The all-new Nissan Leaf NISMO RC, an electric race car with more than double the maximum power and torque output of its predecessor, was unveiled today in Tokyo.

The unveiling took place at Nissan Crossing in the city’s Ginza district. The car, which was developed by Nissan’s racing arm, NISMO, with its race technology know-how, will officially debut on December 2 at the annual NISMO Festival at Fuji International Speedway, appearing alongside Nissan’s new Formula E electric race car.

With dual electric motors, all-wheel drive and an aggressive, restyled body shape, the purpose-built car demonstrates how Nissan’s electric vehicle technology can deliver exciting yet quiet, zero-emission power – a key component of the company’s Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision. The model is equipped with advanced battery technology and drivetrain components from the Nissan Leaf, the world’s best-selling electric car.

“The all-new LEAF NISMO RC shows how we’re setting our sights even higher when it comes to raw power and performance – making electric vehicles even more exciting for customers,” said Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci, Nissan’s global head of marketing, sales and electric vehicles. “It’s our most thrilling expression yet of the philosophy of Nissan Intelligent Mobility.”

Nissan plans to build six all-new Leaf NISMO RC vehicles to deploy around the world, so that fans can experience the power and excitement firsthand.

Powering the all-new Nissan Leaf NISMO RC are two electric motors at opposite ends of the chassis. The motors produce 240 kilowatts combined (120 kW each) and an astounding 640 Nm of instant torque to the wheels. They more than double the maximum power and the torque output of the previous Leaf NISMO RC, which was introduced in 2011. Drivetrain technology sourced from the new Nissan Leaf include the high-capacity lithium-ion battery and inverters.

A new all-wheel-drive system gives the Leaf NISMO RC its outstanding cornering prowess. Power is managed independently to each axle, instantly supplying torque to the tire with the most grip to let the car maneouvre quickly and efficiently around the track. Similar to the previous model, chassis weight balance has been optimized by the midship location of the battery pack, with the electric motors and inverters ideally placed over the front and rear tires.

The Leaf NISMO RC features a multitude of lightweight components and a full carbon-fiber racing monocoque structure, allowing it to tip the scales at just 1,220 kilograms. The power-to-weight ratio results in an impressive performance of 0 to 100 kmph (0-62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds – 50 per cent quicker than the previous model.

While the exterior of the all-new Nissan Leaf NISMO RC is based on the original Leaf NISMO RC, it sports a more aggressive exterior. A long hood and Nissan’s signature V-motion grille highlight the totally restyled front end. The distinctive silver-and-black paint scheme with NISMO red accents – similar to the Nissan Formula E car – make the Leaf NISMO RC seem like it’s in constant motion, even when sitting still at the starting line.

The car’s three-piece bodywork includes removable front and rear sections, fixed windows, LED headlights and tail lights, and an adjustable rear wing for ideal downforce on the tarmac. The model is slightly longer than its predecessor, with an overall length of 4,546 mm and a wheelbase that measures 2,750 mm. The Nissan Leaf NISMO RC sits wide and low to the ground, with its wind-cutting form measuring only 1,212 mm from roof to road – more than 300 mm less than the production Nissan Leaf.

The most awaited SUV in India, New Nissan Kicks is also the ‘Official Car of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019’. As the Official Car, Nissan Kicks will carry the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy during its tour across India scheduled from 30th November till 26th December.

Talking about the Nissan ICC association and the Trophy Tour in India, Thomas Kuehl, President, Nissan India Operations, said, “Cricket in India is much more than just a sport. And we take pride in being an integral part of this sport which unites the nation together. As the official car, NEW Nissan KICKS makes a debut for our consumers in the country and is proud to drive the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour to millions of fans across India”.

The India leg of the tour will see the New Nissan Kicks take the baton and carry the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy across eight major cities, starting from Mumbai and covering Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Delhi/NCR. As part of the tour, the trophy along with the new Nissan Kicks will be on display at key locations in each of the cities including shopping malls, colleges and business centers. Cricket fans will get a chance to see the trophy before Team India embarks on its mission to win the ICC Cricket World Cup for the third time, after 1983 and 2011. Familiar celebrities in the cricketing world like Gautam Gambhir, Akash Chopra, Gaurav Kapur and Mayanti Langer will be part of the Trophy Tour activations as well. The ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled from 30 May to 14 July 2019 and will be hosted by England and Wales.

The ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy will be the first public display of the New Nissan Kicks and consumers will get an opportunity to see the car up close. Nissan Kicks is scheduled to be launched early next year. With its progressive SUV design and advanced technology it is set to appeal to the new age urban adventure seeker, many of them being die-hard cricket fans.

Nissan has an 8-year partnership with the International Cricket Council, part of its commitment to the most exciting and innovative global sports, which also includes the UEFA Champions League, City Football Group and FIA Formula E.

Aston Martin has made a significant and symbolic stride towards the luxury brand’s first SUV – now officially confirmed as being named DBX – with the first development prototype being put through its paces along a demanding Welsh Rally stage in the hands of the company’s Chief Engineer, Matt Becker.

This first test for DBX signifies the start of an extensive testing programme. One that has begun in Wales, as a nod to Aston Martins’ new St Athan production facility in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Though simulation is an essential part of DBX’s early development phase, this first prototype drive in Wales signifies the start of ‘real world’ testing, in which the SUV will be subjected to a punishing regime that will ultimately see development prototypes of the all-new machine tackle some of the world’s harshest environments, from the frozen Arctic and scorching deserts of the Middle East to high Alpine passes and the high-speed demands of the German autobahnen and Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The unique nature of DBX in the Aston Martin range means it requires a dedicated test programme; one that features new processes, procedures and standards that reflect its all-purpose role. So, while it will perform with the verve and poise of a true Aston Martin, its dynamic envelope has to extend into areas previously off-limits to the marque’s sporting roots. Naturally this includes impressive multi-terrain and towing capabilities as befits a state-of-the-art SUV.

Speaking of his drive in the DBX development prototype, Aston Martin Chief Engineer, Matt Becker, said: “We have already developed and tuned DBX in the driving simulator, which has enabled us to make excellent progress in advance of the first physical prototype cars being available. Still, it’s always a big day when you get to put the first actual miles on an early prototype and I’m delighted with the near perfect correlation between the simulator and this prototype. As an engineer, it’s genuinely exciting to get a feel for the car you’re working to create. DBX is a very different kind of Aston Martin, but we will be testing it in all conditions and across all terrains to ensure it delivers a driving experience worthy of the wings badge”

DBX is scheduled to be unveiled in the last quarter of 2019 and will be built at Aston Martin Lagonda’s St Athan facility; a state-of-the-art luxury manufacturing plant that will ultimately become the ‘Home of Electrification’ when the marque’s fully-EV models enter production.

Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Andy Palmer said: “Seeing a DBX development prototype in action is a momentous chapter in the story of our first SUV, for it is the moment it really comes alive. DBX is so much more than ‘just’ an SUV; it will be the first model built at our brand-new facility in St Athan. As such, it is very much the start of a bold new era in the company’s long history.”

The car that launched SEAT is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. The SEAT 1400 marked the beginning of the brand’s story and formed the platform for its future success.

The first SEAT 1400 – with registration plate number B-87.223 – rolled off the production line at the brand’s Zona Franca factory in Barcelona on the 13th November 1953, just three years after the brand had been formed.

Priced at 117,000 pesetas (around €705 or £616), the production rate was just five vehicles a day during the first year, but that number would rapidly climb.

Conceived as the vehicle to build the foundations of SEAT’s business, the 1400 was an impressively executed four-door, front engine, rear-wheel drive saloon, equally at home as an official state authority vehicle or providing transportation to the masses as a public taxi.

Built at SEAT’s manufacturing plant in Barcelona, with an initial workforce of 925 employees, the 1400’s technical specifications were reflective of the period: longitudinally mounted petrol engine at the front with power delivered to the rigid rear axle which incorporated a differential.

That engine was a four-cylinder unit with a displacement of 1,395cc, linked to a four-speed manual transmission and with a maximum output of 44 PS, giving it a top speed of 120 kmph.

