• X Factor star, Ella Henderson debuts the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano in the UK
• Peugeot Design Lab designed the piano for Pleyel – an established piano maker
• The innovative piano design has many patented features which are the first for piano design in over 100 years

X Factor sensation Ella Henderson debuted the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano today in the UK with a one-off special performance.  Ella, 17, showcased her extraordinary vocal and pianist abilities with an acoustic version of Cher’s ‘Believe’ as she evaluated the new piano - an innovative design with patented features which are the first for a piano design in over 100 years.

Watch Ella’s performance of Cher’s ‘Believe’ on the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano here: Launch video /  Performance video 

After performing on the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano, Ella Henderson, said; “It’s been a real privilege to be one of the first performers to play on the Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano. The design of it is so different to anything I’ve played on before and while it comes from a company more recognised for their stylish cars, it looks so futuristic and sounds incredible. It definitely added something to my performance today.  My emotions today were a mixture of excitement and nervous energy, but I was worried people might be paying more attention to the piano than me!”

Peugeot, most easily recognised for its cars, also has a wealth of expertise that comes from 200 years of industrial heritage and 120 years of acknowledged automobile manufacture. In June 2012, Peugeot launched the ‘Peugeot Design Lab’ in Paris – a global brand design studio whose vocation is the design of non-automotive products, services and experiences for the Peugeot brand and external clients in all business sectors.

The Peugeot Design Lab Pleyel piano marks the first design created by an expert team of designers, engineers and technicians. Its development required many months of research, study and tests to ensure the piano retained Pleyel’s high sound quality, while delivering a unique playing experience and innovative exterior.

The end result features a number of unique innovations now patented; for the first time in the history of the piano the audience can see the artist play from all frontal views, showing off the pianist’s hands and creating a higher level of sound response and interaction between them and the audience.

Sir Chris Hoy MBE was present to show support for the launch of the Jaguar Cycle Challenge at The London Bike Show 2013. The multiple world and Olympic champion track cyclist, and Jaguar Academy of Sport Ambassador, was on hand as the programme, which will be managed by Jaguar dealerships in partnership with local cycling clubs throughout the UK, was announced to an enthusiastic audience.

Speaking at the event, which attracted over 85,000 visitors throughout the weekend to London Excel, Sir Chris Hoy MBE said: “It is fantastic to see Jaguar and its network of UK dealers taking an active role in cycling. I hope people across the nation are inspired to take part in the Jaguar Cycle Challenge.

“It is important that we harness the rising popularity of cycling in this country and through the Jaguar Academy of Sport, there is a real opportunity to facilitate the development of rising stars in this great sport.”

Every Jaguar dealer across the UK will be holding their inaugural Cycle Challenge events on 01 February, working with local cycling clubs and bicycle retailers to support and encourage cycling programmes in the local community.  A Jaguar dealer locator is available online at: http://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/dealerlocator/

The commitment of Jaguar to cycling is highlighted by its successful partnership with Team Sky; winners of the 2012 Tour de France. Two prototype versions of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake in striking livery were used to support the Team Sky Riders and its management team throughout cycling’s most famous endurance race.

During the first weekend in February visitors to UK Jaguar dealers can be among the first to discover why the new XF Sportbrake lives at the heart of the pro-peloton, and prepare to achieve peak cycling performance in 2013. The all-new XF Sportbrake is a serious cyclist’s dream. With a balance of flowing beauty and intelligent utility, it’s packed with sophisticated technology for ultimate driving engagement, yet offers a spacious 1,675 litres of loadspace to accommodate cycling equipment.

ALL GOING FINE STRUTTING DOWN THE CATWALK...

OOPS! THAT AWFUL MOMENT OF THE 'TRIP OR SLIP'...

THE RECOVERY & KNOWING NERVOUS SMILE & WAVE

...THEN, THE REGAINING OF COMPOSURE AND WONDERING IF ANYONE NOTICED?

