The Range Rover Evoque Live Event

Land Rover held a special event for the new Ranger Rover Evoque. The Evoque was the centre piece at a three day event at Earl’s Court London. Celebrities and customers took part in the Evoque Live's 360 degree 25 minute sensory experience. The event combined art, contemporary design and haute couture with the opportunity to see the Land Rover Evoque up close before it goes on sale in September 2011 along with the Land Rover Discovery in Kent.

Lee Lapthorne and Doll Production were responsible for the Evoque Live Event as well as the other shows at the event. They were able to use the resource of fashion stylist Harriet Jagger, designers Jasper Conran, Amanda Wakeley with choreography by Ashley Wallen.

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Silverstone here I come

My dreams of tackling Silverstone in the Audi R8 V10 will finally come true, as it has been added to the Driving Experience at Silverstone. The 2011 version includes plenty of circuit time in the celebrated ten-cylinder, 187mph super car, and also includes the 450PS RS 5 and 340PS TT RS coupes.

The line-up delivers an exceptional combined output of 1,315PS, in the extremely capable hands of race and rally-proven Audi Driving Experience instructors. The instructors will provide an expert insight into the key aspects of safer, more rewarding driving.

On my day-long event, they will train me in every aspect of car control, including managing understeer and oversteer, high speed lane changes and avoidance manoeuvres and general methods for balancing the car to extract the very best from its chassis.

The full-day Audi Driving Experience is costing me £499, which includes breakfast, lunch and break-time refreshments all freshly prepared on site. My wife has decided to tag along with me, which is costing me an extra £79 and to make is worse, she wants us to drive there in our old and used Audi R8.

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Men get more stressed in traffic - OFFICIAL!

It is official – men are more likely to get stressed if they get stuck in traffic than women.

New research performed by satnav company TomTom showed that men's stress levels increases to seven times higher than that of women’s when stuck in heavy traffic. The research was conducted by psychologists’ who tested volunteers for the rise in stress chemicals in their saliva when caught up in a traffic jam. It showed that women’s stress levels increased by an average of 8.7% while men’s stress levels increased by an average of 60%. Interestingly enough two thirds of the women surveyed and half of the men reported not feeling stressed even though the readings taken proved they were. The consequences of these stress levels can be erratic and dangerous driving and if encountered on a regular basis may also lead to stress-related health problems.

Psychologists looking at this study suggest that one of the reasons men have the tendency to get more stressed is because of their normal ‘fight or flight’ reaction to a difficult situation. In a traffic jam you cannot do either so men sit and get frustrated. Women, on the other hand, are said to cope better in these situations and use simple methods such as singing along to the radio to relieve their frustration. This might be a strategy worth trying next time you get caught up in traffic, regardless of whether you’re in an old Fiat or a new Land Rover.

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The most powerful production Golf GTI to date

Volkswagen has been busy producing new models lately, like the new Beetle and the new Volkswagen Jetta. Amongst these new models VW has also unveiled a new limited edition Volkswagen Golf GTi, not just any old special edition. The Golf GTI Edition 35 celebrates the 35th anniversary of the original hot hatch and is the most powerful production Golf GTI to date.

Since the launch of the very first Golf GTi in 1976 it has built a cult like following. There are special Golf GTi clubs and forums both online and offline, these places are full of GTi enthusiasts who love the power and performance. To please these enthusiasts Volkswagen has typically launched special edition models to mark milestone GTi anniversaries.

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Britain’s love the Aston Martin DB9

Though we may not sure it, us Brits can be quite patriotic. We wave our flags during the football world cup, we support our country during the Rugby and we don our hats when the Ashes series is on. We truly believe that British built products are far superior than other country products. We’re not wrong either, look at F1 for example, over the past decade it’s been British based teams that have won the constructor’s championship year on year.

Now it seems we love our British built super cars too, ranking them higher than exotic models form the continent. In a survey commissioned by Manheim Auctions the Aston Martin DB9 finished in top position, with the Audi R8 and Bugatti Veyron taking second and third place.

