Maserati wins opening race of 2025 GT2 European Series Championship Powered by Pirelli

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. In Race 1, Prette from the LP Racing team was on the top step of the podium in the Am Class. Calamia & Pampanini, from Dinamic Motorsport, finished on the podium in Race 2. Le Castellet, 13 April 2025 – In the opening race of the 2025 season of the GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli, four Maserati GT2s lined up on the starting grid and the House of the Trident immediately reaped a victory.The Maserati GT2 number 1 for the LP Racing team – driven by Philippe Prette, reigning champion in the Am Class category – started the championship in the best possible way at the Circuit Paul Ricard (France).The French driver, who races with an Italian licence, achieved success in his category in Race 1, starting from the front row. In Race 2, however, Mauro Calamia & Roberto Pampanini in the Dinamic Motorsport Maserati GT2 took third place overall and in the Pro Am Class. In the first race, Prette got off to a great start, always remaining among the leaders and returning to fifth place overall after the pit stop. Even so, he still remained the leader in the Am Class, which he maintained until the finish line. Of the other three Maserati GT2s lined up at the start, the outstanding performance of Switzerland’s Mauro Calamia – with the Dinamic Motorsport team and former winner of the Trofeo Maserati – is worth a mention. His teammate Roberto Pampanini, then in fourth place, handed the car over in ninth position, with a penalty for a false start. After making a second stop, Calamia finished seventh overall. The pair of French drivers from the TFT Racing team – Patrick Charlaix & Jordan Boisson – finished Race 1 in ninth place, fourth in the Am Class. LP Racing’s no. 8 car driven by Anik Patel & Eddie Cheever III was forced to retire after becoming embroiled in an accident and could not even take part in the second stage. Race 2, held in the rain, saw Calamia start strong from the off. He settled into fourth place, but in an attempt to improve his placing he came into contact with an opponent, going into a spin. He resumed the race immediately and began a comeback from the back of the group, before handing over the steering wheel ahead of the pit stop. This move meant Pampanini could return to the track in fourth place and in turn to finish off a determined race, in which he took the third step of the podium. A run-up race for Philippe Prette too, who started from the last row, but was penalised with a drive-through following a contact. In the end, he finished fourth in the Am Class, ahead of the sister car driven by Charlaix & Boisson, in the TFT Racing Maserati GT2. The next round of the GT2 European Series Powered by Pirelli is scheduled to take place in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, from 16 to 18 May. Maria Conti, Head of Maserati Corse: “We’re extremely proud to have demonstrated our racing DNA and nature of performance during the opening weekend of the GT2 European Series 2025! Seeing four cars on the starting grid, as well as the official Safety Car and Leading Car, makes us proud and epitomises the motorsport nature of our Brand. Now more than ever, we’re delighted to offer our customers, teams and gentleman drivers a car with character, a perfect synthesis of advanced technology and performance at the highest levels: seeing the Maserati GT2 compete on the Circuit Paul Ricard and take the lead in the Am Class in Race 1 – confirming the result from the 2024 championship – takes us ahead into another season in which we’re aiming to play a leading role”. Maserati S.p.A.Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars, immediately recognizable for their extraordinary personality. Thanks to their style, technology, and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a benchmark for the global automotive industry. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance, and safety, currently available in more than 70 markets internationally.Maserati line-up includes the Grecale, the “everyday exceptional” SUV, the GranTurismo, the iconic Italian grand tourer, and the GranCabrio, the new convertible of the Trident; all models characterized by the use of the highest quality materials and excellent technical solutions. A range equipped with 4-cylinder hybrid powertrains – available for Grecale – and V6 petrol, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, embodying the performance DNA of the Trident brand. The top of the range is made up of the MC20 super sports car and the MC20 Cielo spyder, powered by the ground-breaking 100% Maserati Nettuno V6 engine, which incorporates F1-derived technologies into the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. The GranTurismo is available with both the high-performance V6 petrol engine, derived from the Nettuno, and a 100% electric version: the GranTurismo Folgore, the first car in the Modena-based brand’s history to adopt this solution. The full-electric range also currently includes the Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first 100% electric SUV, and the GranCabrio Folgore. Finally, the House of the Trident’s latest addition is the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the road-legal version of the GT2 that took Maserati back to the track in closed-wheel championships. The heart of the new super sports car is the V6 Nettuno engine, reaching 640 hp (471 kW) in the latter configuration. The GT2 Stradale is therefore the most powerful road-going Maserati with an internal combustion engine. The mission at Maserati is to write the future of mobility in the luxury segment, focusing on its customers’ requests. The Brand, in line with the Stellantis “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, is now taking Italian luxury all over the world. For further information:MASERATIRoberta Marchetti – Maserati Corse Communications Manager – roberta.marchetti@maserati.com

