Category: News

What is it?

Volkswagen Group hatchbacks are on something of a refresh trail at the moment, with the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza both recently entering new generations on the MQB A0 platform.

The Skoda Fabia though staggers on without new underpinnings — instead seeing a minor refresh for 2018.

It may be surprising on the face of things that the Czech firm hasn’t gone for a total overhaul, considering the availability of the new platform, but this generation of Fabia has only been around since 2015 — so it’s not exactly outdated just yet. Can a bit of nip and tuck justify be justified, though?

What’s new?

As far as facelifts go, the new Skoda Fabia pretty much meets the definition — minor changes to an already existing model.

Don’t expect a revolution here, but that’s not to say there hasn’t been some notable changes. A tweaked look comes thanks to new headlights, a larger grille and a fettled bumper, with LED daytime running lights now a standard feature.

New dashboard trims bring a new lease of life to the cabin, while more assistance tech makes this the safest Fabia to date. As for engines, there’s been little in the way of change — although the line-up now consists exclusively of petrol units, with three set to be offered in the UK.

What’s under the bonnet?

Powering our test car is a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, here paired up to a five-speed manual gearbox, developing 94bhp and 160Nm of torque. It can take the estate from 0-60mph in 10.7 seconds and on to a 115mph top speed. As for efficiency, Skoda claims it can achieve 63mpg with CO2 emissions of 103g/km.

On paper, it doesn’t sound particularly fast — in fact, incredibly slow — but in reality, it’s quite spritely. Ok, we’re not suggesting it’ll give you a fright when you put your foot down, but there’s certainly enough go to have some fun with — and it’s definitely more than up to the job if you plan on using the car for getting around town.

What’s it like to drive?

Nothing has really changed in the way the Fabia drives, which means it’s still a pleasant experience behind the wheel.

It’s well suited for the town, thanks to light-but-not-overly so steering paired up with good all-round visibility, while the addition of a parking camera to our test car just made it that little bit easier to pinpoint.

Take it out on a B road, and it’s not the most dynamic of machinery — but by no means bad. It’s not quite as fun as rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Suzuki Swift when things get a little bit tighter, but it handles well and doesn’t roll around a huge amount.

Just Czeching out the countryside #Skoda #Fabia #czechrepublic #carsofinstagram

A post shared by Ryan Hirons (@rth42) on Aug 14, 2018 at 6:06am PDT

How does it look?

Although the updated Skoda Fabia looks largely the same as before, a little bit of nip and tuck has given the aesthetic a new lease of life.

Revised headlights, combined with a larger grille, give it a little more presence on the road and even creates a mini Superb-like look. LED daytime running lights as standard also means the whole range looks more premium than before. LED rear lights now feature on the options list, but it’s hard to see much difference than before without them.

It remains a good-looking car, and the tweaks mean it’s not yet showing its age — despite its VW Group stablemates brasher look as a result of the longer wheelbase on the MQB A0 platform.

What’s it like inside?

The Skoda Fabia benefits from some new dashboard trims with this facelift, which keeps it up to date.

Despite its relatively low price point, it doesn’t feel particularly cheap to be in and it’s genuinely quite pleasant. Monte Carlo trims brings sports seats and carbon-effect finishers, and while we like the former, the latter doesn’t really do much more than cheapen the interior.
As for space, our estate test car offers 530 litres of boot space — although rivals don’t come with such a body option. The hatch can store 330 litres of luggage with all seats in place — boasting more than the Ford Fiesta’s 292 litres, although less than the Seat Ibiza’s 355 litres.

What’s the spec like?

Keeping in line with usual facelift formalities, the updated Skoda Fabia gains more tech as standard — with more also joining the options list.

Every car now gets LED daytime running lights for no extra cost, while autonomous emergency braking also comes as part of the package.

Monte Carlo trim cars, as tested here, get climate control, LED rear lights and electric rear windows — along with styling upgrades in the form of a black-painted front spoiler, roof and matching floor mats.

For its £17,670 starting price, we think the Monte Carlo trim offers some pretty serious value for money — although those wanting to spend a little less wouldn’t be going wrong regardless of the trim. With the range starting at £12,840, the Skoda Fabia might just be one of the best bargains on the market.

