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Jaguar designer creates personal car

JAGUAR'S Director of Design Ian Callum has created a one-off car as his perfect idea of a Jaguar saloon car. The redesigned Mk2 is a classic saloon from the 1960s and has been restyled by Callum as part of an 18-month project to build his perfect car. Built by British restoration firm Classic Motor Cars, the Callum Mk2 retains the flowing lines of the original but they have been smoothed off.

Two thirds using mobile phones while driving

TWO THIRDS of drivers in the UK admit to using their mobile phone while driving despite it being illegal and dangerous. A study has found 60% of drivers make calls, send texts and even browse the internet on their phones when behind the wheel. Research by Flexed shows six out of 10 drivers say they answer the phone or reply to texts when driving.

Ford Announces Dates For 2014 Free Driver Training

FORD has revealed the latest dates and locations for its 2014 Driving Skills for Life free training programme. The programme is targeted at inexperienced drivers who have recently passed their driving test, highlighting some of the dangers they are exposed to as new drivers and how they can be minimised. This includes using a mobile phone at the wheel, managing emergencies and night and wet-weather driving.

Testa Rossas, Lemons, Laguna Seca and design inspiration – Monterey Car Week 2014

As a first timer to this annual festival it’s easy to think of it purely as Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, in reality the blue-chip show on the famous golf course is simply the climax of a whole week of formal events, impromptu gatherings and an overall sense of overwhelming from the sheer quantity and quality of the cars, all packed onto this upmarket West Coast peninsular.It's this variety that means this event really is what you make of it. Want to live it up like a billionaire and feel the buzz of $400million worth of cars pass under the auctioneers’ hammers, followed by some lobster and champagne in the golf club?

Goodwood To Stage 73rd Members' Meeting In March 2015

THE GOODWOOD Road Racing Club (GRRC) has announced that the 73rd Members' Meeting will be held on the weekend of March 21-22, 2015 at Goodwood Motor Circuit. The Members' Meeting was revived this year for Members of the GRRC to continue the tradition of the 71 club motor sport events held at Goodwood from 1948-66, and played host to a weekend of dramatic motor racing. Star names including grand prix winner Jochen Mass, Le Mans 24 hours victors Emanuele Pirro and Jackie Oliver and current professionals Darren Turner and Andy Priaulx contested this year's event.

Saab (NEVS) loses right to use Saab name – NEVS gets creditor protection

Saab (NEVS) loses right to use Saab name – NEVS gets creditor protection Just a few weeks ago we reported that Saab and its new owner National Electric Vehicles Sweden (NEVS) were once again up against it with an unpaid supplier filing for bankruptcy. Since the, Saab has been thrown a lifeline by the Swedish courts, and a big kick in the teeth by Saab AB. NEVS right to use the Saab name (although not the Griffin logo) was granted by the owners – the defence firm Saab AB – but in light of NEVS financial predicament that right has been withdrawn.

Vauxhall brings back the Viva! Baby Vaux revives old name

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 01 September 2014 11:53 The Vauxhall Viva is back! Vauxhall and its continental sister Opel is poised to announce a new small car to slot beneath the Corsa and it’ll revive the historic Viva badge in the UK, CAR understands. The original Vauxhall Viva was popular in the UK through three generations - the HA, HB and HC series - up until its demise in 1979.

2015 Volvo XC90 First Edition price & spec – costs £68,000

The new XC90 First Edition – a range-topping, £88k XC90 The more we’ve looked this week at the new Volvo XC90, the more we’re beginning to see it as a seminal model for Volvo in the same way the original XC90 was in 2002. And, if all it promises comes close to reality when the first new XC90 s start to arrive in 2015, the new XC90 really could make serious inroads in to the market for premium SUVs currently dominated by Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Land Rover. The new XC90 ‘s clever packaging, good looks, technology and toys certainly seem to offer a beguiling package for a premium family SUV, although the price is likely to be a touch stronger than the current model.

Jaguar Mark 2 by Ian Callum revealed (video)

Ian Callum and his ‘new’ Jaguar Mark 2 More than a year ago we reported that Jaguar designer Ian Callum was working with Classic Motor Cars (CMC) to redesign and recreate the perfect Jaguar MK II. And now it’s finished. The finished car has been revealed at the official opening of CMC’s new HQ in Shropshire, and although the updates Callum has made to the Mark 2 may not be to everyone’s taste, they are impressive and the car does look glorious.

2015 Kia Sorento FULLY revealed ahead of Paris Motor Show debut

The new Kia Sorento – debuts at Paris 2014 The 2015 Kia Sorento is being rolled out a bit at a time as Kia try to garner as many column inches for their new SUV as possible. The new Sorento was actually revealed a few weeks ago, but there were just a couple of photos of the new Kia and limited details. But now, with a debut at the Paris Motor Show in just over a month, Kia have been more forthcoming with detail and photos.

