Thursday, September 04, 2014
LAND ROVER LAUNCHES NEW DISCOVERY SPORT
- Land Rover reveals the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV
- Bold and progressive design defines all-new Discovery family
- Design leadership and engineering integrity have created the ultimate use of interior space with class-leading versatility and optional 5+2 seating
- Discovery Sport revealed digitally at Spaceport America with news of Galactic Discovery competition to send four winners to space with Virgin Galactic
Download the full press kit here: http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com/en-in/land-rover/press-kits/
Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, the world's most versatile and capable premium compact SUV. The first member of the new Discovery family, Discovery Sport, features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs.
Discovery Sport's progressive new design approach defines the new Discovery family with optimised volume, proportions and stance. Its design leadership combines with engineering integrity to result in a dynamic profile, the ultimate use of interior space and 5+2 seating configurability.
"Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony," said Gerry McGovern, Land Rover Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. "I'm proud to say we've achieved that; Discovery Sport's dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV on the market."
Land Rover digitally revealed the new Discovery Sport at Spaceport America in New Mexico, USA, also launching the Land Rover Galactic Discovery competition. Four friends are set to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to space with Land Rover's global partner, Virgin Galactic as part of an innovative digital competition at www.landrover.com/gotospace.
This spirit of adventure is reflected in Discovery Sport's interior, which has been designed with customers at its core. It features high-quality materials and a strong vertical centre console graphic to reflect the premium design of the exterior, while the core Discovery value of versatility is evident everywhere. Storage solutions are integrated into the cabin and up to four 12V power points and six USB charging sockets can be specified for all three rows of seating, allowing multiple electronic devices to be charged simultaneously.
A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time. An all-new multi-link rear axle not only provides engaging driving dynamics but it also provides ample and flexible cabin space behind the second row.
Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of all-terrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned. In fact, with approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response® technology, and the ability to wade to 600mm, Discovery Sport offers class-leading capability in all conditions.
As with every new Land Rover, safety has been a key priority in the development of the new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in-class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emergency braking, and a state-of-the-art bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.
This represents a fraction of the advanced equipment available in Discovery Sport, which also includes Head-Up Display, an all-new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and tilt-and-slide row-two seating for maximum interior configurability.
At launch the Discovery Sport will be equipped with a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Both the all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 2.2-litre turbodiesel feature stop-start technology, high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy.
Later in 2015, a highly efficient ED4 turbodiesel engine will join the range with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km*. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions are available, along with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive.
"Not only does Discovery Sport mark the introduction of the first new member of our expanding Discovery family, it also brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market," said Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Marketing Director. "Discovery Sport's versatility is a key differentiator. It is quite simply the most accomplished vehicle in its segment."
Discovery Sport will be produced at Land Rover's award-winning manufacturing facility at Halewood, Liverpool. It goes on sale in early 2015 alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover Discovery in over 170 markets worldwide.
* Subject to homologation
Broadcast quality footage can be found here:http://www.broadcast.jaguarlandrover.com/stories/8613
View the launch film on YouTube: http://youtu.be/dnCi9WsheRA
DATED: 04.09.2014
FEED: HA
FTA TELLS BORIS THAT ACCESS FOR DELIVERIES AND SERVICING MUST BE MAINTAINED
Reacting to the Mayor of London’s launch today of his ambitious plans for an 18-mile ‘Crossrail for the bike’, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that access for freight movements and deliveries must be maintained.
FTA’s message to Boris Johnson is that whilst it supports the development of infrastructure which improves safety for cyclists, the Association is also asking him to remember that the people of London depend on goods being delivered and collected.
Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London said:
“FTA supports the development of new cyclist infrastructure which is targeted on improving safety for cyclists, and believes it can provide real benefits. But cyclists are only one user of the road and the needs of all must be considered – Londoners depend on the goods our members supply every hour of every day. It is important that these schemes are carried out in such a way that does not unduly disrupt traffic flow or prevent kerbside access for deliveries to businesses and homes.”
FTA added that it must be recognised that delivery and servicing activity does not only take place in high street locations but on many different street types including residential streets, therefore, full segregation in these locations may hinder access for deliveries. In such areas, FTA favours the use of other measures such as ‘armadillos’ or giant cat’s eyes which provide partial segregation stronger than painted white lines, but at the same time enable vehicles to access the kerbside.