Verdict

The updated Skoda Fabia is a facelift in its truest form — bringing minor touches and tweaks to a car that’s recognizable to a point you’d likely struggle to notice a difference unless you were told.

That’s no bad thing in this case, with the compact machine still proving that it has a lot to give despite the recent total refresh many rivals have gone for. It may not offer the most engaging of driving experiences, but as a daily machine, it’s definitely one of the best-valued packages in its segment.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: Skoda Fabia Estate Monte Carlo
Price: £17,670
Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol
Power (bhp): 94
Torque (Nm): 160
Max speed (mph): 115
0-60mph: 10.7secs
MPG: 63
Emissions (g/km): 103

As far as car parts go, tyres are one of the most important – but also one of the most neglected.

Tyres are the car’s only contact with the road, and as such can make a huge impact on not just the driving experience, but also vehicle safety.

To keep yourself safe on the road, and to also get the best out of your car, it’s important to maintain the rubber on each wheel. Here are our tips for making the most of your tyres.

Cheap isn’t always the best

While it may be tempting to go for those £40 tyres from a brand nobody’s ever heard of, you could be doing more harm to your wallet in the long run.

A good set of tyres may cost more, but you’re likely to get better grip from them — helping to keep you safe. They will usually have a longer life too, saving you more down the line.

If in doubt about which tyres to fit to your car, consult your vehicle owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations.

Keep them well inflated

Underinflated tyres have a higher rolling resistance than those at the correct level, increasing wear on the sidewall. To keep your tyres lasting longer, regularly check pressures and keep them at manufacturer recommendations — which can be found in the owner’s manual, and inside the door sill of many cars.

Watch the tread

Tread is the part of the tyre that contacts the road, and as a result, wears out. Not only is it important to ensure you have a good amount of tread for your own safety, it’s also a legal requirement to have at least 1.6mm of it on all four tyres.

An easy way to tell if your tread is sufficient is to place a 20p coin between the grooves. If any part of the rim of the coin is visible, then it’s time to get a new set of rubber.

Optimise your driving style

Find your right foot often pinned to the floor? Brake heavily? Corner hard? You’re probably doing some harm to your tyres.

A smoother, more consistent driving style puts less stress on rubber and results in less wear — ultimately meaning more time between changes, and less hit on your wallet.

Stay aligned

If your car’s wheels have gone out of alignment, the tyres will see more stress on a smaller contact patch. The result is quicker and uneven wear.
If you notice an uneven level of wear, take your car to a specialist to have alignment checked and corrected if necessary.

Rotation equals elongation

No matter how careful your driving style, new your tyres are or even if they’ve all been fitted at the same time — they’re going to wear unevenly.

This is usually down to where the power is sent. On most cars, the fronts will wear much faster than the rears – in most cases, they’re tasked with delivering power to the road, steering, and most of the braking. To get more life out of your tyres, swap the fronts and rears — most mechanics will do this during a service or MOT anyway, but it’s always worth asking beforehand if you’re not confident of doing the task yourself.

Rotating your tyres is also a necessity on cars with a part-time four-wheel drive system. These systems require all four tyres to be virtually identical for the best performance.

Seasonal rubber

While all-season tyres can offer plenty of grip all year round, splashing out for season-specific tyres can keep prepared for all eventualities.

Although ultimately more expensive, having a set of rubber for both summer and winter can leave you safer on the roads and also see less time between buying new tyres. Summer compounds operate at higher temperatures, offering better grip in hotter weather and lasting longer than harder rubber — which could potentially blister on hot surfaces.

Winter tyres operate at lower temperatures and also tend to have much more tread — ideal for clearing rain, snow and slush in the colder months of the year.

Check the spare tyre

It’s easy to forget about looking after a spare tyre — after all, you’ll ideally never have to use it.

In the event of a tyre failure though, it’s going to come in handy, so you’ll want to ensure its prepared to keep you safe before putting on a replacement tyre. Ensure the rubber hasn’t perished, and that it’s inflated to a good level.

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.

