist, Dry Braking and Start-Off Assistant functions. Competition models add the Automatic Hold function.

The new integrated wheel-slip limitation function provides more sensitive acceleration control on wet, snow-covered or icy surfaces or on uneven roads.

The driver can also activate M Dynamic Mode using a button on the centre console. This mode allows a greater degree of wheel slip, enabling controlled drifts to be achieved. Also selectable at the push of a button is DSC Off mode.

With M Drive Professional, drivers also benefit from the new M Traction Control function. Making its debut in the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé, this new form of traction control allows the driver to set the intervention thresholds for wheel-slip limitation.

With different stages of precisely defined slip at the driven wheels, the driver can find the perfect balance of racing-car performance and directional stability.

M Drive Professional: unbeatable performance on the race track
The latest generation of the M-specific control/operation system contains a host of new features. Making its debut is M Drive Professional, which has been developed specifically for track driving. Included as standard, this allows the driver to make consistent progress in their pursuit of the ideal line and the perfect lap. For example, the driver’s ability to pilot the car through corners with plenty of oversteer and opposite lock is recorded by the M Drift Analyser, activated via the iDrive menu.

Other functions of M Drive Professional include the M Laptimer, also accessed via the iDrive menu, which delivers a far-reaching race performance analysis. The driver can also analyse the data recorded during their track outing in detail using the BMW M Laptimer app on their Apple iPhone – and share selected information with the online community if they wish.

Enhanced individualisation of the powertrain and chassis via the Setup button
As in the predecessor models, drivers of the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé can activate various settings for the engine, chassis and steering independently of one another. In addition, the braking system and traction control can now also be configured as required.

The new Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the settings options for the seven powertrain and chassis parameters. Depending on the model variant and the car’s specification, the Gear Shift Assistant, M xDrive and traction can also be controlled via the button in just a single step.

Two individually configured M Setup variants can be stored permanently, together with the preferred settings for the engine noise, the driving stability control system, the Auto Start-Stop function and the shift characteristics of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.

Pure driving pleasure at your fingertips: the M Mode button
The control panel on the centre console of the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé also houses the M Mode button.

This can be used to adjust the responses and characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display. The driver can choose from ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

In the basic ROAD setting, all the standard and optional driver assistance systems are fully activated. In the SPORT setting, the driver assistance systems activated through the driver’s chosen configuration limit themselves to warnings of speed limits and overtaking restrictions, for example.

Utilising M Drive Professional, drivers can also select TRACK mode, which is developed exclusively for driving on race circuits and includes the deactivation of all the comfort and safety functions of the driver assistance systems.

Driver assistance systems: comfort and safety as desired
Both models come as standard with Parking Assistant, Cruise control with braking function and Front Collision Warning with brake intervention, the Lane Departure Warning system including lane return with steering assistance, the Attentiveness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system.

Also standard is Driving Assistant, which brings the Lane Change Warning, rear crossing traffic warning and Rear Collision Prevention into play. Customers can also add the Driving Assistant Professional as part of the optional Technology Plus Pack, which includes the Steering and Lane Control Assistant with new Active Navigation function. The new Emergency Lane Assistant, meanwhile, guides the car automatically to the most appropriate side of its lane in tailbacks on the motorway.

The Parking Assistant comprises functions such as the Reversing Assistant, while Parking Assistant Plus, available individually or as part of the optional Technology Plus Package, adds Surround View and Remote 3D View.

Also included in this package is the BMW Drive Recorder which uses the driver assistance systems’ cameras to record video sequences outside the car of up to 40 seconds in length.

Standout styling from the M-specific kidney grille to the standard carbon roof
The distinctive, aerodynamically optimised exteriors of both new models perfectly convey their motorsport-inspired character. The BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé add 122mm to the length of their predecessors and are 26mm and 17mm wider respectively.

Both models have a deep, frameless and all-black BMW kidney grille. The hallmark M double bars – now horizontally arranged – bear a model badge; either side of the grille are additional cooling intakes with honeycomb mesh covers.

Shadowline LED headlights, with darkened inlays adorning their upper edges are also standard. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight including BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam assistant are available as the optional Visibility Package.

The most striking design feature alongside the prominently flared wheel arches are the extended side sills. Together with the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons, they form a High-gloss Black band around the whole of the car. The traditional M gills are integrated neatly into the front side panels and the M-specific High-gloss Black exterior mirrors have aerodynamically optimised contouring. The roof of both models is made from high-tech carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Two fins running longitudinally over the CFRP roof optimise airflow, as does the rear spoiler, which is painted in High-gloss Black and has a central notch. The rear diffuser, finished in black and with eye-catching fins, frames the exhaust system’s pairs of tailpipes (each measuring 100mm in diameter). Darkened, full-LED rear light clusters with L-shaped taillights complete the rear end.

Exclusive exterior paint shades and optional M Carbon exterior package
Customers can now also specify their BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé in the new and exclusive exterior paint shades Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic, Toronto Red metallic and Isle of Man Green metallic.

A model-specific M Carbon exterior package is also available, comprising of inlays for the newly designed wide front air intakes and a rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and a rear spoiler all made from CFRP. It is available individually or as part of the optional M Carbon Package, which also includes the M Carbon bucket seats.

