Ex Ray Davies of the Kinks old Bentley S2 to go under the hammer at the silverstone auctions.

• First registered on the 2nd March 1960, this Bentley S2 was purchased in 1970 by Sir Ray Davies of The Kinks.
• Sir Ray wrote the single Apeman in the back of the car and it was used in a photo shoot for the Preservation album.
• Offered at auction from long-term storage since 1991, the car is estimated to sell for between £25,000 and £30,000.

A 1960 Bentley S2, owned by legendary rhythm guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for The Kinks, Sir Ray Davies, will go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale, taking place at Silverstone circuit on 13th May.

The car was bought by Sir Ray in 1970 after the Kinks’ single Lola went to Number 1 in the charts around the world. He was persuaded by his family to invest in a big car, unusual for him as he didn’t actually drive at the time, in fact he didn’t start driving until he was 44 years old!

“I succumbed to the pressure and purchased a second hand Bentley from Hadleigh Green Garage in Barnet. My then wife drove it on my behalf because I was unable to drive at the time,” said Sir Ray.

“We lived in a little semi in Muswell Hill and the neighbours were in shock and awe when they saw this huge black Bentley drive up along the narrow shingle path to the house. We subsequently went on holiday in the Bentley to Cornwall, an exotic spot in England which was our family outing with my two daughters in the back with their buckets and spades.”

It was also in this very car that Sir Ray wrote the next single after the hit Lola as he explains: “While on our holiday in Mullion in Cornwall I sat in the back seat of the Bentley and wrote a follow up to Lola called Apeman on a Spanish guitar which I carried in the back.”

Not only that but The Kinks used the car in a photo shoot for the Preservation album and it still exists in some old black and white footage of the band posing as gangsters outside KONK studios in London. It was even used occasionally as a tour bus by the band.

“When I moved to Surrey in the 70s the car came down with me, I still could not drive, I had never driven the car which gives it some element of Kudos. It was occasionally taken out for special events like weddings and family outings. The Kinks took it once on the road in England but the fans started writing on the car with lipstick and our then manager Ken Jones promptly retired my car to the garage," added Sir Ray.

The Bentley has been in long-term storage since 1991 and now requires some restoration work. It is offered for auction direct from the ownership of Sir Ray, estimated at between £25,000 and £30,000.

Commenting on the sale of the car, classic car specialist at Silverstone Auctions, Arwel Richards, said: “It is rare to auction a car direct from rock royalty and this Bentley offers an incredible opportunity for rock ‘n’ roll fans and Bentley aficionados alike. At Silverstone Auctions we pride ourselves on offering unique and highly collectible cars like this for public sale.”

London Taxi Company (LTC) is set to celebrate the life of its iconic diesel taxi at the London Motor Show.

• London Taxi Company (LTC) is set to celebrate the life of its iconic diesel taxi at The Confused.com London Motor Show 2017 before bidding it farewell
• The revolutionary new range extended electric taxi will replace the diesel cab at the end of the year, and LTC will be pulling out all the stops to honour its legendary existing model
• Over 130 brand new cars will be showcased from a range of manufacturers at Battersea Evolution from 4-7 May

London Taxi Company (LTC) is preparing to give its iconic diesel black cab the ultimate send-off at The Confused.com London Motor Show. 

The current cab has spent 10 years as the world’s No. 1 taxi of choice and has been exported to over 40 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand. 

But London is the cab’s spiritual home, and it will be returning to its roots at Battersea Park from 4-7 May for one final hurrah. As this cab is being replaced by a new range extended electric taxi at the end of 2017, LTC is inviting show-goers to say goodbye to the legend by sharing their taxi stories. 

A giant “leaving card” will be displayed at the LTC stand, which guests can sign with their favourite taxi tales and best memories of their time spent with the car. 

The model on show will be a Limited Edition TX4, which is one of the last 300 ever diesel cabs to roll off the production line. Like all new diesel taxis, it will come with a Euro 6 engine which delivers an 83% reduction in nitrogen oxides when compared with older models. 

The TX4 is also estimated to have appeared in over 5,000 movies and TV shows, including the likes of James Bond films, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes, and many of its impressive feats will be honoured at The Confused.com London Motor Show. 

The Limited Edition TX4 will join a long list of exhibits in Battersea Park, where over 130 brand new cars will go on display to the tens of thousands of spectators passing through the gates. 

