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Fulham Football Club and Fiat UK Via Motor VIllage are to launch a Limited Edition 500X

March 2, 2017, 3:45 am
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A new special edition Fiat 500X has just been launched in London to celebrate the continuing successful partnership between Fiat Chrysler Motor Village UK and Fulham Football Club.
The special version of the popular Fiat SUV – the Fulham FC special Edition – features distinctive styling details, exclusive black, white and red paint finish and unique ‘FFC’ badging, along with a host of 500X standard equipment. It will be sold through Motor Village UK, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK’s flagship dealer.
A limited run of just 15 of this celebration range of cars will be built, designed exclusively for Fulham FC season ticket holders. The special cars will cost £21,365 OTR.


Available in two different styles – City Look and Off-Road Look – the car is based on the 500X Pop Star version, and includes among its standard equipment: alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, rear parking sensors, climate control, six airbags, cruise control and 5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, USB and aux-in socket.
The SKYbet Championship football club is also holding a prize draw in which one lucky winner will get to drive a new Fiat 500X Fulham FC Special Edition for two weeks, with their keys being handed over by the team’s players. Signed footballs and shirts are also available as runners-up prizes.
“This is another excellent example of how we are teaming up with Fulham FC and its supporters,” says Fabio di Prima, managing director, Motor Village UK. “There’s the prize draw to win the limited edition 500X for two weeks, the chance to meet the players and the opportunity for season ticket holders to purchase the new car.
“Of course, if a non-season ticket holder would like to buy the Fulham FC Special Edition – or any other of our large range of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles cars – we would be delighted to sign them up!”
“It is important to us to ensure that our partners and supporters have a positive relationship, and being able to offer such a fantastic prize is a really tremendous way of highlighting that,” says Casper Stylsvig, chief revenue officer, Fulham FC.
“The limited edition 500X is really quite unique, so with an opportunity to win, plus an additional competition to meet the players, Motor Village really has excelled itself in giving added value to the Fulham fanbase which we are delighted about; good luck to all!’
Note to editors: Motor Village UK is Official Car Partner to Fulham FC and offers exclusive deals to club season ticket holders on new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Abarth cars. The prize draw is open to Fulham FC season ticket holders, over-18s and holders of a valid driving license.
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The PSA Group invests €200 Million in the "SOCHAUX 2022" Modernisation project.

March 2, 2017, 3:45 am
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  • An investment calibrated to the right level to modernise this historical site and ensure its sustainability
  • The acquisition of a new press line, a first in France for 20 years.
  • Improvements to logistic flows with the construction of a new stamping building
  • A versatile multi-silhouette line allowing production of up to six different bodies
  • Over 60,000 training hours to support this project and significant improvements to work station ergonomics
With "Sochaux 2022", a project that has mobilised a dedicated multi-skilled team on the Sochaux site in Eastern France for the last 36 months, the PSA Group shows its ambition to turn the site into a benchmark plant, at the heart of its historical homeland.
This strategic project aims to simplify flows, inherited from over 100 years of industrial history, that do not currently allow Sochaux to reach its full potential compared to the other PSA Group Industrial sites.
Restoring coherence to building locations will reduce loading and unloading: Sochaux currently is a complex production site, extending over 200 hectares, including 24 kilometres of conveyor belts, and mobilising dozens of trucks to move vehicle sub-assemblies in production.
At the end of this transformation project, Sochaux will be able to meet changing customer expectations thanks to a highly-flexible multi-silhouette line, able to produce six different silhouettes, with a production capacity of 400,000 vehicles per year, exceeding the average of the last 10 years.
This new large transfer press line is the first acquired in France in the last two decades. This new line will be high speed and cutting edge technology, able to build multiple parts and to produce both steel and aluminium parts.
Sochaux's modernisation will also include the setting-up of a versatile, extremely flexible body-assembly workshop, capable of processing the whole diversity of the site's production, and the installation of an assembly workshop, meeting the highest world standards, closer to the other production buildings. This assembly workshop will be built to the highest standards.
Designed according to the principles of the plant of the future, Sochaux will take advantage of the latest developments in terms of digital tools, full kitting logistics, and mobile operator platforms for better ergonomics and optimum levels of quality. The workshops, designed for the 21st century, will be better organised, to meet the highest standards in ergonomics for the men and women that work there.
The transformations planned as part of the "Sochaux 2022" project will bring the principles of the "excellent plant" programme to the industrial birthplace of the PSA Group and safeguard its future, thanks to a high level of performance.
For Maxime Picat, Executive Vice President, Operational Director Europe: "Today, Sochaux produces emblematic cars for the PSA Group, including the new Peugeot 3008 which has been a huge commercial success, and will begin to manufacture vehicles for the Opel brand. I know that I can count on the professionalism and unwavering commitment of all the employees at our historical site - with whom I have had the chance to work - to continue to meet the current and future expectations of our customers."
For Yann Vincent, Executive Vice President, Director Supply Chain and Manufacturing: "The ‘Sochaux 2022, the car draws itself a future’ project perfectly translates the PSA Group's desire to write its industrial future in France."
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Volvo to increase its technician count by 50% by 2020, meaning at least 5 per site.

March 2, 2017, 3:46 am
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  • Volvo Car UK will actively seek 300 new technicians to increase numbers by almost 50%
  • UK dealerships will average five technicians per site by 2020
  • Recruits will get the chance to work on exciting, industry-leading technologies
Volvo Car UK is launching a nationwide recruitment drive for 300 new technicians to join its 119-strong dealer network by 2020, in line with the brand's increasing sales and its growing product range.
The award-winning S90 and V90 models most recently joined Volvo's impressive line-up, and with more new products set to arrive in the coming years, Volvo aims to increase its technical talent by almost 50%, adding to the 600 existing dealership technicians to support the brand and meet the demands of the network as its sales continue to grow year-on-year.
Volvo is establishing itself as an industry leader in new technologies such as autonomous drive and connectivity, where their application is designed to make drivers' lives easier and safer. 

With cars that include technology such as Pilot Assist, Volvo's innovative semi-autonomous drive feature, advanced technical knowledge is vital to keep customers' cars in the best possible condition.
The increased stream into Volvo's dealership aftersales teams will see, on average, five technicians per site by 2020, with fast-track development opportunities available through innovative web-based training and one-to-one assessments. Volvo retailers offer this through a structured career path, leading to ongoing certifications and qualifications, which can start from Service Apprentice through to Volvo's highest technical accolade, Master Technician.
The recruitment drive further reinforces the need for talented technicians to join the brand as it marks the next steps in Volvo's Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) and Volvo Personal Service (VPS) programmes, both announced in 2015.
VRE, designed to create a space for customers in which high levels of visual transparency are key, creates an open and inclusive working environment where, as part of VPS, technicians can work alongside other technicians in multi-skilled teams, engaging with customers and managing their own relationships with Volvo owners.
As Volvo continues to change its retail landscape to keep pace with the evolving market, there is now also a need for a product specialist to work in all of Volvo's soon-to-be network of state-of-the-art UK dealerships. These specialists will further enrich the customer buying and ownership experience through their knowledge and insights, making customers' lives less complicated through a human-centric approach.
Jon Wakefield, Managing Director, Volvo Car UK, commented: "Any technician joining Volvo will get the chance to work on exciting industry-leading technology, including autonomous drive, in-car connectivity and hybrid powertrains. For those looking to join our 600-strong team of technicians, our continued investment into our staff will allow them to progress their knowledge of new car technology, engineering and design – and grow alongside the Volvo brand."
The recruitment news comes after the announcement of Volvo Car UK's £6 million investment into a new state-of-the-art training centre in Daventry, to enhance further its successful apprenticeship and development schemes.
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GENEVA - Ssangyong to debut a further concept in its range of exciting new cars.

