Classics full of character: the 2024 Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’elegance

Industry News

Cartier Style et Luxe classes confirmed for the world’s finest concours d’elegance at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard Seven dedicated classes will display fascinating vehicles including everything from vintage tractors and beach cars to the renowned Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost The Festival of Speed takes place Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 July. Limited Thursday tickets remain at goodwood.com Goodwood is delighted to announce the seven classes for the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard’s Cartier Style et Luxe, the finest concours d’elegance in the world. In contrast to the noise and excitement of the Goodwood hillclimb, Cartier Style et Luxe features some of the most intriguing and beautiful vehicles, celebrating incredible automotive design, exquisite restoration and a number of significant anniversaries in the motoring world. Vintage tractorsFor the first time since the inception of the Cartier Style et Luxe Concours in 1995, a variety of vintage tractors – including the Porsche AP18 and Lamborghini 2R – will take to the Lawn, highlighting their powers in the agricultural world and the beauty of mechanical engineering. Bugatti Type 57In contrast to the agricultural nature of the vintage tractors, the concours d’elegance will mark 90 years of the elegant Bugatti Type 57, with a collection of the finest examples that showcase Jean and Ettore Bugatti’s idea of the luxurious Grand Tourer, including cars built by Corsica, Figoni and Atalante. Beach carsSwapping sand dunes for the Cartier Lawn at this year’s Festival of Speed, is a collection of rare and unique beach cars spanning Meyers Manx’s design history. The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the marque’s original beach buggy will continue at the Goodwood Revival in September as they flood the track for the opening parade of the event with over 100 beach buggies. Silver GhostsMarking Rolls-Royce’s 120th anniversary, Cartier Style et Luxe will dedicate a class to the Silver Ghost – the vehicle that positioned Rolls-Royce as one of the greatest luxury car manufacturers – with a collection of remarkable pre-1926 coach-built Silver Ghosts, designed by Arthur Milliner, Barker, Willoughby and more. Marcello GandiniHonouring the legacy of one of the most fabled designers in the automotive industry, this class will honour the career of the late Marcello Gandini. Two classes will be devoted to Gandini’s automotive creations, including the Lamborghini Miura, Renault 5 Turbo, Maserati Khamsin and Alfa Romeo Montreal. PaganiCelebrating the model’s 25th anniversary, a sensational group of Pagani Zondas will be on display to highlight Horacio Pagani’s timeless design and the fighter-jet aesthetic which propelled Pagani to the forefront of the supercar world, including C12’s, roadsters and a number of one-off models. This year’s Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn will feature some of the most varied and fascinating classes ever seen at the Festival of Speed, with a selection of expert judges set to critique the classic and unique vehicles on the Sunday afternoon. Further announcements about the 2024 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will be made in the coming weeks. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets are now sold out with Thursday tickets remaining at goodwood.com.

Iron Dames return to Goodwood for hillclimb and rally stage runs

Industry News

Following their first appearance at the famed Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard in 2022, and their spectacular run up the iconic 1.86-kilometre Hill in 2023, the Iron Dames will once more appear for the 2024 edition of the traditional event in the heart of the motorsport calendar. This year, the Iron Dames will be taking the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo 2 up the Hill for the first time, with Michelin Le Mans Cup drivers Célia Martin and Karen Gaillard behind the wheel of the car they have run to a pole and podium so far in 2024, and most recently raced in the Road to Le Mans at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. Additionally, the Iron Dames rallying duo of Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard will be running their Ford Fiesta Rally2 through Goodwood’s spectacular Forest Rally Stage. The French Rally Championship pair will be making their first appearance at the famed event. The theme for the 2024 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is ‘Horseless to Hybrid: Revolutions in Power’, celebrating 130 years since the world’s first motor race, and the machines the Iron Dames will be taking to the event exemplify this evolution through the years – with the turbocharged Fiesta and the V10 Huracán highlighting two crucial areas of advancement in the automotive and motorsport world. As a revolution itself, the Iron Dames project exemplifies what makes the event special by emphasising and showcasing progression, breaking new ground and pioneering while also paying homage to the past and those who paved the way to allow for evolution to take place. The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will take place between Thursday 11 and Sunday 14 July, with the event livestreamed on the Goodwood YouTube channel.

