Category: News

Hybrid and electric are the buzzwords of new car sales today – but there’s life in the internal combustion engine yet.

With pricey electrification out of the reach of a lot of buyers, manufacturers still manage to achieve frankly incredible fuel economy figures from even the humblest vehicles.
We’ve excluded hybrid cars from this list as it’s very difficult to accurately chart their fuel economy – it depends so much on the type of driving you do.

Read on for the top 10 most economical combustion-engined cars on sale today. Just remember, these fuel economy figures are by no means a guarantee of the numbers you can hope to achieve – they’re gathered under laboratory conditions, not in the real world.

Peugeot 208 1.6 BlueHDi Active 75 S&S

Fuel economy: 94mpg
Price: £16,940

Peugeot’s 208 isn’t the pick of the supermini class – that honour goes to the Ford Fiesta, which trumps the French car on driving dynamics. But the Peugeot hits back with incredible fuel economy of up to 94mpg from its 1.6-litre diesel engine.
The relatively large capacity and low power output means the engine is relatively unstressed, so CO2 emissions are similarly low – just 79g/km. The rest of the car’s assets aren’t too bad either – it’s neat-looking, well priced, and decently equipped.

Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Play 90 ECO

Fuel economy: 91mpg
Price: £16,225

Another French car takes second place, as the Renault Clio – equipped with the brand’s perennial 1.5-litre dCi diesel – achieves an impressive 91mpg on the combined cycle.
The Clio is the supermodel of the supermini class, with curvy lines and a well-laid out interior. It’s not as good to drive as rivals, though, and the interior isn’t the roomiest.

Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi Style 85PS

Fuel economy: 91mpg
Price: £15,245

If you value driving dynamics, this is the car for you – even when equipped with the lowly 83bhp diesel engine, the Fiesta is a great handler. That engine is both smooth and quiet for a diesel, and achieves 91mpg, matching the Clio.
It’s usefully cheaper, though, coming in at £1,000 less than the Clio and more than £1,500 less than the Peugeot. Combine that with good looks and a much-improved interior over the outgoing model, and the Fiesta deserves its spot as one of the best-selling cars in the UK.

Peugeot 308 1.6 BlueHDi Active 120 S&S

Fuel economy: 91mpg
Price: £20,700

That Peugeot can achieve such a huge fuel economy figure from a comparatively large car is testament to the brand’s commitment to efficiency. The 308 is a size class above the superminis already mentioned, but still achieves 91mpg on the combined cycle – and emits just 82g/km.
It’s good-looking, has a big boot and drives well, although the quirky interior won’t be to everyone’s taste. If you want even more room, you could plump for the SW estate model, too. It’s marginally less efficient, but still achieves 88mpg.

Nissan Micra 1.5 dCi Visia

Fuel economy: 88mpg
Price: £14,715

This generation of Nissan Micra heralded a renaissance for the nameplate, ditching the staid and sensible styling of the last model for a much sharper and more striking design. It also added a diesel engine to the line-up for the first time – a 1.5 dCi unit shared with the Renault Clio.
Like the one in the Clio, it’s very efficient, rated at 88mpg and 85g/km of CO2. With a newly premium interior and Nissan’s legendary reliability, the Micra could be the diesel of choice for buyers who want dependability and style in one package.

DS 3 1.6 BlueHDi 100hp S&S

Fuel economy: 86mpg
Price: £18,145

The stylish DS 3 is really a Citroen underneath, which means it shares plenty of its oily bits with Peugeot. That’s why the DS 3 manages an impressive 86mpg, using the same 1.6-litre BlueHDi engine as the Peugeot 208.
Add to that a very stylish three-door body and the DS 3 can be seen as a rival to diesel versions of the Mini or Fiat 500 – but is considerably more economical than either.

Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Style Econetic

Fuel economy: 85mpg
Price: £17,745

Like the Fiesta, but bigger. The Focus retains Ford’s trademark of excellent handling, but in this form mates that with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, which achieves 85mpg on the combined cycle and emits 88g/km of CO2.
If you need more than the Focus hatchback’s rather stingy boot, you can have an estate model – with identical fuel economy figures – for just £1,100 more.

Vauxhall Astra 1.6 CDTi Tech Line S/S ecoTEC

Fuel economy: 85mpg
Price: £19,955

The latest Vauxhall Astra isn’t much more inspiring than the old model, but it is decent to look at, very well equipped – with OnStar Concierge services as standard – and very economical, thanks to an upgraded version of the ‘Whisper’ diesel engine.
Replacing Vauxhall’s ancient 1.7-litre CDTi engine, the ‘Whisper’ diesel is quiet, refined and powerful enough, and in this form will achieve 85mpg. Fleet bosses up and down the country will be thrilled by its 88g/km CO2 emissions, too.

