Month: March 2019

Being a country fully engrossed in a passion for cars, events for enthusiasts take place all year round. With that said, even the nicest collection of cars can look a little drab on a miserable December day, so a majority of the best events are held during the summer months.

If you’re short of plans for the holidays, here are some of the best events for motoring enthusiasts happening this summer.

British Grand Prix: 12 – 14 July

The British Grand Prix has long been renowned as one of the best Formula One races to attend, and the early stages of the 2019 season suggest that it could be a very good race.

If you are yet to attend the event you should definitely go this year; it is not guaranteed a place on the calendar in 2020 due to on-going contract discussions between Silverstone and the sport itself, thus it could be the final British Grand Prix for some time.

London Motor & Tech Show:  16 – 19 May

Aiming to bring the motor show back in the United Kingdom, the London Motor & Tech show will be a great gathering for car enthusiasts.

With a live arena, a live stage promising to host motoring personalities from across the community, and three huge halls of the ExCel filled with cars of all types, the show looks to be picking up steam for 2019.

Shelsley Walsh Classic Nostalgia: 15 – 16 June

Shelsley Walsh is one of the best-known and most historic motorsport venues in the country, so the fact that one of its biggest events aims to provide motorsport nostalgia by the bucket load seems fitting.

This year, rallying from the 1980s Group B up to the present day is set to be the focal point of the event, so if you like your cars sideways and driven by all four wheels, this could be a great weekend out.

Goodwood Breakfast Club (Supercar Sunday): 2 June

Held at the famous Goodwood circuit, the recurring Breakfast Club events are a must for car enthusiasts, with a different theme leading the way every time during the year.

The ever-popular Supercar Sunday edition sees fabulous high-performance machines parked against the superb backdrop offered by the retro racing venue.

Goodwood Festival of Speed: 4 – 7 July

From the circuit to the Duke of Richmond’s nearby driveway, the annual Festival of Speed event is now a global converging point for the world’s major manufacturers, racing teams and leading drivers.

This year’s theme – “Speed Kings – Motorsport’s record breakers” – promises a look at some of the fastest cars in the world; as ever, it’s an event you’d be wise not to miss.

Bicester Heritage Super Scramble: 23 June

Following on from the ever more popular Sunday Scramble events that see cars of all eras on display to the public, Bicester Heritage will host a ‘Super Scramble’ in June.

This event will see the well-preserved parts of the former Royal Air Force technical site play hosts to invited, period-correct vehicles only, thus providing a time warp experience.

Isle of Man TT: 25 May – 7 June

For over 100 years, the Isle of Man TT has been the ultimate duel between the fastest and bravest motorcyclists on earth.

The event is unique not only for the sheer speed attained on a circuit made up entirely of public roads, but also because these roads become open once the racing activities of any given day have ceased.

This helps make the event a popular annual pilgrimage for motorcyclists and enthusiasts alike.

MotoFest Coventry: 1 – 2 June

A rare opportunity to see road and race cars alike pushed to their limits on British roads, the MotoFest Coventry will return in 2019.

The event’s aim is to create the Edinburgh Festival of motoring, which it achieves by inviting the best of motoring’s past, present and future to exhibit and put on a show for the public.

Concours of Elegance: 6 – 8 September

The annual Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace sees some of the world’s most valuable and sought-after vehicles set against a truly unique backdrop.

The event is truly an elite affair, with the distinguished owners of the main feature cars voting among themselves to declare the ‘best of show’.

If you like garden parties and cars, this is the event for you.

CarFest: 26 – 28 July (North), 23 – 25 August (South)

Combining the worlds of motoring events and music festivals, the Chris Evans-fronted festival is now an established part of the UK events calendar.

Two events are held in Cheshire and Hampshire each year, with music, live action and countless iconic cars on tap at both venues.

Infotainment systems are some of the most desirable features of modern cars. A portmanteau of the words ‘information’ and ‘entertainment’, these devices arguably date back decades to earlier in-car stereo systems. However, the term really came into use with the modern generation of in-car entertainment – namely, large-screened devices that offer multiple ways to interact with, listen to or monitor your data.

In essence, then, while your car in the 90s may have had a tape desk or a CD player, your car in 2019 will likely have the equivalent of a home computer slotted into the dashboard. But what can these systems do, and how do they work?

What can an infotainment system do?

Infotainment systems aim to offer, as the name suggests, a huge array of informative and entertaining functions. Some of these include:
Music playback. Though physical media such as CDs are being phased out, most infotainment systems will offer AM/FM and DAB radio, auxiliary connectivity, USB playback and even online music streaming.
Satellite navigation. Often an optional extra, and several manufacturers are ditching it in favour of…
Smartphone mirroring. Compatible with Apple iPhone or Android devices, these systems use a connected smartphone to replace the car’s own interface and provide infotainment functions, including sat-nav.