Bad luck intercepts promising Miami weekend

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. The Miami E-Prix ended in disappointment for Maserati MSG Racing after holding much promise. NUMBERS Stoffel VandoorneFree Practice One // P15Free Practice Two // P10Qualifying // P6 [1:23.566, Quarter Final Duels]Race // P14Positions Gained // -8Fastest Lap // 1:28.183Championship Position // P14 [16 points] Jake HughesFree Practice One // P14Free Practice Two // P14Qualifying // P21 [1:25.359, P11 Group A]Race // DNFPositions Gained // 0Fastest Lap // 1:30.367Championship Position // P6 [27 points] Maserati MSG RacingChampionship Position // P6 [43 points] Maserati MSG Racing were looking to continue their momentum from Jeddah as Formula E returned to racing in Miami. The weekend held much promise, showcased with Stoffel Vandoorne’s strong qualifying performance. Unfortunately, bad luck got in the way of a good result and the team took no points away from the weekend. Stoffel was looking to extract maximum out of the car along with Jake Hughes who, although struggling a little in comparison to Stoffel around the Homestead-Miami International Speedway, was still feeling good ahead of qualifying. Margins were incredible tight in Group A, where both Stoffel and Jake were qualifying. Being off the pace by just over four tenths of a second sadly saw Jake out of the group stages, which was tough for the Brit to take having been so fractionally off the leading lap time. Stoffel’s Group A time put him 0.040s behind Porsche’s Antonio Felix Da Costa who topped the group, earning him second in the group stage and a ticket into the Quarter Final Duels. He was up against Andretti’s Jake Dennis and gave the flying lap everything he had. It wasn’t quite enough to beat Dennis, but the 1:23.566 was the second fastest of all drivers relegated from the Quarter Finals, placing him sixth on the grid. As usual, the race became all about strategy, with both Stoffel and Jake running different races to extract the most out of their starting positions. Stoffel’s Attack Mode usage saw him climb up to third, looking set to bring Maserati MSG Racing another podium. He got stuck in the wrong racing pack, which dampened his chances for a podium, but Stoffel was still in a good place to bring home a decent haul of points. Jake focused on energy saving in the start, biding his time to pull a big energy advantage on his competitors. This put him in a great position at the end of the race, looking like he was going to convert his backrow start into a top four finish. But the team’s luck ran out when Jake became tangled in an incident with DS PENSKE’s Max Guenther and Jaguar’s Mitch Evans. Looking to pass Jake, everything bottle necked at the Attack Mode Turn 4 chicane and Guenther went straight into the back of the Maserati Tipo Folgore. Evans joined the incident with nowhere to go, causing the sole red flag of the race with Jake the only retiree of the collision. It was a quick clean up, leaving four racing laps to go, but Stoffel’s earlier brilliant Attack Mode strategy came back to haunt him. Now being in a pack of cars, most of which still had an Attack Mode to use, he was a sitting duck as his second Attack Mode had majority been lost to the red flag. Maserati MSG Racing will regroup and get ready to go again as Formula E heads to Europe, not only for the first European race of the season but for the team’s home race in Monaco. For the first time a double header, Maserati MSG Racing will be looking to put out the best performance, extract the maximum from the cars and bring home a decent haul of points in front of a home crowd and team partners. QUOTES Jake Hughes, Driver, Maserati MSG Racing: “It’s a real shame to end the weekend with a DNF because I really think we were on for a good result. One lap pace wasn’t our strength this weekend – we’ll look over exactly what happened for me in qualifying because starting at the back in a Formula E race is never ideal. But in the race, to see that we have the pace and strategy to climb the grid, be in a position for a top five finish or possibly more, that’s really positive. The team did a great job of executing the energy saving strategy and I was in a really good position in the closing stages and I really think a lot of points were on offer. That’s why it’s so frustrating, or more frustrating, when you’re taken out by another driver. Sure, that’s motorsport and sometimes things don’t go your way, but it’s gutting to leave so many points that I really thought were ours on the table. There are still a lot of positives to take away from this weekend, and that makes me really excited for the next round in Monaco.” Stoffel Vandoorne, Driver, Maserati MSG Racing: “From FP one our focus was on finding the perfect setup around this new circuit. It was a positive surprise to have such a strong result in qualifying, giving me some confidence going into the race. We were in a good position at the start, and knew points could be on the cards if we played the strategy right. From lights out the race was tricky, as Formula E races tend to be. So many cars together at the start, it can get chaotic and it’s important to keep your nose clean through the first few laps. We managed to get up into the top three, starting to use our Attack Mode strategy to good effect, but we got slightly too focused on the wrong competitors. It saw us stuck in the wrong pack, fighting with the wrong people, which put us on the back foot. I was still confident we could end the race with decent points, but I got unlucky with the safety car…

Historic parade of 70 Alpine cars kick-starts 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. 40,000 motor sport fans look on as the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting starts in style with a special parade of 70 Alpine cars driven by owners from across the world Historic parade included iconic racing models from the 1960s through to the latest electric A290 hot hatch Founded in 1955 with a racing and rallying DNA born out of agility and lightness, Alpine is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a range of special events throughout 2025 Alpine returned as lead automotive partner of the Goodwood Members’ Meeting for the second successive year An estimated 40,000 motor sport fans enjoyed a thrilling start to the exclusive 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting, with a unique parade featuring a historic collection of 70 Alpine sports cars driven around the iconic racing circuit by owners from across the world. The unique moving display celebrated Alpine’s 70th anniversary by showcasing the past, present and future of its racing and rallying DNA. Cars from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, including A110, A310, GTA and A610 models, provided a moving illustration of the brand’s history, highlighting founder Jean Rédélé’s focus on agility and lightness in every model he launched. The legendary classics were joined by Alpine’s latest model, the all-electric A290 hot hatch, the 2025 Car of the Year winner making its UK début in right-hand drive form, plus a sensational range of models from today’s high-performance A110 range. Nicola Burnside, MD of Alpine Cars UK, said: “The Alpine parade was the perfect way to kick-start the Goodwood Members’ Meeting weekend and our 70th anniversary celebrations in the UK, linking our past to our present and underlining our race and rally DNA as we head into an electric era. It was an incredible sight to see so many historic Alpine racing cars and an unforgettable experience for the owners driving them.” On static display and attracting just as much attention from Goodwood Members was the UK debut of the limited edition, 345bhp A110 R Ultime ultra sports car, the sportiest and most exclusive Alpine road car ever, with just 110 examples to be produced and capable of 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. Other static displays for sports car enthusiasts to savour at Goodwood this weekend include the A110 R, A110 GT, A110 S plus the new, electric Alpine A290. ENDS About Alpine:Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, the brand has set itself apart with its French-style sports cars. In 2018, the brand presents the new A110, a sports car faithful to Alpine’s timeless principles of compactness, lightness, agility and driving pleasure. In 2021, Alpine Cars, Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing join forces under the Alpine flagship. It thus becomes the brand dedicated to innovative, authentic, exclusive sportscars of Groupe Renault, benefiting from the heritage and craftmanship of its historic plant in Dieppe, as well as the engineering mastery from the Formula One and Renault Sport teams. For further information please visit press.alpinesportscars.co.uk, www.alpinecars.com or @RenaultUKPR or contact: Jim HolderDirector of Communicationsjim.holder@renault.co.uk – 07779 227930 Archie FinniePress Officerarchie.finnie@renault.co.uk – 07887 468977

