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Sir Patrick Stewart to race at Silverstone Classic

Sir Patrick Stewart, a legendary hollywood actor, will be taking part in the upcoming Silverstone Classic. The 76-year old who has starred as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films has just passed his official ARDS racing drivers’ test.

This means that he is now eligible to compete in a special Celebrity Challenge Trophy Race at Silverstone in July of this year. Drivers will be piloting competition-prepared Austin A30 and A35 sedans harking back to the late 1950s. The race will be split into two parts, the owners of the Austins will qualify on Friday and race on Sunday. The celebrities on the other hand, will go wheel-to-wheel in their classic rides on Saturday.

The reason why these classic cars were adopted for this racing series a few years ago by the Historic Racing Drivers Club (HRDC) as a cost-effective route to historic racing. More than 50 cars have been built so far, which should make for an exciting race come July.

Speaking of passing his driver test, Sir Patrick Stewart, said, “It was a lot of fun. For someone who has followed motor racing since being a teenager, to drive around Silverstone and negotiate such legendary corners as Becketts and Stowe is just such a thrill.”

Other celebrities who will be taking part in the Silverstone race include Olympic gold medalists Mark Hunter MBE, Jason Kenny CBE, Greg Searle MBE, Jonny Searle MBE and Amy Williams MBE, bike racing world champions Wayne Gardner and Freddie Spencer, former England test cricket captain Mike Gatting OBE, Dragon’s Den TV star Theo Paphitis, former Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell, Wheeler Dealer’s Ant Anstead and adventurer Charley Boorman.

Silverstone in July will be amazing for those living in the UK, and hopefully, for Sir Patrick Stewart as well. Stay tuned and we will let you know more as soon as we find out.

Škoda produces 1.5 millionth Octavia

Today is a very important day for Škoda because it marks the production of the 1.5 millionth third generation Octavia. Based on the Volkswagen MQB platform, the car shares its underpinnings with the Audi A3 Mk3, SEAT Leon Mk3 and Volkswagen Golf Mk7.

“With the Octavia, the rapid development of our company really gathered pace from 1996,” said Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics. “It has been an important pillar of the Škoda portfolio for over two decades. With the third generation of our bestseller, we have seamlessly built on the success story of the first two editions. Much of the credit for the success of the OCTAVIA and the Škoda brand goes to our motivated and highly skilled workforce, which now has 1.5 million reasons to be proud of its achievements.”

The first generation car was a stalwart of the Škoda line-up from 1996 to 2010 bringing in a total sales of 1.4 million cars. The Czech automaker launched the second generation car in 2004 but sold the original alongside it till 2010. And, by the time the mk2 car had been phased out in 2013, Škoda had accumulated a total sales figure of 2.5 million vehicles sold. Its successor joined the line-up in 2012 and by the end of 2016, almost 1.4 million vehicles were produced.

The facelifted version started rolling off the production line in February of this year and is manufactured in the Czech Republic, China, India, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. It is being offered as a hatchback and an estate version. The front and rear sections of the facelifted car differ from that of the pre-facelift version, which gives rise to a wider track and a more streamlined body.

The new car brings with it a number of improvements in terms of interior space, functionality, technology for safety and comfort as well as value for money. Power outputs of the petrol and diesel engines range from 85bhp to nearly 245bhp and some of these can be ordered with a DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive.

In total, Škoda has sold more than 5 million Octavia vehicles since the launch of the original car in 1996 and it hopes that those numbers will continue to grow larger as the years pass.

April 2017 proves to be a great month for Subaru

According to Subaru America’s latest sales figures, April has proven to be a great month for the Japanese automaker. It sold 52,368 vehicles which is a 4% increase compared to the same month last year. Since January to April of this year, 196,618 vehicles have been sold which is a 7.6% increase compared to the same period in 2016.