March 5, 2017, 9:16 am
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87th Geneva International Motor Show 2017
Stand: 4131
SsangYong Motor Company, (CEO, Johng-sik Choi; www.smotor.com/en) will unveil its XAVL SUV concept at the 2017 International Geneva Motor Show.
XAVL is a further iteration of the XAV concept which was presented at the Frankfurt motor show in 2015.  Inspired by the classic Korando model of the 1990s, XAVL. 
The eXciting Authentic Vehicle Long SUV - presents a tough and masculine looking SUV concept that blends advanced convenience and the practicality of a multi-purpose MPV.
XAVL accommodates seven passengers in comfort and provides wide inner space with a user-friendly interface, that includes connected car technology and digital display.
XAVL is also equipped with a suite of new safety aids for pedestrians as well as the driver and passengers, and is powered by both petrol and new clean-burning diesel engines.
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Lotus celebrates the First Esprit by emulating the Bond Esprit onto an Evora Supercar.

March 5, 2017, 9:17 am
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  • Unique, one-off Evora Sport 410 created by Lotus Exclusive
  • Tribute to one of Lotus’ most famous liveries
  • Lotus Sport 410 sales success continues
Representing the state of the supercar art, a one-off Evora Sport 410 has been commissioned through Lotus Exclusive as a tribute to one of its most famous ancestors, the Lotus Esprit S1.
Launched in October 2016, the Evora Sport 410 has wowed motoring press and customers with its combination of effortless pace and intuitive handling. With production limited to just 150 examples a year worldwide, the build schedule is filling up fast.
The benchmark was set by the original Lotus Esprit S1 as seen in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and Lotus’ in-house personalisation department has crafted a special, one-off Evora Sport 410 in commemoration.
Combining the latest in Lotus engineering with period details, the new pure-bred supercar takes design cues from the iconic Esprit and integrates them into a car with class-leading performance. Packing 410 hp into a car that weighs just 1,280 kg, it sprints from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 secs.
Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc said, “So many of us recall the impact of the Lotus Esprit when it hit the big screen in The Spy Who Loved Me, and we wanted to honour that with a special Evora Sport 410. It’s the perfect tribute to such an influential Lotus, but a world away in terms of its abilities and performance. 
Supremely fast and agile, rivals’ cars look overweight and underpowered in comparison. Lotus was founded on the principle of lightweight engineering and, even today, nobody does it better.”
Lotus Exclusive
The work of the in-house personalisation department, Lotus Exclusive, this one-off Evora Sport 410 features many unique design touches. A special, colour-coded bumper modifies the car’s front end, while the one-piece carbon-fibre tailgate is part keyed white to give the illusion of a traditional liftback. In addition to a black coach line, delineating the car’s waist, it sports a bespoke badge script on the B pillar - in the style of the original Esprit’s graphics.
Nods to the Lotus Esprit S1 from The Spy Who Loved Me continue inside, with the insert panels of the carbon-fibre sports seats and door cards trimmed in the popular heritage Tartan, while red contrast stitching complements the Alcantara® dashboard and console finish.
Beneath the personalisation, this unique car retains all the engineering elements that make the Evora Sport 410 so formidable. From the supercharged, 3.5-litre 6-cylinder engine, producing 410 hp at 7000 rpm and 420 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm, to the highly advanced aerodynamics, which deliver up to 64 kg of downforce, it’s designed to deliver both on road and track.
The Evora Sport 410 remains refined on B-roads, but blisteringly fast when needed. The use of hand-made carbon-fibre components has been key in keeping mass to a minimum, with each specifically designed to enhance the car’s performance. Covering the car from nose to tail, they include front splitter, revised front access panel, roof section, tailgate, rear quarter panels, as well as the rear diffuser.
These lightweight carbon components not only reduce the kerb weight of the Evora Sport 410 but also help lower the centre of gravity, allowing for the recalibration of the suspension which, along with re-valved dampers and a reduced ride height, provide better body and roll control - but not at the expense of comfort and composure.
This one-off Evora underlines the work of the increasingly popular Lotus Exclusive service. Combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern design, it inspires buyers to spend time tailoring the character of their Lotus with a comprehensive array of options. Jean-Marc Gales, CEO, Group Lotus plc continued, “Our customers have really embraced the Lotus Exclusive service, with 25% of new cars undergoing some form of personalisation. It is well established that Lotus cars come with benchmark performance as standard.  Now, thanks to the skilled team at Hethel, responsible for hand building all Lotus cars since 1966, you can specify a Lotus that perfectly reflects your personal tastes.”
The Lotus Evora Sport 410 is limited to a global production run of one-hundred and fifty vehicles per year, and is on sale in Europe and rest of world markets now. A Federal version of the Evora Sport 410 for the North American market will arrive this spring.
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WORLDWIDE SALES JAN - SEAT has its best start to the year since 2003.

March 5, 2017, 9:24 am
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Best result since 2003
  • The brand delivers 32,300 cars, 16.5% more than in January of 2016
  • Sales experience double-digit growth in Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy
  • United Kingdom grows registrations by 23.6% compared to January 2016
SEAT’s worldwide sales continue to grow in 2017. After finishing 2016 with the fourth consecutive annual increase, and adding a cumulative growth of nearly 30% since 2012, SEAT posted the best January results since 2003. 
The brand delivered 32,300 cars in the first month of 2017, which represents a 16.5% increase over the same period last year.
“We began the year with solid growth in all our major markets at a rate which is ahead of the sector average. 
The product offensive is already paying off in the form of sales and increased market share. 
The Ateca is enabling us to reach new customers, while Leon demand has grown due to launch of the updated version. Ibiza sales are solid and continue to stay ahead of expectations at the end of the current generation,” said Wayne Griffiths, SEAT Vice-President for Sales and Marketing.
The sales increase was particularly positive in SEAT’s main markets. In the United Kingdom, SEAT registrations grew by 23.6% with 3,854 vehicles registered in January. Spain spearheaded deliveries in January with 6,700 vehicles sold (+41.7%) followed by Germany (5,800; +14.5%) and then the United Kingdom. France (1,700; +14.6%) and Italy (1,600; +25.2%) also posted double-digit growth. Most European countries are growing steadily and contributed to boosting SEAT sales in January. Mexico was another prominent market, posting a 16.3% increase and total sales of 2,700 cars.
“2017 promises to be the most exciting year in our history, with January already off to a record breaking start, thanks to our award-winning model range proving a real hit with customers,” said Richard Harrison, SEAT UK Director.
The updated Leon, the best-selling model in the SEAT range, reached the dealerships in January. In addition, the company also presented the fifth generation Ibiza, which is set to go on sale this summer. With the launch of the Arona in the second half of this year, SEAT is going to complete the largest product offensive in its history, which began in 2016 with the Ateca.
SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 75 countries. In 2016, SEAT’s achieved worldwide sales of 410,200 units, the highest result since 2007.
SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia. 
The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company’s global digitisation process to promote the mobility of the future.
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WORLDWIDE SALES JAN - VW Group sales dip mainly at VW in China & the Asia Pacific.

