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Caterham calls time on iconic Superlight R500

By Adam Binnie Motor Industry 08 July 2014 10:52 The final Caterham Superlight R500 has rolled off the production line as the Dartford sports car maker closes the order book on one of its most extreme creations. The 253bhp R500, which is capable of reaching 60mph in 2.88 seconds, pirouetted onto the scene in a cloud of tyre smoke in 2008. This lightweight David went on to win hearts and minds around the world by beating the Goliath Bugatti Veyron on Top Gear TV’s test track by nearly half a second.

Vauxhall Promotes ‘Black Box’ Insurance Tech For Young Drivers

CASH-STRAPPED young drivers rejoice – Vauxhall is to offer drivers between 18 and 20 one year’s insurance cover for a one off payment of £99. To qualify you’ll need to opt for one of Vauxhall’s Corsa Excite or Limited Edition models. The car maker is teaming up with insurance provider ingenie, and each car is fitted with ‘black box' technology which monitors driving style, including speed, acceleration, braking and cornering.

Mark Adams on the Past, Present and Future of Opel Design

Back in 1938, GM showed the world's first concept car: Harley Earl's Buick Y-Job. Twenty-six years later, GM's Opel division became the first mainstream carmaker to design and build a concept in Europe. That car was the Opel Experimental GT, designed in 1964 and launched at the Frankfurt motor show in 1965.

Smart video hints at new ForTwo and ForFour designs (2014)

By Adam Binnie Motor Industry 08 July 2014 12:42 Good news if you cannot wait for the official launch of Smart’s two new 2014 models: a sneak preview of the new ForTwo and ForFour has been released. The video shows off the innovations of the new models, including the ForTwo’s new ‘smile’ and wider stance, and was uploaded to the Daimler AG YouTube channel ahead of the cars’ launch in July 2014. It shows how the latest evolutions of Smart’s clever small cars retain features from their predecessors, such as the Tridion safety shell and wheel-in-each-corner design.

2015 Vauxhall Astra means new UK jobs

Vauxhall has announced that it will take on 300 new staff at its Ellesmere Port plant, ready for production of the new Astra in 2015. It follows the plant’s successful bid to build the 2015 Astra, which secured investment of £125 million for the UK factory in 2012. 20 reasons why Britain’s car industry is booming Read a Vauxhall new car review Meanwhile, in 2011, Vauxhall’s Luton plant received a £185 million investment to build the new Vivaro van – and now the Bedfordshire base is planning to create a further 250 jobs.

Mechanics qualifications gained using Haynes manuals

MOST MEN enjoy a good Haynes car manual, whether they really understand it or not, but a group of youngsters has used the workshop guides to achieve their first qualifications in car mechanics. The first wave of the Haynes Mechanix scheme has seen a mixed gender youth club group, aged 15-25 and from Islington in London, use Haynes manuals along with guidance from experienced mentors to fix real problems on a real car. The donor Volkswagen, known as Percy the Polo, was a theoretical MOT fail and needed replacement spark plugs, a brake fluid replacement and much more, to give the aspiring tinkerers a broad spectrum of challenges.

New Honda Civic Black Edition launches

New Honda Civic Black Edition launches The Honda Civic in normal guise – as opposed to the Type R – might not be the most inspiring car on the market, but it offers a convincing package nonetheless of great quality and decent looks and, in the latest Civic, better ride and better handling. As a Ford Focus and VW Golf competitor, the Civic perhaps suffers from a slightly boring image, which would explain why Honda has launched the Civic Black Edition with a meaner look to entice buyers who want a Civic that looks a bit less an older generation car. There are no power upgrades, suspension tweaks or promise of more dynamism from the Civic Black Edition, but it does get exterior gloss black elements and black side skirts and rear bumper, together with gloss black roof spoiler, integrated covers for the door mirrors and a gloss black fuel filler lid.

2015 Volvo XC90 preview: tech details

More details about the all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 are continuing to emerge, and the latest concerns the new premium SUV's amazing blend of performance, safety and efficiency. In fact, Volvo says there has never been a seven-seater off-roader to offer such an incredible combination of power and eco-friendliness before. Click through or gallery to read more about the all-new 2015 Volvo XC90

Rolls-Royce hits new sales record

ROLLS-ROYCE has strolled luxuriously to a record half-year new car sales total - although actual volumes have not been released yet. Sales worldwide have risen by 33% compared with the January to June 2013 period, with sales in Europe up by more than 60%. There was also strong growth in Asia Pacific (up nearly 40%) and in the Middle East (up by more than 30%).

Germany to tax foreign drivers

GERMANY plans to introduce a car toll that seeks to make money from the millions of foreigners who drive through the country every year, the transport minister said today. Germany has a truck toll but, unlike many European countries, no car toll. Alexander Dobrindt said it wasn't fair that foreign drivers do not contribute to maintaining the roads and that "fairness gap" should be closed.