Mercedes A-Class A180 d SE

Fuel economy: 84mpg
Price: £22,235

You might be turned off by the idea of a Mercedes – even a tiny one – with a Renault-sourced 1.5-litre diesel engine under the bonnet. But don’t be, as you’re still getting Mercedes prestige and build quality – but with fuel economy of 84mpg, you won’t be paying Mercedes prices at the pumps.
Mercedes’ partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance gives it use of this engine (the same Alliance which allows Infiniti to use the A-Class platform under its Q30 hatchback) and though it’s not the first partnership you’d think of, it works remarkably well.

Fiat 500 1.3 MultiJet 95HP

Fuel economy: 84mpg
Price: £15,865

The baby of Fiat’s range, the 500 is at its best when fitted with the perky and powerful TwinAir petrol engines – but those are thirsty, often averaging around 30mpg. The 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, by contrast, manages a claimed 84mpg, and emits just 89g/km.
There are few more fashionable ways to save fuel either, as the Fiat 500 remains an icon even 10 years on from its relaunch. It’s been facelifted to keep it up-to-date with the latest tech, and though it’s not the best to drive, it’s cute, fun, and cost-effective to own.

Honorary mention… Suzuki Celerio 1.0 SZ3 Dualjet

Fuel economy: 80mpg
Price: £9,649

The Celerio isn’t quite up to the fuel economy standards of the rest of this list, but it has its own accolade – it’s the most efficient petrol-powered car in the UK. It’s also the cheapest car on this list by quite a margin.
It’s not attractive, flashy, or particularly good to drive, but the Celerio is about as cheap as motoring gets – and if you do short journeys, it’s definitely a better choice than a diesel.

I’m sure, like most motorists, I haven’t been alone in wondering what it’s like to legally hurtle along a motorway at more than 150mph.

Now, after unintentionally riding shotgun in an unmarked police car to catch a driver who’d failed to stop, I know.

Pursuit

Traffic cop PC Rob Lewis and I are taking a break from an evening pounding the streets of Hampshire, when a voice over the radio reveals an unfolding pursuit.

On the far reaches of the Eastern Roads Policing Unit’s patch – some 32 miles away from where we’re enjoying a much-needed fast food supper – an Audi A3 driver has refused to pull over for a police car.

Scrambled

Traffic cops from across the area have been scrambled to assist with the chase – and that includes us in an unmarked BMW 330d.

The young driver is leading cops on a merry tour of the back roads around Winchester, and he is currently heading south towards the coast, showing no signs of giving up.

Blues and twos

It’s just gone 10pm on a Friday night, so traffic is light as we leave the Eastern RPU base at Havant, Hampshire, and join the usually-heaving M27.

With blues and twos flashing, PC Lewis picks up the pace and we’re soon in the higher rev ranges of the 3 Series. The unmarked car is packed with heavy kit, not to mention myself and a photographer, but yet still quickly tops three figures.

Unmarked car

Traffic melts away in front of us. The unmarked car may by disguised in plain sight when its lights aren’t flashing, but now it’s obvious a police vehicle is fast approaching.

Blue and white LEDs are hidden in the grille, on the dash, in the wing mirrors and behind the numberplate and at night, users wouldn’t even know it was unmarked as it approaches in the fast lane.

Fast approaching

PC Lewis has the radio turned up in the car and we can hear his colleagues reporting the Audi’s latest whereabouts. There are several units involved in the chase now and despite the distance we’ve had to cover, at speeds mostly topping 140mph, we’ve managed to get very close to helping out.

We pull off the M3 near Winchester and PC Lewis informs the police control room he’ll wait in a layby to see if the chase comes his way.

Wrong turn

It soon becomes clear it isn’t. The radio commentary explains the errant Audi has taken a turn off road and is heading towards a small village.

PC Lewis asks us to punch it into Google Maps – we’re a long way out of his usual patch – and we make a series of turns until we’re on the same road as the runaway, heading towards each other.

Crash site

Police control asks us to deploy a Stinger – a device which rapidly deflates all four tyres when thrown in front of the wheels.

PC Lewis says he’ll find a suitable location, but seconds later we hear “he’s crashed, he’s crashed” on the radio.

