The real-life Q is quite different to the one you see on the big screen. He seems less absent-minded and eccentric, for a start. And, as far as we can tell, his pens don’t contain any explosive devices. Yet Simon Lane, in his role as head of Aston Martin’s Q bespoke division, is in charge… Continue reading Real-life Q Branch: the cars of Aston Martin’s bespoke division
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
James Ruppert: Larger dealers can still deliver cheap motoring
Buying a used car privately is temporarily banned, it seems. Clicking and collecting a car is problematic but permitted, as is a retailer delivering a car to you. This is all rather confusing, of course, and it seems to be working against bargain-hunting motorists, many of whom have only a small budget to play with.… Continue reading James Ruppert: Larger dealers can still deliver cheap motoring
Global chauffeur firm invests in Jaguar Land Rover’s Havn
Havn, an all-electric private chauffeur service set up by Jaguar Land Rover’s InMotion investment arm, has sold a majority stake to international chauffeur firm Blacklane. The deal was completed in November and adds London-based Havn’s Jaguar I-Pace taxis to Blacklane’s fleet of conventionally fuelled luxury and executive cars, which has operated in the capital since 2013. Havn… Continue reading Global chauffeur firm invests in Jaguar Land Rover’s Havn
Autocar confidential: Fisker’s pre-order prosperity, Aston Martin’s sales goals and more
In this week’s round-up of industry gossip, Fisker reveals pre-order statistics for its Ocean electric SUV, Peugeot discusses the electrification of its range and Lawrence Stroll shares his bold predictions for Aston Martin sales. Ocean rising Fisker has received 11,000 pre-orders worldwide for its Ocean electric SUV, the firm’s boss, Henrik Fisker, told Autocar. The… Continue reading Autocar confidential: Fisker’s pre-order prosperity, Aston Martin’s sales goals and more
Hot AMG-tuned Mercedes EQ electric models on the way
Mercedes-Benz’s two main sub-brands will converge in future, with plans to offer fully fledged AMG versions of EQ models across the electric division’s range, according to the firm’s COO and R&D boss, Markus Schäfer. Speaking to journalists after the unveiling of the new EQA, Schäfer confirmed that “an electrical platform in the direction of AMG is… Continue reading Hot AMG-tuned Mercedes EQ electric models on the way
Interview: Kevin Magnussen on leaving F1 for Le Mans
Kevin Magnussen says the desire to battle for wins again was key to his decision to sign with Peugeot for the firm’s return to the top class of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022. The 28-year-old Dane was ditched by the Haas Formula 1 team at the end of 2020, ending his F1 career after seven… Continue reading Interview: Kevin Magnussen on leaving F1 for Le Mans
Rover’s return: Fixing a written-off Rover 75
It’s not easy to single-handedly manhandle a car bonnet. It’s a big panel, making it difficult for your hands to get a grip, and it’s quite heavy. Manoeuvring said panel onto a trolley – the type used at Ikea to carry big flatpacks – is also a challenge when said trolley is resting on a… Continue reading Rover’s return: Fixing a written-off Rover 75
Ferrari 812 GTO due this year as likely V12 GT swansong
Ferrari is expected to mark the end of front-engined V12 grand tourer production with a hardcore GTO version of the 812 Superfast. Spotted testing in Maranello last year and believed to be on the cards for an official reveal later in 2021, the 812 GTO could mark the end of a model line of Ferrari GTs… Continue reading Ferrari 812 GTO due this year as likely V12 GT swansong
New Tesla ‘yoke’ steering wheel is legal in Europe and UK
Tesla’s new U-shaped steering ‘yoke’, which is set to appear in the newly updated Model S and Model X, has been deemed legal in certain European markets, including the UK. The controversial new steering wheel design will be offered as an option on the recently unveiled facelift Model S and Model X alongside a conventional round wheel.… Continue reading New Tesla ‘yoke’ steering wheel is legal in Europe and UK
New Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 on sale from £40,495
The new Mercedes-Benz EQA is the German brand’s first fully electric compact model and is said to provide an “excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market”. It is now on sale in EQA 250 form, with prices starting from £40,495 (including government grant) for the Sport model and £41,995 for AMG Line trim. The former comes… Continue reading New Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 on sale from £40,495