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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 news from the automotive industry

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2 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 feast of track parades headed by ferrari f40s as well as a crowded programme of 24 action-packed races showcasing the full spectrum of motor sport history this weekend s silverstone classic powered by the aa 20-22 july also hosts some very special parades all staged on the renowned silverstone grand prix circuit with so many enthusiastic motor clubs choosing the silverstone classic to honour important milestones in their respective marques histories these parades have become an important part of the world s biggest motor racing festival and are hugely popular with both owners and spectators last year no fewer than 767 etype jaguars took to the famous f1 track to celebrate the iconic british sportscar s 50th birthday and thus establish a new guinness world record this year a host of other legendary brands will be lining up on the hallowed silverstone asphalt heading the pack will be a world record gathering of ferrari f40s no fewer than 70 examples of the superlative supercar that many believe to be ferrari s finest creation will be lapping silverstone to mark the italian pin-up model s 25th anniversary in total more than 450 rare and exotic machines will be joining the f40s in sunday s dedicated car club parade with many other crowd favourites also celebrating important anniversaries notable among these will be a host of glorious lamborghinis ­ including miuras espadas and countachs ­ to honour 25 years of the lamborghini club uk plus 50th birthday processions for much-loved mgb lotus elan and triumph spitfire sportscars from the sixties adding further colour to sunday s spectacular show around 175 classic cars that will have travelled to silverstone from a variety of start points across the country as part of the aa grand tour will lap the track as the grand finale to their various journeys before that saturday s busy ontrack schedule includes a lunchtime parade featuring hundreds of bmw z1 z3 z4 and z8 models as part of the uk s first z-fest then in the early evening it will be the turn of more than 130 ac cobras ­ another illustrious sportscar turning 50 this year ­ to take to the tarmac along with members of the silverstone classic racing club these stunning parades have become an integral part of the silverstone classic and it s going to be great to see so many fine classics from different eras strutting their stuff on the full grand prix circuit said silverstone classic event director nick wigley last year s amazing collection of etypes raised the bar somewhat but for many the prospect of seeing 70 stunning ferrari f40s is going to be every bit as spectacular ­ and that s just one of the many highlights adult tickets for 2012 s silverstone classic powered by the aa 20-22 july cost from as little as £35 plus booking fee and special two and three-day weekend tickets are also available with savings of up to 20 per cent if purchased before 5pm on 19 july full details are available via the event s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website the new seat leon where design meets technology seat today introduces the stunning new leon seamlessly combining beauty and practicality the all-new leon is the epitome of desirability completely redesigned from the ground up the third generation leon is packed full of high-end technology utilising a cutting edge chassis advanced infotainment systems and sophisticated driving aids each of the engines combines powerful dynamics with outstanding efficiency the availability of full-led headlamps for the new third generation leon is a pioneering move by seat ­ a first in the family hatchback class this technology combines striking design with exceptional illumination the new leon condenses all the strengths of the seat brand more than ever before it is a car with sporting character and wide-ranging strengths it brings quality and technologies from the full-size class into the compact segment the leon is a decisive step in seat s brand and growth strategy it will be launched towards the end of this year as a fivedoor and will subsequently grow with further variants into a fully-fledged family said james muir president of seat s.a with the all-new leon we have designed and developed a car which perfectly captures the meaning of `enjoyneering this compelling mix of design technology athletic performance and premium quality is certain to seduce existing customers,

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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 3 signature appearance thanks to the fitment of led daytime running lights from the side the new seat leon looks like a precisely executed sculpture on wheels the characteristic unbroken `línea dinámica runs rearwards over the wheel arches it is reminiscent of the tension of a welltrained muscle the trapezoidal cpillars are characteristic to the leon as are the short upwards-pointing third windows the rear end of the new seat leon has been intensively modelled the large logo serves as an opener for the rear hatch the slightly wedgeshaped rear light clusters highlight the car s width and are also available in led technology the interior premium comfortable and at least as good as you can find in the segment above the design of the dashboard respects our new interior philosophy with a strong driver orientation this enhances the ergonomics while giving the design an attractive sporty feeling the whole has been designed so the new leon and its driver feel as one the body shell lightweight and solid the new seat leon uses a new vehicle architecture that enabled development engineers to position the front axle 40 millimetres further forward the results are a longer wheelbase and a balanced distribution of axle load ­ factors that significantly benefit comfort and sporty handling thanks to advanced construction techniques and the use of lightweight materials in the body s manufacture the overall weight has been reduced by 90 kilograms compared with the previous version drive powerful and efficient the new leon will be powered by a series of powerful and fuel-efficient tdi and tsi engines ranging from 1.2 to 2.0 litres all engines feature direct injection and turbocharging and have been engineered for low internal friction and fast warm-up compared with their respective predecessors their fuel consumption is down by up to 22 percent the 1.6 tdi generates 105 ps 104 bhp and 250 nm 184 lb.ft of torque in the ecomotive version with start/stop system and brake energy recuperation it returns an astonishing 74.3 mpg on average equating to just 99 g/km co2 the extensively re-engineered 2.0 tdi returns a hugely impressive 70.6 mpg in the ecomotive version yet develops 150 ps 148 bhp and 320 nm 236 lb.ft of torque it is a powerful driving force for the leon seat will rapidly expand the engine line-up early 2013 will see the arrival of the 1.2 tsi in two versions with 86 ps 85 bhp and 105 ps 104bhp a 1.4 tsi with 122 ps 120 bhp and at the top of the petrol range a 1.8 tsi with 180 ps 178 bhp and a combination of direct and manifold injection the diesel line-up will be augmented by the 1.6 tdi with 90 ps 89 bhp and a powerful rangetopping 2.0 tdi with 184 ps 181 bhp it delivers a maximum torque swell of 380 nm 280 lb.ft as well as bringing a new generation of car-buyers to the brand he added the new leon is compelling for its excellent practicality it combines a more compact exterior with a more spacious interior the premium materials and the level of craftsmanship place the leon squarely at the forefront of the competitive field every power unit is among best-inclass for