Caterham to thrill the crowds and provide motorsport inspiration at The British Motor Show
Passenger rides available in Caterham Drift Taxi
TV star cars from Top Gear and The Grand Tour on the company’s stand
Caterham Academy will form motorsport showcase
Show takes place August 19-22, 2021
Tickets cost just £18.50, or £37 for a family
Caterham Cars will be going bigger – and more sideways – than ever at The British Motor Show later this month.
The company will be in action with its Caterham Drift taxi experience, where customers can take a passenger ride in one of the company’s two-seaters and learn from their chauffeur the art of driving sideways, as well as get to prove their own abilities in a slightly calmer way with the Caterham Seven Simulator, with prizes on offer for the best times of the day.
Meanwhile, on its stand, the company will have the opportunity for guests to come and see the Caterham 7 driven by James May on The Grand Tour as well as the R-500 from Top Gear which beat the Bugatti Veyron to the top of the leader board after being driven by The Stig himself.
In the Motorsport area of the show, the company will also be demonstrating its commitment to British racing by displaying several race cars as well as provide more information about its Caterham Academy, more details of which can be found here: https://www.caterhamcars.com/en/motorsport/academy
This is a 26 year old academy helping provide all the tools needed for entry level motorsport racing, and supporting young drivers and their teams along the way.
The British Motor Show CEO, Andy Entwistle, said: “Caterham is a company with a rich heritage and a history of providing thrills and spills to drivers across all age groups and backgrounds. They’re great entertainers, stalwart supporters of grass roots motorsport and proper, genuine enthusiasts, so it’s an absolute delight to welcome them to a show that shares many of their core values. We’re sure they’ll be a huge draw for the crowds.”
The British Motor Show promises to be the brightest, most engaging and most interactive automotive event of 2021, and offers terrific value at just £18.50 a ticket, or £37 for a family of four.
To find out more about the show, book tickets or keep up with the latest news, visit www.thebritishmotorshow.live
The electrically powered ID.5 GTX will be a near-production concept in disguise in Munich
First electric SUV with elegant coupé silhouette from Volkswagen
Four-wheel drive with two electric motor, up to 497 km range2
As elegant as a coupé, as strong as an SUV and all-electric to boot: The ID.5 GTX is set to make its international exhibition debut as of 07 September – as a disguised concept at the IAA Munich Motor Show. The first SUV coupé based on the Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) wows with its elegant design and powerful dual motor four-wheel drive. And the ID.5 GTX is fully connected, can receive updates over-the-air and is fitted with Car2X technology.
The ID.5 GTX is the first all-electric powered SUV coupé from Volkswagen. With its fluid lines, the ID.5 GTX is elegant and sporty. Short overhangs and big wheels highlight its strong character.
Strong front, elegant body In the high front, the IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, which generate an intelligently controlled high beam, give the front of the car a likeable look. The light strip that tapers towards the Volkswagen logo has been combined with three powerful, illuminated honeycomb elements on both the driver and passenger side. They complement the signature of the low beam and convey the athletic character even while stationary. The flat sloping A pillars positioned right near the front give the roof line an elegant flow – it stretches low over the body and tapers out in an integrated rear spoiler. At the rear, horizontal lines accentuate the width, with the light strip attracting the most attention. The LED rear lights with a 3D design complete the feeling of luxury.
GTX means new athleticism The abbreviation GTX represents the Volkswagen brand’s new athleticism. It continues the tradition of the successful GTI, GTD and GTE models and transfers it to the world of electric mobility. There is an electric motor on both the front and rear axle of the ID.5 GTX – the dual motor four-wheel drive guarantees strong driving performance, superior traction and sporty handling. The large lithium-ion battery between the axles enables a projected range of up to 497 km2.
When the ID.5 GTX arrives at dealers next year, it will be the second model from the sporty GTX product brand, and will give the ACCELERATE strategy another boost.
Volkswagen aims to become the most popular brand when it comes to sustainable mobility. The goal is to increase the share of all-electric cars in Europe to 70 percent of Volkswagen‘s unit sales by 2030. Volkswagen is aiming to become net carbon neutral by 2050.
1 ID.5 GTX – The car is a near-production concept.
2 Projected WLTP range for the ID.5 GTX with 77 kWh net battery energy density with dual motor four-wheel drive. WLTP indicative values for production vehicles may vary depending on the spec.
