Dashboard cameras are fast becoming a common purchase among motorists, offering an unbiased and clear eyewitness account of incidents and accidents on the roads.

The market for these cameras has boomed in recent years, meaning there’s many to choose from – which can be intimidating if you’re unsure what to look for. We’ve picked seven of the best on the market today to help you find the right dash cam.

Nextbase 312GW

Quite possibly the best all-round option on the dash cam market is the Nextbase 312GW, thanks to a generous helping of features for its price.

It records footage in full HD 1080p at 30fps which can be streamed directly to a mobile device thanks to on-board WiFi. There’s also GPS and a G force recorder built into the compact camera, providing extensive data in the event of an accident.

Price: £99 (Halfords)

RoadHawk Vision

The RoadHawk Vision is a discreet way to have a dash cam in your car, thanks to a small cylinder design.

Despite this, it still offers plenty of bang for your buck. It can record 1296p ‘SuperHD’ resolution at 30fps, and also features a HDR sensor that optimises the image based on real-time lighting.

Price: £136.18 (Amazon.co.uk)

Z-Edge Z3

If you’re on a budget, the Z-Edge Z3 is one of the best ways to fit your car with a video recorded without breaking the bank.

It offers all the basics – 1080p recording, a built-in rechargeable battery and a 145-degree field of view to give a clear view of the road ahead. It even comes with a 32gb SD card, ensuring you’ve got plenty of room for footage out of the box.

Price: £79.99 (Amazon.co.uk)

Nextbase 612GW

Money no object? Then the feature-crammed Nextbase 612GW is the ultimate choice of dash cam currently on the market.

It boasts 4k video recording with a 150-degree wide viewing angle for the best possible footage, which can then be downloaded to mobile devices thanks to built in WiFi. There’s also ‘Intelligent Parking Mode’, which automatically begins recording when motion is detected, so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to switch it on.

Price: £249.99 (Halfords)

Blackvue DR750S-2CH

Looking to cover both the front and rear of your car? The Blackvue DR750S-2CH offers just that.

Both lenses on the unit record in smooth 1080p, 60fps and are paired to a Sony STARVIS sensor which optimises lighting. Along with GPS logging and WiFi streaming, the camera also comes with free cloud storage – meaning videos uploaded to Blackvue’s service can be viewed anytime, anywhere.

Price: £349.95 (Halfords)

Garmin Dash Cam 55

The inconspicuous Garmin Dash Cam 55 boasts plenty of quirks and features to stand out on the market.

As well as 1440p recording, it offers voice control which allows you take a picture, record audio and save any particular moments without lifting your hands from the wheel. Plus, there’s even forward collision and lane departure warning technology – a bonus for any car not fitted with the systems.

Price: £149.99 (buy.garmin.com)

Roadeyes recSMART

Despite lacking a screen, the recSMART might just be one of the best buys on the market with no gimmicks, simply offering a way to record clear footage on the road.

The clear 2k resolution footage can be viewed from a mobile device using WiFi, which comes time-stamped and geotagged to provide an extremely accurate account of events. There’s also a wireless button bundled, so you can save notable events on the move.

Price: £139.90 (Amazon.co.uk)

Tyres of the future could help in the fight against air pollution – if this moss-filled concept becomes a reality.

Developed by American tyre manufacturer Goodyear, the Oxygene concept has been revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It collects moisture from the road through its tread as well as carbon dioxide from the air, allowing photosynthesis to take place that results in clean oxygen being fed back into the atmosphere.

Your first chance to see our solution to a sustainable future @GimsSwiss. Welcome to the Goodyear family, Oxygene #GimsSwiss pic.twitter.com/u2vezMms6U

— Goodyear Tyres (@goodyear_uk) March 6, 2018

The firm claims that if the tyres were fitted to 2.5 million vehicles in Paris, almost 3,000 tons of oxygen would be created while more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide would be absorbed every year.

Not only does the tyre help air fight pollution, it also recycles some of the energy created during photosynthesis to power its on-board Li-Fi (light fidelity) technology. This uses LEDs to transmit data to communicate with other vehicles on the road, which Goodyear says “is critical to smart mobility management systems”.

