Drive Essentials Issue 2 July/August 2016

ISSUE 2 • JULY/AUGUST 2016

Rock a Rolls Ultimate Oligarch-chic

essentials

Launch pad The latest luxury wheels

Speed

The Lowden legacy

The Essentials

Welcome

ISSUE 2 • JULY/AUGUST 2016

04 Speed man

26

Graeme’s drive for life

08 Day trip Route to the top

10 Key in For the IGNITION festival

14 Cars&clocks Precision engineering both

20 Roll on Collectors’ cool kit

24 Kit out Products to play with

26 Launch pad

Welcome to Drive

A look at what’s new

We bring you a sunshine dose of super cars, motoring events and fascinating people in this second edition of Drive. Some how cars are their shiniest when the skies are bright so we give you plenty of ideas for motoring moments of your own. That might be dreaming of your own F1 team inspired by Graeme Lowden, driving dramatic Northumbrian backroads with a picnic in the boot or just planning your next big car buy.

32 Test drive Advanced motoring time

Kathryn Armstrong, editor www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

Contributors Peter Jackson

Photography Kevin Gibson www.kgphotography.co.uk • Chris Auld www.chrisauldphotography.com

If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Lisa Anderson: lisa@remembermedia.co.uk / 07734 560565 or Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366

Remember Media Limited, e-volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South Business Park, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2016 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, June 2016. Drive Essentials is published annually by Remember Media Ltd.

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Pole position

Pole position

Graeme and Wendy Lowdon may have their wheels on some pretty glamorous tracks, but their feet remain firmly on the ground, as Peter Jackson reports Graeme and Wendy Lowdon come across as a perfectly normal middle class couple.

They are both native North Easterners, live in a charming house in Corbridge, and have two lovely children. Yes, they seem prosperous and successful, but not unlike thousands of others.

They are not what one would instinctively associate with the higher echelons of the glamorous world of international motor racing: that sport of the mega rich, of celebrities - of what would once have been called the `jet-set’.

And yet Graeme, always supported by Wendy, has been chief executive of a successful Formula Renault racing team, which became a Formula 1 team – whose drivers have included Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Paul di Resta and Robert Kubica – and has now jointly founded a sports car racing team to compete in the World Endurance Championship.

But they remain – and I have known them for 20 years – modest, warm-hearted and utterly unassuming. Perhaps because their road to success has not always been smooth.

Graeme studied at Prudhoe High School and read engineering at Sheffield University before going to work for NEI Parsons, which was then acquired by Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group which sent Graeme to Newcastle University to do an MBA. “That gave me some exposure to the wider business world but I’ve always considered myself fundamentally to be an engineer at heart,’’ he says.

He had always had a great interest in motorsport and, when, in the mid 1990s, the company he was working for, ABB, started to sponsor a racing team he was delighted to get heavily involved in the programme.

“It was a perfect opportunity to see how a professional motor racing team worked from the inside,’’ he says. “I was really fascinated by it and decided that that was something that I wanted to get involved with.’’

So, in 1996, he and Wendy – they were married by then – left Switzerland where they were living and working, returned

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

04

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to the North East and set up a Formula Renault racing team, Eiger Racing.

“I look back now and I still can’t believe we managed to do it,’’ he recalls.

But, if that wasn’t enough, on the same day, he set up a new IT business, called Just Two Clicks, later J2C. This grew rapidly during the dot.com boom and floated on the stock market.

“Our business was in the right place at the right time,’’ says Graeme. “But it also got caught up with everything that goes with that boom and it was a very turbulent time and it required a huge amount of attention.’’

In order to be able to devote more time to J2C, in 2000 Graeme joined rival Formula Renault team, Manor Racing, which then had a young unknown driver called Kimi Raikkonen.

“Over the next few years we had some very good times with some very successful drivers who would go on to become very big names in motor racing, the most obvious being Lewis Hamilton who raced with us for three years,’’ he says.

With its talented young drivers, Manor went on to win plenty of races and a lot of championships and by the mid 2000s the team was running almost exclusively in European Formula 3.

If that wasn’t enough, Graeme co-founded a new business, Nomad Digital, which pioneered a way of delivering internet wifi signals to the transport sector, particularly trains.

They wanted to develop Manor further and in 2009, the FIA, the world governing body of motor sport, announced some regulation changes to encourage independent teams, such as Manor, into Formula 1.

Manor submitted an entry, along with 30 other teams, and was one of three successful applicants.

“It was a great achievement but it was very daunting as we had seven months to build a complete Formula 1 team and be on the grid for our first ever race in 2010 in Bahrain,’’ Graeme says. “That was an incredibly intense period, but we had the benefit of very high profile support from the Virgin Group. We learnt a huge >>

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Pole position

Pole position amount. Sir Richard Branson was fully involved and came to a lot of races.

“What we were doing was an enormous challenge in sporting terms and in business terms.

There’s a massive difference between a junior formula and Formula 1, and Sir Richard Branson had built very much a challenger brand in the Virgin Group and that’s what this endeavour was really all about.’’

They entered the first year of Formula 1 as Virgin Racing, with Graeme as chief executive. By this time, Nomad Digital had grown and matured, with big contracts for rail projects all over the world.

It was ready for its next stage of growth and Graeme was having to devote more time to Virgin Racing, so, in 2010, he gave up his executive role in the company to concentrate on Formula 1.

“The timing worked well for all involved and I was able to take a backseat in Nomad and eventually I exited altogether,’’ he explains.

A fresh challenge soon arose when the rules for Formula 1 changed and a promised budget cap never materialised.

As Graeme puts it: “The goalposts didn’t just move around on the pitch, they moved to a different continent.’’

This meant that the commercial environment that had been promised to encourage new entrants into Formula 1 was largely stillborn. Graeme and his associates were faced with a choice of adapting to this more challenging environment or giving up on Formula 1.

“One of the things I’m really proud of is that we stuck at it and, of the three teams that were awarded entry into Formula 1 in 2009, the team that we entered is the only one of those that’s still there and competing,’’ says Graeme.

By early 2014 everything was looking promising with the team running well, a good car and a talented driver line-up, including Frenchman Jules Bianchi. In Graeme’s words: “There was a real spring in everybody’s step.’’

But commercial pressures mounted and the rate of development slowed as more time

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and each race lasts for six hours, apart from the 24 hours of Le Mans,’’ Graeme explains.

The first race was at Silverstone and the second at Spa, Belgium, where Manor finished third – but with mixed feelings as they had been running first and second.

So, why do he and Wendy do it?

Why not settle down to a quiet life in Corbridge?

“Racing is something that, if you’re passionate about it - which we are - then you want to do it at the highest possible levels and there is no higher level in sports car racing than the FIA World Endurance Championship,’’ he says.

“Similarly in single seaters, Formula 1 is the highest level and we’ve maintained all our relationships in Formula 1 and are still very close to what’s happening.