The Designers, Pt 9 – Tim Yerdon, Visteon

Car Design News launched its first-ever Car Design Review yearbook at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring the award-winning Production Car and Concept Car Designs of 2013. If you're interested in buying a copy of the 160-page yearbook this interview appears in, alongside trend reports, bespoke car design infographics and a special feature on Marcello Gandini, our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Car Design Review can be purchased here. Name Tim YerdonRole Global director of innovation and design, VisteonAge, nationality 41, USLocation Michigan, USAEducation Michigan & Penn State University "What's unique about us compared to pure consumer electronics industries is that we have automotive intellect.

First sight: Volkswagen Passat (2015)

In recent years, European buyers have been switching their mid-size sedans and wagons for smaller cars, crossovers and SUVs. The Volkswagen Passat, Europe's most successful company car, has defined this market segment pretty much since it arrived back in 1973, and this latest, eighth-generation model has been designed to attempt to reverse that buying trend. When we catch up with design director Dr Klaus Bischoff at the car's unveiling, he's certainly confident that the new car represents a significant step forward.

Brabus to revive Pullman name with extra-long S-class

By Adam Binnie Motor Industry 07 July 2014 16:07 Aftermarket tuning company Brabus is reportedly in charge of building a new extra-long S-class named the ‘Pullman’ for Mercedes Benz. At nearly six and a half metres long, the ultra-luxurious Pullman will be even larger than the long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantom. It’s a bit of a beast, then.

Audi to offer Apple and Android smartphone integration from 2015

By Adam Binnie Motor Industry 07 July 2014 11:48 Audi drivers will soon be able to use smartphone functions in their cars, as the company becomes the latest to adopt new integration technology from Android and Apple. Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay software platforms will be available from 2015, in what Audi describes as a ‘milestone in smartphone integration’. The system will eventually allow Audi drivers to connect their smartphone to the car’s Multi Media Interface to make calls, send and receive messages, as well as getting directions and playing music.

Help fund Driving Dreams – a documentary film dedicated to the masters of Italian car design

Italian car designs of the 1950s, 60s and 70s are a fascination and inspiration to many – an era where some of the most skilled designers, craftsmen and engineers collaborated to reach what many believe a zenith. But while we may know everything there is about the cars of this period, the men who created them remain enigmatic largely due to their collective modesty. Daniel Tomičić and Gianluca Migliarotti are hoping to change this however, by creating a documentary film that tracks down the key players from the time.

Volkswagen Group takes over BlackBerry's European R&D center

The Volkswagen Group has taken over BlackBerry's European research and development center in Bochum, Germany. The center employs around 200 people who will transfer to the newly founded VW Group subsidiary, Volkswagen Infotainment GmbH. BlackBerry is in the midst of a global restructure, as it bids to move away from making smartphones and switch its business to software development.

MINI owners paying TWICE for servicing

Don’y pay to service your MINI twice MINI has been busy launching the New MINI of late, with the bigger – and some would say less ‘Mini’ MINI – now revealed in both regular 3-door and new 5-door guise, and many will be popping off to their local MINI showrooms to spec up their new car. And despite a headline starting price for the new MINI Hatch of just £13,750, many buyers will end up adding thousands to the cost once they’ve been tempted by the multitude of options on offer. But one option that’s a real no-brainer is the MINI TLC Pack.

CAR interviews Karl Schlicht, Toyota and Lexus product chief (2014)

By Damion Smy Motor Industry 07 July 2014 11:07 CAR magazine interviewed Karl Schlicht, the product chief at Toyota and Lexus, to find out how one of the world's biggest car makers is fighting to make its cars more engaging. Japan's biggest manufacturer seemingly has quality and engineering licked, but is keen to inject real desirability on its European range - and products like the GT86 sports car and recently facelifted Yaris suggest that Toyota is making strides in that direction. Read on for our full interview.

VW pushes upmarket: the new Passat and lessons learned by the Phaeton

By John Mahoney Motoring Issues 07 July 2014 08:02 Logically, it makes perfect sense to push the new 2015 VW Passat upmarket far away from the declining, mass-market D-segment it used to inhabit. After all, how can Volkswagen resist a tasty slice of profit the BMW 3-series or Mercedes C-class dishes out to their makers? Even if it does risk stepping on Audi's toes...

Learners' bizarre superstitions revealed

NERVES can have a crippling effect on learner drivers once they get to test day. Here, instructors with the AA Driving School recall particularly superstitious students whose desire to get their full licence resulted in carrying out unusual rituals: :: One pupil wore the T-shirt she had on when she gave birth to her daughter (now seven years old) and the trousers she was wearing before she conceived. :: A learner had failed three times due to nerves.

Volkswagen Beetle Dune IS going in to production – expect it in 2016

The VW Beetle Dune (above) will hit showrooms in 2016 Volkswagen went back to its Beetle history with the VW Beetle Dune Concept at Detroit in January, a car that looked close to production-ready even if VW were adamant it was just a concept. There was no more new on the Beetle Dune until late last month when, for no apparent reason, a raft of new photos of the Beetle Dune were released by Volkswagen with the only rationale being they had made the decision to make the Dune a production car. And they have.