New M light-alloy wheels with larger diameter at the rear
The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and BMW M4 Competition Coupé come as standard with a new M light-alloy design using 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the and, for the first time, with M brakes available in Blue, Red or Black.

Interior: ergonomic design intensifies M feeling
The latest interior design language introduced in the new BMW 3 Series and new BMW 4 Series Coupé has been taken to its sporting extreme in these two high-performance models.

Signature M details include red accents for the M buttons on the M leather steering wheel and the start/stop button on the centre console. The selector lever with-Drivelogic switch is leather surfaced with an embedded M logo and stitching in M colours.

An anthracite-coloured BMW Individual headliner and interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre High-gloss are standard. Fine-grain Merino black leather trim is standard as are M sport seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated. These seats have pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge.

A highlight of the options list is the new M Carbon bucket seats for the driver and front passenger, which include CFRP in their construction and save 9.6kg over the standard M sport seats. These can be specified on their own or within the M Carbon Package.

An array of new additions to the standard and optional equipment lists ensure that comfort and functionality are also taken to new highs. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital display grouping, the cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant are all standard.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional: fully digital display grouping with M-specific details
The fully digital display grouping – made up of a high-resolution instrument cluster with a 12.3-inch screen behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch Control Display – is part of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which is fitted as standard.

BMW Maps and optimised smartphone integration
BMW Live Cockpit Professional also includes a multimedia system, the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, two USB ports for data transfer and a WiFi interface, plus a built-in SIM card with 4G LTE connectivity. This enables use of numerous other digital services including BMW TeleServices and Intelligent Emergency Call, Real Time Traffic Information with hazard warning, Remote Services and Concierge Services. Wireless charging for compatible smartphones is also part of the standard specification.

Optimised smartphone integration also features as standard. Alongside Apple CarPlay, Android Auto can now also be used via the car’s operating system. Meanwhile, the Remote Software Upgrade function enables improved vehicle functions and additional digital services to be imported into the car over the air.

Wide variety of option packages for enhancing comfort and individuality
The significant additions to the standard specification of the predecessor models and an attractive selection of option packages also help to enhance driving comfort. The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé are equipped as standard with three-zone automatic climate control, and configurable LED interior lighting with ambient lighting.  The BMW Head-Up Display, along with the 16 speaker Harman Kardon HiFi and BMW Gesture Control are added to the list of standard features, whilst on the outside Sun Protection glazing and new Shadowline Headlights feature for the first time.

Customers can choose from a variety of optional Packages – Comfort, M Carbon, Visibility, Technology Plus, M Pro and Ultimate. Each has been compiled to further elevate the M experience and tailor it to the customer’s preference, the individual components perfectly complementing each other.

M Pro Package: reduced weight, increased performance
The M Pro Package – offered for the first time for the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé – combines M Carbon ceramics with the M Driver package for customers who are focused on using their vehicle on the race circuit.

Improved choice and customisation
Customers of the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé are being offered more choice than ever before. Alongside the choice of three standard brake callipers and the M Carbon ceramics, customers are able to choose any exterior paint colour from BMW Individual Paints – giving customers more bespoke paint options that any other model in the BMW range.

For the first time on the M3 and M4, customers will also have a choice between two wheel designs available in four colours. Available in 19” or 20” M Forged alloys, customers can chose between Double Spoke 826M in Bicolour Black or Jet Black or Double Spoke 825M in either Bicolour Black or Orbit Grey Matt.

Ends

All figures relating to performance, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are provisional. The fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions figures are determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable. The figures refer to a vehicle with basic configuration in Germany. The range shown considers the different sizes of the selected wheels/tyres and the selected items of optional equipment, and may vary during configuration.

The values shown are based on the new WLTP test cycle. With respect to these vehicles, for vehicle-related taxes or other duties based (at least inter alia) on CO₂ emissions, the CO₂ values may differ from the values stated here (depending on national legislation).

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO₂ emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline:

‘Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO₂ Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen’ (Guide to the fuel economy, CO₂ emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all dealerships, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at https://www.dat.de/co2/.

The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

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All-new McLaren Artura will be as compelling to own as it is to drive

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Comprehensive warranty package of 5-year vehicle, 6-year hybrid battery and 10-year body cover, plus a 3-year service plan as standard¹
• CO₂ emissions of 129 g/km* and fuel economy of 50+mpg* represent ground-breaking efficiency for a supercar, benefiting purchase price and cost of ownership
• Electric power-only driving range of 30km/19 miles* for zero-emissions motoring

McLaren has confirmed warranty and servicing details for its all-new Artura supercar that will ensure the ownership proposition for the car is equally as compelling as the enthralling high-performance driving experience it will offer.

Revealed last month as the first series-production High-Performance Hybrid from the pioneering luxury supercar company, the Artura is the product of more than half a century of McLaren’s racing and road-car experience and expertise.  In addition to setting new benchmarks in the supercar class for performance and efficiency, the Artura also brings new levels of McLaren warranty protection and inclusive service provision.