Really well put together cabin and good interface finally from VW. Besides Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto u also have the Volkswagen Connect app which acts as a personal assistant and gives u info about the car’s state, journey and possible destinations. SVP #TCross #suv #subcompact pic.twitter.com/170G7Mf6yu

— Siddharth Vinayak Patankar (@sidpatankar) March 12, 2019

Camera monitoring. Reversing cameras are almost par for the course now, but many models offer a surround-vision array of cameras for a full 360-degree view of the car.
Internet access. Gives access to connected services such as weather, traffic information or even petrol prices, and can also include a WiFi hotspot for passengers to use.
Vehicle settings. The complex systems around a vehicle can often be modified through the car’s infotainment system.
Driving data. Trip computer information can be expanded on in the larger display of an infotainment system.

How do you interact with an infotainment system?

Different manufacturers have different ideas on the best way to use infotainment. The majority of cars use a touchscreen display – sometimes paired with a few buttons to access the core functions more quickly. These have the advantage of being easy to integrate and self-explanatory to operate, but some argue that it involves taking your eyes off the road for too much time.

Some employ rotary dials to control the display, however, with the likes of BMW and Audi both utilising a more hands-on approach to infotainment.

Many incorporate some type of voice recognition too, though these vary in effectiveness between manufacturers. Some are even experimenting with gesture controls.

Keep your eyes on the road. The All-New BMW #5Series is equipped with gesture control. pic.twitter.com/1x1G9DpFur

— BMW USA (@BMWUSA) February 13, 2017

Will an infotainment cost me more?

The answer is mixed – sometimes yes, and sometimes no. It depends on the car and the company that makes it. A lot of cars get infotainment thrown in as standard today, but prestige companies such as Porsche and Mercedes will require a bit of extra cash to secure their best systems. You can even upgrade to extra widescreen versions, which blend the dials ahead of the driver and the main screen into one, sweeping display.

What is it?

Over 800,000 Range Rover Evoques have been sold since its 2011 launch. The first-generation car effectively replaced the useful but frumpy Freelander, and proved to the world that the three words ‘premium’ ‘compact’ and ‘SUV’ can be a licence to print money.

Eight years down the line, there’s an all-new model, but it’s entering a much more crowded battlefield than its predecessor did, with competitors such as the Audi Q2 and Volvo XC40 proving very popular. Does the new Evoque do enough to stay ahead in the brawl?

What’s new?

The styling of the new Evoque may be similar to the old car, but it doesn’t mean they’re identical. In fact, short of the door hinges, everything you see and touch is new to the Evoque.

There’s a range of updated engines under the bonnet – more on them later – and an interior that will be familiar to anybody who’s sat in the latest generation of Range Rover or Range Rover Sport. So while Land Rover will admit the styling was intended to be an evolution rather than a massive step-change, the underlying platform is a lot newer than you might think from first glance.

What’s under the bonnet?

Didn't expect to like the new Evoque as much as I did but it looks really smart, is a superb cruiser and is way better off road than it needs to be. Ticks many boxes. pic.twitter.com/SK2wZpGbKk

— Tom Wiltshire (@mctreckmeister) March 13, 2019

The new Premium Transverse Architecture that underpins the Evoque is set up for petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid or full EV powertrains. Just the two former are available from launch – there are three petrols and three diesels.

The basic 148bhp diesel makes do with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, but the other five – 178bhp and 237bhp diesels as well as 197bhp, 247bhp and 296bhp petrols – all have a new nine-speed auto, four-wheel drive and a mild-hybrid system to boost performance and economy. All are four-cylinder units.

The big takeaway from the two engines we drove – 237bhp diesel and 247bhp petrol – was refinement. Both make excellent cruisers, with long gearing for relaxed progress. The petrol was our preference in spite of its relative thirst, as it’s superbly quiet and smooth yet feels far perkier than the diesel if you press on.

What’s it like to drive?

Slightly over-light steering and a large, thin-rimmed steering wheel give the impression that the Evoque won’t corner. But move past the initial uncertainty and you’ll find a very sweet-handling car. Grip levels are excellent, and even the basic non-adaptive suspension remains impressively flat through the corners.

Wheels in sizes up to 21-inches are available, but Land Rover’s done an impressive job of isolating the judder you feel from large rims on poor road surfaces. Ride comfort’s excellent across the board, especially at a cruise.

In true Land Rover tradition, we also tested the Evoque on some reasonably challenging off-road routes. Terrain Response 2 – the firm’s off-road tech – is fitted to all models, and it really makes heading off the beaten track as effortless as staying on tarmac. Of course, most Evoques will stay in the city… but it’s nice to know they can handle the odd muddy field.

How does it look?

The new car looks similar to the old Evoque, but details have been simplified and kinks and creases ironed out. Details have been carried over from the previous model – the rising waistline, ‘floating’ roof and wheel-at-each-corner stance – but the removal of the plastic wheelarch extensions and the addition of hidden door handles gives a very slick, concept-car look. It’s very similar to the Velar, and that’s a good thing.

