Renault launches its all new Formula One car for the new season, this is All new, nothing from last year,

Renault Sport Formula One Team today launched its 2017 challenger, the R.S.17, at a showcase event in front of international media and team partners, in London, England.

Highlighting new partners and sponsors including BP, Castrol and MAPFRE, the launch was also the first public revealing of the new Renault Sport brand identity, designed to provide a stronger link between Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars.

Powered by Renault Sport Racing’s R.E.17 power unit, the R.S.17 has no carry over parts from the R.S.16. The team has worked from a clean sheet of paper to respond to Formula 1’s latest regulations. 

It is the first Formula 1 car designed from the outset by Renault Sport Racing from its two locations in Enstone, England and Viry-Châtillon, France.

Present at the launch were Thierry Koskas, Groupe Renault Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Jérôme Stoll, President and Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing, as well as Renault Sport Formula One Team’s senior management and drivers, and Alain Prost as Renault Sport Racing Special Advisor.

The R.S.17 was unveiled by race drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, whilst Third and Reserve Driver Sergey Sirotkin was also announced today.

The car was unveiled with the hashtag #RS17Launch.

The 2017 Renault Sport Academy line-up was also confirmed, with Jack Aitken, Max Fewtrell, Jarno Opmeer and Sun Yue Yang all being supported by Renault Sport Racing through their 2017 seasons. Jack will contest the GP3 Series, whilst Max, Jarno and Sun will contest the Formula Renault Eurocup in an historic-high 30-cars-grid.

Jérôme Stoll, President of Renault Sport Racing:

“The R.S.17 is the first car which Enstone and Viry have been able to plan and develop from the outset and we’re satisfied by the fruits of this interaction. It’s a beautiful car. As well as the excitement of the R.S.17 itself, we also have a highly important new partner in BP through their BP and Castrol brands. For 2017 our performance targets are clear. We want to take a definite, tangible step forward in performance and results. Fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship is our goal.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport Racing Managing Director:

“For 2017 we are perfectly placed to take the step forward we all desire. The R.S.17 is the result of many long working hours spent over our two integrated locations and the result is a car we can be proud of. We have a strong line-up of personnel at all levels of the team and we’re proud to see Nico and Sergey join Jolyon in 2017. We are joined by a strong group of partners with BP, Castrol, MAPFRE and SMP Racing representing the best pre-season sponsorship acquisition campaign in the paddock. We are the fastest growing F1 team and we now need to prove our performance on track. Our objective is to score points at every round.”

GLOHH, the specialist automotive lighting manufacturers, has designed new tail lights for the 2005-2013 Range Rover Sport.

• September 2016 marks the official worldwide launch of the GL-3 Dynamic taillight.

GLOHH, the specialist automotive lighting manufacturers, have given one of their most sought-after lighting products an exciting facelift. 

After the global success of the original GL-3 taillight, the team at GLOHH are once again introducing a world first for the Range Rover Sport with the release of the GL-3 Dynamic. Designed exclusively for the L320 2005-2013 models, the new-look GL-3 taillight features the innovative Dynamic Flow Indicator. 

Incorporating both precision engineering and sleek aesthetics, the new GL-3 Dynamic is primed to become the universal must-have lighting accessory for Range Rover Sport owners.

For maximum visual impact, the GL-3 Dynamic features an innovative flow indicator consisting of a strip of LEDs. The 24 LEDs are aligned in blocks of four and programmed to light up in succession each time the indicator or hazard warning lights are in use. 

Controlled by a microprocessor, the sequence of light lasting 350ms flows in the direction of intended travel. The 20% increase in length from the previous model, delivers a fluid stream of light improving visibility of your vehicle even in low-light conditions and over long distances. 

The addition of the dynamic indicator offers a sophisticated and technologically advanced lighting solution for the Range Rover Sport, enhancing safety credentials and satisfying high demand for distinctive products that fuse style and function.

Azhar Ahmad, Glohh’s Marketing Manager said “The original GL-3 taillight was never just a fashion accessory for Range Rover Sport drivers - this intuitive rear light cluster provided users with a sleek look, improved power efficiency and an easy plug and play installation. 