For owners of petrol or diesel cars, fuelling up is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. If you drive an electric car though, it’s not as simple as visiting a petrol station.

Electric charging points aren’t always located in convenient spots and once you’re there, you’re in for a wait of at least half an hour before they put any meaningful juice in your car.

However, there’s one big advantage that electric cars have, and that’s the ability to charge at home. It’s something that EV manufacturers would love owners to consider more often – treating an electric car as they would a smartphone, and simply topping up every night for use the next day.

But how can you charge your electric car at home?

The first option is simply to use an existing plug socket. All electric cars are supplied with their own charging cables, which should be plenty long enough to stretch from a driveway to a conveniently located power socket inside your house.

There are disadvantages to this route. Charging from a standard plug socket takes a long time – you’ll probably need to plug in at dinnertime for a full battery the next morning. Routing cables can also be ugly or a treacherous trip hazard.

You can get around the latter by using an extension cable but many manufacturers discourage this on safety grounds, so check your owner’s manual.

The other choice is to install an external plug socket. This remains a slow charging option but is at least tidier, without cables trailing all over the place. You’ll need a qualified electrician to install it safely.

Finally, the best option for those who need a faster charge, you can install a home charging point. Many companies operate these points, and they connect directly to the mains supply to provide a faster charge. Most electric vehicles will be fully charged in a few hours.

Installation can be quite pricey but once in place this is the best option for electric vehicle charging at home.

The crossover class is a juggernaut, steamrolling sales of MPVs, hatchbacks and family saloons in its path. There’s no escaping it – buyers just like the combination of rugged styling, a high ride height and the feeling of security that a bulky crossover provides.

But as with every car class, not all crossovers are created equal and there are some real standouts on the market. We’ve sorted the wheat from the chaff and rounded up 10 of the best crossovers on sale today.

Seat Ateca

The Seat Ateca shares most if not all of its components with its siblings from the Volkswagen Group, but manages to retain a distinct identity – and for that, we love it. Thanks to a combination of a stiff but comfortable ride and really well-judged controls it’s one of the best crossovers on the market to drive, but it’s also spacious and feels premium inside.

Add in a list price lower than its Volkswagen Tiguan sibling and sharp exterior styling and the Ateca is a real winner.

Citroen C3 Aircross

The old Citroen C3 Picasso was one of the victims of the crossover craze. A compact MPV, it was ditched in Citroen’s range and replaced by this – the C3 Aircross.

With far more rugged styling, the Aircross is more styling and eye-catching than its older brother but retains that car’s practicality and ease of driving.

Dacia Duster

The Dacia Duster has a unique selling point. It’s not just one of the cheapest crossovers you can buy today – it’s one of the cheapest cars, full stop, with a starting price of under £10,000.

Surprisingly that low price tag doesn’t have you scrabbling around in the dark ages either. Sure, the basic engine is a bit gutless, and bottom-spec models don’t even come with a radio, but step up a few trim grades and for the price of a basic city car you’ll get a very decently-equipped crossover with bags of room. It’s well worth considering if you’re on a budget.

Volkswagen T-Roc

It took Volkswagen a while to get in on the crossover game, but it didn’t hesitate in making up ground.

Launched just last year, the T-Roc boasts trademark Volkswagen quality and style, along with a strong range of engines. It’s also one of the best driving — thanks largely to the engineering input of Karsten Schebsdat, of Porsche fame.

Kia Sportage

It might surprise you to know that the Kia Sportage recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, over four model generations. Where does the time go?

Of course, since its introduction in 1993 the Sportage has undergone a total transformation, morphing from rough-and-ready South Korean tat into a genuinely good urban crossover. The current model is bang up-to-date, with refinements such as an optional hybrid powertrain and plush interiors.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda has a habit of producing some real hidden gems – cars that may not enjoy the sales success of their rivals but often beat them in key areas. The CX-5 is one of those, enjoying a great reliability record, good looks and most importantly, an absolutely brilliant drive.

The DNA of the MX-5 is alive and well in its crossover sibling, and the CX-5 is both entertaining and comfortable without being overly firm or sporty. It’s a genuine delight from such a non-premium manufacturer.