Experience the first reveal of the Kia EV3 at local dealer events across the UK

Industry News

First opportunity for people to see and touch the compact electric SUV, the Kia EV3, with nationwide dealer events Kia experts on hand to answer customer questions about going electric National event runs from August to November 2024 Book online to attend a local event: https://www.kia.com/uk/about/ev3-electric-experience/ Kia UK is proudly introducing customers to the Kia EV3 for the first time with nationwide ‘Kia EV3 Electric Experience’ dealer events, taking place from August. Be one of the first to see and touch the Kia EV3, with the events providing hands-on early access to Kia’s new dedicated compact electric SUV. The events will run from August to November across the nationwide 188-strong Kia dealer network. Every event will include an unveil show followed by an exclusive presentation about the EV3 and the opportunity to look around the vehicle in detail. In addition, the events offer the chance to talk to experts about making the switch to EVs. To find out when your local dealership is due to host the Kia EV3 Electric Experience event and to book a place, the public can reserve their space online using the dedicated website: https://www.kia.com/uk/about/ev3-electric-experience/ The Kia EV3The EV3 was revealed on 23 May, showcasing the car’s considerable attributes, which bring innovative technology from the brand’s flagship EV9, setting new standard in the compact electric SUV segment. The car features a bold, progressive exterior with a practical interior that maximises space, functionality and comfort. With Kia AI Assistant, Premium Streaming, advanced driving assistance systems and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, the EV3 ownership experience will be truly elevated to the next level. Built on Kia’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and utilising fourth-generation battery technology with an 81.4kWh battery pack, the EV3 is capable of a best-in-class 600km (372 miles) driving AER range and 10-80 per cent charging in 31 minutes. UK specification and pricing is due to be revealed in Q3 this year. Leaders in electrificationKia has a long history of nationwide exclusive electric experience events, launching the latest electric car models to the public. During each of the past three years the EV6, Niro EV, and EV9 have each been showcased at dealer events prior to the models’ official on-sale launch date. To support the public with the transition to electric, Kia ran ‘Discover EV with Kia’ in early 2024, giving expert advice to people who had any queries or concerns about going electric. The strong level of reception for these events, coupled with the brand’s renowned leadership in electric vehicles showcases the strong demand for Kia’s electric and eco model line-up. Kia plans to launch 15 fully electric models globally by 2027, nine in the UK, as part of its ongoing ‘Plan S’ business strategy that was first announced in 2020.

Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision wins prestigious Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024

