Fiat could also be a shadow of its former self in Europe and almost absent within the US nevertheless it’s printing cash in different elements of the world. 2023 marked the third 12 months in a row when it outsold all the opposite automakers a part of the Stellantis mum or dad firm. As a refresher, the results of the FCA-PSA merger finalized in early 2021 is an automotive juggernaut with no fewer than 14 manufacturers.
The Italian marque is joyful to report demand went up by 12 p.c in comparison with 2022, reaching 1.35 million gross sales. Fiat’s market share at house in Italy was solely 12.8 p.c in 2023, or 11.1 p.c if we solely embody passenger vehicles. Other areas contributed to the gross sales progress. The model’s market share in Turkey was 15.7 p.c final 12 months when 21.8 p.c of latest automobile patrons in Brazil acquired a Fiat.
Vincent Motorcycles, although largely forgotten, produced the legendary Black Shadow, one of the crucial well-designed and revered bikes ever made.
The Black Shadow was a high-performance machine, with a 998cc engine able to producing 52 horsepower and reaching speeds of as much as 125 miles per hour.
The Black Shadow’s premium high quality, hand-built development and distinctive blacked-out colour scheme add to its excessive demand and eye-watering value, making it a extremely sought-after and helpful motorbike.
The historical past of bikes is rife with corporations and fashions which have lengthy since been forgotten. For each Harley-Davidson, there is a Flying Merkel. For each Ducati, there’s an Aermacchi. For each BMW, there is a Zündapp, and so forth. And although a few of these corporations did produce memorable bikes, none can examine to the legendary Black Shadow from a producer that is largely been misplaced to the ages.
Vincent Motorcycles came to life in 1928 when a British designer and builder by the identify of Philip Vincent bought an current model by the identify of HRD Motors Ltd. In the start, Vincent continued the apply of constructing bikes round pre-existing engines, bought from others. However, within the early Thirties, the corporate started constructing their very own single and two-cylinder energy vegetation. By the time the Second World War was over, Vincent had produced one of many quickest bikes on the planet. Unfortunately, within the decade that adopted, monetary troubles had struck down the corporate, and Vincent stopped making bikes altogether.
But regardless that the corporate hasn’t existed for a while, the Vincent Black Shadow left an indelible mark on the riding world, by being one of the crucial well-designed and revered machines ever made. And if yow will discover one on the market, and in good situation no much less, you had higher really need it. Because these beauties have gotten rarer by the minute, and it’ll value you a fairly penny to have one in your storage.
In order to provide the most recent and correct data attainable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from authoritative sources, together with Cycle World, National Motorcycle Museum, and SIlodrome.
The Vincent Black Shadow deserves a excessive pedestal and reverence.
Origins Of The Black Shadow
The Black Shadow’s life started with the Vincent Rapide. Phil Irving, an engineer for Vincent, had reclaimed an unused chassis and shoved his 47° V-twin into it. The relaxation was historical past. The Series A Rapide was dismissed by the press of the day, because of the many seen elements on the chassis. But this bike, like lots of Vincent’s creations, wasn’t meant for unenthusiastic riders. It was purpose-built for many who craved one thing new and particular.
After World War II, Vincent resumed manufacturing of bikes for civilians, and the Series B Rapide was born. But this model suffered from the post-war scarcities that hit each stroll of life. As such, it wasn’t as much as snuff for a lot of pace lovers who craved one thing extra from their bikes. In response to those inquiries, Vincent modified the Rapide right into a racing machine known as the Gunga Din. Eventually, this racing prototype was labored over, and became the primary Black Shadow, which debuted at a 1948 motorbike present in London.
Once simply manufacturing fashions or racing bikes, now blue-chip investments
Performance Capabilities
Mecum
The time period superbike is usually synonymous with fashionable sports activities bikes. When recalling historic fashions that the identify applies to, most mention the Honda CB750. But some riders level to the Black Shadow as the primary, true superbike, because of its extremely lauded capabilities and pace. The now 50° V-twin was all about efficiency. The 998cc engine might produce a claimed 52 horsepower and speeds of as much as 125 miles per hour. Not dangerous for one thing from the Nineteen Forties.
Innovative Components
Some of the opposite, extra unique elements, just like the Vincent-designed cantilever rear springs and Vincent’s girdraulic forks, added to its dealing with prowess. The Rapide engine that was used within the Black Shadow was tuned and constructed barely in another way from normal Rapide bikes for subsequent Shadow fashions.