Land Rover’s signature LED lights sit up front, while the full-width element across the rear combined with the letterbox rear window gives it a pleasingly squat stance. If we have one complaint, it’s the colour palette, which apart from a rather tasty red is devoid of anything bold.

What’s it like inside?

The dual-screen setup of the dashboard has been lifted from the Velar, leaving few traditional buttons. It does take a little getting used to – and we found the gearshifter gets in the way of the lower screen. The upper has a super-wide orientation, which works well though it can leave the map screen quite limited.

Space is an improvement on the previous model, though legroom is still limited for passengers in the rear. The boot’s improved by ten litres, and the seats fold to give a totally flat load bay. We’re also big fans of Land Rover’s innovative – if pricey – premium fabric upholsteries. They’re more welcoming and comfortable than leather without feeling cheap, and are also totally vegan.

What’s the spec like?

S, SE and HSE trim levels are available, with sporty R-Dynamic versions of each. All models have LED headlights, alloy wheels, climate control, a suite of cameras, cruise control and all of Land Rover’s off-road goodies, but entry level cars do feel rather spartan with their analogue gauges, manual boot and barely-adjustable seats. Opting for S brings you navigation, but it’s not until SE that Touch Pro Duo with its twin screens becomes standard.

The Evoque’s options list is extensive and includes some very clever camera systems – one that replaces the rear view mirror and another that makes the bonnet ‘invisible’ for tricky manoeuvres. Things can quickly become expensive, though – a quick run through ‘essential’ equipment on the online configurator bought our Evoque past £50,000.

Verdict

The new Evoque feels like the correct way to go – a useful upgrade without risking scaring existing owners away from the showrooms. It’s a handsome SUV with a good interior, superb cruising manners and more off-roading capability than the majority of drivers will need. A Porsche Macan is sharper to drive, and a Volvo XC40 more spacious and better-suited to families. But the Evoque is super-stylish and we think it’ll sell like hotcakes.

The V6 engine configuration is widely used by manufacturers in cars of all persuasions. From people movers to performance cars, the V6 engine has found a home in all manner of different vehicles.

And thanks to the relatively common use of the configuration, there are plenty of fabulous V6-powered cars on the used market, even if you restrict yourself to a budget.

These are the best used V6-powered cars available for less than £10,000.

Volkswagen Golf MK5 R32

The Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) 3.2-litre V6 is a superb engine that has found a home in numerous brilliant cars.

One such example is the Volkswagen Golf R32. Only available in the range for the MK4 and MK5 Golf, the R32 was a great alternative to the GTI, favouring capacity over turbocharging to deliver 247bhp via all-wheel drive system.

The bottom end of the market is just below £5,000, though good, unmolested examples are scarcely available for less than £8,000.

Alfa Romeo Brera

The world of motoring rarely weighs in unanimously on any matter, though it seemed that everyone agreed on the styling of Alfa Romeo’s Brera.

The sleek coupe was one of the best-looking cars on the market when it arrived in 2005. The engine range consisted of three petrol units and a pair of diesels. Of those, the pick simply has to be the soulful 3.2-litre V6, which came with all-wheel drive rather than the standard front-wheel drive.

The V6 Brera starts at upwards of £5,000, though we’d suggest staying above £6,500 for a little peace of mind; as we all know, Alfas can be temperamental.

Audi TT 3.2 Quattro

The first-generation Audi TT looks fairly understated today, but back when it was released, it was lauded for being the spitting image of the fairly radical concept car that inspired it.

The most exciting TT was the 3.2-litre V6 Quattro version, whose underpinnings and figures are nearly identical to that of the VW Golf R32. Here as with there, the engine delivered 247bhp, and if you value looks over practicality, you may want to choose the Audi over the VW hatchback.

The bottom end of the market is hovering around the £2,500 mark, while the good, less used examples start somewhere closer to £5,000.

Mercedes C32 AMG

The C32 AMG is a car that can definitely be described as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, with an understated look paired to a supercharged 3.2-litre V6 delivering 350bhp.

It’s a rare car, and the few UK-spec examples we could find on the market were cheap at a shade under £3,000, but also very well used and likely quite rusted, like so many UK Mercedes’ of the era.

However, for roughly £8,000, you can start finding some Japanese imports of the C32, which are much less susceptible to rust. And, even at that price, this could be a great left-field choice if you want a compact performance saloon.

Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z was seen by many as a return to form for the Nissan ‘Z-car’ series, after the previous 300ZX grew quite large and cumbersome in its latter years.

Powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6, the 350Z makes a wonderful sound. With 276bhp on tap, it’s no slouch in a straight line either, and it handles well enough to hold its own against almost any other sports car when the roads get twisty.

