Latest Aston Martin dealership opens up in Bristol as the brand expands its sales, models and dealers.

• New Aston Martin dealership open in Bristol
• Prime site offers new and ‘Timeless’ pre-owned sales, aftersales and parts
• State-of-the-art 2,500m² facility

Aston Martin has opened its latest new dealership in the UK in Bristol, with the first Aston Martin dealership for partner Dick Lovett.

The purpose-built state-of-the-art facility features a 25-car luxurious showroom for new and pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars and a separate lounge where customers can tailor their new car to the exact specification of their choosing using “Q by Aston Martin” elements. 

The dealership also has a dedicated aftersales team and a 10 bay workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. Aston Martin Bristol offer a convenient “Collection & Delivery” service using their covered vehicle transporter and a “Roaming Technician” service to assist with minor repairs and original diagnostic work.

Speaking at the VIP customer reception yesterday evening, Aston Martin President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “I am delighted to open this outstanding new facility here in Bristol, which sets the benchmark for all dealership showrooms worldwide.”   

“We are confident the passionate and dedicated Aston Martin Bristol team will draw upon their extensive experience and knowledge of the Aston Martin brand to provide our valued customers an exceptional service in the South West and Wales.  We are excited to be working with new partner Dick Lovett who share our passion for Aston Martin.”

Lynn Campbell, Managing Director, Dick Lovett commented: “It was great to see over 400 Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts this evening. The opening of our new state-of-the-art facility, in our 50^th year, has made 2016 a fantastic year. 

The facility has been uniquely designed and reflects Aston Martin’s core design philosophy and craftsmanship. We are dedicated to providing new and existing Aston Martin owners with a service which surpasses their expectations.”

Located in a prime position at Cribbs Causeway, close to Junction 17 of the M5, the showroom opening was attended by invited guests and key members of the Aston Martin senior executive team.

On display at the opening event was the new DB11. The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, the DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition.  

Also included in the display was the new Vanquish Zagato, a DB4 Convertible, the Aston Martin Racing #99 V8 Vantage GTE plus a host of other Aston Martin special project vehicles. In addition to this were examples from the company’s current line-up, and a selection of heritage models, including the Aston Martin A3, the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world.

New Aston Martin dealership opens in Newcastle, the brand expansion continues with full force.

• New Aston Martin dealership open in Newcastle
• Prime site offers new and ‘Timeless’ Pre-owned sales, aftersales and Parts
• State-of-the-art 1,950m² facility

Aston Martin has opened its latest new dealership in the UK in Newcastle, with the first Aston Martin dealership for partner Stoneacre.

The purpose-built state-of-the-art facility features a 14-car luxurious showroom for new and pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars, a separate “Q by Aston Martin” lounge where customers can tailor their new car to the exact specification of their choosing, a dedicated aftersales team and a workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. 

Speaking at the VIP customer reception last week, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “I am delighted to open this outstanding new facility here in Newcastle, which sets the benchmark for all dealership showrooms worldwide.  We have found the right partner in Stoneacre who share our passion for Aston Martin.   

“We are confident the passionate and dedicated Aston Martin Newcastle team will draw upon their extensive experience and knowledge of the Aston Martin brand to provide our valued customers in Newcastle an exceptional service.”

Shaun Foweather, Managing Director of Stoneacre commented: “It was great to see over 200 Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts this evening, which shows the extensive level of interest in this fantastic iconic 103 year old marque. It was an honor to also be able to unveil the new DB11 for the first time in the UK on such a special night.”

Located in a prime position at Silverlink, which is easily accessible from the A19 and A1, the showroom opening was attended by invited guests and key members of the Aston Martin senior executive team.

Attendees were treated to the first public unveiling in the UK of the new DB11. The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition. 

Also included in the display was Aston Martin Racing endurance veteran, the #99 V8 Vantage GTE, an Aston Martin Vulcan, a Lagonda Taraf alongside examples from the company’s current line-up, and a selection of heritage models.

