Aston Martin Builds a one off DB11 to celebrate the Partnership with Henley Regatta.

• Special DB11 built to celebrate Aston Martin’s partnership with Henley Royal Regatta
• Unique specification selected from Q by Aston Martin - Collection
• One-off DB11 will be displayed at the Henley Royal Regatta

To celebrate its Official Automotive Partnership with the Henley Royal Regatta - founded in 1839 and one of the world’s most prestigious and historic sporting fixtures - Aston Martin has created a very special DB11.

The specification of this one-off Henley Regatta DB11 was carefully chosen by the Aston Martin Design Team. It features a raft of recently launched Q by Aston Martin - Collection options and explores the full gamut of exclusive paint and upholstery colours, material finishes and craft features, including some bespoke elements by Q by Aston Martin - Commission. 

The result is a car that’s distinctive and beautifully understated, mixed with classic colour combinations and superb contemporary finishes.

Starting with the exterior paintwork, the Henley Royal Regatta DB11 is finished in Diavolo Red combined with Satin Scintilla Silver roof and roof strakes available from Q by Aston Martin - Commission. Carbon Fibre features extensively on the exterior, with both the Carbon Fibre Body Pack (front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser) and Carbon Fibre Exterior Pack (Side Strakes, Hood Blades and Mirror Caps) selected from the Q by Aston Martin - Collection range, then treated to a distinctive satin finish.

A set of 20” Gloss Black Directional wheels with diamond turned faces and a smoked finish (again from Q by Aston Martin - Commission) plus Carbon Fibre Exhaust finishers, Smoked Tail Lights, Exterior Black Pack and Carbon Fibre Wings Badge complete the exterior’s dark detailing aesthetic.

Inside, the Aston Martin Design Team elected for a scheme that reverses the exterior colours, with extensive use of Metallic Black leather and a Q by Aston Martin Trim Split that introduces flashes of Chancellor Red leather on the seats and door panels. Chancellor Red contrast stitching unites the two upholstery hues and highlights the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Aston Martin interiors. Swathes of Obsidian Black Alcantara are used on the headlining and cantrails, while a Shadow Chrome Jewellery pack adds another sleek and subtle layer of detailing. 

The special Henley Royal Regatta DB11 will form the centrepiece of an Aston Martin display showcasing the 104-year-old marque’s range of acclaimed sports cars. More than 300,000 spectators attend the Regatta each year, which is held over five-days at its traditional venue of Henley-on-Thames. In addition to the static display, a fleet of Aston Martins will provide transport for key Regatta official and VIP guests.

The 2017 Henley Royal Regatta will take place from Wednesday 28 June to Sunday 02 July.

Vauxhall to collaborate with the British Superbike Championship for 2017, with a couple of concepts.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has unveiled two new concept vans, its first in over a decade, that have been specially-designed to celebrate Vauxhall’s commercial vehicle partnership for the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship (BSB). 

Debuting at the first BSB race of the season this weekend at Donington Park (March 31^st to April 1^st), the Vivaro Race Van Concept and the Movano Race Van Concept will be on display at all UK BSB race meetings throughout the season.

VIVARO RACE VAN CONCEPT 

Based on the best-selling Brit-built Vivaro panel van, the Vivaro Race Van Concept was designed in consultation with industry experts including Sortimo. During the working week this Vivaro is completely functional as a mobile workshop supporting any number of trade professionals, however, on a non-working day it can be easily-transformed into a race day van to support track-day or even off-road motorcycling. 

The cargo layout is well-considered and appropriately flexible. Along the driver side the layout features a combination of fixed racking and removable lightweight mobile workstations. Decamping from the Vivaro into the pits or paddock couldn’t be easier. The passenger side has folding shelves to store additional kit. 

Emptied and folded up against the body, the space adjacent to the motorbike is maximised to help easier access in and out, and there is also space allocated for paddock stands, fuel, spare tyres, racing kit and a ramp. And for a long day at the track, there are also a number of built-in comfort features including a fold-down bench seat on the bulkhead, microwave, refrigerator and a 32-inch Smart television. 

The exterior is covered in an eye-catching livery that has been specially-designed by Motormode and features the Vauxhall Griffin riding a motorbike. 

MOVANO RACE VAN CONCEPT

Based on the popular Movano L2H2 panel, the Movano Race Van Concept was also designed in consultation with industry experts including Sortimo, with the purpose of providing support and transport for the smaller and more budget-conscious motorcycle racing teams. 

Unlike the Vivaro Concept, the cargo layout on the Movano is intended to be permanent. Along the driver’s side the layout features a combination of a workbench and fixed racking. The toolboxes in the workbench can be removed. The opposite passenger side has folding shelves to store additional kit. 