The chassis incorporated helical springs that produced an elastic effect on the rear suspension, and longitudinal semi-cantilever springs – which acted as thrust arms – to give it anti-roll stabilisation. A Panhard rod ensured the lateral positioning of the axle. This setup was ultra-modern for the time.

The 1400’s exterior took its design cue from American vehicles of the time, with a rounded rear shape extenuated by conical-shaped rear lights, but it also introduced curved, one-piece windscreens and a heating system to the market.

As well as appealing aesthetics, the SEAT 1400 also offered more than sufficient performance. Its 48-litre fuel tank gave it significant range thanks to its fuel consumption figure of 10.5 litres/100km (27mpg) and it would gladly cruise at 100 kmph (62 mph).

By the end of the SEAT 1400’s initial production run in 1954, 1,345 units had been produced, but that was just the beginning of the car’s life. The 1400 family continued with the introduction of the 1400 A in 1954, the 1400 B in 1956 and 1400 C in 1960, along with a number of special versions.

With each version came improvements to the performance and design, helping solidify its position in the market and grow SEAT as a brand.

The 1400 helped SEAT’s growth skyrocket. Initial production numbers were small, by the end of 1954, 959 units were delivered, however a year later annual production was tipping towards 3,000 – and the 1400 was produced with nearly 100 per cent nationally sourced components.

In 1956 7,000 vehicles were manufactured, with that number hitting 10,000 a year later. By the end of its life, 98,978 units had been sold and its place in history was guaranteed.

Jaguar has developed two F-TYPE Convertible rally cars, with design cues from the F-TYPE Chequered Flag Limited Edition, to continue its celebration of 70 years of sports car heritage since the XK 120 was revealed in 1948.

The one-off F-TYPE rally cars also pay homage to the legendary Jaguar XK 120 registered ‘NUB 120’ which, in the early 1950s in the hands of Ian Appleyard, completed three consecutive Alpine Rallies without incurring a single penalty point, and won the RAC and Tulip.

Both rally-specification F-TYPE Convertibles are powered by Jaguar’s 300PS 2.0-litre Ingenium four-cylinder petrol engine. With modifications overseen by Jaguar Design and Engineering, both cars were built to FIA specification, with comprehensively upgraded brakes and suspension fitted alongside a protective roll-cage, race-seats with six-point harness, bonnet-mounted light pod and fire extinguisher.

Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design, said: “The opportunity to design a rally car doesn’t come along very often so I was fascinated to see how we could take our modern day sports car to a similar character. These models are a fitting tribute to the XK 120 and all the great Jaguar sports cars since its reveal 70 years ago, including the latest F-TYPE Chequered Flag Limited Edition.”

The rally F-TYPEs feature upgrades to the brakes, suspension and drivetrain including the addition of grooved discs with four-piston calipers front and rear. Hand-built competition dampers and softer springs ensure the high performance cars can be driven flat-out over rough rally stages. Three-way adjustable dampers allow the cars to be tuned for different surfaces and feature spherical bearings for added precision. With motorsport-spec wheels and tyres specifically for use on gravel, a limited-slip differential improves power delivery on loose surfaces while a hydraulic handbrake helps drivers tackle hairpin bends.

The celebratory models were put through their paces at Walters Arena rally stage, South Wales, to demonstrate their performance credentials and will now attend a series of Jaguar events over the next few months.

The rally cars’ livery takes design inspiration from the new F-TYPE Chequered Flag Limited Edition, which features a range of subtle exterior visual enhancements, including unique 20-inch Gloss Black wheels with a Diamond Turned finish and a Black Contrast roof on the Coupé. Inside, the luxurious Ebony Windsor Leather interior features Performance seats with embossed Chequered Flag headrests and a Dark Brushed Aluminium centre console trim finisher.

McLaren Senna, the ultimate road-legal track car from McLaren Automotive, will be making its Latin American debut at the 2018 Sao Paulo International Motor Show. The car will be a key component of an emotive display celebrating the story of the Brazilian racing legend which also features the MP4/6 Formula 1 car.

