Author: PA Media

A great number of the population opt for a four-wheel drive car, and they often have very different reasons for doing so. For some, it may be a necessity — with those who live in particularly rural areas relying on the added traction of a four-wheel drive vehicle (not to mention the extra ruggedness and ride height that often comes along with this drivetrain) to get them where they need to go.

For others, four-wheel-drive is about dynamics – a different way to put power to the ground, and one that can produce some brilliant performance cars. While rear-wheel drive cars may provide more drama, four-wheel drive can often produce a faster-accelerating machine.

If your needs tick either of those boxes, we’ve rounded up some of the best bargain 4x4s on the used market – all of which can be had for under £4,000 in good condition.

Land Rover Discovery

Ok, fair enough — Land Rovers are known to be money pits and buying one for £4k could just mean it’s still got £4k left to spend in maintenance bills. But choose carefully (and harness the very real power of wishful thinking) and you could end up with a great example of one of the most legendary off-roaders in the world.

The Discovery took everything the Range Rover or Defender could do and wrapped it in a superbly user-friendly, comfortable and spacious seven-seat bodyshell. There are few vehicles that can do what this car can do, which is just as much home at the country club as it is schlepping through the school run. Just set aside some money for maintenance — you’ll need it.

Suzuki Jimny

The latest Suzuki Jimny has taken the car world by storm, but the original model was so good that it remained in production for almost two decades. That’s an impressive show of solidity from the tiny Jimny.

This pocket-sized mud-plugger will keep up with the big boys any day, courtesy of its proper separate chassis, low-range gearbox and selectable four-wheel drive. Sure, it’s a bit gutless on the road and will struggle to fit in any more than two adults and a carrier bag — but it knows its purpose, and executes it brilliantly. Ratty examples cost barely anything, but £4,000 will net you a tidy car that’s not had too much misuse.

Subaru Impreza Turbo

Cheap four-wheel-drive machines don’t all have to be used-and-abused SUVs that have seen a lifetime of towing or farm work — and the Subaru Impreza Turbo is an example of this.

While the fire-breathing WRX STI and lesser WRX may have taken the limelight in the Impreza’s heyday, the humble Turbo offered a similar driving experience to its rally-born brethren, but for a lower cost. Good examples can be hard to find now, but a handful of early, unmolested cars come in under our budget.

Mitsubishi Shogun

Believe it or not, the Mitsubishi Shogun is still in production in close to the same form it initially took in 2006 — a testament to its proven track record of being a rugged, dependable real go-anywhere machine.

But why pay £40k+ for a shiny new one, when for a tenth of the price you can get all of that — just in a less polished package. Late second-generations can be had within our price and, although they may have seen some action over the years, will still offer just as much function as a new Shogun will.

Toyota Land Cruiser

When it comes to off-roaders, there’s only one name that’s as iconic as Land Rover — and that’s Land Cruiser. Toyota’s offering in this segment is a true legend, famed for unshakeable reliability and unstoppable off-road capability.

Our budget will net you a fairly tidy example, and in the UK there’s every chance it’s been used in little more than the school run. And even if it hasn’t, these cars will run forever if maintained correctly.

Fiat Panda 4×4

Adorable? Check. Tiny footprint? Double check. Surprisingly capable on the rough stuff? That’s a hat-trick for the Fiat Panda 4×4 — which is one of Italy’s most beloved institutions and a brilliant little all-rounder.

Whether you opt for the barely-distinguishable standard 4×4 or the rugged and beefy Cross, the Panda 4×4 offers a remarkable amount of traction and will embarrass many a larger 4×4 in mud or snow. Good examples can be had for well under our budget.

Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep name is synonymous with genuine go-anywhere ability, with the firm boasting a proven track record of producing seriously capable machinery since its WWII roots.

Ok, so the Cherokee may not be quite as tough the Wrangler — but it still invokes a lot of the American brand’s DNA, and at a seriously budget price. Our budget can net a high-spec V6 model, giving you a real taste of Americana. We can’t promise it’ll be cheap to run, though.

Volvo XC90

4x4s had been steadily making their way into the mainstream for some time, but it’s arguably Volvo that pioneered their use as a family car and rung the death knell for the humble MPV way back in 2002. The XC90 may have looked like an SUV, and acted like one – but its main purpose was to make mum and dad feel like the kings of the road.