It was only natural to us that our new edition should evolve further. Incorporating the dynamic indicator feature adds an additional layer of safety and the new fog lights offer greater visibility when you need it most. 

Fine adjustments have also been made to the outer lens, brake light and the three glowing elements making the GL-3 Dynamic essentially uncompromised”.

GLOHH creates products that fulfil the desire to be unique, keeping the leading edge through combining strong aesthetics with high performance, safety and efficiency. Behind the scenes, engineers are developing products including an innovative taillight design for the new Range Rover Sport L494 which was released in 2013. 

As with its predecessors, this future release promises to deliver powerful visual impact through masterful engineering.

Merfyn Williams, Head of Product Communications at Glohh adds, “Innovation is in our DNA. We are always looking to develop products that reflect our customers’ quest for the extraordinary. By fusing the latest in light technology with the distinctive GLOHH design, we are confident that buyers and fans alike will fall in love with the avant-garde GL-3 Dynamic.”

For now, the GL-3 Dynamic will officially launch worldwide this summer and will be making its debut in the UK where demand for the first generation GL-3 taillight was particularly high. 

The GL-3 Dynamic will be available from the GLOHH website for just $898.00USD, €849.00 and £649.00GBP. To celebrate the official launch of the GL-3 Dynamic taillight, Glohh is exclusively offering free shipping to all buyers who purchase viawww.glohh.com in the month of September 2016. 

USA - Genesis and Amazon collaborate to let you talk to your car when you are away from it.

First Automaker to Launch Amazon Alexa Skill for a Heightened Luxury Experience

• Genesis Connected Services links the Alexa service built into Amazon Echo, Tap, Echo Dot and Fire TV with the Genesis G80 and G90 to send remote car commands from inside homes
• Amazon Alexa skill for Genesis features at launch include: 
  • Remote engine start with climate control
  • Remote door lock/unlock
  • Remote horn/lights

• Genesis G90 owners receive a complimentary Amazon.com Gift Card, which can be applied toward an Amazon Echo*
• Genesis vehicles are equipped with three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Car Services

“Did I lock the car?” “How can I warm up my car on a snowy morning without going outside, get my news and still get to work on time?” These are questions that can leave many car owners feeling frazzled. But not G80 and G90 owners, as Genesis is the first automaker to launch an Alexa skill, allowing remote voice commands to control connected cars. 

Genesis Connected Services can take care of these tasks and more from inside the home using the Alexa voice service on Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. The new Alexa skill for Genesis is available today across Alexa-enabled devices. 

“We’re excited to bring the convenience of voice and Alexa to the Genesis G80 and G90,” said Steve Rabuchin, vice president, Amazon Alexa. “With this innovative Alexa implementation, customers can now start their car, and get the heat going all just by asking Alexa from the comfort of their own home. We can’t wait for our customers to try it out.”

Additionally, Genesis G90 owners will receive a complimentary Amazon.com Gift Card redeemable towards an Amazon Echo.

“The Amazon Alexa skill for Genesis demonstrates our progressive commitment to technology that is intuitive and customer-focused. It aligns with our belief that time and convenience are the ultimate luxuries,” said Erwin Raphael, general manager of Genesis in the U.S. market. 

“From remotely locking your car from your living room, to starting your G90 and setting the temperature from your bedroom, the Alexa skill for Genesis offers a new level of ease for owners.”

How It Works

Amazon Alexa allows customers to send remote commands to their car from inside their home using simple voice interaction through Genesis Connected Services and an Alexa-enabled device. 

To send commands to Genesis vehicles via Alexa, users must enable the Genesis skill in their Alexa app available on iOS, Android and Fire tablets, and then link their existing Genesis Connected Services Account within the Alexa app. 

Voice commands will only be sent to Genesis vehicles after Alexa prompts owners for their Genesis Connected Services Personal Identification Number (PIN).

How to Start Genesis Amazon Alexa

Example User Statement to Alexa	Example Alexa’s Response to User
“Alexa, open Genesis.”	“Welcome to the Genesis skill.”

