This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of the exceedingly popular McLaren 720S, Jaguar's E-Pace, Audi's plans to keep the W12 alive and designing the new London black cab.
The McLaren 720S sells out
More than 1500 orders have been taken for the new McLaren 720S, meaning that the production run is already sold out into 2018.
Some customers are reported to have placed two orders – one for delivery as soon as possible, while the other car goes through the more lengthy order process of being specced through the bespoke MSO department to the customer’s individual tastes.
Read more: McLaren 720S review, 789bhp McLaren P15 will eclipse P1's performance, McLaren 720S video review
Designing the London black cab
Rededigning the new London black cab came with its own type of pressure, says David Ancona, design director and general manager of Geely Design Barcelona.
He recently explained: “If there are [design elements] of a road car you don’t like, you can change them after seven years, but the taxi design must last for at least 20. If I’d got it wrong, I wouldn’t have been able to escape it.
Read more: New London black cab reveal, London black cab - ride, bespoke London cabs
Jaguar underestimates demand for petrol E-Pace
”During planning of the new E-Pace, Jaguar estimated that the petrol version would account for less than 10% of sales. Due to the changing market, it will now be 15-20%, according to UK boss Jeremy Hicks.
He said: “It’s no problem for us. Our Wolverhampton plant can produce diesel or petrol units as needed.”
Read more: Jaguar E-Pace reveal, Jaguar E-Pace test images, Jaguar E-Pace first-look
Audi's W12 to live on
The new Audi A8 will continue to offer its W12 engine, despite the trend for downsizing.
“It’s a very traditional way of making cars for current markets where there is demand [for the W12],” said Audi’s Peter Fromm. The W12 remains popular in China, which accounted for 32% of all Audi sales in 2016.
Read more: Audi A8 review, Audi's high-tech A8, Audi A8 will not go electric
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The W12 engined A8 (I dont
The W12 engined A8 (I dont think this engine is in any other model) made up 32% of ALL Audi sales in China?! Surely that cant be true, unless their sales figures are single digit over there.
Methinks you misunderstand
My understanding of the quote by Audi re: 32% of sales is it was meant that 32% of Audi sales are to China not that 32% of Audi sales in China are of W12 engined cars.
Spain?
Why on Earth is London's new taxi being designed in Spain?
Who the hell is that guy
Who the hell is that guy anyway ? Previously Autocar said that Peter Horbury designed it.