efficiency and emissions with the highlight being the 1.6 tdi with start/stop it has an average fuel consumption of just 74.3 mpg and a co2 figure of just 99 g/km the new leon is an all-new car and opens a new chapter for seat it combines seat s dynamic new design language with the latest technology fine details and precise design especially in the interior reflect the high standard of craftsmanship of the new leon explains dr matthias rabe vice-president of research and development for seat s.a dr rabe added built on the volkswagen group s mqb shared architecture which benefits from systematic lightweight design the new leon offers an impressive performance with low co2 emissions and fuel consumption in summary the new leon provides emotional driving fun excellent efficiency a stunning design and a high degree of utility design simply stunning thanks to its dynamic and assured character the new seat leon inspires a self-confident stance it has a decisive look says alejandro mesonero-romanos head of seat design it keeps a high degree of formal beauty and sportiness he adds it has extremely well proportioned volumes with a slight shift of the visual weight of the cabin over the rear wheels while keeping a very fluid transition between the front wing and the cabin the surfaces have been severely sculpted all around in order to increase its tridimensional appeal thanks to the effects of light and shadow its character lines show pure assertiveness like for instance the outer shape of the headlamps and tail lamps all in all i strongly believe that the new leon is full of character at 4.26 metres long the new leon is around five centimetres shorter than its predecessor yet the wheelbase is up by almost six centimetres this clever packaging enables short overhangs and enhances the strong visual presence of the wheels while giving practical benefits such as improved interior space particularly for rear seat passengers as well as in the luggage compartment the angular line of the headlamps is a typical feature of the new seat design language while also being perfectly integrated into the leon s sculptural form full-led lights are available for the first time in the compact class the new headlamps give an unmistakable look to the front end of the leon additionally the new leon now has a distinctive the elegant exterior design of the new leon continues into the interior which has a clear light and uncluttered look the dashboard is unconventional and elegant with a two-tone design that makes it appear to float in mid-air fine details underscore the leon s high standard of craftsmanship ­ details such as the large air vents the controls for the air conditioning and the three-dimensional form of the trim elements the luggage compartment has a volume of 380 litres around 40 litres more than the preceding model describing the interior alejandro mesonero-romanos head of seat design said we set ourselves the objective of developing an interior which would give an expressive elegant and welcoming ambience the quality of the material the fit and finish and the attention to details is

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4 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 depending on the engine transmission options range from five and six-speed manual gearboxes or the renowned six and seven-speed dsg dual-clutch gearboxes the chassis dynamics with comfort the chassis of the new seat leon scores high for its sporty and agile character its front suspension features a macpherson front axle with sub-frame while the rear uses torsion beam suspension for engines up to 150 ps 148 bhp more powerful variants use a multi-link construction that handles longitudinal and transverse loads discretely the new seat drive profile for the leon fr allows the driver to vary the characteristics of the power steering throttle control and engine sound fr versions only via a sound actuator using three modes eco comfort and sport there is also a facility to tailor the settings according to the driver s preference the interior ambient led lighting changes according to the selected setting white in eco and comfort modes and red in sport infotainment modern and flexible in the new leon seat offers a full range of up-to-date infotainment solutions the basis is formed by the easy connect operating system which controls the seat sound system entertainment and communication functions as well as a wide array of vehicle functions via a touch-sensitive screen in the cockpit the entry level is the media system touch in the reference line which includes a cd radio with an sd card slot four speakers and a five-inch touch screen style and fr come with the media system colour featuring more in-screen colours and higher quality with a cd drive and six speakers as standard eight speakers in the fr it connects external devices via bluetooth usb or auxin its five-inch colour touch screen also controls vehicle functions uk trim levels tbc the media system plus systems has a 5.8-inch touch screen with threedimensional graphics in high definition ipod connectivity an optional dab tuner and voice recognition the system comes with eight speakers this system incorporates the navigation system which also shows navigation information in the colour display between the speedometer and rev counter and can be controlled by voice recognition the seat sound system has a clear crisp sound reproduction thanks to its 10-speaker and sub-woofer set-up driver assistance groundbreaking systems the new leon sets benchmarks when it comes to the available driver assistance systems the drowsiness detection feature recognizes when the driver is losing concentration and suggests taking a break additionally an advanced camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror manages both the full beam assistant which switches automatically between full and dipped beam and the `heading control lane-keeping assistant which makes slight corrections to the electro-mechanical power steering to prevent the driver from crossing over lane markings new seat logo another all-new element of the leon is the logo on its grille rear and steering wheel the leon will be the first car to wear the company s newly refreshed badge sporting a cleaner purer design the new seat logo represents the precision and elegance of the brand s design language while also reflecting the company s engineering and quality leadership the introduction of the new seat logo across all of the company s visual material and locations will begin from paris motor show in september how s about that then jimmy savile s rolls and isetta to be auctioned for charity by dreweatts july 30 it is well known that the cigar-puffing marathon-running star of jim ll fix it and top of the pops sir jimmy savile obe kcsg hoarded countless souvenirs of his extraordinary 85-year life now in accordance with his wishes a major percentage of that amazing collection 550 lots from cigars to male jewellery is being auctioned by dreweatts in favour of the sir jimmy savile charitable trust at saviles hall leeds on july 30 the star lot is likely to be sir jimmy s beloved rolls-royce corniche convertible though his famous yellow bmw isetta bubble car will surely be quite a draw too the 2002 corniche is number 46 of the 56 so-called `last of line models produced by rolls-royce to mark the end of 56 years of production at its crewe plant ­ a related commemorative plaque is mounted on the centre console it is one of only nine built in righthand drive and carries the registration js 247 ­ 247 metres medium wave being the frequency on which radio 1 was broadcast from 1967 to 1978 immaculately presented in silver teamed with a cream leather interior the car is understood to have covered just 4,420 miles from new and is estimated to fetch between £60,000 and £90,000.