Genesis Amazon Alexa Skill: Remote Services

Remote Services	Examples of Voice Commands to Alexa
Remote Start with Set Temperature	“Alexa, tell Genesis to start my car at 70 degrees.”
Remote Start	“Alexa, tell Genesis to start my Black G90.”
Remote Stop	“Alexa, tell Genesis to stop my Gray G90.”
Remote Lock	“Alexa, tell Genesis to lock my car.”
Remote Unlock	“Alexa, tell Genesis to unlock my car.”
Remote Lights	“Alexa, tell Genesis to flash the lights on my G80.”
Remote Horns and Lights	“Alexa, tell Genesis to honk the horn on my car.”

USA - Jaguar North America to unveil the new XE and F-Pace at customer events throughout the country.

• Jaguar continues momentum to target heart of luxury market with retailer debut of all-new Jaguar XE & F-PACE
• Thousands of consumers get first-look at Jaguar's latest vehicles

Today, Jaguar North America announced retailers throughout the country will be hosting exclusive customer events this spring to introduce the brand's latest compact sports sedan, the Jaguar XE & Jaguar's first ever compact SUV, the F-PACE. 

Attendees will be amongst the very first consumers to see Jaguar's latest five-model line-up, which has the capacity to reach a far wider range of potential luxury customers than ever before.

Events will be taking place through the month of May, with over 75 taking place May 23-31. 

Jaguar retailers will welcome the vehicles in grand style, with events that include social media contests for weekend vehicle loans, interactive bars and live music. Retailers, including Barrett Jaguar in San Antonio, Texas will be unleashing the cats at their event, as they send aerialists and body-painted Jaguar cats into the crowd to unveil the XE & F-PACE, while Jaguar Sacramento will be hosting an evening party at Mather Aviation for an impressive unveiling with music by DJ Louie, a San Francisco-based DJ.

Jaguar Main Line will be taking their event to the outdoors at the Devon Horse Show, which will feature a five-car Jaguar display, tickets to carnival rides and a raffle of an all-new Jaguar F-PACE, with all proceeds benefitting Bryn Mawr Hospital. 

Throughout the events, attendees and dealership personnel will be sharing images and information via social media using #NewGenJaguar.

"This is a major milestone for the Jaguar brand and we are excited to have our retailers showcase the expanded lineup of Jaguar models to a larger target audience during their New Generation of Jaguar events," said Chris Marchand, Vice President, Operations, Jaguar Land Rover North America. 

"Guests will be among the first to experience the XE and F-PACE and learn about our all-new ownership package with best in class coverage, Jaguar EliteCare¹."

For added piece of mind, all 2017 Jaguar models sold in the U.S. now come equipped with Jaguar EliteCare, a best-in-class ownership package¹ offering a new vehicle limited warranty with complimentary scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance and Jaguar InControl® Remote & Protect™ for five-years or 60,000 miles.

The competitively priced Jaguar XE and F-PACE add relevance for the Jaguar brand placing them in a strong position in the luxury segment. The 2017 Jaguar XE is currently available with an MSRP starting at $34,900², and the 2017 Jaguar F-PACE with an MSRP starting at $40,990². 

¹  Class is cars sold by luxury automobile brands and claim is based on total package of warranty, maintenance and other coverage programs. For complete details regarding Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JAGUARUSA.COM, call 1.800.4.JAGUAR or visit your local Jaguar Retailer.

² All prices shown are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Jaguar Retailer for details.

NBCUniversal today announced a partnership with Chrysler, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment.

• NBCUniversal, Universal Pictures, Chrysler Brand and Illumination Entertainment Create Wide-Reaching Partnership to Launch All-New 2017 Chrysler Pacifica and 'The Secret Life of Pets'
• Talent from across the NBCUniversal portfolio celebrate "National Pet Day" with Chrysler Pacifica and the new comedy in theaters July 8
• Branded content featuring NBCUniversal Talent including Seth Meyers to air In celebration of "National Pet Day" on NBCUniversal networks and digital platforms including Fandango, BuzzFeed and Vox Media

NBCUniversal today announced a wide reaching partnership with Chrysler brand, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment to launch the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica and Illumination and Universal's "The Secret Life of Pets," which arrives in theatres July 8. 

