MG wins GOLD at London design awards

• MG3 Design Concept awarded Gold at London Design Awards
• Created by young British MG designer Louise Thorburn
• Automotive personalisation inspired by British textile, fashion and jewellery design
• Concept also previews three new MG3 exterior personalisation packs

MG scooped the Gold award in the Product Design Concept category for its MG3 Design Concept. The award was announced by Mark Bergin, Founder and CEO of design100 at the prestigious London Design Awards held at the Truman Brewery in London. 

MG exhibited a concept for future personalisation of its successful new MG3 supermini at Superbrands, part of the London Design Festival, where more than 280 companies from 29 countries showcased their design talent. The Design Concept was created by 24 year-old Louise Thorburn, Colour and Trim designer at MG and drew inspiration from her degree dissertation in textile design for a future in which we would develop second skins as body adornment. This vision was then translated into an automotive context on the MG3.

Alongside the Design Concept, MG also launched three new exterior personalisation packs for the MG3, created by the Louise and her colleagues in the UK design centre, inspired by the latest trends in British fashion. They are now on sale as part of the new MG3 collection.

Speaking at the event, Louise said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity with MG to develop from my graduate collection in such a unique way, exploring my vision of the future of automotive personalisation. People are increasingly looking to personalise small cars like the MG3 to match their personality, in the same way as they do with their home or fashion style. Having looked at how jewellery and fashion is used as a means of self expression, I wanted translate this theme in an automotive context.”

Martin Uhlarik, head of the UK Design Centre, said: “Vehicle personalisation has traditionally been a male dominated process, but with women often accounting for more than half of the buyers for products in this sector, we wanted to explore the future from a female perspective.

“Louise was given free reign in this project, without the influence of the male designers, to show how she sees personalisation developing. The result is something really quite different from historical designs and we are delighted at the reaction we have had to the concept, the process and the new designs that have just gone on sale.”

The latest collection of MG3 personalisation graphics, includes the three new designs previewed at Superbrands, called Boutique, Candy and Waves. These new additions join the existing range of more than one million options currently available in the MG3 range, starting from just £39.00 fitted.

MG3 personalisation options have already been phenomenally successful for the Midland’s based manufacturer since the supermini’s launch last year and the range now offers an even wider range of choices. All options can been seen on the MG3 configurator at www.mg.co.uk/mg3/configurator

Launched in September 2013, the MG3 benefits from an ultra low 4E insurance group, strong residuals of up to 61 per cent, exceptional interior and boot space, class leading chassis and driving dynamics and high levels of equipment on all specifications as standard. There are also more than one million personalisation options as well as exceptional value for money aftercare packages to choose from. The MG3 is priced from only £8,399 to £9,999, or on PCP with zero percent deposit or from only £99 a month.

The MG3 was recently selected by Autocar as one of its Best 50 Cars on Sale Today, ranking alongside exotic models from the likes of Ferrari, Aston Martin and Porsche. Leading motoring guru Andrew Frankel ranked the MG3 ahead of cars such as the Audit TT and Vauxhall VXR8 GTS.

Since it was launched the MG3 has played a key role in the incredible sales success of MG, which is now Britain’s fastest growing brand. Official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that MG sales have increased by 472 per cent so far this year. The industry average is 9.4 per cent.

Nissan announces European sales for November, Russia and UK lead the rest.

	2014	2013
November sales (units)	60,155	51,651
November Market share	4.1%	3.7%

Nissan announced today European sales for November of 60,155 units, representing a market share of 4.1%.

November highlights:

• European market share up 0.4 pts. versus November 2013 at 4.1%.
• UK November sales were up 33.7% over the same period last year with a market share of 6.2%.
• Russia and UK are top-selling markets.
• France reports sales of 5,848 units - an increase of 23.9% vs November 2013 with a market share of 3.5%.
• Germany reports 4,718 registrations representing +2, 6% vs. November 2013.
• 1,644 LEAF sales across the region in November.

