Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has joined forces with Champions Tennis to chauffeur the greatest players of all time.

• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London has joined forces with Champions Tennis to chauffeur the greatest players of all time to and from the Royal Albert Hall from 30 November – 4 December
• Champions Tennis sees some of the best players the sport has ever produced face off in the ATP Champions Tour season finale
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London is one of the main sponsors of the event, following on from a successful partnership with the Tennis Classic tournament in June earlier this year
• Former British No. 1 Tim Henman, seven-time Grand Slam winner John McEnroe and two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter are just three of the big names set to enjoy Rolls-Royce’s hospitality

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London will chauffeur some of the greatest tennis players of all time around the capital during the Champions Tennis tournament from 30 November to 4 December.

As one of the competition’s main sponsors, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London will be on location at the Royal Albert Hall ready to take big-name players to and from the world-famous venue in luxury worthy of the occasion.

Former British No.1 Tim Henman is one of many iconic names in attendance in London, as well as seven-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most entertaining players ever to take to the court, John McEnroe.

Henman and McEnroe will be joined by the likes of two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter, former World No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero and Greg Rusedski.

All players will be given the chance to travel to and from the venue in the opulence that only a Rolls-Royce can provide thanks to H.R. Owen, who will deploy the Wraith, Dawn and Ghost at the event.

Specially trained drivers from H.R. Owen’s Chauffeur Drive division will be behind the wheel, with their expert knowledge of London enabling them to get players to the Royal Albert Hall in time for action.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London will also take its customers to the event and provide corporate hospitality within the Royal Albert Hall, where there will be two sessions of tennis every day of the tournament.

The company recently ferried players to and from the ultra-exclusive Hulingham Club for the Tennis Classic in June. Some of the current best players in the world competed in the event, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London’s input was a huge success.

Claus Andersen, Brand Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, said: “Being part of the Champions Tennis tournament is an honour and the perfect way to bring the curtain down on another entertaining ATP Champions Tour season. Former Grand Slam winners and world No.1s will be showcasing their skills on the court and we’re very excited to give them the royal treatment in one of our luxurious cars.”

The Mercedes-Benz E 220 d AMG Line Saloon has been announced as ‘Executive Car of the Year’

The Mercedes-Benz E 220 d AMG Line Saloon has been announced as ‘Executive Car of the Year’ in the 2016 Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards.

The E-Class, which was launched in the UK earlier this year, was praised for its combination of advanced safety technology and its ‘roomy’ and ‘comfortable’ interior.

Mark Bursa, editor of Professional Driver Magazine, said: “The new E 220 d is a formidable vehicle, taking on a lot of safety technology and interior finish from the S-Class. It’s roomy and comfortable, and it is still the benchmark executive car for chauffeurs.”

Rob East, Head of Fleet, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, added: “The E-Class is a hugely important model for us – it’s at the very heart of our brand. It’s one of our longest serving models and it’s great to see the car still getting the recognition it deserves. The newest E-Class takes style, comfort and technology to a new level, making it the perfect executive package.”

Professional Driver magazine is the UK’s monthly publication aimed at the private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry. The Professional Driver Car of the Year is chosen from the seven category winners, and the awards are announced at the Professional Driver Awards dinner in November.

The E-Class saloon was launched in early 2016 and is one of the most technologically advanced cars in its segment. The E 220 d features a new 2.1-litre diesel engine, which further boosts efficiency and refinement. In September, Mercedes-Benz introduced the new E-Class Estate which adds a level of practicality to an already attractive offering.

The Volvo XC90 T8 Plug in hybrid has been awarded the green car of the year award.

• XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid crowned Green Car of the Year at the Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards
• Honoured for its luxuriousness, affordable running costs and low CO₂ emissions
• Volvo’s comprehensive chauffeur programme also praised

The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Inscription has been voted Green Car of the Year at the 2016 Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards.

The awards celebrate the best in the private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry, and the Green Car of the Year category was open to any vehicle with CO₂ emissions of 70 g/km or below. 

The XC90 T8 sits comfortably below that figure, with CO₂ emissions of just 49 g/km, helped by its innovative petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

That’s not the T8’s only impressive figure. It can be driven for up to 27 miles in zero-emission, virtually silent electric-only mode, and its official combined fuel economy figure is 134.5 mpg. 

The XC90 T8 has space for seven adults in its luxurious interior, while its boot provides an impressive 967 litres of luggage space when the two rearmost seats are folded down.