Brett Soso, Managing Director – Middle East, Africa and Latin America, commented: “We are honoured to be working with Senna Brand to debut the McLaren Senna in Latin America. It is even more fitting to unveil it in São Paulo – a home city of the legendary Formula 1 driver that inspired its name. We are delighted with the reception of the car in the market and I wanted to personally thank our retailer McLaren São Paulo for their continuous efforts in promoting the story of Ayrton Senna and McLaren in Brazil.”

The McLaren Senna sits in the brand’s Ultimate Series and has been developed to deliver the most engaging road car experience from McLaren Automotive. The purest possible connection between the driver and car is achieved through a combination of low vehicle weight, extreme power, aerodynamic excellence and a revolutionary, active suspension system.

The spirit of Ayrton Senna has always been alive at McLaren – with whom he won all three of his Formula 1 World Championships. True to the legendary abilities of the racing driver whose name it bears, the McLaren Senna is the ultimate McLaren road-legal track car. It generates 800PS (789bhp) and 800Nm (590lb ft) from its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, which in combination with 1,198kg of dry weight and 800kg of downforce translates to staggering performance. The McLaren Senna can cover 0–100kmph (62mph) in 2.8 seconds; 0-200kmph (124 mph) is achieved in just 6.8 seconds and a standing quarter-mile (402m) in only 9.9 seconds.

McLaren Automotive is currently present in four Latin American markets – Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. The brand operates through a network of dedicated retail partners including McLaren Mexico City, McLaren São Paulo, McLaren Santiago, as well as an aftersales facility in Peru, McLaren Lima.

As an unseasonably mild London was still covered by darkness, nearly 400 pioneering veteran cars, their intrepid drivers and plucky passengers gathered in Hyde Park on Sunday, November 4, waiting for daybreak to signal the start of the remarkable Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

It’s now more than 120 years since the original Emancipation Run, which was held in 1896 to celebrate the recently passed Locomotives on Highways Act. This raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 to 14 mph and abolished the need for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.

Symbolising that new found freedom, the annual Run always commences with the symbolic tearing of the red flag – a ritual pre-dawn feat this year performed by supermodel and car enthusiast Yasmin Le Bon representing The Movember Foundation and F1 team boss Christian Horner who was joined at the finish by his Spice Girl wife Geri and young family.

Then, at 06:59am sunrise, the first of the pre-1905 horseless carriages was flagged away from the start with the earliest of the Victorian vehicles leading the way as they phutted and hissed their way through Wellington Arch, down Constitution Hill, past Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch and Whitehall into Parliament Square. Here, for the first time in its 122-year history the 60-mile route split into two, thus alleviating traffic congestion in South London.

Half of the plucky participants travelled over Westminster Bridge and then followed the traditional A23 route via Kennington, Brixton and Streatham Common; the other half left via Millbank, over Lambeth Bridge then journeyed via Vauxhall, Clapham Common and Tooting. The two routes merged on the A236 just north of Croydon with the entire magical cavalcade reunited as it headed to the spectator-friendly halfway point in Crawley High Street, the South Downs and eventually the Madeira Drive seafront in Brighton.

First away from Hyde Park was a Peugeot Type 3 dating back to the dawn of motoring in 1893. Hailing from the Turin Motor Museum, it is believed to be the first car to have been driven on Italian roads. Other early starters included the crowd-pleasing 1896 Salvesen Steam Cart – basically a steam locomotive running on the road complete with stoker shoveling coal into the boiler’s fiery furnace plus an evocative choo choo steam whistle – and a number of primitive motorised tricycles complete with riders and passengers regaled in period costumes.

Thereafter followed a staggering variety of antique machinery dating back to the era of innovative and experimental vehicles – some petrol powered, others propelled by steam and electricity; some fitted with steering-wheels, others with naval inspired tillers and helms.

As always it was an extraordinary sight without parallel anywhere on Earth: a living, moving testament to a bygone age when motoring technology was in its infancy. Blessed with such eccentric charm and incredible history, the renaissant Run enjoys worldwide participation and attracts huge crowds along the entire route. Among this year’s entries were cars from Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Africa as well as 21 from the United States.

