White remains the UK's best selling colour for the fourth year running.

• White UK’s favourite new car colour for fourth consecutive year, but demand falls for the first time since 2005 – down -2.1%.
• 2016 sees highest number of black cars registered in the UK since 2007 – 542,862.
• Yellow back in top 10, with 12,431 cars registered – double the figure from five years ago.

White maintained its position as the UK’s most popular new car colour for the fourth year in a row in 2016, according to data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

More than half a million new car buyers chose the colour last year – a fifth of all registrations – although figures show its popularity is starting to fade with demand falling -2.1%, the first drop since 2005.

White and black are the nation’s two favourite car colours – of the 2.69 million new cars registered in 2016, white (552,329) and black (542,862) took more than 40% market share. 

While white maintained its lead in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in England it was overtaken by black as the new car colour of choice.

Nationally, the third and fourth most popular colours were grey and blue, both gaining market share. Meanwhile, yellow cars appeared in the top 10 for the first time since 2013 at the expense of mauve, which dropped to 11th place.

Regionally, black topped the chart in the South East while also overtaking white as the favourite new car colour in East Anglia and the West Midlands. 

However, white continued to be most popular across the rest of the country, with buyers in the South West, East Anglia, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North all following the national trend.

Car colours: Biggest winners and losers in 2016

Going up

• Pink may still be a niche colour choice, but last year demand grew 82.7% to 3,527 units.
• A 44% rise in demand for Bronze cars saw a record 8,902 people spec the colour in 2016.
• Turquoise’s popularity grew fourfold last year, from just 792 registrations in 2015 to 2,718.

Going down

• Is brown’s time in the top 10 coming to an end? Demand fell -40.1%, dropping it one place to ninth.
• Appetite for beige fell -27.6% to under 10,000 for the first time since 2000 with 8,426 cars registered.
• Silver saw the biggest volume decline, falling 22,209, with 273,220 buyers choosing it compared with 843,870 in its heyday back in 2004.

Swiss Caterham dealer, Kumschick Sports Cars, has reached a major milestone by selling its 500th Caterham Seven.

Swiss Caterham dealer, Kumschick Sports Cars, has reached a major milestone by selling its 500^th Caterham Seven.

After completing flying laps in the dealer’s Seven 485, race driver and European NASCAR Whelen Euro Series winner, Joaquin Gabarron, signed on the dotted line to buy the car.

The range-topping 485 variant of the iconic British sportscar is the latest and most powerful model available in mainland Europe.

Gabarron’s blue 485S is the 500^th Seven to be imported in Kumschick’s 38-year history, which is now one of the largest European Caterham dealers.

Caterham’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Ridley, said: “The 500^th milestone for our Swiss dealer is the perfect way to celebrate 38 years of dedication to the Caterham brand and is also another demonstration of Caterham’s continuing international expansion.

“The fact that the buyer has held a race licence since the age of 18 and won the European NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Championship at Le Mans also goes to prove that the performance of the Caterham Seven can still pack a thrilling punch, whether you are a novice driver or a seasoned professional.”

And the number one Ford Car from TV and Film has been named as...........

• Mustang GT 390 from ‘Bullitt’ named Britain’s favourite film Ford
• Opportunity to see the famous car at FordFest, Santa Pod, Beds, on Sunday, September 18
• Sweeney’s Consul and Professionals’ Capri top UK’s favourite TV Fords
• Last chance to buy advance discount tickets

The Highland Green Mustang GT 390 from the movie Bullitt has been named the all-time star Ford of the silver screen, following a survey carried out by one of the country’s leading events for the Blue Oval, FordFest.

Ahead of the Ford scene season closer, which takes place at Santa Pod, Beds, this weekend, the organisers ran a public survey to find out which of the famous Fords of film and TV resonates most with the British public – and the star of the show will be a replica of the iconic Bullitt Mustang itself, alongside its Dodge Charger nemesis.

Dave Redhead’s Mustang is period correct in every detail, while Chris How’s black 440 R/T Dodge Charger is identical to the one that duelled with Steve McQueen as Frank Bullitt in the most famous car chase of all time.

Hot on its heels, true to form, were detectives Regan and Carter in the Roman Bronze Consul 3000 GT made famous by the Seventies cop drama, The Sweeney, while fellow 1970s law enforcers Bodie and Doyle, The Professionals, were in hot pursuit in the series’ famous silver Capri 3.0S.

Police officers from both sides of the Atlantic completed the top five, with DI Gene Hunt’s Mk 3 Cortina fromLife on Mars in fourth position, and US crime enforcement duo Starsky and Hutch in their distinctive red and white Gran Torino filling the next two positions. 