The low-tide mark of the 350Z market is under £4,000, though good examples are found at over £7,000. Alternatively, the bottom of the market for its successor – the 370Z – is also just below the £10,000 mark, but expect a high-miler for your money.

Ford Mondeo ST220

The Mondeo ST220 is certainly not a sleeper.

While the 226bhp 3.0-litre V6 that powered the Mondeo through the front wheels is not the most powerful in this list, it is attached to a car that’s exceedingly outward with its performance intentions. And fortunately, it goes as it looks, making it a fun – if not understated – choice.

Prices for the ST220 can be as low as £1,000, but the best examples go for over £4,000.

Infiniti G37

The G37 was billed as a rival to the BMW 3 Series, and the G37 was the upper echelon of the line-up.

Powered by a 3.7-litre V6 engine that can also be found in the Nissan 370Z, the G37 is something of a sleeper, without being so performance-biased that you can’t use it on a day-to-day basis.

The cars are relatively rare, but good examples can be found from £8,000.

Renault Avantime

The Avantime is certainly a unique car in the not-so-grand pantheon of people carriers. Built by Renault affiliate Matra, the glass-roofed vehicle offered a 3.0-litre V6 with 210bhp, which gives it a surprising amount of pace and – if you really want to push it – not a bad engine sound either.

Being an extremely rare car, the market is a variable, but at the time of writing, £3,000 looked to be the lower end of the market for the Avantime. Good examples look to be over £5,000 at the very least.

In this day and age, almost every car manufacturer aspires to sportiness one way or another. While some will restrict this ideal to a simple bodywork styling exercise, many have a full-on performance division that will distil a car to its essence and wring every last scrap of power from it.

Be it long-standing departments at established manufacturers, or relatively new imprints; the industry has rarely been lacking performance-focused divisions in the last few decades.

But which are the leading performance brands, and what do they make? Let’s take a look.

BMW M

As with many badges and performance outfits here, BMW’s M Division has its roots firmly embedded in motor racing. Founded in 1972 and finding a stride early on, it took just six years for the brand to make its imprint on road cars with the M1.

Today, the firm’s back catalogue of iconic cars for road and track is lengthy and commendable in equal measure. With a particular penchant for taking saloons and turning them into high-performance cars of the highest order, the M Division has cultivated a loyal, worldwide following.

In the modern era, the reach of M has spread further, with M Sport styling packs available on practically everything that rolls off a BMW production line.

Mercedes-AMG

AMG was founded all the way back in 1967 by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher – and the letters AMG in fact stand for Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach – Aufrecht’s birth town. Since then, AMG has created some of the most elegantly unhinged motor cars that the world has ever seen, and, more recently, produced engines for the likes of Pagani and Aston Martin.

While best and most commonly associated with Mercedes, which has been a majority shareholder since 1999, AMG has previously worked with other firms including Mitsubishi.

On the road, AMG’s philosophy for tuning is somewhat different to that of the M Division, often providing more brash, raucous offerings than those in the red and blue stripes.

Hyundai N

Hyundai hasn’t got the greatest of motorsport or performance pedigrees to its name, but it is now well on the way thanks to the foundation of the N high performance brand.

Picking and choosing expertise from all over the world, the division’s work so far has been lauded, particularly the astounding i30N hot hatch. The road-going activities are being backed up by successful campaigns in the World Rally Championship, touring car racing and the Nürburgring24 Hours; the latter of which is held at the circuit the division calls home.

Much like BMW’s M division, the N brand is also seen on less performance-oriented cars with go-faster styling, dubbed N-Line.

 Renault Sport

While Renault Sport’s history in motor racing goes back as far as the 1970s in Formula One, Rallying and other disciplines, its road car history only began in earnest when Renault discontinued the Alpine marque in 1994.

Since then countless well-received hot hatches have received the Renault Sport moniker, including variants of the Clio and Megane.

Abarth

Abarth is still treated as a separate brand, and while it is now very much just an extension of Fiat, it once made many weird and wonderful sports cars.

The firm was founded in 1949, and it wouldn’t be until 1971 that founder Carlo Abarth sold the firm to Fiat. By the 80s, the marque itself had ceased to exist, serving as a Fiat equivalent of a GTi or RS badge.

Today, performance-injected variants of the Fiat 500 and 124 Spider are the firm’s bread and butter, after the marque was re-established in 2007.

Shelby

The story of Shelby and its eponymous founder Carroll is one of the most well-known in motoring.

From the Cobra to the Mustang, the Shelby name’s legacy is one that is storied and well-covered; however, while it is an explicit Ford entity today, the Shelby brand has been elsewhere too.

Not only was the firm a manufacturer in its own right for many years, but Carroll and his expertise even found its way into Dodge and Chrysler products in the 1980s.

Today, however, the Shelby brand is used to designate the top of the Mustang food chain.

Cupra

For many years, the Cupra nameplate was the home to Seat’s takes on the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI. The models from the Spanish brand were often lauded for their performance and sporting looked.

