Category: News

Jaguar Land Rover has used new concept technology in an effort to gauge how humans will come to trust autonomous vehicles in the future.

Named Virtual Eyes, the cartoon-like driverless machines were used in a trial in a fabricated street scene in Coventry. The pods are fitted with LED ‘eyes’, which appear to be following pedestrians as they cross the road.

This allows the autonomous vehicle to communicate with pedestrians that they are aware of their presence and, and that it intends to avoid them.

Engineers then recorded the levels of trust in the person crossing the road before and after the pod makes eye contact, to find out if it would generate sufficient confidence that Virtual Eyes would stop for them.

The trials have taken place as Jaguar Land Rover continues to commit itself to prioritising safety in developing self-driving technology, with the firm stating its long-term goals are to ‘make cars safer, free up people’s valuable time and improve mobility for everyone’.

Pete Bennett, Future Mobility research manager at Jaguar Land Rover, said:

“It’s second-nature to glance at the driver of the approaching vehicle before stepping into the road. Understanding how this translates in tomorrow’s more automated world is important.

“We want to know if it is beneficial to provide humans with information about a vehicle’s intentions or whether simply letting a pedestrian know it has been recognised is enough to improve confidence.”

Car firms are always looking to spike sales with new, exciting products.

Sometimes, the manufacturer looks to new models and branding to try and bring new customers in, but on other occasions, leaning on nostalgia for cars from the past can be even more effective.

Here’s a look at some of the best badges revived successfully by car companies.

500

32 years after the 500 ceased production, and 50 years after the previous version’s debut, the supermini was revived in new-retro form. Mechanicals were borrowed from Fiat’s Panda, and the styling was a modernised evocation of the original.

The 500 has been a sales smash, and helped turn around the fortunes of Fiat as a whole.

A110

40 years after the original, rally-conquering A110 was put out to pasture, the A110 has been revived with a refreshingly authentic sequel.

The new-gen A110 features a 248bhp, 1.8-litre engine mounted just behind the driver. It is certainly an engaging car to drive, and has accrued the praise of motoring journalists the world over as a result.

Not only has this car revived the A110, but also Alpine as a whole – parent firm Renault will be hoping that sales match the positive reviews. 

SLR

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren marked the first time the legendary racing team’s name had been on a road-going vehicle since the all-dominant F1 hypercar, but more significantly, it revived a famous motive from Mercedes’ past.

The SLR badge had last been seen on the 300 SLR racing car, but after one of the factory entries was involved in a tragic accident at the 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours, it was consigned to the history books for almost 50 years.

The 208mph grand tourer permanently altered what we associated with the SLR badge, serving as a halo car of the 2000s.

Mini

A part of a select club of badges that became brands, Mini never really went away, with the original lasting from 1959 to 2000. However, when the first of the BMW-produced cars made its debut in 2001, the Mini went from a quirky showing of old-school Britain to an entirely more modern choice in the small hatchback market.

LT

When the ‘LT’ abbreviation was applied to McLaren’s 675LT supercar, it was done with a legend in mind.

The ‘F1 GT’ – dubbed Longtail or LT due to its extended rear canopy – arrived in 1997 as a homologation special of the F1 GTR race car. While the original longtail came about to provide an edge on the track, the 675LT served as one of the more exclusive models in McLaren’s supercar line-up.

Just 500 examples of the 675LT left the production line, with 666bhp on tap.

GTO

Last seen on 1984’s 288 GTO, there was some uproar from purists when Ferrari announced that its souped-up 599 would bear the famous Gran Turismo Omologata badge. Fans were quick to point out that the only other two cars to receive this designation were homologation specials necessitated by motorsport, but regardless of any furore over the meaning of the badge, this 599 certainly performed like a GTO.

With knowledge accrued from the 599XX track day special, and 661bhp on tap, the limited-production grand tourer was certainly a serious piece of kit.

