Latest news with #AlecIssigonis
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
RAY MASSEY: New electric Mini Aceman packs a bit of poke
Back in the days when Britain really could do 'stuff', we invented the Mini. And not just A Mini. The Mini. Launched in 1959 by design genius Sir Alec Issigonis, this slight but powerful car became an icon of the Swinging Sixties. Measuring 10ft long (just over 3m) it really was small – a point worth reinforcing for those more used to its 21st century incarnations. It passed into the hands of Germany's BMW in 1994, who helmed the next four generations, the latest of which – the all-electric five-door Mini John Cooper Works (JCW) Aceman – I've just been driving. Measuring more than 4m and weighing 1,820kg, it is significantly heavier than the original's 590kg. Progress! Yet it too is a Mini. It also has a very sporty 'John Cooper' twist, made visible by specific exterior JCW bodywork tweaks, interior trim, and the red, black and white JCW logo. The new range-topping JCW Aceman compact SUV, like all in the Mini Aceman range, is available only as an electric. Powered by a 54.2kWh battery, it develops a maximum 255hp which propels it from rest to 62mph in a sprightly 6.4 seconds and up to 124mph. The front-wheel drive JCW is agile and grippy, giving a good lick on the straight and offering a blast around the Cotswold country lanes where I drove it. But you do need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to keep the power under control. The racing-inspired interior with high-sitting seats are great, but the rear is a bit of a squeeze even for four, never mind the claimed five, with a compact 300-litre boot. A 24cm, circular digital screen dominates the central dashboard and holds all the information the driver needs. It has seven driving modes, including 'go-kart' option. Claimed range is 243 miles, though real-world range is likely closer to 200. This Aceman doesn't come cheap: prices start from £40,920, putting it into the higher 'Tesla Tax' bracket for EV Vehicle Excise Duty. My car cost £44,570, thanks to extras including £550 for the British Racing Green paint and £3,800 for a 'Level 3' pack, which included a panoramic glass sunroof, front heated and electric memory seats and adaptive LED headlights. The sibling two-door JCW Electric hatchback starts from £39,120. It may be a compact SUV but the JCW Aceman still a far cry in size from the original 10ft long Mini – being more than a meter longer (4.08m compared to 3.05m). At nearly 2m wide it's also much broader (1.99m compared to 1.41m) and also taller (1.51m against 1.35m). At 1.820kg it's also around three times the unladen weight of the original Mini at 590kg. Roof rails are standard as are the larger 19-inch wheels and sports tyres on which it runs (the hatchback version has 18 inch wheels) with red painted brake callipers. Range finder The JCW Aceman has a claimed range of 243 miles, though real-world range is likely closer to 200 miles. An 80 per cent charge at a fast-charging station takes under 30 minutes, says Mini. Rivals It may be premium and a tad niche, but the JCW Aceman is in a competitive market for feisty compact SUVs at a time when prices generally are dropping because of sluggish sales, the influx of cheaper Chinese rivals, and discounts from car-makers desperate to avoid controversial ZEV mandate fines for selling too few electric cars to meet imposed government targets. Rivals include the Volvo EX30, Abarth 600e, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, and the Smart #1. Summing up its latest model, Mini notes: 'Over six decades ago designer John Cooper developed a sportier version of the classic Mini, becoming an instant success on racetracks and rally courses globally before the name was cemented in history with three victories at the Monte Carlo Rally across the 1960s. 'John Cooper Works has been transferring this success from the racetrack onto traditional MINI models ever since.' VERDICT The new range-topping JCW Aceman is a fun, fast and agile compact SUV that's marginally more practical - if slightly slower – than its hatchback sibling. But while extremely sprightly, it's go-kart handling does need to be controlled as raw power seems to have been promoted at the expense of performance finesse. And it's not cheap. And while German-owned MINI may still class it as a British 'brand', the new Aceman is currently built 5,000 miles from Oxford in Zhangjiagang, China. There were plans to build it in the UK, along with a reintroduced electric Mini hatchback. But in February BMW paused a planned £600m investment (announced in September 2023) to electrify its Oxford factory, citing 'multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry' including a slower than expected take-up of EVs. Legend has it the original Mini of the Swinging Sixties never made a profit. That's not a mistake current owners BMW are ever likely to make. Kia unveils new generation Sportage SUV Kia has unveiled the sleek new generation version of its popular Sportage SUV. With mild styling tweaks, the new Sportage has an upgraded interior and offers a choice of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Despite a slightly shortened wheelbase, it still offers more than one metre of rear legroom, and up to 1,776 litres boot capacity with second-row seats folded. As a rival to Skoda's Karoq and the Nissan Qashqai, expect prices from around £33,000 with first UK deliveries from this autumn. The five-seater SUV comes in three trim levels and with a choice of 17, 18, and 19in wheels, including exclusive designs for the higher spec versions. The Kia Sportage was the UK's second best-selling car last year (after the Ford Puma) and more than 124,000 of the current model have been sold since 2022, with more than 7 million Sportages sold globally.