“The all-new McLaren Artura was designed and engineered to perform at the highest level across the board, in electric power-only, zero-emission, urban commutes to weekend breaks, favourite-road drives and trackday sessions. As well as setting new standards in the supercar class for performance and efficiency, it has a world-class warranty and service package to match, giving our customers peace-of-mind while they are enjoying their new high-performance hybrid supercar to the full.”
Jamie Corstorphine, Product Strategy Director, McLaren Automotive

Every new Artura will be covered from point of purchase by a 5-year/75,000km vehicle warranty, 6-year/75,000km hybrid battery warranty and 10-year, unlimited mileage, body (anti-perforation) warranty. This comprehensive package of benefits is included as standard in all markets worldwide, with the further provision of a 5-year roadside assistance package in most regions including the UK.

Artura owners will also benefit from a 3-year service plan¹, which covers the cost of all regular maintenance undertaken in the 12-month/15,000km/9,000-mile interval services. This includes essential oil and filter changes, renewing engine and E-motor air filters, brake fluid replenishment and full safety inspections. Customers will have only ‘wear and tear’ components such as tyres and brakes to consider, alongside fuel costs and vehicle excise duty – both of which are optimised by the Artura’s powerful and efficient high-performance hybrid drivetrain and low CO₂ emissions figure of 129g/km*. The warranty, assistance and service provisions are all transferrable, enhancing the Artura’s future status as a McLaren Qualified car.

The new Artura, which is priced from £185,500 in the UK, is available in a standard specification and three further trim levels: Performance, which has a sporting, functional aesthetic; TechLux, where the focus is on the technical luxury the name suggests; and Vision, which displays a more and adventurous look and feel. All specifications enjoy a high level of features as standard, with the option for customers to add a Practicality Pack as a no cost option**, bringing Vehicle Lift; power-folding heated door mirrors with ‘dip in reverse’ functionality; four front and four rear parking sensors; rear-view camera; Homelink® and soft-close doors. Additionally, Apple CarPlay^TM and Android Auto^TM are supported as standard by mobile phone integration into both the instrument cluster and central display screen.

Further information about the McLaren Artura is available at: http://cars.mclaren.com/en/artura.

______________

¹ Cost option in China; not offered in United States

*All performance figures subject to final validation. Emissions and fuel economy figures in WLTP EU combined cycle

**Pricing and standard specification of McLaren Artura is market-dependent

AC Cars celebrates it’s 120th birthday with 12 special AC Cobra Superblowers

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

AC Cars is launching a suite of special anniversary models marking its 120 years in business.

In the coming months AC Cobras will be going fully green with innovative high performance electric drivetrains which will achieve outstanding results in terms of on the road speed and power yet will be almost silent. So, this change of power unit is momentous in automotive industry history.

The celebration suite of cars is finished in a striking livery which comes complete with the famous centre of the bonnet and boot stripes which mark the glory years of its racing pedigree. But for AC this 120 heritage Cobra is about much more than a paint job.

The 12 cars celebrate 12 decades of AC Cars being in business, with many important milestones, including the first 2-litre car to do 100 miles in one hour…100 years ago in 1921…the launch of the revolutionary light AC Ace in the 1950’s which led to famous AC Cobra in the 1960’s.

Some typically pithy and descriptive words were aired about the AC Cobra in the official catalogue for the first ever ‘Car of the Century ‘ Awards ceremony held in 1999 (the Cobra was one of 200 contenders for the top prizes judged by an all-star committee chaired by one of the motor industry’s true giants, Robert A (‘Bob’) Lutz, formerly the overall boss of – at different times – Ford, General Motors and Chrysler). Here are just two examples:

“The Cobra captured the imagination of performance car fans all over the world. It was perhaps the ultimate expression of the old American belief that ‘there’s no substitute for cubic inches’.

“It’s an interesting footnote that in fact it was not power that the Cobra needed for international racing success – it was aerodynamic efficiency.

However, this current decade will probably see the last V8 ICE cars, so there can be no better way to celebrate this than with one of the most famous V8 cars in history, the AC Cobra. These 12 AC Cobra Superblower’s are possibly the quickest production AC Cobra’s ever built and are powered by a 580 bhp supercharged V8 engine.

There is a choice of five different striking colours – specially recreated versions of the car finished in AC Red with white stripes, AC Blue with white stripes, AC British Racing Green with white stripes and AC Yellow white stripes and a special version bearing its distinctive blue signature shade with orange stripes. The 12 celebration cars, based on the highly successful Superblower specification which was conceived and sold around the time of the marque’s Centenary Celebration two decades ago, are on sale from today at a single list price of £129,500 each ready for the road.

But what makes an AC Cobra both magic to own and distinctive to experience?

There are several answers to that question, all linked to how the brain of the owner and beholder sees this part iconic car, part art object. It’s certainly in the shape of the gorgeous, sculpted curves of the bodywork and for many its distilled in the amazing sound its traditional 580 horsepower V8 engine makes. Both the shape and the performance will hopefully be with us for many years to come. But that distinctive sound and the engine which makes it will be changing soon along with the rest of the industry as AC goes green.

You don’t see a new AC very often because not many are built and each car is finished with loving devotion to match the requirements and expectations of its customer. What you‘re getting with an AC Cobra is some history, some heritage and – in large measure – power and performance. It’s a thrilling blend of adrenaline rush, excitement and motoring pleasure at its most unsubtle.