Griffith

Granted, the first model from the rejuvenated TVR marque is yet to arrive in the hands of customers, but by all accounts, the new Griffith is certainly a worthy successor to everything that came from the original factory in Blackpool.

With 500bhp provided by a Cosworth-Ford V8 and significant input from legendary Formula One designer Gordon Murray, the headline features of the second-generation Griffith are promising. And, judging by early encounters with the car, the result lives up to the recipe.

GT-R

Some 16 years after Nissan left the GT-R badge behind due to the oil crisis’ knock-on effect on sportscar sales, the iconic red and silver symbol returned on the 1989 R32 Skyline.

This GT-R, much in the spirit of its late-60s and early-70s predecessors, could punch well above its weight, and was a safe bet to lap tracks faster than the supercars of the day.

The Skyline GT-R became a defining car of the 90s, and the GT-R brand would ultimately evolve to become a standalone model with the R35 of 2007.

Giulia

The original Giulia’s production ran for 16 years, and while it was a solid everyday saloon car, it was mostly remembered for its sporting credentials in Sprint and TI specifications in the years following the last sales in 1978.

It was with that in mind that the new Giulia came into being. In every trim, it feels sporty, and serves as a legitimate BMW 3-Series challenger as a result.

Of course, the headlines have been stolen by the M3-rivalling Quadrifoglio, and with a Ferrari-developed 2.9-litre V6 under the bonnet, that’s no surprise.

124 Spider

The 124 Spider made its grand return in 2015 with a rather different recipe from the 1966 original.

This time, Fiat borrowed tricks from Mazda’s MX-5 in the most literal sense, as underneath, the car shares practically everything with the Japanese legend, and is assembled on the same production line.

Of course, it has an Italian powertrain, and distinct retro-modern styling much like its cousin the 500 – it seems that Fiat has pulled the trick once more with the 124 Spider.

NSX

When Honda’s NSX was retired in 2005, many were upset, but it did make sense. The model had lasted 15 years to that point, and it was seen as a car that needed a refresh.

Concepts for a replacement NSX date back to 2003, with what was slated to be the touchstone for the second-generation car arriving at motor shows in 2007.

The car was delayed due to the financial crisis, but it did arrive, and it has been agreed that today’s NSX is a worthy successor to the Senna-fettled original.

It’s safe to say that a majority of motoring enthusiasts love speed. However, it is reckless, unsafe and illegal to scratch the itch for fast driving on the road.

Thankfully for us, there are plenty of ways to drive quickly that are fully above board, both in your own car and purpose-built speed machines.

Here are five examples of how you can go fast with no legal ramifications.

Track day

Almost all racing circuits in the UK host track day events, where you can drive your own road car in anger.

At your average track day, you’re just as likely to encounter full-fat race cars as you are fellow enthusiasts looking for a speed fix.

Don’t be intimidated; on-track behaviour is closely monitored to ensure that the professionals don’t get too boisterous, and all rules are carefully explained before you hit the track.

Autosolo/Autotest

At Autosolo and Autotest events, you drive technical courses typically found in car parks or fields, and even the odd quarry dirt track. Entry fees are usually exceedingly cheap – all you’ll need is a helmet, and sometimes those can be hired from the club too.

As with track days, there will likely be some drivers with purpose-built cars, but also plenty of like-minded individuals ragging their daily drivers!

Driving experiences

If you don’t like the idea of pushing your own car’s limits, there are driving experience days available at circuits across the country.

With these driving experiences, you will be allowed to drive anything from supercars to single-seater racing cars, and other experiences allow you to try driving on skidpans, off-roading and rallying.

German roadtrip

In Germany, certain sections of their Autobahn network feature no speed limits, making it an ideal place to see what your car can do. Of course, you should still ensure the safety of yourself and others, so do not exceed your own personal speed limit – if you no longer feel like you’re in comfortable control, slow down.

If you want a proper speed freak holiday, perhaps you could drive to the iconic Nurburgring, which is often open to the public, via the Autobahn.

