recently reborn Italian producer Ermini has released a teaser image of its first production car in over 50 years. The Seiottosei – named after the Italian word for 686 – is due to launch at next month’s Geneva motor Show.
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The teaser gives very few design cues away other than a retro inspired front grille will be fitted, set low in the front bumper. Thankfully much more technical information has been revealed alongside the image. The two-seater sports car will be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Renault engine, tuned to develop 315bhp.
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Power will be transmitted through a sequential six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Florentine-based firm claims this will allow for a 0-62mph time of less than 3.5 seconds with a top speed limited to 168mph.
A curb weight of 686kg is part of what makes this possible, as the chassis has been constructed from steel tubing and carbon panels, while the body is crafted from aluminium and much more carbon fibre. The Seiottosei steps in at 4120mm long and 1850mm wide, similar dimension to the current Audi TT.
Keeping the Seiottosei in check will be Brembo self-ventilating brake disks, while front and rear-wheel push rod suspension – a similar setup to what you find on the current crop of F1 cars – will also be used. much more information will be revealed prior to the cars full reveal at the Geneva motor Show.
Land Rover has provided the all-new Velar its official debut in the metal at the 2017 Geneva motor Show. The firm’s star cars and truck for the show means to cover numerous bases, being a rival for the Porsche Macan, BMW X6 as well as whatever else in-between, as well as it ought to hit showrooms this summer.
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When it shows up on sale, the Velar will type the fourth pillar of Land Rover’s variety Rover line-up. It means to bridge the space between the Evoque as well as the variety Rover Sport, as well as appears as a new method for some Evoque clients to get into one of the brand’s larger cars. against the tape measure, the new Velar is available in at 4,803mm, making it five centimetres shorter than the Sport. However, at its tallest point it’s only 5mm taller than the Evoque.
While the Velar isn’t a full-blown coupe-SUV to match the X6, its roofline is far much more rakish than anything else in the variety Rover tent. The new cars and truck will be the firm’s de-facto coupe model, though in method it ought to show to be as useful as well as spacious as a Porsche Macan or the Jaguar F-Pace.
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new Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence stroll has exposed that further variations of the new DBX SUV can be expected from 2021, a variety growth developed on the back of a strong order book for the brand’s upcoming Porsche Cayenne rival.
While a plug-in hybrid version of the new Aston Martin DBX is expected later in its life-cycle, this latest statement hints that other new variations due next year might include extra bodystyles.
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Rivals such as Porsche as well as Mercedes have introduced coupe versions of their prominent Cayenne as well as Mercedes-AMG GLE sports SUV models, however it’s unknown if Aston plans to do similar with the DBX.
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On a different tangent, the brand might look to the success of long-wheelbase SUVs in China for DBX range-expansion.
Speaking of the year ahead in Aston Martin’s monetary report for the very first quarter of 2020, stroll called the DBX “a key new product introduce for us as we diversify as well as go into the high-end SUV section of the market.”
“Despite the temporary suspension of operations at St Athan, with the site reopened last week, we are still on track for summertime deliveries as well as the begin of full production is arranged in the next few weeks, a testament to the stamina as well as the measures made by the team as we gotten ready for this key delivery.
“The order book continues to develop as well as extends into 2021. building on this strength, new derivatives will be revealed from 2021.”
The new St Athan factory for the DBX has been developed on a 90-acre plot in south Wales, formerly had by the Ministry of Defence. When we visited last year, we discovered out that at peak production, the facility will be capable of producing as much as 5,000 DBX designs a year.
Last week, Aston verified that 500 redundancies will be made across the company, as part of a “fundamental reset”, which will see the brand’s front-engined sports vehicle production reduced as well as production rebalanced in favour of the new SUV as well as upcoming derivatives.
Outgoing Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer will be replaced by former Mercedes-AMG manager Tobias Moers from 1 August as part of the business shake-up.
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An updated version of the Jaguar E-Pace crossover has been launched. exterior styling tweaks mask a switch to the same PTA platform as the most recent range Rover Evoque, allowing an all-new infotainment system and a fresh plug-in powertrain.
On the outside, the facelifted E-Pace features a redesigned front bumper, a new mesh radiator grille and a fresh pair of LED headlights, which feature Jaguar’s newest ‘Double J’ lighting signature. Jaguar has also fitted a new undertray at the rear, along with revised LED tail-lights that are inspired by the units fitted to the all-electric I-Pace.
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The changes to the cabin include a new drive selector, soft-touch trim around the instrument binnacle and a reshaped transmission tunnel, which makes much more room for the driver’s knee.
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The E-Pace also now benefits from a new 11.4-inch infotainment system, which is powered by JLR’s newest Pivi software. Jaguar says the screen has been developed for ease of use; 90 per cent of the system’s functions, such as media and navigation, can be accessed with just two inputs.
