Why VW's Record-Breaking Win at Pikes Peak Matters

Pikes Peak is a gorgeous, picture-perfect mountain jutting out above the lush forests of Colorado - oh and it's also the home of the toughest hill climb race in the entire world. Notorious in the world of motorsport as an unforgiving and often dangerous beast, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a yearly event that sees race cars, trucks and bikes all ascend 10,000ft skywards over the course of 13 miles. 

The highest and fastest class of the hill climb is the 'Unrestricted class' - there are, as the name suggests, very few rules aside from crash regulations. In 2013, the almighty Sebastien Loeb ran Peugeot's unhinged (and diesel, surprisingly) 875 horsepower 208 T16 up the winding roads in an astonishing 8 minutes 13 seconds, shattering the previous record. 

This year, however, Volkswagen set its aim on that record. Still going through the incredibly messy aftermath of the 'Diesel-gate' scandal, Volkswagen has shifted its focus onto electric propulsion as the clean future of cars and what better way to demonstrate this technology by smashing some records. The car, called the ID.R, is a sleek, closed-cockpit prototype with a monstrous rear wing and equally monstrous power output of 680 horsepower going to all four wheels. 

Electric motors not only have colossal torque and power for acceleration, but unlike internal combustion engines, they don't require air to produce power - as a result, they don't lose power at altitude where the air is much thinner. At Pikes Peak, this is a huge advantage. Where electric cars are still behind, however, is heavy batteries that cause weight and range penalties. 

Ultimately, despite worries about the car's weight, the ID.R was piloted up the hill by driver Romain Dumas in 7:57, ultimately breaking Loeb's outright record and smashing the electric car record by an entire minute. 

Electric cars are only getting faster, lighter, more efficient and increasingly looking like road-going spaceships. VW's win is a sign that it might not be too long before electric race cars become class leaders in motorsport, in the same vein as the name Tesla strides in the luxury car segment. 

Unfortunately for the Volkswagen team, the license plate '1' was already sold in '08 for an equally record-breaking £7.25 million. Besides, the ID.R doesn't have anywhere to mount a number plate anyway.
SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/why-vws-record-breaking-win-at-pikes-peak-matters.html

Rolls Royce and Bentley Compete to Offer the Most Luxurious SUV

Aficionados of the UK automotive industry know that the most luxurious vehicles on the market are manufactured by Rolls-Royce and Bentley. These two major car companies specialise in producing high-end, sophisticated vehicles for serious motoring enthusiasts.While they both offer a wide range of different vehicles, neither manufacturer usually produces SUVs. However, the two companies caused a splash recently because they are both releasing ground-breaking SUVs later this year. It seems Rolls Royce and Bentley are competing to dominate the luxury SUV market sector. But how do the manufacturers' new vehicles compare to one another?

Rolls Royce Cullinan

There's no denying that Rolls Royce's SUV (known as the Rolls Royce Cullinan) is the more opulent option. Its spacious interior features polished wood panelling and luxury leather. It even has a design that provides "effortless access to and egress from the rear cabin", according to Giles Taylor, Rolls Royce's director of design. More importantly, the Cullinan has been tested in locations around the world to ensure it can offer a perfectly smooth, comfortable ride on any type of terrain. Taylor describes the experience as being akin to a "magic carpet ride".

Bentley Bentayga

However, drivers who want a luxury SUV with a lot of raw power might prefer the Bentley Bentayga. The Bentayga offers a staggering 600hp of horsepower and 664lb-per-ft of torque, meaning that it can accelerate faster and reach higher speeds than almost any other SUV. The vehicle also has a slightly more streamlined, less palatial design than the Cullinan. While this might make it feel less like a luxury car, it will also enable to gain speed and manoeuvre more easily.

Fit your new SUV with a private number plate

The Bentayga is available right now although the Cullinan will be available later this year. However, both are missing one crucial detail - a personal number plate. 

If you do plan on investing in one of these classy new SUVs, you should also consider purchasing a set of personalised number plates. These private number plates can often add a final dash of refinement and poise to a high-end vehicle. They also give you the opportunity to make your dream car truly unique. After all, if you choose a UK car reg that has special significance to you, it will make your car seem more special. 

