Nissan ‘Feel Electric Festival’ returns to Covent Garden ahead of Formula E race weekend

Nissan brings Formula E excitement and NISMO style to London’s iconic Covent Garden for five days from 17 July Building on the success of last year, the event is bigger, better and bolder, with even more for the public to see and do Two Nissan Formula E cars on display, plus E-Prix racing in Formula E simulators Immersive 3D art installation and Nissan E-Prix memorabilia Create your own custom NISMO streetwear in a pop-up store Sample our Sakura-inspired Japanese sushi in a cherry blossom garden LONDON (Friday 12th July 2024) – Nissan is once again electrifying London’s iconic Covent Garden through its popular ‘Feel Electric Festival’ ahead of the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 10 finale in the city. From 10am on Wednesday 17 July until 8pm on Sunday 21 July, the public will be able to explore the world of Formula E, immerse themselves in NISMO art, and experience a taste of Japan for free. Nissan is transforming Covent Garden’s East Piazza for five days through a combination of tech and style: the centrepiece is the Nissan Formula E Team’s ‘Feel Electric Quest’ Lab, which offers visitors the chance to prove their driving skills on a bank of race simulators, create their own Manga-style racing avatar, learn about Formula E car technology and test their knowledge in an interactive quiz. Two Nissan Formula E race cars will be on display, with one shown within a life-sized, London-themed 3D poster designed by the renowned graphic artist and illustrator, Jalcalara (Juan Alcalá). Alongside, custom art and race memorabilia created by Nissan Formula E Team at previous E-Prix will be displayed, including a crystal cherry blossom helmet and a bespoke kimono from the first-ever Tokyo E-Prix. Visitors will be able to create their very own custom clothing at the pop-up NISMO streetwear store, which is set among traditional Japanese ‘Sakura’ cherry blossom trees. These also provide the perfect spot to sample complimentary sushi from the famous Sushi Samba restaurant. Add in regular prize giveaways and the Nissan Feel Electric Festival is a must-see this month. It’ll be open from 10am until 8pm every day from 17-21 July and entry is completely free. Diana Torres, Managing Director Nissan GB, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Formula E back to Covent Garden with the 2024 Nissan Feel Electric Festival. As a brand, we’re committed to an electrified future and Formula E is an integral part of our mission to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. This year, the festival is bigger and better than ever, and a fitting celebration of one of our most successful Formula E seasons to date.”

Masterclass to navigate the EV communications battleground

The Motor Industry Communicators Association has announced its next Masterclass, aiming to cut through the current EV noise and disinformation and to rise above the tribal nature of debate. The autumn EV Masterclass’s presenter line-up, and briefing at the Advanced Propulsion Centre, will help to clarify the many issues and viewpoints shaping the EV landscape. Taking place on October 2 on the University of Warwick campus, the masterclass’s aim is to develop attendees’ broader understanding of the entire EV ecosystem beyond members’ roles and brands’ view. First the case for EVs versus other powertrain technologies will be laid out, highlighting the communications challenge stemming from unpredictable markets and confused customers. The Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Prof Dave Greenwood and Emission Analytics’ Nick Molden will set the scene with contrary views on the ideal vehicle propulsion solutions. Having defined the technological options and communications requirements, Polestar and AutoTrader will add all-important vehicle manufacturer and consumer viewpoints on the EV transition. An informative agenda, running from 0930 to 1530, will include Q&As, networking and a behind-the-scenes tour of the University of Warwick’s automotive innovation projects influencing the UK’s future EV roll out and adoption. Free to MICA members and £65 to guests, go to www.mica.org.uk home page to stay at the forefront of the latest EV communications strategies and tactics to book.