Said parental units would be delighted with the Volvo’s family-friendly features, adore its class-leading safety and be reassured by its hefty stance and four-wheel drive. Fast forward just 15 years, and now we can’t move for family crossovers and SUVs. Thanks, Volvo. Luckily, the XC90s popularity and solidity means there’s still loads of examples around.

Honda CR-V

The CR-V may not get the pulse racing, but those who value space, comfort, practicality and reliability will appreciate it. It’s certainly got the chops for family living — think of it like a Civic with four-wheel drive and you won’t be far wrong.

There’s tons of choice at this end of the market, and you’ll be able to opt for either a very tidy second-generation model or a slightly baggier third-gen. Be glad you’re able to buy one at all — many CR-V owners choose to hang on to them, preferring their practical Hondas to more modern crossovers.

David Beckham has introduced Vietnam’s first car manufacturer at the Paris Motor Show — just days after side-stepping a speeding fine.

Making a surprise appearance at the French show, the former England captain appeared alongside Miss Vietnam 2018, Tran Tieu Vy, to help take the wraps off the Vinfast LUX A2.0 saloon and LUX SA2.0 SUV.

In an incredibly awkward exchange at the show, the former Manchester United midfielder uttered fewer than 50 words during his time on stage.

Seemingly unaware of what he was supposed to say, Beckham said: “So beautiful.

It’s incredible, I mean, to create something in such a short space of time is really, it’s really incredible, you know, it really is. Vinfast is a miracle for Vietnam.

“It’s incredible. It’s beautiful. It’s sleek. It’s modern. It’s high tech. It’s premium. It’s incredible. Congratulations.”

He was then handed a Vietnamese flag and posed with the new cars for photographs.

Vinfast's press conference from Paris was quite the thing. Awkward David Beckham, Miss Vietnam with a flag, bamboo pageantry and guys in tron suits on hoverboards. Oh, and some cars. #Vinfast #ParisMotorShow https://t.co/vpruMAzptV

— Phill Tromans (@PhillTromans) October 2, 2018

Just last week, Beckham dodged a speeding ticket thanks to a technicality. He was accused of driving at 59mph in a 40mph zone in West London on January 23.

Despite admitting the offence, the 43-year-old avoided a penalty after he received a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) a day late – an NIP should be issued within 14 days. Beckham was represented at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court by celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, known as “Mr Loophole”.

At the Paris Motor Show, a spokesperson for Vinfast said: “The strategy was to show what it takes competing at the highest level internationally, on the global stage, and David Beckham seemed to fit the bill.

“Plus he’s also a hugely popular figure in Vietnam, which is important as it’s the home market. The speeding case was a private matter.”

Vinfast is planning to sell its new models across the world after first launching them in Vietnam.

The SUV market sector is one of the most popular and fastest-growing in the UK, so it follows that manufacturers all want a slice of the pie. And that’s good news for consumers, as it means car brands all compete to produce the best SUVs – and the resulting products are seriously impressive.

We’ve rounded up five of the best SUVs and crossovers to buy on the new ‘68’ plate.

Citroen C3 Aircross

The C3 Aircross is a beefed-up, raised version of Citroen’s C3 hatch. Entering into the ever-expanding crossover market, the Aircross is there for those people who want a raised-up driving position without the need for a large, hard-to-park SUV.

It offers up a range of economical engines and some seriously funky styling, while its practical interior makes it ideal for family life.

Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen’s biggest SUV may share a platform with (deep breath) the Audi Q7, Porsche Macan, Lamborghini Urus AND the Bentley Bentayga, but with a recent tech-heavy update it’s arguably one of the best of the bunch. It’s the cheapest, too, by a fair margin.

The Touareg’s biggest asset is its impressive interior, which features the massive ‘InnoVision’ infotainment system, seamlessly blending the digital dials with the central screen. It’s super-comfortable, too, and though it’s currently diesel-only a petrol and hybrid option will come soon.

Suzuki Jimny

The latest Jimny replaces its 20-year-old predecessor and promises to be far better to drive both on-road and off it. Plus, just look at how cute it is.

With proper selectable four-wheel drive and a tenaciously gutsy 1.5-litre engine, the Jimny will embarrass many a large 4×4 off road. It’s not currently available to buy, but will hit the market before the end of the 68 plate.

