Road - The new Ford Capri?

The Ford Cougar and the Puma never captured the public’s imagination the way the original fastback, the Ford Capri did, but when the Frankfurt Motor Show opens in just over a week’s time, we’ll get our first look at the ‘new’ Capri.

This stunning looking Ford Evos Concept will have a number of power options including a  lithium-ion plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain which will be similar to the same, next-generation Ford C-MAX Energi scheduled for introduction in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

The Ford ‘powersplit’ hybrid architecture allows the electric motor and petrol engine to work together or separately to maximise efficiency. The advanced powertrain typically runs in all-electric mode before switching to charge-sustaining hybrid mode for continued optimal fuel efficiency.

This will result in a range of more than 500 miles using the battery and engine.

The gorgeous, curvaceous bodywork also has one other surprise. It’s not only a four seater, it’s a four door saloon!

The concept car measures 4.50 metres long by 1.97m wide and 1.36m high, with a wheelbase of 2.74m.

But will it ever see the light of day? Perhaps not in this form although Ford is all set to include ‘design cues’ in future models.

Ford’s executive design director Moray Callum, brother of Ian (and another Scot by the way!) said: “Both the exterior and interior of the Ford Evos Concept clearly communicate that this is a driver’s car, so that as soon as people see the vehicle, they will immediately want to get in and drive.”

Me first!

Road - The New Defender?

Land Rover is all set to show this new Defender concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show which opens its doors on Tuesday the 13^th of September. But don’t get carried away, it’ll be another four years before the current, and ageing, utility vehicle is replaced in 2015.

Commenting on the Land Rover DC100 concept, Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover said: "This isn't a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century."

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added:"We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalise the details of the new vehicle.”

In other words, Land Rover will use the Frankfurt Show to gauge reaction from the press and the public. Looks diffferent though, eh? 

Road - 'Cruze Brothers' Hit Town

And just to end the day with a smile, Chevrolet paid its own tribute to the ‘Bluesmobile’ when they unveiled their very own ‘Cruzemobile’ at a special gathering at the Ace Cafe in London the other night.

Also on hand to entertain the crowds at the late summer ‘all-American Cruise-in’ were the The Cruze Brothers, two music teachers from St Neots, Cambridgeshire.

Dave Wiggins (Joliet Jake) and James Proctor (Ellwood) have been touring together as a tribute band for the past two years, and perform a two-hour set that includes re-enacting scenes and dances from the movie – often referred to as Grease for blokes – as well as a live soul, rock and blues act.

In a word, they were ‘magic’, pure magic.

Chevrolet had decked out one of their Cruze models to look something like the original – all it lacked was a few dents, some rust, dirt and bubble gum wrappers. Nice to know that car companies still have a sense of humour in these straitened times.

Rally - A Festival of Motor Sport

Plans are in hand to stage a ‘Scottish Motorsport Festival’ at the beginning of October to coincide with the Colin McRae Forest Stages Rally and the International Rally of Scotland the following weekend.

On Friday night (30^th Sept), there will be a Rally Forum organised by the Colin McRae Vision at Moness Resort just outside Aberfeldy, then on Saturday (1^st Oct) the final round of the national Scottish Rally Championship will take to the forest of Perthshire. Stig Blomqvist, Phil Mills and Jim McRae will be on the Forum panel before they take part in the rally on Saturday.

A karting event is planned for Monday 3^rd October followed by a Production Car Autotest on Tuesday (4^th Oct). Taking part on the autotest will be some of the top IRC drivers taking on a team from ‘the media’.

Wednesday’s (5^th Oct) activities have yet to be confirmed and then the RoS/IRC event takes to the stages on Friday and Saturday.

The week long series of motor sporting themed events will be completed on Sunday 9 October, when Knockhill Race Circuit hosts the final race weekend of the Scottish Motor Racing Club.

The Festival will also feature a demonstration by some youngsters from the Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge, a new rally competition aimed at 14 to 17 year olds, with six cars driving the final two stages of Rally of Scotland at Scone Palace before the IRC teams arrive.

It’s a pity it wasn’t a two week festival – then they could have included the Tunnock’s Mull Rally on the 14^th – to 16^th October, the most carameliciously exciting event on the calendar!

