LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

A full-throttle mix of luxury sports cars, on-trend SUVs and even a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car are set to thrill visitors to the London Motor Show.

It's the first time in eight years the event has been staged and it couldn't have come at a better time - figures show UK car production recently hit a 12-year high.

STORY-LINE:

Making its global debut in London is this latest entry into the booming sports utility vehicle (SUV) market, MG Motor UK's all-new five-seater GS SUV.

The British auto manufacturer says consumers are no longer looking to sports cars for freedom and adventures, as SUVs are offering that and much more.

That's why it's following in the footsteps of Jaguar and Maserati by dipping its toes into the SUV market.

SUVs and crossovers are the fastest growing segments globally.

According to recently released figures, America's love of trucks and SUVs helped push the auto industry to its best April ever.

US consumers bought just over 1.5 million vehicles in April, nudging out the old record set in April 2005, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Honda and Nissan set April records, Ford posted record SUV sales and Toyota sold more trucks and SUVs than ever.

Matthew Cheyne, head of sales and marketing for MG Motor UK Ltd., says they're most excited about the GS' price, although that's yet to be released.

"For us, this is about affordable family fun," he says.

"So, this is a great vehicle, it's a fun vehicle, it's a great vehicle to drive. It's also a great vehicle for the family and that's whether you're a small family or a big family, individuals or whatever, but also it's affordable.

"So when you look at the whole package, this is a vehicle that you're not only going to want to do things in - go and have great days out, go and have adventures and so on - but because it's affordable, you've still got spare money leftover to be able to go and do that."

Could this be a vision of our future? At London Motor Show, UK-based hydrogen fuel cell eco car company Riversimple is exhibiting its first production prototype, named Rasa.

It may look like a normal two-seater, but this "network electric" car is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. Riversimple says its engineering prototype hit speeds over 60 miles per hour.

The chassis is a carbon fibre monocoque made from lightweight composites, weighing less than 40 kilograms. The whole car weighs around 580 kilograms.

Four electric motors in each wheel recover around 50 percent of kinetic energy when braking. It's then stored in super-capacitors to provide power for acceleration.

All this combined means the production prototype achieve a range of around 300 miles.

Having unveiled Rasa in February this year, Riversimple is currently building a series of cars for the public to test and refine during a 12-month trial period.

"The car is designed with a 300-mile range not because we want people to do a 300-mile journey, but because it's designed to be at least a weeks' use of fuel for a local car," says Hugo Spowers from Riversimple.

"This is designed for the local vehicle market, a lot of people buy a car for local use and the great advantage for hydrogen of targeting that particular market niche is that you can create a commercial market with just one filling station."

Drawing big crowds at the London Motor Show is the VUHL 05 Lightweight Supercar, exhibited by specialist car dealer Bespoke Performance.

Designed and produced in Mexico, the VUHL 05 is powered by Ford's award-winning turbocharged 2-litre EcoBoost engine.

That's enough to grant this two-seater, road-legal supercar a roaring top speed of 245 kilometres per hour (152 mph) and 285 brake horse power.

VUHL says it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 3.7 seconds.

And it seems destined for the racetrack. It boasts an in-built HD camera with console-mounted control which means track day enthusiasts can record their laps at a push of a button.

It's currently on sale at a price of 59,995 British pounds (approx. $87,000 USD).

"It's designed as a supercar built for the track and road," says Mark Kent, owner and director of Bespoke Performance.

"So the idea is you can drive it straight out of your garage, on the road, without trailing it to a track, but also seen as something a little bit special.

"So it's based on superb design and fantastic engineering, so really complex, almost aeronautical engineering, so honeycomb aluminium chassis bonded, really, really great attention to detail."

Roaring into London is McLaren's latest model in its full-throttle sports series, the 570GT.

Claimed to be the most refined and luxurious McLaren to date, the 570GT is fitted with a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine.

This generates 562 brake horsepower and 600 newton metres of torque, says McLaren.

But the British luxury and high-performance automotive manufacturer says it's practical enough for everyday use and long-distance journeys.

McLaren says UK pricing of the 570GT begins at 154,000 British pounds (approx. $223,000 USD), deliveries are scheduled to begin in July this year.

"It's much more kind of road-orientated and inspired and really built as a GT should be, so a grand tourer with a little bit of extra comfort for longer road journeys than say it's 570S counterpart, but really with none of the penalties in terms of overall performance," says Jon Pollock from McLaren Automotive.

"So you lose very little in terms of, for example 0-62 time, and the handling is just that little bit more comfortable for the longer runs, and of course with the unique rear-opening hatch and the panoramic roof, you've got a feeling of light and spaciousness that you don't get in a normal sports car."