Hyundai Kona Electric

The latest EV to come to the market is this — the Hyundai Kona. Based on the crossover introduced in 2017, the Kona Electric offers an impressive 300 miles of range in its largest battery form, making it a real practical option for any buyer.

Though the regular Kona is a rather average crossover, this electric model distances itself from rivals – it offers almost double the range of the Nissan Leaf for about the same price. How can you argue with that?

BMW X2

The X2 is another crossover to join the ever-expanding segment. Sitting on the premium end of things, the X2 has been designed to encapsulate the luxurious feeling you may associate with a larger BMW SUV in a more compact bodystyle.

We’re big fans of the X2’s smart interior as well as its stylish bodywork – BMW’s experimented with a new form to its iconic kidney grille, as well as putting badges on the C-pillars in a homage to models past.

The humble hatchback makes the world go around, and despite the consistent rise in the popularity of SUVs, there’s still a place for them on the UK’s roads. There’s a bumper crop to pick from with the upcoming plate change too, and we’ve rounded up some of the best.

Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta has been the UK’s best-selling car for a long time now, and that’ll likely continue well into the 68 plate and beyond. There’s a version for everyone, from first driver-spec 1.0 Titanium to the enthusiast-loved ST.

This latest model remains excellent to drive, just as its predecessor was. The interior has also received a much-needed update, bringing with it better technology levels as well as an all-round improvement in build quality.

Volkswagen Polo

The latest Polo is everything the old car was, but better. It’s a paragon of simplicity and solidity in the supermini class and, though it’s not as sharp as a Ford Fiesta, is still great to drive.

A new platform means that interior space has been improved, with better practicality another result of the change. The Polo remains a well-made product, that’s for sure, with rock-solid build quality complemented by decent cabin materials.

Kia Ceed

The Kia Ceed may look like just another hatchback, but it doesn’t drive like one – it’s genuinely dynamic and great in the corners, a surprising development from a brand more associated with long warranties and big boots. Though the Ceed still has both of those things too.

An economical range of petrol and diesel engines are available with the Ceed, along with the option of either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. In short, there’s a powertrain to suit everyone’s needs.

Seat Ibiza

The Ibiza may be virtually identical to the Polo under the skin, but there’s plenty to recommend this stylish Spanish supermini. It’s great to drive and comes with the very best engines that the Volkswagen Group has to offer, plus it’s usefully cheaper than the Polo, too.

The little Ibiza is a good looking car too, with plenty of high-quality touches helping to lift the car’s overall feel. It’s also practical, with a surprising amount of cabin space available despite the car’s small footprint.

Ford Focus

Now in its fourth-generation, the latest Ford Focus has recaptured what made the original so great — excellent driving dynamics, equipment to compete with its close rivals and decent practicality to boot.

This new Focus delivers a compelling drive alongside excellent practicality – and we’d keep our eyes peeled for an upcoming, ‘hot’ ST version too.

Happy International Cat Day! Pet owners adore their moggies, but it’s fair to say that a great number of car owners do as well. In fact, there are few animals which have given so much to the motoring community, and we’ve rounded up some truly meow-vellous examples below.

We’re not kitten you, these fur-midable motors live up to their monikers and prove to the legions of dog owners that cats are truly the superior animal. After all, nobody would buy a Ford Corgi, would they?

Sit back, stretch out and cough up a dead bird while we take you through the best cars to be named after, inspired by or simply look like cats.

Jaguar

Initially the Swallow Sidecar Company, and then S.S Cars, the company built their first car under the Jaguar brand in 1935. Today, it offers two incarnations of the big cat logo – the classic ‘Leaper’ and the more striking ‘Growler’, which you’ll find adorning the grille of every modern Jag. Though the firm’s cars are virtually unrecognisable from the very first Jaguars, the company’s ethos of space, grace and pace is alive and well.

Matra Bagheera

Matra isn’t exactly a well-known name anymore, as the French brand was absorbed into Renault in 2003. But when functioning, it built some staggering cars. The Bagheera – whose name will be familiar to anybody who’s seen the Jungle Book – is a striking three-seat sports car that well lives up to its panther namesake.

