Ford launches new colour editions of the ever popular Transit Customer LCV.

• Ford launches exclusive new Transit Custom models for customers that want to combine eye-catching looks with impressive capability
• New Transit Custom Colour Edition brings vibrant contrasts to the one-tonne van market, in four striking colour schemes with contrasting roof, mirrors and skid plate
• Sport series with signature twin stripes now available in eight bodystyles; responds to rising customer demand, with sales up 52 per cent in first 10 months of 2016
• Latest Tourneo Custom people mover also enhances appeal with Sport package, plus new 6-speed automatic, rear air suspension and alloy wheel options

Ford has revealed exclusive new variants of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle that provide stylish and functional transportation for independent businesses and artisans who want to stand out from the crowd.

The new Transit Custom Colour Edition van offers four eye-catching colour schemes that feature contrasting roof, mirror caps, skid plate and side stripes, along with unique black 17‑inch alloy wheels.

The Transit Custom Sport series van with its signature twin bonnet stripes is also now available in a much wider choice of bodystyles. 

 Sport series customers can now select van and double-cab-in-van models in both short and long wheelbase versions; in addition, the latest Tourneo Custom people mover can be specified with the same Sport package.

“Many of our retail customers are no longer satisfied with a standard white van, and these stunning new vehicles provide the perfect solution,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “The new Transit Custom makes a really positive statement about their business, and looks great on the driveway at the weekend.”

The demand for sporting and distinctive Transit models has continued to build since the original Sport Van was introduced by Ford in 2007. During the first 10 months of 2016, sales of the current Transit Custom Sport are up by 52 per cent in the UK compared to the same period the previous year.

New Colour Edition – bold contrasts, sports style

Available for delivery in spring 2017, the Transit Custom Colour Edition provides van customers with an exclusive new appearance option with just 400 units available in the UK.

Inspired by the bold contrasting colours of Ford’s successful passenger cars like the Fiesta and Focus Red and Black Editions, the new model can be specified in Race Red, Deep Impact Blue and Frozen White with Jet Black contrasts, and Shadow Black with Race Red contrasts.

All Transit Custom Colour Edition vehicles have a short-wheelbase, standard roof van bodystyle, and are based on the 290 Trend series model featuring the powerful all-new 170PS 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission, with the enhanced chassis settings from the Sport series van.

Transit Custom Sport series with expanded appeal

Responding to customer demand for a wider choice of body and seating options, the Transit Custom Sport series is now available in six different variants – a significant expansion from the single short-wheelbase van version offered previously.

As before, the range-topping Sport series features a muscular body kit and a fully colour-coded exterior, with body-colour bumpers, side mirrors and door handles, along with body-side mouldings and wheelarch extensions that have been redesigned for the latest model. The bold appearance is finished off with new 17-inch alloy wheels in a two-tone silver and black design – with optional silver 18-inch alloy wheels – and twin bonnet stripes in a contrasting colour.

The sporting style also features partial leather interior trim combining Pewter seat fabric with charcoal black leather bolsters, including second or third seat rows where fitted, and the latest interior technologies such as the Ford SYNC connectivity package.

The standard powertrain combines the 170PS Ford EcoBlue diesel engine with a 6-speed manual, but customers can also specify the new 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission option on three of the Sport series variants.

All Sport models are based on the 290 series Transit Custom, with driving dynamics further optimised with a unique chassis specification delivering enhanced steering, handling and ride, and a more responsive and agile feel.

Compared to a standard vehicle, roll control is improved by a thicker front anti-roll bar and the addition of a rear anti-roll bar. On the van model, this is combined with softer rear springs for increased comfort when lightly laden, along with unique damper tuning, with firmer settings on the rear, for enhanced ride and steering control. Double-cab-in-van models have different spring and damper settings optimised for both handling and rear passenger comfort.

The expanded Transit Custom Sport series is available to order at the end of the year for customer delivery in spring 2017.

Tourneo Custom people mover – with Sport, Auto and Rear Air Suspension options

For the first time, Ford’s spacious and versatile Tourneo Custom people mover is now available with a Sport series option, providing both private buyers and business purchasers with a more dynamic exterior appearance and a stylish sports interior.

The Sport variant is based on the Tourneo Custom Titanium model, and can be specified as an 8-seat vehicle in either short or long wheelbase form with the 170PS Ford EcoBlue diesel engine. The exterior and interior enhancements are shared with the equivalent Transit Custom.

The latest Tourneo Custom is also now offered with significant new features and technologies including the smooth and responsive new 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, a unique-to-segment rear air suspension system that delivers a supple, controlled and level ride across a wide range of load conditions, and an attractive new 17-inch alloy wheel option for enhanced handling and braking performance.

Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom showcase all-new Ford EcoBlue diesel

Ford earlier this year introduced the state-of-the-art Ford EcoBlue diesel engine to Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom vehicles, delivering significant cost of ownership and performance benefits, with fuel efficiency improved by up to 13 per cent and low-end torque by 20 per cent.

Sophisticated new driver assistance technologies for both models include:

• Pre-Collision Assist emergency braking system – the first in the segment to feature Pedestrian Detection technology – that reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or helps drivers avoid some impacts altogether
• An upgraded Electronic Stability Control system that provides an enhanced suite of functions to improve vehicle stability in extreme driving situations including Side Wind Stabilisation – a new system that applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle to reduce the effect of a sudden side wind gust on the vehicle’s path

UKCOTY - McLaren Automotive celebrates as the 570S Coupe takes best performance car award.

As the covers are removed from the 570GT at the Geneva Motor Show, the model that launched the Sports Series – the 570S Coupé – has been named ‘Best Performance Car’ in the 2016 UK Car of the Year Awards (UKCotY). Since launch, the first model in the Sports Series has received wide-spread praise and won accolades from media the world over. 

This prestigious award was judged by an independent judging panel of 27 leading UK media, and is a significant milestone for the 570S Coupé. The Sports Series will play a key role in increasing global sales during 2016.

Now in its third year, the Awards are designed to highlight and advise on the best new cars on the market specifically for UK customers.

On selecting the 570S Coupé as the Best Performance Car of 2016, freelance journalist and UKCotY jury member Richard Bremner commented: ‘The 570S is McLaren’s best car yet – a sensational blend of all that you want from a supercar, including a drivetrain that’s not overpowered. Easier to live with than many of its rivals, too.’ 

Fellow juror Simon McBride added: ‘This may be a niche car when it comes to UK sales but that is not the point. The McLaren a masterpiece, it has serious road presence while its head-turning ability is undoubted. This is what makes Britain great - it is an engineering triumph.’

Guy Bird, regular contributor to CAR, CarDesignNews and Wallpaper* concluded: ‘McLaren has called the 570S: “the most important car in our short history”. We agree.’

Andy Palmer, Director of Sports Series at McLaren Automotive explained: ‘The launch of the Sports Series has been one of the biggest challenges for McLaren. It has opened up a new market segment for the brand, which is dominated by well-established and extremely strong rivals, but the 570S Coupé has proved to be up to the challenge. 

It was important that the 570S, and the Sports Series as a whole, lost none of the excitement or engagement that marks out a McLaren as a McLaren. This latest award is testament to the team behind the car, who have designed and developed a true British sports car.’ 

The 570S Coupé is powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 generating 570PS (562bhp) and 600Nm (443 lb ft) of torque. Acceleration from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) takes 3.2 seconds, 0-200km/h (0-124mph) in 9.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 328km/h (204mph). 

Weighing more than 140kg less than its nearest rival, at just 1,313kg (2,895lbs), thanks in part to the unique lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis, the 570S Coupé boasts a power-to-weight figure of 434PS, while benefitting from a luxuriously equipped interior tailored towards day-to-day usability and optimised access.

Pricing for the Sports Series in the UK starts from £126,000, while the 570S Coupé is available from £143,250, available from the network of five retailers: Ascot, Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester.

McLaren Automotive produces some great end of year financials, again, and only after four years of trading.

• McLaren Automotive records second consecutive year of profitability just four years after opening its first retailer
• 2014 sales increased 18 percent over 2013, another year of growth
• Already a sustainable business investing in its future and people
• An expanding range of luxury sports cars designed, engineered and made in the UK...and intending to stay that way
• More than 1,200 people employed, most in the UK, with 50 percent of parts UK sourced, and 92 percent of output exported

The incredible story of McLaren Automotive continues with the announcement of a second consecutive year of profitability four years since the company opened its first retailer.  The achievement is considered unprecedented in today’s motor industry.

  

The company has also recorded its fourth year of sales growth and is predicting more following the launch this year of a quartet of new models – two of which are already sold out – and the establishment of a three tier product structure reinforcing its future as a British based manufacturer of luxury sports cars, and only luxury sports cars.

Led by Chief Executive Officer Mike Flewitt, in 2014, the company generated an operating profit of £20.8m (2013: £12.4m, + 68 percent) and a profit before tax of £15.0m (2013: £4.5m +233 percent). These profits were generated from turnover that grew from £285.4m in 2013 to £475.5m in 2014.