FEW, I MADE IT!

THE KNOWING SMILE OF A COLLEAGUE

WHAT'S THE CAPTION?

For More Images and Highlights from the 2012 Clothes Show Live...

Clothes Show Live ambassador Daisy Lowe officially opened the 2012 Clothes Show Live yesterday and was joined by co-presenter Henry Holland who is appearing throughout the five-day event as well as all the Celebrities that appeared at the Show on Friday.

Clothes Show Live takes place from the 7th-11th December at the NEC Birmingham and is the UK largest Fashion & Beauty Event.

More to come from the Amazing Suzuki Fashion Theatre... with some Highlights from the Show! including a Performance by JLS...

The iconic silver Aston Martin DB5 which features in Skyfall, the 23rd James Bond film, was prepared at Aston Martin Works, renowned worldwide as the official heritage and service division of the marque.

Aston Martin has a long association with James Bond – Skyfall is the fifth Bond movie in which the DB5 has made an appearance. Other models have also played a part over the years, from the DBS in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the V8 Vantage Volante in The Living Daylights, the Vanquish in Die Another Day and the DBS in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. And of course, many of them have featured exciting gadgets from the ejector seat in the DB5 to the spike-producing tyres and a self-destruct function found on the V8 Vantage Volante. 

It is therefore fitting that the DB5 was prepared for its recent role, by Aston Martin Works, the spiritual home of the marque at Newport Pagnell.

Aston Martin Works continues to meet the needs of owners of every model with expertise spanning from the DB2 to the One-77 supercar.

The brief was to ‘clone’ the DB5 owned by the makers of the Bond movies, EON Productions, to provide a second car for filming. The project started with sourcing an appropriate car, facilitated by Aston Martin Works.

Once the car was sourced, it was prepared by the Aston Martin Works heritage team, who perform restoration miracles on all Aston Martins from the DB2 onwards. In just a matter of weeks the DB5 was transformed from green with beige interior to the stunning Silver Birch paintwork with black trim, which was ‘distressed’ so as not to appear brand new. The final touch to the paintwork was to add a keyline on the roof to represent the exit hatch for the ejector seat. In addition to the aesthetic works, the car also required a complete mechanical overhaul in preparation for filming.

Kingsley Riding-Felce, Managing Director of Aston Martin Works commented; “We are very pleased that the role of the DB5 in Skyfall maintains the long association between James Bond and Aston Martin – and that the expertise of our heritage team is showcased by this iconic car. It is apt that it was prepared by Aston Martin Works at Newport Pagnell, the home of Aston Martin for over 50 years.”

London, 17 September 

All of the necessary evidence has now been submitted to be officially ratified as a Guinness World Record. There is no doubt, however, that a new world record was established for the biggest parade of Ferraris ever organised. 964 Ferraris took to the Silverstone circuit to beat the previous record of 490 cars dating back to 2008 at Japan’s Fuji Speedway Circuit.

Felipe Massa was the guest of honour, leading the parade at the wheel of a 458 Spider. “It was a really unforgettable experience,” commented the Scuderia Ferrari race driver, against a backdrop of the 964 cars. It’s a great honour for me to be here for such a special event, with so many cars all brought together on one race track, which produced an unprecedented spectacle for all Prancing Horse fans.”

It was a truly memorable scene with over 900 Ferraris from all over the UK and further afield at Silverstone circuit as part of the Ferrari Racing Days. This ambitious attempt was successful in no small part thanks to the cooperation of the British Ferrari Owners Club and it was all in a good cause, as Ferrari donated £5 for every car in the parade to BEN, a British charity that supports employees from the motor industry and their family.

Also taking part in the parade was Marc Gene, who is attending the event as a special coach for drivers taking part in the F1 Clienti programmes. There was also an opportunity for spectators to admire the entire range of Ferrari cars, including the very latest model the F12 berlinetta, the most powerful road car every built by the Maranello marque.

