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 Koenigsegg AB have announced forming a strategic partnership with NEVs (National Electric Vehicles Sweden). NEVS will take a 20% stake in Koenigsegg with an investment of EUR 150 million. This will allow increased growth in their hyper car market with an emphasis on electrification. The two companies are also starting a new joint venture with a 65/35% stake. Koenigsegg providing intellectual property, technology licenses and product design worth $80 million. The partnership will access extensive automotive skills from the area around Trollhattan and the home of SAAB. NEVS capacity for production in Trollhattan and China and through their majority owner Evergrande’s wide distribution and ownership in one of China’s largest car retailers. 
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First 3 day qualifying round results The new W Series, all female F3 race series has just completed its first three days of qualifying selection. This was carried out at the Wachauring at Melk in Austria. The drivers spent a couple of days getting to know each other and getting fitted out in race suits etc. It is a little unclear how many initially took part, with 60 names on my list taken from the W Series website. The CEO, Catherine Bond Muir, mentions 60 odd contestants from 30 countries and the website says 54 took part (54 was the original number). The contest of selection was judged by Alex Wurz and contained 10 modules, including driving Ford Fiesta STs and Porsche Cayman S around the snowy track. The modules also included tests and the drivers' ability to present themselves to media etc. The 28, selected from 15 countries, are highlighted here and it is great to see all the UK entrants got through, showing the quality of British drivers. The next stage is in March at Almera, Spain, driving the new W Series Tatuus Formula 3 car. From these trials, 20 drivers will be selected, with 18 competing and 2 in reserve.
2018 Ford Mustang Ecoboost at Sandicliffe Ford, Nottingham in Orange Fury. 
  On our recent visit to Sandicliffe Ford, Nottingham to view the latest Ranger Raptor we couldn't help having a nose around a few of their other cars.Mustang Bullitt  The trim is now chrome and is devoid of any badges other than the large Bullitt sign on the rear.
Fitted with new style wheels and an active exhaust
Other upgrades include Michelin 255/40 ZR 19 Pilot Sport S tyres and a golf ball gear stick.  Sandicliffe Ford at Nottingham 26th January 2019Informed of the launch of the new Ford Ranger Raptor at Sandicliffe, we just had to have a look. Our experience of Sandicliffe is that we are made welcome, and the staff are always chatty and welcoming. We were quickly pointed in the direction of the new Raptor.  The new Raptor is all about off-road performance and ability.
The new Raptor stands out against the standard Ranger. When we test drove the Ranger, we were impressed. When compared to other Utility vehicles, the Ranger performed favourably and we can easily see the upgrades the Raptor offers. We were surprised that at the moment it is only being made available with a 210bhp diesel engine, which although smaller than the standard 2.2l or the 3.2l in the standard Ranger, provides more performance than the older engine design. In the days of expensive diesel and the current dislike for diesel pollution, I would expect an alternative petrol engine to be available for Europe. Although, almost all its competitors are also diesel, so maybe it's not quite so strange a selection. Compared with one of its direct rivals, the Isuzu D'Max Arctic Trucks AT35 which we have also test driven, it not only looks like it was specifically designed for the intended work, it also looks more robust. The AT35 looks mean, but also looks like a modified, if upgraded standard D'Max, whereas the Raptor looks factory made and original in design. The Isuzu has only 165bhp so the 210bhp for the Raptor is actually pretty good.
 Inside the Raptor The seats have car comfort, and with the new 10 speed automatic, it will be a very relaxing drive. The Raptor is designed to excel in off road work and comes with several selectable modes. With the push of a button, you can choose from six different modes for different terrain: Normal mode, Sport mode, Grass, Gravel and Snow mode, Mud and Sand mode, Rock mode, and off-road performance - Baja mode. The suspension is also re-designed and upgraded to provide improved grip through its large tyres and a better, more protected ride for the driver. The controls are standard Ford.  I think the only downside is the load carrying capacity of 640kg and also a low towing weight of only 2.7 tonne compared to others at 3.5 tonne. All my quoted capacities are from the current US model and things could change on the final import model. The model we viewed at Sandicliffe was a LHD and no prices or delivery dates have been released yet, though they anticipate if you place an order at a dealership, you could possibly expect delivery for May/June.
 New Toyota Supra GR Toyota has finally launched the new Supra after months of sneak glimpses and few details. Launched today 14-01-19 at the Detroit International Motor Show. The Supra GR is a 3.0L twin scroll Turbo inline six but is no longer a 2+2. The new car is a 355bhp 2 seater sports car with paddle shift 8 speed automatic drive through the rear wheels. The side profile is not far off the MkIV.