Chris Delaney, president of Goodyear Europe, said: “Smarter, greener infrastructure and transport will be crucial in addressing the most pressing challenges of urban mobility and development. Oxygene is meant to challenge our thinking and help drive the debate around smart, safe and sustainable future mobility.

“By contributing in this way to cleaner air generation, the tyre could help enhance quality of life and health for city dwellers.”

Flying cars are no new idea, with companies for decades promising machinery that can take to both the skies and roads – but almost all fade away never to see the light of day. Well, thanks to Dutch company PAL-V, it looks like one may finally become reality.

This is the Liberty, the “world’s first flying car production model”, which has been unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s been in development for a decade and is set to go on sale to the public in 2019.

Unlike most flying car concepts, which have fixed wings to create an aeroplane-like vehicle, the PAL-V Liberty adds a gyroplane engine and retractable propellers to a tilting sports car body – making it more akin to a helicopter.

This means it can take-off and land in a short distance – ideal for making this a practical vehicle both on the road and in the sky. Its Dutch manufacturer also claims this will allow it to fly in turbulent weather, when fixed-wing alternatives could not.

I give you… the HOMER MK2 pic.twitter.com/6CLvyvQ5Em

— James Baggott (@CarDealerEd) March 6, 2018

On the ground, the Liberty can achieve speeds of up to 106mph and, perhaps more impressively, 112mph while in the air. It can also cover 311 miles between fuel stops.

PAL-V is taking pre-orders now for interested customers, with first deliveries following next year. If you want one, now might be the time to start flying lessons as you’ll need a pilot’s licence to be able to take it to the sky.

It’s time to say goodbye to the Ford Focus RS, but not without a bang. Introducing the Heritage Edition – the final version of the high-performance hatchback.

Production of the hot-hatch will end on April 6 this year, having started in 2015. The Heritage Edition is a not only a celebration of the outgoing fast Focus, but of the RS nameplate’s 50th anniversary, too.

It boasts a unique paint finish, high levels of equipment and a 25bhp boost in power to wave the Focus RS off. It’s exclusive to the UK, with the last 50 right-hand-drive models set to be produced in the limited-run guise.

The eye-catching ‘Tief Orange’ paint harks back to one of Ford’s most iconic performance models – the Mk1 Escort Mexico – and is currently only available on Heritage Edition examples of the Focus RS.

This is what happens when you let the @forduk designers have time for free thinking it seems! Anyone else spotted this Essex today? pic.twitter.com/apT5e3B7Xs

— Ford RS Owners Club (@RSOwnersClub) February 7, 2018

Complementing the striking finish is a host of exterior upgrades, including grey brake callipers behind black alloy wheels, with black-painted door mirrors and a rear spoiler topping off the look.

Inside the car, there’s Recaro seats, privacy glass, a sunroof, rear-parking sensors, cruise control and a heated steering wheel all as standard.

The standard Focus RS’ 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine can still be found under the bonnet, but here it receives a bump in power thanks to Ford-approved tuner Mountune’s FPM375 upgrade.

This results in a jump from 345bhp and 470Nm to 370bhp and 510Nm of torque. Ford hasn’t revealed exact performance figures but expect an improvement on the regular car’s 4.5 second 0-60mph time and 165mph top speed. Power is still sent to all four wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox.

To help put the power to the ground more effectively, the Heritage Edition features a Quaife front differential – as previously introduced on RS Edition models – which Ford says provides a “heightened dynamic sensation for performance driving enthusiasts”.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain, said: “The RS brand is hugely important to Ford and is recognised across the globe, however it has a special place in the hearts of UK Ford fans. This latest model is the best RS we’ve ever produced, so it seems a fitting tribute as we approach its 50th anniversary.”

The Ford Focus RS Heritage Edition is now on sale, with prices starting at £39,895 – but act fast, as demand is going to be high for the next piece in RS history.

Land Rover has scaled one of China’s toughest mountains using nothing more than a showroom-spec version of its latest high-performance SUV.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV is the first vehicle to reach the Heaven’s Gate landmark top of Tianmen Mountain, having first taken on a treacherous seven-mile road — known locally as Dragon’s Road —before climbing 999 steps and navigating 99 turns to reach its final destination.