The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is present in more than 150 markets worldwide and produces vehicles at more than 30 locations in 13 countries. Volkswagen delivered around 5.3 million vehicles in 2020. These include bestsellers such as the Golf, Tiguan, Jetta or Passat as well as the fully electric successful models ID.3 and ID.4. Around 184,000 people currently work at Volkswagen worldwide. In addition, there are more than 10,000 trading companies and service partners with 86,000 employees. With its ACCELERATE strategy, Volkswagen is consistently advancing its further development into a software-oriented mobility provider.
Some of the world’s finest Bentley motor cars will be gracing the pathways of Hampton Court Palace at the Concours of Elegance from 3-5 September
An early 1926 6 ½-litre Sports Tourer, the original ‘Peaky Blinders’ Bentley 4 ½-litre, and a highly successful 1928 Bentley 4 ½-litre Le Mans Team Car will all be on display at the show
In total, nearly 1,000 vehicles will be on display across the weekend as further features and cars are revealed in the coming months
The Concours of Elegance remains the UK’s top concours d’elegance and among the top three in the world
The Concours of Elegance – famed for gathering together the rarest cars ever created – will showcase some of the world’s most extraordinary Bentleys at Hampton Court Palace in this year’s ‘Main Concours’ display.
Taking place from 3-5 September, the event is renowned as one of the top three concours d’elegance events in the world for the quality of cars it attracts; nowhere else in the UK can the public see such a high standard of rare historic vehicles.
Since it started manufacturing cars in 1919, Bentley has established itself as a pinnacle of both luxury and performance. Built upon the company’s racing pedigree – five victories at Le Mans in the 1920s, plus a sixth in 2003 – Bentley is known across the globe for creating cars with an unrivalled blend of speed and the finest craftsmanship and materials.
Among the earliest Bentleys on display is ‘YB 633’, a very original 1926 6 ½-litre Sports Tourer. The car is reputed to be the last 11 foot chassis with the original one-off aluminium body still on the car – a four-light drop head coupe with a dickey seat and wind-up windows, referred to as a “Simplex Coupe” by Coachbuilder H J Mulliner. In Bentley factory records the car is referred to as a “3/4 folding head coupe”. The car also features its originally installed engine.
Alongside it, is ‘YW 5758’ a 1928 Bentley 4 ½-litre Le Mans Team Car – the most decorated original-bodied car in existence – still featuring its original chassis number, engine number, body number and body. The car’s impeccable racing history includes second place in class at the 1928 Newtownards TT, fifth at the inaugural 1929 Irish International Grand Prix at Phoenix Park, and class winner and third overall, at the 1929 ‘Six Hour Race’ at Brooklands. The car also placed fourth at Le Mans in 1929. The car continued its successes into the 1930s, and is still used regularly at historic meetings today.
Also on display is another Bentley 4 ½-litre with a different kind of history. ‘GC 6002’ was originally delivered via Jack Olding & Co to a Mr Arthur Grout in 1930. Arthur was the landlord of The Southampton Arms which was at the centre of the ‘race track wars’ of the 1920s – recently made famous by the Netflix series ‘Peaky Blinders’. The car is a sports four seater by Vanden Plas with fully valanced wings finished in green. Unfortunately for Arthur, the car’s commanding looks would do nothing to ward off the creditors – his failure to keep up repayments meant the vehicle was returned to the factory in 1935, as denoted on the chassis record. The car has never been rebuilt, only maintained, and is in regular use today, having covered less than 100,000 miles in more than nine decades.
Also gracing the pathways of Hampton Court is an early example of a ‘blown’ Bentley – a 1931 Bentley 4 ½-litre supercharged. The addition of the supercharger was facilitated by then racing driver Tim Birkin who, in 1929, suddenly found himself hopelessly outclassed by the supercharged Mercedes cars that were running away on the straights. Birkin approached engineer, Charles Amherst Villiers, who had already made his name with Brescia Bugattis and the supercharged Villiers Vauxhall Special, and commissioned him to design a super-charger installation for the 4½-litre Bentley. Villiers also reworked the engine to cope with the strains imposed by the supercharger. The example on display at the Concours retains its original four-seater open sports body by Vanden Plas, and its original colour scheme of black with fine lining in red.
