Month: November 2019

The future is electric, or so it would seem. Manufacturers across the globe are pushing towards plug-in power, with almost every brand bringing their own electric car to market. It means that over the next few months the electric segment will surge forward in size considerably.

But with so many cars set to be released, which are the ones you should be focusing on? We’ve done the hard work there – and these are some of the electric cars you should be getting excited about next year.

Ford Mustang Mach E

V8 muscle goes green. Ford has swapped the shouty V8 heart of the classic Mustang for a more refined eco alternative but promises the same untamed driving thrill that you expect from the Mustang name. Boasting a 370-mile range, 15.5” display for their next-generation Ford Sync System and striking looks, it’s a great addition to the electric SUV market.

Audi E-Tron Sportback

Building on the success of their first production electric vehicle, Audi is going to be adding to the line up with their E-Tron Sportback. With similar features and styling to the original and an expected range of around 248 miles, the Sportback will be a lower, more style focussed version to challenge the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace.

Fiat 500 Electric

The city is the perfect location for a small electric vehicle, so Fiat’s choice to combine its classic city car with a new electric powertrain seems like a match made in heaven. With a rumoured range of 250 miles, this fun city run around will retain its classic Italian looks but underneath become a whole new vehicle. The new electric power will play to the 500’s city strengths of nipping in and out of traffic and parking just about anywhere.

Peugeot e-2008

With the new e-2008, Peugeot is adding another car following its new philosophy of ‘Pick your Peugeot, pick your powertrain’. The new e-2008 has had a technology infusion in what Peugeot calls its new 3Di cockpit, and even comes with green stitching to remind you how eco-friendly you are being. The e-2008 has a projected range of 198 miles, but Peugeot states that it can be charge from 0 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes on a 100kw fast charger.

Volkswagen ID.3

Volkswagen has broken tradition a little by producing a purpose-built electric hatchback rather than adapting an already popular model. The ID.3 is set for release in 2020, with all the first edition cars they offered already reserved. With a longer wheelbase, but a body not much bigger than the traditional Golf, the ID.3 is set to have more interior room and great technology to match. At 340 miles of range, the larger battery version will take you further between charges than many of its competitors.

Vauxhall Corsa-e

A familiar look, but a brand new drive. The new Corsa-e comes with a 205-mile range and if you order before the end of 2019, Vauxhall will include a free home charger that will get you from flat to full charge in 7.5 hours. To keep its fun driving style, the Corsa-e comes with a Sport mode to give you that extra performance burst or switch to eco to increase the range.

If you’ve never heard of Polestar before, let’s bring you quickly up to speed.

It started out in life as Volvo’s performance car division – a key hit being the short-lived V60 Polestar. Given the firm’s continued alliance with Volvo, you can opt to have its plug-in hybrid models available with a ‘Polestar Engineered’ package – essentially bringing performance tweaks to an otherwise non-sporty model.

And it’s that performance theme that has continued, with Polestar launching in 2017 as its own standalone brand, and its first all-new model is this – the new ‘1’ GT car.

We’ve been in Florence to put it through its paces, but to also understand some of its key features. Here are five of the most interesting features available on it.

1. Longest electric range of any plug-in hybrid

Is there a point in launching a new car and brand if it’s not going to make other manufacturers wake up and take notice? Probably not, which is why Polestar aims to do things a bit differently.

Bizarrely all of its upcoming models, with the exception of this car, will be all-electric, so it’s a bit unusual that this new ‘halo’ car is a plug-in hybrid instead. But it still makes a bang – featuring a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, along with a pair of electric motors and a huge 34kWh battery. That latter figure is the focus here, as that gives the ‘1’ the longest electric range of any plug-in hybrid – travelling up to 78 miles on electricity.

2. Carbon fibre structure

Another key feature on the Polestar 1 is what it’s made from – carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. It’s not the first car to be made from the material – in fact it’s what its closest rival – the BMW i8 – is constructed from.

It brings a few benefits – the first weight saving, as it is 230kg lighter to be made from the material. It also lowers the centre of gravity in the ‘1’, too, which essentially results in improved handling.

3. Manually-adjustable dampers

While it’s increasingly common for manufacturers to fit their car with electronic dampers, Polestar has gone old-school with the ‘1’, as it’s fitted with manually adjustable ones instead.

They’re produced by Ohlins and can be adjusted at home without the need for it to go into a dealer to have them changed.

