Category: Car News

A ‘Bouquet’ Of The World’s Most Valuables Cars Is Heading to RM Sotheby Auction.

A collection of over 20 incredibly valuable supercars, titled The Pinnacle Portfolio, will be auctioned in RM Sotheby’s 2015 Monterey Auction in California on 13 August.

Amongst the stunning selection is Pope John Paul II’s Ferrari Enzo, which was the last Enzo built, an immaculate 1964 Ferrari 250 LM and the second-to-last road-going McLaren F1 LM ever built.

Other spectacular cars included in the portfolio are the last ever Ferrari F40 LM, a Koenigsegg CCXR, a Lamborghini Reventón, a Toyota 2000GT and the very first Bugatti Veyron ever built.

Last year’s auction generated about £93.4million in sales, but this year’s Pinnacle Portfolio collection is expected to set a new benchmark and to generate more than £100million in sales.

RM Sotheby’s car specialist, Shelby Myers, stated that the collection ‘…provides the most serious car collectors an exclusive opportunity to own the pinnacle model of each of the world’s most celebrated marques.’ 

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

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This is The New Ferrari 488 GTB Supercar!

The 488 GTB opens a new chapter to Ferrari’s 8-cylinder history, 40 years on from the launch of the firm’s first ever mid-rear-engined V8 berlinetta, the 308 GTB.

The Ferrari 488 Gran Turismo Berlinetta (GTB), which will be replacing the 458 Italia, is outrageously fast. It features a 3,902cc turbocharged V8 engine producing 660bhp, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which is 30-percent quicker on upshifts and 40-percent quicker on downshifts than an Italia.  Ferrari claims that the 488 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3 seconds flat and from 0-124mph in just 8.3, and a top speed of over 205mph.

The new supercar retains Ferrari’s trademark aluminium-intensive body structure with an innovative aerodynamic underbody that incorporates vortex generators, special curved aerodynamic appendages which accelerate the air thereby reducing pressure.  

The new Side Slip Control 2 is refined further and now uses the magnetic dampers, as well as, the e-diff and ESC to help maintain the perfect cornering slip angle. The new exhaust tailpipes have been repositioned and the V8’s soundtrack increases in volume and clarity, in line with the increase in power. 

The Ferrari 488 GTB goes on sale in September2015 at a starting price of £183,974.  

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

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Jaguar Land Rover’s Innovative Pothole Alert Technology! 

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unveiled its Pothole Alert technology, a new system that identifies holes in the road ahead, and then shares the data with other road users.

The new developing technology will allow the car to identify the presence of a hole and to react by adjusting the suspension to lessen the impact and to give passengers a more comfortable ride over uneven road surfaces. An image and a GPS location could then be sent to local councils to help repairs take place swiftly.

A number of experimental Range Rover Evoques is being used to test the new technology and JLR’s research team is working closely with Coventry City Council to explore the possibilities.

JLR claims the pioneering research could save drivers millions of pounds a year in avoided punctures and damage caused by the potholes, which are estimated to cause around £2.8 billion of damage to cars per year!

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

The New Premium Jaguar XJ is Revealed. 

Jaguar has revealed details of its revised largest saloon, the XJ, which had its biggest update since its 2010 introduction.  

The 2016 facelift receives a few minor styling upgrades, such as new LED light design, a more upright grille and a chrome finish for the air intakes in the outer edges of the front bumper.

On the inside, the new XJ boosts its luxuriousness with an upgraded quality of the leather used for the seats, embossed headrests, ‘figured ebony veneer,’ and Jaguar’s latest infotainment system, called InControl Touch Pro.

The XJ’s driving aids have been updated with a new electrical power steering system and the “All Surface Progress Control” technology, which improves traction at low speeds on slippery surfaces and is an alternative to the four-wheel drive systems offered by Audi and BMW.

The 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine has also been upgraded to produce 296bhp whilst emitting 149g/km of CO2, whereas the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 and 5.0-litre V8 petrol engines remain unchanged.

The new XJ, which is considered to be a rival to Mercedes S Class and forthcoming new versions of the BMW 7-series and Audi A8, goes on sale this autumn. Prices start from £58,690 for the entry level XJ 3.0 V6 Luxury, whereas the new R-Sport trim level costs from £71,625. The newly introduced top of the range Autobiography trim level costs from £80,250 and is available only in long-wheelbase guise. 

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

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Bentley Unveil New Flying Spur Beluga Edition

Bentley’s sumptuous saloon now delivers an extra level of luxury with the introduction of the new Flying Spur Beluga edition.

Featuring onboard WiFi connectivity and distinctive black styling and trims, the Beluga is powered by Bentley’s 4-litre twin-turbo V8, delivering 500bhp and 0-60mph in just 4.9 seconds.  

Black detailing has been added to the radiator grille, complemented by the ‘Black and Bright’ 20-inch machined alloy wheels.  Internally, the Beluga boasts piano black wood veneer, knurled gearshift paddles, contrasting stitching and deep pile floor mats and boot carpet.

Bentley customers can further upgrade to the Mulliner Driving Specification, which adds drilled alloy pedals, diamond quilted leather and a knurled gear lever.  The Mulliner spec also includes 21-inch, six-spoke ‘Extrovert’ alloy wheels.

The Beluga is available to order now, with the first cars delivered to customers in the autumn.

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

Congratulations to All the 2015 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power Winners!