Rounding out the selection of 1930s Bentleys is ‘WD 4499’ which is a 1932 Bentley 8-litre, and the 64th of the 100 8-litre Bentleys built in 1930–31. The 8-litre was designed as a fast, powerful chassis capable of carrying heavy closed coachwork with sports car levels of performance. Indeed when the 8-litre was introduced at the 1930 Olympia Show it was the fastest production chassis in the world, capable of 103mph at 3,500rpm. This particular car is a long wheelbase model, with coachwork by H J Mulliner finished in black and green.
These are just some of the beautiful Bentleys that will be on display, with many more examples forming a line-up with the Bentley Drivers’ Club. This display is part of the additional content that makes up the near-1,000 cars on display during the Concours of Elegance, also including a collection of 95 British cars gathered to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 95th birthday, and a 30UNDER30 Concours aimed at inspiring the next-generation of classic car enthusiast.
Special features for 2021 will also gather together a line-up of Future Classics, representing the potential concours d’elegance stars of the next 50 years, a celebration of 60 years of the Jaguar E-type and a Veteran Car Run display, gathering the pre-1905 motoring pioneers that each year make their pilgrimage from London to Brighton.
Away from the automotive displays, Concours of Elegance remains an occasion of pure luxury, with champagne provided by Charles Heidsieck, picnics by Fortnum & Mason, live stage interviews with Chubb Insurance, hosted by Jodie Kidd, and a collection of art, jewellery and fashion displays. Presenting Partner, A. Lange & Söhne, recently confirmed to support the event for a further three years, will continue to showcase some of its most intricate timepieces. New long-term partners joining the event in 2021 include The Peninsula London Hotel and Residences, Gooding & Co and McLaren.
Tickets to the Concours of Elegance 2021 are available now ranging from standard entry tickets to full three-course hospitality packages from £288. Tickets can be bought from concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets
New Bentley Mulliner Collections model to be launched at the Home of Bentley in Monterey on Thursday 12 August
Bentley Mulliner Bacalar and Blower Continuation Series make global public debuts, with both “Car Zero” examples travelling from the UK
All three Mulliner portfolios – Classic, Coachbuilt and Collections – appear together for the first time
Global public debuts for four other Bentley models, including first showing of Bentley Hybrid range
Beyond100 strategy brought to life across the week
Bio-fuelled Continental GT3 Pikes Peak to be centrepiece of Bentley sustainability display
The Unifying Spur, representing Bentley’s new diversity and inclusion strategy, on display throughout
Bentley is returning safely to live events with a suite of global debuts at this year’s Monterey Car Week, with a focus on the British luxury marque’s industry-leading bespoke and personalisation division, Bentley Mulliner.
With the cancellation of last year’s event, Bentley’s return to the Monterey Peninsula is the first since the honour of being the featured marque in its centenary year in 2019, when a 1931 Bentley 8-Litre also won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
A new Mulliner model launch, plus public debuts of the development prototypes for the Blower Continuation Series and Bentley Mulliner Bacalar projects, will bring all three Mulliner portfolios together for the first time.
Monterey Car Week will also see Bentley’s new hybrid range showcased for the first time, with the Bentayga Hybrid joined by the new Flying Spur Hybrid as Bentley’s sustainable journey of electrification continues. By 2024, the entire Bentley range will be hybridised ahead of the launch of the first fully electric Bentley in 2025. The range will make their debut on the Bentley stand at The Quail.
Other exciting new members of Bentley’s product range will also make public debuts over the course of the event, including the new driver-focused Bentayga S and the world’s ultimate luxury performance grand tourer – the Continental GT Speed Convertible. The pinnacle of the Continental family will also be featured in both coupé and convertible styles of the Continental GT Mulliner. Making regional debuts will be the fastest SUV in the world in the Bentayga Speed, and the Flying Spur V8.
Bentley’s presence at Monterey Car Week has been designed to be COVID-safe, and will be compliant to all CDC guidelines throughout the week.
A Bentley Mulliner Showcase As part of a programme of nine model introductions this year, Monterey will see the launch of a new member of the exquisite Bentley Mulliner Collections portfolio, to take place at the Home of Bentley in Monterey on the afternoon of Thursday 12 August.
Alongside the new model, the engineering cars for two significant Bentley Mulliner programmes will appear together for the first time, both in their Americas debut. The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar – a completely bespoke and highly exclusive barchetta, and the first member of the Coachbuilt portfolio – will feature alongside the first example of the world’s first pre-war continuation project, the Blower Continuation Series.