The top 10 film and TV Fords were:

1.       Mustang GT 390, Bullitt

2.       Consul 3000 GT, The Sweeney

3.       Capri 3.0S, The Professionals

4.       Cortina 2000 GXL, Life on Mars

5.       Gran Torino, Starsky and Hutch

6.       Shelby Mustang (Eleanor), Gone in 60 Seconds

7.       Escort XR3i Cabriolet, Dempsey and Makepeace

8.       Capri Mk 2, Minder

9.       GT40, Le Mans

10.     Anglia 105E, Harry Potter

As well as the Bullitt pairing, FordFest will pay tribute to some of the other cars that made the Fords on Film top 10, such as the Ford Mustang GT500 ‘Eleanor’ from Gone in 60 Seconds, the 3.0S Capri from The Professionals and the famous red and white Gran Torino from Starsky and Hutch, along with a replica of the ‘Interceptor’ Ford Falcon from Mad Max, which came in just outside the top 10.

Based at the world famous drag strip in Podington, Beds, FordFest’s first year saw incredible attendance, with over 1,700 club cars on display, and 2016 looks set to be even bigger and even better.

From Anglias to Zodiacs, via Mondeos and Mustangs, Fords of all eras will be in display as both club and individual entries, while the drag strip itself will be active, with a Ford-themed ‘Run what Ya Brung’ event taking place, with recent and classic Fords going head-to-head in a new vs. old face-off.

As well as the ‘Run What Ya Brung’, the drag strip will also play host to Fireforce 3, Santa Pod’s very own Jet Car, capable of a sub-six second quarter mile and speeds in excess of 300mph.

A substantial retail village, full of new and used parts, clothing and souvenirs is also a major highlight, as is the party atmosphere of the event itself, with camping available from midday on Saturday September 17, plus a bar and live entertainment.

Other highlights include the massively entertaining Drift Trikes (at just £10 a go), a Show and Shine, entrance photography by Photography UK and stands from the leading Ford titles, Fast Ford and Classic Ford.

FordFest is part of a family of Ford events celebrating Europe’s love for the famous blue oval brand, including the International Ford Show, Classic Ford Show, The Ford Summer Festival and Ford Fair.

1974 Time Warp VW Beetle in mint condition with just 90km's on the clock is going up for auction.

A 42 year old Volkswagen Beetle,that has covered just 90 km, has been discovered in time warp condition and will be sold at Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Race Aarhus Auction in Denmark on 28^th and 29^th May.

Unique is a word often used incorrectly, but in the case of this 1974 Beetle, it is not inaccurate. With just one owner from new and only 90 kilometres on the clock, this little car must be one of the lowest mileage examples in existence still in its original condition.

Supplied new by G. Terragni Volkswagen, Genoa, Italy, on the 23rd January 1974, its first and only proud owner was an elderly gentleman by the name of Armando Sgroi. He had never owned a motorcar before and did not particularly want this one. However, he was a deeply religious man and walked every Sunday from his house in the hills to his local church. This was only a short distance, but it had become a struggle as he became more and more frail with age.

The car was used less and less as his church-going became more infrequent, up until the last outing in 1978, when the car was retired to a barn where it has remained for almost four decades. This little Beetle has recently been rediscovered, has been lightly recommissioned and will now be offered at auction. For sale for only the second time in its life, it will head to auction with an estimate of €35,000 to €40,000.

Speaking ahead of the sale, Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions commented, “The VW Beetle is one of the most successful and loved cars worldwide, and we’re no strangers to them at Silverstone Auctions, but this one is a very special example and something we rarely see. With such an incredibly low mileage it is in virtually new condition, 42 years after it was first bought.”

Finished in blue with a black leather interior and all its original features, this left-hand drive, manual example still holds the original oil in the engine and is shod with its first set of tyres. The original books and invoice, along with its unwrapped tool kit, are also supplied with the car.

The car features as part of the Classic Race Aarhus Auction hosted by Silverstone Auctions and Lauritz.com at the prestigious motorsport festival in Denmark.

Motorsport at the Palace is bringing The Italian Job back to Crystal Palace, with the three Mini's making there return.

Motorsport at the Palace is bringing The Italian Job back to Crystal Palace as the red, white and blue trio of Minis used in the film will be in action at this year’s event on Sunday 29^th and Monday 30^th May.

The Minis return as in 1969, the venue was used to film scenes in the iconic motoring movie The Italian Job. The circuit’s inner field was used to film the van being blown up so the film’s star Michael Caine could say that immortal line; “You’re only suppose to blow the bloody doors off.”

The actual circuit was used by stunt drivers to practice the jumping sequence with the Mini Cooper cars as well as being used for part of the car chase itself.

In honour of the UK’s favourite motoring movie, the three actual Mini Coopers, in red, white and blue, from the film will be at Motorsport at the Palace. They will be on static display so fans can have pictures with these three famous cars as well as taking to the circuit for a parade lap at lunchtime each day.