Like many bikes of the era, it had drum brakes, back and front, although Vincent engineers had modified them to disperse warmth extra effectively than different fashions, making them more practical within the course of. Due to those modifications, and plenty of others, the Black Shadow might deal with effectively, go quick, and cease simply as shortly.
Owning a bit of historical past should not make your financial institution assertion historical past
Fit and Finish
Mecum
The Black Shadow was constructed from 1948 to 1955, and though it was primarily known for its speed, there have been different attributes that made it distinctive, mainly amongst them, its appears to be like. It was no secret that Vincent was constructing these bikes for a more comfortable viewers. Hand-built, the match and end of the Black Shadow was of premium high quality, as was anticipated by high-paying Vincent clients of the time.
Blacked Out Color Scheme
One notable visible attribute of the Shadow was the blacked-out elements of the bike. And although there have been some chrome thrives, to make the bike stand out from the group, the engine, body, tank, and gearbox have been all painted shiny black. A particular primer and enamel have been used for the engine, after which baked in order that it could be capable to face up to the excessive warmth produced in the course of the experience. Some restricted fashions, known as the White Shadow, have been additionally produced, with the engine polished, as a substitute of being enameled. The design of the Black Shadow is now thought of traditional, which explains for its excessive demand and eye-watering value.
Some traditional bikes respect in worth as they age, and for those who’ve acquired one in your storage, it’s possible you’ll be sitting on a goldmine
What The Shadow Is Worth Now
Mecum
Due to its pretty restricted manufacturing time of lower than ten years, its pretty fashionable energy figures for the time, and its traditional appears to be like, the Vincent Black Shadow is a extremely sought-after motorbike. Rare specimens that do pop up on public sale websites, are usually in nice situation, as house owners of those bikes know what they’ve of their possession, and deal with them accordingly.
Digging Through Auction Sites
We searched, excessive and low, via among the extra frequent public sale websites, in the course of the writing of this text, and have give you an attention-grabbing value vary. The lowest-priced mannequin we might find within the US, by way of Bring A Trailer, as of this writing, and with a number of days left on the public sale, had a present bid of $57,500. By the time you are studying this, the state of affairs might have modified dramatically.
In the UK, the birthplace of the Black Shadow, Bonhams had two Vincent bikes listed on their web site, with the 1954 Series-C Rapide going for $38k, and a 1949 Black Lightning Series-C going for $190k. Notably, neither of these is technically the Black Shadow, although judging by the worth vary of those fashions, you’ll be able to see the place the tide goes. Mecum has a 1952 Black Shadow mannequin accessible for buy, and it is estimated between $60k and $70k. It’ll in all probability go for a lot greater than that as a result of a 1954 mannequin was bought in 2022 for $130k.
And, lastly, a fast look at Bring A Trailer historical past, will present {that a} 1955 mannequin bought for $75k, a 1954 bought for $110k, and a 1951 bought for $82k. While the worth appears to be everywhere, one factor is for certain, Black Shadows are uncommon classics that keep, and doubtlessly develop, their worth with time. Provided that they have been effectively taken care of, after all.
Labour responded on 10 October. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh stated the Tories demonstrated how out of contact they have been with the fact going through drivers.
“Labour’s plan means action on unfair petrol and car insurance costs, removing barriers so infrastructure improvements are actually delivered, reducing the traffic clogging up our roads and boosting the charge-point roll-out,” she stated.
With a common election looming, the political events are unwilling to essentially nail their motoring colors to the mast till it’s time to publish their manifestos – so we requested a variety of specialists what they wish to see made a precedence, and the way they assume the UK’s roads will change within the subsequent 5 years.
The tech insurance coverage pioneer
Andrew Bennett is an insurance coverage telematics and ‘connected car’ advisor, concerned in such applied sciences for practically 20 years and an skilled in drivers’ behaviour. We requested him what driving in 2029 will appear like.
“On the motorway, I expect a procession of cars trying to travel at 70mph, due to average-speed control and adaptive cruise,” he says.
“Lots of flat-fronted electric cars and the start of GPS-enabled road-tolling beyond the Dartford Crossing and the M6. In towns, fewer cars, more on-street charging, with electric charge costs approaching those of ICE vehicles – parking payments being automated in a consolidated app. The proportion of vehicles that are EV and ICE will vary very notably geographically, influenced by affluence.”