Each project will be represented by its respective “Car Zero”, the engineering development cars which have each covered thousands of kilometres in testing. Bacalar Car Zero has been retrimmed especially for Monterey Car Week and is now resplendent in a newly commissioned colour – Scarab Green – and will appear at The Quail, on the roads around the Peninsula during the event, and on the Concept Lawn for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday 15 August.
Meanwhile, Blower Car Zero – the launch member of the Classic portfolio – has deliberately retained the patination from its durability programme, proudly wearing its development mileage. Finished in gloss black with Oxblood red leather, the Blower will be display at The Quail, and the Home of Bentley, and can also be seen driving in the area throughout Monterey Car Week.
Customer-ordered Bacalars and Blowers are now in build, with both series strictly limited to 12 examples and both entirely sold out. The attendance of these special Bentley Mulliner models mean that all three Mulliner portfolios – Classic, Coachbuilt and Collections – will appear together for the first time.
The Home of Bentley The Home of Bentley in Monterey – just 200 metres from The Lodge at Pebble Beach – will again be the hub of Bentley’s activities on the peninsula. A display of the current model range will be refreshed every day, and sit alongside a stunning visual exhibition of Bentley’s sustainability strategy with the bio-fuelled Continental GT3 Pikes Peak race car at its centre.
The Unifying Spur – Bentley’s physical representation of its ground-breaking diversity and inclusion strategy as part of Beyond100 – will also be featured throughout the event. Wrapped in artwork by designer Rich Morris, the car is a celebration of diversity of all types, and a physical representation of Bentley’s target to have 30 per cent diversity in management roles by 2025.
New Bentley partner, The Macallan will also be present, serving tastings of exceptional whiskies for those guests not driving. Naim Focal, Luxury Living and a dedicated Bentley Boutique offering the finest gifts and accessories will also feature at the Home, along with a dedicated Commissioning Suite for customers to specify any car from the Bentley range. Customers and guests can also enjoy a test drive in a comprehensive selection of Bentleys, available from the Home.
2021 marks 70 years since the Festival of Britain and the foundation of the National Hot Rod Association
To celebrate, the Goodwood Trophy has been renamed the Festival of Britain Trophy
A miniature Festival of Britain will be recreated at Gate 2
With over 60 Hot Rods due to attend, Revival will host the largest gathering of 1932 Fords in the UK
This year, Goodwood Revival (17 – 19 September) will mark 70 years since two momentous events which took place in 1951, one in the UK and the other across the Pond. Each was emblematic of the nation in which it took place; the Festival of Britain and the founding of the National Hot Rod Association.
The summer of 1951 saw millions of visitors flock to the Festival of Britain on London’s South Bank, a national showcase of British manufacturing and design, six years after the end of World War II and one hundred years since the Great Exhibition of 1851. Promoting British science, technology, industrial design, architecture and the arts, the Festival proved immensely popular as a “beacon for change” that helped reshape British arts, crafts, designs and sports for a generation.
To celebrate the occasion, Goodwood will be recreating a slice of that festival atmosphere at Gate 2 of the Motor Circuit. There will be nods to the vibrant colours of the Festival of Britain with colourful ‘lollipops’ throughout the trees and geometric patterns on the buildings, while the famous Hans Tisdall Cockerel mural will also be recreated. The area will be a hub of colour and entertainment and a helter skelter and Punch and Judy stage will provide entertainment throughout the day.
Goodwood will also be reviving the Festival of Britain Trophy which first made an appearance at the Whitsun meeting at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1951, inspired by the events taking place on London’s South Bank and across the UK. This year, the Goodwood Trophy has been renamed to celebrate 70 years since the Festival of Britain and will be contested by some of the finest Grand Prix and Voiturette cars of the 1930s and ‘40s, recapturing the derring-do atmosphere of inter-war racing as English Racing Automobiles take on the likes of Maseratis, Alfa Romeos and Talbots.
2021 also marks 70 years since Wally Parks founded the National Hot Rod Association in America and Goodwood is hoping to host one of the largest ever gatherings of the mean machines in Europe with the aim of there being one car for every year of the NHRA’s age. This iconic slice of Americana will be celebrated at a relocated Gasoline Alley which will feature bleachers, a mock drag strip, performance stage and dancing.