Around 150 cars from racing and rallying spanning over 100 years of motoring at this year’s show with Classes ranging from pre-war vintage to modern day, delivering high octane competition with around 75 cars running each day. Expect to see the most diverse line-up of racing with a pre-1931 Austin 7 Ulster in one race and a 2000 Honda Civic R-Type in the next!

From Alfas to Westfields, this is a bank holiday of racing not to be missed and a must for any petrol head – be it a classic car nut, a supercar savant, former racing driver or someone who just loves cars!

Motorsport at the Palace, held on Sunday 29^th and Monday 30^th May 2016, is open from 9am until 5.30pm. Car Parking is free. Tickets are now on sale, with adults passes from £12 and children from £5 when booked in advance.

The Fort Wayne production facility that makes Chevy and GMC Pick-ups has produced the 7 millionth model.

Customer and dealer join in milestone event

General Motors’ Fort Wayne Assembly Plant built its 7 millionth pickup truck today with the customer purchasing the blue double-cab 2016 Chevrolet Silverado helping with the build.

Lee Adams, owner of Tri-State Compressed Air in Goshen, Ind., ordered the truck for his sales force from Tom Naquin Chevrolet in Elkhart, Ind. According to Naquin, Adams’ company has purchased more than 50 Chevrolet trucks and vans since 1982.

Thad Naquin, Greg Fink and Tracy McDonald from the dealership, and Bedria Purifoy, Chevrolet district sales manager, accompanied Adams to the plant for a tour and a brief time on the line alongside members of UAW Local 2209.

The production milestone came during a $1.2 billion investment at the facility, where full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks are built.

The Storming new Focus RS will be sold in the USA for the first time, and then Europe.

• All-new Ford Focus RS makes American debut at the New York International Auto Show next week
• Ford reveals all-new Focus RS in exclusive new signature colour Nitrous Blue
• European customer deliveries from early 2016
• First Ford RS ever to be sold in North America features innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring, and special 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine
• All-new Ford Focus RS is among 12 new performance vehicles Ford will deliver by 2020 globally and will be built in Saarlouis, Germany

Ford’s all-new high-performance hatchback, the Focus RS, will make its first appearance in America next week, revealing exclusive new signature colour Nitrous Blue at the New York International Auto Show.

This is the first ever Ford RS vehicle to be sold in the U.S. and will be offered in markets all over the world. Ford confirmed deliveries to customers in Europe will start early 2016.

“Customers have begged for the Focus RS to come to the United States for years,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “And now we can say that they are getting one of the most innovative, powerful and best-looking RS cars ever. That is special.

“The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs.  It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance, and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”

One of 12 new performance vehicles Ford will bring to customers globally by 2020 in a new era of Ford performance, the all-new Focus RS features the innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive system and a specially engineered 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.

Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring delivers a new level of handling capability and driver enjoyment, combining outstanding traction and grip with unmatched agility and cornering speed. 

The high-performance hatchback’s EcoBoost engine shares its fundamental structure with the all-aluminium four-cylinder engine in the all-new Mustang. This engine has, however, been significantly upgraded through a comprehensive package of design changes to deliver a projected output well in excess of 320PS.

The all-new Focus RS also introduces advanced performance technologies, and is the first Ford RS equipped with selectable Drive Modes – including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts – and Launch Control.

The exterior design of the all-new Focus RS is both dramatic and functional, with a more powerful and muscular character. It will be offered in a choice of four-coat metallic finish Nitrous Blue and further striking exterior colours including Shadow Black, Magnetic Grey and Frozen White.

“This is the ultimate Focus – stunning to look at and entirely fit for purpose,” said Joel Piaskowski, director, Design, Ford of Europe. “RS models have always been striking, high-performance cars where function is paramount. This new Focus RS is true to that heritage.”

Developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and U.S., the new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. The 30^th car to wear the legendary RS badge, the Focus RS will be built in Saarlouis, Germany, from late this year.

Alpina celebrates 50 years with a set of special editions, be quick, only 50 will be produced.

Extensively revised V8 is the most powerful roadcar engine in the company’s history

Bespoke car manufacturer ALPINA will create 50 remarkable saloons (or estates) and 50 similar coupes to celebrate the company’s half century this year. Based on the B5 Bi-Turbo and the B6 Bi-Turbo respectively, each vehicle will include hand-crafted Edition 50 body and trim features and a remarkable, heavily revised V8 that will propel the luxury five seater from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 204 mph. 

ALPINA’s fifty year heritage includes the creation of some of Europe’s most highly-regarded luxury performance road cars and iconic race cars including the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL.

With an astonishing 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) and 441 kW (600 hp), Edition 50 is the most powerful road car ever developed by the German company. A notable testament to ALPINA’s 70-strong engineering team is that this huge performance is combined with fuel economy (on the most representative combined cycle) of 29.7 mpg and best in-class CO₂ emissions of 221 g/km.