Industry News

PURA Vision adds more silverware to its trophy cabinet, claiming internationally renowned Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024 PURA Vision is a bold Luxury Utility Vehicle that previews a new era of luxury, and is inspiring the next generation of Automobili Pininfarina vehicles Previous honours for PURA Vision include the highly coveted iF Design 2024 product award and 2024 International Design Awards Images of PURA Vision are available to download here (CAMBIANO, ITALY – 19 JUNE 2024) The Automobili Pininfarina PURA Vision design concept has been recognised with the highly coveted Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2024. The award is one of the world’s most highly sought-after seals of design quality. The panel of designers, professors, and specialist journalists examine submissions for design quality and innovation, and have selected PURA Vision as the winner of this year’s Design Concept category. Dave Amantea, Chief Design Officer at Automobili Pininfarina, said: “Winning the Red Dot Award: Design Concept is a huge honour for the brand and testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. PURA Vision embraces the DNA of iconic vehicles from Pininfarina’s past, to shape the future with sharp lines and a modern aesthetic. It is distinctive from every angle and showcases our PURA design philosophy which is inspiring the next generation of our cars.” This latest success follows previous award wins at the iF Design 2024 product awards and the 2024 International Design Awards. PURA Vision represents a striking interpretation of a Luxury Utility Vehicle, with bold cab-rear proportions that combine timeless beauty with exquisite detailing to create a dynamic identity with unmistakable presence. Its low bonnet and high fenders – inspired by the iconic 1947 Cisitalia – show a distinct lineage from the past, while the glasshouse and tri-opening pillarless lounge doors provide unrestricted access to a futuristic and luxurious 2+2 cabin. PURA Vision also draws inspiration from the iconic pillarless design of the Lancia Florida, which was styled by Battista Farina in the Fifties and sparked the creativity behind the recently unveiled one-off Battista Cinquantacinque. Exterior jewellery on the PURA Vision design concept emphasises the attention to detail for which Automobili Pininfarina is renowned. These include a precisely engineered anodised aluminium beltline around the glasshouse, which begins at the windscreen and traces an elegant unbroken arc around the vehicle. Ends. Press Contacts Richard YarrowPR Director(M) +49 (0) 160 552 3375 r.yarrow@automobili-pininfarina.com Akira ShinonumaCommunications Manager(M) +49 (0) 1511 0949270a.shinonuma@automobili-pininfarina.com For more information, visitautomobili-pininfarina.com/media-hub EDITOR’S NOTESABOUT AUTOMOBILI PININFARINAAutomobili Pininfarina is based in operational headquarters in Cambiano, Italy, with a commercial office in Munich, Germany, and resourced with a team of experienced automotive executives from luxury and premium car brands. Designed, engineered and produced by hand in Italy, with a focus on designing experiences for the world’s foremost taste makers, all of Automobili Pininfarina’s vehicles embody the PURA design philosophy. This philosophy will also permeate all future production cars, seamlessly blending classic inspiration with cutting-edge technology. ABOUT AUTOMOBILI PININFARINA BATTISTA (LINK TO PRESS KIT)Battista is the most powerful car ever designed and built in Italy and it delivers a level of performance that is unachievable today in any road-legal sports car featuring internal combustion engine technology. Faster than a current Formula 1 race car in its 0 -100 km/h sub-two second sprint, and with 1,900 hp and 2,340 Nm torque on tap, the Battista combines extreme engineering and technology in a zero emissions package. Battista’s 120 kWh battery provides power to four electric motors – one at each wheel – with a combined WLTP range of up to 476 km (U.S. combined EPA: 300 miles) on a single charge. No more than 150 examples of Battista will be individually hand-crafted at the atelier in Cambiano, Italy.

Norton Motorcycles’ employees jump into electric cars and benefit from savings of up to 40%