‘Run What Ya Brung’

At the Santa Pod drag strip, ‘Run What Ya Brung’ events are a regular occurrence. At these events, you can take to the quarter-mile drag strip in your own car, testing the mettle of both you and your metal in a straight-line dash.

With a large turnout practically guaranteed, it’s also a great place to meet fellow car enthusiasts, and an opportunity to see some interesting vehicles.

Infiniti has revealed a new, all-electric concept that has been inspired by ‘the spirit of early speedsters’.

The Prototype 10 is a modern take on the classic recipe of speedster cars – with low drag bodywork and a roofless design, as well as seating for just one.

While speedsters of the past are associated with loud engines and the smell of petrol, this concept is entirely electrified. The Japanese firm claims it represents its ‘creative and ambitious’ plans for EVs in the future – although exact figures for the powertrain haven’t been confirmed. All vehicles from Infiniti, which is the luxury vehicle division of Nissan, will be offered with electrified variants from 2021.

With this car, Infiniti continues a design theme that it has used on concepts since the Q Inspiration of 2016 – with minimal creases and thin, long headlights making it instantly recognisable as a product of the firm. The initial design phase was overseen by Infiniti’s design centre in Japan, with the physical machine hand-built in California.

Meet Prototype 10. This new #conceptcar is the perfect incarnation of INFINITI’s vision of an electrified future. Explore more. https://t.co/uysIIL6bqz pic.twitter.com/ZWaoDJHKrS

— INFINITI USA (@INFINITIUSA) August 23, 2018

The cabin of the concept has been created to ‘deliver a thrilling driving experience’. Inspired by single-seat Formula racers, it just has a seat, four-point harness and a ‘highly technical’ steering wheel.

Infiniti president Roland Krueger said: “We all feel a certain degree of passion when talking about roadsters and speedsters. We are equally passionate about the potential that electrification holds for the future of our cars – a daring speedster is the perfect study for our designers to explore an electrified future and ignite such excitement.”

It’s unlikely the Prototype 10 will ever make it into production, although the design supposedly hints at a future look for the firm’s regular machinery.

In 2017, Infiniti made another concept that was a future take on a classic recipe, with its Prototype 9 the realisation of a historic Grand Prix car in all-electric form.

Typically, cars come with two different types of engine configurations — ‘V’ and ‘inline’, with cylinders and pistons aligned in two banks, or all in a row.

But tradition can be boring, and some manufacturers prefer to do things differently. Rotary engines could be once found under the bonnets of many Mazdas and other vehicles before that, but they have since become nullified. There’s still another option, though. The flat — or ‘boxer’ — engine lives on in a handful of vehicles.

Never heard of it? Let us explain…

What is a boxer engine?

A flat engine — commonly known as a ‘boxer’ — has horizontally-opposed cylinders and pistons. This means two banks of cylinders lie opposite each other on a single crankshaft — unlike straight and ‘V’ layouts, which sees them in line with one another.

Imagine a boxer punching in rhythm. One fist swings and retracts, with a smooth transition for the next and then rinse-repeat. In fact, it’s thought the nickname ‘boxer’ came from this analogy.

The boxer engine is no new thing. Karl Benz created the first motor with horizontally-opposed pistons in 1896, then naming it the ‘kontra’ engine.

What’s the benefit?

Boxer engines have a number of advantages over traditional configurations, particularly in performance cars.

Their flat nature allows them to be built low, while opposing the cylinders creates an overall shorter unit too. The result is a lower centre of mass than would be found with a more conventional layout.

Vibrations from the engine are also reduced, with each piston effectively cancelling each on that front, creating a smoother ride.

Any disadvantages?

For all their plus points, there’s plenty of reasons why flat engines are not the go-to choice across the board.

First of all, the design is much more complex to produce — meaning costs are higher, which isn’t going to work for manufacturers wanting to maximise profits. Two banks of cylinders means two cylinder heads, two gaskets, two rocker covers – as opposed to the one you’d find on a regular inline unit.