In addition, 16 of the infamous Rolling Bones cars are confirmed to attend. The Rolling Bones Hot Rod Shop in Greenfield Centre, New York is a renowned hub of automotive craftsmanship run by Ken Schmidt and Keith Cornell for over 20 years. The Rolling Bones will be joined at Revival’s colourful display by a number of their UK cousins, with representatives from key Hot Rod groups such as the Low Fliers, the Detonators (of which American F1 legend Dan Gurney was a member), the Originals and the Vultures.
There will also be the UK’s biggest gathering of 1932 Fords; the ‘Deuce Coupe’ of hot rod legend made famous by the Beach Boys.
Silverstone Auctions returned to The Classic at Silverstone for their eleventh year
70% sales rate and £7million worth of classic cars and collector motorcycles sold
The Richard Hammond Collection sold for £231,525 collectively
Four new auction world record prices achieved
£9,200 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Last weekend Silverstone Auctions returned to The Classic at Silverstone, the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, for their eleventh year as the official auction partner where they sold £7milllion worth of classic cars and collector motorcycles.
The three-day sale opened with a dedicated motorcycle auction on Friday 30th July, this was a first for their Classic Sale, which saw 62 motorcycles cross the block and a fantastic 70% of those sold. Some of the highlights include the 2018 Brough Superior SS100 which has covered just 74 miles from new and reached £31,950, as well as the restored 1975 Kawasaki Z1 B that sold for £16,875. All of the motorcycle results are available to view on the Silverstone Auctions website here.
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday, a series of automobilia items and number plates were also offered for sale. Included in the line-up were three charity lots, donated by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport to raise funds for the official charity partner for the wider event, Alzheimer’s Research UK. Used and signed drivers gloves from both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, as well as a hand-signed technical drawing, collectively sold for an outstanding £9,200, all of which will go to the charity.
The Sunday car auction opened with The Richard Hammond Collection. Eight classic cars and motorcycles were offered directly from Richard to raise funds for his new restoration business, The Smallest Cog. Richard was in attendance on the day, along with discovery+, who are creating a brand-new docuseries which will air later this year. Collectively all eight lots sold for £231,525 after being offered entirely without reserve. The 1999 Lotus Esprit Sport 350 was a real standout, selling for £65,250.
A few other highlights include the 1997 Porsche 911 (993) 3.8 RSR Carrera Cup, which is one of just 45 and sold for £652,500. Lot 451, the beautiful 1952 Alfa 1900 ATL Barchetta sold above its top estimate for £202,500. The 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420SL (R107) sold at its top estimate after a lengthy bidding battle for £45,000, and Lot 424 did exceptionally well; the 1965 Porsche 365C 1600 Super – Barn Discovery eventually sold for £69,750 after an intense round of bidding following a huge amount of interest in the car. With so many notable sales over the three-days, all of the results from the car and automobilia auctions are available to view on the Silverstone Auctions website here.
Silverstone Auctions final sale of the year is taking place at The NEC Classic Motor Show on the weekend of the 12th – 14th November. Classic cars and collector motorcycles are now invited for the three-day auction and the Silverstone Auctions team can be contacted on 01926 691141.
Commissioned by McLaren Beverly Hills, ‘Albert’ Speedtail is inspired by the first attribute testing prototype vehicle
Resplendent in one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO – taking more than 12 weeks to complete
Exterior paint design reflects the extreme aerodynamic prowess of the Speedtail
McLaren Special Operations (MSO) today unveils the ‘Albert’ Speedtail, a bespoke commission by North American McLaren retailer, McLaren Beverly Hills.
‘Albert’ is one of the final vehicles in the 106-car Speedtail production run and an homage to the first Speedtail attribute testing vehicle from 2018. Echoing the name of the 1992 McLaren F1 test mules, which were named after the Albert Drive premises in which the F1 was designed and built in Woking, England, the original MVY02 Speedtail prototype vehicle was christened ‘Albert’ as a respectful tribute to its three-seat predecessor.
The ‘Albert’ prototype vehicle was developed to validate the concept of the Speedtail’s central seat driving position, testing driver ergonomics and visibility and rear-view camera positions. Originally built with the front panels from a 720S, the ‘Albert’ prototype was the first Speedtail to be driven on public roads.
The exterior design ‘camouflage’ was achieved by a simple two-metre vinyl body wrap with design lines printed to represent the optimised airflow over the car. The ‘Albert’ Speedtail carries on this legacy, sporting one of the most complex paint themes ever completed by MSO.