Emptied and folded against the body, space adjacent to the motorbike can be maximized to help get it in and out easily. There is also space allocated for paddock stands, fuel, spare tyres, racing kit and a ramp. 

The Movano Race Concept also features a sided awning to enable an all-weather enclosed work space adjacent to the van. This gives the team a viable workspace for a race weekend. 

A number of built-in comfort features include a fold-down bench seat on the bulkhead, microwave, refrigerator, wash basin and a 40-inch Smart television. 

“These two concept vehicles are the perfect way to celebrate our commercial vehicle partnership with BSB,” said Steve Bryant, Vauxhall’s Head of Commercial Vehicle Brand. “We can’t wait to take them up and down the country to all UK BSB events this season and gauge customer reaction to these versatile and stunning-looking vehicles. 

“We’d also like to thank Sortimo, Camperlands UK, Yamaha UK, Yamaha Tamworth, AMCA Yamaha Motorcross Experience and Motorsport Vision for their help in bringing these concepts to reality.” 

VIVARO RACE VAN CONCEPT FULL SPECIFICATION

Based on the new up-level Vivaro Limited Edition NAV L2H1 F2900 145PS BiTurbo S/S, its features include: 

• FlexCargo
• Dual passenger bench with fold-flat centre section
• Air conditioning
• Cruise control and rear parking sensors
• NAVI50 Intellilink
• Auto-lights
• Auto-wipers
• Black alloy wheels 

Racking

• Provided and installed by Sortimo UK
• Sobo Grip+ crash tested safety floor (9mm)
• Sowa Flex wall, door upper and ceiling linings
• Pro-Safe lashing rail with Pro-Safe straps (on bulkhead)
• Drivers Side racking features:
  • Pro-Safe lashing rail on wall
  • Light Weight Globelyst Racking including - fuel can shelf to end of rack; component S-Boxes; Integrated front load fridge; lift up base cover; work top with two drawers; First-Aid kit and document holder to end of racking. All racking includes full Pro-Safe Lashing System with Pro-Safe Straps.
  • WorkMo mobile workstations include drawers; L-Boxes; PPE cupboard; tool holder trays on top
• Passenger Side racking features:
  • Two-tier Flex Rack unit with full integrated Pro-Safe lashing system 

Weight of Sortimo equipment (including Fridge) = 220kg 

Other Equipment

• Installed by Sortimo UK
• 32-inch flat screen TV with wall bracket
• BikeTek wheel chock with quick release baseplate
• Upholstered bench seat on bulkhead
• LED lighting
• Small Breville 800W Microwave
• Shore Power electrical system Including 2000 Watt isolation transformer, 240v-12v DC transformer, consumer unit & ancillaries
• TRP688S Motor Cycle Ramp 

MOVANO RACE VAN CONCEPT FULL SPECIFICATION

The Movano Race Concept is based on one of the most popular Movano panel van configurations: the F3300 L2H2 powered by the new 2.3-litre CDTi (130PS) BlueInjection engine. It has been optioned with the Premium Pack (NAVI50 Intellilink, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, trip computer) and also a perimeter alarm has been fitted.

Racking

• Provided and installed by Sortimo UK
• Sobo Grip+ crash tested safety floor (9mm)
• Sowa Flex wall, door upper and ceiling linings
• Pro-Safe lashing rail with Pro-Safe straps (on bulkhead)
• Driver side racking features:
  • Light Weight Globelyst Racking including - drop front shelf; fuel can shelf; tyre space with Pro-Safe Strap; open top shelf with matt & dividers; component S-Boxes; small open shelf; drawer with integrated wash basin and cupboard with waste/clean water containers; integrated front load fridge; lift up base cover; work top with 4 drawers; 2x LT Tool Boxes & lift-up base cover; First Aid kit & document holder to end of racking. All racking includes full Pro-Safe lashing system with Pro-Safe straps.
• Passenger side racking features:
  • Two-Tier Flex Rack Unit with fully-integrated Pro-Safe Lashing System

Weight of Sortimo equipment (including fridge) = 240kg

Awning

• Provided by Camperlands UK
• Fiamma F65 320 awning with single end panel (Side W Pro). This gives a shaded area 3.1m in length along van, and extends 2.5m in depth

Other Equipment

• Installed by Sortimo UK
• 40" flat screen TV and wall bracket
• BikeTek wheel chock with quick release baseplate
• Upholstered bench seat on bulkhead
• LED lighting
• Small Breville 800W Microwave
• Shore power electrical system Including 2000Watt isolation transformer, 240v-12v DC transformer, consumer unit & ancillaries
• TRP688S Motor Cycle Ramp

Fulham Football Club and Fiat UK Via Motor VIllage are to launch a Limited Edition 500X

A new special edition Fiat 500X has just been launched in London to celebrate the continuing successful partnership between Fiat Chrysler Motor Village UK and Fulham Football Club.