Ms Chapman added:
“Transport for London has engaged well with the freight industry on the CS5 route and detailed sessions on this proposed new north-south-east-west route are already planned, which is good. FTA wants this new scheme to work for all road users, so it is important that the right conversations take place with industry to ensure that new road layouts achieve this aim.”
Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London said:
“FTA supports the development of new cyclist infrastructure which is targeted on improving safety for cyclists, and believes it can provide real benefits. But cyclists are only one user of the road and the needs of all must be considered – Londoners depend on the goods our members supply every hour of every day. It is important that these schemes are carried out in such a way that does not unduly disrupt traffic flow or prevent kerbside access for deliveries to businesses and homes.”
FTA added that it must be recognised that delivery and servicing activity does not only take place in high street locations but on many different street types including residential streets, therefore, full segregation in these locations may hinder access for deliveries. In such areas, FTA favours the use of other measures such as ‘armadillos’ or giant cat’s eyes which provide partial segregation stronger than painted white lines, but at the same time enable vehicles to access the kerbside.
Ms Chapman added:
“Transport for London has engaged well with the freight industry on the CS5 route and detailed sessions on this proposed new north-south-east-west route are already planned, which is good. FTA wants this new scheme to work for all road users, so it is important that the right conversations take place with industry to ensure that new road layouts achieve this aim.”
DATED: 04.09.2014
FEED: HA
ENGINEERING CONFUSION: HPI & ONE SHOW REVEAL CAR CLOCKING AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST THE PRICE
The BBC's One Show last night put the spotlight* on used car clocking and the real issue facing consumers; seemingly anyone is able to take advantage of unsuspecting car buyers by winding down the clock and cranking up the value.
But it's not just the value of vehicles that is being affected; used car history expert HPI warns that the techniques used by modern clockers are affecting crucial readings in Engine Control Units (ECUs), potentially leading to both legal and safety issues.
As reported by the One Show's Dan Donnelly, HPI has long been a forerunner in the fight against used car fraud, and continues to campaign against so-called ‘Mileage Correction Firms'. These outfits are widespread throughout the UK, despite there being very few legitimate reasons for a vehicle to have its mileage altered. HPI says due to the computerised systems on modern vehicles today, winding the clock back on a car can have serious ramifications over and above a false mileage reading.
Around 10% of all the modules in a modern car, such as the airbag, ABS and ignition, feed information into the central ECU system, and each time an event occurs - such as a faulty airbag warning - a ‘snapshot' of the vehicle's mileage will be recorded on these modules. Therefore, unless a vehicle's mileage is wound back by a particularly ‘diligent' and skilled clocker who alters the mileage readings on all potentially affected modules in addition to the odometer, these will be out of sync, leading to issues with safety warnings - and potentially legal cases in the event of an accident.
Shane Teskey, Senior Consumer Services Manager for www.hpicheck.com, explains further, "Clocking is a blight on the used car industry. It's too easy to do and quick to make money for a dodgy seller that many think, ‘Why not?'. But here is a perfect example of why not - serious problems can be caused within a vehicle.
"Firstly, there is the potential to miss important servicing and warning light indicators, as the car's various different components will be reading different mileages. By changing the mileage, a clocker will actually be causing conflicts within the cars electronics and interfering with the normal routines for servicing and repair. In addition, a manufacturer's warranty is likely to be void if the car is discovered to have been clocked.
"There is also a very serious legal issue to be considered. In modern vehicles crucial evidence of a cars performance and speed at the time of an accident will be stored in the cars on board computer. Such evidence may have an important contribution to make in a accident investigation but sadly if a vehicle has had its mileage tampered with, the integrity of the data could be said to have been compromised and likely inadmissible as evidence in court. So an innocent party in an accident could find themselves unable to prove this if they had been driving a clocked car without realizing."
The HPI Check produced at www.hpicheck.com includes a mileage check against the National Mileage Register, which contains over 170 million mileage readings - and offers vital protection to consumers against buying a clocked car. www.hpicheck.com will also uncover other potential problems such as if the is registered with the police as stolen, has been written-off by an insurance company or has outstanding finance against it.