Car ownership becoming even more vital for young people, but getting behind the wheel is more challenging than ever

Despite industry concerns, owning a car remains important to most (90%) 17-24s; more than two thirds intend to use their car more or the same as last year. Young people face barriers to entry in wake of rising used car costs, driving test back logs, and increased insurance premiums. Industry can make getting behind the wheel of their first car easier by making the car buying journey more transparent, flexible and convenient. 12th July 2024, London: Contrary to speculation, the latest consumer analysis from Auto Trader reveals that car ownership not only remains vital to young people, but the need to own a car among 17-24-year-olds is increasing. However, from a backlog in driving tests to the rising cost of motoring, young people face significant barriers to ownership, making the need for a more transparent, connected and convenient car buying experience more important than ever to help young drivers get behind the wheel of their first car. In a study of over 2,000 17-24-year-olds i, 90% said car ownership was important to them, citing the need to ‘get around’ (70%) and the independence (67%) it gave them as their primary reason for wanting a car. However, this age group isn’t motivated just for practical reasons; the UK has always been a nation of car lovers, and the younger generation is no exception, with over half (54%) wanting their own set of wheels for the pure enjoyment of driving. The UK’s unreliable public transport network was also highlighted as a major factor. Of the 50% who cited it as a major reason why car ownership is important to them, 80% pointed specifically to the ongoing train strikes. Reassuringly for the automotive industry, the need for ownership shows no sign of waning among this age group. In fact, 70% of the 17-24-year-olds surveyed said that having their own car has become even more important over the last 12 months, which is more than double the percentage of drivers aged over 45 (31%) who felt the same. Young people also believe they’re driving more, with nearly four times the proportion of young people (43%) claiming to use their car more today than they did a year ago compared to their older counterparts (12%). Mounting barriers for young drivers.Whilst demand remains exceptionally strong among young people, they’re facing growing challenges to getting behind the wheel. Indeed, according to the DVLAii, the already lengthy backlog for driving tests is only set to grow, with current forecasts suggesting that by the end of 2025, the gap between demand for tests and the number available will be over 1,100,000. Even once they’ve passed their test, however, many face being priced out of the market, with data from Auto Trader revealing a dearth of affordable cars. This is largely due to the shortfall in new car production during COVID, which continues to flow through the retail market, placing significant pressure on stock levels. In fact, whilst most (58%) of the 17-24s surveyed who had already bought a car had paid less than £11,000, the volume of stock on Auto Trader in this price bracket has fallen by almost half (46%) since January 2016. During the same time frame, stock levels on Auto Trader in the under £5,000 price bracket have dropped by three quarters (75%). The affordability issue has been further compounded by rising insurance costs, which have accelerated at twice the rate for younger people than the average driveriii. 18-year-olds have seen their premiums increase 84% over the last 12 months, whilst the average 17-year-old has faced a hike of 98%. Removing existing barriers.Whilst these obstacles are likely to remain for the foreseeable future, there’s an opportunity for the industry to assist them into car ownership by removing traditional obstacles that disproportionately affect younger buyers. This includes improving transparency around finance. In a separate piece of research conducted by Auto Traderiv, over a third of younger consumers who bought with cash did so because they weren’t aware of any finance options available, while nearly two in five didn’t understand the finance options (four times as many as drivers over 55), and half thought it would take longer to get the car if they chose finance. Enabling young people to buy their first car in a more convenient and flexible way will also help. Auto Trader’s researchv shows younger drivers want to complete more of the car buying journey digitally; over half (53%) have checked if a car advertised online is available versus a fifth of over 65-year-olds, whilst 42% want to complete tasks online, such as paying a deposit to reserve a car versus 26% of older drivers. Commenting, Auto Trader’s Head of Strategy & Insight, Marc Palmer, said: “There’s been some recent suggestion that young people aren’t interested in having their own car anymore, but that simply isn’t the case. The desire for the independence and freedom that a car offers is as strong, if not stronger, for young people today than it has been for decades. But what has changed is how difficult it is to get behind the wheel of their first car, which we as an industry need to respond to. Unless we make the car buying process more transparent, more convenient and more sensitive to the barriers young people currently face, an important and growing audience will struggle to enter the market.”

Daimler Truck UK sells Wentworth Park site

Daimler Truck UK has secured the future of its flagship Wentworth Park complex in South Yorkshire, by completing a sale of the land to new owner Culina Asset Management (CAM). Under the terms of the agreement, CAM will occupy the 34-acre site, close to Junction 36 of the M1, and will continue the running of its extensive workshop. Wentworth Park is the home of national programmes for re-marketing and sales of used Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Canter trucks, as well as the brand’s demonstrator fleet. Daimler Truck UK will continue to run these functions with a presence on-site, so services to customers will continue largely unchanged. Heiko Selzam, Managing Director, Daimler Truck UK said: “We’re delighted to announce the completion of this sale, which will allow Wentworth Park and all the services we offer from this impressive site to continue to flourish. “By collaborating with CAM we can maintain all of the important brand functions we carry out here, while passing responsibility for the workshop to a trusted partner with an impeccable track record.” CAM will continue to provide workshop services as required to Daimler Truck UK but also use the facilities for its own purposes. The operator’s extensive fleet currently numbers some 5,000 tractor units, some of which are Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and 8,000 trailers. Culina Asset Management Managing Director David Meir said: “This one-off opportunity to occupy and operate Wentworth Park is seen by CAM as key to the continued strategic development of our offering to both internal and external customers.”

