Thoughts and Prayers - 29 March 2022

NEW PHONE LAWS COME INTO EFFECT

New laws, about the use of mobile phones whilst driving, have come into effect. Effectively, it has become illegal to hold and use your phone except when using it for a contactless payment. Using the phone whilst in a cradle is still permitted in some circumstances, such as the sat nav app. For more on this, click here for the Autocar article.

GOVERNMENT AIMS FOR WORLD BEST CHARGING NETWORK

Transport Minister, Trudy Harrison MP, announced at an SMMT event, that the Government is aiming for the UK to have one of the best EV charging networks in the world. This will be quite a feat as the announced ‘new’ policies and ideas were not binding in anyway, nor was there any new money being made available. To learn more, click the Move Electric article link here.

The Government also announced, this week, they are opening up a consultation on accessibility, for disabled people, at public charging points. More can be found here, on that story.

RENAULT HALTS ACTIVITY IN RUSSIA

Following a backlash to Renault’s announcement that it will reopen it’s Russian factories, there has been a u-turn. Renault is particularly exposed in Russia as it has several plants thanks to ownership of Avtovaz, owning Lada and Russia being an important market for it’s cars. Renault has adjusted it’s financial predictions now. Click here for the link to the Autocar article, to learn more.

POTHOLES COST UK DRIVERS £1.7 BILLION

That UK roads are in a poor state of repair, surprises no one who lives here. What is shocking is the 35% rise in costs for fixing cars due to the pothole epidemic. Last year 59% of those surveyed by KwikFit stated they had hit a pothole in 2021, up from 46%. Only London appeared to have improving roads. To learn more, click the Motoring Research article link here.

BENTLEY ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS

In the last independent results posted by Bentley, they have confirmed that 2021 was a record year. Operating profits were up 1,843% (not a typo), 14,659 Bentleys were delivered and that was a 31% increase on 2020 which was their previous record year! To learn more, click the YesAuto article here.

UK GOVERNMENT AIMING TO END SALE OF NON EV BUSES

By 2032, the UK Government want to halt the sale of non zero emission buses and mini buses. They have opened a consultation on this too. For more, click the Move Electric link here. ——————————————————————————-

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NEW PHONE LAWS COME INTO EFFECT

New laws, about the use of mobile phones whilst driving, have come into effect. Effectively, it has become illegal to hold and use your phone except when using it for a contactless payment. Using the phone whilst in a cradle is still permitted in some circumstances, such as the sat nav app. For more on this, click here for the Autocar article.

GOVERNMENT AIMS FOR WORLD BEST CHARGING NETWORK

Transport Minister, Trudy Harrison MP, announced at an SMMT event, that the Government is aiming for the UK to have one of the best EV charging networks in the world. This will be quite a feat as the announced ‘new’ policies and ideas were not binding in anyway, nor was there any new money being made available. To learn more, click the Move Electric article link here.

The Government also announced, this week, they are opening up a consultation on accessibility, for disabled people, at public charging points. More can be found here, on that story.

RENAULT HALTS ACTIVITY IN RUSSIA

Following a backlash to Renault’s announcement that it will reopen it’s Russian factories, there has been a u-turn. Renault is particularly exposed in Russia as it has several plants thanks to ownership of Avtovaz, owning Lada and Russia being an important market for it’s cars. Renault has adjusted it’s financial predictions now. Click here for the link to the Autocar article, to learn more.

POTHOLES COST UK DRIVERS £1.7 BILLION

That UK roads are in a poor state of repair, surprises no one who lives here. What is shocking is the 35% rise in costs for fixing cars due to the pothole epidemic. Last year 59% of those surveyed by KwikFit stated they had hit a pothole in 2021, up from 46%. Only London appeared to have improving roads. To learn more, click the Motoring Research article link here.

BENTLEY ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS

In the last independent results posted by Bentley, they have confirmed that 2021 was a record year. Operating profits were up 1,843% (not a typo), 14,659 Bentleys were delivered and that was a 31% increase on 2020 which was their previous record year! To learn more, click the YesAuto article here.

UK GOVERNMENT AIMING TO END SALE OF NON EV BUSES

By 2032, the UK Government want to halt the sale of non zero emission buses and mini buses. They have opened a consultation on this too. For more, click the Move Electric link here. ——————————————————————————-

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NEW NEW CAR NEWS

Maseratio Grecale -

Maserati has shown off their new mid sized SUV, in the form of the Grecale. Due to supply issues this has been delayed, but production is expected to start in the later part of 2022. There will be three trim levels, GT, Modena and Trofeo. These will get 2l four-cylinder petrol engine and mild hybrid system, as well as a 3l twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6. A full EV drivetrain will be available in the future. Prices are yet to be revealed. Click here to learn more, from the EVO article link.

Toyota GR Corolla -

Toyota has released the release date for the official reveal on the much anticipated GR Corolla, which will come with 268bhp and be 4WD, all to take on the likes of the Civic Type R, in the hyper hot hatch bracket. We will all know more on 1 April. To see what Autocar has to say, so far, click this link here.

Honda Civic eHEV -

More information on the Civic eHEV, which will be coming to Europe, has been revealed. Most other territories have had the car for a while but supply chain issues have hampered Honda. The standard powertrain set up is a 2.0l 4-cylinder petrol engine, linked to two electric motors. This will give 181bhp and 232 lb ft of torque. The estimation is for 56mpg under WLTP conditions. To find out more, click the EVO link here.

LUNCHTIME READ: THE FRENCH FAMILY GLOBETROTTING A PORSCHE 928

The Delaporte family, from France, have been using a 1989 Porsche 928 GT to travel around the world, including the Arctic Circle, from Paris to Iran and much more besides. Click here for the Hagerty link to find out more and also follow the link through to their own website where they go into much more detail about each of their journeys. We love this sort of story and salute the Delaporte family for showing what is possible with a car!

LIST OF THE WEEK: 20 OLD CAR FEATURES WE MISS

Once again, Hagerty has compiled a cracking list for us all to run through, this time on features we all miss from older cars. After hearing what Alan and Andrew select have a click on this link to see if you agree. Don’t forget to tell the chaps which you pick!

AND FINALLY: ALFA ROMEO GTV-6 SHOOTING BRAKE RENDER

Hagerty are supplying yet another recommendation of ours, this time getting Khyzyl Saleem to render an Alfa Romeo GTV-6 Shooting Brake. Click through on their link here to read more and watch how he goes about such a process. Also, can someone please make this, like right now? Pretty please?