Audi UK in hot water over dealer safety claims

Car salesmen don't exactly have a reputation for being in the most truthful profession, and it appears that several Audi showrooms in the UK are playing into that stereotype. A BBC investigation found that multiple dealers told buyers that the company's models scored well in Euro NCAP crash tests. No big deal, right? The problem was that the vehicles were never actually evaluated.

The report began after an R8 buyer sent in a tip that his UK dealer claimed the sports car had received top Euro NCAP scores. However, it has never been tested by the organization. The BBC called 10 dealers inquiring about the A5 (pictured above), which also wasn't assessed. Nine said the coupe had been checked out, and six claimed it had a five-star rating - the best available.

Euro NCAP is funded by governments and motoring bodies, like the ADAC in Germany and the FIA. According to its website, the organization selects some of the most popular new models each year to crash test, and, the BBC claims, automakers can also pay to evaluate their cars. The last Audi tested was the A3 in 2012. The A6, Q3, A1, A4 and Q5 have also been tested since 2009, and they all received five-star ratings. However, the A5, A7, A8 and R8 have not been tested.

Audi UK responded to Autoblog's questions by emailing a prepared statement, saying that there was no "deliberate intent to mislead." The company is now reviewing its training procedures. This case demonstrates that it's probably best to double-check anything salespeople tell you, regardless of what they are selling. Scroll down to read the full response.
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José Mourinho shares his fear in Jaguar F-Type R Coupe spot

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Jaguar, UK

Jaguar is in the middle of an image makeover. It wants people to know that it makes more than just big, comfy luxury cars. Underneath that there is an edge. In its recent ads, the company wants to be associated with a more tailored, witty form of villainy. The next step is showing that it's also fearless.

Many Americans might not be familiar with José Mourinho, but he's one of the premier soccer, or football, coaches in the world. He's nicknamed "The Special One." Mourinho worked his way up from an assistant coach to lead small teams but eventually took over international heavyweights like Real Madrid and Chelsea.

In a new ad for the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe, Mourinho talks about what it means to be afraid. You might think such successful people overcome their fears, but successful men are driven it, he claims. But being scared doesn't make a man weak - it makes him dangerous. Scroll down to understand what Mourinho is talking about and get an earful from the wonderful exhaust of the R Coupe.

Continue reading José Mourinho shares his fear in Jaguar F-Type R Coupe spot

José Mourinho shares his fear in Jaguar F-Type R Coupe spot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2014 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Merged Fiat-Chrysler HQ will be in London

You won't be seeing Sergio Marchionne in his famous sweaters running day-to-day operations of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles from Michigan. Although, he won't be doing it from Italy, either. The FCA CEO recently announced that the company's corporate headquarters would be located in London.

"Headquarters will be in London. It's clear that group executive functions, the board, my office, some of my functions, need to operate out of London, but that doesn't mean that I'm giving up my operational responsibilities of the US," said Marchionne to Automotive News at a press conference.

When the creation of FCA was announced, the company said its tax domicile would be in the United Kingdom. But it gave no specific location at that time. The business is still keeping most of the details under wraps.

Chrysler spokesperson Gualberto Ranieri did confirm to Autoblog that the move to London will happen "later this year." FCA board meetings will be held in London, as will some corporate functionals. "But that will not mean that Mr. Marchionne will give up his operational duties in the US, including his office in Auburn Hills," Ranieri said.

Industry analysts speaking to AN say that the London location makes sense from a strategic standpoint. It doesn't show any bias between Chrysler in Auburn Hills or Fiat in Turin.

Marchionne is also fighting against investors' skepticism about FCA's recently revealed five-year plan. After the stock fell 12 percent, he and chairman John Elkann bought 130,000 and 133,000 shares respectively of Fiat stock to show their support, according to AN.
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Report: Auto journalist ordered to pay big money for blowing up Porsche 917 engine

Racecars blow engines all the time, but a Porsche 917 isn't just a run-of-the-mill racecar. British automotive writer Mark Hales reportedly borrowed a 917 from 82-year-old former Formula One racer David Piper for a magazine article, and mechanical tragedy ensued. Nobody is arguing that the engine failed after being spun to 8,200 rpm. However, Hales was warned not to exceed 7,000 rpm, says owner Piper, and the affair landed in English courts with Piper seeking £50,000 – over $79,000 US – in reimbursement funds for an engine rebuild and loss of use of the car while it was being repaired. Judge Simon Brown ruled in favor of car owner Piper, putting Hales on the hook for £110,000 ($174,000) including legal fees – a whole lot of money in any language.

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Special Edition Ferrari 458 Italia Gets Stolen from UK Showroom

A rare and exotic supercar will always attract attention, regardless of whether you`re driving it to the shops, back home, or you haven`t even bought it yet, and it`s sitting in the dealership awaiting you to open your chequebook.

Sadly, sometimes they attract too much attention, and some people just can`t resist the temptation to have one, even though they may not be able to afford it.
A limited-edition Ferrari 458 Italia was recently stolen from a dealership, in Surrey, UK. Apparently, the car was parked at the rear of the garage/dealership, when two men entered the building, which was, of course, equipped with plenty of security cameras.