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
The 50 greatest British cars of all time ranked by experts - do YOU agree with the winner?
What's the greatest British car of all time? It's a frequently-debated subject with plenty of people ready to give their verdict when crowning the best UK-made vehicle from past and present. Though there's typically only one winner when the question is asked which is best of all... And that's the case with the latest rankings collated by a panel of motoring judges tasked with ordering the nation's best models through history, with the original Mini taking the number one spot. 'Put simply, we reckon no other British-built vehicle better represents the relevant, innovative and pioneering UK automotive industry quite like the world's original small car,' Auto Express's team of boffins concluded as they counted down the top 50. But have they missed any motors from the list that you think are deserving of being there? Or are there cars ranked too high or too low? MailOnline and This is Money reveals the vehicles listed from 50 to 11 before giving a detailed breakdown of the top 10 and why the motoring magazine and its panel of experts believe they earn the right to be name among the greatest British cars of all time. The original Mini (pictured with its creator, Alec Issigonis) has been named - yet again - as Britain's greatest automotive product of all time. But have experts picking the UK's top 50 cars missed any from their list? You decide Auto Express's judges looked at each car across a number of factors. This includes engineering pedigree, design, commercial success, significance in automotive history and their long-lasting perception in the hearts of motorists. With an initial list of 75 motors to choose from, first they had to be whittled the cars down to just 50 before trying to put them in order of distinction. Save money and win a car for six months: This is Money Motoring Club The This is Money Motoring Club is designed to make car ownership cheaper and simpler for This is Money and MailOnline readers. Powered by MotorEasy it's the place to keep on top of tax, MOTs and servicing - and manage important documents and receipts that keep your car's value. You can also save money on maintenance and repairs. To celebrate the Motoring Club launch, there is a special prize draw exclusively for members. Select Car Leasing is providing a free six-month lease on a Nissan Qashqai. In addition, all new members will receive a one-off gift of £20 in reward vouchers to spend. > Find out more about the Motoring Club and how to win Steve Walker, of Auto Express - who was one of the panel deciding the top 50 - told This is Money: 'When we embarked upon the process of deciding on the best British cars of all time, many of us already harboured the suspicion that - after the arguments, recriminations and name-calling were done - the Mini was going to come out on top. 'What other British car has had the same impact and influence over such a long period of time? 'You could even argue that the qualities that made the Mini, and BMW's Mini successor, truly great are even more relevant and desirable today than at any point since the car's launch in 1959.' He added: 'Other cars in our top 50 certainly had their moments of greatness, but the Mini was great from the start and has got better with age.' But do you agree with Auto Express's selection? Here's a quick countdown from positions 50 to 11 followed by an in-depth look at the top best 10. Leave a comment below and tell us if you disagree with the rankings or models selected. Greatest British cars of all time (50-11) 50. McLaren 720S (2017-2023) 49. Austin Metro (1980-1990) 48. Triumph Stag (1970-1977) 47. Vauxhall Viva (1963-1983) 46. Aston Martin Valkyrie (2021-2024) 45. Toyota Auris/Corolla (1997-present) 44. DeLorean DMC12 (1981-1982) 43. Morgan Plus 4 (1950-2020) 42. AC Ace/Cobra (1953-1967) 41. Austin Healey 3000 (1959-1968) 40. Aston Martin Vantage (2004-18) 39. Jaguar F-Type (2013-2024) 38. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (1906-26) 37. Vauxhall Cavalier (1977-1995) 36. TVR Chimaera (1992-2003) 35. Ford Fiesta (1976-2002) 34. Honda Civic (1994-2021) 33. Aston Martin DB9 (2003-2016) 32. Land Rover Freelander (1997-07) 31. Ariel Atom (2000-present) 30. Jensen FF (1966-1971) 29. Bentley Blower (1929-1931) 28. Jaguar XJ6 (1968-1973) 27. Rover SD1 (1976-1986) 26. Ford Cortina (1962-1982) 25. Jaguar XJ220 (1992-1994) 24. Nissan Leaf (2013-present) 23. Lotus Elan Mk1 (1962-1973) 22. Bentley Continental GT (2004-present) 21. McLaren P1 (2013-2015) 20. Ford Sierra (1982-1993) 19. Nissan Qashqai (2007-present) 18. Morris Minor (1948-1971) 17. Austin Seven (1922-1939) 16. Lotus Esprit (1976-2004) 15. Jaguar Mk2 (1959-1969) 14. Rolls-Royce Phantom (2003-2017) 13. Ford Escort (1968-2002) 12. Jaguar XK120 (1948-1954) 11. MGB (1962-1980) 10. Land Rover Discovery (1989-1998) No. built: 385,655 Price new/now: £15,750/ £1,000-£20,000 While the Range Rover screams luxury, the Land Rover Discovery is all about go-anywhere ruggedness - though without the compromise of comfort. Launched in 1989, it was originally designed as a 'lifestyle' vehicle, blending an off-roader's 'go-anywhere' ability with the practicality and running costs of a family estate. Built on the same platform as the much more expensive Range Rover, Discos effortlessly blend genuine off-road ability with car-like composure on the tarmac. Even a checkered history of reliability couldn't keep it out of the top 10. 9. Ford GT40 (1964-1969) No. built: 105 Price new/now: £5,200/£2,500,000 Commissioned by Ford's US bosses to race under the Stars and Stripes flag and challenge Ferrari's dominance at the gruelling Le Mans 24-hour race, the low-slung GT40 racer was actually designed and built in the UK. Engineered by Lola boss Eric Broadly from a shed in Slough, the GT40 mixed the best of Britain's motorsport know-how with an all-American 4.7-litre V8. Tricky handling meant early cars weren't too successful, but tweaks by US racer Carroll Shelby and British ace Ken Miles turned it into a formidable car, taking four consecutive Le Mans wins between 1966 and 1969. 8. Caterham/Lotus Seven (1957-present) No. built: 2,477 Lotus/22,000 Caterham Price new/now: £1,157/£15k-£80k Perhaps the most copied car ever made, apart from the AC Cobra (42nd in the list), the Lotus Seven emerged in 1957 and almost 70 years on it's still in production, courtesy of Caterham. Much has changed over the decades, but the uncompromised mechanical driving experience offered certainly hasn't. Lotus founder Colin Chapman's maxim was to 'just add lightness', and that's what the Seven was all about. Basic, cheap to buy and run, and just as fast as supercars four times its value, enthusiasts flocked to buy them. Prices have risen as of late, but so has the performance and quality of production. 7. Lotus Elise (1996-2021) No. built: 35,124 Price new/now: £8,950/£15,000-£55,000 The Lotus Elise debuted in 199, powered by Rover's K-series engine and tipping the scale at a featherweight 725kg The Elise may well be the pinnacle of the Lotus philosophy – and among the last great attainable cars for the lightweight, nimble connection it offers between driver and machine. When it debuted in 1996, it was a design masterpiece. Powered by Rover's K-series engine, producing just 118bhp, it was a bullet on four wheels thanks to its featherweight 725kg bulk. Five years later, the Series 2 replaced the Rover engine with four-cylinder Toyota unit. But even from the Series 3 in 2011 to the very end of production 10 years later, the basic allure was retained and the Elise rightly remains a favourite to this day. 6. Aston Martin DB5 (1963-1965) No. built: 1,059 Price new/now: £4,248/£300,000-£1,000,000 If there is such a thing as the most famous car in the world, then the DB5 is in with a shout of claiming the title. As the tricked-out company car of fictional debonair spy James Bond, the Aston Martin has become instantly recognisable to generations of film fans. Yet despite its glamorous reputation and sophisticated image, the DB5 is actually little more than a clever update of its predecessor, the DB4 Vantage. In fact, apart from a slightly larger 4.0-litre straight-six engine with 282bhp that was mated to a new ZF five-speed manual gearbox, the two cars were largely identical. That said, at twice the price of the even more eye-catching and equally quick Jaguar E-Type, the Aston was not a big seller. Today, you need to hand over a small fortune if you want to get your hands on one. 5. McLaren F1 (1992-1998) No. built: 108 Price new/now: £540,000/£22m In term of British hypercars, the nineties McLaren F1 is undoubtedly the pinnacle. Created by legendary F1 engineer Gordon Murray and designed by Peter Stephens, the F1 was the world's fastest car for a seven-year spell from 1993 to 2005 (eventually dethroned by the Bugatti Veyron). Today, the McLaren still has a top speed - 241mph - that can't be bettered by any other naturally-aspirated car. Remembered for its shrieking V12 powertrain, three-seat layout and carbon-fibre