Automotive

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo

6C 1500 Sports Two Seater

After engineer higher Vitorrio Jano of the notch designed the large successful runner of P2 Prix, it turned to the design “a cheap light car with the brilliant execution”. The new car was completely a departure with the cars earlier of the road of sparte, than all of large “furnaces” used and “sixes”. At the beginning shown in Milan Motorshow 1925, that always took two years before the 6C 1500 would be available for the many eager customers. It was the beginning of a chain of the sports cars designed and strongly successful of D Alfa Romeo de Jano.
Like several of the designs of Jano, the 6C 1500 was clean and simple, but strongly effective. It believed that the engines should look at as good as they function, and its engines turned superbly. An integrated engine of six cylinders, moving just below 1.5 liter was installed in the 6C 1500 (consequently the name). It was equipped with an air camshaft simple conduit by an axis. A gear box at four speeds was directly bolted on the engine.

The engine and the gear box were adapted in a steel reinforcement, which was suspended by the axes of phase and the springs blade semi-finale-elliptic around. It was available like short version of footing of 2900 millimetres and version length of footing of 3100 millimetres. The factory offered a certain number of four and six bodies of seater like standard and spider of two seater were available on request. Several of the coachbuilders of Italy like travelling and Zagato also offered bodies for the light and nimble frame.

For the use of competition the version of “sport” was launched in 1928. It was equipped with a double air version of camshaft, which increased the power with 10 BHP with 54 BHP. The execution was further increased by adding a superheater, increasing the power still other. With a 6C overfed 1500, Alfa Romeo recorded the first of eleven victories in the Thousand Miglia. The highest output of 84 BHP was carried out by the superb sport Testafissa, which comprised a block and the head moulded in-unit.

At 1929 the 6C 1500 was succeeded by the 6C with larger engine 1750. Today very little is on the left around 1000 6C 1500s built and the majority of them are now equipped with the more powerful engine 1750.

Described is a 6C 1500, equipped with an open body established by Alfa Romeo along the lines of a design of Zagato. One sees it here with bidding 2005 of Retromobile de Christie, where it changed hands for Juste more than $150.000.

Country of origin general of characteristics of the years of Italy of the production 1927 - 1929 presented at numbers 1925 of Milan Motorshow established the design Alfa Romeo of body 862 (of all the versions) inspired by the kilo of Zagato Weight 1000/2204.6 books

The engine of gear box directly before place of 6 engines, Cu the litre/90.7 longitudinally assembled displacement 1.487 in Valvetrain 2 valves/cylinder, aspiration of the D2 carburettor of zenith 30 of fuel food of SOHC naturally aspired the hand drive operation of wheel of back of drive speed of the gear box 4

The figures of execution actuate 44 BHP/33 kilowatts @ couple N/A BHP/Liter 30 power of BHP of 4200 t/mn/litre to weigh the report/ratio 0.04 BHP/kilogramme of higher km/h speed 110/68 M/H: “mph 0-60 M/H: “acceleration N/A of mph

By Papa Keren.

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Acura

Acura's Future Cars

Acura, the manufacturer of quality Acura catalytic converter, is set to offer three new and exciting cars: 2 as 2008 year model and 1 as 2009 year model. These three cars are the 2008 RDX, 2008 MDX, and the 2009 Acura NSX.
The RDX has the same roofline, greenhouse, and C-pillars as the last yearÕs concept vehicle. However, the doors are different. This is not just due to the handles. In last yearÕs concept, rear doors were cut out around the wheels. But for manufacture, their shape is more squared off.

Under the hood of the RDX is the first turbocharged engine for either Honda or Acura street vehicle. The all new 2.3-liter i-VTEC turbocharged four-cylinder yields 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It is paired to a five-speed manual-automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Standard with this vehicle is AcuraÕs Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, standard front, side, and side curtain air bags. The vehicle also comes with Acura's navigation system with real-time traffic reports and an ELS DVD-Audio surround sound stereo system.

The RDX will form part of the small, premium cross over segment, along with the Land Rover Freelander and the Audi Q5.

An SUV competed with the Mercedes-Benz ML and the Lexus RX300, the 2008 Acura MDX is built to straight at the BMW X5 and the Porsche Cayenne. To have the same level of performance as it competitors, AcuraÕs engineers built the vehicles parts at Germany s Nurburgring, which is known for its ability to produce quality parts that will give driving dynamics.