More than a million EVs on UK roads as vehicle ownership reaches new high

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. SMMT MOTORPARC 2024 12 April 2025 (data for 2024)Hi-res charts available via Dropbox here Record 42 million vehicles on UK roads in 2024, as volumes rise 1.4%, with cars up 1.3% to 36,165,401 units. Number of electric cars in use hits monumental milestone, passing the one million mark with more than 1.3 million now on the road, up 38.9% year on year. Average car fleet CO2 emissions down -1.6% as an ever-expanding EV model choice plus lower-emission hybrids and conventionally fuelled vehicles replace older units. Fleet renewal slows as Brits hold on to their cars for longer, with 43.4% of the parc over 10 years old and average age of car in use rising to new high of 9.5 years. Saturday 12 April, 2025 The number of vehicles on British roads reached its highest ever level in 2024, rising by 1.4% to 41,964,268, according to new Motorparc data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The number of cars in use also reached new highs, growing by 1.3% or 470,556 units to 36,165,401, marking the third consecutive year of growth and the second-biggest volume gain since 2016.1 The increase reflects growth in the new car market, which in 2024 saw 1.953 million new cars registered, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) making up 19.6% of the market. Van use also grew to record levels, up 1.8% to 5,102,180 units, with more than one million of these workhorses added to roads since 2015.2 Heavy goods vehicle volumes remained almost unchanged, down just -0.1% or 364 units, at 625,509 units. Bus and coach volumes fell by just -0.1% to 71,718 units, although this means that the UK public transport fleet is now the smallest since records began. Britain’s vehicle parc continues to decarbonise, with a 34.6% increase in plug-in vehicles (BEV and plug-in hybrid) – now accounting for one in 20 (5.1%), or 2,157,360, vehicles in use. Manufacturer discounting has driven up demand for battery electric cars which saw them remain the fastest growing sector of the parc, breaking the million motor milestone as volumes soared by 38.9% to 1,334,246 units. As a result, BEVs comprise 3.7% of cars in use, up a full percentage point on 2023. Conventionally fuelled cars remained the most dominant powertrains, with petrol-powered motors rising by 1.0% to 21.0 million, and an almost unchanged market share of 58.2%, while diesel volumes fell -4.4% to 11.6 million – making up 32.1% of cars in use – and marking the fuel type’s fifth straight year of decline. The proliferation of newer lower and zero emission technologies across the parc led to a reduction in average car CO2, which dropped by -1.6%. This was fuelled by a significant fall in company car emissions, down -5.6% thanks to fiscal fleet incentives and manufacturer investment into an ever-expanding range of electrified model choices to appeal to every motorist. Private car CO2 also dipped, falling marginally by -1.0%, demonstrating a need for consumer fiscal incentives to deliver rapid decarbonisation. Lower uptake in the new car market means motorists are holding onto their cars for longer, with the average age of a car on the road now 9.5 years old, up from 9.3 years in 2023 and much older than the eight year-old average of 2019. More than two-fifths (43.4%) of the total parc has now been in use for more than a decade, predating the introduction of lower-emission Euro 6 technology which has done much to improve air quality. The commercial vehicle parc is also decarbonising, with buses leading the way with an 81.8% increase in zero emission units on last year to 3,494 – accounting for almost one in 20 (4.9%) buses in use. Vans, which support businesses across the country, are also increasingly going zero-emission, with battery electric van volumes increasing by 31.6% to 80,476 units – or 1.6% of the parc. Electric truck use also rose, but overall they account for fewer than 0.1% of the fleet. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Britain’s vehicle parc is growing, providing essential mobility for the nation while reducing its environmental impact. However, there is scope to push environmental improvements much faster as motorists are holding onto their cars for longer, some one and half years longer on average, than only five years ago. Drivers need more incentives and greater confidence in infrastructure investment if we are to replace the high volumes of older high-emission cars with zero-emission alternatives. Success will keep the country on the move while driving up economic growth from every business dependent on road transport.” Did you know? Superminis remain the most popular car type in use, closely followed by lower medium models. These segments account for almost three out of five cars (59.2%) on the road, making up 11,893,199 and 9,524,299 units respectively. Germany was the largest source of cars on UK roads, accounting for 29.5%, with the UK (14.1%) the second and Spain (10.3%) the third. China is now the 12th largest source of cars. Black remains the most popular car colour of choice, accounting for more than one in five vehicles in use today (20.2%). Automatic transmissions continue to rise as more electric vehicles reach the road, up 9.5%, while manual transmissions have fallen -2.6%. For Wicked musical fans, 660,245 green and 24,863 pink cars were in use on UK roads last year. While red might seem the archetypal colour for buses, white coloured buses are actually the most popular – with 19,797 in use, equal to 27.8% of the fleet. London and the South East are home to the most cars (8,993,282), followed by the North West (4,007,590) and the South West (3,609,861). London and the South East is the region with the most registered EVs in use (456,289). Of all cars in use, 35.1% are registered to women and 51.1% to men,with a 4.0% increase in women owners over the last five years.3 Almost six in 10 EVs are registered to companies, compared with companies accounting for just 10.0% of the overall…