Kingsley Re-Engineered confirms new ownership structure as it enters a new era of redefining classic Range Rovers and iconic Land Rovers

Kingsley Re-Engineered (Kingsley), a leading authority in bespoke Range Rover Classics and iconic Land Rover builds, can confirm that it is under new group ownership and management. Marking a transition in the company’s second decade of operations, Kingsley now has a new custodian and one that is deeply passionate about classic Range Rovers and the iconic Land Rover marque. With the new custodians and under the direction of a new management team, Kingsley intends to elevate the Range Rover Classic to a new level. This includes a significant investment programme to enhance the Range Rover Classic product offering, customer journey and bespoke specifications available. The investment and company overhaul, which is already underway, also extend to Kingsley’s branding, alongside the introduction of a new classic Land Rover Defender and Series product line, set to be announced later this summer. John Sawbridge Managing Director of Kingsley Re-Engineered said: “Kingsley has been the absolute benchmark in Range Rover Classic restorations since it was established in 2001. Several specialists have offered similar bespoke build processes, but none can match the level of quality of Kingsley. We’re here to maintain and build upon the legacy created by the incredible craftsmanship at Kingsley and with further investment, we will significantly improve the product offering and service demanded by our discerning clients. “The next era of Kingsley begins with a focus on independent thinking; new strategy and clarity; a passion for precision with unquestionable pedigree and world-class OEM input. Our employees, who are at the core of Kingsley, are completely behind us in continuing to drive the next era of the company. This is Kingsley for a new age, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on.” Since its inception in 2001, UK specialist Kingsley has been responsible for restoring, rebuilding and maintaining over 500 classic Range Rovers and iconic Land Rovers through its various maintenance and rebuild programmes; establishing itself as a true leader and specialist in the field. During this time, the company has addressed various Achilles’ heels of the Range Rover Classic – offering rust prevention, new engine and gearbox combinations, plus utilising its cutting-edge in-house paint booth for bespoke colour specifications – to resurrect and rebuild Range Rover Classics for the modern day. The new group ownership structure aims to merge the fundamental attributes of bespoke builds from Kingsley and elevate them to a world-class standard, ensuring they are unmatched in terms of quality, bespoke options, and functionality. Kingsley, registered under Kingsley Cars LTD, is a limited company based in the UK and started the new ownership transition in February 2024. This includes new appointments in the Board structure and management team, plus the removal of the previous leadership team. All current and future builds will continue to be hand-crafted from the company’s Oxfordshire-based HQ. All emails and telephone numbers are also to remain the same. To contact the sales team, please call +44 (0) 1865 884 488 or use the sales@kingsleycars.co.uk email address.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+: even more agile for the racetrack