2015 Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake OFFICIALLY confirmed

The Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake will arrive in 2015 Mercedes are determined that their new A-Class family of cars will offer something for everyone, and the latest demonstration of that is the official confirmation of the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake for 2015. Taking its design cues from the CLS Shooting Brake, the new CLA Shooting Brake will offer a swoopy coupe estate with the emphasis on style rather than load-lugging. Underpinning the new CLA Shooting Brake will be the same platform that underpins the other A-Class models – A-Class, CLA Coupe, GLA SUV and B-Class – and offer the same range of engine and transmission options.

British Grand Prix 2014: Result

British Grand Prix 2014: Result The 2014 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was all set up for a cracking race with the Williams and Ferraris at the back of the grid after calling the rain wrongly in qualifying and Lewis Hamilton in sixth after his own bad judgement on the state of the track. But did that make for an exciting race? Hamilton moved from sixth to fourth at the start – and Button up to second – but the first lap saw a heavy crash by Kimi Raikkonen – collecting Felipe Massa in a near head-on in the process – bringing proceedings to an abrupt halt.

British Grand Prix Qualifying: Rosberg on pole for Mercedes – Hamilton 6th

Nico Rosberg (pictured) takes pole for 2014 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Nico Rosberg has taken pole position for tomorrow’s 2014 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but team mate Lewis Hamilton made a complete mess of final qualifying and will start 6th in the race. Hamilton decided that his final run wasn’t quick enough and aborted it because he was a bit down in the first two sectors, but the rest of the track had dried out more, and if he’d carried on with his lap he would have almost certainly have taken pole. Behind Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel put his Red Bull in second place and McLaren’s Jenson Button took third followed by Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India and Kevin Magnussen in the second McLaren.

Peugeot 2008 DKR gets 340 bhp turbo diesel to fight the Dakar Rally

Peugeot 2008 DKR (pictured) gets 340 bhp turbo diesel to fight the Dakar Rally The days of Peugeot’s motorsport activities being integral to the brand’s identity are long gone, but Peugeot are still playing motorsports with a few headline grabbing projects like Sebastian Loeb’s Pikes Peak car. But Peugeot’s motorsport activities at the moment are extending a bit further than hitting Pikes Peak (and the Goodwood hillclimb) in a monstrous Peugeot 208 T16, and a 2008 to take on the Dakar Rally was revealed back in April. Then, we got to see the Peugeot 2008 DKR in all its Mad Max glory, but Peugeot were being a bit circumspect about what was underneath their Apocalypse-taming Rally Raid Monster.

Booming British car market hits nine-year high in 2014

By James Fallon Motor Industry 04 July 2014 11:44 British new-car sales continue to rise, new figures out today revealed. In the first six months of 2014, a total of 1,287,265 new vehicles were registered – a 10.6% increase on the same six-month period in 2013 and the highest total in almost a decade. And the boom is showing no signs of tailing off; during June 2014, new-car registrations rose 6.2% to 228,291 and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders expects the trend to continue throughout the year as the economy continues to bounce back.

7th Le Mans Classic starts today

By James Fallon Motor Shows 04 July 2014 13:43 The increasingly popular biennial vintage car event, Le Mans Classic is upon us, with the action taking place between the 4th and 6th of July at the illustrious circuit in France.  The event is an opportunity for motorsport enthusiasts to see some of history’s greatest racing cars and also some great drivers.  Sébastien Loeb, Emanuele Pirro, Andy Wallace and Jean Ragnotti are amongst some of the names in attendance.  There are four-hundred and fifty entrants, carefully chosen by Peter Auto to give variety and represent certain historical periods in racing. Battles between old rivals – many of which are steeped in racing pedigree, will be replayed on track in this awesome spectacle. There are six different grids which divide the 650 entrants with each grid representing a particular period in racing.

Concept Car of the Week: Alfa Romeo Nuvola (1996)

Before heading Volkswagen Group Design, Walter de Silva spent thirteen years at the reins of Alfa Romeo Centro Stile in Arese. During this time he led an effective overhaul of the brand's design language and market positioning. Keen to bring the brand back to its former glory, he undertook the creation of what the brand ultimately needed, a prestigious and thoroughly Postmodern sports car.

Mazda reveal date for all-new MX-5

Mazda has confirmed that the all-new fourth generation Mazda MX-5 (ND) will be unveiled in September 2014. The new MX-5 will be shown simultaneously at events in the USA, Japan and Barcelona in Spain. 2014 also marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the first MX-5 – also know as the Eunos Roadster and Mazda Miata – in 1989.

Mazda reveals date for all-new MX-5

Mazda has confirmed that the all-new fourth generation Mazda MX-5 (ND) will be unveiled in September 2014. The new MX-5 will be shown simultaneously at events in the USA, Japan and Barcelona in Spain. 2014 also marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the first MX-5 – also know as the Eunos Roadster and Mazda Miata – in 1989.