Author

Susan Taylor

Susan is our fearless reporter who loves nothing better than getting behind the wheel of a brand new motor to tell our readers at Cars for Stars News all about the experience. If you have any suggestions about new models you’d like Susan to review, please get in touch.

Aston Martin driver caught speeding through his own YouTube video

The owner of a rare Aston Martin sports car in Belgium was caught speeding by police after a video, made by a passenger in his car, was posted on YouTube showing the driver hitting 293 kilometres on the speedometer, which is 182mph.

The Belgium police decided to investigate the incident after footage of the exclusive sports car hitting high speeds on a highway near Flanders in Northern Belgium was being reported about in the media.

Although the video taken by the passenger focuses on the speedometer, and shows the car weaving in and out of moderately heavy traffic on the motorway, the car’s registration plate is never seen in this particular video. However the driver of the Aston Martin gave himself away by describing the vehicle as a “Carbon Black Edition” hand painted of which there are only three of this kind in the whole of Belgium.

Due to the exclusivity of the sports car, and through information captured on videos by other road users who filmed the speeding Aston Martin, the police have been successful in tracking down the driver, and it’s been reported they will be able to prosecute on the basis of the video evidence. If they are successful in bringing charges against the driver he could be hit with a hefty fine and stand to lose his driver’s licence and vehicle licence.

by Susan TaylorNovember 9, 2011no comment

British car maker to launch super limo at Frankfurt Motor Show

British based car manufacturer, Eterniti, is due to reveal the world’s first super SUV at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The limo style vehicle will be hand made in London, with production on the vehicle due to begin early next year.

Automobile manufacturer, Eterniti, has revealed an image of their prototype limo ahead of the car’s debut at the world renowned motor show. The vehicle, which is known as the Hemera, will feature a limo style cabin with electric reclining seats, iPads and drinks chiller, making it an extremely comfortable chauffeur car option.

The body of the new super limo will be based on the Porsche Cayenne, although the vehicle’s 4×4 dimensions coupled with its dynamic performance makes it a practical alternative to the traditional limousine. Due to the compact dimensions of the new style SUV, the model offers the option to be both a self drive and chauffeur vehicle.

The Hemera SUV more than delivers on performance with a top speed of 180mph and 620bhp (brake horse power). The new model promises to bring a touch of luxury to the SUV market.

The prototype Hemera from UK based car makers Eterniti, will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13^th following a press call. The first super SUV limos will go into production at the beginning of next year.

by Susan TaylorSeptember 12, 2011no comment

Chauffeur praised for handing $14k of cash into police

A chauffeur in Australia saved the day for a fellow Aussie after he handed over $14,000 worth of cash which he found at a petrol station while filling up his limousine.

60-year-old Mr Buccella had just pulled into a service station near Melbourne when he looked down to see a $50 bill on the floor. Following the direction from which the note had seemed to have been blown from, the chauffeur came across a plain envelope stuffed full of $50 notes.

While many people may have had to think long and hard before deciding on what to do with the large sum of cash, for chauffeur Buccella, there was never any other option than to hand the money in.

A group of four men were then spotted searching the area by the service station. The same group then contacted the police to report the cash missing and to their surprise, they were told the money had all turned up.

Before the cash was handed over the police corroborated the story of the men. It transpired they had travelled from Sydney to Melbourne to buy a car with the $14,000.

The chauffeur wanted no reward for doing what he said, many other people would have done in his position. Despite this, the rightful owner of the cash put $100 in the pocket of the veteran chauffeur when he hugged him to show his gratitude for handing the money into the police. However, embarrassingly, he then had to ask for the “reward” back after he realised he then didn’t have enough to pay for the car.

Chauffeur of 15 years, Mr Buccella admitted he’d come across many valuables left by accident in the back of his limo, but he’d never found anything as valuable as a lump sum of $14,000 worth of cash during his career.

by Susan TaylorAugust 15, 2011no comment

Rowan Atkinson recovering after F1 McLaren sports car crash

Comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson is recovering after crashing his McLaren F1 sports car on a road in Peterborough last Thursday evening.