Spinning off as its own brand in 2018, the former Seat Sport racing entity is now Cupra Racing, and all former Seat performance models are now badged as Cupras.

Nismo

Founded in 1984, the abbreviation of Nissan Motorsport has gone on to become one of the most famous performance and tuning brands on earth.

Aside from the firm’s global motor racing activities, Nismo produces various performance versions of Nissan road cars such as the GT-R, 370Z and even unlikely candidates like the Juke and Pulsar.

The ‘90s saw the firm put out cars as a brand of its own; the Silvia-based 270R, and the Skyline-based 400R.

Toyota GR

While Toyota’s history of performance brands is rich – see examples such as TOM’s and TRD for evidence of that – but today a new ‘face’ of performance reigns supreme at the Japanese firm.

Initially, GR – which stands for Gazoo Racing – took part in the Nürburgring24 Hours, where Toyota and luxury spin-off Lexus would compete in a bid to develop performance models. Now, it is not only the team name for Toyota’s Le Mans and Rally efforts, but also the badge given to numerous performance models, including the reborn Supra.

Electric cars are now a must in a manufacturer’s line-up, and as these eco-friendly vehicles become the norm rather than a look into future, some marques are now looking to make cars as exciting as they are sustainable.

With the Geneva Motor Show fresh in the minds of motorists and the motor industry alike, let’s take a look at the most promising electric cars of the near future, from 200mph supercars to retro-style hatchbacks.

Peugeot e-208

Announced in tandem with the second-generation 208, this EV supermini is set to boast a 211-mile range and 134bhp. The e-208 is the first in a series of all-electric Peugeot variants, and given it is to share PSA’s CMP platform with the upcoming Vauxhall Corsa, it provides a good idea of what the upcoming e-Corsa will be too.

Pininfarina Battista

The famous Pininfarina design house is going into business for itself, and it seems intent on hitting the high notes early on in its solo career.

The Battista hypercar is set to be the most powerful production road car ever, delivering 1874bhp via an electric powertrain that shares its basic architecture with the upcoming Rimac C_Two; the similarity between the pair of projects is said to be less than 50 per cent.

With almost 1700Nm of torque, a sub-two second 0-60 time and, so far, we know the top speed will be more than 217mph, this could be one of the most spectacular cars – electric or otherwise – to hit the road to date.

Honda e Prototype

If you want to endear your electric car to the masses, sprinkling some retro styling on it seems to be a good strategy.

Harking back to the original Civic from a styling perspective, the as-yet-unnamed prototype is set to have a 120-mile range.

While this car is not quite the final offering, it is being touted as extremely close to what will ultimately enter production; expect the final product to be launched before the end of the year.

Polestar 2

Volvo’s performance-turned-electric subsidiary has revealed its second standalone car, which looks to merge the selling points of saloon, sports and SUV. Aiming to the line of performance and sustainability, Polestar has even gone to the effort of making interior materials vegan-friendly.

The all-wheel drive Polestar 2 is to receive 402bhp and a range of 275 miles.

Seat el-Born

Set for a 2020 debut, the el-Born is Seat’s answer to its parent firm’s upcoming I.D. – with which it will share a platform. A 260-mile range is being touted for the el-Born, alongside a 202bhp power output and the ability to fast charge from flat to 80 per cent in 47 minutes.

Like many Seat products, the el-Born looks somewhat sportier than those it is to compete with, notably because of its 20-inch wheels and boot spoiler.

Volkswagen ID. Buggy

Certainly, few electric cars are going to be as fun as this.

Harking back to the Beetle-based buggies that epitomised the 1960s California surf scene, this concept is mooted as having a 155-mile range and 201bhp, which sounds like a lot in a vehicle with no doors.

The ID. Buggy is not confirmed for production, but Volkswagen is refusing to rule it out, with some speculation suggesting that a third-party firm could be licensed to produce the MEB platform-based beach toy.

Lagonda All-Terrain Concept

The revival of Lagonda as an electric off-shoot of Aston Martin looks to be gaining steam.

Following on from the Vision Concept debuted at Geneva in 2018, the sub-brand returned with a more SUV-centric version this year. While it is still rather far from a genuine production example, it seems as though the general design language on display here will be the basis for the first production car from the new Lagonda, which is set to arrive in 2022.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Following on from the Q7-sized offering that was Audi’s first electric car – simply dubbed ‘e-tron’ – the Q4 e-tron concept has now been revealed.

Part of the eventual 12-car electric line-up Audi is aiming to have on sale by 2025, the Q4 is to have a 280-mile range and 302bhp.

With few deviations from Audi’s traditional styling regime, the Q4 e-tron concept is all but certain to be an honest interpretation of the production car to follow.

Fiat Centoventi

Another retro-styled supermini was the Fiat Centoventi, a car echoing past generations of the Panda from a styling perspective, and doing so with good reason.

