Motoring: Land Rover Defender; MG6 and classics at the NEC

LAND Rover’s iconic Defender may be entering the finals days of its 67-year production run but there’s time yet for one last hurrah.



Leading British designer, Sir Paul Smith has collaborated with Land Rover to create a very special bespoke Defender, which the designer chose to reveal at his exclusive shop at No. 9 Albemarle Street in Mayfair – a far cry from the muddy fields you would normally expect to find the hardworking mudplugger.



A longstanding fan of the Land Rover Defender, Sir Paul has owned several of the vehicles over the years.



“The Defender is a British icon, which is something I’m exceptionally proud of,” he said.



“I keep a Defender at my home in Italy which is in the middle of the countryside, so it’s the perfect vehicle to cope with the rugged terrain.”



Sir Paul worked closely with Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) design team – which is able to fulfil individual customer commissions and personalisation.



Together they created a unique vehicle, built entirely to Sir Paul’s own specification. With guidance from Land Rover’s design director and chief creative officer Gerry McGovern he was able to realise his uniquely personal version of the global automotive legend.



The vehicle features 27 different colours used on the exterior panels, all of which were chosen by Sir Paul.



Taking inspiration from the British countryside, as well as colours historically seen on Defenders used by the Armed Forces, he said: “I wanted deep rich colours, but at the same time, I wanted them to work together yet be surprising.”



In order to achieve the look he wanted, the designer gave the SVO team a set of pantone colour references, which were then mixed specially for this vehicle.



Further adding to the vehicle’s bespoke design, Sir Paul worked with Land Rover to ensure that the interior stayed true to his vision. 



“This is a complete one-off; I wanted to give this Defender a feeling of luxury, so I used a mix of leather and fabric for the seats.

“I actually used the fabric that I design for Maharam, the American upholstery company. The vehicle features lots of special Paul Smith touches,” he said.



While Sir Paul has added many playful and personal touches, the Defender retains traditional elements, such as the wing mirrors, door handles and wheels – something that was of paramount importance to the designer.

These were then given a satin finish, to create a contemporary feel.



Gerry McGovern, design director and chief creative officer of Land Rover, said: “I felt it would be a fitting tribute to the iconic Defender, that one of Britain’s most distinguished designers worked with the Land Rover team to recognise his creative vision.”



The exclusive vehicle forms part of a year-long celebration of the famous Defender as it enters its final phase of production at the Solihull manufacturing plant.



MG teases new model



MG is launching an improved version of its MG6 as it looks to sustain the brand’s revival in the marketplace.



The new car, which goes on sale next month, comes as MG sales in the UK continue to increase rapidly, boosted by the opening of a wave of new dealerships across the country.

Last year MG was the fastest growing automotive brand in Britain.

MG launched the original MG6 in 2011 but the 2015 version is set to offer major improvements in every area of the car.



The 1.9-litre DTi-TECH diesel engine has been developed to give lower CO2 levels and improved mpg figures. Exact figures will be revealed at the car’s launch.


Comprehensive updates have been made to the body styling of the car while it retains the driving qualities that saw the MG6 voted the Best Handling car in the 2014 Auto Express Driver Power Awards.



Interior upgrades and enhanced equipment levels have been incorporated into the new car, including a new intelligent infotainment system which MG claims is one of the best in its class.

A state-of-the-art navigation system is also said to set new standards. 



Matthew Cheyne, MG’s head of marketing, said: “This is a totally different car to the original MG6 with a host of new technologies and major advances in every area.



“We will reveal the full story and prices when the car is unveiled shortly. But the New MG6 is a big leap forward from the original car which has been the result of thousands of hours of dedicated work from our designers and engineers.” 
 


Cheyne said that the New MG6 would have broad appeal to both retail and business customers.



“The MG6 was always a comfortable, roomy car and offered rewarding driving,” he added.



“But the new MG6 takes the car to a different level again with a host of great improvements and advances, most of which have never been seen before on an MG.



“With the MG3 selling really well, the new MG6 will give MG another great boost. Last year was a really significant year for MG in terms of sales performance, but 2015 is already shaping up to be a cracking year for MG.”



The Chinese-owned, Longbridge-based company has released this teaser image of the new car’s headlamp cluster. More pictures are expected as the launch nears.



Classics set to go under the hammer at NEC auction



RARE cars and barn finds always set the pulses racing for avid car enthusiasts and a whole host of these are expected at an event at Birmingham’s NEC this weekend.



The venue is once again staging the Restoration & Classic Car Show and organisers have promised collectors and enthusiasts a fine selection of beautifully restored vehicles.



More than 20 cars will feature in the Pride of Ownership display including Luke Greenwood’s 1968 Ford Mustang, which is one of just two surviving ‘Rainbow of Colours’ from the 133 originally made.

Rainbow of Colour Mustangs were part of a western US promotion, with 13 special colours available for the 1968 model year as part of the promotion.



Another car becoming rarer these days in the Humber Sceptre, and a fine example is being exhibited by Mark Fishpool, who tracked down the 1963 example for a friend only to have them turn it down.



A rare Jensen-built Volvo P1800 found in a Telford garage and restored in also being displayed.



The rest of the Pride of Ownership line-up is a mix of American classics such as the Chevy Chevelle and Plymouth Belvedere, some fast Fords such as the Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth and Fiesta XR2, as well as two more traditional blue oval classics in the shape of a 1972 ‘Life on Mars’-style Cortina Mk3, and a Cortina Mk1 GT.



The show also sees more than 80 lots going under the hammer in the latest sale by Silverstone Auctions.



The sale, on Saturday will offer a range of exciting barn finds as well as more road ready landmark classics. 

Lots include a charming 1968 Austin Mk 2 Mini Van that has covered just 302 miles and has been virtually unused for 47 years, to a 1936 Jaguar SS DHC restoration project that is supplied with an extensive history file.



Other highlights include a 1959 Jaguar XK150 S that has already received wide interest from potential buyers; no surprise given that it requires little more than the exterior finishing to restore it to its former glory.

With the value of this model rising considerably, this example is estimated at between £52,000 and £60,000.



Among the many classics in quality condition is a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa. Presented in striking Rosso Corsa, the car has covered just 27,000 miles. With estimates of between £80,000 and £90,000, the car is targeted as long term investment prospect.



A 2001 BMW Z8 will also be sold, with an estimate of between £75,000 and £95,000, while a restored 1980 Aston Martin V8 is expected to be highly sought after and to sell for between £75,000 and £90,000.