Just a mile down the road, we find the just-crashed Audi, penned in by another unmarked police car.

Stopped dead

The Audi has mounted a verge, taken out two signs and attempted to get back on the road. In doing so it’s been caught behind a telegraph pole and cops have decided to use their BMW X5 to stop the chase dead.

When we arrive the driver has been arrested. We’re the third car to arrive – after the other unmarked BMW and a dog unit. Four other police cars soon arrive, a sea of flashing blue lights illuminate the crash scene.

Team work

“This was a typical example of team work, county-wide, coordinated by our control room,” explained PC Lewis. “A car that fails to stop can be a serious danger to other road users and needs to be stopped safely.

“We came very close to this coming directly into our path and luckily it ended with no serious injuries.”

Pincer movement

Rushing to the scene, experiencing the immense skill and concentration these officers utilise in their work every day, was quite an experience.

We may not have come into direct contact with the runaway vehicle until the very end, but throughout the 45-minute chase we were engaged in the action on the radio, and by playing our part in a huge pincer movement.

I still can’t quite believe we were lucky enough to be taken a long for the ride.

The new year brings with it the promise of a league of new models, with hybrids, SUVs and hypercars set to grace the market.

Thankfully, there’s one segment that will again see a significant boost in 2018 – hot hatches. Hugely popular in the UK, hot hatches provide thrills and high performance alongside decent practicality levels – making them perfect all-rounders. Here, we’ve picked out seven key contenders due to make their first appearance this year.

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen is much famed in its ability to produce well-rounded, fast and desirable hot hatches. The Polo GTI sits in the middle of the range, between the smaller Up! and larger Golf. However, with close to 200bhp on tap and new, sportier dampers, it’s set to be just as good to drive as its bigger brother.

Looks-wise, the Polo GTI certainly treads on the conservative side of things, but thanks to red exterior highlights and trademark tartan seats, it’s easy to distinguish from the regular car.

Ford Fiesta ST

The previous-generation Ford Fiesta ST will undoubtedly go down as one of the best hot hatches of all time.

This latest version features a new 1.5-litre turbocharged engine and has heightened levels of technology on its side. The sprint to 60mph is claimed to take under seven seconds. Of course, the ST remains a Ford at heart, so expect decent value for money and high levels of standard equipment.

Renault Megane RS

Another key pillar in the hot hatch segment has been the RenaultSport (or now RS) Megane. The new version packs 276bhp from a 1.8-litre engine, and though this may lag somewhat behind other key rivals (most premium hot hatches are now pushing out close to 300bhp), its four-wheel steering should help it keep in the game.

That system should mean that the RS will be one of the most agile sporty Meganes to date.

Suzuki Swift Sport

The Swift Sport is one of the most-loved compact hot hatches ever made, offering nimble handling in a diminutive yet solid-feeling package. This latest version is lighter than ever before – 80kg, in fact – and features a new 1.4-litre turbocharged engine too.

It also benefits from a range of sporty styling touches, including 17-inch alloy wheels and heavily bolstered sports seats. A new six-speed manual gearbox has been fitted, adding an extra cog over the older car’s five-speed ’box.

Toyota Yaris GRMN

Arguably one of the most compact hot hatches set to arrive in 2018, the Toyota Yaris GRMN’s diminutive proportions shouldn’t put you off. Gazoo Racing (Toyota’s motorsport arm) worked extensively on the car, reinforcing the chassis and tuning its 1.8-litre engine to produce more than 210bhp.

It also gets a host of visual tweaks, including 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, heavily bolstered sports seats and a large rear wing. Small in size, the Yaris GRMN is likely to offer a lot of performance.

Mercedes-AMG A45

Sitting at the top of the hot hatch food chain is the Mercedes-AMG A45, and soon there’ll be a new one. Though the previous-generation car was hardly short of poke, this latest version is claimed to push out more than 400bhp through all four wheels.

It’s also set to benefit from the latest cabin architecture from the likes of the E-Class and S-Class, offering a more premium experience for those inside compared with the older model.

Audi S1

Audi’s pocket-rocket S1 was something of a quiet hit for the German brand, offering thrills and a surprising amount of performance in a compact layout. Audi is believed to be releasing a successor towards the latter part of 2018, and it’s likely an S1 variant will accompany it.

The older car’s 2.0-litre turbocharged engine pushed it from 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, so we’d expect the newer S1 to beat that time by some margin.

Car theft is on the up – figures in 2016 indicated a 30 per cent increase over 2013, with the rise blamed on clever gangs of car thieves outwitting sophisticated electronic security measures.