Delighting in classic British sporting design is this limited edition "Brooklands Roadster" by Japan-based Mitsuoka Motor.

Finished in British Racing Green, the Brooklands uses a standard roadster as its base, but with added luxury.

Its interior features a walnut dashboard panel and cream leather, in keeping with British heritage.

To complete the car, Mitsuoka specially commissioned these special sports handcrafted wire-style wheels, synonymous with classic British sports cars of the early twentieth century.

While it may look like a classic car, this rear-wheel drive vehicle is fitted with all the latest driving technology, including four-wheel ABS, traction control systems and dynamic stability control.

The Brooklands is being exhibited by UK car dealer TW White and Sons, priced at 57,500 British pounds (approx. $83,000 USD).

"We decided to take the car, which is obviously a very classic-looking British sports car - and just try and tweak it so that it's got the wire wheels, it's got the bespoke leather, it's got the wooden interior so it celebrates everything there is to do with British motoring heritage," says Neil White from TW White & Sons.

Returning after an eight-year absence, London Motor Show is featuring over 40 car brands and 130 models, including famous brands Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

And it couldn't have come at a better time.

According to recent (28 April) figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), car production in the UK reached a 12-year high this March.

Over 159,000 cars rolled off UK production lines during the month, around one every 16 seconds. That's a 9.8 percent increase in comparison to last year.

"Obviously the figures show that we've had the best March in 12 years and the fact that now we've got two motor shows if you include Goodwood is a good sign for the UK's car industry and its growth," says James Beckwith from UK-based weekly magazine, Autocar.

London Motor Show runs 6-8 May in the British capital's Battersea Evolution.

AP TELEVISION

London, UK - 5 May 2016

1. Wide of unveiling the all-new MG GS SUV at London Motor Show

2. Various of MG GS on display at London Motor Show

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing, MG Motor UK Ltd:

"For us, this is about affordable family fun. So, this is a great vehicle, it's a fun vehicle, it's a great vehicle to drive. It's also a great vehicle for the family and that's whether you're a small family or a big family, individuals or whatever, but also it's affordable. So when you look at the whole package, this is a vehicle that you're not only going to want to do things in - go and have great days out, go and have adventures and so on - but because it's affordable, you've still got spare money leftover to be able to go and do that."

4. Various of Riversimple Rasa hydrogen fuel cell car on display at London Motor Show

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Hugo Spowers, Company Architect of Riversimple:

"The car is designed with a 300-mile range not because we want people to do a 300-mile journey, but because it's designed to be at least a weeks' use of fuel for a local car. This is designed for the local vehicle market, a lot of people buy a car for local use and the great advantage for hydrogen of targeting that particular market niche is that you can create a commercial market with just one filling station."

6. Various of VUHL 05 lightweight supercar on display at London Motor Show

7. Setup shot of Mark Kent, Business and Development Director, Bespoke Performance, climbing into VUHL 05

8. Cutaway of 'VUHL' insignia on car

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Kent, Owner and Director of Bespoke Performance:

"It's designed as a supercar built for the track and road. So the idea is you can drive it straight out of your garage, on the road, without trailing it to a track, but also seen as something a little bit special. So it's based on superb design and fantastic engineering, so really complex, almost aeronautical engineering, so honeycomb aluminium chassis bonded, really, really great attention to detail."

10. Various of McLaren 570GT on display at London Motor Show

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jon Pollock, Managing Director of Europe Region, McLaren Automotive:

"It's much more kind of road-orientated and inspired and really built as a GT should be, so a grand tourer with a little bit of extra comfort for longer road journeys than say it's 570S counterpart, but really with none of the penalties in terms of overall performance. So you lose very little in terms of, for example 0-62 time, and the handling is just that little bit more comfortable for the longer runs, and of course with the unique rear-opening hatch and the panoramic roof, you've got a feeling of light and spaciousness that you don't get in a normal sports car."

12. Various of Mitsuoka Brooklands Roadster on display at London Motor Show

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Neil White, Managing Director of TW White & Sons:

"We decided to take the car, which is obviously a very classic-looking British sports car - and just try and tweak it so that it's got the wire wheels, it's got the bespoke leather, it's got the wooden interior so it celebrates everything there is to do with British motoring heritage."

14. Various high shots of London Motor Show floor

15. SOUNDBITE (English) James Beckwith, Autocar Magazine:

"Obviously the figures show that we've had the best March in 12 years and the fact that now we've got two motor shows if you include Goodwood is a good sign for the UK's car industry and its growth."