In a fully scaled effort, the multi-episode custom content pieces created by NBCUniversal's Content Innovation Agency, Universal Pictures and Illumination will feature NBCUniversal talent, including star "Late Night" host Seth Meyers and his dog, Frisbee, and will air across the company's networks and social platforms, as well as on BuzzFeed and Vox Media, beginning April 11 through July, that will be distributed across the social web. 

Starting today, the custom content will debut during NBC's "Today" and then across the NBCUniversal portfolio. Content featuring the Pacifica, animation from "The Secret Life of Pets" and NBCUniversal talent will appear on Golf Channel, NBCSN, Sprout and USA Network. 

The launch campaign will conclude tonight with a live ad featuring Meyers on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," and another original content piece, as well as the debut of the brand new trailer for "The Secret Life of Pets."

"The opportunity to partner with NBCUniversal to create engaging content featuring talent from across its diverse television network portfolio presented a strong media platform with incredible reach to tell the story of the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica," said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA – Global. 

"Leveraging the unprecedented level of functionality, versatility and technology of the vehicle, including our UConnect theater, together with 'The Secret Life of Pets,' a film for mom, dad and their children, is the perfect combination to introduce audiences to the all-new Chrysler Pacifica as the ultimate family vehicle."

This program also extends to NBCUniversal's extensive digital and social platforms and will feature content from the campaign and will take advantage of the company's Social Synch program. Telemundo's "Un Nuevo Dia" will activate its digital properties to feature the content. BuzzFeed and Vox Media will also create their own unique and engaging content on April 11.

"This unprecedented partnership represents how NBCUniversal is able to tap into assets across our company, from film to distribution, to deliver our advertisers audiences with incredible scale," said Linda Yaccarino, Chairman, Advertising Sales and Client Partnerships, NBCUniversal. 

"We were thrilled that Chrysler entrusted us with developing a breakthrough campaign for their biggest launch of the year, and we couldn't be happier to join with 'The Secret Life of Pets' as our partner."

The campaign continues on April 12 with the rollout of three additional branded content pieces featuring Seth Meyers and the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which will air across NBCUniversal’s networks and digital pages. The custom content, as well as the "The Secret Life of Pets" trailer, will live on Fandango for the entirety of the campaign.

HRH The Prince of Wales meets Cumbria’s farmers of the future at launch of The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

HRH The Prince of Wales meets Cumbria’s farmers of the future at launch of The Prince’s Countryside Fund Land Rover Bursary Scheme

HRH The Prince of Wales met with a group of Cumbrian young farmers learning practical flood resilience driving skills at the Rookin House Activity Centre near Penrith. The visit marks a renewed three-year partnership between his charity, The Prince’s Countryside Fund and Land Rover with this year’s launch of The Prince’s Countryside Fund Land Rover bursary scheme.

This valuable bursary seeks to award up to five inspiring young people aged 21 to 35 the use of a Land Rover Discovery Sport for a year to support the development of their countryside careers.

The UK countryside is in desperate need of talented young people. The average age of a British farmer is 59 and only 4% of the UK’s farmers are under 35. Environmental conservation requires an estimated 30,000 new entrants by 2020 to maintain and protect our countryside, while in forestry, 53% of the workforce is over the age of 40.

During his visit to Cumbria, HRH The Prince of Wales joined the young farmers in their vehicle training as they developed skills in driving and reversing trailers in and around obstacles, learnt how to check water depth and flow of flooding before carefully driving through the water, and navigated their way around an off-road driving circuit. 

He also met Mark Curr, Helen Rebanks and her son Issac, the first recipients of the Land Rover Bursary in 2013, to find out how it benefited them. Mark runs a sheep enterprise and is the Chairman of Cumbria Young Farmers; an association that supports young farmers in the region. Helen and her husband James Rebanks are hill farmers at Racy Ghyll Farm, Matterdale. Helen used the Land Rover to transport school children to their “Herdwick School” on the farm, educating the next generation about life and farming on the fells.      

HRH The Prince of Wales joined the young farmers in training, getting behind the wheel of a Discovery Sport and drove through a beck experiencing the techniques of how to drive in water and negotiate the rocky river bed under the guidance of a Land Rover Experience Instructor.

Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK Managing Director said, “Land Rover is synonymous with the countryside and we’re looking for the UK’s most enterprising young people who would benefit from the use of a Land Rover Discovery Sport. Access to a 4x4 vehicle can be crucial to getting a rural business off the ground. By providing a vehicle with capability to tackle the most challenging of rural terrains, space for seven and excellent towing capacity, we are aiming to help five ambitious young people to further their rural careers.”

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said “There’s an acute need for young people to be supported to enter farming and related careers and a multitude of opportunity waiting for them. Whether you’re new to farming, starting a “field to fork” food business or keen to bring new technologies and your skills to the countryside, The Prince’s Countryside Fund is here to support you. That’s why we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Land Rover to provide such practical and valuable support to young people starting out in their rural careers.”

ITALY - The New Audi A4 gets it Italian launch with pricing and specs announced.

• Started their pre-sales ahead of the commercial launch in November
• Price from € 33,800
• Three engines and four TDI TFSI, all Euro 6 and with outputs from 150 hp to 272 hp
• Rich standard equipment, including Audi pre sense city, speed limiter and MMI newly developed
• Completely new range of versions and packages combined together
• Completely new it is the MMI plus it now has a 7 "monitor color and a redesigned interface. As standard the system has voice control, CD player, card reader SDCX, AUX-IN socket, USB port and 8 speakers.

A few weeks after the publication of the first official pictures began their pre-sales on the Italian market of the new Audi A4 and A4 Avant , completely redesigned based on the innovative modular platform longitudinal MLB, which saw its debut in the recent Audi Q7.

The new generation of the Audi A4 is thus presented to customers from 33,800 Euros for the A4 1.4 TFSI 150 hp and 38,250 € for the A4 Avant 2.0 TDI 150 hp .

More spacious compared to the external dimensions slightly increased, lighter up to 120 kg and with equipment of comfort and safety typical of a higher segment models, the new A4 is available with three engines and four TDI TFSI , all feature direct injection and turbocharging and approved to Euro 6 directive.

Thanks to a standard equipment of superior both in terms of driving safety and from the comfort, the A4 range comes as standard equipment the xenon plus headlights with daytime running lights in LED technology, the Audi drive select system with efficiency mode (except for 1.4 TFSI), the Bluetooth interface, the LED interior lighting and automatic climate control.

Of particular importance it is also the presence of series of the safety system Audi pre sense city , thanks to which the car is able to monitor the area in front for about 100 meters and up to a speed of 85 km / h. 

In the event of a risk of collision with vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists, the system warns the driver and activates an automatic braking that can greatly limit the impact speed, until you get to avoid it when the initial speed of the vehicle is less than 40 km / h .

Completely new it is the MMI plus it now has a 7 "monitor color and a redesigned interface.As standard the system has voice control, CD player, card reader SDCX, AUX-IN socket, USB port and 8 speakers.

In addition, the commercial proposal of the A4 and A4 Avant wheel now around four versions that can be supplemented by packages designed to make it easier for the customer to configure your A4 and whilst offering a significant advantage on the cost of individual equipment including.

The composition of individual versions, the price and its customer benefit:

Design version: single frame, side grilles and diffuser insert at the back in black titanium, 17 "wheels, 10-spoke, multifunction leather steering wheel in 3-spoke with chrome trim, interior trim specific.  

Engine with 150 hp, 1,900 euro; for engines with more than 150 hp, 1,300 Euros. Customer advantage of 14%.

Sport version: single frame, side grilles and diffuser insert at the rear in matt gray, 17 "5-spoke Y, multifunction steering wheel, 3-spoke leather sports and sports seats with specific coverings.

Engine with 150 hp, 1,900 euro; for engines with more than 150 hp, 1,300 Euros. Customer advantage of 14%.

Business version: MMI navigation system, rain sensor / lights, cruise control and front center armrest comfort.

Price of 1,970 Euros. Customer advantage of 34%.

Business version Sport: combines the endowment of the two versions.

Engine with 150 hp, 3,870 euro; for engines with more than 150 hp, 3,270 Euros. Customer advantage of 27%.

Evolution package: headlights and rear LED technology with dynamic rear turn signals, lights package and 3-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning. Price of 1,810 Euros.Customer advantage of 29%.

The commercial launch is scheduled for November .