Autoesque

The current format for the UK’s motorcycle licence test was only introduced in April 2009. Consisting of two parts, the first is conducted away from the roads and includes hazard avoidance and emergency stop exercises. The second element is a road riding assessment, which lasts for at least thirty minutes. However, the system has received a lot of criticism. In particular, the first module has been slated for its content, as well as the number and geographic spread of the locations where it is carried out. Additionally, there have been calls to make the test a single event, rather than being split into two distinct parts that can rarely be taken on the same day. In response, the government commenced a review back in June 2010, and the Department for Transport has now announced its initial proposals. The aim is to return to a single, on-road test. This could mean that the hazard manoeuvre is carried out on the public road, provided the assessment still complied with EU standards....

A couple of weeks ago, Kawasaki announced a ‘technical hold’ notice for its new 2011 Ninja ZX-10R in North America - in other words, a recall. Under the notice, all bikes already delivered to customers and those at dealers had to be returned to Kawasaki. The cause was said to be unexpected engine behaviour, but an official reason wasn’t disclosed at the time. Now, though, it seems that Kawasaki engineers have got to the bottom of the problem. A statement from the company reads: "It had been discovered that when some examples of the new 2011 Ninja ZX-10R were operated at high rpm under unique riding conditions - such as operating on a racetrack - the intake valve springs could surge. Should this rare incidence occur it could cause one or more intake valves to seat improperly, resulting in poor engine performance. "Having examined the very small number of machines which exhibited this surge phenomenon, the Kawasaki factory engineers have designed and fully tested a co...

The Tata Nano and Ferrari 458 Italia don’t have much in common, but an unfortunate characteristic shared by early versions of both was a willingness to burst into flames. For the Nano, that might partly explain why its sales figures are in freefall. Tata managed to shift 9,000 units in July, but the tiny car found just 509 buyers in November. In such a situation, most manufacturers would resort to a special edition to help boost interest. And sure enough, it’s a tactic that Tata is using with the Nano, except the result is a little, well, unconventional. Produced ostensibly to celebrate the 5,000th anniversary of Indian jewellery, the Goldplus Nano will be gold-plated. It’s named after a Titan Industries jewellery brand which, conveniently, is also part of the Tata Group. Might as well keep things in the family… The design was chosen following a competition, and the Goldplus Nano is expected to be launched in April or May of 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

Aston Martin has been busy during 2010 creating special editions of its DBS (Carbon Black and UB2010), V8 Vantage ( N420 ) and V12 Vantage (Carbon Black). Now it’s the turn of the DB9 to receive the ‘let’s see if we can shift a few more units’ treatment. The DB9 Morning Frost specification is aimed at those wanting a little more luxury. Finished in pearlescent white with a metallic bronze leather interior, other distinguishing features include silver grilles and brake calipers, plus 19" ten-spoke alloy wheels. By contrast, the DB9 Carbon Black and Quantum Silver editions are intended to be sportier. Named after their body paint colours, both feature Obsidian Black interiors with coarse silver stitching, real glass switchgear and a piano black centre console. They also come with a remapped sports exhaust for a better sound (Aston Martin isn’t claiming any increase over the standard car’s 470 bhp / 350 kW / 477 PS), graphite tailpipes, 19” ten-spoke gloss black alloys and bla...

The UK government’s Department for Transport has announced proposals that could see information being published about the country’s numerous speed cameras. Under the plan, statistics released might include accident rates at camera sites, recorded vehicle speeds and the number of offenders prosecuted or alternatively offered speed awareness courses. Road Safety Minister, Mike Penning, said, “Public bodies should be accountable and if taxpayers' money is being spent on speed cameras then it is right that information about their effectiveness is available to the public. “The proposals I have announced today will help show what impact cameras are having on accident and casualty rates and also how the police are dealing with offenders. This is in line with our commitment to improve transparency of government data so that the public are able to make more informed judgements about the work of local and central government.” At least the government is now referring to them as ‘spee...

Dodge will stop offering its Journey in Europe, choosing instead to market the vehicle as the Fiat Freemont on this side of the Atlantic. Such a move comes as no surprise. Indeed, when Fiat Group Automobile unveiled its 2010-2014 Business Plan earlier this year, it was made clear that for Dodge ‘outside of the US, only models consistent with the strong American image of the brand, such as the Challenger, Charger and Viper, will be distributed. In addition, some products will be gradually integrated with the Fiat brand in Europe…’ The good news for potential Freemont customers is that Dodge gave the Journey an extensive overhaul for the 2011 model year. Changes included retuning the suspension for improved ride and handling, recalibrating the steering for more feel and increasing the soundproofing for more refinement. Interior quality - arguably a factor that has prevented recent Chrysler Group products from performing better in Europe - received attention too, and Dodge is n...