Not a single modification was made to the vehicle, with the showroom-ready car utilising its Terrain Response 2 system to reach the top – piloted by Formula E driver Ho-Pin Tung, of Panasonic Jaguar Racing.

Ho-Pin Tung said: “I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1 and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but this was without doubt one of the most demanding driving challenges I’ve ever faced. The Range Rover Sport PHEV performed brilliantly as it inspired real confidence on the mountain road and climbed the stairs up to Heaven’s Gate effortlessly.”

Phil Jones, Land Rover Experience expert, said: “This was the hardest Range Rover Sport challenge I’ve ever been involved with because, until we reached the top, we couldn’t categorically say we would succeed. By making it to the summit, we’ve proven the phenomenal capability of the Range Rover Sport plug-in hybrid like never before – with a genuine world first.”

It’s the not the first time Land Rover has used its vehicles to take on daring challenges. The firm took on the Pikes Peak hill climb in 2013 using a petrol Range Rover Sport, setting a record time for production SUVs.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV, for which UK order books are now open, is powered by a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a four-cylinder petrol engine and an 85kW electric motor. It develops a total of 398bhp and 640Nm of torque, capable of taking the car from 0-60mph in 6.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 137mph. Prices start at £70,800.

So, you want a faster car. You could of course just buy a more powerful vehicle, but what if you can’t afford one or simply want to keep your current machine?

Well, there’s plenty of ways to improve performance easily – huge turbocharging kits, exhaust systems and – if you’re feeling particularly brave – full engine swaps.

These are all expensive options though and, if you’re after just a bit of extra performance, are often overkill. We’ve come up with some ways for you to improve your car on a budget.

Remove weight

One of the most efficient, and effectively free, ways to improve your cars performance if to shed as much weight as possible.

You’ll lose some practicality doing this, but if that’s not a concern, you start by removing non-essential parts such as the engine cover, sound-proofing in the cabin and any passenger seats you have no use for. If your car is equipped with a spare tyre, swapping it out for an emergency repair kit is another great way to shed a few kilograms.

Use higher quality engine oil

Choosing the cheapest oil your car can run on may make sense if you simply want to save money, but don’t expect the best engine performance from this. Spending a little extra on richer quality oil can have your engine running at its best, and likely increase the life of vital components.

If you’re not sure what oil is best for your vehicle, check the owner’s handbook as a manufacturer-recommended lubricant will be in there.

Regular, basic maintenance

This applies to older cars mainly, but regular care and maintenance of your vehicle will help to maintain its factory condition.

Poorly kept engines can lose a lot of power, so if yours has high-mileage, a professional clean-out of the engine can could restore a lot of performance – as can replacing heavily worn parts. Always check your oil, brake fluid and gearbox fluid levels are optimum to get the maximum.

Cold air intake

When it comes to upgrading your engine, a cold air intake upgrade is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to boost power.

Standard air filters are made from paper, which is cheap to produce, but this restricts engine air flow and also means they need to be replaced at regular service intervals.

Investing in a performance air filter is a cost-effective way to gain easy horsepower, with plenty of options on the market. Brands such as K&N and Pipercross offer direct replacements, which are made from a cotton-based material that not only allows more air to be sucked into the engine to increase power – but can also be washed for re-use, meaning no need buy a replacement for the lifetime of your car.

If you want to go a step further, you can install a cold air intake kit which replaces the OEM filter box with a cone that sucks even more air in for maximum flow. They’re relatively easy to install, too.

Better tyres when your existing set need replacing

When the time comes to replace your current tyres, opting for performance-focused rubber is an option if you want to improve mechanical grip.

If you’re not planning to use your car in all conditions, fitting a softer compound with less grooves allows your car to stick in the corners much more effectively – meaning higher cornering speeds.

Be aware though, they’re likely to be less effective and potentially dangerous in colder months and harsh weather, as they rely on heat and dry conditions to work at their best.