So, with complex keyless entry systems proving a weak point into cars, could a return to more low-tech security measures keep your car and its contents safe from thieves?

Here are our top tips for keeping your car safe – regardless of its age.

Think before you park

Location, location, location. Parking a flash car in a seedy neighbourhood is rarely a good idea, and if you take just a minute to seek out a better spot your car will be much less likely to be nicked.

Try to park in busy, well-lit areas – with CCTV coverage if at all possible. When at home, make use of what you have. If you have a garage, use it. After all, what’s more important – protecting your £150 lawnmower, or your £20,000+ car?

Don’t be lazy

It’s tempting to leave the keys in the ignition and the car unlocked sometimes. Popping out to pay for petrol, defrosting the windscreen in the morning, or just grabbing something from the boot? Always switch off, take the keys and lock the car.

Opportunistic thieves often have their eyes peeled for inattentive owners, and a car with the keys inside is practically an open invitation.

Don’t tempt fate

Do you empty your car every time you use it? Of course not, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be cautious. Hide valuables out of sight – purses, wallets, laptops or tablets, and especially smartphones or sat-navs.

Place them in a lockable compartment, such as the glove box or the boot, and don’t forget to remove any cradles or holsters – an empty sat-nav holder, or suction rings on the windscreen are a sure sign that there’s a sat-nav hidden in the car.

Store your keys safely

Think about where you put your car keys when you get home. If they’re too close to your front door, they’re an easy target – not to mention thieves can boost keyless systems if they can get close enough, allowing them access to your car.

If you’re really worried, it’s possible to get special pouches which block the signals from your keyless fob, so the car only unlocks when you want it to.

Consider physical security

In the old days, a steering lock was a bright yellow deterrent to theft – opportunistic robbers avoided cars with them fitted, because stealing them would be too noisy and difficult.
The same can apply today. While cheap steering locks are easy to defeat, devices like the award-winning Disklok are impossible to get through without some seriously heavy machinery. They can be bulky to use on a daily driver, but on an occasional or weekend car they’re ideal.

Fit a tracker

GPS trackers used to be expensive and bulky, but new tech means they’re now unobtrusive, inexpensive, and a must-have to protect your precious motors.

A device such as the Oxford Tracker is barely thicker than a pencil, requires no power supply or recharging, and costs just £84 for a 12-month subscription.

Conceal this in your car and regardless of where it ends up, you’ll be able to track it on your smartphone.

Fit an alarm and immobiliser

Most modern cars will have these fitted as standard, but if you’re running an older car without many security measures then they can be worthy investments.

A professionally fitted alarm and immobiliser may not prevent your car from being broken into, but it will dissuade thieves from actually taking it – and may lower your insurance.

Never leave documents or spare keys in a car

Don’t give the criminals everything – if someone does manage to gain access to your car, leaving registration documents or another key just makes the rest of their job even easier.

Keep documents and spare keys in a safe place, and they won’t find the car so easy to offload once the theft is complete.

Over the years, the performance branch of Audi – RS – has produced some iconic, hugely capable road cars.

Benefiting from years of experience generated in rallies, they’ve all provided plenty of performance with all-weather capability.

Audi recently released its latest instalment of the RS bloodline – the RS4 Avant – sparking cries as to which model from history is the best. Here are our top five…

RS2 Avant

One of the earliest members of the RS brand, the RS2 was based on the 80 body style produced back in the 1980s. Co-developed with Porsche, it was powered by a turbocharged 2.2-litre straight-five engine with just over 300bhp.

A direct ancestor of the current RS4 Avant, the RS2 showed what Audi could do with a conventional estate car – the RS2 had an ungoverned top speed of 163mph – while maintaining a real level of practicality too.

RS6 Avant (C7)

The latest RS6 Avant model will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the key vehicles produced by Audi RS. Featuring a turbocharged V8 engine, quattro all-wheel drive and a practical estate body style, it’s the perfect all-rounder – which is why it’s proved so popular.

With the trend towards downsizing apparent in performance cars, it’s unlikely that the next-generation RS6 will have the same engine, which is why this edition needs celebrating all the more.

RS4 Avant (B7)

Though the latest RS4 Avant is something of a technical masterclass, it was the previous-generation model that broke the mould for performance estate cars. The B7 edition RS4 Avant proved that fast Audis needn’t understeer everywhere – it was a proper performance car that could corner, steer and accelerate as well as any BMW.