Land Rover has unveiled the Discovery 4 Armoured. Visually, there’s not much to give away the different specification, but there are extensive modifications to help safeguard the vehicle’s occupants. Ballistic steel armour is fitted which provides protection to European standard BS EN1522 level FB6. Similarly, the replacement glass complies with BS EN 1063 level BR6. The Discovery 4 Armoured is capable of withstanding the blast from 15kg of TNT (or equivalent explosive) when detonated close to the vehicle, while under-floor protection is sufficient to defend against two DM51 hand grenades. Consequently, the entire vehicle has been independently certified to B6 standards. Unsurprisingly, the trade-off is a weight penalty. Whereas the standard car tips the scales at 2,583 kg, the Armoured version is a decidedly bulky 3,550 kg. To compensate, the usual 3.0 litre diesel is ditched in favour of a 5.0 litre V8 direct injection petrol engine. Connected to a six-speed automatic transmis...

UK tuner APS has announced a series of upgrade packages for the all-wheel drive, 266 bhp (199 kW / 270 PS) Volkswagen Golf R. Stage One is a fairly simple conversion, as the only modification is an ECU remap. Nevertheless, maximum power is raised to 308 bhp (229 kW / 312 PS), which is a useful increase (although no performance figures have been released). It’s not bad value either, costing £445 including VAT and fitting in APS’s Brackley workshop. Stage Two adds a Milltek large bore turbo down pipe, high flow sports catalyst and a choice of two Milltek stainless steel sports exhausts. Both exhaust systems feature a switchable electronic valve, 2.75” bore tubing and dual 100 mm ceramic black tailpipes. The difference is that one comes with a resonated cat-back exhaust which is more refined and has EC type approval, while the other is non-resonated and therefore undoubtedly very noisy. Depending on the exhaust, power is lifted to around 320 - 330 bhp (238 - 246 kW / 324 - 334 PS),...

McLaren has announced plans to take its MP4-12C racing. The MP4-12C GT3, which will compete against cars such as the BMW Z4 GT3 , Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and the ubiquitous Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S, is being built primarily for privateer entrants in Europe. McLaren has been working in collaboration with Leicestershire-based CRS Racing who will build, sell and provide support to owners. The plan is for a small production run of cars for the 2012 European FIA GT3 Series, although before that there will be a limited race programme during 2011 as part of the development process. Related post: Spec a McLaren MP4-12C

The UK’s Department for Transport has announced the first nine models that will be eligible for its Plug-in Car Grant . Beginning in January 2011, the scheme will see buyers able to claim 25% off the list price (up to a maximum of £5,000) per qualifying vehicle. The government has allocated £43M for the grants up until the end of March 2012, with a review of the programme’s viability beyond that date scheduled for January 2012. The nine are: Manufacturer Model First UK Deliveries Price Mitsubishi i-MiEV January 2011 £23,990 including grant smart fortwo electric drive January 2011 TBC. Available to lease in limited volumes from January 2011 ahead of full series production starting in 2012 Peugeot iOn January 2011 Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month Nissan Leaf March 2011 £23,990 including grant Tata Vista EV March 2011 TBC Citroën CZero Early 2011 Only available via four year lease at £415 plus VAT per month Vaux...

UK buyers will once again be able to get their hands on the Vauxhall VXR8. Available from next March, this latest version is based on the just-launched E Series 3 GTS model from Holden’s HSV division. Power comes from GM’s 6.2 litre LS3 V8, which also sees service in the Chevrolet Camaro SS and Corvette LT. In the VXR8, it’s rated at 425 bhp (316 kW / 431 PS) with 550 Nm (405 lb/ft) of torque, which is enough to propel the Vauxhall from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h). Drive is to the rear wheels, although customers can choose whether this goes through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. A mechanical limited slip differential features as standard. The VXR8 also comes with some trick chassis technology. Magnetic Ride Control has been borrowed from the Corvette ZR1, and it allows for continuously adjustable suspension via magnetic particles in the dampers. Launch Control meanwhile does pretty much as the name suggests. Engag...