Drivers and passengers will certainly appreciate the XC90 T8 Inscription’s beautiful cabin. Nappa soft leather upholstery, natural wood inlays and leather door tops are all standard, as are rear footwell and side step illumination, and integrated sun curtains in the rear doors. Every XC90 T8 also comes with a panoramic glass sunroof and four-zone climate control.

Class-leading connectivity comes as standard, too. The ground-breaking Volvo On Call app allows you to control numerous functions of the car from your mobile device, including the ability to heat or cool the cabin so it’s at the perfect temperature when you and your passengers get in the car. The innovative touch screen control system offers pinch and zoom functionality, and you can even use it while wearing gloves. You can also turn the car into a WiFi hotspot using the increased signal strength of the car’s antenna, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are available.

As you’d expect from a Volvo, safety is paramount. Every XC90 comes with automatic emergency braking, which works day or night, along with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection. There are also advanced safety aids to prevent the car from inadvertently leaving the road, while the standard Pilot Assist semi-autonomous drive system takes the strain out of long motorway journeys by helping to regulate the car’s speed, distance from any vehicle in front, and position in its lane.

Volvo’s bespoke chauffeur programme also won praise from the judges. This includes a three-year, 100,000-mile warranty, a like-for-like replacement vehicle, direct aftersales support and service plan options. Contract hire offers of up to 50,000 miles a year are available, too.

Commenting on the award, Mark Bursa, the editor of Professional Driver, said: “The Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine offers a great combination of luxury, low running costs and great manufacturer support through a benchmark chauffeur programme.”

Selwyn Cooper, Head of Business Sales for Volvo Car UK, said: “The XC90 T8 is already proving a huge hit with Volvo buyers, and for it to win this award is an honour, especially because it is chosen by leading chauffeur and private hire professionals. The XC90 T8’s blend of space, luxury, tax-efficiency, refinement and safety makes it the perfect car to drive or be driven in.”

Crawfords of London Luxury Private Hire adds 50 2016 Jaguar Xj-LWD Autobiography models to it's fleet.

• Jaguar announces major chauffeur deal with Crawfords of London amid wider success for Jaguar models in the fleet sector
• Crawfords of London adds 50 flagship Jaguar XJ LWB Autobiography as the brand’s most high-end offering
• The 2016 Model Year XJ features an uprated 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine and a suite of hi-tech features, including 360 Degree Park Distance Control

Jaguar is pleased to announce a major new chauffeur deal with Crawfords of London, underlining Jaguar’s fleet success this year and its status as a major player in the luxury private hire market.

Crawfords of London will be adding 50 2016 Model Year XJ LWB Autobiography models to its fleet of luxury models, transporting its most demanding customers in a car that is the pinnacle of Jaguar’s line-up. As standard it comes with heated and cooled reclining rear seats, rear business tables, wi-fi and sunblinds.

The 2016 Model Year XJ features an uprated 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, with CO₂ emissions reduced by 6 per cent to 149g/km, compared with the previous XJ. It also has a suite of hi-tech features, including 360 Degree Park Distance Control and InControl Remote Premium, allowing owners to access the car through their smartphone for features such as cabin pre-warming.

Jimmy Lazarou, CEO of Crawfords of London, said: “Our business is to chauffeur the world’s most discerning people: from captains of industry, CEOs, business professionals, A-list celebrities, high net worth individuals and sporting personalities. The Jaguar XJ LWB Autobiography offers everything that we could want; it is stylish, spacious and luxurious. With rear seat entertainment that includes twin high-definition screens, wi-fi and a host of connectivity for smartphones, not to mention soft Nappa leather seats and acres of space, the specification meets all of our clients expectations. We are also proud to be associated with a quintessentially British brand such as Jaguar.”

Chris Newitt, Sales Director Jaguar Land Rover UK, said: “We are very proud that one of the UK’s most highly-respected chauffeur companies, Crawfords of London, has selected our new Jaguar XJ 2016 Model Year as their flagship vehicle. It is testament to Jaguar’s latest range – which features cars that have style, luxury and low running costs in equal measure – that we are ticking every box for business customers.” 

John McEnroe surprises two fans with a VIP journey to Wimbledon in a Jaguar XE.

• Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe astonishes two tennis fans with VIP journey to All England Club in a new Jaguar XE
• Captured on film: McEnroe plays the role of The Secret Chauffeur in Jaguar’s #FeelWimbledon hidden camera stunt 
• https://youtu.be/xbXez5GTujo
• Biometric wearable devices shows fan’s heart rate increased by 60.3% to 93 bpm when McEnroe revealed himself as driver

John McEnroe swapped his role as a Wimbledon commentator for chauffeur car driver today, as the all-time tennis great surprised two unsuspecting Wimbledon fans with an unforgettable journey to The All England Club.