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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 5 sir jimmy purchased the bmw isetta 300 plus in 1965 while a resident dj at the new elizabethan ballroom belle vue manchester it has apparently had a full body restoration by lee turnham the isetta owners club registrar and comes complete with the roof-mounted orange warning light fitted by the owner after he and the car had nearly been flattened by a lorry whose driver had failed to see them among those to have accompanied sir jimmy in the isetta is the duke of edinburgh who savile apparently collected from aylesbury railway station ­ the duke s reaction was not recorded the isetta carries an estimate of £5,000-8,000 further details of the two cars and the 548 other lots of savile memorabilia can be found at www.dnfa.com i ve been the most consistent of the three of us at the top of the championship so far but from my point of view i d like to have a few more wins i m not thinking about the championship too much at this stage the aim is to keep winning races and then see what happens at the end of the season malvern s main rivals josh webster stowmarket suffolk and seb morris marford wrexham have both led the championship already this year but each has suffered misfortune ­ webster at rockingham and morris at thruxton in each instance trouble in qualifying set the scene for greater difficulties in webster s case a huge accident not of his making in very wet conditions resulted in a massively damaged car and low grid positions for rounds four and five which seriously dented the mgr motorsport driver s points tally morris encountered engine problems at thruxton which led to lower than expected grid slots and ended his streak of five straight pole positions this ultimately put him in the wrong place at the wrong time during round seven when he was caught-up in an accident while battling through the order at the wheel of his fortec motorsports machine one win and a runner-up spot last time out elevated webster back into second place in the standings but morris difficulties dropped him from the championship lead to third and so the 16-year-old will be determined to redress the balance next weekend webster meanwhile will arrive at croft with the benefit of some additional race mileage but not at the wheel of his regular fr 2.0 the msa team uk driver will make his formula 3 debut at zandvoort in the netherlands this weekend 14th/15th july during the prestigious rtl gp masters of formula 3 outside the top three in protyre formula renault barc quietly going about his business in fourth place in the standings is scorpio motorsport s macaulay walsh northampton although he s still chasing his first victory two podiums and a consistently strong first half of the season for the rookie 17-year-old mean he is only 11 points behind morris mgr runners jake dalton audley stoke-on-trent and david wagner glasgow are next in fifth and sixth respectively with two consistent fourth places at thruxton enabling first year racer dalton to leapfrog his more experienced team-mate unfortunately for wagner his second non-score of the year came in round seven after being involved in the incident which also accounted for morris james fletcher windlesham surrey is seventh in the championship tied on 104 points with fellow mgr racer wagner while hillspeed s kieran vernon west chiltington west sussex is only nine points further back despite having only contested four races with two podiums at thruxton the former category race winner should definitely be a contender for the top step of the croft rostrum after a brief 15-minute practice at 09.30 on saturday 21st july qualifying for rounds eight and nine will follow at 12.10 and 14.40 respectively both races will then be contested on sunday 22nd july at 13.10 and 16.30 along with headline sponsor protyre formula renault barc is additionally supported by michelin the lubricant consultancy petronas syntium and ngk spark plugs provisional 2012 protyre formula renault barc championship driver standings after rd7 1st scott malvern 182pts 2nd josh webster 161pts 3rd seb morris 151pts 4th macaulay walsh 140pts 5th jake dalton 117pts 6th david wagner 104pts all-action formula renault barc season to resume at croft croft circuit in northyorkshire hosts the resumption of the 2012 protyre formula renault barc championship next weekend 21st/22nd july and with seven races still remaining there s everything to play for at the top of the driver standings leading the way as the start of the second half of the season approaches is cullen motorsport s scott malvern barkingside ilford who shot to the top of the table last month at thruxton opening up a 21-point advantage as was the case last time out the 23-year-old is once again venturing into uncharted territory for rounds eight and nine of the campaign as he has never previously raced or even tested at the 2.1 mile darlington track i ve only ever worked at croft as a mechanic ­ i ve seen the pitwall the paddock and that s about it said malvern i m not sure what to expect i really am going there blind so we ll just have to use the 15-minute warm-up to try and get a feel for the place hopefully it ll be similar to thruxton i hadn t been there before and it turned out well although croft is more technical experience the c 63 amg coupÉ black series in the roar at mercedesbenz world from 14 july 2012 the stunning mercedes-benz c 63 amg coupé black series will be unleashed on the circuits at mercedes-benz world to take driving experiences to another dimension visitors to the astonishing automotive visitor attraction will shudder with seduction at sight of this most powerful c-class to date developed and engineered to deliver the ultimate adrenaline rush the exclusive experience is launched with a powerful 12 week summer offer as one of only 600 cars to be produced worldwide and only 66 destined for the uk this is a rare chance to experience the dynamism and excitement that amg have transferred from the race track into a road car the full force of the amg 6.3 litre v8 propels the track predator to 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds with dramatic track-honed aerodynamics it looks every bit as menacing as it performs with the power to cast a black series shadow that will eclipse rival driving experiences at other venues the driving experience indulges raw driving dynamics with roar performance pleasure the hour long experience consists of two parts during the first 30 minute session drivers will develop their circuit craft behind

