Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[P1 reportedly following other British supercar clubs into bankruptcy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/p1-reportedly-following-other-british-supercar-clubs-into-bankru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/p1-reportedly-following-other-british-supercar-clubs-into-bankru/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/p1-reportedly-following-other-british-supercar-clubs-into-bankru/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



While the idea of the supercar club has yet to take hold here in The Colonies, across the Atlantic in jolly old England, the notion developed into a popular alternative to the costly prospect of owning and maintaining high-priced exotica. The idea, in a nutshell, was to provide customers with the opportunity to occasionally borrow vehicles from a stable of supercars. Since most privately-owned supercars sit around unused most of the time, membership in a supercar club seemed - and, for a while, was - a logical alternative, offering most of the benefits with none of the hassle.

Unfortunately, the weakened global economy has meant that many of these supercar clubs have had to close down. With membership dropping and fleets of supercars losing their value, these businesses haven't been able to stay afloat. Over the course of the past year, Seagrave, Group 20 and Club Velociter - all supercar clubs based in the UK - shut down, and now the grand-daddy of them all, P1, has gone into court-administered bankruptcy.

P1 International was the first such club, founded in 2000 by former F1 world champion Damon Hill and business partner Michael Breen, and it was arguably the most successful, with 300 members and a fleet of 40 supercars - including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, Aston Martins and Bentleys - in two locations. Hill, now the president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, withdrew from the company three years ago, but claimed he was still owed money. A legal battle ensued, resulting in the club being put into bankruptcy by local courts. What this will mean for the club's members remains to be seen, but with used supercar values in the dumpster, it is reasonable to think that some well-used Astons and Ferraris will be up for grabs in short order.

[Sources: F1-Live and Car]

P1 reportedly following other British supercar clubs into bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainbritishcar clubcar rentalCarClubCarRentaldamon hillDamonHillenglandmichael breenMichaelBreenp1p1 internationalp1 supercar clubP1InternationalP1SupercarClubsupercar clubsupercar clubsSupercarClubSupercarClubsukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomMon, 06 Apr 2009 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[UK police admit almost half of all speed cameras are off]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/01/uk-police-admit-almost-half-of-all-speed-cameras-are-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/01/uk-police-admit-almost-half-of-all-speed-cameras-are-off/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/01/uk-police-admit-almost-half-of-all-speed-cameras-are-off/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We all know the drill. You see a speed camera, you slow down, you look at the camera, you check your speedometer and look for the camera again. But in the UK at least, reports now indicate that nearly half of the 1,000 speed cameras installed are entirely inactive.

Because many of the cameras installed in the UK during the 1990s failed to meet transportation department criteria for deployment, some 40% were immediately decommissioned. However, the boxes that house them are still there, even though many of them are empty altogether. Motorist groups are lobbying to have the inactive devices removed, citing them as a dangerous roadside distraction, but the government insists that whether they're in use or not, the visible presence of the camera boxes keep drivers' speeds in check.

[Source: The Daily Mail, Photo by SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty]

UK police admit almost half of all speed cameras are off originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandgreat britainGreatBritainspeed camerasspeed cameras great britainspeed cameras ukSpeedCamerasSpeedCamerasGreatBritainSpeedCamerasUktraffic camerasTrafficCamerasukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomThu, 01 Jan 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/nissan-announces-new-mystery-vehicle-for-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/nissan-announces-new-mystery-vehicle-for-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/nissan-announces-new-mystery-vehicle-for-uk-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click on the above sketch for a high-res gallery of the Micra 160 SR

After sharing tea at Nissan's European Design Centre in central London, Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Company, and the Right Honorable Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, released the news that Nissan will design and build an all-new compact car in the UK's Sunderland plant. The car, a dedicated A-platform, will be used for several new models, including the next-gen Micra. According to the press release posted after the jump, the new Nissan will fill the void created when the current version of the Nissan Micra ends production in 2010. A boon for the local economy, the Sunderland facility employs 4,700 Brits who helped produce 374,000 vehicles in 2007. Nearly 80-percent of those were exported, making Nissan the largest vehicle exporter in the United Kingdom.