March 5, 2017, 9:24 am
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  • Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales: “Outside China, the Group recorded solid growth of 4.9 per cent in its worldwide markets.”
In January, the Volkswagen Group handed over 813,700 vehicles to customers worldwide. "Following strong growth last year, special effects in China affected deliveries at the beginning of the year. 
Especially the early date of the Chinese New Year, the increase in tax on vehicles with small engines and temporary restraint in planning on the part of Audi dealers had an impact on the sales results for January. 
However, we expect to continue healthy growth in China this year," said Fred Kappler, Head of Group Sales of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commenting on the figures for January. 
"Outside China, the Group recorded solid growth of 4.9 per cent in its worldwide markets," Kappler added.
In Europe, the Group boosted deliveries by 7.0 per cent and handed 312,900 vehicles over to customers. Group deliveries in Western Europe rose by 5.8 per cent. 
Of 262,900 vehicles delivered, the home market of Germany accounted for 91,100 units. Central and Eastern European markets improved their delivery figures by 13.6 per cent, handing 50,000 vehicles over to customers in the region. 
There was a slight increase in deliveries in Russia to 9,800 vehicles (+1.3 per cent).
In January, the Group handed 66,600 vehicles over to customers in America, representing growth of 9.0 per cent. 
With 41,500 deliveries to customers (+14.0 per cent), the US market made a solid start in the new year. In South America, the Group delivered 39,600 vehicles (+8.6 per cent).
Special effects in China had an adverse impact on January deliveries in the Asia-Pacific region. In the first month of the year, 368,000 vehicles were delivered in the region, including 344,000 vehicles handed over to customers in China – a fall of 14.0 per cent.
Overview of deliveries by the Volkswagen Group:
Deliverers to customers by marketsJanuary
2017		January
2016		Change
(%)
Europe312,900292,600+7.0
Western Europe262,900248,600+5.8
          Germany91,10089,700+1.6
Central and Eastern Europe50,00044,000+13.6
          Russia9,8009,700+1.3
North America66,60061,100+9.0
          USA41,50036,400+14.0
South America39,60036,500+8.6
          Brazil19,30023,500-18.0
Asia-Pacific368,000427,200-13.9
          China344,000400,100-14.0
Worldwide813,700847,800-4.0
Deliveries to customers by brandsJanuary
2017		January
2016		Change
(%)
Volkswagen Passenger Cars495,900521,400-4.9
Audi124,000143,300-13.5
ŠKODA93,80091,600+2.4
SEAT32,30027,700+16.5
Porsche20,00019,900+0.4
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles35,00031,200+12.1
MAN6,4006,800-5.0
Scania5,5005,400+3.3
Volkswagen Group (total)813,700847,800-4.0
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Red Bull and Aston Martin collaborate once again to bring a V8 or V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions

March 5, 2017, 9:25 am
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  • Global special edition created to celebrate Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing’s Innovation Partnership
  • Models given seal of approval from Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo & Max Verstappen
  • Unique Red Bull Racing specification brought to life through Q by Aston Martin
  • Available for both V8 and V12 Vantage S derivatives
With the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship® set to kick off on 26 March, Aston Martin has unveiled its latest additions to the Vantage range; the V8 and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions.
These true collectibles have been created by the marque’s in-house personalisation service; Q by Aston Martin. Celebrating the two brands’ unique ‘Innovation Partnership’, Aston Martin’s latest global offering takes approval from Red Bull Racing drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, with their signatures adorning both sill and inspection plaques.
Available with Aston Martin’s characterful V8 and V12 naturally aspirated power units, both Vantage Red Bull Racing Editions are equipped with a range of distinguishing features for the most devoted Formula 1®enthusiast.

Building on the appeal of the sports-focused Vantage range, the models deliver a blend of eye-catching looks and an engaging and visceral experience for the perfect cruise along the Great Ocean Road, Adelaide Hills or even Melbourne’s Albert Park.
Taking inspiration from Red Bull Racing’s distinctive race livery, owners will be treated to a deep Mariana Blue paint finish as standard. For those wanting a slight twist, gloss Tungsten Silver or satin Mariana Blue exteriors are also optional. 
Complementing Aston Martin’s signature paint finish is a race-inspired carbon fibre splitter, diffuser, grille and side strakes. Red infills on the carbon fibre grille and yellow calipers complete the iconic colour scheme.
Inside, customers can expect further sporting features, including Red Bull Racing headrest embroidery, carbon fibre trim inlays, diamond-quilting and an alcantara steering wheel complete with 12 o’clock accent stripe.
Customers may opt for their sill and final inspection plaques to be signed by either Daniel Ricciardo or Max Verstappen, providing the ultimate seal of approval and cementing their exclusivity.
Aston Martin President & CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer said, “Motorsport is and will always be a key part of Aston Martin’s DNA and both the V8 and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions bring that ethos straight to our customers. With the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship® set to begin soon, I hope that the purchase of these models will bring the racing season that little bit closer for those lucky few customers who can’t wait for it to begin”.
Deliveries are set to take place from Q2 2017. For further information including RRP, customers should enquire directly with their local dealership.
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The latest Silverstone Auctions has somes seriously stunning cars up for auction.

March 5, 2017, 9:25 am
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  • 95 best of breed classic and sports cars will be offered by Silverstone Auctions at Race Retro on 25th and 26th February.
  • The auction house has compiled its best ever Race Retro catalogue.
  • A 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT will headline the sale with an estimate of £300,000 to £350,000.
Silverstone Auctions returns to Race Retro to host a two-day Classic Car Sale on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February, in addition to its Competition Car Sale on 24th February, at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
With an incredibly varied catalogue, it’s best ever at Race Retro, Silverstone Auctions has brought together the finest classic cars with plenty of rare and low mileage examples, high performance sports cars and collectible modern classics to choose from, as well as a selection of luxury watches and automobilia.
“This is our sixth auction at Race Retro and we have another exceptional line-up of cars this year, perhaps our best ever at the event,” comments Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions. 
“We’re delighted to be part of the show again and, as always, we have some really unique opportunities for buyers and collectors and some really special cars on offer that rarely come to market.”
Headlining the sale is a UK, right-hand drive 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT featuring the incredibly rare and desirable factory fitted flared wheel arches and Campagnolo wheels. It will be offered for sale for the first time in 22 years at an estimate of £300,000 to £350,000.
Another highlight of the sale is a 1983 Lamborghini Countach LP500S with an impressive 12 British Outright Speed records. 
The rare, right-hand drive, UK delivered Countach LP500S is one of only 25 examples made and was first owned by racing driver and Lamborghini aficionado Barry Robinson. Presenting a unique opportunity to collectors, it will be offered at a sale estimate of £325,000 to £350,000.
For buyers seeking a younger model, a right-hand drive 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV finished in the striking combination of Arancio Leonis with an Alcantara interior, is offered at an estimate of £240,000 to £280,000.
Also in the sale, a 1956 BMW 502 V8 saloon, one of just 12 right-hand drive examples produced, offers collectorsa rare and stylish road car with lots of provenance. A regular in the St. Mary’s Trophy at the Goodwood Revival meeting over the years, it has been driven by many famous racing drivers including Marc Surer and Alan Jones, 1980 F1 World Champion, and will be offered with a sale estimate of £30,000 to £35,000.
Other luxury classics on offer include a 1962 Rolls-Royce SCT100, one of just 17 long-wheelbase variants in right-hand drive without a division, and the first ever such Cloud III LWB coach built by James Young. It will be offered at £65,000 to £75,000 presented in Velvet Green with a Champagne leather interior, with original luxury walnut features.
A very special 2006 Bentley Azure 6.7 Convertible in Dark Sapphire Blue Azure presents an ultra-rare opportunity to own an 'almost as new' condition, incredibly low mileage, modern classic Bentley. With just one registered keeper from new, it is offered at £135,000 to £155,000.
For collectors looking for something a little more unusual, a 1939 4 1/4 Ltr Blown Derby Bentley "Rusty Turner" Special will be offered with an estimate of £110,000 to £140,000. One of three built by the talented Tony Fabian and converted to a sports racer by 'Rusty' Turner in 1968, it emotes pre-war Bentley with a long and interesting history.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors at Race Retro to our special sale and we hope to help show-goers leave with their dream classic,” concludes Nick Whale.
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The latest Camaro has managed to top out at 202mph and average 198 mph at a German testing bowl.