The exterior of the new MDX exposes several refinements. Frank Paluch, the chief engineer of both the original and second-generation MDX models, asserted that their aim was to provide a stealth family package. This was done by the design team through lowering the visual center of the new MDX, which they call the C-line. The D-pillar was also angled sharply forward to blend with the third row seating. Paluch added the new MDX looks smaller, but wider, longer, and lower.

Acura is doubted about power train performance, but Paluch says their goal is for best-in-class V-6 performance.

Last, but certainly not the least among Acura cars, is the 2009 NSX. The conceptualization of the next NSX is not yet final. Automobilemag.com said Honda is still in the process of finalizing what kind of car it should be and what will its appearance be.

The mid-engine Honda HSC concept will no longer be seen on the next NSX. The new vehicle will have front-engine, and not mid-engine as compared to the first mentioned car. Honda Motor CEO Takeo Fukui decreed a ten-cylinder engine that frustrated employees from Japan to California to Ohio , who would like to develop a V-8 that could be used across a wider product range, such as a proper flagship sedan for Acura.

By Evander Klum.

http://carsecret.atspace.eu/blog/acura/

2017 New York Preview: Lincoln teases the next-gen Navigator's daytime-running lights

2017 New York Preview: Lincoln teases the next-gen Navigator's daytime-running lights Lincoln’s flagship SUV first debuted as a concept last year. Now, it’s heading for a reveal in New York in production form.

What’s going on?
Back in 2016, Lincoln introduced a wicked Navigator Concept, previewing an all-new next-generation model. Despite all odds and pressure from the push to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles, demand for the Navigator seems to be alive and well. That said, Lincoln just tweeted a picture to tease the new Navigator. At least, now we can see what the production model’s daytime-running lights look like.
Click here for more news on the Lincoln Navigator.
Any details on the new Lincoln Navigator?
Not yet, and that’s because its scheduled for a debut on Wednesday morning, at 9:45 AM EST.
But from what we know and expect, the next-gen Lincoln Navigator, like all previous Navigators, is based on the latest Ford Expedition. In this case, we’re likely to see Ford’s venerable 3.5L EcoBoost V6 under the hood. Power figures are guesstimated to hover around 380 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque with an all-new 10-speed automatic.
Additionally, rumors indicate the new Navigator will go on a massive diet of a few hundred pounds, thanks to extensive use of aluminum, like its related Ford F150 cousin.
Just don’t expect those gullwing doors to show up on the production model. Sadly.
– By: Chris Chin
Lincoln Navigator Concept from the 2016 New York Auto Show Gallery – Photos provided by Lincoln Motor Company

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2017 New York Preview: This is the new Hellcat-ified Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

2017 New York Preview: This is the new Hellcat-ified Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk After many rumors, spy shots, and teasers, Jeep finally reveals the production Hellcat-ified Grand Cherokee of our dreams.

What’s going on?
In a literal power move that defies all odds, Jeep just unveiled one of the most anticipated new cars of 2017. Meet the hot-new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Edition and as expected, it’s basically a Grand Cherokee Hellcat with 707 horsepower.
Wow! Finally, the production Grand Cherokee Trackhawk!

Yes! As predicted, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk gets the same whopping 6.2L supercharged V8 as the Challenger and Charger Hellcat. In the Jeep’s application, SRT tweaked the V8 to churn out the same 707 horses remain while torque measures in at 645 pound-feet, versus the Challenger’s and Charger’s 650. This is most likely out of respects to Grand Cherokee’s all-wheel drive system and single-speed transfer case.
Either way, with a ZF eight-speed automatic sitting at the transaxle, Jeep claims the Trackhawk will hit 60 in just 3.5 seconds for a quarter mile time of 11.6 seconds. Those numbers are pretty much the same as the Challenger Hellcat.
Not just more power either…

The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk gets an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to cope with the extra oomph. The rear-drive, half-shaft, and transfer case are all toughened up. And power is split 40/60 front/rear with the all-wheel drive system. That can change however at the touch of a button, thanks to the Jeep’s latest driver selectable programming mode. The 40/60 power split is standard while the car is in its Normal setting. Select the sportiest “Track” mode, and the all-wheel drive system changes the power delivery to 30/70 front/rear. Experience an inclement of weather, and opting for the “Snow” mode alters the traction and stability systems while splitting the power evenly 50/50 front/rear.
When it comes to cutting speed, larger, beefier Brembos do the duty. Six-piston calipers with 15.75-inch rotors sit up front with Jeep claiming they’re the largest front brakes ever fitted to one of their models. Four-piston clamps with 13.73-inch rotors sit at the back.