4. Batteries on show in the boot

Most manufacturers often scramble to try and hide the electrical underpinnings on their car – unlike an engine when they often like that to be on show. You often see them covered up underneath the boot, but Polestar’s doing things a bit differently and has deliberately left them on show in the boot of the ‘1’.

It’s a cool touch and gives the ‘1’ a particularly futuristic feel.

5. Looks exactly like a concept car

The Polestar 1’s entire inspiration is a 2013 show car – the Volvo Concept Coupe, which was a dramatic-looking model previewing a new platform that would be used in future Volvos, as well as a new styling language.

But there’s yet to be a new road car that exactly replicates that concept car. Until now. It’s remarkable how close the ‘1’ looks to that concept, with the carbon-fibre structure allowing for even more freedom to create the model exactly how the designers envisaged.

Lynx deodorant is an icon of gym changing rooms and thoughtless Christmas gifts across the UK, but now it’s looking to be just as at home in your car.

The popular Unilever-owned brand has released a range of car air fresheners, bringing some of its most popular scents to the cabin.

Available at launch as a Halfords exclusive, there is a variety of fresheners to choose from. The cheapest offering is a disc-shaped freshener designed to hang from the rear-view mirror and is available at £2.99.

For £3.99, a ‘gel can’ freshener that fits into a cup holder or door pocket is said to be a solution for a ‘long-lasting release’ of fragrance, while the same price can also secure a unit that clips to air-con vents. Smaller versions of the latter are available at £3.59.

Finally, those who just can’t get enough Lynx can opt for a refillable, vent-clipping freshener. This £7.99 unit incorporates a scented stick, which can be swapped out at any time for a replacement of a different smell — with packs of two sticks costing £1.99.

Scents available include Lynx’s Africa, Black, Ice Chill, Gold and Dark Temptation.

Mariana Freitas, car air freshener expert for Halfords, said: “Lynx is an instantly recognisable and iconic brand with fragrances and shower products loved by millions, so we are thrilled to be selling these exclusively for the next two months.

“It means that motorists will be able to bring Lynx fragrances into their cars with the ultimate car accessory – a long-lasting car freshener with a modern and high-end design. We know our customers love to look after their cars and hope this latest addition means they will be excited about keeping their car interiors smelling fresh.”

What is it?

If you know your Porsche lineage well, you’ll know the 356 of 1948 was the genesis of the firm’s now-iconic sports car range. That stunning model is the inspiration for this new 911 Speedster model, which started life as a concept but now enters production in limited numbers.

It bears design cues from the classic model, but with modern, motorsport-inspired underpinnings. You might be taken aback by the £211,599 price tag, but with the 911 R and 911 GT3 serving as the ‘basis for development’, you’re getting the combination of two of the most highly sought-after Porsches in modern history with retro-inspired styling.

What’s new?

Although largely based on the previous-generation 911 GT3 and sporting the Speedster name that’s been used on various Porsche models before, this is an all-new variant, being the first time the German firm’s GT division has been given the chance to make a drop-top.

Its stand-out features are the elegant roof – it’s manually operated and tricky to get to grips with – and the double-bubble rear section into which it folds, giving the Speedster its classic silhouette. There are also various weight-saving measures such as the carbon-fibre bonnet and interior door pulls, while downforce is optimised through aerodynamic exterior parts.

What’s under the bonnet?

This being a Porsche 911, rather than sitting beneath the bonnet, the Speedster’s engine sits hidden away behind the driver. Famously rear-engined, this particular example is powered by a 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated six-cylinder unit making 503bhp and 470Nm of torque. 0-60mph comes up in 3.8 seconds and the top speed is 193mph.

And, when conditions allow you to give it full throttle, it feels every bit as fast as those numbers suggest – and then some. The fat rear tyres bite into the tarmac and there’s barely a moment’s hesitation before you’re absolutely catapulted forward, your eyes focused on a pinprick on the horizon as the straight-six’s raucous soundtrack dominates every other sense.

That’s not hyperbole, either. That something with such elegant styling features can be this stupid-fast is fantastic.

What’s it like to drive?

‘When conditions allow’ is an apt caveat for this test, though. Taking a 503bhp sports car to the deserted roads of the Northumberland wilderness is a recipe for greatness. Just not in November.