Alan Lubinsky, the man who has kept AC alive over more than two decades despite some of the toughest trading conditions imaginable, has few fears about the end of the ICE age. “We are confident in the future because we have moved quickly and have put in place a new powertrain which can meet the challenges of the impending legislation changes while retaining the true essence of the AC Cobra’s unique appeal – appearance and ultimate performance”.

Alan Lubinsky: “We are near the end of an era. In time we’ll be saying a final farewell to the iconic AC Cobra. My question is: Will we ever see (and hear) its like again? My answer is – these celebration cars guarantee that the legend that is the AC Cobra will live on into the future and outlive the ICE Age. We are looking forward to selling a truly hot car in a sunny climate.

Female driving force: 11 women who made automotive history

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Hagerty celebrates 11 automotive heroes on International Women’s Day
• Minnie Palmer was the first woman to own and drive her own car in 1897
• Vera Hedges Butler, the first British woman to pass a driver’s test in 1900
• Mary Anderson invented the windscreen wiper in 1903
• Odette Siko was the first woman to race at Le Mans in 1930
• Part of a spotlight series on women driving change
• The full feature can be read here

In recognition of International Women’s Day Hagerty recognises 11 pioneering women who helped shape automotive history as we know it today.

It is part of a series of stories shining the spotlight on girls and women driving change in the automotive space.

The full feature, providing more detail on each of the women mentioned, can be found here.  

Odette Siko – The first woman to race Le Mans
Odette Siko made motorsport history as the first woman to race the Le Mans 24 Hours on the 21st June 1930. Competing alongside Marguerite Mareuse in a Bugatti T40, they made it home in seventh position – a result that’s yet to be beaten by an all-female team. In 1932 she claimed fourth spot overall and class win aboard an Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 with Louis Charaval – another record finish for a woman that still stands today.

Beatrice Shilling – Engineering genius, motorbike racer and World War Two hero
Beatrice Shilling’s story is one of two wheels and wings. In 1932, when she graduated from the University of Manchester with an honours degree in engineering, she was listed as ‘Mr’ on her student record card, female titles were not yet a recognised option. In 1934, she became the second woman to be awarded a Brooklands Gold Star when she recorded two laps at over 101mph, and later became the circuit’s fastest female racer ever with a lap speed of 106 mph.

When World War Two broke, Beatrice was working for the Royal Aircraft Establishment. Her invention of a restrictor valve that prevented RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes from stalling and falling from the sky during steep dives, saved the lives of many pilots, and arguably helped win the Battle of Britain.

Minnie Palmer – First woman in England to drive and own her own car
In 1897, Minnie Palmer became her own chauffeur. Distinguishing herself as the first woman in England to drive and own her own car, the American-born actress took delivery of a French-made Rougemont automobile. It was 31 years before women achieved the same voting rights as men, but Minnie’s move proved that the sexes could be equals behind the wheel – a significant milestone on the road to the social and political emancipation of women.

Dorothée Pullinger – Engineer and entrepreneur. Designed a car for women, built by women
Dorothée Pullinger made room for women in a man’s domain, and designed a car fit for them too. She’d been refused entry to the Institution of Automobile Engineers on the grounds that “the word person means a man and not a woman” – a decision that was later reversed.

By the early 1920s Dorothée was manager of Galloway Motors, a car factory run by a female workforce that adopted the colours of the suffragettes. An on-site engineering college offered women apprenticeships that lasted three years, rather than the usual five for men, because it was believed women were faster learners. Dorothée designed and developed the Galloway – the world’s first car specifically for women. Gear levers were placed inside rather than outside the car so that they were easier to reach, the seat was raised, storage space was added, the dashboard was lowered, and the steering wheel was smaller. It was also one of the first automobiles to introduce a rear-view mirror as standard.

Dorothy Elizabeth Levitt – First British female racing driver who set records and taught royals how to drive
Hackney-born Dorothy Elizabeth Levitt was described as “the fastest girl on earth” when she set a new world speed record for women of 91mph. She did it in a six-cylinder Napier during a speed trial at Blackpool in 1906. Three years earlier she had been garlanded with the title of Britain’s first female motor racing driver, and also set the world’s first water speed record when she achieved 19.3mph in a 40-foot steel-hulled, Napier-engine speedboat. In 1905, the Londoner set another record, for the “longest drive achieved by a lady driver” for a return journey to Liverpool from the capital. Her accomplishments made her a media sensation. In her 1909 book, The Woman and the Car: a Chatty Little Handbook for All Women who Motor or Want to Motor she advised women to carry gloves, chocolate, and a revolver in the drawer under the driver’s seat.

Margaret Wilcox – Invented the car heater
For early adopters of the motorcar, driving was open-air enjoyment in its purest, and for some months of the year, frostiest, form. On the 28th November 1893 Margaret Wilcox patented a solution: the world’s first in-car heating system. It took decades for car makers to warm to her idea, which was considered a luxurious optional extra even when fully enclosed bodywork and glass windows became more widespread, but finally, in 1929, the Ford Model A became the first vehicle to offer in-car heating at the point of manufacture. For Margaret, the design also represented a turning point in her career as an inventor; it was the first to be patented in her own name rather than her husband’s, a practice which had been law in the United States until 1809.