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Over-the-air updates for software tweaks and mapping are supported as standard, while the touchscreen is paired with an updated 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which features displays for navigation, media and contact details.
Jaguar has revealed its rival for the Mercedes E-Class Estate and BMW 5 series Touring; the new XF Sportbrake. It joins the saloon and quashes rumours of plans to cull the estate bodystyle after the old model was canned.
The big feature is the additional boot space, approved by the larger estate rear end. With the rear seats in place the new XF Sportbrake boasts a 565-litre capacity, which is 25 litres up on the saloon. Folding the 40:20:40 seats exposes the difference, though – with the 1,700-litre volume shaming the four-door’s 885 litres. A load cover and four tie-down points also feature.
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With these figures, the XF Sportbrake is just about on par with the 5 series Touring when it pertains to practicality. The only difference between the two is the Touring’s additional five litres of space with the rear seats upright. but the new Jaguar doesn’t trouble the E-Class Estate, which uses a total capacity of 1,820 litres.
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The Sportbrake takes its design language from the XF saloon but morphs into a rakish estate with a dipping windowline. An optional panoramic roofing is used with a gesture-controlled blind, while the tailgate comes with a foot-operated function.
This week’s announcement by the competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of a study into the electric vehicle charging sector has the potential to help banish one of the big issues preventing people from making the now inevitable switch to electrification: charge anxiety.
With most new electric automobiles offering realistic ranges of at least 150-200 miles, it’s far easier to adapt to a new mindset and take the plunge. but the big issue that we consistently hear of is a lack of confidence in the charging network; it’s simply not accessible or reputable enough.
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Chances are that if you’re test driving an electric car, then you won’t yet have home charging, so you’ll need a good experience from the UK’s charging network to help persuade you to switch. but all too typically we hear of bad experiences. However, as more people without the ability to charge at home switch to EVs, the UK’s public charging network will become ever more important.
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So what do we want the CMA to look at? private investment has seen this sector grow massively, but we need these companies to ensure the technology, reliability and service levels meet a required standard. All too often, as users tell us, they don’t.
That’s especially true on motorways, where one provider, Ecotricity, has a virtual monopoly at service areas. Unfortunately, it came bottom of our driver Power survey into EV charging companies, but without competition at its sites, it’s no surprise when users complain of an outdated and unreliable network.
In our view, allowing competition for charging points on our motorways (and elsewhere) is an vital step. but so are standards that need to be met for price, reliability and technology. nobody wants regulation, yet there isn’t even an industry body among charging companies that exists to share best practice. Let’s hope the CMA comes up with robust ideas that the government will act upon to improve the EV charging experience for us all.
Check out our run-down of the best electric chargepoint companies here…
Movember – a time when it becomes socially acceptable for men to let their facial hair grow as long as they like. It’s usually a time when you come across all sorts of moustaches, from the handlebar to the goatee, in all shapes and sizes, too. but why should this tradition of celebrating a no-shave eleventh month of the year be restricted to us humans?
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In true auto express fashion, we’ve decided to take a look at Movember from the car’s perspective. Last month, we took a look at the scariest cars for Halloween, but this month it seemed appropriate to take a look at the hairiest cars.
So we’ve created a top ten list of cars with grilles that share an uncanny resemblance to modern-day moustaches. In the recent history of automotive engineering, grilles have moved past a means of ventilation, and have now become major styling cues. There are distinguished ‘tiger-nosed’ grilles from Kia and distinctive ‘kidney-shaped’ grilles from BMW.
The grille is definitely the automotive equivalent of a moustache. In our list you’ll find a great parted moustache grille on the Fisker Karma. A classic, straight-line moustache as seen on the Jaguar XKR S. An extremely tash-worthy Aston Martin Vantage and a very Austro-Hungarian Empire-era entry from Skoda. There’s a Mario-esque moustache as seen on the old MINI, as well as a cheeky goatee entry from Alfa Romeo.
Scroll through the gallery above to see our list of the top ten Movember cars in the automotive world.
Suzuki has announced UK prices and specs for the new Swift, which will go on sale from early June with two engine choices underpinning a five model strong line-up.
The Swift is now five-door only and the entry-level 89bhp 1.2-litre SZ3 automobile will be on sale from £10,999, implying that at launch the very most affordable Swift will be noticeably much more expensive than the outgoing £8,999 SZ2 model. As standard, buyers get air conditioning, a leather steering wheel, a DAB digital radio with Bluetooth connectivity, plus styling parts such as daytime running LED lights and 15-inch alloy wheels.
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The 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder Boosterjet engine can be had from £12,999 on the SZ-T model, which adds a smartphone link display, a rear view video camera and 16-inch wheels. The same engine with Suzuki’s SHVS mild hybrid system starts at £14,449 as an SZ5 car, introducing automatic air conditioning, sat nav, keyless entry and electric rear windows.
