There’s been a bit of a shake up at Aston Martin Europe’s leadership. Mark Kenworthy has vacated his position as President and taken on a new role as Head of Global Dealer Network at the Aston Martin headquarters in Gaydon.
Ulrich Schäfer, the former Managing Director at Polaris, will take over from Kensworthy as President of Aston Martin Europe. Born in Trier, Germany, Schäfer has been in the automotive and motorcycle industry for brands like BMW, Indian Motorcycles, Renault and KIA for more than 20 years.
Speaking of his appointment, Schäfer said, “I am delighted to be joining Aston Martin at what is an exciting time for the brand. I’m looking forward to working with the team and our partners in developing the brand for the future.”
He held various senior management positions in marketing and brand management, dealer development and sales while at the aforementioned companies. A learned man with an MBA from Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany and a degree in International Economics from the University of Sorbonne in Paris, France, Schäfer has his work cut out for him.
Regarding the new appointment, President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Andy Palmer said, “I want to personally thank Mark Kenworthy for his support job in the region, under his direction, Aston Martin in Europe has doubled the total sales on a year-to-year basis, significantly extending our market share.”
He later added, “We are delighted to welcome Ulrich Schäfer to the Aston Martin team. He brings profound knowledge and a wealth of experience by serving more than 20 years in the automotive industry. We are looking forward to working with Ulrich in delivering the Second Century plan.”
Aston Martin has been making several big changes lately, which include a partnership with AMG that will see the former use the latter’s engines to power its cars. Let’s hope these big decisions will help the Gaydon based automaker, get back it’s winning ways.
Kia has released more images of a concept vehicle that is meant as a precursor to the new Procee’d, and it will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Coincidentally, the new car was designed in Frankfurt, which is home to the Korean automaker’s European design centre.
Based on first impressions, the new concept features sleeker lines and a raked roof that add to its sporty character. A more subtle tiger nose grille adorns the front fascia, which is a nod to Kia’s current design language.
The curved projector headlights are able to blend in with the fluid nature of the vehicles contours, which add to the appeal. And unlike the car it will replace, the new Procee’d features a hatchback design, which should be more practical and provide more luggage space for customers.
That said, the actual production ready vehicle may not look identical to this. Admittedly, Kia have said that the concept is meant to provide the public with a glimpse into what the actual car could look like.
That said, it would be prudent to say that a number of the more ‘futuristic’ elements of the car will be retracted and replaced with more sensible and ‘production-ready’ ones. But as a whole, the silhouette including the racked roof, extended hatchback style rear and sleek side profiles should make it onto the actual Procee’d.
Speaking of the concept, Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe for Kia Motors, said, “With many European drivers now seeking performance alternatives to the three-door hot hatch, we began thinking about a different halo model for the cee’d family.”
He later added, “The Proceed Concept represents a bold new vision of how the vibrant soul of the pro_cee’d could be reincarnated and revitalized for a new generation of performance-oriented drivers.”
Information regarding the technology aspect still remains scarce, but we are sure Kia will divulge more when the covers come off teh actual car in just a few days time.
Celebrations for Ferrari’s 70th birthday will begin tomorrow at its home of Maranello. The event is estimated to draw thousands of customers and fans from around the world as their join in with the festivities.
International rallies of Ferraris will be touring major cities around Europe to commemorate the occasion. They will pass through places like Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Monte Carlo, Prague, Reims, Salzburg and Rome before converging in Milan.
On Saturday, a single grand parade of 500 Ferraris will drive to the Fiorano circuit, the main venue of the celebration. In Modena on the same day, rare Ferrari cars will be put on display for the general public. Then, these vehicles will be driven to the Museo Enzo Ferrari, to pay homage to the birthplace of the automaker’s founder, Enzo Ferrari.
In the evening, guests will be able to attend the show “Ferrari Settanta”, which recounts the company’s past and present while also taking a peek into the future. However, due to space constrains, only a limited number of people will get to witness it in person, the rest will have to settle for watching it on TV.
On Sunday the Concours d’Elegance will conclude the celebrations. A jury of international experts will be tasked with choosing the two “Best of Show” cars in the GT and Sportscar categories from among 120 precious vintage Ferraris.