The special version of the popular Fiat SUV – the Fulham FC special Edition – features distinctive styling details, exclusive black, white and red paint finish and unique ‘FFC’ badging, along with a host of 500X standard equipment. It will be sold through Motor Village UK, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK’s flagship dealer.

A limited run of just 15 of this celebration range of cars will be built, designed exclusively for Fulham FC season ticket holders. The special cars will cost £21,365 OTR.

Available in two different styles – City Look and Off-Road Look – the car is based on the 500X Pop Star version, and includes among its standard equipment: alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, rear parking sensors, climate control, six airbags, cruise control and 5-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, USB and aux-in socket.

The SKYbet Championship football club is also holding a prize draw in which one lucky winner will get to drive a new Fiat 500X Fulham FC Special Edition for two weeks, with their keys being handed over by the team’s players. Signed footballs and shirts are also available as runners-up prizes.

“This is another excellent example of how we are teaming up with Fulham FC and its supporters,” says Fabio di Prima, managing director, Motor Village UK. “There’s the prize draw to win the limited edition 500X for two weeks, the chance to meet the players and the opportunity for season ticket holders to purchase the new car.

“Of course, if a non-season ticket holder would like to buy the Fulham FC Special Edition – or any other of our large range of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles cars – we would be delighted to sign them up!”

“It is important to us to ensure that our partners and supporters have a positive relationship, and being able to offer such a fantastic prize is a really tremendous way of highlighting that,” says Casper Stylsvig, chief revenue officer, Fulham FC.

“The limited edition 500X is really quite unique, so with an opportunity to win, plus an additional competition to meet the players, Motor Village really has excelled itself in giving added value to the Fulham fanbase which we are delighted about; good luck to all!’

Note to editors: Motor Village UK is Official Car Partner to Fulham FC and offers exclusive deals to club season ticket holders on new Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Abarth cars. The prize draw is open to Fulham FC season ticket holders, over-18s and holders of a valid driving license.

Mercedes has launched a reservation service for the all-new X-Class Pick up Truck in the UK.

Due to phenomenal early demand for the X-Class, which hasn’t even been unveiled yet, Mercedes-Benz Vans has launched a reservation service to enable potential UK customers to leave a refundable reservation fee to ensure they are the amongst the first to order the exciting new pickup.

Interested customers can visit https://www.reservexclass.mbvans.co.uk/to place their refundable reservation fee of £1,000 to ensure that they will be given the first opportunity to order their X-Class (arriving in the UK in 2018).

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, said: “Many customers we have spoken to have a strong desire to be amongst the first to own the new X-Class, which is incredible considering that it hasn’t been unveiled yet!”

Renault-Nissan Alliance and Microsft have signed a deal to develop the next generation of connected Services.

• Companies sign global, multiyear contract to work on next-generation connected car technologies and driving experiences

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Microsoft Corp. have signed a global, multiyear agreement to partner on next-generation technologies to advance connected driving experiences worldwide.

The companies will work together to develop next-generation connected services for cars powered by Microsoft Azure, one of the company’s intelligent cloud offerings. These new services will improve customer experience via advanced navigation, predictive maintenance and vehicle centric services, remote monitoring of car features, external mobile experiences and over-the-air updates.

“A car is becoming increasingly connected, intelligent and personal,” said Ogi Redzic, Renault-Nissan Alliance senior vice-president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services. “Partnering with Microsoft allows us to accelerate the development of the associated key technologies needed to enable scenarios our customers want and build all-new ones they haven’t even imagined. We aim to become the provider of connected mobility for everyone with one single global platform.”

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is pioneering autonomous driving and connectivity features on mainstream, mass-market vehicles at affordable prices. The Alliance aims to develop connectivity technologies and features to support the launch of more than 10 vehicles with autonomous driving technology by 2020 with services to maximize better use of newly found in-car free time.

Renault-Nissan will continuously develop and launch new connected services and applications that make it easier for people to stay connected to work, entertainment and social networks, and offer vehicle centric services that will simplify and enhance engagement with the car through usage-based information, remote access, remote diagnostics and preventive maintenance.

Microsoft Azure provides a proven, secure global cloud platform with unlimited scale that allows Renault-Nissan to deliver services worldwide to its broad customer base.

Renault-Nissan selected Azure in part because of its enterprise-grade security and Microsoft’s rigorous commitment to compliance. In addition, Azure supports multiple operating systems, programming languages and tools, providing flexibility and choice to build a common platform for Renault-Nissan to deploy services to both Alliance brands.