The colours selected for the ‘Albert’ homage are Magnesium Silver – the colour that the F1 road car was first shown in at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix -and Ueno Grey, the colour of the F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The full design treatment is closely based on the 2018 vinyl ‘camouflage’ wrap.
‘’As one of the very last Speedtails to be built at the McLaren Production Centre, it was very important to us at McLaren Beverly Hills that ‘Albert’ honours the brand’s rich heritage, particularly paying tribute to the icon that is the McLaren F1. We worked alongside MSO through every stage, including concept ideation, to produce a truly bespoke and beautifully detailed car that celebrates the innovation and design excellence behind the fastest McLaren road car to date. We are fortunate to have been able to procure ‘Albert’ for one of our top clients and are absolutely thrilled with the finished result.’’ Parris Mullins, McLaren Beverly Hills
The new ‘Albert’ was built in the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) with a 1K gloss visual carbon fibre body. Due to the incredibly complex and detailed nature of the paintwork design, the MSO team completed test panels first to understand process feasibility and worked alongside the visualiser team to refine renders. In total, ‘Albert’ would require a 12-week post-build modification at MSO’s facility to reach completion; this included two week’s masking, six week’s painting and the remaining time to dry and reassemble the vehicle after spraying.
Referring to large scale print-outs of the renders, the livery masking was completed by two specialist paint technicians. This had to be completed on the built car, with wheels fitted, to ensure accurate cross-panel alignment of the design as it flows around the vehicle. In total, the masking of the livery required almost two kilometres of fine line-out tape to complete the initial design layout.
The six-week painting process required the car to be disassembled to ensure complete accuracy and flawless finish. The paint blend effect was located on the door applique’s outer body panels with the front painted in Ueno Grey and rear in Magnesium Silver. After the first paint application, all body panels were treated and refitted to ensure perfect alignment and only after this the final clearcoat was applied.
“The name ‘Albert’ has a special resonance with MSO, as we are the custodians of the McLaren F1 and are based at the Albert Drive premises that McLaren Cars occupied in the 1990s. The Speedtail experience has been an exciting journey for our customers, from visualising their imaginations to realising these inspirations and sharing their delight when unveiling the finished product. ‘Albert’ brings this project to a conclusion and we are thrilled to finish on a high note.” Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations
The ‘Albert’ Speedtail will make its public debut at Sunset GT, a luxury cars and coffee event hosted by O’Gara Beverly Hills, which takes place on Sunday 8th August 2021 in Sunset Plaza, Los Angeles, USA.
Based on the form of a teardrop, the most aerodynamically efficient shape found in nature, the Speedtail is the apotheosis of the streamlined hypercar, a three-seat Hyper-GT that became the third car in McLaren’s Ultimate Series line-up. With its 1,070-horsepower hybrid powertrain, the Speedtail covers 112 metres per second when travelling at its top speed of 250mph/402kph, making it the fastest McLaren road car to date.
First production-spec Automobili Pininfarina Battista heads to the US for Monterey Car Week, featuring stunning black exposed signature carbon fibre body and Iconica Blu interior highlights
Battista Anniversario will make its US premiere at The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with media invited to a preview at Pebble Beach on 12 August at 14:00 Pacific Time
US events mark the global public debut of the production-spec hyper GT and a first chance for clients to experience Battista’s specially developed interior and exterior soundscapes
Automobili Pininfarina Chief Design Officer, Luca Borgogno, will join the panel of judges at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which will celebrate glorious Pininfarina designs of the past
Automobili Pininfarina is taking the most significant step yet in delivering its pioneering pure-electric Battista hyper GT, with the first production-spec example making its debut on Californian roads as part of a series of exciting experiences curated for its clients during the upcoming Monterey Car Week (12-15 August 2021).
The finished Battista features distinctive black exposed signature carbon fibre bodywork and black gloss precision polished Impulso rims.
Inside, the first production-spec model to emerge from the Cambiano atelier facility in Italy, features black sustainable luxury leather with striking Iconica Blu contrast stitching and quilted Pilota seats in Iconica Blu Alcantara. The seats feature Pilota Carbon Components finished in black exposed signature carbon coordinating with the striking exterior.
Monterey Car Week will also see the US premiere of the exclusive Battista Anniversario, itself a tribute to the life and work of design icon Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina. Limited to just five vehicles worldwide, it represents the pinnacle of Automobili Pininfarina’s Pura design philosophy, with aerodynamic enhancements and tailored detailing providing a uniquely dynamic personality.