The company also claims that April is the 38th consecutive month where it saw sales figures hover above the 40,000 mark. It’s a commendable achievement that can be attributed to the strong demand for the Outback, Forester and Impreza respectively. Demand for the Impreza rose 66.2% in April 2017 compared to the same period last year and is the second month that total sales reached 8,000 vehicles in a month.

“With positive press reaction to the all-new Impreza and upcoming Crosstrek models, we expect even stronger demand as we enter the summer months,” said Thomas J. Doll, president and chief operating officer, Subaru of America, Inc. “2017 looks set to be our tenth year of consecutive sales growth, with more new product to come.”

Besides record sales, April has been good to Subaru in other ways too. The company won in three major categories of the Kelley Blue Book 2017 Brand Image Awards including Best Overall Brand, Most Trusted Brand and Best Performance Brand. This is the second consecutive year that the automaker has received these awards, which reflect on how well regarded the Subaru brand is in the American market.

Hyundai i30 TCR completes testing in Spain

Hyundai Motorsport has started testing its new generation i30 TCR at Motorland Aragon in Spain. This is part of the development phase that will allow engineers to refine the car’s characteristics and make it a competitive racer on racing circuits.

Prior to the trip to Spain, the vehicle had already undergone a number of shakedowns, but the session on this track will prove invaluable to Hyundai engineers who are working around the clock to ensure that the car runs well and at a competitive pace. According to Hyundai, the sessions were completed without major reliability issues and the team even tested alternative settings as they work to develop a base set-up for the car.

The automaker considers the 5.3km track at the Aragon circuit the perfect venue for driver Garbriele Tarquini to refine the handling balance through both slow and high speed corners, as well as under heavy braking for the hairpin at the end of the long back straight.

Several different engine map settings were tested for the car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine to identify one that yielded the best performance figures. The engine is mated to a sequential gearbox with steering mounted paddle shifters as per racing regulations.

Speaking of the testing session, Customer Racing department manager Andrea Adamo said: “We were able to work on the balance of the car, and start developing an initial set-up that we can use in future, not only for the handling, but the important engine and differential settings. We can now use these as a base for future tests as we turn our focus to gaining the maximum performance from specific components.”

This racecar is based on the new road-going i30 but was designed and built in accordance with the TCR regulations that were first used in 2015. Currently, the TCR category is used as the platform for a number of international and national championships, as well for classes that compete at endurance events.

Hyundai’s car has been shipped back to its headquarters in Alzenau, Germany for the team to prepare it for its next test outing in the schedule. Expect more from the automaker as it gears up to take on other seasoned manufacturers in circuit racing championships around the world.

New Skoda Karoq is bigger and better equipped than before

Skoda will be introducing the new Karoq to the European market soon. The design has changed somewhat but its fairly larger than the vehicle it replaces. The compact SUV measures 4,382 mm in length, 1,841 mm wide, and 1,605 mm high.

The vehicle has a wheelbase of 2,638 mm or 2,630 mm for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version. Thanks to the increase in size, passengers now have 68 mm more legroom than before. When the back seats are fully upright, the luggage compartment offers 521 litres of space but that increases to 1,630 mm when the rear seats are folded down. If the need arises, the rear seats can be completely removed to offer more cargo space, turning the SUV into an MPV with a maximum capacity of 1,810 litres.

Inside, the vehicle gets a state of the art kit that include interfaces with capacitive touch displays, WLAN hotspot capabilities, optional LTE module, infotainment and navigation system as well as the CareConnect services. You can even pair your smartphone with the infotainment system by using the SmartLink+ platform which is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

As far as safety is concerned, the Karoq comes equipped with a whole host of tech that include Parking Assistant, Lane Assist, Blind Spot Detect, Front Assist with predictive pedestrian protection and Emergency Assistant that help improve safety. When hitched to a trailer, the Karoq can tow a payload of up to 2 tonnes and with the new trailer assistant, the system helps guide drivers while maneuvering and when reversing slowly.

Though the exact contours of the vehicle have yet to be revealed, Skoda syas that it is fitted with full LED headlights with clear-lens optics (optional) , the interior features LED ambient lighting and decor strips on the doors. The dashboard lighting can be set to one of ten different colours depending on what your prefer.