There were a few complaints – the fuel tank was tiny, for instance – but the overall impressions of the RS4 Avant were impressively positive.

RS6 Saloon (C6)

One of the key aspects that made the C6 RS6 Saloon quite so famous was the engine. Shared with Lamborghini, the 5.0-litre V10 was something that wasn’t usually found in “regular” estate or saloon cars and yet here it was – in a comfortable, five-seater Audi.

Capable of hitting 60mph in under five seconds and able to quickly trouble its 155mph limiter, the RS6 Saloon looked, in truth, a little like a taxi – although true car aficionados knew about its underlying supercar performance.

TTRS

Despite being one of the smallest models in the Audi range, the latest TTRS shows that compact cars needn’t be lacking in performance. The current-generation car features a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine and quattro all-wheel drive, but in a smaller, more road-friendly package.

Though not as practical as some of its estate or saloon stablemates, the TTRS makes up for it with invigorating performance and a turbocharged five-cylinder engine with plenty of character.

It’s the first week of January and that means one thing – it’s time to convince yourself that the new year means a new you. Bring on the New Year’s Resolutions.

You could go for the typical ones, such as eating less or avoiding alcohol, but you know that’s probably going to last all of a few days. Instead, why not try something a bit different and rid yourself of one or more of these bad motoring habits?

Not only will you be making your journey less stressful, you’ll have the warm satisfaction that comes with self-improvement.

Stop middle-lane hogging

The Highway Code clearly states that motorists should keep to the left-hand lane at all times when not overtaking, yet so many motorists cruise up the middle totally oblivious.

Apart from being a pain for other drivers, it could also land you in hot water with the police. Officers can punish drivers who don’t pull over when they should – in 2015, van driver Ian Stephens became the first person to be prosecuted for the offence, receiving a £1,000 fine and five points on his licence.

Always use your indicators

Indicators are important because they let other road users know what you’re doing. If you don’t use them, drivers could misinterpret your actions, risking a crash. And if you don’t use them on roundabouts and junctions you can slow the flow of traffic as motorists have to wait to see what you do before pulling out.

So, get your indicators flashing, let other people know what you’re up to, and keep the roads safe and flowing smoothly.

Got a 4×4? Use it

People who live in big cities and want large, practical cars invariably go for an SUV these days instead of an estate. These big 4x4s often come with fantastic off-road ability, but the most dangerous incline they face is speed bumps on the school run.

They’re also often more polluting than a large family car because of the extra weight and complex four-wheel-drive systems. So if you really must have a big, imposing inner-city motor, you should make it your resolution to use it as intended – out in the countryside where the roads are made of mud. The fresh air will do you good, too.

Keep your distance

“Only a fool breaks the two-second rule” is the old saying, but there appears to be plenty of fools on the road. In dry weather, keeping about two seconds between you and the car in front ensures there’s enough room for you to stop if something goes wrong up ahead.

Tailgating and intimidating other drivers to move over won’t get you to your destination quicker if you end up buried in their back bumper, after all.

Check the condition of your car

There are a number of simple checks that drivers often ignore but could save your life and the lives of others, so make it your mission in 2018 to actually check over your car.

Consumables are anything that can wear out or be used up in normal driving. So every now and then check tyre tread depths, the life in your brake pads, how much oil is in the engine, and whether your windscreen washer is topped up.

Learn how to park

Anyone who’s ever been to a supermarket on a busy Saturday afternoon will know how infuriating it is when drivers don’t park properly. Or perhaps you’ve headed into town and spent half the day driving in circles because you can’t parallel park. This is the year you learn how to leave your car properly parked up.

There are countless YouTube videos explaining parallel parking, so go find a quiet road to practice on – once you’ve figured out the process it’s infinitely repeatable and the satisfaction when you pull it off in front of a queue of traffic will be immense!

As for bay parking, just keeping it between the lines is a start. Also, try to keep it in the middle so people can actually get out of the cars each side of you. Basically, just be considerate.

Stop using your phone

Not only is this illegal – you can get a £200 fine and six points on your licence – it is also incredibly dangerous.

If you really can’t keep your hands off your phone while driving you need to have a serious chat with yourself. Consider your time behind the wheel as quiet ‘you time’, where social media and WhatsApp are the last things on your mind.

Keep your car clean

We’re talking both inside and out. Some people love a car that’s caked in dirt, but there really is something incredibly satisfying about a clean car.

Meanwhile, decluttering your interior will help to reduce stress behind the wheel. If you have discarded crisp packets and old McDonald’s cartons littered throughout the inside, consider having a big clear out and hoovering up – that new car feeling doesn’t take long to achieve and will make you feel better every time you climb in.