Engine remapping

From the factory, modern cars engine are electronically restricted to not delivering peak performance to counter for people who don’t service their cars at regular intervals and treat them poorly, in an effort to improve longevity.

If you’re going to look after your engine properly, having it remapped by a professional is perhaps the most effective and easy way to unlock power. Simply having a more performance-focused setting on the car’s ECU can drastically improve peak horsepower and torque.

Doing this is most effective on turbocharged cars, as it can allow for a higher boost pressure from the turbine meaning huge gains in power. Just remember to service the engine regularly.

We all look for new ways to save money on our motoring. Whether that’s shopping for the best deal when purchasing a car, haggling insurance providers for the best quote or even scouting out cheaper fuel to save a few pounds on a full tank, there’s plenty of ways to save cash when running your motor.

What about when we’re behind the wheel, can we save more money then? Well, yes, actually. Being more efficient with your driving can conserve fuel and reduce load on your car’s components, meaning less need to dip into your bank account. We take a look at how you can be a more efficient driver.

Prepare your car before a journey

You can be a more efficient driver by carrying out simple checks and preparing your car before setting off on a journey.

Check your tyre pressures first, as under-inflated tyres can lead to more rolling resistance and ultimately a higher fuel consumption. If your car has a roof rack or box, and you don’t need it for a particular journey, removing it reduces drag allowing for brisker acceleration.

Planning your route on longer journeys can also save you time and fuel. Routes that consist of motorways and major A-roads often means you can stay at a constant speed for a good portion of a trip, resulting in better fuel economy. Most modern sat-nav systems have settings for eco-focused routes, too.

Gentle acceleration and braking

The easiest way to be a more efficient driver is to be gentle under acceleration and braking.

Sure, it can be tempting to gun the throttle when merging lanes or coming on to motorways, but that can quickly drain your tank if you do it consistently. Instead, change gear at lower RPMs and accelerate at a gentler pace to avoid heavy fuel consumption.

Earlier anticipation of traffic can also help you avoid late braking, allowing you to carry on momentum and avoid burning more fuel on otherwise unnecessary acceleration.

Turn off unused electronics

Switching off electronics you don’t need to use reduces battery consumption, which in turn puts less stress on the engine. Instead of using air-conditioning around town, consider opening a window to let in fresh air rather than use more juice — although at higher-speed driving, open windows create more drag and air-con is the more efficient option.

Switch off heated rear windows if you vision is clear too, and turn your headlights down in brighter conditions.

Stick to the speed limit

Sticking to the speed limit is not only law, but it’s also much more efficient too. Over longer distances, you would see a much lower MPG figure travelling at 80mph than you would 70mph. Those extra few miles covered could cost you a load more in fill-ups, so think wisely next you decide to push the limits.

Avoid driving when possible

Just popping to the shops down the road? Walk, or bike it. Short journeys cumulatively consume a lot of fuel, so for quick trips out, you’d save more money in the long run — as well as getting some exercise — by doing the journey on-foot.

Winter is the season of snow, woolly clothes and — at least on poorly-kept UK roads — potholes.

All motorists will know the struggles of trying to avoid potholes, but sometimes they’re either impossible to get around or go unnoticed. This can result in a bit of discomfort at best, and plenty of damage to your car at the worst.

We take a look at how you can report a pothole, and should you pick up damage, how you can claim money to cover the repair costs.

Why do potholes form?

Potholes: How are they formed, how can I report them and how can I claim for damage?

Potholes are most commonly created when water creeps into the cracks in the roads and freezes. The expansion and contraction of water moves the asphalt around, resulting in the asphalt weakening. The stress of vehicles moving over the road eventually causes the asphalt to give way, thus forming a hole.

Although potholes can form at any time, colder temperatures make them much more likely during the winter.

What can a pothole do to my car?

The uneven, sudden drop of a pothole puts a lot of stress on a vehicle’s tyres and suspension. As tough as modern cars are, there’s a chance a pothole could damage a tyre to the point of puncture, add excess wear to suspension components or break them entirely. Extreme holes could even damage alloy wheels and components underneath a vehicle.

How can I report a pothole?

 If you’re looking to report a pothole on a local road, you should contact the relevant council and inform them of the location of the hole.