Maserati named Official Cars Supplier for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. The House of the Trident to provide Safety Car and Leading Car in 2025 Track-inspired GT2 Stradale chosen as Safety Car, MC20 to fulfil Leading Car duties First engagement comes this weekend when season launches at Circuit Paul Ricard Modena, 11 April 2025 – Maserati will provide the official Safety Car and Leading Car throughout the 2025 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season thanks to a new agreement between the Italian manufacturer and SRO Motorsports Group. The essential role of Safety Car will be fulfilled by the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the road-going version of the brand’s successful GT2 race car. Deriving significant power from a V6 Nettuno engine, the GT2 Stradale achieves 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 324 km/h. Finished in a sleek Nero Pastello colour scheme, the Maserati GT2 Stradale will provide safety in style when it joins GT World Challenge Europe this season. It will be complemented by the Maserati MC20, which has been chosen as the Leading Car for 2025. Featuring an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and clean, innovative aerodynamics, it will carry an eye-catching Bianco Pastello colour scheme. The new agreement forges even closer ties between Maserati and SRO Motorsports Group. The manufacturer is already synonymous with excellence thanks to competition cars such as the Maserati MC12, which enjoyed remarkable success throughout the GT1 era. More recently, the Maserati GT2 returned the brand to the international sportscar arena by taking on the GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli, instantly establishing a winning reputation. The 2025 GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS season launches this weekend (12/13 April) at Circuit Paul Ricard, which stages a six-hour Endurance Cup race from 18:00 CEST on Saturday. In addition to its role as Safety Car and Leading Car provider, Maserati will also be on-track as part of the GT2 Europe field with entries in both the Pro-Am and Am classes. Maria Conti, Head of Maserati Corse: “We’re roaring into our first role as official Safety Car and Leading Car throughout the 2025 season of the GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. From the road to the track and back again: this is our story. Going from GT2 racing to its road version was a natural step, to embody our brand’s performance, now returning to the grid not only to compete, but also in this essential role. We look forward to a successful partnership with SRO and are very proud to provide them with a car that can stand out for its cutting-edge technologies, significant performance and unique driving style. That has always been our goal in the world of racing: to revive Maserati’s passion and competitive DNA on the track”. Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group founder & CEO: “I am proud to present Maserati as the new Safety Car and Leading Car supplier for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS. This agreement adds a new dimension to what has been a long association between SRO and Maserati. The name is synonymous with engineering excellence, from the legendary MC12 through to the current GT2 model that will compete this weekend, so I am certain the GT2 Stradale will fulfil its new role perfectly. I look forward to a successful partnership”. Maserati S.p.A.Maserati produces a complete range of unique cars, immediately recognizable for their extraordinary personality. Thanks to their style, technology, and innately exclusive character, they delight the most discerning, demanding tastes and have always been a benchmark for the global automotive industry. A tradition of successful cars, each of them redefining what makes an Italian sports car in terms of design, performance, comfort, elegance, and safety, currently available in more than 70 markets internationally.Maserati line-up includes the Grecale, the “everyday exceptional” SUV, the GranTurismo, the iconic Italian grand tourer, and the GranCabrio, the new convertible of the Trident; all models characterized by the use of the highest quality materials and excellent technical solutions. A range equipped with 4-cylinder hybrid powertrains – available for Grecale – and V6 petrol, with rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, embodying the performance DNA of the Trident brand. The top of the range is made up of the MC20 super sports car and the MC20 Cielo spyder, powered by the ground-breaking 100% Maserati Nettuno V6 engine, which incorporates F1-derived technologies into the power unit of a standard production car for the first time. The GranTurismo is available with both the high-performance V6 petrol engine, derived from the Nettuno, and a 100% electric version: the GranTurismo Folgore, the first car in the Modena-based brand’s history to adopt this solution. The full-electric range also currently includes the Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first 100% electric SUV, and the GranCabrio Folgore. Finally, the House of the Trident’s latest addition is the Maserati GT2 Stradale, the road-legal version of the GT2 that took Maserati back to the track in closed-wheel championships. The heart of the new super sports car is the V6 Nettuno engine, reaching 640 hp (471 kW) in the latter configuration. The GT2 Stradale is therefore the most powerful road-going Maserati with an internal combustion engine. The mission at Maserati is to write the future of mobility in the luxury segment, focusing on its customers’ requests. The Brand, in line with the Stellantis “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, is now taking Italian luxury all over the world. For further information:MASERATIRoberta Marchetti – Maserati Corse Communications Manager – roberta.marchetti@maserati.com