Gallery: Nissan 360: the Micra 160 SR

Continue reading Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant

Nissan announces new mystery vehicle for UK plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carlos GhosnCarlosGhosnGordon BrownGordonBrownMicraNissansunderlandUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 03 Jun 2008 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[UK: Mazda MX-5 achieves Icon status]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/uk-mazda-mx-5-achieves-icon-status/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/uk-mazda-mx-5-achieves-icon-status/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/uk-mazda-mx-5-achieves-icon-status/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click image for photo gallery

To celebrate the fact that the Mazda MX-5 accounts for a quarter of all new sports car purchases in the United Kingdom, the automaker has unveiled a new special edition paint and trim package dubbed "Icon." The Icon can be had with either the 1.8L engine mated to a 5-speed manual or the sprightlier 2.0L matched with a six-speed. Naturally, Icon badging will adorn the car's exterior, which can be coated in a choice of red, white or blue paint -- to match the Union Jack, natch. Inside, the Icon logo is embroidered onto the car's black leather seats and carpeted floormats. Climate control is also included as one of the standard features in the Icon package, which will be limited to 875 1.8L MX-5s and 375 of the 2-liter cars.

Additional details can be found in the press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Mazda UK]

Gallery: Mazda MX-5 Icon (UK)

Continue reading UK: Mazda MX-5 achieves Icon status

UK: Mazda MX-5 achieves Icon status originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2007 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iconmazdamx-5UKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 29 May 2007 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[2008 BMW M3 coupe priced from £50,625 in UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/2008-bmw-m3-coupe-priced-from-50-625-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/2008-bmw-m3-coupe-priced-from-50-625-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/24/2008-bmw-m3-coupe-priced-from-50-625-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above image for more high-res shots of the 2008 BMW M3

We're admittedly smitten over the new BMW M3 coupe and have passed along every morsel of information we've come across over the past few months. With the new M3 officially unveiled, however, the only real question left unanswered is how much it will cost. Today we've learned that if you live in Her Majesty's kingdom, a new 2008 BMW M3 coupe will cost you £50,625. If you're curious, that equates to $101,300.63 USD, which means nothing in the grand scheme of things. Along with being the most capable M3 ever produced, however, it's clear next year's model will also be the most expensive. That's the price you pay for a 420-hp V8 that can rush this Bimmer to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: 2008 BMW M3

Continue reading 2008 BMW M3 coupe priced from £50,625 in UK

2008 BMW M3 coupe priced from £50,625 in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 BMW M32008 M32008BmwM32008M3BMW M3BmwM3BritainM3M3 coupeM3CoupeUKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 24 Apr 2007 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[UK cops can now fingerprint on the fly]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/23/uk-cops-can-now-fingerprint-on-the-fly/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/23/uk-cops-can-now-fingerprint-on-the-fly/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/23/uk-cops-can-now-fingerprint-on-the-fly/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Cops in the UK are being armed with a new weapon that can take a suspect's fingerprints on the fly and instantly compare them with a database of 6.5 million prints on file. The goal is to reduce the number of false identities given during roadside stops by "suspect drivers". 4Car reports that about 60% of suspect drivers give false identification when they're stopped by authorities. The technology will also allow police to identify innocent travels who don't match suspects being sought, thereby reducing the time imposed on those who were just unlucky enough to be caught in the crosshairs of the law. The initial pilot project, called Lantern, is being run in Bedfordshire, whose force was given 10 units to try out. While fingerprints taken during traffic stops reportedly won't be held for future use, civil rights groups are still wary that the new devices will take Britain one step closer to a national database of all motorists' fingerprints.