March 5, 2017, 9:26 am
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  • Fastest Camaro ever rips hole in the air at Germany’s Papenburg High Speed Oval

Slide over to the next lane. The Camaro ZL1 Coupe has a top speed of 198 mph (318 km/h).
Chevrolet tested the max velocity of the ZL1 (with 10-speed automatic) on the High Speed Oval at Germany’s Automotive Testing Papenburg GmBH proving ground. Compensating for wind speed, the top speed is the average achieved from running the ZL1 in both directions on the 7.6-mile (12.3 km) loop — 202.3 mph in one direction and 193.3 mph in the other direction.
“This test caps an impressive list of performance stats for the Camaro ZL1, which was designed to excel at everything,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “It’s the most capable — and fastest —Camaro ever.”

The Papenburg testing was conducted on the ZL1’s production Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires with pressure set at 44 psi, the recommended setting for extended high-speed driving. The car’s only deviations from stock were mandatory safety equipment and data logging equipment.
Papenburg’s high-speed oval features 2.5-mile (4 km) straights and 1.3-mile (2.15 km) turns with 49.7-degree banking on the top lane. The steep banking allowed Chevrolet test drivers to run the ZL1 flat out around the track without lifting off the throttle in the turns.
“The ZL1 was developed with high-speed performance in mind, incorporating a balanced aerodynamic package that reduces lift without significantly affecting drag,” said Oppenheiser. “After testing the car in standard settings, which produced the 198-mph average, we set the front and rear camber adjustments to 0 degrees and the tire pressures to the maximum allowable sidewall pressure, and saw the ZL1 average over 200 mph.” 
Special aero features include a stanchion rear spoiler that offers an advantageous lift/drag ratio compared to a blade-style rear spoiler, and a patent-pending auxiliary transmission oil cooler cover that reduces front-end lift with no drag penalty. The front-to-rear aero balance was also fine-tuned for high-speed stability.
Additional performance capabilities of the ZL1 Coupe tested with the available 10-speed automatic transmission include:
  • 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds
  • Quarter mile in 11.4 seconds at 127 mph
  • 1.02g max cornering
  • 60-0 mph braking in 107 feet (35 meters).
The 650-horsepower, supercharged LT4 engine powering the ZL1 is matched with a standard six-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match or an available, all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. Additional features include:
  • Magnetic Ride Control
  • Electronic limited-slip differential (coupe only)
  • 20-inch forged aluminum wheels
  • Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 summer-only tires measuring 285/30ZR20 in front and 305/30ZR20 in the rear*
  • Brembo brakes with six-piston Monobloc front calipers and two-piece rotors
The 2017 Camaro ZL1 starts at $63,435 for a coupe with the manual transmission (price includes $995 destination and $1,300 gas guzzler tax) and $65,830 for a coupe with the 10-speed automatic (price includes $995 destination and $2,100 gas guzzler tax). 
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Coys to auction off some stunning sports and race cars at its next even at the London ExCeL.

March 5, 2017, 9:26 am
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  • Lots include sought-after Aston Martins, Ferraris and Jaguars
  • Notable competition prepared cars ready for the season ahead
  • Free viewing of all auction lots, but auction attendance by catalogue
Renowned auctioneers Coys have confirmed the 20 prized lots coming under the hammer at this week’s eagerly-anticipated Historic Motorsport International (23-26 February at London ExCeL).
Reflecting HMI’s position alongside the popular London Classic Car Show, the auction includes a number of notable classics for the open road as well as some ready-to-race competition cars.
With The London Classic Car Show putting the spotlight on Ferrari – and former Ferrari F1 and sportscar driver Jacky Ickx opening the new HMI show at noon on Thursday – it is fitting that a scarlet Ferrari tops the Coys bill. 
Dating back to 1968, the Pininfarina penned 330 GTC is one of Ferrari’s finest GT road cars – the example coming under the hammer has just 28,287 miles on the clock and is expected to sell for more than £500,000.
Other stand-out street machines include a rare right-hand-drive Mercedes-Benz 190SL from 1959 (estimate £120,00 to £150,000), a low mileage 1995 Porsche 993 Turbo (estimate £95,000 to £115,000), a 1966 Jaguar E-type Series 1 (estimate £90,000 to £120,000) and a 2007 Aston Martin DB9 with just delivery mileage on the clock (estimate £50,000 to £70,000).
Projected prices among the competition cars being auctioned will not require quite such deep pockets. An original 1965 Lotus Elan S1 roadster with an FIA Technical Passport, plus some notable racing history, is expected to sell for around £70,000 while a TVR Grantura Mk III of a similar vintage is likely to be a slightly more affordable way to go racing in 2017.
Those hoping to compete at Goodwood will be interested in the 1962 Fiat Abarth 1500S Evocation – a regular racer at the Sussex venue – which could sell for as little as £15,000.
The assorted Coys grid also features a number of V8 muscle cars including a pair of Chevrolet Holden ‘Supercars’ (estimate £25,000 to £29,000) and a 573bhp Ford Mustang GT (estimate £25,000 to £35,000) – a supercharged beast that has collected several class wins in circuit, sprint and hillclimb events.
“For this high-octane auction at Historic Motorsport International we have lined up a selection of sporting and competition cars ready to be raced in the upcoming season,” said Chris Routledge, CEO of Coys. “We’ve long had a deep association with historic motorsport since the earliest days of the Coys Historic Festival at Silverstone and to be a founding partner of Historic Motorsport International in our capital city is a very exciting opportunity.”
The full collection of all 20 Coys lots will be displayed on the show floor throughout the four days, adding yet another exciting dimension to the all-new show.
Viewing is open from noon on Thursday and all day Friday (23 and 24 February) but access to the auction itself – which is due to start at 3pm on Saturday, 25 February – will be restricted to registered attendees who have purchased the official auction catalogue, either in advance or at Historic Motorsport International. Free access to the lots will be reinstated after the auction on Saturday and all day Sunday.
Although in only its first year, the levels of interest in HMI have greatly exceeded the organiser’s expectations. Stand space at the packed show has been taken by the major historic motorsport event and championship organisers in the UK and Europe, as well as by leading engineering and preparation companies and specialist competition car dealers, and teams.
Special displays will celebrate 50 years of both Formula Ford and the all-conquering Ford DFV F1 engine and there’s a thrilling showcase underlining the breadth of historic machinery that will be taking part in the Silverstone Classic festival in July.
Another major attraction will be the first Historic Motorsport Conference Programme. It will be hosted in the show’s Supagard Theatre by motorsport broadcaster Henry Hope-Frost and will include engaging interviews with many of the sport’s top names including legendary Le Mans winners Jürgen Barth, Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx, Jackie Oliver and Emanuele Pirro.
HMI will be officially opened by Ickx – the man who is regarded by many to be the world’s greatest all-round racing driver – at 12 noon on Thursday, 23 February and runsalongside The London Classic Car Show, now in its third year and looking to build on the record 33,000 visitors who visited the 2016 event.
  
Historic Motorsport International tickets are now available from the show website – historicmotorsportinternational.co.uk – and start at £24 for single adult entry (£27 on the door on the day). Access to The London Classic Car Show is included in the entry price.
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Morgan, the classic car brand expects 2016 to be the best year for a number of years.