The sole automatic Swift makes use of the 1.0-litre engine too, and is available in SZ5 trim from £15,849, while an all-wheel-drive model with a hybridised 1.2-litre four-cylinder kicks off at £15,499. much more choice will be added over the new car’s lifespan, and a peppy new sport version ought to arrive at some point too.
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A new lightweight platform shared with the Baleno implies the new Swift weighs from just 890kg, while getting a sportier design and chassis set-up than its much more useful sibling.
The new Skoda Octavia will expense from £15,990 for petrol-engined designs as well as £18,040 for diesel-powered cars, when it goes on sale in the UK on 16 March. three trim levels will be available: S, SE as well as Elegance.
The new Octavia will be offered in the UK with four engine options. purchasers will be able to choose the 104bhp 1.2-litre TSI petrol, which returns a declared 57.7mpg as well as has CO2 emissions of 114 g/km. This is assisted in part by the truth that the new Octavia is 102kg lighter than its predecessor, as well as that all new Octavias function stop-start as standard.
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A 138bhp 1.4-litre TSI petrol, which returns 53.3mpg as well as has CO2 emissions of 121g/km is likewise available.
The two diesel choices are the 104bhp 1.6 TDI, which handles a declared typical of 74.3mpg as well as 99g/km CO2 emissions, as well as a 148bhp 2.0-litre TDI that returns 68.2mpg as well as emits 106g/km of CO2.
A 1.6-litre TDI Octavia Greenline model, which has CO2 emissions of 89g/km as well as returns a declared typical of 83mpg shows up towards the end of 2013. The high-performance Octavia vRS shows up in the UK in the summer.
The Octavia variety starts with the S trim level, which includes 16-inch alloys, Bluetooth, DAB radio, a leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as hill hold help as standard. Skoda declares that the entry-level Octavia S features an additional £3,500 of devices over the equivalent previous-generation model.
Mid-range Octavia SE adds height modification for the driver’s seat, electronic stability control, front fog lights, automatic air conditioning as well as body coloured door mirrors as well as handles.
Skoda declares that the devices on the SE represents £3,890 of additional value over its predecessor, as well as that the new SE design features devices worth £2,220, yet costs only £1,200 much more than the new Octavia S.
The top-of-the-range Skoda Octavia beauty gets 17-inch alloys, alcantara as well as leather trim, sat-nav as well as cruise control. It costs £1,850 much more than the equivalent new SE model, however Skoda declares the additional features over the SE are worth £3,575. What’s more, Skoda reckons that the new Octavia beauty has £5,300 worth of additional features over the outgoing range-topper.
Featuring the new Skoda style language, the Octavia is larger than its predecessor, with dimensions that are 90mm longer, 45mm larger as well as with a 108mm longer wheelbase than the second-generation Octavia it replaces. The boot is likewise a considerable 590 litres, making it bigger than the present Ford Mondeo.
vehicle usage during England’s third national lockdown is at a similar level to may 2020, when Covid-19 limitations were being relieved for the very first time as well as people were motivated to return to their workplaces.
Data from RAC Black Box insurance coverage shows there were 10 per cent much more vehicles in utilize during the very first week of the third lockdown in January 2021 than there were during the very first week of the very first lockdown in March 2020, with 31 per cent much more miles driven.
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This level of vehicle utilize is still lower than typical pre-Covid levels, though – down 22 per cent compared with the very first week of February 2020, for example.
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The quietest week for web traffic because the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic was the second week of the very first lockdown, when there was a 41 per cent reduction in vehicle utilize across the UK. The highest, on the other hand, was the week commencing 7 September – web traffic returned to typical levels at this point, with kids heading back to institution after the summertime holidays.
The RAC likewise reports that its patrols have had their busiest begin to a new Year on record, with eight per cent much more breakdowns went to in the very first four days of 2021 than in common previous years. chilly weather condition as well as vehicles having not been utilized much will have been a element in this, however it likewise shows chauffeurs still feel they have important reasons to be out on the road.
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RAC data insight spokesperson Rod Dennis commented: “Despite the whole of the UK now under a even more coronavirus lockdown, our data shows the number of vehicles in utilize has not dropped to the exact same degree it did the very first time limitations were brought in last March.”
He added: “It’s important chauffeurs believe thoroughly before utilizing their cars as well as guarantee they’re only venturing out for important trips as specified by government guidelines. Every unnecessary journey boosts the possibilities of a breakdown, or worse a road web traffic collision, as well as dangers contributing to the pressures being experienced by our emergency as well as healthcare workers.”
Trevor Sterling, chair of the major Trauma group – which helps people impacted by major trauma – added: “Our experience is showing a reduction in road web traffic trauma clients being admitted hospital, however it is remove nevertheless that road utilize is much higher than before, even though the NHS is under much more strain this time around round. This knock-on impact might be critical, as well as we desire road individuals to believe twice before taking unessential vehicle journeys.”
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