Monthly Archives

July 2010

Watch mechanics repair your car with Audi Cam

If you’re one of those people who worry about handing your car over to a mechanic for fear it won’t be handled well, then Audi have just come up with a solution which will provide you with total peace of mind.

Introducing the Audi Cam. The device allows customers to watch the mechanic working on their car through a webcam which is attached to the mechanic’s head. The car owner is able to sit in the waiting room and watch exactly what is happening to their car via the Audi Cam.

The customer and mechanic are also connected through a two-way radio which allows the technician to get in contact easily with the owner to check details of the car’s history or to clarify the exact details of the problem affecting their Audi.

Although the vast majority of Audi mechanics are highly professional and competent, the introduction of the Audi cam will at least help to put the mind’s of anxious customers at rest who feel uneasy when handing over their car to a stranger for repairs or service.

At present the service is only available in Europe, however if the pilot scheme is deemed a success, we could see it making its way over to the UK in the very near future.

by Andrew LloydJuly 7, 20101 comment

Rolls Royce launch custom made picnic sets for the summer

Rolls Royce has unveiled a line in custom made picnic sets for their dedicated customers just in time for the summer. The extra feature is introduced by Rolls Royce’s Bespoke Program which endeavours to create special touches to enhance every owner’s enjoyment of their Rolls Royce.

The new 4-person picnic set has been designed by in-house craftsmen and designers and is finished to the very high standard expected from a Rolls Royce product. The set is finished in polished aluminium with wood veneer and leather, perfect for al-fresco dining during the warm summer months.

The Bespoke Program has just 100 especially designed items in its collection, including the recently launched picnic set. The scheme aims to create extra features to complement its cars, and also serve the individual needs of each of its customers by adding a personal touch. Other articles which are offered through the Bespoke Program include personalised tread plates, specially made interior seating fabrics, and unique paint for the exterior amongst other features.

The latest addition to the Bespoke Program, the 4-person picnic set, is making its debut at the UK’s exclusive Salon Prive at London’s Hurlington Club on July 21^st – 23^rd.

by Andrew LloydJuly 6, 20101 comment

Maybach and Mercedes take on starring roles in Sex and the City 2 movie

Two of the world’s most renowned luxury cars appear in the brand new Sex and the City movie, released last month. For the SATC girls, it’s all about style, so what better place to showcase the latest head-turning models from Mercedes and Maybach?

The four main characters from the Sex and the City TV, Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte are known the world over for their glamour. The new movie opens with the four ladies arriving in separate chauffeur driven cars, two of which are Mercedes, setting the tone for what is going to be a highly stylised and sophisticated film.

The Maybach is the ultimate in chauffeur driven cars, loved by the rich and famous the world over, you know you’ve made it when your chauffeur drives a Maybach. The top of the range Maybach 62 Zeppelin of 2009 had a selling price of $677,000 enough to make even label-loving Carrie’s eyes water.

As well as the ultra sophisticated Maybach, the most recent offerings from Mercedes also make a cameo appearance. The Mercedes E-Class convertible makes its debut in Sex and the City 2, the movie spin-off from the hit TV show starring Sarah Jessica Parker. The timing of the movie’s release couldn’t have been better for Mercedes as the film made its premiere just as the E-Class convertible was hitting the showroom.

Mercedes is even planning to use its connection with the eagerly anticipated movie as an advertising tool to help enhance the profile of the new convertible as the marketing for the E-Class will be accompanied by the tagline: “Stylish Enough for Carrie, Luxurious enough for Charlotte, Smart enough for Miranda and fast enough for Samantha.”

by Andrew LloydJuly 6, 2010no comment

Toyota announces luxury car recall starting in Japan

Toyota has announced a recall of one of its luxury cars as a result of an engine fault. The recall will start in the manufacturer’s home country of Japan. It’s estimated that 270,000 of these vehicles have been sold worldwide and a recall in all other countries is expected to follow shortly.

The Toyota Lexus and the Crown models are being recalled by the Japanese car maker. The company will attempt to rectify an engine fault which causes the vehicle to stall.