While many cars on this list aim to push the limits of electric vehicles, be it in terms of range or performance, the Centoventi looks to bring electric propulsion to the masses, just as the car it takes inspiration did for mobility overall.

The Centoventi is going to form the basis of a production vehicle – expected to be the next Panda – within the next three years.

Passing your driving test is a major milestone – it proves to the world that you’re capable of driving securely and safely on public roads in the UK. But any veteran driver will tell you that learning to drive doesn’t stop just because you’ve got your pink licence – the best drivers constantly evolve, learning new skills and how to deal with challenging situations.

Experience may be the best teacher, but it can take a long old time. That’s why advanced driving courses exist. They aim to give you a feel for driving on roads and in conditions that aren’t covered in the normal driving test, and some can even have other benefits – from industry-recognised qualifications to a reduction in the price of your car insurance.

Advanced driving courses tend to fall into two categories. There are those designed for new drivers – usually motorists who’ve just passed their test, and want a little extra peace of mind before they deal with conditions that aren’t covered in the regular DVLA examination.

Then there are those aimed at experienced drivers – courses in precision driving, defensive driving or even track driving. These are often more for fun than any other benefit, but can certainly improve your skills in everyday driving.

Here are some training courses that could benefit you…

Pass Plus

Pass Plus is one of the most popular advanced driving courses around. It’s aimed at those who’ve just passed their test, and many driving instructors offer it – so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to continue with an instructor you’re comfortable and familiar with.

There’s no official examination for Pass Plus, just a series of 6 ‘subjects’ usually assessed across a couple of sessions. Pass Plus covers driving on motorways and dual carriageways, driving at night and – where possible – driving in adverse weather conditions.

Well done Emma, amazing news! If you're thinking about doing Pass Plus, you can find out further info @ https://t.co/UvJzEBCFtt. Marie.

— DVSA Support (@DVSA_HelpMe) November 5, 2018

A Pass Plus registered driving instructor will be able to give you a certificate on completion of the course, which you can then show to your insurer. Many car insurers offer reductions for new drivers who are Pass Plus qualified. Prices for the course vary by instructor, but it’s usually around £180.

IAM Roadsmart

The Institute of Advanced Motorists advanced driver course is more comprehensive than Pass Plus, and aimed at drivers of any age – but often those who’ve been on the roads for a few years opt for the course.

It’s extensive, with training usually taking place over a few months. Candidates are paired with an IAM member, who will assess their skills in a number of areas such as control, observations, positioning and their ability to deal with unexpected situations. IAM certification is then granted after an advanced driving test.

Get yourself ready for spring by becoming an advanced driver. Boost your confidence behind the wheel, learn new techniques and skills and get ready to love driving all year-around. #SpringIntoAction #ThursdayThoughtshttps://t.co/0bD1OwPYV5 pic.twitter.com/NPsK0A0Npe

— IAM RoadSmart (@IAMRoadSmart) March 7, 2019

IAM training costs £149, but it’s widely recognised by insurers and could very easily net you a discount.

RoSPA

Huge congratulations to the students who passed the @RoSPA Advanced Security Driving Course last week.

The hard work, dedication and positive attitude certainly paid dividends and I'm sure the training will help you in future endeavours. ????‍?

It was a pleasure having you! pic.twitter.com/awclOyGieg

— Specialist Operations Academy (@S_O_A_UK) January 29, 2019

With tests administered by serving or retired police officers – all of whom will have undergone extensive advanced training while in the force – RoSPA bills itself as the highest standard of civilian driving available.

It bases itself upon the police handbook, which states: “Advanced driving is the ability to control the position and speed of the vehicle safely, systematically and smoothly, using road and traffic conditions to progress unobtrusively with skill and responsibility.”

Tutoring is free via a series of volunteer groups, though you’ll be asked to pay £20 in order to join. Once you’re ready, the test takes around 45 minutes to an hour and costs £67.

The AA

The AA runs its own driving school for those trying to pass their test for the first time, but those who’ve already passed but are still a little unconfident can opt for one of the firm’s Qualified Driver courses. They encompass the same sort of areas as Pass Plus – motorway driving, inclement weather and night driving to name a few, but there’s no examination or formal qualification at the end.

Courses vary, so it’s best to contact the AA for more details. Of course, as a full driving school, the AA can also offer Pass Plus certification.

Electric cars are consistently topping the headlines lately. Pipped as the future of driving, electric vehicles are increasing in popularity, with more and more people flocking to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as a way of getting around.

It’s worth noting that all of these results are based on claimed manufacturer figures, so expect some changes in the real world as a result of different aspects such as outside temperatures, average speeds and how weighed down with luggage and passengers the cars are.

But which are the best when it comes to range? Let’s take a look.