March 5, 2017, 9:27 am
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Morgan Technologies Limited is predicting continued strengthening of its financial position for the financial year ending December 2016.  
This stems from a number of Board initiatives which are improving performance and the company expects to post its best financial performance in both sales and profits for four years.  
The launch of the new Aero 8 and Plus 8 models has generated strong demand and significant exports while the development of the electric 3 wheeler EV3 and the brand partnership with Selfridges drew renewed global attention to the Morgan brand. 

Plans for the future include the setting up of a Family Council.  The recent settlement of Morgan's long-running employment dispute with Charles Morgan opens the way to the successful establishment of the Family Council and he will be invited to be a member, as well as retaining his shareholding.   
While there will be no change in the family shareholders, the Family Council will ensure that the wider Morgan family, including children of the current shareholders, have a voice in the future strategy of the Morgan group.
Non-Exec Chairman Dominic Riley said, "This is a year of strong progress at Morgan Motor Company. 
We have delivered growth in the sales of motor cars and the best financial performance for four years. 
We are also pleased to have settled the long running employment dispute with Charles Morgan and I wish to place on the record the Company's thanks to Charles for the contribution he made as an employee and director of the business over many years.  
Our plans to set up a Family Council will enable all members of the Morgan family to have a voice in the future direction of the Morgan group and to move forward together."
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NEVS has signed a deal to get a full supply of batteries for it's 9-3 Electric Vehicle.

March 5, 2017, 9:30 am
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NEVS secures battery supply

NEVS has signed a strategic framework agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) to secure the battery supply for NEVS 9-3 EV in the Chinese market.

CATL is a Chinese leading energy storage solution provider headquartered in Ningde, Fujian, with focus on the research and development of li-ion battery (LIB) intended for electric vehicles. The company was one of the first nine battery suppliers that fulfills the domestic industrial standards and the government’s requirement for EV subsidies.
“CATL’s supply capacity and proven technology will allow us to shorten the lead time to the market, fulfilling both our demand in quantity and quality. Their local experience and network will eventually benefit NEVS’ own customers in the Chinese market. ” says Kai Johan Jiang, Chairman of NEVS.

NEVS received a total order of 250,000 EVs from Panda New Energy, an EV leasing company based in Beijing. Through NEVS 50% owned factory in Fujian, the first patch of 100,000 electric commercial vehicles have started to be delivered. The rest of 150,000 9-3 EV are scheduled to roll out from NEVS JV plant in Tianjin in 2018.

About CATL

Established in 2011, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) is dedicated to providing effective energy storage solutions through advanced battery technology.
The company possesses R&D and manufacturing capabilities for power and energy storage battery as well as core technologies for the whole industrial chain of materials, battery cells, battery system and battery recycling. CATL was awarded the "Annual China Energy Storage Industry's most influential Enterprises in 2015".

CATL aims to provide best cost to performance services to its customers through technology innovation and product differentiation. It is one of the leading EV battery providers globally and the clear market leader in China with a large portfolio of world class customers. At the end of 2016, CATL employed over 10,000 employees worldwide.
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The AA takes a further 158 VW Transporter vans over and above the 500 they took in 2016.

March 7, 2017, 12:38 am
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  • Vehicles will be used across AA’s renowned recovery service fleet
  • AA’s order of 500 Transporters last year is bolstered by further 158 vehicles
  • New deal continues close relationship between AA and Volkswagen
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is extending its working partnership with the UK’s largest motoring organisation, The AA, with an order to supply 158 Transporters. 
The additional vehicles come on top of The AA’s order last year for around 500 Transporter vans, which were fully converted at The AA’s conversion site in Oxfordshire.
The Transporters will be used as roadside and recovery vehicles, specially-equipped with warning beacons, racking and a deployable recovery trolley. 
They will allow The AA’s engineers to provide a premier roadside breakdown repair and recovery service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Twin batteries and a higher spec driver’s seat, among other options, have been added to each vehicle. Out of the 158 Transporters, 24 have a DSG gearbox, allowing for a smoother drive and better fuel economy.
Like all Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, The AA’s new Transporters benefit from Volkswagen’s award-winning aftersales programme, and with 72 dedicated Volkswagen Van Centres and 24 Authorised Repairers across the UK, patrols will never be far away from support.
Chris Wiltshire, Fleet Engineer for The AA said: “We couldn’t be happier to continue the fantastic relationship The AA has with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. We have a vehicle that has been developed to suit our needs, and which is converted with specialist racking to accommodate The AA’s tow system, additional equipment and tools.
“The close working partnership provides services to The AA’s wider customer base and supports Volkswagen Group by providing the dedicated Volkswagen breakdown assistance service.”
The AA will continue to replace a proportion of its 2,200 strong fleet of breakdown vans, which are coming to the end of their operational life, with Transporters, which have proved to be dependable, right for the job and efficient.
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Renault launches its all new Formula One car for the new season, this is All new, nothing from last year,

March 7, 2017, 12:39 am
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Renault Sport Formula One Team today launched its 2017 challenger, the R.S.17, at a showcase event in front of international media and team partners, in London, England.
Highlighting new partners and sponsors including BP, Castrol and MAPFRE, the launch was also the first public revealing of the new Renault Sport brand identity, designed to provide a stronger link between Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars.
Powered by Renault Sport Racing’s R.E.17 power unit, the R.S.17 has no carry over parts from the R.S.16. The team has worked from a clean sheet of paper to respond to Formula 1’s latest regulations. 

It is the first Formula 1 car designed from the outset by Renault Sport Racing from its two locations in Enstone, England and Viry-Châtillon, France.
Present at the launch were Thierry Koskas, Groupe Renault Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Jérôme Stoll, President and Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing, as well as Renault Sport Formula One Team’s senior management and drivers, and Alain Prost as Renault Sport Racing Special Advisor.
The R.S.17 was unveiled by race drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, whilst Third and Reserve Driver Sergey Sirotkin was also announced today.
The car was unveiled with the hashtag #RS17Launch.
The 2017 Renault Sport Academy line-up was also confirmed, with Jack Aitken, Max Fewtrell, Jarno Opmeer and Sun Yue Yang all being supported by Renault Sport Racing through their 2017 seasons. Jack will contest the GP3 Series, whilst Max, Jarno and Sun will contest the Formula Renault Eurocup in an historic-high 30-cars-grid.
Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport Racing:
“The R.S.17 is the first car which Enstone and Viry have been able to plan and develop from the outset and we’re satisfied by the fruits of this interaction. It’s a beautiful car. As well as the excitement of the R.S.17 itself, we also have a highly important new partner in BP through their BP and Castrol brands. For 2017 our performance targets are clear. We want to take a definite, tangible step forward in performance and results. Fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship is our goal.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport Racing Managing Director:
“For 2017 we are perfectly placed to take the step forward we all desire. The R.S.17 is the result of many long working hours spent over our two integrated locations and the result is a car we can be proud of. We have a strong line-up of personnel at all levels of the team and we’re proud to see Nico and Sergey join Jolyon in 2017. We are joined by a strong group of partners with BP, Castrol, MAPFRE and SMP Racing representing the best pre-season sponsorship acquisition campaign in the paddock. We are the fastest growing F1 team and we now need to prove our performance on track. Our objective is to score points at every round.”
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Infiniti reaffirms its commitment to the success of the Renault Formula One race team.