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6 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 the wheel of a mercedes amg remembering every straight and corner with the circuit ingrained on the mind and a professional mercedesbenz driving specialist in the passenger seat to help develop driving skills the next 30 minutes is spent in the c 63 amg coupé black series taming the tumultuous aggressor from its racing style bucket seat a very special offer of £250 launches the c 63 amg coupé black series driving experience providing a £100 saving the offer runs until the end of summer with experiences to be purchased and taken by 30 september 2012 the experience can also be purchased as a gift that will knock-out any other any driving experience at mercedesbenz world is heightened by the venue that also offers a great day out for family and friends with excellent viewing of the track action they too can share the excitement with fascinating interactive exhibitions and displays featuring everything from iconic classics to formula 1tm race cars as never been seen before the experience certainly doesn t end when the driving does for more information and to make a booking visit www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk or call 0870 400 4000 new 12c spider on the limit and on camera in new short film by mclaren automotive mclaren automotive presents the first opportunity to see the stunning new 12c spider in action at www youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv viewers able to see unique retractable hard top rht of 12c spider lowering with the car in motion incredible circuit and mountain road driving compilation launched as mclaren celebrates 2,000,000 hits at its official youtube channel the stunning new 12c spider may now be seen in action for the first time with the launch of a high quality short film at mclaren automotive s popular official you tube channel www.youtube.com mclarenautomotivetv shot using cinema-quality red camera technology the film begins with a 12c spider finished in glorious volcano red in high speed action on track before it traverses the winding mountain roads of andalucía in southern spain the exciting sequence underlines the 12c spider s position as a luxury convertible sports car offering a spectacular combination of performance and usability early in the film the 12c spider s retractable hard top is lowered with the car in motion a unique feature among the new 12c derivative s competitor set the rht system operates in less than 17 seconds mclaren automotive test driver and british touring car championship star mat jackson then shows viewers why mclaren believes it has developed a sports car that adds `open-top thrills to a groundbreaking package of technology inspired by its successful formula 1 race cars antony sheriff mclaren automotive managing director said we know 12c drivers love the formula 1 technology dna that runs throughout their cars with the 12c spider owners will have an even greater opportunity to create their perfect driving experience top up or top down the sports car with highest performance among the competition just became even more breathtaking the exhilarating aspects of driving the 12c spider are captured beautifully in this great new film prospective customers and sports car enthusiasts may now specify their desired 12c spider at mclaren automotive s interactive online configurator which is located at www configure.mclaren.com there the 12c spider may be personalised with myriad exterior and interior finishes a range of wheel designs and attractive carbon fibre appliqué orders for the new 12c spider are now being taken by 38 mclaren retailers in 22 countries worldwide suzuki inazuma 250 pricing availability 85 mpg announced suzuki gb has announced pricing availability and mpg figures for the eagerly anticipated inazuma 250 set to arrive in dealer showrooms in september the all-new inazuma 250 will have a recommended on-theroad price of just £3,499 and with suzuki s two year warranty and one year roadside assistance too it offers exceptional value for money for a machine of its capacity and quality first unveiled at motorcycle live last year the inazuma 250 offers a viable alternative to commuting by car or 125cc machine comfortably reaching and maintaining motorway speeds with ease the inazuma also boasts a fuel consumption figure of 85.87 mpg meaning more than 9 extra miles from every gallon compared to the current 250cc class leader suzuki gb s paul de lusignan said since we announced the inazuma 250 we have been very pleased to see the level of interest it has generated both at motorcycle live and in our dealer s showrooms with this newly announced price 250cc power and superb fuel economy it s a very real alternative for the commuter combine this with suzuki s renowned reliability and our superb dealer network and its fair to say that the inazuma offers excellent value and peace of mind motorcycling

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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 7 display and bluetooth the earth is generously equipped and retains the groundbreaking powertrain and exterior design of higher spec variants the earth is available to order in four exterior colours and is offered with a black cloth trim the ampera range is currently offered through a 24-strong dealer network offering a personalised level of customer care each retailer has four specialists two in sales and two in aftersales through vauxhall s partnership with british gas customers also benefit from a free home assessment to ensure that their charging capability is maximised strong regional coverage will enable 95 per cent of ampera owners to reach a specialist retailer within a one-hour drive in addition retailers will also provide a free collection and delivery service for scheduled servicing warranty and repair work every ampera owner also has access to `my ampera services a programme which provides owners with a direct number email address to a named ampera agent at vauxhall hq completing the package and like all vauxhall cars the ampera is backed by a unique lifetime/100,000 mile new vehicle warranty while the battery system has an impressive eight year/100,000 mile warranty transferable to subsequent owners ampera model walk up navigation 7 colourtouch screen 30gb hdd dvd-rom bose system 6 speakers sub-woofer front rear park assist incl rear view camera front heated seats leather steering wheel leather seats am/fm/cd/mp3 radio digital audio broadcast radio available in pearl nebular black and candy cardinal red the new inazuma is expected to arrive in dealer s showrooms in the second half of september for more information please visit www.suzuki-gb.co.uk or contact your local authorised suzuki dealer data resulting from tests made by suzuki in compliance with wmtc these tests were conducted by a single pilot with no additional optional equipment fuel consumption may vary depending on your riding style how you maintain your vehicle weather road conditions tyre pressure