JustBritish

Saturday 5th May saw doors open at London’s ExCeL to Ecovelocity, the low carbon motor show, which showcases the latest in eco technology from both mainstream and specialist automotive manufacturers.

Motorists looking to change their car for a greener cleaner vehicle can test drive the latest eco cars from Vauxhall, Peugeot, Mia, Honda, Nissan, Citroën and Chevrolet.

The show provides visitors with the opportunity to view the current and future options for more environmentally responsible motoring, gain an understanding of the technology and processes involved in developing low carbon vehicles and an insight into the benefits of owning one. Unique to Ecovelocity is the chance for motorists to actually get behind the wheel.

Giles Brown, organiser of EcoVelocity commented, “Visitors to EcoVelocity this year are able to test drive numerous  low carbon vehicles, including hybrids, electric vehicles and range extenders on the 3.5 mile test route in and around ExCeL.  Test drives when taken in isolation can be time consuming, our unique offering and facility allows visitors to take almost back to back test drives, giving motorists the opportunity to make direct comparisons and work out which vehicle best fits their requirements.”

However Brown did also stipulate the importance of bringing along your license if you want to take part in the test drives. “It’s a legal requirement and we don’t want anyone disappointed that they can’t drive if they forget their licence.”

Key cars at the show include the Nissan Leaf and Vauxhall Ampera.

Even though Lotus and Mansory have two compete different approach to making cars – the former likes light and agile cars with no excess, while the former prefers big, ostentatious cars with lots of garnish – they decided to join forces. Lotus officially announced Mansory as their customization studio. Their differences will complement each other, probably.

Mansory has already had a go at the Lotus Evora, and contributed on the Evora GTE and Swiss Beatz Red Evora projects, but the first outcome of this alliance will be shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Lotus does not reveal any details on it, they just say it’s very exciting.

For Lotus Mansory will be providing bodywork, trim and special finishes for the Elise, Exige and Evora. As the Official Customisation Studio, Mansory is working closely with Lotus’ engineers and designers to produce modifications that scream individuality and quality.

Koroush Mansory of course is very fond of British cars in generals. So much so that he might even go after Moragns and Caterhams some day. It’s just that given his previous works, his sense of style is very… Cheshire!

XKR-S Coupe and Convertible. Only 25 XKR-S Convertibles are scheduled to come to our shores, with an allocation of only 100 Coupes. All have sold out.

Fortunately, even though all of the 2012 examples have been sold, this special sports car is a halo vehicle for Jaguar and is scheduled for a three-year production run.

Both XKR-S models are propelled by an AJ – Gen III, 5.0-liter DOHC, 32-valve Roots-Type twin-vortex Supercharged V8 engine with spray-guided Direct Injection. The modified V8 engine produces 550 hp in a range from 6,000 to 6,500 rpm, while also generating 502 lb ft of torque from 2,500 to 5,500 rpm. It is positioned longitudinally up front. Both cars sit 10mm lower than the XKR, with increased spring rates fore and aft. Both cars share the same mechanicals and fuel economy.

The engine’s driving force is delivered to the rear wheels through an electronically controlled, six-speed, revised ZF automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters controlling Jaguar’s Sequential Shift function.

The XKR-S Convertible is the most powerful and fastest convertible that Jaguar has ever built, rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed capability of 186 mph.

The XKR-S Coupe and Convertible differ in appearance from the XKR in several ways. The XKR-S features functional twin hood scoops and twin hood vents, side quarter gills are horizontal rather than vertical and lower rocker panels are pronounced and extended. A functional four-stanchion rear spoiler, with an integrated carbon fiber panel, perches atop the rear deck lid. The wheels are forged 20-inch alloy, six-double-spoke units (9.5- inches front and 10.5-inches rear), shod with staggered Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Out back is a blacked-out, straked diffuser with cutouts for the twin dual exhaust outlets. There is also special badging front and rear, and special vertical vents appear at the leading edge of the front wheel well, to facilitate brake cooling.

The Coupe was priced at $132,000, while the Convertible added $6,000. Add $875 for destination and handling charges.

To prove the capability of the new XKR-S, Jaguar arranged for high-speed test runs made on the same runway used by the U.S. Navy’s crack Blue Angels precision flying team at the El Centro Naval Air Facility in California, where portions of the movie “Top Gun” were filmed.

Acceleration is blistering, handling characteristics are spot on, stability is incredible, braking is positive, and the ride quality, though firm, is also quite comfortable. Changing gears via the paddle shifters is both smooth and rapidly responsive, with the automatic mode being considerably quicker and much more efficient than the reaction time delivered by mere mortals.

Bottom line, the Jaguar XKR-S truly represents what may well be the pinnacle of British exclusivity, and promises to become an iconic collectible vehicle for years to come.

The battle lines are drawn. The race to build Britain’s fastest and most 
powerful production 
car is on. But it’s not McLaren, Bentley or even Aston Martin that aims 
to lead the way. It’s Lotus.

During an exclusive gathering at the company’s HQ in Hethel, Norfolk, chief technical officer Wolf Zimmermann told Auto Express of his plans to build a flagship Superleggera version 
of the next-generation Esprit – and we can show you what it will look like in our exclusive images.

Bosses held the meeting to face critics of the New Era plan, which in June 2010 revealed five new cars would be launched in five years. As well as confirming the flagship Esprit, Lotus unveiled plans for a city car called Ethos – to rival the Aston Martin Cygnet 
– plus the 2+2 Elite, four-door Eterne and the Elise Evolution.

Read more: AutoExpress

The first of McLaren’s 35 dealerships set to open in 2011 opens its doors tomorrow in London’s One Hyde Park. McLaren’s first dealership opens in one of London’s newest and most prestigious developments – fitting for the all-new supercar.

Although the MP12-4C is not McLaren’s first foray into street legal super cars it will offer more than four times the sales and service support than it did with the F1 and its eight worldwide dealerships. This time instead of flying a technician to the owner of the car or service center McLaren claims it “is stocking its retail network with a spare of every serviceable part for the MP4-12C.” McLaren calls it “its ‘pit stop’ service concept that ensures fast and efficient repair.”

Good thing too because the MP4-12C is the first in a full lineup of carbon-fiber based sports cars McLaren has planned – all with higher production numbers than the F1. Production for the MP4-12C alone is planned for 1000 units just this year – significantly higher than the F1’s production run of 106 cars over a seven year (1992-1998) period. McLaren plans to increase total production to 4000 cars per year by mid decade when their full model lineup is complete.
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A tie up between British car maker Aston Martin and Italian design house Zagato sounds pretty tasty, doesn’t it? Having said that, it isn’t the first time that these two work together. If you have a long memory you might recall they first worked together with the DB4GT Zagato. 19 of these supercars were built, and Stirling Moss rode one to third place at Goodwood in 1961.

But this is 2011 and the new model is a complete stunner which would have even Sir Stirling purring in admiration 50 years on from the first car produced by the two companies. It is called the Aston Martin V12 Zagato and is based on the V12 Vantage car. The CEO of Aston Martin is called Dr Ulrich Bez and he said that the Zagato design is a “perfect complement” to the Aston Martin expertise.

There is going to be a “strictly limited run” of road going versions of this little beauty. There will also be a racing model competing in the Nurburgring 24 hour event.

The cool looks hide a 6 litre V12 engine with a performance of 510 bhp. It isn’t clear how many of these cars are going to be made but we won’t be holding our breath for more than 100 of them. How much will one cost you? Expect it to be not far from a hefty £200,000. Not one for taking the kids to school in then?

Would you spend so much money on a supercar like this if you could? If so, why?