Rounding out the package is a far more aggressive body kit. For instance, the lower front fascia is larger to help cool the 6.2L V8. Wide, bespoke 20-inch wheels are standard. And Nappa leather and suede festoon the insides with options varying from an 825-watt premium sound system to a panoramic roof.
How much will it cost?
Those details are withheld at the moment. Though we expect pricing details to surface during Jeep’s press conference.
– By: Chris Chin
Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Gallery

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Ford Introduces Ranger & Raptor To China

Ford Introduces Ranger & Raptor To China

Ford Motor Company is unveiling its trucks in China to meet the country’s budding pickup market. Ford President and CEO Mark Fields is in Shanghai this weekend to outline the automaker’s strategy. Pricing for the new F-150 Raptor will be announced along with plans to sell the Ranger in China next year.
Recently, shipments of the F-150 Raptor were sent to China while Ranger remains the best-selling midsize truck in Europe, South Africa, and New Zealand
“We’re very excited to bring Built Ford Tough, one of the world’s best loved and most successful brands, to customers in the world’s largest auto market,” Fields said.
Growing Demand
Although tucks represent barely two percent of the Chinese market, the winds of opportunity for Ford are still blowing. The automaker did exhaustive research, finding that Chinese customers thought most pickups fit the typical truck image: lacking features, not very comfortable etc. However, through television, film, and the internet, Chinese customers are more aware of the modern truck. Ford believes this creates potential growth in the market.
“We see a significant white-space opportunity with Chinese buyers increasingly looking for more capable, more refined, and more stylish pickups,” Fields said.
In fact, China is currently the fourth largest truck market with 14 percent growth last year alone. Ford’s research also indicates that Chinese customers lead active lives, both at work and at home, creating a need for an useful but comfortable pickup. At the same time, China is easing restrictions on truck usage.
“We see an opportunity to satisfy unmet need in China – for world-class, stylish, and refined pickups – and also to be a pioneer in this emerging segment,” said Dave Schoch, President of Ford Asia Pacific and CEO, Ford China.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Ranger & Raptor
The F-150 Raptor will introduce Chinese customers to one of the world’s most capable off-road trucks. The Raptor features an exclusive high-output version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine mated with a Ford-built 10-speed automatic transmission. Other off-road signatures include 3.0-inch FOX Racing Shox and 17-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires.
“The F-150 Raptor has created a lot of buzz among Chinese customers since it was revealed for the first time last year and we are extremely excited to have it arriving in our showrooms in China, ready to be delivered to customers,” said Peter Fleet, Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford Asia Pacific.
The Ranger is the second best-selling midsize truck globally outside North America. Ford has designed the truck with a fine balance of capability, refinement, and technology. The automaker believes the diversity and history of their trucks will find favor with Chinese buyers.
“Built Ford Tough is a proven brand, dating back to 1976 and we believe it has the opportunity to resonate powerfully with Chinese consumers,” Schoch said.
Ford has sold more than 26 million F-Series since 1977, making it the top-selling truck in America for 40 consecutive years, and the country’s best-selling vehicle overall for 35 years.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan.
Photo: Ford Motor Company.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company

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2017 New York Preview: The Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept revealed ahead of Javits debut

2017 New York Preview: The Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept revealed ahead of Javits debut The Infiniti QX80 soldiers on on as the company’s flagship SUV based on the Nissan Patrol/Armada and this concept previews a new version.
What’s going on?
Infiniti just revealed a new concept car due for the New York International Auto Show. Meet the new Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept.
Details are sparse. But as of now, it’s safe to assume that this QX80 Monograph Concept previews not only an updated QX80, but perhaps a flagship version as well.
“The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design,” describes Roland Krueger, Infiniti’s current president. “QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration into how we could enhance our future Infiniti offering in the luxury SUV segment.”
Ok. Anything else?
Nope, just a single picture, which you can see in HD below.
The Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept looks fairly close to production ready. So we anticipate the actual car to look very similar. Automakers are also introducing ultra-luxury versions of their high-end vehicles for foreign and affluent markets. So in a way, you can describe this new Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept as a potential alternative to others, like the Range Rover Autobiography.
Though, I’d still rather have a Range Rover.
– By: Chris Chin
Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept

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SoCal Private Country Club For Gearheads Opens New Track

