Lifestyle: Motoring – Range Rover Evoque; Emissions Scandal; Bentley

JAGUAR LAND ROVER has pledged that its new Range Rover Evoque convertible will be the most capable top-down vehicle in the world when it debuts in November.

It is no idle boast. The company has put the vehicle – as it does with all its new products – through the most rigorous of tests, including a range of punishing off-road trials which would make other convertibles beg for the safety of their garage.

Highlights of the trials have now been compiled in a new film from Land Rover which graphically showcases the vehicle’s all-terrain credentials.

The footage (see below) shows the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible completing the final phase of testing at Land Rover’s legendary Eastnor Castle estate, in Herefordshire. The film demonstrates how Land Rover’s engineers have rigorously tested the four-wheel drive convertible to ensure it delivers customary all-terrain capability.

Mike Cross, Land Rover Chief Engineer, Vehicle Integrity, said: “Land Rover prides itself on being a class leader when it comes to all-terrain capability and the Evoque convertible is no different. Thanks to a combination of innovative engineering and the application of advanced technologies, Evoque convertible will deliver a dynamic and assured SUV experience that has been tested around the world. We call it ‘The Convertible for all Seasons’.”

Land Rover, which confirmed plans to launch the car at the Geneva Motor Show in March, has said the car will make its public debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show next month. North America is seen as the biggest potential market for the vehicle.

The car will go on sale in the UK from next spring.

The car is already creating a real buzz.

When JLR confirmed the production of the car earlier this year, it released a dramatic film of the vehicle being driven through tunnels under London as part of the new Crossrail project.

London was again the venue for another marketing coup last week when six ‘wireframe’ sculptures of the new car were placed at various locations throughout the city including the world famous Harrods department store on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge and in notable Mayfair addresses.

The bespoke sculptures were designed by Land Rover’s own Design team, using advanced computer modelling to accurately outline the shape of the forthcoming model. Crafted from aluminium and finished in a range of vibrant colours, the wireframes were intended to illustrate the elegant evolution of the Range Rover Evoque’s transformation from coupe to convertible.

Each wireframe is now on a global tour as Land Rover builds up to the introduction of the vehicle next month.

Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, said: “The Range Rover Evoque convertible is perfectly suited to the urban surroundings of a city like London and it’s the perfect place to showcase the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible. The locations chosen reflect the refined and luxurious lifestyle of an Evoque convertible customer – two attributes this vehicle delivers in abundance.”[VIDEO: 853]

Government promises owners won’t be penalised over emissions scandal

THE government has confirmed that UK taxpayers will not incur higher Vehicle Excise Duty if their existing vehicles are found to be fitted with illegal software used to manipulate emissions tests.

Following VW’s admission that it used ‘defeat devices’ in diesel cars to beat the emissions tests, the UK government has mounted an investigation to assess the extent of the practice.

The government has also announced that the next phase of this investigation will look at whether the illegal software used by VW is being used elsewhere.

There is no evidence of this, but the Department for Transport (DfT) wrote to manufacturers last week to seek further clarity and this next phase will include laboratory and real world testing by the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA).

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Our priority is to protect the public and give them full confidence in diesel tests. The government expects VW to support owners of these vehicles already purchased in the UK and we are playing our part by ensuring no one will end up with higher tax costs as a result of this scandal.

“We are also starting our testing programme to get to the bottom of what the situation is for VW cars in the UK and understand the wider implications for other car types to give all consumers certainty.

“I have been pressing for action at an EU-level to improve emissions tests and will continue to do so. I have also called for a Europe-wide investigation into the use of ‘defeat devices’, in parallel to the work we are doing in the UK.”

In addition to writing to manufacturers, the DfT has also urged EU-level action to improve public confidence in testing.

The DfT will work closely with the VCA and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to carry out the programme of tests. Neither cars, nor the testing facilities will be provided by the vehicle industry themselves.

The next phase of the programme will involve initially re-testing diesel cars that VW has confirmed contain the ‘defeat device’ software. These tests will be carried out in both a laboratory and real-world settings. These measurements will be used as a benchmark for further testing, with the final programme to be developed.

The government is liaising with other EU countries’ approval authorities which are currently conducting similar investigations. The DfT said this coordinated approach would improve consistency and enable testing of the widest range of vehicles across Europe.

People who are concerned their vehicle is affected can find out more here

Bentley recognised for commitment to excellence

BentleyLUXURY manufacturer Bentley Motors has been recognised for its commitment to excellence in manufacturing, after being named as the European Industrial Excellence Champion by a panel of Europe’s leading academic institutions.

Bentley was awarded UK national champion status earlier this year, before competing against other winners from across Europe, and picking up the ultimate prize. This is the first time a British company has been named as European Champion in the 20 year history of the award.

The award follows an intensive assessment, beginning with judges visiting Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe before requiring all finalists to present to a panel on company values, business strategy and development practices.
 
Judges highlighted the company’s focus on a continuous improvement culture, and the resulting impact on revenue growth and productivity. Also praised was the success of the organisation’s policy and process deployment in maximising efficiencies in production.        

Commenting on the award, Michael Straughan, Bentley’s board member for manufacturing, said: “We’re very proud to receive this award, not only as recognition for our success as a business and the commitment of our valued workforce, but also a celebration for excellence in British manufacturing, something that is often forgotten.

“Bentley has worked hard to stay at the forefront of UK industry, continuously looking at ways of maximising production efficiencies, while maintaining the high level of skill that goes into making every single Bentley. We are evolving as a business, launching new models such as Bentley Bentayga, and this is only possible with a committed and passionate workforce, and it’s pleasing to see this is being independently recognised.”

Dr Jane Davies, senior faculty at University of Cambridge Judge Business School and Director of the Cambridge MBA, who was part of the judging panel, praised Bentley for its efforts in skill development.

She said: “Bentley exemplifies excellence in both car production and specialist skills. What is particularly impressive is how Bentley has married the efficiencies of production with high quality craftsmanship, while achieving a step change in improvements in productivity.”

The Industrial Excellence Award competition benchmarks European competitiveness in the industrial and service sector. It focuses on strategy formulation and deployment, management quality, and new products, services, process and technology development.

The judging panel consists of leading academics from institutions including WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, INSEAD and University of Cambridge Judge Business School.  
    
Elsewhere, Bentley has also recruited 139 graduates, apprentices and industrial placement students – the largest intake in the company’s history.

The new recruits cover roles in every Bentley department, from engineering to manufacturing, and sales and marketing to human resources. All new trainees will begin with a formal induction, before commencing their respective programmes.

Welcoming the new recruits, Marlies Rogait, board member for Human Resources at Bentley Motors, said: “I join the rest of the business in welcoming our new trainees to Bentley and I feel proud that this is our largest ever intake, demonstrating our dedication and commitment to skills development and investing in the talent of the future.

“These programmes will give them a solid foundation upon which to build the skills and knowledge required to become skilled professionals and experts in their chosen field.”

Bentley has created over 1,000 jobs in the past two years and was recently named as a Top Employer for the fourth consecutive year, praised for its focus on skills development within its workforce.

The majority of apprentices will be undertaking the manufacturing programme, learning skills within areas such as wood, leather, paint and mechatronics. The first year of their programme will be theoretical learning at South Cheshire College, before working in practical areas of manufacturing at Bentley.

Bentley’s graduate scheme is a two-year development programme where recruits are given the opportunity to work on business projects, working in a specific department, or across a number of functions.

The industrial placement scheme offers a 12-month development programme focused on undergraduate degree students looking to complete a year out in industry as part of their studies.

 

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