Flintoff spared ban for speeding

ANDREW 'Freddie' Flintoff has escaped a driving ban for speeding in his Bentley after arguing "exceptional hardship" to magistrates. Flintoff, 36, was already on nine points for speeding and in danger of an automatic ban with another three points after admitting being behind the wheel when flashed by a camera doing 87mph on the M6, near Linstock, Cumbria on January 28 this year, Carlisle Magistrates' Court heard. But JPs accepted a ban would amount to exceptional hardship because of the effect on others who rely on his extensive charity work and the privacy of his three children.

Aston Martin’s 2015 Lagonda saloon revealed on way to Oman

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 29 August 2014 08:13 Aston Martin’s wedgy new Lagonda super-saloon was flown to Oman for testing this week, affording us this fresh look at the Middle East-only four-door. Oman Air publicised its role in transporting this prototype out to Muscat ‘as part of its early testing programme.’ We hope it travelled first class; the Lagonda will only be offered on sale to its wealthiest clients in the region. It’s only one month since Aston Martin confirmed the Lagonda project and issued a solitary teaser image of the saloon, side-on and shrouded in shadows.

McLaren F1: the inside story by Peter Stevens and Gordon Murray

For a kid who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s with those cliché supercar posters on my wall, the chance to chat to Gordon Murray and Peter Stevens for the September 2014 issue of CAR magazine was both terrifying and incredibly exciting. In the name of completeness I’ll mention that Murray was the genius behind the McLaren F1, designer Stevens a key player, but most of you won’t need to be reminded. You’ll know that Murray and Stevens, along with a small but brilliant team, created a supercar that beat Lamborghini and Ferrari and everyone else in the world.

Motorists Worry About Safety On The School Run

AS THE start of new school term approaches, the latest research from BCA, a leading vehicle remarketing company, reveals the pressures faced by parents - and other motorists - on school run routes. Both parents and non-parents were surveyed and with nearly half (45%) of non-parents saying they drive by schools or use the same route as parents dropping off their children, it's clear that school runs create some significant pinch-points. Key findings: 46% of all motorists believe parents drive their children to school because it takes too long to walk 30% of non-parents believe children demand to be driven to school, compared to just 17% of parents Over a third (38%) of all motorists think unreliable public transport prompts parents to drive children to school More than half (57%) of motorists see illegal parking outside of school gates 44% of have seen parents and children not looking at oncoming traffic when opening car doors Both parents and non-parents were most in favour of schools creating drop-off areas to tackle congestion and parking issues during the school run at 52% and 57% respectively 29% of parents think police officers should be on patrol to tackle parking issues during the school run Parents in Northern Ireland are most likely to drive their children to school, topping the list at 51%, followed by families in the North East and West Midlands at 39%.

Mercedes fued fuels F1 interest

IT REMAINS far from being Senna/Prost, Mansell/Piquet, Hunt/Lauda, but Formula One again has a rivalry to stir the senses and excite the masses. If Bernie Ecclestone was starting to grow anxious about the decline in global television audience figures, the feud between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton is manna from heaven for the sport's supremo. Prior to Sunday's controversial collision in the Belgian Grand Prix, and the explosive remarks from Hamilton that followed, the head-to-head had resembled nothing more than a playground squabble.

Car crash revealed as parents’ biggest fear

Parents of youngsters aged 16-25 are more worried about them being in a car crash than anything else – above becoming drug addicts or being unable to find a job. A poll by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) found that 62% of parents were worried about their kids being involved in a car accident. Less than a third, however, were worried about them taking illegal drugs or taking up smoking.

Aston Martin flies the new Lagonda to Muscat with Oman Air

Aston Martin flies the new Lagonda to Muscat with Oman Air Back in July, Aston Martin confirmed the revival of Lagonda with a short run of a Lagonda Super Saloon to be sold exclusively in the Middle East. At that time, all we had was a dark photo showing the new Lagona’s silhouette but now, as Aston start to test the new Lagonda, we get a proper photo (above and below). The photo of the new Lagonda shows its arrival in Muscat – courtesy of Oman Air – as the new Lagonda is flown out to Oman to begin its testing.

Concept Car of the Week: Honda J-VX (1997)

In 1997, in an effort to preserve its sporty image, Honda needed to bring new exciting models in its showrooms, to park alongside its mainstream Civics and the excellent but slow-selling NSX. The 1995 Integra Type-R proved a fun car to drive but lacked in personality compared to older models of the brand such as the bold CR-X. At the Tokyo motor show, Honda unveiled a prototype of what could be the sports car of the 21st century while also capturing the essence of the iconic CR-X.

E-Type voted greatest all-time car

JAGUAR'S iconic 1960s E-Type has won the race to be crowned the "greatest car of all time" in a new poll of motorists. The car was put at the top of the podium from a list of 100 by more than 2,000 British drivers quizzed by One Poll for the Discovery Channel ahead of the return of its Wheeler Dealers show next week. It beat seven other British classic vehicles, including the Mini, Aston Martin DB5 and Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, to head the top 10, and also won the poll for greatest classic car.