With the rain lashing down and roads resembling rivers, a full throttle blitzkrieg quickly feels more like a kamikaze mission as all that power tries hard to cut through endless standing water. Then there’s the steep roadside drops, keen to compound the misery brought on by any overeager throttle inputs.

And yet. Even driven well within its capabilities, the theatre of the occasion – the engine’s delight at being revved towards 9,000rpm and the noise that accompanies it – means the weather doesn’t dampen spirits.

When short sections of dry road do appear, charging on is euphoric. The Speedster’s suspension is stiff, with the rough roads unsettling the car and ensuring you remain switched on at all times. But swallow some brave pills and it feels happier once you’re pushing on, with the ride smoothing out and the sharp handling reminding you that Porsche’s GT division is full of engineering magicians.

How does it look?

Porsche detractors often mock the fact modern 911s still look a lot like the old ones. So, with a new 911 here directly inspired by the most classic of all the firm’s sports cars, could this be just another cynical marketing ploy to play off the brand’s heritage? Maybe. Does it matter when it looks this good? Not a jot.

Up front sits the familiar oval headlights, with large intakes in the front bumper hinting at the performance hidden out back. However, it’s the roof that makes this car stand out. In place it looks great, with the sweeping rear sections producing some interesting design angles.

Drop the roof though, and the rear buttresses become more prominent, rising up from the rear section behind the passengers’ heads to evoke imagery of classic roadsters. The whole rear section pivots up to contain the roof, too, so even the simple act of removing or replacing the drop-top becomes an event.

What’s it like inside?

Inside, it’s typical Porsche fare, which is to say high-quality and restrained design. As standard, the model gets black leather upholstery with Speedster logos dotted throughout, black and white dials like the old 356 Speedster, and a badge between the seats to denote the serial number of each particular model.

It feels spacious for a two-seater, and despite being a performance-focused model, there are plenty of creature comforts and the feeling that you could conduct long journeys without tiring – though there are naturally some concessions to practicality in the cabin.

What’s the spec like?

With a starting price of £211,599, the Porsche 911 Speedster is suitably well-equipped, with standard kit including 20-inch black alloy wheels, leather upholstery, an infotainment system that can be deleted, free of charge, to save weight, and a choice between 18-way adjustable sports seats or full bucket seats.

Naturally, you can go mad with the options, though given the extortionate starting point, nothing feels too outrageous. There’s a Bose stereo for £1,002 and a leather luggage set for £5,276, for example. Meanwhile, our test car had extra leather and red stitching for £2,147, a front axle lift system for £1,599, and extra LED lighting in the cabin that took our car to almost £220,000.

Verdict

Just 1,948 examples of the Porsche 911 Speedster are being built, making this a special thing indeed. But it’s got more than just rarity on its side, marrying ballistic performance with a classic, iconic design.

Porsche’s GT cars are notoriously fantastic to drive, so it should be no surprise the first convertible GT continues this trend. With ballistic performance and an ultra-cool exterior design, the 911 Speedster almost justifies that ludicrous price tag.

Flooded conditions are some of the absolute worst to drive in when it comes to UK roads. Standing water can very easily catch a driver out, and the possibility of flooding a vehicle is a large risk to the safety of a driver and can cost a fortune to sort out.

Though its best to avoid driving in floods at all, it may be a necessity. If you absolutely must get behind the wheel, here is some advice to follow to help you stay safe.

Avoid it if possible

The safest approach to driving in floods is to not do it at all. Unless your journey is absolutely necessary, it’s better to keep your car parked up and remain at home.

Instead of driving to the shops, take a walk if you can or discuss with your boss about working from home. Though some journeys by car are necessary, stay off the road if you can for your own safety.

Check the route ahead

Before getting into the car, use a mobile maps application and check local reports to see any potential hazards on your route.

Some roads on your journey could be heavily flooded, posing a strong risk to yourself and your car, or even be closed. Clear diversions may be in place, though that may not always be the case — so you may need to plan an alternative route.

Pack an emergency kit

It’s worth having an emergency kit readily available in your car in the event you do become stranded while out in the flooded conditions.

We’d recommend packing at least a high-visibility jacket, a breakdown warning triangle and a torch at the bare minimum. Additionally, packing snacks, warm clothing, jump leads, a supply of drinks and a pair of wellies could all come in handy. A decent music playlist can help pass the time, too.

Have an emergency number stored in your phone

Though in the age of modern smartphones we always seem to be connected to the internet one way or another, there’s no guarantee of signal while out on the roads.