All the necessary conditions were met for a world record to be ratified and put before the Guinness World Records Limited Commission, who will confirm the record by the end of the week.

Following Ferrari’s record breaking parade of Ferrari cars, a three minute video of the 964 cars completing the lap of Silverstone is now available for media use. Also available is 5 minutes of raw footage that can be used for broadcast.

Air display and competition pilot Gerald Cooper, from Lincolnshire, won the European Freestyle Aerobatic Championship in Slovakia last weekend beating 21 of the best European aerobatic pilots.  Competing in the new XtremeAir XA41 high performance monoplane, Gerald became the first ever Brit to receive a gold medal in Unlimited aerobatics in the history of aerobatic sport flying.  

Gerald flew a freestyle routine choreographed to demonstrate the art of precision flying necessary to succeed at the top end of Unlimited competition aerobatics.  Gerald demonstrated the impressive capabilities of this new carbon fibre aircraft with its superb power to weight ratio.  Performing a combination of high-speed, animated gyroscopic figures that seemingly defy the laws of physics and aerodynamics, Gerald and the XA41 equally impressed the judging panel.

Alan Cassidy MBE, British Aerobatic Association (BAeA) Chairman explained: "Gerald was flying the XA41 in only his second international competition in this radical new, all-carbon, high-performance monoplane among a field of 22 of Europe’s top competition pilots. Gerald's innovative style, sometimes quirky, sometimes using the XA41's remarkable control authority at low speed, set him apart from his competitors in a way that gained the approval of the ten International judges."

Gerald believes the XA41’s strength and ability to respond faster, turn quicker and climb better than its competitors is largely responsible for his Gold medal in the recent European Unlimited Aerobatic Championship.

Testament to the capabilities of the XtremeAir aircraft is the fact that eight other competitors chose the machine for the competition in the European Aerobatic Championships.  XtremeAir’s Designer Philipp Steinbach, representing Germany, competed in the two-seat version XA42 finishing fifth in the Freestyle competition.

The XtremeAir XA41 is a new carbon fibre aircraft that has superior power to weight ratio providing lots of room for a creative pilot’s imagination to invent new figures whilst expanding their own envelope.  Gerald describes the XA41 as ‘a fast, good looking and incredibly light to the touch. It is also a capable tourer – with a range in excess of 900 miles – ideal for transit between air displays and aerobatic competitions.’

Flat out the XA41 is capable of over 220mph and has a roll rate in excess of 500 degrees per second, which is one and a half times round per second. It has a climb rate of 3,500ft per minute.  It is light on the controls and is comparable to a Formula One race car. 

It is the XA41’s impressive power to weight ratio combined with Gerald’s imaginative freestyle technique that creates such a dynamic display, demonstrating why Gerald is currently ranked as seventh in the world for competition aerobatics and has been the British Aerobatic Champion at Unlimited level for the past three years.  

Reflecting on his win Gerald commented: "Winning this event was a real surprise in only my second season flying this new aeroplane. For me, this award is recognition of all the hard work on engineering, management and development by the fantastic team we have at One Sky Aviation without whom competing – and winning - would not be possible."

Alan Cassidy added: “This is a great result for Gerald and for the British Unlimited Aerobatic Team. Gerald's individual Freestyle Gold, the first ever by a UK pilot in an Unlimited European or World Championship, shows once again that Team GB is able to compete at World level in powered sport aerobatics despite the complete absence, so far, of any backing from the usual sporting lottery funds administered by Sport UK.” 

Gerald first displayed the XA41 at Bournemouth Air Festival last September and has displayed at a number of air shows and private events across the UK and Europe this summer.  Gerald also participates in TV documentaries worldwide and is a regular on the Sky Sports channel.  In his spare time Gerald provides training and coaching for the British Advanced Aerobatic Team as well as many individual pilots looking to progress in aerobatics.  