Keep calm and carry on

There’s something about getting into a car that can turn otherwise docile people into blithering maniacs. If you find your blood boiling every time you jump in the car, perhaps it’s time to chill out.

Reigning in your aggression will make you a happier, safer driver. Start by being more considerate and letting drivers out of side roads, then build up to not waving your middle finger at people who cut you up. It really doesn’t achieve anything other than stress you out, and if we all take it easy the roads will run much more smoothly.

Use your car less

Okay, so this can be tricky for people who don’t live in major towns and cities where public transport is terrible, but if you can leave the car at home, do it.
Not only is it good for the environment, if you can bring yourself to walk short journeys instead it’s good for your health, too. Considering how awful peak traffic has become, it might even be quicker!

Car manufacturers like to produce other products to show they can apply their technological know-how in all areas. Sometimes it’s bicycles, other times furniture and, just occasionally, boats.

The maritime industry marks an entry into the peak of ‘lifestyle products’ for car firms. Whereas a motor vehicle is a necessity for most, a boat is something to enjoy and relax in – which is exactly why car makers want to be associated with them.

Here, we’ve taken a look at some of the most impressive boats car firms have created.

Peugeot Sea Drive Concept
£Priceless – one off concept

Whereas Peugeot is more often thought of as a producer of compact, value-for-money hatchbacks, the French manufacturer teamed up with Beneteau to showcase that it could indeed build boats too.

The cockpit uses styling cues from Peugeot cars, including the small steering wheel – that features control buttons for major functions – and iCockpit infotainment system from the 3008 and 5008. It’s a dramatic looking thing, and is leagues away from anything that Peugeot sells today.

Aston Martin AM37S
£1.22m

Aston Martin has a distinct heritage of creating luxurious, powerful and hugely desirable motor cars – and this year it applied those traits to a yacht, with the AM37S.

Built in collaboration with Quintessence Yachts, the twin 512bhp-engined AM37S is capable of 50 knots – around 57mph.

Aston also let its craftsmen loose on the yacht, resulting in a boat with a high-quality cabin, while the main windscreen has been created from a single piece of glass to give it an all-encompassing look.

Lexus Sport Yacht
£Priceless – one off concept

The Sport Yacht marked a new direction for Lexus – typically behind the production of economical hybrid and petrol-powered cars.

Powered by two Lexus V8 engines, it certainly has performance on its side, with each producing 440bhp and meaning the Sport Yacht can achieve 43 knots, nearly 50mph.

As well as being fast, it has been designed to be practical. There’s a stove, sink and fridge inside as well as enough room for eight people.

Marauder AMG GT S
£1.3m

Legendary tuners AMG and Cigarette Racing Team have teamed up on many occasions, but this Marauder AMG speed boat really stands out.

Not only does it look incredible, but it’s fast too! Powered by a pair of 1,528bhp engines, it can hit an incredible 135mph.

You get Bluetooth connectivity and a premium audio system – though whether or not you’ll be able to hear it while travelling at more than 100mph on water is another question.

Bugatti Niniette 66
£2.99m

Built by Palmer Johnson in collaboration with Bugatti, the Niniette 66’s design takes distinct cues from the new Chiron – the side profile of the boat follows the same lines as the hypercar.

The Niniette features a double bed, flat-screen television and a carbon-fibre television while twin V8 engines can power it along to 51mph. The boat’s moniker derives from the pet name given by Bugatti’s founder Ettore Bugatti to his youngest daughter, Lidia.

German brand Mercedes-Benz has just launched a ‘premium pick-up truck’ which it has built in collaboration with Japanese maker Nissan.

When Mercedes announced that it was entering the market with a premium commercial vehicle, it raised many eyebrows.

Could a truck predominantly used by people who spend their days driving through muddy fields really be attractive in a premium specification?

Mercedes thinks so, and proudly revealed at the UK launch that it has already taken nearly 1,000 pre-orders for the pick-up, which starts at £27,310 excluding VAT.

However, this isn’t a bespoke Mercedes. The German manufacturer signed an agreement with Nissan that would see its premium pick-up be based on the rugged Navara.

It was keen to point out that the trucks are not totally alike, even bringing a Navara along so journalists could poke around to see what’s different.

However, there are plenty of similarities – here’s what they are.

Engines and oily bits

While Mercedes was keen to point out all the subtle changes they have made, they couldn’t hide the big one – that most of what’s under the skin is a Nissan.