With that in mind, having an emergency contact number as well as that of a breakdown provider stored in your phone’s contacts is worth the few seconds it takes. If you are stranded, you may be a little out of luck if you’re relying on Google to provide a number — so it could be a big help.

Perform basic vehicle checks

While it’s worth doing these before every journey, we’ll admit that it’s something most people tend to forego. In any harsh driving conditions, though, it’s very important to check your vehicle is in a safe condition though.

Test your headlights and brake lights are working, tyres are at a good level and that the tread depth on them is also comfortably above the legal limit of 1.6mm. You can test this using the edge of a 20p coin, which the tyre tread should come above — though we’d always recommend changing tyres before it gets near that level.

Turn your headlights on

Your headlights are working? Great, now make sure to keep them on. In floods, rain is almost guaranteed too which heavily reduces visibility.

Ensure your lights are on to give other motorists the best chance to see your vehicle, and also maximise your visibility in low light conditions. Fog lights may also be necessary, with the Highway Code stating they must be used if visibility drops below 100 metres.

Drive to the conditions — don’t aim for the speed limits

Remember that speed limits are not targets to hit — rather the maximum permitted for a particular road. In flooded conditions particularly, driving at a high speed greatly increases the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle, while also reducing a driver’s ability to react to a dangerous vehicle.

Don’t be afraid to drop to a much lower speed than permitted to give yourself more control of the car, and to be able to react to incidents ahead.

Allow extra room

Though you should always allow for a good amount of room to the car ahead in case of any dangers, that’s even more crucial in harsh driving conditions like flooding.

The likelihood of a hazard is much greater here than in clear weather, and you should adjust your driving accordingly. Giving a car in front more space allows for you to react to any sudden braking or hazards that you may otherwise not see beyond them.

Don’t test the waters

If you’re unsure of the depth of a puddle or large body of standing water, then avoid it if possible.

Testing the waters is not a good idea here, as you could find yourself driving into something incredibly deep and putting yourself in danger as well as heavily flooding your vehicle. Look for an alternative route, even if that means adding more time to your journey.

Don’t be afraid to take a break

If you need to take a few minutes to catch your concentration, wait for the conditions to clear or simply have a drink of coffee, don’t be afraid to take a break and find somewhere safe to park up.

Classic hot hatches are still in hot demand and despite their increased popularity, there are still bargains to be had.

So get looking through the classified adverts, because these classics are worth grabbing while they’re still around.

Renaultsport Clio 182

Renaultsport has form when it comes to creating fast, nimble and effortless agile hot hatches. The Clio 182 was a key example. Light and relatively inexpensive, it showed others how a hot hatch really should be done.

Used numbers are still strong but they’re shrinking as more and more cars are snapped up. Keep an eye on service history when looking at an example, and look out for unwanted modifications too.

Volkswagen Lupo GTI

The little Lupo GTI made waves when it arrived back in 2000. Small, stocky but powerful, it harked back to the original MK1 Golf GTI. In fact, its 123bhp out-punches the modern Up! GTI, showing just how much performance Volkswagen packed into this car back then.

Plenty of visual changes separated it from the regular Lupo, and today they’re highly sought after with clean examples commanding reasonable price tags.

Renaultsport Twingo

The Renaultsport Twingo danced a similar tune to the Lupo GTI. It was ultralight, highly powered and designed to maximise fun on the public road. Yes, the interior quality may not have been quite as good as the sturdy German’s, but it came with plenty of standard equipment which helped things along.

Decent examples don’t cost the earth today, either, and you get plenty of go-faster looks for your money.

Fiat Panda 100HP

Fiat’s little Panda is a well-known name in the compact car segment, and there have, throughout the years, been various sporting versions. The 100HP is a standout, as it finally put the Panda among more premium rivals.

That’s because it’s so good to drive. Lowered suspension, grippy tyres and fine handling came together to make a genuinely exciting package. They’re great value at the moment too – so get one while you can.

Volkswagen Golf GTI MK5

Classic Golf GTI models are racking up big prices on the used market, with nostalgia for the hot hatches of old driving up the price tags on cars like the MK1 and MK2 GTIs. However, this increase hasn’t affected the later, more modern MK5 edition quite so much.

But that’s no reason to avoid it. A complete revival of fortunes over the flabby and disappointing MK4, the MK5 marked a new age for the GTI. Comfortable, packed with equipment and well-styled, it’s a great option to go for on the used market today.