The sports car burst into flames, moments after the comedy star had managed to escape from the vehicle. An ambulance police and fire engine were then called to the scene, with the Mr Bean star being taken to a nearby hospital where he was kept in overnight and treated for a broken collar bone.

It’s been reported that the actor lost control of the maroon coloured sports car and careered into signpost before smashing into a tree. The rear end of the vehicle sustained considerable damage, however a spokesperson for the 56-year-old said Rowan would not want the sports car to be written off and would try to have it repaired. It’s been suggested that the McLaren sports car will be taken to the car maker’s headquarters in Woking where the expert team will attempt to salvage the vehicle.

The screenwriter and TV star was believed to have been driving home to Northamptonshire from London after working on his upcoming film, Johnny English Reborn.

The McLaren F1 car is one of only 65 models made between 1993-1998. The car can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.2 seconds, is capable of reaching top speeds of 240mph, and would have cost in the region of £600,000 when purchased new.

However this isn’t the first time the comedian has been involved in an accident with the powerful sports car, shortly after purchasing the vehicle in 1999 the actor crashed the car in Lancashire. The front of the sports car was seriously damaged following that smash.

The official line from Rowan Atkinson’s agent, Mr Bennett-Jones, is that the actor is “shaken but not stirred” following the accident.

by Susan TaylorAugust 8, 2011no comment

Vote for your favourite British sports car of all time

The voting has now commenced to find the best British sports car of all time, so if you have an opinion on which motor should lift the coveted title, head to the Silverstone Classic website to make your voice heard.

The shortlist of 15 British sports cars has been drawn up by a panel of motoring experts and includes models from Aston Martin, Jaguar, Triumph, Lotus and MG so you’ll be hard pushed to choose an absolute favourite from that impressive line up of British luxury brands.

The closing date for the competition, when voting will close, is June 30^th. The results will be announced on July 7^th, with the winning car being officially crowned at this year’s Silverstone Classic racing festival.

The festival will see 7,000 classic cars descend upon the event, including all of the sports cars in the running for the Best British Sports Car of all time award. The 3 day event takes place in the height of the summer and bills itself as the largest classic racing festival in the world.

The event is growing in strength year on year as back in 2005 the festival had just 75 classic cars on display, now 120 car clubs from across the country flock to the event to take part, with a display of some 7,000 vehicles.

by Susan TaylorJune 8, 2011no comment

Katy Perry’s chauffeur demands

Katy Perry is very particular about what her chauffeurs can and can’t do while she’s in the car as the singer has dedicated a whole page out of her 45-page concert rider to her chauffeur demands.

The US pop star is currently in the middle of her California Dreams World Tour and has created a concert rider which lists her requirements for the venues at which she’s performing across the globe.

An entire page is dedicated to what the chauffeurs driving the pop star during her world tour are permitted and not permitted to do. Top of Katy’s list of demands is that the chauffeur does not start a conversation with her. The chauffeur is only permitted to speak to the 26-year-old if she initiates the conversation.

Next on Katy’s list of no-nos for her drivers is staring at her in the rear view mirror. Chauffeurs have been warned to keep their eyes on the road, and not on the pop star in the back of the car.

The rider also gives an insight into the likes and dislikes of the firework singer, and it appears carnations are top of her hate list. While her dressing room should be decorated in pink and cream and filled with fresh flowers, under no circumstances should carnations be included in the flower displays!

So if you find yourself driving Ms Perry during her world tour, remember eyes on the road, and only speak when spoken to – you have been warned.

by Susan TaylorJune 1, 2011no comment

Car rental firms in US join together to oppose plans for new legislation

Three leading car hire firms, Hertz, Avis/ Budget, and Enterprise who own both Alamo and National, have all joined together to oppose new legislation proposals in the US put forward by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Under the new proposals, it would become illegal for car hire companies to lease a vehicle to a paying customer if the car has been subject to a recall order from the manufacturer. Current laws forbid the sale of cars which are affected by a recall notice in the US, and the proposed new rules would extend this rule to car hire companies as well.

The Safe Rental Car Act is the proposed legislation which the car rental companies are opposing as they believe the act has been drawn up based on inaccurate evidence.