Dynamo joins forces with FIAT and the 500 X to tour the country.

• FIAT has partnered with famous magician Dynamo to star in the build up to the launch of the FIAT 500X in the UK in April
• The artist and the new crossover feature in an extraordinary 360-degree VR test-drive experience using special 3D headsets
• The tour visits six UK city-centre locations in February and March, starting today in London’s Covent Garden
• The VR experience is a collaboration between FIAT, Dynamo and Framestore, the British Oscar-winning SFX studio
• More information on the "The Power of X” initiative is available at the dedicated site:thepowerofXtour.co.uk

The "The Power of X” tour, featuring the FIAT 500X and world-famous magician Dynamo, kicks off in the UK. Having already visited 68 European cities, the UK leg of the tour brings the FIAT 500X and Dynamo’s immersive VR experience to London’s Covent Garden on February 13 and 14, before moving on to Cardiff (Queen Street, February 15), Birmingham (Victoria Square, February 21), Manchester (Piccadilly Gardens, February 22) and Newcastle (Grainger Square, February 28), before making its final stop in Glasgow (Silverburn, March 1).

Participants in the #ThePowerOfX tour are taken on a double journey to discover the new FIAT 500X: not only are they able to get up close and personal with the new crossover they can also take part in an immersive digital experience thanks to a special Virtual Reality headset, which reproduces a 360-degree environment in ultra-high resolution 3D. Users will be part of the first ever virtual reality magic experience, produced in collaboration with FIAT, Dynamo and Framestore - the two-time Oscar®-winning, British special effects studio.

Everyone is welcome to drop in and explore the “The Power of X” tour events but by registering online at thepowerofxtour.co.uk visitors will be given priority access at their chosen location, allowing them to skip the queues. Once there, they will be given a wristband with a unique chip which will not only allow them to gain access to the facilities, it will also enable the cameras installed at the event to recognise each individual and compile a unique and personalised video of their experience.

At the same time, dealers throughout the UK will host special preview weekends where people can enjoy the same VR test drive experience with Dynamo and see the FIAT 500X in the metal for the first time. The beginning of the tour also coincides with the official opening of the FIAT 500X order books, enabling the 82,000 “hand raisers” who have so far expressed an interest in the new crossover to create their perfect FIAT 500X using the online configurator and place their order for one of the most hotly-anticipated new cars of the year.

Visitors to both FIAT dealerships and city-centre tour locations will also be able to recreate Dynamo’s incredible virtual experience at home using a cardboard toolkit that will be given as a gift to all participants. Comprising a piece of carefully folded cardboard containing a pair of lenses and used in conjunction with a designated smartphone app, the headset becomes a virtual reality headset in its own right, allowing people to experience “The Power of X” in their own homes.

The arrival of “The Power of X” tour in the UK was marked by an exclusive event at the Copperbox Arena in London where Dynamo performed a one-off, never-to-be repeated illusion, making a FIAT 500X appear on stage in front of more than 1,000 astonished guests. 

Video of the illusion is available to view here:www.youtube.com/FiatUK

The FIAT 500X range at launch kicks off with the 140hp 1.4-litre MultiAir Popstar, priced from £17,595 OTR, when the first right hand-drive models arrive in showrooms nationwide on April 17. An entry-level 1.6 Pop joins the range shortly thereafter priced from £14,595 OTR. For more information visit 500x.FIAT500.com or search for #ThePowerOfX

Infiniti Centre Newcastle - Opening Night, the expansion contineus for Inifinti.

The UK’s tenth Infiniti Centre was officially opened in Newcastle-upon-Tyne last night, giving discerning North East motorists direct access to the premium carmaker’s unique fusion of elegance and performance for the first time.

Prominently located on the city’s Silverlink Business Park, the stunning new facility further strengthens Infiniti’s nationwide presence and gives the brand an important foothold just a few miles from the Sunderland factory where the first British-built Infiniti  - the Q30 – will enter production next year.