Teskey concludes, "What this illustrates is how serious a problem clocking really is. We want to remind both used car buyers and the legislators that enable ‘Mileage Correction Firms' to continue isn't just a ‘financial fraud' issue - as important as that is - but more vitally a question of safety, which no-one can afford to ignore."
DATED: 04.09.2014
FEED: HA
EURO NCAP REVEALS LATEST SAFETY RATINGS
The latest Euro NCAP results show that not all vehicles are meeting with the tougher safety requirements. The following car models have recently undergone Euro NCAP crash tests:
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The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class reached Euro NCAP's maximum award of five stars. The Renault Twingo received four stars and Nissan's new electric e-NV200 Evalia achieved three stars.
The Citroën Berlingo obtained three stars and has exactly the same platform, interior fittings and levels of safety equipment as the new Peugeot Partner. The three star rating therefore applies to both vehicles.
PSA Peugeot Citroën have demonstrated that the Peugeot 108 and the Citroën C1 are identical to the Toyota Aygo in every way likely to influence safety. Therefore, these cars share the Aygo's four star safety rating.
DATED: 04.09.2014
FEED: HA
IAM WARNS DRIVERS TO BE AWARE OF DISTRACTED YOUNGSTERS ON THEIR DAILY COMMUTE
Leading road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has issued a warning to drivers to stay on their guard on their daily commute, as distracted youngsters make their way home from school at the start of the autumn term.
Many schools in England return from the summer break this week, and as is the case each year the risk of an accident becomes significantly greater as the school run brings with it a 20 per cent growth in rush hour traffic.
While much has been said about watching out for youngsters on their way to school, the IAM has warned that a greater risk comes on the way home from school - where under 16's are more likely to be distracted by playing with their friends, listening to music or interacting on social media on their phones.
Existing research from the Department for Transport's THINK! initiative showed that 62% of 11-16 year olds admit to being distracted by talking to friends as they cross the road, a similar number had to stop a friend from having an accident by either pulling them back or calling out, and 36% of girls and 25% of boys say they get distracted by using their mobile phones.
Neil Greig, IAM Director of Policy and Research said: "Technology has moved on at such a pace, it is clear that youngsters are being distracted by the myriad of portable entertainment devices available to them."
An existing report commissioned by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) and supported by the IAM called Stepping Out looked at trends in pedestrian safety. It found children are more likely to be injured in spring and summer (excluding August) and more likely to be injured as pedestrians on weekdays at morning and afternoon school times. It also found the age at which pedestrians are most at risk is 12 years old.
The research showed while there were naturally peaks in casualties between 7 and 9am (15% of child pedestrian casualties being in this two hour period), there was an even greater peak between 3 and 5pm (nearly 23% during these times) suggesting that while children may be driven to school, they make their own way home in the afternoon - making this a more crucial time for drivers to be aware of young pedestrians.
The IAM also urged drivers to be more vigilant in rural or remote areas, as the findings showed 70% of child casualties were injured on sections of road not at or near a pedestrian crossing.
The charity also offered a series of tips towards ensuring everyone remains safe during rush hour as the schools return.
- Don't compromise your concentration and the safety of other road users by being in a hurry. Leaving the house five minutes earlier changes the nature of how you make the journey.
- Take extra care to compensate for the fact that children won't always be paying attention, especially when approaching the school gate.
- Never stop on the yellow "zig zags" by the school gate, and always ensure you let your passengers out on the pavement side.
- Roads surrounding schools are usually 20 mph- it's essential that you slow down and keep an eye out for children crossing the road and emerging from between parked cars.
- New starters in reception class are unlikely to understand the dangers that the road outside their school presents - bear this in mind when driving nearby and keep your eyes peeled for children wandering into the road alone.
- If your children are walking to school on their own, make sure they are aware of potential hazards such as crossing busy roads - encourage them to always use the pedestrian crossing if there is one.
Neil added: "It is everyone's responsibility to make sure we don't create another young casualty. A bit of forward thinking and increased awareness will make our roads safer for everyone."
DATED: 04.09.2014
FEED: HA
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Update - Moneybarn takeover
Moneybarn the subprime lender has been acquired by Provident Financial Group in a deal worth £120m in cash to shareholders.
The deal adds Moneybarn into a network of lending platforms that includes consumer loans and credit cards and will help the car finance company to extend its business to more customers.