The proposed legislation came off the back of a study conducted by the NHTSA which found that during the period of June 2006 – July 2010, 90 days after a recall notice on 10 GM and Chrysler models between this time, Enterprise had fixed 65% of their affected cars, while Avis/ Budget had corrected 53% of theirs, and Hertz had remedied 34% of their affected hire cars.

However the three car hire companies argue that this data is not a true reflection of the situation as the findings are not up to date. Since the proposed legislation is based on this study, the car hire firms are recommending that the new rules be reconsidered.

by Susan TaylorMarch 9, 20111 comment

Sports car seller jailed for killing potential buyer in test drive crash

A man received a four year jail sentence this week after he was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving for crashing his Peugeot sports car while taking the car on a test drive with a potential buyer.

24-year-old Nathan Morris lost control of the Peugeot 106 Rallye while travelling of speeds of up to 75mph on a road with a 50mph speed limit before smashing into a parked 4×4, the impact of the crash pushed the stationary vehicle 17 metres along the road.

The driver and owner of the car, Mr Morris, was airlifted to hospital, but tragically Gavin Collier who was a passenger in the sports car and considering buying the vehicle, died as a result of the crash.

It transpired in court that the car’s owner also knew the vehicle had a defective shock absorber which could have affected the stability of the Peugeot.

The accident occurred last February after 20-year-old Gavin Collier from Neath, South Wales, replied to an advert posted by Nathan Morris from Tenby, Pembrokeshire, to sell his Peugeot sports car. It’s been reported that the potential buyer had driven the car to begin with, however the car’s owner then took over the wheel after Mr Collier revealed he didn’t have insurance.

Mr Collier’s family issued a statement saying they are “devastated by his tragic and untimely death.” The family added that they hoped the 20-year-old hadn’t died in vain, and that the sad incident would serve as a warning to others.

by Susan TaylorFebruary 22, 2011no comment

Rolls Royce London parade celebrates 100 years of the Flying Lady

One hundred Rolls Royce cars, including the latest models to stunning classic cars, all took to the streets of London this week to celebrate the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The iconic symbol has graced the front of Rolls Royce vehicles for 100 years and has become a symbol recognisable throughout the world.

The statuette was designed by Charles Skyes by the request of early car magazine publisher, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. It’s believed the flying lady was based on Eleanor Thornton, Lord Montagu’s secret lover, who commissioned the statue which was then positioned on his 1909 Silver Ghost. The couple met when Thornton came to work on Montagu’s magazine.

Up until the 20’s, the flying lady was an optional extra on new Rolls Royce vehicles, after which it became a standard part of the iconic design which is now synonymous with the luxury car manufacturer.

However the real flying lady came to a tragic end after a ship she was travelling on was torpedoed close to Crete in 1915. Lord Montagu survived, but in the initial aftermath of the incident, it was thought he had perished too, and his obituary was published in London newspapers.

To celebrate 100 years of this legendary symbol, a motorcade of 100 Rolls Royce cars travelled through central London including Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square this week in a fitting tribute to the flying lady and the contribution she’s made to Rolls Royce over the last century.

by Susan TaylorFebruary 11, 2011no comment

Aussie car hire firm to introduce GPS tracking systems in rental vehicles

An Australian car hire firm has revealed controversial plans to install GPS tracking devices in their rental vehicles in order to monitor customers during their hire period.

The move to install GPS tracking devices has not gone down well with Civil Liberties Australia who believes the practice would be an infringement of privacy laws.

DriveMyCar Rentals intend to fit the tiny GPS devices in 30% of their fleet in order to give the owners of the vehicles assurance that their vehicles is being well looked after.

Using the GPS signal, the car hire company will be able to know in real time the exact location of the vehicle. Plus they can be notified by text message if the car hire customer has breached any of the terms of their rental agreement, such as driving the hire car down a dirt track.

However the car hire company says the information is not stored, it can only view the GPS location of vehicles in real time, and not view where it has been.

All car hire customers will be notified to the presence of the GPS system in their cars by the company’s terms and conditions, and also in their hire contract. Plus DriveMyCar will ensure all vehicles carrying a device will have a sticker clearly displayed to notify the customer.

by Susan TaylorFebruary 10, 2011no comment

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