As part of an extensive programme prepared for Automobili Pininfarina’s clients in North America, the exclusive hyper GT will be joined at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by a fleet of iconic Pininfarina-designed vehicles to celebrate more than 90 years of design excellence.
Per Svantesson, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina, said: “The premiere of the first production-specification Battista in the US marks the beginning of another significant chapter in the Automobili Pininfarina story. We are excited to showcase the beautiful and sustainable future of luxury to our clients, while celebrating more than 90 years of Pininfarina design heritage during Monterey Car Week. We look forward to our clients in the US experiencing the immense dynamic performance and personalised luxury of Battista for the first time.”
US PROGRAMME Monterey Car Week will host the US premiere of the Battista Anniversario – an exclusive model limited to just five units for clients worldwide. The Anniversario features a unique Automobili Pininfarina-designed livery and bi-colour tinted Furiosa Pack consisting of front splitter, side blades and rear diffuser, with outer carbon parts finished in black exposed signature carbon and inner parts in exposed signature carbon tinted in Iconica Blu.
At the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, three special judging classes will showcase Pininfarina’s 91 years of history, with a cavalcade of iconic Pininfarina designs celebrating the unrivalled design heritage which has inspired the form of the Battista hyper GT. Automobili Pininfarina Chief Design Officer, Luca Borgogno, will join the panel of honorary judges at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
UNIQUE SOUND & VISION The Battista will be presented in production specification for the first time globally after being crafted by Pininfarina’s team of artisans in Italy. The 1,900hp electric hyper GT is the fastest and most powerful Italian sports car ever made, and each example will deliver the pinnacle of sustainable luxury.
So far this year, clients have been given a chance to experience prototype models for themselves, while the recently announced bespoke personalisation programme will ensure every Battista represents a unique investment. Only last month Automobili Pininfarina revealed details of its comprehensive tailoring service, by showcasing the original bespoke commission – a New York City inspired Battista featuring an elegant red, white and Iconica Blu colour scheme.
As part of the forthcoming US programme, clients will experience the interior and exterior soundscapes of the pure-electric model for the first time. Its specially developed soundtrack will elevate the driving experience while preserving the unique sensations of piloting a high-performance electric vehicle.
The Automobili Pininfarina Battista is named after Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina, the founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company, which he established in 1930. The hyper GT is the realisation of Battista’s dream to see a car produced wearing the Pininfarina name, with the first vehicles due to be delivered to customers later this year.
Bespoke chassis settings will ensure the Battista hyper GT delivers a unique dynamic experience that can be tailored to suit every journey and the pure-electric model will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62mph) in sub-two seconds – faster than a current Formula 1 car.
No more than 150 Battista hyper GTs will be created for clients worldwide. North America and Europe will account for the majority of sales, followed by the Middle East and Asia. The exclusive hyper GT is priced from $2.2m and is available to order through a global network of specialist retailers. Across North America, this presence includes retailers in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Toronto, New York, Miami and Vancouver. The Battista battery is available with up to 10 years of manufacturer warranty for the ultimate peace of mind.
Amidst continued global uncertainty, Bentley records highest ever profitability at the half-year stage
Profit levels for the first six months of 2021 (€178 million) outperform any full-year period in Bentley’s history
Sales of 7,199 cars distributed evenly between key markets
Full-year outlook remains cautiously optimistic due to increasing COVID-19 numbers and resulting impact on colleague self-isolation
Bentley Motors has today posted the company’s 2021 half-year performance, with sales and profit levels unmatched in Bentley’s 102-year history.
This includes an operating profit of €178 million, greater than any profit figure posted for a full-year period by the company. Moreover, retail sales increased by 50 per cent from a pre-COVID 2019 figure of 4,785 to 7,199 in 2021.
These sales were well-balanced between the luxury marque’s three model lines, Bentayga (2,767), Continental GT (2,318) and Flying Spur (2,063).
The Bentayga maintained the number one model position as full market availability was reached for the first time. Hybrid and S models have also been announced. With the introduction of the Speed in the second half of the year, it is anticipated that Continental GT sales could reach record numbers three years after introduction. The market launch of Flying Spur in China, now Bentley’s biggest sales region, contributed to the model line’s share of 29 per cent of global sales further helped by the addition of the V8 engine.
