Enhance An Older Body - 28 June 2022

Motoring Podcast - News Show

FOLLOW UP: FORD ENDING FOCUS PRODUCTION

We discussed that Ford was considering the future of the German Saarlouis plant, three weeks ago during Screaming In Your Car episode. That now seems to have been decided, as Ford are investing in their Valencia plant for EV models. After 2025 the Focus will be end, which has caused an obvious conclusion that the German factory will close. For more on this, click the JustAuto article here.

FOLLOW UP: PRIVATE PARKING CODE OF PRACTICE PAUSED

In February this year, the Government proudly announced it was introducing new rules to cap fines, have a transparent and independent appeals system and essentially make parking fairer. Much more quietly, in fact so quietly it was almost silent, they announced that this would be withdrawn after legal action from parking firms. To read more, click this RAC article link.

FOLLOW UP: FLEETS URGED TO SUBMIT EV DATA TO HMRC

Two fleet industry organisations are asking their members to submit information to HMRC so that they can see the effect energy prices are having and suitably compensate in the September changes to rates. More can be read on this matter, by clicking this link to the Autocar article.

NEW SENTENCING LIMITS FOR DRIVERS WHO KILL

The sentencing powers have been changed for those who cause death by dangerous driving and careless driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs. The new limit will be a life sentence. There will also a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, which will have a stiff penalty. For more on this story, click here for the BBC News article.

BRADFORD CLEAN AIR ZONE DATE

Bradford has confirmed that their Cat C + Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will go live from 22 September 2022. This will cover commercial vehicles, busses, mini busses, hackney cabs and private hire vehicles that do not meet the requirements. You can read more about his by clicking on the link to the BVRLA article here.

LOTUS AND BENTLEY TO BUILD SOME CLASSIC EXAMPLES

Lotus Advanced Performance will build bespoke, limited run cars based on 1960s and 70s cars. The newly formed wing of the company will also take over their motorsport interests. With limited details on exactly what is being planned there are some rumours of restomod versions of key cars from the back catalogue of Lotus. For more, click this Autocar link.

Meanwhile, Bentley, buoyed by the success of their Blower Continuation Series, has announced they are producing 12 of their two-time Le Mans winning Speed Six cars. They have already been snapped up, at only £1.5 million. Again, to read more, click here for the Jalopnik link.

TOYOTA RECALLING BZ4X OVER WHEEL NUT ISSUE

Before they are even delivered, Toyota has spotted a potential risk of wheel nuts loosening during heavy braking of their first specific all-electric car the bZ4X. Once they have identified a remedy then the roll out of deliveries will take place. Click here to learn more, from the Autocar article.

TFL TO BEGIN FINING CARS WHO ENTER CYCLE LANES

Thanks to new powers, TfL are to begin to fine vehicles that enter cycle lanes illegally. During the initial six months warnings will initially be issued but then fines of £160 for each infringement, unless paid quickly, is the penalty. To learn more, click here to read the BBC News article.

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WRC: SAFARI RALLY

Oh boy, that was a brutal one. Brilliant result for Toyota, a 1, 2, 3, 4! They also did that in 1993. A shocker for Hyundai and M-Sport. The Safari Rally is meant to be tough, but I’m not sure it should be this tough, although some covering the sport think they should all be as hard as this. Rovenpera won again, Evans was second and Katsuta made the podium this time after just missing out in Portugal. Ogier came in fourth, like Loeb, his participation was muted again. Neuville was the best placed Hyundai in fifth, Tanak retired TWICE and Solberg was tenth. To find out more about what happened, click here for the DirtFish article.

To find out Alasdair Lindsey’s Driver Ratings, click the DirtFish link.

To read the DirtFish What We Learned article, click here.

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Over the last weekend we saw all manner of incredible vehicles being driven up the hill or sat outside the wonderful Goodwood House. Here we link to some of the coverage, for you to catch up with.

Goodwood Road & Racing’s coverage can be found by clicking this link here.

EVO’s coverage can be found by clicking this link and don’t forget to open the gallery as there are some stunning photos.

For a full roundup of the cars that we on show, click here for the Autocar link.

Obviously, the star of the show was the McMurtry Spéirling that broke the record for the hillclimb. Click here to watch the video.

To see what Autocar found in the car park, click this link here.

AND FINALLY: HOT WHEELS LEGEND TOUR 2022

Following the successful first Hot Wheels Legend Tour, last year, where Lee Johnstone’s Volvo P1800 Gasser won the global prize to be made into an actual model, the judges will be once again looking for the best real cars to make into a special Hot Wheels model. For more on this, click here for the Motoring Research article.