Tesla Model S 100D – 335 miles

Tesla is one of the biggest names in the electric car game, and there’s good reason for that – it consistently produces plug-in cars which are capable of delivering impressive range and ballistic performance. The 100D version can travel up to 393 miles according to Tesla – though official figures are generated through the old way of testing cars, rather than the new WLTP measures. We’d expect the 100D to easily achieve 300 miles on a single charge, however.

Tesla Model X 100D – 295 miles

A second model in Tesla’s line-up, the Model X 100D uses the same basic platform as the Model S saloon, but as a result of the added weight can’t deliver quite the same range. Still, its claimed 295 miles is plenty enough for longer journeys, while its SUV layout means it can offer more interior space. Again, the Model X was tested using older methods.

Jaguar I-Pace – 292 miles

Jaguar’s I-Pace has already gained critical acclaim across the board, thanks to its combination of performance, decent range and driver involvement. Given that it’s Jag’s first attempt at an electric car it deserves even more praise, and the big cat is capable of travelling up to 292 miles on a single charge, making it an excellent long-distance electric option.

Kia e-Niro – 282 miles

Kia’s e-Niro, on the face of it, looks like any other crossover on the market. However underneath lies a powertrain which is capable of pushing the e-Niro 282 miles on a single charge, putting this £32,995 Kia firmly among the big players in the electric game. You also get Kia’s excellent seven-year warranty with it, so there’s no reason to fear any type of mechanical malady during the early years of ownership.

Mercedes EQC – 280 miles

Merc’s futuristic-looking EQC is one of the latest additions to the electric car range, and combines low running costs with the brand’s well-known premium touches. As well as delivering 280 miles between charges, Mercedes has said that the EQC will crack 0-60mph in under five seconds.

Hyundai Kona Electric – 279 miles

If you want to go even cheaper, then there’s the Hyundai Kona Electric. Priced from £27,250, it’s capable of returning a claimed all-electric range of 279 miles. It’s a striking looking car too, particularly when you consider its dinky size. And, because it’s a Hyundai, there’s tons of standard equipment inside.

Audi E-Tron – 241 miles

Unless you looked closely, you’d do well to differentiate the all-electric Audi E-Tron from any other SUV in the firm’s range. That’ll likely appeal to those who don’t want to shout about their zero-emissions driving from the rooftops – though the big Audi still has presence.

Nissan Leaf E+ – 239 miles

The Nissan Leaf was one of the forefathers of the electric car boom and, though others have now beaten it in terms of overall range, it’s still an attractive proposition. Nissan claims that it’ll manage 239 miles between trips to the plug in its long-distance, E+ form.

Hyundai IONIQ Electric – 174 miles

Hyundai is on a bit of a roll when it comes to electric cars. As well as the Kona Electric it makes this, the IONIQ Electric. Based around a more traditional shape, the IONIQ is a great option who don’t any mad-cat styling for their electric car. It can also do a reasonable 174 miles, which means you’ll be able to fit in most trips without needing to top the battery up.

BMW I3 – 160 miles

BMW’s little i3 looks like it was built years in the future, despite having been on our roads for some time now. Edgy and well-built, it’s capable of driving 160 miles on a charge – so it’s ideal for urban journeys. The interior is well-finished and just as cutting-edge as the exterior, too.

The Motability scheme is an incredibly successful one – some estimates suggest it counts for as much as 10 per cent of all new car leases in the UK.

It’s a system by which those who receive certain disability-related benefits – usually the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance – can apply to lease a new car, which is usually replaced every three years.

Motorists can use the whole of their allowance to pay for the vehicle, or just part. Vehicles with a list price of more than £25,000 require an advance payment, too.

There’s a wide range of choice available, so those on the scheme don’t have to be limited by what they drive. Everything from tiny city cars to sporty models are available.

For the more severely disabled, Motability also provides wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), which can accommodate wheelchair users as passengers or in some cases, even as a driver. However, these tend to be made by specialist converters to meet an individual’s own needs, so we’ve concentrated on standard cars here.

For most, we’ve also added an automatic gearbox for added ease of driving.

Small car: Kia Picanto

Weekly rental: £49.25
Advance payment: £0

The dinky Kia Picanto is a great city car. It offers willing engines and fun driving dynamics, so it’s great to punt around town. It’s also pretty spacious thanks to its standard five-door body shell. Kia’s warranty is class leading, it’s well equipped from the very base specification – and you can have it for less than 50 quid a week.

Mid-sized car: Kia Ceed SW

Weekly rental: £59.75
Advance payment: £0

We’ve opted for another Kia in this class, simply because the Ceed SW is such an excellent car in almost all respects. Exciting? No. But in this estate form it’s superbly spacious, and the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is a good companion for the smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic.

Family car: Skoda Octavia

Weekly rental: Total allowance
Advance payment: £145

A £145 advance payment will secure you an example of the Skoda Octavia – remarkable for offering space levels more familiar to cars in the class above. You’ll find no shortage of room for passengers or luggage, and the Octavia also offers a premium interior and low running costs.