At launch both engine variants are based on the Japanese manufacturer’s 2.3-litre turbo-diesel unit, pictured here in the Nissan Navara pick-up. The entry-level model makes 161bhp while a 187bhp version is also available.

There’s also a six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic transmission, both taken from Nissan, while the clever differentials that move power between all four wheels are also present on the Navara.

Fortunately, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing – we tried the X-Class on a tricky off-road course, and it proved incredibly capable climbing slippery slopes and pulling itself out of bogs. The engine is a bit unrefined and sluggish under acceleration out on the road, though.

Door handles

Mercedes went to great pains to point out that every exterior panel is different – even the rear doors, which look pretty much identical but have a slightly different angle to the window ‘flick’, apparently.

However, there’s one Navara-spec design feature jutting out of the bodywork, and that’s the door handles. That means you actually have to grab a piece of Nissan to climb into your premium pick-up that’s definitely not a Nissan.

Bottom half of the wing mirrors

We’re not sure how much time and money was saved by doing this, but Mercedes only redesigned half the wing mirror. The bulk of the design that you see is new, but the bottom half, which attaches to the door and supports the mirror’s housing, is straight off the Nissan.
It’s a minor detail, but it’s a detail nonetheless.

Aerial

Speaking of minor details, we have one more for you. The aerial on the roof, which protrudes proudly from the rear of the cab, is Japanese. It’s decidedly old school-looking, too, so it’s perhaps a surprise Mercedes didn’t see fit to change it…

Key

We’ve saved the best for last. The design of a key can tell you a lot about a vehicle, and premium manufacturers tend to use bulky items with satisfyingly sturdy button clicks.

Nissan, on the other hand, has rather slim, lightweight keys with flimsy buttons that feel like they could be picked apart by a bored child in five minutes flat.

Mercedes hasn’t fitted all the electronic gubbins from a Navara key into one of its heavier duty fobs, instead opting to essentially stick its own badge on a Nissan unit.

It does feel like a missed opportunity to extend that premium feeling…

As we creep into the quiet cul-de-sac in a sleepy Hampshire town, no one notices the unremarkable grey BMW on surveillance duty.

Looking quite like every other 3 Series on the road, the unmarked police car raises little suspicion as it slips into the street where most of the houses are lit up with Christmas lights and their occupants are settling down for a Friday night in front of the TV.

This is no social visit, though. Traffic cop PC Rob Lewis is looking for someone specific – a known, repeat drink-driver who has been shopped to cops on the Crimestoppers hotline.

Tip offs

“The intelligence suggests this Jaguar driver downs a few pints every evening in a pub in the High Street and then drives home around 7pm,” explains PC Lewis, 44. “We are here to try and stop him.

“This information has mostly come from the Crimestoppers hotline,” he adds. “People call in with details and that is fed to us to investigate – and that’s exactly what we’re doing now.”

Christmas campaign

Operation Holly is a national drink-drive campaign that brings drink and drug driving into the spotlight – and this year police forces, like Hampshire Constabulary, are taking a more intelligence-led approach to catching offenders.

While the high profile, roadside operations that pull over drivers at random are still on-going, they’re taking somewhat of a backseat to stings like this one across the UK.

PC Lewis – a traffic cop for five years and a policeman for 18 – is clutching print outs of bulletins with pictures of offenders, car information, and details of their known patterns. And we’re out looking for them.

Sleeping it off

Unfortunately, the Jaguar driver is already home and the lights are off in his house – PC Lewis suspects he’s already had a skin-full and is now sleeping it off.

“We might not have got him tonight, but we’ll keep trying,” he says. “It took me five years to catch one repeat offender who was known to the force, but I eventually caught him. Taking people like that off the road is vital.”

Erratic Range Rover

While we’re loitering outside another known drink driver’s house, we get a call on the radio – a woman in a Range Rover is weaving all over the A3(M) near Petersfield, and they suspect she’s had a drink.

The location is around 10 miles away from the busy housing estate we’re circulating, but with blue lights and siren fired up, it’s merely a few minutes away.

Man hunt

PC Lewis expertly carves his way through the traffic, cars slipping aside in the fast lane as we top three figures to get to the area she was last spotted.

We arrive and park up on the hard shoulder, just after a junction on the busy dual carriageway, and keep an eye out for her to pass. A few minutes later the control room updates us, she’s been seen in Emsworth, a seaside town further down the road. We sweep head there and sweep the town looking for her, but she’s nowhere in sight.