“While the connected car experience is in its infancy, we believe there’s so much potential to dramatically change the industry. We are partnering to accelerate Renault-Nissan’s mobile and cloud strategies and unlock new experiences for their customers,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, executive vice president and president, Microsoft Global Sales, Marketing and Operations, Microsoft. “Renault-Nissan is an exceptional partner thanks to its global presence and range of brands, which enable it to bring entirely new mobile and digital experiences to so many people. This collaboration will bring a new standard to connected cars.”

Focus on next-generation technologies

The partnership will accelerate development of best-in-class infotainment and location-based services that will:

Allow customers to personalize and protect their settings: Customers will be able to customize their settings knowing that data is safe and that they have the option to transfer the settings from one car to another, or lock them and disable transfer. By adding a driver-centric experience in the car, the drive becomes personal and allows for things like adaptive route suggestions and advanced navigation.

Productivity: With Microsoft, Renault-Nissan will expand the realm of productivity into the car – transforming the daily commute into a productive experience by seamlessly integrating the digital experiences present at work and life into the car. 

Give access to over-the-air updates: Customers will be able to download over-the-air updates to, for example, have the latest autonomous drive software and collision-avoidance applications.

Help customers stay in touch: Customers will be able to easily check in and communicate their estimated time of arrival, or alert friends to a change of plans. They will also be able to use automatic payment from the car for highway tolls or parking, with a simple touch from the comfort of their seat.

Monitor the car from a distance: Car owners will be able to monitor their car from anywhere, through their mobile phone or laptop. They could transfer control to a friend or relative who needs their car – without transferring physical keys. They will use a mobile application that helps them find the car, can trigger remote charging and preconditioning and lock and unlock the car.

Protect the vehicle: Tracking software locates a stolen car and disables it at the next practical opportunity. “Geofencing” technology creates invisible fences around the car that will enable notifications when the car enters or exits a predefined area or route.  

Improve the vehicle experience: By adding connectivity, customers will be able to have access to advance vehicle diagnostic services, allowing the car manufacturer to deliver unique features. Collecting real usage data will also support vehicle engineering to improve manufacturing quality.

Volvo Car UK has announced Human Made Stories, a series of short films in partnership with Sky Atlantic.

Volvo Car UK has today announced Human Made Stories, a series of short films in partnership with Sky Atlantic, to mark its new 90 Series range of cars.

In parallel with Volvo's values of innovation, sustainability, craftsmanship and design, Human Made Stories conveys the Volvo philosophy to always put people first by telling the stories of three defiant pioneers: people who inherently do things differently, challenge conventions and create their own path.

Premiering at 23:00 on 8th September exclusively on Sky Atlantic (Sky EPG 108), the series will then be available as on-demand content for 12 months. The films will also be promoted through 24 new idents (a continuation of Volvo's existing sponsorship of Sky Atlantic), as well as on social and digital media.

The series comprises three unique episodes* focusing on different individuals who each align with Volvo's innovations and brand values:

• Oliver Armitage, an innovative engineer whose lifelong pursuit is making human and machine work together seamlessly. Along with his team from Cambridge, Oliver works with amputees to develop smart prostheses that transform their lives. Like Volvo, he lives and breathes human centricity and connectivity.
• Maria Rindstam and Josefin Arrhénborg, Swedish entrepreneurs who salvage boat wrecks from the Stockholm archipelago to reduce the impact on the local nature. Just as Volvo does, with 85% recyclable cars, the progressive pair are focused on preserving the environment for future generations.
• Erik Johansson, a surreal photographer who captures ideas instead of moments, is obsessed with his craft. By bringing an engineering approach to art, he is constantly challenging conventions to achieve the impossible – as is Volvo as it works towards its vision, through the development of autonomous driving and active safety technologies, of zero deaths in new Volvo cars by 2020.

The partnership between Volvo Car UK and Sky Atlantic was brokered by Sky Media, the advertising sales arm of Sky, and Mindshare. The creatives were executed by Grey London.

Announcing the launch, Georgina Williams, Head of Marketing at Volvo Car UK, says: "Everything we do at Volvo centres on people – we want to make life less complicated, safer and more enjoyable. So every innovation is designed to simplify and improve the lives of those who drive a Volvo.

"In Human Made Stories, we wanted to profile people who share that ethos. Oliver, Maria, Josefin and Erik are all determined in their mission to push boundaries and make the world a better place. They are each relentless in their pursuit of craft and innovation to drive the world forward – a trait shared by Volvo."

Zai Bennett, Channel Head at Sky Atlantic, concludes: "We are thrilled to be working with our channel sponsor, Volvo, to continue what is a truly great partnership. Volvo's Human Made Stories align perfectly with our own values; immersive, cinematic and thought provoking, and so we are excited to be showing these short films exclusively to our viewers both on-air and onDemand."  

Further episodes in the Human Made Series will be unveiled over the coming year. Explore Volvo's stories, projects and partnerships further with #HumanMade.