16. Various high shots of London Motor Show floor

LENGTH: 7:00

LEAD IN:

A full-throttle mix of luxury sports cars, on-trend SUVs and even a hydrogen fuel cell-powered car are set to thrill visitors to the London Motor Show.

It's the first time in eight years the event has been staged and it couldn't have come at a better time - figures show UK car production recently hit a 12-year high.

STORY-LINE:

Making its global debut in London is this latest entry into the booming sports utility vehicle (SUV) market, MG Motor UK's all-new five-seater GS SUV.

The British auto manufacturer says consumers are no longer looking to sports cars for freedom and adventures, as SUVs are offering that and much more.

That's why it's following in the footsteps of Jaguar and Maserati by dipping its toes into the SUV market.

SUVs and crossovers are the fastest growing segments globally.

According to recently released figures, America's love of trucks and SUVs helped push the auto industry to its best April ever.

US consumers bought just over 1.5 million vehicles in April, nudging out the old record set in April 2005, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Honda and Nissan set April records, Ford posted record SUV sales and Toyota sold more trucks and SUVs than ever.

Matthew Cheyne, head of sales and marketing for MG Motor UK Ltd., says they're most excited about the GS' price, although that's yet to be released.

"For us, this is about affordable family fun," he says.

"So, this is a great vehicle, it's a fun vehicle, it's a great vehicle to drive. It's also a great vehicle for the family and that's whether you're a small family or a big family, individuals or whatever, but also it's affordable.

"So when you look at the whole package, this is a vehicle that you're not only going to want to do things in - go and have great days out, go and have adventures and so on - but because it's affordable, you've still got spare money leftover to be able to go and do that."

Could this be a vision of our future? At London Motor Show, UK-based hydrogen fuel cell eco car company Riversimple is exhibiting its first production prototype, named Rasa.

It may look like a normal two-seater, but this "network electric" car is powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology. Riversimple says its engineering prototype hit speeds over 60 miles per hour.

The chassis is a carbon fibre monocoque made from lightweight composites, weighing less than 40 kilograms. The whole car weighs around 580 kilograms.

Four electric motors in each wheel recover around 50 percent of kinetic energy when braking. It's then stored in super-capacitors to provide power for acceleration.

All this combined means the production prototype achieve a range of around 300 miles.

Having unveiled Rasa in February this year, Riversimple is currently building a series of cars for the public to test and refine during a 12-month trial period.

"The car is designed with a 300-mile range not because we want people to do a 300-mile journey, but because it's designed to be at least a weeks' use of fuel for a local car," says Hugo Spowers from Riversimple.

"This is designed for the local vehicle market, a lot of people buy a car for local use and the great advantage for hydrogen of targeting that particular market niche is that you can create a commercial market with just one filling station."

Drawing big crowds at the London Motor Show is the VUHL 05 Lightweight Supercar, exhibited by specialist car dealer Bespoke Performance.

Designed and produced in Mexico, the VUHL 05 is powered by Ford's award-winning turbocharged 2-litre EcoBoost engine.

That's enough to grant this two-seater, road-legal supercar a roaring top speed of 245 kilometres per hour (152 mph) and 285 brake horse power.

VUHL says it can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 3.7 seconds.

And it seems destined for the racetrack. It boasts an in-built HD camera with console-mounted control which means track day enthusiasts can record their laps at a push of a button.

It's currently on sale at a price of 59,995 British pounds (approx. $87,000 USD).

"It's designed as a supercar built for the track and road," says Mark Kent, owner and director of Bespoke Performance.

"So the idea is you can drive it straight out of your garage, on the road, without trailing it to a track, but also seen as something a little bit special.

"So it's based on superb design and fantastic engineering, so really complex, almost aeronautical engineering, so honeycomb aluminium chassis bonded, really, really great attention to detail."

Roaring into London is McLaren's latest model in its full-throttle sports series, the 570GT.

Claimed to be the most refined and luxurious McLaren to date, the 570GT is fitted with a 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine.

This generates 562 brake horsepower and 600 newton metres of torque, says McLaren.

But the British luxury and high-performance automotive manufacturer says it's practical enough for everyday use and long-distance journeys.

McLaren says UK pricing of the 570GT begins at 154,000 British pounds (approx. $223,000 USD), deliveries are scheduled to begin in July this year.

"It's much more kind of road-orientated and inspired and really built as a GT should be, so a grand tourer with a little bit of extra comfort for longer road journeys than say it's 570S counterpart, but really with none of the penalties in terms of overall performance," says Jon Pollock from McLaren Automotive.

"So you lose very little in terms of, for example 0-62 time, and the handling is just that little bit more comfortable for the longer runs, and of course with the unique rear-opening hatch and the panoramic roof, you've got a feeling of light and spaciousness that you don't get in a normal sports car."