The deal adds Moneybarn into a network of lending platforms that includes consumer loans and credit cards and will help the car finance company to extend its business to more customers.
In a statement Provident Financial said the management of Moneybarn, led by Peter Minter, will be retained under the new ownership.
Minter has been a respected figure in motor finance for a number of years and until recently was chairman of the Finance & Leasing Association's motor finance division. He is also the only member of the car finance industry to sit on Financial Conduct Authority's Smaller Business Practitioner Panel.
He and the rest of the management team will report directly to Peter Crook, chief executive of Provident Financial Group.
Speaking to Motor Finance Crook said: "We envisage that the integration will be straightforward, and assisted by the highly capable management team at Moneybarn remaining in position to run the business day-to-day. We also see multiple potential opportunities for synergies with existing Provident Financial businesses including enhancements to underwriting and collections capabilities and the leveraging of Vanquis's customer base."
Speaking to Motor Finance Crook said: "We envisage that the integration will be straightforward, and assisted by the highly capable management team at Moneybarn remaining in position to run the business day-to-day. We also see multiple potential opportunities for synergies with existing Provident Financial businesses including enhancements to underwriting and collections capabilities and the leveraging of Vanquis's customer base."
In addition Provident will look to expand the profile of Moneybarn from an almost exclusively business-to-business model by adding an element of marketing direct to consumers.
Crook estimates this could potentially add up to two-and-a-half million new customers to the Moneybarn portfolio.
The Provident Financial Group, Crook said, had been looking to add car finance to its offering for a while and added: "We think the non-standard car finance market has significant growth potential and there remains considerable unmet demand. In the future, we think a number of factors including customer needs, an increased attractiveness of car finance relative to other funding options, and a stable car market are expected to support demand for car finance."
The Provident Financial Group, Crook said, had been looking to add car finance to its offering for a while and added: "We think the non-standard car finance market has significant growth potential and there remains considerable unmet demand. In the future, we think a number of factors including customer needs, an increased attractiveness of car finance relative to other funding options, and a stable car market are expected to support demand for car finance."
A golden opportunity
Moneybarn being independent and privately owned presented a good target for the company said Crook adding: "We think Moneybarn is a really exciting opportunity for us. The acquisition will broaden our target customer base and provide us with a highly scalable new avenue of growth.Additionally, Moneybarn's origination in the past had been muted, given the funding constraints on the business. However the existing Moneybarn borrowings can now be refinanced utilising Provident Financial's existing committed facility and support Moneybarn's growth at a significantly lower cost."
The deal will be funded by the issuance of new ordinary shares in Provident Financial.
Commenting on the deal, Peter Minter, managing director of Moneybarn, said "We're delighted Provident Financial Group has acquired the business. We look forward to working with colleagues in PFG and building on our long history of successful growth in our market.
Moneybarn being independent and privately owned presented a good target for the company said Crook adding: "We think Moneybarn is a really exciting opportunity for us. The acquisition will broaden our target customer base and provide us with a highly scalable new avenue of growth.Additionally, Moneybarn's origination in the past had been muted, given the funding constraints on the business. However the existing Moneybarn borrowings can now be refinanced utilising Provident Financial's existing committed facility and support Moneybarn's growth at a significantly lower cost."
The deal will be funded by the issuance of new ordinary shares in Provident Financial.
Commenting on the deal, Peter Minter, managing director of Moneybarn, said "We're delighted Provident Financial Group has acquired the business. We look forward to working with colleagues in PFG and building on our long history of successful growth in our market.
Yes Car Credit
Provident Financial Group has been involved in car finance before. In 2002 it purchased Yes Car Credit, a subprime finance company and dealership for £77m.
Provident Financial Group has been involved in car finance before. In 2002 it purchased Yes Car Credit, a subprime finance company and dealership for £77m.
This initial foray into car finance became a troubled one and after media criticism of the company's selling techniques and a potential loss of £24m due, the company was closed in 2005 with a loss of more than 800 jobs.
Crook, who was not with Provident Financial at the time, said he believes the management team at Yes Car Credit were given overly aggressive targets which led to the errors in judgement that ultimately brought the company down.
In addition Crook said: "Moneybarn is a radically different business from Yes Car Credit. Moneybarn is a cleaner and much more transparent proposition with no ownership of car dealerships or branch network and no reliance on PPI sales.
