A McLare Speedtail prototype emitting smoke at a U.K. gas stationSupercarSupremo / YouTube The McLaren Speedtail is a pure fusion of art and science fiction, with a 1,000-plus-horsepower hybrid powertrain and three-seat configuration that evokes the original F1. Putting the driver at centre stage creates a cockpit like that of the Rocket 69 in Fallout 4, allowing McLaren engineers to act out all their symmetrical flights of whimsy. It also seems apt to set itself alight, with an alert YouTuber catching it all on video. Well, video on what surely must be a potato-phone, anyway. Copious amounts of smoke are seen billowing from the Speedtail’s aft section before someone shows up with a fire extinguisher to get things under control. The company is reported to have stated that the prototype is believed to have suffered some sort of electrical fault while at rest. No one was injured, they said, and they are investigating. It’s an inauspicious start to the life of a hypercar, one that costs north of two million bucks and is already sold out. It’s apparently capable of hitting 300 km/h in less than thirteen seconds on its way to a top speed of 400 km/h. As the Speedtail is a gasoline-electric hybrid, one could easily make unkind jokes about the traditional reliability of British electronics. We’ll restrain ourselves, however. Ooops!! McLaren Speedtail caught fire, not a good start!! Was a test car out on A3, dealt with by my colleagues at Surrey Fire and Rescue. @harrismonkey @harrym_vids @TGE_LDNM @MrJWW pic.twitter.com/QkRBnG3OwX Valet7 (@PaulValet7) June 13, 2019 Production of the Speedtail is limited to 106 examples, each of which are said to be customized to the hilt with materials inspired by the worlds of high fashion, luxury yachts and bespoke furniture. Its central driving position is said to give an outrageous view of the road with a screen-dotted interior seemingly arriving intact from the year 2049. Street versions of the car are expected to hit the road in
Origin: McLaren Speedtail lights up a smoke at U.K. gas station
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VW-backed firm opens high-power UK charging station
Charging network Ionity, backed by car makers including Ford and Volkswagen, has opened the most powerful charging station for electric vehicles yet to launch in the UK, promising charging times of under 20 minutes. The 350kW charging station is in Maidstone, Kent and is the first move in bigger plans by the firm to offer more than 40 UK sites, each with up to six high-power chargers. Ionity said it will soon add locations at Milton Keynes and Gretna Green. There are currently no electric vehicles on sale which are capable of charging at 350kW. The first compatible car is expected to be the upcoming Porsche Taycan, which will go on sale early next year. However, all electric vehicles are able to charge at the points, but just at a lower rate of charge. An Ionity spokesman said: “(Our) 350kW UK charging network is future-proofed, delivering infrastructure capable of charging times as low as eight minutes depending on the capacity of the vehicle’s battery, thus making e-mobility a convenient, reliable and everyday experience.” Currently, the Audi E-tron has the highest charge rate of any electric model currently on sale at 150kW. There are a handful of 150kW charging stations in the UK, including those recently announced by rival firm BP Chargemaster, but most public charging points are 50kW, meaning much slower charging times. The Ionity spokesman added: “High-power charging is widely regarded as essential to the increased adoption of electric vehicles, making long distance journeys far more viable than the much slower 50kW alternatives.” Manufacturers are slowly introducing electric vehicles with higher charging capabilities in a bid to reduce these times. The general industry consensus is that once charging times are nearing 10 minutes for around 80% charge, those car owners wedded to petrol or diesel vehicles will more seriously consider changing to a zero-emission machine. Ionity, a joint venture between Daimler, Ford, BMW and the Volkswagen Group, plans to install up 2400 chargers by 2020 across Europe. Ionity said its UK charging points will use 100% renewable energy, provided by energy technology firm Octopus Energy. Michael Hajesch, CEO, Ionity said: “We are delighted to be launching our network in the UK with our first station in Maidstone. As car manufacturers continue to launch electric vehicles with bigger batteries to provide a longer range, high-power charging is an essential part of the e-mobility transition process thus making the e-journey a smooth and seamless
Origin: VW-backed firm opens high-power UK charging station
‘National Lampoon’ station wagon clone clears US$100,000 at auction
A replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster crossing the block at Barrett-Jacksons Palm Beach event in April 2019.Barrett-Jackson A replica of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster from National Lampoon’s Family Vacation netted more than US$100,000 at auction (after fees) this past weekend in Florida, far exceeding what many expected it to sell for. Pre-event estimates may have been tempered by the fact one of the actual vehicles from the film did not sell in 2013, running up to a US$35,000 high bid. Chalk it up to a classic car market sweetening on Hollywood nostalgia or to the clever marketing by Barrett-Jackson – the car crossed the block with a bunch of suitcases and Aunt Edna lashed to the roof – but this well-done clone almost tripled that, hammering at US$91,000, before auction fees. Based off of a 1981 Ford Country Squire wagon, unlike the movie car’s 1979 donor, this Family Truckster is painted “Metallic Pea,” and doesn’t come with the Rally Fun Pack that Clark ordered. What it does come with, though, is a 5.0-litre V8 and a four-speed. A 1947 Buick 8 Custom Convertible restomod by Don Gasiunas of Toronto, sold at Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach event April 2019. Barrett-Jackson The top-selling lot at the Palm Beach event was a 1947 Buick Super 8 convertible, highly modified with a supercharged LSA V8 by Don Gasiunas of Toronto, Ontario. It traded hands for a full US$412,500 after fees, and led three other US$250,000-plus classic customs in the top 10. It suggests the market may be switching its attention from original, factory-stock vehicles to hot rods and restomods. Late ’80s and early ’90s cars also showed growth at the Barrett-Jackson sale, buoyed by the swelling of Millennials and Gen X-ers flooding into the classic car market. In total, 632 vehicles were sold for a cumulative US$30.18
Origin: ‘National Lampoon’ station wagon clone clears US$100,000 at auction
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