Motoring: Gene Hunt’s iconic Quattro up for grabs & more

THE famous red Audi Quattro that was as much a star of the hit TV series ‘Ashes to Ashes’ as any of its actors – with the exception of the gloriously un-politically correct DCI Gene Hunt – is up for grabs in a special online auction for this year’s BBC Children in Need charity appeal.

The iconic sports car, which is currently owned by the BBC and was famously ‘fired up’ by Hunt in each episode of the Manchester-based cop drama, is a 1983 example featuring a two-valve-per-cylinder version of the legendary rally-tuned turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine.

It has undergone a major restoration by Audi UK to ensure that it looks its very best for this auspicious occasion.

Philip Glenister, who played Hunt, has also added value to this unique mechanical supporting act by personally signing an autograph underneath its bonnet, and as a further reminder of its colourful career on the small screen has also added his character’s “fire up the Quattro” slogan.  

In an accompanying video specially shot in support of the BBC Children in Need, Glenister also gets behind the wheel and says: “If you want to fire up the Quattro, first you have to fire up your wallets!”  

The auction is currently underway at the BBC Children in Need eBay shop and ends at 9pm on Sunday (November 16).

The event has a special significance because the Quattro and BBC Children in Need share a 24th birthday: the Quattro made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1980, the same year BBC Children in Need was founded.

In a poll held in 2013 by Auto Express magazine, the Ashes to Ashes Quattro was voted number four in a list of the top 40 most famous television cars of all time. The model itself became the world’s first large volume all-wheel-drive production car, breaking the mould in engineering terms and ushering in a new era in motorsport spearheaded by legendary World Rally Championship-winning versions. The Quattro remains hugely desirable today amongst collectors and enthusiasts.

The live auction page featuring the Quattro is available by clicking on the link below –   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/original-Ashes-Ashes-Audi-Quattro-/261651734224?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3ceba89ed0
 
Land Rover powers up with most expensive model

THE excitement created by Jaguar Land Rover’s new Special Vehicle Operations unit has sent motoring enthusiasts into rapture.

Most are salivating at the prospect of seeing the historic Jaguar E-Type takes to the road again (even if their numbers are limited to six) and a five-litre celebration of Jaguar’s racing heritage in the guise of the Project 7 F-Type  has seen its entire 250 limited edition-run snapped up before a car is built.

However, apart from the promise of a high performance Range Rover Sport SVR – the most powerful ever production Land Rover, things have been quiet on the 4×4 front so far as the SVO is concerned.
That is until now.

The JLR skunk works has set aside the need to have a 4×4 capable of breaking the sound barrier and opted instead to link up with another iconic British brand to produce a bespoke Range Rover of exquisite style and sophistication.

The Holland & Holland Range Rover builds upon the strengths of the two ultra brands to produce the perfect vehicle for the sporting gun manufacturer’s customers.

The skilled craftsmen at the SVO team have seen to it that the new car offers the perfect combination of off-road capability with an extensive range of bespoke features.

Both Land Rover and Holland & Holland hold Royal Warrants and the collaboration between them has resulted in the most luxurious, and most expensive, Range Rover ever. The car will retail at £180,000 – double the price of the conventional vehicle.

Based on the flagship Range Rover Autobiography Black, the new model will be limited to 40 units per year over a three-year period.

JLR said the collaboration demonstrated the new division’s rapidly growing and ambitious catalogue of high-end luxury bespoke commissions, as well as its quest to produce extreme performance vehicles.

John Edwards, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations, said: “The whole SVO team is very proud of this car, a bespoke design, which perfectly meets the very particular needs of Holland & Holland’s customers.

“This shows the huge potential of SVO, which encapsulates both off- and on-road performance as well as luxury and craftsmanship.”

The Holland & Holland Range Rover will be available with a choice of powertrains: the diesel-powered 4.4-litre SDV8, which delivers 339PS and the 510PS petrol-powered 5.0-litre V8 Supercharged.

The vehicle, which already has commanding on-road presence, will be distinguishable from other Range Rovers thanks to the unique Holland & Holland Green of the full bodywork, mirrors and bonnet vent. The grille is painted in the same deep green and has chrome highlights.

What really sets the new Holland & Holland Range Rover apart, though, is located in the boot. A leather-trimmed aluminium loadspace cabinet – debossed with the Holland & Holland logo – has been designed especially for this car. Its interior can be precisely fitted to safely transport the owner of the car’s pair of shotguns  – although it is also removable when maximum luggage capacity is required.

More UK buyers seduced by Italian curves

ITALIAN thoroughbred Maserati is targeting growth in the UK market on the back of a positive third quarter.

The company said October’s results confirmed a positive growth trend, with high sales volumes in the UK and Europe.

Registrations in the first 10 months of the year amounted to 1,018 cars in the UK, up 276% over the same period last year. The UK, with 97 new registrations in October, is quickly establishing itself as a leading market in Europe for Maserati, second only to its home market, Italy.
Despite the economic situation in the euro zone, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain have all made a significant contribution to the growing trend. This resulted in an increase of 340% over the same period in 2013, with 4,642 new cars registered from January to October 2014.

The sales figures are positive due to the new diesel engine installed in both the Quattroporte – luxury flagship of the Trident brand – and the Ghibli, its executive sports saloon.

Drive safely – and if you can’t afford the Quattro then don’t forget to support Children in Need.