Bowler Wildcat

This is one go-anywhere feline. An evolution on the Land Rover Defender, the Bowler Wildcat was available with a 5.0-litre V8 engine and a variety of hardcore off-road mechanicals, which helped it to conquer any terrain it encountered. Its origins in the Dakar Rally mean that it has been tried-and-tested in the harshest of environments, and made the Wildcat one tough moggy indeed.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat 

If you’re after all-out power, then look no further than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. It produces over 700bhp, thanks to a supercharged Hemi V8 engine. It’s all packaged up in a square, squat body that evokes all of the looks of a classic muscle car. This is one cat which few other cars will be able to out-pace.

Panther Six

The snazzily-named Panther was a British firm that liked to do things a little differently, often adding luxury fittings onto existing cars. The Six was rather different – an insane six-wheeled supercar with an 8.2-litre V8 engine, ridiculous luxury trimmings and some seriously bold claims of a 200mph top speed. Sadly, only two were ever built, and the record was never verified.

Nissan Leopard

You’d forgiven for having never heard of the Nissan Leopard — having been designed specifically for the Japanese market — but it had a real pounce about it.

Based on the Nissan Skyline (not the ultra-fast GT-R though, sadly), it was designed to chase the tail of the Toyota, er, Chaser. Although sales in it its home country weren’t terrible, it could never really claw its way into a lead over a respectable 19 years and four generations of production. Maybe some leopard print would’ve helped shift some…

Vauxhall Tigra

The Vauxhall Corsa might not seem the greatest place to start when building a small coupe named after a Tiger, but the Tigra actually managed to elevate itself over its rather humble underpinnings. Throughout two generations it remained sharply styled and rather popular, though it never rivalled the Ford Puma for driving dynamics.

Sunbeam Tiger

This particular cat-named car has humble beginnings, having been based on the Sunbeam Alpine roadster. The tiny four-cylinder engine in that reserved machine never had the roar you’d associate with a real performance machine, but that all changed when the legendary Carroll Shelby got his hands to it.

Out went the little motor and in came a 4.3-litre Ford V8 offering plenty of purr in the tiny package — creating the Sunbeam Tiger. Although it never gained the fame of the similar Shelby Cobra, this cool cat offered serious performance and easy modability — making it a favourite with hot rodders at the time.

Ford Cougar

Ford’s previous big coupe – the Probe – had not been well received. Contemporary road tests named it too soft, too stale and too American. The Cougar was to be the remedy to that, and it did a good job indeed.

Though we’re sad that the Probe’s pop-up headlights disappeared, the sharply-styled Cougar was excellent to drive and showed that Ford could still produce a large coupe that drove well.

Ford Puma

While the Puma was hardly purr-fect with its notorious rust problem, it was light on its feet and looked smart as well. And for those wanting a more angry kitten, Ford offered a limited edition ‘Racing’ version – developed by the Ford rallying team.

Plymouth Prowler

The Plymouth Prowler is an odd looking thing, right? Part car, part drag-racer, it looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. However, with a powerful V6 engine under the bonnet, this is very much a car of reality and even featured useful day-to-day touches like keyless entry and air conditioning. Mean and paw-pussful looking, there are few cars that look quite like the Prowler.

Seat Leon

The Leon name, just like the rest of the Seat range, is named after a locale in the manufacturer’s native Spain. However, since the Spanish word Leon translates to Lion, this in – in a tenuous sense – a car with a feline alias.

Nissan Leaf

This may be a stretch, as the humble electrically-powered Leaf has absolutely nothing to do with cats, felines or moggies. Although under the skin lies a lithium-ion battery – or Li-On, for short.

Peugeot

While the Peugeot moniker comes from the distinctly un-feline founder Armand, the brand is very much associated with lions thanks to its highly-recognisable logo.

The original Peugeot lion looks significantly different from today’s equivalent, with the logo depicting it on all four paws, walking on an arrow. This version was phased out in 1912, and the most recognisable Peugeot lion arrived in September 1975. The brand likes to pay homage to its lion heritage through its modern cars, which feature tail-lights designed to look like cat’s claw marks and often a trim level named ‘Feline’.

… we’ll show ourselves out.

It can sometimes be hard to imagine car manufacturers as being fun. With volume sellers, brand identity and corporate agenda at the forefront — picturing a soul within may be difficult to picture.

Fortunately though, at the heart of every company is inevitably some wacky ideas and every now and then, a few of them see the light of day. We’ve picked out some of the craziest one-offs car manufacturers have ever produced.