In total, 117 different marques ranging from Achilles (built in Frome, Somerset) to Yale (from Toledo in Ohio, US) were represented on this year’s Run – some, like Cadillac, Renault and Mercedes, still well-known today, but the vast majority lost to history. Many cars and crews sported moustaches in support of Movember, the event’s official Charity Partner.

One of the ambitious brands to have fallen by the industrial wayside was making its Veteran Car Run debut this year: Vabis the embryonic Scandinavian company that can trace its descendants to today’s commercial vehicle giant Scania. Despite its rookie status, the newcomer completed the Run.

Le Bon and Horner, too, were also savouring the event for the very first time; the former driving a 1901 Wolseley kindly loaned by the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, the latter behind the wheel of Lord (Irvine) Laidlaw’s 1904 Panhard-Levassor. Both made it all the way to Brighton enjoying the hazy autumnal sunshine and huge, cheering crowds lining the roadside.

“It was super,” enthused Horner. “We had a great run in a lovely car which ran seamlessly. I cannot thank Irvine Laidlaw enough for letting me drive his beautiful Panhard. It is an absolutely magical event and wonderful to see so many enthusiasts and car clubs coming out to support all those on the road. It was great fun – I’ll definitely be back for more!”

Le Bon was equally enthusiastic and enthralled. “I absolutely loved it,” she beamed at the finish. “I was grinning from ear to ear, even in the few more gripping moments that we had. The car behaved beautifully. The crowds were just astonishing – I had no idea quite how many people come out, but I’m delighted that they do to see these incredible vehicles all together on the road. It’s an extraordinary sight. What’s more, I was doing the Run for a wonderful cause – men should definitely be talking together more about health issues and taking charge of their wellbeing.”

In total, nearly ninety per cent of the starters made it to Brighton before the 4.30pm deadline to claim a coveted finishers’ medal – just 44 of the starters failing to reach the sea front. The first car home was the 1901 Oldsmobile of Andres Melkus from Austria arriving on Madeira Drive. Next across the line was Tom Loder driving a 1900 Stephens.

While the Run is famously not a race, the increasingly popular Regularity Time Trial does provide a competitive element. More than 320 entrants, more than ever before, elected to take part in the Trial by attempting to keep to a strict average speed for the stretch between Crawley and Burgess Hill. The winner was Paul Kelling in an Oldsmobile who covered the 13 miles at an average speed of 12.05mph compared to his 12mph target.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “It has been another exceptional Run in this quite remarkable event. The split route out of London definitely alleviated the traffic problems of the past, and it has been a real pleasure to complete the Run today.

“The weather has been kind this year, which makes a big difference for these types of extraordinary vehicles, and I have seen lots of happy smiley faces amongst our participants.

“I would just like to thank all the people that have come together to make this such a special event. Thanks must go to the marshals all the way down the route that continue to make it a real pleasure to drive this event, those at Goose Live Events who run the event on behalf of the Royal Automobile Club, plus the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain particularly in dating these cars and making sure of their authenticity.

“My final thank you is to the spectators who have lined the route. It is such a fantastic family event and it is great to see people of all ages enjoying themselves in the autumnal sunshine.”

As in recent years, the Bonhams Veteran Car Run provided a fitting finale to the Royal Automobile Club’s busy London Motor Week – during which the Club presented an array of functions and events.

The penultimate event in the week was the free-to-view Illinois Route 66 Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 3 November, which turned London’s flagship shopping street into a motoring showcase that put the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.

One of the greatest moments in Aston Martin Lagonda’s (AML) illustrious motorsport history is the inspiration for the latest Q by Aston Martin: Commission; the ‘DBS 59’.

Inspired by Aston Martin’s historic 1-2 finish in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans with its iconic DBR1, Aston Martin Cambridge has commissioned a collection of 24 very special DBS Superleggeras – one for every hour of the legendary endurance race. Called the ‘DBS 59’, each is identified by bespoke design features, hand-crafted interiors and graphic elements drawing directly from the DBR1 and the race it so famously conquered.

A marque synonymous with success in the world’s toughest endurance race – the most recent being a dramatic class win for the V8 Vantage GTE in last year’s race – Aston Martin’s outright victory in the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans is the stuff of motorsport legend. Facing stern opposition from works Ferrari and Porsche entries, plus a team of Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars, the David Brown Racing Aston Martin DBR1s fought valiantly to score a famous 1-2 finish in a masterful display of pace, reliability and teamwork.