SoCal Private Country Club For Gearheads Opens New Track

A lot of the time, I read the words “country club” and my jaw clenches. I start thinking it’s time for a short ride in the tumbril and a date with The National Razor. And honestly, in this case, I thought the same, briefly. Then I realized, well, I’m a car guy, albeit one of limited means.
That does not take away from the fact that as a gearhead, I, like all gearheads, are always, pretty much as random background noise, thinking “what if, what if?”
Endless Possibilities
And by “what if,” I mean, “what if I had an “extra” 20-thousand dollars? What kind of car would I buy?” or “what if I had an “extra” 200-thousand dollars? What kind of car would I buy?” or “what if I won the Powerball Lotto? What kind of cars would I buy?” See, for a gearhead, it’s never “would you” but “could you.” And, in the back of my mind, smooth and febrile as it may be, the equation is always one of “get a warehouse, and fill it with all the cars I can afford.”
Motorsports Country Club
Suppose that you’re already in that position. Suppose you’re richer than Croesus. Now suppose you are really into the track and racing cars. So much into them that you have, let’s say, a dozen or so of the beasts carefully stored and waiting. Now, where do you drive the things? It’s not like having a bunch of old Packards and De Sotos. Even if they’re old, you can still take them out for a drive, early on a warm Sunday morning. But you have ten or a dozen racers – a Porsche 908, a fully prepped 911 RSR, an older Devin, that sort of thing – what do you do?
Enter the motorsports country club.
As the name implies, it’s a country club minus the golf links and tennis courts, with garages, storage facilities, and most importantly, a track. And, like a country club, you pay your (idiotically exorbitant (but who cares, you own a dozen racing cars!)) fee and you get your own, semi private (or at least exclusive) playground to use. And, besides having access to mechanics and tools, you’re also around other like-minded and like-enriched car people to go out on the track and play with.
These things, country clubs for rich gearheads, have been cropping up for a while now. There’s a couple in Colorado, and a slew in the desert southwest, where the weather is much more amenable to this sort of thing. Also much more amenable is the land, which there is plenty of, and is cheap like the budgie. For example, The Thermal Club, which is located in Palm Desert, California, right next to Palm Springs.
The Thermal Club’s road courses can be utilized for vintage race cars, modern GT3 cars, and motorcycles. Photo: The Thermal Club.
Track Treatments
The Thermal Club is a private motorsports country club that offers up a whole bunch of well healed conveniences for its members. It sits on 344 acres of land in the California desert, about half the size of Central Park in New York. About half an hour from Palm Springs, The Thermal Club offers luxurious villa accommodations, 5.1 miles of private pavement, and three different tracks. There’s also a club house, a fueling station (no mention on kinds and qualities, but I’m guessing/hoping all the way up to and including AvGas), and a tuning shop for repair and maintenance. No mention if you can wrench on your car yourself, or if there are available dogsbodies to be ordered around and abused just like great-grand-papa did when he was working for the East India Company.
The Thermal Club just expanded, adding a third track, The Desert Track, that joins the North and South tracks. The Thermal Club says the new course is its most technical road course to date. They also say that “since monotony is not an option, all three tracks can be combined, allowing for 22 different configurations, giving drivers a new experience each time they take to the tarmac.” Yes, that monotony can be such a bother in your daily life. I mean, how many times can you take dives into your Scrooge McDuck vault of gold doubloons or waste more hours looking through catalogues for your fifth trophy wife? Life can be such a struggle, can’t it?
All of the circuits were developed by track designer Alan Wilson, the brains behind the revamped Circuit Mont-Tremblant, Barber Motorsports Park, and The Utah Motorsports Complex. The Thermal Club also has a karting track, skid pad, and autocross course.
“Our goal is to have a country club that the entire family can be a part of and give our members a place that feels like home for a day at the track or a long weekend getaway,” said Tim Rogers, Thermal Club Founder. Photo: The Thermal Club.