Aston Martin V8 Cygnet

The Aston Martin Cygnet was already something of a surprise when it arrived on the scene in 2011, but this Skunkworks creation has only taken it a step further.

Created by the British firm’s ‘Q’ special operations division, this Toyota IQ-based car hides — albeit not very discreetly — a 4.7-litre V8 engine lifted from the Vantage S sports car. That’s 430bhp in a city car. Better yet, this was requested by a customer — and it’s even road legal.

Nissan Juke-R

It’s hard to imagine that one day, somebody went into a Nissan board meeting and pitched the idea of planting a Juke body on top of a GT-R powertrain and walked away with a green light, but that actually happened.

Thus, in 2012, the Juke-R was born. Underneath the goofy-looking Juke sat the beating twin-turbo V6 heart of the R35, creating one of the wildest and most-loved side projects ever created. Better still, Nissan decided to do it all again in 2015 with the Juke-R 2.0 — which boasted even more power at almost 600bhp.

Volkswagen Golf GTI W12-650

It was 2007 when Volkswagen produced the undeniably mad Golf GTI W12-650. As you may have guessed from the name, the car is powered by a W12 that produces just shy of 650bhp with the aid of twin-turbocharging.

The Bentley-sourced engine is mounted behind the driver, where the rear passengers would usually sit. With a widebody kit that can only be described as giving the car an almost spaceship-like look, the W12-650 is not like any other Golf seen before.

Renault Espace F1

Though based on a Renault Espace, this crazy MPV has more in common with a Formula One car. The Espace F1 features a lightweight carbon F1-style chassis housed by a carbon fibre-reinforced Espace body — oh, and not to mention the mid-mounted 789bhp 3.5-litre V10 found in the 1993 Williams-Renault F1 car.

Even though it was made in 1995, it is still super quick even by today’s standards — 0-60mph takes a mere 2.8 seconds and it’ll top out at 194mph. The only Espace F1 now resides in the Matra Museum in France.

Renault Twizy F1

More recently in 2013, Renault took the tiny electrically powered Twizy and gave it the F1 treatment. Though not as powerful as the almost 800bhp Espace F1 that came before it (the Twizy F1 only has 97bhp from its electric motors), it’s still a sight to see. From the front splitter to the rear wing, you can tell the little F1 means business.

It may not be the fastest car in the world, but it has a good power to weight ratio and 97bhp out of a Twizy that usually has just 17bhp is a massive step up. Looks like good fun too.

Honda Civic Type-R Pickup Truck

Want a hot hatch but need something with plenty of cargo space? The Civic Type-R Pickup Truck might just be the machine for you.

Well, it would be if Honda put it into production, which seems unlikely, but it’s impressive nonetheless. Based on a pre-production version of the latest generation of the hot hatch, Honda UK replaced the hatch and rear seats with an aluminium flatbed — but did carry over the iconic rear wing. The firm even reckons it could be the fastest pickup truck around the Nürburgring if they decide to set a lap there…

Toyota Aygo Crazy

If you put together a Toyota Aygo and a Toyota MR2, what do you get? Well, this — the Toyota Aygo Crazy. Arguably the most track-focused Aygo in existence, the car is a rear-wheel drive 1.8-litre mid-engined monster that has all the bells and whistles of a race car. This includes a full roll cage and a lack of power steering, traction control and ABS. It may only have 197bhp, but the Crazy will get from 0-60mph in under 6 seconds. This Aygo is no slouch by any means.

by Oliver Young and Ryan Hirons

A bin lorry has sunk into a hole in a town centre road after the summer heat melted the asphalt.

The vehicle working for West Berkshire Council became stuck after the carriageway gave way in Old Bath Road, Newbury, Berkshire, on Thursday.

Officers on scene making area safe after an HGV sunk into Old Bath Road Newbury. ROAD CLOSED awaiting recovery and road repair #Sgt5595 pic.twitter.com/UvPnAhQZZA

— TVP West Berkshire (@TVP_WestBerks) July 5, 2018

Thames Valley Police West Berkshire posted on Twitter: “Officers on scene making area safe after an HGV sunk into Old Bath Road Newbury. ROAD CLOSED awaiting recovery and road repair.”