Skoda Fabia vRS

Skoda’s vRS models have always come pleasingly under the radar. Powerful and great to drive they may be, but conservative styling has meant that the vRS models haven’t always flagged up on people’s lists when looking at a hot hatch.

The Fabia vRS is one you should consider, however. It’s smartly styled, well put together and a hoot for whoever is behind the wheel. Plus. they don’t come with huge price tags, so they’re a great one to go for today.

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

When Alfa Romeo revealed that it was shoehorning a 3.2-litre V6 engine inside its dinky 147 hatchback, few people could believe it. Close to 250bhp and a 0-60mph time of just over six seconds meant that it could more than hold its own against other performance hatches of the time.

It commanded a serious price tag when new – just over £23,000 back in 2003 – and it has continued to maintain a strong price, maintained by enthusiast demand and interest. Still, search hard and you’ll find a bargain, and it’s likely to be a car you won’t regret buying.

What is it?

Though crossovers are all the rage in the new car market and the race to electrification is seeing a world of hybrids and EVs coming to the fray, the, err, crossover between the two has been rather minimal so far.

Sure, it’s possible to buy an electric MG ZS and a variant of the new Peugeot 2008 will be battery-powered too, but those seeking a more eco-conscious option from their pseudo-SUV have been largely restricted to the former and, in more recent times, Hyundai Kona variants.

There is an alternative, however, and one that has led the way in hybrid within its segment. That’s the Toyota C-HR, which has featured an electrified variant ever since its 2016 introduction. It’s been far from a flop either, with 14,600 shifted in its first year on the UK scene — though this does include pure internal combustion choices.

Keen to build on its success and perhaps even take on the class-leading Nissan Juke, Toyota has opted to refresh the car for 2020 — but is it enough to grab a stronger hold in arguably the most competitive new car arena?

What’s new?

Toyota is a firm proud of its ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrains, and it’s decided to offer only electrified units in the refreshed C-HR. The previous 1.8-litre option remains with a little bit of fettling to boot and now lines up with a fresh 2.0-litre alternative drafted in from the Corolla hatchback. Examples powered by the latter see some suspension and soundproofing tweaks, too.

Visual changes are subtle but certainly present, with a little bit of a touch-up to the front and rear bumpers while head- and taillights receive updated LED tech.

Rounding out notable changes to the crossover is a (much-needed) upgrade for its infotainment system, which now also boasts support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

What’s under the bonnet?

We’re behind the wheel of the refreshed Toyota C-HR with the new 2.0-litre unit sat underneath its bonnet. The four-cylinder unit is linked to a 650v electric motor, with the two combining to produce 184bhp. Power is fed to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.

As a result, 0-60mph takes eight seconds with a top speed of 112mph said to be possible. Toyota claims the C-HR returns 49.6-54.3mpg in mixed driving conditions with emissions weighing in at 92g/km.

Those looking for an engine that’s effortless and efficient should fix their eyes this way. It’s happy to sit in EV-only mode for most lower-speed driving, with the transition to using its petrol engine seamless. Power does thin out early in the rev band and its CVT does result in a fair bit of noise under heavy throttle usage, but low-end torque makes for a smooth driving experience.

What’s it like to drive?

If there’s one thing Toyota didn’t need to alter about the C-HR, it was the driving experience — and fortunately, it hasn’t.

Town capabilities are impressive as ever, with the car taking the difficulty out of driving thanks to its well-judged steering and compact dimensions, which is sure to win buyers over. Visibility is still compromised as a result of its unconventional styling, though.

Its strengths as an urban runaround don’t compromise its capabilities elsewhere, either. A supple ride and low wind noise make it relaxing at motorway speeds, while a keen chassis means there’s fun to be had on twisty roads — though the car will fight hard against any yobbish mannerisms with an intrusive traction control system.

How does it look?

Admittedly, your only way of distinguishing a new C-HR from an old one would be by lining up the cars side-by-side and having someone who already knew the difference pointing it out to you. That, or by looking for a post-69 registration plate.

It’s not without changes, though. Very subtle tweaks come to the front and rear bumpers of the car, while Toyota proudly boasts new LED tech in its head- and tailights. Fresh alloy wheels designs are introduced as well.