Gerald Cooper is Managing Director of Wickenby Aerodrome based at Langworth, near Lincoln and is Partner for One Sky Aviation, an engineering business providing aircraft maintenance as well as the manufacture of Thruster microlights.  Through One Sky Aviation Gerald Cooper is the UK agent for the XtremeAir aircraft in the UK and organises the annual Wickenby Wings and Wheels Airshow. 

For more details on the XtremeAir aircraft visit www.xtremeair.de or contact Gerald Cooper at One Sky Aviation on Tel: 01673 885083 or via email: info@geraldcooper.com

• Tour of Britain expected to receive unprecedented support following recent British cycling successes
• Subaru UK sponsors Node4 Professional Cycling team, providing Legacy and Outback support cars

Subaru UK has today confirmed its support for Node4 Professional Cycling, as the team prepares for the highly-demanding Tour of Britain (9-16 September, www.tourofbritain.com).

In its capacity as a key sponsor of the West Midlands-based team, Subaru has supplied Node4 with three Legacy Diesel SE NavPlus models and two Outback Diesel SE models.

The Tour of Britain represents the greatest challenge of the season, with an eight-stage, 839-mile ride through some of the most demanding landscapes in the UK, including the Brecon Beacons, Lake District, and Surrey’s infamous Box Hill.  The Tour forms part of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Europe Tour.

Throughout the Tour, the Node4 team will make full use of each of the Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive technology, effortless load-lugging capabilities and high levels of fuel efficiency – the cars will be used to transport spare bicycles, tyres, clothing, food and drink from start to finish.

The Tour of Britain is expected to receive an unprecedented level of support from the British public this year, a result of recent successes by British riders on the international stage, and will be aired live on ITV4 throughout the course of the competition.  The Node4 team – dominated by British cyclists – will be made up of six riders, with the full Tour of Britain line-up of competitors to be confirmed shortly before the Tour.

Phil Griffiths, Node4 Team Owner, commented: “The Tour of Britain is one of the toughest events we take part in.  This being the fifth year we’ve entered the competition, we know Subaru’s support will be a huge help to us as the team requires a practical and reliable mode of transport that is able to tackle challenging terrain and weather.  The Subaru Outback and Legacy are the best vehicles for the job.”

To find out more about Subaru’s range of All-Wheel Drive models, visit www.subaru.co.uk

Exclusive new images are now available of Ken Block’s Gymkhana FIVE: Ultimate Urban Playground; San Francisco, the fifth instalment of the award-winning viral video franchise (http://youtu.be/LuDN2bCIyus).

This time, Block’s Gymkhana unleashes 246 ‘horses’ (250PS), in the shape of the new Focus ST, through the iconic cityscape of San Francisco. 

“The goal is to always to make the next one better, which is tough, because every time I finish one of these I think it’s the best one yet,” said Block.

As Ford’s first global performance car, the new Focus ST was developed jointly by Ford’s Team RS in Europe and its Special Vehicles Team (SVT) in the United States.  The car, priced from £21,995, goes on sale in 40 countries from this year, with first UK deliveries due in September.

A first-ever look at a special behind-the-scenes film, showing what it took to bring Gymkhana FIVE to life, is expected to be released in late August.

Maranello, 3 July 2012

MONTEZEMOLO: "SERGIO PININFARINA, AN EXCEPTIONAL PERSON AND AN EXAMPLE FOR MADE IN ITALY ALL OVER THE WORLD”

Sergio Pininfarina (standing)

With Sergio Pininfarina passing away this week the Prancing Horse loses one of the men most closely connected to Ferrari.

Sergio Pininfarina (left) with Luca di Montezemolo

Sergio Pininfarina had a close relationship regarding collaboration with Enzo Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo, for exceptional teamwork and great understanding. This lead to models from the Prancing Horse, which embellished the history of cars. All GT serial models from Maranello, since the 1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet, have been designed by Pininfarina in Turin, where Sergio became President in 1966 following his father Battista.