A spokeswoman for West Berkshire Council said: “We have excavated half of the site and found solid ground underneath and not ground water so there is no larger hole underneath.

“The road will be closed over the weekend while repairs are carried out.”

Over in America, everything is bigger, louder and more flamboyant than most places around the world — and there’s no exception to the rule for its cars.

It’s home of the brash V8, the huge pick-up truck and some of the most rugged machinery ever made — and we’ve picked out some of the coolest ever made in the States.

Dodge Viper

Think V10 sports car and you’re likely to imagine an elegant, exotic European machine — but perhaps the best ten-cylinder brute comes from across the pond.

The Dodge Viper ticks all the boxes of Americana — huge engine, big power and a brutal presence on the roads, but has managed to gain global appeal thanks to being downright crazy.

Early models sent around 400bhp through the Viper’s rear wheels without the aid of traction control, and there weren’t any anti-lock brakes to help you stop it either. The recipe never really changed over the Viper’s 16-year run — only gaining more power. That said, ABS did eventually come to the car, but only because the American government said so…

Chevrolet Corvette C7 ZR1

The ZR1 nameplate was first attached to the iconic Chevrolet Corvette in 1969, becoming a symbol of high-performance machinery — and the latest incarnation looks set to be the best yet.

Just released, the C7 ZR1 boasts a mighty 745bhp from its supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, propelling it from 0-60mph in just three seconds before hitting a top speed of 212mph.

It’s got looks to match the go as well, with an aggressive body kit on an already angry-looking base, along with a table-like rear wing to help keep the car stuck to the road.

Cadillac V-16

The V8 engine? Commonplace. The V10? Positively pedestrian. V12? Yaaaawn. But a V16? That’s the sort of cylinder count a real car needs – and Cadillac was the first to pioneer this many-cylindered layout way back in the 1930s.

The V-16 reflected Cadillac’s status as one of the world’s foremost luxury brands – easily the equal of Rolls-Royce in this pre-war era. As such, the cars majored on quality, smoothness, dignified progress and sheer class. They command pretty high prices today, easily reaching over half a million pounds at auction.

Ford GT40

As with all great things, the Ford GT40 was born from a disagreement. It began when Ford was on the verge of buying Italian legend Ferrari before Enzo Ferrari pulled out of a deal at the last minute.

Angered, Henry Ford II, grandson of the firm’s founder, decided to hit Ferrari where it hurt — on the racetrack.

Thus the Ford GT40 was created to challenge the Italians at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It struggled during its first two years, but then 1966 saw a 1-2-3 finish for the Americans, which would kick off a streak of four wins at the iconic endurance race for the GT40 in various guises.

The machine became so legendary that Ford itself later made two road-going homages to the race car — the GTs of 2005 and 2017, respectively.

Cord 810/812

The Cord summed up the art-deco era with its gorgeous styling, which saw a streamlined body, and pop-up headlights mix with some seriously advanced technology – for the 1930s, that is. The Cord was the first mainstream American car to offer front-wheel drive, making it completely different from anything that had come before.

Supercharged models are the most desirable, with their V8 engines supplemented by a Cummins supercharger and marked out by gorgeous chrome exhaust pipes. Reliability issues and some dodgy design decisions meant Cords weren’t perfect, but they look so cool it’s hard to care.

Willys Jeep

The Willys MB started life as a lightweight military off-roader, built to mobilise Allied forces during the Second World War. And very capable it was too – exactly fitting the need for a super-lightweight, low-cost and standardised transport.

Nobody could have predicted the impact that the Jeep would have though, and the original is truly one of the most iconic vehicles in the world. It’s since spawned an entire road-going brand producing thoroughly modern SUVs – though it hasn’t forgotten its roots, and the contemporary Wrangler preserves the spirit of the original Jeep.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R

We may get the latest Ford Mustang in the UK — but its most fruitful version is a forbidden gem for us.

The American-only Shelby GT350R builds on the already impressive Mustang GT, gaining a whopping 116bhp more to take it to 526bhp — making it the most powerful naturally-aspirated Ford ever built.

It’s not all just extra power here though, with the Shelby gaining magnetic dampers, improved suspensions coils and beefier roll bars to better it around the corners. We’re still holding out for the day it arrives in UK showrooms.

