All-new Ford GT will debut optional carbon-fibre wheels, offering new clear-coated, bare-carbon finish.

• All-new Ford GT will debut optional carbon-fibre wheels, offering new clear-coated, bare-carbon finish and extensive benefits of lightweighting
• Latest iteration of carbon-fibre wheels on Ford GT feature new advanced fibre and resin compounds that allow more intricately styled wheel options
• Ford GT is the first Ford vehicle available in Europe to take advantage of carbon-fibre wheels

The carbon-fibre-bodied Ford GT will be available with an optional all-new carbon-fibre wheel, further improving the drive and handling characteristics of Ford’s new supercar.

Working with supplier partner, Carbon Revolution, the new wheels are constructed with the latest generation of fibre and resin technology that permits greater design flexibility – resulting in flowing, more intricate spokes.

The optional wheels will be offered in two finishes - either a matte or a glossy clearcoat – allowing the natural weave of carbon fibre to show through. The finishes will match the exposed carbon fibre on the Ford GT’s sills, fascia and extractor.

Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director, said: “Ford GT will offer the next generation in carbon fibre wheels, with an advanced resin and fibre technology that gives our designers more freedom, while also showcasing the structure of the material’s weave.”

Light Is Right

Carbon fibre wheels bring a wealth of advantages over traditional aluminium wheels, including weight saving, improved vehicle dynamics and ride quality - making the innovative material the perfect complement for the all-new Ford GT.

In addition to reducing the overall vehicle weight for improved acceleration, braking and dynamic performance, the strong, light nature of carbon fibre means a reduction in unsprung weight and rotational inertia, which benefits suspension action, ride quality and dynamic performance.

The standard, 20in Ford GT wheels are made from lightweight, forged aluminum. The optional carbon fibre wheels are the same size, but are structurally stiffer, and save almost 1kg of unsprung weight per wheel, reducing inertia by 25 per cent.

This weight saving reduces the suspension workload and improves consistent contact with the road surface, further improving traction and driver control. Less energy is required to accelerate or turn the wheels, directly benefitting the Ford GT’s steering feel, vehicle dynamics, and fuel efficiency. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is also reduced with the carbon fibre wheel, providing a quieter ride – leading to greater comfort and refinement.

The All-New Ford GT Supercar, to get 600+ps, out of it's 3.5 litre EcoBoost V6 engine making this a very fast car.

• Ford received 6,506 fully completed applications from people around the world in the one-month window to apply to purchase the new EcoBoost-powered, carbon-fiber supercar

• Hundreds of those registrants submitted videos with their applications to help bolster their chances to purchase one of the first 500 examples of the new Ford GT

• Almost 200,000 fans have visited www.FordGT.com’s virtual configurator, which lets everyone build the Ford GT of their dreams online and provides links to share images of their virtual build via social media

After more than 10,800 people showed interest online in buying a new Ford GT, Ford received 6,506 fully completed applications from people around the world in the one-month window to apply to purchase the new EcoBoost-powered, carbon-fiber supercar during its first application window.

The number of applicants spiked in the last six days during which 32 percent of the total fully completed applications were completed before the window closed.

“We’re excited by the amount of enthusiasm fans are showing for the new Ford GT,” says Dave Pericak, director, Global Ford Performance. “This initial application window is just one of many ways fans and potential owners will have to connect with our all-new supercar even before it hits the streets.”

Ford is now reviewing applications from those 6,506 potential supercar buyers and will start notifying potential owners in the next 90 days.

Hundreds of registrants submitted videos with their applications during the month-long application window, hoping to bolster their chances of purchasing one of the first 500 new Ford GTs.

Creative applicants featured children, lighting effects, racing footage, revving engines, garage tours and life stories to show why they should own the all-new Ford GT.

The all-new production supercar is expected to start arriving in customers’ garages by the end of 2016.

While the initial application window is closed, Ford GT fans can continue building and sharing virtual models, building on the more than 481,000 enthusiasts in the U.S. who have visited the www.FordGT.com site since its launch April 13.

Almost 200,000 fans in the U.S. already have visited the website’s virtual configurator, which lets anyone build the Ford GT of their dreams and provides links to share images of their virtual build via social media. The configurator’s default exterior color of Frozen White continues to be the favorite, followed by Liquid Blue.

Jaguar to build the lost XKSS models when Brown's Lane Burned to the ground, so, more New, old Jags, Awesome !

• Ultra-exclusive sports car to be hand-built by Jaguar Classic
• All nine cars built to exact same specification as those made in 1957, replacing cars lost due to the Browns Lane fire
• Jaguar originally made the XKSS as a road-going version of the Le Mans winning D-type

Jaguar is to build the stunning XKSS as an ultra-exclusive continuation model.

Nine new XKSS’s - often referred to by experts as the world’s first supercar - will be hand built by Jaguar Classic to the exact specification as they appeared in 1957, replacing the cars lost due to the famous Browns Lane factory fire.