What does he wish to see? “More autonomous automobiles and fewer ICE automobiles, a greater charging infrastructure off-motorway, and reflective quite than profiteering prices for EV charging.
“A extra built-in Britain, with subsidies on EV and practice use to scale back carbon emissions.”
The motoring champion
Edmund King, president of the AA, has robocops and middle-lane hogs on his future adaptive cruise radar.
Mini is offering only 24 units of the Countryman Shadow edition in India
The limited edition is based on the sporty Countryman Cooper S JCW model.
It gets an all-black exterior with bronze ORVM housings and roof, decals, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, it has tan leather upholstery with silver piping and JCW-exclusive metal pedals.
Features onboard include an 8.8-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and dual front airbags.
The SUV comes with a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, mated to a 7-speed DCT.
The festive season has witnessed multiple carmakers across the industry introduce various special and limited editions of their models. Now, Mini has followed suit by bringing out the Mini Countryman‘s Shadow edition, which is based on the Countryman Cooper S JCW model. It is priced at Rs 49 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India) and only 24 units of the compact luxury SUV are on offer.
What’s Different On The Outside?
Being a limited edition, the Countryman Shadow edition gets various unique touches such as an all-black exterior paint option, bronze finish for the ORVMs and roof, and decals on the bonnet and front fenders. Mini has also provided it with 18-inch alloy wheels and ‘Shadow’ edition decals on the roof above the C-pillar. All monikers, including the ‘Countryman’ insignia, are finished in black. Being the JCW (John Cooper Works) edition, it has been fitted with a JCW aerodynamics kit, giving it a sporty stance.
Classy On The Inside
On the inside, the Mini Countryman Shadow edition retains the SUV’s tan leather upholstery but has contrast silver piping to reflect the limited edition nature. It also has JCW-exclusive metal pedals and Nappa leather finish for the steering wheel.
In terms of features, the Countryman Shadow edition gets LED ambient lighting as part of Mini’s Excitement Pack as well as puddle lamps. Other equipment onboard the SUV includes a panoramic glass roof, an 8.8-inch touchscreen, a powered tailgate, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, and cruise control. Its safety net includes six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for all passengers, a reversing camera, and cornering brake control.
The Mini Countryman Shadow edition is offered with a sole 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (181PS/280Nm). Mini has paired it with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and says the 5-door crossover SUV can go from 0-100kmph in 7.5 seconds. It has two drive modes: Sport and Green.
Competitors
The limited edition 5-door Mini Countryman has no direct rivals, but it can be considered as an alternative to the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Audi Q3.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils stunning Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection
Inspired by the Kármán Line – the mysterious invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where outer space begins
Limited to 62 examples worldwide, available exclusively through Rolls-Royce Private Office
‘Edge of Space’ fascia artwork finished in lacquer incorporating blue and clear glass
‘Lunar’ Starlight Headliner features 250,000 stitches and 1,183 fibre-optic ‘stars’
Leather seating with 75,000 individual perforations creates unique impression of ‘Earth from space’
A matching Bespoke car cover, luggage set and 1:8 scale model replica of Blue Shadow available to commission
“With Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow, we venture to the fabled Kármán Line, where the constraints of Earth give way to the infinite freedom of outer space: a zone of incomparable beauty, mystery and boundless possibility. In creating Blue Shadow, the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople captured this spirit by embarking on their own voyage of discovery, once again pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship. Blue Shadow is a testament to our relentless pursuit of perfection and a celebration of the spirit of exploration, designed for the unique individuals who expand horizons and represent the very best of human endeavour.” Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce is delighted to present the stunning Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection, exploring the beauty and mystery of space. For this unique creation, leading Rolls-Royce designers drew inspiration from the Kármán Line, the invisible boundary 62 miles above the Earth’s surface, where our planet’s atmosphere ends and outer space begins.
In this mystical, ethereal region, the blue of the sky we see on Earth fades into the blackness of space, creating an intense dark-blue zone where darkness becomes visible. It is a beautiful, silent, mysterious world reserved for a select and adventurous few, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Blue Shadow.
This new Bespoke interpretation of Black Badge Cullinan is available exclusively through the marque’s Private Offices and is strictly limited to just 62 examples globally, one for every mile from Earth to the Kármán Line.