Featuring launch control (No details yet), 0 – 100 kph is 4.3 seconds. British customers that applied for the initial sales can choose the limited edition grey A90 version which is based on the Pro version of the GR model but with red leather interior. Prices are below and orders can be placed from 15th January 2019. The on-the-road prices are: – Toyota GR Supra 3.0L £52,695 Toyota GR Supra 3.0L Pro £54,000 Toyota GR Supra 3.0L A90 Edition £56,945  Toyota GR Supra A90 Edition  Toyota GR Supra 3.0L Interior UK launch model range with Supra 3.0L and Supra 3.0L Pro grades The Toyota Gazoo Racing Supra 2019 line-up will available in either Supra 3.0L and Supra 3.0L Pro. The Toyota GR Supra 3.0L will benefit from an active differential, Adaptive Variable Suspension, and 19-inch forged alloy wheels with a high-performance brake package. The Supra 3.0L also features - dual-zone automatic air conditioning, Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go, smart entry and push-button start, steering wheel with leather trim and auxiliary switches and a digital combimeter in the driver’s instrument display. LED technology is used for the adaptive headlights, rear lights and daytime running lights, and the mirrors (door mirrors and rear-view mirror) are all auto-dimming, rain-sensing wipers and a rear-view camera. The sports seats are upholstered in black Alcantara and are power-adjustable (including lumbar support), with integrated heating and memory functions. The infotainment specifications feature a 10-speaker audio system with 8.8-inch display, navigation system with Supra Connect (in applicable markets), Bluetooth and USB port. Safety features include Supra Safety+ package, which comprises Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Change Departure Alert, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, Rear-end Collision Alert, and intelligent parking sensors with automatic braking. In addition, there is an eCall function that will send an automatic location alert to the emergency services in the event of a serious collision, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. All Toyota GR Supra models are fitted with an alarm. The Supra 3.0L Pro grade, expected to account for most of the model sales in the UK, builds the specification with black leather upholstery, 12-speaker JBL premium sound system, head-up display, wireless mobile phone charger and storage and lighting packs.  Toyota GR Supra 3.0L Front View SPECS PERFORMANCE Power to weight ratio (kg per kW) 6 Max. speed (mph) 155 (electronically limited) 0-62mph acceleration (sec) 4.3 FUEL CONSUMPTION & EMISSIONS Fuel tank capacity (l) 52 CO2 emissions – NEDC correlated (g/km) 170 SUSPENSION Front suspension Double joint sprung strut axle in aluminium-steel construction with hydraulically damped torque strut bearings Rear suspension 5-link axle in lightweight aluminium-steel construction STEERING Type Rack and pinion, electric power steering Overall ratio 15.1:1 Min. turning circle (m) 11 BRAKES Front (diameter x thickness, mm) Ventilated discs, 348 x 36, with 4-pot fixed callipers Rear (diameter x thickness, mm) Ventilated discs, 345 x 24, with single-pot floating callipers TYRES Type Michelin Pilot Super Sport Front 255/35 ZR 19 96Y Rear 275/35 ZR 19 100Y The new Supra is only available in 3.0L in the UK but two different inline four cylinder Turbo models are also available in Japan There specs are either 265bhp and a 0 – 100kph of 5.2 or 202bhp and 0 – 100kph in 6.5 seconds.  Toyota GR Supra 3.0L rear view 10th to 13th January 2019You can read our report on last years show HERE Here are a few of the great cars you can see at this years show.  On Porsche’s stand you can see the 2019 Porsche 935 ‘Moby Dick’, will be presented in Europe for the first time at the show. Sporting the same 690bhp, 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six and chassis underpinnings of the latest 911 GT2 RS, the European debut of this limited production track-only supercar is not to be missed  2018 McLaren Senna (Shmee150) Something of a motoring internet icon, Shmee150 has attended the Autosport International for a number of years, bringing along some of his prized collection of automobiles. This year his MSO Cerulean Blue McLaren Senna will take centre stage in the Live Action Arena, where he will be presenting alongside David Croft and Emma Walsh. Producing 789bhp from its 4.0L twin-turbo V8, the Senna is the latest supercar to come out of the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey and it will be great to see being driven live at the show.  2018 Nero Design Aventador S and Urus (Yiannimize) Much-loved by the internet, supercar wrapper supreme – Yiannimize, will be bringing along his matching Nero Design Lamborghini Aventador S and Urus SUV. Each vehicle will be sporting brand-new, aftermarket body-kits from Nero Design and an outlandish chrome turquoise wrap applied by Yianny’s team. The cars are a must-see for fans of his YouTube series, and anyone who loves a lairy custom Italian sports car.  2018 Liberty Walk BMW i8 World-renowned Japanese-based supercar tuners Liberty Walk will be bringing along its latest custom widebody supercar to the show. The 2018 LB Works BMW i8 will take pride-of-place on the Liberty Walk stand (4510) in the Performance & Tuning Car Show.  1973 Porsche 917/30 Sunoco 996
This historic racing Porsche is on show at the Performance & Tuning Car Show. Produced specifically for the open-top CanAm championship, only 6 examples of this iconic Porsche racecar were ever built. The championship had almost no engine restrictions, so the 5.4-litre motor in this 1973 917/30 produced a gargantuan 1,100bhp. Unsurprisingly, it dominated the series and took home the top four places. |
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