Shelby Cobra

The Shelby Cobra – or AC Cobra as we in Blighty knew it as – started life as a modest sports car called the AC Ace. But American legend Carroll Shelby decided the Ace needed a bit more shove, and wrote to AC asking if they’d fit in a Ford-sourced V8.

Eventually, Ford’s Windsor unit was squeezed into the AC, and so began one of the best examples of trans-Atlantic cooperation ever. The Cobra is a beloved classic car and has spawned myriad kit cars and replicas, plus glorious modern continuation models.

Saleen S7

You may have never heard of Saleen — and you could be forgiven if you’re in the UK, as it’s an American specialist in Mustang tuning — but the S7 is one of the finest machines to ever come from the States.

This sleek supercar borrows quite a few Ford parts — most crucially the V8 engine from a Mustang — and turns them into a package capable of rivalling the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini in the exotic stakes.

Better still, a ‘competition package’ for the twin-turbocharged version of the S7 was offered, and would up power to over 1,000bhp. Crikey.

Hummer H1

If you’re after a rugged American military vehicle, you could opt for a Jeep – or you could jump forward a few decades and go for the Hummer H1 instead. It’s based on the military Humvee, which means it’s wide enough to drive through tank tracks and powered by a 6-litre-plus diesel engine.

The favourite of ‘Governator’ Arnold Schwarzenegger, the H1 is one of the most capable off-road vehicles around, and though it’s totally inappropriate for modern traffic, its burly beefiness has an appeal nothing else can quite match.

To understand hybrids, we must first go back 14 billion years, to precisely three minutes after the Big Bang. Since those first few moments, matter has been mingling, bonding, binding and fusing into hybrids – at first to form atoms, then elements and compounds and the building blocks of life as we know it. In other words, hybrids are as old as time itself.

Of course, when you think of hybrids today you’re more likely to picture a car than some chemical reaction in the nuclear fires of a supernova, but still, the principle is the same. Sometimes, two things simply work better together. Petrol and electricity, for example. Or gin and tonic.

In fact, hybrids are all around us, and even inside of us. Everybody knows that humans are 60 per cent water, which of course is a hybrid. Look around and you’ll see hybrids absolutely everywhere, from farmer’s fields to far-flung forests, from test tubes to test tracks. And, as you’re about to see, some of them even changed the world…

Toyota Prius

Believe it or not it’s over 20 years since Toyota launched the Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle and one of the most important cars of all time, up there with the Ford Model T, the original Mini and the McLaren F1. When it first came along, even the iPhone was still ten years away, and few thought that – one day – even supercars would be fuelled by a mixture of petrol and batteries. Today, a world without hybrids seems unthinkable, and the Prius, now in its fourth generation, has sold over four million units.

Centaur

Possibly the most famous of all mythological beasts, these half-human, half-horse hybrids were said to worship the God of Wine, which may explain their reputation as boisterous, hoofy drunkards. The story goes that Centaurs were dreamed up by the Ancient Greeks, probably as a reaction to their first encounters with nomads on horseback, who from a distance looked like an all-in-one horse and jockey combo with an outside chance in the 4.10 at Kempton.

Range Rover PHEV

The Range Rover is already a pretty effortlessly cool car, capable of looking right at home whether it’s knee deep in mud in the Shropshire countryside or polished and buffed outside a trendy London nightclub. The latest model, though, blends this rugged go-anywhere ability with some serious eco credentials thanks to its plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Pizzly Bear

They’ve been romping in zoos since the Eighties, but polar bears and grizzlies rarely meet in the wild, let alone produce crossbreed cubs. In fact, with only a handful of sightings, few believed that pizzly bears existed at all outside of captivity, until somebody shot one in 2006. DNA tests confirmed it was a hybrid: white like a polar bear but with the face of a grizzly, along with brown paws and big claws. Nobody knows for sure what’s bringing them together, although one theory is that climate change is causing their habitats to overlap.

LaFerrari

One of the most exclusive hypercars in the world, the Ferrari is one member of the fabled ‘big three’ hybrid supercars – alongside the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918. The Ferrari’s hybrid system takes the form of a 161bhp electric motor which boosts the 789bhp V12 engine in short bursts, giving a total of 950bhp. Performance is of course astronomical, with Ferrari claiming it’ll reach 124mph in the same time it takes a hot hatchback to hit 60.