“If you’re passionate about racing, there’s a reward from operating at the very highest level, it’s where

had to be devoted to navigating choppy financial waters.

Then tragedy struck. The emotion is still plain in Graeme’s voice as he explains what happened.

“The worst possible thing that can happen in a race team happened and one of our drivers suffered a very serious accident in Suzuka, at the Japanese Grand Prix. Jules had, what would normally be a not unusual accident in that, in very poor weather conditions, he left the track but, instead of hitting the safety barrier, he made contact with a vehicle that was recovering another car and suffered very severe injuries. Nine months later, very sadly, he lost his fight for life.’’

So, by the end of 2014, the team was in crisis and the directors took the decision to put the company into administration. With a lot of hard work and against the odds they found a buyer.

“I look back now and I still can’t believe we did it, but we found a new investor and handed the team over to a new owner,’’ says Graeme.

He stayed with the team until the end of the 2015 Formula 1 season, “but, as soon as the flag dropped in Abu Dhabi, I started looking to see what to do next in motor racing’’.

In the end, he and his partner in Manor Motor Sport, John Booth, opted for sports car racing and the FIA World Endurance Championship, centred on the iconic 24 hours of Le Mans.

The championship covers tracks from Silverstone to Fuji in Japan, from Mexico City to Austin, Texas, and from Bahrain to Shanghai.

There are four classes of car in each race, split into GT cars, such as can be seen on the roads and the more space-age prototype cars.

The prototype division is divided into LMP1, which are designed, built and raced by manufacturers, such as Audi or Porsche, and LMP2, which is exclusively for teams racing cars built by others.

Manor is racing two LMP2 ORECA with Nissan engines. The drivers and several of the team worked with Manor in Formula 1.

“Everyone races on the same track on the same time and there are enormous speed differentials, so it leads to some spectacular racing and a huge amount of overtaking

you test yourself and where you get our fulfilment.’’

And is it as glamorous as people imagine?

“Yes, it is!’’ He laughs. “It definitely is, you travel the world to some

fantastic places, to venues that are, by definition, glamorous. But nobody should ever mistake that for an industry that’s easy. Racing is incredibly hard, the highs are very high and the lows are

desperately hard and not something that you’d wish on anybody. We’ve experienced both in the best part of 20 years.’’

May they have at least another 20 years of highs.

RACING IS SOMETHING THAT, IF YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, YOU WANT TO DO AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS

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20/06/2016 14:42

Pack a picnic

Pack a picnic

Land of the big country Northumberland is all about wide open spaces and relatively quiet roads - making it ideal driving country In this issue of Drive we share one of our favourite motoring routes, which takes in the county’s superlative coastline, some of the UK’s most inspiring upland scenery, rich historical heritage and, of course, some magnificent and varied driving conditions which can be exciting or relaxing. Plan and time it carefully if you want to take the Holy Island detour and don’t want to get cut off by the tide.

We start the drive at England’s northernmost town, Berwick-upon-Tweed, a seaport whose possession see-sawed between the Scots and English over centuries of bitter warfare.

Leave Berwick by the A1 towards Edinburgh, then pick up the B6461 which takes you into the old Scottish county of Berwickshire, close to the north bank of the beautiful, tranquil, salmon-rich Tweed, then follow signs for Norham and recross the Tweed via the famous Union Suspension Bridge back into England.

Norham is a pleasant village of attractive little stone built houses surrounding two triangular greens. It boasts a massive Norman keep towering over the Tweed and which saw off Robert the Bruce. Until 1844, when it was transferred to Northumberland, it was part of the Norhamshire enclave of County Durham.

Not a lot of people know that.

Leave Norham, meet a main road and turn left onto the B6470, signposted Cornhill, then take a quick right and another right to get onto the A698, which, after two miles, brings you to the picturesque Twizel Bridge.

The road now crosses the River Till on a prosaic concrete bridge but the original, a beautiful 15th century structure, still stands next to it. It spans the river with a single elegant arch of 90ft and with enchanting views from a nearby ridge into the deep wooded glen and ivy-covered folly of Twizel Castle.

Continue to Cornhill-on-Tweed, from where you can take a detour to Flodden Field where in 1513 an English army defeated an army of invading Scots in one of the bloodiest battles ever fought on English soil.

This area is rich in unappreciated attractions and, if you have the time, it’s worth another detour to the charming village of Coldstream, which gave birth to the famous Guards regiment.

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

Returning to Cornhill take the A697, then make your way on minor roads via Kilham to Kirknewton and from there to Yeavering. For those who love walking as well as driving this section is frustrating as the lovely countryside around here is best appreciated on foot.

Yeavering was the 7th Century capital of the Saxon King Edwin and one of the largest hillforts in the Border Country can be seen to the south of the village on the 1,182ft summit of Yeavering Bell.

From Yeavering continue along the foot of the Cheviot Hills to Wooler, a busy little town, known – inevitably – as the “Gateway to the Cheviots’’. Nearby is a stone commemorating the Battle of Homildon Hill where in 1402 – and you may detect a theme emerging here – Henry Percy defeated a huge Scottish Army.

From Wooler, turn left onto the B6525 and continue to Doddington, home of Doddington Dairy, famous for its ice cream and winner of Best Food Producer in Radio 4’s Food and Farming awards.

Leave Doddingon and continue for five miles before going right onto the B6353 to reach Lowick. Pass Fenwick and meet the A1, then head north and turn off for Beal.

Most of the beautiful coastline near here is included in a national nature reserve and the horizon to the south west is dominated by the low summits of the gentle Kyloe Hills.

From here take the causeway to Holy Island. This is exposed for about two hours before, and from about three and a half hours after high tide. If in doubt, don’t risk it, as it’s embarrassing to have a rescue helicopter winch you off the roof of your car. Also, if you do go the island, keep an eye on the time, or you might be staying longer than you bargained for.

The attractions of fascinating Holy Island are well known: the ruined priory, the 13th century parish church, the restored 16th century castle and the crab sandwiches.

From Holy Island, return to the A1 and back to Berwick on Tweed.

The whole route is about 88 miles and, to do it justice, it needs a whole day but it’s well worth the time.

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BERWICK UPON TWEED NORTH SEA

Scremerston

Norham

Beal

Twizel Bridge

Lindisfarne Holy Island

Cornhill-on-Tweed Coldstream

Lowick

Flodden Field

N

Doddington Yeavering Kirknewton

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Wooler

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Up to speed

Up to speed

Wheels on fire A new high octane three-day festival of motoring, IGNITION, will hit the streets of Glasgow this summer...

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

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Up to speed

Up to speed

IGNITION facts: Single tickets for IGNITION start at £28 (in advance) for day entry to the festival, while a family day ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £65.

Group entry is available for 10 or 20 people.

A premium ticket, which gives the holder access to the multiple halls of supercars, new cars, bikes, classic cars and competition machinery and provides a grandstand seat for the outdoor track action and a show guide, costs £49 while entry to the special VIP opening night (Friday, 5 August) costs £99.