Though perhaps not as opinion-dividing as the previous Nissan Juke’s aesthetic, the Toyota C-HR certainly has a bolder approach to design than most conventional crossovers. We’ll let you make your own mind up whether that’s a good thing or not, but from our perspective, we’re quite taken by it.

What’s it like inside?

You may have picked up on a theme of changes being minimal but effective, and that continues into the C-HR’s cabin. It remains spacious up front, with an impressive deployment of premium-feel materials around the cabin. Build quality continues to be impressive too — with the sense that nice stuff is built to last.

Boot space hasn’t been altered with the new powertrain, remaining at 377 litres with all seats in place. That puts it well below the new Nissan Juke’s 422 litres — giving its key rival a leg up.

The main change inside the C-HR is the new infotainment system. It’s an updated version of Toyota’s existing set-up rather than a total overhaul. It’s certainly better than before, but we still think there’s room for improvement — its satellite navigation can be slow to react, responsive isn’t up with the best and it’s far from the most intuitive option on the market. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto presents alternatives, but we think it’s time for a ground-up rethink of the Toyota software.

What’s the spec like?

Pricing for the refreshed Toyota C-HR kicks off at £25,625. As standard, it’s offered with 17-inch alloy wheels, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, the firm’s new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support out of the box and LED reflector headlights. There’s also Toyota’s Safety Sense package, bringing tech highlights like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance, automatic high beams and automatic emergency braking.

We’re behind the wheel of the car in an equivalent spec to the UK’s limited-run Orange Edition. Only 500 units of this are slated to arrive on our shores and brings with it 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, keyless start, satellite navigation, blind spot monitoring, full LED headlights, a JBL audio system and that eye-catching orange paintwork among other goodies.

Though it’s certainly well-equipped in this spec, it does come in at £32,595 and is only offered on 2.0-litre engined cars. For our money, we’d look to drop to a lower-spec model.

Verdict

Tweaks to the new Toyota C-HR may be minor, but they each enhance the overall package without compromising too much.

Its new powertrain immediately stands out as the sweet-spot in the line-up, though its high price point will likely steer buyers toward the smaller-capacity unit. The model is showing its age though, with its boot capacity now outclassed since the car’s original 2016 introduction. More needs to be done infotainment-wise to keep up with the times as well.

With that in mind, however, the C-HR continues to be an effortless drive, exceptionally stylish and offer a lot of equipment.

Facts at a glance

Model: Toyota C-HR Orange Edition
Price: £32,595
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid
Power: (bhp) 184
Torque (Nm): 190Nm (engine) 202Nm (electric motor)
Max speed (mph): 112
0-60mph: 8.0
MPG: 49.6-54.3
Emissions (g/km): 92

Classic car owners could be helping towards a more sustainable future, according to a classics expert.

Mike Brewer, classic car expert and presenter of Wheeler Dealers, believes that owning a classic could be seen as the ‘ultimate in recycling’ and should be regarded as a way of preserving history for future generations to enjoy.

“We live in a world where everything is disposable, but every time I go and see a classic car and put it back on the road, I’m recycling”, said Brewer.

“Crucially, I think that the classic car world is doing far more good by recycling cars and keeping them on roads for generations to come.”

Classic car ownership brings with it a variety of bonuses to the potential buyer, with lower insurance rates and cheaper parts being two potential plus points, added the TV star.

Not only is owning a classic car helpful to the environment, but it boosts economies too, says Brewer.

“They generate loads of money for the economy by keeping tradespeople employed and businesses thriving,” he said.

“The owner of a classic car needs to fork out to keep it on the road. It’ll be at an age where it needs to be restored, repainted and have new steel put in it.”

Mike Brewer was speaking about classics ahead of the launch of his latest bookazine, The Ultimate Guide to Classic Cars, which will be unveiled at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC this weekend (November 8-10).

“I’ve loved cars all my life, especially cherished classics,” said Brewer, who has a Mini Cooper and a Citroen SM among his own collection.

“As a result, putting my Ultimate Guide to Classic Cars together has been a labour of love. Classic cars are something I’m so passionate about that the guide practically wrote itself. I hope my enthusiasm for the subject shines from its pages.”

The bookazine is also available to order online at the discounted price of £4.99 (usual price £6.99) from www.bit.ly/breweroffer.

What is it?

Pick-up trucks aren’t quite the institution in the UK that they are in Ford’s home in America. Out there, the F-Series trucks range from huge to ludicrously, unnecessarily, where-can-you-even-drive-it massive. However, here we get the Ranger, which is rugged enough to survive farm life and plenty big enough for our narrow streets.