Helen Clifford – London Transport’s first female bus mechanic
The big red double decker bus may keep London moving, but Helen Clifford was the first woman to officially be responsible for keeping them on the road. In 1983, at the age of 18, Helen qualified as London Transport’s first female bus mechanic after completing a course at West Ham garage. Up until then, there had been two brief periods when women were called upon to take on a range of typically male duties in stations, garages, engineering works and depots. Helen was also a qualified bus driver, a role which was opened up to women in 1974.

Mary Anderson – Inventor of the windscreen wiper
You can see clearly now because inventor Mary Anderson spotted a problem that needed solving, to clear ice from the windscreen a driver had to open the window, chilling the cabin in the process. Mary’s solution was a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade that would move back and forth across the glass to wipe it away. The design patented in 1903 but Mary’s invention wasn’t an instant hit with car companies, who believed it would distract drivers. She never profited from her invention.

Bertha Benz – Pioneer of the long-distance car journey and inventor of brake lining
Bertha Benz is the original road tripper. Early one August morning in 1888 she set off in her husband’s car, without permission, spare fuel, or a map, to make the 106km journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim in Germany. Her husband was Karl Benz, and the car was the world’s first. Karl was convinced his invention wasn’t ready for the open road, but Bertha believed it was ready for the world, and that the world was ready to see a woman setting its new course. When she ran out of fuel, she purchased ligroin (a petroleum-based solvent) from a pharmacy in Wiesloch – now considered the first petrol station in history. When the engine overheated, she used water from ditches and streams to cool it. When a fuel line became blocked, she cleaned it with her hat pin. She even used her garter as insulation material and paid a cobbler to cover the brake shoes in leather and in doing so invented the world’s first brake lining.  

Pat Moss – World leading rally driver
“What she managed to do was amazing, actually,” said Sir Stirling Moss, when asked about his younger sister Pat. High praise from a man who was not noted for his championing of women in motorsport. Pat built her formidable reputation on outright wins and podium finishes at international rallies throughout the 1950s and 60s. Her maiden event took place in 1953, when she competed in her Morris Minor convertible at the age of 18. She went on to be crowned five-times European Ladies Rally Championship winner and the Coupe des Dames on the Monte Carlo Rally eight times, she also won the gruelling 1960 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally in a fearsome Austin Healey 100/6 and went on to finish second at the Coupe des Alpes. Her biggest achievement was winning the Tulip Rally in 1962 in the newly introduced Mini Cooper.

Vera Hedges Butler – First British woman to pass a driver’s test
In 1900 Vera Hedges Butler was the first British woman to pass a driver’s test, but she had to go to Paris to do it. Assessed on her ability to pull away, steer and stop, she also had to demonstrate her knowledge of what to do in the event of a breakdown. In Britain, compulsory testing wasn’t brought in until 1 June 1935.

The full feature can be read here. Additional stories celebrating women driving change in the automotive space can be found on Hagerty’s site.

Hagerty is best known as a classic vehicle insurer, but with a 600,000-member strong Drivers Club, a 1.9m circulation printed magazine, a leading media site and 1.4m subscribers on YouTube it is one of the world’s largest automotive lifestyle brands.

Renault unveils its latest offers with 0% APR PCP deals across all cars

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Renault is offering 0% APR PCP and 0% APR HP deals across its entire passenger car range
• All-electric ZOE is available with £750 deposit contribution on a 0% APR PCP three-year offer
• Offers strengthen ZOE’s status as the most affordable and best value EV available on the market
• Deals encompass electrified E-TECH Hybrid versions of Clio, Captur and Mégane
• Finance offers also include 3.9% APR Representative, 4.9% APR Representative and 5.9% APR Representative with deposit contributions of up to £3,000 across the Renault car range when financed on PCP with Renault Finance
• Offers available now from 8^th March to 30^th June 2021
• All Renault vehicles supplied with a comprehensive five-year/100,000-mile warranty
• ZOE and E-TECH Hybrid models benefit from an eight-year battery warranty as standard

Renault is making it easier for drivers to upgrade to a more efficient electrified vehicle with the introduction of 0% APR PCP offers across its entire passenger model range, including the multi award-winning all-electric ZOE and recently introduced hybrid Clio, Captur and Mégane E-TECH variants.

Available to retail customers until the end of June, the offers also include 0% APR HP deals across the Renault range and, depending on the model and version, additional 3.9% APR Representative, 4.9% APR Representative and 5.9% APR Representative with deposit contributions of up to £3,000 when financed on PCP with Renault Finance.

Strengthening its status as the most affordable new electric vehicle in the UK, the 100 per cent electric ZOE is available for £199 per month* on a 0% APR PCP three-year deal with a customer deposit of £5,257. To make Europe’s best-selling EV even better value, Renault is contributing an additional £750 deposit contribution (included in the monthly payment).

Officially recognised as the ‘Best Small Electric Car for Value’ in the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2021, the ZOE boasts the lowest running costs of any new EV available and, on a pound-per-range basis, the best driving range on a single charge of up to 245 miles (WLTP). Its value and usability, the latter meaning that for many drivers the ZOE really can be their sole vehicle, are further enhanced by its high standard specification and flexible charging options. Its 52kWh battery can be charged to 80 per cent in just one hour and ten minutes, while the option of 50kW DC charging is also available.