tub-style construction, its level of weight saving went far beyond anything of the era. 4. Range Rover (1970-present) No. built: 1,000,000+ Price new/now: £2,000/£105,675 Having been in continuous production for 55 years, the Range Rover is soon set to diversify into the EV market In terms of luxury SUVs, the Range Rover is the Daddy; it's arguably the original and today's most popular. But that wasn't what the Range Rover was first intended to be. Land Rover had developed it as a workmanlike vehicle with a wash-down interior – and for the first 12 years of its life it had only three doors. That's far from the car it has become in 2025, with the Range Rover Sport spin-off added to its arsenal of plush luxury motors. Today, customers can choose between diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid power - as well as a hefty V8. Very soon, the Range Rover EV will be launched to guarantee its path into the battery car era. 3. Land Rover Series/Defender (1948-2016) No. built (UK): 2m+ Price new/now: £300/£4k-£200k The Series Land Rovers, and latterly the Defender, were masters of their many crafts. If you were to commission a drawing of the English countryside or even a swanky London street, chances are a Land Rover Defender would sneak in there somewhere, going about its business as an obligatory piece of farmer's equipment or a fashion accessory. You could always count on the cars' off-road ability, which is no surprise because the Series Land Rovers and Defender also made their name in far more dangerous and explorative fields. In the first decade of production, 70 per cent of Series 1 vehicles were exported, going to 150 countries – including many inhospitable places. As such, it has become a staple in nations across the globe. 2. Jaguar E-Type (1961-1974) No. built: 72,528 Price new/now: £1,934/£25k-£250k Enzo Ferrari once called it 'the most beautiful car ever made'. That's recommendation enough for it to be at the sharp end of this order Launched at the 1961 Geneva motor show, the E-Type was a jaw dropper - and not purely because of its achingly good looks. It was a sports car that could eclipse 150mph for less than two grand - a fraction of what you'd have to pay for that sort of top speed in the sixties. Since the moment it was uncovered, many argue that nothing has ever matched its beauty. The sleek looks are an evolution of Jaguar's D-Type racers - aerodynamically efficient, gloriously curvaceous and with a bonnet that went on forever. Enzo Ferrari once called it 'the most beautiful car ever made' - and Auto Express (and This is Money) are inclined to agree. 1. Mini (1959-2000) No. built: 5.3 million Price new/now: £497 (1959)/£15,000-£30,000 There can only be one winner in the top 50 countdown of British cars - and the Mini won with an unanimous vote from the Auto Express editorial team. Launched at the height of a fuel crisis back in the late fifties, now legendary designer Alec Issigonis was tasked by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) with delivering a sub-three-metre compact car that could carry a family of four. For context, a modern BMW-built Mini is almost a metre longer. Yet Issigonis's creation wasn't quite the overnight success its makers had hoped it might be. Perhaps the British car-buying public was too conservative, or too used to uninspiring three-box saloon cars such as the Ford Anglia or Rover P4 to be tempted by something so forward thinking. It wasn't until the Mini was commandeered by celebrities and racing drivers that its popularity soared. When the Mini debuted as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor in 1959, it didn't take off as many believed it did... It wasn't until celebrities and racing success pushed the Mini into the limelight that it became a volume seller More than 5.3 million original Minis were built at the firm's Oxford site between 1959 and 2000 John Cooper's name has become synonymous with the Mini, with the legendary tuner turning the compact British car into a racing phenomenon John Cooper tuning skills turned the Mini into a competition beast. His cars took victory in various events, including the famous Monte Carlo Rally on four consecutive attempts. Cooper's name soon became synonymous with performance variants of the dinky car. While more than 5.3 million original Minis were built at the firm's Oxford site between 1959 and 2000 (1.6 million sold in the UK), the modern Mini has also cemented itself as something of a cult classic - though without ever being able to replicate the status of the original.