Industry News

Iconic British motorcycle manufacturer adopts EV salary sacrifice scheme Employees can save up to 40% on a new electric car Norton Motorcycles has been in business for over 125 years but the company is still moving with the times by offering its employees the chance to switch to electric cars and benefit from cost savings of up to 40%. Thanks to adopting a salary sacrifice scheme in partnership with DriveElectric, Norton employees can reduce the cost of driving a new EV by hundreds of pounds per month. Founded in 1898, Norton has won eight World Championships and 94 TTs, and the company is currently developing an electric motorbike as part of an expansion programme which includes the appointment of Richard Arnold, former CEO of Manchester United. But what do a motorbike manufacturer’s employees (known as the ‘Nortoneers’) think about electric cars? “As a member of the leadership team at Norton, I feel that I’m playing my part in developing our people and this iconic brand. Motorcycles already represent a sustainable way of getting around but giving our ‘Nortoneers’ the option to take an electric car via salary sacrifice amplifies our collective contribution to a decreased carbon footprint and is a lovely additional perk we’re offering to our enthusiastic team”, says Rob Ridgway, Head of Human Resources, Norton Motorcycles. DriveElectric offers one of the widest selections of EV salary sacrifice deals, with something for everyone, from compact city cars to large SUVs, and used EVs can now be included. Salary sacrifice enables employees to save up to 40% on an electric vehicle by exchanging part of their salary; the gross amount sacrificed reduces the employee’s income tax and national insurance (NIC) liability, as well as the employer’s NIC liability. Examples of cost reductions offered by salary sacrifice compared to a personal lease for an employee include a £2,358 annual saving on a new MG4 SE, or a £3,317 annual saving on a new Tesla Model Y Long Range, for a 40% taxpayer. Norton Motorcycles is offering DriveElectric’s ‘Complete’ salary sacrifice solution to its employees, which includes insurance and early termination protection. A Pod Point 7kW Solo 3 home charger with an exclusive EV tariff can also be included in the package if required, allowing drivers to make significant savings on home charging. Salary sacrifice is a cost-effective way for an employee to switch to a new EV, with zero upfront outlay, in addition to enjoying lower vehicle running costs. The scheme also helps employers to attract, reward and retain the best employees, and accelerate an organisation’s progress towards its net zero goals. Customers can search, select and order an EV entirely online – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – and businesses can control and oversee salary sacrifice electric vehicle leases using DriveElectric’s EV Hub. With EV expertise stretching back many years, DriveElectric has dedicated consultants to advise about electric cars, supported by tax and compliance specialists, and an on-call team to answer any questions. DriveElectric will assist organisations to promote salary sacrifice schemes to employees and can organise EV test drive events. Salary sacrifice customers can also benefit from DriveElectric Plus, a smart charging solution which can reduce EV charging emissions by up to 89%.1 DriveElectric Plus is accelerating the significant progress already made by DriveElectric to support companies to reduce their carbon footprint, achieve their net zero targets, and become more sustainable. Combined with the company’s experience with electric vehicles dating back more than 15 years, DriveElectric Plus allows DriveElectric to provide unrivalled support to businesses on their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) journey. Mike Potter, Managing Director of DriveElectric, says “I’m delighted that Norton Motorcycles has joined an ever-growing list of organisations that are benefiting from salary sacrifice. Employees can save thousands of pounds per year on new or used EVs, with zero tailpipe emissions minimising impacts on climate change and local air quality. Norton’s employees receive support throughout the journey from our EV experts, ensuring that knowledgeable answers are provided to any questions about electric cars and charging.” DriveElectric is an electric vehicle leasing company that has been helping organisations and individuals to adopt EVs to save money, lower emissions and transition to low carbon energy since 2008. DriveElectric offers market-leading expertise and a single point of contact for vehicle choice, funding, charging and driver engagement along with a tailored service for businesses operating EVs. DriveElectric agreed a strategic investment partnership with Sumitomo Corporation in 2021 in order to scale up its expert service to meet increasing customer demand, as well as to expand the technology offering of the business. Sumitomo Corporation is a leading Fortune 500 global trading company, founded in Japan in 1919. www.drive-electric.co.uk