The company ended 2014 with record sales as it has done every year since it first began producing its current range of cars in 2010.  A total of 1,649 vehicles were delivered to customers around the world, an increase of 18 percent over 2013.

Following the introduction of the 650S in Coupé and Spider form at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show where the two models were launched simultaneously, strong demand for the core McLaren model range saw sales reach 1,401 units.

In addition, 248 examples of the McLaren P1™ (2013: 36) were delivered – around two thirds of car’s total 375 unit production run.

  

McLaren Automotive has continued to focus on developing new product. During 2014 the Company invested £91.8m in R&D, up from £67m in 2013, which represents almost 20 percent of turnover.

Looking forward, this percentage is expected to be maintained in 2015 as the company continues development of its model range.  Crucial to this is the new Sports Series. The 570S Coupé is the first model and was revealed at the beginning of April 2015 at the New York Auto Show.

  

This has already been followed by a second, the 540C Coupé, which was launched a few weeks later in Shanghai.  Together they take McLaren into a new segment and put the brand within reach of a whole new audience.

A second body-style will be introduced in 2016 followed by another in 2017, by which time the Sports Series is forecast to more than double the production output of McLaren Automotive to around 4,000 units per annum. 

This number, while deliberately small in industry terms, will allow McLaren to thrive and is in line with the wish of its clients that its products should forever remain a rare sight to protect not just the brand’s exclusivity but also the investment of owners.

The core McLaren range, the Super Series, continues to find new audiences.  The track focused 675LT was launched in March at the International Geneva Motor Show.  

Limited to just 500 units globally, these all found buyers in just a couple of months.  Production commences in July alongside the 650S Coupé and 650S Spider which is currently the only open roofed, mid-engined sports car available globally that is capable of more than 200mph.

The final and 375th example of the McLaren P1™ is due to be produced later this year.  It sits alongside the track only McLaren P1™ GTR, production of which has just begun, in the third and most exclusive McLaren product tier, the Ultimate Series.  

To be produced in even more limited numbers, the McLaren P1™ GTR is a 1,000PS technological showcase for the brand and was displayed in production ready form earlier this year at the International Geneva Motor Show.

  

Owners will be offered the opportunity to join the McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme which has its first meeting at the Circuit de Catalunya, Spain, later this year.  From October, the McLaren Production Centre will concentrate on production of the Super Series and new Sports Series, orders for which already take production well into 2016.

RETAIL NETWORK AND REGIONAL SALES SUCCESS

The network of McLaren retailers grew to cover 30 markets with the additions of Chile, Scotland and Thailand. New sales outlets were also opened in existing markets bringing the total number of outlets to 71. More development is planned in 2015.

Growth was recorded across all four of the McLaren regional business units. The Asia-Pacific region saw the biggest rise with sales increasing by 80 percent over 2013 with 11 new retail locations across the region helping to fuel this growth.

The North American market remained the largest market for McLaren accounting for more than 30 percent of overall sales, while sales in both Europe and the Middle East grew year-on-year by 10 percent and nine percent respectively.

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

As well as investing in new products, McLaren Automotive continues to care for another important asset: its people.  The number of employees based across its global facilities increased by 25 percent against 2013 to a total of 1,283 employees.

  

Of these, 33 percent are employed in engineering.  This is an increase from 2013 reflecting a focus on creating a sustainable future for the brand through the constant development of new and exciting product.  

As production rises further, the number of people employed globally by the brand will grow even more.

Commenting on the 2014 year end performance, Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive explained: 

‘These latest results highlight that McLaren Automotive continues to push boundaries and are testament to the energy and professionalism of the teams in Woking and around the world, including our retail partners and suppliers.

We have seen the third consecutive year of growth for the brand, and a second year of profitability, which is a fantastic achievement and perhaps unprecedented in the modern automotive industry.

‘Since the opening of the first retailer in June 2011, McLaren has established a world-class network of retailers, with 14 key locations added in 2014. Add to this a range of groundbreaking models, to which four have already been added this year, and 2015 looks set to bring another strong result for McLaren.’

		2014	2013	% change
Deliveries to customers	Cars	1,649	1,395	18%
Employed	People	1,283	1,027	25%
Sales revenue	Thousand GBP	475,516	285,426	67%
Operating profit	Thousand GBP	20,756	12,375	68%
Operating profit as % of sales	%	4.4%	4.3%
Profit before tax	Thousand GBP	14,966	4,500	233%
Profit (loss) after tax	Thousand GBP	8,487	-      (3,670)	331%
Capitalised development costs	Thousand GBP	91,839	66,958	37%
Capitalised investments as a %age of T/O		19.3%	23.5%