Ferrari is one of the most celebrated automakers in history. Many consider loyalty to the brand, a religion, and one that is observed by the Tifosi. Stay tuned, and we will bring you more regarding the event as soon as it becomes available to us.
Nissan has unveiled the highly anticipated second generation EV, the Leaf. Building on the success of its predecessor that burst onto the scene in 2010, the new car aims to be the smartest electric vehicle on the market.
Though it features the same basic silhouette as its predecessor, the car has been given a completely new look. Gone is the fish eye-like front end and in its place, a more contemporary look with sharp projector headlights that meet the narrow yet prominent V motion chrome grille.
The new Leaf stills sports the swept back look of its predecessor but seems to feature a sportier side profile thanks to a pair of decent side skirts and a two-tone paint scheme. This theme is carried to the rear as well because part of the hatch has a gloss black finish.
It also features more angular but less prominent rear taillights that are smaller than its predecessor. The bottom section of the rear bumper resembles that of a diffuser, but we aren’t sure whether its fully-functional or just there for vanity purposes.
Fitted at the base of the car is a higher density battery pack that is about 40% more efficient than the one fitted to the 2010 car. As such it enables the new Leaf to cover a distance of 378km on a single charge.
Nissan is very proud of the car’s e-powertrain, which offers better efficiency and is able to deliver 148bhp and 320Nm of torque. The smart thing about the new car is that it is able to charge as and when necessary as well as when tariffs are lower.
The car can also feed power back into the power grid and power your home during the day to help reduce your electricity bill. Though these features won’t be beneficial in all global markets, it will help owners in places where sufficient infrastructure is in place to support EVs.
As expected, the new Leaf comes with all the latest tech which include ProPILOT, ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal. ProPILOT is an intelligent autonomous system that keeps the car in its respective lane as well as at a safe distance from the vehicle at the front. It uses mutiple ultrasound sensors to offer drivers extra security especially on long journeys.
ProPILOT Park, allow the Leaf to manouver into parking spots without the need for human intervention. Though this is nothing revolutionary, it still is impressive to witness. Lastly, there’s the e-Pedal. This system will enable the car to decelerate without the driver pressing the brake pedal.
When a driver lifts his/her foot off the accelerator pedal, the regenerative braking feature kicks allowing the car to gradually come to a complete stop. It works by applying regenerative and friction brakes automatically, which even works for steep inclinations.
This new Leaf will go on sale in Japan in October of this year with deliveries for other parts of the world slated for the beginning of 2017. Nissan aims to sell this car in more than 60 markets globally, which should include Malaysia.
Volkswagen will be revealing a concept vehicle at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt that will showcase the automaker’s advancement in EV technology. Called the I.D. Crozz, the SUV crossover is built on VW’s all-electric architecture with the end goal of creating a clean and powerful design.
Based on the images, the vehicle seems to sport Volkswagen’s current design philosophy that has been retouched to seem more futuristic. The wide bonnet that seems to stretch to the entire width of the car belnds well with the front fenders.
It’s basically a mash of several different Volkswagen cars including a hint of XL1 to produce one that is a culmination of their best parts. The interior features a bright red body colour that is contrasted by high-gloss black for a portion of the hood and entire roof.
Despite sporting car-like looks, the crossover SUV will feature a high tech interior and a lithium-ion battery pack that is fitted under the cabin floor. This will allow for less cluttered switch-gear and more cabin space for all occupants.
It will have an open space concept that resembles a mini-lounge where four adults can sit and converse comfortably. Little less is known at the moment because Volkswagen has decided to save the juicy details for the actual reveal date.
Take a look that the video below and let us know what you think of the upcoming VW concept and whether it will be able to shape the EV Volkswagen of tomorrow.
Porsche has made it known that it is mulling over the idea of joining Formula 1 as an engine supplier for the 2021 season. The news was reported by Autosport where it mentioned that changes to engine regulations for that time, will allow the automaker to step in.
The article also reported that, Lutz Meschke, deputy chairman of Porsche’s executive board and member of the board for finances and IT, met with a number of key people in the Formula 1 fraternity.
His meeting was with Ross Brawn and a number F1 boses at the Italian Grand Prix to help gauge the feasibility of getting involved this late in the game. Porsche has not been directly involved in F1 since the early 1990s but has played a smaller roll in the sport.