They’re also wider than inline counterparts, making them less usable in compact vehicles, which often rely on transverse placement of engines to maximise space.

Who uses them?

While boxer engines are undoubtedly a minority in terms of engine configurations available on the market today, they’re not hard to find.

Subaru swears by them exclusively — with all of its current UK offerings using the horizontally-opposed configurations. In fact, the firm is as synonymous with boxers as Mazda once was with the rotary engine, having historically used the tech in many of its vehicles, perhaps most famously the WRX STI performance hero.

Perhaps lesser known is Porsche, which has used flat-six engines in every iteration of its most famous car — the 911. It also uses four-cylinder boxer units in the 718 Cayman and Boxster — the latter of which gets its name from the engine configuration.

Toyota also has one in its line-up in the GT86 sports car — although that’s derived from Subaru, which uses it in the mechanically-identical BRZ.

It might seem as though the MPV sector is dead. It’s certainly a shrinking class – while back in the early 2000s just about every manufacturer offered a slab-sided people-mover, your options in 2018 are rather more limited as these practical machines are phased out in favour of ‘in-trend’ SUVs.

But an MPV actually has a few advantages over the equivalent SUV. They tend to be more spacious for their footprint – a seven-seat SUV will very often struggle to seat adults in the rearmost row, whereas a large MPV may be able to accomodate seven in comfort. Sure, they might not be as stylish or rugged – but does that really matter when all you need to do is carry the kids and their clobber?

We’ve rounded up ten of the best MPVs you can still buy.

Citroen C4 SpaceTourer

Citroen has a strong track record with MPVs – its Xsara Picasso was one of the most popular compact people-movers going. The latest in the line are the SpaceTourer and Grand SpaceTourer, and despite the silly name (even worse than ‘Picasso’) they’re thoroughly accomplished cars.

Bold styling inside and out is quintessentially French, and all that glass area pays dividends – frontal visibility in this car is staggering. It’s also superbly comfortable and, with one of the 1.6-litre BlueHDI diesel engines, amazingly efficient, too. Truly one of the best of the breed.

Seat Alhambra

The Alhambra adopts a different approach than the Citroen does – it’s straight, sensible and spacious in every sense of the word. With sliding doors for added practicality and genuine room for seven adults, this is a brilliant MPV.

It’s perhaps not what you’d expect from the stylish Spaniards at Seat, but here’s a secret – the Alhambra is the exact same car as the Volkswagen Sharan, only with a healthy price cut. That’s worth considering for anybody.

VW Touran

While Volkswagen’s Sharan is the brand’s flagship MPV, the smaller Touran is arguably more useful for smaller families – who can benefit from the car’s boxy practicality, while only using the rear seats for very occasional passengers.

With driving dynamics and a dashboard shared with Volkswagen’s smaller passenger cars, the Touran is thoroughly inoffensive to own. Perhaps that’s not the highest of praise, but it should be – you won’t miss your SUV if you opt for a Touran.

SsangYong Turismo

The SsangYong Turismo is old-fashioned, poor to drive and has styling only a mother could love. However, it does have two major plus points – space and price. Put simply, this is the most metal you can buy for your money anywhere on the market.

The Turismo will accommodate seven adults in seriously spacious surroundings in a 2-2-3 layout, with a decent boot behind the rear bench. Best of all, prices start at under £20,000 – or around the same amount you’d spend on a decently-equipped supermini.

Peugeot Rifter

While the old Peugeot Partner Teepee was unashamedly based on a van, its replacement hides its commercial origins rather better. The Rifter is actually based on the same underpinnings as Peugeot’s own 308 hatchback, endowing it with decent driving dynamics and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines.

Best of all, those van-like proportions give it an incredibly practical interior. There’s actually more storage cubby space in here than there is in the entire boot of a supermini – and the boot itself is truly cavernous.