the presence of accessories the load the weight of the crew and many other parameters 7 touch screen bluetooth mobile phone connectivity thatcham category 1 car alarm electronic climate control incl air conditioning remote keyless entry cruise control power windows f&r locks mirrors rake/reach column battery cabin preconditioning 7 reconfigurable driver information cluster 3 interior power outlets 3.3kw onboard charger 220v charge cord 17 painted aluminium wheels head restraint front seat passive lockable earth £29,995.00 inclusive of picg positiv £32,250.00 inclusive of picg electron £33,995.00 inclusive of picg as earth specification as positiv specification markus winkelhock piloted the highperformance all-electric sports car around the demanding 12.92-mile track in 8:09.099 minutes with this audi has achieved yet another milestone in its history following overall wins at the 24-hour races at the nürburgring and le mans the r8 e-tron has given a magnificent demonstration of its potential on the toughest race track in the world said michael dick audi ag board member for technical development dick who completed a fast lap himself in the r8 e-tron added the record-setting drive confirmed that we are on the right track to us electric mobility has never been about sacrifice but rather is about emotion sportiness and driving pleasure a comparison with the current record lap driven by a production car with a conventional combustion engine shows just how impressive the 8:09.099-minute time really is the record time of 7:11.57 minutes was achieved by a gumpert apollo sport which is powered by a 700ps audi v8 petrol engine the drive system of the audi r8 etron that markus winkelhock drove to the world record is identical to that of the road-going model that will enter production towards the end of the year the car s electric motors generate a combined output of 280 kw and 820 nm of torque more than 4,900 nm 3,614.05 lbft is distributed to the rear wheels virtually from a standing start the audi r8 e-tron accelerates from zero to 62mph in just 4.6 seconds its top speed is normally limited to 124mph 155mph was approved for the record-setting lap ampera earth completes the circuit the reigning european car of the year just became even more desirable with the introduction of the ampera earth available to order from today at £29,995 including plug in car grant ampera earth is the entry level model in vauxhall s e-rev line up which also includes positiv and electron trims with standard features such as dab 7-inch touch screen audi r8 e-tron sets a nurburgring lap record during preparations for its production debut in late 2012 the all-electric audi r8 e-tron has just set a world record for a production vehicle with an electric drive system on the nürburgring nordschleife ­ the toughest test track in the world racing driver

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8 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 133-mile range the r8 e-tron s rechargeable lithium-ion battery stores 49 kwh of energy ­ enough for a distance of about 133 miles its t shape allows it to be installed in the centre tunnel and in the area between the passenger compartment and the rear axle it is charged by energy recovery during coasting and braking the ultralight body of the audi r8 e-tron is made primarily of aluminium along with cfrp components this is the main reason why the highperformance sports car weighs just 1,780 kilograms despite the large battery in order to further underscore the production-relevance of the r8 etron and the capability of its drive technology audi has set another record on the nordschleife in addition to the single lap record time immediately afterwards markus winkelhock drove two fast laps in one go in a second r8 e-tron that was limited to 124mph at 8:30.873 and 8:26.096 minutes both laps were well under the important nineminute threshold the record drives were a fantastic experience for me said markus winkelhock the 32-year-old who lives near stuttgart has a high standard for comparison ­ the audi r8 lms ultra in which he along with marc basseng christopher haase and frank stippler won the 24-hour race at the nürburgring a few weeks ago of course the r8 e-tron is a production car not a racing car with the assistance of aerodynamics winkelhock emphasised but with its low centre of gravity and rear biased weight distribution it brings with it a lot of sporty qualities the torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that i know ­ even if they make hardly any noise in the process which at the start was really a completely new experience for me in places where i really need traction the torque vectoring ­ the displacement of the torque between the powered wheels ­ really helps me michael dick proudly summed up events after the record-setting drive at the nürburgring within just a few weeks we ve taken on some big challenges and in the process we ve shown that we are at the forefront with all of our drive concepts he said adding we won the 24-hour race at the nürburgring in may in the audi r8 lms ultra with a tencylinder engine in mid-june we triumphed at the 24 hours of le mans with the audi r18 e-tron quattro ­ the first overall victory for a hybrid-electric vehicle in the toughest race in the world and now we ve set another record with the allelectric-drive r8 e-tron on the most demanding track there is together with exterior and interior improvements to make the roadster coupe and the classic soft-top models even more attractive exterior changes include a new more aggressive front bumper design that also improves aerodynamic performance and the availability of a striking new dolphin grey mica paint finish inside the panel décor and matching steering wheel spokes have been upgraded for an improved cabin ambience the mx-5 has always delivered one of the world s most enjoyable drives and the upgraded version is now even more responsive to driver inputs throttle pedal actuation has been modified on manual transmission models increasing the feeling of linear acceleration and giving the driver even more control when accel upgraded mazda mx-5 coming to the uk later this year a new upgraded version of the world s best-selling open-top sportscar the mazda mx-5 is now rolling off the assembly line in hiro the characteristics of the vacuum brake-booster have been revised to optimise brake return control which is especially beneficial when the driver brakes while entering a curve the new acceleration control then kicks-in when the driver backs off the brake and steps on the accelerator again taken together these two new upgrades make braking more controllable and acceleration after braking both smoother and faster consequently the upgraded mx-5 takes mazda s legendary jinba ittai `horse and rider as one driving experience