[Source: 4Car]

UK cops can now fingerprint on the fly originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Nov 2006 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fingerprintingfingerprintsUKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomThu, 23 Nov 2006 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[TVR calls it quits in UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/18/tvr-calls-it-quits-in-uk/#commentsFiled under: ,



Despite having raised the hopes of workers and proud TVR enthusiasts in the UK, Russian owner Nikolai Smolensky has announced that he will be moving production of the niche sportscars out of the UK to another undisclosed European country. The move will result in 250 workers being laid off at the company's Blackpool assembly plant. The Transport and General Workers' Union that represents the TVR workforce said it was "bitterly disappointed" over the decision, especially considering that temporarily laid-off workers were rehired back in July and Smolensky had just moved his operations into a new facility within Blackpool. Smolensky seems to have mastered the art of false hope, having also announced in the past year that he would double TVR's production with a new lineup and may begin selling cars in the U.S. Pardon us if we don't get our hopes up.

[Source: BBC]

Related posts:

TVR calls it quits in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SmolenskyTVRU.K.unionUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomWed, 18 Oct 2006 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Mitsubishi provides Mitch-mobiles to UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/05/mitsubishi-provides-mitch-mobiles-to-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/05/mitsubishi-provides-mitch-mobiles-to-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/05/mitsubishi-provides-mitch-mobiles-to-uk/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The United Kingdom has tapped Mitsubishi to replace the country's aging fleet of sand skipping Mitch-mobiles (so named by us after this vehicle type's supporting role on the international hit show BayWatch) that serve and protect hapless Brits at the beach. The fleet will be comprised of L200 4Work double-cab pickups specially outfitted to aid British lifeguards in their daily duties. The modifications include custom racks carrying surf rescue boards, emergency lighting, an onboard PA system and special badging. Initially the order will be for only a dozen L200s, though that amount will triple over two years and eventually the L200 will replace all 62 beach patrol pickups around the UK.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Mitsubishi provides Mitch-mobiles to UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 05 Aug 2006 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beachBritainlifeguardU.K.United KingdomUnitedKingdomSat, 05 Aug 2006 15:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Rover collapse cost UK nearly £1 billion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The collapse of MG Rover was an expensive affair for the British government and its people. A report published by the country's Public Accounts Committee says that the decline of MG Rover between 2000 and 2004 cost tax payers around £270 million. A £500 million pension deficit will also likely be met by the country's Pension Protection Fund, and the defunct company still owes £109 million to creditors, which they likely won't be getting.

The real kick in the head is a small loan of £6.5 million that was given to MG Rover by the UK's Department for Trade and Industry in a move to stave off bankruptcy. The automaker shut down a week later and that loan will now have to be written off.

Not all is lost, however, as 4,000 out of 6,000 employees of the company have found new jobs, and the new Nanjing-backed MG will be operating a plant in Longbridge, England, as well.

[Source: WhatCar?]

Rover collapse cost UK nearly £1 billion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritainEnglandLongbridge, EnglandLongbridge,EnglandMGMG RoverMgRoverNanjingu.k.UKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 25 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Wales to get first-ever auto show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/wales-to-get-first-ever-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/wales-to-get-first-ever-auto-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/wales-to-get-first-ever-auto-show/#commentsFiled under:

Who'd have thought the Welsh are required to travel all the way to England to catch an auto show, but it's true -- as of right now, Wales is the only country in the United Kingdom without its own auto show. On August 26, 2006, however, that's going to change. The first-ever Wales Motor Show will be heralded in by none other than the country's World Super Middleweight Boxing Champion Joe Calzaghe at Chepstow Racecourse. Glad to see they're getting with the program!

[Source: Auto Industry UK]

Wales to get first-ever auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>englandgreat britainGreatBritainirelandmotor showMotorShowunited kingdomUnitedKingdomwaleswales motor showWalesMotorShowWed, 24 May 2006 19:25:00 EST