Bloodhound SSC

Hybrid cars are as much about performance as efficiency, but even so, Bloodhound SSC, the 1,000mph car, takes things to a whole new level by combining a jet engine – the sort you’d find in a Eurofighter Typhoon – with a cluster of rockets. In all, it has about 135,000 thrust horsepower, which is more than eight times the power of all the cars on the F1 grid combined. Even the fuel is pumped by a supercharged, 550bhp V8. Just as well when you consider it’ll need 40 litres of rocket oxidiser for every second of its top speed run in South Africa next year.

Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

Though the Porsche’s powertrain is of course a hybrid unit, mating an electric motor with a 2.9-litre V6 engine, the real hybrid here is how the Panamera manages to combine two cars into one. When you’re just pootling round, it’s a comfortable, spacious and easy-to-drive luxury car. When you put your foot down, though, it becomes a bona fide supercar, capable of hitting 60mph from rest in just 4.4 seconds and returning a claimed 108mpg – though not at the same time.

Water

Compounds (chemical hybrids of two or more elements) are all around us, though none are more abundant than water. The world contains around 1,260 trillion million litres of the stuff, which if spread evenly over the Earth’s surface would have a depth of 2,800 metres. Yet if you could condense it into a four-litre jug, only one tablespoon would be freshwater while the rest would be salty oceans. And get this: in a 100-year period, a single water molecule spends 98 years in the sea, 20 months locked away as ice, about two weeks in lakes and rivers, and less than a week in the atmosphere.

Tree of 40 Fruit

The Tree of 40 Fruit is an arboreal artwork created by American art professor Sam Van Aken, who grafts buds from various fruit trees onto a single ‘stock’ tree. Over several years the stock tree eventually grows branches from its different donors, each bearing a unique fruit, including peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines and cherries. So far he’s planted 16 of these hybrid trees in seven US states, which in springtime blossom pink, crimson and white.

Lexus LS500h

In the not-too-distant future, every car will feature hybrid or electric tech. Already though, carmakers such as Lexus and Toyota have a hybrid-electric version of almost every model in their showroom. In fact, 99 per cent of Lexus’s UK sales are petrol-electric hybrids, such as the new LS500h, an exec saloon with limo-like luxury – soothing and quiet when you need it to be, but also capable of proper performance with very low emissions. All this thanks to the world’s first multi-stage hybrid system featuring a 3.5-litre V6 working together with clever electric motors. The best of both worlds? That’s what hybrids are all about, after all.

Around a fifth (19%) of motorists have taken penalty points for another driver, a survey suggests.

Men are almost three times more likely than women to take the blame for another driver’s offence, according to research commissioned by Co-op Insurance.

More than one in four (28%) men have accepted points for another motorist, compared with just one in 10 women.

Almost half (49%) of people who have illegally taken points have done so for their partner.

The most common reason for taking points for someone else is a belief that their car insurance is so cheap there would be no financial impact.

This is followed by helping the other person avoid a driving ban (23%) and financial gain (18%), with average payments worth £220.

Taking driving penalty points for another driver, is a crime. Who'd of thunk ?

— baz davis (@bazdavis10) June 21, 2018

Anyone caught can be prosecuted for perverting the course of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

In March 2013 former cabinet minister Chris Huhne and his ex-wife Vicky Pryce were jailed for eight months after she agreed to take his speeding points to avoid him losing his licence in 2003.

Drivers can be disqualified if they get 12 points within a three-year period. New drivers can also have their licence revoked if they receive six points within two years of passing the test.

Head of motor insurance at Co-op, Nick Ansley, said: “It’s surprising and quite concerning that a fifth of motorists have taken penalty points for someone else.

“Penalty points are in place to deter people from committing motoring offences and to ensure safer driving for all on the roads.

“We want to ensure people are safe on the roads and whilst some drivers may think they’re helping out another, by swapping penalty points, they’re putting themselves and others at risk.”

Some 2,000 UK adults were polled for the research.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “As money-making schemes go this is one of the most flawed.

“Being paid a few hundred pounds to take the blame for someone else might seem harmless enough, but if you’re caught then you could be found guilty of perverting the course of justice, the cost of which can be a big fine and even a prison sentence, not to mention a hefty hike in insurance premiums.

“Front-facing cameras also mean that often there is clear evidence of who was actually driving.”