Power boost: 450 kW (612 hp) output from a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine ensures a powerful start Optimised aerodynamics: standalone body components further reduce aerodynamic lift Improved cooling: increased heat dissipation thanks to additional air inlets and active cooling elements This press release refers to the international model range of Mercedes-AMG. UK-specific information will be communicated in due course. Affalterbach/Brooklands. Mercedes-AMG presented the latest member of the AMG GT family at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ (provisional figures; combined energy consumption: 14.1 l/100 km | CO2 emissions combined: 319 g/km | CO2 class: G)[1] is aimed at car enthusiasts who are looking for exceptional driving dynamics. The agile response to driving commands and the overall performance offer an even sportier driving experience, which is particularly noticeable on the occasional race track. More power, aerodynamic fine tuning with further reduced aerodynamic lift and enhanced cooling contribute to increased driving dynamics and faster times on the circuit. At the same time, the new model offers the same advantages as the other AMG GT family members. Based on customer demand for improved everyday usability compared to the previous series, the second-generation AMG GT offers a generous feeling of space and good all-round visibility. It is also optionally available with 2+2 seats (UK specification TBC). High-tech components such as the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with active roll stabilisation, rear-axle steering as standard and active aerodynamics also sharpen the driving profile. Additionally, the sporty coupé puts its power to the road with the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. Improved performance and optimised drivability on race tracksThe AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine in the 450 kW (612 hp) configuration ensures superior propulsion. It delivers 20 kW (27 hp) more than in the AMG GT 63, and the engine experts in Affalterbach have increased the maximum torque by 50 Nm to 850 Nm for even more powerful acceleration. This increase in performance was achieved by adapting the engine control unit. The AMG GT 63 PRO impresses with its overall performance, especially at higher speeds. The AMG GT 63 PRO sprints from zero to 200 km/h in just 10.9 seconds (0.5 seconds faster than the AMG GT 63). The top speed is reached at 317 km/h. Extensively expanded cooler packageThe AMG GT experts have reinforced the high-temperature and low-temperature cooling circuits so that the drivetrain does not get too hot even under increased load. Two radiators are now positioned in the left and right front wheel arches. This increases the cooling performance of the drivetrain and thus the overall performance of the vehicle on the racetrack. The top-mounted radiators of the differentials on the front and rear axles and the transfer case of the fully variable all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ are now actively cooled. With the help of electrically operated water pumps, the coolant circulates in the corresponding cooling circuits and can therefore dissipate the heat better and more continuously via the top-mounted radiators. The new geometry of the air guide vanes on the underbody and the revised brake cover plates also channel more air to the brakes. This increases durability and prevents excessively high brake temperatures. Increased aero performanceThe aerodynamic fine tuning also increases the overall performance in terms of longitudinal and lateral dynamics. The aerodynamics experts and the driving dynamics specialists have worked closely together here. The redesigned front apron is even more dominant. It integrates additional air deflectors made of visible carbon fibre around the enlarged side air intakes. The active aerodynamic profile in the underbody, the AIRPANEL active air control system in the front apron and the aerodynamics package with a fixed rear wing on the tailgate are also included as standard. The aerodynamic lift on the front axle is reduced by over 30 kilograms. This results in even more precise steering behaviour. The AMG GT 63 PRO also has additional air deflectors on the underbody – similar to those on the Mercedes-AMG ONE. These fins, which are located at the height of the front and rear axles, accelerate the airflow on the underbody. All measures are coordinated and interact with the rear wing concept, which increases downforce on the rear axle by around 15 kilograms. Sturdy ceramic brakes, 21-inch forged wheels and cup tyres at no extra chargeThe standard AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system with six-piston fixed callipers at the front and one-piston floating callipers at the rear is equipped with 420-millimetre brake discs on the front axle. These are currently the largest standard ceramic brake discs available from Mercedes-AMG. As in motorsport, the backs of the performance brake discs are made of lightweight, high-strength titanium. The brake system reduces weight, particularly the unsprung masses. Further advantages are their even greater durability and resistance to fading under heavy braking, which guarantee fast lap times. The brake system also excels with a long service life and spontaneous response behaviour. This is also a key factor for a high level of safety in everyday life on the road. The lightweight AMG Performance 21-inch forged wheels in cross-spoke design are painted exclusively in Himalaya grey. In the UK the AMG GT 63 PRO is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R Cup tyres in sizes 295/30 ZR 21 at the front and 305/30 ZR 21 at the rear. Motorsport feeling for the exterior and interiorThe standard AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre package with front splitter, trim strips in the side sills, diffuser and rear wing in high-quality carbon fibre emphasises the connection to motorsport. Black-painted brake callipers, AMG Performance seats with high lateral support and an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather/MICROCUT microfibre are also included as standard. The data at a glance Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Engine Eight-cylinder V with direct injection and twin turbocharging Displacement cm3 3,982 Rated output kW/hp 450/612 at 1/min 5,500-6,500 Peak torque Nm 850 at 1/min 2,350-5,000 Drive system layout Fully variable all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ Transmission AMG SPEEDSHIFT…