to a whole new level ­ and make the new model even more fun to drive not only is the upgraded mx-5 more aggressive-looking aerodynamically more efficient and better handling around corners pedestrian safety is also greatly improved this model introduces mazda s new `active bonnet pedestrian protection system which automatically raises the trailing edge of the bonnet if a pedestrian impact is detected this action provides immediate space under the bonnet to absorb impact energy and soften the blow complementing the new bonnet the new front bumper design also enhances pedestrian leg protection shima japan and will go on sale in the uk later this year the upgraded mx-5 has enhanced safety features and refined driving attributes erating from lower speeds on winding country roads for example the upgraded mazda mx-5 will go on sale in the uk later this year for full details of the latest promotions and finance offers visit www mazda.co.uk/showroom/offers speeders face growing rise in insurance premiums research carried out by roadpilot has found that the financial cost of being caught speeding is on the rise with insurance premiums for offenders significantly higher now than just six months ago the cost of the average insurance premium for a speeder with three points is now £90 higher

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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 9 roadpilot mobile is available on most major smartphone platforms including android apple ios blackberry os nokia symbian and windows mobile for a full list of compatible handsets please visit http www.roadpilot.com/roadpilot supported-phones.asp further information is available at www.roadpilot.com than for a driver without a conviction up 17 per cent from the £77 average penalty in december 2011 the findings also point to insurance premiums rising faster for female speeders than for their male counterparts the company s research of 10 leading insurers found that if a female driver incurs a three-point speeding conviction her premium would increase on average by 15.7 per cent or £90 compared to a quote for the same person without a speeding endorsement this is significantly more than the uplift for a female speeder six months ago up by 13.4 per cent or £69 by contrast a male driver with an endorsement would also see his premium rise by an additional 13.6 per cent or £90 which represents a fall in percentage terms compared to six months ago 14.3 per cent increase on a standard premium quote a speeding endorsement will remain on a driver s licence for four years meaning that over the period in which they are obliged to declare the conviction to insurers it will cost the average driver a minimum of £420 for male and female drivers with six penalty points insurance premiums increase on average by 29.3 and 28.8 per cent respectively these figures actually represent a small decrease in the average price hikes compared to those surveyed in december 2011 however three in 10 insurers now refuse to cover the driver both male and female as opposed to all 10 insurers agreeing to offer cover six months ago james flynn obe ceo of roadpilot comments the everyday costs of motoring continue to rise so the last thing motorists can afford is a speeding endorsement insurance premiums for both men and women with no convictions have increased on average by 12 per cent over the last six months to an all-time high so a further £90 increase on average to insurance premiums each year has a significant impact on overall vehicle running costs subscribers to roadpilot mobile a speed camera detector application for gps smartphones can receive the latest updates of fixed and mobile camera locations anywhere in the world at a cost of £2.99 for a monthly subscription with annual £14.99 and three-year £29.99 packages also available roadpilot users benefit from total peace of mind and could save more than £200 a year as a result a subscription to roadpilot mobile can help drivers be more aware of local limits and therefore avoid being caught speeding flynn continues what s more thanks to the innovative real-time alert facility of roadpilot mobile which allows users to notify other drivers if a mobile camera site is live drivers can benefit from thousands of mobile camera site updates every month ford responds to `right-sizing trend with ingenious all-new b-max ford s ingenious new b-max is the company s response to a growing right-sizing trend in europe with production now underway for september delivery to uk dealerships with up to 40 per cent of europe s large car owners looking for smaller more efficient cars and 20 per cent of small cars owners seeking more space it s cars like new b-max in the small multi-activity vehicle market that are set to benefit this segment is forecast to grow by 17 per cent by 2018 since the first compact multi-activity vehicle appeared in 2000 it has already seen rapid growth ­ with five competitors in the segment by 2003 rising to ten in 2008 by the end of this year twelve models are expected to be available with many consumers in europe facing financial pressures the status symbol of owning the most expensive biggest or fastest is taking a back seat to being a smart savvy or sustainable consumer said henry mason of global trend experts trendwatching.com european consumers are mature urban and sophisticated naturally these `citysumers want cars that fit into their flexible compact lifestyles the ford b-max assembled in craiova in romania combines compact dimensions for driving in congested cities with the ability to carry loads of up to 2.3m long while the easy access door system allows for a class-leading side access of 1.5m compact multi-activity vehicles have often meant unwelcome compromises in style or equipment level a report by uk-based automotive analysts trend tracker states that volume car buyers tend to put economic and practical factors as main reasons for new car choice while aesthetics rather than economics are key purchasing criteria matter more to premium car buyers new b-max enables down-sizing without down-grading it offers bestin-class fuel efficient engines ford econetic technology innovations and ford s premium sync voice control system for enhanced integration of mobile phones and music players a soft-touch instrument panel sophisticated ambient lighting and premium fabric trim or optional full premium embossed leather upholstery are all provided b-max is the right response to what customers are looking for in this size of vehicle it s small frugal and stylish with an equipment level to satisfy customers who are downsizing from a larger vehicle it s a unique offering in the segment and a car that anyone could live with and use for all their needs on a daily basis said ford s man in charge of the b-max project klaus-peter tamm.