EXTERIOR: THE SHADES OF BLUE The extraordinary, shimmering new Bespoke ‘Stardust Blue’ exterior paint captures the deep blue colour of the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. The finish of the thermal tiles used to shield homebound Space Shuttles from the intense heat of atmospheric re-entry are recalled in the satin-tinted grille surround and aero bumper insert sets.
Drawing further from the materials used in spacecrafts, the Spirit of Ecstasy is created using 3D printing techniques in titanium and finished with a thin layer of blue-tinted lacquer which adds pearlescence while revealing the titanium’s grained texture. The Black Badge infinity logo and ‘Blue Shadow’ Private Collection name are engraved on the Spirit of Ecstasy base and infilled with Charles Blue. Completing the exterior aesthetic, Blue Shadow’s wheels are subtly darkened using a translucent lacquer.
INTERIOR: ELEVATED PERSPECTIVE At the Kármán line, the visible edge of Earth’s atmosphere appears as an ethereal blue halo. This transition from blue sky to the inky darkness of space is captured on Blue Shadow’s unique painted fascia and door panels. These were created using six layers of paint, combining five different shades of blue with a deep black hue to produce a mesmerizing three-dimensional effect. The final touch is a clear-coat layer incorporating blue and clear glass particles to add further depth and lustre – the ratio was precisely identified down to a fraction of a percent: it is exactly 0.05%. The fascia is completed with a Bespoke clock, unique to the Private Collection, which features light blue anodized details and ‘Blue Shadow’ engraving.
‘EDGE OF SPACE’ HEADLINER With ‘Blue Shadow’, Rolls-Royce have taken the marque’s fabled Starlight Headliner to an even more stellar level: an intricate Moon embroidery, surrounded by an array of ‘stars’, teleports the passengers to the edge of space. Representing the Moon’s surface with its multitude of craters in three dimensions, the embroidery incorporates five different colours of thread, each applied with a different technique to produce a distinctive texture. In total, the embroidery is created from 250,000 separate stitches – a process that takes two entire days to complete.
Filling the cabin with a gentle glow and a sense of wonder, the Starlight Headliner contains a total of 1,183 ‘stars’ – 799 white and 384 blue – each individually placed in the leather canvas through perforated holes, precisely chalked and punched by hand. To add to the Headliner’s mystique and ambiance, the twinkling effect of the fibre-optic ‘stars’ is further enhanced for an even more enchanting glow.
NEW ART CANVAS: PERFORATED LEATHER In a first for Rolls-Royce, the front and rear seats feature a unique perforated artwork, inspired by the view of Earth from space. Formed from a multitude of tiny perforations in the leather, the pattern conjures up the impression of organic, ever-shifting clouds swirling over the continents and oceans.
These perforations are made in two different sizes: the smaller (just 0.8 mm in diameter) form the land, while the slightly larger (1.2 mm) define the sea; the blank spaces of leather in between represent the clouds. Each seat has over 75,000 perforations, all individually placed. The pattern took two weeks to design and underwent five trials before it attained the exceptional level of quality required by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. The result is perfect alignment of the design, ensuring a cohesive, uniform appearance across all four seats.
The seats’ perforation pattern is extended to the picnic table backs. Once lowered, the picnic tables themselves are finished in Piano Black veneer and incorporate a glass sparkle finish, evoking the view into the darkness of space. Each table also includes the Collection theme text, inlaid in polished aluminium beneath the top lacquer layer – ‘The Blue Shadow occurs at the outer extremes of our world, affording an extraordinary perspective, and the ability to touch the stars’.
BESPOKE ACCESSORIES The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective created a series of unique accessories to complement Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow. The exclusive indoor car cover echoes the pattern seen on the seats. To accompany the driver and passengers on their adventures, there is a unique luggage set that continues the Private Collection’s colourway. Clients can also commission an exact 1:8 scale replica of their full-size Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow, featuring fully functioning exterior and interior lights, opening and closing coach doors and an interior recreating all the Collection details, including the Bespoke Illuminated Collection Treadplates.
Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ is available exclusively via the Private Office. All 62 examples have been allocated to clients worldwide.
Black Badge Cullinan: NEDCcorr (combined) CO2 emission: 343 g/km; Fuel consumption: 18.7 mpg / 15.1 l/100km WLTP (combined) CO2 emission: 377-370 g/km; Fuel consumption: 17.0-17.3 mpg / 16.6-16.3 l/100km.
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