"We carried out a thorough due diligence process before proceeding with this acquisition and we're very confident that Moneybarn is a high-quality business, accompanied by a strong management team."
"We carried out a thorough due diligence process before proceeding with this acquisition and we're very confident that Moneybarn is a high-quality business, accompanied by a strong management team."
DATED: 31.08.2014
FEED: MF
New consumer protection laws could hike used car prices
New consumer protection legislation may lead to customers paying higher prices for used cars.
iVendi, the automotive e-commerce company, warns that FCA regulations may squeeze margins available from finance and insurance product sales while the Consumer Rights Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, could mean that all dealers start to prepare used cars to a higher standard.
“If the FCA measures are successful in increasing competition when it comes to products such as motor finance and GAP insurance, and profits are reduced, then dealers may simply have to move the margin elsewhere,” said director James Tew.
“It is a long-established marketing approach among some dealers to price cars at the bottom end of the market and then rely on selling finance and insurance products to the customer in order to make a workable profit. This may no longer be possible.
He also warned that measures in the Consumer Rights Bill may force some independent dealers to prepare cars to the same retail quality of franchised sites offered vehicles on manufacturer approved schemes.
“Traditionally, the used car market provides a choice that is almost unacknowledged but true, that for seemingly identical cars, there are a wide variety of options in terms of pricing and condition.
“For example, at one extreme, you may have a manufacturer approved car from a franchise dealer that is in a condition and has a support package similar to a new car. At the other, you may have a local, independent dealer that sells a similar car with a much lower degree of preparation and offers no more protection than a three month warranty. The difference in price between these choices can easily be 20%.
“If it is effective, the Consumer Rights Bill may ultimately take away this choice. All vehicles will have to be prepared to a relatively high standard and will be priced accordingly, with the market differential much reduced.”
Tew said the combined impact of these new moves to protect consumers may be to create a “flatter used car market with a more uniform proposition but one where the vehicles themselves carry more expensive windscreen prices”.
DATED: 31.08.2014
FEED: MT
BUYING A NEW CAR THIS SEPTEMBER? INVEST IN SECURITY
Catch thieves out with TRACKER'S stolen vehicle recovery system
The September plate change will bring car buyers the perfect opportunity to splash out on a new set of wheels. However, TRACKER, the stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, warns that while they may fit an alarm on their car, 57% of vehicles recovered by TRACKER in 2013 were stolen using the owner's keys, allowing thieves to turn off the alarm and other security features.
"In 2013, we recovered nearly £8.5 million worth of stolen vehicles and the average value of these cars was £23,677 - highlighting how much car owners have to lose if they don't take steps to keep thieves at bay," explains Andy Barrs, Head of Police Liaison for TRACKER. "For the fraction of the cost of losing a car, fitting a TRACKER device significantly improves the chance of police finding and returning a vehicle, if it's stolen.
TRACKER has been reuniting car lovers with their vehicles for over two decades, and it's this expertise which makes TRACKER the leader in stolen vehicle recovery. All TRACKER products incorporate VHF technology into its stolen vehicle tracking units; the result is a solution far more resistant to criminals using GPS/GSM jamming devices.
Used by all police forces, TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle. There is no visible aerial, so the thief won't even know it's there. Unlike other tracking systems, the device works even if the vehicle is hidden in a garage or shipping container, offering car owners the ultimate in peace of mind should the worst happen.
Andy Barrs concludes, "Anyone planning to buy a car this September should think about security. A TRACKER helps police locate a stolen vehicle and return it to its owner. Over 90% of stolen vehicles fitted with a TRACKER device are returned to their owners and 80% of these are recovered within 24 hours, making it a valuable investment for car owners."
DATED: 31.08.2014
FEED: HA
TOYOTA FCV PROGRAMME BOOSTED BY FUEL TANK DEAL
Toyota has reached an important production staging post in its programme to launch its first fuel cell vehicle, gaining government-approved status to build and inspect high-pressure hydrogen tanks.
Having met the stringent criteria required by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry - the first manufacturer to do so - Toyota can now increase production of tanks that can be used for safe storage of hydrogen fuel at up to 70MPa (700bar) pressure. This keeps the company firmly on track for the market introduction of its Fuel Cell Sedan in Japan, Europe and North America in 2015.