Exclusive Treatments
The Thermal Club just finished work on an all-new Tower Clubhouse that features gourmet cuisine served by executive chef, Armando Rivera for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All the chow, er, cuisine is prepared by the on-site gourmet chefs in a state-of-the-art kitchen. The Tower Clubhouse also has a full bar, comfortable seating, and a premium wine selection.
You want more, you say? But of course! The Thermal Club gives its members their own custom designed luxurious villas, all the aforementioned dining and drinking and such as well as activities for all members of the family. An athletic center, spa, and kids club is planned for the near future. It’s located close enough to L.A. that if you’re one of the cities richer denizens with a serious car Jones, then it’s a convenient drive away for the weekend. If not, you can always take the G 650 into PSP and take the short drive from there.
Before Graham Hill became a triple world driving champion, he used to sell cars for Colin Chapman. At one point, he was showing a prospective buyer around the Lotus showroom when the client asked, “this car is much more expensive than that one, why is that?” To which Graham replied, “speed equals money sir, how fast would you care to go?”
The Thermal Club, in its own, unassuming and humble way, is also here to help answer that question.
Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He means well, even if he has a bias towards lighter, agile cars rather than big engine muscle cars or family sedans.
Photo: The Thermal Club.
Photos & Source: The Thermal Club

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The Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition is a new version for our shores

The Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition is a new version for our shores Lotus is bringing a more powerful Evora Sport 410 to the US, in legendary GP livery for enthusiasts.

What’s going on?
I frequently look at Lotus’ lineage during my lifetime as being broken into three distinct periods. Firstly, Lotus Esprits were often broken at the local exotic shop when I was a kid,. Then, there were Lotus Elises that friends my age were actually owned and enjoyed. And Lotus Exiges and Evoras proved to me that the British have yet to slow down with their oh-so-popular-yet-historic nameplate. The thing is, the Elise may have been fast because of its ridiculously light aluminum and fiberglass construction. But it just never had the extra cylinders like one of those Esprits I remembered from the garage.
I’m here to tell you that Lotus made all my big-kid dreams come true. By taking the more powerful Evora we’ve all come to love, shaving an exciting 154 pounds from the 400 model (yes!) and painting it in classic Lotus black and gold (yes!!), they’ve created the Evora Sport 410 GP Edition. And the real winner… they’re bringing it to North America.

So why the excitement over some black and gold paint? Why couldn’t we just order black, and then have a little gold vinyl cut up for it?
Well, we’re hoping Lotus screens its buyers to prevent this sort of DIY disgrace in the future. But until then, you should know that the GP trim is based on the John Player Special Team cars that Lotus was racing from 1972 to 1986 in Formula One.
They’ve given a great homage to this bit of heritage via the gold stripes on the hood, doors, fenders, and rockers. There’s a “Wold Champions” piece on the engine cover, and 410 logo on the tail end. If you know a Lotus fanatic, you know this is very, very different from make-believe racing lineage livery slapped on mid-range sports cars. Black and gold are the colors of Lotus’ blood – and likely the color of your enthusiast friend’s underwear.
And my last bit of excitement, they’ve decided to finally bring this wonderful machine to North America. The 410 weighs just 2,921 pounds, and boasts a 3.5 liter supercharged V6 with 400 ponies, and 302 pound-feet of torque. There’s a 6 speed manual standard and a Torsen-type LSD making sure this thing doesn’t mess up that beautiful Lotus handling with all that power. 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 190 MPH round out these specs.
Going back to my earlier moment of Lotus nostalgia, it’s like Lotus took the muscle of their latest 6-cylinder platform, put it through the Elise’s fat-burning gym membership, and then brought it to us Americans in the most “gotta have it” appearance possible. The only downside (aside from hearing about this a mere 2 weeks before the IRS takes my Lotus money away), is that Lotus will only be producing 150 of the Evora Sport 410 GP Edition. You’d better believe we’re excited to wait in line for it though.
– By: Pat Miller
Source: Lotus
Lotus Evora Sport 410 GP Edition Gallery

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Letter From The UK: Is It All About Brexit?