UK’s first merchant lithium refinery in final phase of EIS fundraising

Industry News

Green Lithium, a pioneer in constructing the UK’s first low-carbon merchant hard-rock lithium refinery, is set to disrupt the market as an alternative supplier to China for European battery supply chains. The company has partnered with Prospedia Capital, an emerging automotive sector fundraising specialist, to raise up to £2.6 million of seed and venture capital covered under the UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). This well-established scheme, designed to attract early-stage investment, offers efficient income, capital gains, and inheritance tax breaks for UK angel investors and taxpayers investing in venture capital funds. Green Lithium has taken significant steps to derisk its business model, having secured over £14 million of private investment and UK government grants for various crucial aspects of its business model, such as bench-scale and pilot trials, engineering studies, independent life cycle analysis, and capital expenditure reports. It has also strategically chosen a Teesside site, brought on board critical partners and appointed an experienced high-calibre management team and board of directors. With over £1 million already pledged, this penultimate round of early-stage investment precedes an institutional funding round, enabling the construction of a scale-up plant, with further capital to be raised for a full-scale plant. The construction of the UK’s first merchant hard-rock lithium refinery is a strategic move to meet the projected surge in demand for battery-grade lithium chemicals by 2030, driven by the transition of European carmakers to full-scale electric vehicle production. It presents a unique investment opportunity with the potential for high returns as the European market currently relies on China for its lithium chemicals supply. “There’s a mountain for Europe to climb if it’s to compete,” says chief executive officer Sean Sargent. “The bottleneck is in the refining. Even with all existing potential European suppliers being successful, there will still be a 43 per cent deficit in the supply of this crucial battery-grade material. It’s a pressing issue requiring sustained government involvement alongside private investment.” Green Lithium’s commitment to the environment is not just a promise but a tangible reality. Its environmental credentials include its adoption of an alkali leach rather than acid roast process, using renewable electrical energy and hydrogen when available instead of natural gas, and other carbon-reducing strategies. This means it can aim for a 75 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to existing Chinese refineries, according to a life cycle assessment by Minviro, a science-based consultancy focused on measuring environmental impacts. Green Lithium is also working with the University of Sheffield to develop a patented process to commercialise its primary byproduct. This strong environmental stance should further instil confidence in potential investors. “We’re delighted at this opportunity to help Green Lithium with its fundraising efforts,” says Isobel Sheldon OBE, chief strategy and investment officer at Prospedia Capital, who also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at The Faraday Institution. Renowned for her experience in electric vehicle battery technology and supply chains, she added, “Green Lithium’s refinery is much needed in Europe. It will help carmakers localise their supply chains while scaling up battery production and reducing emissions from refining lithium hard rock to produce lithium hydroxide and carbonate.” Teesside is a prime location in Europe for such a facility due to its industrial skills, sea, rail and road access, and strategic access to Net Zero Teesside – a globally significant carbon capture and storage scheme. The proposed development will include office and warehouse buildings, enclosed plants and structures across approximately 60 acres. The first step for the company is to build a demonstration scale-up plant to derisk the business model even further. Producing 1,250 tonnes of high-quality lithium chemicals annually, which has the potential to generate revenues of £28 million before the completion of the full-scale plant, which comprises two lines capable of producing 50,000 tonnes of lithium chemicals, sufficient for 1.2 million battery electric vehicles. This £1.4 million (up to a maximum of £2.6 million) funding round will see the completion of the front-end engineering design for the scale-up plant, finalising operational readiness and planning permissions, and closing contracts with key suppliers while preparing for the high-level readiness demanded by institutional fundraising. This means the scale-up plant will be shovel-ready ahead of initial institutional investment supporting construction during 2024. “This round is targeting an investment return of 15x,” says chief financial officer Jo Charles. “We anticipate achieving this once the scale-up plant is operational and at a point in time following the full-scale plant’s final investment decision on construction. While these returns are not guaranteed, the UK’s generous EIS scheme significantly mitigates the risk for early-stage investors with income tax liabilities. At the same time, on the upside, it protects investors from capital gains and inheritance tax liabilities.” Recognised by HMRC as a knowledge-intensive company, Green Lithium can raise £10 million each financial year, capped at £20 million overall, using the EIS tax relief. “We will work closely with our external advisers to ensure our future institutional equity fundraising aligns with the EIS status of our early-stage investors,” says Charles. “Thus far, we have raised almost £10 million under this tax-efficient scheme from angel and retail investors, including a crowdfunding campaign in 2023 and an additional £4 million from government grants.” EIS investors can access the Green Lithium deal room on Prospedia’s FCA-compliant investment platform, which is part of the Envestors’ Envestry network, providing a secure and regulated environment for investment. A video recording of Sean Sargent and Jo Charles pitching online to the Envestry network is available on the platform.To access the deal room and receive updates and invites to future pitch events, investors can register via the Prospedia Capital website. Aside from the EIS tax breaks for UK investors, the standard FCA caveat applies. Investment in startups carries high risks alongside the possibility of high rewards.The risks include the lack of liquidity in terms of being able to sell shares, the loss of the value of the investment, and the dilution of a shareholding. For the entire risk warning, please visit https://prospediacapital.envestry.com/risk-warning.