Suzuki Vitara

Although small in the broad scheme of things, the Vitara is the largest car Suzuki currently makes — and it’s also one of the best.

Not only does it look pretty good, but offers serious value for money, bags of practicality, competitive levels of efficiency and perhaps above all, Suzuki reliability. There’s no wonder it’s the brand’s best-seller in the UK.

Ford Fiesta Active

The Ford Fiesta is probably the best new car on the market — as sales figures will show — so it seems obvious a crossover version would be just as good.

Albeit little more than a slight ride height increase and some ‘rugged’ aesthetic tweaks, the Fiesta Active has all the ingredients for success. It maintains the impressive driving experience the regular hatch is so famed for, and brings a more commanding driving position. Better still, it actually offers improved ride quality over the car it’s based on.

Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai is arguably the car which started the crossover craze, with Nissan choosing to produce it instead of the traditional Almera hatchback way back in 2007. Over a decade on, things have changed, but the Qashqai continues to retain its crown as Britain’s best-selling crossover.

And why shouldn’t it? Qashqais have proven easy to drive, easy to live with and easy to own, cheap to run and capable of slotting effortlessly into family life. Sure, it’s not the most exciting choice, but family transport rarely is.

Skoda Karoq

The supposed ‘budget’ arm of the VW Group has produced a really premium-feeling crossover in the Karoq. It’s actually around the same size as the Seat Ateca or VW Tiguan, but rivals the smaller Seat Arona for price.

There’s bags of room inside and the usual array of Volkswagen Group petrol and diesel engines under the bonnet. Add in sharp styling and Skoda’s excellent dealer service and you have a product that should provide faithful service for many families.

Hiring a car can be seriously useful. They can help you get around Spain on your summer holiday, make it possible to enjoy your dream American road trip or simply be a cost-efficient way to visit family in the Lake District.

With so many different cars available for hire, and a variety of providers, there’s a ton of choice out there and plenty of deals to be had – but how do you know if it’s the best deal for you?

Shop around

With a number of hire car providers on the market, there will inevitably be some that offer better deals than others.

While it may be easy to just book with the first company to come up in Google search, you could save plenty with some savvy shopping. Take advantage of the growing number of comparison sites that show the latest deals — and don’t be afraid to take that a step further and pick up the phone. Even the cheapest provider online may still be able to knock a few pounds off…

Book well in advance

Know you’re going to need a hire car for your holiday later in the year? Get it booked as soon as possible.

Providers will charge much more if you leave sorting a hire car until the last minute, as you’re left with few other options. Getting ahead of the game can not only save you pounds for simply booking well ahead of time, but it also gives you the flexibility to shop around for better deals.

Look at package deals

A number of package holidays now offer hire cars in the deal, and it could well be cheaper to head down this route.

All-in-one deals may not just save you a few pennies on the car, and not to mention time, but also on hotels, flights and even trips within your break.

Consider your size needs

Three of you heading on holiday? Then it may be best to avoid booking that seven-seat MPV.

Simple maths: the smaller and cheaper the car you opt for, the less it will cost you to hire. If you only need space for a few bags, then don’t be afraid to stick with that economy hatchback.

Limit your drivers

While adding more drivers to your car insurance can brings costs down, the opposite is true for a hire car.

Unless you absolutely need more than one or two drivers named on the hire car, it’s best to keep numbers low in order to keep the cost even lower.

Check the fuel policy

Fuel is such a trivial thing with cars, it’s easy to forget about it — but with hire cars, you could end up paying over the odds if you’re not careful.

Although most providers offer ‘full-to-full’ policies which mean you get the car with a topped-up tank and will be expected to return it like that — so you’ll only pay for the fuel you use — there’s some with ‘full-to-empty’.

‘Full-to-empty’ policies mean you pay for a full tank of fuel upfront and can return it empty. Sounds ideal, but you’re likely to pay a premium on the regular cost of fuel and you may not even use all of it — leaving you out of pocket. We’d recommend opting for ‘full-to-full’ when possible.

With a second United States Formula One Grand Prix being discussed among the sport’s hierarchy, and the championship in the midst of a summer break, Red Bull decided to make the most of this holiday by taking its 2011 world championship winning car on an American road trip.