Letter From The UK: Is It All About Brexit?
UK Car Production Down: But Is It All About Brexit?
I receive many messages in my burgeoning email inbox. Some of them I don’t want to read because they bear no relation to what I actually do. I do not, for example, want to buy electrical parts from China, perfumes from Paris, and I don’t want to meet attractive girls from foreign lands. Well, in a sort of typically male lecherous sense I do, but the marriage contract and the prospects for my future health don’t allow for it.
I also get a lot of mail every financial quarter from motor manufacturers shouting from the rooftops that the last three months have been their best yet in terms of sales and profits; this includes European car makers like Volvo and Volkswagen. They must be doing this by means of economies of scale or something because, if the UK motor industry is anything to go by, business is not looking rosy.
Worrying Statistics
Figures recently released show that UK car production once again declined in March, with demand falling by -13.3% year on year as the domestic market continues to slow down. Exports also declined, down -11.9% due to fluctuations in demand in some global* markets. In addition, some manufacturers were impacted by the adverse March weather* conditions which negatively affected production operations.
Overall, output in the first quarter of 2018 fell -6.3%, with 440,426 cars leaving production lines in total this year. Almost 80% of these were exported, and while demand from overseas customers fell, this was dwarfed by the -14.1% decline in manufacturing for the UK market.
The UK’s vehicle and component manufacturers are important contributors to the UK economy and are responsible for 13% of all the country’s export in goods. For every one British pound generated by the motor industry, three pounds are delivered to the economy via adjacent sectors such as logistics, retail, and finance. Overall this is estimated to be 10% of UK Gross Domestic Product.
An industry executive is reported as saying, “A double digit decline in car manufacturing for both home and overseas markets is of considerable concern. Following recent announcements on job cutbacks in the sector, it’s vitally important that the industry and consumers receive greater certainty, both about future policies towards diesel and other low emission technologies, and our post-Brexit trading relationships and customs arrangements. Maintaining free and frictionless trade is an absolute priority – it has been fundamental to our past success and is key to our future growth.”
True enough; but is it the whole story or do other factors also impinge on our national prosperity? I think they do.
In this September 2014 photo, recently manufactured Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles await shipping. According to a CNN Money report, dated April 16th 2018, the company is cutting manufacturing jobs in Birmingham citing Brexit as one of the reasons. Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.
The Big Picture
Further up the page I have set an asterisk against two words. One is ‘weather’ and is something none of us can do anything about, especially in this country when we can get four seasons in one day. The other is ‘global’ in the sense that we, as a productive nation, cannot possibly allow for unknown variables like the state of the economies outside of the European bloc. Inevitably, if, say a Far Eastern economy is suffering then it stands to reason that we will sell less to them. Conversely, if a country is successful with its internal economy they may buy less from us unless we are truly competitive. That’s just basic economics. Swings and roundabouts.
Yet, I wonder if that is the whole picture. Yes, the uncertainty surrounding the British exit (hence Brexit) from the European Union is a major factor. The Eurocrats continue to be difficult and intransigent and the UK Government continues to be weak and vacillating. Is it any wonder the British Public are concerned about their long-term prosperity and that the UK car industry, like Yossarian, doesn’t have a clue which way to jump: but I also think it doesn’t end there.
Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory or “Die Gläserne Manufaktur” in Dresden, Germany serves as the automaker’s Center of Future Mobility. The facility offers tours, exhibitions, and test drives for attendees with a focus on electrification. The e-Golf has been made here since April 2017 and will be joined by other electric models according to Volkswagen. Photo: Volkswagen UK.
The Public Purse
Sales of diesel cars have been very badly hit thanks to the adverse, and rather unfair, publicity yet the sales of petrol, hybrid, and electric cars have not risen to the same extent, something that would seem to be a reasonable assumption. The fact is, despite some aggressive price cutting and attractive leasing options, the British public are keeping their cars for much longer (my own car is six years old and I’m very happy with it) because they either do all that is required of them or the people are simply losing interest.
Running a car is expensive here. Fuel prices, insurance premiums, and all manner of taxes make owning a vehicle a costly luxury. Certainly many young people on starter wages can’t afford it. Other needs are taking precedence. I don’t have any evidence to back any of this up but, call me crazy and send me off to the funny farm, in the back of my mind I do wonder if the car industry isn’t killing itself. I know, I know, but I’ve put it out there now.
Changing Tides
From doing what I do (when not browsing listings of young ladies who desire my company above all else) I’m hearing the message: cars are getting boring. In the mainstream, affordable world that most of us live in they are all the same. Ask me the question, ‘which crossover shall I buy’ and my answer now will be ‘any of them,’ because they are all essentially identical. This one handles better than that one but has a smaller trunk and does five miles less to the gallon and so on: Yadda, Yadda, Yadda . . .
The most boring aspect of all is autonomous cars. To a gearhead these robots, these things, are anathema. It simply is not possible to get interested in them unless you’re fascinated by guidance systems.
Wherever you lay the blame; on economies or government or Brexit or an apathetic public, there is a danger that cars are losing their allure as status symbols or objects of desire. Once, in Great Britain, if you owned a Jaguar or a Mercedes it said that you had arrived. You had status in the community. Things are so different now and nobody much cares. They’re just cars.
Geoff Maxted is a motoring writer, photographer, and author of our Letter From The UK series. Follow his work on Twitter: @DriveWrite
Cover Photo: Jaguar Land Rover.

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