The car, estimated to be worth around £232,850, was wheeled out, and then loaded onto a flatbed truck before it moved off. They were forced to cut through some security poles, in order to make this possible, but they did succeed.

The police are clueless, apparently, and all they`re saying is that the move was "planned and well-organised." - so far they have no leads.

Detective Constable Chris Ewan, said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area on Wednesday night and may have seen either the van or the flatbed vehicle to come forward [ . . . ] The stolen Ferrari is a distinctive car so I am keen to hear from anyone who may have seen it, perhaps on the back of another vehicle, either in the local area or elsewhere."

Photo courtesy of Nick Williams

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Aston Martin celebrates milestone with Centenary Vanquish

Aston Martin is marking its 100th anniversary with special edition versions of its V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish. The automaker will only build 100 Centenary Edition versions of each car. The first of those is the Vanquish, which boasts a special graduated paint finish and sterling silver badges with a unique enamel inlay. Indoors, buyers can expect to find the same Deep Soft leather as used in the One-77, complete with contrast silver stitching and sterling silver sill plates bearing the car's individual number.

Those who pony up the cash for the Centenary models will also receive a box packed full of exclusive "gifts," including two glass keys, bespoke key pouches, silver cuff links, a silver Rollerball pen and a pair of Bang & Olufsen headphones. There's a silver polishing cloth in there as well. Near as we can tell, the Centenary Editions will remain mechanically identical to their non-bejeweled counterparts.

ASTON MARTIN DEBUTS EXCLUSIVE CENTENARY EDITION MODELS

Iconic British sports car brand Aston Martin is marking the start of its birthday celebrations today – 15 January – with the unveiling of a bespoke new Centenary Edition Vanquish.
The luxury brand's ultimate GT car showcases a painstakingly created Centenary Edition specification that will be available worldwide on just 100 examples of each of the car maker's model lines: V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish.

 

Featuring a unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wings badges with tailored 'trans flux' enamel inlay and a special Aston Martin hallmark, the exterior represents an exclusive new celebration of the company's 100-year history.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, played a key role in the creation of the unique paint treatment, tasking Design Director Marek Reichman and his team with the development of a suitably exclusive and desirable specification.

Dr Bez explained: "Clearly, the centenary of Aston Martin is a great occasion for our business, our customers, and our fans around the world.

"It is only right, then, that we have developed these exceptional Centenary Edition models which will, I am sure, quickly become highly desirable and sought-after.
He added: "The chance to own and enjoy such a stunning piece of Aston Martin's heritage is made all the more rare by the fact that we are limiting numbers to just 100 of each model line. I am sure supporters and enthusiasts of the brand worldwide will be anxious to secure their chosen model quickly!"

A Centenary Edition Aston Martin is identified inside by its exclusive and luxurious treatment. Deep Soft black leather – previously featuring only in the One-77 hypercar – with contrasting silver stitching, a special silver thread embroidery of the Aston Martin wings in the head restraints and solid sterling silver sill plaques individually numbered with an Aston Martin hallmark are among the features unique to the car.

Each Centenary Edition model will also be supplied with a unique presentation box containing a number of exclusive gifts to mark the first 100 years of the company. These include two glass keys, two bespoke key pouches made from leather matching the car's interior trim, solid silver cufflinks featuring the Aston Martin script, solid silver Rollerball pen and high quality Bang & Olufsen headphones.

The gift box will also include a silver polishing cloth to help owners ensure the silver centenary wings badges and sill plaques on their car keep their lustre.
Some specification details will vary market by market around the world but all cars will, as ever, be painstakingly handcrafted at Aston Martin's global headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Gaydon, in Warwickshire.

The process of creating the unique Centenary Edition paint finish, for instance, clearly demonstrates the brand's commitment to bespoke luxury. Adding an average of 18 hours to a paint process that can already take more than 50 hours to complete, the unique graduated finish is meticulously built by adding special 'tinters' to create the darker inner colour. This custom-made mixture is then applied to each panel by hand, using a special mini-jet spray gun.

Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: "The team has looked closely at the individual contour lines of each of the cars to determine not only the right colours and shades, but also to create a template by which the paint changes from dark to light and where the graduated effect sits."

Available to order now, prices for the Centenary Edition models are obtainable on application at Aston Martin's 146 dealers in 46 countries worldwide.

 

News Source: Aston Martin

 

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Chevrolet Will Make Right-Hand Drive Variant of Corvette C7 Stingray!

American cars are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and while until now there was never enough real demand to warrant the building of right-hand drive models, that`s all about to change with the all-new Chevy Corvette C7 Stingray.

According to autoexpress.co.uk, the new Vette will make its way to the British Isles with the steering wheel on the right side, yet it has not been specified exactly when this will happen - it is at least two years away, though.

Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Juecheter said: "There is no plan to build a right-hand-drive version in the short term [ . . . ] In the long term it's something we definitely want - to make this a more global car - but it won't be for a couple of years."

The British publication also asked Juecther about the engine choice for the C7, hinting at the possibility of a smaller engine making its way under the bonnet. He replied: "It already is a smaller displacement engine, I think of it as a 3.1-litre V4 that has an extra four-cylinders when you need them," hinting at the fact that the new Vette has cylinder deactivation tech.

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