PRIZE DRAW

Win a pair of tickets to IGNITION Festival of Motoring

IGNITION is set to make 5-7 August one of the most exciting weekends on this year’s motoring calendar, attracting more than 25,000 people.

It will feature the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car, power laps by Top Gear’s racing driver The Stig but, as well as paying homage to some of the world’s finest motor sporting heroes, the event will also showcase all aspects of motoring.

It will even close roads around the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre and SSE Hydro Arena to create Glasgow’s first ever street circuit.

The organisers, who are the team behind Top Gear Live, claim IGNITION will be nothing like a traditional motor show and will be, “the most exciting, ambitious and complex motor show ever to be staged in Scotland’’.

Scotland’s own F1 star David Coulthard will take to the specially constructed Street Circuit in the Red Bull Racing RB7 and there will be further track action from a wide selection of

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

race, rally and supercars – as well as bikes.

Event director Jeremy Vaughan says: “As a company we have run some of the largest car festivals around the world and we had run Top Gear Live in Glasgow in 2014 and felt that there was an enormous appetite for the festival.

Glasgow has got all the hallmarks of a great

on the streets,’’ says Vaughan.

There will be track action across all three days of the show and this will be complemented by displays of iconic cars including a collection of Colin McRae’s - one of Scotland’s motor sport World Champions - rally cars.

Scotland is one of only five countries to have

‘THE MOST EXCITING, AMBITIOUS AND COMPLEX MOTOR SHOW’ city and has the experience of the Commonwealth Games and the SECC is the perfect venue for an indoor/outdoor festival and it ticked all the boxes.’’

It promises to be the greatest such festival of motoring enthusiasts in the region.

“I don’t think you’d find anything close to this in the North of England that has got Formula 1

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produced World Champions on two, three and four wheels – an achievement that IGNITION will celebrate.

The Top Gear Live Stunt team will bring thrills and skills to the live action zone, while a Supercar Pavillion curated by Top Gear magazine will display the finest supercars and hypercars from Bugattis to Zondas.

Further display areas will include a Motor Sport Hall, celebrating Scottish success in the competition arena, and a Motorbike Hall of two-wheel machines from superbikes and café racers to sports touring bikes and custom cruisers.

Aficionados of motoring’s heritage will be in their element in the Classic and Vintage Hall, which will be filled with beautiful machines from the great marques of the past as well as showcasing lovingly restored classics from car club members.

There will also be the latest from manufacturers and dealers, a test car facility where visitors can get behind the wheel themselves and a young driver area for the next generation of drivers.

Vaughan adds: “The challenge for us is to be putting on the best possible show and we are uncovering every stone to make sure we’ve got every car that’s on our list and to show cars that people haven’t seen before.

“Tickets went on sale four weeks ago and they are beyond our expectation, the interest from the whole city has been tremendous, through press coverage and TV coverage and from local motor clubs. The vital signs, to me, as an organiser, are very healthy indeed.

“We are really embracing Scottish motorsport which has got decades of great history. It’s going to be a great celebration of motoring and there’s going to be something for everyone, whether you love supercars or classic cars, or bikes or stunt teams indoor and outdoor.

You can buy a car here, you can look at your sporting heroes.

“If you are looking at a checklist of a motoring festival for a whole weekend, I don’t think you can get anything that will deliver as much.’’

And it’s intended that it should run and run.

“This isn’t a one-off,’’ says Vaughan. “This is a major investment for us and we see this continuing for many years to come every year.”

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IGNITION Festival of Motoring is a brand new event taking place at the SECC Glasgow from 5 – 7 August 2016.

IGNITION has teamed up with Luxe Magazine to offer readers the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to the dramatic opening day on Friday 5 August.

To enter visit www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/win or email your name and a contact phone number to prizedraw@remembermedia.co.uk stating in the subject line the name of the prize draw you wish to enter.

Prize draw closes Monday 25 July.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY See www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/win

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Car&clock

Car&clock

The link between cars and clocks, wheels and watches is a long-standing one.

Josh Sims examines the passion for perfection

Male, macho, mechanical Olivier Gamiette has been a designer at Peugeot for 16 years, where he creates concepts for the French carmaker, from its EX1 electric car to its B1K bicycle. He had never designed a watch. At least not until recently. Three years ago he started sketching out ideas for watch designs, looking for shapes, arrangements and ideas to feed back into his car designs. And then he became hooked. He has recently published ‘Soon’ (Design Studio Press), a book compiling his watch designs, from the Copper Shield a retro-futurist model with dials borrowed from the speedometer of a 1960s car - to La Royale, which takes its star-shaped design from a radial engine.

“These are watches that are small kinetic sculptures that you connect with,” Gamiette explains. “For me it’s important to try to reinvent the way time is displayed because a watch you learn to use are those you establish a relationship with.” It is, he adds, just like learning the idiosyncrasies of a new car. Indeed, although it was never made, Gamiette once designed a watch to be sold along with a new design of Peugeot - but then the tie between the automotive and horological worlds is deep. >>

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Car&clock

Car&clock Indeed, the relationship between cars and watches is also a long and complex one - born of a shared expression of typically male, and sometimes macho, interest in mechanical things, maybe of the convenient aesthetic similarity between a watch dial and that on a dashboard has resonance. This is certainly something that watch designers have picked up on. Some would argue that, at the level at which car and watchmaker typically come together, both products are equally impractical and outmoded - they are products that inspire passions rather than make much sense. Both, others could well add, are equally about showing off too.

The strongest basis of the tie, however, is the shared world of performance and, with that, the importance of accurate timing. Arguably the most famous watch with, so to speak, petrol rather than oil lubricating its

transponder watch for its long term automotive partner Aston Martin that could be used to open the vehicle; Parmigiani’s watches for Bugatti are typically only available to owners of the supercar. Indeed, this - and many other high prices - puts paid to the idea that these are just watches for people who can’t afford the cars, but who want to buy into the romance of the famed marques nevertheless.

Porsche, through the associated Porsche Design, even has its own watch design business - creating, as might be expected, ground-breaking designs the more mainstream watch industry has emulated - while other prestige car brands - Audi, Mercedes and BMW among them - have simply gone ahead and hired watch manufacturers, some well known, others less so, to produce a line to their design.

It is an association that only looks set to grow too. Bremont, Chopard,

THE STRONGEST BASIS OF THE TIE IS THE SHARED WORLD OF PERFORMANCE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE TIMING mechanism is Tag Heuer’s Monaco, designed as a lap timer for the Grand Prix and famously worn by Steve McQueen in the movie ‘Le Mans’ (1971) this overshadowing even Jack Heuer’s pioneering 1964 Carrera chronograph, named after the Carrera Pan America race and pre-dating Porsche’s co-opting of the Carrera name. The groundwork done, Rolex similarly found itself with a watch/car icon thanks to the adoption of its Daytona chronograph by Paul Newman, another actor who raced cars to a serious level on the side, another actor who gave the watch a cool that eclipsed the race it was named after.