March 7, 2017, 12:39 am
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  • INFINITI reaffirmed its long-term technical partnership with Renault Sport Formula One at the Team’s new race car unveil today.
  • The all-new R.S.17 incorporates for the first time the INFINITI co-developed second generation Energy Recovery System.
  • INFINITI also provides the Renault Sport Formula One Team with new and diverse talent through its highly successful INFINITI Engineering Academy.
INFINITI has reaffirmed once again its long-term technical partnership with the Renault Sport Formula One Team at the team’s 2017 race car unveil and driver line up presentation in London today.
Following the successful debut of the INFINITI and Renault Sport Racing collaboration in 2016, the newly launched R.S.17 introduces for the first time the INFINITI co-developed second generation Energy Recovery System (ERS).
This new generation ERS has been developed by the team together with a group of INFINITI Performance Hybrid technology engineers based at the Renault Sport Racing powertrain R&D facilities in Viry-Châtillon (France), and will be in use from the upcoming 2017 season.

“Performance Hybrid technology is one of INFINITI’s major strengths,” said Tommaso Volpe, INFINITI Global Motorsport Director. “We launched our first performance hybrid car in 2011 and we were the first car manufacturer to use this technology to boost performance rather than to reduce consumption; so when the Renault Sport Formula One Team decided to develop their ERS technology in-house, INFINITI emerged as the perfect partner to support them, as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
“We are gaining invaluable experience in Performance Hybrid technology as a result of the collaboration with the Team, and this experience is being transferred back to our core business to improve future technology.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of the Renault Sport Formula One Team, also commented: “The Energy Recovery System element of our Formula 1 Power Unit is extremely complex and INFINITI has brought significant experience and expertise in hybrid technology to the team. The INFINITI engineers based in our facilities are working very closely with our engineering team and playing a key role in extracting the maximum possible performance from our ERS.”
In addition to its expertise in Performance Hybrid technology, INFINITI also brings an international diversity of young, fresh-thinking engineering talent to the Renault Sport Formula One Team through its highly successful INFINITI Engineering Academy.
The 2017 will be the fourth edition of this global recruitment program that offers engineering students from all over the world a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a unique automotive-to-Formula 1 placement, thanks to the technical partnership and collaboration between the two companies. In fact, a key pillar of the INFINITI Engineering Academy is exploring crossover opportunities and the sharing of technology between INFINITI road car and Renault Sport Formula One Team race car projects.
“For INFINITI this is very strategic collaboration: we are part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and with this partnership we extend the important technical synergy of the Alliance also to Formula 1, generating together R&D on hybrid technology”, concluded Volpe.
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The New generation Hyundai i30 Tourer, is a true European car from Design to production.

March 7, 2017, 12:39 am
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  • New wagon body style will be the next member in the i30 family, following launch of five-door
  • Timeless design of i30 is enhanced by versatile and elegant form of wagon
  • The New Generation i30 Wagon will celebrate its world premiere at Geneva International Motor Show 2017 during the Hyundai press conference (8:15 am CET, 7 March 2017)
This year’s Geneva International Motor Show will be the stage for the unveiling of the New Generation Hyundai i30 Tourer. The new member of the i30 family maintains the timeless design of its five-door sibling, adding elegance and versatility in its body style.
“Designed, developed, tested and manufactured in Europe, the New Generation Hyundai i30 is Hyundai Motor’s DNA car in Europe,” says Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. 
“The i30 is more than just a model – it is a family of cars, consisting of four body types with unique characters united by a coherent, timeless design. 
With the new i30 Tourer we are now introducing the next body type, offering elegance and versatility for everyone.”
“The New Generation i30 Tourer speaks the language of the i30 family in terms of design, and it carries the new Hyundai family identity – the Cascading Grille,” explains Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai Design Centre Europe. “The tapering roofline and the dynamic proportions give the Tourer an almost coupé-like silhouette. The sleek and dynamic profile is further emphasised by a rich chrome frame surrounding the side windows.”
In combination with the full-LED headlamps and the vertical LED daytime running lights, the New Generation i30 Tourer has a strong visual presence.
High versatility with one of the biggest boots in the segment
The i30 Tourer’s sleek design does not compromise boot space: with 602 litres of space (VDA 211) and 1,650 litres (VDA 214) with the seats folded, it has one of the biggest boots in the segment. Versatility is further enhanced by the additional storage space beneath the boot floor with several compartments.
The overall length of the Tourer is 4,585 mm (5-door version: 4,340 mm), the height is 1,465 mm (1,475 mm with roof rack). Theoverall width of 1,795 mm and wheelbase of 2,650 mm are the same as the five-door version.
Best-in-class standard safety package
Hyundai Motor democratises technology by offering latest active safety and connectivity features for the New Generation i30 Tourer. The i30 offers best-in-class standard active safety with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert, High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist System always on board.
Using camera sensors, the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) fitted in the i30 operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it controls the brake according to the collision danger stage, and applies maximum braking force to avoid a collision or minimise damage when a collision is unavoidable. The optional pedestrian recognition uses a front radar and avoids or mitigates the consequence of an impact with a pedestrian.
Driver Attention Alert (DAA) is a driver protection feature which helps monitor driving patterns in order to detect fatigued driving and prevent potential accidents.
Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) keeps a constant speed and distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically accelerating and braking up to 180 km/h. If the traffic comes to a halt, the system applies the brake until the car comes to a standstill and accelerates to the desired speed as soon as the road is clear.
The Blind Spot Detector (BSD) with Lane Change Assist monitors the rear corners and, if another vehicle is detected, a visual alert appears on the exterior mirrors.
The Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) system reduces the risk of collision with approaching traffic when reversing out of narrow areas with low visibility by alerting the driver visually and acoustically.
The Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) alerts the driver of unsafe movements at over 60 km/h by sensing the car’s position. It warns the driver before inducing corrective steering to guide the driver back to a safe position.
The Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) identifies road speed signs and displays the speed limit in real time. The information is shown both in the navigation system display as well as in the TFT cluster.
A High Beam Assist (HBA) detects both oncoming vehicles and vehicles in the same lane ahead at night and changes to low-beam as appropriate, reducing blinding effects on other drivers. Whenever there are no vehicles detected HBA automatically re-activates the high beams, maximising the driver’s range of vision.
Smart and connected
The i30 Wagon offers customers a spacious and elegant interior with a horizontal layout and free floating screen for the infotainment system. The eight-inch touch screen of the new generation navigation system offers state-of-the-art connectivity features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and LIVE Services. A wireless charging system for smartphones with the Qi standard is available as well. As an alternative, customers can choose between different audio options, including the audio system with a five-inch capacitive LCD touch screen with integrated dynamic rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity and My Music functionality.
Dynamic and efficient powertrains
The powertrain line-up of the i30 Tourer consists of downsized turbocharged engines to enhance efficiency and responsiveness (preliminary fuel consumption in l/100 km for the Hyundai i30 Wagon range: combined 5.8 – 3.6 l/100km, CO2 Emissions 135– 95 g/km*). Customers can choose from two petrol engines and one 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine with 110PS. The Tourer is available with Hyundai’s all-new turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the 1.4 T-GDI delivers maximum power of 140 PS and the new three-cylinder 1.0 T-GDI that delivers maximum power of 120 PS.
Driving dynamics
The engineers of Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Centre in Germany enhanced the driving dynamics of the New Generation i30 in a rigorous testing programme throughout Europe and on the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. 
The highly rigid and light body with 53 % Advanced High Strength Steel provides the basis for good ride and handling characteristics, and the fact that it is combined with 10 % more direct steering and a newly developed chassis means the driver can enjoy dynamic driving together with high levels of comfort.
Made in Europe
Designed in Hyundai Motor Europe’s Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, produced in Nošovice, Czech Republic, and tested on the Nürburgring, the third generation i30 family is built on the infrastructure that Hyundai Motor has developed over the last 25 years in Europe. It aims to continue the success of the two previous generations of i30, which have sold more than 800,000 cars in Europe since 2008.
*Official combined cycle test –All values are tentative and not homologated yet, hence subject to changes.
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GENEVA - Aston Martin will have three debuts at this years Geneva Extravaganza.