Here at The Private Plate Company, we offer a wide range of cheap private number plates that conform to the rules surrounding DVLA car registration perfectly. Take a look at our range today and pick out your cherished number plates.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/rolls-royce-and-bentley-compete-to-offer-the-most-luxurious-suv.html

The Perfect Gifts To Give Alongside Private Number Plates

Personalised number plates make fantastic gifts for car enthusiasts. A private car reg can reflect a person's interests or unique personality. As a result, giving the motoring enthusiast in your life a personal number plate is a great way to show how well you know them and how much you care about them. However, if you really want to treat your car-loving friend or relative, you may feel that a private plate on its own isn't enough. If this is the case, why not give them some other motoring accessories to go with their new plates? We've come up with some suggestions.

1. Car cleaning kits

Private number plates look great, but their appearance can be undermined if they become dirty or dusty. If you want to give someone a set of personalised plates, it's also worth giving them the tools to keep them clean. A high-quality professional car cleaning kit is the perfect complement to a new set of plates. The recipient will be overjoyed when they discover they can keep their cherished number plates looking shiny and new.

2. Decals

Private plates can lend a car a flashy, daring look. Applying decals to a vehicle can also help cultivate this aesthetic. If the intended recipient of your private plates wants to make their car look sporty and debonaire, why not help them out with some decals? A wide range of decals are available from various different suppliers, so you can probably find ones that match the theme of your private plates.

3. Gadgets

If you give a car enthusiast new private plates, they are likely to want to go for a drive to show them off. Why not make their drive easier by giving them a satnav or another gadget that will assist them on the roads?

Here at The Private Plate Company, we offer a wide selection of cheap private plates. In fact, they're so affordable, that you won't have any trouble buying your favourite motor enthusiast other gifts too. What's more, all our plates are associated with legitimate DVLA car registrations, so you won't have to worry about whether the plates you're buying are legal or not. If you want to buy a close friend or relative a legitimate private car reg and still have money left over for other gifts, make us your first port of call.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/the-perfect-gifts-to-give-alongside-private-number-plates.html

Which Number Plates Are Our Favourite Celebs Buying?

Once upon a time, a personalised car registration plate was the reserve of the rich and famous. These days,personalised number plates are an affordable treat which is available to anyone, and the only limit is your imagination – well, as much as the format of the number plate allows! Of course, if money is no object, you could follow the lead of some of our favourite celebrities who've invested in a personalised number plate for their car.

One of the most memorable personalised number plates is former England striker Sir Geoff Hurst, the only player who's ever achieved a hat-trick in a World Cup final in 1966. He bought WC66 ENG for just over £4000, signifying the World Cup of 1966 and England in one personalised plate.

Undeterred, he then bought WC66 SGH, showing recognition of the World Cup of '66 with his initials, followed by GH66 CUP, for his initials and recognition of his team's reward.

Other famous faces in the football world who love cherished number plates include Roman Abramovich, who purchased the private plate VIP 1 in 2006, for £285,000. It was second hand though – it had once been used by none other than Pope John Paul II on the "Pope Mobile".

Which Number Plates Are Our Favourite Celebs Buying?

It's not just our sporting superstars who like personalised car registrations. Even our monarch loves a cherished plate. She's currently using one of the first ever private car registrations in the UK, a plate which simply says A 7. Keen Royal watchers who were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding would have seen them driving away in an Aston Martin DB6 MkII which belonged to the Prince of Wales, with the number plate JU5T WED although this is not a genuine registration number.

Money no object? The most expensive number plate ever sold was a DVLA number plate with the two-digit 1 D. Purchased in 2009 by a London based businessman from Lebanon, it was a gift for his lucky wife.

You don't need to spend thousands to get the number plate of your dreams. Visit The Private Plate Company website and see if we've got something in our catalogue which appeals to you.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/which-number-plates-are-our-favourite-celebs-buying.html

Choosing the Right Number Plate for the Right Person

Are you considering buying private number plates as a gift for another person, such as a friend, relative or romantic partner? 

If so, you may be wondering what types of plates are available and which one would make the best present. Here at ThePrivatePlateCo., we want to help you choose the perfect personalised number plates for the special person in your life. That's why, in this blog, we'll discuss the different types of DVLA number plates you can choose between so that you can decide which option your intended recipient would appreciate most.

1. Number plates that resemble a name or word

Some number plates have sequences of letters and numbers that closely resemble a word, phrase or name. In fact, this is the type of private number plate that most people are familiar with. If there is a word or phrase that is particularly significant to your intended recipient, it may be worth trying to find a number plate with letters and numbers that resemble it. Alternatively, you could try to find a number plate that appears to show the intended recipient's name. Cherished number plates of this type make great gifts for people who want to show off their individuality because they have a profound visual impact.

