http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ICQpw1LOTU

Yesterday Connaught Motor Company announced a new global manufacturing and R&D headquarters for production of their new Connaught Type-D V10 sportscar, which is on track for full production in 2008. This is a remarkable project for such a new sportscar manufacturer, but it certainly makes it easier when your team of designers and engineers are made up of ex-Jaguar talent as well as other motor industry professionals. Above is a short film which gives a behind the scenes look at the Type-D project and the designers and engineers who are working diligently to bring the Type-D to market.

 

Transport and General Workers’ Union members at Aston Martin in Gaydon, Warwickshire have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action in a dispute over pay, it was announced today. 70% voted in favour of strike action, 76% voted in favour of action short of a strike, on a high turnout of 79%. Continue Reading »
Aston Martin workers vote to strike!

 

Autocar has the latest on Land Rovers next generation Defender. According to Autocar sources, Defender 2 is scheduled to debut in 2013 and is expected to use an all-new dedicated platform. It will still deliver go-anywhere capabilities and it’s styling is expected to be a mix of iconic boxy looks and Land Rovers new ‘premium adventure’ design language.

North America will be an important market for Defender 2 as well as emerging markets such as China, Asia and Russia, which should help double Defender sales to 50,000 units a year. Land Rover designers and engineers are also considering whether a new Defender needs to be available in 170 different configurations like the current model.

Source: Autocar

 

On the evening of Wednesday, 28 March, 269 MINIs illuminated Blackpool and set a new Guinness World Record for the longest MINI convoy in the world. Owners travelled from as far as Croydon and Cardiff to be part of the historic two-mile route and help raise cash for Comic Relief. Continue Reading »
MINI convoy sets new Guinness World Record

 

VX Racing is starting the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) season with high hopes, after introducing its brand-new Vauxhall Vectra. Continue Reading »
New Vectra ready for BTCC Challenge

 

The £12million investment, which will create 200 new highly skilled jobs over the next three years, was announced by Enterprise Minister Andrew Davies at a Press conference in Cardiff today.

Connaught’s decision to establish its headquarters in Wales is being supported by the Welsh Assembly Government with regional selective assistance as well as SMARTCymru funding for research and development of advanced hybrid technology. Continue Reading »
Connaught Motor Company sets up global headquarters in Wales

“This thumper is now perched in a quite brilliant chassis. I can’t say I felt the extra rigidity through reduced body flex, but it has certainly facilitated a fine new suspension set-up. The R400 uses a new Bilstein damper and the same Avon R500 tyre, both of which work very well. The added torque really helps the chassis too. The old K-series used to operate on power alone, and this gave the front axle time to generate understeer as it waited for the bang to arrive. The Duratec’s instant torque now works through a standard limited-slip diff, allowing you to either enjoy just how neutral it is through most corners, or prod a little harder and create some neat, controllable oversteer” Autocar - Full Review

Expert spy photographer EwansKelly has just caught Jaguars new XF testing at the Nurburgring. You can tell from these photos that the production XF will be very close to the concept shown at Detroit recently and those rear light definitely have a strong hint of Aston. Unfortunately there haven’t been any interior spy pix yet, but with the production XF scheduled to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September some pix are bound to pop on the web very soon. Photos can be viewed HERE, HERE and HERE

“Inside the cabin has been carefully crafted and while it is only 50mm longer than the departing model, it feels substantially roomier inside. The centre console and overall interior are far better equipped than previous models. While the steering wheel, heater controls and logical instruments are shared with larger Land Rovers the Freelander has been given a distinct identity” Motoring Life - Full Review

 

H&H Classic Auctions has just released their latest cars and auto enthusiast items list for auction. Below is the full list of items that go up for auction April 17 and 18. Continue Reading »
H&H Classic Auctions latest collector car and automobilia sale