March 7, 2017, 12:40 am
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  • Global motor show debut of Vanquish S
  • European show debut of AM-RB 001 hypercar
  • Q by Aston Martin personalisation service now available for DB11
  • Q by Aston Martin now provides multi-tiered offering
Aston Martin marks the 87th Geneva international Motor Show with a significant trio of major debuts.
In addition to being the global motor show debut of the acclaimed new Vanquish S – the most powerful and dynamic iteration of Aston Martin's Super GT – the British luxury brand is  also proud to announce the European show debut of the AM-RB 001. 
This ongoing collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the AM-RB 001 is a thrilling demonstration of technological innovation and design sophistication, resulting in a truly contemporary hypercar.

Finally, Aston Martin will be showcasing the marque’s enhanced Q by Aston Martin bespoke service with the unveiling of ‘Q by Aston Martin – Collection’ at Geneva. Aston Martin is pleased to announce a new era of tailor-made sports cars with the expansion of its personalisation service. 
Q by Aston Martin has evolved into a multi-tiered offering, giving customers almost limitless opportunities to create their own unique Aston Martin through enhanced levels of design and customer interaction.
Q by Aston Martin has grown substantially since it was established in 2012. 'We set strong foundations for the service and we've had continued success,' says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer, 'now we have the opportunity to work with our customers and take personalisation to a different level.'
Q by Aston Martin - Collection
The Q by Aston Martin - Collection brings an array of distinctive design touches to your Aston Martin. This selection of exclusive trim and enhancements can be added to your Aston Martin at the point of specification and installed and hand-finished at the luxury marque’s Gaydon headquarters. 
Going above and beyond the standard options list, Collection includes exclusive paint and upholstery colours, material finishes and craft elements. These range from a unique leather quilt upholstery pattern to tinted wheel finishes that incorporate body-coloured blades to the diamond turned spokes, as well as the use of new wood and leather interior elements.
DB11 Q by Aston Martin
The range and breadth of the new Q by Aston Martin - Collection is demonstrated by the exclusive DB11 showcased at the upcoming 2017 Geneva Motor Show. DB11   Q by Aston Martin is finished with exclusive Zaffre Blue paint, paired with gloss, satin twill and forged carbon fibre details including - front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser side strakes, bonnet strakes and door mirrors. 
Inside, the upper and lower cabin environments are cloaked in swathes of Obsidian Black Semi-Aniline leather, with the Q by Aston Martin Logo embossed on the headrest. While carbon fibre wheel centres and engine cover add subtle touches. The colour matched four-piece luggage set is also available through Collection.
Q by Aston Martin - Commission
The second stage of Aston Martin's enhanced offering is ‘Q by Aston Martin – Commission’, a step into the world of the truly bespoke, individual sports car. Commission is exactly that, a process that starts with a conversation and ends with a car, a journey that involves a personal collaboration with Aston Martin's design team. 
'It's a commissioning process,' says Dr Matthew Bennett, General Manager for the Q by Aston Martin service 'the customer is working much more closely with us here at Gaydon. The only limit is your imagination – every new commission starts with a blank sheet of paper.' 
Aston Martin's global dealership network is also working closely with Commission to create ultra-limited run series with features and design elements that are distinct to their regions and customers. 
Q by Aston Martin - Commission can also go further. The ultimate commission is, of course, an entirely unique car. Aston Martin has a long and storied history of building individual cars, working alongside true enthusiasts who wish to see their vision translated into something never seen before. 
Q by Aston Martin is perfectly placed to realise these dreams. 'You're talking about the fundamentals of how a car comes together,' Dr Bennett says, 'there is as much reward in the interaction with Aston Martin as there is in the final car. It is a journey.'
Marek Reichman describes Commission as 'fulfilling a creative need – we're experts providing a consultation, like a Savile Row tailor or a yacht builder.' The collaboration with Q by Aston Martin can begin at the company’s headquarters, your dealership or at Aston Martin's dedicated brand centre, No. 8 Dover Street, where the Q by Aston Martin options will be on display. 'In terms of material choices we now have so much,' says Reichman, 'we now have materials that show patina as customers want that sense of age and history. For us, that's beautiful.'
Examples of previous commissions by Q by Aston Martin include the CC-100 Speedster Concept created for the company’s centenary in 2013 and the Vantage GT12 Roadster, a one-off open-top version of the extreme 600PS race-bred Vantage GT12 Coupe. Only Q by Aston Martin - Commission has the experience, expertise and skill to translate such innovative forms into beautiful reality.
'The Vantage GT12 Roadster was a hugely exciting project,' says Aston Martin's President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer, 'it was a vivid demonstration of Q by Aston Martin’s capabilities. We have a truly formidable creative team, from engineering to design. With Commission our customers have the potential to create some of the most iconic and legendary Aston Martins of the future.'
An Aston Martin should be a reflection of the things you hold closest to your heart. Customisation and innovation come together through Q by Aston Martin, providing the opportunity to create a truly tailor-made automobile.
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Dacia launches an all new Stepway model based on the popular Logan MCV Estate.

