ALL-NEW MCLAREN SENNA SUPERCAR MAKES ITS DEBUT

British Businessman Sets Out on Road Trip in Chassis Number 001…

The very first McLaren Senna—the company’s newest supercar—which carries chassis number 001, was presented recently by the company to its owner, London-based businessman and McLaren aficionado David Kyte, who immediately set out on a road trip to the south of France accompanied by five McLaren cars, including three other Sennas, a McLaren 720S and a McLaren 600LT.

“Handing over the keys to the first customer McLaren Senna built was an honor for me and a milestone for the company,” said McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt. “David Kyte is a longstanding McLaren enthusiast with a true passion for our brand and a number of McLarens to prove it…While I believe the McLaren Senna is already incredible in every respect, the additional work that David has commissioned from McLaren Special Operations has taken Senna 001 to another level.”

Sporting Aurora Blue paint and the Senna brand on the wing endplate, the vehicle features custom-painted components, such as Bespoke Burton Blue brake calipers and wheel nuts in Volcano Red. The paintwork alone took more than 600 hours to complete. The car was further customized with references to Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna, including his signature on the doorpost, along with the years he was world champion engraved on the throttle pedal.

Interior enhancements, specific to the new owner’s requirements, include black Alcantara leather seating with diamond stitching and Senna S logo embroidered on the headrests. Black carpet with Harissa Red Alcantara piping, Volcano Red door struts and red-tinted carbon fiber control surrounds completed the personalization.

The very first McLaren Senna supercar to roll out the door of McLaren’s headquarters hit the road with its new owner behind the wheel enroute to the south of France.

CAR JARGON BAFFLES BRITISH DRIVERS

Survey Says Consumer Confidence Compromised…

According to a recent “Lost in Translation” survey of 2,000 motorists conducted by MotorEasy, 47 percent of British drivers feel they overpay for car repairs because the lingo used by mechanics to describe technical issues is baffling.

For instance, drivers may hear their ‘big end has gone’ or they have ‘mayonnaise’ under their oil cap. It’s even more challenging for women dealing with confusing workshop lingo, causing a third of female drivers surveyed to stop using a garage, a result of perceived gender bias in dealing with mechanics.

To help resolve the problem, car ownership and maintenance service MotorEasy has launched a lighthearted campaign to promote ‘plain English’ in repair shops and address the more serious issue of consumer trust in car garages. To highlight the amusing absurdity of garage jargon—‘your bushes on the wishbone are going’ or ‘spongy brakes’—MotorEasy’s campaign has created a list of seven of the top terms used by garage mechanics. For a full list of terms and their meaning, visit www.motoreasy.com/lost-in-translation.

FERRARI PORTOFINO TAKES TOP HONORS

Italian Automaker Receives Red Dot: Best of the Best Award…

For the fourth consecutive year, Ferrari has walked off with the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award in honor of its newest Prancing Horse model, the Portofino. An elegant and versatile convertible, the Portofino features a retractable hard top along with class-leading performance and luggage space.

Its styling impressed the international judging panel, which stated, “Embodying an impressive evolutionary advancement, the Ferrari Portofino fascinates with an exciting design language. It comes across as a fascinating sculptural statement. The integration of the retractable hard top presents an optimal solution.  The haunting elegance is further underscored by the uncompromising quality in material and workmanship.  The Ferrari Portofino is the perfect embodiment of novel approaches that point to the future.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Ferrari took home top honors, receiving the Red Dot: Best of the Best award in recognition of the Italian automaker’s new Portofino.

VW TO LAUNCH CAMPER VAN

New Vehicle Began as a Concept, Now Ready for Production…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken the 2017 California XXL concept vehicle and developed it into a camper van ready for full production. The automaker will reveal the new Crafter-based camper for the first time at the 2018 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany, August 24 – September 2.

According to the company, the production version follows the clear, fresh design of the California XXL concept vehicle. The new model will be offered with single or two-tone paintwork, and the interior will feature bright colors and practical solutions. For instance, the kitchen unit, sleeping area and bathroom have been integrated in the back of the van and are tailored to life on the move.

VW Commercial Vehicles’ new production-ready camper van, based on the California XXL concept shown here, will debut at the 2018 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany.

AUDI’S FULL-SIZE ELECTRIC SUV COMING SOON

New E-Tron Provides Digital Operating and Display Experience…

The first model in Audi’s forthcoming surge of electric vehicles is the soon-to-be released e-tron.  The aerodynamically designed, zero-emissions full-size SUV is the first volume-production vehicle to be equipped with virtual exterior mirrors, a key feature of its digital operating and display experience.

With a drag coefficient of 0.28, the Audi e-tron prototype achieved a top result in the SUV segment.  The production version of the prototype is the first car on the market that can charge at charging stations with up to 150kW. In barely 30 minutes, the electric SUV is charged and ready to go. Its large lithium-ion battery provides for a range of more than 248 miles (400 kilometers) in the World Light Vehicles Text Procedure (WLTP) driving cycle, a global harmonized standard for determining fuel or energy consumption and electric range of passenger cars and light-duty vehicles.

The Audi e-tron’s space-age-style interior is in keeping with its high-tech digital operating and display experience.

BRITISH DRIVERS URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS ON SUNNY DAYS

Commonsense Approach Can Reduce Glare …

According to Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards at IAM RoadSmart, being dazzled by the sun can be a major distraction and is often a factor in summertime collisions. To protect drivers from the glare, the organization has come up with some tips to stay safe on the road.

For starters, keep the windshield clean inside and out—dirt magnifies the glare. On the outside, check for chips or cracks, and make sure the washer bottle is full to help remove those squashed summer bugs. Other suggestions include using the sun visor—obvious, but not always done—wearing sunglasses and slowing down when dazzled by the sun.  “It’s easy to get distracted when the sun is out and the world seems a better place,” said Gladman. “By keeping the (windshield) clean and your view shaded where possible, you will give yourself the best chance of staying safe.”