Delighting in classic British sporting design is this limited edition "Brooklands Roadster" by Japan-based Mitsuoka Motor.

Finished in British Racing Green, the Brooklands uses a standard roadster as its base, but with added luxury.

Its interior features a walnut dashboard panel and cream leather, in keeping with British heritage.

To complete the car, Mitsuoka specially commissioned these special sports handcrafted wire-style wheels, synonymous with classic British sports cars of the early twentieth century.

While it may look like a classic car, this rear-wheel drive vehicle is fitted with all the latest driving technology, including four-wheel ABS, traction control systems and dynamic stability control.

The Brooklands is being exhibited by UK car dealer TW White and Sons, priced at 57,500 British pounds (approx. $83,000 USD).

"We decided to take the car, which is obviously a very classic-looking British sports car - and just try and tweak it so that it's got the wire wheels, it's got the bespoke leather, it's got the wooden interior so it celebrates everything there is to do with British motoring heritage," says Neil White from TW White & Sons.

Returning after an eight-year absence, London Motor Show is featuring over 40 car brands and 130 models, including famous brands Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

And it couldn't have come at a better time.

According to recent (28 April) figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), car production in the UK reached a 12-year high this March.

Over 159,000 cars rolled off UK production lines during the month, around one every 16 seconds. That's a 9.8 percent increase in comparison to last year.

"Obviously the figures show that we've had the best March in 12 years and the fact that now we've got two motor shows if you include Goodwood is a good sign for the UK's car industry and its growth," says James Beckwith from UK-based weekly magazine, Autocar.

London Motor Show runs 6-8 May in the British capital's Battersea Evolution.

London, UK - 5 May 2016

1. Wide of unveiling the all-new MG GS SUV at London Motor Show

2. Various of MG GS on display at London Motor Show

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing, MG Motor UK Ltd:

"For us, this is about affordable family fun. So, this is a great vehicle, it's a fun vehicle, it's a great vehicle to drive. It's also a great vehicle for the family and that's whether you're a small family or a big family, individuals or whatever, but also it's affordable. So when you look at the whole package, this is a vehicle that you're not only going to want to do things in - go and have great days out, go and have adventures and so on - but because it's affordable, you've still got spare money leftover to be able to go and do that."

4. Various of Riversimple Rasa hydrogen fuel cell car on display at London Motor Show

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Hugo Spowers, Company Architect of Riversimple:

"The car is designed with a 300-mile range not because we want people to do a 300-mile journey, but because it's designed to be at least a weeks' use of fuel for a local car. This is designed for the local vehicle market, a lot of people buy a car for local use and the great advantage for hydrogen of targeting that particular market niche is that you can create a commercial market with just one filling station."

6. Various of VUHL 05 lightweight supercar on display at London Motor Show

7. Setup shot of Mark Kent, Business and Development Director, Bespoke Performance, climbing into VUHL 05

8. Cutaway of 'VUHL' insignia on car

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Kent, Owner and Director of Bespoke Performance:

"It's designed as a supercar built for the track and road. So the idea is you can drive it straight out of your garage, on the road, without trailing it to a track, but also seen as something a little bit special. So it's based on superb design and fantastic engineering, so really complex, almost aeronautical engineering, so honeycomb aluminium chassis bonded, really, really great attention to detail."

10. Various of McLaren 570GT on display at London Motor Show

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jon Pollock, Managing Director of Europe Region, McLaren Automotive:

"It's much more kind of road-orientated and inspired and really built as a GT should be, so a grand tourer with a little bit of extra comfort for longer road journeys than say it's 570S counterpart, but really with none of the penalties in terms of overall performance. So you lose very little in terms of, for example 0-62 time, and the handling is just that little bit more comfortable for the longer runs, and of course with the unique rear-opening hatch and the panoramic roof, you've got a feeling of light and spaciousness that you don't get in a normal sports car."

12. Various of Mitsuoka Brooklands Roadster on display at London Motor Show

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Neil White, Managing Director of TW White & Sons:

"We decided to take the car, which is obviously a very classic-looking British sports car - and just try and tweak it so that it's got the wire wheels, it's got the bespoke leather, it's got the wooden interior so it celebrates everything there is to do with British motoring heritage."

14. Various high shots of London Motor Show floor

15. SOUNDBITE (English) James Beckwith, Autocar Magazine:

"Obviously the figures show that we've had the best March in 12 years and the fact that now we've got two motor shows if you include Goodwood is a good sign for the UK's car industry and its growth."

16. Various high shots of London Motor Show floor