As of now, Skoda is offering the vehicle with four engine choices, two petrol and two diesel ones. The capacities are 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0-litres with power ranging from 115bhp to 190bhp. All engine variants are turbo-charged direct injection units that feature start-stop technology and brake energy recovery. All of them can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG gearbox with the exception of the 2.0-litre diesel, which only comes with the latter.

When equipped with the higher trim variants, the Karoq offers driver profiles that can be adjusted to alter driving dynamics. These modes are Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow and when the Off-road mode is selected while the AWD system is active, Skoda says that the setup will be better prepared to handle tough terrain.

The love story between a man and his BMW E30 M3

There’s saying that “The bond between a man and his car can only be understood by those who have experienced it”. This is especially true in the case of Gabor Mester and his E30 M3. He first laid eyes on this particular car at a very young age. It belonged to the parents of a friend of his. Gabor would go out of his way to find opportunities to spend more time with it.

The E30 M3 is considered the greatest of all M3 cars, it had a light nimble chassis that was powered by a four-cylinder engine which BMW derived from racing for use on the road. It’s an amazing vehicle that no automaker can replicate again due to more stringent safety standards and emissions regulations. This is probably one of the reasons why owners like Gabor seem to cling to the E30 rather than buy a newer vehicle.

At the beginning, he made that family promise that, when it came time to sell the M3, they would give him the first preference. And they did, but to know the full story, check out this love story between Gabor and the true ultimate driving machine.

2016 USSV Rhino GX is a dictator’s fortress on wheels

If you are a fan of theJay Leno’s garage show, then you would know that the former Tonight’s Show host features on his programme some of the most amazing vehicles that the automotive world has to offer. Regardless of age or power rating, over the years, some pretty interesting metal has rolled on to his show for their brief 15 minutes or in this case about 25 to 30 minutes of fame.

This time around, Jay features the 2016 USSV Rhino GX, an absolute tank of a vehicle that is based on the Ford Super-Duty F450. This behemoth has been modified to withstand small arms fire thanks to its bulletproof Armour plating. Despite the major changes to the bodywork, the engine and transmission have been mostly left relatively stock.

Despite what you might be thinking, the main market for the vehicles made by USSV (US Specialty Vehicles) is China. Apparently such vehicles are a hit in there because Chinese buyers are strangely drawn to American and American-built vehicles.

Besides the Rhino GX, a Rhino XT is also featured on the show. It’s a smaller armoured vehicle compared to its bigger brother and at first glance, looks like a mini Hummer. Based on the Jeep Wrangler, the Rhino XT has gained popularity around the world because it was featured in the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise – Fate of the Furious.

Check out the video for more information on the vehicles and find out what Jay thinks about them.

Infiniti QX60 wins Best Luxury SUV for Families award

The Infiniti QX60 has won the Best Luxury Three-Row SUV for Families award by U.S. News & World Report. The award is meant to highlight vehicles that have exceptional safety ratings, cargo space and family-friendly features.

“We develop vehicles that offer a combination of empowered performance, interior versatility and advanced safety for our owners, and the Infiniti QX60 is a perfect fit for all stages of family life, from toddlers in car seats to teenage drivers,” said Randy Parker, vice president, Infiniti Americas. “We are honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for this commitment to delivering a premium drive experience for the entire family.”

This year, the QX60 went up against some stiff competition before it was chosen fro the award. U.S. News & Word Report reviewed over 200 entries which include cars, SUVs and MPVs that are currently on sale in the US market. Each vehicle was judged based on automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating, cargo volume, and the availability of children-friendly features.

Infiniti’s QX60 was chosen because it comes with a whole slew of tech that include advanced driver assistance features, such as Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Backup Collision Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Warning, Distance Control Assist, Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, rear view camera and in-car WiFi.