But this casual arrangement has long since been superseded by countless mutually beneficial marketing moves that have seen the establishment of long-term relationships between watch and carmakers: Breitling and Bentley, Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari, Blancpain and Lamborghini, Baume & Mercier and Shelby, Oris and Williams Formula One, such that these collaborations serve as spin-off brands in their own right. Sometimes the relationship is a genuinely connected one: Jaeger-LeCoultre created a

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Cartier and Jean Richard are among the many other makers that have created watches capitalising on some association with wheeled transport, while watch brands’ sponsorship of race series, rallies and classic car concours events has become standard.

One might even ask what took them so long. After all, it is a relationship that, notes Aaron Sigmund, author of ‘Drive Time’ (Rizzoli) - a book on the phenomenon published earlier this year - could be dated back to 1903, when Alfred Dunhill, the first maker of clothing and accessories specifically for motoring, created a hanging dashboard clock; and later a watch angled on the wrist to maximise legibility to the driver without his having to take his hands off the steering wheel.

One might also ask where it might all stop? These days the relationship between car and clock, wheels and watch, is not limited only to high-end aspirational products. Casio’s Infiniti Red Bull F1 Chronograph, for example - yours for under £150 - is a case in point. Pole position for your wrist need not require Formula One levels of expenditure.

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I AM i8.

Promotional feature

THE BMW i8.

BMW i

The Ultimate Driving Machine

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING

Stephen Patterson, director of communications at NE1 Ltd, shares his love of cars and the experience of driving the BMW i8 from Lloyd Newcastle BMW When it comes to the perfect job for a petrol head, organising a city centre car show with hundreds of rare and exotic vehicles ticks all the right boxes. For Stephen Patterson, director of communications at Newcastle Business Improvement District company NE1 Ltd, the chance to put together the NE1 Newcastle Motor Show is an opportunity to work with worldleading brands and get to grips with some of the world’s most advanced supercars – including the BMW i8 electric supercar, which he drove as part of BMWi Week at Lloyd Newcastle BMW.

What was your first car?

A 1971 VW Campervan. It was a very cool car for a 17-year-old lad growing up in the countryside, and with no public transport available it meant I could go out for the evening and then sleep in the van before coming back the next morning.

What’s it like getting to organise a motor show?

It’s a fantastic event to work on. Cars are a really emotive topic and to indulge my passion for cars, whether they’re one-off museum pieces, classic sports cars or the latest supercars from our partners, makes coming to work in the morning very easy – even in my 206. To set those against the beautiful architecture of our city, particularly Grey Street, is a real privilege and I can’t wait to see the city’s streets packed with cars and petrol heads again come 9-10 July.

What’s coming up at this year’s NE1 Newcastle Motor Show?

Last year saw 100,000 people head to Grey Street to see the cars and be part of the experience.

This year we’re expanding into High Bridge, up to Grey’s Monument, into Northumberland Street and into the Bigg Market, and working with more of the industry’s biggest names.

We’ll also be showing the Formula One British Grand Prix over the weekend and we have lots planned for the whole family.

What are you driving at the moment?

What was it like getting behind the wheel of the BMW i8?

My current car is terrible! It’s a one-litre Peugeot 206 and it’s the family workhorse – great for moving kids around and taking rubbish to the tip, but not quite my dream car. I’ve had some nice cars along the way, including an Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf and a Peugeot 205 GTi with an engine transplant, which was very quick.

Thinking about those now, every mile I drive makes me a little sadder.

I was impressed by the i8 as soon as I picked the car up. It looks stunning and things only get better once you get behind the wheel. The technology is some of the best I’ve experienced, while the handling and power from the hybrid-electric engine is unbelievable, as is the sound - silent when you’re cruising and awe-inspiring when you put your foot down.

The highlight has to be pulling up on Grey

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Street with people wondering which football team I played for!

Where is your favourite drive?

I would head over to Haydon Bridge and then down into Cumbria and over Hartside Pass.

The roads there are amazing to drive on and the scenery is stunning.

What has been your best driving experience?

Taking my Alfa Romeo around the rally circuit at Kielder was incredible, though it did kill one of my favourite cars. And although I was a passenger, travelling from Amsterdam to Munich for Oktoberfest was a trip I’ll never forget.

The BMW i8

A revolutionary sports car, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid offers supercar performance with ground-breaking hybrid technology.

With a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds, the i8’s petrol-electric engine, stunning looks and world-leading technology make for the ultimate driving machine. The BMWi8 looks like no other car. It’s sleek, clean in its detailing and features gullwing upward opening doors. The visual drama of this car is out of this world. The BMWi8 is an utterly fascinating vehicle. There’s no doubt that this technology affords us a vision of the future. The BMW i8 we test drove was supplied by Lloyd Newcastle BMW. The BMW i8 will be on show at the Lloyd Newcastle BMW stand at the NE1 Newcastle Motor Show on Saturday 9 July and Sunday 10 July. Pop along to see this incredible car in all its glory.

For more information or to request a BMW i test drive*, please call us on 0191 261 7366 or visit www.lloydnewcastlebmw.co.uk

Lloyd Newcastle

Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne Tyne & Wear NE2 4LE

BMW RETAILER OF THE YEAR. Official fuel economy figures for the BMW i8: Weighted combined cycle: mpg 134.5 (2.1 l/100 km), CO2 emissions 49 g/km, power output (engine) 170/231 kW/hp, power output (electric motor) 96/131 kW/hp, total average energy consumption per 62 miles/100 km (weighted combined cycle) 11.5 kWh, customer-orientated total range up to 373 miles. Maximum electric range value 23 miles, common average electric range value (e-Drive only) up to 23 miles. Figures may vary depending on different factors, including but not limited to individual driving style, climatic conditions, route characteristics and preconditioning. The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that requires mains electricity for charging. *Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Star car

Star car

roll

On a

It could be the ultimate challenge for those with oligarch tendencies.

A bespoke Rolls-Royce with super-luxury accessories Somehow it just feels wrong to set out on a summer’s afternoon picnic in a car without the essential (two-bottle) built-in champagne-stocked fridge and crystal flutes.

But Rolls-Royce does everything in some style so why shouldn’t a tail-gate transform into the ultimate picnic palace?

For those contemplating a R-R purchase of their own, such fixtures can be part and bespoke parcel of the Zenith Collection, a very special made-to-order limited collection of the very last Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé motor cars ever to be built.

They will become true collectors’ pieces and part of the world’s most significant luxury motor collections.

Rolls-Royce bespoke design team considered every detail in the creation of the car.

The split-tailgate has been enhanced to provide the ultimate picnic experience. A glass shelf, housed within the rear section of the tailgate becomes a very stylish place from which to serve champagne. A champagne fridge, large enough to hold two standard bottles and eight Rolls-Royce glasses, occupies a large portion of the boot, whilst you can rest awhile with that chilled fizz on padded rear tailgate leather.