Those who are looking for a hybrid supermini can enjoy the Clio E-TECH for £189 per month** via a 0% APR PCP three-year package, which also includes a £250 deposit contribution from Renault. Combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine, two motors and a powerful battery, the hybrid version of the award-winning Clio emits only 99g/km of CO₂. Its appeal is further heightened with a standard specification that includes a TFT Driver Information Display and the Easy Link Navigation system.

The Captur E-TECH Plug-in hybrid fuses the practicality and style of a compact SUV with optimum efficiency and usability, offering up to 30 miles of pure electric driving range with CO₂ emissions of only 35g/km. On a 0% APR PCP three-year deal, it’s available for £279 per month***, with Renault also enhancing the offer with a £500 deposit contribution (included in the monthly payment).

Completing the line-up of Renault electrified vehicles available via a 0% APR PCP offer is the Mégane Sports Tourer E-TECH. On a three-year deal it can be enjoyed for £309 per month^, with Renault also making a £500 deposit contribution (included in the monthly payment). It blends sporty looks with up to 563 litres of boot space, while emitting only 30g/km CO₂ and returning fuel economy of up to 217.3 mpg (WLTP). Its battery can be fully charged in three hours (4.5 hours from a household domestic plug socket) to provide up to 30 miles of pure electric driving range.

Clio, Captur, Mégane and Kadjar all feature in the line-up of two-year 0% APR PCP and 0% APR HP offers, allowing car buyers to upgrade to a new Renault at an attractive monthly cost whether they are looking for an EV, hybrid, supermini, family car or mid-sized SUV.  

No matter which Renault customers choose, they also enjoy peace-of-mind as standard thanks to a comprehensive five-year/100,000-mile warranty with unlimited mileage limit in the first two years. Models with E-TECH hybrid and Z.E. powertrains also come with an eight-year battery warranty.

For further information on the available offers, visit: www.renault.co.uk/offers

T&Cs

*Renault ZOE i Play R110 Z.E 50 – representative example:

**Clio Play E-TECH 140 Auto. £3,138 customer deposit. Optional final payment £9,803.

***Captur E-TECH PHEV S Edition 160 Auto, £7,227 customer deposit. Optional final payment £13,224.

^Megane E-TECH Iconic PHEV 160 Auto. £7,870 customer deposit. Optional final payment £11,501.

PCP Finance provided by Renault Finance, Rivers Office Park, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, WD3 9YS. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be a UK resident (excluding the Channel Islands) and over 18. Minimum deposit 15% on Zoe & Megane PHEV, 10% on Clio & Captur. Offer based on 6,000 miles pa, excess mileage 8p per mile inc VAT. Terms and conditions apply. Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers. Prices and offers shown are available on specified new vehicles when ordered by 30th June 2021 and registered & financed by 30th September 2021. Participating dealers only.

Everrati and Gulf Oil International form iconic partnership

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

Everrati “passionately redefining the World’s most iconic cars”

Everrati is excited to announce its partnership with Gulf Oil International.

The timeless Gulf orange and blue race car livery is easily one of the most respected and globally recognized colour schemes in all motorsports, and the Gulf livery will be officially licenced as part of this partnership.

Everrati redefines some of the World’s most iconic cars enabling them to be driven and enjoyed with a clean future. Under the new partnership, Everrati customers will have the opportunity to commission Gulf-liveried electric sports cars, further extending automotive passion alongside clean technology.

A globally recognised and trusted brand, Gulf, traditionally known as a downstream oil company, is synonymous around the World with high quality products, innovation and technical excellence, but is now actively moving into the e-mobility/electric vehicles sector aligning directly with Everrati’s attributes.

Gulf’s strong brand presence stems back to the glory days of motorsports and their infamous racing colours will now grace future Everrati models of the customers’ choosing.

Justin Lunny, Founder and CEO, Everrati

‘We are delighted to be able to offer Everrati customers the opportunity to own a Gulf liveried car. Everrati is committed to redefining the boundaries of retro electrification and our partnership with Gulf showcases the extensive range of personalisation options we can offer customers.’

Mike Jones, CEO, Gulf Oil International

“Gulf’s strong brand heritage and well-loved livery, combined with the world’s most iconic cars in a bespoke EV application makes for a truly unique offering. We are excited to be able to offer our iconic livery as an officially licensed custom option in partnership with Everrati”

Everrati will be exhibiting at a number of exclusive automobile events around the UK in 2021, the first being London Concourse at Honourable Artillery Company, City Road, London EC1 from the 8th –12th June.

Bespoke Rallies to replace gloom with vroom vroom, courtesy of two exciting new post-lockdown events!

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

Leading classic rally specialist Bespoke Rallies has responded to the pent-up demand for classic events by creating two brand new rallies, and reshuffling its original 2021 calendar in order to take full advantage of the proposed lifting of restrictions.

The result is the choice of no less than four enticing events between June 23 and November 2 – two in the UK and two overseas.

First up is the Pennine 1000, a brand new four-day regularity rally that will take place amidst the stunning scenery of the Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Cheviots and Southern Uplands of Scotland. It is scheduled for June 23 to 27 and will therefore start just two days after the intended removal of all travel restrictions. This event is likely to prove very popular and Bespoke Rallies urges any interested parties to sign up asap. Then comes the Highland 1000 (September 8 to 12), a highly-popular annual fixture that will start in Erskine and terminate in Edinburgh after progressing through 1000km of some of the most stunning countryside the UK has to offer.