Synergy Car Leasing tops BYD-sponsored Broker News Awards 2025

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. 11 April 2025 – For the second successive year, Synergy Car Leasing is the Broker of the Year Award winner at the BYD-sponsored Broker News Awards 2025 held at London’s Orrery restaurant. The Awards, which celebrate brilliance in the industry, also announced a host of other winners last week (3 April) that are pioneering, innovating and driving success in the leasing broker sector. The judges believed Harrogate-based Synergy Car Leasing ‘has all the bases covered – best in sales, best in customer service and nurtures new talent brilliantly’ was a deserved winner. With 10 categories, including the newly introduced Best Salary Sacrifice Broker Award, other winners were: Best Appointed Representative – Leasing Route t/a Jurni Leasing (Stafford) Best Small Broker (up to 1,000 units per year) – Greenfleets (Tring) Best Mid-Size Broker (1,001-5,000 units per year) – Synergy Car Leasing (Harrogate) Best Volume Broker (5,001+ units per year) – Nationwide Vehicle Contracts (Manchester) Best Customer Service Broker – Synergy Car Leasing (Harrogate) Best Commercial Vehicle Broker – Vanaways (Bristol) Best Salary Sacrifice Broker – loveelectric (Edinburgh) Best SME Fleet Broker – Fleet Alliance (Glasgow) Best Innovation in Broking – The Electric Car Scheme (Hayes) Further award category winners were: Rising Star of the Year – Ellie Tucker, Synergy Car Leasing Funder of the Year – Novuna Vehicle Solutions Broker Supplier of the Year – vGroup International Woman in Broking – Donna Kelly, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts Editor’s award – Rod Lloyd, Chair of BVLRA Leasing Broker committee Headline sponsor, BYD, presented the winning ‘Broker of the Year Award 2025’ to Synergy Car Leasing. Claudio de Freitas, Contract Hire & Leasing Manager at BYD said: “This is the first time an OEM has been involved in these Awards, but we recognise the broker channel as an important element of our growth as a company, so we were honoured to be able to have been a part of this process, recognise the key players in the industry, and celebrate their achievements.” Will Voisey, Managing Director at Synergy Car Leasing, added: “We are delighted to have won Broker of the Year for the second year running! Judges recognised the huge effort we have made consistently over the years to provide the best-in-class services to our customers as well as to nurture new talent within our organisation. We continue to grow, but the team remains very close, and we ensure we continue to work together as a team to achieve our common goal.” Ralph Morton, Editor at Broker News concluded: “The Awards perform a vital role in celebrating excellence and highlighting the best in this thriving and dynamic community. Brokers are focusing on innovation, digital advancement, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, and that’s combining to build a strong broker sector. “My thanks to the independent board of judges, Senior Judge Steve Cocks of Lex Autolease, Chair of the judging panel Paul Parkinson, and of course, to our main partner BYD and our other partners in the event, without whose support the Broker News Awards would not be possible.” For more on the awards, visit: https://brokernews.co.uk/broker-news-awards-2025-synergy-car-leasing-named-broker-of-the-year-plus-all-the-2025-award-winners/ Notes to EditorsBroker News is the leading B2B publication for the leasing broker sector, which is responsible for 380,000 vehicles per annum. BVRLA-approved leasing brokers provide personal contract hire, business contract hire, salary sacrifice and fleet management services to consumers and businesses, underwritten by the UK’s leading banks and funders. These are the third Broker News Awards designed to recognise excellence in the leasing broker industry and open to all BVRLA-accredited leasing brokers. Contact ralph.morton@brokernews.co.uk for further information. Photographs show:Will Voisey (left), Managing Director of Synergy Car Leasing, accepts the Broker News Broker of the Year Award 2025 from Headline Partner Claudio de Freitas of BYD flanked by Synergy Sales Account Manager Ellie Tucker, who was also named Rising Star of the Year. Toby Poston (left), the CEO of the British Vehicle and Leasing Association, accepts the Editor’s Award from Broker News Editor Ralph Morton on behalf of Rod Lloyd, Chair of the BVRLA Leasing Broker Committee, for his work on behalf of the sector following the Court of Appeal judgement on finance brokers and commission disclosure. Photographer credit: Alastair Hilton