Taking luxury to the max, Phantom Zenith Collection customers can have a bespoke version of the Rolls-Royce Picnic Hamper. This unique accessory – created to add a touch of glamour to a day’s touring – is personalised further to match the materials and colour palette of the customer.

Inside the car, owners are greeted with an intricately executed nod to the history of these remarkable motor cars – >>

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DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

Star car beautiful laser etching to the armrest cappings.

These stylishly express the locations of the global debut of the experimental version of each car (Villa D’Este on the shores of Lake Como for 100EX – Phantom Drophead Coupé’s forebear and Lake Geneva for the 101EX, the car that would become Phantom Coupé).

The central fascia drawer has been used to house a priceless memento signifying each car’s status as one of the very last.

On opening, owners discover a removable polished aluminum case, laser engraved with their motor car’s unique identification number surrounded with a beautiful application of Best English Blacking – a technique most commonly associated with fine gun-making.

Within this, sits a piece of automotive history, not attainable by any other means; a single piece of the Phantom Assembly Line at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. This remarkable collectors’ piece is completed with the expression of co-ordinates, stating the exact part of the assembly line from where the metal was extracted.

Both Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupé did much to bring Rolls-Royce customers from the rear compartment to the drivers’ seat.

This is elegantly referenced with three key design touches.

The speedometer, is presented in brushed steel – serving to draw the eye towards a key signifier of the car’s unique, effortless power delivery.

The interior design colour scheme further nods through the use of a highlight leather colour for the front seats that harmonises perfectly with a darker rear compartment.

NEW JAGUAR XJ

POWER NEVER FELT BETTER.

Finally, the Starlight Headliner, a design that made its debut on Phantom Coupé is given a subtle bespoke treatment to reflect this, with the individually hand-woven stars clustered to the front and faded to the rear – bathing the driver and front passenger in a warm and inviting celestial glow.

In styling the exterior and interior colour and materials palette, designers drew from Rolls-Royce history to create schemes inspired by some of the most celebrated Phantoms.

The subtle contrast presented in the Madeira Red and Jubilee Silver Phantom Coupé, for example, is inspired by a 1930s Phantom II. A bolder, more defined contrast can be seen in timeless yet highly contemporary presentation of Midnight Blue and Artic White that echoes the genteel ambiance of a very special 1930s Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, whilst a new glass clearcoat has been engineered to enhance Phantom’s mirror-like shine.

Design touches from the marque’s recent history also served to inspire. Hints of the

2011 Phantom Coupé Aviator Collection can be seen in the presentation of the central tunnel, whilst Blood-Orange tips to the instrument dials reference Wraith’s aviation inspired motif. Further attention to detail is expressed with cupholders, machined from aluminium, serving as a perfect visual and tactile reminder of Phantom’s blend of timeless elegance melded to contemporary design. Further use of highly modern materials can be seen in the masterful use of bookmatched metal foiling across the fascia of both cars.

These extraordinary motor cars, among the last ever Phantom Drophead Coupé and Phantom Coupés are currently being crafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce. 2016 also represents the final year of production for the seventh generation Phantom limousine, with connoisseur customers invited to take the last opportunity to commission deeply personal, Bespoke expressions of this most seminal motor car.

Model shown is the New XJ Luxury with optional Dark Sapphire Metallic Paint, Privacy Glass and Orona Wheels.

Dynamic performance? Or a luxurious ride? With the new Jaguar XJ’s advanced Adaptive Dynamics you don’t have to choose. The new Jaguar XJ delivers a rare combination of sports-car like handling and extraordinary comfort redefining what a luxury car should be.

Call us today to book a test drive.

Stratstone Stamfordham Road, Westerhope, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 2LA 0191 271 9100 Stratstone Stoneygate, Houghton le Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 4NJ 0191 512 3500 Stratstone.com

Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XJ range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 17.4-40.4 (16.2-7.0); Extra Urban 34.5-54.3 (8.2-5.2); Combined 25.5-49.6 (11.1-5.7). CO2 emissions from 264 to 149 (g/km). Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ.

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

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All information is correct at time of publication and is subject to change without notice. We reserve the right to amend or withdraw any offers without prior notice. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Vehicles available while stocks last. Images shown for illustration purposes only. Full details available from Stratstone Jaguar. Pendragon Premier Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them. Pendragon Premier Limited, Loxley House, 2 Oakwood Court, Little Oak Drive, Annesley, Nottingham, NG15 0DR.

Fast fashion

Promotional feature

Q by Aston Martin 4-piece Luggage Set from £2,478 available from Aston Martin Newcastle

Jaguar Men’s Drivers Jacket, £95

Ride in style Smart accessories to keep you looking sharp Luxurious, quilted hex pattern coin purse beautifully crafted in black leather £87.50 available from Aston Martin Newcastle

DURHAM WORKSHOP LAUNCHES CLASSIC AND EXOTIC CAR SHOWROOM An internationally renowned Aston Martin sales and restoration workshop is gearing up for an influx of petrol heads as it opens a new showroom dedicated to the finest non Aston classic and exotic cars.

County Durham-based Aston Workshop has opened Car Barn – a specialist 1,000 square metre

and panel repairs and restoration, as well as the latest paint booth and preparation facilities, enabling the team to prepare and paint cars to the highest standard.

This is coupled with a state of the art servicing facility where staff will be able to undertake any degree of maintenance work on any make of car.

around the world on a regular basis and is now based on the same site as Car Barn.

Bob Fountain, owner of Aston Workshop, said: “We’ve had enormous success in recent years and as we see so many non Aston Martin cars passing through our showroom, we felt that the time was right to create a site

purpose-built site, which is now ready to welcome visitors following a £500,000 investment.

Car Barn is the product of Aston Workshop’s response to a growing demand for affordable non Aston classic cars and features a range of iconic models for sale such as Bentley, Mercedes, Ferrari and even a Porsche which once belonged to David Bowie, with costs starting from £20,000.

The site also boasts a body shop with dedicated booths for aluminium and steel fabrication

The launch of Car Barn marks the latest in a line of developments at the Aston Workshop, which is owned by Bob Fountain and has provided globally-renowned restoration services since 1988.

The workshop received Aston service status in 2009 and, in 2011, the company joined forces with long-established North East classic car company Macdonald Racing to launch Beamish Morgan Ltd - the only Morgan car dealer in the North of England. Beamish Morgan welcomes visitors from

specially dedicated to amazing non Aston makes.

“Many of our sales come from overseas, from Europe to the USA and Asia. We are keen for car fans closer to home – and not looking for an Aston – to benefit from the world class facilities and top standards of service we have here.

“That’s why Car Barn benefits from the same expertise and resources that have earned Aston Workshop its top international reputation, but based within an exclusive area

For the bright city lights. Grey plastic lenses, anti-reflective on the inside. Frame Black on the outside, grey on the inside.