In an official statement Toyota outlined the problem affecting its new Lexus models: ‘Improperly functioning valve springs have been found in some Lexus engines and there is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur.

‘In very rare instances, there is a chance that the engine may stop.’

In total Toyota is recalling seven different models of the top of the range Lexus. Despite the engine malfunction, no accidents have been reported due to this fault, according to Toyota, although they have confirmed that they have received over 200 complaints.

Toyota has been plagued with problems over the years with 8 million vehicles having been recalled for a variety of reasons ranging from malfunctioning electric windows, to the more serious problem of faulty accelerator pedals and software issues.

Some 138,000 of the faulty luxury cars have been sold to customers in the States. The US Government has issued Toyota with a fine for $16.4 million as they believe the firm has been too slow to respond to the current problem.

by Andrew LloydJuly 6, 2010no comment

Luxury cars on display at Goodwood’s Moving Motor Show

A raft of luxury cars and some of the fastest racing cars in the world were on display at Good Festival of Speed last week as part of the Moving Motor Show near Chichester.

Those looking to invest in a new top of the range vehicle had the opportunity to get up close to some of the latest models, including vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Toyota Hybrids amongst others. Once the prospective buyers had singled out their car of choice, they even had the chance to test drive their selected car on the track at the Festival Hillclimb course.

As well as the latest executive cars, a collection of Formula 1 racing cars were also present at the Moving Motor Show. In total some six different Formula 1 teams made it to the exhibition giving car fans a chance to get up close to some of the industry’s most renowned racing cars such as vehicles from Ferrari and McLaren.

To put some of these superstar cars through their paces some of the biggest names from the world of motor racing were due to attend the event on Sunday including Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, and Sir Stirling Moss.

This year’s event was a double celebration as the Italian car manufacturer, Alfa Romero is celebrating its centenary, and it’s the 60^th anniversary of the Formula1 Championship.

by Andrew LloydJuly 6, 2010no comment

Chauffeur driven car carrying German presidential candidate hits cyclist

A chauffeur driven car carrying a German presidential candidate knocked down a cyclist at the end of last month while travelling through the city of Munich.

The chauffeur car was carrying 70-year-old Joachim Gauck who was canvassing during the run-up to the presidential election at the time of the accident.

The incident happened on June 23^rd, just days before the election was due to take place on June 30^th. Gauck lost out in the election campaign to Christian Wulff who was named the new German President when the results were announced last week.

The car was driven by a chauffeur employed by the Bavarian State Parliament and was transporting Gauck to Munich Airport, following a meeting with state legislators in the city.

It’s been reported that the chauffeur hadn’t seen the cyclist until it was too late after the bike shot out from between two parked cars, cutting straight across the path of the car as it attempted to cross the road.

The car hit the bike, the impact of which forced the cyclist onto the bonnet of the vehicle, sending him crashing into the windscreen. The cyclist was taken to a nearby hospital where he was said to be in a critical condition.

Neither Joachim Gauck nor the chauffeur were injured as a result of the collision.

by Tony RobertsJuly 5, 2010no comment

Plymouth University advertises for chauffeur despite spending cut backs

Plymouth University has raised eyebrows after advertising for a chauffeur to drive its Vice-Chancellor and her senior team just weeks after the budget announcement which spelled serious cut backs for the university sector.

Questions have been raised over the need for a chauffeur driven car for the Vice-Chancellor, however the University has defended its decision to advertise for the position, saying a chauffeur will enable the Vice-Chancellor and her colleagues to utilise their time while on the road.

A spokesperson for the University says the chauffeur driven car, which is used to transport the Vice-Chancellor to official meetings and events, means she and her team can work while travelling, meaning their time is used efficiently.

The spokesperson added that a private driver for the senior figures at the University is a “long established practice” and that it enables the Vice-Chancellor and her co-workers to utilise their time efficiently as they are often required to travel extensively throughout the South West on official business.

In the advertisement for the position of chauffeur it states that the University is looking for a “careful driver” who is also “trustworthy” and “discreet.” The chauffeur will be given a BMW to use to perform his or her duties and the salary will be between £17,606 – £19,185.

by Susan TaylorJuly 5, 2010no comment

Newer Posts