The full list:
1.    Aston Martin DB9
2.    Audi R8
3.    Bugatti Veyron
4.    Lamborghini Gallardo
5.    Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
6.    Porsche 911 GT3 RS
7.    Ford Mustang (1960-69)
8.    Ferrari Testarossa
9.    Dodge Viper
10.  Ford GT

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Hot Jap import

In the early part of the last decade there was a huge upturn in the number of high performance Japanese cars on the street. The Honda Civic became a quick favourite with young car enthusiasts who liked to tune and modify it. The Honda Civic type R became equally popular with 22-28 years olds looking for Porsche like performance from a practical hatchback.

With stricter EU emission regulations, high cost of fuel and a downturn in the automotive market the number of hot hatches being launched has reduced significantly. Car manufacturers are adapting to the market and producing smaller, more economical and more environmentally friendly cars.

There is a ray of light for us car enthusiasts or petrol heads, Honda and Mugen have revealed the first official Honda CR-Z MUGEN photographs. It’s great news because early tests of a prototype car based on a standard Honda CR-Z and a mid-tune engine have seen 0-60mph times similar to the Honda Civic Type R. A further 15% increase in power over this 'stage 1' engine and over 50kg weight reduction from the chassis, overall performance is set to meet the original targets set by MUGEN.

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Audi R8 Inspired Audi TT

Afzal Kahn, the designer at Kahn Projects has just unveiled his new Audi TR8. It is an Audi TT inspired by the Audi R8; the base car is the 2.0 litre FSI. The TR8 has evolved through artistic innovation and modern manufacturer and materials technology.

The Audi TR8 offers improved interaction with a sense of power, performance and style. The Project Kahn TR8 is finished in dark grey to show its elegance and sophistication. The innovative styling package is instantaneously recognisable and should satisfy those who want comfort, style and all-weather capability.

Afzal Kahn has added a unique body kit to the Audi TT which comprises of new front and back vented bumpers in the Audi R8 style with mesh inserts, front grille, R8 style side blades, rear spoiler, stainless steel quad exhaust system, sports lowered suspension springs, front lower bumper lip in billet steel finish and door mirrors in a billet steel finish. 20 inch RSV alloys.

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Audi Q3 prices and specifications released

Audi has released further information regarding the UK spec new Audi Q3, Audi’s compact sports utility vehicle. Prices will start from £24,560 and customers will be able to place their orders from June at Audi Lancashire and expect deliveries from November.

At launch the Q3 will be available with four direct fuel injection with turbo charging engines, all will come as standard with start-stop technology. The 2.0 litre TFSI petrol unit will be available in 170PS and 211PS forms, and a 2.0 litre RDI in 140PS and 177PS forms. The 2.0 litre TDI 140PS unit will only power the front wheel-drive model at launch, with deliveries commencing just after the rest of the range, in December 2011.

The petrol engines will be linked to Audi’s quattro four wheel drive system, all will also be mated to a sophisticated Electronic Stability Program with electronic differential lock, which can brake individual wheels when they start to slip, regulating the torque distribution.

The 2.0 litre TDI 140PS and 2.0 TFSI 170PS engines will come as standard with a six speed manual transmission. The 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI 211PS units will see a newly developed seven-speed S tronic transmission.

The Audi Q3 SE trim features 17 inch alloy wheels, contrasting exterior trim, chrome window trims, aluminium roof rails and rear parking sensors, and inside dual-zone climate control, a Concert audio system with 6.5-inch manually retractable colour display screen, Bluetooth interface, Audi Music Interface iPod connection and light and rain sensors. Navigation is available with customers needing to purchase an SD card in order to 'activate' the system.

Couple of awards for the new Ford Focus

The new Ford Focus was launched in March; it has only been on the street for two months but has already been collecting awards. It was launched after the new Ford C-Max in Scotland. Last week at the Fleet World Honours it received the Safety Award and at the Diesel Car awards it won Best Diesel Medium Sized Car.

The Focus has been rewarded for its high level of standard and optional equipment which helps keep occupants and other road users safe. Fleet World Editor, Steve Moody, said: "Ford's new Focus is littered with safety aids that previously were only available on executive cars, ensuring that company car drivers will have their tiredness monitored, be warned of drifting out of lanes and never miss anything in their blind spot. On top of these systems, it comes with an automatic low-speed braking system, all for only £750, while standard items such as Bluetooth hands-free ensure this is one of the safest cars on the road today."