100% UV protection. £140

Jaguar Heritage Holdall, £175

BMW Cap, wool-look cap with pin. £29

where the focus and emphasis is purely on non Astons.

“We also have our very own gastro pub, Black Horse Beamish, based next door. Visitors often come to the Black Horse for a meal, enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of the rolling Durham countryside, and then wander across to us to view our cars – so they can really make a day of it.”

Bob joked: “I always say, we’ve made it very easy for you to take your wife out for a delicious three-course lunch at the Black Horse to butter her up before you treat yourself to a classic car!”

The team are looking for a wide range of cars to showcase in Car Barn and welcome enquiries from those thinking of selling their car.

They have also introduced a Car Scout scheme, meaning that if you, as a ‘car scout’, source a classic or exotic car that Car Barn subsequently buys, Car Barn will pay a pre-agreed commission.

To find out more, visit www.carbarn. co.uk, call 01207 606 120, email sales@carbarn.co.uk or like Car Barn – Aston Workshop on Facebook.

BMW Mobile Phone Hard Case combines perforated and smooth surfaces. £162 Black BMW men’s modern watch.

Wristwatch with stainless steel case. £162

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DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

What’s new

What’s new

LEXUS LC 500H

ONES TO WATCH

The new Lexus LC 500h is an impressive 2+2 petrol-electric hybrid sports car that marries racing speed with supermini running costs.

The drivetrain uses two gearboxes – a CVT for the electric motor, programmed with conventional ‘step’ gearchanges, and a four-speed automatic for the 3.5-litre V6 petrol.

Total power is 354bhp, bringing a 0-62mph time of under five seconds and yet boasting an average economy of nearly 70mpg. It has a new GA-L platform, using high-tensile steel in the chassis and aluminium in the bonnet and wings.

The car uses the same, sleek design as its predecessor, the only difference being blue-tinted Lexus badges and hybrid badges on the sides.

The interior boasts a digital dash interface and Lexus’s next-generation infotainment system.

The Lexus LC 500h will be on sale next spring at an estimated price of £60,000.

It’s only summer and there are still plenty of luxury, super and executive cars to be released later this year and early in 2017. Here are a few to look out for BMW X3 M

BUGATTI CHIRON Super cars don’t come much more super than this. Bugatti, the iconic marque, is following the Veyron with the Chiron which goes on sale this year and, it promises to be a real head-turner with superb design, both inside and out.

Apparently, the designers motto for the Chiron was “design follows performance’’.

And it promises to be some performance. The new W16 engine gives a 25% increase in performance over its predecessor, the Veyron. The numbers are certainly enough to make anyone blink: eight litres; 16 cylinders; four turbos; 1,479bhp; maximum

torque at 2,000 rpm and maintained at that level all the way up to 6,000 rpm; and a top speed of 261mph.

Oh, and here’s another number - the estimated price is £1.9m.

However, you could have time to save up. It officially goes on sale in the autumn, but it’s said that interest among the world’s wealthiest motoring aficionados is so high that Bugatti’s build schedule is full for years into the distance.

But, with a carbon-monocoque chassis, carbon-silicon carbide brakes and an advanced supplementary air brake system (useful at 261mph), it should be well worth the wait.

BMW has introduced a new construction for the all-new BMW X3 to significantly reduce weight, and this will combine with two-wheel drive to improve efficiency.

The rear-wheel-drive compact SUV, on sale in late 2016, will have a 2.0-litre diesel delivering 60mpg-plus. But it will be offered alongside M Division performance models, potentially including a six-cylinder diesel badged X3M 40d.

According to reports, cosmetic differences for the new M-specific model include a restyled front bumper with bigger air intakes, a rear diffuser, bigger exhaust, side skirts, a quad-exit exhaust and a roof spoiler.

In the intertior, the redesigned seats are said to be slimmer and lighter than before, adjustable in length and recline front and rear, and fully collapsible to provide a long and even cargo area.

Also new, are a larger extra-cost sunroof, bigger brakes and wheels, drag-cutting front wheel air curtains and intakes, a choice of X-line and M Sport equipment packs and optional adaptive LED headlights.

The new X3 is expected to cost around £35,000.

ASTON MARTIN DB11 The DB11, authentic, dynamic sporting GT showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and is powered by a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history. This new engine develops 608PS (600BHP) and 700Nm of torque, making DB11 the most powerful production DB model ever.

Naturally, it’s the most dynamic and most accelerative too, with a top speed of 200mph and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec. The RRP is from £154,900 and first deliveries are scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2016.

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DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

What’s new The New BMW 7 Series.

JAGUAR F-TYPE SVR This summer also sees the arrival of the new F-Type SVR. Priced from £110,000, this two-seater boasts a 567bhp and 700Nm of torque, with four-wheel drive, a 200mph top speed and a 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds. It comes as a coupe or convertible, with retuned suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, lightweight alloy wheels and carbon-fibre body parts, as well as a titanium exhaust.

The SVR features: unique body configuration; advanced aerodynamics and cooling; 5.0 litre v8 575ps supercharged engine; lightweight titanium and inconel® exhaust; all wheel drive system; and 20” coriolis forged alloy wheels unique to SVR. Economy and CO2 emissions figures for both the coupe and the convertible are 25.0mpg and 269g/km respectively.

The SVR is based on the F-Type R and its aerodynamic styling is an uprated version of that used by that model. It includes a new front end, a flat underfloor and a carbonfibre active rear wing.

Jaguar has modified the chassis, adding new dampers and anti-roll bars and fitting stiffer rear knuckles, and with wider tyres.

Cooper Group

The Ultimate Driving Machine

VOLVO S90 The S90 is the Swedish car maker’s long-awaited answer to cars such as the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. It follows in the footsteps of the dated S80, with the company hoping to build on the success of its award-winning XC90 SUV. It sits on the same Scalable Product Architecture as the XC90, and much of the styling is reminiscent of that car, with identical ‘Thor’s Hammer’ daytime running lights and a portrait touchscreen.

The S90 will get the same range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, as well as a 400bhp T8 Twin-Engine hybrid.

It features Pilot Assist to automatically maintain a set speed or distance from the car in front, as well as giving gentle steering inputs to keep you properly aligned within your lane markings.

There’s a 360 degree camera option for parking as well as Park Assist, an automatic high beam that detects oncoming cars and dips and Large Animal Detection and City Safety to avoid collisions.

The Volvo S90 will go on sale in September at a price of £32,555.

EXPERIENCE THE BMW 7 SERIES AT COOPER. The BMW 7 Series incorporates exquisitely crafted design, enhanced levels of comfort and an extensive range of pioneering technology, which have all led to it being hailed as the most innovative car in its class.

To find out more or to book your test drive^ please contact your local Cooper centre.

PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN Porsche has adopted the same downsizing approach to the Cayman as the Boxster, replacing the flat-six, with a newly developed flat-four turbo.