Alec Mumford, Chairman of The Confused.com London Motor Show, said: “Welcoming a true London icon to our show in the capital is incredibly fitting and we’re very excited to play a big part in paying tribute to a legend. We all have memories of being in one of the current cabs and it’ll be very interesting to see what our guests write in the LTC leaving card. London automotive stalwarts don’t come much bigger than The Confused.com London Motor Show and the London Black Cab, and the union is sure to be very special.” 

Revised Mazda CX-3 range now comes with a better selection of engines and models.

• Revised 13-model Mazda CX-3 range starts from £18,495.
• Limited to 500 cars the 120ps 2WD GT Sport features extra equipment and unique styling additions.
• Updates across the range include Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control technology and improved refinement.

Mazda has announced a flagship GT Sport special edition and technology updates for its successful CX-3 compact SUV. Launched in June 2015, the Mazda CX-3 bought new levels of sophistication, style, driving pleasure and equipment to the growing small SUV market.

The updated Mazda CX-3 builds on this with technology upgrades to both Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE safety systems and the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, while across the board the CX-3 benefits from the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC), subtle suspension revisions and increased sound insulation to ensure improved cabin refinement.

The revised 13-model Mazda CX-3 range features eight 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G petrol models and five SKYACTIV-D 105ps diesels. Offered with either 120ps or 150ps, the 2.0-litre petrol engine accounts for 80 per cent of UK sales. Available in all trims, with both SKYACTIV-MT manual and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmissions, the 120ps engine with front-wheel drive makes up the bulk of the line-up, while the 150ps engine is matched exclusively to all-wheel drive (AWD).

Joining the 120ps SKYACTIV-G petrol line up, the GT Sport is offered with manual or automatic gearbox and costs £22,895 and £24,095 respectively. Limited to just 500 cars, the GT Sport features the same generous standard equipment tally as the Sport Nav, but adds to the CX-3’s appeal with unique styling cues and high-class interior trim.

With a stand-out aero kit designed to enhance the CX-3’s coupe-like profile and sharp lines, the Mazda CX-3 GT Sport’s front, side and rear skirts with silver inserts, black rear roof spoiler and 18-inch silver alloy wheels give it a uniquely high-end and sporty look. This is complemented by a choice of free-of-charge Ceramic Metallic or Meteor Grey Mica paint, while the premium feel continues inside with Nappa leather and unique GT-Line floor mats.

As before, the SKYACTIV-D 1.5-litre diesel engine completes the engine line up, as with petrol versions, front-wheel drive models make up the majority of the range, although the 105ps SKYACTIV-D Sport Nav AWD is offered with both manual and automatic transmissions. With emissions of just 105g/km the front-wheel drive SKYACTIV-D has an official combined economy of 70.6mpg.

Mazda’s smooth and efficient 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D engine now features Transient Control, which ensures a more positive throttle response by reducing turbo lag and boosting torque to deliver a petrol-like engine feel. The engine has also benefited from the introduction of Mazda’s Natural Sound

Smoother (NSS) technology, which thanks to a dynamic damper inside the piston pin suppresses resonance from the piston and connecting rod to reduce knock noise during starting and low-speed acceleration.

All models in the revised Mazda CX-3 range feature a new steering wheel, while enhanced cabin refinement across the range is achieved thanks to the adoption of extra sound absorbing material in key areas like the dashboard, tailgate, transmission tunnel and boot. In addition, petrol models now feature a re-tuned engine mounts that reduce resonance entering the cabin.

This improvement in refinement is matched to subtle enhancements to the Mazda CX-3’s already driver-focused dynamics. Slightly altered front and rear damper specifications and new front lower arm rear side bushings improve ride quality, while recalibration of the electric power steering has improved precision and linearity of the steering. Overall, controllability during cornering and straight-line stability has been improved, while at the same time better ride quality and reduced cabin noise have enhanced occupant comfort.

Adding to this dynamic improvement is the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC). Having made its debut on the 2017 Mazda3, GVC is now standard across the Mazda CX-3 range. The first of Mazda’s SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS technologies, GVC varies engine torque to optimise loading on the wheels when cornering to indiscernibly provide more precise handling and improve comfort.

Standard from SE-L Nav trim onwards, Mazda Advanced Smart City Brake Support has been upgraded to include pedestrian detection. With the previous system, obstructions were detected using infrared sensors, however it now uses a forward facing camera so can also detect obstacles. In addition, the upper limit at which the system operates is improved from approximately 19mph to 50mph, and the vehicle collision avoidance speed limit from approximately 12mph to 31mph.