Back on patrol

PC Lewis is constantly on the look-out for the tell-tale signs of a drink driver. Weaving, speeding or even driving with the window down while its cold are all signs the driver may have had a drink.

While patrolling Portsmouth we get another call from the control room – a man is threatening to leap off “jumper’s bridge”, a nearby suicide hotspot, and they’d like us to assist.

“We’ll head to the bridge and see what we can see,” PC Lewis tells the control room. On the way, another call comes in – his van has just triggered an ANPR camera not far from our location.

Drink driver

We divert to see if we can find the van – but within minutes he’s collared by a marked police unit. The driver is clearly upset, but stinks of alcohol.

PC Chris Powling breathalyses him and he blows a reading of 81mg in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mg. The driver is arrested, handcuffed and taken to the station in the back of a police van.

Banged up

At Portsmouth Central Police Station, the arresting officers need to get him booked in quickly. They need to test him on the Intoximeter as soon as possible – this is an official test and takes two readings, the lower of the two is then used as evidence.

It’s a set process, laid down in a document, and after he’s booked in by the custody sergeant, he’s taken straight into a special room for the test. After 15 minutes, the results are in – he’s blown 83mg per 100ml of breath twice and placed in a cell to sober up. Later the next day, he’ll be charged.

Sinking feeling

As the realisation of what is happening sinks in, the van driver starts to sob.

“Drink driving has huge consequences on people’s lives,” explains PC Lewis. “When they get to the station and realise they’ve been caught and that they’ll probably lose their jobs and freedom, then it starts to hit home. The advice is simple: Don’t drink and drive, it ruins lives.

“People might think we don’t take reports of drink-drivers seriously and may wonder if we ever do anything about it. As you’ve seen tonight, we take it very seriously indeed and will visit their homes or places where they drink to ensure they’re not breaking the law.

“I’d ask the public to continue reporting those breaking the law, because we will do all we can to catch drink-drivers not just at Christmas, but every single day of the year.”

James Bond, the suave, Martini-swilling British spy is usually found behind the wheel of an elegant, swooping sports car – think Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me, or Aston Martin DB10 in Spectre.

However, what do the vast majority of 007’s cars have in common? They all use petrol power.

With the real-life car industry moving towards electrification and away from combustion engines, shouldn’t Q-branch start issuing Bond with an electric-powered performance car instead? We’ve picked five electric cars that would look the part in any-high speed car chase with Bond behind the wheel.

Jaguar E-Type Zero

British? Check. Two seats? Check. Convertible? Check. Straight from the off, the Jaguar E-Type Zero appears to be the perfect electrified Bond car.

Based on a regular 1968 E-Type, the Zero uses an electric powertrain developing 220kW, allowing it to hit 60mph in under six seconds.

It’s also got all of the charisma required for a Bond car, but remains elegant and understated. Bond has, interestingly, never driven an E-Type before, so this would be its first appearance in the franchise.

Tesla Roadster

With Tesla at the forefront of electric car technology, its latest Roadster makes for an ideal high-speed transport option for Bond.

With a claimed 0-60mph time of under two seconds, 007 would be one of the fastest things on the road – and far quicker than any pursuing baddies.

In addition, Tesla claims that the Roadster will be able to do 620 miles on a single charge, so cross-continent jaunts shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

Morgan EV3

Traditional, but effective – traits that describe both James Bond and this – Morgan’s new EV3 electric 3 Wheeler.

Though far more compact than most Bond cars, the Morgan is likely to provide as grand an entrance as any Aston Martin.

In addition to a 34.9kW electric motor, the EV3’s low centre of gravity gives it excellent cornering abilities, while coach-built bodywork gifts it with a level of exclusiveness that is needed by any Bond car.

BMW i8

Though the BMW i8 has been around for a little while now, there are very few cars like it on the road today for sheer other-worldly looks.

Its gullwing doors, stylish aerodynamics and powerful hybrid powertrain all put it firmly into Bond car territory.

It’ll hit 60mph in under five seconds, only topping out at 155mph – enough performance for any mountain road chase. We could easily see Q-branch fitting rocket launchers at either side, too.

Honda Sports EV

Arguably one of the most stylish electric vehicles to be revealed in 2017, the Sports EV from Honda would be well suited to life with 007 behind the wheel.

Low-slung and compact, the Sports EV shows what the future of electrified sports cars could look like – and what the future of Bond vehicles could be too.

It would be the first time that a Honda would have appeared in the films, giving Bond an all-new mode of transport.