On performance the car will do 0 to 62mph in 5.1 seconds and deliver a top speed of 170 mph with a fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg on the manual but still with 350 units of turbo-charged horsepower. The updated model will share exterior, interior and chassis tweaks with the drop-top, and for the first time it will be marginally cheaper at around £40,000.

Porsche says “a strong emphasis on the horizontal’’ lends a striking appearance to the new dashboard design. An ascending centre console brings the new sports steering wheel derived from the 918 Spyder and the gear lever/selector closer together. There’s also the option for the GT sports steering wheel with its smaller diameter.

The cluster of three round instruments, with the rev counter in the centre, is flanked by a 4.6-inch colour screen and the centre console includes the revised version of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) featuring a 7-inch multi-touchscreen.

The 718 Cayman will be on sale later this year.

THE NEW BMW 7 SERIES. DRIVING LUXURY. Cooper Durham

Broomside Park, Belmont Ind. Est., Durham DH1 1HP 0191 502 0482 www.cooperdurhambmw.co.uk

Cooper Sunderland

Boldon Business Park, West Boldon, Tyne & Wear NE36 0BQ 0191 502 0471 www.coopersunderlandbmw.co.uk

Cooper Teesside

Concorde Way, Preston Farm Ind. Est., Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland TS18 3RB 01642 693 523 www.cooperteessidebmw.co.uk

Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW 7 Series Saloon range: Urban 24.8-51.4mpg (11.4-5.5l/100km). Extra Urban 45.6-67.3mpg (6.2-4.2l/100km). Combined 34.9-60.1mpg (8.1-4.7l/100km). CO2 emissions 189-124g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

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^Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Thoroughbred

Thoroughbred

Design evolution

Bold exterior. Designed To Exhilarate. Elegantly Crafted

A new chapter in Aston Martin’s history began at the 86th International Geneva Motor Show with the unveiling of the DB11. The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition The DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and is powered by a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history.

As such, it is the most significant new Aston Martin since the introduction of the DB9 in 2003.

Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer said: “We aspire to make the most beautiful cars in the world. DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout. A brand new bonded aluminium platform, clever aerodynamics, a new characterful twin-turbo V12 and class-leading infotainment systems are just a few aspects which make this the sports car that will proudly spearhead Aston Martin’s second century plan.”

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

Heralding a new design era for Aston Martin, DB11 is the latest landmark in a remarkable aesthetic journey; one that gave us icons such as the DB2/4, DB5 and, most recently, the DB10 developed specifically for James Bond. DB11 re-imagines the relationship between form and function with a series of fresh design signatures.

Foremost amongst these are the fronthinging clamshell bonnet, distinctive LED headlights and accentuated lines of the iconic Aston Martin grille. The profile is equally dramatic, thanks to the roof strakes that flow uninterrupted from A-pillar to C-pillar. The clean lines continue at the rear, with a sloping decklid that smoothly blends into boldly sculpted tail-lights to create a new and unmistakable graphic.

Innovative aerodynamics play their part in this aesthetic revolution with clever management of airflow both over and through the bodywork aiding stability while preserving the DB11’s uncluttered surfaces. Front-end lift is reduced by the gill-like Curlicue which releases high-pressure air from inside the wheel arch via a concealed vent

30

within the redesigned side-strake.

Meanwhile, rear-end lift is reduced by the Aston Martin AeroBladeTM; a virtual spoiler fed by discreet air intakes located at the base of each C-pillar. Air is ducted through the bodywork, before venting as a jet of air from the aperture in the rear decklid.

Like every Aston Martin, the heart of the DB11 is found beneath the bonnet, though unlike any Aston Martin before it, the DB11’s heart is a 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12. Designed in-house this new engine develops 608PS1 (600BHP1) and 700Nm1 of torque, making DB11 the most powerful production DB model ever. Naturally, it’s the most dynamic and most accelerative too, with a top speed of 200mph and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec.

Thanks to intelligent bank activation and stop-start technology that potency is matched by greatly improved efficiency.

To exploit the advantages of its new body structure and harness the immense performance of the new twin-turbo V12 engine, the DB11’s chassis, suspension, steering and electronics have been re-imagined and key new technologies embraced. Multiple driverselectable dynamic modes - GT, Sport and Sport Plus - progressively intensify the response of the engine, 8-speed automatic ZF transmission together with the new electric power steering and Torque Vectoring by braking while increasing the firmness of the adaptive damping for a greater sense of

agility. The result is a driving experience that combines exemplary ride comfort and true sports car agility, for an extraordinary breadth of dynamic capability.

As a true 21st century Aston Martin the DB11 combines the very latest technology developed in conjunction with technical partner, Daimler AG, with the finest quality and hand craftsmanship. Using a full-colour 12” TFT LCD display, the all-new instrument cluster presents primary vehicle information with absolute clarity, while a second, centrallymounted 8” TFT screen is dedicated to infotainment. Controlled via an intuitive rotary control, with an optional touchpad offering character recognition, multi-touch and gesture support, the new satellite navigation and audio system have never been more effective, sounded better or been easier to operate. A newly implemented

auto-park assist feature and 360-degree birds-eye view camera helps provide safe manoeuvering at slow speeds and is also operated via the car’s infotainment system.

With wider door apertures, significantly increased occupant space - especially head and legroom in the rear - fully integrated rear ISOFIX mounting points for a pair of child seats plus a luggage compartment large enough to accommodate two large holdalls plus carry-on baggage, the DB11 is a genuine Grand Tourer. Thanks to an inspiring palette of colours and a vast array of detailing options, its interior can be perfectly in-tune with your unique personal style. From calming, carefully co-ordinated tones to sharp contrasts in hue and texture, your choices are virtually limitless.

Nexus quilting and Celestial perforation add layers of beautiful complexity and

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intrigue, while ornate leatherwork, such as intricate brogue detailing, creates areas of visual and tactile delight.

Dr Andy Palmer said: “This is not only the most important car that Aston Martin has launched in recent history, but also in its 103-year existence.

“The DB11 rightfully places Aston Martin once again as a leading brand in the luxury automotive market.”

Recommended Retail Price from £154,900 in the UK, €204,900 in Germany and $211,995 in USA, first deliveries of the DB11 car are scheduled to begin during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Aston Martin Newcastle, Cobalt Park Way, Silverlink, Wallsend, Newcastle, NE28 9NZ Tel: 0191 6910333 www.astonmartinnewcastle.co.uk

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

Xxxxxxxx Tick box time

Tick box time

In the driving seat Just how good a driver are you? Peter Jackson went along to North East Central Advanced Motorists to learn the harsh truth Most people – men at least – are big fans of their own driving. They do everything right and everybody else on the road is at fault.

But occasionally, maybe through an accident or near miss, we are forced to confront the truth – that perhaps we aren’t quite as good as we thought we were.

Generally, one would expect to become a better driver with greater age and experience, but it ain’t necessarily so, as familiarity breeds contempt and bad habits become engrained.