Low-carbon steel: Volkswagen AG and Vulcan Green Steel enter into partnership

Industry News

“Decarbonising supply chains is a decisive factor for the Volkswagen Group on the road to carbon neutrality. We want to achieve this goal by 2050 at the latest, and using low-carbon steel is an important step in this direction. Green steel will help us make supply chains at Volkswagen even more environmentally friendly going forward.”Dirk Große-Loheide, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Brand responsible for Procurement and Member of Volkswagen AG’s Extended Executive Committee. HighlightsUp to 300,000 tons of Europe’s annual steel requirements will be covered.The volumes of low-carbon steel that Volkswagen AG expects to order will cover a significant proportion of total steel requirements and will be used by the Group’s production facilities from 2027 onwards. Mine to metal strategy: from mined iron ore to green energy and hydrogen all the way to finished flat steel.The fully vertically integrated production of flat steel in Oman will extend from mined iron ore to own generation of green energy and production of green hydrogen all the way to secondary metallurgy of the finished steel. Oman: excellent conditions for renewables, especially wind and solar energy.High wind speeds and strong, continuous solar radiation in Oman create ideal conditions for generating green power from wind and solar energy – an essential basis for the production of low-carbon steel using green hydrogen. Carbon emissions in steel production to be reduced by 70 per cent.Vulcan Green Steel’s low-carbon steel is expected to lower carbon emissions in steel production by 70 per cent in the future. Partnership with Vulcan Green SteelVolkswagen AG and Vulcan Green Steel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership for low-carbon steel – a key element of Volkswagen’s green steel strategy. The partnership is one of a series of initiatives by the Volkswagen Group to expand the use of green steel in production. In addition to the collaboration with Vulcan Green Steel, Volkswagen has been in partnership with Salzgitter AG since 2022. The Group also has a stake in Swedish green steel manufacturer H2 Green Steel via its subsidiary Scania. The Jindal Steel Group, to which Vulcan Green Steel belongs, is a diversified industrial conglomerate with steel, iron ore mining and energy operations as well as activities in India, Oman, Africa and Australia. Starting in 2027, Vulcan Green Steel will produce automotive grades and other high-strength steels in Oman. Natural gas will be used in the Duqm operations during the initial years and later the operations will be switched over to green energy in a move that will cut carbon emissions by 70 per cent once the transition is complete. The facility is currently in the construction phase and is slated to come on stream in 2026. ContactEsra AydinCorporate Communications Spokesperson Sustainability & CSR+49 (0) 152 588 700 25esra.aydin@volkswagen.de www.volkswagen-group.com Kate ThompsonGroup Corporate Communications (UK)+44 (0) 7713 265562kate.thompson@vwg.co.ukwww.volkswagengroup.co.uk About the Volkswagen Group The Volkswagen Group, which is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, is one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. It operates globally and has 114 production sites in 19 European countries and 10 countries in North and South America, Asia and Africa. The Group employs around 684,000 people. Its vehicles are sold in more than 150 countries. With an unrivaled portfolio of strong global brands, leading technologies on an industrial scale, innovative ideas to tap into future profit pools, and a leadership team with an entrepreneurial mindset, the Volkswagen Group is committed to shaping the future of mobility by investing in electric and autonomous vehicles, digitalisation and sustainability. In 2023, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 9.2 million (2022: 8.3 million). Group sales revenue in 2023 totaled EUR 322.3 billion (2022: EUR 279.1 billion). Operating profit before special items in 2023 amounted to EUR 22.6 billion (2022: EUR 22.5 billion).