Diesel car tested the 1.6 and 2.0 litre Ford Focus TDCi models each of these are available in two power outputs. After the test the judges crowned it the best diesel medium-sized car on the market, quite an accolade.
Ian Robertson the Diesel Car editor, said: "The Ford Focus is quite simply the best handling, most dynamically accomplished car in its class - the one the others have to match. A new benchmark has been set for this size of car, because the bar has been raised by new Focus."

Jon Wellsman the Ford UK sales director, said: "This is a sizeable market for Ford, with 45 per cent of Focus cars bought being diesels... To receive independent endorsement from Diesel Car is recognition of the UK-based Ford engineers and manufacturing specialists producing these engines."

Another award for the DS3

The Citroen DS3 has been a massive hit; Citroen has produced a sporty, dynamic and trendy little supermini that is being awarded accolades left right and centre. This week alone it has one three awards, it was named Best Small Car and Car of the Year by Diesel Car magazine and now it has won Design of the Year in the 2011 Fleet World Honours.

Sold alongside the Citroen C1 in Aldershot the DS3 is priced very competitively. The DS3 comes with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, there is the 94bhp 1.4-litre, a 118bhp 1.6 litre. There is also a turbocharged 154bhp THP model, while the high performance DS3 Racing has a 197bhp version. In the diesel range there two versions of the 1.6 litre available either as a 91bhp or a 110bhp.

Steve Moody, Fleet World Editor and Chairman of the judging panel, commented: "The DS line is a genuinely transformational new sub-brand for Citroen, containing all the design elements and quirks that made the French carmaker so unique and distinctive, with a brilliant, modern, fresh twist. From the 'Shark Fin' B-pillar, the 'floating' roof and the LED strips down either side of the front bumper, through to the eye-catching interior and the vast array of personalisation options, DS3 leads the resurgence of Citroen and is set to become one of the French firm's iconic cars."

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Audi Q3 ready for the UK

Audi has announced generous specification for the UK model of the Audi Q3. The Q3 is Audi’s compact SUV and is due to hit the UK order books next month, first deliveries will start in November 2011.
On launch four engines will be available, a 2.0 litre TFSI with 170PS, a 2.0 litre with 211PS, a 2.0 litre TDI with 140PS and another 2.0 litre TDI with 177PS. The smaller 2 litre diesel unit is able to achieve 54.3 miles per gallon and it front wheel drive only.

Technology wise the new Q3 includes a new generation MMI navigation plus, online Bluetooth car phone enabling access to Google services including Google Earth, WLAN connectivity, Audi drive select with efficiency mode, parallel and perpendicular park assist.

Like the new Audi convertible the Q3 with the 2.0 TDI 140PS and 2.0 TFSI 170PS engines will be linked to a six-speed manual transmission as standard, while the 2.0 TDI 177PS and 2.0 TFSI 211PS units will feature a new development of the acclaimed seven-speed S tronic transmission.

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Jaguar XF named Best Executive Car (again)

At this year’s Diesel Car awards the Jaguar XF was presented with the Best Executive Car accolade. It is the fourth time the British built Jaguar has won the award. The XF marked a design and philosophy change within Jaguar, the aim was to make Jaguars more attractive to younger generations and young executives. Initial response shows that Jaguar has succeeded in doing this, with phenomenal response to the XF.

Ian Robertson the Editor of Diesel Car Magazine presented the award and said, "As a prestige car to please an executive owner, the XF has it all. You get a terrific driving experience in the XF, cosseted in a cabin that is as comfortable as it is clever."

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Karting Championship 2011

Abarth Cars is continuing to support the grass roots motorsport by announcing that it will be a title sponsor of a leading karting championship in 2011. The challenge will take place at the Teesside Autodrome, will be jointly supported by Abarth Cars UK and SG Petch, the York-based Abarth dealer. The karting challenge will be known as the SG Petch Abarth 2011 Karting Open Championship.

Abarth are supporting the series by providing an Assetto Corse 500 race car in which the Championship winner will have the opportunity to drive it in an official track day test. The motorsport arm of Fiat Group Automobiles UK will also sponsor the end of season prize-giving by providing top-notch dinner for two, as well as a chuffer driven car for the night.

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