The ensuing Pyrenees 1000 (September 29 to October 3) will start and finish near Pamplona, with stops in the region of Viehla (Spain) and Pau (France), allowing entrants to experience the unparalleled panoramas of the spectacular Pyrenean mountain range via seldom used roads and passes. Last but not least is another newcomer to the Bespoke Rallies line-up, the 19-day Grand Tour Canarias (November 2 to 21) – a unique island-hopping escapade that will provide contestants with a taste of winter sun in Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

Commenting on his company’s revised 2021 offerings, Bespoke Rallies’ Managing Director John Brigden said: “We know from our postbox that classic car enthusiasts everywhere are desperate to take to the road once more and enjoy the camaraderie of our events. This quartet of rallies should hopefully help them to put the gloom and doom of the COVID era behind them.”

Bespoke Rallies’ full calendar of events through to March 2022 is now:

2021
Pennine 1000 – June 23-27
Highland 1000 – September 8-12
Pyrenees 1000 –  September 29 to October 3
Grand Tour Canarias – November 2-21

2022
Cuba Classic – January 4-21
Dakar Enduro – February 28 to March 20

Full details for all Bespoke Rallies’ automotive adventures can be found at www.bespokerallies.com.  

The future has arrived: ŠKODA UK retailers open order books for all-new, all-electric Enyaq iV

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Enyaq iV SUV available to order with two battery sizes: 62kWh and 82kWh*
• WLTP range of up to 333 miles
• Rapid charging capability of up to 125kW; charging to 80 per cent in just 38 minutes
• High specification levels across all models; prices from £31,085 OTR**
• New Lease&Care finance package offers complete peace of mind
• Up to 7,500 miles of free charging with ŠKODA’s green energy partner, Octopus Energy^Ʌ

The wait is over – ŠKODA will officially open order books for the all-new Enyaq iV, the brand’s first purpose built battery electric vehicle on 10 March 2021.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular electrification toolkit (MEB), the highly-awaited all-electric SUV is offered with two battery size options, a new range structure and a new finance offering: Lease&Care.

A new way for customers to create their perfect car
The new Enyaq iV introduces a new way for customers to perfectly tailor the car to their tastes and requirements. Instead of selecting from traditional trim levels, customers choose the battery size they need, select an interior design and then personalise their vehicle from a comprehensive range of equipment packs and individual options. 

From launch, the range consists of two variants; Enyaq iV 60 Nav and Enyaq iV 80 with 62kWh and 82kWh battery packs respectively. Five design selections are available; Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite and ecoSuite, all of which offer a different interior look and materials.

Enyaq iV 60 Nav (62 KWh 179 PS) – from £31,085 OTR**
The entry-level Enyaq iV comes with a generous equipment list that includes 19-inch Proteus alloy wheels, an infotainment system with satellite navigation and 13-inch screen, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control and keyless go. All models also feature ambient interior lighting, multifunction leather steering wheel and Front Assist as standard. In terms of interior trim, all 60 Nav models are equipped with an interior spec called Loft. This features fabric / artificial leather seat facings and brushed aluminium decor panels as standard.

Enyaq iV 80 (82 KWh 204 PS) – from £35,950 OTR**)
Customers choosing the 82kWh battery pack benefit from an increased standard specification that includes chrome detailing, front parking sensors and a rear-view camera. 80 models also come with a heated two-spoke leather steering wheel that features paddles for setting the levels of regenerative braking, Drive Mode Select and infotainment system with navigation. 80 models also include 19-inch Regulus alloy wheels and, as with the 60 Nav version, the option to upgrade from the standard Loft to Lodge, Lounge, Suite or ecoSuite interiors.

A new way for customers to finance their new Enyaq iV
The Enyaq iV also comes with a new finance option that gives owners even greater peace of mind. Lease&Care has been developed by Volkswagen Financial Services specifically for electric car buyers and is a personal lease that includes built-in aftersales packages in one monthly payment.

Enyaq iV customers select their ideal Enyaq iV, choose an initial deposit which can be as little as one monthly payment, choose their annual mileage and select their term of either 24, 36 or 48 months. Customers can then tailor their package by choosing one of three aftersales ‘care’ packages they would like: Small, Medium or Large.

The most affordable Small package covers a customer for essential servicing, which includes all routine manufacturer servicing, brake fluid changes, as well as dust and pollen filters. It also includes access to the Driverline concierge – a dedicated 24/7 service that covers breakdown, recovery and glass care.

The Medium package adds all routine maintenance items, including brake, suspension and cooling system repairs, electric system maintenance, and all fluid top-ups, while the Large package includes tyre replacement and wheel alignment (due to fair wear and tear), puncture repair, geometry check and wheel balance.

Example with ŠKODA Lease&Care Small package

All customers can also select to add on VWFS Rent-a-Car Mobility credits for as little as £16 per month. This gives Enyaq iV owners access to a non-electric vehicle for seven days per year.

At the end of the contract, customers have three choices; simply renew into another vehicle, extend their contract with the car or hand the car back.

Customers will also be able to finance their new Enyaq iV with a Solutions PCP which comes with the additional option of purchasing the vehicle at the end of the contract term.