McEnroe surprised tennis fans Tom Payne and Nick Webb, who were selected to take part in the Secret Chauffeur stunt and offered a VIP trip to Wimbledon as part of Jaguar’s #FeelWimbledon campaign. On route to Wimbledon, the real chauffeur jumped out the car to be replaced by John McEnroe as he took hold of the wheel and personally drove the two unsuspecting fans down to The Championships, Wimbledon.

Jaguar is using cutting-edge sociometic, biometric and atmospheric sensors to analyse and celebrate the unique spectrum of emotions associated with the world’s number one tennis tournament. Documenting The Secret Chauffeur experience, Jaguar captured the emotional reactions of Payne and Webb using biometric wristbands. Hidden cameras were installed in a new Jaguar XE to film the fans responses. Watch McEnroe as The Secret Chauffeur here:https://youtu.be/xbXez5GTujo

Results from the wearables, which are measuring the heart rate of selected fans every day during Wimbledon, shows both Payne and Webb’s heart rate increased dramatically when McEnroe switched as their driver. When McEnroe was revealed, Tom Payne’s biometric wearable device showed his excitement and heart rate which increased by 60.3% to 93 bpm. It continued to rise as the fans quizzed McEnroe on his thoughts about Murray’s chances to win a second Wimbledon title, and posed for photographs with the American tennis legend outside the famous gates to the world’s premier tennis tournament.

Before resuming his media duties for the day, McEnroe, said: “I was very happy to be part of this creative stunt with Jaguar. This is the greatest Grand Slam of them all – both in the eyes of the players and fans – and the surprise on Tom and Nick’s faces when I got in the car shows just how excited the fans get at Wimbledon.”

Tom Payne said: “I thought I was just coming to Wimbledon to watch the quarter finals and enjoy the atmosphere, but to be driven there in style by the legend John McEnroe was incredible. It was an awesome surprise!”

Nick Webb added: “I think my reactions say it all! Walking into Wimbledon with McEnroe was something I’ll never forget. Thank you to Jaguar for such a brilliant start to our day at Wimbledon.”

Chinese brand BYD brings a fleet of pure electric cars to London.

BYD, which is bringing its range of pure electric private hire vehicles to Europe, has teamed up with Thriev to provide 20 BYD e6 cars to the company’s emission-free London chauffeur-driven fleet within the next few weeks.

Last month, the Mayor of London announced that from 1 January 2018, all new taxis would have to be zero-emission capable in order to gain an operating licence. Today’s announcement means that the London private hire market is four years ahead of that development.

Thriev (www.thriev.com) offers low-cost, zero-emission, chauffeured cars to corporate and private users in London. The company is rolling out an electric car programme complete with its own rapid chargers, cars and state-of-the-art car/charger scheduling systems. Part of the deal with BYD is that Thriev will equip its facility at Edgware Road, west London, with BYD’s purpose-designed charging equipment, which allows fast charging of the e6 in just two hours.

Initially, the e6 fleet is being supplied on a lease arrangement, although both BYD and Thriev expect this to be the beginning of a long-term relationship that will go some way to fulfilling a joint BYD and Thriev vision of a ‘green city solution’ – the transitioning of key public and personal transport vehicles from petrol and diesel power to pure electric. In December, two fully-electric, full-size buses operated by Go-Ahead Group, entered service on two central Transport for London routes – part of a Europe-wide initiative to introduce emissions-free BYD buses to major city centre operations.

Both the e6 car and ebus from BYD share the same proven and reliable electric technology. They use BYD lithium iron Fe batteries, which have been proven in millions of miles of taxi and bus passenger-carrying service in China as well as many parts of the world.

Commenting on the agreement with Thriev, Isbrand Ho, BYD Europe’s Managing Director, said: “We have been looking at various options to bring our e6 and its proven emissions-free technology to London. We are convinced that in Thriev we have found the right partner to do this – we share many of the same objectives of providing safe, reliable and efficient green transport in cities”.

Arvind Vij, CEO and a co-founder of Thriev said: “We think that BYD’s e6 model meets our requirements to offer passenger comfort, good range and rapid charging. We share BYD’s desire to provide practical, zero-emission solutions and look forward to a long-term partnership.”