BMW’s M division has, following a strung-out teaser campaign, finally revealed its take on the 1 Series. The result should logically wear an M1 badge, but that was never really going to happen. BMW, it seems, doesn’t want people getting confused with the similarly-named mid-engine car of three decades ago. Something like M135i might have been chosen instead, as it conforms to the traditions of BMW nomenclature. However, that too was rejected for reasons unknown. So the new arrival has been lumbered with the lengthy title of BMW 1 Series M Coupé, which isn’t exactly snappy but at least it’s descriptive. Under the bonnet sits the three-litre six-cylinder engine out of the Z4 sDrive35is (another model that has fallen victim to BMW’s odd naming conventions), connected to a six-speed manual transmission. While some purists might moan that an M car should have a bespoke engine, the stats indicate that it’s a good enough match for the 1 Series Coupé. Thanks to twin turbochargers, it...

Audi has revealed the car it hopes will add to the marque’s tally of Le Mans 24 Hours wins. The new R18 TDI will, like its R15 TDI predecessor, compete in the LMP1 class and it does run on diesel. But there are a couple of significant differences compared to the old car. Firstly, the R18 is a closed coupé. This change in configuration has come about because Audi believes that, compared to an open-cockpit car, benefits from improved aerodynamics will outweigh any time lost through slower driver change-overs. Secondly, the 5.5 litre V10 engine of the R15 has been dropped in favour of a 3.7 litre V6, which is coupled to a specially modified six-speed transmission. Such a radical down-sizing is due to revised regulations that are being introduced for the 2011 season. Their purpose is to erode the recent dominance of diesel-powered cars at Le Mans, with the last petrol car to take overall victory in the French 24 hours race being an Audi R8 back in 2005. Although the R18 complete...

Glass’s, publisher of the eponymous used car values guide, has revealed which three-year old models have best held their values in the UK market. The study looked at ‘57’ plate cars (i.e. first registered between 1 September 2007 and 29 February 2008), which had covered 37,000 miles (59,545 kilometres). The results were ranked by residual value as a percentage of original list price, although low volume models and exotica were excluded. Given the tough economic climate, it might be expected that used buyers would be flocking towards cheaper, more economical vehicles, so driving up their residual value percentages. Surprisingly, though, seven of the top ten are 4x4s or SUVs, with top spot taken by the Volkswagen Tiguan SE 4Motion. Glass’s Top Ten Residuals 2010 Position Model Residual % Average Yearly Depreciation 1 Volkswagen Tiguan (168 bhp) SE 4Motion 68.0% £2,394 2 MINI 1.6 Cooper Hatch 65.9% £1,462 3 Honda CR-V 2.2 CTDi (138 bhp) SE 64.3% £2,356 4...

The 2011 Formula 1 season could see the bizarre sight of two Lotus-branded teams on the grid. Group Lotus - the Proton-owned manufacturer of Lotus road cars - has just bought a stake in the former Renault F1 Team, also becoming title sponsor in the process. The move coincides with Renault selling its share in the outfit, although the French firm will continue to supply engines to the newly renamed Lotus Renault GP Team. Lotus Renault GP Team - 2011 Livery A black and gold livery has been revealed too, which harks back to the cigarette-sponsored Lotus F1 cars of the 1970s and 1980s. It might look striking, but why the team would want to give free subliminal advertising to a tobacco company is anyone’s guess. Confusingly Lotus Racing, which competed for the first time during 2010 but is nothing to do with Group Lotus, has already announced a couple of significant changes for next season: not only will it be switching from Cosworth to Renault power, but it will also be painting ...

Tasteless, nasty, tacky: all words that could be used to describe the horror that is the A.R.T. G streetline Sterling. The vehicle that this conversion is based on, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen (or G-Class, as it’s now known) was never going to win any beauty contests, but at least its utilitarian looks have a certain rugged elegance. And in standard form it can boast excellent off-road ability, something that is largely lost when you fit 22” alloy wheels, low-profile road tyres and a daft body kit. A.R.T. has used the G 400 CDI as a starting point for the Sterling, which is odd because that particular model seems to have disappeared from the Mercedes-Benz price list, replaced in most markets by the G 350 BlueTEC. Anyway, power output of the G 400’s V8 diesel has been lifted from 246 bhp (184 kW / 250 PS) to 288 bhp (214 kW / 292 PS). That increase is thanks to a reprogrammed engine ECU and the fitment of a comedy exhaust system which features six (yes, six) side-exiting stainless ...