As for A-roads and motorways, the Highways Agency must be notified by calling 0300 123 5000.

How can I claim for damage costs? 

At the risk of sounding like an insurance advert — should your car be damaged due to going over a pothole, you could be entitled to compensation.

If the pothole has been previously reported, you’re more likely to receive some compensation that if it has not. Councils have a statutory defence that they cannot be held liable for defects they’re unaware of.

To increase your chances of a payout, there’s a number of steps you can take before making a claim:

• Make notes — write down key details, such as location, time of the incident, and the size and depth of the pothole if possible. You should also take a photograph as evidence.
• Witnesses — if anyone else has seen the incident, get details from them. It could help your claim.
• Get repair quotes — having accurate quotes for repair bills could help to ensure you get as much of the damage repairs covered as possible in a claim.
• Research — before making a claim, you should check to see what your council is and isn’t liable for.

To make a claim for pothole damage, contact the local council for local roads and the Highways Agency for A-roads and motorways. Providing quotes for repairs and a valid MOT certificate for your vehicle when contacting, as well as images, can help your claim.

Can I claim pothole damage on my insurance?

Your insurer may provide cover for pothole damage, especially more likely if you have a comprehensive policy. It’s worth checking your policy documents and contacting your insurer before making a claim.

The Toyota Yaris GRMN has arrived! The latest performance machine to come from the Japanese manufacturer, this hot hatch is developed by Gazoo Racing — the brains behind Toyota’s motorsport activities including entries in the Le Mans 24 Hours, World Rally Championship and VLN Endurance Series.

As a result, this is a Yaris unlike any other — it’s powerful, seriously quick, fun to drive and just as well-suited to the track as a country road. We’ve had a drive, and here’s seven of the coolest things about the Toyota Yaris GRMN.

Race car-inspired aesthetic

It just takes one look at the Yaris GRMN to realise this is no ordinary hatchback. It has aggressive-looking bodywork, 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, a centre-mounted exhaust, a rear spoiler and to finish the package — an eye-catching set of stickers.

This is all inspired by the Yaris WRC car, and it’s fair to say Toyota have pulled off the race-car-for-the-road look.

Big engine, small package

Under the bonnet of the little three-door Yaris is a supercharged 1.8-litre petrol engine — a reworked version of that currently found in the Lotus Elise.

It develops 209bhp and 250Nm of torque, taking the tiny hatch from 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and up to an electronically limited top speed of 143mph.

The exhaust is pretty raspy

Providing vocal chords to the fruity engine is an exhaust system that has been heavily reworked just to be able to fit in the Yaris’ chassis.

The original car was not designed with a high-performance variant in mind, so the team at Gazoo had to get creative with a single-catalytic convertor system. The end result sounds incredible.

Fancy racing seats

Move over, Alcantara, there’s a new kid on the block. The GRMN’s front bucket seats are coated in a plush material called Ultrasuede, which looks and feels better than most other options on the market.

The units themselves were designed specifically for the car by component manufacturer Toyota Boshoku. They provide incredible support, even under the hardest of track driving, while remaining extremely comfortable.

Not as difficult to drive as looks may suggest

While the Yaris GRMN looks and sounds wild, it’s actually a pretty easy thing to drive.

Sure, it’s seriously quick and precise, but it doesn’t require mountains of effort to have fun and you’re unlikely to end up outside your comfort zone both on the road and track.

The best bit? You’ll have a smile on your face every single time, too.

Production is ultra-limited

Sure, at £26,295, the GRMN is a pricey thing but those willing to pay the cash will be in something of an exclusive ownership club.

Just 600 examples will be made — 400 for Europe and 200 for Japan, where it’s called the Vitz — and all have already been sold. Don’t expect prices to fall much on the second-hand market either, as a car of this rarity is likely to hold value for a long time.

It exists

With the world of all-electric powertrains and autonomy looming, it’s a relief to see a company put out a low-volume, insane little hatchback for no reason other than “why not?”.

There’s no electrification here, no CVT gearbox, no innovative fuel saving solutions. Just raw performance, and for that we’re glad.