Kia Carens

The Kia Carens isn’t the biggest MPV about, nor is it the best to drive, but it’s a thoroughly accomplished all-rounder. With seven seats as standard and – even more impressively – a seven-year warranty, it’s ideal for buyers who want to keep their car for a long time.

It’s also reasonably stylish for an MPV thanks to Kia’s tiger-nose grille, and an excellent reputation for dependability plus good crash test scores are just two more feathers in the Carens’ cap.

Ford S-Max

The best-driving MPV may seem like a pretty poor accolade – a bit like receiving the ‘best loser’ award at a school sports day – but in the case of the S-Max it’s both justified and impressive. The S-Max is based on the same platform as the previous Mondeo, giving it seriously impressive handling – this is one MPV that you might actually want to hustle down a back road.

Seven decent-sized seats and pleasantly angular styling are also handy to have, while a range of efficient diesel engines help keep costs down.

Ford Tourneo Connect

On the other end of the spectrum to the comparatively luxurious S-Max is Ford’s own Tourneo Connect. It’s based on the Transit Connect van, but like the Peugeot Rifter is better to drive than its commercial vehicle origins would have you believe – and it’s available with some amazingly efficient engines.

There’s even the option of a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol if you’re looking to move away from diesel, while the vast boot and capacious interior make short work of family life.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

The 2 Series Active Tourer was two ‘firsts’ for BMW. It was the brand’s first MPV, sure, but it was also the first front-wheel drive car – a move which purists denounced as blasphemy.

However, sharing a platform with the Mini hatch means that the 2 Series Active Tourer is actually very good to drive – and BMW’s trademark quality interiors make for a seriously pleasant environment in which to travel.

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

The Zafira Tourer has officially left production, pushed out by the Grandland X SUV, but you’ll still be able to find brand-new examples of the firm’s popular MPV on dealer forecourts. And that’s a great thing, as it’s actually a very good car.

It’s spacious, economical and super-comfy, especially when fitted with Vauxhall’s brilliant 1.6-litre ‘Whisper’ diesel engine. Add in a good reputation for reliability and safety and the Zafira Tourer is a sound choice – plus, it’ll be a bargain.

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.

Heads of state tend to be pretty staid in their transport choices – big, sobre limousines are usually the order of the day. But the head of the Catholic church is able to have a bit more fun with his choice of vehicle.

The Pope’s transport has to protect the pontiff, while allowing him to commune with the adoring crowds that characterise his visits. As such, a custom ‘Popemobile’ tends to be the vehicle of choice – affording his Holiness a commanding view of his surroundings atop a raised platform surrounded by bulletproof glass – deemed necessary after the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981.

That’s not to say the Pope exclusively travels by Popemobile – there are a few other vehicles blessed enough for him to use.

Here are some of the best…

Mercedes M-Class Popemobile

This is perhaps the best-used and most recognisable Popemobile around. Based on a 2007 Mercedes M-Class SUV, it features a raised platform at the rear, with a full-height door and steps leading into it.

Inside, there’s a handrail so that his Holiness can stand and wave, but there’s also a pair of comfy seats in case the weight of all that Catholicism gets to be too much to handle.

Lamborghini Huracan

Being the Pope isn’t always easy – after all, if you were gifted a customised Lamborghini Huracan, you’d probably want to get in and go for a drive. But with the Vatican boasting so few roads, there’s little point in ownership – so when Pope Francis was given this gift by the Italian supercar manufacturer, he instead decided to sell it.

Resplendent in papal white with gold detailing, the Lamborghini fetched £630,000 for charity when RM Sotheby’s auctioned it off earlier this year. The Pope’s signature on the bonnet possibly helped the sale along.

Leyland Popemobile

When Pope John Paul II visited the UK for five days in 1982, he was transported around in something a little heftier than the traditional Popemobile – a necessary evil due to an attempt on his life just a year earlier. The response from the UK was this monster – the 24 ton Leyland Popemobile.