In a new video, featuring race winner Daniel Ricciardo in the hot seat, the Red Bull RB7 F1 car is depicted driving across the US, starting with the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

Ricciardo says that he feels like Steve McQueen as he slides the car through the streets made famous in Bullitt, before making a ‘pitstop’ on San Francisco’s other crossing of the bay, the aptly-named Bay Bridge.

Monument Valley, Utah is the second destination for the film. A second stop and a pass on an RV owner and his dog leads to the next locale, Las Vegas, Nevada. Here we see a Formula One car with lights for the first time as Ricciardo darts along the Strip at night.

One encounter with Elvis and a piece of subtle product placement for team title sponsor Aston Martin later, and Ricciardo pulls up to hit the casinos, asking his team if he can start late the next day.

This is just the first 1,339 miles of a 4,187-mile trip. A video covering the second part of this nationwide adventure is expected to arrive soon.

What is it?

That’s right, it’s finally here. After years of teasers, reveals and promises, we’re finally behind the wheel of the BMW i8 Roadster. A soft-top version of the iconic hybrid sports car, the Roadster is aimed at those who want the wind in their hair when piloting one of the most futuristic looking vehicles available. It’s also able to offer genuinely low running costs and emits next to nothing, but can that help the i8 Roadster to top the bill when it comes to performance drop-tops? Let’s find out.

What’s new?

The biggest change here is, of course, the lack of a roof. BMW has whipped off the i8’s top and, because of its predominately carbon-fibre underbody, it hasn’t had to laden the car down with additional strengthening. That means the Roadster’s weight stays down, and as a result it’s just 60kg lighter than its hard-top brethren. The roof mechanism itself is clever too, taking just 15 seconds to raise or lower at speeds of up to 31mph. The exterior over the car has also been lightly breathed upon to freshen its looks, though we’ll come to those in more depth later.

What’s under the bonnet?

The i8 Roadster makes use of exactly the same powertrain as the regular i8, so you’ll find a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine linked to an electric motor. The combustion engine powers the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor powers the front wheels through a two-speed automatic ‘box. BMW has also increased the car’s battery cell capacity, so while you still get 369bhp and 570Nm of torque, the Roadster can still travel up to 33 miles on electric power alone. Both units combine to offer the best performance possible, with the electric motor filling in the gaps of the petrol’s power delivery. Thanks to this, 0-60mph takes just 4.4 seconds, and it can a top speed of 155mph too.

What’s it like to drive?

Usually when converting a regular hardtop into a convertible, you’d expect a significant penalty to the way the car drives. Lopping the roof off usually requires additional bracing to stop the car from flexing too much, and this adds weight, therefore blunting the vehicle’s performance. However, as we mentioned, the i8 Roadster hasn’t suffered too much with the conversion, with a negligible amount of weight added. This means that it steers just as keenly as the Coupe, and manages the weight it does have impressively well through the corners.

Push the i8 Roadster a little harder and it does fall into understeer, the front tyres scrubbing wide with little effort. We’d also like the brakes to be sharper; currently they feel underpowered and vague, leaving you guessing as to how much pedal force you need apply at any given moment.

How does it look?

The regular i8 still looks like nothing else on the road, despite having been around for some time now. The Roadster, in our eyes at least, looks even better – particularly in the ‘E-Copper’ colour our test car was finished in. The bubbles behind driver and passenger have been accentuated, giving it the look of a 1950’s racer, while the two-tone alloy wheels fitted to our test car stood out too.

The front of the car has benefited from some additional design touches too. There are revised air ducts finished in gloss black, while the headlight’s look has been updated as well. It’s still the i8 motoring fans know and love, just turned up a little bit more.

What’s it like inside?

The i8 Roadster’s interior remains largely unchanged over the Coupes, though it does benefit from the addition of a few new colour and material combinations. It’s still a well-made place to be, albeit one that is starting to feel its age a touch now; the screen, though clear, isn’t quite as pin-sharp as rival systems while the multifunction steering wheel hasn’t got the features you’ll find on other current BMWs.

