News briefs
Car manufacture returning to Blackpool, BMW engine prize, Renaultsport racing deals and Rolls-Royces in high demand
CAR manufacturing might return to Blackpool if William Riley (owner of the Riley trademark) completes a deal to buy an eight-acre site at Bispham Technology Park in Blackpool. The plan is to re-employ some of the old TVR workforce to build revised MG SV coupes badged Riley.
EARLY examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe (p58) are setting some of the highest premiums ever. According to Tom Hartley, car dealer to the super-rich, the first cars are changing hands for a £90-100K premium.
FARBOUD SPORTS CARS has decided that now would be a good time to change its name, to avoid confusion with Arash Farboud’s latest project. When we see the long-awaited GTS it will be officially known as the Farbio GTS.
RENAULT has introduced a ‘Dynamic SX’ Clio with full sports kit and rear spoiler. Its new 1.2-litre turbo engine gives a 114mph top speed but attracts group 4E insurance. Aimed directly at the Panda 100HP, it costs £11,440.
BMW has claimed the top prize in the International Engine of the Year competition for the third year running, this time for its petrol-fuelled twin-turbo 3-litre straight-six.
RENAULTSPORT has announced its own trackday calendar for Renaultsport owners. Among the dates are an evening event at Bedford Autodrome on July 13 and a bargain £130 day at Spa on September 23. For more details see www.renaultsport.co.uk