New Honda e:Ny1 retail offer with 0% APR Representative and increased Honda Deposit Contribution

Industry News

Honda introduces 0% APR Representative and £3,500 Honda Deposit Contribution for e:Ny1 Honda Five Year Care Package also included with e:Ny1, which includes five-year service plan, five-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance* Offer available from now and until 30th September 2024 Honda has updated the retail offer for the e:Ny1 electric vehicle, furthering the brand’s commitment to providing customers with unparalleled choice and convenience. e:Ny1 can now be purchased from £349.00 per month, with 0% APR Representative and a £3,500 Honda Deposit Contribution.* This offer is available from now until the 30th September 2024. “Honda is committed to leading the way in electric mobility, and our latest e:Ny1 retail offer is part of our continuing efforts to make electric cars accessible,” said Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda Motor Europe Limited (UK). “By reducing the APR to 0% and increasing the Honda Deposit Contribution to £3,500, we are continuing to try and make it easier for more customers to experience the benefits of electric driving”. Interested customers can now book a test drive on the Honda website: Book a Test Drive (honda.co.uk), with the option to order via their local Retailers, or alternatively place their orders online. For more information about the Honda e:Ny1, visit: Honda e:Ny1 BEV | Electric Family SUV | Honda UK

New Continental GT Speed launch date confirmed

Industry News

The new Continental GT Speed – the most powerful Bentley ever created – will be launched at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 25 June Fourth-generation Continental GT to be first Bentley to use new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, with 782 PS and 1,000 Nm 50 miles (80 km) of electric range, and WLTP CO2 figure under 50 g/km* 208 mph (335 km/h) top speed, confirmed with setting of unofficial “underwater speed record” in the longest and deepest subsea road tunnel in the world (Crewe, 18 June 2024) Bentley’s new, fourth-generation Continental GT Speed will be launched at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 25 June. Delivering 782 PS and 1000 Nm of torque, combined with 50 miles (80 km) of electric-only range and a CO2 figure (WLTP) of under 50 g/km, the new Continental GT Speed marks a significant step forwards for Bentley. Not only will it be the most powerful Bentley road car in the company’s 105-year history, its introduction marks an important milestone in Bentley’s Beyond100 journey to be the leader in sustainable luxury mobility with the availability of a plug-in drivetrain across all model ranges. It naturally retains the handcrafted luxury and exceptional materials that are synonymous with all Bentleys. The latest generation of chassis technology – including active all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, four-wheel steering, an electronic Limited Slip Differential, 48V electric active anti-roll control and new, advanced dual-valve dampers create the most dynamic Bentley yet and the first ‘everyday supercar’ in the segment. A new design and a new suite of technology complete the latest generation of the car that has come to define the modern Bentley. To prove its performance credentials, Bentley will also announce on 25 June that the new Continental GT Speed has recently claimed an unofficial “underwater speed record”, reaching its top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) in the longest subsea road tunnel and deepest tunnel of any kind on the planet – the Ryfylke Tunnel in Norway. A film showcasing the tunnel run will be released at the moment of launch. Originally unveiled in 2002, the Continental GT started the rebirth of Bentley. The car was to transform the business, catalysing a ten-fold increase in sales and redefining Bentley for the modern era. A second-generation Continental GT was unveiled in Paris in 2010, with orders being taken from October and deliveries beginning at the start of 2011. The second generation launched with the W12, but was followed by a new 4.0 litre V8 option that was introduced in 2012. A third generation followed in 2018, based on a new and purpose-built platform and with a new engine, new suspension, new electrical architecture, new technology and new interior and exterior designs – together defining a new benchmark for the now highly competitive luxury GT sector.