TOP 5 EUROPEAN MARKETS NOVEMBER 2014
#	MARKET	UNIT SALES
1	RUSSIA	15,275
2	UK	11,059
3	FRANCE	6,570
4	GERMANY	5,780
5	ITALY	5,473

TOP 5 MODELS NOVEMBER 2014
#	MODEL	UNIT SALES
1	QASHQAI	22,139
2	JUKE	10,402
3	NOTE	4,699
4	MICRA	4,432
5	X TRAIL	1,577

Volkswagen celebrates selling over 200,000 cars in the UK for the first time.

Volkswagen has achieved a record sales milestone, having sold over 200,000 cars in the UK this year. 

Commenting on the achievement, Alex Smith, Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars said: ‘Exceeding 200,000 car sales in one year is an achievement of which we’re extremely proud.  We have a great range of products, with a car to suit every need and taste, and the enduring appeal of the brand and its heritage have brought a record number of new customers to Volkswagen this year.’

The Volkswagen range extends from the multi-award-winning up! city car through the recently updated Polo, evergreen Golf, Passat and many other niches to the range-topping Touareg, Phaeton and XL1.  All cater for different requirements, but maintain Volkswagen’s key qualities of timeless style, safety, innovation and value for money.

Smith added: ‘We have great and diverse products, but we also have a great team of people – in the factory, head office and our retail network – who have worked together and contributed to the brand achieving this record.’

Honda McLaren announces new team for 2015. Button & Alonso, should be a good season.

McLaren-Honda is delighted to announce its new driver line-up for 2015: Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button. Kevin Magnussen will remain an important part of the team, as test and reserve driver.

All three men will play crucial roles in re-establishing the ascendancy of one of global sport’s most iconic unions, for McLaren and Honda have already formed one of the most dominant partnerships in motorsport history: Honda broke new ground in the 1980s by creating a turbocharged engine that was unparalleled in both its output and its efficiency, and, between 1988 and 1992, McLaren-Honda won eight world championships and 44 grands prix, and took 53 pole positions and set 30 fastest laps, all in just 80 grands prix.

In 1988, the partnership created arguably the single most successful Formula 1 car of all time: the all-conquering McLaren-Honda MP4/4, which was driven to victory by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in an amazing 15 of the season’s 16 grands prix.

The lure presented by those same goals has once again brought the legendary Japanese corporation back to the pinnacle of global motor racing; and, again, that company, Honda, is developing its revolutionary new turbocharged engine at its all-new purpose-built state-of-the-art motorsport facility in Sakura, Japan.

It is against that backdrop that McLaren and Honda are now committing to rebuilding afresh the strongest possible partnership in Formula 1.

The aforementioned Ayrton Senna, in the opinion of many the greatest driver in the history of our sport, won 30 of the 44 grands prix that McLaren and Honda annexed together between 1988 and 1992. Ayrton once said: “We do not need myths. We need examples to be followed – examples of courage, determination and hope. We need to believe it is possible to win, and it is our duty to pursue that belief.”

Everyone at McLaren, and at Honda, agrees with every word of that inspirational remark, starting with our newly re-recruited driver, Fernando Alonso.

Fernando Alonso said:

“I have never hidden my deep admiration for Ayrton Senna, my favourite driver, my idol on track, my reference.

“I still remember, as a kid, the posters in my wardrobe, my toy cars in which I dreamed I would one day emulate Ayrton, and the kart that my father built for my older sister, and that I ended up falling in love with. That kart had the livery of one of the most legendary partnerships in the history of Formula 1, McLaren-Honda, the car that Ayrton drove, the same partnership to which I am now honoured to join, to take part in the next Formula 1 world championship.

“I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me.

“Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership – a partnership that dominated the Formula 1 scene for so long.

“McLaren-Honda’s repeated and open desire, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of all: we share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid future, with confidence, ahead.

“I have had in-depth discussions with all the senior people at both McLaren and Honda, I have viewed their fantastic facilities in both the UK and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are in the process of beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership. And I intend to give 100% effort to help make it exactly that.

“Finally, I want to thank the persistence of those who have fought so hard for this to come true. I will do everything in my power to deliver for everyone and for our team, based on a formula that has always worked for me: effort, sacrifice, perseverance and faith.