MPV: Citroen Berlingo

Weekly rental: Total allowance
Advance payment: £695

The Citroen Berlingo may look like a van… okay, it is a van. But that’s no bad thing. An enormous boot and more headroom than you can shake a stick at plus handy sliding doors make this the ideal family wagon. It’s also a popular base for WAV conversions.

SUV: Suzuki Vitara

Weekly rental: Total allowance
Advance payment: £299

Somewhat of a left-field choice, but the Suzuki Vitara is actually a brilliant small SUV. The firm’s BoosterJet engines are powerful and characterful, and the Vitara just exudes a sense of practicality and determined ruggedness.

Convertible: Mini Cooper Convertible

Weekly rental: Total allowance
Advance payment: £1,249

Our first choice in this category would be the brilliant Mazda MX-5 – but it’s not necessarily the best choice for those with mobility issues due to its tiny cabin and low-slung driving position. The Mini Convertible is far from a poor substitute, though – great to drive, fun to look at and dripping with charm.

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show has, as ever, seen the debut of new models from some of the industry’s most important manufacturers, be it supercars, saloons or SUVs.

However, the show floor at the Palexpo convention centre is often just as notable for the number of intriguing or even wilfully bizarre exhibits from firms small and large.

This year has been no exception, and here are the highlights from the more eccentric corners of the Geneva Motor Show.

Mansory

Should I hate this? Because I really don't #GIMS2019 pic.twitter.com/f8zXz1PkhQ

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) March 5, 2019

Famous – in some circles, infamous – for adding colour and styling flare to luxury and performance cars, the Mansory stand typically generates a lot of interest at Geneva.

This year, highlights at the from its stand include the Centuria – a Bugatti Chiron with a heavy dose of carbon fibre and aerodynamic appendages – as well as a garish mint green Mercedes S-Class.

PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition

Dutch firm PAL-V has revealed the production version of its first flying car, the Liberty Pioneer Edition.

Effectively a launch edition model, it is set to be limited to just 90 units, and will be marketed at a price of $599,000 (£456,836). Lightweight aviation aluminium and high-quality leather are used inside, making driving – or is that taxiing – to the shops a comfortable experience.

The first of the PAL-Vs are expected to arrive with customers in 2020.

GFG Style Kangaroo

The brainchild of lauded car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio, the oddly-named Kangaroo aims to be a supercar for all seasons.

Part supercar, part SUV and all-electric, the Kangaroo is an off-road focused machine with four-wheel drive, and an adjustable suspension that allows it to ride high in the mud, and hunker down to the road once more once you return to tarmac.

The Kangaroo is able to accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds, and charge on to a top speed of 155mph thanks to its pair of motors, which generate a combined 483bhp.

Fornasari Gigi

The Fornasari Gigi has been around for a while, and is something of an a-typical small manufacturers’ supercar, at least in terms of specifications.

Powered by a 7.0-litre Chevrolet LS7 V8 engine – the go-to unit for small-volume sportscars – this car is designed to emulate Italian cars of the 1950s from the likes of Maserati and Ferrari.

With a purported top speed nudging 200mph, and a curb weight of just 1250kg, the Gigi seems to have modern performance in spite of its retro looks.

Eadon Green Zeclat

Next, another retro-inspired car with a Chevrolet LS motor under the bonnet; there is no shortage of such things, after all.

Yorkshire-based firm Eadon Green uses a 6.2-litre LT1 V8 in this car, which is designed to evoke the sweeping coupes of the 1930s. The engine delivers 454bhp, and thanks to a lightweight carbon fibre construction, it can accelerate to 60mph from a standstill in a claimed 3.6 seconds.

Despite this, it comes as standard with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, suggesting it is meant to be a grand tourer above all else. Have no fear, a seven-speed manual is also available.

Volkswagen ID. Buggy

Kermit, is that you? #GIMS2019 pic.twitter.com/RR2f7gQgKS

— Ryan Hirons (@RyHirons) March 5, 2019

Here’s some proof that it’s not just the small manufacturers producing fun-looking machines for motor shows.

This concept is built as a futuristic take on the Beetle-based beach buggies which helped make Volkswagen a quintessential part of California surf culture, and is powered by a rear-mounted 202bhp electric motor.

While it has all the hallmarks of a fun way to showcase electric cars at a concept level only, there are talks of a limited production run from VW in collaboration with low-volume production start-up e.Go Mobile.

Golden Sahara II

The Golden Sahara II is not new, but it is certainly eye-catching.

An extremely early take on the autonomous vehicle, the Sahara was a concept car built by Goodyear and legendary Hollywood custom car magnate George Barris.

It debuted in 1954, features included voice control, remote-control doors and a set of translucent, synthetic rubbers, which were built as part of a study into increasing cars’ visibility in poor conditions.

Having rusted away for 50 years, it has now been restored and is taking pride and place at Goodyear’s Geneva stand.