It rode on a Leyland Constructor chassis, which was chosen because of its ability off-road as well as impressive acceleration for a commercial vehicle. Visitors to the British Commercial Vehicle Museum can still see the first of two such popemobiles in all of its glory.

Renault 4

The current Pope, Francis, is well-known for being a very humble man – eschewing the finery of many of his predecessors and leading a less grand existence than you may expect. The same is reflected in his own personal transport, which is over thirty years old.

The Renault 4 was gifted to Francis by Father Renzo Zocca of Italy, and his Holiness uses it to nip about the Vatican.

Fiat Campagnola Popemobile

With the Vatican being fully surrounded by Italy, it’s no surprise that the pontiff spends a lot of his time in Fiat vehicles. This Campagnola is one of the more popular models, but fell out of favour in 1981 after an attempt on Pope John Paul II’s life. Since then, most Popemobiles have been fitted with bulletproof glass.

Seat Panda Popemobile

Not all Popemobiles have to be based on SUVs. This adorable Seat Panda – build on Fiat Panda designs under license by Spanish brand Seat – was used in 1982 during John Paul IIs visit to Spain.

Ferrari Enzo

The 400th and final Ferrari Enzo was gifted to John Paul II by Ferrari – another example of a Pope being given a supercar he can’t drive. It’s presented in a rare Rosso Scuderia colour, with a unique bare carbon-fibre spoiler.

It was auctioned off in 2005, sadly after the death of John Paul II – but his successor, Benedict XVI, received a cheque with the proceeds to be donated to charity. The Enzo was last sold in 2015 by RM Sotheby’s, making over $6 million.

Skoda Rapid

The latest transport to be used by his Holiness is slightly more auspicious than some of its predecessors. Set to be used by Francis on his visit to Dublin next week, the modified Rapid has been donated by Skoda of Ireland, and will be supplied with toughened glass, flag holders on the front wings and a custom armrest to keep the pontiff comfortable.

Skoda Ireland has announced it will lend its support to the 2018 World Meeting of Families – a yearly gathering of the Roman Catholic Church.

Part of this commitment includes providing the pontiff himself, Pope Francis, with transport. As such, when the Pope touches down at Dublin Airport he will be transported to Aras an Uachtarain, the Irish presidential residence, in the back of a specially modified Skoda Rapid.

Pope Francis is famed for his humble choice of vehicle, often choosing modest cars over the classic glass-sided ‘Popemobiles’ more associated with his position. He even drives himself around the Vatican in an ancient Renault 4.

https://twitter.com/SkodaIRL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1029670228270215168&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent-wordpress.pressassociation.com%2Farchives%2Fstory%2Fskoda-to-support-papal-visit-with-fleet-of-rapids

Fitting then, that one of Skoda’s humblest vehicles – sitting above only the Fabia and Citigo in the brand’s range – should transport the Pontiff around Ireland.

Of course, the Rapid has had a few changes to bring it up to Pope-spec. Skoda Ireland’s head of marketing, Raymond Leddy, spelled out the changes: “Three identical Skoda Rapid vehicles, each fitted with unique identification registration plates, have been reserved for the event.

“As part of the Papal fleet, we are commemorating Pope John Paul II’s visit to Ireland, with vehicle registration 182-C-1979 and, of course, marking this year’s event with vehicle registration 182-C-2018. 182-D-9093 is the primary vehicle, which, when the digits 9093 are inverted, spells out the word Pope.

“Each Skoda Rapid provided has been customised to requirements. Modified glass has been installed and each vehicle has been provided in a unique navy-blue colour as requested. Small chrome flag poles have also been installed to the passenger-side fenders, which will display the Vatican flag.”

There’s also beefed up window glass for extra protection and a custom armrest for the pontiff’s comfort.

As many as 500,000 people are expected to attend mass under Pope Francis in Dublin’s Phoenix Park during the event. A fleet of Karoq, Octavia and Superb models will provide support to the Pope’s staff and other dignitaries throughout the visit.

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.