“We have time, we have hopes and we have the necessary resources. Let the legend return: that is our challenge.”

Jenson Button said:

“I am extremely excited to be embarking on my 16th year in Formula 1 and my sixth season for McLaren.

“Like Fernando, I am certain that McLaren and Honda will achieve great things together, and I feel sure that, working together, all of us will pull incredibly hard to create a brilliantly effective winning team.

“I admired Ayrton Senna enormously, but, for me, it was the exploits of his McLaren-Honda team-mate Alain Prost that inspired me most as a boy. The way he stroked those beautifully brutal red-and-white cars to grand prix wins and world championships was to my mind poetry in motion, and I have tried to emulate his driving style ever since.

“Being a part of new-look McLaren-Honda is a wonderful opportunity for all of us, and I am very pleased to have been invited to do my bit. In fact, I am absolutely raring to go.

“I am also very glad that Kevin will remain part of the team. He is a very quick driver and a really nice guy.

“Looking forward, I know the Honda guys well, having driven Formula 1 cars powered by their engines from 2003 to 2008. I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for them, and promise to give 100% to make their partnership with McLaren a success.

“Last but far from least, I am very much looking forward to having a driver as fast and as experienced as Fernando as my team-mate. I am sure we will work extremely well together.”

Ron Dennis (Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, McLaren) said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be on the threshold of leading McLaren-Honda to a new era of partnership, and I speak on behalf of all at McLaren when I say that. I am equally confident that our colleagues at Honda share that determination and passion to win.

“As regards drivers, McLaren’s policy has always been to assemble the strongest line-up possible, and in Fernando and Jenson I firmly believe that is exactly what we have.

“We signed Fernando a little while ago, but we decided not to announce the fact until we had also re-signed Jenson as his team-mate. For many reasons our negotiations with Jenson took quite a long time, but, now that they have been concluded, we are confident that our collaboration with him will continue to thrive in the future every bit as well as it has in the past. Make no mistake about it, Jenson is 100% committed to McLaren-Honda, to Formula 1, and to winning.

“As a pair, he and Fernando are supremely experienced. Fernando has started 234 grands prix, has converted 32 of those starts to victories, has stood on a grand prix podium 97 times, and has won the drivers’ world championship not once but twice. He is a class act.

“He is 33 – which, for an athlete as physically fit as he is, constitutes a Formula 1 driver’s professional prime of life. Moreover, he is old enough to be experienced and expert, yet young enough to be enthusiastic and energetic. I therefore firmly believe he will deploy those four e’s – experience, expertise, enthusiasm and energy – to drive forward McLaren-Honda’s on-track success next season and for quite a few seasons to come.

“As for Jenson, at 34, he is every bit as fit as Fernando but even more experienced: he has started 266 grands prix, has won 15 of them, and has stood on a grand prix podium 50 times. He, too, is an ex-world champion, and is one of the smoothest and fastest guys out there.

“To sum up, Fernando and Jenson have started a combined total of precisely 500 grands prix between them – a mighty aggregate – and have won 47 of them.

“I can safely say, therefore, that we now have by an order of magnitude the best driver line-up of any current Formula 1 team.

“Finally, I want to thank and pay tribute to Kevin, who has done a great job this season and will continue to be an integral part of our team. He will be our test, reserve and third driver, and remains an excellent prospect for the future.”

Yasuhisa Arai (Senior Managing Officer, Honda R&D Co Ltd; Chief Officer of Motorsport, Honda) said:

“Our partnership with McLaren goes from strength to strength, and I am very excited to welcome as part of our Formula 1 team two great world champions, Fernando and Jenson. Yet the magnitude of the announcement is quickly bringing me back down to earth to focus harder and stronger on the seasons ahead.

“Kevin has shown remarkable growth in the 2014 season, and we are delighted to continue working with him throughout 2015 and beyond; we are certain there is much more to come.

“Honda is dedicated to speeding up the development of the power unit based on the learnings of the recent Abu Dhabi test.

“Working together with these very experienced drivers, we will fine-tune and complete the power units to competitive perfection towards the new season.”