In F-Series trucks, the Raptor badge denotes a whopping great V6 with sports car levels of power and chassis upgrades unseen this side of a rally car. Suitably ‘murica, then.

However, the newly introduced Ranger Raptor we get is rather more subdued under the bonnet, sporting a mid-powered diesel. ‘Subdued’ is a relative term, though, because it still stands out a mile here, amping up the standard car to 11.

What’s new?

This being a new model in the Ford Ranger line-up, pretty much everything you see is new, with the key upgrades being those that allow it to eat up any terrain at any speed. Perhaps the most important part is the new Fox Pro shock absorbers with position-sensitive damping, which smooth out the roughest roads and look fantastic in yellow, peaking out beneath the flared wheel arches.

Other kit that’ll aid your rally raids on the countryside include a terrain management system with six selectable drive modes to alter drive settings for different surfaces, front and rear ventilated brake discs and a front aluminium skid plate.

What’s under the bonnet?

The aforementioned diesel engine is a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel unit that makes 210bhp and, more importantly for such a car, 500Nm of torque. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that’s been beefed up for the Raptor and gets new gearing.

As the performance figures suggest, this thing doesn’t exactly deliver blistering pace. What it does deliver, however, is muscular low-down torque that feels like nothing could slow it down. It’s perfect for off-road driving, dispatching steep inclines with as little fuss as if it was horizontal.

What’s it like to drive?

With chunky all-terrain tyres, those trick suspension dampers and four-wheel-drive, the Ranger Raptor is most at home adventuring where normal cars cannot. We took it green laning – which involves driving down unpaved routes in the countryside – and it was unflustered, even on the greasy clay surfaces of the South Downs. At any speeds, even when it gets bumpy, the suspension smooths the route out in carpet-like fashion.

Even when the going got particularly nerve-wracking, with sticky mud and deep puddles on a deeply rutted route, the brutish pick-up just kept ploughing through. As an aside, with mud kicked up and caking every panel, the Raptor looks fantastic.

Fortunately, out on the road, it doesn’t fall apart as you might expect an off-road focused vehicle to. It’s not the most refined at highway speeds, but road noise is surprisingly limited, meaning you can have conversations without raising your voice. It also refrains from lolloping about in corners, despite the soft suspension’s long travel.

How does it look?

Pick-up trucks have an inherent rugged cool to them, but the Raptor takes the idea and amplifies it to caricature levels – and the result is a fantastically OTT pick-up that definitely looks better the filthier it gets.

Styling changes over the standard Ranger include an F-150 Raptor-inspired grille, front bumper-mounted LED fog lights, durable sidestep boards, and chunky, flared wheel arches to accommodate the new tyres and suspension system. Our model was also fitted with optional Raptor graphics, which should be tacky, but somehow work here.

What’s it like inside?

The Ranger Raptor’s interior is a typical Ford affair, with customers coming to this model from the firm’s other cars or trucks likely to feel immediately at home.

For a workhorse model, Ford has bestowed a surprisingly plush interior upon the Raptor, with plenty of soft-touch materials and cosseting sports seats. The Blue Oval generally struggles to achieve a true premium feel, but here it works to give an air of justification to the circa-£50k price tag.

For a big truck, you might be surprised at the lack of everyday practicality, though. With the load bed cover items in the back are safe but chuck your weekly shop in there and you might find yourself clambering deep into the bed to retrieve loose vegetables after a drive through town. Therefore, the rear seats and footwell tend to play hosts to any cargo, which becomes problematic when you have passengers.

What’s the spec like?

The £47,874 price tag might seem a bit steep at first, but Ford goes some way to justify it with a hefty standard equipment list.

With regards to what’ll keep you out of trouble on the rough stuff, there are chunky all-terrain tyres, Fox Pro shock absorbers, aluminium skid plates, ventilated disc brakes front and rear, four off-road tow hooks, and selectable drive modes to optimise the electronics for the road surface.

Inside there’s a Raptor-specific suede trim with heated seats, leather steering wheel, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav, and a rear-view camera.

Other equipment of note includes bi-xenon headlights, rain sensitive windscreen wipers, privacy glass, a power converter and various collision avoidance systems. The only option added to our test car was the Raptor decal pack, costing £900.