Since described by Sir Stirling Moss – who helped Aston Martin win the 1959 World Sportscar Championship – as ‘the most important Aston Martin ever produced’, the DBR1 has deservedly attained iconic status. Just five were built between 1956 and 1959, making it one of the rarest Aston Martins ever, and when one last went to auction (at Monterey in 2017) it set a new world record as the most valuable British-made car ever with a sale price of £17.5m ($22.5m).

Immediately identifiable by its timelessly beautiful Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork, the DBS 59 features extensive use of gloss finish Carbon Fibre, most strikingly on the roof, roof strake and painted bonnet louvres. A classic combination of Obsidian Black and Chestnut Tan leather is used throughout the interior, together with fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material used to trim the ‘DBS 59’s’ seat backs and door inserts. Bronze detailing is strategically deployed around the exterior and interior, with the front grille surround, ‘Superleggera’ bonnet script, rear Aston Martin script and Q Fender Badge amongst the items painted.

Additional Q by Aston Martin detailing include bespoke Saddle Leather Helmet Pods in the rear compartment to hold special ‘DBS 59’ crash helmets, race suits and gloves, and a bespoke ‘DBS 59’ logo embroidered in the seat headrests. Each of the ‘DBS 59s’ will be identifiable by a small painted white roundel adjacent to the side strakes, with each car numbered from 1-24.

Further accessories include period blue race overalls complete with Aston Martin and ‘DBS 59’ logos; replica string-backed racing gloves modeled on those worn by 1959 Le Mans-winning driver Caroll Shelby; replica 1959 race helmet; bespoke 2-piece luggage set to match interior trim; bespoke car cover in Aston Martin Racing Green and featuring white roundels with specific edition number.

The DBR1’s proud genetic legacy is very much evident in the 2018 DBS Superleggera. The fastest and most powerful series production model in Aston Martin’s multi-award winning range, this 211mph, 715bhp Super GT is an inspired combination of imperious performance and impeccable style. Having received the attention of Q by Aston Martin: Commission it is a truly covetable car; one aimed at those who appreciate the lasting significance of DBR1’s historic victory and world-beating contemporary performance and handling of the DBS Superleggera.

Speaking of the ‘DBS 59’, Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer, Simon Sproule said: “When Aston Martin Cambridge expressed a desire to create a limited run of DBS Superleggeras inspired by the DBR1’s famous Le Mans victory we knew it had to be something special. The soft metallic hue of the Aston Martin Racing Green paintwork is classy and timelessly beautiful; the level of thought and detailing is exceptional. My favourite element on the ‘DBS 59’ are the seat backs that feature fabric inspired by the DBR1 seat material, but there are countless touches that will intrigue and delight”.

The ‘DBS 59’ limited edition is the fourth Q by Aston Martin: Commission from Aston Martin Cambridge, following on from the success of last year’s Red Arrows Edition Vanquish S, and the earlier success of V12 Vantage S Spitfire 80 Edition, marking 80 years of the Supermarine Spitfire’s first flight, and the Vantage S Blades Edition, developed in collaboration with the Blades Aerobatic Display Team.

‘DBS 59s’ 1 through 24 are available to order now from Aston Martin Cambridge.

Future Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be able to tell if you’re feeling unwell and adjust settings to combat motion sickness.

Motion sickness affects over 70 per cent of people. Spencer Salter, wellness technology researcher at Jaguar Land Rover, points out that previously “little has been known about the causes and how to mitigate them”.

Now, through its industry-leading motion sickness research, Jaguar Land Rover has created an algorithm that generates a ‘wellness score’ for each passenger. This can be used to automatically personalise a vehicle’s driving and cabin settings to reduce the effects of feeling car sick by up to 60 per cent.

Jaguar Land Rover has already collected 15,000 miles of motion sickness data and tested the effects caused by performing a task while in transit, such as checking emails. This has enabled the creation of a baseline driving style for self-driving vehicles to work towards, minimising the need for steering corrections and therefore the risk of motion sickness while passengers work or relax.