The next generation BMW 6-Series, Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe, all refreshed, still hideous.

BMW will take the extraordinary step at next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit of launching an entire new model series in one fell swoop. The next-generation BMW 6 Series Coupé, Convertible and Gran Coupé will be announced simultaneously on 9 January, 2015, before becoming the centrepieces of the BMW stand in the Cobo Arena.

Model	Power Hp	Torque   Nm	0 – 62mph Seconds*	Top Speed Mph**	Combined Mpg*	CO2 Emissions g/km*
BMW 640d Coupe/Convertible/Gran Sport Coupé/Convertible/	313	630	5.3/5.5/5.4	155	54.3/52.3/52.33	139/144/143
BMW 640i	320	450	5.3/5.5/5.4	155	38.2/37.2/37.7	172/176/174
BMW 650i	450	650	4.6/4.6/4.6	155	32.9/31.7/32.9	199/208/199
BMW M6	560	680	4.2/4.3/4.2	155	28.5/27.4/28.5	231/239/231
* Coupe/Convertible/Gran Coupe respectively ** All versions electronically limited

The new BMW 6 Series models benefit from external styling revisions which imbue them with an even more purposeful and more powerful stance. At the same time the interiors take on a more sportingly luxurious ambience thanks to new trim materials, centre console surfaces and lighting, and there is a more extensive range of standard and personalisation features. The BMW ConnectedDrive navigation and infotainment package is fitted to every model, while Concierge Services accessed through an embedded SIM card allow drivers to set up a bespoke supply of information and connected-car services.

All petrol models have a sports exhaust system with a switchable valve which adds a more intense timbre to the engine soundtrack, while aerodynamic improvements along with the extensive package of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies mean the six-cylinder models – petrol and diesel – are even more fuel-efficient than before. Through features such as Dynamic Damper Control, Active Drive and Integral Active Steering, owners are now able to create a made-to-measure driving experience, while the latest BMW Head-Up Display and Driving Assistant Plus with Active Cruise Control minimise distractions and supplement the driver’s reactions to enhance safety.

Sportier edge goes hand-in-hand with efficiency improvements 

The new 6 Series range will again consist of three distinctly individual takes on a common theme – the sportily stylish classic Coupé, the exclusive all-seasons Convertible and the elegant longer-wheelbase four-door Gran Coupé. Almost 80,000 versions of the outgoing range have been sold globally in three years with the Gran Coupé now claiming almost half of 6 Series sales.

All three body styles are available with a choice of highly efficient TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder and V8 engines featuring the full gamut of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies to save fuel and reduce emissions. All engines meet EU6 emissions standards and drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission which combines long ratios for ultra-efficient motorway cruising with fast-shifting capabilities that complement the vivacious character of the engines.

The 3.0-litre 313hp turbodiesel engine in the 640d models and the similar-capacity 320hp petrol engine in 640i versions are now more fuel-efficient thanks to the latest EfficientDynamics features and aerodynamic improvements. As a result, CO₂ emissions are as low as 139g/km on the 640d SE Coupé. Yet every 6 Series can comfortably achieve the 0-62mph sprint in 5.5 seconds – and in many cases, considerably less. That is especially true for the 4.4-litre V8 bi-turbo 650i models, while the ultimate members of the 6 Series range will again be the 560hp V8-engined M6 cars from BMW’s high-performance specialists.

All petrol versions now have a sports-tuned exhaust which provides a soundtrack to match the cars’ emphatic performance. A switchable valve adjusted through the Driving Experience Control system can be used to reduce exhaust back-pressure, adding a significantly sportier edge to the sound coming from the tailpipes.

The suspension systems have been honed to the character of the individual models and can now be further personalised through options like Dynamic Damper Control, which varies its responses electronically according to where and how the car is being driven; Adaptive Drive, which includes roll stabilisation; and Integral Active Steering, which introduces an element of rear-wheel steer to reduce the amount of turning effort needed while enhancing agility.