Zenvo Automotive appoints Jon Gunner as Chief Technical Officer

Denmark, 11 July 2024: With the Aurora development programme approaching its next critical phase, Zenvo Automotive has made a key appointment to strengthen its core technical team. Jon Gunner has been appointed to the position of Chief Technical Officer, highlighting the commitment to ensure the Aurora delivers on the target of maximum driver engagement. Jon is one of the automotive industry’s leading technical figures, responsible for designing and developing some of the most pioneering technology seen in modern sports and supercars. He has worked extensively across some of the most advanced hypercars of recent years, having helped shape several of the state-of-the-art models. Jon has been key to helping to push the boundaries of what is possible, in terms of technology, engineering, production methods, weight saving, aerodynamics and ultimate speed. Jon joins from his latest roles of head of innovation and, most recently, vehicle line director for Aston Martin Lagonda, overseeing Specials, Q and GT Racing. Prior to this, he was a pivotal figure in the development of the original reborn Ford GT, before holding senior technical positions at Czinger and Koenigsegg, where he first worked alongside Jens Sverdrup, Chairman and Chief Commercial Officer, Zenvo Automotive. “I have a long history of working with Jon, going all the way back to 2011, collaborating on some very special projects. Jon has some unique qualities, which make him the ultimate boundary-pushing CTO for a hypercar project, and he is the perfect fit for the vision we have for Aurora. He is extremely experienced and creative, with several patents under his name, while also able to see the bigger picture to make balanced decisions,” explains Jens, Sverdrup. “He is a technical genius who really cares about design and aesthetics, while also having an awareness of the wider commercial aspects of a project. We share a common passion for creating kinetic art, pushing the limits of quality, drivability, performance and innovation. Having someone of Jon’s knowledge and standing within the industry, is a real coup for Zenvo, really underlining our intentions with the Aurora project, and the brand moving forwards.” Jon Gunner, Zenvo Automotive, Chief Technical Officer, added: “When Jens and Christian [Brandt, Chief Designer] introduced me to their vision for Zenvo’s artisan hypercar range, I was immediately drawn to the team’s ambition of coupling state of the art vehicle performance with understated Danish design. After years of developing hypercars and super sports cars for others, I now have the opportunity to lean on my years of experience, building small elite engineering teams to deliver the next generation of advanced and exciting Zenvo vehicles, starting with the Aurora Tur & Agil models.”

Milltek Sport launches new products for the latest Mini Cooper S, Porsche 991 GT3 RS and classic Land Rover Defender at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Milltek Sport returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, debuting several new products as the company marks nearly two decades of attending the iconic event Product reveals include prototype premium performance exhaust system and remodeled rear valance for the just launched Mini Cooper S Renowned exhaust manufacturer’s specialised Titanium range enhanced with enthusiast-focused components for the Porsche 991 GT3 RS Visitors to enjoy the first showing of Milltek Sport’s forthcoming range of accessories for the classic Land Rover Defender Public will be able to buy direct from Milltek Sport for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Milltek Sport has marked its return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the debut of several new products, including the prototype of its first-to-market premium performance exhaust system for the recently introduced new Mini Cooper S, titanium upgrades for the Porsche 991 GT3 RS and bespoke styling extras for the classic Land Rover Defender. With the new Mini Cooper S only launched weeks ago, Milltek Sport has been amongst the first to explore its tuning potential. With the factory tailpipe of the latest generation version exiting out of sight, Milltek Sport has complemented the enhanced stainless steel, cat-back system with a remodeled rear valance, making the distinctive twin tailpipes now visible in a similar, centre-exit style reminiscent of the original R53 Mini Cooper S. As part of its presence at the event, which Milltek Sport has exhibited at for almost two decades, Milltek Sport will also reveal the latest addition to its specialised Titanium range, presenting a striking, free-flowing crossover pipe for the Porsche 991 GT3 RS, and an exclusive first look at its forthcoming range of styling accessories for the classic Land Rover Defender. Designed entirely in-house, the new Milltek Sport range of lifestyle-focused accessories for the iconic Defender span additional lighting to mirrors and bumpers to under body protection. All have been developed to complement the company’s enhanced exhaust systems for the timeless model, mirroring the highly durable construction, improved aesthetics and optimised functionality found in the systems, while also being straightforward to fit. Completing Milltek Sport’s line-up of its own demonstration vehicles, plus illustrating the renowned business’s increased emphasis on G-Series BMW models, is its distinctive M3 Touring, which was one of the first to be modified in the UK. New for this year is that Milltek Sport will also be selling direct to the public from its stand – enabling visitors to place an order and receive their product in the shortest time possible – and that it will also be retailing its bespoke merchandise, including T-shirts, hoodies and caps. Two of Milltek Sport’s partners – Urban Automotive and Vossen Wheels – will also have a presence on the stand, the former showcasing its bespoke, Milltek Sport-equipped Range Rover L460, Land Rover Defender 110 and Lamborghini Urus demonstration vehicles. Steve Pound, Managing Director of Milltek Sport, said: “The Festival of Speed has been the highlight of our show calendar for nearly two decades, and each year we return with a bigger and better presence that epitomises our expertise, the size of our performance exhaust offering and our expanding international operation. We are exceptionally pleased to give visitors an exclusive insight into our latest products, including those that are first-to-market, and, following demand at last year’s event, provide the public with the opportunity to purchase items direct from us for the first time.” For further information on Milltek Sport, visit: Milltek Sport