The unique collaboration between Ferrari and Pininfarina was always based on the common ground of research and development on the highest level, always producing the most innovative and elegant cars for over 60 years. Pininfarina was not only responsible for the serial cars - such as the 1958 250 GT Coupé, the 1968 365GTB4 "Daytona" or the 1984 Testarossa - but also for one-off models and such produced in limited editions, starting with the 375MM commissioned by Roberto Rossellini for Ingrid Bergman in 1954, up to the 2002 Enzo Ferrari.

In February 2011 I gave the below review on a fabulous product from Turtle Wax 'ENDURACOAT' that does exactly what it's says on the tin and I thought I remind you of that review plus an update.

And the update is... WOW, IT'S STILL GOOD!

SO WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

Following the Turtle Wax's recommendations I ensured the car was washed clean and leathered-off, plus previously the paintwork had been waxed.  Now came the moment to apply the Liquid Wax Shield, which I have to say was very simple indeed with the Sponge Applicator, coating a Door, Bonnet, or Boot surface at a time, waiting for the it to very quickly dry and then polishing it with the Micro-fibre Polishing Cloth - Simple!

I completed the process for all of the paintwork ensuring I paid attention to detail and the results were fabulous! Providing a deep and alluring shine that according to Turtle Wax will provide 12 months  of showroom shine and protection, indeed at a fraction of the price of packs available at dealerships.

That night it rained, providing the usual example of well protected paintwork...

REGENERATIVE CONDITIONER SHAMPOO

• New Colours of 1968 collection features classic Porsche 911 colours of the period
• Martini Racing collection inspired by the successful history of Porsche and the Martini & Rossi company
• Merchandise can be purchased from Porsche Centres nationwide or online at: www.porsche.co.uk/shop

Celebrating the car designs of a classic period in time, the Colours of 1968 collection from Driver’s Selection by Porsche Design pays homage to the colour spectrum of 911 in the late ‘60s: Tangerine, Polo Red, Irish Green and Ossi Blue. These charismatic colours conjure up the spirit of the era and add a touch of retro fun to the collection, which includes items for all the family.

T-shirts for men, women and children are priced at £39 and £25 respectively. The stylish messenger bag (£85) and shopping bag (£89) are both made of durable and weatherproof truck tarpaulin, incorporating the motif of contrasted blocks of colour and cars in the 1968 colours. Household items also featuring the same motifs include the set of Glass Coasters (£40), the Collector’s Cup No.12 (£15) and the Breakfast boards (£15), which can be used both as placemats or chopping boards. In two-tone Colours of 1968 print, an umbrella is also available at £40.

In 1971, Porsche raced to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The 917 race car was liveried in the iconic blue and red of sponsors Martini and set the scene for an enduring relationship between Porsche and Martini Racing. Now, in 2012, Driver’s Selection by Porsche Design has refreshed its popular Martini collection to include new items celebrating this historic collaboration.

Featuring distinctive light blue, dark blue and red stripes, the range includes clothing items, accessories and sports equipment. The collection’s design reflects the style and performance of the race cars of the period and will resonate with Porsche enthusiasts and motorsport fans.

New to this year’s collection are the Martini Racing Sportsline Jackets in white for ladies (£175), dark blue for men (£175) and a limited edition red, also for men (£190). Suitable for wear all year round, these jackets are windproof and super lightweight. The range also includes Martini Racing longsleeve tops for men and women (£60); these are white with details picked out in the Martini colours. For sunny days there are polo shirts in deep blue, priced at (£55) and to complete the look, this year’s collection also includes the Martini racing baseball cap (£20).

Aviator Sunglasses (£150) trimmed in blue are also new to this year’s collection. These are universally stylish with a small and simple Martini logo detail on the side of the frames, and suitable for men and women. The frames encase grey lenses that are 100% UV protective.