Other new equipment highlights on the upgraded Mazda CX-3 include heated, auto-power folding door mirrors across the range, and on Sport Nav models a heated steering wheel and a colour head-up display. In addition a power adjustment and memory function has been added to the optional half stone leather/half black LUX SUEDE® seats.

“The Mazda CX-3 was the fifth model in our new-generation lineup. We wanted to make a compact crossover SUV that would support customers’ creative lifestyles. The model has been very popular thanks to its unique and stylish design and it was a top-three finalist for the 2016 World Car Design of the Year award. Many people tell us that they bought the CX-3 after falling in love with it at first sight. This update marks ensures the CX-3 will continue to resonate with cutting-edge customers who feel strongly about their cars, as a result we redoubled our efforts to enhance the quality feel of the CX-3”, commented Michio Tomiyama Mazda CX-3 Program Manager.

Mazda CX-3 - Pricing and Specification

Specification

	SE Nav	SE-L Nav
	All Mazda CX-3 models feature the following standard equipment:	SE-L Nav grade adds the following in addition to SE Nav:
Fuel saving technology	i-stop (idling stop start system) Gear shift indicator (manual transmission only)	Drive mode selection (Petrol Auto only)
Exterior	16" Alloy wheels Heated auto power-folding door mirrors with integrated indicator light Halogen daytime running lights Halogen headlights Coming home / leaving home lights	LED front fog lights Rear parking sensors Dusk-sensing lights Privacy glass (rear & rear side windows)
Interior	Black cloth seat trim with grey piping Leather-wrapped steering wheel & gear knob Trip computer Height adjustable driver & passenger seat 60:40 rear split seats Tonneau cover Flexible cargo floor board	Heated front seats
Comfort	Engine start / stop button Front & rear electric windows Cruise control Manual air-conditioning	Rain-sensing front wipers Climate control air-conditioning
Audio	Single CD player with 6 speakers DAB digital radio Steering wheel mounted audio controls Integrated Bluetooth® 7" Colour touch-screen display with MZD-Connect infotainment system Multimedia Commander including separate volume dial Integrated navigation system with 3-years free European map updates USB Connectivity (2 inputs) and Auxiliary (AUX)
Safety	Hill Hold Assist G-Vectoring Control Tyre Pressure Monitoring System Thatcham Cat.1 Alarm & Immobiliser DSC, TCS & Emergency Stop Signalling Front, side & curtain airbags	Advanced Smart City Brake Support Lane Departure Warning System
Options	Mica/Metallic/Pearlescent Paint Soul Red Metallic paint	Mica/Metallic/Pearlescent Paint Soul Red Metallic paint

	Sport Nav	GT Sport
	Sport Nav grade adds the following in addition to SE-L Nav (90ps):	GT Grade adds the following in addition to Sport Nav
Fuel saving technology	i-ELOOP (Brake regeneration system) (AWD Petrol models only)
Exterior	18" Gunmetal machined alloy wheels LED headlights & rear signature lights LED daytime running lights Adaptive Front lighting system Chrome accent for door sills Reversing camera	18" Silver alloy wheels Full aero kit (front, side and rear skirts with silver inserts) Brilliant Black rear roof spoiler
Interior	Half black leatherette seat trim Steering wheel heater	Nappa leather trim
Comfort	Smart keyless entry Colour head-up display Paddle shift (Auto models only)
Audio	Premium Bose® surround sound system 7 Bose® speakers
Safety
Options	Mica/Metallic/Pearlescent Paint Soul Red Metallic paint Half Stone Leather/Half black LUX SUEDE® seat trim with driver power & memory seat* Safety Pack (Adaptive LED headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Smart City Brake Support with Driver Attention Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition)*

*Only available on Petrol Sport Nav models.

Pricing

SKYACTIV-G Petrol	SE Nav			SE-L Nav			Sport Nav			GT Sport
	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg
2.0 120ps 2WD	£18,495	137	47.9	£19,895	137	47.9	£20,895	137	47.9	£22,895	137	47.9
2.0 120ps Auto 2WD				£21,095	136	48.7	£22,095	136	48.7	£24,095	136	48.7
2.0 150ps AWD							£22,895	150	44.1
SKYACTIV-D Diesel	SE Nav			SE-L Nav			Sport Nav			GT Sport
	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg	OTR	CO2	mpg
1.5 105ps 2WD	£19,995	105	70.6	£21,395	105	70.6	£23,395	105	70.6
1.5 105ps AWD							£23,895	123	60.1
1.5 105ps Auto AWD							£25,195	136	54.3