Motoring: Jaguar Land Rover; Aston Martin; BMW
JAGUAR Land Rover is to give US buyers at taste of what can be expected from its new – and as yet, unofficial – Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division.
The company is opting to use the annual Pebble Beach Automotive weekend in California to give the new 550HP Range Rover Sport SVR it global debut. It will also be giving a glimpse of the US production version of the Jaguar F-Type Project 7 supercar, unveiled at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and the prototype of the new Jaguar Lightweight E-Type – of which six are being built and if rumours are to be believed have already been pre-sold at seven figure prices.
The Pebble Beach weekend gathers the world’s top automotive aficionados, collectors and vintage racers together for a celebration of great performance, heritage and luxury automobiles.
The Project 7 and Range Rover Sport SVR are both from SVO while the new Lightweight E-Type is the first recreation from Special Operation’s Jaguar Heritage team. The F-Type Project 7, is an all-aluminium, fully road-legal two-seater roadster with bespoke carbon-fibre aerodynamic aids. The car is based on the 2014 Jaguar F-Type and features a Jaguar D-Type inspired fairing, as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Le Mans-winning Jaguar D-Type.
Apprentices offered the chance to shape the future of Aston Martin
ASTON Martin is searching for the very best of tomorrow’s automotive design talent with news that the luxury sports car brand is recruiting clay sculpting apprentices.
The two apprenticeships on offer present the right candidates with the opportunity to enter the highly acclaimed Aston Martin Design Department and, quite literally, help shape the future of the great British brand.
Would-be clay sculptors are being invited to apply for a four-year apprenticeship programme that begins in January 2015. This scheme will offer individuals the chance to develop the practical skills required to mould forthcoming generations of the world’s most beautiful sports cars, with the opportunity to progress to a Higher Apprenticeship.
Aston Martin said the ideal applicants should have creative flare, a good eye for proportion, be enthusiastic and passionate about the Aston Martin brand, whilst having the ability to tackle problems and challenges in an innovative manner.
Design Director Marek Reichman said: “A skilled clay sculptor has the ability to turn a 2D sketch into 3D life-size reality. Clay sculpting remains an integral part of the design process at Aston Martin and is vital in helping the Design Team visualise future models. We’re looking for creative young people with a keen interest in the motor industry and a passion for all things Aston Martin.
“This is an incredible opportunity for talented and ambitious individuals to join one of the world’s most respected automotive design teams and work on new cars that, I’m sure, will be admired around the world.”
Our friends electric
CAR dealership Williams has taken delivery of BMW’s new hybrid sportscar, the i8, at its showrooms in Liverpool and Manchester.
BMW says the £100,000 four seater can hit 60mph in 4.4 seconds but can still manage 135mpg.
It runs off a battery and a 1.5 litre three cylinder petrol engine. The car is part of a new electric range which also includes the i3 (read a road test here).
Daryl Bates, dealer principal at Williams Manchester, said: “We are genuinely honoured to have been appointed as the sole BMW i8 agent for Greater Manchester. The i8 is the most advanced sports car ever offered for sale by BMW and represents the future of the super car. It unites the brand’s hallmark dynamics, lightweight design and efficiency and has already created a fantastic buzz with our customers.”
The car is eligible for the Government’s £5,000 plug-in car grant which brings the on the road price down to £95,000.
