A host of special Editions wont tempt the buyers back to VW while the refuse to compensate existing owners.

• Chic new Look up! trim added to city car roster
• Volkswagen CC GT and R-Line Black Edition models debut
• Stunning new Scirocco GTS special edition is available to order now

Volkswagen is enhancing the appeal of more of its core models with the debut this month of a number of eye-catching special editions.

Available to order now the new cars share the attractive qualities of enhanced styling, a richer mix of equipment and keen value for money as the brand underlines the allure of some of its most charismatic creations.

Kicking off the latest range upgrades is the new Look up! – open for order now and based on the already popular Move up!.  The 1.0-litre 60 PS three-door Look up! is offered with sporty 15-inch Fortaleza alloy wheels, unique interior trim, black wing mirror casings and black foil decals.

Available in a range of prominent colours – Saturn Yellow, Tornado Red or Pure White – the new model adds almost £1,000-worth of extra equipment and styling features for its £9,995 price (RRP OTR), an increase of just £70 over the price of the standard Move up! model.

Svelte Volkswagen CC Black Editions boost value 

Two new Volkswagen CC Black Edition model trims, both with extra style and value, are also making their UK Retailer debuts this month.

The Volkswagen CC GT Black Edition and CC R-Line Black Edition both feature generous extra specification and styling enhancements to build on the already comfortable and stylish CC GT and CC R-Line.

The new Black Edition versions add a styling pack with black front grille, electric tilting sunroof, and 18-inch Lakeville alloy wheels on the GT Black Edition and 18-inch Talladega alloy wheels on the R-line Black Edition.

Interior specification includes new Carbon Nappa leather upholstery with carbon fibre-style decorative inserts on front and side doors, plus black piano inserts in the centre console.  The new special edition models are priced from £29,150 (RRP OTR) – just £575 more than the current GT and R-Line models.

Striking Scirocco GTS special edition earns its stripes

The stunning new Scirocco GTS has a cool 220 PS as standard, and is available in both manual and DSG transmissions.

Powered by a petrol engine unique to GTS it boasts maximum torque of 350 Nm at just 1,500 rpm; top speeds, where legal, of 153 mph (manual) and 152 mph (DSG); and, for both the manual and DSG variants, an acceleration time from 0 to 62mph of only 6.5 seconds.

The GTS shares the Scirocco R-Line’s impressive exterior styling kit, adding GTS-specific badging on the front grille and rear tailgate, plus black gloss door mirror casings and 65% tinted rear glass.  

The car is available in a selection of eye-catching exterior colours: Urano Grey is offered as standard, while optional colours are Flash Red, Pure White, Oryx White, Indium Grey and Deep Black.  Each paint colour has specific colour-coordinated GTS decal stripes to bonnet, roof and tailgate.

The interior builds on the R-Line trim with Vienna leather upholstery including GTS logo on front sports seats, and red stitch detail.

Additional styling features inside include piano black dashboard decorative inserts, a specific GTS gearstick with golf ball effect gear knob, seatbelts with two red GTS stripes and chrome side door sill protectors that, again, include the sporty GTS logo.

The Scirocco GTS is priced at £28,195 (RRP OTR) for the 2.0 TSI 220 PS with six-speed manual gearbox, or £29,695 (RRP OTR) for the six-speed DSG version.

Commenting on the latest raft of special edition offerings across the range Volkswagen UK Head of Marketing, Rod McLeod, said: “These attractive new special editions clearly enhance the already strong appeal of some of our most exciting and charismatic models, and I’m sure our customers will be as enthusiastic about their arrival as I am.” 

Rolls Royce re-lives 1913 Alpine Trial

Final preparations are underway for the recreation of the 1913 Alpine Trial. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Authorised Dealer in Essex, P&A Wood, is playing an essential role in ensuring cars are in perfect condition for what remains one of the automotive world’s most gruelling tests of endurance. 

Eight of the 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts participating in the rally, many over a century old, have been meticulously prepared by the dealership’s skilled technicians and craftspeople.  

Since its foundation in 1967, P&A Wood has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading restorers of Rolls-Royce motor cars. The company’s site is nestled in the beautiful Essex countryside and boasts a unique coachwork facility where much of the rally preparation work is taking place.

A new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom will open in late summer providing a world-class showcase for contemporary Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models.

“P&A Wood plays a vital role in preserving the marque’s rich history whilst contributing significantly to the contemporary Rolls-Royce success story,” said James Crichton, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Europe. He added: “Investment in a new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom space is testament to a shared commitment to long-term sustainable growth and providing a sales and aftersales experience befitting the world’s leading super-luxury marque.”

On 14 June 2013, 40 Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, wafting through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning on 29 June. The faithful re-enactment celebrates the seminal 1913 Trials, a test of endurance that saw the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cement its reputation for faultless reliability – establishing the legend of the ‘Best Car in the World’.

The cars will tackle over 1,800 miles over some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging mountain passes.

P&A Wood’s motto; ‘Attention to Detail’ echoes the sentiments of Rolls-Royce founding father Sir Henry Royce who famously implored his staff to “Strive for perfection in everything you do”. This approach has earned them much success in concourse events across the globe – with over 100 awards won to date.