Road - Impressing the Locals

The arrival of a Range Rover Evoque in the village has caused quite a stooshie. When I parked it outside the Post Office, the lady in the coffee cafe next door rushed out to have a look. Her opinion: “It’s fabulous”.

Even the local bread-snappers were rubber-necking as I drove past, and it was also the subject of staring and pointing from numerous other passing motorists.

When I parked it outside the house, the neighbour was out with his iPhone, while the guy from two doors up wandered down and stopped for a natter about the Evoque, “I was just passing,” he said. Rarely has a car attracted this amount of interest in the area.

I have to admit, the arrival of the press demonstrator was the first time I had seen it in the flesh having missed the launch last month in Liverpool. In the pictures it looks like a squashed Range Rover, but in the flesh (metal?) it looks the bizz. Yes, it’s shorter, narrower and not as tall as the RR, but the proportions make it look quite big till you stand up close. No doubt the huge 19 inch wheels have something to do with the illusion. It’s weird.

Inside there is plenty of room up front for two biggies and just about enough legroom in the back for two adults although the sloping roof line wouldn’t suit basketball players!

First impressions? It’s not a blinged up Freelander, it really is a mini Range Rover and has the presence and appearance to match. It’s also got an array of push-button 4WD controls on the console, so maybe I’ll get a chance to drive it off-road later today.

It should be in the showrooms from 9^th September and prices start from 28 grand, but considering its head turning looks, few other cars for the money could match its appeal.

Opinion - Beware of the Woonerf

Do you know what a ‘Woonerf’ is? Apparently it’s a Dutch concept whereby in certain designated ‘pedestrian’ areas, drivers and cyclists are restricted to no more than walking pace, or 10 mph.  In these areas there are no roads and no pavements, just open-plan spaces.

Apparently, the responsibility is on drivers and riders to avoid being in an accident with a pedestrian. In an accident with a child under 14 years old, the driver is held to be liable. In one involving a pedestrian over 14, the likelihood is that the court will decide in favour of the pedestrian, but it is not based on explicit traffic law. 

So what’s this got to do with us?

Well, according to a recent poll conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, fifty-eight per cent of people think that drivers should be held legally responsible for accidents between cars and more vulnerable road users in pedestrian-priority zones.

Would that also apply to these new ’20 mph’ limits appearing in housing estates, shopping centres and outside schools?

I bet you’re worried now, and there’s more. All it would take is one crusading politician eager to make a name for him or herself, to cotton on to this Dutch idea and try to get it introduced over here.

What’s more worrying is how the great British public would react to such a law. The big fear is that motorists would be ‘attacked’ by pedestrians ‘bumping’ into their vehicles, falling over and then using their mobile to call the nearest ‘no win, no fee’ merchants of misery.

Whatever happened to the concept of ‘innocent until proven guilty’?

But then there’s really no need to worry at all. The great British public wouldn’t do a thing like that, eh?

Rally - Bogie's Bad News and Jock Shock

Mike Faulkner and Euan Thorburn top the entry list for this Saturday’s ProTune Remapping Merrick Stages at Wigtown in the absence of David Bogie. The current Dulux BRC points leader will be unable to contest his home event. The car needs to be rejigged and retuned ahead of Rally Yorkshire in two weeks time and it won’t be back in time for next Saturday.

The starting line-up will also be missing Jock Armstrong. When speaking to him at the Solway Stages he said: “We had a look under the car after our wee ‘off’ on Speyside and there’s more damage than we thought. Now we’re thinking do we fix it, or do we fit bigger brakes, better suspension and a new engine?”

That means we’re in for another cracker from the closely matched Euan Thorburn and Mike Faulkner who shared identical times on 4 of the Speyside’s 8 stages, and Robbie Head and Phillip Morrow who finished 10 seconds apart.

Reay MacKay will miss the Merrick too: “It wasn’t the gearbox that broke on Speyside,” he said, “it was the wiring – so the car’s back at Buckley’s getting a new loom made!”

Full Merrick preview, Entry List and Spectator info at:

http://www.jaggybunnet.co.uk/