Its opening also marks the beginning of a new relationship between Infiniti and Gateshead-based Vertu Motors PLC – one of the country’s largest and most successful automotive retail groups – which will operate the new outlet.

Steve Oliver, Infiniti’s director for northern Europe, said: “The North East has a pivotal role to play in Infiniti’s future in the UK and Europe. The launch next year of the new Q30 will be a landmark moment in the brand’s history and so to be opening this fantastic new Infiniti Centre just a few miles down the road from the factory where the car will be built is terrific.”

Robert Forrester, CEO of Vertu Motors, said: “As a company based in the North East we are incredibly proud to be opening the region’s first Infiniti Centre. The new Q30 will go into production in Sunderland next year and it’s fantastic that we’ll soon be able to sell North East made premium cars in this fantastic new facility.

“We know how loyal the people of the region are to cars that are built here and with the quality of its products and the global reputation it has for quality and performance we are extremely confident Infiniti will be a big hit with the area’s motorists.”

The launch event was attended by scores of invited VIPs and showcased the exclusive models that make up the Infiniti range – including the new Q50 sports saloon and QX70 SUV – and the outstanding facilities that will see Infiniti Centre Newcastle deliver new standards of excellence in customer care.

Guests were also among the very first in the country to see the new Infiniti Support Our Paras Q50 racing car which will compete in the coming British Touring Car Championship season, driven and maintained by injured service personnel. The Infiniti Red Bull Racing Formula One car driven by Sebastian Vettel was also on display.

Tesla continues push into UK with another dealership, and more to come.

West Drayton-based store and service centre continues Tesla’s UK expansion

Tesla today opened a new store and service centre in the UK. Accessible from the M4 and M40 in West London, the new location features a Model S design studio, a seven-bay service area, and the UK’s first purpose-built two-bay delivery centre. It will also offer Model S owners a free shuttle service to the nearby Heathrow airport.

The retail centre – located at Park House, Horton Road, West Drayton, UB7 8JD – is Tesla’s second UK store, adding to the company’s presence in Westfield White City. By the end of 2014, customers will be able to visit Tesla stores and service centres across the country. Tesla is currently recruiting for upcoming sales and service facilities in Crawley, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. The company will continue to hold test-drive events around the UK.

Model S Heathrow Shuttle

Tesla is also announcing plans for an exclusive Model S customer airport shuttle to Heathrow from the new store and service centre. The pre-bookable offering will allow customers the opportunity to have their car serviced whilst away on holiday or business. Tesla will drop off drivers, passengers, and luggage at the airport in time for their flights and meet them in arrivals on their return.

“By taking any hassle out of servicing and flying, I believe that we can delight our customers,” said Georg Ell, Tesla’s UK country director. “The location of our new West London store and service centre makes a perfect base for this service.”

Model S in the UK

Launched in right hand drive in June, Model S is an uncompromised electric car that delivers 312 miles of NEDC range on a single charge. With a 17-inch touchscreen, an outstanding safety record, and an acceleration of 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, the fully electric Model S breaks the mould. The car and the company have received numerous accolades, includingAutocar magazine’s Sturmey Award for Automotive Excellence and Telegraph Motoring’s Best Eco Car, voted for by readers. Top Gear Magazine called the Model S “the most important car Top Gear has tested.”

Model S has an iPhone app, available in the UK iTunes store. The app puts Model S owners in direct communication with their cars anytime, anywhere. Owners can use the app to check on charging progress, start or stop charging, and heat up or cool down Model S before driving.

In the UK, prices for the Model S start at £50,280 on the road, including the £5,000 government plug-in grant. UK Model S customers can also benefit from other government incentives, including zero road tax, zero showroom tax, and exemption from London Congestion Charge. The car is also eligible for the 100 percent First Year Allowance for company purchase and 0 percent Benefit in Kind, both of which last until April 2015.