IAM RoadSmart (IAM derived from the Institute of Advanced Motorists), a registered charity set up in 1956, exists to improve people’s driving skills and help them to be safer on the roads. It does this though coaching and its courses and advanced tests.

It has around 100,000 members among its network of local groups, one of the main in the North East being NECAM, which has about 100 members.

Subscription allows one to become an associate member with coaching leading to the Advanced Driving Test, which, when passed, leads to being a full member. The £149 fee covers a year’s membership of IAM and NECAM, as many observing runs or lessons it takes to coach for the exam, and the exam fee.

The advantages of having the advanced motoring test are that it brings cheaper insurance premiums, help in applying for jobs and, of course, makes you a better driver.

“Driving can be very stressful, but the more you train and concentrate, the less stressed you become so that you can enjoy a ride,’’ says NECAM chair John Smith, a retired environmental health officer.

Not only that, according to John, it makes for cheaper driving and less wear and tear on a car. He estimates that he can get 36,000 miles out of tyre, for example, where others can only manage half of that and, on a long motorway journey he can get 72 miles to a gallon of diesel.

John freely admits that for some the ambition is simply to pass the test, after which they wave goodbye to NECAM and IAM Smart, but others continue their membership.

He says: “We are enthusiasts, but you don’t have to be. We do enjoy driving, but, once you’re through the advanced driving test, people just then enjoy the social side. It’s a group that gets on as people, not just as motorists.’’

Phil Scott, a NECAM observer who trains for the test and is a retired engineer agrees. “We try to involve

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

32

everybody, we have a meeting every month, often with a good speaker, we have barbecues, meals out, coffee mornings once a month and we organise trips out.

For the last seven years, we’ve organised a weekend away. It’s got the group gelled together.’’

They have had talks on buying car insurance, the experiences of a traffic policeman but also on fungi and black holes in the Galaxy.

DRIVING CAN BE VERY STRESSFUL, BUT THE MORE YOU TRAIN AND CONCENTRATE, THE LESS STRESSED YOU BECOME SO YOU CAN ENJOY A RIDE NECAM members include: people who work in IT, the self-employed, university lecturers, financial advisers and firefighters. They are keen to recruit and are particularly on the look out for younger members.

Does the thought of driverless cars keep them awake at night?

“I think we are a long way away from that,’’ says John.

“We assess risk when we’re driving and it’s very difficult to design in judgement of acceptable risk in an autonomous car. If they did overcome that – I think then you might as well go by train.’’

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DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

Xxxxxxxx Tick box time

Infiniti Q50

Taking the test...

Available with 5 years 0% APR representative finance and NO DEPOSIT!

I settle into my driving seat, with Phil Scott next to me, with some trepidation.

It’s more years ago than I care to recall since I passed my test and I’m sure plenty of bad habits have crept in, resting my left hand on my leg for example, instead of on the wheel – that and swearing a lot.

To start with, Phil corrects my driving position. I sit far too far back apparently, and he moves me closer and puts my hands at 10 to 2 on the steering wheel. As we set off – following the cockpit check – from the car park of the Ramside Hall Hotel – this new position feels strange, but, at least it makes it impractical to rest my hand on my leg.

What follows is a tour of the villages and minor roads to the east of Durham, with gentle commentary from Phil on my driving and how to drive defensively. I soon get one mild ticking off for crossing my hands on the steering wheel.

The key seems to be in anticipation, reading the road ahead and positioning the car properly to be able to do so, moving towards the centre for a better line of sight through an upcoming left hand bend and towards the nearside for a right hand bend.

Anticipation means reducing speed in good time and using the engine to slow down rather than the brakes. If traffic lights ahead are on red, slow down in good time to give the lights time to change and so keep the car on the move.

When you do pull up behind a car at traffic lights, leave enough room to that you can see their rear tyres on the tarmac, leaving yourself room for manoeuvre in the event of their breakdown.

Surprisingly, he advocates block changing the gears, slowing to a halt in a higher gear with both hands on the wheel and, when required, change straight from say sixth to second, or if coming to a halt, from sixth to neutral. He explains that this means less wear and tear on the gear box and less time with hands off the steering wheel.

Phil also stresses the importance of being alert to pedestrians on the pavement and to parked cars and, of course, to the two-second rule – allowing two seconds travel between yourself and the car in front.

We make our way back to the Ramside, park up and Phil delivers his verdict.

DRIVE JULY/AUGUST 16

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I SOON GET ONE MILD TICKING OFF FOR CROSSING MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL “Certainly some areas where I can see room for improvement, but generally quite a reasonable drive,’’ he says.

He hands me my driving assessment report sheet, on which 20 skills are given four grades: 1 being `advanced standard’; 2 is `more guidance’; 3 is `average standard’; and 4 being `needs development’.

I score 2s on everything apart from: vehicle condition check, starting off procedures, signalling, restraint (I managed not to swear), courtesy and consideration and concentration, on all of which he has marked me with 1s.

This is gratifying and surprising and I can’t help a sneaking feeling that Phil went easy on me. I’m sure, for example, that I wasn’t consulting my mirrors with sufficient frequency.

I ask him whether he feels new features on modern cars, such as automatic emergency braking, parking sensors and selfparking, help or hinder.

He says: “With any new gadget you get on your car, you should know how it works. You should know your car properly. The safety devices probably help, but, at the end of the day, it’s far better to be a safe driver yourself.’’

And what does he get out of it as an observer?

“For me, it’s the satisfaction of getting a person up to a better standard of driving and seeing that beam on their face when they get that certificate, that they are a better driver and more confident driver.’’

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Infiniti Q50 2.2 Cdi Sport Auto (Multimedia) • Satellite Navigation • Rear View Camera • Alloy Wheels • Bluetooth© Audio Streaming • USB / iPod Connectivity • Dual Touch Screen (LCD VGA 8” and LCD VGA 7”) • Voice Recognition System • Start Stop System • Twin Exhaust Chrome Tailpipes • Push Button Ignition • Infiniti InTouch • Scratch Shield Paint • Cruise Control Ultrasonic Alarm System • Half Leather Seats • Air Conditioning

Infiniti Centre Newcastle Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear NE28 9NZ Phone: 0191 295 8686 www.infinitinewcastle.com

INSPIRED PERFORMANCE

Official fuel economy figures for the Infiniti range in mpg (l/100 km): urban 25.2 to 15.0 (11.2 to 18.9), extra urban 36.2 to 28.8 (7.8 to 9.8), combined 31.4 to 21.6 (9.0 to 13.1). CO2 emission: 307 to 238 g/km.

Visit your local dealer for full details. Infiniti Centre Newcastle is a subsidiary of Bristol Street Fourth Investments who is a credit broker authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Finance subject to status. Model shown for illustration purposes only. Subject to status. Available to over 18s in the UK only. Terms and conditions apply. Retail sales only. Subject to availability. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to assist with your purchase, who may pay us for introducing you to them. Terms and conditions apply.

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