The 8th Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (CPOP), which was held last weekend in Cheshire, was considered to be the best ever pageant, with record crowds coming through the gates.

More than 67,000 people visited the classic car and motorsport extravaganza, which provided plenty of spectacle on the track, on water and in the air over the three days.

Each day saw a different concours display category completed. On Friday it was the Lotus Cars Concours with the “Best of Show” award going to a Lotus Elan BRM. On Saturday, at the American Muscle Concours, a 1967 Mustang won the “Best Presented “Award and a 1958 Chrysler 300D received the” Best of Show” Award. On Sunday it was the turn of the Eighties Supercars Concours, with a 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage winning the “Best Presented” Award and a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa crowned “Best of Show”.

The Award Ceremony was held at the Oracle Finance stand, and Oracle’s Sales Director, Andy King, presented 3 awards sponsored by the company to the following category winners:

Classic Pre War Cars – 1934 Maserati 8CM. Owner and Driver, Sean Danaher.

Pre ’66 Sports Racing and Touring Cars – 1965 Chapparel 2a. Owner, Richard Falconer. Driver, Ian Wright.

Historic F1 and Single Seaters – 1979 Chevron B48. Owner, Robin Darlington. Driver, Damon Milnes.

See you all again at the 2016 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power!

 

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

Meet the Most Powerful Jaguar; Project 7! 

Jaguar’s Special Operation division has revealed the first pictures of one of the fastest and most powerful Jaguars ever, the Project 7.

Based on an F-Type R convertible, Project 7 is lighter, more powerful, has a much more aggressive chassis set-up and is the first F-Type to produce proper downforce.

Project 7 is rear-drive only and has a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine paired to an 8-speed ‘Quickshift’ automatic gearbox, which has a unique tune for faster response and snappier shifts. The new speedster can reach 0-62mph in 3.8-seconds at a top speed of 186mph.

The Jaguar Project 7 has vastly improved aerodynamic efficiency, the suspension has been revised to provide much greater responsiveness and there is a new front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser. Jaguar claims that all new parts produce 177% more downforce than the standard F-Type convertible.

The hand-built Project 7 features a bespoke body kit with an outlandish fin behind the driver’s seat, which channels air to a mighty rear wing reminiscent of the Le Mans-winning D-type.

Inside, there are new lightweight bucket seats with a carbonfibre structure to reduce mass, bespoke milled aluminium gearshift paddles and treadplates with the Project 7 logo.  

The £135,000 limited-edition Project 7 is restricted to only 250 cars worldwide and has already sold out in the UK. JLR’s SVO Division executive, Harry Metclfe, however, hinted that Projects 8,9, and 10 are underway for anybody ‘unlucky’ enough to not make it into the list of Project 7!   

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

Lotus SUV Is Confirmed For 2019. 

Lotus has announced plans to build an SUV which will go on sale by 2019, with a prototype to be ready in 12 months.  

According to Lotus CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, the new model will use a new lightweight platform and it will be “a true Lotus”; lighter and faster than all current SUVs.  

The new crossover will be built in the new Lotus factory in south-east China and Lotus plans to sell the car initially in China, which is expected to become the world’s biggest SUV market by 2020.  

The SUV will probably feature familiar design cues in a new way, with a new grille treatment that refers lightly to past famous Lotus models. Likewise, engines used in today’s sports cars, such as the supercharged 1.8-litre in-line four and 3.5-litre V6 are likely to be used in the new SUV.  

With SUV sales growing around the world, Lotus anticipates that the new SUV is likely to become the best-selling model in Lotus’s 67 year history.

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

 

Volvo XC90 Hybrid Is Faster and More Efficient Than Expected.  

Volvo has confirmed that its new Volvo XC90 hybrid will emit just 49g/km of carbon dioxide, and achieve fuel consumption of 135mpg.

The new twin-engine plug-in hybrid XC90 will be combining petrol and electric power and will be able to go 26 miles on electric power only. 

Thanks to its 316bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo and its 86bhp electric motor working together, the XC 90 hybrid will manage 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds, making it faster than the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid.

The company’s Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Dr Peter Mertens, said  that Volvo has been working hard “… to earn their competitive edge and to give our customers the ultimate combination of performance and low fuel consumption” and their  twin engine technology “…has enabled us to build on our heritage of efficient powertrain development in a completely new way.”

The XC90 Hybrid is the world’s sole seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV and will go on sale later this spring, with prices starting at £59,955. 

Oracle Finance, providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

Oracle Finance are proud to announce their nomination in two categories for the prestigious Credit Today Awards 2015.  The sports and luxury car finance specialists have been shortlisted for ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ and ‘Best Use of Technology’. 

Oracle were nominated in the first category for their robust systems and procedures, designed to ensure every customer receives a fair outcome and a finance package that is personally tailored to their individual needs.  Their nomination in the technology category was for their innovative system of continuous improvement, which has led to further service improvements, including faster quotations and a more seamless customer experience.    

Company founder and managing director, Peter Brook said, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards.   We pride ourselves on offering our clients a world class, personal service, and these nominations recognise that commitment and reflect the hard work, dedication and expertise of our staff.  By continuing to innovate and develop our offering, we will ensure we remain at the forefront of the prestige car finance industry.”  

The Credit Today Awards are the industry’s leading awards scheme, celebrating outstanding achievement in customer service and product development. 

For help funding your next luxury car, contact Oracle Finance on 08450 944997.