Verdict

Truth be told, the standard Ranger could probably do 90 per cent of what the Raptor is capable of. However, it’s that extra 10 per cent that not only makes the pumped-up pick-up such an enticing prospect, but fully justified in its hefty price tag.

If you’re looking for something with more off road capabilities than you’ll ever likely need, which also looks great and packs plenty of creature comforts, the Ford Ranger Raptor is all the truck you could ever ask for. Just don’t expect blistering straight line performance from that diesel engine…

Motoring’s biggest story right now is the imminent merger of French car giant PSA Group and Italian-American behemoths Fiat Chrysler.

With terms agreed for a 50/50 merger to create one of the world’s biggest motoring firms, the likes of Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Maserati, Abarth and DS among others are all about to sit under the same giant umbrella.

That gives us huge scope for potential new models and interesting technological crossovers (of the sharing kind, not the pseudo-SUV, though those are likely too). We’ve come up with some cars we’d like to see from the new French-American-Italian alliance…

Abarth 208

Abarth’s 1.4-litre engine is one of the greatest things to come from FCA, and using that as the basis of Peugeot’s next hot hatch is an idea we can get behind.

The new 208 has immediately made an impact for its impressive looks, while early reviews say it has the chassis to cope with a lot more grunt. The perfect candidate for an Abarth makeover, Monza exhaust and all.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Hybrid4

Alfa Romeo has arguably the best looking saloon on the market in the Giulia, though it lacks on powertrain choice when compared with key competitors like the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4.

That could quickly be rectified with access to PSA’s huge selection of powertrains, with its new Hybrid4 plug-in setup a strong contender. It pairs a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 13.2kWh electric motor, in total producing 296bhp and offering 32 miles of EV-only driving. Potent and efficient, what more can you ask for?

Alfa Romeo MiTo electric

With the supermini market ever-more competitive, the Alfa Romeo MiTo would likely struggle to make an impact on the market if FCA alone gave the model a second generation.

PSA has two strong contenders in the market in its portfolio — the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 — so draping those cars’ impressive underpinnings in a glorious Alfa Romeo design would surely be a hit. For extra kudos, an all-electric variant using the French giant’s tech would give it all the components for success.

Ram 1500 Aircross

FCA’s literally largest offerings come from RAM, which produces a range of trucks that are incredibly popular in the American market. We’re not saying these trucks aren’t already comfortable, but PSA could certainly add to it.

You see, the French firm currently has no market presence in the US — so the country hasn’t experienced the comforts of Citroen’s squishy Aircross models. We think taking the soft, yet well-judged suspension setup and extra comfy seats from the C5 Aircross and sticking them into a big RAM truck would be a great introduction.

Vauxhall Insignia Hellcat

If there’s one thing the Americans do particularly well, it’s putting massive, high horsepower engines into unassuming vehicles to create unlikely rivals for supercars… in a straight line at least.

This is perhaps best epitomised by the Hellcat series built by Dodge, which utilise a 707bhp V8 for truly tyre-shredding performance. This would prove perfect for Vauxhall to spice up its rather mundane range, giving the Insignia rep-mobile some much-needed fire under its bonnet.

Peugeot 5008 Quadrifoglio

Alfa Romeo might not be best known for its reliability, but if there’s one thing it does really well it’s making cars that driving enthusiasts love to get behind the wheel of. The Quadrifoglio versions of its Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV are considered up there with the best in their segment.

Despite looking great, though, the same can’t necessarily be said of Peugeot’s bigger cars. They’re some of the most stylish in the business but could do with a little more excitement. The 5008 would be a great match for Alfa’s performance platform – perfect for those families whose kids always make them late on the school run.

DS 7 GranLusso

Maserati is FCA’s luxury group, making it the perfect match for DS, which does the same job for PSA. Except, DS is probably more premium than luxury, so Maserati’s luxury-focused GranLusso trim would push the DS 7 Crossback into a whole new, more expensive segment.

The SUV would remain largely the same, but get more plush materials inside, bigger, sexier alloy wheels, and clever technology such as soft-closing doors.

New Fiat Punto

One of the key advantages for FCA Group is that it’ll have access to tried and tested vehicle platforms and powertrains across a wide range of mainstream vehicles that would allow it to expand its range without too much research and development.

Fiat could benefit hugely from this because its range currently consists of a million varieties of 500, a few Pandas and the Tipo. With the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa platforms, Fiat could reintroduce the popular Punto.