The Roadster, does however, have practicality on its side. Though soft-tops are usually the less spacious option, this i8 packs more luggage space than its hard-top stablemate. In fact, you’ll find 188 litres of storage space in the Roadster – close to 35 litres more than the Coupe.

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the i8 Roadster start at £124,735, there’s plenty of equipment included as part of that base price. You get 20-inch alloy wheels, for instance, and full leather upholstery too, while a suite of safety assistance systems such as forward collision warning, city collision mitigation and high beam assistant all help to keep the Roadster as safe as possible.

It can be easy to ramp up the car’s price however. Apple CarPlay, for instance, is a £235 optional extra – which seems a little mean given it is standard on the majority of hatchbacks currently on sale today. Our test car weighed in at a hefty £135,075, with options such as LaserLight headlights (£5,100) contributing to its rather chunky price tag.

Verdict

BMW already claims that the Roadster will outsell the Coupe three to one – and we’d we can already see that being the case. There’s little reason why you wouldn’t go for the soft top; it’s quick, great to look at and its roof mechanism is simple and easy to use. The hybrid powertrain keeps running costs to a minimum, yet despite there’s a whole lot of performance accessible under your right foot. It’s an impressive car alright, and one you’d likely never tire of driving.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: BMW i8 Roadster
Price: £135,810 (€171,390)
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol linked to electric motor
Power: 369bhp
Torque (Nm): 570Nm
Max speed (mph): 155
0-60mph: 4.4
MPG: 141.9
Emissions (g/km): 46

The tragic loss of Sergio Marchionne ends an era for Fiat, bidding farewell to a man who changed its fortunes so thoroughly that it could afford to save the failing Chrysler brand by the end of the 2000’s.

First and foremost, Marchionne was there to make the best business possible, and some cars in this list reflect that.

However, that’s not to say that Fiat Chrysler brands haven’t also had the opportunity to produce some of the most unique, convention-burning cars on the market.

For both the sensible decisions and the eccentric moments, here are some of FCA’s greatest hits under Sergio Marchionne.

Fiat 500

The re-introduction of the 500 could well be Marchionne’s greatest achievement. Releasing this new-retro model when such cars were at their peak was a brilliant move, and the car continues to sell almost a dozen years after its introduction.

Ferrari 458 Speciale

The last of a magnificent era, the 458 Speciale will likely be the last of the naturally-aspirated V8 supercars from Ferrari. This car is going to be priceless someday.

Alfa Romeo MiTo

Based on the Fiat 500, the MiTo takes the faux-retro Fiat and turns it into a new breed of car to wear the Alfa badge. It’s an extremely pretty supermini, and a good choice if you want to separate yourself from the hoards of 500 owners.

Dodge Challenger Hellcat

The Chrysler brands – especially Dodge – seem to have been empowered to go slightly mad during the Marchionne era. The 697bhp Hellcat is a truly steroidal muscle car, and things only got crazier with the 2017 Demon, which added another 100 ponies.

Abarth 695 Biposto

Imagine the Hellcat/Demon treatment being sprinkled onto a Fiat 500. Here’s the result. The 695 Biposto isn’t all about the figures, but putting a 187bhp engine into a well-sorted Italian city car is certainly something of a fever dream, and one we’re eternally glad happened.

Jeep Renegade

Jeep has certainly benefitted from Marchionne’s leadership, coming out of its shell and into the 21st century. The Renegade is a great example of that, and since reaching most markets in 2015, half a million have been sold. You can’t argue with sales!

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The day of the soul-less Alfa Romeo is over, thanks to the drivable, well-sorted Giulia. It’s a brilliant car overall, and in full-fat, 503bhp Quadrifoglio spec, it makes an incredible performance saloon too.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Since the F40, Ferrari has made a once-per-decade habit of strutting its stuff with an epic hypercar. The LaFerrari is its hypercar for the 2010’s, combining the iconic V12 with a KERS hybrid system. To put it simply, it works – and works incredibly well.

Jeep Grand Cherokee TrackHawk

There are plenty of SUV’s that stake their claim to performance, without being able to live up to it – but the TrackHawk definitely can. Not only does it house the 697bhp V8 from the Challenger Hellcat, but it also has a degree of agility it has no right to have.

