Alien Supercar

A specially created “Alien Supercar” has been created for the forthcoming “2010 MPH The Prestige and Performance Show featuring Top Gear Live” which is being held at Earls Court (4-7th November) and the NEC in Birmingham (11-14th November).

The car has been created by RoboSteel, an Irish based company that specialises in creating sculptures from recycled steel.  The RoboSteel design is based on the complex designs and sculptures of of South Indian temples and Kirtimukha sculptures.

David Haye

WBA World Heavyweight Champion David Haye has joined the Jaguar Academy of Sport as an Ambassador. He has joined the exclusive list of stars who have already signed up to the Jaguar Academy. The Jaguar Academy of Sport aims to recognise, inspire and celebrate the very best of British sporting talent and achieves this goal using a Bursary Fund.

David Haye said, “I am thrilled to be working with the Jaguar Academy of Sport, it is a great initiative and one that could have a really positive affect on young atheletes at the beginning of their careers. I feel passionately about putting something back into British Sport and I look forward to supporting the next generation”.

Mazda MX-5

Mazda has celebrated the milestone of selling over 100,000 MX-5 cars in the UK. It is twenty years since the Mazda MX-5 arrived in the UK, after its worldwide launch at the 1989 Chicago Motor Show.

It entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2000 as the best selling two-seater sportscar in history and has racked up over 178 awards, with more than 880,000 sales across two decades.

Mark Cameron, sales director, Mazda UK said, “The legendary Mazda MX-5 is the car that most people associate with Mazda. It is a car that people not only aspire to, but can afford to run and enjoy driving on a daily basis. This iconic sportscar’s handling has been voted as the best by motoring magazines. It is a fun car that makes each journey an enjoyable experience – a car that encompasses Mazda’s soul”.  Mazda business  contract hire on the MX-5 is available on the site now.

Velocette Motorcycles

Veloce Publishing has launched a brand new large format hardback of Velocette Motorcycles -MSS to Thruxton (New Third Edition) which costs £39.99 and is available at all good bookshops and newsagents. It is a comprehensive record and technical analysis of Velocette motorcycle development from MSS tourer to Thruxton racer between 1954 and 1970, and is written by Rod Burris.

It contains practical hints to keep your Velo going and Veloce Publishing has also one signed copy by Rod Burris to give away. All you have to do is answer a simple question – “What was Rod Burris’ first Velo model?”. You can find the answer on the Veloce YouTube Channel where Rod is interviewed. All answers should be e-mailed to prize@veloce.co.uk and the competition closes on Friday the 10th September.

Mazda RX-8 R3

There are less than 100 examples of the Mazda RX-8 R3 coupe left in stock in the UK as Mazda phases out this four-seater, four-door sports coupe.

The rotary-engined 231ps Mazda RX-8 offers great performance and is still a head turner so if you want to join the 26,000 other UK motorists who have enjoyed the thrills of this sports classic you need to act fast.

APS Sportec upgrade

There is a new performance upgrade available for the Audi S5 quattro coupe model offered by APS of Brackley, called the “Stage One” upgrade. This consists of a free flowing filter element and ECU remap which increases the power of the car from 328bhp at 6,000 rpm, to 425bhp at 6,640 rpm.

This reduces the 0-62mph time to 4.6 seconds (a reduction of 0.5 seconds) and the car is also limited to a top speed of 155mph. The upgrade is suitable for all coupe and cabriolet models of the 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged Audi S5 and costs £1,950 fitted including VAT. Please note that if you lease your car, you cannot make any modifications to your vehicle without checking with the leasing company first.

All-new Suzuki Swift

The all-new Suzuki Swift has been rated as one of the UK’s safest cars having been awarded a maximum 5-star rating from EuroNCAP. The EuroNCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) rating scheme focuses on a weighted average series of safety ratings based on four areas, adult (50%), child (20%), pedestrian (20%) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10%).

The Suzuki Swift was awarded a score of 94% for adult, 82% for child, 62% for pedestrian and 71% for the safety assistance, to achieve a total score over 75%, which qualifies for the EuroNCAP 5 star rating. The all-new Suzuki Swift has been developed with a new, stronger and lighter impact absorbing bodyshell and includes seven airbags as standard, as well as whiplash mitigating front seats. Active safety equipment includes ESP (Electronic Stability Programme which is also fitted as standard equipment across the range.

Experience an off-road drive with Isuzu at Sandringham Game and Country Fair

If you visit the Sandringham Game and Country Fair (11th-12th September),you will be able to enjoy a thrilling off-road driving experience, courtesy of Isuzu. There is a purpose built course which will test the off-road driving skills of the participant, as well showing off the capabilities of the newly-launched Isuzu Rodeo pick-up. All drivers will also be supervised by professional instructors.

Show-goers will also have the opportunity of getting behind the wheel of the top-of-the range Denver 2.5-litre Denver and 3.0-litre LE model on the Isuzu stand. The Norfolk based show will also have an impressive medley of clay pigeon shooting, carving logs with chainsaws, an indoor falconry display and for more information visit the Living Heritage Country Show website.

Volkswagen Calilfornia

One lucky GMTV viewer entered a competition to win a Volkswagen California in conjunction with the Camping and Caravanning Club. Paula Harris is now the proud owner of this great campervan and is already planning her trips around the UK, with Cornwall and South Wales on the agenda. The prize vehicle is fitted with a roll-out side awning, a tailgate bike rack for up to four bikes and optional alloy wheels.

The Volkswagen California is designed to be compact on the road, yet transforms into a real home with its own fridge, cooker, sink, two double beds and an electrically operated pop-up roof. As part of the prize, Paula also wins an annual membership to the Camping and Caravanning Club, giving her access to 110 sites across the UK.

Simon Elliott, Director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said,”Paula must be the luckiest camper in the world to win such an exciting prize from her first competition entry. We know she will thoroughly enjoy the California’s high quality, and great design, and get a friendly welcome from the huge community of Volkswagen campers”.

Chevrolet Orlando

Chevrolet is launching a new seater MPV at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show as its first entrant into the European MPV segment. The Chevrolet Orlando will be on sale at the start of 2011 and is based on the award-winning Chevrolet Cruze saloon. There will be a choice of three fuel efficient engines, with one 1.8-litre petrol (141 hp) and two 2.0-litre diesel units, offering 131 or 163 hp.

New Orlando

The low swept roofline is also complimented by muscular, protruding wheel arches with either 16-inch, 17-inch or 18-inch wheel options.  Inside the car the takes its cues from the Corvette, with its dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the centre console. There are three rows of seats, loads of storage solutions and a generous load area and Chevrolet is confident this new model should be appeal to family motorists. Standard equipment on all models includes electronic stability control, six airbags, air conditioning and electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.

Wayne Brannon, president and managing director for Chevrolet Europe said,”The new Orlando MPV kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch program over the next 15 months. We’re confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but also something fresh – function with attitude if you like – and the opportunity for us to continue building our volume across Europe”.