Morgan goes electric

The Morgan Motor Company is partnering up with a consortium of British technology specialists to build a high-performance electric sportscar concept. The two Morgan +E concepts should be built by early 2012 and will use a new derivative of Zytek’s high power-density electric powertrain using a conventional manual gearbox. The electric  powertrain will replace the 4.8-litre BMW V8 that usually powers the standard car.

Zytek has experience of building a range of other electric cars as they worked with Lotus as far back as 1997 when they converted a Lotus Elise to electric drive. They also worked with Daimler to develop and build electric powertrains for the smart fortwo ed (electric drive) as well. Zytek was also the first company to race a hybrid at Le Mans and supplied the first KERS-equipped Formula 1 car to win a grand prix so they have the necessary experience and expertise that Morgan is looking for.

The powertrain is the proven 70kW (94bhp) 300Nm electric unit which Zytek already supplies to US vehicle manufacturers and the compact unit will require only three additional connections to the cooling water, high voltage electrics and low voltage electrics, with power coming from a lightweight Li-ion battery pack.

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.

Mazda MX-5 Limited Edition

As Mazda is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their iconic sportscar, the Mazda MX-5, they have now brought out a Lmited Edition model packed with lots of extra kit and in new unique colours. The car accelerates from 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds, has a top speed of 121mph (where permitted), a combined mpg of 40.4 and CO2 emissions of 167g/km. Here are the extra options at a glance;

Additional equipment over the current 1.8 SE model

• A chrome grille, headlamp and front fog light surrounds
• Unique 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front suspension strut brace
• Front fog lights
• Body coloured fashion bar covers
• Manual air conditioning
• A stainless steel scuff plate with the Limited Edition logo and serial number
• An aluminium pedal set
• Body-coloured front dashboard decoration panel
• Premium 20th Anniversary floor mats

The car comes with a range of safety features including ABS, EBD, dual front airbags, electric and heated door mirrors and Thatcham 1 Alarm.  True Red is joined by two unique colours for the Anniversary model, Crystal White Pearlescent and Aurora Blue Mica, both available for the first time on the MX-5 in the UK, priced at £395. Mazda contract hire prices for this new model will be loaded shortly.

Sunseeker and Caterham

Caterham Cars, the sportscar maker and Sunseeker International, the luxury super yacht builder,have formed an alliance to create the ultimate expression of the millionaire lifestyle. Sunseeker’s Predator 108 Special Edition has been launched at the 2010 London Boat Show and incorporates an inconic Caterham Seven, stowed in its garage.

The Predator is the largest boat ever to be displayed inside the ExCel centre in London’s docklands and is capable of upto 34 knots. This luxury boat can also cater for upto eight guests and four crew.

Ferrari 312P & 312PB

The famed Italian firm designed and built a superb range of 3.0-litre cars to contest the various versions of the World Sportscar Championship between 1969-1973.

Featuring the Ferrari 312P and 312PB, a new book by Peter Collins and Ed McDonough has now been published detailing these 3.0-litre prototypes and providing a complete history for this period. Packed full of pictures and facts and figures, the paperback book is available at all good bookshops or it can be ordered online @ www.velocebooks.com The cost is £15.99.

MX-5 celebrates 20 years

The world’s best selling sports car, the Mazda MX-5, has been upgraded for 2009 and also celebrates its 20th anniversary. Available in Open Top and Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe model line-up, the car gets an athletic new styling, enhanced specification levels, better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. There is also a new option for a PowerShift six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission as well.

Outside the MX-5 gets a new five point lower air intake, new head-lights and tail-lights, rakish front foglamp housings, restyled front and rear bumpers and more prominent side sills. The flagship MX-5 Roadster Coupe enjoys additional items like a new mesh front grille surrounded by chrome look edge trim plus chrome around the headlamps and exterior door handles.

2009 Mazda MX-5

There are four power-trains to choose from, in the new 2009 MX-5 range, namely 126ps 1.8i, the 160ps 2.0i with five speed gearbox, the 160ps 2.0i with revised six-speed gearbox and the new 160ps 2.0i “PowerShift” six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission with full-auto mode.

CO2 emissions for the MZR 1.8i engine have dropped from 174g/km to 167 g/km with combined fuel economy rising from 38.7 mpg to 40.4 mpg. The MZR 2.0i (with five-speed manual) returns a combined fuel economy of 38.2, up from 36.7 mpg, with emissions dropping from 183g/km to 177 g/km. The MZR 2.0i (with six-speed manual) climbs to 37.2 mpg from 36.7 mpg with CO2 emissions dropping fom 183 g/km to 181 g/km. 

Every 2009 Mazda MX-5 now comes with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake, plus an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxillary (AUX) input jack for MP3 player and iPod connection.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda UK’s managing director said “The 2009 MX-5 effectively builds on the qualities that have made Mazda’s two seater roadster the best-selling sportscar in the world. The unbridled dynamism and engagement of this 2009 model range can trace a clear and direct line to the 1990 original, a car that single-handledly resuscitated the small and afforbable roadster market”. Mazda car leasing prices are available on the whole range now.