The new Continental GT Speed debuts at Goodwood

Fourth generation Continental GT and GTC Speed debut at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed Cars appear on the hillclimb and in the bespoke “FOShtank” Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain with 782 PS and 1000 Nm New chassis system delivers the most neutral and natural handling Bentley to date Latest generation brings bolder design DNA, with single headlamps, that heralds a design revolution for Bentley World-leading four-seat interior can offer wellness seat technology, new air ionisation, 3D leather, new quilting and new dark chrome finish New models can be seen twice a day on the famous Goodwood Hill during the event (Crewe, 11 July 2024) The new, fourth-generation Continental GT Speed made its global public debut today – both on the hillclimb and in a unique ‘underwater’ display – supporting this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and its theme of “Horseless to Hybrid – Revolutions in Power”. The new Continental GT Speed – shown at Goodwood in both coupe and convertible versions – becomes the most powerful road-going Bentley ever created. The new grand tourer is powered by an all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain with 782 PS and 1,000 Nm, achieving more horsepower and more torque than the outgoing W12, but with a significant drop in CO2 to 29 g/km*. The performance of the powertrain is matched by a new chassis system, with new two-chamber air springs paired with new dual-valve dampers, along with Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), eLSD and torque vectoring. Incredible body control and the best Continental GT ride comfort to date are the results, supported by a 49:51, rear-biased weight distribution for the first time in the car’s history. The new exterior continues the design revolution for Bentley’s future journey, with the biggest revision to the face of the Continental GT in two decades, and the first mainstream Bentley with single headlamps since the 1950s. World-leading Bentley interior cabin design, materials, quality, and craftsmanship continue with the introduction of further wellness seat technology, new air ionisation, three-dimensional leather textures, new modern quilting, and technical finishes such as new dark chrome. Along with the two examples of the new Continental GT Speed that will be on the Hill Climb at Goodwood, a third car is on display in a unique way near the Kinrara Enclosure to celebrate the unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’ – believed to be the fastest a car has ever travelled through a tunnel, achieving 208 mph / 335 km/h. The ‘FOShtank’ is a bespoke version of the glass ‘Toy Box’ display units that Bentley utilises across it’s Dream Factory campus in Crewe, England, but modified to include a custom-built fish tank in a tongue-in-cheek take on the underwater theme.

Mad Mike and Lanzante unveil the world’s wildest drift hypercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024