Telegraph
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Mini named the best British car ever
The Mini has been named the greatest British car ever made. Judges looked at each car in terms of their engineering pedigree, design, commercial success, significance in automotive history along with their heartfelt emotion and reduced the list of 75 down to 50. The Mini topped the Auto Express list as the undisputed champion, with judges saying: 'Put simply, we reckon no other British- built vehicle better represents the relevant, innovative and pioneering UK automotive industry quite like the world's original small car.' Phil McNamara, editor at large, Auto Express, said: 'What's the best British car of all time? 'Jaguar has made some crackers, and we can't forget motors from pinnacle manufacturers such as Land Rover, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. 'However, there was only ever going to be one winner of our Top 50 Brit cars rundown. After a short and somewhat snappy group discussion in the boardroom at AE Towers, the Mini was crowned undisputed champion.' During the late fifties, designer Alec Issigonis was tasked by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) with delivering a sub-three-metre compact car that could carry a family of four. The Mini's popularity soared when celebrities and racing drivers, including John Cooper, got behind the wheel and the modern car is nearly 90cm longer than the original. Mr Cooper modified a Mini before driving it to victory at the Monte Carlo Rally four times and his name is on the three-door hatchback, along with the firm's superminis and family SUVs. Mr McNamara added: 'While more than 5.3 million original Minis were built at the firm's Oxford site between 1959 and 2000 (1.6 million sold in the UK), the modern MINI as we know it (launched in 2001) has cemented itself as a cult classic. Plans to build the new electric Mini in the UK may have been paused, but in excess of 1,000 cars are currently built in Cowley daily, equivalent to one every 67 seconds. 'There really can be little doubt – the Mini (not forgetting the modern-day MINI) truly is the best car this green and pleasant land has ever built. Long may it continue.' The Jaguar E-Type came in second, with the Land Rover Series/Defender in third.
Miami Herald
24-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Beverage billionaire has sharp words for consultants
Ever since there have been people, there have been experts. Their titles may have differed but throughout history leaders have always found that someone stood ready and willing to explain what they should do next. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter As businesses grew, consultants grew right along with them. The Glass-Steagall Banking Act in 1933, enacted in response to the Great Depression, provided a heavy-duty impetus to the consulting business. The law stopped banks from getting actively involved in reorganizations and consulting activities, sparking demand for expert advice in banking, finance, management, strategy and organization. Between the 1970s up the 1990s the global consulting market grew every single year, despite two recessions, fueled by high demand for strategic services and operational 2002, for the first time in decades, the sector faced a contraction, followed by an even larger downturn between 2009 and 2011 in the wake of the global financial crisis. Today, the consulting business is a massive global market, valued at roughly $250 billion to $1 trillion. 2025 stock market forecasts Veteran trader who correctly picked Palantir as top stock in '24 reveals best stock for '255 quantum computing stocks investors are targeting in 2025Goldman Sachs picks top sectors to own in 2025Every major Wall Street analyst's S&P 500 forecast for 2025 But who are these people we call experts? Well, Alec Issigonis, the automotive designer who came up with the Morris Minor car, later called the Austin Mini, said "an expert is someone who tells you why you can't do something." Author Laurence J. Peter, whose Peter Principle states that people in a hierarchy tend to rise to a level of respective incompetence, said "make three correct guesses consecutively and you will establish a reputation as an expert." And then there was the actor, writer and raconteur Peter Ustinov, who declared that "if the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done." Manoj Bhargava has his own take on experts and consultants and the billionaire philanthropist and corporate executive who founded 5-hour Energy shared his thoughts on his recently launched The Business of Everything podcast. "My job is to make complex simple, whereas it seems the consultant's job is to make simple complicated," he said. "We use some experts and consultants sometimes, and usually when a science guy says it can't be done, to me that's validation that it can." Bhargava, majority owner of TheStreet's parent, The Arena Group (AREN) , says an expert is "someone who knows everything that was." "He's really good at what was," he said. "And if you ask him about what will be, he'll say 'no, no, that can't be done because I'm an expert on what was.' ... Why do I need you? Because if I wanted to do what was, I don't have a business." Bhargava said he did indeed talk to experts "just to make sure that maybe they've thought of something or the history of that area is something that we haven't thought of. But we really don't rely on them for the future because that's just silly." Related: Beverage billionaire shares his prime directive for success This may sound counterintuitive, but Bhargava says not knowing an industry "can give you a leg up." "There's so much assumption. If you go to an expert, he'll say in order to get to Walmart (WMT) , you've got to do this and this and it'll take three to five years," he said. "We didn't know that, so we went to Walmart (WMT) and said, 'hey, we got a great product that's selling well.' And they go, 'OK, we'll put it in.'" "People have said to me, 'how did you get in?'" Bhargava added. "Because we didn't take their view that we couldn't get in now." Bhargava makes liberal use of air quotes when it comes to the subject of experts. "People have these little views on why you should do something and they're just not right," he said. "There's no common sense to them, but they're ... experts so you end up with stuff that experts all know. And they don't know jack." The knowledge you need, Bhargava said, is to make sure that you don't repeat mistakes that other people have made. "I guess I'm of the belief that if an expert says this, and common sense says this, I always go with common sense," he said. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