Tim Hannig, Director Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “The XKSS occupies a unique place in Jaguar’s history and is a car coveted by collectors the world over for its exclusivity and unmistakable design.

“Jaguar Classic’s highly skilled team of engineers and technicians will draw on decades of knowledge to ensure each of the nine cars is completely authentic and crafted to the highest quality.

“Our continuation XKSS reaffirms our commitment to nurture the passion and enthusiasm for Jaguar’s illustrious past by offering exceptional cars, services, parts and experiences.”

The original cars were earmarked for export to the USA, however, just 16 were completed before disaster struck. Now 59 years later, Jaguar is going to build the nine ‘lost’ XKSS sports cars for a select group of established collectors and customers.

The expertise gained during the construction of the Lightweight E-type project will be transferred to the construction of the nine ultra-exclusive continuations. Each one will be hand-built at Jaguar’s new ‘Experimental Shop’ in Warwick.

Every car will be constructed to the same specifications as those first 16 made in 1957 – every aspect fully certified by Jaguar. The price will be in excess of £1 million.

The story of the XKSS began following Jaguar’s three successive Le Mans victories in 1955, 1956 and 1957 with the all-conquering D-type.

After the hat-trick of wins, Sir Williams Lyons took the decision on 14 January 1957 to convert the remaining 25 D-types into road-going versions with several external modifications - creating the world’s first super car.

These modifications included the addition of a new higher windscreen, an extra door on the passenger side, taking away the divider between driver and passenger and the removal of the famous fin behind the driver’s seat.

The first deliveries of the new continuation Jaguar XKSS will commence in early 2017.

There is going to be a movie made which showcases the iconic and best car in the world, the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.

Asif Kapadia is to direct the Martin Scorsese/Anthony Haas produced feature film drama SILVER GHOST. The project will be a co-production between Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Zuma Productions.

BAFTA Award winning Asif Kapadia, director of box office breaking films SENNA and Oscar nominated AMY, said, “What struck me when I read SILVER GHOST was how this true story weaves together the lives of five remarkable people that changed the destiny of the Western world and I am delighted to be working together with the legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Anthony Haas to bring it to the screen.”

Academy Award winning director Martin Scorsese remarks, "I’ve been captivated by the story of SILVER GHOST ever since Lord Richard Attenborough came to me with the project, and I’m thrilled that we’re going to be seeing it through.  It’s a project that requires a great and innovative storyteller, and that’s exactly what we have with Asif Kapadia.”

Developed by the late Academy Award winning director Richard Attenborough and producer Anthony Haas,SILVER GHOST tells the epic story of the iconic motor car, born out of an extraordinary odd-couple relationship between the maverick genius of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, marking the genesis of aviation and all the courage and daredevilry that went with it.

Set at the turn of the last century, it delineates the fascinating story of Rolls and Royce and their close friendship with motoring pioneer Lord John Douglas-Scott Montagu, his relationship with his beautiful wife, Cis, and his secret affair with his secretary and mistress, Eleanor Velasco Thornton. Eleanor was the inspiration for the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, designed by British artist and sculptor, Charles Sykes that to this day adorns all Rolls-Royce cars.

“When Richard Attenborough was asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied ‘as a storyteller,’” said Anthony Haas.  “Asif also knows how to tell a deeply personal and epic story and SILVER GHOST is an amazing untold tale of the highs and lows of what makes us human.”

"SILVER GHOST covers the thrilling and tragic events during which one of the greatest engineering names in the world was created," said Sir Ralph Robins, past Chairman, Rolls-Royce plc.

Bentley Motors today announces Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design.

Bentley Motors today announces Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design. He succeeds Luc Donckerwolke who has been with Bentley since 2012. Mr Sielaff will join Bentley on 1^st July 2015 from his current dual role as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design and Design Director at Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam.

In his role at Bentley, he will report to Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering. He will also retain his position as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design, reporting to Director of Volkswagen Group Design, Dr. Walter de Silva.  

Mr Sielaff has a career spanning more than 25 years in the Volkswagen group, most prominently with Audi where he started as an intern and progressed to spending five years as Design Director for the business from 2006. It was here where he led a team of over 350 design experts with responsibility for exterior, interior and colour and trim design for the full Audi product portfolio, concept and show cars.            

Starting in the industry with a Vehicle Design degree from the Royal College of Art in London, UK, Mr Sielaff, 53, has been in his current role since 2012. 

          

Commenting on his appointment, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO at Bentley Motors, said: “Bentley is entering one of the most important phases in the company’s history, with significant plans for new models. With his experience, creative vision and passion for the Bentley brand Stefan Sielaff is perfectly placed to lead the design of our future models.”           

Mr Sielaff replaces Mr Donckerwolke who has decided to leave the business and Volkswagen AG.

Wolfgang Dürheimer continued: “I would like to thank Luc Donckerwolke for the significant contribution he has made in his nearly three years at Bentley, overseeing the continuation of a very successful period, and I wish him all the very best for the future.”