But these positive results are against a backdrop of continued uncertainty which could negatively impact the second half of the year. The increasing COVID-19 numbers in many parts of the world could threaten future production in the worst-case, or see further retail restrictions posing both a sales and financial risk to forecasts.
Building on this, Adrian Hallmark, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, said:
“These results are an important milestone on our mission Beyond100, namely to become the leading sustainable luxury mobility company by 2030. They are the outcome of favourable market conditions, combined with three years of hard work within Bentley, where we have reinvented our products, restructured our operations, managed three crises, and defined our 2030 strategy.
“We have worked relentlessly to transform our entire organisation through productivity improvements and cost efficiencies, and the double-digit return on sales is validation that we are on the right path to enable a sustainable business model.
“While we celebrate these results, we are not taking the full year outlook for granted as we know there are still sizable risks to the year-end, notably the increasing number of colleagues having COVID enforced self-isolation periods.
“That notwithstanding, our financial strength is a positive sign and as we continue on our biggest transformation and investment programme in history, Beyond100, fully electrifying our entire model range within a decade, we continue on track with our aim to become the world’s benchmark luxury car business, financially resilient and recession-proof.”
On the financial side, Bentley’s revenue for the first six months of 2021 was €1.32 billion, up from a pre-COVID figure of €834.8 million in 2019. The operating result was €178 million and a subsequent return on sales of 13 per cent, a record high return.
To put these figures in context, Bentley’s previous record half-year performance was in 2014, with a revenue of €887 million and an operating result of €95.2 million. That year closed as Bentley’s most successful year with a profit of €170 million, already exceeded at the half-year point 2021.
Looking at sales, Bentley’s global footprint became more evenly balanced across its four market regions. China (2,155) was Bentley’s biggest selling market for the first time in nearly a decade. The Americas (2,049) followed closely behind with Europe also performing strongly, delivering 1,142 cars. Both markets are eagerly anticipating the arrival of GT Speed and Bentayga S in the coming months. Asia Pacific retailed 778 cars, with Bentley’s home market, the UK contributing 554, marginally ahead of the Middle East, Africa and India on 521. Bentley’s network also increased, now covered by 240 retailers in 67 countries.
This year will also mark Bentley’s biggest year of new model introductions, with nine product debuts, two of which introduce hybrid power in the form of the Bentayga Hybrid and Flying Spur Hybrid, supporting Bentley’s Beyond100 path to full electrification.
Live Arena content revealed for The British Motor Show
Thrills, spills, stunts and parades
Special show opening from British Army Lightning Bolts parachute display team
More action, more content – and even more cars!
Show takes place August 19-22, 2021
Tickets cost just £18.50, or £37 for a family
The organiser of The British Motor Show – Automotion Events – has announced an action-packed Live Arena at the show with less than three weeks until it opens its doors.
The show will open with a very special display from the British Army Lightning Bolts display team who will be jumping out of a plane over the venue and creating an amazing aerial display over Farnborough, before landing in the Live Arena.
Hosted by TV’s star car pundit Mike Brewer, the Live Arena will be one of the show’s main focal points. Over four days, the arena will see a mixture of thrills and spills, as well as parades and comparisons of some of the star cars at the show.
Twice daily, Paul Swift’s stunt team will wow the crowds with a stunt extravaganza, featuring sideways and two-wheel driving, while another key highlight will be the daily supercar parade, in which an amazing selection of the world’s most exotic cars will rumble into the arena and make some noise.
Other Arena features are the classic car parade, twice daily, and a twice daily show of some of the most important motorsport exhibitors at the show, along with Mike Brewer’s own group tests of some of the most important new cars at the show, from EVs to SUVs.
Each day, the event will close with a round of car football – The British Motor Show’s very own rendition of the Euro 2020 football championships. And this time, England hopefully won’t lose on penalties….
The British Motor Show CEO, Andy Entwistle, said: “The excitement is really starting to build as we get ready to welcome visitors to the show in just under three weeks’ time, so it’s the perfect moment to announce just some of the action-packed and adrenaline-fuelled action that makes The British Motor Show truly stand out from some of the other car events on te calendar.”
The British Motor Show promises to be the brightest, most engaging and most interactive automotive event of 2021, and offers terrific value at just £18.50 a ticket, or £37 for a family of four.
To find out more about the show, book tickets or keep up with the latest news, visit www.thebritishmotorshow.live