World first: McMurtry Spéirling hypercar drives upside down from stationary

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. In stunning world first, McMurtry Spéirling becomes the first car to drive upside down Records tumble as Spéirling claims Top Gear Test Track outright record, to add to Goodwood Festival of Speed and Laguna Seca Hillclimb records Customer deliveries of all-electric hypercar scheduled for 2026; 100 to be made Proprietary Downforce-on-DemandTM fan system enabled upside-down driving Special edition livery used as tribute to McMurtry’s first ever fan car from 2021 Watch the video here In a stunning world first, McMurtry Automotive has driven its record-breaking Spéirling hyper track car upside down. Thomas Yates, Co-founder & Managing Director of McMurtry Automotive used the British hypercar’s proprietary fan system which produces Downforce-on-DemandTM, to ‘suck’ the hypercar to the ‘floor’ of a specially-built rotating rig. The technology demonstration took place at McMurtry’s headquarters in Gloucestershire, England and was attended by employees and independent adjudicators. This monumental feat is yet another record-breaking outing for the Spéirling. Today, it was also announced that the same vehicle has also smashed the Top Gear Test Track record by 3.1 seconds. The previous record holder was a V10 Renault R24 Formula 1 racecar from 2004. It also holds the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb outright record and the Laguna Seca Corkskrew Hillclimb record. The McMurtry Spéirling is a British-built, single-seat, electric hypercar that operates in a league of its own. It was envisioned by one of Britain’s most successful businessmen, the billionaire and prolific inventor Sir David McMurtry, who passed away in December. McMurtry Automotive continues his legacy with a small, agile team of talented and creative engineers. Thomas Yates, Co-founder & Managing Director of McMurtry Automotive, commented: “That was just a fantastic day in the office! Strapping in and driving inverted was a completely surreal experience. The 2000kg of downforce that the fan system can generate is truly astonishing to experience and it’s great to show the reason why our Spéirling continues to take records around the world.” “This demonstration was an exciting proof of concept using a small purpose-built rig, but is perhaps just the beginning of what’s possible. With a longer inverted track or a suitable tunnel, we may be able to drive even further! Huge congratulations and thanks to the entire McMurtry Automotive team, especially the engineers involved in the car and fan system’s design, they are the heroes of today. ” How is it possible?It has long been discussed that high-performance race cars, such as those used in Formula 1, could theoretically be driven upside down. This is due to the amount of downforce that they generate at speed. However, it has never been attempted. Equipped with McMurtry’s patented Downforce-on-DemandTM system, the Spéirling can accelerate, brake, and turn with significantly more grip than other hypercars and racecars, especially at low speed. Importantly, this downforce is available at any speed, even at a standstill. Other hypercars and racecars can only produce downforce at high speeds using aerodynamic surfaces. During the record attempt, Thomas Yates drove the Spéirling up a ramp and onto a purpose-built platform. The floor of the platform then rotated, fully inverting the hypercar. The Downforce-on-DemandTM system created a sufficient vacuum underneath the hypercar’s floor to hold it upside down, exceeding the force of gravity. Once fully inverted, Thomas drove forward, entirely unsupported. This proprietary system also enables the battery-electric hypercar to accelerate to 60mph in just 1.5 seconds, complete a quarter mile in 8 seconds, and corner at more than 3g (three times the force of gravity). The car was presented with a gloss black falcon camouflage livery on a matt black base coat. This is a tribute to the original McMurtry fan car which was unveiled in 2021 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where the public first asked “So can you drive it upside down?”. The falcons are modelled on the company logo, the peregrine falcon, the fastest creature on Earth. There are other graphics including under the rear wing, which are optimised for viewing when upside down. From prototype to productionThe specific car used to set this record is the McMurtry Spéirling PURE Validation Prototype 1 (VP1). It is an evolution of the hypercar that set the Goodwood record and is the next step towards a finalised production model, of which only 100 will be made. The first Spéirling PURE customer deliveries are set for 2026 and will feature a number of enhancements over this prototype, namely a higher 100kWh capacity battery back. This will allow for extended sessions in the Spéirling, providing 20 minutes of track time at ‘GT3 pace’ and ‘record-breaking’ pace for multiple hot laps. The lithium-ion battery cells that will be used are P50B Molicel 21700s delivering both exceptional power delivery and energy density. SafetyWhile the stunt may appear dangerous, the Spéirling is built to the rigorous motorsport safety standards of LMP1 cars – the fastest cars at the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours. In track and racing conditions, the downforce produced by the Spéirling also plays a vital safety role. As downforce levels are unrelated to speed or direction of travel, testing has demonstrated that if a driver enters a spin or other uncontrolled manoeuvre, the amount of grip and downforce available means that application of the brakes will often see them stop almost immediately, often while still on the tarmac. Ends Editors NotesThe full video of the event can be found here: https://youtu.be/g6LYcgaQ46c High resolution images can be found here: https://we.tl/t-lMpehW6wQJ Media contactsChristopher Foster,christopher@navigate.partners44 7525 471332 Naomi Panter, naomi@navigate.partners+44 7497 768253 About McMurtryMcMurtry is a UK-based electric hypercar manufacturer founded in 2016 by engineering pioneer Sir David McMurtry. Our vision is bold but simple: to build vehicles focused purely on driving exhilaration. Not just for professional racers, but for anyone passionate about pushing limits. The elite team created the record-breaking Spéirling — a revolutionary fan car delivering 3G cornering via 2000kg of confidence-inspiring downforce available from 0mph. It has shattered outright records at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb and the Top Gear Test Track…

KGM Motors UK expands dealer network with addition of TW White & Sons

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. KGM Motors UK, formerly SsangYong, is pleased to announce the expansion of its dealer network with the addition of TW White & Sons Limited, located in Effingham. A family-run business with a rich history in the automotive sector, TW White & Sons have operations across six locations in Surrey, South London, and Kent, employing over 100 dedicated professionals. Established in 1964, TW White & Sons has built a strong reputation for delivering comprehensive automotive solutions, including new and used vehicle sales, servicing, parts, and repairs, with their longstanding commitment to customer care and community engagement cementing their position as a trusted name in the region. The dealership also actively supports local charities and organisations, reinforcing its ethos of giving back to the community. Jen Westwood, Head of Business at TW White & Sons, said: “We are delighted to join the KGM franchise and embark on this exciting new chapter for our dealership. Over the past six decades, we have cultivated strong relationships with our customers and established deep roots within our local community. We look forward to introducing the impressive KGM range to our loyal customers while welcoming new ones.” Situated on The Crossroads, Guildford Road, Effingham, KT24 5PE, TW White & Sons’ showroom showcases KGM’s award-winning lineup, including the all-new KGM Actyon, alongside the acclaimed Rexton, Musso, Korando, and Tivoli, as well as the Torres and all-electric Torres EVX. In addition to vehicle sales, the dealership offers a comprehensive range of aftersales services at their nearby Runmore Garage, just 600 metres away, providing servicing, MOTs, repairs, and genuine approved parts. KGM continues to enhance its presence in the UK market with an expanding portfolio of innovative vehicles. The recent launch of the KGM Actyon – a modern reinvention of the world’s first coupe-style SUV introduced in 2005 – demonstrates the brand’s commitment to blending style, practicality, and advanced technology. Available exclusively in the K50 trim level, the Actyon marks KGM’s first all-new SUV since its rebrand from SsangYong in January 2024, celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary and reinforcing its forward-thinking approach to automotive solutions. Kevin Griffin, Managing Director at KGM Motors UK, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome TW White & Sons to the KGM UK family. Their outstanding reputation for delivering exceptional sales and customer service, combined with their family-focused values, aligns with what we believe in as a brand. We look forward to a successful partnership that will benefit customers across the region.” The addition of TW White & Sons strengthens KGM Motors UK’s growing dealer network, ensuring that more customers have access to the brand’s innovative and award-winning range of vehicles. For more information or to book a test drive, visit http://www.kgm-motors.co.uk/. -ENDS- MADE IN KOREA KGM Global (formerly KGM Motor Company) is a Korean car manufacturer specialising in 4x4s, SUVs, MPVs and pick-up trucks. Initially established in 1954, the company produced trucks, busses, and special purpose vehicles for the export market, establishing the strong and reliable DNA of its products on the market today. The headquarters for KG Mobility is in the Gangnam district of Korea’s capital, Seoul, and its principal vehicle manufacturing plant is currently at Pyungtaek, which has the capacity and latest technology to produce 240,000 cars a year. The company has invested in a new factory, in the same area, which is has been developed specifically for to accommodate the production of pure-electric vehicles. KGM UK distribution rights were acquired by Bassadone Automotive Group in 2011. Operating as KGM UK Limited in the UK, as the official importer and distributor of KGM vehicles, parts, and accessories. KGM UK Limited has undergone dramatic transformation over recent years with the implementation of a new management team and a new growth strategy with a firm focus on the expansion of an evenly spread dealer network to 80-strong in 2024. Its proposition offers UK customers a full range of SUV’s and pick-ups with generous specifications, each with value for money prices. KGM Motors UK Limited Online press office visit: https://kgm-motors.media Vanessa Cox Director of Communications E: vanessa.cox@kgm-motors.co.uk T: 07535 875997 Toby Noakes Communications Executive E: toby.noakes@kgm-motors.co.uk T: 07932 602457 Aidan O’Neill Communications Executive E: aidan.oneill@kgm-motors.co.uk T: 07443 227636