MC20 Icona & MC20 Leggenda: two special series to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the timeless MC12

Industry News

Modena, 18 June 2024 – Maserati’s racing vocation brings to life the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda, two special series to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Trident’s return to competition – in 2004, after 37 years away from the scene – with the iconic and victorious MC12. MC12, first launched in a road version and destined to leave its mark on the track by becoming a benchmark in GT championships, inspired the Maserati MC20 super sports car. The 100% Made in Italy halo car marked the beginning of a new era for Maserati in 2020, as the first model equipped with the innovative V6 Nettuno engine. The two MC20 special series – in a limited edition of 20 units each – feature special liveries and exclusive content inspired by the MC12 Stradale and MC12 GT1 Vitaphone respectively. The Maserati MC20 Icona’s livery brings to fans’ minds one of the most iconic Maseratis ever: the colours are the same as its 2004 predecessor MC12 Stradale, in turn a tribute to the style of the Maserati Trofeo Light when it ran in the 24 Hours of Daytona, which was the first car to be inspired by the Maserati Birdcage Type 61, produced between 1959 and 1961. Several features from the Fuoriserie personalisation programme are included in the MC20 Icona Bianco Audace Matte and Blu Stradale livery: special and exclusive details, for a refined customisation. The Maserati Fuoriserie logo in Bianco Audace stands out on the side of the livery, in the lower part near the rear wheels, with the Italian flag logo positioned on the door under the MC20 lettering. In the middle of the chrome-plated wheels, with the specific Trident design, the hubcaps are silver with the Trident logo in contrasting blue. The brake callipers are also painted blue, the mirrors come with an auto-dimming feature and the engine cover is made of carbon fibre. The history of the MC20 Leggenda also lies in its very name; it sports a livery in Nero Essenza and Digital Mint Matte to take up the unmistakable colours of the award-winning MC12 GT1 under the Vitaphone Racing team: a car that accomplished the feat of bringing home the record of three victories and two placings as runner-up in the 24 Hours of Spa. The Fuoriserie features of the MC20 Leggenda include trident wheels in Nero Lucido with Nero Opaco and Trident Digital Mint hubcaps; the Trident logo in yellow on the grille, doors and C-pillar; finally, brake callipers painted black. The Fuoriserie package for the two special series is completed with racing interiors: lightweight 4-way monocoque racing seats – the central section in Nero/Blu on a silver background for Icona, or in Nero on a silver background for Leggenda – and Trident embroidery on the headrest together with the words “Icona” or “Leggenda”, depending on the model. On the cover over the powerful Nettuno engine, a badge with the wording “ICONA. UNA DI 20” or “LEGGENDA. UNA DI 20”. The interior of the two cars also features the sophisticated Sonus faber sound system. Other features shared by both versions include the carbon fibre interior package, electronic limited-slip differential (E-LSD), suspension lifter, blind stop and rear cross path systems, and finally mats in the front and in the boot. The MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda celebrate the 20th anniversary of the beginning of a golden age for the Trident on the track, with the legendary MC12 GT1: between 2004 and 2010, it took 27 victories in the FIA GT Championships, three times entering its name on the roll of honour of the 24 Hours of Spa, and won six Teams’ championships with Vitaphone Racing and five Drivers’ championships – including two FIA GT1 World Championships – as well as two Constructors’ championships for Maserati. In 2004, the MC12 Stradale gave impetus to Maserati’s racing fervour: designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, with its Ferrari-derived 12-cylinder engine (MC stands for “Maserati Corse”, 12 refers to the V12) it remains the fastest production car Maserati has ever produced – the top speed was 330 km/h with acceleration from 0 to 100 in 3.8 seconds.Only 50 of them were made. Today, the story of those triumphs and of a car that epitomised Maserati’s sporty spirit and its DNA devoted to excellence is reflected in the MC20 Icona and MC20 Leggenda, as if to represent a passing of the baton between father and son. 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. Today the full-electric range includes also the Grecale Folgore, Maserati’s first full-electric SUV, and the latest addition, GranCabrio Folgore. By 2025, all Maserati models will also be available in a full-electric version, and the entire Maserati range will run on electricity alone by 2028. For…