This decision to participate was probably due to the F1 governing body moving to simpler and more affordable engines for the start of the 2021 season. Cost is a serious concern for less established teams, which means the new ruling could be beneficial to all.
The Stuttgart based automaker will be pulling out of the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship at the end of 2017 citing poor return on investment. It will however, have a works team in Formula E for the 2019/2020 season.
At the moment, Porsche has no plans to field a works team in F1, rather it will be content with supplying engines to teams who are looking for a business partner that will allow them to remain competitive.
Teams like Williams and Red Bull are considered potential customers for Porsche but nothing has been set in stone as yet. Though this may seem like exciting news, the automaker hasn’t given a definite answer of its involvement in the sport.
TVR’s resurrection is tabled for the 8th of Septmber 2017 where it will unveil its first ever sports car since it went dark a few years ago. This is to be the first of a range of cars that are culmination of effort of TVR, Gordon Murray and Cosworth.
This car will be unveiled at the Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show, marking the brand’s 70th anniversary. Based on the teaser image that was recently released, the car features angular contours that are reminiscent of its predecessors.
According to TVR, this vehicle will offer performance that will rival that of some of the established models from the likes of Porsche, Jaguar and Ferrari. And contrary to popular belief, the British automaker has a solid team in place that are serious about restarting one of the most revered driver-focused British sports car brands in existence.
Gordon Murray Design Limited and iStream have been involved in the design work of the new range of cars. Both design firms have a wealth of knowledge in engineering and constructing automobiles. Both teams should help bring the company to new heights.
And in case you didn’t know, Gordon Murray was responsible for the McLaren F1. The very car that was not only beautiful to look at, but had the performance of an aircraft. It held the record for the fastest production car in the world for many years and it was only that the car was dethroned.
If you are as anxious as we are for the launch of the new TVR, stay tuned and we will bring you the very latest news when we find out.
Ford has unveiled the new EcoSport, which now comes with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system and a more sporty variant called ST-Line. Building on its predecessor’s design, the Blue Oval has decided make the vehicle a little more rugged this time around.
The rather docile grille has been repaced with a matte-black two-piece louvered one that certainly is in-line with Ford’s current design language. It’s projector headlights slope forward and towards the front fascia, which reminiscent of the ones on the current gen Mustang.
from the side, the two-tone paint scheme does provide the EcoSport with a sporty look as does the 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels. Ground clerance of certain variants might vary depending on the suspension setup that is utilized.
Ford has left the rear relatively untouched safe for minor changes to the taillights and rear bumper, both decent decisions considering that there wasn’t much wrong with them in the first place. The decision to keep the spare tyre internally has had a positive effect on the rear, giving rise to a cleaner and sporty overall feel.
Speaking if the new vehicle, Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company, said, “Ford has sold 150,000 EcoSport compact SUVs in Europe since we first introduced the model to the region in 2014.The new Ford EcoSport offers customers even more style, comfort, capability and choice.”
There will be a diesel (EcoBlue) and a petrol (EcoBoost) engine available with the new EcoSport but the most notable feature of the lot is the Intelligent AWD system. It will be capable of distributing power between the front and rear in a 50/50 configuration.
In fact, it will be able to do this in a mere 20 miliseocnds, which Ford says is 20 times quicker than a human eye takes to blink. It will work seamlessly by transitioning torque between all four wheels, to allow for better traction and stability.
The 125bhp 1.5-litre EcoBlue engine is all-new and comes with a number of innovative technologies. The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is offered in several states of tune, which include 140bhp, 125bhp and 100bhp. And if the 4WD life isn’t your thing, you can still opt for the 2WD option that is significantly lighter and easier on fuel consumption as well.
Compared to the outgoing vehicle, the new EcoSport gets optimized springs, dampers, spring aids, steering gear, rear axle twist beam, Electronic Stability Programme settings and steering assistance profiles.
The interior takes on a more refined look with easier to use controls and soft-touch materials, and a new centre console ergonomically designed for easy operation and featuring fewer buttons. The seats have been redesigned to offer good comfort and premium feel.