It’s family friendly too because the seven-seater QX60 allows parents to access the third row of seats without having to remove one of the second row’s seats. When purchased with the Theater Package, the vehicle offers dual eight-inch colour monitors to entertain rear passengers on long journeys. Available as an option is an automatic boot system that allows the rear tailgate to open and close electronically, which should be to the liking of many parents.

There’s also the InTouchTM system that integrates navigation, convenience, security and entertainment features into the infotainment system. Drivers can interact with it by voice commands for various in-car features including the vehicle’s health report.

Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury arm and produces some of the most sophisticated vehicles that the Japanese company has to offer. Visit the automaker’s local site to know more.

What to consider when buying a new car by Piston.my

Most car buyers prefer to opt for a new car purchase rather than a used one. There are various reasons why many make that choice, which include, warranty, reliability, availability of spare parts and of course, that new car smell.

However, there are certain things to consider when buying a new car and today, we will try to provide some tips to help you choose the right vehicle for your needs.

Tip 1: Identify your budget

Before attempting to step into any dealership, a car buyer needs to assess his or her budget to gauge how much he or she has to invest in a new vehicle. Once you have a clearer picture of how much you have to spend, then you should be able to make a shortlist of the vehicles that are within your reach.

Tip 2: Maintenance Costs

Many new car buyers make the mistake of assuming that monthly payments is all they need worry about when it comes to vehicle ownership. This isn’t true, you need to consider maintenance and running costs as well. Granted, many automakers do take care of most of your new vehicle’s maintenance requirements for a number of years. But eventually, when the warranty expires, you will be on your own.

Tip 3: Insurance and road tax

It’s an inescapable fact that all vehicle owners will need to renew their insurance and road tax annually. The costs depend on vehicle price and engine capacity. The more expensive a vehicle is, the higher the insurance costs. And the larger the engine displacement, the more you will need to pay for road tax, anything above 2.0-litres starts to become quite pricey.

Tip 4: Fuel Consumption

More powerful cars are fun to drive but that too comes at a cost. Larger engines or turbocharged ones, when pushed hard, tend to consume a lot of petrol. That means the more fun you have, the more often you will need to visit petrol stations. As such, the general rule of thumb is, get a vehicle with modest displacement and power if all you want is a general purpose one to lug the family around. In the long term, rising fuel prices will be less of an issue for you than those who opted for ones with more power.

Tip 5: Spare parts availability

Parts for cars that are currently on sale are easily accessible and are available in large numbers. However, over the course of a few years, accessibility to parts and quantities will dwindle depending on how popular a vehicle is. Spare parts facilities are more inclined to stock parts for vehicles that were sold in large numbers than those enjoyed by a select few.

Keep these tips in mind and you should have a good idea of what to expect when purchasing a new car and hopefully, will allow you to enjoy years of trouble-free motoring.

Lamborghini opens its largest showroom in Dubai

China seems to be the main attraction for mainstream automakers due to the size of its market and manufacturing/logistical capabilities. Lamborghini however, begs to differ because the supercar maker has setup shop in Dubai. It is the largest Lamborghini showroom in the world and is located along Sheik Zayed Road.

The showroom covers a surface area of 1,800 square meters and comprises of three floors that house sales, service and merchandise departments. The large showroom area in an attempt to maximize space to display the various models that the Italian automaker currently has to offer.

Unlike the usual showrooms that we are used to, the Lamborghini one can be likened to that of a 9-year old’s fantasy. The sales gallery houses some of the most exquisite supercars that Sant’Agata currently makes. Various variants of the Avantador and Huracan line the the showroom floor, which can only be described as a Lamborghini fan’s idea of heaven.

The facility has a state of the art service centre where highly trained technicians tend to customer vehicles in immaculate working conditions. There’s also a merchandise store where fans and customers of Lamborghini can browse through and purchase an impressive selection of Lamborghini branded attire, accessories, model cars and other memorabilia.

The Italian supercar maker plans on servicing customers in the Middle East with the best that the company has to offer as well as build on its current clientele and cover more markets in the region.