Twisted announces expansion into Japanese market

British 4x4 modifier Twisted Group Ltd. has announced a deal with Yone Motors Inc. to form the brand Twisted Japan with initial petrol-powered TVS and TV8 vehicles departing Yorkshire for Tokyo in November. The exclusive supply agreement secures imported classic Defenders from Twisted for three years.

Yone Motors has experience in the luxury sector, buying and selling used and new high end cars in Japan and abroad, providing maintenance, services and customisation in addition.

Kazuya Tanai of Valuence, who is leading the project of Twisted Japan, added: “There’s a growing demand in Japan to buy and repurpose classic, quality products. It’s this circular economy ethos that’s at the core of what we do, so the partnership with Twisted makes sense. 

To read about the Suzuki Jimny by Twisted Automotive; click here.

DriveTribe sells out inaugural event

Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset was the venue for DriveTribe’s first car meet event on 15 October. The inaugural event sold out in 24 hours and was attended by 1,500 people who witnessed VIP guests, vehicle exhibitions and a Go Karting time trial.

DriveTribe’s Richard Hammond and Mike Fernie were joined by Jimmy Broadbent, Mat Armstrong, Alex Kersten and Abigayle André (She Talks Cars) to talk all things cars and those in attendance also had the chance to challenge each other and former Sting, Ben Collins, in a Go Kart time trial competition.

Prizes were given out on the day too, as attendees put forward their vehicles for a ‘show and shine competition’, with a Ford Escort RS Turbo chosen as the winner by the DriveTribe team. Various cars from across the ages were also paraded at the event, including an Audi Quattro which won the ‘Car of the Show’ award.

Listen to the Driven Chat podcast with DriveTribe’s Mike Fernie here.

Radical SR3 XXR smashes Rockingham lap record

The Radical SR3 XXR has set a new lap record at Rockingham Speedway in Northamptonshire with a lap time of 1 minute 8.71 seconds, more than 5 seconds clear of the previous lap record held by the Australian Spartan supercar.

Driven by Cinch Motoring & Lifestyle Editor, Sam Sheehan, the new Radical SR3 XXR set the record on its second lap and was able to shave further time off in subsequent laps.

Since its 1997 inception, Radical Motorsport has produced over 2,800 cars and the latest Radical SR3 XXR -launched less than 12 months ago - is manufactured to enable drivers to go faster and harder around the track. Using its own engine from Radical Performance Engines (RPE), the car delivers 232 bhp, has an impressive power-to-weight ratio and is the first from RPE with the ability to run on biofuel.

New Channel 4 Show ‘Bangers: Mad for Cars’ airs first episode

Tuesday night saw the start of a new automotive TV show, 'Bangers: Mad for Cars, hosted by Tinie Tempah and Sky Sports F1’s Naomi Schiff. The pair go head to head each week to pick their favourite car from a selection of iconic models from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s including the Ford Sierra Cosworth, Peugeot 205 GTI and Citroen Saxo.

Joining them each week to help them decide and talk about their life in cars will be different celebrity guests - Ian Wright, Patrice Evra, Guz Khan and Tom Kerridge to name a few. 

All episodes of Bangers: Mad for Cars are available on Channel 4 player.

Dacia launch British road trip inspired air fresheners

Have you ever enjoyed a road trip so much that you’d do anything to be taken back there? Are you overwhelmed with nostalgia for those sweeping roads and awe-inspiring scenery? Well, fear not, as to celebrate the nation’s most desirable road trip locations, Dacia is launching a limited edition range of car air fresheners. Partnering with perfumer, 4160 Tuesdays, four air fresheners have been created.

Scent-sational Highlands (North Coast 500, Scotland) 
The Coastal Whiff (The Coastal Way, Wales) 
The Jura-scent Coast (The Jurassic Coast, England) 
Eau de Gorge-ous (The Cheddar Gorge, England) 

The new car air fresheners will be available for the public to collect for free from Dacia UK Retailers whilst stocks last.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Twisted Automotive, DriveTribe, Radical, eBay & Dacia.