Occupants can also match the ambiance to their mood with adjustable interior lighting that can be set to one of seven colours. But the cabin’s main party trick is the ability to store small items in compartments hidden through out the cabin including under the seats.
As mentioned earlier, the EcoSport will also be offered as an ST-Line variant that has sportier styling and sports-tuned driving dynamics. As a result, it gets Ford Performance-inspired bumpers and side skirts, black-finish roof rails and headlight bezels, 17-inch Dark Tarnish alloy wheels, ST-Line badging and extended painted roof and door mirrors as standard.
As for the interior, you get a unique ST-Line leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel; unique partial leather seats featuring Miko®-Dinamica inserts – an ecological suede made from recycled polyester and red stitching, leather handbrake lever and gear knob, ST-Line branded scuff plates, and stainless steel sports pedals.
Other tech that are available across all variants is the SNYC 3 (Voice Assistant) and 8-inch colour touchscreen, which can be operated with pinch and swipe gestures. The B&O sound system offers impressive sound quality for the audiophile in all of us.
The EcoSport for the first time comes with Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter that helps drivers keep within speed limits, and a Rear View Camera that makes parking more efficient and safer. There’s also Blind Spot Detection and Roll Stability Control, which should help novice drivers handle the vehicle with more confidence.
There’s no word yet on when Ford will bring this vehicle over here, but it should hit European markets very soon.
Ferrari is doing its bit to help children in need, by auctioning one of its very special cars. The car in question is a LaFerrari Aperta with a unique metallic Rosso Fuoco body colour and metallic Bianco Italia double racing stripe.
Proceeds from this auction, which will take place on September 9th during the “Leggenda e Passione” sale, will be donated to Save the Children Charity for an international program focusing on education.
The event will take place at Ferrari’s Fiorano track and is said to be the most important single marque collector’s car auction in history. It’s a limited edition vehicle that was introduced to commemorate the Italian automaker’s 70th anniversary.
The LaFerrari Aperta is the roadster version of the LaFerrari hybrid supercar. Designed for Ferrari’s most passionate clients, the Aperta is an open-top supercar that offers similar performance to its hard roof brethren.
Its interior features black Alcantara and shiny black carbon fiber with red leather inserts on the seats that are complemented by red stitching. This allows the car to stand out in a unique way that will help bring in a significant sum of money for a very good cause.
Like most high level auctions of this nature, its an invitation only event that is part of a three day program of festivities in Maranello.
Jaguar Land Rover has released information on some pretty interesting tech that it has been working on. It’s touted as an ‘intelligent and connected’ steering wheel that aims to revolutionize the future of mobility.
The device, fittingly, resembles a futuristic square-shaped steering wheel that rests on a circular stand. Similar in function to Amazon’s Echo and Google Home voice assistants, this device is home to JLR’s voice-activated AI assistant called Sayer.
According to the automaker, users will be able interact with it through voice commands, enabling Sayer to carry out hundreds of different tasks. For instance, Sayer could signal your membership of JLR’s on-demand service club.
This club allows for either sole vehicle ownership or the option of sharing your car with others in the community. Putting this into perspective, once autonomous vehicles are legalized in your country, Sayer will act as your transportation liaison officer.
If you don’t own a vehicle, Sayer can call upon the vehicle of your choosing and schedule it to show up at your doorstep at the stipulated pick-up time. This summarizes JLR’s vision of future mobility. A steering wheel could be the only part of a car that you might ever own.
Here’s a scenario that the automaker thinks will help play out Sayer’s true value:
“Need to be at a meeting two hours away from home by 8am tomorrow? Simply ask Sayer from the comfort of your living room and it will work out when you get up, when a car needs to autonomously arrive at your door and even advise which parts of the journey you might enjoy driving yourself.”
Considered a well-sculptured art piece, Jaguar Land Rover’s intelligent steering wheel of the future, is designed to blend in with the rest of your future smart home’s decor.
And the intelligent assistant that resides in it was named after Malcom Sayer, one of the automaker’s most prominent designers who worked with the British marque from 1951 to 1970.
This interesting piece of tech will be showcased at the inaugural Tech Fest at Central St Martins art, design and technology college in London, UK. It’s an event that is open to the general public from 8th to 10th September to witness innovative tech creations.