Campaign Group Calls For Halt To 20mph Roll Out

CAMPAIGN group Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is calling for Government to halt the roll out of 20mph zones following further increases in 20mph accidents. The organisation has also questioned the motivation of proponents who continue to advocate a national roll out of 20mph zones, despite an ongoing Government investigation and claims of increased recorded accident statistics in current 20mph zones. In a recent survey of its members: 95% of Alliance of British Drivers' members believe that the roll out of 20mph zones and limits should be halted pending Government research into increased casualty statistics in current zones.

Renault working on 141mpg plug-in hybrid concept

Renault is working on a 141mpg plug-in hybrid concept car to be shown at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, according to Renault head of research, advanced studies and materials, Remi Bastien. Speaking to at Renault’s ‘Innovations’ event last year – showcasing the French manufacturer’s new technology that will underpin its next-generation models – Bastien revealed the new car will make its debut in 2014. On Bing: see pictures of Renaults Find out how much a used Renault costs on Auto Trader This means the ‘2l/100km’ concept car will likely make its first public appearance at Renault’s home Paris Motor Show in October, debuting experimental technology that could later filter down to other models in the Renault range.

Simplification or complication? Mercedes shakes up its badging again

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 29 August 2014 15:03 Mercedes is about to simplify - it hopes - its entire badging system. All four major model ranges will be affected by the revised nomenclature which is designed to make sense of the alphabet soup. The idea is to make sure each badge reflects the main range it’s attached to.

The fastest - and slowest - selling used cars revealed by Glass’s

The Mitsubishi Mirage and Ford Focus: the slowest- and fastest-selling used cars revealed by Glass's By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 28 August 2014 12:17 The best and worst secondhand cars have been revealed in a survey revealing which models sell quickly and which hang around like a bad smell. The list, compiled by used-car pricing gurus at Glass’s, claims that the Ford Focus is Britain’s fastest-selling secondhand car. On average, it takes just 24.9 days to sell a Focus on the used market in Britain.

Gorden Wagener on how Mercedes is "moving from a traditional luxury brand to a modern luxury brand"

Mercedes' 'home' design studio in Sindelfingen, Germany is housed in an expansive 30,000-square meter building designed by Renzo Piano. The lobby is unassuming, but we're soon through into what Mercedes' grandly calls 'the Vision Room.' It's here that strategic meetings are held with the firm's board, and where we meet Gorden Wagener, Mercedes' head of design since 2008. It's in the Vision Room that Wagener convinced the Mercedes board of the merits of his overarching design philosophy: 'sensual purity'.

Mercedes AMG GT teased again – reveal on 9th September

Mercedes AMG GT teased again – reveal on 9th September The new Mercedes AMG GT – Mercedes new supercar – is getting teased to death ahead of its reveal, and today we get yet another video, this time focusing on the AMG GT’s development process. But what we also get from Mercedes is confirmation that the AMG GT will be revealed, ahead of its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, on 9 September. So we shouldn’t have too many more teases to come.

Longest-serving AA patrol retires after 1.4 million miles

THE AA's longest-serving patrolman is retiring after 1.4 million miles and almost 50 years on the road. Jim Haggart joined the AA in Glasgow in August 1966 as a 16-year-old cadet after spotting the opportunity in a newspaper advert. The 64-year-old has helped an estimated 87,000 motorists with car trouble - between 1,500 and 2,000 a year - around the west of Scotland, rescuing animals, young children and even babies that have been accidentally locked in vehicles.

Volvo S90, V90 and V90 Cross Country on the way

The Volvo V70 (pictured) will become the new Volvo V90 All the talk for Volvo lately has been the new 2015 Volvo XC90, an impressive offering that really does look like it will take the fight in the ‘Premium’ SUV market to the Germans (and even to Land Rover). But the new XC90 is just the start of Volvo’s new model line-up, and the next couple of years will see more new models arriving with Volvo’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) and the new range of 4-cylinder, 2.0 litre engines. What we now also know, thanks to Volvo’s Dennis Nobelius, is that the replacements for the S80, V70 and XC70 won’t use the current nomenclature but will be given new names to better reflect their upmarket aspirations (and their place in Volvo’s new line-up).

Spiderman is driver's ideal superhero rescuer

MORE DRIVERS in the UK say they would want Spiderman to save them in the event of a breakdown than any other superhero. The web-shooting superhero was chosen by 24% of drivers as they reckon he’d be more able to fix their car or get them to safety. Superman was a close second (22%) in the survey by IGW, with drivers commenting the crime fighter from Krypton would be able to lift their car to a garage to be fixed.

What do you think of Ian Callum’s take on the Jaguar Mark 2?

Jaguar design director Ian Callum is a well-documented hot-rod fan – he already owns a '32 Ford Hi-Boy Coupe – but what would happen if he were to ‘re-interpret' a past product of the company he now works for? The ‘Mark 2 by Callum' is the result of an 18-month long project with British reengineering and restoration company CMC. "This is a very personal statement.

Revealed: the cheapest and most expensive cars to fuel

Running a car can be an expensive business, with fuel a major contributing factor, especially if you happen to cover long distances. As we know, fuel isn’t cheap. Fortunately, independent car cost experts CAP constantly collect millions of pieces of data about thousands of new and used cars in the UK, helping to produce its Total Cost of Motoring analysis.