New look emphasises powerful stance while further raising quality

Styling changes to the front and rear of all 6 Series variants add further emphasis to their powerful on-road presence, while new LED headlights, new metallic paint colours and revisions to the interior ensure that they continue to set the benchmark for understated luxury in their class.

The BMW kidney grille now features nine bars where previously it had 10 – a small change, perhaps, but one that emphasises the power of the engines through the amount of cooling air they need. The grille bars (black on six-cylinder models and matt aluminium for the V8s) have been reprofiled to emphasise their forward slant, and there is now a single, full-width air intake in the new apron. Full-LED headlights are now standard. They emit low-beam light from the upper reflectors and the main beam from the lower reflectors, adding a sophisticated new night-time look to the typical BMW twin circular signature lighting. Indicators are cut into the accent strip on top of the headlight units. There are also LED front foglights. Adaptive LED headlights with BMW Selective Beam anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant are optional.

At the rear, the 6 Series appears wider thanks to a new horizontal chrome bumper insert which draws attention to the wide rear track and the inherent stability this promises. Six-cylinder models also have 10mm larger chrome tailpipe embellishers in enlarged cut-outs which again attest to the cars’ dynamic abilities. Newly styled side mirrors improve the cars’ aerodynamic properties and contain slim horizontal indicator strips, while for the Gran Coupé the side window surround has been revised and houses a black painted aluminium section with raised “Gran Coupé” lettering at the foot of the Hofmeister kink on the C-pillar.

There are new 18-inch alloy wheels for the Coupé and Convertible, and five new metallic paint finishes – Jatoba, Cashmere Silver, Glacier Silver, Mediterranean Blue and Melbourne Red. New wheels of up to 20 inches in diameter are available.

The standard leather dashboard with contrast stitching – previously an option on all but the M Sport versions – is an immediate clue to the enhanced quality and luxury of the new range. There is now a modern, stylish high-gloss black finish on the centre console around the switches for the climate control system and audio system. This contemporary look complements the iDrive system’s more precise Control Display with its chromed surround, the new multi-functional instrument panel and the LED lights to illuminate the footwells, door openings and glovebox. Dakota, Nappa or Merino leather trim will be standard in the UK, depending on model. The Nappa leather now offers two bi-colour options – Ivory White with Black or Cognac with Black.

Standard ConnectedDrive heads upgraded equipment and personalisation possibilities

BMW will reveal the UK model line-up, pricing and specification when the cars are revealed 9 January, but the range will include SE, M Sport and Sport versions, depending on engine, with the M6 models as the sporting flagships of the respective body styles.

The BMW 6 Series will be an even more competitive value proposition as a result of significant enhancements to standard equipment. At the same time there will be greater scope for personalisation through the new features now available.

ConnectedDrive, the intelligent link between a BMW and the outside world, is now standard. It provides full navigation and infotainment facilities, and includes a SIM card embedded within the car which gives the driver access to Concierge Services. This can be tailored to the owner’s preferences and includes helpful information such as Real Time Traffic Information, BMW Teleservices and Intelligent Emergency Call. It can even reserve hotel rooms and find flight information, ATM machines and out-of-hours pharmacies.

ConnectedDrive is also linked as standard to the latest version of the BMW Head-Up Display, which projects essential safety and guidance information ­– from speed limits to navigation instructions – onto the windscreen within the driver’s field of vision, but not in such a way that it could be distracting. In certain circumstances telephone number lists and entertainment information can also be called up. Meanwhile, the backlighting of the new multifunction information display now changes colour according to which driving mode – COMFORT, ECO PRO or SPORT – has been selected via the Driving Experience Control switch.

Heading the extensive range of new options for the BMW 6 Series is Driving Assistant Plus, a camera- and radar-based intelligent connected-car system incorporating Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning and Pedestrian and Collision Warning with Braking. It automatically maintains a safe gap to the car in front, alerts a 6 Series driver whose actions might cause a collision and, at up to 37mph, brakes the car to a standstill if there is a risk of an impact with a pedestrian.   

The new BMW 6 Series Coupé, 6 Series Convertible and 6 Series Gran Coupé and their BMW M equivalents go on sale in the UK from 1 March, 2015.