Octopus Go
To help customers reduce their carbon footprint in their home as well as on the road, ŠKODA has partnered with green energy supplier Octopus Energy to give customers who switch to a dual fuel home energy supply, £90 of credit for charging, which is the equivalent of up to 7,500 miles in the Enyaq iV. Octopus Go is Octopus Energy’s 100% green electricity tariff for electric vehicle drivers. It offers a low cost 5 p/kWh electricity rate between 00.30am-4:30am every night, meaning customers can fully charge whilst asleep, keeping fuel costs around 1p per mile ^Ʌ.

New Enyaq iV charging options
All Enyaq iV models have a minimum DC rapid charging capability of 50kW as standard. Customers can specify higher 100kW (for 62kWh battery) and 125kW (for 82kWh battery only) DC charge rates as options.

The Enyaq iV offers customers three charging options. In addition to using a standard household 230V socket with 2.3 kW alternating current (AC), it can be charged at home overnight using a wallbox of up to 7.2kW. Depending on the battery size, the charging process with a 7.2kW wallbox takes approximately  9 hours 30 minutes for the 62 kWh and approximately 13 hours for the 82 kWh battery (both to 100% charge). As a third charging option, the vehicle can be connected to rapid DC charging points with a charging capacity of up to 125 kW. This allows the Enyaq iV 80 to be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 38 minutes and 35 minutes for the Enyaq iV 60 Nav.

Performance and range
The entry level 62kWh battery model is equipped with a 180PS (132kW) motor that drives the rear wheels through a single-speed transmission. It has a WLTP combined range of up to 256 miles on a single charge. The larger 82kWh model generates 204PS (150kW) and is capable of returning up to 333 miles on a single charge (WLTP)****.

Design and practicality
Measuring 4,649 millimetres long and 1,879 wide, the Enyaq iV delivers the space and practicality customers have come to expect from ŠKODA’s award-winning SUV models. Thanks to its all-electric platform, ŠKODA’s design team has been able to completely reimagine the Enyaq iV’s interior architecture. With the traction battery housed in the floor and a compact motor mounted beneath the boot floor, the Enyaq iV has a cabin unburdened by the packaging compromises of a traditional internal combustion engine car. As a result, occupants can enjoy a spacious interior with a flat floor and a boot that can hold 585-litres of luggage. This can be extended to 1,710 litres with the rear seats folded.

For more information, images, media and other assets, please visit www.ŠKODAmedia.com.

Find my car: new Jeep Renegade 4xe will send you a text if your car has been stolen

by gaukcars.com | Oct 2, 2024 | Blog

• Jeep Renegade 4xe owners will receive a text notification if their car is broken into
• Innovative security feature notifies drivers when individuals attempt to access the cabin, or if the vehicle is being towed
• Technology, recently launched in the UK, enables police to track the whereabouts of the vehicle
• To find out more about the new Jeep Renegade 4xe visit: here

The new Jeep Renegade 4xe plug-in hybrid can send a text to alert owners if thieves are trying to break into their car.

My Theft Assistance has recently launched in the UK as part of My Uconnect services, available across the MY20 Renegade range.  It can provide owners and prospective buyers with added peace of mind given the rise of car thefts in 2020¹.

Should the Renegade 4xe detect that someone is trying to break into the car, tow it without authorisation or disconnect the battery, the owner will be made aware thanks to an instant ‘Theft Alarm Notification’ via text.

Customers also have the option to receive an email, a push notification in the My Uconnect mobile app or phone call depending on what options they have chosen in the settings.

If thieves do successfully steal the car, owners can request immediate assistance through the My Uconnect mobile app, the connected vehicle platform available to all Jeep customers.

Once the theft is confirmed through the Uconnect contact centre and a police report, a number of additional safety technologies are activated through the app. Much like the ‘Find My Phone’ feature available on most smartphones, a vehicle tracking function will be triggered and the vehicle’s ignition locked.

Damien Dally, country manager Jeep UK said: ‘The increase in car thefts across the UK is cause for concern and an experience that owners will be looking to avoid at all costs. The innovative theft assistance technology will undoubtedly give Jeep owners, and future buyers, peace of mind that their car and possessions are in the safest possible hands.”

Owners can benefit from the next generation of connected services and the latest security features that Jeep has to offer by downloading the free My Uconnect mobile app – available on Apple and Android devices. Alternatively, the connected services can be accessed from within the cabin or via the dedicated My Uconnect web portal.

Some of these additional standout features include:

• My e-Charge: Allows owners to check battery status and schedule charging
• My Navigation: Enables drivers to search for a destination or amenities, such as the nearest car park or charging station, on their smartphone before sending the address directly to car’s navigation system
• My Wi-Fi: Simultaneous connectivity of up to eight devices allowing passengers to surf the internet while enjoying their journey with a three-month/1GB free trial, additional data can be purchased
• Remote Operations: Owners can lock and unlock the vehicle’s doors and activate the lights via their phone

The Jeep Renegade 4xe is available in retailers now, priced from £32,600 OTR. For more information visit www.jeep.co.uk/4xe-hybrid.

To find out more about the full suite of Jeep Uconnect services visit https://www.jeep.co.uk/mopar/connected-services/uconnect-services.