2. Number plates from a specific year

All number plates include numbers that indicate the year that they were issued. If your friend, family member or partner has fond memories of a particular year, you may wish to present them with a private car registration from that year. These plates make superb gifts for individuals who have experienced very memorable and wonderful events, as they might appreciate reminders of the years those events occurred.

3. Number plates associated with famous vehicles

If your friend, relative or partner is an automobile enthusiast, they appreciate a number plate that closely resembles one that was used on a famous car. You could try to find out what the number plate of their favourite historic car was and purchase a similar plate.

As you can see, different types of personalised car registrations make great gifts for different types of people. We sell a wide range of private plates in the UK here at ThePrivatePlateCo., so you're bound to find one that's suitable.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/choosing-the-right-number-plate-for-the-right-person.html

Can I Use my Personalised Car Registration on a Lease Car?

If you've ever wondered whether you can put a private plate on a lease or contract hire car, then the simple answer is YES. 

When you buy a private plate, you are buying the right to assign the new registration to any vehicle and this right applies to contract hire and leasing services as well.

It just takes a little more work, so follow our step-by-step guidance below:

Step 1: inform the DVLA

The first step is only necessary if you are planning on re-using private plates that you have already assigned to another vehicle. It is much easier if the plate is on 'retention' which means you need to inform the DVLA and apply for a Retention Document (form V778). Don't forget, we offer a Speedy transfer service within 7 days where we can arrange this for just £25 plus VAT.

Step 2: name the finance company as the nominee

It's important to remember that you do not legally own a lease/contract vehicle. The official owner (named on the V5) is the finance company from which you are leasing or contracting the vehicle (and NOT the broker from whom you bought it).

Therefore you need to name the finance company as the nominee on the licence plate certificate and register them in the 'nominee details' sections of the V750 or the V778. If you are unsure about the name of your finance company, then speak to your broker and they will tell you. 

Step 3: fit the plates

Once you have sent the form back to the DVLA, they will return the document to you with the updated details. You then have two options:

You can send it to the dealership so that the private plates can be fitted BEFORE you take delivery of the vehicle. There can sometimes be a delay in this process so you may not get your vehicle as quickly as you would like. 

Alternatively, you can choose to put your private plates on AFTER taking delivery of the vehicle. To do this, you need to inform your broker as soon as possible and send the Retention Document directly to them. They will then contact you and allow you to fit the plates to the vehicle yourself. 

Step 4: take the plates off before returning the vehicle

Remember that you will need to take the private plates off at the end of the contract before returning the vehicle, which means either putting them back on retention or transferring them to a new vehicle. You will need to arrange new acrylic plates once the transfer has been completed.

If you've been put off buying private number plates because you didn't think you could use them on your contract/lease vehicle, be assured that this is certainly not the case. Why not go ahead and search The Private Plate Company database and find your perfect, personalised plate match now?

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/can-i-use-my-personalised-car-registration-on-a-lease-car.html

What Personal Plate Would You Give Your Car That's Also an Office?

Hot from China and making an impact at the Los Angeles car show is a new type of smart vehicle styled by former BMW designer Chris Bangle. Not only will REDS (https://www.project-redspace.com/) get drivers or occupants from A to B, but it can also act as their portable office while on the move.

The REDS, short for Revolutionary Electric Dream Space, comes from a Chinese car company Project Redspace, and may mean many things for busy Chinese workers. No more being stuck in traffic fuming at the lost time, and instead of hanging onto that conference call while dodging motorbikes, owners can get their laptop out and fully join in the meeting.

While this model is aimed at the busy streets of Shanghai and Beijing, there's nothing to stop a European version coming along. It could help turn the cramped lanes of the M25 into mobile offices, or for those companies with offices dotted around the country, they could lend them to executives who could work between stops.

The cars feature smart driving and parking modes. They offer charging points to keep computers and mobile devices running, no matter how long the traffic delay. They feature in-car WiFi so occupants are never off the grid, and smart seating so a small team can go touring, and still meet and make decisions on the road.

Personalised plates for office cars

All of which begs the question, what would you have as a personalised number plate for your smart office car? There are plenty of "OFF" and "MTG" plates available, but strangely, no "WIP" which would have been good.

We can easily imagine modern taxis being converted into a mobile meeting space, or new smart vans fitted with custom office furniture to help executives stay focused. These could be owned or rented by startups or leasing companies to help get people away from their desks.

This could also help take meetings out of the office for a pleasant picnic to let the creative juices flow, or to the beach for some fresh air and a great view to help de-stress, all while still a part of the company. All they need is a clever number plate to complete the look.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/what-personal-plate-would-you-give-your-car-thats-also-an-office.html