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10 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 ingenious minds live inspired by the all-new ford b-max the ingenuity of the ford b-max s integrated central pillar and easy access door system were highlighted at ingenious minds live ­ a discussion led by panelists erika tsubaki a ford designer architect and author will alsop cultural trends analyst lucy johnston and compere alexander armstrong spectacular cult touring car grid for this month s silverstone classic an astonishing grid of more than 40 cars spanning touring car racing from the seventies through to the hallowed `super touring era of the nineties and also including a selection of iconic ford sierra rs500s has been confirmed for this month s silverstone classic powered by the aa 20-22 july the mouth-watering line-up of cars ­ the largest ever grid representing what many believe to be the greatest era of tin-top racing ­ will contest the double-header fujifilm classic touring car trophy races during the world s biggest classic motor racing festival some 41 competitors have so far registered entries with ten different makes and 18 different models of car represented no fewer than 16 cars from the famed `super touring era that saw out the end of the 20th century ­ many having been designed developed and alfa mito now available with multi-award winning twinair engine technology raced by formula 1 teams ­ are included in the entry so too are four flame-spitting turbocharged rs500s ­ ford s outrageous `whaletale made famous by names such as steve soper andy rouse and robb gravett during bbc grandstand s coverage of british touring cars in the late eighties this year celebrates its 25th anniversary adding yet more spice are a wide selection of touring cars that competed in german dtm european and world touring car championships including v12 powered jaguar xjs and xjc coupes ­ both huge crowd favourites from the days when the famous rac tourist trophy was staged at silverstone silverstone classic event director nick wigley commented what an utterly stunning grid of cars has been assembled for this race we don t believe such a diverse grid of touring cars has ever been put together before and it s going to be a mustsee spectacle for not just all classic motor sport enthusiasts but also the many tens of thousands of fans of all ages who have followed touring car racing down the years it really is another big feather in the cap for this year s silverstone classic which is shaping up to be by far the biggest and best yet among the drivers entered is current british touring car championship star frank wrathall in a 1995 `super touring vauxhall cavalier the 25-year-old from preston who races a toyota avensis in the btcc added i grew up watching the super tourers in the nineties on tv ­ they had a real cult following ­ so to finally get the chance to race one is a bit of a `pinch yourself moment hopefully i can be competitive but there are many other very well maintained cars on the entry list particularly the nissan primeras and ford mondeo and even one of the mighty audi a4s nor would i rule out a well-driven m3 or rs500 it is going to be quite a race to be in for aficionados the models of car entered include alfa romeo 156 audi a4 audi 80 bmw 635 bmw m3 bmw m3 dtm ford capri ford escort ford mondeo ford sierra ford sierra rs500 honda accord jaguar xj12c jaguar xjs mazda 323f nissan primera talbot sunbeam vauxhall cavalier vauxhall belmont vauxhall cavalier vauxhall vectra adult tickets for 2012 s silverstone classic powered by the aa 20-22 july cost from as little as £35 plus booking fee and special two and three-day weekend tickets are also available with savings of up to 20 per cent if purchased in advance full details are available via the event s official www.silverstoneclassic.com website alfa romeo s sporty supermini the alfa mito is now available with the multi-award winning 85hp twinair engine ­ an 875cc twin-cylinder turbo powerplant with electro-hydraulic valve control technology that delivers outstanding fuel economy with sub-100g/km co2 emissions the introduction of the two-cylinder twinair engine into the alfa mito range reinforces the mito s image as a high-tech sporty compact car offering maximum driving pleasure whilst exceeding driver expectations with a co2 output of just 98g/km and official combined cycle fuel economy of 67.3mpg the alfa mito twinair is the cleanest and most economical model in its class business and retail customers can enjoy impressive financial benefits including zero road tax the lowest 10 bik rate london congestion charge exemption and group 9 insurance rating the 85hp twinair turbo is the first of a series of two-cylinder engines developed by fiat powertrain complementing the introduction of the new powerplant the mito twinair range is available in a new metallic body colour ­ ametista black with a purple hue damien dally head of brand alfa romeo uk says `the alfa mito twinair is an intelligent response to modern driving requirements ­ premium styling a sporty and engaging driving experience combined with outstanding ecological and financial benefits it s the last word in automotive engineering in terms of technology performance and environmental consideration mito twinair in detail official twinair praise for

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the auto press july 2012 issue 1 11 key to the alfa mito s innovative success is the marriage between two award winning technologies the two-cylinder twinair engine and multiair ­ winner of best new engine of the year 2010 already a proven success the twinair engine dominated the 2011 international engine of the year awards winning engine of the year best new engine green engine of the year and best sub 1-litre engine this is only the second time that a sub 1-litre engine has taken the top award with the judging panel praising the powerplant s impressive innovation environment economy alfa mito takes everything alfa romeo knows about sports car dynamics and distils it into one headturning supermini now the world s sportiest compact car is even more enjoyable to drive thanks to the introduction of the revolutionary 85 hp twinair turbo engine the mito twinair s sporty and environmentally compatible powerplant uses multiair technology combined with specific fluid dynamics optimised for maximum fuel efficiency the adoption of a small turbocharger results in excellent performance and above all great flexibility and response for a rewarding drive the 875cc twinair turbo engine ­ combined with a dramatic reduction in fuel consumption the twinair turbo engine also features a series of modifications intended to further improve both the level of comfort and the quality of driving technical refinements include a state-of-the-art flywheel and optimisation of the elements supporting the power unit ensuring great acoustic comfort and freedom from vibration in all driving conditions modifications have also been made to the process of combustion adopting an exhaust system with increased diameter specially designed to enhance response to acceleration re depending on the position selected the calibration of the engine control unit varies with a 35 nm reduction in torque from 145 in dynamic mode to 110 nm in natural mode pricing trim levels the new alfa mito twinair is available in two trim levels ­ sprint and distinctive ­ priced at £14,150 and £15,350 respectively a generous standard specification on the sprint trim level includes 16inch sports alloy wheels cruise control front fog lights manual climate control alfa d.n.a driving mode selector and alfa s blue&metm system with bluetooth® hands-free connectivity and usb media system the distinctive trim level also benefits from standard premium features including 17inch sports alloy wheels red painted brembo brake calipers rear parking sensors and chrome/aluminium detailing in addition to the model s impressive new drivetrain the mito twinair is available in a new metallic ametista black body colour with a new design for the light alloy rims and a completely revamped interior alfa the perfect engine for urban driving twinair boasts lively and