Young Driver® bucks leasing trend with cash purchase of new fleet

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. NatWest’s asset finance business Lombard funds Young Driver’s £2m+ purchase of 170 new Suzukis Swift model’s excellent residuals offer long-term ownership benefits New model’s improved economy expected to save thousands in fuel costs Greater flexibility to de-fleet individual cars early and replace with EVs Balsall Common – Young Driver®, the UK’s foremost under-17s driver-training school, has steered clear of leasing for the first time after taking delivery of its brand-new 170-strong Suzuki Swift fleet, which will provide 150,000 driving lessons for children each year. After 15 years, 1.5 million lessons, and multiple fleet changes, Young Driver has bucked the industry norm and purchased its new fleet outright, rather than leasing the cars. Due to a combination of strong residual values for the Suzukis, and the ability for Young Driver to only offset its loan interest and depreciation against profits – rather than the entire lease payment – the scales weighed in favour of ownership for the first time. “We’ve had a great relationship with NatWest Commercial Banking and Lombard, its asset finance business, for the last three years,” said Ian Mulingani, Young Driver’s managing director. “We’d been discussing the possibility of a cash loan to purchase for some time, and as we drew near to the end of the lease on our previous Vauxhall Corsa fleet, we just needed the right replacement product to maximise the benefits of buying outright. “According to CAP, the all-new Suzuki Swift will retain an excellent 55% of its value after three years and 36,000 miles, which gave Young Driver the confidence to put together a highly competitive deal with Lombard. But we also have the reassurance of a Suzuki warranty of up to seven years and 100,000 miles, so there’s potential to keep our cars for longer, improving our balance sheet. “Furthermore, we no longer have to face punitive fees from a leasing company when the time comes to replace the Suzukis.” Since the new Suzukis can accommodate children from the age of nine (the previous Corsa’s design dictated 10 years and above), Young Driver also has the potential to increase its earnings by introducing an even younger audience to the joys of driving. NatWest Commercial Banking’s senior relationship manager Michelle Watkinson was enthusiastic about Young Driver’s new approach to fleet-funding: “We have an excellent relationship with Ian and the entire Young Driver team that we have built up over the past three years,” she said. “Because we fully understand Young Driver and its goals, we were able to connect the business with Lombard, our asset finance business, to help finance its fleet in a way that supported the business’s growth ambitions.” Lombard’s senior relationship manager Ray Nsemwa, added: “We are really pleased that Lombard has been able to support Young Driver with financing to help it go the distance by purchasing its own fleet. This has the potential to be transformational for its growth goals – enabling the business to expand its reach and grow its income as it continues its mission to make our roads a safer place.” Green tech reduces carbon footprintAs the first driving school to offer carbon negative driving lessons in the UK, Young Driver is committed to teaching greener driving techniques, and using ICE/mild hybrid cars, like the Suzuki Swift, for maximum efficiency. Here, there were further economic benefits to be gained with the new fleet. Based on the manual-transmission Swift’s official combined fuel consumption of 64.2mpg, Young Driver expects to save just under £20,000* in fuel alone, compared with the less economical Vauxhall Corsa. And with a CO₂ figure of 99g/km, a Swift’s emissions are also considerably lower than that of the 117g/km for the outgoing car. Ownership offers option to sell early and shift to EVsYoung Driver’s Suzuki fleet will comprise 160 Swift Motion models, powered by a new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, 12v mild hybrid engine, producing 81bhp, and mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. A further 10 Swifts have been ordered with optional CVT transmission for young drivers with impaired abilities, who are not able to operate a conventional three-pedal system. All the Swifts are equipped with He-Man Dual Controls. However, Young Driver’s funding deal means that any single car from the fleet can be sold early without penalty, and its portion of the loan paid off. “With the future so uncertain about demand for EVs, it’s impossible to say if new drivers will want to learn in one, or not,” said Ian. “By owning the cars, we have the flexibility to react to changing trends and potentially replace some cars with EVs early so that the fleet mix is appropriate for the children we’re training.” ENDS For more information about Young Driver: https://www.youngdriver.eu/ For more information about the Suzuki Swift: https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/new-cars/swift/ *Based on each vehicle covering 7,000 miles per year. Fuel cost based on an average price of 137.9p/litre. Press contacts (Young Driver)Simon Hucknall classicprose@outlook.com 07860 151953 Notes to editors:Young Driver® was established in 2009 with the aim of helping teach youngsters to drive over a longer period, therefore encouraging a safer generation of new drivers from the age of 17. Anyone aged 9 and over and above 1.4 metres tall can get behind the wheel of a dual controlled Suzuki Swift, or a similar car, with a fully qualified ADI driving instructor. Lessons take place on private land which has been developed into a realistic road system complete with road signs, junctions and car parks. A free Drive Diary helps each pupil to monitor progress. Driving experiences for 10-17s (and adults) can also be purchased through Young Driver Exclusive, which offers drives in either a Porsche 911, Mercedes SL500 or Bentley Flying Spur. A small fleet of classic cars, including a Morris Minor Convertible and Austin Seven, is available too, along with the chance to drive a genuine ex-service fire engine. Additionally, for 10-14-year olds after an off-road experience, the all-terrain Polaris Youth Ranger will hit all the marks. For 4-9-year olds, Young Driver manufactures the…