Salter explains: “As we move towards an autonomous future where occupants will have more time to either work, read or relax on longer journeys, it’s important we develop vehicles that can adapt to reduce the effects of motion sickness in a way that’s tailored to each passenger.”

Motion sickness is often caused when the eyes observe information that is different from what is sensed by the inner ear, skin or body forces – commonly when reading.

The ‘wellness score’ calculates how susceptible individual drivers and passengers are to feeling car sick, using biometric sensors that record physiological signals. Combining this with motion and dynamics data, the vehicle will reliably know when a passenger or driver is becoming motion sick – before they do.

Dr. Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Medical Officer, explains: “This cutting-edge research has created a solution that, with its solid scientific foundation, can make travelling enjoyable, regardless of your susceptibility to motion sickness. As a parent of young children, who are most susceptible to car sickness, I am particularly excited by the benefits this research can have in making long journeys comfortable and stress-free for families.”

Jaguar or Land Rover vehicles today are already designed to help combat feelings of nausea. The Jaguar E-PACE, for example, has 26 different seat configurations for passengers to find a position that raises the infotainment screen relative to eye level as well as turn on the cooling seat function. Both factors have been proven to significantly reduce the likelihood of motion sickness. The E-PACE’s Adaptive Dynamics also remove low frequency motion from the road, which can lead to nausea, by altering the ride settings every 10-milliseconds to ensure passengers always experience high levels of comfort.

The first phase of the research completes this month. The findings are already being implemented into further projects across research ensuring Jaguar Land Rover can create the ultimate personalised cabin experience for its customers in future vehicles.

Set against the backdrop of greenery, the Behala Flying Club airstrip is a sea of calm. But that serenity doesn’t last very long as it is soon obliterated by a loud, ripping, snarling roar that only grows in pitch and amplitude, and what you see is a red blur racing away in the distance.

We were at ‘The Art of Performance Tour’ by Jaguar – a series of dynamic experience events across India that provide an opportunity to witness what it’s like to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar under the guidance of expert drive instructors and that red blur I was referring to earlier was the prodigious Jaguar F-Type SVR.

Joining the F-Type SVR in this event is the rest of Jaguar India’s line-up – the XE, XF, XJ-L, F-Pace, and F-Type S, each of them with design cues typical of the brand including the large chrome grilles, cat-eye headlamps and low-slung silhouettes.

The airstrip has been demarcated to experience three different aspects of capabilities – acceleration, handling and braking.

First up is the acceleration run and here I get to sample the F-Type SVR. Its gorgeous lines are more stunning in flesh, and I see why this is one of the best looking cars in the world. As I strap myself inside, I notice that the exquisite design extends to the interiors as well with its airplane-like cockpit feeling at home on the pilot’s runway. One cool detail on all the Jaguars is the welcome gesture, where turning on the ignition causes the AC vents to revolve open and gear selector dial to rise.

Heading towards the start line with both hands on the steering wheel and right foot nursing the gas pedal, I can feel my heart pumping in anticipation. “Go,” says the accompanying instructor – I press pedal to metal and what I experience next is nothing short of mental. I’m pinned to the back of the seat while sprinting from 0 to 100 kmph in matter of seconds and with 150 kmph fast approaching. All this while, there’s that growling roar of the supercharged 5-litre V8 that is music to the ears.

Next we hit the slalom to showcase the handling prowess of Jaguar cars. Here I get to sample the company’s entire line-up of luxury sedans and the F-Pace SUV. Driving the XE and XF through the course is easy as they take the quick direction changes in their stride. However, what’s noteworthy is the performance of the F-Pace SUV as it seem to shrink in size without feeling unsettled as we drive through the slalom. Of course, in the interests of safety, ESP remains on at all times.

The final course turns out to be a driving simulation that emulates an emergency braking situation, and here too, Jaguar’s mainstream line-up proves to be more than able to handle the manoeuvre and panic braking.

All the cars delivers the performance that one expects from a car wearing the Jaguar badge. Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable drive experience filled with thrill and adrenaline. There has never been a better way to soak in the pre-winter sun on a Saturday afternoon.