“This is an extraordinarily busy time for the workshop,” said Georgina Wood, P&A Wood. Adding: “Eight cars have been sent here from around the world for their final preparations, many of which over a century old. However, such is the enduring engineering integrity of a Rolls-Royce, I am certain they will negotiate the challenging Alpine roads as effortlessly as they did 100 years ago.”

The 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Collection

Echoing events a century ago, a Rolls-Royce Works Team will take part in the rally. The original ‘James Radley’ 1913 Silver Ghost will be joined by a contemporary homage created by Bespoke designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

Finished in an exterior hue that takes inspiration from the Radley car, the 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Ghost features exquisitely crafted Bespoke touches that elegantly tell the story of the 1913 Trial.

The clock displays the stages of the rally and timings, whilst inlays to rear picnic tables and the front fascia express the topography and distances of the Alpine route.

A hand-painted coachline referencing the four Rolls-Royce motor cars that took part in the rally and headlining, colour-matched to the hood of Radley’s car, completes a beautiful tribute.

MINI supports the Life Ball AIDS charity for the 13th year, this is great news and respect to MINI.

MINI supports the Life Ball in Vienna for the 13th time

25 May marks the date: in 2013, MINI will once again be supporting one of the biggest AIDS charity events worldwide, held annually to promote this cause. The Life Ball combines the extraordinary tradition of the Viennese ball, a spectacular opening ceremony and a strong demonstration of social commitment. MINI regularly donates a specially designed vehicle for auction at the event, the proceeds of which go to projects dedicated to fighting and preventing HIV and AIDS. Over the past years, a total of more than half a million Euros has been raised. It is tradition for this special MINI to be given a creative makeover by an internationally renowned designer who also stages the Life Ball Fashion Show.

This year Roberto Cavalli will be doing the honors on behalf of this charitable cause. One of the world’s most famous international fashion designers will be designing a MINI Paceman and giving it his own creative signature. His unconventional fashion style complements the MINI perfectly reflecting both its traditional values and modern diversity: “Designing the MINI was a very fun, exciting and stimulating experience. I had to create a car which not only respected and conveyed my fashion, but also my lifestyle: an unusual challenge, but surely a fascinating one”, says Cavalli. The result will be a one-of-a-kind car that crosses the boundaries of classical automotive design.

MINI at the Life Ball 2013 under the motto “1001 Nights”.

Since 1993 Life Ball has participated and taken part in the battle against HIV and AIDS, attracting thousands of committed visitors every year to the Rathausplatz, the large square in front of Vienna’s City Hall. Based on this year’s motto “1001 Nights”, the Red Ribbon stage will display a spectacular oriental-style show with fairytale costumes lined up for the spectators. MINI has been a partner of Life Ball since 2001. Over the years it has managed to persuade many famous style icons to design the one-of-a-kind MINIs, among them Donatella Versace, Renzo Rosso, Angela Missoni and Diane von Furstenberg. The imaginative renderings and individual signature of the renowned designers have invariably turned these unique MINIs into coveted collector’s items placed as auction items during the AIDS Solidarity Gala to raise money for the HIV and AIDS cause. This year MINI is creating a MINI Paceman to the celebrate fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. Initial sketches will follow shortly.

Timeline of the Life Ball MINI.

2013 – MINI designed by Roberto Cavalli.
MINI Paceman by Roberto Cavalli

2012 – MINI designed by Franca Sozzani.
MINI Roadster by Franca Sozzani

2011 – MINI designed by DSQUARED².
MINI by Dean and Dan Caten

2010 – MINI designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Francisco Costa von Calvin Klein Collection.

MINI by Diane von Furstenberg
MINI Cabrio by Kenneth Cole
MINI Countryman by Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein Collection

2009 – MINI designed by The Blonds.
MINI Cabrio by The Blonds for Katy Perry

2008 – MINI designed by Agent Provocateur.
MINI Clubman by Agent Provocateur / Joseph Corré

2007 – MINI designed by Testino.
MINI by star photographer Mario Testino

2006 – MINI designed by Diesel.
MINI Cabrio by Renzo Rosso

2005 – MINI designed by Versace.
MINI Cabrio by Donatella Versace

2004 – MINI designed by Ferré.
MINI Cabrio by Gianfranco Ferré

2003 – MINI designed by Missoni.
MINI by Angela Missoni

2002 – Charity MINI.
With autographs by German, Austrian and international celebrities (incl. Elton John, No Angels, Heidi Klum, Emma Sjöberg, Mavie Hörbiger)

2001 – camouflaged MINI.
(Presentation of the new MINI before market launch)

Life Ball 2013.
AIDS was recognized as a clinical disease on 1 December 1981. Since then, major advances have been made in research as well as prevention. Nonetheless, HIV remains a significant challenge to health and development policies. Each year sees millions of people infected with the HI virus. The Life Ball has made it its mission to raise awareness of this and to campaign for tolerance, education and solidarity.

The social commitment of the BMW Group.
One of the first companies in South Africa to do so, the BMW Group has been involved since 2000 with its own workplace program to counter HIV/Aids at its Rosslyn location. Educational and advisory work is complemented by voluntary HIV tests, treatment programs and psychological support.