Performance and sporting ability are also encapsulated in a range of sports equipment. For summertime fun in the garden or at the beach, Driver’s Selection by Porsche Design has created the Speedminton set (£125), a high performance badminton kit. The set includes two carbon-composite racquets created for enhanced precision and impact and five high-speed shuttlecocks. Speedminton, also known as Speed Badminton, combines badminton, squash and tennis but is played without a net, creating a fast paced game that can be played in gardens, parks and beaches alike! Using shorter, more tightly strung racquets and heavier shuttlecocks, this exciting new game is ideal for summer.

The latest Drivers’ Selection by Porsche Design range is available now from local Porsche Centres nationwide, or online through the Porsche Shop: www.porsche.co.uk/shop

"ONE WAS OWNED BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN"

In the 1960’s my late Father Conrad Davis (known to everyone who knew him as CON) was the owner of a Vauxhall Cresta PA Estate car, one of only 200 ever made and indeed one was owned by Her Majesty The Queen at the time for many years.

Many happy family years were spent traveling in CON 7 around Europe & the UK by my brother & I with Mum & Dad.

The rigorous development programme of Jaguar’s forthcoming F-TYPE sports car today stepped up a gear as the model made its global public debut at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed.

Driven up the challenging hill by Jaguar’s Head of Vehicle Integrity, Mike Cross, the all-aluminium F-TYPE – a Supercharged V6 example ­– ran with its hood down for the first time in public view.

› Plans for complete redesign unveiled

› Interactive experience of brand’s tradition, evolution and production

› ŠKODA success story from many different angles

› New ŠKODA Museum as key pillar of brand communications

The exhibition incorporates the latest interaction and communications findings to present ŠKODA history from different angles and appeal to the broadest-possible target audience. Additional restored ŠKODA vehicles will therefore be regularly integrated into the exhibition. Alternating exhibits in this way will allow constant new discoveries and surprises, and encourage visitors to return to the museum, located adjacent to the brand’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav. Additional special exhibitions and an attractive supplementary programme will ensure that the museum makes a lively contribution to ŠKODA corporate culture and public life in Mladá Boleslav.

The foyer is also multifunctional in design and can host smaller receptions. The new ŠKODA Museum also features a museum shop and a bright and modern café-restaurant.

• Utilising the vast skills, experience and facilities of Peugeot Design Centres
• Drawing on these facilities in Paris, Shanghai and Sao Paolo
• With the opportunity to facilitate the design requirements of external clients

A new Peugeot Design Lab is launched to offer external clients an exceptional design capability with its main objective to provide the design of products, services and experiences for external clients from all market sectors.

The considerable technical and human resources of the Peugeot Design Centre, at the heart of which the Peugeot Design Lab is located, gives the Peugeot Design Lab a unique capability in this area, across three continents, in the cities of Paris, Shanghai and Sao Paolo.

Today, the automobile is, in terms of design, a complex product but also one of the most accomplished. 

As underlined by Gilles Vidal, Director of Style Peugeot, “The challenge for  automobile designers is ambitious: to anticipate ever higher expectations for quality, safety, and content, while preparing to make a step forward in design with a style that is innovative, attractive, and different”.

With its rich industrial history and strong expertise in automobile design, Peugeot is able to place its considerable facilities to clients outside the motor industry.

Milton Keynes, 19 June 2012

• Ambitious Stonehenge replica launches ŠKODA’s new Citigo model
• Installation provides an urban meeting point to mark Summer Solstice

Car giant ŠKODA has installed a unique replica of Wiltshire’s iconic Stonehenge - made entirely from recycled car parts - on London’s Southbank.

The sculpture, which has been unveiled in time for the evening of the Summer Solstice (20^th June), has been specially positioned to sit on little known ley lines and is set to become one of the key talking points in the capital this summer…

With the new car as its centrepiece, the audacious piece of automotive art dubbed ‘Citihenge’ by the makers, was specially commissioned to celebrate the launch of the ŠKODA Citigo.  The giant build will be in position on the Southbank on 19 and 20 June.