Goodwood: can you innovate an icon?

Industry News

Images are for editorial use only. Episode eight of Women in the driving seat, a new podcast from Auto Trader, features Tracy Greaves, CEO of Goodwood Art Foundation and Patricia Dickie, Customer and Innovation Director for Goodwood. The conversation delves into the launch of the Goodwood Art Foundation, how to authentically drive change to improve diversity and inclusion and answers the question is Goodwood really just a stuffy estate? “Tracy and I wouldn’t have lasted 10 minutes if it had been!” This episode will be available to listen to on all podcast platforms from Thursday 10th April. 10th April, London: Episode eight of the new Auto Trader podcast Women in the driving seat, hosted by Editorial Director, divorced mum of two and award-winning motoring journalist Erin Baker is released today. The series aims to rip up the rule book on the female-empowerment narrative by sharing personal as well as professional experiences, examining the space where both collide, and the challenges, fears and successes happen. Episode eight covers all things Goodwood, its famed automotive events and the unique challenges of balancing innovation with the estates’ rich heritage. All episodes in the series feature a Podcast Pit Stop – a quick fire round covering the professional and personal including; Lark or owl? Circuit or circuits? Phone by the bed or phone downstairs? Join Erin as she puts two innovating leaders in the driving seat. Podcast preview Patricia: “We can never afford to stand still… the drive to make things fresher, newer, better…” [On electric vehicles] “It’s a huge part of motoring in general; it would be remiss of us not to be in the thick of it” [On recruitment] “Location is an element of it, and we’ve done lots of different things – around you know, translating our adverts into Polish – because there is a Polish community near us… and also making sure that when we create content – that people understand, they see themselves represented and so that it’s entirely welcoming” “It’s never felt pale, or male, or definitely not stale… and actually, you know, Tracy and I wouldn’t have lasted 10 minutes if it had been” “It’s not a tick box exercise, we’re not virtue signalling… we’re just doing better all the time” “Think about the areas that need a focus and listen to the people who are affected” Tracy: “The big question was if you’re sat here in 25 years’ time, what does festival of speed looks like? Because we need to answer that question now and start driving that now” “Younger audiences – they are much more aware of the impact on the world” “I think having a D&I policy is one thing but developing and training your people to really understand what that really looks like was just so valuable” “Art is not taught as a mainstream subject in schools… but particularly in schools where they’ve got the highest rate of free school meals – how do we take those children and really put them in an environment where they can be creative?” “Its all about learning, I’ll learn until the day I die” Auto Trader’s new podcast Women in the driving seat releases new episodes every Thursday. Photography Link: https://we.tl/t-Dpl7iisBRj Notes to editors ABOUT ERIN BAKER Erin Baker is an award-winning motoring journalist and Editorial Director of Auto Trader. She writes a monthly driving column for Vogue, is a World Car of the Year judge, consults for Goodwood and hosts She’s Electric, a national roadshow bringing women and electric cars together. Erin is passionate about narrowing the gender gap, both in the automotive industry itself and between car brands and female consumers, through more targeted language, marketing and experiences. She is a divorced mother of two boys. ABOUT AUTO TRADER Auto Trader Group plc is the UK’s largest automotive platform. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2015 and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index. Auto Trader’s purpose is Driving Change Together. Responsibly. Auto Trader is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, it aims to build stronger partnerships with its customers and use its voice and influence to drive more environmentally friendly vehicle choices. With the largest number of car buyers and the largest choice of trusted stock, Auto Trader’s marketplace sits at the heart of the UK car buying process. That marketplace is built on an industry-leading technology and data platform, which is increasingly used across the automotive industry. Auto Trader is continuing to bring more of the car buying journey online, creating an improved buying experience, whilst enabling all its retailer partners to sell vehicles online. Auto Trader publishes a monthly used car Retail Price Index which is based on pricing analysis of circa 800,000 unique vehicles. The same data that powers the Index is used by the Office for National Statistics to make the UK’s official measures of inflation more robust, as well as the Bank of England to feed the broader UK economic indicators. For more information, please visit: plc.autotrader.co.uk