enjoyable petrol engine performance with the consumption and running costs of a frugal diesel the mito twinair is the cleanest and most economical model in its class 3-dr bsegment petrol with combined cycle fuel economy of 67.3mpg co2 emissions of just 98g/km a zero road tax rating and just 10 bik ­ the lowest possible banding meaning company car drivers can pay as little as £23.49 a month and save the 3 premium they would pay for an equivalent sub 100g/km diesel thanks to the 100 capital allowance on cars with co2 emissions lower than 110g/km companies are able to write off the whole cost in the first year as opposed to 20 per year bringing down the amount subject to corporation tax and significantly reducing a company s liability the low co2 emissions mean london drivers also benefit from congestion charge exemption potentially saving around £2,500 a year performance dynamics mated to a close ratio 6-speed gearbox delivers a maximum of 85hp at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 145nm at 2,000 rpm maximum torque is available from 2,000 rpm and is constant up to 3,500 rpm ­ between 10 and 25 more torque when compared to the 105 and 78hp petrol engines in the current range the mito twinair combines sporty performance with one of the most efficient drivetrains on the road today thanks to the start&stop device and `intelligent alternator the mito with twinair engine has the lowest petrol co2 emissions in its segment at just 98 g/km ­ up to 30 less than an engine with equal performance quests while lending character to the engine sound only on the alfa mito does the innovative twinair engine constantly interact with the alfa d.n.a selector allowing drivers to choose how the engine operates and responds ­ at the flick of a switch a simple movement allows the driver to select a more sporting and dynamic drive dynamic or a more economical mode aimed more towards reducing consumption natural in extreme conditions the driver can also select a low grip setting all weather services all new uk alfa romeo cars sourced from alfa romeo uk come with 3 years aa contact which includes roadside assistance home start relay relay plus european cover and accident management this insured service is provided free of charge and is available 24 hours a day throughout the year and also includes access to travel information legal advice and technical information for peace of mind all alfa romeo uk cars are covered by a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty including parts materials and labour this comprises a 2-year unlimited

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12 the auto press july 2012 issue 1 mileage manufacturer s warranty plus an additional 1-year unlimited mileage dealer warranty however a promotional 5-year warranty is currently available to retail customers until 30 september 2012 embossed on front headrests whilst carpet mats have the defender logo woven in to harmonise with the exterior of this special edition the central switch panel matches the body colour of the vehicle with the same paint finish the xtech special edition comes with a high level of standard equipment including air conditioning anti-lock brakes with electronic traction control central locking with remote control and heated seats and windscreen with a choice of the 90 hard top and 110 utility wagon a range of standard options and accessories are available to add even more capability and character to this iconic fourwheel drive vehicle powered by the 2.2-litre diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission the defender boasts 360nm of torque for effortless towing and excellent driver refinement whether on or off-road the defender xtech special edition goes on sale from july starting at £27,995 more rugged appeal with the land rover defender xtech the iconic land rover defender now has even more rugged appeal with the launch of the defender xtech special edition offering customers the same assured breadth of capability the defender xtech stands out from the crowd in orkney grey or striking nara bronze which is unique to this special edition with contrast santorini black roof and wheel arches and black chequer plate along the bumper and sills a special `defender decal sits above the rear led lights whilst the front lights are enhanced with santorini black headlamp surrounds in contrast to the body colour this distinctive front end design is complemented with a body colour grille and gloss black land rover lettering on the bonnet a rear step bumper assembly aids entry exit and loading gloss black saw tooth 16-inch alloy wheels and mtr off-road tyres complete the look giving the defender xtech a powerfully strong and purposeful stance a pure ebony part leather interior complements both the orkney grey and nara bronze with contrast lunar stitching the land rover logo is trailblazing french marque s svelte five-door hatchback triumphed in both the supermini and gold award categories thanks to its zero-emission in road use and impressive green car rating of 26 commenting on the latest addition to the company s bulging trophy cabinet andy heiron head of electric vehicle programme renault uk said we re delighted that zoe has collected not just one but two awards from next green car several months before it even launches in the uk especially the prestigious next green car gold award he continued with an affordable price tag stylish design and great technology including six world premieres such as its innovative chameleon charger with fast charge capability and the r-link internet connected integrated touch-screen tablet we have very high hopes for the fourth model in our electric vehicle range as noted by dr ben lane managing editor of next green car the 2012 winners reflect two key elements underlying current green car development downsizing and electrification three of the winners are brand new models and follow the design philosophy of small is beautiful over half of the winners also incorporate electric drive-trains either as pure electric cars plug-in hybrids or with start-stop he continues indeed the next green car gold award 2012 goes to the highly innovative renault zoe z.e which for the first time offers a zero-emission all-electric supermini to the uk car buyer more information on zoe which launches later this year from £13,650 on-the-road after the uk plug-in car grant together with the rest of the renault z.e range is available at http www.renault.co.uk/cars range/electric.aspx watch your horsepower driver training specialist iam drive survive is offering weekly motoring tips to drivers from its head of training simon elstow this week he is advising on sharing the road with horse riders horses are unpredictable so don t risk startling them by rushing up or making sudden noises when passing give them enough space riders are reluctant to take a horse onto the verge as long grass can hide a multitude of hazards horses don t like being stood still for long periods of time if you are stopped in a queue give them plenty of fidgeting room if you catch a horse up from behind give it time to see you this is even more important in a hybrid or electric car which are quieter ­ they won t like a surprise in traffic most riders won t use the right hand lane to turn right as this puts the horse between lanes of moving traffic respect the rider s decision horses will often ride side by side on the road this isn t so their owners can have a chat ­ it is to protect less experienced or nervous riders and horses in traffic in urban areas they will do this to claim some space elstow said summer sees more vulnerable road users on the road they have as much right as car drivers to be there but a lack of understanding puts them at risk many riders will try to communicate with you ­ make eye contact renault zoe takes double win at next green car awards 2012 several months ahead of uk launch renault s eagerly-awaited zoe 100 electric supermini is already on the award-winning trail after driving away in silence naturally with a brace of trophies at the next green car awards 2012 at the most scientifically-based green car awards in the uk the

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