Truly one-of-a-kind drift hypercar developed by automotive engineering pioneers Lanzante and global drift icon, ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett 100-day challenge to create one of the most dramatic and wildest vehicle builds possible Rotary-swapped, 1,000hp ‘MadMac’ makes its debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed as the ultimate celebration of Mad Mike’s 10-year anniversary since introducing drifting to the event MadMac’s first event appearance ahead of a worldwide schedule of high-profile events, projects, demonstrations and exhibitions designed to showcase the incredible engineering and ingenuity of the build “This is the wildest car I have ever built. I hope Bruce [McLaren] would be proud.” Mad Mike. Marking a decade since bringing the discipline of drifting to Goodwood, ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett is raising the bar once again in 2024, and doing it in his signature style. In collaboration with British automotive engineering specialists, Lanzante, ‘MadMac’ is his wildest project to-date. A rotary-swapped, 1,000-horsepower, flame-spitting McLaren drift hypercar. Welcome to Goodwood, ‘MadMac’. As documented over recent months on Mad Mike’s YouTube channel, the Lanzante and MadLab teams have combined technical knowledge, engineering expertise, and off-the-wall thinking. The result, from the creative brains of Dean Lanzante and Mike talking at 2023 Festival of Speed Ball, meant the Lanzante (UK) team built a one-of-one custom McLaren, and then gave Mad Mike Motorsports (NZ) 100 days to deliver on their side of the project, with the combined support of O’Gara Coach (USA). Lanzante, led by Dean Lanzante, provided the foundations for the project, calling upon the extensive experience and expertise of the McLaren P1, built up over the past decade. Combining an inherently strong and versatile McLaren carbon fibre chassis with additional safety from an FIA-approved rollcage, the team scanned, developed, tooled and sculpted bespoke P1 GTR and Lanzante-developed P1 LM bodywork. This newly formed shape was stretched in all directions, giving a much more aggressive rear stance, as well as wider front arches to accommodate the expected steering adjustments needed for Mike’s to perform his iconic drifting style. With this work completed, the basis for this ultimate one-off drift hypercar project was then ready for Mike and his expert crew to start stage 2. “We pride ourselves in our projects, and creating some of the most showstopping vehicles, but MadMac has taken this to a new level,” explained Dean, as the car departed the UK. “Everything we do is completed to the highest level, so to have a chance to work with Mad Mike – the best in the business – and to take on a new challenge in a different area of the sport, was something we simply couldn’t say no to. The work Mike and his team have taken on, with the deadline of unveiling at Goodwood, shows the confidence and the abilities they hold. It is the perfect celebration for Mike’s 10 years of drifting at the Festival of Speed, and we are honoured to have played a part in it.” With the deadlines already looming large, every day was critical to the success of the project being ready for the unveil at the opening day of the Festival of Speed. From the Lanzante workshop in Petersfield, MadMac was airfreighted to the MadLab at Hampton Downs, New Zealand, 10,000 miles away, with 100 days until its return flight to UK was booked. On arrival, the team wasted no time, but the final specification was far from determined. It was the first time Mike had got up close to the unique Lanzante build and, while ideas had been conceptualised, the exact plans around the final build were only developed as they learnt more about what could be done. This included how to transition from an aerodynamically-optimised, high downforce track car to one which could drift in the style Mad Mike is renowned for. As the strip-down of the MadMac project commenced, and ideas flowed, a pivotal moment came for the team as they looked at how to genuinely build the world’s ‘wildest’ drift hypercar, and how best to extract the necessary performance they wanted from the vehicle. Originally fitted with a 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo, the team made a bold decision to ‘go with what’s in Mike’s DNA’, as they looked at ways of generating the desired 1,000hp and Mike’s signature style, from a powerplant they understood. The result? A custom, MadLab-built, three rotor billet 20B turbo engine installed into the heart of the McLaren’s carbon fibre chassis. Mad Mike has become known for rotary engines in almost all his drift builds, but MadMac has taken this to the next level. With the original transmission from the McLaren retained, ingenuity and engineering were then pushed to the limit again, as the team worked quickly to design, create and install a bespoke transfer case to connect the flame-spitting rotary engine with the factory-fit sequential gearbox. Beyond this, the 100 days were optimised to make a list of further enhancements. Custom uprights, a steering rack to provide further steering rotation required for drifting, designing bespoke wheels, installing a custom Haltech ECU and dashboard to ensure full control, transfer from GT3-style steering wheel mounted paddle shifting gearchanges to a modified gaming-style gear shifter, installing a hydraulic handbrake, and a trip to Japan to work with legendary bodykit designer Rocket Bunny to enhance and emphasise the sculpted lines of the P1 GTR bodywork. Then, once all of this – and much more – had been implemented, Mad Mike strapped himself in, and took MadMac out around Hampton Downs Motorsports Park. With further development work continuing after many private shakedowns and testing days, the team utilised every last minute available, before bidding their ultimate build farewell at Auckland airport. MadMac was loaded back on to a flight, and transported back to England to an eagerly awaiting Lanzante team. “It is fair to say that MadMac is the biggest challenge I have set myself in terms of builds, and it has been a huge effort by the whole team to get a project of this magnitude complete in just 100 days,”…