Fiat Fullback

Marchionne’s Fiat has a knack for synergising with other manufacturers, and the Fullback is a great example of that. In all respects, this capable pick-up is a Mitsubishi L200 with an Italian badge.

Ferrari SF70H

Ferrari went through the Formula One doldrums in the late-2000’s and early-2010’s. Marchionne re-structured the team when he entered the world of Ferrari in 2014, and the Mercedes-challenging 2017 car was the fruit of his labour.

Alfa 4C

Alfa knows how to make something beautiful, but its chances to work its magic on something mid-engined have been limited. The 4C is a shining example of why we need more of the ideal sportscar layout from the marque.

Dodge Durango

Based on the Grand Cherokee, sales of the third generation Durango are going up and up in the US. There’s also a 475bhp SRT version, to continue the theme of crazy SUVs!

Abarth 124 Spider

Based on Mazda’s MX-5, the 124 Spider is a brilliantly perky little sportscar. The turbocharged MultiAir engine is punchier than the MX-5’s range of motors, and its raucous exhaust note is a winning merit too!

SRT Viper

The decision to split SRT’s nameplate away from Dodge was questionable, but there was nothing bad to say about the last Viper. It didn’t sell well, but it is arguably the best of these burbling V10 brutes.

 

Ferrari FXXK

Essentially the LaFerrari Le Mans car that should have existed, the FXXK is the ultimate track day car. It serves as yet another way for Ferrari to captivate high-octane millionaires through their XX and Clienti driving programmes.

Chrysler Pacifica

The SUV is taking over America just like everywhere else. However, the minivan isn’t giving up the fight, and the Pacifica has sold a shade under 200,000 units in less than two years.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

The GranTurismo is a very effective grand tourer. Amplify its strengths with the addition of lightness and race car bravado, and you’re onto a winner.

Alfa 8C

Named as a tribute to the iconic 8C racing car, this should have been an epic European sportscar. In reality, it was more of a muscle car with a svelte Italian coupe shape – but that’s more than enough for us, and the 500 owners.

Ferrari 812 Superfast

Name most other cars ‘Superfast’ and you’d be laughed out of civilised society. Ferrari’s 812 is one of very few cars on this earth deserving of the title, housing a 6.5-Litre V12 with 789bhp; powerful naturally-aspirated production car of all-time.

Ever dreamt of getting behind the wheel of a car equipped with the kind of futuristic technology we marvelled at in the 1980s television show Knight Rider?

Tesla could soon make that a reality if a recent Twitter post from Elon Musk is anything to go by.

The founder of the electric car company answered one Twitter user’s question of “Will we get KITT like AI [artificial intelligence] in @Tesla cars any time soon?” with a simple “Yes”.

Yes

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 29, 2018

For those unfamiliar, KITT – an acronym for ‘Knight Industries Two Thousand’ – was the name of the very communicative Pontiac Firebird driven by David Hasselhoff’s character Michael Knight in the original Knight Rider TV series.

The muscle car featured a distinctive strip of red lights on its front bumper and was able to talk to Hasselhoff and obey his every command as the pair fought crime together.

We doubt we’ll see a Tesla with the same black paint job and lighting accessories as KITT anytime soon, but Musk’s response does indicate that a form of communicative AI technology will make its way to Teslas at some point in the future.

Musk has made a habit of revealing the latest plans for his businesses through Twitter rather than issuing news releases or making announcements at press conferences.

Back in May, the South African billionaire revealed that an in-development performance version of the Model 3 hit 60mph in 3.5 seconds, and also claimed that it could out-perform BMW’s M3.

Cost of all options, wheels, paint, etc is included (apart from Autopilot). Cost is $78k. About same as BMW M3, but 15% quicker & with better handling. Will beat anything in its class on the track.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2018

Musk also sent team members from his Space X and Boring Company ventures to assist with the recent Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand after Twitter exchanges, and regularly airs musings and little pieces of information regarding Tesla online.

In recent times, Musk has stirred up controversy on the social media platform, criticising negative press coverage of Tesla products and making an offensive comment towards one of the rescue workers who saved children from the Tham Luang cave.