Citihenge, led by sculptor Tommy Gun, took a design team three months to create.  The ambitious piece of art, built using 18 scrap cars, stands at over five metres tall. Each henge is five metres wide and the commanding structure weighs a remarkable 36 tonnes.

Gun, a self-taught artist who specialises in big sculptures often made from machine parts, has exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show and The Grand Designs Show, Olympia, and was commissioned to produce a sculpture for the Tour de France.  The installation is the latest in a series of cultural creative projects undertaken by ŠKODA, which has included giant cakes, a car in a cage and collaborations with musicians Anastacia and DJ Tiësto.

The beacon of economical motoring will remain at Potters Fields for two days before touring the UK, with a move to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and its celebration of car culture, in West Sussex from 28^th June – 1^st July.

Pietro Panarisi, ŠKODA spokesperson says: “The Citigo embodies the future of driving and is the smartest option for forward-thinking city drivers. While traditional cars struggle to perform well under the strain of city driving, the Citigo is designed to excel in the urban environment.  Citihenge symbolises the beginning of a new era of motoring and we hope drivers across the country will recognise this important turning point.” 

Tommy Gun, sculptor says: “The Citihenge project has been the most amazing challenge.  Stonehenge is a huge, iconic structure and the Citihenge replica is too.  It is made entirely from old car parts, which taps into my own childhood growing up on a farm where I used to love building and creating things with pieces of discarded machinery.” 

Citigo re-defines what’s possible with a city car - small exterior dimensions yet exceptional interior space offering ample space for four adults. Great manoeuvrability, exceptional comfort and safety with high levels of equipment, Citigo has been designed to deal with almost anything life can throw at it.

Citihenge facts:

1. The structure is engineered to withstand force 12 hurricane winds.
2. 36 tonnes of steel used in the structure (including the cars).
3. The entire structure weighs 30 tonnes.
4. The accumulative mileage of the cars used in the structure is 1.9 million.
5. The structure was erected on site in London in less than 12 hours.
6. The Citihenge structure is 100% recyclable.

Whitley, 21 June 2012.

Under the agreement, “Powered by Land Rover” badging on Bowler’s competition cars and across its marketing materials acknowledges the role that Land Rover technology plays in the performance and race success of Bowler products.  The “Powered by Land Rover” branding will also be highlighted in joint event and promotional activities.

Maranello June 20th 2012

Ferrari’s clients and enthusiasts across the world have once again demonstrated their extraordinary generosity. Over the last two weeks, the online auction organised by www.ferrari.com raised over 1.8 million euro. That significant sum will now be donated to help the families of the victims of the earthquakes that struck Emilia-Romagna on May 20^th and 29^th, many of whom died at their workplace.

It took only the slightest encouragement for the Ferrari community to mobilise and bids were soon pouring in from all over the world. Naturally enough, expectations were running high for the 599XX which sold in the end to an American client for over 1.4 million euro. This exclusive car is a real one-off and will sport a special commemorative plaque signed by Chairman Luca di Montezemolo and the two Scuderia drivers. It will also be personally delivered to its owner by Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa at the next Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The F60 nose-cone is bound for the USA too, as it was purchased by a Malaysian client who put in a bid of 23,000 euro.

The engine from the F2008, which won the Constructors’ World title in 2008, will instead be wending its way to Great Britain having made 80,000 euro, almost twice its reserve price.

There was also an enthusiastic response to the rest of the auction with multiple bids made on all of the lots going under the hammer, including Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa’s helmets and Giancarlo Fisichella’s racing suit.

“A pole position result: I knew I could count on the big-heartedness of the Ferraristi but they’ve still managed to surprise me once again,” declared Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo. “I would like to thank all the clients, collectors and enthusiasts that did their bit. Their bids have sent out a message of warmth and solidarity to the people in our region affected by this tragedy.”

The sum raised by the auction includes spontaneous donations sent to Maranello by fans and enthusiasts the world over, including a Russian client who generously gave €100,000, and the proceeds from the sales of the Scuderia Ferrari watches.