Japanese law requires all pressurised gas containers and accessories to be type-certified and made available for official safety inspections during the manufacturing process. Until now, Toyota's hydrogen tanks also had to undergo a further inspection before being installed in a vehicle. The inspection schedules had a direct impact on its inventory control and the manufacturing timetable for Toyota's FCV prototypes.
By being able to self-inspect the tanks it makes, Toyota can now streamline its FCV manufacturing process, while maintaining the highest quality and safety standards. As well as improving efficiency and productivity, this is also expected to help reduce the cost of FCVs.
To gain official approval (KHKS 0102) it has had to meet 194 requirements and demonstrate an appropriate high level of quality management. It prepared a quality manual and a set of inspection rules to provide a fully documented hydrogen tank quality management system that goes beyond its own operation to include affiliated parts suppliers.
DATED: 31.08.2014
FEED: HA
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS UNVEILS GHOST SERIES II TO CHINA AT 2014 CHENGDU MOTOR SHOW
Today at the 2014 Chengdu Motor Show, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled the eagerly anticipated Ghost Series II to the Chinese market.
Ghost Series II delivers the latest industry-leading technology from Rolls-Royce clad in a subtle re-design. It exudes the timeless yet cool, modern luxury that the car's Chinese customers - the Captains of Industry, entrepreneurs and successful businessmen and women who are the wealth and job creators in our economies - demand. The launch of Ghost Series II consolidates Ghost's position as the most popular car in the €200,000+ class, and as a cornerstone of Rolls-Royce's continuing success.
On unveiling Ghost Series II to a packed hall at Century City New International Convention & Exhibition Center (CCNICEC), Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' Regional Director for Mainland China Henrik Wilhemsmeyer said, "The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is the ultimate entrepreneur's business tool. Following the worldwide success of its predecessor, I am confident that this re-designed and updated Rolls-Royce will continue to attract increasing numbers of new customers to the marque, in particular business entrepreneurs seeking an oasis of calm in a frenetic business world."
Ghost Series II - design evolved
Protecting the popularity of Ghost's iconic design whilst delivering the latest Rolls-Royce technology to its exacting customers, the subtle re-design of Ghost Series II begins from the front.
Re-sculpted LED headlights encircled by daytime running lights lend Ghost Series II a more dynamic visual signature and blend perfectly with revised surface treatments to the front of the car. A tapered ‘wake channel' on the bonnet, emanating from the Spirit of Ecstasy, evokes the sight of a jet's vapour trail or wake of a fast luxury yacht and hints at the car's dynamism. Subtle re-sculpting of Ghost's bumpers creates a stronger stance and a sense of extra width and height, whilst the contemporary aesthetic is further enhanced with the addition of chrome inserts to the front air intakes, which now feed more air cooling to the front brakes. In addition, the famous waft line has been re-designed on Ghost Series II to lean further forwards emphasising the car's effortless dynamism.
"As a design statement, Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II continues to transcend time," comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "This is ensured by the deft treatment of features such as the new headlights, the new wake channel on the bonnet and surfacing that lend the car a more dynamic, purposeful stance and hint at the cutting edge technology inside. I am very pleased with the overall sense of design harmony."
Inside, Ghost Series II delivers on its outward appearance. The ultimate contemporary combination of luxury, technology and connectivity available to the successful entrepreneur on the move today, Ghost Series II's onboard technology ensures it is an oasis of calm in a busy, connected world where he or she can do business in peace.
Its suite of technologies ensures that both business and leisure time in the car are a super-luxurious effortless experience. On-board Wi-Fi makes Ghost Series II the most connected, luxurious place in which to conduct business on the move, whilst Satellite Aided Transmission (SAT), debuted in Wraith last year, enhances the car's dynamism - ensuring the car automatically adapts to its surroundings augmenting the drive experience. Updates to navigation systems and the car/user interface ensures accessing Ghost's features remains an effortless experience, whilst optional Bespoke Audio - the most exhaustively engineered and finest audio system in automotive history - brings new levels of aural satisfaction to passengers.
In short, Ghost remains the ultimate choice for successful Chinese entrepreneurs and the calmest place from which to run their successful enterprises on the move.
DATED: 31.08.2014
FEED: HA