“Edition 50 is the ultimate expression of the ALPINA values,” explains ALPINA GB brand manager Matthew Stripling. “It combines very high levels of long-term comfort with superb performance that is available from low engine speeds, making it effortlessly fast. Add the deep base soundtrack and the feeling of bespoke luxury, and you have a highly engaging car that offers a unique set of attributes for the discerning enthusiast.”

Based on BMW’s proven 4.4 ltr V8, the B5 Bi-Turbo’s heavily-revised engine uses two ALPINA-specific turbochargers located between the cylinder banks, operating in parallel, delivering up to 1.2 bar. Particular attention has been paid to air flow optimisation, with short intake paths and optimised radii to allow near-instantaneous throttle response. Charge density and thermal stability are further enhanced by a combination of large-volume air-cooled intercooler behind the bespoke front spoiler with two smaller, ALPINA-developed water-cooled intercoolers close coupled to the turbochargers. 

A large-capacity oil radiator and supplementary coolant radiator, also mounted behind the front spoiler, further improve thermal stability. Many other engine components have also been optimised for very high performance with long life, including new light-weight pistons designed to accommodate the high thermal loads of prolonged high-performance driving.

Compared with the standard B5 Bi-Turbo, further optimisation of the induction system, a high-capacity fuel system and other unique upgrades have released an additional 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) and 44 kW (60 hp) for the Edition 50 yet the car offers the same high levels of durability that would be expected from any ALPINA. Like all new ALPINAs, it will be supplied with a two year BMW-endorsed warranty.

The aerodynamics, transmission, handling, comfort, styling and weight have also received further attention. The cars feature the first major restyle of the ALPINA Classic wheel for more than a decade. Side cuts in each spoke combined with a design that takes advantage of the high strength that can be achieved with forging, has reduced the weight of each set of four wheels by 15.6 kg compared with the previous 20” design; a remarkable achievement considering the width has increased to 9” at the front and 10” at the rear.  Each wheel carries the Edition 50 logo on the rim and provides a clear view of the ALPINA Blue brake callipers. 

The light-weight titanium exhaust system, developed with specialist supplier Acrapovic, improves throttle response by minimising back pressure and saves a further 17 kg compared with a stainless steel system. A limited slip differential is also standard, as are subtle aerodynamic enhancements developed in BMW’s wind tunnel.

Inside, the Edition 50 can be specified with unique, hand-crafted sports seats in black leather with luxurious Forest Green quilting on the squab and backrest centre sections, complemented by yellow and black stitching. Trim panels are in ALPINA piano black with EDITION 50 and the signature of company founder Burkard Bovensiepen displayed in front of the passenger. 

A special ‘1965 – 2015’ logo appears on metal emblems on the seat backs, in the carpets and on the key ring. Each car’s limited edition number will be displayed on a production plaque on the centre console and also on the reverse of the keyring. A host of other luxury features include ceramic finish controls, a full leather instrument panel and two additional levels of optional interior leatherwork, created and fitted at ALPINA’s saddlery. All of the bespoke, luxury features of the B5 Bi-Turbo are standard, including instruments in ALPINA Blue and a steering wheel covered in finest-quality, hand-stitched Lavalina leather.  

Each car will be available in ALPINA Green or ALPINA Blue, or in a bespoke Edition 50 Sepia created by BMW Individual. ALPINA’s iconic decal sets can be specified along the sides and on the front spoiler, in coordinating green or blue with Edition 50 lettering. Very small numbers will be available in the UK, with prices from £86,850.

50 years of bespoke cars

ALPINA Burkard Bovensiepen KG was established on the 1st of January 1965 in Kaufbeuren. Two years later it adopted the now-famouse badge featuring a twin-choke downdraught carburettor and a crankshaft on a shield; a proud symbol of the company’s dedication to superb engineering.

Although today the company is focussed largely on road cars, its ethos has been formed by decades of racing success with a driver roster that includes Derek Bell, James Hunt, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, Brian Muir and Hans Stuck. Throughout this time, the close relationship with BMW was developing, with factory support for road car development and collaboration in motorsport that included commissioning ALPINA to develop the light weight race car that became the now-legendary BMW 3.0 CSL.

In its 50^th year, ALPINA is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance luxury automobiles, selling on every continent yet still in numbers small enough to allow each car to be bespoke. Production reached 1,700 in 2014 – a new record – and there are currently no plans for significant growth beyond this.

“ALPINA is a company that creates subtly stylish, very high performance cars that can be tailored to each customer’s personal requirements, yet offer the long-term comfort and durability required for daily use,” comments CEO Andreas Bovensiepen, son of the company’s founder Burkard Bovensiepen. “We have a unique philosophy and a commitment to engineering excellence that we intend to maintain and build on across the next 50 years.”