March 7, 2017, 12:41 am
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  • Following in the tracks of the Sandero, it is now the turn of the Logan MCV to join Dacia’s Stepway family.
  • The new Logan MCV Stepway enhances its credentials as a thoroughly modern and generously-proportioned estate car with a distinctly rugged look.
  • Playing to its major strength of practicality, the new Logan MCV Stepway carries over all the key qualities of the Logan MCV, from its impressively spacious interior space – including five proper seats – to a 573-litre boot, which is amongst the largest in any segment of the market.
  • New limited-edition S.E. Summit versions for each member of the Stepway family and the Duster.
  • The brand continues to grow and achieved record sales figures in 2016. In the 44 different markets in which Dacia is active, it sold 584,219 vehicles in total, representing a year-on-year increase of six per cent.
The Stepway family, one of Dacia’s biggest success stories, maintains its growing momentum with the addition of a fifth member to the Dacia range – the new Logan MCV Stepway – following the Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Duster and Logan MCV.
The new Logan MCV Stepway sports an undeniably muscular build, with an assertive personality that draws inspiration from the world of crossover styling, offering first class practicality and vast load space at an extremely competitive price.
The generously proportioned new Logan MCV Stepway carries over all the key qualities of the Logan MCV:
  • Impressive interior space, with five proper seats
  • A 573-litre boot – amongst the largest in any segment of the automotive market
On the design front, the new Logan MCV Stepway has a distinctly modern edge, including a new lighting signature, new interior updates, additional storage space and upgraded equipment specifications.
Distinctive styling
With its rugged good looks, eye-catching features and generous specification, the new Logan MCV Stepway is clearly a member of the Stepway family.
For easier ingress, its ground clearance has been increased to 174mm – 50mm more than that of the Logan MCV, while its high-up driving position ensures outstanding visibility.
At the front, the new Logan MCV Stepway sports a two-tone bumper as well as a satin-effect chrome skid plate, plus the fitment of fog lights. 
The model similarly incorporates Dacia’s new lighting signature unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show and which imbues it with a dynamic and thoroughly contemporary appearance, with headlights that now incorporate LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) in the form of four stacked rectangles. 
This modern design results in a visibly wider look for the front end of the new Logan MCV Stepway.
The front bumper has been modified to exude an elegant yet athletic stance. Like the other models in the Stepway line-up, the new Logan MCV Stepway’s grille mirrors the black elements of the two-tone bumper, with the chrome rectangles rounding off its distinctive style in much the same manner as the Duster. 
Meanwhile, seen from the side, the wheel arches and sills are accentuated by an exclusive trim that emphasises the model’s bold, powerful feel. 
The new Logan MCV Stepway also comes with Dark Metal door mirror housings and Stepway decals on the front doors, along with Dark Metal longitudinal roof bars which further emphasise the model’s estate car lines.
At the rear, the tail lights are picked out in black, while the new Logan MCV Stepway’s two-tone bumper and satin-effect chrome skid plate are characteristic cues of Dacia’s Stepway range.
The new Logan MCV Stepway comes in a choice of two colours at launch – namely the brand’s iconic Azurite Blue and Mink – combined with new, 16-inch Stepway Dark Metal Flexwheel wheels. This smart, economical and attractive system comprises a slotted wheel trim design that fits over a similarly slotted rim.
A modern interior with more features than ever before
Inside the cabin, the new Logan MCV Stepway enjoys a new, more status-enhancing ambience first introduced several months ago in the new Sandero. This can be seen in the satin-effect chrome door releases, while the centre console fascia and air vents are trimmed by similarly-coloured surrounds.
The new Logan MCV Stepway comes with Dacia’s new four-spoke steering wheel – complete with horn push in the centre – in the brand’s Soft Feel finish, making it highly durable, easy on the eye and pleasant to the touch. The steering wheel mounted-controls are now better integrated, resulting in a more user-friendly and comfortable driving experience. In the middle of the wheel, beneath the Dacia logo, the word ‘Stepway’ is picked out in blue.
The upholstery fabric selected for the new Logan MCV Stepway first appeared inside the new Sandero Stepway. These seats feature a 3D weave for a greater sensation of depth, enhanced by top-stitching. The overall effect is an even more dynamic design.
More extensively equipped for enhanced comfort
The new Logan MCV Stepway will be available in Laureate trim only, featuring MediaNav Evolution, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, DAB radio and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Leather upholstery, reverse parking camera and height adjustment package are also available.
The vehicle’s interior features have been conceived to take the strain out of everyday motoring. The door-mounted front and rear electric window switches fall more easily to hand than before. For enhanced comfort, drivers now benefit from a one-touch function and a retractable centre armrest incorporated into the seat. Last but not least, the model is fitted with one-touch direction indicators and a lit glove box.
In addition to the many stowage areas located conveniently throughout the cabin, rear passengers are pampered by a ceiling light and a 12V power supply to connect and charge portable devices.
The new Logan MCV Stepway will be available with a choice of engine and transmission options:
  • Petrol: TCe 90 with Stop & Start (S&S) mated to a five-speed manual gearbox (combined cycle fuel consumption: 5.1 litres/100km / CO2 emissions: 115g/km).
  • Diesel: dCi 90 S&S coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox (combined cycle fuel consumption: 3.9 litres/100km / CO2 emissions: 100g/km).
Dacia continues to break its own sales records
In 2016, in the 44 markets in which Dacia models are sold, the brand achieved sales of some 584,219 units, representing a year-on-year gain of six percent. This positive trend can be seen across all of the regions in which Dacia is active, with no fewer than 28 countries establishing either new market share or new sales records.
The brand’s share of the passenger car and LCV market expanded by 0.1 percentage points to 2.4 percent in Europe, by 0.2 percentage points to 7.9 percent in Eurasia and by 1.1 percentage points to 19.4 percent in the Maghreb region.
  • In Europe, Dacia’s sales totalled 415,010 units – a new record and an increase of 10.8 per cent. The Sandero was ranked fourth in the B segment for retail customers, with the Duster second in the C segment for retail customers and the best-selling SUV in the same segment.
  • In France, Dacia reported a 12.1 per cent rise in overall sales to 112,111 vehicles, setting a new record as more than 110,529 passenger cars were sold to retail customers. Sales of the Sandero climbed by 24.2 per cent to make it the number two model amongst retail customers in France, with Dacia the fourth-highest selling retail customer brand.
  • In its other European markets, Dacia saw its sales increase by 10.4 per cent to 302,899 units. In Italy, the brand posted record sales of 52,272 units – a gain of 11.6 per cent. The brand was similarly successful in the UK, achieving sales of 26,562 (up 1.1 per cent) in a stable, business customer-oriented market. A new record was also established in Poland, as sales rose an impressive 29.3 per cent to 19,275 units.
  • In Switzerland, too, the brand enjoyed excellent growth, gaining 0.7 percentage points of market share to attain a new high of 2.2 per cent. This represented Dacia’s best year to-date in the country as it increased its sales by 39.9 per cent to 7,824 units.
  • In those Eurasian markets where it has a presence, Dacia has gained 0.2 percentage points to earn a market share of 7.9 per cent, with sales up by 5.8 per cent to a total of 90,926 units. The brand remains the market leader in both Romania and Bulgaria. In the former, Dacia sold 38,861 vehicles in 2016 to claim a 29.6 per cent share of the market. In Turkey, meanwhile, the brand broke new records in terms of both vehicle sales (47,529 units, up 6.3 per cent) and market share (4.8 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points).
  • In the Maghreb, Dacia’s market share stands at 19.4 per cent with 66,165 sales in 2016 – an increase of 1.1 per cent. The brand is performing particularly well in Israel, where the first Dacia showroom opened its doors only two years ago and where 4,246 sales – a climb of 65 per cent – provided the brand with a 1.5 per cent share of the market. Dacia continues to lead the way, finally, in terms of vehicle sales in Morocco with a market share of 26.6 per cent, translating into 43,408 vehicle sales in 2016 (up 16.1 per cent).
Over the last 12 years, Dacia has sold more than four million vehicles. Today, the brand stands out as a major player in the automotive market thanks to its clear policy of manufacturing attractive models that provide real value for money for the equipment they pack.
Dacia’s models are built at four different factories on two continents, with plants in Pitesti (Romania), Tangier and Casablanca (Morocco), and Oran (Algeria). The company’s policy is to produce as close as possible to its markets in order to adapt to the different needs of its customers as closely as possible.
In its attractive product range, Dacia is a popular thanks to its active community of followers, with some 3.5 million fans across its various social networks.
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GENEVA - Dacia to launch a new Special Edition on its range of popular cars.

March 7, 2017, 12:41 am
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Dacia will launch a new special edition version for the Duster, Sandero Stepway and the New Logan MCV Stepway at Geneva International Motor Show on 7th March. 
The Summit special editions will be based upon the highest equipment level and will stand out in particular through two exclusive exterior colour options: Nordic Grey or Magma Orange (Sandero Stepway only). 
In the Stepway range, these new colours will be complemented by 16-inch Grey Flex wheels, while the Duster will sport 16-inch diamond-cut black Cyclades alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, these special edition models boast exclusive dual-material upholstery. The seats are instantly recognisable thanks to their Burnt Orange piping and top-stitching, plus the word ‘Stepway’ embroidered into the fabric in the same colour. The carpet mats are similarly finished with Burnt Orange top-stitching.
The same Burnt Orange detailing is to be found on the centre console cover and air vent surrounds.
This special edition is based on the Lauréate trim to include air conditioning, Media Nav Evolution multimedia system, rear parking sensors, DAB radio and cruise control with speed limiter.
The Duster also features wheel arch guards and protective side mouldings.
The Summit special editions will be available with the same engines as the Stepway and Duster ranges.
Pricing for the Summit special edition range will be announced closer to the on sale date in Spring 2017.
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